nbjen

punky - I hope you feel better... Please let us know what your surgeon said. I can't believe the doctor didn't know what the lap band was! That is so frustrating! Good Luck

I know what you mean about the pre-op and post op diets... I haven't had any food since April 17th. And now that my surgery is over, 8 days post op, my hunger has returned. The Protein shakes and broth aren't cutting it anymore. I just wish I could have SOMETHING more! Even yogurt or scrambled eggs. I almost wonder if I should have gone somewhere else so it would have been easier food wise. My Doctor has worked with Dr Oh too. I think they have a lot of experience in this field and hopefully this will give us the best outcome. They said they want me to do 4 weeks of Clear liquids afterwards w/the 3 Protein drinks so all that scar tissue forming around our pouch will heal and cause better restriction. So I'm trusting them!! I have 3 more weeks of liquids before moving to full liquids for two weeks. At least then I can have pureed Soup. Just the veggies from a can of soup sound wonderful right now! Hang in there, it's only for this period! And then all you have to worry about is the clear liquids before a fill and then (for me anyways) it's 48 hours of warm liquids afterwards. After going through this that is a piece of cake! That is what I'm trying to remember

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? Outpatient but could have stayed the night. The doctor said my surgery was really easy and if I wanted to I could go home. I had surgery at about 12:30 pm and stayed until about 8:30pm. 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? I had an allergic reaction to the iodine and still have a rash that I'm dealing with, very itchy. Not a bad complication just a bothersome one. 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it? Liquid Tylenol and liquid vicodin (sp?). I'm still taking Tylenol all day and two nights ago I used the vicodin to help me sleep. I used that for about two days straight at home. 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? I'm still having pain just not as much and sometimes only when I move certain ways or cough. I'm 7 days out and back to work today for my first full day. 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? I would say when I first woke up I was not prepared for the pain, I said it was a 7. Now it's a 1-2. My Doctor also does a couple extra stiches to prevent a hernia so he said that would be the most painful part for some people. 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done? Dr Earl Fox, Washington State. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Yah it's over and I'm healing!! Hope to be loosing soon

I have PCOS too and was just banded on April 27th... I'm hoping this will help me too. I was at my all time highest weight but since having my kids (5 1/2 and 3 1/2) my periods were doing okay, not regular but having them on my own. Well the last 6 months have been out of total whack and I've been spotting for about 3 weeks. I really hope loosing weight with the lapband will help my symptoms. I totally agree that low carb is what my body responds to the best. Good luck w/insurance approval, I was self pay.

Wendy - Good Luck w/your Pre-op diet It sounds like your really prepared and the thing that helped me the most with hunger was making sure I drank my protein shakes regularly ( 3 shakes w/30 grams daily)... And YES I still have this itchy, itchy rash!!! IT has gotten a little bit better and I have my post op visit tomorrow so my Doctor can look at it. What is Dr. Oh's post op diet like? Is it 4 weeks of clear liquids w/the 3 30 gram protein shakes? I've been reading about everyone else's and it seems my Doctor's is the longest before moving to full or pureed liquids. I'm almost one week after surgery and have 3 more to go... I started my preop liquid diet on April 17th...... And I can't have full liquids until May 25th! Hmmmmm, I hope it goes by quickly.

Hi Lucygirl, I thought you had Dr Oh.... Your post op diet sounds better than mine, it's 4 weeks of Clear Liquids w/3 Protein drinks a day..... It's so wierd how it changes from doctor to doctor. I hope you back feels better. I can't imagine - my back is aching too but I don't have a back injury. Sorry about your job, so rude to call and do that! Especially after surgery! Maybe it will be a blessing, something better will happen for you :target: Are you on Medical leave or anything? I bet you could get some work with a temp agency and they would do a phone interview. I hope you feel better and try not to let all the stress delay your healing Hugs!!

Wenjea - I hope it's not serious! I've never had thrush before but I wonder if it is... When are you taking your vitamins? Would it matter if your taking them before bed and then laying down and it might be irritating your throat? Keep us updated.. Hey when do you start your pre-op liquid diet?

Lucygirl, didn't you have Dr Oh? I thought his diet was about the same as my doctor - 4 weeks of liquids after surgery? I think your rushing it and might injure yourself if you push it.... How did your appointment go?

