LadyLeigh2012

Day 2 post-op … found the guts to take pics of my 'wounds' and posted them. I think they look pretty good! No swelling or redness. Gas pain in shoulder is still there, but overall it has been a great day. Hubby helped me into the shower and then I was able to remove the dressings. I'm guess the bigger puncture/cut is where my port is located. How is everyone else doing??

Tomorrow will be here before I know it … my nerves are starting to tingle and I'm getting a nervous knot in my tummy. I lost 20 pounds w/ pre-op dieting and feel this helped to ready my mind and body for what is to come. Still, I'm feeling on edge and trying to hide it from my family so they don't worry. Once I wake up and hear the 'everything went great' bit, I will feel better … until then, I am a ball of nerves. I am excited for this and I believe whole heartedly that this is the best gift I can give myself … the gift of knowing I will be healthy, not obese … the gift of looking in the mirror and feeling proud of the girl smiling back at me, rather then disappointed …. Reading everyone's post-op stories have been very helpful! I look forward to having my own …

I will post my list on my blog. You can download it from there! Nothing but liquid until week 3 post-op … I have it mapped out by weeks up to 20 weeks and beyond. This info came from my doc and my nutritionalist.

Yeah!!!! I am one day post-op and all is well here, too! I also lost 20 pounds on the pre-op … it's a good feeling, isn't it!?!

So are you sticking with the plan or eating 'normal' foods? The restriction will come when you get your fill, but the restricting has to begin with your mind and dedication to letting the post-op diet get its running start.

Nooooo!!! LOL! The days of focusing on food are gone, except for when thinking up new and fun ways to enjoy eating as per our guidelines! Look at some soup recipes online and think of ways to make some enjoyable soups to have during the full-liquid phase. I mapped everything out as per my doc and nutritionalist. I can send you my list if you'd like! It's like a map of when and how I can eat. My surgery was yesterday and recovery as been great thus far! You got this, girl!!!

I did 3 weeks, too … after the first few days it got better … and seeing 20 pounds come off on pre-op made it worth it. I also think it really helped to prepare my body and mind for what post-op would be like. It really tested will power!

Today is post-op day 1 … had a little protein shake, some creamy soup, tea, water, and juice … all 'eaten' with tiny, slow sips. It took me two episodes of Bones to get down about a half cup of soup … so that's about an hour. All that hurts is my chest … taking those deep breaths and coughing up whatever mucus is there is no easy task, but I do it. The hospital gave me a pillow (with a marker to so visitors could sign it!) and I am to hold the pillow to my stomach and give 2 good coughs about 4 x and hour. The gas pain is still lingering in the left shoulder, but like everyone else says … walking around helps to get it moving. Hope all is well on everyone else's end … especially to those getting banded today!!

Oh ok! They saw that I had one once they were in there. The doc said he fixed it before placing the band on. Seems to be quite common.

The pain meds seem to help w/ the gas 'pain' itself … walking around gets it going, too … but I would have probably slept through the night if I didn't have it. They say it takes about a week for it to pass … you'll be there soon!!! Have you weighed yourself yet? I'm wondering if the gas pumped into us adds temp. weight.

I know the pre-op phase is hard … but you can do this! If you 'break-down' now you will set yourself back … you've come this far … following our diet guidelines is the KEY to success with being banded. Try having some broth … it helps to ease the craving. Maybe even some thinned out cream of chicken Soup may help … but keep things liquid and take control … you can do this!!!

Very exciting! What a great way to kick off the New Year!!! 2013 is going to be awesome … here's to good health and a summer of feeling 'happy' wearing shorts!

What is a EGD?

It's nearly 3am and I'm up … nearly 1 day post-op … feeling good! Gas up in the left shoulder/neck area … some soreness around my middle, but the girdle they wrapped around me is offering a lot of support. Walking around helps, a good burp never felt so good! LOL! I have been taking my pain meds and following all of doc's orders … walking around, doing that breathing thing, using my pillow to get out a good cough, and so far I have gotten down a half cup of Soup, Water, tea, about a half cup of Protein Shake, and a grape sugar-free popsicle. Yum! Thank God all has gone well … I think once this gas pain is gone I will feel much, much better! How is everyone else doing?? Congrats to everyone getting banded today!!! I will be sending prayers your way! :wub:

Thank you, Desoto! I'm feeling better then I thought I would. Doc said I could have anything I want to eat that is liquid and fits through a straw. So far, so good! I appreciate your well wishes!!

I'm home!!! Very sleepy, minor pain, they have a belly band (like a girdle) around my tummy … offers some additional support and security. Apparently my bladder is still sleeping, but i am tolerating ice water very well and even had a little apple juice in recovery. Some gas pain, too … I had a hernia so they fixed that and the doc explained that they puffed me up w/ additional gas. Sooooooo just thought I'd check in … going back to sleep now!!

I'm sure they're going to reschedule you .... I can't imagine how frustrating and nerve-racking this must be ... hang in there!

I was nervous about the pre-op, too ... I actually pushed myself and started it earlier then when my doc wanted me to because I was afraid of messing up! I used the first week of pre-op to test out diff. shakes and routines. If I learned anything, it is that I can do this ... that my focus is tight and that I have to trust my body is 'full' of nutrition, even when I wish it was 'full' of my favorite foods. Here I am now, 1 day left before surgery and I'm down 20 pounds! I don't know how typical that is or not, but pre-op went from being a fear and hesitation, to an accomplishment and motivation.

LOL!!! Ok, that kinda grossed me out and made me laugh all at the same time! Thanks for the giggle, Mike!

.... ok ... 24 hours to go ... feeling very nervous and emotional ... never felt like this before and I have had many diff. types of surgeries. Why this? Why now? I've been planning and waiting for this since June! Now, I'm getting nervous and anxious? Reading everyone's post-op posts make me feel better so please keep the good news and vibes coming!

Hey everyone! I had some catching up to do! Wow! Everyone is doing so good ...that is awesome! Surgery is Tuesday and the oddest thing happens now when I think about it ... my eyes get all teary and I get a bit weepy. Ummm ... why? LOL! I guess the reality is setting in and I am excited ... not so much nervous ... especially after I read how all the other post-op-peeps are doing. Glad to hear everyone doing well! You all make is sound easy and I pray it's that way on Tuesday. Go in ... sleep ... wake up banded! I'm on day 20 of pre-op ... yes, you read that right ... I've been doing the liquid thing (with only 3 'real' meals in total during this time) and I am down 19 pounds as of today. My goal was 20 pounds and I have feeling I just may get there by Tuesday morning! Yeah!

I enjoyed my Thanksgiving and started my pre-op a few days later. Whenever I think of all the things (foods) I will miss this Christmas, I think about the cute little red dress I am going to wear NEXT year for Christmas! Also, if I cannot handle myself w/ the holidays and make better choices w/ food, no matter what the time of year it is, then the band won't work ... so the choice to be banded is the choice to make those changes. The whole 'getting through the holidays' bit is about perspective and I say THREE CHEERS for us doing this now ... Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and no doubt a very Happy New Year to all of us! Just imagine what 2013 will bring for us .... !