momlambert

I'm so excited for Sunday morning to come--I've looked forward to Cream of Wheat since I saw it on the mushies diet. Later that day I'm having mashed potatoes and banana squash. Can't wait!

Thanks Sugarbear, demmemoon, Kyethra, Pam, and Tammy for your empathy and support. i read your posts to my husband and he said, "There are really nice people in the world, aren't there?" How true. Thanks so much. I spent about 6 hours at the hospital with my Dad today--I was so grateful to be able to do that. I got to talk to the doctor, the caseworker, the hospice representative, and MOST OF ALL my Dad. It was a very nice and profitable day and one I will always be glad I had. My Mom and sister saw me lowering myself gingerly into the chair and asked if my back was hurt or something. I told them I actually had some outpatient surgery on Monday to repair a hiatal hernia (which is true--maybe not ALL the truth but still true). They were briefly annoyed I didn't tell them sooner but with Dad's problems, etc. they understood why I hadn't concerned them about it. Went well and they understood why I wasn't there yesterday. i made it through the day and then drove back home 40 miles and slept for a few hours. Feeling quite well right now. I wish I could have helped get Dad back home and settled in but i was way past my recovering comfort point. Update on Dad: the cancer is very progressed and is nearly blocking the colon. Dr.'s are thinking 2-6 months. We will meet with the surgeon in a week or so--not to take heroic measures but to make him more comfortable, if possible. Hospice is wonderful--I actually volunteer for them but in a different city than my Dad lives in. Thanks again for your advice and concern. You are the best! Karen

My sweet father (80 years old) went to the hospital on Friday with what we thought was pneumonia. Today he was diagnosed with colon cancer. I am waiting at home for my sister to call me with the results of the CAT scan but I am feeling so sad and helpless not being with him at the hospital. I had my surgery yesterday and am very miserable today. I don't think I can make the 40 minute drive and spend time with the family at the hospital without doing serious damage to my recovery. I'm the oldest child and, basically, the mediator between my mother and my other sister. I seem to be the one my parents trust and look to for advice and here I am at home with ice packs on my abdomen feeling like crap. What should I do? I haven't told my mother about the surgery for too many reasons to go into here and I wasn't going to tell my sister but decided I needed for her to understand why I wouldn't be there Monday or probably for several days. She's stepped up but she and my Mom do not work together. Besides, I want to be with my Dad--we are very close. I just feel so helpless and so sad. Is the third day generally better than the second? I felt better yesterday than I do today. Part of that is because I couldn't sleep at all last night--finally got to sleep for 2 hours around 4:30 a.m. this morning. Took a short nap today because I don't want to be awake again tonight. My port incision is just miserable. And I feel like I've been hit in my abdomen with a baseball bat or something. Moving slowly but trying to keep moving quite a bit. Anyone else been through anything like this? Any ideas or suggestions for tomorrow? I really want to spend the day with my Dad tomorrow but I'm just so miserable today I'm afraid I won't be able to do it. It breaks my heart. I love him so much.

:Banane42:Welcome to your new life! Good luck. Hope you continue to heal well. Glad you don't have the gas pains--I heard they don't start until the 2-3 day but I'm really having to work on them to keep them under control (walking, heating pad, pain meds). But all in all, I'm thrilled with my recovery so far. Keep in touch and sleep well. It's over!

Don't want to confuse you more--I do think we need to carefully understand our doctor's orders. But, FYI, my dr. says 2/3 c. of food 3 times a day and a small evening snack if necessary. Clear liquid only (not anything you can't see through at room temperature) for 5 days. Full liquids two days. Non-clear protein drinks, carrot juice, etc. Strained foods for four weeks. 'YOUR TEETH ARE NOT A BLENDER!!!!!" All food must be put in blender or strainer. One month of the healing diet (soft foods like mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, etc. with chicken and other chewies being pureed still). Then regular food chewed carefully, stopping when satisfied and not eating one bite beyond that. LIquids after liquid diet: Lots of liquids up until first bite of food. NO liquids for two hours after eating. My dr. says this one thing is the greatest cause of failing to lose weight--drinking during meals and then not waiting to drink for two hours after meal. Anyway, FYI. My dr. didn't have a pre-op diet but is VERY strict on the post-surgery diet. I'm so committed to his orders (at least at this point!).

