b_russell

Mine only lasted for three days. It was intense and felt like forever, but after three days it calmed down. I put a heating pad on my chest to distract me...

An ovarian cyst is the excuse I used and the best thing about it is that afterwards I have been telling people at school that I am doing a low fat dairy "cleanse" (which is actually a recommended course of action to deal with ovarian cysts... my naturopath put me on one a couple of years ago) when they see me with my Protein shake and yogurt. It shuts them right up. (I thought about saying that I was doing a slim-fast type shake diet, but didn't feel like having to deal with my skinny friends trying to talk me out of what they call "pointless crash dieting".... )

Hi Kat, Thanks so much for your feedback. It is really nice knowing that there are people with answers! I think my main problem (with the Water, with the calorie intake, etc) is that I am so used to diets which are completely rigid and prescribed that not having clear guidelines about the quantity I should be eating, coupled with fears of messing up the band, has clearly made me a lunatic! I know that this phase is for healing, not dieting, but I can't seem to up my caloric intake much. Small doses of soups and broths, Protein shakes and popsicles don't seem to add up to much! I guess I have to work harder... I have tried the chocolate unjury Protein Powder, and its pretty good, but getting the unflavoured one sounds like a good idea. I could then just add it to whatever I am eating... Thanks for the tip! Finally, I am glad to hear that I am not the first person you have heard of with the post-banding blues. You're right about it being anti-climactic... I guess on some level I thought that I would wake up after the surgery and feel like I was on my way to a smaller, happier self, and clearly I failed to consider the down time that I will have to endure before that starts! I also have a theory that it is impossible to be cheerful during the month of February in Canada... But, who knows. Thanks a lot for your advice. It's just what I needed!

Hi Everyone, I hope that everyone is doing well - and not under a mountain of snow right now... Since I got banded on the 1st I have spent a lot of time pouring over the posts on this board collecting info. It's funny how I spent lots of time researching before the surgery, but now that I am actually on the other side of it, I feel like I need to start the learning process all over again. I'm not sure that that even makes sense... But, my point is that I feel like there are so many uncertainties right now... You know, is this pain normal? Should I have hiccups if I am "eating" properly? Why can I feel my port like a golf ball, etc. So, I thought I would ask a few questions of those of you who seem to be PROS at this. I'm sure that they have been answered somewhere else on here, so I apologize in advance. 1) I know we are supposed to be working really hard to get all of our fluids in. I have been trying, but with the constant reminder that I need to take baby-sips I can't seem to make it happen. Are baby-sips necessary even if larger sips don't hurt? 2) I'm not really feeling hunger, so I don't really know what full feels like. It is almost like I have detached from my body... While on the full Fluid phases, should I limit myself to a 1/4 cup of Soup? I can tolerate probably a 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup and am not sure if that is a good thing. I have no idea how else to get calories into me - right now I am at about 300 calories a day. Normal? 3) I start purees soon and am unclear on if that is the same thing as "mushies"... Are there any TLBC patients out there that can clarify what their pureed phase consisted of? 4) Finally, did anyone else feel kind of down after the surgery? I feel totally bummed out and can't really get it together. I know that being in pain doesn't help, but I feel like I have no energy and am quite gloomy right now. I can't bring myself to leave the house! I know these are pretty random questions, but if anyone has any insight they can offer, I would be VERY grateful. I have already learned what a resource this forum is, and I can't imagine having done this WLS without learning from everyone here. Thanks.

Gas-X did NOTHING for me! What helped was having one of those microwavable beanbags to lie on and a friend to stretch my shoulders back. My heating pad has also become my new bestfriend!

Hi Terri, I am pretty sure that the hernia has extended my recovery time. Six days later, I am still exhausted and have some pain though nothing too bad. (I have been off of pain killers since day three). Honestly though - it's not that bad... It all kind of lumps together with everything else. That being said, I never had any of the symptoms associated with an HH so probably couldn't pinpoint them anyway. What are they, anyway? Try not to be too anxious! I know that I was nauseous every time I even thought about the surgery beforehand and, in retrospect, the anxiety about the unknown was WAY worse than anything I experienced afterwards. In spite of my longer bounce-back time, I am totally LOVING this. Wierd huh? You'll do GREAT! Let me know if you have any other questions. B.

