slm2007

Hi April Bandsters! Whoot Whoot! I was banded on 4/18. That day had hardly any pain, but then Tuesday hit...and the pain was worse. I loved my pain pump. Did have a small HH repaired. Sent me home the day after surgery and all was good. I did popcicles, Jello, broth etc. till Sunday, which was Easter. Honestly, I wasn't really hungry but the food smelled so good and I felt really great so I tested the waters. I have no problem eating ANYTHING!!! Seriously, anything I eat is fine so I'm finding it very, very difficult to stay on this one ounce of Water every so often and 64 ounces a day and no gulping, just sipping. I tried explaining it to the nurse that I can eat anything I want and she assured me that I wouldn't be able to .... I tried again to "assure" her that I could without coming straight out and telling on myself. I do eat MUCH MUCH less and I think that is part swelling and part of my mind trying to control it. I do not want to fail at this and am trying to watch my portions but honestly, if I wanted a hamburger, I know I could eat it, bun and all. My stomach feels normal....I watch my bites because I did take to big of a bite of something and I got that stuck feeling but it went away really quick so I'm slowing down and chewing well. Anyhow, it concerns me that I don't have any problems with anything I've tried and that makes it so much more difficult to try and stick to the liquids and mushies. I am allowed mushies now. I did have the most intense headache of my life set in after surgery. I actually called the on-call doctor on Saturday because I was afraid of having a stroke or something. I couldn't swallow without pain and it hurt to turn my head. Dr. chalks it up to the gas pain settling in my head/neck vs. my shoulder like others have. I had a bad reaction to the steri strip tape used to close my two incisions and my belly is red, swollen and puffy but I figure I'm still healing from the surgery and the redness will go away when the allergic reaction subsides. Honestly, I feel really, really good. I was prepared for the worst and have been very pleased. I am waiting patiently for that first fill and hope I get a little restriction because knowing that I can eat anything without pain or problems is hard.....I'm doing well with the control but I hope it can last. I am pleased that I'm able to eat less but I wonder if that will disappear as the swelling goes down? I'm very happy with my decision and cannot wait for this thing to start being able to help me out. Good luck to everyone and nice to meet you... Staci

YES!! I got home on Tuesday evening and went to bed around 9:30.....I swear I was up every 30 minutes for the entire evening! It was all the i.v. fluid. I was fine the next day/night.

Nicely Said!

I was banded on 4/18...and didn't have gas pains like everyone is describing...abdominal area...mine has settled in my neck and head and it is still horrible. I can hardly turn my head and if I don't keep ahead of the pain by taking Excedrin every 4 hours, I end up in tears. It is at the base of my skull and radiates down my neck across the top of my shoulder. Swallowing hurts! It has been 10 days and I'm still dealing with this...I wish I could pass gas out of my head! From what I hear this too shall pass, just keep walking. Good luck.....

I had surgery on Monday 4/18. I haven't taken pain med cuz it made me sick but since wednesday I have had a headache like never before! It is at the base of my skull on the left side. I can't touch it without yelping and it is about impossible to turn my head. I can hardly sleep. Is this normal? I didn't have a lot of left shoulder pain so could this be the gas settling there instead of my shoulder. I have good pain tolerance but I am ready to cry. Thanks

Went for follow up yesterday and brought this to the doctors attention. They "believe" this could be the gas pains, although they said it was unusual for it to be that intense in the area I was describing. I assured them the pain was intense. I think if it were that bad in the shoulder area I would have expected it from being on this site and everyone talking about gas pains radiating there but no one ever mentioned the head/neck. I thought also about the caffeine but I hadn't had caffeine for about two weeks before surgery...however in an attempt to resolve this headache, I broke down and had two BIG cups of coffee! didn't help. It has gotten better but it is still pretty bad if I don't keep ahead of it with 3 or 4 tylenol. I switched to Excedrin tension headache because it is the only one that didn't have asprin in it and it helps more than Tylenol. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.....Oh, and at my follow up....I lost 4 pounds since surgery. Not terrific considering I'm on a liquid diet but hey, 4 pounds in a week, nothing to sneeze at. Total since April 11th is 17 pounds...whoot whoot

