Allison0927

the good news is your surgery is still far enough away that you can undo any "damage" (real or imagined). I was banded 7/5 - i have avoided movies since starting the pre-op diet specifically because i know that i would not enjoy the experience without my popcorn (layered butter, of course) and would be tempted by the smell of popcorn. Lesson learned for you - either don't go to the movies or don't go anywhere where you may have to go that long before the next snack/shake/meal - one thing i've been learning is that PLANNING AHEAD is a huge part of this whole thing - no more eating "whatever i can grab" on the fly - and no more being stuck with no food options so that i binge like crazy when i finally do get ahold of food. Buck up - you will be fine - this too shall pass.

i didn't have any supervised diet either - i have UHC and it took me 3 months from attending seminar to banding -my surgery was last week. You can get it done within that time frame as long as you schedule your appts as soon as possible - best of luck to you!!!

good post - i love it!!!

also sounds like you may not be getting enough calories - count them out and stick within your doc's guidelines - not eating enough causes body to hold onto them in starvation mode.

love the part about the buffet - lol!

excellent job - keep up the good work!

THAT IS AWESOME - TOO FUNNY I LOVE IT!

great blog - lots of good thoughts and info!

I'd be wonderful with no pain if it weren't for the dreaded gas pain from the CO2 that they pump into you during surgery. Honestly I was not prepared for that level of pain for this many days. The surgery itself was a BREEZE compared to the gas pains - and gasx or similar products do not work - the gas is in the torso not in the intestines - pain meds only constipate so they are no good for it either. They say the only cure is to MOVE as much as possible. I've been trying -the pain is easing up slightly each day. I have hope it will eventually go away all together. I have only today and tomorrow left on liquids - that part has been easier than I thought since I have little to no appetite - even a bowl of tomato Soup makes me uncomfortably stuffed. I'm looking forward to the soft food stage only to be able to eat something different than what I've been eating since the 14 day pre-op diet. On the bright side - down 20+ pounds all together and I know that never would have happened without this band and process. Not everyone gets the gas and some do not get it that bad so don't worry about that part - I am just venting a little. Best of luck!!!!!!

VERY inspirational blog - I love it!!!!

my doc said swimming after 2-3 weeks - i'm looking at my backyard pool with all my friends swimming in it as I type this. I was banded on 7/5 and can pretty much guarantee i'll be jumping in the pool at the 2 week mark....

HI - I was banded 7/5 also. I'm glad gas hasn't bothered you too much - mine has been awful - and i've been moving around a ton. I cleaned the whole house today for example. Also, to my surprise I still have no appetite which is great since I'm on day 5 of solid liquids. Am sipping a protein shake right now for lunch - but only because I have to or I'll never get my protein in. Been doing better on water but still am not up to my 80 ounces a day pre-op. Down 19 pounds since last surgeon visit before banding on June 7. Did a 14 day pre-op diet with no cheating and I have not cheated at all on the post-op. It has been hard but only due to head hunger. Best of luck and congrats on hitting onderland soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had some gaps in my 5 years too - had to reach out to specialists instead of just my primary care physician because being in my 30s with little health issues I did not see my PHP every year. The approval went through even though technically all 5 continuous years weren't there. I've heard of others proving things through pictures/video. Mine was United Health Care. Best of luck!!!

One exercise I read about on another site to get rid of the CO2 gas pains is to lay on the floor on your back. Take one knee and bring it to your chest. Count to 5 or 10 (whatever you can tolerate). Do the same with the second knee. Roll from side to side a few times. This seems to prompt some small "gas passes" - and of course the goal is to get as much out as possible as soon as possible. I am never usually negative on these boards but I was just cranky this morning because I am just so irritated by the gas. Again, if it weren't for the gas - this surgery would have been a BREEZE. Best of luck to you!!!

i am 5 days out - it's the gas - it is HORRIBLE. I've read of some bandsters having difficulty with it but NEVER DID I IMAGINE this level of excrutiating pain. If it weren't for the CO2 trapped in my torso and stabbing me every few minutes like a hundred knives I would have quickly recovered from the easiest surgery on the planet. Yet, here I am in SO MUCH PAIN. It's horrible it really is and from my understanding no pain meds, gas x or anything like that will help it. Just movement. But even movement is not making it stop quick enough. Other than that I'm down nearly 20 pounds from 14 day pre-op and surgery. No pain no loss I guess.

great blog - inspirational!!!

i was banded 7/5 also - i have not had a BM or runs at all - just urine - i've barely been able to eat (meaning drink) the solid liquids - i have absolutely no appetite at all - it is all i can do to force the water down - i just don't want it. Been walking in the house, doing the liquid vicodin 2x per day, and using gas x strips about 6x per day. The gas in my torso is just horrible (never went to my shoulders as others say on here - but it could still happen). My gas pain is concentrtaed right where i believe my stomach would be located - at this point i'm hoping it's actually gas and not some problem with the lap band - i can feel the air moving/adjusting in my torso though so i'm thinking it's just gas). I would have thought i'd have a loose BM o the runs by now since i have sipped some tomatoe soup and have eaten 2 or 3 cups of sugar free pudding - but nothing, nada zip. Hope that's not all that unusual but welcome the feedback from my fellow bandsters!

Thanks - I cannot believe the bandsters on here talking about walking around walmart the day of or after the surgery. I cannot fathom doing that - i've been walking all around my house. i just took my first shower since surgery this morning so i never would have left the house anyway without that LOL. I will be so happy when the gas goes away.

great job - how long have you been banded????

THANKS!!!! I have to be at the hospital in 10 hours - i'm excited and nervous. I will be on as soon as i can to tell my day of surgery story - GOOD LUCK all my fellow July 5th bandsters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well - surgery is Tuesday (July 5) and I'm excited and nervous. Day 11 of the 14 day pre-op and it's really gotten so much easier as each day passes. Three shakes, 2 lean cuisines, and up to 2 cups vegetables per day - quite a generous amount of food compared to a pure liquid pre-op. This holiday weekend will not be fun as I'm used to the grills and the beers but I will be fine. I haven't cheated once on the pre-op and I'm sure not ruining it at the end. Down 10 pounds in 10 days - mostly water I'm sure but I'll take it. I'm hoping each day that comes will be my heaviest ever and it only goes way WAY down from here!!! Best of luck to all July Bandsters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't get any responses - I'm suggesting you try thrift stores - that's what i plan to do on my way "down" (surgery july 5) - no way i'm spending a bunch of money on clothes that soon won't fit - but thrift stores often have new or almost new clothes and no one would ever know that's where you got the clothes - best of luck!

me three!!!!!!!!!! july 5 banders rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take it from me - I'm 37 and a professional. If you go to college and grad school and get really good grades and get a well-paying job you will quickly be able to save for the TT surgery and anything else you want. Even if not one single man would have you because of your excess skin (which I don't believe because you are a smart pretty girl but let's just assume that for a minute) you can and will earn the money you need for surgery if insurance won't cover it. There is light at the end of the tunnel - you will earn the money and have the surgery in your 20s (maybe the mid-late 20s but your 20s nevertheless). Keep you chin up you will get there I promise!!!!!!

Good luck and our prayers are with you!!!!