Wow Meg what an ordeal. I am so happy that everything worked out for you and you are on the road to recovery! I am so inspired by your positive attitude of the whole thing. Take care! Jean

Hi everyone! Boy has this past couple of weeks been rough for me!! I started hurting in my abdomen shortly after my 6 month (September) check up. Supposedly nurses are the worst patients--especially in seeking medical care--I've tried to write off my pain saying it was gas etc. This past Monday (10/24) I started hurting ALOT at work. I touched base with my plastic surgeons nurse to get my plastic surgery appt for NOV.14 moved up. I also called my bariatrician's nurse with a handful of questions-including whether or not I should be reducing my own hernia's. I was told that as long as it was a large hernia, I ought to be ok reducing it.??? On Tuesday (10/25), after a successful day at work, I was leaving work and started to hurt AGAIN!! My son's championship ball game was that night and I really wanted to attend. I picked my babies up and headed back to the ballfield--my pain was getting worse and worse. By the time I reached the ballfield-I couldn't sit or stand. I kept thinking-If I can just get to the ballfield-lay my car seat down, I can "reduce" this hernia and start feeling better. This time it didn't work. My sweet 10 year old was begging me to call an ambulance. When my husband finally arrived-I had him take me to the Emergency room--they started caring for me. I ended up having emergency surgery in the wee early am hours on Wedneday. My physician told me if I had put off surgery or not sought medical attention when I did, that I would have had a very poor outcome. I had a complication directly related to my RNY surgery--who would have thought you could have a complication at almost 9 months out? There was a defect in the wall of my mesentary where the intestines and stomach had been attached for my bypass. It basically was a man made hernia that had allowed by bowel to slip through into my abdomen and cut off the blood supply to the bowel. My surgeron said when he opened my I had NO blood supply to that area of bowel-it was purple!! Thankfully when they untwisted the bowel and bathed it in warm saline, It pinked back up and I did not have to have a bowel resection. It's feels as if its been a long road. I was discharged home 10/31. I am slowly starting to exercise and will return to work 3 weeks post surgery. There goes my plastic surgery time I've been saving! )-: Things could have been so much worse-I could have had to have a bowel resection, a colostomy, a lengthy hospitalization, my brand new plastic surgery belly cut open etc. I am now thankful for the way things have worked out. Oh well, I wanted to let everyone know where I have been the past couple of weeks. Meg 256-137 goal weight

The advice that we not drink with meals does not mean we cannot take in some liquid to help with digestion of our meals. I asked my surgeon specifically about this, and he laughed and said, "OF COURSE it's OK to take a sip to help something down. Just no more guzzling during meals like before." And that's how I handle this. I *always* have a glass of water at my place. I generally have a sip or two during meal time as I am eating. What would be truly harmful would be to consume several ounces of a beverage during the same time food is being eaten, as this can wash food through our systems too quickly, preventing both absorption and a sensation of satisfaction (fullness). The whole idea of a sip of water at mealtime being a "slip" or "cheating" concerns me. We have to use common sense.

Great pics Angela! You look awesome. No need to wait another few pounds. Share them now! Congratulations. Stacey

Ok I want to play.....I am down 77 pounds for a grand total of 3523 pds.........Good luck to you all. Janice