Hi Tammy! Thanks for checking up on me. I'm doing well though still a little bit sore from my last surgery. Everything looks good though and I had the stitches out last Thursday. I had a really busy week at work this past week so I haven't been on much. I work the evening shift so I don't check the forum until after I get home from work at midnight. We had a really bad burn patient this week so I was putting in extra hours.

So how is your pre op diet going? You keeping away from that diet DP and cigarettes? I'm so glad I wasn't a smoker or a diet pop drinker before surgery. My 2 week pre op diet was just about all I could handle!! *L* I give you a lot of credit lady. What you are doing can't be easy for you. Hang in there. It really is all worth it.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your first in person support group meeting. A small group really is the nicest. The one my surgeon's office has is quite large which can be really intimidating for some people. My own group, that I lead, ranges from about 6-12 people so its a nice size group.

Well have a great Mother's Day tomorrow. Until later.

Beth

hi beth! hope all is well wt. ya. haven't noticed ya connected much lately. maybe i'm just not connectin at the right times. i attended my first in person support group meetin last night. there was bout six of us in the group and it went really well. hope to hear from ya soon. take care and ttys~tammy!!!

Good evening, Tammy! My surgery went well and I am happy with the results. I'm a little sore but the Vicodan is helping and still kinda tired. I felt pretty good today until I decided to go grocery shopping. I came home exhausted. Its amazing how even a fairly small surgery can still wipe you out. I don't know too many people who have had the lapband. I know there are several in my surgical support group, at home, who have had it but not many. I do have a fairly good knowledge base about it though. I'm a support group leader at home and I try to get as much knowledge as possible in regards to the different wls. Thanks for the message. I was nice to hear from you. ...and thanks for the thoughts.

hi beth! hope all is well! how'd your surgery go? have been thinkin bout ya. oh and sorry bout first message to ya, i knew you was post-op! duh!!! anyways, you look awesome. also wonderin how many people you know that has had the lap band surgery. that's the one i'm havin. look forward to hearin from ya. hope everything went well wt. surgery! ttys beth! bye for now~tammy!!!

ahhhhh..there you are!!! . Congratulations on a successful day!! You are doing great and your head seems to be in the right place. I've never been a smoker but watched my husband struggling to quit and I know it isn't easy. I applaud you for taking control of your life and your health. You are a strong woman and you can do this...I'm sure of it. Thanks for your thoughts for me about tomorrow. I must say I'm a wee bit nervous about this because I'm not going to be put out for this surgery. I'm a nurse and usually can handle most things.....but just the thought of being awake gives me the willys!!! *LOL* I know I'll be fine though. I have a wonderful plastic surgeon who I've worked with for years, so I know what kind of surgeon he is and I know he always puts his patients well being first. Keep up the good work!! You are already a success in my eyes.

thank you so much MiladyB!!! now everyone can finally see i'm not just a question! lol!!! thanks also for the encouragin words. i began my pre-op diet today and am doin good but i'd be lyin if i said i didn't want those chips in the cabinet, but that's what got me here to begin with. tomorrow the chips go out with the trash!!! i'm on my last glass of water for the day, i haven't smoked a cig. all day, and i've only dranked about 6 ounces of diet sierra mist. i'm surprisin myself on how good i'm doin and it makes me feel so good bout myself and so STRONG!!! i know this is gonna be the hardest thing i've ever did in my life but also the most rewardin!!! i'm sooooo excited!!! good luck tomorrow and thanks again. i'll be thinkin of ya! ttys~tammy!!!

Oh, in regards to the avatar. Go to your control panel. On the left of the screen you will see something like edit avatar. Go there and upload an avatar picture but make sure you click on the place for using a custom avatar. Hope you can figure it out.

Good morning Tammy. Actually I am just over 2 years postop. I had surgery on Jan 30, 2006. I've lost a total of 206 pounds but have gained 5 so I'm joining the forum this week doing the 5-day pouch test. I've been struggling to get to my goal for almost a year and it just isn't happening. I'm happy with my current weight but still would really like to be down just 8 more pounds. I had a tummy tuck and breast lift 7 months ago and am heading for some revisions tomorrow.

Sounds like you are off on a good start but it most certainly is a long process to get approved and there are frequently alot of hoops to jump, as you are finding out. Just keep your eyes set on your surgery. You can do this. You are worth all of the effort and frustration that you need to go to. It's hard work before and after but we are all worth it! This is honestly the best gift you will ever give to yourself....cherish it.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I'm here for not only my own support but to give it to others on this journey. Thanks for the note. I appreciate the opportunity to get to know you better.

hi MiladyB, thanks for addin me. i'm still pre-op. i've already been cleared for everything and have attended my first two dietitian app. and have met my surgeon. i begin a pre-op diet tomorrow by request of my dietitian and i go back for my final dietitian app. prior to surgery on may 23rd. at that time they will send everything to my insurance and i guess after they hear from them then they will set my surgery date. it's been forever doin all this and has been sooooo depressin. i was a smoker also and have been smoke-free for the most part since april 18th. oh and by request of my dietitian also i no longer drink diet d.p's! i knew i was gonna have to give them up but i didn't know i would before my surgery. but oh well i'm doin it and makin it fine and actually am really enjoyin water for probly the first time in my life. are you still pre-op also or have you had you surgery now? i look forward to chatin to everyone. oh another question i have is why is my picture not showin up yet? it shows on my profile but no one else's. do ya have any ideas what i might be doin wrong?

Tammy thank you for the friendship invitation! Welcome to the forum and also to my crazy group of groupies. *L* Not sure about that group but hey, I'm honored that they want to be my groupies. So tell me a bit about yourself? I would love to get to know you better.