PineNut

So I had my post op visit and was down 12.7 pounds. Not bad, but looks about typical for a lot of you. I am itching like crazy. Not so much the port incision, but the outer ones. I was driving and scratching around my belly. Lots of traffic here so I hope no one saw . I still have to take it easy a few more days before I can do the true mushies. Drat. I tried to get away with some quiche yesterday but he said it was too much. Turns out I have one of the new AP bands...10cc, which is the smaller size. My Dr. was one of the practices that got the early release. It is the one with the little "pillows" rather than an innertube looking band. Supposedly it gives more consistent pressure around your stomach. I also got the card others were talking about. Dr. said that if you get wanded at the airport -by a real sensitive one-that it can set of an alarm:) . So we are supposed to carry a card to show we are banded. The metal at the back of the port is what can set it off. Oh, another tip the Dr. said for getting the gross residue off from the strips is to be sure to use a petroleum based product rather than alcohol. I have found that ANY of the progresso soups are really tasty when blended. Not great to look at, but yummy. I am still struggling with Water consumption. I am going to fill a pitcher in the morning and keep track of what I should be getting in.

Hey ! I finally found my link to this thread or forum..... I was banded on the 17th at NWWLS in Everett,WA. Wenjea and I are bandmates, and I see a few more here too! So much info and I can't believe everyone has such a different experience. I was an outpatient, in at 7:15 and on my way home by Noon. I have not had a whole lot of pain, mainly uncomfortable more than anything. I went to work for 4 hours on Monday, 7 on Tues and a full day today. I am TIRED of sitting up, but today was the most comfortable I have been. I am taking the pain meds at night to sleep REALLY good. I am even calling in my refill! I wish I could have a drip of Delaudin each night to zone out. I had told the nurse I was doing this for the good drugs after and she laughed. Too bad it took a week to poop! I was about to call in the dreaded ....can't even say it. Good thing the M.O.Mag. worked. My Dr. subscribes to the straw rule for 2 weeks and then mush for 2 and then regular. Mush includes soft chicken and fish too. I am ready now. For some reason I thought that I could mash a burrito supreme enough to eat tonight and bought one with my pintos & cheese. FOOL. I tried to chew the insides of the burrito for one SMALL bite really really good and got a warning that I was insane. I packed it up and came home to add sauce and FF Sour Cream to the beans and went on my merry way. I have taken the progresso chix noodle w/ egg noodles and blendered it and then fixed stove top stuffing and added about a 1/2 C extra of chix broth and then blended it with my Braun thing. Mixed together they will come through a straw. I was told a big McDonalds type one....DELICIOUS. Other than that I have found the grape Propel tastes like ice cubes made from koolaid after you suck on them. I haven't tried another flavor. I am planning on some Crystal Light and then making some of the SF Snapple tea. I need to be better hydrated. Seems at work I was not drinking hardly anything. Guess it was not my old Pepsi..........

Audreyg: I did not feel like it was a cattle call in any way. You are assigned a time to be there 1 hour prior to your surgery. I went in and filled out some consent papers and then was given a cool tote bag and gown,GIANT robe, socks and told to change. THen I waited in an area with my Mom in one of those hospital recliners. THe Dr. came and chatted, then the Anesthesiologist came and gave me a patch for behind my ear and started the IV. Oh, I got a shot of Heperin in the leg from a nurse before that. That stung, but eh, whatever. Then I was escorted to the OR....but I made another pitstop (3rd since changing!) and we went in and I layed down on the table and commented on the music...Fleetwood Mac TUSK.....and I was breathing into a mask and the Anesth. was shooting something in....I blinked 3 times and was out. Next I remember was my Mom sitting beside me and I was holding her finger. And telling her it was really sore at the top of my tummy. The nurse was right there and I got some Delaudin...wonderful...and was dozing for about another hour. I worked on waking up for about another 15 min. and then was up and walking. Making the rounds of the nurse's station accompanied by my nurse. A couple laps and I sat back down and then I bet it was about 20 min til I was dressed and in the car headed home. The nurses were very attentive and I don't think the Dr. came back out since he was in surgery when I left. I was told that I was about the last to leave from the morning surgeries. I went in the OR at 8:40 and came out at 9:20 and remember it was 11 when I got up and walked. I know we were in the car at 12:20 so it was relatively quick. I never felt rushed even though I was told (by my Mom) that about 3 or 4 people cycled through while I was "resting". I was given paperwork to call 24 hours with any questions. I got a call from a nurse the next day checking on me and asked if I had any other questions. They have all been so nice and I am going back on Friday for my post op appointment. I guess I will make a fill appointment at that time too. Anytihng else you think of, just ask.

