Serifa

You should call your doctor. I had open abdominal surgery last year and my surgeon said to call if I got a cold or cough. They can prescribe you some medicine to lessen the cough. Good luck.

Woohoo! It's July 31st, we made it. How's everyone doing?

Thanks Amy, I do check out your blog, it's very encouraging. Also, you have a great writing style!

I hope you are feeling better! I'm day 5 post-op and starting to feel like it's going to be o.k. No pain, more energy and I ate some potato Soup. Hang in there!

I'm day 5 and turned a corner. I just ate some very thinned cream of potato soup. It was delicious. I'm doing so much better, I drove to the grocery store and went to the movies. Yesterday I was wondering what the heck I got myself into and today feels so much better. I was very nervous eating the soup, it was my first full liquid since surgery (I've been on clear liquids). I just stuck the spoon in the soup and licked it off. It took a while, but I got it down. Hopefully, eating will start to feel natural, I'm so scared to stretch my pouch!

Maybe you should rest it for a day or two, then try more activity. I had open abdominal surgery a year ago and it took forever for the phantom pains to go away. TMI: I'm on day 4 of post op and have started to have really bad diarrhea. I've read some older post and seems like it's normal. Hope it goes away soon! I'm going to start drinking protein shakes tomorrow to try to get something else in me. Good Luck and hope your side feels better!

Yes, I'm in Austin, looks like same doctor. I bet you just overdid it cleaning. I'm glad to hear you are feeling normal. I just need to get through the clear liquids stage. I can't drink broth, the thought of it makes me gag. This is my 4th day post-op, so only 3 more days of this, can't wait for yogurt and smoothies. Would just the juice from vegetable soup be considered clear liquid? Hope your side quits hurting. And hang in there with the heat!!!!

Good to hear it. I'm 4 days post op the gas pains are not painful, but very annoying. I can't wait for the full liquid stage. A smoothy sounds delicious right now.

Hi all, I was banded yesterday at 9:00 a.m., home by 1:00 p.m. Not much pain, keeping up with my pain meds, walking and sipping on liquids. My doc gave me a prescription for anti-nausea meds to take with the pain meds. Also had a hernia repair. Good luck to everyone, we're all almost there!!!! Serifa

Ditto ... tomorrow is the big day!!!! Can't wait to get in there and get it over with and start the process. I am so excited, nervous, scared, happy, etc. My fear is the 'what ifs'. I am cash pay (insurance would not cover), what if my band slips, etc.? Lot's of trouble could loom, but I'm just going to have to deal with it, not when, but IF it happens. That's the dark stuff, I'm going to try to push those things out of my head and get healthy and active. My goal is to run/walk a 5k by Thanksgiving. (it's been my goal for a few years, perhaps this year will be the one!) Good luck to all today and to you tomorrow!!!! Serifa

o.k. all my post-op friends, I'm scheduled for surgery on Tues, 26th. Need advice ... I am struggling with my job, bully boss, 12% pay cut, etc. and have been looking for another job for a while. Today I got a call for an interview at a place I applied at two months ago. I really want this job. The problem, they want to interview me next Friday. Only four days post op. Wow, will I be alright? I said yes, my plan is to have my sister take me and wait for me. Could those of you that had the surgery go on an interview (dress up and all) four days after surgery? They say perseverance is key, I should win huge karma bucks for this one!!!!

Congrats to all!!!!! My surgery is the 26th and can't wait to join stats!!!!

One more week to go, and I'm getting so freakin excited!!!!! I was just looking at the before and after pics on another thread. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead of me but at least I'll have a fighting chance now!!! Good luck to everyone going in today!

argh! I am scheduled for surgery on Tues., 26th. I woke up this morning with a sore throat and stuffy nose. I hope this doesn't delay my surgery. I have my pre-op appointment with the surgeon this Tuesday so I'll see how it goes. I'm going to get me some vitamin C tablets. If it does progress, I'll have a week to knock it out. Not good timing.

Amy, It's very comforting to know that you are back to some normalcy 17 days post op. Good advice, thanks! Serifa

Hi MustangMama, My surgery is also on the 26th. So very excited! I'm on my pre-op, but it's a modified Adkins. Strange how doctor's have different guidelines. After surgery, I am going to be 7 days clear liquids, 7 days full, liquids, 2 week mush. And I can't wait! Serifa

Hi Everyone, Love the posts, I too have hypo and am on levothyroxine. I am very curious about the Armour and will ask my doctor. I'm scheduled for my surgery on the 26th, can't wait. Finally, some help! It's comforting to hear other's stories ... Serifa

I'm getting banded on the 26th, saw my nutritionist today and will start pre-op diet on Tuesday the 12th. My surgeon is having me follow the Atkins low carb diet. I did Atkins in the past so I am familiar with it. I don't really like eating all that meat, but I am thankful that it's not all liquid. Seems like there is plenty of that after surgery. I'm getting so very exciting. It feels so awesome to know that this is a diet that will work. I know the road will be hard, but it will work. That's all I want, a fighting chance! Good luck to everyone!!! Serifa

Hi all of my bandmates! My surgery is scheduled for July 26th, and I am truly hanging on every word that you post-ops are writing. Question, I am scheduled to go back to work 7 days after surgery. How do you feel 5-7 days out? Thanks for all of the great advice! I am nervous, anxious, happy, etc.! Good luck to all! Serifa

Thanks for the post-surgery updates. My date is 7/26, I'm getting nervous and obsessive. I told my BF (of 35 years) yesterday, her reaction surprised me. She was a little upset at first. But we talked about the struggle I've had and how very hard I've tried in the past, she is now on board and excited for me. I was surprised at her first reaction. My family is on board, and I'm not going to tell anyone else. Almost one year ago, I had an open hernia and gallbladder surgery, That was horrible and very painful. That experience was a 10 on a 1-10 pain scale, and I am hoping that this surgery will be around a 5-6 (or better, of course). Such a strange time right now—the unknown is exhausting and exciting.

I've been considering the lap band for a long time. Been reading the boards, researching, and constantly thinking about the what ifs. My insurance will not pay for it, so the other night I applied at carecredit just to see. I was approved. Wow. I haven't even seen a doctor yet. Well today I had my first consultation and I have my surgery scheduled for July 26th. What a strange day. I feel like a very long nightmare is almost over. I know it's not going to be easy, but boy do I have the drive right now. Seriously, in one year, I will be much lighter. I'm 5'9" and need to lose 100 pounds. I have a lot to learn, crash course. I'll be reading all weekend. Now I also have to figure out what to tell my job. I don't want them to know the reason. I hate to make something up, because I'll have to be committed to that story. It's a small company (use to be large) and taking off work is going to be a bit scary. But this is the very most important thing I can do for myself. Glad to be here.