Cynsayshun

I can certainly agree with Dawn, I had unrealistic expectations on how I was going to bounce back too, because of reading some of the postings in the forum. I was banded Tuesday and I haven't had a lot of energy, I remember reading that people went right back to work and some were out shopping, etc. etc. I had to make myself get up and move around when my body was telling me to lay down, then I had to take a look at a lot of different reasons, my age, along with the banding, I had two hernia repairs, I have a Vitamin D deficiency (can't take the pills right now). Living in the Midwest we have had some beautiful temperatures this week and I couldn't get up enough energy to go out to take a walk to enjoy it...My brother picked me up yesterday and took me out for a drive to visit our Dad in No. Chicago, and today I feel much better, though not 100% myself.. Now reading Dawns posting confirms, we are all different and I reiterate that to you, I thought I would be back to work in 1 week, however my surgeon put on my FMLA papers 2-3 weeks.. I now know I will take advantage of at least 2 full weeks off.. I'm not experiencing any pain, it's just my energy level and each day it's minutely better than the day before. Hang it there, we will all get there, but at different paces..

I had them on my shopping list before i went to the hospital. However at my Wal-Mart they only had the chewable kind & I bought those. But they sure didn't help, eventually it passed. The heating pad helped tremendously I was so relieved when it started coming out Lol. Good luck with your surgery. Now the challenge is continuing with the liquid diet until my followup appt with my surgeon on Tues the 11th.

I will definitely try that position. Thanks for sharing that information

I'm Banded!! Still in the hospital from Tuesday morning I had to ask for pain meds twice. So far my pain level is about a 4 now. My surgeon knew i had one small hiatal hernia but he discovered a belly button hernia as well and repaired that too. I have stay at least thru this evening they have to check the band placement later this morning and after that see if I can hold down a liquid meal. I have only two issues. My mouth is like a desert. All I can do is swab it out with this green swab stick. I can't have ice chips or nothing. The other is the roomate who snores like crazy!' she talks loudly in her sleep & she whines constantly about everything the nurses fondue her. If I have to stay another night ll ask for another room. My stomach area is a little tender. I was feeling it and said to the nurse where are my bandages. She showed me! They are called Derma Blend it's thin covering that will dissolve!! I've moved from my bed to this huge comfy recliner at 4 am. It's much better than lying in the bed. Im feeling the gas issues but it's nike coming out yet. The nurse walked me down the hallway before i went to bed last night. Hopefully this morning I can take another stroll to help my digestive system move. I'm not hungry yet. My big desire is to swallow some Water to wet my mouth !! Thank you all for support and a place for updates. Who's next ?

Wow, since April I've been preparing for this surgery I've had very insightful & some very challenging moments. I'm a pretty "detailed" person, so I did my "Living Will" paperwork and emailed it to my children today as they all live out of town.. I'm experiencing a gamut of emotions this evening, but for the most part I'm excited to finally be on a road to real Weight Loss. I've had my moments of weakness and I've learned very helpful information from this site, overall I'm pretty happy to have made it through the 2 week pre-op, with one minor slip-up.. I appreciate everyone here that shares their stories and advice.. Keep me in your thoughts & prayers.. My surgery is at 9 a.m., I report to the hospital at 7 a.m.,.One of my sisters and my Father will be there with me. The minimum I will be in the hospital will be overnight, the nurse said because I'm having a small hiatal hernia repaired as well, my stay may be 2 days, we will have to take it day by day. Based on my level of pain & comfort will determine if I go home Wednesday or Thursday. I'm going to turn in early tonight, so I can wake up and be on my way to a better & healthier ME!!! Again Thanks for the being best support team EVER!!!! I will post when I'm home and up to it... Lap Band Forum ROCKS!!!!

