ChaChaBurch

I'll be thinking about you and keeping you in my prayers!

Well, here goes. I am a 50 year old female living near Hot Springs, and I started my liquid pre-surgery diet today. My surgery is scheduled for 03/22/12. I had the lapband on 1/7/07, lost about 50 lbs, but have since gained it all back. While my band has not slipped, or eroded, I have daily issues with "sticking", and my eating habits have gone down the drain. I am using Dr. Kaler in Hot Springs, and have faith that this is what I really need to do. My insurance approved the surgery (I am Dr. Kaler's first patient to have approval from insurance), so that's a good thing. Dr. Kaler will be removing my lap-band and doing the sleeve at the same time. He hopes to be able to do both lapriscopically, but he warned me that it might not work out, and he will have to actually open me up. I'm not really sure what to expect over the next several weeks and months, but I hope to "chronicle" it here. Any suggestions, ideas, etc., from experienced sleevers would be greatly appreciated.

My surgeon put in a "drain" in one of my incisions. It's a very thin rubber tube that comes out of the incision site, and drains into a bulb. It helps drain out excess fluid. I don't think all Surgeons do it. But I'm glad he did. It has drastically reduced my swelling. It doesn't hurt, it's just inconvenient when I'm up walking around. I make sure I wear pants with front pockets so I can put the bulb part in my pocket.

You're only one day ahead of me, and my incisions are still VERY sore. Can't sleep except on my back, on the recliner, and even then for only 1-2 hours at a time. As for the gas, I would suggest walking as much as you can. The gas could very well be a byproduct from the surgery and just hasn't bee absorbed. As your doctor about something for the gas if the walking doesn't help. Also, you might ask about extra strength tylenol or something else over the counter. I do know that with each and every day I feel better than the day before.

I've only been active on the board these last few weeks. I too have seen some rather aggressive comments. However, I greatly value those of you who have been on this journey longer than me. What works for one person, may not work with the other. That's why it's important that we see other's journey's to know that there is a way to move forward whatever roadblocks we face. Don't let those negative folks push you off the boards. If so, then they've won. You seem like a much tougher cookie than that! I admire your courage in your journey, and your posts have had a positive impact on me.

Kwikwits - what an inspiration! You go girl!!

Well, I'm 4 days Post-Op, and everything went as planned. Feeling really good today and get to start on "full" liquids. Will get my drain removed on Wednesday, and then move on to soft/mushy food on Friday . . . as long as everything continues to progress well!

Hey Marchers! How's everyone doing today? Today I move forward to full liquids (protein shakes, SF Jello, NF Yogurt, really thin oatmeal, thin cream of wheat, etc.). I think I will focus on my shake and take "baby sips" all day. If I can get down just 1 shake, then that's 42g of protein. Also taking tiny sips of water pretty much all day. I haven't tried to reach that "full" stage yet, still a little scared to try and push it yet. I have a follow up Wednesday with Surgeon and he will remove my drain. I'll ask him more then. Feeling much more normal now . . . . if only I could get back my good posture (LOL). Everytime I get up to walk somewhere I find myself walking like my grandmother (haha).

Today I start full liquids. I have a chocolate Protein shake that has 42g of protein and I will sip on it all day. So far I've been taking "baby sips" of Water all day, and then about an ounce of broth or Jello around every hour or so. I can tell I'm not getting enough nutrition, due to a slight faintness feeling, but will try to up the game today. I have been very cautious to not push the boundaries of the sleeve. I'd rather be a little under the nutrition requirements, than push the sleeve too fast. How is everyone else doing today?

Had my revision done 3/22. The Dr said that I had a tremendous amount of scar tissue from the band. He was able to do everything lapriscopically, and I got home the following evening. Was nauseous for a few days, but as of yesterday I'm feeling much better. Today I get to start full liquids. I still have the drain and am scheduled for a follow up on 3/28 to have it removed. I am so thankful that mine has turned out so well.

Hello everyone. Just checking in and letting you know that my surgery was successful. Got home Friday night and have been fighting naseau and acid reflux, but other than that doing good. Today's the first day that I've felt almost normal. Glad I did this! Can't wait to get healed up and focus on my new journey. Haven't weight - will do that at the Doctor's office on Wednesday - when they remove my port.

Okay 3/22's - where are you? How's everyone feeling? This is the first day I've felt like doing anything. Surgery went well, I was home Friday evening. Today's the first day I haven't felt nauseaus. I keep experiencing acid reflux, but am coping okay. Would like to hear from everyone else! Hope your all doing well.

Well, tomorrow is the big day for me. Please say a prayer, and I'll be praying for all of you. Save some room for me on the losers bench

Thankfully, my surgery is here in town. I can't imagine having to worry about an airline flight as well. I don't know how you ladies did it! That took a lot of courage and fortitude!

I can't believe I'm just 24 hours away from my surgery! I've lost 8.2lbs on the pre-op liquid diet. Yesterday I had a few hours there where I almost gave in and ate something more than liquids.But I pushed through it. I haven't gotten nervous or scared yet, just still excited. I have had a moment or 2 (very short moments), where I thought that maybe I shouldn't do this, but then they too passed. I've enjoyed meeting new folks on this website, and the amount of information and support is staggering! Don't know how I'll spend this day, but DH took vacation and is home today, and won't be going back to work until Monday. He's such a great guy! Taking time off to help me recoup. Guess I'll get all the laundry done since it will be a while before I can do that again

Good morning Monique - I think I'll spend the day getting as much laundry done as I can, and then I plan on treating myself and go to the nail place to get my nails done and a pedicure (would hate to have ugly feet on the table - hehehe). It will probably be a while before I feel up to getting out and getting my nails done again. I will pack tonight, since I already know what I'm taking with me. The hospital has Wi-Fi, so I hope to feel up to getting online Friday to update everyone. My DH took the rest of the week off to help me, so I feel like I've got just about as much done as I can at this point.

Congratulations! Glad to hear you're doing good! Mine's tomorrow - keep your fingers crossed !!!!

Well, tomorrow's our day! How's everyone feeling? I'm really excited and looking forward to this!!

How's everyone doing this morning? I'm less than 24 hours away from surgery! I don't know if today's going to go by super slow or super fast. How did you spend your last day before surgery?

I live just outside of Hot Springs, AR., and am having my surgery on Thursday 3/22 with Dr. Ron Kaler. Looking for anyone out there that might be a bit closer so we can share information. Living in a smaller community can make it a challenge to locate places for support.

I'm on 3/22 also. Anesthesia does strange things to me, so I always apologize ahead of time. I tell them to please forgive me for anything I might say, and that there's no way they can hold me responsible :tongue2: My daughter's a RN and she says that folks say all kinds of crazy stuff before surgery. I think they keep a log somewhere in her hospital, just so they can refer back to it for laughs. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30am and surgery is scheduled for 7:30am, so please keep me in your prayers!

Hey Tulipstar - thanks for the info. I did watch the video, and a few more. It was very informative.

Happy Birthday favoredone!! What a great present to yourself.

That's okay -- I type with "spell check" and still manage a few typos

Turned 50 earlier this month. Surgery is in less than 48 hours (3/22). I'm doing a band revision, all in one surgery. I love reading through these posts - they're so encouraging.