Hello! I have not been on here in months! Life just got to busy and I forgot about taking care of myself. I started out at 321 and was down to 208, but gained weight after beeing back with the family for three weeks so now I am at 217. That sucks. I know why!! I dont dump on anything really. And I make the worst choices that I possibly could. I grazed all the time and didn't seem to care. But I do!! I need to be at 148 and I am going to be. I don't know why I have forgotten to take care of myself, but I dont get enough water, forget to take my vitamins, don't exercise and just act like it's not a big deal that I had surgery almost 11 months ago. I have made some really big changes. I quit my job as a veterinary tech (not as active as I use to be) to go back to school to finish my degree. So money is sooo tight on just my husbands marine corps pay check. But we make to much for any finacial aid. So things are crazy here and I feel the need to get a job again even though I know we can make it, we just have to cut back alot!! I really want to take the next year to finish my degree and to focus on my eating and exercise, and I think I might need some help along the way. So I am back, and hopefully you guys dont mind! Thanks Brandy 321/217/148

Thank you, Dana. I just went to the store for potassium supplements - and I'm sure I need to up my water intake. I have a call in to my surgeon. Hopefully, I will get somewhere. The OTC supplements only offer 3% DV - that can't be enough for me. But it will help for now until I can get in to a doctor that, like you said, has experience with post-ops. The docs I saw here both said themselves that they don't. Potassium can be dangerous. I went to the hospital for that pain, but stayed last Tuesday due to an abnormal EKG. Turned out it was a small "insignificant" defect - "nothing to worry about" - but I can't help but wonder if it's related to the potassium. My EKG before surgery 10 and a 1/2 months ago was normal.

Hey, I haven't been around on the boards in a long time. I got a new job - moved to MS - got married - yada, yada... I was doing so good for so long, but the past couple of months are getting bad. I have started getting this burning in my pouch - I had Acid Reflux before surgery, I thought the surgery was suppose to cure it - Is it back? I'm thinking it is - and just more painful than before due to the size of my stomach. Or maybe an ulcer? I read on here that someone else had one - does that cause the burning? I get pain in my rib cage from time to time too, although not as often as the burning. Antacids do seem to help as does Prilosec - do those work on ulcers too or just Reflux? Sorry this is getting so long - but here's the MAJOR problem. I have had 4 "episodes" of the most excruitiating pain I've ever felt in my life - I've gone to the ER twice. The truth is, we don't know what it is - but we think that a potassium deficientcy could be causing severe muscle spasms. It's in different areas - Tuesday of last week, I fell out in the middle of the street - it was my pouch and the area all around it. The ER doc thinks that my stomach and what he called "the tubes" around it all went into spasm. Last night, it was in my lower intestines - like the lower half of my body was in spasm and into my back as well. I can't live with this - the pain is too intense and the episodes have all lasted over an hour. It's like a charlie horse in your calf that you get in the middle of the night - only they only last a minute - this is the same pain - in different areas - that lasts for over an hour. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Can anyone help with any of this? Shelaine 309/180/165

Hi and good morning my Feb friends...I wanted to wish everyone a great day...I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year. I'm looking forward to sharing 2006 with each of you. We have all come so far this past year....newfound health and hopefully happiness. I've enjoyed talking to so many of you....you are all like family to me. The support, love and friendship I've found at OH has inspired me and kept me motivated. I hope all of us continue to realize the blessings we have, we all have something to be grateful for. One of the guys on the Texas Message board posts a Grateful Post everyday....do you all think this would be an idea we can carry over to the Feb. 2005 Message Board....don't we all have something to be grateful for everyday? I'll start mine for today.... Today I am grateful.... For such a wonderful 2005, I'm excited to see what 2006 has to offer. That my hubby is coming home next weekend. That the holidays are over...I've gotten back on track and lost the weight I'd gained, wow what a wonderful tool, never would of this been possible without my tool. That the weather is absolutely beautiful outside, love the sunshine. For the support and encouragement from all of you. I owe you all so much...thanks for being there, always. Paying it forward in 2006, Hugs, Dana Lap RNY 2-21-05 260/239/123/130

As a preventative measure, try taking Airborne. You can find in any pharmacy or Walmart. You take it after you have been in a crowded area, airplane ride, or just feel like you may get a cold. It is supposed to boost you immune system. My husband and children use it religiously and state it has prevented a few colds already this season. It sweetened with nutrasweet and would be fine for us post surgery. If only I could take it....I am allergic to nutrasweet. But I am glad that my family can take it and prevent bringing home these germs to me. Hope this helps! Hope you feel better soon! Diana