farmgirl04

Just at the start of my journey, but it is wonderful to read, and dream, about nearing the beginning of the rest of your life.

Not an issue but just curious. Is it surgery again, removal, repacement? Just wondering. Thanks

I'm 12 days out and didn't go till 2 days ago. I did start taking a stool softener after about a week, but never felt constipated, so I didn't stress it too much. When there was finally 'success at sea' there were no issues. Nothing painful or difficult. I really think it was a case of nothing in/nothing out. For me I think this will become a standard situation,

Crconaway, that's basically what I did last night to get to sleep. I think all the walking I did yesterday just allowed the gas to all migrate to the highest point it could. This is supported by the fact that when I first got up I was almost fine but in the 4 short hours I've been moving around the pain has gotten progressively worse again. I see the doctor tomorrow for my 10 day follow up, so we'll see what she says.

Think I'm going to call the doctor this morning. It's probably nothing more than a pulled muscle, but not being able to take a deep breath is not fun. Coughing, sneezing, and yarwning are excruciating

I'm with you, TracyW2, although my loss is still to come. 3 kids! To be honest these honkers are always in the way. I was an athlete in my earlier years so I can't stand this

I was curious about how much fluid I would gain in the hospital so I weighted right before heading to the hospital and then immediately after getting home. Up 7 pounds! All IV fluids. You need to be hydrated, and they do a darn good job of it! It carries you over while you can't get enough in. I'm only 8 days out from surgery and down 16 pounds since starting the pre-op diet. I have just set my goals for the upcoming year (broken up by month) and plan to weigh myself only once a week. Hope I can stick to my plan, summer '13 will be a blast if I come close to what I think are reasonable goals!

Just a question for those people who are 6 months plus past surgery. Are you able to get in all the protein you need without too many calories without resorting to protein shakes? Now that I'm banded (a newby 8 days out) I am really not liking the shakes anymore. I'm compromising protein because I don't think I could drink a shake now without a gun to my head, and then I'd probably throw it up. I'm realizing I got them down so easy on the pre-op diet because I basically chugged them. The thought of having to rely on them for the rest of my life turns my stomach. But is that a reality?

Wow Bornready, what a great site. Thanks for telling me about it. So much easier than the one my doctor has. I'll try to handle half a shake twice a day. I'll let you know.

Don't think I could take it that long. I'm allowed mushy foods the second week out. I'm so sorry for you. One thing that I really depend on is greek yougurt vanilla flavor, then I add a couple drops of vanilla extract to it. It's a favorite of mine. Good luck!

One of the things I can't wait to do again is run. I was an avid 5 miles a day no matter what the weather at one point in my life. I will tell you though that until I was warmed up- about 1/2 mile plus it was awful. I had to talk myself through it every day. Once the first mile was done it was smooth sailing. And I never thought I'd like it either- simply because I had never pushed myself past the first mile. Sometimes it really is no pain/no gain ~ or loss;) I hope you are able to enjoy it, if not find something you do! You deserve it!

Do the best you can now; don't cheat at all on the pre-op diet; and keep up the good work after surgery! It will be okay. I had a bucket list of foods before my new life began and I enjoyed every bite. I went into this new phase with no regrets. But that's me. Good luck!

6 days post surgery and so far everything has been pretty much as expected. Until this morning. I got up, fed the dogs, let the chickens out and collected the stray eggs, made a cup of tea and sat down in the rocker to enjoy the tea and figure out what I was going to eat for breakfast. Then the world caved in around me. At first I thought I was going to vomit and had my husband scrambling for a bucket. Then I realized I was actually about to pass out. I was able to get to the couch and lie down. After about 15 minutes I was feeling better. I called the surgeon's number and the aprn wasn't excited about it, said it was just all the changes, which makes sense. Now I'm waiting for a call back from my primary care doc to tell me how they want me to handle my bp meds. No one seems too upset- only me. Hope this isn't a regular thing, because I am not enjoying it at all!

Seriously, talk to your doc! Both about your accident (sounds like something I'd do) AND about the office staff. Tell him how upset you are and that you are considering changing docs. I'm willing to bet you'll be treated a whole lot better in the future. Good luck and let us know!

Sorry! Just realized you have called! I'll blame that on my lowered bp! Keep us informed, and again good luck and feel better fast!

Wow. Home already? My doc keeps you in till at least the next day. The reason I mention that is because that means someone taking bp, pulse, and temp every four hours. I know that my temp never went over 98 (actually never even got to 98), but my point is they are checking for a reason. Call! Let the docs make the decisions, that's what they are paid for. And they want good outcomes also. Feel better!

UPDATE I spoke with a doctor from my primary care's office. Her thoughts are that it was a culmination of everything everyone here has mentioned, but especially the BP. Big news- one week post surgery I am off BP meds! It may be temporary, but my pressures are running about 105/75! Once I get back to work (school) who knows, but they are asking me to monitor, medicate, and comunicate with them. Weee haaaa, now for the cholesterol medication! Then I'll be drug free! Today I can start adding mush foods which should help since I can't stand the protein shakes anymore. Thanks for everyone's advise and support. You all are the BEST!

I'm in the still sore, but getting better every day. I struggle to get proteins in. I can't stomach the shakes that I could gulp during the pre surg diet. I am only eating yogurt, jello, and broth. Tomorrow I can add more mush foods- hopefully that will help me. I simply can't get more than 20 grams of protein in right now. I dread trying to! Water okay, but I am so tired of the artificial sweatener taste already.

Up 7 lbs on the morning after I was released from the hospital, down 11 yesterday- thats the 7 plus 4 more. Don't stress it. I went in figuring I'd be way up from all the iv fluids, and i wasn't disappointed

If I only loss 50% I will consider it a failure. But that's me.

Being that there is no time like the present I just went and did it now. Check that off the list!

How about typing up a very small notice - lab band in place- and taping it directly to your licence. That is what I'm going to do. I actually have the date of my last tetanus shot taped on the back because I manage to cut myself deep enough every 5 years or so and I could never remember when I had the shot! When I had to go to DMV they looked at it twice and then said they were going to do the same thing so it must not be an issue with them.

I knew I would have many MRIs and CT Scans in my future (I have a small benign brain tumor) so that was one of the first things I checked into when seriously considering lap band. I was told there were no issues with it. Given my diagnosis I don't think I would have been cleared if it was an issue, nor would I want to be!

It's Friday and I was banded Monday, so I guess I would call it day 5. I've had tons of gas, not just 'surgical' gas, but swelling gas when I drink anything. I just woke up and made a cup of tea, with skimmed milk and artificial sweetener. I've drunk maybe half and I feel swollen and uncomfortable already. Am I drinking too much? I can't figure out how to get in enough fluids if it is. Any thoughts? Thanks

Oh No Mr Bill! I hadn't thought about the hunger once the swelling goes down! Right now I have to remind myself to eat something- I'm not looking forward to the other side of the coin!