Tammy Shannon

Looks like there are a couple of us tomorrow. My surgery is at 10:00; have to be at hospital at 8:00am. Wishing everyone the best of luck and a speedy recovery. Sending prayers and good vibes as we go on this journey together. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That would be me. Having my band to bypass revision this Wednesday. How about you?

Just 5 short weeks ago, October 5th seemed like an eternity away. Now I staring down the last 4 days of my old life and getting ready to welcome the new. It's been a rough 3 weeks of pre-op diet. I have to say thank you to my family and to the fellow Bariatric pals on here for helping me through. It's been interesting to see how different the pre-op requirements are around the country. This weekend I'm going to get my hospital bag ready, go grocery shopping for the family and make sure everything is in order, so I don't have to worry about anything but getting healthy. We have several other pals with surgeries this week...what are you doing to get ready? How are you feeling? Tammy

@@Travelher, I am allowed 4 Protein shakes a day and a limited list of vegetables. That is it. I'm a week and half in to a three week pre-op diet. I am able to get about 2 shakes down and some veggies every day. Mushrooms have been my go to lately. I started on SlimFast high Protein Shakes, but after about three days, I had extreme diarrhea. They then switched me to Organic Meal Replacement shakes. It is all plant based protein and you mix with Water. They don't flavor well at all. I just sweeten it a bit with Splenda and drink them. It also has a nasty film it leaves in your mouth. Wishing you the best of luck! Tammy

@@Travelher, Congratulations on your surgery date and boo on your cold! I hope that you are able to get over it quick and have smooth sailing through your pre-op diet. I've got another week and half to go on my pre-op and I'm to the point where I'm struggling to get two shakes down a day. Don't get me wrong, I've wanted food, just not hungry for it. I don't know if my body has gotten to the starvation mode, but I'm surviving. Keep us posted on your progress and any issues you may have. Tammy

@@momto3E, PB2 is not bad. It comes in regular Peanut Butter and chocolate peanut butter. We always keep it on hand, as my children like it too! As for issues with my band...I could never tolerate more than 4cc's of Fluid. I had 4cc's for about a year with no problem, and all of a sudden I got the worst acid reflux ever. I didn't realize it was the band until after suffering for a month and half before calling my doctor. I felt INSTANT relief once he removed the fluid. We tried to put the fluid back in, but I only got back up to 3cc's. I think i'm just really scared to go any further. When I was sick, I had real difficulty eating healthy foods (no salads, vegetables, most meats) and I resorted to ice cream and potato chips. Bad choices, but I was hungry. Why are you having a revision? Tammy

@@Ninni, very similar stories. At 4cc's of Fluid, I was vomiting almost everything I ate. So pringles and ice cream is what I lived off of for weeks. I had lost about 40 pounds with the band, but when he had to take all the fluid out when I was having reflux and gallbladder issues, I put on those 40 and 20 more. I currently have 3cc's in it still and prior to my pre-op diet could eat most anything except stringy meat (roast beef/pork chops) and could not eat left overs that had been re-heated in the microwave. I too don't blame the band, however, I should have just went with the bypass the first go around. I noticed a lot of patients here have their revision in two different procedures. I'm having my band removed, hernia (from the band) fixed and bypass all in one. I hope 3 weeks will be enough time off to recover.

@@momto3E, My issue is that I've never been a big veggie eater. I've eaten cabbage for Breakfast for the last two days. LOL! I've tried the PB2, however, I will have to look into the sugar free syrups. I currently have a lapband (7/2011), however, it didn't work. I could not tolerate fills and ended up with awful reflux and gallbladder issues (removed 7/2015). I am so ready to get this band out and move forward. Keep us posted on your journey!

@@Ninni, what I'd give for one meal with chicken or fish. My doc does 50-59 BMI is three weeks of 4 Protein shakes a day. If I get hungry, I can have some raw veggies (a list of about 10 acceptable) and that is it. I'm on day 5 and it's rough. Sixteen more to go. I'm sure October 11th will get here before you know it! @@momto3E, I'm curious as to what type of meals you are on? Would you share? Thanks! Tammy

I'm a band revision to bypass on 10/5/16. I have three weeks of pre-op diet (4 shakes a day with raw veggies to snack). I'm on day 4 of no real food (I'm not a big veggie fan) and it's rough. I almost had a major breakdown last night as I wanted a piece of meat so bad. I had to settle for some cabbage, mushrooms and peppers. Wishing you guys the best over the next couple of weeks! It will be tough, but we have to stay focused on the prize. Tammy

Thank you all for the words of encouragement. I really appreciate them. I'm ready for the pain. I had my gallbladder removed last year and the incision where my port is and where they took the gallbladder out was horrible. I felt like I had been hit by a Mack truck. Ice packs were a blessing. Looking forward to sharing the journey with everyone. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi! My name is Tammy and I am scheduled for my revision on October 5th. I am really excited and ready to get this excess weight off and gone for good. I could not tolerate Fluid in my band over 3ccs without vomiting. I have had the band since 2011, but have gained back all my weight and then some when they had to remove the fluid. Any advice on what to expect, what to do, not to do would be greatly appreciated. I start my 3 week pre-op liquid diet on September 14th. This will feel like the longest month I'm sure. Thanks in advance!

Just checking in...I know it's been way too long. Banded July 13th and I'm down 46 pounds. I've had 4 fills, this last one has made a huge difference. I'm actually having a hard time telling my head to stop; my body reminds me quickly. Bread, rice and pasta are definite no's now. Three more pounds to hit wONEderland...can't wait as I haven't seen that in 15 years. Can actually buy clothes in the regular area; no more plus sizes. That in and of itself is a great feeling. Well, guess I better go get on the elliptical, as I have to log into work in 30 minutes. Hope everyone is doing well.