Hey there, I just wanted to agree with Silry. In spite of any pain or discomfort I have had so far, I wouldn't make any other decision. As for your worries about nausea, I can FULLY relate. I have had two surgeries in my life and I have never woken up from general anesthetic peacefully. I'm always the one looking like a crazy person crying uncontrollably or throwing up everywhere. Seriously. Not cute. So, this time I told the doctors, nurses, pre-op counsellors - anyone who would listen - about my little problem and that I needed extra anti-nausea meds and they were right on top of it. I woke up without any nausea at all. Once I got home, I found that the pain meds made me throw up so I took them with gravol. What worked best for me (through trial and error) was mashing up the chewable gravol/ drammamine into a powder and letting it dissolve on my tongue. Without having to take it with Water, there was nothing to throw up... I'm going to do this from now on whenever I am sick. Anyways, that was my long way of saying don't worry. I would have taken pain that was ten times worse if it meant that I still got to take a crack at life with the band... You'll do great!

Hey Everyone! I had my surgery last Thursday and it has taken me a while to bounce back.I am told that when the Doctors went in and they found a hiatus hernia which they needed to repair. I guess I should be happy that I got a freebie! Anyways, am feeling much better now and I thought that I would stay off of here until I had something positive to report! Now it is day 6 and I am feeling pretty good. Exhasted - but pain killer free. My tips for new bandsters would be to stock up on Gatorade Propel (with the sippy-cup lid) to help keep you hydrated, and buy a pill crusher at the drug store. A friend made me buy one against my better judgement (I felt silly buying it since two spoons work just fine) but it saved me during this! It easily mashed up pain killers, gravol, etc. finely enough to preactically dissolve in a bit of water and go down easily. Plus it mashes up the jumbo multivitamins... Just my two cents! I hope everyone is doing well and I wish all of you upcoming bandsters the best of luck!

Now I feel like a complete idiot! I just assumed (based on the way it was described to me) that Isopure was the only protein water on the market. Hmm.... I'm wondering if GNC takes returns... What is the deal with Propel? Is that protein water also?

Hi Yoda, I totally agree - it IS ridiculous to spend that much money. I just can't think of anything better for the clear liquid phase and this was suggested to me by the folks at the TLBC. Do you have any suggestions? I would love to find something else... My surgery is tomorrow, so I guess I am in a bit of a panic here trying to get everything together... (And/or just panic-ed in general!) Otherwise, what was the best tasting protein powder you found? Anything you can suggest would be great (and tracking it down will give me something to keep me busy!). Thanks!

The nerves are killing me! I can't wait for it to be over and done with - then I can get down to business! Thanks a lot, everyone! I'll keep you posted...

I will look for that Protein Powder. I have been trying to find a good one and it seems like every bottle I pick up is for mammoth bodybuilders, not weight-loss minded me. So thanks for the tip. As for the isopure, it is about 7 dollars for a bottle and is pre-mixed - it pretty much looks just like Gatorade. (I haven't tasted it yet. I didn't want to waste it until I actually needed a $7 drink!) Same flavours, etc. I justified the price by looking at it as just another expense to add on to the already insane amount of money I will be shelling out for this surgery. Plus, I can't think of another way to get protein in during the clear liquid phase, and I am told that protein intake is an important aide to healing. Who knows... I am so new at this, I might be wrong!

Even during the clear fluids phase?

I can relate to the panic... I feel nauseous whenever I think about the fact that it is the day after tomorrow. Apparently I am not alone with that! I also wanted to tell you that at the TLBC meeting we were told about this clear Protein drink that we can have post-op. It is called Isopure and you can get it at GNC. I picked some up today. It looks like gatorade but has something like 40g of protein and no carbs. It was pricy but they really recommended it and apparently it can be diluted. Just FYI. Anyway - good luck! Don't panic too much... just think - before either one of us knows it, we will be banded. I can't believe it.

I'm glad to hear that I am not losing my mind! Thanks for all of the replies. I am also finding that as long as I keep myself BUSY, I have no time to fixate. This is good. My apartment is ridiculously tidy. For once. I was wondering, does anyone have a good liquid Vitamin they can suggest? I know I need one, and chewables dont seem to come as strong as the giant horse-pill Vitamins that I usually take. Feb. 1st is a day and a half away!

