hopefulchurch

Cattoy,

Thanks for the response! I can relax now that I know I'm not a perv!!! :huh2: I don't know if age has anything to do with it, but I have noticed more of an openness and awareness to sensuality in general in myself as I have reached and passed the 40 y/o mark. Hormones may have something to do with that. Who knows for sure, but like I said in an earlier post, I wouldn't want to go back!

Cattoy, I have a question for you that I am curious about. I have a good marriage of 18 years with 4 children who so far indicate they will be upstanding contributing members of society : ) My question is, How common is it for women to think about/fantasize about being with another female? I haven't so much as held hands with another human for the past 18 years, but find I am very curious about what it would be like to experience the touch and feel of another woman. I just wonder if that fantasy is very common and how many women actually act on that desire. Thanks for you willingness to answers these questions for us. If anyone else wants to contribute, please feel free!

Lil Mama, I admire your courage to post your situation. I can assure you, your not the only person experiencing this temptation. Most people wouldn't slow down enough to consider the wisdom others might share. You are very smart to have reached out for support! I agree with the advice of the others. As hard as it is, before this goes any further, you need to turn and run away as fast as you can! If you don't, it will be support you need for a different reason before long...a suffering marriage. If your husband is indeed a good man, you need to hold on to him tightly. They are a rare breed! I wouldn't suggest confessing all to him, but it might not be a bad idea to let him know you feel vunerable right now and allow him to stroke you emotionally instead of someone else. Just an idea that has helped me in the past.

Since last night was the first time I had read on this particular thread, I've thought some more about it. I appreciate a previous post about the addictive discussion in a support meeting. No doubt that most of us who are large or have been large have the tendency to be addicted to food, so it makes perfect sense that we would transfer our addiction somewhere else. We just have to make sure we stay healthy in the adjustment to new ones, away from food. Now I understand more why I went crazy riding a bicycle all the time this past summer! My husband sure appreciated this thread last night!:confused_smile:

I'm so glad to know I'm not loosing my mind or some evil person. I am feeling all the same things you ladies are discussing! I am nearly 2 years post op. I would never want to return to where I came from!

Greetings to all! It has been a while since I've been in here. I'm glad to see people are still posting on a regular basis from March 07. My weight has remained the same for some time. I have actually gained a little but purchaced a bike several weeks ago and have been riding almost daily. I'm finding bike riding easy on my joints but challenging enough to give me a good workout. I hope my weight loss will pick back up if I keep up the exercise. Summer is passing quickly and school will be starting before we know it. I hope to keep this exercise habit going!

Surgery 3-23-07

Initial Weight 225

Present Weight 275

Total Lost 50 pounds

I had a complete unfill after having some major problems with reflux and I felt like a different person! It was a necessity in my case. I had gotten to where I couldn't hardly keep anything down. I go to have a refill next week. By the way it had been 6 months since my last fill. I got my stomach irritated with some reflux causing foods. I have not had any problems since the unfill, I just don't need to be able to eat so freely. I am still less than a year out of surgery.

I haven't had a fill in over 6 months. I think I got my stomach really irritated drinking whole milk one week and I also drank a lot of cranberry juice for a UTI. I started on Prilosec 3 weeks ago. My stomach does feel better, but I still can't keep anything down hardly. I hope to goodness I don't have a slipage. That would be terrible! I am self pay as well! I go see my doctor Thursday and I think he will want to do a barium swallow. I can tell him what it will say....Nothing is passing! I wonder if any other folks have had to have unfills this much later. I may wait until I know for sure whats going on before I try the soy.

I have discovered in the past month I can't tolerate milk. I have had nearly the same problems you are describing. I had my band placed 10 months ago. I guess we will have to find something else to drink in the place of milk. I had someone suggest soy milk.:rolleyes2:

I was banded by Dr. Heiker and Keilin 10 months ago. I have done well up until about 4 weeks ago. I have developed terrible reflux. I am taking Prilosec 2 times a day. I also seem to be much more prone to yeast infections and urinary tract infections. I know this is personal stuff I'm sharing but I figured why not ask my friends who live with the band too. Has anyone else had problems with any of these items? I go back for a follow up appt next week. By the way, I haven't had a fill in over 6 months.

Ireta,

It looks like to me you are right on track. My physician has told me that 1 - 2 pounds a week is good. Remember weight loss with the band is supposed to be slow and gradual. I understand how you feel though. I had my band placed around the same time you did and have lost around 30 pounds. I'm encouraged knowing I will have restriction 5 or 10 years from now. Many individuals who've had bypass may loose a ton of weight quickly in the first year but by their 2nd year post op already start gaining weight back. Many can't maintain their restriction. Focus on one eating behavior you can adjust or change. I know I need to quit going by the shaved ice stand. There are 10,000 calories in one of those sweet little treats I bet! I love them! Don't neglect to Celebrate what you have accoplished to this point! I'm preaching to myself too!

Hey Sugarbear! It has been a while since I have posted. I read here everyday though. I bet there are tons of folks like me. I am trucking along slowly with the weight loss. I must admit I could be more strict with myself. I am eating significantly less than before the band though. I find myself getting the muchies at night some. I am more of a night owl. Do you have any specific area that you struggle with? My next appt. is July 30th. So far I have only had one fill. It still seems to be working well. I know I am very lucky to have found good restriciton so soon. I could probably let them put a little more in but I like having a little room. I don't want to be too tight. We will see when my appointment day comes. Looks like your weight loss is steady too. Good Job! I'm thankful for my band and don't have any regrets!

