BreadLady

Hello (I know I'll forget to put everyone's name) everyone, I am headed to camp in New Hampshire about 2 hours from home. I will try to check in tonight to wish Dini well. Hope all is well with everyone. I am doing great. The port pain is greatly reduced today and I was able to sleep last night without being propped up. I'll miss you guys. But I will try to check in. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):) You all are going to do great!

My experience is I cannot do anything with artificial sweetener. So what I did was go to Whole Foods. I found a great whey Protein powder sweetened with Stevia. It has 25g of protein per serving. It's on the expensive side but I couldn't eat any of the other stuff so there really wasn't a choice. Brand: Jay Robb's Whey Protein Flavors: FYI the Protein powder contains no: NO MSG NO Aspartame NO Acesulfame-K NO Sucralose NO Artificial Flavors NO Artificial Sweeteners NO Artificial Colors You can mix it with Water, milk, juice or yogurt. I assume you could also mix it with Kefir if you wanted.

I have a trailer with all the comforts of home just not as much to clean that is why I can't wait to get there. It's on a lake with tons of kids for my kids to play with. I will try to post how it's going, it's just not easy to get to the internet, which I thought would bother me as I'm a junkie, but I did fine last summer it was actually nice But of course I didn't have you all last year!!!! So I'm going to have to try and check in more so I can see how everyone is doing. NOW as far as camping. If you are going to do a tent I don't know if I would recommend that. If you want to try it bring lots of pillows. Last night was the first night I didn't sleep in an almost sitting position. Actually one of those plastic recliners might be great for you. Just thought of that. I wouldn't want to miss out either. I would be doing my best to take whatever I need to that I could do it. I say go for it just really plan and make sure you've got what you need for recovery. Make sure you have your Liquid Tylenol, Gas-X and "food" if you want to call it that. We walk everywhere at camp so assuming it's the same for you that will be great for your recovery. And hey if you don't want to do too much workwise you can use the excuse you just had surgery. Hope all goes well. :clap2:

Congratulations! I was banded on the 19th. Also along with the food threads there is also a whole thread for people that were banded in June 07. You will find that on the main page under "Monthly Support Groups". Hope all is going well for you!

Best of luck to both of you. You will be happy you did it. Maybe not the first few days but after that. I was banded last week on Tuesday. Don't be surprised if you come home and say to yourself "What the heck was I thinking?" It will be fleeting. I did it. I hope your surgery is awesome! And your recovery even better!

Nope. But I have been to Maine and it is a lovely state. Hope you find someone else local to share the experience with. I live in Mass. and spend the summer in western NH.

I also suffered from migraines since childhood. I hardly ever get them anymore. Several years ago the doctor put me on Zoloft for PMDD and one of the amazing side affects was my migraines diminished by about I'd say 80% So I just keep taking it. The only time I get them now is if I eat a food that triggers it. Most foods with Nitrates. Believe it or not the migraines I get from Nitrates are actually worse than any I experienced in my 20+ years of migraines. Now I know you can relate to me as you've had them for years. Imagine taking one of your bad migraines and multiplying it by say 8. I am not kidding. I went to the ER one time and they gave me morphine and it didn't even touch it! Now none of this helps you post-surgically but I wanted to tell you about the Zoloft. It's been a lifesaver. Truly. I just had my surgery last Tuesday so I don't really know if it will help or not. I sure hope it does. Migraines just SUCK! They really do!

I drove around today and did some errands. I've been shopping. Had to go to Wal*Mart today and get all the stuff my son needs for summer camp. I had him push the carriage (with my purse in it) and it probably took us a good 1.5 hours in there. Much to buy. I was definitely tired when we were done. I did it though. I still sleep propped up with many pillows. It's hard because I am a stomach/side sleeper and that just isn't an option at this point it's too uncomfortable. I have not lifted anything heavier than my laptop. I am being very careful in that area. To me it seems to be very important - now whether that's the case or not I don't know. Tomorrow I plan to drive up to where we camp in the summer. That will be a 2 hour ride. Should be interesting. I have a friend up there and she said not to worry she would help me in any way she can. So that's a blessing! Can't remember who asked about my sleep the night before surgery. I can't remember but I believe I ended up taking a Xanax (I use them when I can't sleep) and so I probably slept 3-4 hours maybe. I don't think it affected my recovery. Especially since I slept like crazy in the hospital. If I wasn't walking I was dozing. Gotta love Mr. Morphine Also, all the sleeping in the hospital did not throw off my sleep pattern at home which was nice. Lynette - you asked about cooking. What is that I can't really remember. Haven't done it since I came home. My husband hasn't even given me a hard time about it. Now this week I won't really cook because I will be at camp and so it will just be me and the kids. They don't care what they eat. I feed them healthy though. Lynette what is you who asked about Protein drinks? I buy Jay Robb's Whey Protein at Whole Foods. It's expensive but It's hard to find a protein powder that isn't full of soy, sugar or artificial sweetener (I can't take that stuff). His stuff is sweetened with Stevia which is growing on me. Hope I didn't forget to answer anyone's question if I did just pipe up. Hope all this helps.

