momlambert

I think MOST people have this problem from what I received in response to my similar question last week. I didn't have it clear up for me until I started mushies 8 days after surgery--the full liquids didn't help. Read back several pages and you will see lots of discussion on it. Several people said "remember--liquids in, liquids out." Someone else said that if you drink through a straw you can poop through a straw. Funny. Good luck!

Thanks, Pam. I do think you are right about stress (that and being in so many doctors' offices and hospitals the last few weeks with all the germs). I have an appt. with the dr. on Friday for my 2-week check up so I think I will ask about a back-up prescription. I am feeling tons better--just a pesky runny nose now. Coughing is minimal and if I hold on to my port site it doesn't hurt much. Thanks for the suggestions! Karen

I was banded 12 days ago and still have pain in my left shoulder but thought it was the gas pains everyone talks about. I had it a lot at first and walking around and using the heating pad really helped and usually got rid of it. Now, I wake up around 2:00 a.m. with the pain but if I walk around a few minutes and put the heat on it I can usually go back to sleep comfortably for a few more hours. How do you know if it's the nerve or gas? I guess it doesn't matter--it hurts either way! Good luck! Karen

Oh, Medge. I'm so sorry! It is a miserable few days in the beginning, for sure. Glad you have family support. Sounds like you are doing everything right--know that this, too, shall pass. Every single day is better--I'm 11 days post-op and feeling good (except for the fact that I have another whole month of mushies--I'm SO sick of blending my food up I could scream). So the challenges change but they seem to come one after another in the beginning. Good luck to you!

Yeah, that's what I'm worried about--actually more about moving the port because of the abdominal muscles engaging when I cough. I often get viral-induced asthma when I get a cold so I'm hoping/praying it doesn't come to that. Yuck. Don't know how this happened--I must be run down from the surgery or something--I get sick so seldom that it's strange for me. I'll call first thing in the morning if I don't feel better. Thanks for your input. K.

Yeah, I looked but no Nyquil. Robitussin is listed as "safe" but I don't have any. My kids took my Airborne last time they were coming down with a cold. Also took the Emergence C (sp?) so, unless I go out in the snow, my choices are limited. Thanks for your help, though! K.

I'm coming down with a really bad cold tonight. Does anyone know what cold medications are okay? Nyquil? It always works for me. I'm on mushies now--only banded 10 days so I want to be really careful. Ideas? Thanks (cough, cough, sniffle, sniffle)...

Me, too. Since he is your DH's best friend, how does he explain himself to your DH? I can't imagine he's proud of his actions.

True, one on each hip!

That's AWESOME,Lori. I'm so jealous! I'm 10 days post surgery and have lost 10 lbs. But, it is 10 lbs! I'll take what I can get. Keep up the good work!

Thanks, Sue. He's doing really well. We went to the dr. as a family yesterday to be sure he understood what was happening and that we all understood his desires as far as his care. He was adorable. He said, "I have just one thing to say....Goodbye!" Everytime we asked about something specific like surgery, blood transfusion (which he needs again), IV, etc. he would answer with a wave of his hand and "Goodbye." He was very consistent and very sure of his decision. My wonderful DH is spending the day with him today so that I can finish my grandson's Easter outfits that I smocked--it's my only day off until Easter and I haven't had time to do the sewing. So sweet of him to fill in for me this way. I'm looking forward to this day alone in my quiet house doing a few of the things I love to do. So, taking care of myself? Definitely today I am!

Yeah, I hear ya! i had my survery 9 days ago and until last night had not had anything but diahhrea. After 2 days on mushies, I guess my body is starting to get back to normal. Finally! As someone said: liquids in, liquids out. I just didn't think it would take that long. Today is much more "normal" for me. Good luck! Hope you are feeling well otherwise. Karen

My dr. said I could start taking my St. John's Wort and my tiny thyroid pill a few days after surgery but to take one and wait 15 minutes or so before taking the next. No problems with that.

