dliteful!

Hi again, been about a week since I updated. Too bad work takes so much time away from lap-blogging and other really fun things! What a week this has been! I graduated to moist-soft-mushy this week, and made a chicken in the crock pot to have all week. Everything was going perfectly until I MINDLESSLY popped a little piece of cooked chicken breast in the hatch while talking on the phone Monday night and OH BROTHER! I thought I chewed it well, but hey - I was talking on the phone and not really paying attention! That nasty habit of mindless munching came back pretty easily, and my band reminded me how it's not a healthy idea. That bit of chicken got stuck and I was in excruciating pain for the next hour and a half!!! OMG! I called the surgeon who was out of town and another doc on call called me back. She confirmed that I was indeed stuck since her coaching me to drink water to see if it would go down proved as much. It came back up, and it hurt so bad! I had waves of stomach contractions that came every 30 seconds or so for so long, and she advised me to go to the ER if they didn't stop. About a half hour later, I was in the garage, keys in hand (kicking myself for being so stupid so soon after surgery) and ready to drive myself to the ER when I felt it drop through! AAAAAaaaaahhhhhhh!!! What relief! I was exhausted, felt like I had been in labor and I was so happy I didn't have to go to the hospital and the waves of pain were gone! Needless to say, I thanked my lucky stars over and over, went to bed and learned a valuable lesson. CHEW CHEW CHEW CHEW and don't eat when distracted!! The next day I went back on full liquids just to be safe and to rest my insides. Since then, I've felt perfect! Hope my crazy experience helps someone out there - I knew better, but have been feeling so good I guess I forgot the rules and what can happen. Lesson learned. I'm down 7 pounds from surgery two weeks ago today, and really only lost one pound this week. I'm trying to keep in mind that I'm still in the healing phase, and don't need to get too worried about losing the weight right at this point. I am pretty happy though with my overall loss of 16 pounds since the day I started my three day pre-op liquid diet. Hope you all have a great day, good luck everyone getting banded today, it's like another birthday! Hugs and love to you all -

One week ago I turned a corner in my life. I am new - I feel differently about myself already. I feel like I used to before I gained all this weight = more confident, happy. Once I went back to work this week, I found I wanted to put more time into my appearance, I was so much happier at work, and was more productive, even though I was recoverying physically. I know this was the right decision, and I'm so excited to work with my band and get this weight off and LIVE! Woo hoo!!! Graduating to soft, moist, mushy this weekend, and I'm ready. Rosemary chicken in the crock pot and some soft cooked veggies sound so good. Have some domestic chores to do this weekend and am glad I'm up to doing a little yard work and housework! I love my band!

Amy, I'm just blogging here on lapbandtalk.com, I don't have a separate blog. Not computer savvy enough to create my own page? Maybe you can help me do that - I'd love to know how you got your shrinkingbluepolkadots out there on the web! Thanks everyone for comments, it's fun to have an on-line family to share with! D

Cooper1 - I sure hope your surgery went well - it's uncomfortable, but it I was really amazed at how quickly I felt better. Downhome chik - today was my 1 week bandaversary, and I really felt so good today. I'm sure you'll feel good by your 7th day. Do you have a desk job? and Trisket - NOT HUNGRY ROCKS!!!!! Good luck to you all - be in touch please!

Okay, day 5 and back to work. Wasn't too bad, just wore me out! I've been on the couch ever since I hit the door and fed the dogs So - this morning before work I went in for an adjustment - an unfill of about 1.5cc's. It seemed to make a difference in getting my protein shake down and my soup at lunch. Still feel a little like I need to burp sometimes, but better. Getting my unfill was a little uncomfortable, I'm still sore from surgery and she had to push around a bit to locate the port (ouchey) and then the SCARY needle (which actually didn't really hurt) was inserted. Once she was where she needed to be, she took fluid out, removed the needle and had me drink some water. It was better So now I know exactly what it feels like to be in the "red" zone (too full). Next time I'm sure it won't hurt at all once I'm healed. So, the weirdest thing is going through an entire day and not feeling hungry, even when just on liquids! This is the most amazing thing ever, and I'm so happy I made this decision! Good luck everyone. D

Oh WOW am I ever glad this morning is over! For all that led me here, and for my team of doctors, and my amazing surgeion and most of all, for my husband and friends, I am EVER grateful! Surgery was completely uneventful, I was home by 12:30 and have managed the pain very well all day. In fact, I've had viruses that made me feel worse than I've felt all afternoon! It's awesome, I really expected the pain and discomfort to be worse. No problems with gas yet, but I have been up and around quite a bit. Pain meds make me super sleepy, so that's the only time I've really been down is to sleep a few hours here and there. I'm FINALLY on the recovery side, and I am so excited!!! Today's the last clear liquid day and tomorrow I get full liquids. I've never looked so forward to tomato soup in my whole life, but it sounds delicious right now. Great things are in store for me - thanks to everyone for your support here. I'm going to have a million questions, so be ready!

