I've never been on one of these support sites as a user. I have been reading some of your threads while I've been deciding about my surgery. I just got word last week that my insurance was appoved and will receive my band tomorrow. I know I'm going to be looking for support since eating is my favorite thing to do. I'm not really nervous about the procedure itself, I'm more worried about how to live afterwards. I'm 48 and I've been severely obese for most of my adult life. I gave up drinking 19 years ago and substituted food. I had always fought my weight before but managed to stay within 30 or 40 pounds of my ideal weight. Now I'm 110 pounds overweight. I don't have many health problems yet so it was hard to decide about the band. I finally decided I should do it before I have a lot of health issues. I'm married for 23 years and I have 2 girls still at home ages 19 and 22. That's enough for now. I feel like I'm making this too long.

that was me in the dress. i thought that was going to be you across from me. you seemed so quiet. in the pre-op room, i was the one who pulled the curtain closed around me. it was so loud in there. i was really just trying to make my peace with everything. i thought i had already done that, but when i got in there, i was so nervous. i just wanted to meditate and concentrate on everything being ok. i was so tired of "coffee girl" be-bopping around talking loud. i understand her job, but i really contemplated body slamming her and stuffing a sock in her mouth. she was nice, just the wrong time for me to meet her.

i am glad you are doing better. my gas was not so bad, my problem was soreness at the port site and soreness at one of the small incisions that was directly over one of my ribs. now i am itchy itchy itchy on my back and belly. plus i have that sticky iodine all over me. i have scrubbed with alcohol swabs, soap, i even tried fingernail polish remover on a small spot to see if it would remove it. nothing works. i am still uncomfortable in a bra, so my boobies stick to my belly where they touch. it is sooo gross.

i am fortunate with work in that i can handle my eating schedule however i wish. my office is directly next door to a golden coral. i can go over there and pay by the pound. they have plenty of grilled meats i can choose from once i get past the mushies stage. they also have plenty of mushies that i can add in my diet so that my co-workers arent tipped off to my wls. they have lots of cooked veggies. and paying by the pound, i won't have to order a meal for 5 or 6 bucks that i know i will not be able to finish. a couple of weeks ago, i got a piece of grilled steak, a dab of pototoes and a spoon full of greens, and it only cost 1.36. my kids lunches cost more than that, and they don't even like eating it!!

i am drinking the atkins advantage shakes. very tasty, but quite sweet. i wish they made a t-bone flavored one. second thought, t-bone in that consistency might be nasty. i go back to work monday, and i plan to keep plenty of Water handy. i will also make sure that i eat the right things. i have been logging my food in the green journal they gave us. i assumed that is what is was for. i was so thrilled when i got that book. i keep a journal, and i love stuff like that!! i asked my husband if he told them that i had a journal hobby.

i am also going to bake an apple to take to work, with some cinnamon. i am going to make it look fattening, and fool everyone, including myself into believing it is completely unhealthy.

well, i have company now. kathy, are you still having the gas pains? my neighbor is a nurse, she brought me some NuLev, which dissolves under mytongue, tastes like a mint, and really worked for me. i took them on tuesday and wednesday, one on thursday, and now i think my gas has resolved itself. i just thought i would share that with you in case you are still sufferring with the gas.

Chat with ya soon!