Thanks for asking--he's doing quite well. We aren't sure how much he remembers or understands about his condition and that's difficult since he needs to make some decisions. We are going back to the dr. tomorrow to talk about options (mainly surgery to prevent a painful blockage) and that should help to understand exactly what he is thinking. He's very hard of hearing so it's difficult for him to hear us explain things but the doctor seems to be able to communicate better with his low voice. My mom is showing some very disturbing signs of possible dementia or Alzheimers but it could just be the stress, although she doesn't show that. She's going to the dr. in the morning for some preliminary testing on that. It should be an interesting day. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. This site (and this particular thread) is such a blessing. xo, karen

Good question! Can't wait to hear the answers. I have my first class in a few weeks. I'll go to the first three but I wonder if I need to take time off work for the classes after that. I'll be anxious to hear what people think. Thanks for asking!

I knew it! Good job, Tom. How could she not melt? Happy days! Karen

Yeah, I definitely think!

DITTO! Narcissism and the band don't mix either, IMHO. How can someone who has "seen this lapband first hand for a year now" think they know more than doctors who have done hundreds, if not thousands, of operations? I don't get it. Although most, if not all, of the doctors whose patients are on this site have different tweaks on the post-op diet, collectively they all seem to prescribe Clear Liquids for at least five days, full liquids for at least a few more, mushies for a week or more, and then softs and mushies for some time after that. For me, I won't have a bite of regular food (such as Beans and rice) until six weeks after my surgery. Is that comfortable for me? NO! Will I do it? I'll certainly do my best and am determined that I will succeed in following my doctor's prescription for band success. It would be arrogant and downright stupid to do otherwise, in my not-so-humble opinion. 'Nuff said from me.

I didn't' know full liquids includes applesauce and especially cottage cheese. Do you thin them down so you can drink them? What about the curds in the cottage cheese?

So glad things turned out as well as they did and that you sound so grounded and confident of what you are doing for Tina when she returns tomorrow--you should be! What an awesome plan. Still sending prayers your way but you can pass them on , if you don't need them! Have a wonderful week with your sweetheart and family. And do let us know what Tina says when she sees your yard! How exciting!!!!

How wonderful to hear about where we could be in a year from now! Thanks for the encouragement and the great example. karen

Oh mine would, too. And offered several times. But even after 39 years of marriage, I just don't want to go there if I don't have to. I'm so old-fashioned (and old compared to others here!). Honestly, he didn't have a problem with it. It's totally me--I'd find any alternative I could and did. I think the worst is over for me now, though. Hope everyone recovers well!

Man, jubjub--you are a brave one! I'm so afraid of causing the band to slip by eating anything other than what the doc says that I make myself crazy. I'm self-pay and my husband and I decided we could take enough money from our retirement for the surgery but we have been very worried about having to take more for complications. My doctor feels that by following his recommendations you are at a much lower risk for slippage, and his stats seem to bear that out. So....here I am just barely on mushies today but feeling like I'm doing all I can to let my stomach heal and get used to it's new partner. But, as you say, "to each his own!" Good luck!

That's what the toilet tongs are for (listed on the pre-op checklist). I use those with the Cottonelle adult wipes and can do it "all by myself!" You might want to give it a try. Those tongs will definitely be headed for the garbage when this is over--no doubt about it!

Sorry about your troubles! It does sound like your doctor has let you down--I'm new to this (and self-pay also) but my doctor does include the first year of fills in his price and says that you may not lose any weight until you get properly filled. It sounds like your band is not adjusted correctly for you and it may take a few fills to get it right. people on here talk about the "sweet spot"--most say it takes awhile to get there and then even losing weight can change it so you need to continually get fills. My doctor offers the 2nd year and onward of fills for $250/year. You might want to find a doctor willing to offer a similar program. I couldn't possibly pay what you did for each filling, knowing it may take a long time to reach the sweet spot. Good luck to you!