<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>I got it at the pharmacy. It's called an Abdominal Binder. The box says "Uses: Post surgical support, Post-Childbirth, Abdominal/Back support "</p> <p> </p> <p>The company that makes the one I bought has a website. I haven't been there but the site on the box says www.dalemed.com </p> <p> </p> <p>I paid $22 but I am sure I could have purchased it cheaper. I bought it at the local drug store. I bet Wal*Mart or Target probably have it for less.</p> <p> </p> <p>I hope this helps.</p>

tanzycoffelady - if you look at the top of any page you will see a menu bar. Click on "UserCP" that will get you to where you can change things. Hope this helps. Any other questions feel free to ask.

Yikes! Do you go to Texas monthly by choice? I am in Massachusetts and there are so many places that do the surgery here. I am sure you would be able to find someplace closer for your fills if that is what you wanted. If you want any help in that regard feel free to PM me.

Hi tanzycoffeelady send your stats for laurend via PM. She is keeping track of things on a spreadsheet I believe. That was as we progress we can really see how all of us Lucky # Sevens are doing.

Hi all, Where is everyone today. What do you all have a life or something? Just wanted to report. I went to a wedding today 1.5 hours from home. I was a bit concerned about being up and about all day and how I was going to get the proper food in. I must say all went well. On the way up I had one of my protein drinks. At the reception they served soup as the first course so I ate the broth from mine and then swapped with my husband who had eaten the stuff in the soup. For dessert cake and ice cream came out so I had a scoop of ice cream. Not necessarily recommended but at least I didn't have to stick out so. People didn't really even notice. I think if I had brought my protein drink in it would have been way too obvious. Also my hubby and I even dance. Sure it was only to slow songs but I could do it. I think the biggest help to me was this "bandage" if discovered and placed around my abdominal area what a world of differnece. I thinkI read about it somewhere on this site. I highly recommend it if you are thinking about it. Good night all.:notagree

They were strict at my hospital. They wouldn't even let me suck on a tic tac. Their reason was it would introduce gas into the pouch. And I can't remember what time the Upper GI was done the next day BUT once done I had to wait for it to be read by someone and then given the ok to have water or broth. Then later on in the day jell-o. :clap2:I believe that process took a couple of hours Regarding the bladder issue. It was an absolute pain. I used the huge pads they have in the hospital since I had not planned on needing them. I'm glad though. I needed those huge pads because I literally felt like I peed my pants every time I got up. It was crazy. By the next day say mid-afternoon I believe it was much better but the day of surgery and the next morning were a pain. Regarding meds I take Zoloft and Ativan every night and I was not allowed to take them. I didnt' make a big stink about the Zoloft because if I miss a dose it's not that big a deal to me. But the Ativan, if I miss a dose it's not pleasant so they had to get it odered IV for me I believe. I also take a Levoxyl in the a.m. and ativan again. I just put it off til later in the day when they let me drink and then split the pills and took them. No problems. I hope I answered your questions. Feel free to send more. I will be away for the day and most of the evening. We are going to a wedding. That ought to be a pleasant experience - not really! But we'll see.

Glad you finally decided to post:clap2:. This group is a great bunch! Truly. Any questions feel free to post and I am sure they will get answered. You will get the support you need here. Welcome to our group. If you get a chance fill in the poll I put up. Have a great weekend. You are only 20 days away from your new life!!!