I just can't believe how good I feel. Wow. Who would have thought? Have some pressure in my chest probably from the hernia repair and the gas but not sure. Walking and using wimpy heating pad--I ordered a new heating pad and it doesn't get hot enough and turns off after 2 hours. Argh. So far today I have had 2 c. of water, 3 c. of bouillion (2 organic chicken and 1 beef Better-than-Boullion) and two 3-oz of Protica (strongly diluted in water--25 g protein each!). Everything is clear--can't have non-clear liquids until Saturday and then can have full liquids. I'm not hungry and am feeling really good nutrionally and physically. I had two 3-hour naps today--probably would have slept longer but the loritab (have had two doses since coming home) wore off and the heating pad cooled off. Watching my Ti-vo'd shows while reporting to you while sitting in a chair with my feet up. i walk around the house between naps and do have to do two flights of stairs to come from my bedroom to the tv room. DH has been wonderful--bless his heart. There for my every beck and call. So sweet and concerned. I'm grateful. I feel like I may have a slight fever tonight but i think that usually happens after surgery and is not a problem unless it goes over 101.5, according to dr. life is good! Thanks for your support--I don't know what I would have done without this board. You are all awesome. Karen

Had surgery about 7:30 this morning. Now it's 1:20 and I'm ready for a nap at my house with my new sheets and clean bedroom and the windows flung open with fresh air coming in (plus an arm/shoulder massage from my very DH). Drinking some broth with the loritab. Not much pain--more like pressure in my chest when I have to breathe deep, which the dr. and nurse said I need to do a lot of because my oxygen was a little low. Surgery took about 1 1/2 hours because they had to repair a hiatal hernia that I didn't know I had plus there was some scar tissue to work around from previous surgery (hysterectomy most likely). Ready for dreamland. Will get back to you later. Thanks for your positive vibes, prayers, and good wishes. I'm thrilled! I made it and will be anxious to hear about my bandsisters. Karen

Thanks for welcoming me here and for your good wishes. Just got home from the surgery center and ready for a nap but things went will. Just waiting for Dh to bring me some chicken broth and loritab. They ended up dong a hiatal hernia repair (didn't know I had it) so I may have a bit more discomfort but the incisions aren't hurting and I feel good--just a little pressure when I take deep breaths, which I need to do a lot to get my oxygen up. anyway, off to dreamland (I hope). Karen

On my way to bandland. Hope to be back in a few hours. Good luck to my bandsisters! Our new life begins today! Love and prayers, Karen

Ditto! Less than 12 hours for me. Woohoo! Bring it on!

Thanks for that great info--i'm being banded tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. and I'm getting really nervous and wondering if I am doing the right thing. Your post really helps with these last-minute jitters. My biggest concern is complications during or after surgery because we are self-pay. The additional cost of problems would be very difficult for us so I think that is my biggest concern right now. I've done enough research to feel fairly confident about the lapband itself but the complications are a big risk financially. That's what I'm the most concerned about. I'll be glad when I wake up and can get in the car and go home on schedule. I'm determined to do everything I can to prevent complications after that! But, of course, it is a risk. Just thinking with my fingers (again). Thanks for listening. Karen

Hi fellow Utahn bandsters! Actually, i'm not a bandster yet but will be in TWO days--can't wait! I'm nervous and excited. I'm going to Dr. Hansen--sounds like many of you go to him as well. Maybe we will meet at a support group after I do the first three specialized groups. I'm definitely a newbie! A little about me: I was born in Provo but only lived here for a few months before my family moved to SLC. I lived there until I got married at 18 (too young! but have been married 39 years tomorrow so I feel very blessed). After marriage we moved a lot with DH's employment: Denver, Baton Rouge, Lynchburg (VA), West Chester (PA), and, most recently, Tokyo, Japan. We have been back for 4 years now. I have 10 children (all boys but 9) and three grandsons plus two more due in July and one more grandbaby this year in October--maybe our first granddaughter? Probably not. We do love our boys! My parents still live in SLC. Dad (80 years old) was taken to LDS hospital last night with some breathing problems. Having a transfusion now and lots of tests. I do believe he'll be fine once he gets the transfusion and some good hydration. I will spend tomorrow with him and then my sister will stay with him Monday along with my Mom (I told my sister last night about my surgery--I'm only telling on a need-to-know basis except for my kids and husband). My mom is the last person I want to know about it--she exaggerates everything and dramatizes normal things and I just don't want to be the subject of all of that. And she would worry. No need to alarm her. So, that's basically my life in a nutshell. I didn't start gaining serious weight until about my 4th child and since then there has been no stopping me (except, of course, for the many diets and gain backs!). Glad to have found you! Hope all is going well and that you are all happy with your bands. Hope to meet you soon. Wish me luck on Monday. Karen

Me, too! Just had my "last last supper" with DH for our anniversary tomorrow (39 years!). Tomorrow I'll stick with a lighter fare--I didn't have a preop diet. You don't even want to know what I ate--DH took me to the best restaurant in the state--no kidding. What a way to go! It was incredible--I've eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world (lived in Tokyo for four years) and I have to say this is one of my top best meals in my life. Amazing. But now, back to reality... So, yes. Fears, worries, nerves, time standing still, and more. Just let Monday at 6 a.m. come, please! I'm cleaning my fridge and stocking it with all the goodies (clear liquids) I have been accumulating the last few weeks. Have to be on clear liquids for 5 days after surgery so I'm prepared. This will be interesting! ONWARD! Good luck bandsisters and all band friends! We WILL do this and be successful--BELIEVE IT!