Thanks for the advice and input everyone. Yesterday and today I felt like I really couldn't swallow much, even sips of water caused some weird smasms in my esophagus - while not painful, still not too comfy, and I had trouble getting my liquids down. I called my surgeon today and he told me that the feeling is probably the swelling coupled with the little bit of fluid in my band. I had NO idea there was any fluid in there, but it feels like it's too full! Ah ha!!! Mystery solved! He said they put in 3cc's before inserting it and let what needs to come out come out for a "custom fit." He thinks it's a good fit but with swelling feels too full. Tomorrow, if not better, I'll go in and get a little taken out. Soreness is definitely subsiding, my muscles are less achy. Gas has been much better today and just in time! Back to work for me tomorrow. With my desk job I'm going to have to remember to get up and move around more than usual. I know I'll feel better if I can get loosened up a little bit Great luck everyone with your journeys, I hope if you had recent surgery you're feeling as great as I am. I hopped on the scale this morning and I am THIRTEEN pounds down from the day I started my pre-op liquid diet (three days prior to surgery!) That makes me feel great! Here we go!!! Happy days!!!

Congratulations on your upcoming date! I was banded last Friday, June 8 and have had a very easy recovery. Keep your thoughts positive and pretty soon you'll be on the recovery side and starting a brand new life! I'm so happy for you! D

Okay experienced bandsters..here's a question for you....I had surgery two days ago and I know for a fact my band is empty. Why do I feel like I already have a fill? It's so hard to consume all of the protein I'm supposed to because my stomach feels so full (it's amazing and wonderful and I love it!!!) Why is this? Is it because of swelling? Maybe just having the band on my stomach is making me feel that way? I am so excited about how I feel and can't wait for results!!!

Hi Libra! I wanted to reply because I am much like you in that I don't have diabetes, or any other serious health conditions other than slightly elevated cholesterol. I have family members with more serious problems that I'm certainly at risk for, but luckily, haven't reached that point. I had surgery on Friday, June 8 and started with a BMI of 35, so similar to you. I had tried everything in the past as well, the list was REALLY long of all the diets, pills, liquid diets, shots, exercise programs etc. I have tried. Usually, I would be successful, but the weight always came back (plus more.) I was at the end of my rope, so frustrated that I couldn't even bring myself to try Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers or anything one more time...I was so tired of losing and gaining. That's why I went with lap band. It is going to be a tool to help me keep the weight off for the rest of my life. Lifestyle changes will be required of me with the band. There won't be an option of going back to my old ways after the weight comes off, and I love that. No more yo-yo'ing up and down the same 50 pounds. You are smart to seek your physician's advice. I did the same, and while it wasn't my only option and I could have (yet again) tried another "program," I knew in my heart I couldn't do it. This was the answer for me and I am SO happy I have done this! Best of luck to you - please keep us informed. D

Day 3 post-op - I woke up feeling so much better this morning. Got all the bodily functions working again (ahem, if you know what I mean) and what a huge difference that made in how I feel - (oversharing? Sorry!) Learning to sip slowly. Haven't been hungry once, but am making sure to get my protein in each day to assist with the healing process. Hey Bikiniby30 - I'd be happy to be your band guide! You only have a couple weeks to go - let me know how I can help! You're going to do wonderfully. Have a beautiful day everyone! Hugs -

Those new to surgery who are scheduled for today - don't worry. Follow your docs instructions and take advantage of pain relievers as he or she instructs. Be patient, the first few days will be rough, but move around, walk as much as possible. Believe me, it will make you feel better faster by getting rid of the trapped gas in your innerds! My thoughts and prayers are with you all! I'm day 3 post surgery and really feeling pretty good! Will be up and doing some chores around the house today, walking, SIPPING (my biggest challenge is not drinking too fast). Keep us all posted on your progress!!! Hugs to all.

Hey June band buddies - my surgery date was June 8th!