I just finished my 2 week liquid diet and was told to try for 800 - 1000 calories and with the shakes, broth, and sugar free jell-0 I could hardly get to the 800 calories.. I lost 14 lbs during this period. I was averaging 3 shakes a day.. I couldn't drink 4 of them..Tomorrow morning I report to the hospital at 7 a.m, and I'm scheduled for my band procedure at 9:00. I hope this information helps you.. I found myself feigning for some food Saturday, with only 3days to go before my surgery date, and I ate about 10 potato chips.. (I wouldn't advise this) no problem, but really beat myself up about it.. I know look back to see what happened and I think I waited way to late in the morning to drink my shake and my hunger got out of control... Best to you on your journey...

Thanks to you both for responding.. I made it through today without any slip-ups!!. I will be fine tomorrow while at work and after I come home tomorrow evening.. I will have my dinner protein drink & later water & get ready for my surgery on Tues.. I can see the finish line for the surgery and that feels awesome.. The Ensure High Protein Shake has 25g of Protein, which is more than the Unjury which only has 20 gr per 1 cup then I mix it with skim milk.. I'm glad this weekend has come to an end

I have 48 hours!!! to go before my Lap Band surgery, I'd been doing so well on the liquid diet but for the last two days I've been battling to eat some real food!!! I don't know if it is mental hunger or physical hunger. Yesterday I slipped and ate about 10 potato chips, then felt so bad I've been doing all the liquids & shakes I can to stay full this weekend and its not working. I determined to fight through it, but wondered if this happened to anyone else??? I have stocked my cabinet with all the necessary items for my post op recovery and was previously doing well on the liquids since Sept 19, why oh why is this happening?. I ''m wondering if it may be the different Protein shake. I had been using unjury and my next shipment isn't due to arrive until Wednesday when I expected to be released from the hospital. I ran out on Friday and I've been drinking the Ensure High Protein Shake, could this have made the difference? I had to go to Wal-Mart this morning to stock up on items and it took everything I had in me NOT to pick up something I could chew on.. Any suggestions on how I can make it through and stay focused??? I have to go into my office to work tomorrow, I almost just want to shut myself up in my condo until Tuesday to make it.. This is almost sad, I feel like a "recovering" addict or something fighting off the need for a "fix"!!! "Cynsayshun"

I'm 3 days away from my surgery and had been doing well with my pre-op today I had my Protein shake for Breakfast (way later than usual because I got caught up with company) and then I found myself ravenously hungry.. The shake didn't fill me today as usual and all these ads kept coming on television about foods I love, cheese, & chicken & on& on.. I needed something to take the edge off and I went into my kitchen and at about 10 potato chips, then made me a bowl of broth.. Now, I'm feeling a bit discouraged because I feel I messed up with only 3 days away from my surgery. Will this cause a problem? I feel bad, I had been doing so well and was so happy watching the scale go down daily.. Will someone pleaeeeease tell me this wont affect my surgery.. I'm going to fill up on my diluted juice and sugar free jell-o to take this "hunger edge" off today. Why oh Why is this happening when I'm so close... to being "Banded" I hope this doesn't mean I WONT be successful with the band.. This week has been a roller coaster of emotions..I thought I had a handle on it all.. Will this cause any complications???? Feeling I've set my self back...I truly need some advice and want to know if anyone else has had this slip up while nearing the end of the 2 week liquid diet if so how was it handled??? Looking for some upfront feedback... Thanks "Cynsayshun"

Going through the pre-op diet, has been really emotional, this time of year is always emotional for me as my husband passed away on Sept 29, 2003. Now it seems exacerbated I had been excited about my surgery date on October 4, 2011 and then this weekend, it hit me that day was the date of my husbands funeral. :sad: Then this Monday morning while driving to work with all the thoughts of our love, my missing him, the surgery date, etc., over the radio, comes our wedding song!! "Always & Forever" I lost it!!! I had to call my son as I was bawling like crazy.. It was a moment I had to let it all out..So now my mind is playing tricks on me, as I had been saying my surgery date was a "new beginning" for me, when previously it was a date I buried my husband. Of course the crazy thoughts of ...when they put you to sleep on Oct 4th for your procedure, it's going to be the day you join Rob (my husbands name). I know I have to "turn off" the crazy thinking, as I am not going to change the date. I'm just going to "forge" on and make it through this week and through Monday Oct 3. On a positive note,the weight loss during this 2 week pre-op diet, has kept me from filling my face while going through this jumbled mess of emotions, so that may be my "saving grace" I just needed to put my feelings out there, thanks for being a place I can do so..

