1shauna1

I don't know....maybe you would think of yourself as fat still (I know many of us have issue with our body image)....but I would hope as Carolinagirl said, people would take you for who you are now, and be happy for you that you've succeeded.

Yes, I am! I have moisturized pretty much my whole body every day for years! (stomach, butt, arms, feet, legs, chest and of course face). I just use a regular moisturizer (right now I love Extra Strength Vaseline lotion; really keeps skin soft). I believe also the massaging motions you do help as they get the blood flowing to those areas. I do it right out of the shower and honestly it only takes about 2 minutes. I am worth that time! lol

The foods that you are eating, to me, sound very "hard". I have issues with sandwiches, wraps, etc. I know you may have eaten them before, but for me at least, just because I was able to eat something one day doesn't mean I could eat it another. Also, if it happens again where you are stuck in the morning, I would eat just liquids, mushies & easy to eat foods for the rest of the day. Your band was probably pretty swollen after all the sliming, so trying to eat solids & then a cheese steak sandwich was possibly very hard on it. Take it easy a couple of days and let things calm down inside. Then you can evaluate if you need a defill or not. When I'm stuck, sometimes things just have to come up. If you've gone this long without any stuck episodes, I'm sure you're fine. I would just let things calm down for a couple of days. AS for what to do during an episode, you could try papaya enzyme pills or some people swear by a little pineapple juice to help digest things. I have tried the papaya enzyme and it does work if I'm not TOO stuck. But as I said, if it gets to a bad point, I think it's better to just get it up than keep sliming & suffering. You're not actually vomiting, just getting that undigested food back up. Hope you feel better!

The Mio is good! I also love the Arizona Ice Tea mixes (they're like crystal light)....haven't seen them everywhere yet though! Edit - I just had a thought; when I worked in a spa they served lemon water and cucumber water. How about adding frozen fruit to water? They'll act as ice cubes and add a little flavour to your water!

In the future I would just stick with liquids on fill days. I'm surprised your doctor doesn't advise it!

I don't know, but you need to be careful. Keeping taking the anti nausea until you feel better.

I don't think she read that you are just on mushies....you could try refried beans, eggs chopped up really good....basically if you can puree something to dust, I think you can have it. I can't remember what I ate at that stage!

There's no way you can just drink water for the rest of the two weeks! You'll have to find something. Maybe another brand of shake?

I'd probably start taking normal sips; I find big gulps sometimes get a little stuck and it can be painful until it passes through.

I'm very surprised your doctor doesn't want you to come in? Especially if you can't keep anything down. I don't know what to suggest as this doesn't sound right.....I'm guessing you don't have a fill yet (if you did I would suggest getting that removed). Is it nausea? Try some Gravol or ginger tea to help settle your stomach.

That sucks, but probably for the best. I'm sure you can get it put back in once you're feeling better!

The theory is that liquid will just wash the food quicker through the small stomach opening. This is pretty counter-intuitive to what the band is supposed to do!

I would think it would definitely be beneficial to do it together! You will have the support of each other, and you will both have to eat the same way so I would think it would be much easier than watching your spouse chow down on a big plate of pasta while you can't eat it.

Not for me. I don't even feel the needle most times. My port is easy to spot and I've never minded needles so that may help me out! lol

I have to say, if there WAS an easy way I would take it for sure! But this definitely isn't it; surgery isn't an "easy way out" (I've never understood people who say that!). I also believe that we who helps ourselves get to where we want to go. So, we can ALL do this!

Try not to freak out, chances are you're okay, but as mentioned I would call your surgeon and let them know. He may want you to come in so he can check you out.

honk - gross, but good to know! lol

The slime was probably excess saliva, mixed with juice from the meat. I have found that just because I can eat something one day doesn't mean I will be successful the next. Many people end up with issues with ground beef. I wouldn't go to the ER unless you cannot drink anything. Just take it easy the rest of the day, eat mushy/drink liquids, and I'm sure you'll be okay. You maybe didn't chew it as well as you think or the bite was bigger than you thought. Also, many people here will tell you unless your hospital has practice with bands, they probably won't really know what to do and may over react. If you're still concerned tomorrow call your doctor and check in, but from what you've said I think you're okay. Again, I would be worried if you were unable to drink or swallow.

You look great! Do you want to lose more? 174 looks pretty darn good; are you tall also? My goal is 174 at 5'10".

I had never had general before this surgery, and everything was fine. It was the weirdest feeling; after they inserted the IV, I just relaxed, next thing I knew, it was all over and I was up and walking to my room. I didn't even have any nausea afterwards. As a med student it may be even worse, knowing more of what can go wrong, but talk to your doctor and they'll reassure you. The results of this procedure far outweigh the risks! And to do your job, you're going to need to be in top shape!

Yes, as stated don't just read about the complications. You'll just make yourself worried. And also as mentioned, people would rather complain than talk about the good stuff. At least read the success stories, and those of people who've had the band long term to balance things out. I see from your profile that you haven't been banded yet. So, I guess maybe you need to think again if the risk of possibly one of the complications is worth the weight loss success for you. There is no shame in backing out of it.

If that's all you're eating, no wonder as it doesn't look like you're getting any protein! Can you add in some protein drinks? It might help. Why do you have to do more liquids? By this point most people are at least into the mushy stage....hope all is well!

I wonder about this too....I often have issues while eating out and worry about getting stuck on a date. I think anyone becoming intimate would wonder about the small scars and could feel my port. So, I don't know....I don't think I would just blurt it out; maybe wouldn't tell on the first date but I wouldn't "hide" it.

Vitamin E oil is great too! I don't know if it really helped; I felt I was doing something. I heard Mederma works as well, so use what you have!

I like rye and diet cokes, vodka & diet coke at the bar; crystal light works well but you're right, not at the bar!