TerriDoodle

Phil - uh, did you read what I've been eating post-band?? look a couple of posts up!

Sara - I've not been eating much, that's for sure. Day 1 I only had 1 cup of protein drink, jello & popsicles. Day 2 I had 1/2 cup of cream of wheat, 1/2 c mushroom soup and 1 cup smoothie Day 3 (so far) same as Day 2 but I'll probably eat a bit more before the day is over with....maybe some cottage cheese. Just not hungry so trying to take advantage while I can. I know the hunger is coming! BTW, Christmas time is a great time to visit Houston- the weather is generally mild and sunny! ....generally.

I've heard Ginger Tea is good for nausea. I got some just in case but haven't needed it. What about good ol' Pepto Bismol?

My doc said not to take a pill any larger than a birth control pill. I used to take Wellbutrin SR and I remember them being about twice that size. May have to switch to a diff kind of Wellbutrin....'cause I don't think you can break up the SR's.

Oh, I'm getting around just fine!!! I could probably even go into work (desk job) if I had to today (but I'm off until the 11th). The incisions are a bit sore...I wouldn't want a short person giving me a big squeeze, that's for sure. But getting comfortable in bed or chair is no problem, getting up and down is no problem at all. If the weather were better I'd go for a 30 minute walk with no problem. I'm off pain meds except for tylenol now. Looking back on it, it's a breeze!! The immediate post-op hours are the toughest.

Hi Pamela- My doc said the shoulder pain is "referred pain" from the surgical area...I don't think it's related to gas. My shoulder pain comes and goes but last night I had the same problem as you....it was non-existent all day but then last night it REALLY started acting up after I had bent over to pick up the bathroom trash can. I just took my pain meds and got the heating pad on it, then went to bed and tried to get in a comfortable position. I was finally able to get to sleep after about 20 mins. Today I feel MUCH MUCH better than I have been. I am only taking tylenol now and am feeling just great. I took some milk of magnesia awhile ago, and I'm still taking Gas-X regularly. My incisions are starting itch a bit, but that's good, right? Try to take a couple of naps today -- get some rest, girl!!!

Hi Sherri- A lot of people who have experience with local support groups say that this board is even better!! So if you don't find one, just pull up a chair and hang around here! I'm an april bandster too and we have a great group of folks that are all getting banded together in the month of April and you can join us here! This is a wonderful place and I'm glad you found us!

I slept well last night and only had to get up 3-4 times to pee, rather than the every 15 mins. I did the night before! Oh, and I also weighed 211 today so the weight loss has officially begun! I really feel like I have 'turned the corner' and my pain is sooooo much better today. I'm only taking Tylenol now. Still using Gas-X. Had a 1/2 c of cream of wheat this morning and it was yummy! (skim milk, brown sugar splenda, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, plain protein) I'll probably have soup again for lunch. Need to start tracking on fitday. Think i'll go over there now....

I slept well last night and only had to get up 3-4 times to pee, rather than the every 15 mins. I did the night before! Oh, and I also weighed 211 today so the weight loss has officially begun! I really feel like I have 'turned the corner' and my pain is sooooo much better today. I'm only taking Tylenol now. Still using Gas-X. Had a 1/2 c of cream of wheat this morning and it was yummy! (skim milk, brown sugar splenda, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, plain protein) I'll probably have soup again for lunch. Need to start tracking on fitday. Think i'll go over there now....

While I was sore and in pain (I'm now 3 days post op) I was having a bit of the "what the hell have I done?" thing going on, but now that I'm feeling MUCH better and have lost my first real pound....I'm nothing but excited!!! I'm not hungry (yet) and am quite satisfied with a small smoothie or 1/2 c of soup, etc. It's all good! :-)