Hi, my name is Tammy and I will be banded on July 13th. Was wondering if there are any other pre-banders in the area?

Went for my two-week post op appointment yesterday and the doctor was happy. Everything looked great; incisions are healing nicely. She gave me the go ahead to move to soft foods...yeah!!!! I also got the green light to get back on the elliptical. I go for my first fill on September 8th. Need to make wise choices and keep up the exercise until then. I also get to start taking my vitamins again. Hopefully that will help with the lack of energy. I still tire quickly. Yesterday I spent about 4 hours running errands (oil change, kids registered for school, doctor's appointment, etc) trying to get stuff done before I go back to work on Monday. About and hour after I got home, I crashed and burned and slept for three hours. Not good when you wake up about 30 minutes before you normally go to sleep. Must learn to pace myself as clearly I am not back to normal. I hope everyone is doing well and progressing nicely. I really am excited about being healthy again. It is truly a blessing! Tammy

All I can say is "what a difference a week makes!" I'm one week post-op and almost back to the normal me. Still slightly sore at the port and also on my left side near my waist. Only notice it when I move too fast in the wrong direction. Assuming my muscles are just still sore. The first couple of days I was always feeling stuffed and having a hard time getting all the full liquids down a day I should be having. Each day has gotten a little better. Still not starving/hungry which is a pleasant change from my pre-band mindset. Have lost about .75 to 1 pound a day since my surgery, so I feel like my band and I are working together and we are going to do this. I also have hypothyroidism, so weight loss has ALWAYS been an issue for me. I will not let that be an excuse. For all those on the pre-op diet, hang in there. It will really help you on the post-op side. For today's banders, congratulations and best of luck. Remember, you will probably feel like a mack truck hit you in the stomach the first 48 hours or so, but hang in there, IT DOES GET BETTER! Tammy Highest/Banded/Current/Goal 249/219/213/125 PS I only lost 6 pounds on the two-week pre-op Protein shake diet, the majority of the weight loss came from lifestyle changes I made prior to reaching the pre-op stage.

My doctor said not to worry about losing weight until after my first fill. I too am having a hard time getting in all the protein we are suppose to have daily. Keeping hydrated, but not getting my nutrients. Our body needs the protein to heal itself. Keep you head up and don't worry too much about the scale until after your first fill. You made the right choice to be healthy. We didn't get to this point overnight and we won't meet our goal overnight either. Here for you! Tammy

I know I'm suppose to post on the "other side" however I wanted to pop back in and wish today's banders the best of luck! Hang in there afterwards...it's going to be rough for a couple of days. Drink lots of fluids, take your pain meds and rest. I know it will feel like you are resting 24/7, but your body needs it to heal. I'm six days out from mine and I can't begin to tell you what a difference each day out makes. I've been off pain meds for three days, made it all day yesterday without a nap and haven't been hungry. Having to make myself eat. Can't even eat all that I am suppose to yet. Just know you have a lot of support here whenever you need it. Looking forward to seeing all of you on the Post-band side! Tammy

Do it for you and no one else. I live next to a personal trainer...you don't want to imagine what he told me. I am happy I did it. Not for one second did I second guess myself. I was banded on Wednesday (July 13th). I will say this, the first couple of days are rough. I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. Couldn't eat or drink anything but water the first day from the nausea. Day two, much better. Each day has gotten better. I slept without pain meds last night and did fine. I keep reading all the posts on the "other side" thread and it's very encouraging. Best of luck tomorrow! Tammy

I'm only three days post-op and moving around a little bit more. Have managed to only take children's tylenol today. Will definitely take the pain meds tonight; tried to sleep without them last night, big mistake. I was doing okay until my cat jumped on my stomach...ouch. Couldn't get mad, she was just trying to get in her normal sleeping spot. The only incision site that is sore is the port site. The rest don't bother me at all. I have been able to sleep on my side, but getting to my side is the hard thing. Feels like my side is pulling and tearing. Haven't really been all that hungry...eating three times a day about 1/2 cup at a time. I have a cup full of either decaf ice tea or Water with me 24/7. Definitely getting the liquids in. Suppose to have two Protein shakes a day...haven't managed to pull that one off yet. Tomorrow afternoon going to the local diner for their famous creamy chicken and rice Soup. Of course I can't have the rice or the chicken, but the creamy soup will be a nice treat. I did go get a pedicure yesterday. My feet looked awful. Probably a bit too much activity, but makes me feel a little better. Looking forward to getting to the point where I don't feel tight and full 24/7. Thanks for all the updates so we know what to expect. Hang in there for those that are only a day or two out. It really does get better. Tammy

Sorry for the delay...just woke up. I am so glad you are doing okay...was worrying about you. Take it easy, drink lots of fluids and walk when you can. See you on the "post side." Tammy

Anyone heard from Shauna??? Hope she is doing well.

First post on the "other side" and it feels great to finally be here. Had the surgery Wednesday morning. Was nauseous all day Wednesday from the anesthesia. Had to take two different types of nausea medicince. Could only tolerate water. I didn't take any pain meds until bedtime (wanted to try and sleep). Woke up Thursday and felt much better. Kept walking (I actually was up roaming the hospital floor at 3AM). After the surgeon came to see me discovered the pain was not gas pains, so relieved. Got to eat chicken broth, jello, italian ice and ice tea for breakfast and lunch yesterday. Was glad I didn't have any problems. Last night I had a little yogurt for dinner and this morning some cream of rice ceral. All very yummy. The pain is about a 3 today (max pain was a 5). I think I'm going to try children's tylenol during the day to see if that knocks the pain out without me falling asleep. Keep the good stuff for nighttime. Overall, very happy I had the procedure. Looking forward to the healthy me! Tammy