Purpleshell

Hi Everyone, I'm feeling great. More human as each day passes I had my puncture holes cleaned and new dressing applied today. Don't know why I had to go to the Dr's for it. I could have done this at home. I thought my surgeon said the stitch could come out today (Day 6 post op) but I went to a local hospital and not my lapband specialist and they said no- day 10. What's everyone else been told? They also said the steri strips would just fall off??? I don't mind either way. I'm down 12 lb (5.5 kg) since my surgery date. I'm so excited. However, now that all the swelling has gone down I'm starving!! Lots of chicken and vegetable Soup and Protein shakes and the occasional yoghurt- but still very hungry! I'm back to work tomorrow which is great as it might keep my mind off food. Although a yummy lunch is being provided at the meeting and I will have to take my soup Take care everyone

Hello Everybody! It's great to see so many people joining the group. It's also great to hear that most of us are experiencing the same things (some worse than other though- sorry to hear about your experiences EquusEMS. You're doing great though 9lb already is Fantastic!) Nate- I'm an Aussie too! I don't live there at the moment but totally understand the lb to kg conversion thing. Also when people are writing the date they were banded throws me off too as its backwards Where in Aus are you from? I'm feeling great today- on a high. Don't know why. I still have some discomfort and get lots of gas pain when drinking Water but feel great Lets hope it lasts. I'm off to the Dr's tomorrow to have my stitch out (over the port) and puncture holes re-dressed. I haven't started driving yet and its a long drive to the Dr's- 1.5 hours, so not sure if I should do it alone yet or wait for hubby to finish work and go down with the kids. I go back to work on Monday but then its only 4 days of work for me and then 2 weeks off for Christmas holidays. YEAH!! Take care everyone and hope we are all pain free soon.

Well I had a long reply to everyone and then lost it all with one click So this will be a shorter one! I went for a walk today and then went grocery shopping with the family and actually feel OK. Still tight in the chest/stomach though especially when I drink/eat. I think it must be the feeling you get after a fill. I already have 2 cc's in my band and find it difficult to get much down at one time. I was really hungry at one stage today, had a few sips of my Soup and couldn't fit in anymore. I was still hungry though I hope it doesn't continue like this. I find it very interesting what Dr's tell their patients too PhatGoddess. I'm on an all liquid diet, but allowed yoghurt and home made Soups with lots of yummy vegetables and meat whizzed in the blender. He told me he would rather I got all my Protein from fresh produce and not Protein shakes, but I really like my morning protein smoothie so keeping it on the menu Garden Gal- Living in the UAE is very interesting. I've been working/living here for nearly 4 years now and lived in Qatar for 4 years before that. I'm a teacher and currently working as an Education Advisor. If you ever get the chance to visit Dubai its worth the visit, but only during the winter months- 122+ F is not fun in the summer!! We all try and leave during summer vacation. I'm glad to hear everyone is doing so well. Keep up the good work! Purpleshell

I was banded last Monday the 6th Dec and was very scared. I was ready to run away from the hospital! I broke down in tears in front of all the Dr's and nurses during my check in procedure and when my Surgeon came to visit he told them to give me the sedative Which I took! The next minute, I'm awake and its all over. I've had gas pain like the rest of them have said and feel tight in the stomach. I've only been taking panadol to ease any pain and that works very well. I was very tired the first couple of days but still managed to walk around without a problem and do most things. I had my gallbladder out at the same time and my Dr. also put 2 cc of Fluid in my band. So I think this is why I'm feeling so tight in the stomach Tell your Dr. your fears. They will be very understanding and help you through the whole process. Good Luck with your decision.

Hi Garden Gal, No I was banded in the UAE (Dubai). A lot of banding goes on here as Diabetes is one of the highest rates in the world and the locals like their food However, there are no support groups that I know of as everyone keeps it to themselves. I'm going to ask my Dr. at my next visit if there is another Western Lady that he has banded recently that would like to meet up or chat. I had one friend who was banded last year but she has moved back to NZ. I haven't told her yet that I've been banded as she was very open about her experiences. Everyone knew! I heard many negative comments behind her back like "she took the easy way out" etc. and I just don't want people saying that about me. Especially when this was not the easy way out. Its been a very hard decision and I know that I am going to have to do a lot of work for this band to work. Thanks for the info on how much fluids you are to drink. I had to convert oz in google So 3-4 cups of liquid per day. That sounds OK but my pain in my left shoulder hurts when I drink. Its horrible! N8iveLoLo I don't think I could drink 5 ounces in 30 min either at this stage. That's a lot of sipping. I love your bands name too Well after reading all of your posts, I realize I had better get my act together and start a more regular exercise plan. I've only been walking around the house. So today I plan on going for a longer walk outside! Enjoy your day and speedy recovery everyone! Purpleshell

