NJMOMof2

If you're gonna do it...do it right. Allow yourself to heal, it wil, be worth the wait. Glad your surgery went well.

I had a drain placed during surgery and my doctor kept it there for 10 DAYS!!! He is ultra conservative! It was such a pain at home. Kept getting caught on things, made me feel not myself and sleeping was very difficult. The good thing was I would know if there was a leak BEFORE any symptoms appeared and I spent so much time 'hating' on the drain, I sailed through the clear liquid phase. Good Luck.

My doctor said that if I ever needed to take Ibupropen, to take it with yogurt. But I am NOT taking any changes. My stomach is TOO small for an ulcer!!!! Honestly, Tylenol gel caps have worked great so far.

You are very muscular and toned because you wear that same sizes as me and I am 162 pounds. All that exercise has paid off. You have a lot to be proud of Irene! I originally had my goal weight at 140, and I upped it to 150. I have 12 more pounds to go, and it is sure true what they last about the last 20. It's been tough. I only lose weight if I get the the gym!! You look fab! Nina

I chug water all the time, especially during spin class. It sure makes getting fluids in easier! Good Luck. It gets better!!!!

Eat until just before the full feeling , which in the beginning for me was 1/4 cup. I'm 6 months out and eat about 3/4 cup of food. I don't eat until I'm totally full. You will get better at knowing nice you are further out. My NUT told me never more than a half cup. I'm never hungry anymore so I just eat according to the clock.

I am struggling with that too. I am wearing a size 10 and a size small shirt and I buy them thinking there is NO WAY they will fit. Not only do they fit, but they are loose. I still feel fat. I just keep thinking my brain will catch up with my body. Just today, I looked down at my thighs and I was surprised they were smaller.

I just drink what I buy for my family, which is 1%. I intially started drinking it because it had the same WW points as skim milk. Now I just like it. Not too watery, not too think. Regular milk is only 3% anyway.

My therapist told me to do this: Visualize all the things you will be able to do that your weight has prevented you! Mine were: 1--walking by a mirror and feeling comfortable 2--walking into the regular section of a store and picking clothes out 3--bike riding and not getting out of breath 4--walking into a room and feeling confident. Positive words pack a lot of power!!!! Good Luck

I also did the shots for 14 days. Not fun...especially for a squeamish person like myself!! Every spot I put the needle, bruised. I alternated the sides of my stomach. I will heal and it's better to be safe!!!!

It never ceases to amaze me how losing weight makes people look so much younger. Congratulations on your transformation!! Wishing you the best! Nina

I buy "Savory Crackers" from Trader Joes. They are delicious and have fiber and Protein. I also like "34 degree flat out" crackers from Wegmans. They are plain but great with Peanut Butter or cheese. Hope this helps

It really feels good to be noticed!! I never thought I would say that! Happy for you!

My doctor also uses a size 40 on all his patients as well. I had no complications, very minimal reflux in the beginning. I can NOT eat more than a 1/2 cup of food. 3/4 cup if it's a soft cereal. I have lost 81 pounds in just under 6 months, so you can be assured your doctor is doing the right thing.

Thanks for sharing your story...Hope your child is okay and I am happy to hear the scale is moving. Good Luck on the last stretch of your journey. Nina

HI Everyone, Thanks to Irene for starting this group. Good to hear stories from people who are where I am in my journey. I had the LapBand in July 09, and after a full slip in October 09, SWORE I was done with surgery. The 50 pounds I lost came back on. My new life began on January 3, 2011. I weighed 245 (highest 252), I wore a size 18/20 and had horrendous heel spurs. My bra size was a 42DD!! Here I am now almost 6 months later...81 pounds off, wearing a size 10/12 pants and a small/medium shirt. Got a new bra from VS and it was a 36D!! I have 2 deflated balloons now but that's okay LOL Most important is that I am spinning and working out as much as I can. I am in great physical shape and I feel so healthy. I am so happy with my decision. I am alive for the first time in many many years. Nina

Hello there across the pond!!! My doctor told me at my last visit that my weight will plateau between 150 and 170. (I'm 5' 4"). He said the the people who get lower work out a lot. After hearing that I kicked up my exercise. Maybe that can help. I think you are doing great and keep it up!!! Nina

I went to Loft today and caught a major sale. A friend gave me a gift card before I could even fit into their clothes! I held onto it and used it today. I tried on a pair of size 12 shorts...too big...then a 10 and I thought...Oh no..this can't be!! I felt like Diva when I took a picture of my shorts. One of these days, I will figure out how to post pics. Mine all seem too big. My first goal is to weigh 150 (I am 164 now). Then I will set another goal of 5 pounds... I was so scared to have the sleeve after the LapBand nightmare...So glad I did. I am LIVING for the first time in many years. NSV for you... I waiter spilled a drink on me at a bar because he was staring at my boobs!! LOL Nina

When I have a sweet, my next day rule is to have none (not even sugar free). I gained all my weight with sweets and it like I am a crackhead (sorry, but it's true). Keep plugging away..you have a lot to be proud of

HI Tina, Congrats on your surgery and it's really good to hear how well you are doing!! I hope your journey continues that way too. I can tell you, life gets better every single day!! I am constantly noticing things that I couldn't do when I was heavier. My self-esteem has never been better. So happy for you. Keep up the great work! Nina

I told my 5 and 8 year old boys that "mommy was going in the hospital to get surgery on her tummy to help her be more healthy" They accepted that and were fine. The hardest part was the first couple days after surgery when I came come and wasn't myself. That part bothered them. They just needed reassurance that "mommy was okay." Once they saw that, they were fine. Good Luck

I too went to therapy for complusive overeating, and you should be applauded for not gaining weight. But 200 pounds overweight is literally killing you. I was told at 242 that my life expectancy was 65!!! WAY too young for me. FOR ME facing the scale was a wake up call to how unhealthy I was and that I will killing myself slowly with food. Having WLS is a personal decision, but one that literally saved my life and I hate to tell you this, but I loved myself at 242 and now I REALLY LOVE MYSELF! I lost 80 pounds and I have energy, perfect blood pressure, can travel and fit into chairs easily. You can have all the self love in the world but not fitting into seats and sweating at the slightest change in temperature is downright uncomfortable. Good Luck no matter what you do. BTW---I love getting on the scale now!! Seeing 164 is a freaking dream!

With the way you order at the melting pot, I would skip it.. They have the 'big night out' which includes the cheese, main course, and dessert. It is very expensive and WAY too much food for you. Plus going and not eating the chocolate would be PAINFUL. LOL You would do better and a nice restaurant and order somthing that you could take home and enjoy for 2 more meals. That way you get the most of your experience and money.

try decaf unsweetened tea. I'm glad your getting better with liquids because dehydration feels much worse than what you are feeling now. You should be feeling a little better every day. Good Luck and don't worry...your body will get used to the new stomach and before you know it, you will be feeling better.

My doctor specifically said I could have a leak up until day 14. He said after day 14, the chance of a leak is less than 1%. That is why he uses a drain and allows only clears for the first 2 weeks. Signs of a leak is that the drain fills up with dark Fluid and a fever. If you have a drain, you would see the fluid even before you would get the fever symptoms. This is what my doc told me. Most doctors now either sew or glue over the staple line.