Thank goodness it is my Friday today. I thought I would catch up on my hours by working tomorrow, but NO. I am tired. Too much here to do now that I am feeling better. It was strange, I woke up yesterday andfelt really good. THe tightness was lower across my tummy and today I am even better. Just Aleve yesterday and once today. I do like the liquid at night since I have slept so good with it. (I finally figured out that my tightness felt like- a braxton hicks contraction but in a strip or band rather than the whole belly. And I have had a couple feelings similar to a small hand or foot running along the inside of my belly....strange how they feel similar) For those who have been trying to relate the pain to a C section, having had 2 in 18 mo. , I think they were definitely more painful, but they were a low pain where as this is less, but higher. I have found it just uncomfortable and not really "painful". I think the heating pad is a must. The shoulder pain is sometimes referred pain or from gas. It is really a DULL ache that is greatly helped by a heating pad and some gas X. For $15 I would definitely have gotten one. Worse than pain is the thought of not pooping for a week. Yea wenjea. Me too! After 3 swigs of MOM and 1 pill I was about to have to take drastic measures.......but around lunchtime..voila. Haven't been this happy since Ryann pooped in the potty and no more diapers!

Wenjea: I bet it wouldn't hurt at this point to add the applesauce/ The pudding is a nice change, I am also haveing the thick & creamy Yoplait light yogurt. Dr Michaelson says anything that could be pureed to the point you could suck it through aa McDonals straw (the big ones) you can have. You don't have to drink it through a straw though. I mixed my pureed chicken soup and the pureed stuffing together and YUM. SInce they only do lap bands, I would guess that they are ok with their dietary requirements for lap banders. I have not had any trouble swallowing the foods they recommend. I don't have nay excuse for the typos....I have them regardless of surgery! HaHa. I got to work today at 9 and spent lunch lying on the floor. It felt good to not sit up for a bit. I have only had Aleve today too. Day 6?

Thanks Wenjea. I have a totally desk job. It is almost so I don't have to get up- which is bad too. I stayed until I felt icky and went home so I feel comfortable in doing that again. The retail construction waits for no one. At least I have a boss that doesn't mind. Well, he does but I don't! I need to heal. I job share so Amber will be in on Wed to help out. Glad I didn't miss out on meeting you. We will have to go to the next one. :eek:

I scheduled at my surgeon consult for 2 weeks out. I had no health problems, so no pre-op testing for me. ( I had the nurse & psych on the same day and asked if the Dr. was available. He was and I had all 3 appointments and scheduled surgery in one day) You have to have the payment in full one week prior to surgery.

I would try not to pack it in or on at this point. I went to Dr. Michaelson and at the consult he asked that I loose 10 lb. My BMI was at 48. I had my case of loosing 8 lb and then mother's day came and I slipped. I kept up the grazing and last meal syndrome until Tues. before my surgery. I went in on the 17th and was banded. They do weigh you and I was down 5 lb. He told of one lady he asked to loose 20 and she gained 20. He sent her home and told her to come back when she was serious. OUCH. I have heard that depending on your size, 30 lb to loose prior is not unusual. I think they said if you are male, BMI over 50, and have any high BP or Diabetes you need to loose 10 lb for each one prior to surgery. THey offered me the Medifast shakes at cost ($38/case) to get it off quick. 5 shakes and a light meal a day. Personally, I think he made it 10 after he found out my addiction to regular Pepsi! It is worht it though. I am down 7 lb since Thursday's surgery and I am not in too much pain. Check out the board for WA, there are several of us at NWWLS and St. Francis. Lots to read about.

Wenjea: I don't feel like your'e complaining and I am sure no one else does either! I feel bad you are having trouble here and there. Did you go walk today? I hope not. I went to work from 10:30 to 1:45 and had to stop at Target on the way home. I walked around holding my tummy while pushing the cart REAL SLOW. It was a bit much for me. I think all the sitting made gas accumulate because I was really bloated. So I have spent the afternoon with a heating pad and laying flat. Things are moving again in that department. I bought some milk of magnesia pills. Mistake. They are huge, but they didn't have any mint liquid. I broke one in half and then chewed it. Yuk. But I was afraid it would get lodged. That has been my fear. I don't want to have a PB episode. I don't know what to expect so I fear it. I have found a great soup to blend up! It is the Progresso chicken noodle with the twirly egg noodles. It blended up easily and is the best thing I have had all week. I have also made some stove top stuffing and thinned it out with broth. That is really good and you get to at least feel like chewing the tiny bits. I found that the veggie soup I blended had a lot of the skin from the kidney beans left so I kind of had to watch that. I was really wanting some crackers today........but a dollop of cool whip on the SF pudding was almost as good! I thougth I would make it to the support group but feel I should rest some more. I have another day at work planned for tomorrow so I can continue to pay for this surgery! Good Luck to the next round of banders this week!

