scrappinandcardzin

I was banded on Thursday, February 3, 2011. Very grateful!

Hello Fellow Band Members. I received my lapband on Thursday, February 3, 2011. During my pre-op diet, I lost 12 pounds and was looking forward to surgery. Surgery is a short-stay here in New Mexico. I checked in at 7:30 a.m. at the hospital. I met one of the nurses for the blood draw as well as the IV prep. I was also given my heparin shot in the tummy. Leg and ankle compression pads were placed on my legs. I met the doctor who would administer my anesthesia. She nicely outlined what would happen once I was given the anesthesia. (Of course, I don't remember anything). I also spoke briefly with my great surgeon, Dr. Sanchez-Geswaldo and nurse practitioner Ms. Bazinet before surgery, which was scheduled at 10:00 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. I was awaken in the recovery room and given my barium test to see how well the band was doing. Great! At around 12:15 p.m., my husband and I left the hospital for home. It was quick and of course, I wasn't in much pain because of the meds administered to me. When I got home, I kept myselft hydrated and walked, walked, walked around the living room. I didn't experience pain in the shoulders, which I contribute to the walking and hydration. I couldn't sleep in my bed, but I found a comfortable spot on the recliner and slept quite well. I didn't have any problem with voiding, but I knew there would be some constipation. The following morning, I had a post-op appointment to see how things were going. Both my pain and nausea meds were doing great...I didn't need much. I did regain 4 pounds, however. Wasn't too happy about that, but it was due to the retention of liquids. Until the first BM, I should be back on track. My next post op appointment is in a week, on Friday, February 11, 2011. The next support group I'll attend is on Monday, Valentines Day, at 7:00 p.m. I understand quite a few folks attend this meeting. It's been at least 48 hours since my surgery. I could now have what some of you referred to as mush. I started with room temperature water and some no-calorie/no-sugar vitamin water. Then, I had a thinned down serving of cream of wheat cereal. It took about 45 minutes to eat, but I didn't experience any difficulty in swallowing and maintaining the meal. Later, I'll have blended soup (no chunks of anything,..just blended chunks with the broth). And, then for my last meal, I'll have my bariatric protein drink, which I'll mix with silk milk. I plan to finish my water and vitamin water before retiring for bed. I will eat similar meals until my appointment on February 11, 2011. I signed up for the BMI and weight tracking program. I'll add that next time. Thank you for letting me share!

Many of you are way past this part of the lap-band journey -- the 3rd day of the pre-op diet. I'm just so glad to be at this step. Why? It took awhile for my insurance to process the paperwork. Initially, I was approved to see a doctor out-of-state. Then, that was corrected to a local doctor. Only thing, the insurance company was listing the doctor as a male, vice a female. Later, I was approved to see another local doctor. Great you say? Well, then the hospital the doctor works with suddenly refuses to see patients covered by my insurance. In a one-week turn around, the doctor tells the hospital to accept his patients. The hospital obliges; however, my insurance refers me to another doctor who also works at the same hospital. Confusing you say? It was. BUT.....THE GOOD NEWS IS I'M APPROVED! Day 3 is going okay. My husband has been encouraging me...but he gets to eat food that is not on my diet (of course). I'm constantly reminding myself of the goals I've set for myself so that I don't falter. I can't afford to falter. One day at a time...that's what I say.

Hi Shelly65. I am on Day 3 of my liquid pre-op diet too. I liked what ThinSIstaSoon said, because the fruit causes the shake to be creamier. I use frozen unsweetened fruit in my shakes so that I don't need to add more than two ice cubes while blending. Also, the fullness lasts about 4-5 hours. Oh, I like to use a straw to sip my shake. I wish you the best. Remember, there are others here to share with!