Oh, yes--many, many feel the same way, including me! My surgery is Monday and I still wonder what the heck I'm doing. I imagine I'll be asking that question until the general anesthetic takes effect. lol. It's a HUGE decision, isn't it? Good luck to you and to us all. I'm hoping to join other bandsters in saying it's the best (or second best) decision they have made in their lives.

So glad to hear from you, Tammy! And so happy that all went well for you. You have been in my thoughts since Thursday morning. I'm anxious to hear more as I go to bandland Monday morning at 6:15 a.m. Woohoo! Speedy recovery! Karen

I hear ya! I'm sitting here shaking inside waiting for a 3:00 call to tell me when to be there on Monday. Maybe a good dose of both relief and scared??? You tell me! Karen

Congrats, Brandi! I'm crossing my fingers for an experience on Monday similar to yours. Good luck recuperating!

I originally decided not to tell anyone but DH about my decision to have surgery. But, yesterday I started worrying about my kids. What if something happened during surgery and they would always be left believing that I didn't trust them with my decision or left them out of my life to this extent. I was worried about hurt feelings when they found out in the future if everything did go well and so I decided that if they were ever going to know then I should tell them now. I didn't sleep well during the night and spent the night composing conversations and/or emails (I was undecided about HOW to tell them). At 6:45 a.m. while I was stewing in bed about this, my 3-year-old grandson called me. After he shared the good news that he is coming to my house this summer, I talked to his mom--my daughter. We were Weight Watchers buddies together--she lost about 60 lbs 3 years ago and has kept it off, even during another pregnancy. She is a devoted advocate. I lost about 37 but gained 45 back. So I told her my plan and was absolutely astounded when she said, "Oh, Mom! I heard about that a few months ago and thought 'this is what Mom needs but she would probably never consider surgery.'" Amazing! She told me she knew I could do it because I follow rules like no other and that I'm motivated and dedicated, etc., etc. Just the pep talk I needed! So I was spurred on and over the next 8 hours called my other nine children. Of course, the responses were varied and ranged from the very positive first call to "you are beautiful how you are, I strongly advise against this, make friends with your body, accept who you are" etc (all from one daughter). The other daughters were somewhere in between those two viewpoints and my son was (as he is) inquisitive and thorough in wanting to know about risks, results, etc. but satisfied with the info I gave him. My last call was to the daughter with whom I have had a rocky relationship through the years. She couldn't have been sweeter or more supportive. She reiterated how hard the weight issue has been in my life, how it sounds like I have done my research, and how she is proud of me for doing something that I feel so hopeful and positive about. It was wonderful! I feel so supported by these wonderful adult children--even though I know that they don't all feel that I am doing the right thing and most would probably not ever do it themselves, they all support me! They send good vibes and some send prayers my way for Monday. They are nervous about my welfare but proud of me. They are awesome and I feel so energized, ready to get through the weekend, and ready for my new life. For the first time in a long time I feel hope about the future and my quality of life. I'm so happy I decided to tell them and they voiced their gratefulness that I would share with them and have confidence in their support. It was a wonderful day! I AM READY NOW!

Congrats on your entrance to bandland, Sharirism! I'm being banded Monday but have been on this site almost continuously for a month or more. I hear that a heating pad really helps with the gas pains--good luck to you!

You are AWESOME, Tammy! Good luck tomorrow--we'll all be thinking of you and sending positive energy your way.

Me, too, Linsdsay! We'll be band-sisters. I'm nervous as well but mostly excited. Trying to decide if I should write notes to my kids (haven't told them I'm having the surgery--they are all away from home now) in case I don't wake up from this. Don't want to be pessimistic but want them to know why I did it without telling them and that I love them. We'll see. Probably won't get around to it and it seems so darn morbid. But, there is always that chance.

Welcome kssunflower! I'm sure tammyj will add you to our March 2007 Bandster list--she's SO on top of all of this! Congrats to you! And good luck! I'm about your age so I relate to all you said. Won't it be nice to feel "normal"? I'm so pumped!

