mommycld

HI Chic! I would like to tell you to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst... that is, in terms of post-op pain and/or nausea. I wasn't adequately prepared for either... after reading all the posts (on here and elsewhere) that everything was 'rainbows and unicorns and I went home 5 hours later' WAS NOT my experience. I had tremendous post op pain and nausea... and although I PLANNED on going home, I had to spend the night... and even though the pain/nausea med was prescribed IV ( but in a low dose) it JUST took the edge off.... I was disappointed in myself... and angry at my doc for not preparing me for MY reality... granted, I was home 24 hours later on oral pain/nausea meds, but I was really bummed out about the surgical day itself.... that's why I say hope for the best, but prepare for the worst... have a 'back-up plan' for staying overnight, just in case. And make sure your doc won't be 'stingy' with your meds.... I don't tell you this to scare you... just to prep you for the possibility:) I hope for rainbows and unicorns for you big day..... stay strong

Hi Kourtany, I totally understand... although I drug my heels FOR A YEAR after I received authorization (I got scared)...... Most insurance companies have mandatory requirements: seminar, meetings with nutritionist, psych evaluation.... have you completed any such requirements? Whatever you do... don't get scared like I did... I feel like I wasted a year of my life! Good luck... good things come to those who wait

Hi Elle! I had my surgery on the 28th of Jan. I was expecting to go home the same day; however, I needed a hernia repair as well, and I was having a LOT of pain post-op @ the hernia repair site AND the port site. I was also very nauseated and was afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep pain medicine from coming back up... I opted to stay overnight... and believe me, I took the IV pain/nausea med EVERY chance I could! Are you prepared to stay overnight if need be? I felt silly and disappointed that I needed to stay... but I just swallowed my pride! Good luck... keep us posted

hi julie! my first fill is scheduled for the 28th (i''m nervous already)! Consider yourself lucky that you were unaware where your port is~~~ I DEFINITELY know where mine is... and it hurts like the dickens!!! It 'smooshes' when I bend over to get dressed/put on shoes/pick things up... and I hate that part!!! A bit disturbing that I can feel it so well... but hey, hopefully that means that accessing it will be easy! Let us know how it goes!

I'm 4 days out... LOL... I JUST told my son that I'd give GOOD MONEY to be able to let out a burp 'like I used to do'.... i'ts killing me that it's all just stuck in there :mad3:

Hi Shandra! I'm Tricare Prime (south Texas) After the referral for the bariatric consult was obtained, I needed: 1. Initial evaluation by the bariatric surgeon 2. three meetings with the surgeon's nutritionist. 3. psychologist's evaluation (is your motivation justified, are you likely to comply) 4. Attend one hospital based support group meeting. 5. Demonstrate ability to start conforming to controlled diet, ie... LOSE 5% OF CURRENT BODY WEIGHT AT TIME OF REFERRAL (in my case, about 15 pounds) 6. I believe the BMI requirement is pre-determined by Tricare, but a lower BMI is considered, IF you have co-morbidities (high blood pressure, cholesterol, arthritis, diabetes, etc) Hope this is helpful... and good luck

Hi Melissa! I have depression... no bipolar, no mood swings... but I've been dealing with the condition and the meds for 12 years now (started out as post partum depression).... I, too, have gained 100# over the last 12 years.... undoubtedly, somewhat related to meds. Incidentally, I've had a few "panic" episodes in the last few years... typically related to starting new meds. I was authorized... and scheduled for the procedure over a year ago.... and did tons of soul searching to psyche myself into it. That being said, I was just banded last week. My first morning home... when it was time to take all my morning meds... and I was fretting about getting them all down... (I used to take up to 10 at a time).... I had a little 'episode'... racing thoughts, rapid pulse, short of breath, dizzy.... but being that my husband lives and works in Japan (and I'm alone with my 12 and 10 year old sons)... I put myself in a time out and 'went to a happy place'...eventually, I came out of it (I have NO anxiety meds ordered... yet) !! The few days since are getting better, slowly, but surely. There are a couple of points I'm trying to make: 1. You don't get banded overnight... 6 months to a year is typical time to 'jump through all the hoops' of getting authorized. 2. You have plenty of time to meet with your psych provider(s) and discuss possible 'worst case scenarios'... and how you would respond to them... I also thought about ALL those delish foods that I probably won't be enjoying any more (at least not indulging in)... Well, those images got flushed when my 4 year old niece told me, "MOVE... BIG FAT LADY".... out of the mouth of a babe... THAT was my final straw... I HAD to do this for ME... I want to see my kids grow up (and be healthy enough to enjoy it)!!! This afternoon, I was regretting it when I almost tossed my tomato Soup. This evening, I'm back to being happy. Give yourself credit where credit is due; however, be realistic in knowing (and acknowledging) your emotional limitations. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck!