Asperger's is what came to mind when I was reading too... I've worked with kids with AS quite a bit, and what I have always noticed is these individuals can have zero social or self awareness... In addition to not picking up on the social cues that we all take for granted in our relationships with others, they have no conception of how their actions directly affect the manner in which their peers interact with them. Usually, in my experience, young people with AS respond well to simple and direct feedback on specific instances of problematic behavior combined with strategies for how to better handle similar situations in the future. I think that the "manual" is a good idea! My only suggestion would be to make sure that Danielle(?) is given lots of examples of the suggested behaviors in action. Whether or not Danielle actually would be considered to have AS, I don't know... But I don't anyone who doesn't benefit to some degree from constructive feedback from their friends. Good Luck!

Hi All, It seems like Feb. has come on us really quickly! I am getting banded on Thursday and up until now I have been super-psyched... Not one bit of hesitation or real anxiety. Cut to today - the doctor's office called to confirm my surgery and from then on it has felt like there is lead in my stomach. I actually cannot think about it without feeling nauseous! I feel like such a freak! Honestly, the decision to get the lap-band was the easiest, most mindful decision I have ever made... I researched it, thought about the kind of life changes I will have to make for the band to be effective and worthwhile, talked my friends and family out of feeling apprehensive about me having WLS, bought the ISOPURE and gas-X strips, etc. I have been totally calm, rational, and behind it! Now, I feel like running the opposite direction and have no idea why... Are there any Feb. bandsters in the same boat, or am I just completely NUTS!?

Hi Tres Chic! Glad to hear that you are doing well. I totally agree with you... as long as I am thinking about the bigger picture I am fine with the cottage cheese and yogurt. Actually, once I hit day four of the pre-op diet, I actually started to feel fine - I guess that was when the carb insanity was finally out of my system. Aside from that, I'm just excited! Are you gearing up?

Hi All! I have been looking for a thread for Feb, and here it is! I am getting banded on Feb. 1st here in Toronto. Very excited. I'm currently on day two of the pre-op diet (that consists entirely of cottage cheese and yogurt) and so far so good. Just a question: how long was the process of getting approved, etc. for you guys? It sounds like quite the ordeal. I am wondering because it was super-fast for me here in Canada (my consultation was Dec. 22). Is that becasue I am self-pay and bypassed the insurance BS? I just want to say that I admire you all for jumping through all of the hoops you have had to jump through to get this surgery... (I'm pretty sure that I would have chickened out had it not gone so quickly for me.) It takes genunie long-term commitment and dedication which I think will definitely serve you well after the operation. I look forward to hearing all about it. Good luck to you all!

Today was day one of the pre-op diet... Not fun, but do-able. I guess I am excited (slash, hysterical and nervous), so this gives me something proactive to do. How are you finding it so far? I have the pre-op seminar tomorrow evening at Prince Arthur. I don't really understand what is going to be covered that hasn't already been addressed in the info. packet, but I guess I shall soon find out... If you need another note-taker, let me know!

It's making me a little bit nuts too... once I start the pre-op I think that I am going to settle down, though. Here's hoping... Good luck with everything!

Ahhh... I see! The info package says this: Day 1 - Water only Day 2-5 - clear fluids (broth, juice, Jello, etc) Days 6-16 - full fluids (milk products, strained soups) Day 17-31 - pureed food (normal foods blended) Day 32 and beyond - solid food It doesn't sound too bad. I'm more concerned about the pre-op diet since I am pretty much lacotse intolerant... The mere thought of that much dairy makes my stomach churn! If you have any more questions, just ask. It is good for me to familiarize myself!

Hi Yasmina, I'm being banded at the TLBC on Feb. 1 and I was given an info package with everything I need to know about the pre-op diet, and the post-op diet stages. Did you receive it? If not, make sure you ask Nisrine for it because it covers EVERYTHING! Reading it totally put my mind at ease... Good luck with everything!

My surgery is at 9:00 am. Have you gone to the pre-op seminar yet?

Thanks Cloe. It definitely does help! From the way people were talking about it I had these images of projectile vomiting in public places... I have to say that the reality sounds ten times better!