Well, I thought I would record my banding experience...I may find it interesting at some point in the future. DH drove me to Park Plaza at 8:30 and I basically sat around until 10:00. they got me in a gown and in a room then I took a nap (relaxed, eh?). Finally got to the staging area about 11:00 where they took another hour to start an IV and get an anesthesia history. I met with Dr. Spivak for a bit, too. At noon they gave me something in my IV that made me really goofy and took me to the OR then....LIGHTS OUT! I woke up in recovery feeling quite a bit of pain and having difficulty breathing. They gave me oxygen and some morphine, I think...and I was in and out of sleep...don't really remember. At some point they took me back up to my room and I was SLEEPY!! I was having a really hard time staying awake for more than 30 seconds at a time. I was hurting, but not too bad...I could get up out of bed and sit up etc. They wouldn't let me go until I drank 30 oz of fluid and urinated. The fluid wasn't any problem but I was having a very hard time urinating...I kept falling asleep on the toilet!! Actually, I even would take a sip of water and fall asleep before I swallowed it!! That happened 3 times....with the popsicle too. It was pretty funny. I finally peed and was able to go home at about 8:00p. I got home and watched the recorded American Idol (why??) and posted on LBT! I actually slept very well. I was given liquid vicodin for pain and that did the trick for me but I do have to take it every 4 hours! I'm still taking it. I didn't really eat anything to speak of for 2 days. 1st 24 hours I took 3 naps and had one 8 oz protein drink and a bunch of water. Shoulder pain was the worst of all. Took a shower. 2nd 24 hours I've been moving around a lot more, even went for a walk outside this morning, and did a little shoppiing at Michaels with Hannah. Did a load of laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, etc. Haven't had any shoulder pain today. I made a 4 oz smoothie, 3/4 c. cream of wheat, 3/4 c cream of mushroom soup. That's all! But I'm not really hungry. Feeling a little weak, so I know I need to eat, and I will, but I sure do like not eating all the time! I know this won't last but it's pretty cool for now! DH was so sweet yesterday...I gave him a whole list of stuff I needed and should have gotten beforehand. One of which was a "magic bullet" and that thing is GREAT!! He's been wonderful about this whole thing. Very supportive and never questioning my judgement at all. I weighed 212 before surgery, 219 day after and 215 today! Man, that's a lot of water! Ok, headwise, I am having a little bit of the "oh sh*t what have I done?!" syndrome but I hope I'll get past that. DH and DD were eating BBQ and baked potatoes last night and I was feeling kind of sorry for myself. But those kinds of feelings don't last long. The support and motivation here on LBT have been indespensible. I can't imagine how one goes through something like this without it. Seriously. Life is good.

(((((THANK YOU, BETTY)))))))

EXCELLENT!!! Sounds like you are doing everything right. It feels good to take such positive steps, doesn't it? So much better than sitting around with that feeling of hopelessness. Makes every day brighter. Please let me know how you're getting along, ok? BTW, I'm post-op day 3 and feeling very well....really feel like I've turned the corner today. The procedure itself is quite tolerable if that is a concern for you. Spivak is the best.

****ANNOUNCEMENT**** I have officially lost ONE pound since my surgery day weigh-in!! It has been soooo long since I have actually seen my weight DROP that I forgot how exciting it is!! WAY COOL!! First thing I did this morning is change my ticker, baby! Sara - We have the Queen Mother of shopping malls right here in Houston, The Galleria, and it is wonderful!! 375 stores!! Everything from The Gap to Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Yurman, Vercace, Tiffany, etc.... Of course, Houston doesn't have a whole lot to offer tourists otherwise, but I'm here!! DaVinci Syrups - We looked at some of the stores here and couldn't find it; I just went to www.netrition.com and ordered a few flavors. They've got 20+ different ones!! You should check it out!. I've used this company before for supplements and they deliver very quickly and have good prices. I also ordered some papaya enzyme...they're chewable and I've read around the board that it helps to take those when food gets stuck. Better to have it on hand!

We got our Magic Bullet at Kohl's. It is really great! and I love the strainer too...that'll help with the liquid stage for the next 4 weeks!! Lunasa - I'm so very sorry your airplane trip was so horrible. Don't worry, sweetheart...things will be getting much better very soon! I can't remember...where do you live? How long will you stay in Florida? Jennifur-- I'm missing you! Hope you're having fun in Myrtle Beach!!

