Daddyof4

Now at day 4 post-op and feeling mostly good. Doing research on the "gas pain"; sounds to me like lingering pains are caused by the phrenic nerve being disturbed. Apparently this nerve goes from your diaphragm to your shoulder and causes pain when it's moved during the surgery. The pain went away quickly, during my night in the hospital, but came back stronger than ever. Heating pad helped while it was on but pain came back when I took off the pad. Today I discovered that if I lay on my left side supporting my head with my left hand the pain disappears! Unfortunately, it's hard to lay on my side because the port incision gets stretched and hurts. Seems like you can have one or the other. liquid diet going well, got approval to have cream of chicken Soup with the chicken removed. I see the PA next Thursday, hoping to be moved to the mushies! Thanks everyone for the support and good wishes; let me hear how your recovery is going too. Buddyslim.com weight loss blog[noparse]buddytslim[/noparse]

Mine went well too. Doc took a biopsy of my liver because he didn't like the way it looked, whatever that means. We'll get the lab results in a few days and go from there. I know the treatment for a fatty liver is diet and exercise and I'm beginning both now. Had gas pains, they went away, then came back. Tummy is SORE! I stayed the night in hospital so am home now, very sleepy and sore but trying to drink and rest. I assume I'll feel better tomorrow and better each day after that. Wife stayed with me and was a great support. Talk about dry mouth! More tomorrow.

Hi Neece1. I am getting banded at 1:15 today, a few hours after you. I was lucky enough not to have to do a long liquid diet, just the weekend. I lost 13 pounds on Atkins in 2 weeks and today am down a total of 20. Unbelievable! My mom said that if I lost weight I wouldn't even need the surgery. Supportive but clueless. Anyway, good luck and we'll meet on the other side.

Hey Jackbandinva, are you still on this site? I'm having Dr. Moazzez install my band Monday, May 21. How did your surgery go and how are you doing now?

I'm going May 21 at 1:15. Clear liquid diet this weekend

My wife wants to be supportive of my new lifestyle but neither one of us knows yet what that looks like! I don't know if others eating nearby will bother me - when I've done Atkins I ate differently from everyone else and it was no big deal (until I couldn't stand not having cereal). We asked the surgeon's office if there are materials out there for spouses in the way of guidance on how to be supportive. Anybody heard of such guidance?

I cannot believe my surgery date is so close - May 21. Had my pre-op testing (I didn't know the upper GI would involve the doc shaking me up and making me roll around!). Meet with surgeon today, nurse interview tomorrow, Monday surgery! My 11 year old daughter is disappointed that I won't be able to go into the pool on opening day but laughed when I said Ihad to be waterproof to swim. She pictured me filling up with water! I'm sort of hoping to be inpatient to save $$ but will be happy to pay the fees if not. It's not every day you get a chance to start over and do things better. See you on the other side! Ps. I ended up telling the 14 people I supervise, all three of my bosses and many of my colleagues. Every one is being very supportive. The one person I thought would be negative said she wanted to be next! Buddyslim.com weight loss blog[noparse]<noscript>buddytslim</noscript>[/noparse]

Thanks, everyone, for your good wishes. I didn't have to do the 2 week Optifast but I managed to lose 13 pounds on Atkins. I'm supposed to do the clear liquid diet (plus 2 protein shakes a day) Saturday and Sunday for Monday's surgery. I bet I'll be pretty hungry after a while but it will be worth it.

I can see that I'm in the minority here. I am not a very private person and it doesn't feel right to me to keep my upcoming band a secret. I am approved and scheduled for May 21. I had to ask for advanced sick leave so I had to tell my direct supervisor. I had to ask my other supervisor to follow a different procedure for one of my employees who finishes a testing period two days before my surgery so I told him too. Both were very supportive and disclosed that they formerly struggled with weight too. I need a colleague to cover for me while I'm out so he will need to know and my employees (scientists) will die of curiosity. I've shared other things with them before and I see no reason not to share this. I expect support and will deal with any negativity gently but firmly. I told my mom and siblings and siblings-in-law and all have been supportive. I cannot wait to get started with my band.

I'm struggling with this as well. I supervise 14 people and can't just disappear for two weeks without some kind of explanation. I doubt that anyone would let me get away with "medical issue" or something like that. I believe they would be supportive but I have no way of knowing beforehand. Maybe I should tell the one I think might be negative privately. Advice? Thanks.

Hello everyone. After reading posts for a while I'm ready to join the conversation. Like everyone else on this site, I've tried dieting for years and can take it off but it comes back with a vengeance. In 2003 I lost 45 pound on Atkins but since gained back all that and more! I'm starting to go diabetic and have no energy and can't even put on my socks without getting out of breath! My kids want me to run around with them and I'm tired of not being able to. Now's the time to take back my life. I'm stoked! I am in month 2 of the 3 required by Blue Cross Federal. I'm trying the new behaviors a little with not much success. I understand that it will be easier after surgery if I already don't drink with meals and take tiny bites and chew well but I don't really want to do that stuff until I have to. My other big thing is Cereal before bed - I guess I'll have to give that up. I'd welcome any advice on that front. I have some basic questions. Wondering how long to be off work. I have a desk job (one of my fitness problems) so not too strenuous; I am lucky enough to be able to telework some of the time too. When I had back surgery last year I was loopy from the meds for a while - should I expect that with this too? The other thing is that we need to move this summer so how long till I can lift stuff like boxes? I'm pretty excited about getting healthy and slim; can't wait till my surgery! Bob in Virginia

Hey Mbmama, I'm starting out as well, also with Bluepoint. I am in month 2 of the 3 required by Blue Cross Federal. I'm trying the new behaviors a little with not much success. I understand that it will be easier after surgery if I already don't drink with meals and take tiny bites and chew well but I don't really want to do that stuff until I have to. My other big thing is Cereal before bed - I guess I'll have to give that up. But, before you start wondering why I'm doing this at all, know that, like everyone else on this site, I've tried dieting for years and can take it off but it comes back with a vengeance. I'm starting to go diabetic and have no energy and can't even put on my socks without getting out of breath! Now's the time to take back my life. I'm stoked! Good luck to you; I'll probably see you at Fair Oaks.