I keep forgetting to post this little family tree sort of thing: From what I have heard over the past years, Dr.'s Fox (Sr. & Jr.) have a practice in Tacoma. In the 90's Dr. Oh was with Dr. Fox. (my friend's friend was the insurance gal at Dr. Fox then) Then Dr. Oh and Dr. Srikanth had a practice in Federal Way. Dr. Srikanth has broken off on his own and now Dr. Hiria is with Dr. Oh. Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Watkins were at Evergreen and decided to start their own practice. Dr. Michaelson joned them recently after being at Evergreen and also a professor that taught the procedure and other laproscopic methods. Maybe someone else has info to add to the soap opera?

I hope I can post a bit more mind-easing experience. I am four days out and have nixed the idea of working all day tomorrow. I am going to aim for some time in the afternoon and then see how it goes- so I don't think I will make it to the meeting at St. Joes. Maybe there is one at St Francis soon? It is ok sitting up for a while, but the longest has been about 3 hours on the couch watching CSI. Not good to watch while eating liquified foods....ugh. Anyway, I have done good today without my liquid vicodan. I just took some now so I can doze off to bed. I have taken 2 Aleve twice today. Wenjea, maybe you should try alternating tylenol and motrin evey 3 hours. You can mix them and they do work on different things. Plain tylenol does squat for me. I have just been real careful to keep up on the liquid meds and lots of water. I have just today tried light cran-rasberry juice other than water. Otherwise, it has helped being thirsty. Also the sewwt & low candies are good to suck on. I only had port pain when I reached too far for the phone. I did that 3 times and have learned. I think that is why I am way more sore on the right side. I seem to be really normal feeling everywhere but the roll between my boobs and belly button. There it feels like one of those excercise bands is being streched across me. It is sort of a full feeling, but if I lift my boobs off of the roll......at least I know some can relate.......it eases up. I am not sure what kind of bra I am going to wear......maybe they will go free?:guess I have been handling food pretty easy. I have had progresso chix noodle and veggie soups that I whipped up with my Braun hand blender. I added a touch of the "better than bullion beef" to the veggie and it was good. Also the Wofgang Puck Italian wedding soup was good, but a bit garlic-y. Applesauce with cinnamon, yogurt (thick & creamy) , some of those del monte chillers that go in the freezer. They are like sorbet. I was having a growling tummy yesterday and decided I was needing more protien. I do not do shakes. I just can't. So I ate another yogurt and was filled up. It is suprising. I just bought some of the little size take a long containers and I that has pretty much been enough. Amazing. I have not thought about soda so that is good. I think it is just a matter of deciding to make a choice. I want to recommend STAYING IN BED and only getting up to walk. Keep a heating pad near, and a tv tray with a pitcher of water and supplies. I seem to be coughing up phlegm so hold on to your tummy. I know how it is, I have a 3 and 5 1/2 year old that run amock but I have insisted Daddy handle them. Send them out of the house. Anything so you can rest. Dishes and laundry will always be there for later. I am not too keen on how Daddy does the laundry - sorting, what a comcept, but if it is done, it is done. I did not take the time to rest after my 2 c-sections and am realizing it would have been more beneficial. Be careful trying to roll to your side. It is more comfy to lay on the left (no port) but go SLOW. I am getting better at lifting my butt to move rather than trying to slide. And I have propped a pillow against my tummy when in my side. It helps to hug. Other than being bummed out about not returning to work - well being able to go to the meeting really, I have been doing good. I was so convinced that the 3rd day would be horrible, I was pelasantly suprised that it wasn't. I think the worst was the night of day 2 (Fri) when I felt like someone had reached inside and swirled their hand around. today everything is feeling more "secure". Another tip.....DO NOT try to bend over and pick things up. You feel like you will pitch forward. Make sure and aks for help. Kids are good for something, even though they demand payment in popsicles! PS- Wenjea....I can't believe I am sharing this......when the urge comes, if you hold one "cheek" apart or to the side, the air comes out without pushing. Much less strain. I kept the heating pad on my right shoulder pretty much of the day on Thurs and Fri. It heled inthe referred pain and gas pain. I haven't had too much of the rumbling, but it is easier to toot when on the potty. I think the feeling in your throat is like mine. Feels like you have to fake burp? ONe advantage to demanding alone time is you just let it go. My Aunt once said, "you have to feel free to fart in WA".......too bad it happens so much in my family!

