PuraVida37

Out and up in my hospital room. Not much pain, only when getting in and out of bed, but I know I am on pain killers, so who knows how it will be later. Port, at belly button, hurts bad when moving to get up. I'm so glad it's done and soon my daughter and husband will be at my side. Surgery was at 2pm, and I've slept quote a bit. Good. Gotta go, ice chips await!

Good luck, Amy! I am puttering around the house now waiting to go in.

Mine is at 1:30 tomorrow. I feel better now, I guess....TMI ALERT: It's doing the job now! LOL but I'm no longer going to hurl, so that's good...I guess? hahaha

Just drank the Magnesium Citrate for surgery prep and I want to puke. I am trying not to so as not to irritate my stomach. But uuuuugggghhhh......

Wow, so far so good for our group!! I wish some of the banders from the beginning of the month would check in too! How are they all doing? Amy, I know just where that is in MO. What time is your surgery? I have to wait til 12:30pm to check in! I kinda wish I could use that extra time to go into work, but I know after surgery prep and no food after midnight that I probably couldn't keep up.

Hi Amy, I am being banded on Monday, too! Which part of MO are you from? I used to live in Blue Springs (near KC). Who is your doc? My sister in North KC might just decide to get banded too. So I got cardiac clearance today and the doc was much nicer to me this time. He asked me something interesting, though: "What is your goal?" and I guess I didn't understand that he was expecting a number, but instead I blurted out the first thing to come to mind, "To run a 5k without stopping!" I don't have a goal weight really. I just want to be healthy. To get back a nice liver instead of a fatty one. To go shopping in a mall and go to any store I want. To stop wearing special shoes because of my plantar fasciitis., things like that.

Where are everyone's ports located?

The surgeon asked where I want my port. He usually puts them by the belly button,but I have a B shaped belly and that means I put my belt there. He then said maybe on the smaller roll of the B. What do you all think?

Debbie, what did they have to say in the class? Anything that made you say Aha! or Hmmm....? What are they recommending for when you get home? I wanted Friday as my band day, but Monday is what I could get. Wishing you well. I believe there are a handful more going on Friday, too. I had a successful echo cardiogram today, but then the pre surgical testing called and said I have a urinary tract infection (thank goodness it doesn't hurt!!) so I am on Cipro till surgery day, Monday. That should blast it! I was SO hungry today that instead of my usual dinner salad + 6oz lean meat that I am allotted, I went to KFC! WHAT?!?!? you say? But lemme explain: I had no idea that they have grilled chicken, so I got a chicken breast and some green beans instead of my salad. I had to take off all the skin and some fatty looking stuff, but once I got to the solid chicken, it was pretty good. Plain, but ah well, it was a heck of a lot better than my usual at home. 4 more days to go of this stinkin' pre-op diet. I can't wait to have chicken broth, yogurt, and hopefully scrambled eggs again. Edited to add: I was at KFC to get my daughter dinner. I just happened upon that they had grilled chix.

I'm sorry for your loss. (((hug))) It's one of the most unfair things to happen to a family. I am a m/c survivor x5. It was my high insulin due to weight that was the likely culprit. After my first (9wks), I went into a depression like I had never had before. I started to get forgetful, crying all the time, just generally feeling like I was losing my mind. So I decided to seek help. I went to a therapist and worked it all out emotionally. It was very hard, but I made it through the storm to find some peace. If you need to talk ever, please pm me.

I had my cardiology stress test, pre surgical testing, and final surgeon's visit today. Tomorrow is echo cardiogram, then Thursday is primary doc visit. I won't know for 100% til Friday's cardiology clearance. Everything else is ready. I can't believe surgery is Monday!

I don't have a soda addiction, but I did have a SERIOUS sugar addiction. But once I stopped it cold turkey, I just didn't want it anymore. I had one backslide of eating ice cream for my daughter's birthday party and after eating it I felt terrible (not guilt, but just yucky). You know that soda isn't good for your stomach. Focus on that. Water is so much healthier and it will purify your body. Isn't that why we are going on this journey? To keep our bodies as healthy as possible? It will take a little while to make water your new habit, but eventually your body will crave what it is given frequently.

By this time next week I'll be banded! I'm trying to get as much done now as possible: paperwork, lesson plans for my sub, bills paid, housework, shopping for post-op diet, etc. One minute I'm thrilled to go into this new place in my life, and in the next I'm so filled with doubt--that I've lost quite a bit of weight in the past 2 months (almost 30 lbs!) all by myself, so then why would I need a lap band? But I know that it will just keep me losing. I am finally making time in my life to take care of me. I'm so proud of myself for finally getting off my butt and making this happen. I'm not going to be a passive sissy any more!

