Hello Charlie! Yes, I'm struggling with that five pounds also. We are in the process of moving to FL and my husband goes over there for two weeks to work and then comes home for a week. It is hard on all of us being away from each other. Anyway, with all the stress and worry I find myself eating things I know I shouldn't and struggling with those five pounds. I don't let myself get over that five pounds though. Where is Daytona Beach? We are looking at either Live Oak or Chiefland (Levy County). Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and let you know you aren't the only one struggling. I wish we could get this board going again. I know we all need support. Hugs to you too! Shelly E.

What happened? Sorry to hear about that. Did she already have surgery? I'm sorry new to the message baord, but not to surgery, had mine 9-5-02 Sharon Hanawalt

wanted to throw my 2 cents in - as far as the 'somedays all you can hold down is ice cream and some days you can eat anything' - get a full checkup by your surgeon - when i had this going on i had a hernia that had to be surgically repaired you can stop the ice cream- you have the choice - i know its not an easy one somedays, but you can do it- for those bad days though, buy the no sugar added and low fat ice creams- that way you still get ice cream but with only 1/2 the bad stuff... when you are getting hungry an hour after you eat, how soon are you drinking after you eat? i know i can eat more when i drink right after (now this worked for me during my pregnancy in order for me to gain weight - i had to break all the rules)... but if i wait 30 min to 45 min before drinking, my mind catches up with my stomach and recognizes the full feeling... alot of us are emotional eaters though - sounds like you might be as well if you have no problems not being hungry if you are busy... spend some time figuring out why you are eating, are you actually hungry or are you bored? upset? tired? as far as getting over the craving, you have to retrain your taste buds - fruit is still sweet and can help with the sweet cravings, and it tends to fill us up faster because of the fiber- fruit with cool whip works well too.. as sweet as coolwhip is, there arent as many calories as ice creams... Mary G. 450 lbs in 2001, now 180 lbs proximatal ryn 2002

Taushia, Please see your surgeon as soon as possible. You should not be having these issues. An underlying infection could be causing this and needs to be addressed immediately. Keep us posted! Ce Ce

u r in my thoughts darlin