Cowgirldreams, 3 fills huh? It sure would seem that you should have restriction by now. Your doing the right thing having the barium swallow. That should give you some good information. Hang in there and just take it one day at a time. I just read your post and wanted to encourage you a bit. Either the fills will start working or the problem will be found and fixed. Don't give up hope.

Sugarbear,

I don't know what size my band is. I guess that is something I should find out. I bet you are right about the size though. I wondered if it was a small one. It is nice having good restriction. I would love to only need a couple fills. That first one smarted a bit! I plan to attend the support group meetings this summer. I live 3 hours away so I can't right now while school is in session. Restriction is nice but there have also been lots of adjustments to go with it! I am finding out more and more the band really is a tool and my brain is the biggest problem with my weight. Have a good week.

I just ate my first meal tonight that consisted of more than 2 bites. I was afraid my first fill was too tight...haven't been able to take over 2 bites without feeling sick. I finally did tonight. I called the clinic and Betty told me to wait and see how things go because sometimes it takes a couple weeks for everything to settle down after a fill. That was good advice. Just wanted to share this in case anyone else can use this info. Have a good evening!

I just wanted to share my experience with my first fill. I just got it last Thursday and I have had good restriction since then, maybe too much. I am still having to be careful with the solids I eat. I know everyone is different but it is kind of nice not having work so hard not to eat too much. My stomach has growled a time or two but I'll tell you this, I wouldn't dare overeat....it just isn't possible right now. Everyone, have a good Wednesday.

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone. When do we get to start eating anything solid? Is that week three? Do we get to start eating pudding, yougart, oatmeal and soft scrambled eggs the 3rd week post op? Just wondering. I don't mean to complain but it is so hard to be content on liquids only!

Just wanting to let everyone know I have made it 5 days past surgery and things are still going very well. I felt more like myself today. I can tell that as my body recovers from surgery I become hungrier. This liquid diet is so tough. I'm ready for some substance! I understand my stomach needs time to heal but understanding doesn't make taking in liquids only any easier! I'm hanging in there and getting stronger every day!

Lisa,

I just got home from surgery and everything went great!!!

They took me into the OR room at 7:10 and I was finished less than an hour later. I can't say enough positive things about the PS group. The entire staff at the OP surgery center were awesome as well. They really have things organized and the staff was very friendly.

My biggest complaint right now is air in my abdomen. Walking does help alot! I am glad to have the surgery behind me. The ear patch for nausea helped a great deal! Normally I get car sick very easily, but this patch seems to be really controlling the nausea. We had to travel about 2.5 hours from our home and no nausea traveling down or coming home. I'm so grateful for this forum. This is the first place I wanted to come and share.

I appreciate all the encouragement. I'm doing much better today.

I feel kind of like I did preparing for a baby........ I've been cleaning house all week. Organizing & throwing away..... My skin is already getting loose from pre-op dieting. That's a good sign right? :nervous I will post again some time after surgery! Thanks again!

I am scheduled for surgery this Friday, 3/23 and have had a hard time with the liquid diet as well. The first day was torture! I've had a really big problem with the slim fast! It's like liquid concrete to me. I am trying to maintain a healthy caloric intake but I'm a little concerned about what I'm going to do for Protein during the post up liquid phase. I am even taking Benefiber! :speechles I know this will all be worth it though, when 6 months from now I'm at a healthy weight!

:clap2:

I am scheduled for surgery this Friday. I did not realize how difficult it would be to follow the liquid diet. I am overwhelmed with the full realization of my addiction to food! I am very, very agitated and moody! I also realize I must find support from my friends who are walking down this path with me.

:help:

My family can provide only so much. I hope I am posting this on the Texarkana link as my surgery is scheduled with PS. Thank you ahead of time! I'm off to work!

Stepahnee,

While it absolutely true, when you decrease your consumption your out put decreases as well, I wanted to share a brief story with you. I decided once to do the Slim fast Protein Shakes. I was drinking Water and following the diet outline. I, like you, found myself having not evacuated for several days. I considered my intake was down but unfortunately found myself in quite a mess within a week. Let's just say when my body decided it was time to void, and the momentum of that was rolling full steam ahead, and there was nothing that could be done to stop it.....I thought I was going to have to SCREAM for my husband to rush me to the hosital.:eek I'm an RN who worked the ER for years. I had horrible visions of being taken to the emergency room, telling the doctor, "I've got a corn cob stuck up my rear"! And the bad part is I wouldn't have been lying! It was terrible! I think some of the liquid diet items may have fillers in them that sit, and sit, and sit, and sit in the intestines until walah! Our bodies are very different so what happended to me might not happen to you at all. I just know in the future, when I have to do the liquid diet, I will take a mild softner/laxitive every few days. Just another tid bit to consider. Best of luck with your band.

I contacted Dr. Sanchez's office and received an email back recommending Dr. Zapata. I guess he is in with Dr. Sanchez. Does anyone have any information on this surgeon? I am trying to narrow down my search to about 3 physicians so I can do some deeper research on their individual practices. Any suggestions for good surgeons in Mexico would be greatly appreciated.