Hi Everyone, Thanks for all the well wishes - really needed them I thought I would post an update; I'm 5 days out of surgery and doing fine. I still have port pain but I'm only taking tylenol now, still sleeping on the couch. BUT... I have a huge rash on my stomach so I'm also taking Benedryl and using Benedryl cream - GRRRR. I was going to go back to work tomorrow but decided to take it off and hope to go back on Thursday after my post-op appointment. I guess the rash is from the benedine (sp) wash they use before surgery. It's sooo itchy and bumpy!!! If I didn't have that I would feel so much better and I'm sick of taking medication and Benedryl makes me tired. I'm not hungry but I'm craving a Chicken nugget.... Yes I have kids! But that is almost 4 weeks out. Maybe I'll make my own and have two little one's as my first solid food. I already know what I want for a mushy, I'm going to order a hot turkey sandwich minus the bread and blend the turkey and the gravy for a mushie. I actually can't wait!! It comes w/mashed potato's too but I might have to skip those. Welcome ShellMar, Waterlilly and Druth!

Hi Eveyone, I'm back from being banded on Friday the 27th... Post op pain has been a lot more than I expected but today I feel much better. I think because my doctor does an extra stitch to prevent a hernia (ouch!).. Anyways I arrived at 10:00 am and had surgery about 12:30 pm and afterwards went to a room and then went home about 8:30 pm, it was nice that I didn't feel I was pushed out the door as soon as possible. I enjoyed being able to use the button for my own pain control (yes, I was pushing it every 10 minutes for a long time). And yesterday I pulled off a bandage that was covering my steri-strips and some of the tape was on top of one of my steri-strips so it got pulled off - shocked me!!! It didn't hurt but I had visions of blood spurting! I had my husband wash his hands really good and put a butterfly bandage on it - good thing is wasn't where my port was because that would have killed me w/the pain!!! I've been sleeping on the couch and can't wait to sleep in my bed but I still can't lay down straight; too much pulling on my incision. Today the gas is escaping (finally) but I still feel bloated. Tracy- I too weighed more this am (up 4 lbs grrrr) but it must be fluid retention. I did loose 8 lbs on my pre-op diet and was happy with that! I'm on clear liquids for another 4 weeks and then full liquids/puried food- can't wait!! Although I'm not hungry now. TerriDoodle - Try tucking a piece of fleece into your wait band where it's irritating your stich. I did that when I had my gallbladder out and it really helped w/rubbing,ect. I plan to use it again, it's a must!! Great job on your exercise challenge!!! I hope to join in soon

Hi Everyone, Sorry for taking so long to post but I really didn't expect all the pain for the first two days. I think that is mostly because my Doctor does "preventative" stitch on your stomach muscle so you won't get a hernia and that was mostly my pain plus where the port is. Today is day 3, had Surgery on Friday April 27th. Today is when all the gas has been escaping and I feel better by the hour. If it keeps going this way I think I will be able to get back to work on Wednesday. I arrived at the hospital at 10:00 am and checked in. I had to wait a while in the waiting room (no private pre-op waiting rooms) and then was called back and changed into a gown. That took me a long time because I was worried by bare tushie was going to be hanging out as I walked to wherever I was going so I ended up trying on 3 of the same size gown (hoping it would be bigger!) and then I just put it on the way it was suppose to be and then put another one on like a robe. So I'm sure the nurse was wondering what I was doing in there!! Hah! Anyways I came out and had to get right on a bed so I didn't have to worry about walking around in the gown. Then I went to the pre-op waiting area and got my IV, spoke w/my Surgeon, my Nurse and Anesiologist (sp). Then it was time.... Yikes!!! Then they gave me something to go to sleep and it was over. I was in recovery and not breathing deep enough so they kept reminding me to do that and then gave me two shots of pain meds. I have to admit I was in a lot of pain and hadn't expected it. Then I was sent to a room and I had the pain med that I could give myself via a button. So every 10 minutes I was pushing that button!!! Anyways, I didn't end up leaving until about 8:30 pm because I got neasus :guess (sp) from the pain med and had to wait for that to simmer down before leaving. It was nice to be in a room in a comfy bed and not be pushed out to go home. Anyways, I've been sleeping on my couch watching HGTV and the Food network (I know but I love to cook!). No appetiete and trying to get fluid in and feeling better by the hour. I have gone through all the emotions of I can't beleive I can't control what I eat and I had to do this and then to even pay for it myself!!! I just have to keep telling myself it's worth it!! I have a 1 week post op visit on Thursday and then back at 6 weeks and I think I get a fill at that appointment. So overall, I was happy with my doctor and the hospital but not happy with the pain (who would be?) but I'm on the road to recovery and should be even better tomorrow now that this gas is making it's way out. Cindy - I'm so glad to see that your doing so well, your an inspiration!!! I would love to loose 30 lbs, I can't imagine how good that feels. Lucygirl - Good job and you made it through I have the same pain where my port is and it's the biggest incision, the other little incisions don't bother me at all. Oh,,, I lost 8 lbs on the pre-op diet :clap2: But I weighed myself this morning and was back up about 4 pounds probably from fluid retention. So now I have to try and not weigh myself!!! That will be hard! Sorry for the long post I'll check back and see how everyone else is doing. If I get brave I'll post a picture of my tummy so you can see what it looks like... Thanks for all the support!!