Good day everyone! I know this has probably been asked but I can't find it. I was banded on Monday, 4/18. I cheated a little on the clear liquid phase and at some mushies...nothing stuck and no problems. My question is....the side where the port is at....looks "swollen" (as swollen as a chubby belly can be). I can tell that it is swollen and is that from the surgery or is it because I tested the waters and tried some mushies at Easter. I have not eaten anything drastic like a steak or hamburger...just some mashed sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes on Easter...oh, and a little snack size can of tuna. Mostly done the liquids like chicken broth, popsicles etc., but on Easter I did eat that stuff. Belly does not hurt (but incisions are so itchy!) --- just curious if this lumpy swollen belly is normal at the port site??? Thanks P.S. Just curious, how many have cheated during their week of "clear liquids" after surgery? I had a week of clear liquid before w/3 Protein shakes and then another 7 days of clear liquid with NO Protein Shakes.....I was craving something to "eat"....feel guilty but like I said, I didn't eat ham or anything to "hard" on the stomach? Just curious how many others cheated?

INTERESTING!!!! I'm going to look into this....it is literally the base of my skull on the left side and it runs down the base of my skull, down my neck and sort of across the top of my shoulders and down to the collarbone. It is really painful, and totally unlike any headache I've ever experienced before. Thanks for the info

I was just banded on the 18th (4/18) and on Easter I decided that I couldn't stand the liquid anymore and really wanted some mushie stuff. I wasn't digging into the ham or anything like that but I tried some mashed sweet potatoes and some mashes potato salad....and I took too big of bites and I got that uncomfortable stuck feeling. I sat up straight took a little drink and down it went. Not painful but uncomfortable....sort of like "whoa, slow down". It is going to be a process to learn and breaking old habits. I think that is what you are feeling. I'm not supposed to be "eating" anything yet but this liquid is OLD! I don't have any fill yet and won't get one till June.....slow down, small bites and chew chew chew. I will have to remind myself of this alot!

I haven't gotten really any protein because this first week is the "clear liquid" for me so the extent of my liquid protein has been some Unjury chicken broth w/protein and regular chicken broth. I'm not allowed protein shakes yet.....back to work and it is the first time I've been hungry! I'm going to probably drink a shake today because I know it will help my hunger pangs and they are real hunger not head hunger.....I start to get shakie and jittery when I get stomach hunger. Maybe that is part of the problem too!!! Thanks.

I'm still alive. Headache is still pretty intense but not as bad if that makes sense? I called dr. and they told me as long as there are no vision changes, numbness in the arm or seizures, not to worry. Well, I was still worrying because it was BAD! I have my follow up tomorrow (wednesday) and will ask more questions. I have feeling that instead of the gas going to the shoulder like others have said is so bad, that mine has moved to the base of my head and along the top of my shoulder and neck. I'm betting on that so if others experience this, definately call your doctor, but this is what I'm chalking my horrific headaches too.

I was banded on monday too...I hope you get some answers because I am no help. I am actually feeling okay except forvthis severe intense headache! Noreal.pain unless I pushto do too much. Good luck to you ...take it easy. Oh oh..I can answer one question...had first bm on friday (water..maybe tmi but its an fyi)

Big day is Monday...fingers crossed. Can't wait to join the Bandster Nation! By old me...welcome, new, happy me!

Okay ..I lied ...next day. Tuesday evening the pain set in. Today is friday and I feel better still sore but boy oh boy do I have a monster headache. Not too much gas pain....andi feel really "off". No pain mess cuz it made me really sick. I know I am not drinking enough but I just can't. I didn't drink that much before so its hard. I am trying. How is everyone else doing....keep me posted.

