A New New Dawn

There are a lot of great responses here that I hope provide some encouragement and support for you. If they cannot be supportive, I suggest focusing your attention to those that will be. If you do not have people in your immediate circle that are supportive, there is this site and my hospital has free support groups where they provide a safe haven and loads of encouragement and support. Only you have to approve of what you are doing. I, too, had "nay sayers" thinking I was going to such an extreme but I know my habits and my body and this is what I needed to do for me. Please don't let anyone discourage you. I can tell you from anyone I have talked to that had the lapband before me, the most prominant comment I heard was "I wish I would have done this sooner". You can do it and don't let others steer you away. Not only are you empowering yourself to make the decision you feel is right for you but you are empowering yourself to a healthier, happier life by doing so.

Hi, I had surgery last Wednesday, 7/25. Over my incisions, the doctor put steri-strips, over those is a small square of guaze and then each incision has a clear bandage (that seals the wound) over them. They told me as the clear bandages start to lift that I can remove them but not to remove the steri-strips underneath. Any idea how long these clear bandages should stay on? They are not peeling but the skin underneath is getting itchy and irritated. I just don't want to take them off too soon. Thanks!

Please don't worry about being embarrassed in this forum. This is a "safe zone" and one that I have found offers tons of support and encouragement. Everyone I have talked to along the way while I was making my decision told me they wished they would have done it sooner as they are so much healthier and happier. Good for you for taking control of it now and not letting more time get away from you. I have been very heavy throughout my kids' lives and feel bad that I am now losing the weight so late in their lives where I could have been more active with them and not the "tired" mom many times. Plus, I avoided many situations by feeling embarrassed to go places. Good for you!!!!!

Good luck on your new journey. I had mine done on 7/25. When I got there and checked in, they took me back to get an IV going and I waited as the surgeon was running late. The surgeon, nurses, and anesthesiologist came to talk to me and ask me standard questions. I don't remember anything after that until the surgery was over. Note, if you have been put under before and have any nausea with anesthesia, tell them. They can give you anti-nausea meds that made all the difference in the world. They put a patch behind my ear and I had no problems with it as I did years back when I had my appendix taken out. After surgery you will wake up and after a while they will take you to xray to have you drink some liquids to make sure you can get liquids down and for them to check the placement of the band. That was it. They sent me home with liquid Tylenol 3. I only used it a couple times as the pain hasn't been bad. Good luck to you!!! When you come home, know that your stomach will be very restricted from swelling. You will literally only be able to take in a couple teaspoons at a time. Don't push it or you will be very uncomfortable - drink small, slow sips throughout the day.

Definitely call your insurance to get the details from them as every plan is a bit different and the plans change too. My plan last year was fairly strict and now all of a sudden this year they dropped a lot of the requirements they used to have so my approval went fairly quickly and smoothly. Good luck.

Good luck to you! It is an exciting journey.

Congratulations! That is great motivation.

I had my surgery on the 25th too. I am feeling a lot of the same things, so I presume it is normal. I have been very uncomfortable from the gassiness too as it can be painful plus prevents me from wanting to intake more liquids. I haven't lost any weight but I know there is swelling and healing going on so I anticipate that will pass. Make sure you are taking small sips to avoid some of the gas. Also, I keep a jug of water in the fridge so the water sits for a while before I drink it. If you drink water directly after pouring it from the tap or fridge water dispenser there is a lot of air in it too that you don't realize. I also noticed I was trying to get in the volume of liquids it recommended and was very uncomfortable. Today, I am going for comfort and not trying to meet the quotas - knowing that I will get there as the swelling subsides. Good luck!!!

thanks for the support... I am definitely having a "feeling sorry for myself" kind of day... I know it will pass and the encouragement helps.

Good luck! "This too shall pass"....

I was banded on the 25th and struggling to get liquids down. I just feel grossed out or queazy about drinking anything other than sips of water. I managed to get one protein drink down this a.m. (took over an hour) and forced myself to nurse a protein smoothie for 2 hours (just to get one cup down). I tried to switch it up to chicken broth tonight and even that is not settling well. Physically, I don't feel bad but grossed out by liquids. I am hoping this is just a phase by being so restricted w/ the swelling, etc.

My doctor recommended the Carnation Instant breakfast, no sugar added, and it tastes a lot like slimfast. It is good. I add one c. of skim milk and 2 1/2 T of powdered non-fat milk for extra protein. I found it at my local grocer in chocolate and on Amazon they have a variety pack of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. I, too, am struggling. It isn't so much that I am hungry but I am feeling grossed out by most drinks/liquids right now and am having to force myself to get them down. I had some chicken broth for "dinner" and even that is not sitting well. I had my surgery last Wednesday, 7/27. I am hoping it will pass soon. Walking around the mall w/ my daughter helped take my mind off of it.

Hi there. Well, I just had the surgery on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. Physically, I think a week is good as long as you are able to avoid much lifting. I went for a walk the day of my surgery (with pain killers) and took pain meds the 2nd day but haven't had any since. I have a small suv type vehicle and it is painful getting in and out or up and down from a chair. Walking, no problem, it is the bending or getting up. Everyone is different but typically 1 week is sufficient if you are able to not overexert yourself. Good luck. I find I can cope with the pain but getting used to the restriction (as I am struggling to get liquids down) has been the biggest challenge. As the swelling goes down I know that will improve. It's just weird to get used to.

I had my surgery on the 25th too. Physically, I feel better than I anticipated but feeling crummy stomach wise. It took me an hour to get my protein shake down this a.m. and there was no way I could get the recommended lunch and dinner one down. I am not nauseous but just an "ucky" feeling. Anyone have experience with this? I feel like even though I barely had anything today that I may have been overdoing it too quickly when I did. I hope this subsides as I have been kind of down feeling crummy and (sorry, Tmi) gassy. Hope this may just be still residual effects from anesthesia. Good luck to everyone!

It is really great to read everyone's stories of triumphs and challenges. I just had my surgery 2 days ago and, while I feel better than anticipated, it is a big adjustment right now. Loving to see everyone's support of one another here.