I'm having surgery on the 19th and had pre-op today. My doctor doesn't require a pre-surgery diet so I asked him about that today and he says he has never (over 500 surgeries) knicked or cut someone's liver and that trying to "shrink" your liver is the main reason for the pre-surgery diet. I've seen other posts here that say their doctors don't believe that you can shrink the liver significantly with just a few weeks of the pre-surgery diet so their dr.'s didn't require it either. FYI. All docs are different, it seems. I'd trust what he tells you. Coincidentally, my dr. seems to have stricter rules for after surgery than before--I won't be eating "regular" foods for five weeks. That seems longer than most of what I read here. Good luck with your laryngitis--I'd gargle with salt water and try to use a lot of sign language with my kids while using the "whisper game" with them. All the best!

What a week this has been--I have been up and down so many times over this surgery I was ready to give up or give in. :decision:DH, being the very cautious man he is, is SO afraid of complications (we are self-pay). :cryHe MAY have a job in 6 months with insurance that will cover the surgery (right now he is retired and working on his long-awaited math PhD) so he thinks we should wait for that. :straightThen I point out the risks of waiting and he gets back to thinking we can go ahead. :heh:Then he wakes up in the night shaking and unable to sleep because we might have to pay for complications for years down the road because it will always be a preexisting condition.:cry Then we talk more and decide to go forward. :)Then I feel like I'm being selfish and risking our home and all that we have because I'm in a hurry.:phanvan Then I think it's time I do something for myself and that it's not selfish.:embarassed: Then he gets sick to his stomach over making a bad decision and going against his believe that you should ALWAYS have insurance--car, life, health, etc. :cryIt's been a nightmarish week! :help: SO, we decided to go ahead and go to my pre-op this morning (surgery is scheduled for Monday) and talk to the dr. We didn't pay when we went in because we weren't sure we were proceeding but talked to the nurse, receptionist, billing person, etc. ALL who have had the surgery, lost tons of weight and all gave us a thumbs up. :thumbs_up:After that we were ready for the doctor to come in. At this point my husband is making his list of pros and cons (for the 50th time) and I am in tears :Cry:because I see all my hopes slipping away. The dr. came in and I told him my husband would have to explain our concerns because I'm just too emotional. The dr. listened and validated all of his concerns (my dream was becoming a very distant hope by now). THEN, when DH told him about the fact that maybe we would have a job that has this particular insurance the doctor said that they will only cover PART of ONE surgery--if there are complications, they won't cover them! Also, if I have the surgery now and then have complications after (slippage or erosion for example) they WILL cover that. Oh my. My light started to brighten. Of course, DH had called the insurance company to check all this and some little girl reading some computer screen gave him different info (all expenses covered forever if the surgery was done under their plan and NO expenses covered ever if the surgery was done before we were insured). The dr.'s nurse is the only patient this dr. has had who had erosion and she didn't have this insurance when she got the band but did have it when the erosion occurred so she knew what they would do. We called again, got different answers that were in line with the dr.'s and nurse's experiences and I'M SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY!!!!!!!! :clap2::nervous WOOHOOO! So now I'm REALLY scared! :nervousI'm hoping and praying :pray2:for a complication-free surgery. I've had surgery before (hysterectomy, gall bladder, knee surgery) so I'm not worried about complications from anethesia. I really believe I can do this! And I'm just so excited! Thanks for listening to my rambling. I just had to tell someone who would understand. What a roller coaster ride! I'm sure it will continue but on a smoother, less scary track, :eekI hope!

Linda, I've had these same concerns, too. But I just got back from my pre-op appt. and when I asked the dr. this exact question about the amount of weight you could lose, he said that you can lose it all IF you are willing to follow the rules (don't eat during meals or for 2 hours after; stop eating when you feel full; eat three meals a day and a very small bedtime snack if you really need it; exercise). He explained for every person who loses 90% of their weight there is a person who only lost 10%; every person who lost 80% there is a person who lost 20%, etc. So, although you CAN and WILL lose the weight IF you follow the rules, many (most???) don't follow them and so the average ends up being about 55% of exess weight lost (gastric bypass is just slightly higher than that--57%, I think--but not scientifically significant). The dr. reiterated that it is a TOOL and is a part of the trilogy of success: the band, me, and the dr's office (surgery, support groups, fills, social work, nutritionist, etc.). He said the band will do it's part and his office will do their part; so the only part in question is MY part and that is up to me. Don't know if this helps but maybe it can add to your existing info. I agree that you need to go to a dr. who specializes in the lap band and is an advocate of the procedure. My doctor just got back from a week-long seminar on lap band procedures and success and could answer all of my questions professionally, and, I felt, honestly. You need to find someone who will do that for you. Good luck!