I have one week to go and am getting really nervous. Is it inappropriate to ask for a xanax or something for the morning of surgery? I don't want to end up freaking out, or crying hard and freaking out my 7 yr old daughter. What do you think?

I am nervously excited and terrified at the same time. One week to go!

Glad to hear it! I hope this is the case with me too!! Thank you for your well wishes.

Thanks, guys! Please tell me more about your time before the surgery. How did you feel emotionally? I am in for a busy week since the cardiologist didn't clear me yet and I have to do a stress test and ekg still (as well as pcp clearance and presurgical testing, of course). I'm hoping my busy week will keep me distracted enough so I don't get too many jitters. Also, I'm not looking forward to the "why did I do this to myself" feeling many described having after surgery, although i know it will be temporary. I'm glad you're all here to hold my hand!!! LOL

I mean, something for on my way to the hospital to calm my nerves. Once I'm hooked up, I think I'll be ok.

PS And I swear, if I don't get some real food soon, I might just freak out and take over an Olive Garden or Red Lobster. LOL!!!!!! I need something more than salad, apples, and protein shakes!!!!!

Scott, forget the Mt. Dew after the lap band because hopefully you'll have tons of energy and won't need that caffeine any more! Good luck! I tried to get cardiology clearance (my last hurdle) and as soon as I opened my mouth the jerk gave me problems. He asked why I was there, and when I said lapband, he condescendingly chuckles, "oh, so you can't lose any weight on your own?" Asshat!!! I simply replied, "No, I need HELP." DUH!!! Look at me!!!! Then after interviewing me about family history and medications, he took my BP, which was 130 instead of my usual 120. I don't know why...maybe because I was irritated/nervous? He didn't like that I was on metformin, he didn't understand my bloodwork being so good if I am on it....well maybe it's time I came off it? He wants me to do a stress test and ekg, but of course they had to be during the school day, at separate appts, then one more to meet with him for results. OK, so here is my problem. I am supposed to do presurgical testing on Tues at 3pm. My stress test is Tues at noon. EKG isn't til Wed. Thurs is my primary care physician clearance. Results with cardiologist isn't til Friday, surgery is supposed to be Monday!! If he doesn't clear me, then I'm screwed for my date. I am trying not to freak out, but I almost started to cry. I hate having to replan everything! I'm pissed off!!!

You say you haven't seen this side of you since banding. Perhaps this is the time the new you learns to forgive and learns to get back up on the wagon. It's hard, but can be done. You aren't perfect, nor am I, nor is anyone. Just try to do better at your next meal. No 5 hrs in the gym. No punishment. Just strive to do better next time.

My first question to my doctor was "I hear that many couples split up after WLS. Is that right?" And he answered me honestly that it either brings them together or pushes them apart. I am willing to have either happen because I don't want to die this way. Enough is enough. My husband was not on board either at first. He said he wanted me to show "commitment" to diet and exercise before getting the surgery. I tried to explain to him how the band would help me have commitment--I can lose 20-30 lbs at WW like you, but then my hunger turns on about a month or two later and then that's when I gain it all back plus 10 lbs. The band would let me keep going instead of bouncing me right back past the starting line. And, have him talk to your doctor because obviously s/he will have much more to say than the gym guy who has no medical degree. Yeah, for some working out is the only thing you have to do. But for many of us, it's just not enough. What has ended up happening with my husband is that we basically did the pre-pre-op diet together (low carb) and he's lost quite a bit of weight, as has our daughter. Me too! He now gets that I am excited about losing weight and being active. He loves that I'm on my new bike all the time, going to the gym, and eating right. And he's not looking too bad himself. LOL Good luck to you. Remember, it's YOUR body. Yes, you need support, but it's YOUR body, YOUR life.

My shakes are Bariatric Advantage, which is what my doc wants us to have. I'm hanging in there overall, though. 12 more days. Real food will come back soon enough, right? If I could have stayed on the low carb pre-pre-op diet forever, I think I'd be happy. I can't wait til I can have scrambled egg/egg whites again for breakfast!!! It's when my stomach sounds like a thunderstorm...that's when it gets tough. Thanks for the encouragement. Eyes on the prize.

I've not been banded yet, but I am wondering how much/how fast can you drink Water post banding? I don't mean like immediately after, I get that you have to go slow at first. But let's say a month or two after when things calm down a little. When I exercise, I need a lot of water. My mouth gets really dry and I chug. So how much water can you drink over how much time span?