Banded this morning and I feel good. Very little gas painand I am sore but not in "pain". I joked with the nurse if the doctor even put the port in?.?. Thirsty and sleepy but doing great...how are my other bandsters doing????

Does anyone use this? Comments? I'm considering getting as part of my New Me investment. That bodybug thing or whatever it is called that you wear around your arm...too much for me to deal with and I don't want to announce it to everyone....Thanks

I feel that way and I'm day 2 of my pre-op liquid diet. I have been thinking and mourning my food also. BUT, I read so many posts that people can eat whatever they want, but limited. That is what i need....I will be happy to enjoy the "taste" without getting stuffed and gaining. Control....that is what I am looking forward to.

I have been doing really well and got so mad at myself last night because I wasn't really "hungry" but still added egg-drop into my chicken broth for dinner. Only one egg but still, did I really need it? I think it was psychological that "oh my gosh, I haven't eaten solid food for 48 hours...you have to eat something" - - I wasn't really hungry yet I did it! However, I think if you are within your calories, you should be fine. I'm probably putting myself into starvation mode because I don't even want to drink my protein shakes because the "hunger" has worn off and I really don't even want to drink anything ....which I know is bad. I wouldn't stress about eating though as long as you are within calories and not eating fast food hamburgers or something. I'd try to get back on track but wouldn't worry about the little stuff.....good luck.

Just be careful...I understand it because I'm to be banded on Monday and I'm going through the liquid diet and already mourning food that I won't be able to touch for the next month. Anyhow, my insurance company will not approve you if you don't lose weight or at least maintain your weight that you started with. If you gain, they will not approve your surgery. Just an FYI. I don't know if all of them are like that but mine was.

I love what you said about your kids......My son is my reason for this "elective surgery" (I'll get into that later) but I love the fact that they probably didn't even realize you lost weight....I know my son will never notice and I'm looking so forward into being IN the pictures with him....I know he'd love me either way but at least this way I'll be healthy and here for him. As to "elective surgery" - - I put this in another post somewhere and I'll cut and paste it here so other can read it....I said something to her about this being "elective surgery" and this was her response to me (i've cut and pasted her exact email and I re-read it when I get down on myself) Last things first, okay? This is not just an elective surgery! This is a life altering surgery. You have struggled with this since before you and I became friends. You are a beautiful young woman and your weight has effected every part of your life. This is not only a good thing to do it is a wonderful thing to do. You will find your entire life changed and only for the good. Okay????? I love my friend to pieces, she always has the right words for me!

Congrats to you. I'm looking forward to my band on the 18th. I know how you feel about not being able to pick your little one. My son is 3 and there is no way he is going to understand....he comes over to me all the time and wiggles those little fingers and says "hold you" (which means 'hold me' because I say - do you want mommy to hold you). Good luck to you and it seems like your recovery is going well. Keep us posted.

I think that unless you are self-pay most insurance companies require at least a three month supervised diet, mine was six and come July it is changing to a 12 month supervised diet...so I'm lucky I got in under the wire. Yes, I think most (not all) require certain diet/tests etc. I had to turn in only one month of a food journal, some require one for each month.

I kind of was selective of who I've chosen to tell.....HOWEVER, I forget that telling my mother was like putting up a billboard on the local highway. I sent well wishes to a family friend and asked how she was recovering from her knee surgery (mind you, she posted the surgery on her FB page which is how I found out).....she sends me back a message and says thanks and wishes me the best of luck on my new upcoming changes. I knew exactly what she was talking about and WHO told her! It's not that I'm embarrassed about the surgery but I don't know what it is....it's just not something I want to share with the entire freaking world until I'm ready...If I fail at this I don't want everyone to know that I even failed at WLS! If I'm successful...then I'll put the darn billboard up myself.! I think this is MY news to share with who I want to share it with WHEN I want to share it.