It makes a lot of sense, Shirley.. Yes he would be proud .. The Lord has "Opened the Window" and I'm going to go through it.. Thank you for 'sharing"

My surgery is scheduled one week from today. Last week I went to my Primary Physican for the pre-op work ordered by my Lap Band Surgeon, well her nurse called me today and said my Vitamin D levels are low and my Dr had called in me a prescription for Vitamin D capsules, 1 a day for 8 weeks. I told her I will not be able to take any capsules due to my surgery and the DR would need to cancel that Rx. Has anyone else been diagnosed with low Vitamin D levels prior to being banded and how was it handled? I Googled the information and it can be associated with Obesity and getting to much prescribed can be toxic for your body? I hope this is nothing that can prevent me from having my Band installed next week Hopefully someone else has had this issue and can share some insight on how this can all work out and NOT be a set-back for my Surgery date. Thanks in advance...

This site has wonderful support and it never fails someone can relate to almost everything we go through. Bromo you have definitely walked in my shoes. My husband loved me through small weight years and when I ballooned the year he was dying. He was my "go to" person my Bff. My children have there children and spouses and seemingly think I'm the strongest woman they know, so they won't travel here to be by my side. My sisters & my father are here and will be with me that day. Sassy K. Such wise and comforting words. I thank u both for your thoughtfulness I'm hoping after I get banded and my spirits lift I can Pay It Forward!! Big ((((((. )))))) hug to you both.

Thank you all, yes my physician ended up prescribing the 50,000 IU once weekly for 8 weeks then getting over the counter D3 1000 IU and taking them daily and coming back for another lab test in 3 months.. The more I have researched this it seems more & more people have the deficiency and it can lead to a lot of other illnesses. Seems like doctors would check for it more.. I appreciate your comments..

I'm waiting for the answer to this from those already banded as "inquiring minds" want to know too!! This is day 9 for my pre-op it got easier after the first 3 days. I'm down 13 pounds since I started that keeps me encoouraged!! But I do wonder if the mind will stay that focused after I'm banded. Oct 4th. Countdown.....good luck with every thing

Thank you for replying so quickly, is there a time limit for you to take it? I see you were "banded" in July, so it didn't effect the surgery. That is a relief to know.. So I can buy the product on my own from what I gather from your statement? Is this correct or was it prescribed for you by the Dr? Again, I appreciate your input. Cynsayshun