Hey Cindy 11670, how are you doing w/your band? Tomorrow is my day!

Adorable - Wow, you sound like your doing so well Congrats!!! It's mine turn tomorrow and hope things go as well!! Relax and recover quickly!

I just had a whole post ready to go and accidently closed it!! GRRR Merrillee - Thanks for giving me the comparision w/having your gallbladder out - makes me less worried. And looks like your doing great! Wenjea - The time will fly by quickly and soon you'll be starting your liquid diet! Lucygirl - Good luck! Please post again and let us know how your doing.... Is your Doctor Dr. Oh? Have you lost any weight? I think if you've lost weight that should help Tomorrow is my day too - wish me luck!!! I'm glad Im finally there and getting it over with and soon I'll be in bandland!!! Yah hoo!!!

Brennens - 04/26 BeckyNtN - 04/26 JDarnwest - 04/26 Flax - 04/26 Adorable - 04/26 TracyinKS -04/26 Good luck on your surgeries everyone!!! I hope you all have a quick recovery and I'll see you on the other side tommorow!!! :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5:

I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL!!!! There are only two people I work with that know what I'm doing and there is one other person that I DON'T want to know and she's been asking questions when I'm not here about why I have all these appointments - it's no one's business!!! And for using so much time - that's me in the same boat too. I hate using so much time plus all the time when I'm recovering. I wish all that time for appointments could be when I'm recovering. That is one of the reason's I'm having surgery on Friday and returning the next Wednesday. I hope I'm ready; if not I guess I'll call in sick. I'm telling anyone else who ask's that I'm going away for a long weekend. But to be positive - it will be soooo worth it!!! Frustrating but worth it! I have surgery on Friday and I just can't wait to get it over with and be on the other side recovering! I used to work a schedule where I had days off during the week and that would have been really nice for this surgery to get everything done. Keep your chin up and just imagine how you will feel in a year from now! I wonder how much weight I'll actually loose, sometimes it seem unimaginable that I could be a "normal" size!

Yes, I'm trying not to get too worked up about going under anethesia.... I did have my gallbladder removed 2 1/2 years ago so I'm hoping that the recovery is close to that! I plan on returning to work on Wednesday. Now I just want to get it over with. The liquid diet has been bad at times, I just really want some food. I called my Dr's office and asked if I could have some baked chicken breast and they said no. As long as I keep up on the Protein drinks I seem to do okay. In fact now that I talked about food, I'm hungry. I am drinking about 4 Protein Drinks a day + broth. My Doctor said to drink as needed to keep hunger away so that's what I'm doing. SF popsicles are ok and then lots of Water and crystal light. I'm stil a month out from even mushies so it's sooooo hard! But I want to have the best results from surgery so I have to keep going. Thanks for the well wishes! Much appreciated! :clap2:

Hi Wendy, Wish I could meet up with you guys but hopefully by the time you meet I'll be all done! Maybe next time! Good job on the elliptical, we have a gym at work and I love the elliptical. My goal is to use it on my lunch breaks since I've been having Protein drinks for lunch anyways, I can drink that at my desk and then use it for my lunch break. I'm down two more pounds this morning. I was getting worried because the scale didn't move yesterday morning. Well I'm off to drink a Protein shake and then I'm going to preschool with my kids because it's special lady's week so they get to serve me a snack!! Hmmmm, just thought about that, I'm not eating food!! Great! Oh well maybe I'll just move it around on my plate and give it to them to eat. Have fun at your meeting :nervous

Good Luck Doriso and it'll be over before you know it!! I'm scheduled for Friday and my Doctor told me the surgery will be about 1 hour. I don't know what to expect for pain. I did have my gallbladder removed 2 1/2 years ago and the pain was not bad at all. I mostly slept for two days because of the anesthesia (sp?) and then I felt fine. I do have a tip though, I used small pieces of fleece for the bigger incision where my bra would sit and where my pants button. It helped w/rubbing and I'm big chested (hopefully not for much longer after I loose weight).... Good Luck

It's great to here more about Dr Earl Fox, I have to say it was hard to find more info on him, before I only found one person here who had him as a surgeon. Please keep us updated on your progress Bruce. How was Auburn Hospital? I had never even been there before and now I'm having surgery there; it does worry me a bit only because I'm not familiar with it. TheLid - Keep us updated on if you plan to go ahead w/Dr Fox. some of the reasons I chose them was they seem to be leaders in the WLS department and have have been doing lapbands since 2001, I couldn't find anything negative in my research, Dr Fox used to work closely with Dr Oh, and then there was the price because I'm self pay and didn't feel comfortable going to Mexico. Plus the location of his office is much better than trying to get to Everett for me for monthly appointments. Oh and they have a great follow up program and that's super important!! Good luck and keep us updated!

