Christa3085

I drove myself crazy too the night before (last Sunday) too. But I guess I am one of the lucky ones....I knew I wouldn't be staying the night unless there was a problem. My surgery was a breeze...the Dr. said it couldn't have been more perfect. Even without the packing and planning I was driving myself nuts...then my husband and daughter told me to sit down, turned on our favorite show and made me hot tea. I also spent a lot of time of this site reading and re-reading everything I could until the hot tea and calm environment helped me relax. I was scheduled to go in at 8:45am and then the Surgical Center called me at 7am and asked if I could come in early so the panic started again in the morning to get there asap but the relaxing evening that my family "forced" on me really helped !! I was taken back to the surgery suite at 9:11am and being woken up at 10:00am and home by 11:15am. I took the pain meds that my Dr. had me fill before surgery and I did have to use them....mainly for incision discomfort and Gas X for the Gas. Also a heating pad for gas between the shoulders. All-in-all my nerves and craziness the night before was for nothing. I, too have had major surgeries before but this recovery has been faster. Everyone is different but complications are rare. I had laproscopy before as well and the incisions were tiny...these were much larger than I expected but still the muscle pain was subsiding pretty quickly by Day 3 to 4. Today at Day 6 I can get up and down close to normal. I suggest you sit down, have a cup of something hot and relaxing and divert your brain! Good luck tomorrow!!! Can't wait to hear how it goes! Sending positive RELAXING thoughts your way! Christa

Welcome Mandy!!!! I was also banded on the 6th. This is has been a great site for information and just finding other people that are expericing what you are...it's good to know that I am "normal" and this site has been a God Send for my sanity! I was told the back pain (between your shoulder blades) is normal. I had that pretty bad the first few days and still occationally. My nurse told me to use a heating pad and put it between your shoulders. WOW that is great and really helps. Also they told me not to lay down (and that was right too because I was really uncomfortable when I did). I use the recliner and recline about 1/2 way with my arms up by my ears and that has helped the reflux. I don't know what Protein shakes you are drinking but the EAS Myoplex 25g have been really filling for me...can only drink 1/2 of a 14 oz bottle at a time. Last night I was so hungry I thought I was going to go crazy so I took a very small bite of Beans....turns out I wasn't hungry just a grumbly tummy. Welcome to the Journey!!! By the way I am 42, Wife and Mom (have a 15 year old daugher at home) and work full time....very stressful job. That is the one thing I have been concerned about is that I have heard that stress can really cause the band to tighten....guess I am going to have to learn to lighten up! Kudos for quiting smoking...I failed at that, only made it a week before surgery. Good thing is that seems to tighten the band too and I have only had 1 pack over the last week - big improvement from 3/4 of a pack per day! I think this will get easier because of the tightening... I learn by aversion therapy and pain is a big aversion. Sending positive thoughts!! Christa

Fluffy_Gurl - Thank you so much. I have been taking pain meds so I am going to add fiber and see if I get things moving. I just made a Protein shake that was one of the receipies on My Lap-Band Journey with 1 teaspoon of real Peanut Butter....maybe too soon...I blended it really well but it's sticking after about 3 sips:( bummer. I was hungry last night (or thought I was - but really couldn't get much down) and thought I was hungry today. I have "hunger grumbles" but maybe that is not really what it is. Is that normal? If so, I guess I have to learn to tell the difference between hunger and just bubbles and grumbles..... Thanks again!

I am so glad someone brought this up. I had surgery on Monday the 6th and today is Sunday the 12th.....I have yet to "go". I was regular before the surgery....is this normal? I am getting about 30+oz of liquid a day but still only getting about 1 Protein shake a day....split between lunch and dinner. I am just not that hungry. I called my surgeon on Friday but they are closed on Friday's. My husband said I shouldn't worry about it yet since I am not getting enough to eat to even accumulate anything. I don't feel bloated or like I have to go...just feel pretty good. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much! Christa

Hey there everyone! Got banded on the 6th and really glad to be on the other side of this. The emotional roller coaster...nerves aided by the lack of food from the preop diet had me an emotional mess. Then after 9 months of trying to get approval and going through all of the insurance requirements, all of a sudden I had a pity party for myself and all the things "I'm never going to be able to eat again". Thank God that only got bad the 24 -48 hours before surgery....like a panic attack. Well now it's done and I feel pretty good and really really happy I did this. Down 12 lbs from pre-op diet and 7lbs since surgery!!!! The liquid has been easy this week until today. I am really hungry today....so when my daughter was eating a homemade chocolate torte today that gave me moment of feeling sorry for myself....she said to me (the 15 year old has some sense ) "Mom just take a lick of the frosting, I bet you really don't want this, you just think you can't have it so you feel deprived". Well I'll be darned she was right. It tasted good but certainly not what I was pining for and then I was over it....completely! One lick of frosting and I realized that I didn't really want it I just don't want to feel deprived. Looking forward to starting mushy's by Monday (maybe today if I can't get this hunger under control). Congratulations to all the December Bansters! Positve thoughts to all!!!!

Jennifer - I am so pleased to get your feedback on Dr. Marsden. I am scheduled to have my procedure with him tomorrow morning and there wasn't much on this site about any experiences with him although I have heard of great things through the True Results Center and looking at his background he was an obvious choice for me. I to was put at ease once I met him. His since of humor and no nonsense approach is exactly what I need. Thank you so much for posting. Which you the best of health! --Christa

I feel lucky with my pre-op diet after reading through this. I get to have an egg and/or yogurt or toast or Protein shake or bar, followed by a Protein Shake, then 4 to 6 oz of meat and a vegetable and then a protein shake for dinner. Had a few tough moments but this seemed to be more of a "practice" time for after than anything else. Although I am 12 days in (with a day "off" for Thanksgiving and a couple of slip ups) and down 6.4 lbs so it must be working. I am with Dr. Marsden in Argyle, TX - he is one of the top docs which is why I picked him. He is pretty laid back and his staff is terrific. I am really hungry today, but I now know I need to keep my complaining to a minimum Hang in there!!! Sending positive thoughts!!

I am new to participating on this site. I have been reading through all of the supportive comments and wanted say you all have been sooooo much help to me! I am scheduled for Monday Dec 6th. I am really excited and nervous. I never expected to be this nervous....I seem to have boarded an emotional rollercoaster today that I really didn't expect. LOL Good thing my huband is out right now or he would think I have lost my mind.. I did want to share a couple of things that might help. My surgeon highly recommended MY Lap-Band Journey and it has been fantastic. There are videos on the surgery, explanations, expectations, tools to track progress and create a support group of friends and/or family to receive "cheers" as you reach milestones. There is so much good information out there that I just had to share. Its www.lapband.com and the click on The Journey at the top right and sign in. Congratulations to all!!!!! I can't wait to join the "after" group in just 2 short days. I hope I can get a little sleep between now and then but it's not looking good so far Sending positive thoughts to all!

Great news! Surprised you were on so quickly...quite an inspiration to how things can go. I am starting to get really nervous, I dont think there will be good sleep the next couple of nights but I can't wait. Good luck to you and I look forward to hearing how things go.

I can't wait to hear how your surgery went and how you are feeling. I am scheduled for Monday Dec 6th and I am starting to get nervous. I hope you are feeling well!!!