Well, I thought I would record my banding experience...I may find it interesting at some point in the future. DH drove me to Park Plaza at 8:30 and I basically sat around until 10:00. they got me in a gown and in a room then I took a nap (relaxed, eh?). Finally got to the staging area about 11:00 where they took another hour to start an IV and get an anesthesia history. I met with Dr. Spivak for a bit, too. At noon they gave me something in my IV that made me really goofy and took me to the OR then....LIGHTS OUT! I woke up in recovery feeling quite a bit of pain and having difficulty breathing. They gave me oxygen and some morphine, I think...and I was in and out of sleep...don't really remember. At some point they took me back up to my room and I was SLEEPY!! I was having a really hard time staying awake for more than 30 seconds at a time. I was hurting, but not too bad...I could get up out of bed and sit up etc. They wouldn't let me go until I drank 30 oz of fluid and urinated. The fluid wasn't any problem but I was having a very hard time urinating...I kept falling asleep on the toilet!! Actually, I even would take a sip of water and fall asleep before I swallowed it!! That happened 3 times....with the popsicle too. It was pretty funny. I finally peed and was able to go home at about 8:00p. I got home and watched the recorded American Idol (why??) and posted on LBT! I actually slept very well. I was given liquid vicodin for pain and that did the trick for me but I do have to take it every 4 hours! I'm still taking it. I didn't really eat anything to speak of for 2 days. 1st 24 hours I took 3 naps and had one 8 oz protein drink and a bunch of water. Shoulder pain was the worst of all. Took a shower. 2nd 24 hours I've been moving around a lot more, even went for a walk outside this morning, and did a little shoppiing at Michaels with Hannah. Did a load of laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, etc. Haven't had any shoulder pain today. I made a 4 oz smoothie, 3/4 c. cream of wheat, 3/4 c cream of mushroom soup. That's all! But I'm not really hungry. Feeling a little weak, so I know I need to eat, and I will, but I sure do like not eating all the time! I know this won't last but it's pretty cool for now! DH was so sweet yesterday...I gave him a whole list of stuff I needed and should have gotten beforehand. One of which was a "magic bullet" and that thing is GREAT!! He's been wonderful about this whole thing. Very supportive and never questioning my judgement at all. I weighed 212 before surgery, 219 day after and 215 today! Man, that's a lot of water! Ok, headwise, I am having a little bit of the "oh sh*t what have I done?!" syndrome but I hope I'll get past that. DH and DD were eating BBQ and baked potatoes last night and I was feeling kind of sorry for myself. But those kinds of feelings don't last long. The support and motivation here on LBT have been indespensible. I can't imagine how one goes through something like this without it. Seriously. Life is good.

I got some liquid vitamins at Sam's club and they're tolerable...just taste like strong orange juice and you only have to take 2 tsp.

Wow! That's cool!! At least you KNOW you're in the best hands possible in that regard. For me that was a huge, huge factor. Please feel free to PM me if I can help you in any way.

Sara - My doc is haviing me do breathing exercises every 2 hours -- maybe you should do the same if you're not already. Just take 5 slow deep breaths (as deep as you can) every 2 hours (while awake) for 2 weeks. I was on major drugs when they explained why, but I do it anyway. It's harder to do in the mornings than in the afternoon, so there must be some good it is doing. Twigs - CONGRATULATIONS !! Sounds like you are doing amazingly well! Go easy though, especially since you've been traveling AND going back to work on Monday. Rest! Cred - I'd be careful with the egg drop soup. I'm sure it would be okay if you blenderized it, though. I'm popping the Gas-X, too....it helps! That is so cool about your insurance -- you sure don't hear that story very often!! You're lucky!

Awww shucks!! Thanks you guys! Ya'll are the BEST.

Seems like I read somewhere that flying can affect your swelling. Maybe you'll feel better tomorrow. Nevertheless, just keep sipping and try to get some Protein down...one way or the other. I'm two days post op and am not having those issues although I just ate some real food (cream of wheat) this morning...I haven't been hungry at all. Just making myself eat at this point.

Panda - I'm 2 days post op and having hiccups and burps too. Usually after I've moved around a bit... sitting to standing...or after too many sips of my water too fast. I think that's the signal we're supposed to be watching out for!!

:bump: Bumpin' on up!

48 hours post op, still on pain meds, but went out for a 20 minute walk. Somebody tell me how wonderful I am!! ('cause i feel like a total exercise weenie next to you guys)

The time will fly by May Bandsters!! The April Bandwagon is here to support you through all your jitters. Just hang together and you'll be amazed at what a difference it makes having others to lean on during this waiting period. Good luck to you all!!