Thanks for sharing your journey with us Kat!! You are in inspiration and its such a blessing to be able to share this journey with everyone here. What a year you've had!! Sounds like your husband is going to be ok and now you guys have the rest of your life to enjoy!! And think of how much healthier you are and how much that is going to help him with his recovery. I have similar goals as you except I'm actually afraid of horse's so that one is out for me :girl_hug:

HI Tracy, Well after reading this post I have to confess that I had some Cheezit's yesterday and 5 wheat thins - I felt so weak that I did that!!! So my plan was to chug water and crystal light today and really be dedicated for the last 3 days pre-op!!! I was feeling sorry for myself!! I also plan on going back to work after 4 days, my surgery is Friday and I'm back on Wednesday. Only a couple people know at work; I'm telling people I'm goign on a short vacation too. There is only one person I don't want to tell because she'll just say I'm crazy and to keep dieting and excercising, she's never had a weight problem. Well she could loose about 30 lbs but that's nothing compared to what I need to loose. Well, everyone have a great day! Jen

Hi Everyone, I thought I would check in here since I haven't posted very much... I'm on day 7 of my pre-op clear liquid diet (with 3 30 gram protein shakes) and have lost about 6 lbs (have to weigh in the am though)... Yesterday was really hard to get through and I got really crabby and just wanted to eat a big cheeseburger!!! Today was better I think because for me it's easier to stick to at work or something. I just want to get my surgery over with and be on the other side. I find if I don't keep up on my protein shakes then I get super hungry and start wondering what Im doing even though I'm 100% dedicated to the band!! Geesh! I guess no one said it was easy - I called the doctors office today and asked if I could have a chicken breast and they said no so I'm just trying to stick to my protein shakes and sugar free popsicles and jello, grrr!!! Well, I hope everyone else is doing well and good luck to everyone that has surgery this week!!! I'm Friday at 10 am :girl_hug:

Thelid- Hi, I responded to you on the Washington State page before I saw this post. I'm going through Dr Fox. Dr Ross Fox Sr is not doing surgery anymore but he does still see patients. His Son Dr Earl Fox is in practice with him and that is who is doing my surgery. I saw Dr Fox Sr for my history and physical and he did the seminar I attended. Then last week I had my pre-op w/Dr Earl Fox. So far everything has been great. I think they are pioneer's for WLS and their follow up program is great. Dr Fox Sr told me that the surgery is pretty easy and can be done by any surgeon pretty much but it's the follow up program that you really need to be successful. Keep us updated on your choice.

Thanks for the pep talk and yes I think my headache was from sugar withdrawl - it happens everytime I've gone low-carb. Although then I took excedrin to help but couldn't this time because I have my surgery this week, no asprin, ect for two weeks prior. I could take Tylenol but that usually doesn't help me. I don't think I'll be able to go to a meeting this week (too much going on w/T-ball, gymnastics and ballet for my kids) then I have my surgery on Friday. But I do want to attend afterwards.:biggrin1: I'm on day my 6th day of liquids. It is clear liquids but my doctor's diet says to have 3 30 gram Protein shakes a day and he said to have 5 if I needed to keep the hunger away. I bought that Isopure powder before I found out what kind of Protein Drink I could have and I think it taste's awful - what a waste of money!!! I couldn't stand it. :sick My doctor prefers you buy powdered Protein shakes and make them yourself. So I've been making mine at home in the morning and taking it to work for lunch. So far the people that don't know I'm having this done haven't noticed me not eating - it was a busy work week. I have one nosey person who keeps asking why I have all these doctor appointments but I'm not telling her. She's way to judgemental and would tell me I'm crazy for doing this. And she's never had a weight problem. Just leave me alone - it's not your business!!! Geesh! I also went to Walmart this weekend and picked up my prescriptions, liquid Tylenol, benefiber, ect. I also had gone to costco and bought some of those instant heat pads for when I go back to work if I need them. I also bought a liquid Calcium that is sugar free and a bottle of childrens chewable Vitamins. Have a great Sunday everyone!!!