:)Snaggletooth and Nelli, Seriously I was very glad to stay in the hospital. I was so afraid when I first ate (liquids of course), first took a pill, first took the liquid pain meds that they were going to send me home with. I found comfort in knowing I was somewhere where they could deal with anything that might come up. I would have been happy to spend a 2nd night and gone home the next day. I had surgery Tuesday 6/19 @ 7:30 a.m. and went home Wednesday around 8:30 p.m. I don't know if anyone else goes home early that next day but I didn't. There was a lot they wanted to know before they would release me. I had to have an Upper GI to make sure there was no leakage. Then later in the day I had to eat (broth and jell-o) to make sure that stayed down. Then later I had to take my regular Rx meds and see how that went. Then when they finally took me off the morphine I had to wait and then they wanted to give me the liquid pain meds I would be taking at home to make sure I didn't have a problem with them. They really did their job making sure all was in place before I was sent home. It really gave me a good comfort level. Also, they were always checking my incisions and taking my vitals which I think is good. That way any infection could be caught before I left. Also, I'll tell you as hard as it was, painwise, to get out of the hospital bed to walk and pee...it was much harder at home. I don't know if this will help any of you but I wanted to put it out there. You know in this day and age they like to send you home bing bang. I am glad they didn't rush me and I am glad I don't live in a part of the country where it is day surgery. Maybe it's because I am older but I just felt much better about it.

Tgirl I can't offer much advise but I can totally relate. I had my surgery on Tuesday. No metallic taste yet. I wanted to burp also. Like crazy I wanted to burp. I even had my husband pat me on the back like you do a baby and nothing (other than he burped - LOL). I find just tonight some gas is coming. Before that I would think it was coming out and then it would just disappear. Totally freaky! :hungry:Hunger - Holy moses! I wish I was one of those who felt like they ate a thanksgiving turkey. I am hungry most of the day. It almost makes me worry because others say they aren't. May have to call my doc and ask about it on Monday. Sorry I could't be of much help but I know where you are coming from as it appears we had our surgery on the same day.

No problem Susannah! Thanks for letting me know.

All the best to you skinnyirishbabe! You will be so happy you had it done. I was banded on Tuesday.

So sorry terriho. I thought I covered all the US time zones. Ding dong me! I already tried to adjust the poll and I can't. If you choose other please specify your zone. Thanks.

NOTE: If you choose other please let me know which time zone you are. Thanks.

I am going to try to post a poll so we can get an idea of the time zone groups represented. Look for it in a bit. Not in this thread under our main thread. Monthly Group/July 07 Correction: The poll is now up.

I was wondering if anyone else is interested in trying a chat. If so this is what I have figured out thus far. Please correct me if I am wrong. I believe we have the following time zones represented in our group.. Eastern Time Zone = 0 Alaskan Time Zone = -4 Pacific Time Zone = -3 Dublin Time Zone = +4 The way this works using ET as a default as that is where I am. ET = 9 p.m. AT = 5 p.m. PT = 6 p.m. Dublin = 1 a.m. PM me when you think would be good and which time zone you are in, keeping in mind the other time zones included in our group. I will compile the list. Please keep in mind that Dini is in Ireland. So if you live in say Alaska (who lives there??? Just kidding marcyinak) that means if it's 5 p.m. your time it is 1 a.m. her time. Granted Dini does stay up late but we probably don't want to take too much advantage of that. If there is no interest then I will not pursue it but I thought it would be fun if we could get a chat going. I keep trying to open a new chat room but the rooms are always taken. Even if no one has been in there. Hope to hear from you all.

Pills - I am able to swallow my prescription meds. I cut them in half and they go down no problem. I don't know what it will be like once I get a fill. Pain Meds in Hosptial a.k.a. Morphine - I highly recommend using the morphine. I really think that is why I was able to walk so quickly. It did make me sleep alot but that's fine. Pain Meds - I read so many times on this site how people didn't need the Rx meds that Tylenol was sufficient. Well Tylenol actually is sufficient. I was quite surprised since I am not a Tylenol girl. I use Ibuprofen and lots of it. No more my doc doesn't want her patients using Ibuprofen. Another thing about NOT taking the Rx pain meds you have less chance of constipation so that is good. Hunger Day 3 - I am not nearly as hungry as yesterday. I was hungry in a.m. and had a Protein Drink then I got hungry around noon today and am slowly drinking my Protein drink. Next hour I will go to drinking 8 oz. of Water. I still haven't taken my multi-vitamin and my Calcium. I hate chewable pills so I have been putting it off. I may try later today. It was enough of an adjustment to be drinking my Tylenol. I am used to it now. Hope this wasn't too long everyone. I hope what I write helps someone out in some manner before their big day.

I was just banded on Tuesday (6/19). All the posts seem right on the mark. I also likened the pain to when I had my Laparascopic Hysterectomy 2 years ago. It feels like someone beet the heck out of you. I already notice a difference today. It doesn't hurt so much to get up. Keep chugging along and doing whatever your doc says. Best to all of you.