FloridaSunshine

this is AWESOME... - I'm going to make it today. good find

Great Job Cindy...

Hi there I'm in the clearwater area!

I feel fantastic today..... My stomach has completely stopped hurting, I dont feel tired any more (the first few days I was so sleepy). My back no longer aches, and it feels like the stitches are healing nicely. I do have some decent bruising around the entry points, but nothing that wont go away... it isn't like I'm wearing a bikini or anything so that is not that big of a deal. the truth is, if I woke up from surgery like this I would find it very hard to believe they actually did anything while they were in there. I'm staying focused on healing right now. AND I'm also trying to read as many blogs and advice from veteran SUCCESSFUL bandsters. It is pretty clear that this thing feels and works differently in every one, but from what I can tell, those that grasp that this is simply a tool that will HELP us lose weight, instead of a "fat cure" are the ones that have the most long term success. this is a life style change... and I'm going to embrace it for all it is worth!

so exciting you are almost there... Dont stress that you are on clear liquids AFTER the surgery... seriously it is still tough but nothing like the pre-liquid diet. Also Kimmie is right... the very very very best advice I got from this forum was walk... the second they let you after surgery get walking. do laps around the hospital floor . it will save you a world of hurt.

hang in there... I just kept imaging my liver getting smaller... (that is the whole reason for the pre-op diet) it is to shrink the fat around the liver. It makes the surgery go much smoother and much healthier for you. - Dont sabotage your success before you even get started.... HOLD STRONG

I hated hated hated the pre-op diet. the only thing that kept me going was knowing in a few days it would be over. Post Op you are still on liquids but it is honestly much easier after the surgery.

Annie, I sure how hope you are feeling better now...

so interesting that you posted this.. .I have it in the cupboard.. found it the other day, I'm sure I bought it for one of the "many" diets that I've tried over the years, but for the life of me I can't remember what was supposed to be so great about it.

wow, that is a serious stay.... I arrived at the hospital at 6:30am had surgery at 8:30am, they put me in a room for observation until 2:30 and I was home by 4PM (or 16:00 to you . I am with you, I think I would go a little stir crazy

10,000 flat Fee (including all the labs etc), - just had it done last week. fills are 100 bucks unless they have to do an exray and then they are 150. Memorial hospital in Tampa FL... doctor Diciccio.

I may have overdone it a bit today. My husband and I have been taking a class on Saturdays - the class lasts about 6 hours and we only have 3 more weeks. If we didn't go today we would have to start over. SOOO I decided to go. Because I haven't told anyone about the surgery I just wore baggy cloths and sat in the back . i have to admit, I feel pretty decent. Didn't take any pain medication today. My stomach has rumbled and gurgled all day long and YES the incision point is very sore; YES it feels like I just did 1000 situps (I wish I were capable of that)... and yes, my back aches but consider some of the horror stories I've read, I am feeling very very lucky. I don't seem to have any trouble drinking liquids today I had 3 big glasses of chicken broth, 2 glasses of crystal light and one protein shake. however, I did try a little orange juice and quickly decided that was a bad idea. It did not sit well on my stomach. I was asked by someone what my incisions look like... so I decided to add a photo of them so you can see the band aides... once the incisions heal I'll add photos of those as well.

I ended up paying for it myself. My husband and I sat down and talked about what the excess weight was costing. How much life we are missing out on etc. It was painful to pay for it, but what is more important in life than our health? One little thing that might make you feel better about being self pay, You can schedule your surgery ASAP... AND, my doctor said that a study shows that self pay people actually end up losing more .

Hi 50, today I'm feeling pretty good. Felt drained this morning but am doing better now. I was so lucky not to get the gas pains. My stomach was so puffy from the gas and my back hurt (I've been sleeping with a hot Water bottle because I can't find the heating bad.) but I didn't have any shoulder aches. I have to admit, today i'm able to drink without any restriction at all. I can't feel anything when the liquid goes down. This week I'm on clear liquids, next week it is "filled" liquids and the following is "mushies". so far I haven't felt hungry at all, so that makes me happy.