I was just wondering about everyone's lives. Are you married, single, do you have kids? What do you do for work? What do you do for fun? " My response to these questions & More...... I'm widowed (since 2003) have 4 adult children and a "gaggle" LOL of grandchildren ranging (from 23 years old -1 year) . I work for a county government as an Executive Assistant in the Finance/Purchasing Division. My adult children all live in Southern states.. I relocated back to the Midwest (my home state is IL) in 2004 after my husband died to be closer to my Father (my only living parent). One day when I can retire, I will probably relocate back to the South. I love movies & reading ( I carry my Nook everywhere). I also enjoy traveling, (love the Caribbean Islands) the theater, museums, etc. I play "Bingo" a couple of nights a week, (even though some of those OLD folks need a real life outside of Bingo, they are so mean) LOL. I didn't start gaining weight until later in life, and it's been one diet or weight loss program after another. My highest weight was 270 which was during the months my husband was hospitalized after surgery, with a hospital acquired "staph infection" which ultimately caused his death. I lost 25 pounds after that and since I've fluctuated between 240 & 217..Haven't been able to get under 200, which led me to begin researching the Lap Band. Most of my older friends still live down south as I lived in Florida & GA for 23 years. My close friends here are all younger women that I work with. I'm the "old" lady in the group, (age wise) but I'm very youthful in my outlook on life, I'm very "techie" as my grandchildren will say. Some of their friends crack up because I've been texting my grands for years. My daughters & Sons tease me they tell me they believe I'll be a "Cougar" after I lose this weight. My son said to me, Ma, you better get ready, because you gonna get a whole lot of attention now, are you going to be ready for it? Now that isn't my goal,, but if it comes as a result, maybe I won't have to have the "widow" title for the rest of my "healthier" life.. (lol) Here's an update about my "2 week" liquid diet.. I started Monday, when I weighed in with the Nutritionist, her scale had me at 238, today on my scale, I' m down to 225.5!! As others state it gets a easier to do as each day passes, yesterday I have to admit I wanted to chew something and I ate 1 Potato Chip.. Hey Lay's (someone can eat just 1). It was enough to satisfy that urge, but not allow me to sabotage my weight loss to date. Oooh, I'm glad I can confess that to a non-judgemental group!!!! This has been a strange few days, it really makes you think, why was I eating so much food, when I can't really not be that "hungry" because I'm surving on broth, sugar free juice (diluted with water) & Protein Shakes. I admit a couple of days at work I had to go into the cafeteria for my skim milk for my "shake" and they had a couple of my favorites "Roasted Chicken" and Lasagana.. My co-worker went with me and had to wait for her sandwich to be prepared, but me standing around waiting for her (and the visuals & the smells) were getting to me, I had to leave her there and take the elevator back to our floor. When she came up I told her, why I had to leave, (she is one of the few persons I told) she totally understood. After I drank my shake, I was good.. So there are those moments that you have to use your "mental prowess" to fight the temptations of the food around you.. I keep my eye on the "prize" losing the pre-surgery weight per my DR & Nutrionist orders.. Oh i found a tip here in the Forum about soup, so I bought the Progressive Chicken Noodle Soup - drained it and put the chicken & noodles in a Freezer Bag, (don't know if I'll ever be able to eat it but couldn't just throw it out) I had a bowl of that broth only and added some Roasted Pepper it was so much more satisfying than the plain Chicken Broth.. So sharing tips on how to get satisfying liquids sure help!! This ends my Sunday morning diatribe.....I'm heading into 1 week of liquids with a feeling of accomplishment!!!! Kudos to all that are going through it too.. We will survive & learn so much from this!!! "Cynsayshun" PS, can someone (pleeeeeze) tell me why my "Ticker" remains a jumbled mess of HTML Codes?

Thanks Jake I have an appointment with my Primary Dr this morning for my pre-op work. I'll mention it to her. I've been able to get down about 6 glasses of water daily. I haven't been able to get 8 in. Is that going to be a problem after the band? I cannot understand how some say the drink a gallon a day when it has to be scheduled an hour after every meal. They must drink a quart each time! Plus I have the understanding can't gulp it so how will it work to get the water in with the Band??

I started my 2 week Pre-Op on Monday and the first couple of days were hard, it seems to get easier daily. The food smells in my office at lunch time has been rough!!! At first I didn't understand how I could meet the Protein requirement along with the requirement of at least 800 calories.. Then after meeting with the Nutritionist was told to drink 4 Protein shakes daily.. I can have sugar free Jell-O for Snacks or the sugar-free popsicles..I tried to do the "Slim Fast, but it didn''t do well for my stomache, so I'm using the unjury and really like the taste, so that makes it easier. I got a little encouragement this morning when I got on the scale and was down 3 lbs since Monday Now I have a question and I hope know one gets upsett but it seems I may be constipated.. I'm never constipated, does the Protein have that side effect, or is there just nothing to come out, since my only intake is liquids?? I sent a mass email to my Family & Close Friends today explaining the surgery and why I chose to do it.. I had heard a few were scared for me, I let them know as with all surgeries there are "risks" however since I don't have a lot of "co-morbities I should be alright.. I also sent them the statistics on the number of deaths from and it like 1 in 17,000, so I told them, unless I'm really "unlucky" I should not have any major problems,

Hey Lady. I'm in Kenosha WI I work in IL and my surgeon is in IL so we should keep in touch. I'm near the Univ od Parkside it's only 25 min from Milwaukee. I'm at work now but constantly checking the forum for information.