Hi happy girl! Like you, I'm trying to be conscientious of what I'm downing... and last night, the day's total was only 300 cal Today is my first day on full liquids, and I'm READY! In all of the literature given to me, NONE indicate a calorie goal/limit... but I can't imagine that it should be less than 1,000/day... how else are we supposed to recover from surgery? The trouble is that it's difficult at this stage to consume 1,000 'good' calories. My list: **** all are 'diet, fat free, sugar free, etc*** THINNED full liquids: applesauce, baby food, diet veggie juice, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream soup, cream of wheat. My shake alone is 200+ calories (I add a banana, 1 scoop frozen yogurt, 1/2 cup milk)... 2 of these/day is how I get my 60 g Proteins. Hope you're feeling well.... I'm getting past the nausea and weakness... but the gas pain in my left shoulder is KILLING me. Figures, it's gotta be something!!!:!:

Hey Amanda! Don't get cold feet! I was scheduled for January....A YEAR AGO.... and I chickened out.... finally had it last week.... can't believe I wasted a whole year fretting !!! Good luck to you!

I'll be thinking of you! Best of luck... and let us know how you're doing post-op!!!

Some degree of difficulty is expected... however, you've got to keep ahead of bronchitis/pneumonia by faithfully practicing your respiratory hygiene. Every hour, use the incentive spirometer from the hospital (if you don't have one... slowly/deeply inhale and exhale through pursed lips) use a small pillow/rolled towel to splint your abdomen. In addition, breathe deeply and cough a few times... try doing this after you've had a pain med, when it's not as painful. Walking around will also help loosen secretions and aerate your lungs. I KNOW it's some unpleasant stuff, but it sure beats getting pneumonia!!!:juggle: Best of luck... let me know how you're doing

Some degree of difficulty is expected... however, you've got to keep ahead of bronchitis/pneumonia by faithfully practicing your respiratory hygiene. Every hour, use the incentive spirometer from the hospital (if you don't have one... slowly/deeply inhale and exhale through pursed lips) use a small pillow/rolled towel to splint your abdomen. In addition, breathe deeply and cough a few times... try doing this after you've had a pain med, when it's not as painful. Walking around will also help loosen secretions and aerate your lungs. I KNOW it's some unpleasant stuff, but it sure beats getting pneumonia!!!:juggle: Best of luck... let me know how you're doing

That's great that you get to advance your diet already... My doc insists on Clear Liquids for the first week... then full liquids for another, PLUS another week of full liquids because of the hernia repair :confused3: not too sure if I'm going to be able to hand for that long... Let me know how your diet is progressing :wink3:

Hi January bandsters! As I read through your posts, I feel like a big cry-baby! I was banded Friday, the 28th... along with having an unexpected hiatal hernia repair. I was having too much pain and nausea to go home (12 and 10 year old boys... hubby living in Japan)... so I stayed overnight. In my opinion, the meds ordered for pain and nausea were less than optimal... and I had a mean-spirited roomy that kept her tv blasting all night :cryin: I've been home for less than 24 hours now... STILL a good bit of nausea and pain. By the time I got all my usual morning pills down (one at a time), the thought of consuming any more liquids completely freaked me out.:hurt: I'm not typically one to 'panic' in the face of adversity, but I definitely could have used some Xanax a couple hours ago! I just crawled back into bed and prayed. A lot. Feeling a little better now (Thank God for Phenergan and Lortab), but I can't imagine driving myself to the doc's office tomorrow to get this local anesthetic drip device removed :eek: And to think...when the doc came into my room yesterday to discharge me, he said "seriously, you should be able to drive yourself home today and resume your normal activities." I wanted to punch him in the kisser :cursing: He was not very sympathetic...not at all, actually. I guess he's into the "tough love" way of doing things. I'm not. I'm not like 'everyone else'... I guess I'm special :ack2: Thanks for listening! :rant:

Hi Stacy! So good to hear that you're progressing well post-op!!! Today's my big day.... I'm out the door in 10 minutes!! Here we gooOOOOoooo

Hi Amber! Thanks for checking in... it helps to hear from someone who is 'fresh'.... I'm so nervous about tomorrow... hope I sleep tonight!! Congrats!!!

Hi Calibander! How funny... I lurked for a few weeks myself! I have to say, I'm nervous about tomorrow, too.... my greatest anxiety revolves around the immediate post-op period... when they've just extubated... and you're not asleep... but not awake... yet you can TOTALLY feel pain and nausea.... hate that with a passion Do you live in Southern Cali???? My husband is Navy... we've lived in San Diego a couple of times.... and will be back there this summer for a couple more years. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow... best of luck... meet you on the other side

Thanks for the pep talk, metime!!! I've been really brave and pumped all week... but today... not so much I went out today to pick up a few *sugar free popsicle items... yum I get nervous that I'm going to freak out on the Clear liquids... how pathetic Now to finish the house cleaning... this will be the last for quite a while

Hi ravendays! I'm right there with you! I'm a 'first case', so I'm checking in at 630am. Hope all goes well with you... see you back here soon!!!