HOW exciting... Good Luck ladies. Remember, as soon as you wake up, get up and get walking... - it made all the difference in the world for me.

Hi there, Please don't get frustrated. Remember, like most of us that were just banded you dont have any Fluid at all in your band... so once the swelling goes down it is almost like it isn't there. If you read through most of the REALLY successful banders they have all had 2 - 5 fills. All of them had frustration at one point or another and all of them stuck through it. My doctor REALLY stressed that the first month is just about healing... So I'm sticking to the liquid diet no matter how hungry I am because the last thing I want is for that band to slip, or the stitches not to heal. Hang in there... it will all be worth it once those pounds start peeling off

I just realized that All of us that were banded on the same day have between 75 and 100 pounds to loose. We can literally do this together...

Hi 50... I am not supposed to eat anything for the first week. Clear liquids only. but I have to admit, I'm scared to eat so it is fine with me

interesting... now i'm going to have to ask my surgeon. He definitely stitches the band in place but I don't think he folds the stomach over on itself for my surgery.

I arrived at the hospital at around 6:30 Am. I was pretty nervous but the staff just shuffles you along as it is all very routine for them. the surgery itself only lasts about 35 minutes, but I was under for around an hour. - As soon as I woke up they had me get up and walk, I probably did 20 laps around the hospital. I'd read so many horror stories of trapped gas that there is no way I wanted that to happen. - I'm not sure if it was luck, or the walking but thank goodness I did not have to bad of pain from the gas. - (although I did look like I was 6 month pregnant... my stomach was soo swollen. Of course the incision points are sore and especially where the port is. I had HORRIBLE nausea when I woke up, I was terrified I was going to throw up. My pain was about a 3-4. but I could hear the guy next to me in recovery who had also had a band put in said his pain was a 10... so the pain no doubt varies dramatically. The doctor gave me script for some liquid pain killer but it makes me so sick to my stomach I think I'm going to tough it out.. I'd rather feel uncomfortable than throw up and rip my stitches. One odd thing, I keep getting the hiccups. I've read on here that is a sign that you are "full" but I haven't eaten anything so, it is probably my body just trying to adjust. I came home... walked a bit, and then took a nice long nap.... All in all, I really can't complain!

thanks so much dylanMiles - today the hiccups are much better... Cindy - I have 4 incision points. - 3 are quite small.. just a band aide covers them. the fourth one is larger but I can't tell the actual size because the doctor said not to take the covering off. I'll take a picture with my next blog. Good Luck with your surgery - hopefully they wont get in there and then stop.

I decided not to tell anyone but my husband... we all know that this is going to be a LOT of work and I'm not going to have anyone judging or diminishing the accomplishment.

great idea Tara. I will try that. - By the way everyone there is an incredibly high Protein drink called Isopure. 40 grams per serving. The drink is clear and comes in flavors... the banana to me is the best, but the GNC salesperson says blueberry sells the best. they have a 150 calories... and zero carbs. - it is a GREAT way to get some calories in, lots of protein and still hold the carbs down.

I cam home "empty" too. I see my surgeon in two weeks. - he said just focus on healing right now... clear liquids... I think it is going to be REALLY hard to get anywhere near 800 calories.

Yep I left the hospital at around 3. (I got there at 6:30 this morning) Ok the honest truth is I feel pretty good. - Of course the incision points are sore and especially where the port is. I had HORRIBLE nausea when I woke up, I was terrified I was going to throw up. My pain was about a 3-4. but I could hear the guy next to me in recovery who had also had a band put in said his pain was a 10... so the pain no doubt varies dramatically. the doctor gave me script for some liquid pain killer but it makes me so sick to my stomach I think I'm going to tough it out.. I'd rather feel uncomfortable than throw up and rip my stitches. One odd thing, I keep getting the hiccups. I've read on here that is a sign that you are "full" but I haven't eaten anything so, it is probably my body just trying to adjust. All in all, I really can't complain! BTW... I heard another woman saying she had a hernia repaired at the same time... she was staying over night as well.