Hello everyone! I've been hanging out on this site since I was approved for my surgery in April. It's been a long preparation, but finally, tomorrow's the big day! Surgery's at 9:00 a.m., and I can't wait to be on the recovery side of this amazing journey! I love how positive everyone is on this site, how helpful the advice is, how supportive the posts are, and I'm excited that I've found it. Is anyone else getting banded on June 8th? We might be band twins! Be in touch and tell me what to expect tomorrow afternoon - is the pain horrible? Tolerable?

Day 2 post-op - yesterday afternoon and evening was a little rough, my incisions and tummy hurt pretty badly, but once I got some pain meds going, I felt better. At bed time, I used an ice pack on my incisions and it felt SOOOO good! That plus a little liquid Rx pain medicine did the trick and I slept like a baby. Still some gas issues, plan to do a fair amount of walking today to alleviate that. The gas is better than it was yesterday. SO excited about this change in my life and I can't believe how wonderful everyone on this site is - supportive, positive, encouraging. Thanks to all of you who have commented and checked in with me D

Awesome job with the family BBQ! It's amazing what we can do when we put ourselves first - and how great it must feel cooking delicious food for your family and still treating yourself well by not having any and sticking to your plan! That's just giving all the way around - to your family AND to yourself! I have been wondering how those events will be for me down the road, and your post was an inspiration. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work because YOU are worth it!!!

Hi gang, I'm just 2 days post-op and am finding that I can't handle much liquid either - maybe half a cup of Protein shake at a time. I do sip Water throughout the day, not sure how many oz I'm taking in but doing my best to stay hydrated. So far, no post-surgery diarrhea (on the three day liquid diet pre-surgery, it was awful!). I think the point is that everyone's body is going to handle this differently, and we have to be very in tune and listen to what our own system is telling us. Knowing we have to stay hydrated and not stretch out the pouch, this should be our first priority. Congrats on already losing 13 pounds! I'm not getting on the scale for a while, I feel bloated and don't want to be discouraged. GREAT job and thanks everyone for sharing! D

I have been walking to relieve the gas pains - get up and move around (even if it's not comfy) and that should help the gas work its way through quicker - at least get out of your chest. Gas-x also helped me. Good luck and feel better!

Well, the day after surgery isn't too bad! I have really only discomfort which feels like I did way too many ab crunches, and no nausea at all. Just a tiny bit of gas build up but seems like it's subsiding quickly. I've been watering flowers, doing dishes, doing laundry and have been pretty active which I think helps with the gas. I SO appreciate all of you commenting! I will give you any info you'd like, just ask, and over the next few days I'll keep commenting and keeping you informed. Have a great day everyone!

Hey everyone, thanks for the well wishes. The procedure went perfectly yesterday, and I feel so good. I really expected my pain to be worse, but it's not that bad. Very little problem with gas buildup (yay for Gas X strips and liquid pain meds). I've been up and around, happily walking around my house and loving on my family. Had my first "real" food in 5 days - a cup of Protein shake. Tasted so good and I was full super fast. Anyway, for those of you starting the journey, I wish you all the best and if I can answer any questions please let me know! For those of you already banded who offered your support, thank you and bless you! Keep up the great work. I'm proud to be a "fellow bandster!" D

Thanks, you two...that sounds like a common problem afterwards. Glad to hear it's not too bad. Take care -

Hey - I'm so excited for you! My surgery is tomorrow morning, and it's helpful to read what others are experiencing so thank you for your post. Hope to be giving helpful advice to others as well in a few days. Can someone tell me how to get the ticker at the bottom of your posts?

Hi ladies! I am also very new to the site, having surgery in 3 days, and I also have found this site to be really informative, positive and encouraging! I will be here to offer any support, I agree that no one understands our journey better than someone else going through the same thing. Let me know how I can help! Best to you!!!

I'm three days pre-op and today was my first day of clear, sugar-free liquids as my pre-op diet. I was amazed at how cold I was today in my office ( I'm usually dying of heat no matter what the temperature), but I see that it's pretty common when we have to severely cut back! Good luck everyone, stay the beautiful STRONG people you are, and before we know it, we'll be on the other side!!

I am only three days away from surgery, and my pre-op diet is three days right before of nothing but clear liquids. No soups, no yogurt, no puddings, just clear, sugar-free liquids. I can have sugar free jell-o and popsicles though After reading that some of you have had to do this for weeks on end, it made me feel better. I'm through day 1 of clear liquids and can't wait for my new band on June 8th! Great job, Sarah, and thanks for your info on your post-surgery. It was very helpful! Congrats on the 20 lbs and on your awesome positive attitude!