Michelle - I love your new avatar picture - you sexy thing!!! N.

Hi Nancy, I remember my surgeon saying that Tylenol was the only safe pain medication, because the others are not good for the pouch. I hope you feel better. Teah

I'm doing very well. The holidays went well with me--I dump on sweets so I ate very little pie or candy. I still feel so miserable when I overeat that I reallly try to avoid that, so I ate a small percentage of what I used to eat. I am very fortunate that most days food holds very little interest to me. I credit that to my psychotherapist I saw for 5 years. She helped me deal with my eating complulsion (by then my metabolism was so messed up it seemed impossible to lose weight). I still forget to eat until someone tells me it is mealtime. If I prepare the meal I don't want anything to do with it--such as eating it. I continue to have problems drinking enough water. 2 1/2 years post-op I am still losing weight, although very slowly. I have lost 30 lbs in the last year. I went shopping for a formal for an organization I belong to and could get a size 16 on, but 18 looked much better. I still am over 200 lbs but hope to get to the onederfuls by summer. My cardiologist tells me that I should continue losing weight since my heart surgery and that appears to be the case. I am so thankful for this surgery and skills of the surgeon who did my WLS. I would not alive today had I not found that wonderful man who agreed to perform the surgery. Now with my new mitral valve I plan to live to be 100. Monna 389/206/159

Although I am aging gracefully , I have been having some arthritic back and hand pain. When I went to the doctor, he prescribed Tylenol with codeine, but sometimes when I take that I can't sleep. I also have a tendency to clench my teeth, and sometimes have jaw or tooth pain. For that kind of pain and everyday aches and pains, I have taken extra strength Tylenol, but sometimes that doesn't do a thing. Lately, I have taken children's Ibuprofen in the liquid form, followed by a whole glass of water (since I know it's hard on the stomach which is why most of us have been FORBIDDEN to take it). I'm just curious what people take and if anyone has any suggestions.... Hugs, Nancy

Pamela - I'm so glad you're feeling better about things. I'm sure it will help with the baby process - so will eating healthier and exercising! I'm still doing well, I lost another pound so I'm down 10 lbs from last Tuesday to 178 - even though I went off last night and had some pretzels and a whole package of Graham crackers. Today is my son's 21st birthday and he wants Domino's for dinner - that's fine - I'll get thin crust and have mostly the topping. My dad is bringing one of those giant chocolate chip cookies, and I'm hoping to decline entirely - I'm afraid it will set me off. I haven't been exercising every day - I just can't get motivated - although tap class has started back up and I do practice every day. I just don't think it's enough. Oh well, I have to have something to work on!! Hope all is well with all of you! Hugs, Nancy