Thank you for sharing your experiences, its making me feel a whole lot better. I was banded on the 6th Dec and also had my gallbladder removed at the same time. I've been feeling really stiff and have a lot of gas pain. Its actually a lot harder than I had imagined it was going to be and I've had 2 C-sections! I'm 5'11 and was 286 pounds on the day of surgery and 37 years old (38 in a few weeks). (I'm an Aussie so not sure if my measurements are exactly right as we use cm and kg's). I don't live in Aus though, and found this the best way to receive support and talk to people. I also have diabetes in my family and cancer, so thought I had better do something now before it gets too late. I have 2 small daughters and want to be around for them for a long time. I haven't had to follow many of the restrictions that most of you have had to. My preop diet was to eat healthy, no extra fat and lean meats with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and now that I am banded I've been told to make Soup with no oil, add high Protein and vegetables, puree and sip. I'm also allowed fresh juice, skim milk yoghurt, skim milk and of course Water. I hope this is OK as I've noticed a lot of you don't add these things to your diet until a week or so later. The Dr tells me he has already put 2cc of fill as well, and I would say that's why I have a very tight feeling in my chest and can only consume very small amounts of liquid. Its great not feeling hungry though and that's something I'm not familiar with. I'm usually ALWAYS hungry! Does anyone have any ideas on how much Fluid we should be taking in per day? I don't think I'm getting as much liquid as I should and don't want to dehydrate. I'm also worried that I might be one of the unsuccessful bandsters. I haven't really eaten anything since Sun night and with my swollen belly, look like I haven't stopped eating. I'm just hoping once the swelling goes down, so will my weight on the scales. Thanks again for sharing everyone, its great to have support. Purpleshell

It's SO good to hear I'm not alone. I was banded on the 6th Dec and also had my gallbladder removed at the same time. I stayed a night in hospital and then came home. I am very sore all over my stomach and have the left shoulder pain. I am also very tired. I also lost a lot of feeling in my left thumb and index finger but thankfully that is slowly coming back to normal. I've only been given paracetamol for pain killers and told to take them once a day. I'm taking more than that so I can manage feeling a bit normal. It hurts to breath in deeply and I've been told to do breathing exercises and to make sure I walk around. I find that I walk for a few minutes then need to rest. Its a lot harder than I thought it would be. I've had two C-sections and this is almost as difficult. I can't wait to sleep on my side again and not on my back This will all be worth it though in the end hey?! Purpleshell

Hello! I'm a newbie too and do not live in Ireland- sorry! BUT I am also living overseas and being banded on the 6th Dec. So we have some things in common I'm 38 this month, married with 2 children (girls 3 and 5 years) and want to lose around 53 kg (117 pounds) At the moment I am really nervous and wondering if I'm doing the right thing. I'm also having my gall bladder removed at the same time and hope this has been the right decision. I've wanted the lap band for a very long time, but now that it is really happening I'm scared and excited at the same time. I haven't told anyone about the surgery (except for my husband). I would love to have a buddy to share stories and to support one another and hopefully a mentor could help us both us out with encouraging words and advice. Have a safe trip to Belgium and I wish you all the very best for Monday with a speedy recovery. Shell

Thank you for posting this and for all the replies. I am in a similar position as you Stacey. I am paying for the surgery myself and haven't had to meet with nutritionists or counselors etc. I am also having my gall bladder removed so have been waiting for that part of the operation to be approved by my medical insurance. It was approved yesterday and my Dr called to say I can have the surgery on Sat or Sun- yes tomorrow if they have a free spot! Yikes!! I've been waiting a few months for the approval and have been trying to watch what I eat but I haven't been required to do the pre-op diet either. I hope my Dr will let me know exactly what to eat etc. I know I am on a liquid diet for 2 weeks and then 2 weeks pureed food. I don't know much more than that though, so look forward to learning more from here and also receiving the support from other bandsters. Thanks!

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the forum and thought I would join in on the December Bandsters. I just received a call from my Dr and my surgery will be this Saturday or Sunday. He will call me tomorrow to confirm the date! I need to have my gall bladder out and have been waiting to hear from the insurance company for approval. I will be funding the band. I will also be required to stay a night after the operation. I'm very excited and nervous at the same time. I don't live in the US and I don't think there is much support where I live, so I will be relying on virtual support from the forums. I look forward to reading about everyone's experiences.