Snowgator

I haven't had the surgery yet, but I'm a med/surg nurse. Lay flat on the floor, you can elevate your feet on a couple pillows if you like. This will move the gas. Also, try alternating heating pad and ice pack. hang in there!

Lisa, I know how you feel. I've lost before in years past, and it is hard when you are all excited about fitting into a certain outfit, and nobody says anything. I think sometimes people are actually being polite, and consider it rude to comment on a person's weight, especially when they know you struggle with it. Hang in there, and let us know about your weight loss - we will happily cheer you on!

Instead of creams, try a laser treatment. Just google fraxel laser and the name of your town, and see what comes up.

I like a teaspoon of instant coffee, or a teaspoon of cocoa powder in my vanilla shakes.

Well said, Deb. We all know what life will be like 1 month, 6 months, or 1 year ahead if we do NOT get the band. It will be more of the same, which we are not willing to continue. You have a great attitude and are going to do super!!

My doctor said capsules are okay to take, since the gastric juices in your new small upper stomach are strong enough to dissolve the gelatin capsule before it goes into the larger part of your stomach.

That wasn't exactly balanced journalism. hmmmm too bad, just reinforcing some outdated ideas.

Hello September Samurais! I was wondering what supplies all of you are stocking up on now to prepare for surgery and the post-op diet? Today at Walmart I found chewable Centrum adult multivitamins for around $5. They aren't bad, taste like baby aspirin, kind of orangey. I also found Speical K vitamin water powder, yes, just the little foil pouch that you put in your own water bottle. It was 5 grams of protein, so I thought that would be a great way to get a little protein during the "clears" phase, without having to pay $1.50 a bottle. It comes in 3 flavors. I plan on digging out my heating pad, in case I have shoulder pain, and I heard I should get gas-x strips, too, but Dr. K. in Denver said gas should not be a problem. What are you all doing?

Happy Birthday Jennifer! Treat yourself to a spa day instead. Wish I could go with you!

yES, YES, YES, getting a little anxious about it all, and have a deep seeded fear "what if I can't be a success at this?" "what if it works for everybody but me?", but then I think rationally about how much education I have had about this, and that I know what steps to take to ensure success. we can do this!!

Hi Lenore, Thanks for doing the update! Wow, so many septembers now, that is super. Good luck everybody, and those of you on the 1st and 2nd please post asap after your surgery so we know what to expect! p.s. Tally is 9/3

As for the port bulge and/or scars, my daughter had a pretty funny idea, she says I should invent a tale about skiing some black diamond run, and taking an incredible wipe out down some rocks and trees, etc., so I can say "oh, that, well let me tell you about the INCIDENT!" LOL....

great thread, here's my two cents will not miss: -wearing spanx -having jewelry that doesn't fit -being embarassed when someone wants to buy me a gift and asks my size -not being able to buckle the top buckle of ski boots -sweaty inner thighs and having to wear a split slip with all my skirts -never having a second date -starting a new diet on Mondays -avoiding telling anyone my weight, even doctors -being chunky in Colorado where everyone is such a darn fitness buff -hating the summer months -having my makeup run from getting sweaty before I even get to work -matronly swim suits

Stephanie, thanks for the tips about mrsa and taking scrubs off immediately, I will definitely do that.

Special K makes a protein water that is clear. My doc says no protein shakes until you move on past clears for a few days.

Also you can lay your back flat on the floor, and elevate your legs on a couple pillows. This will work to move the gas bubbles from your shoulder. Also, try a heating pad on your shoulder.

I work on a med/surg unit. Do you think 10 days off work will be enough for me to return to full duty? thanks so much!

Good luck Samantha and Vegas Girl - tomorrow is your new "birthday", I'm sure you will both do great!!!

Okay, so did anybody else see in the news today that during the Friday night opening of the Olympics, the little 9 year old girl singing "Ode to the Motherland" wasn't singing at all? She was lip-synching, because 7 year od Yang Peiyi was deemed too unattractive to have her face on TV and in front of the world. Okay, so I had to google a photo of this little girl. She is completely adorable. Yes, she's a little chubby, yes, her baby teeth are crooked. But she is adorable. What does it say about our international society that such a thing is allowed to happen. And haven't each of us had our own little mini humiliation somewhere over the years regarding our weight. It is just horrible, and I feel sick for this little girl who had to hide behind a curtain.

I love hearing that ! Good for you. It is so encouraging for those of us who have the surgery approaching soon.

He totally got what he deserved - LOVE it

Oh my, our soon to be "sisterhood of the traveling elastic waist pants" is growing: 9/1 gg2007 9/2 a2bachik, PattyB, health4life 9/3 Tally 9am, Christina 11am, Denver Girl 1pm, all w/ Dr. K in Colorado 9/4 Bluezbandit, Kiz 9/5 roland 130, flirtylass, Janie818 9/8 keleka 9/9 april apple, debduck 9/11 slabenne, paisley daisy 9/15 mommieof4 9/16 hopelives 9/17 fatmommyslim, lilysmommy 9/19 debbieperez 9/24 mdarg 9/25 hawk14 Go Team September!!

Hey, this stuff sounds great! Where is the cheapest place to buy it? I saw the 29.95 deal from his web site, but then you are enrolled for a monthly shipment. thanks!

you might ask your doc for a Rx for lidocaine patches, you can keep them on for 12 hours at a time and they are great for pain, they are about 4"x6" and you can cut them as you need

I would not have tomato soup yet, try to have clear things only such as consumme or bouillion, apple juice, etc.