I was banded at NWWLS with Dr. Michaelson on the 17th. I am doing really good so far. Not too much pain, just a jostled feeling in my torso. The liquid Lortab and heating pad have been my friend! I took 3 Aleve and popped them at one time and thought, hmmm, I probably shouldn't have done that. It was a bit uncomfortable, but the nurse directed me to drink a warm beverage, or even warm water to help the pills disolve faster. it worked! I would like to be put on the calendar too! I haven't heard from Wenjea yet, but she was banded the same day at St. Francis.

Well, I am now officially a "bandster". Everything went well and I only had a couple moments of weepies. I must have made 3 trips to tinkle before I finally made it into the op room! It was really muh less stressful than I thought it would be, I remeber lating o t table and en Iwas in recovery. I needed some pain meds (delautin) for pain I was having at the top. I zonked for another hour and ten worked on fuocusing my eyes. I took a couple laps aroung the nurse station and then I was ready to go home. I got there at 6:45 am and was on my way home at noon. I haven't had any nausa, only a crashing headache- probabl from lack of caffiene. You definately want to keep on top of any pain. Not unbearable, but why suffer? I slept well last night too. Today I can tell that the surgery meds have work off. The Lortab is just ok today. I am also taking Aleve. I reached too far forthe phone and had a stabbing pain in my side, so of course I have done the same thing twice more! I am taking it easy and walking then dozing in bed. Tomorrow I think I will attempt a shower! I have had a lot of spotting from the "wounds" so I am glad I took Kristen's advice to wear something you wont mind having to toss or keep stained. The heating pad is really nice for the shoulder pain too. I can really tell how much rutting around they do in the procedure now. I feel like I have been pummeled in the torso. Like having to hold your tummy to walk. The most trouble I have had is in trying to sit on the potty! When did the toilet get so low? THe foods have been fine. I had free range chicken broth and applesauce and some juice bars. ALso a fudgecicle. Mmmm. What I really want is grilled cheese, but I don't think even the magic bullet could pull that one off! Glad to hear Wenjea made it through too! Chat with you all later! And I am still hoping to make it ti the Monday group at St. Joe's.

thanks for all the wishes and prayers! I am feeling nervous, but looking forward to a good rest courtesy of DRUGS. I still think the last full nite I had was when I had Ryann and she went to the NICU. Almost 4 years ago! Sleep. Alone sleep...... Sue: I am in Federal Way and work in Tacoma. I stayed at work til 7 tonite and then had to fire everything up since I forgot my timecard.....in case I am too wiped out on Mon. I want to go so I will be there for St. Joe's! Good Luck to Wenjea too. See ya on the flip side! Don't forget your before photos. I had Randy take some of me and I have not looked yet. I hope I can feel so positive about the changes I am making I will not cringe!

I do get an hour, but I don't usually take the whole thing. I work 29 hours in 3 days and parking is a bear when you leave the garage. I bet I could do a Thurs or Fri but I would most likely have to bring the girls. That may defeat the whole purpose of you guys' walk away from kids. Kristen and Ryann are 3 and 5 and full of energy. They are ready fro Mommy to loose her "lower oobie" ie: lower belly fat roll! Aparently it is somehow related to my "oobies" located a bit higher. I am going to sign off for now. Chat at you tomorrow! Ya know, I may be able to do a late afternoon on Ruston. I try to leave at 4:30 and then still be home to make dinner, etc.

I am pretty sure I will try to go. It will be my first day back at work but I work in downtown Tacoma near St. Joe's. I am sure I will know a bit more after the weekend. I have also been talking with Kristen and she leads me to believe that the recovery isn't all that rough if you take it easy at first. I would really like to meet some people from here. I spent so much of my childhood in the Dentist's chair that I really dislike it now. Good thing Dr. Hodges in Federal Way is such a funny guy. I really like the staff there. And they cater to my Mint Only policy Any other flavor is a gag session. Hope you feel better. Remember, we should be getting better drugs that at the dentist. I just hate when they shoot too much novocaine and my nose and eye ends up numb! I picked up my liquid meds at Rite Aid. $34 for the Lortab (?) elixir and then only $12 for the nausea stuff. I thought I would get it to have on hand rather than have to send someone out later. My husband got word today that he will be starting at Safeway on the 12th of June. No more K&L deliveriy! Yay. We are in between insurance now so I thought I would share the drug prices for others' information.

OK folks... I need to preview. Sorry for the typos. My eyes are dry and, like Wenjea, I have a lot to do tomorrow. Namely LAUNDRY. Maybe my Mom will take pity on me and do it while I am at work and she is watching the girls. HA! Like that will happen. Maybe I will just wake up and it will be done? Good Night..only one more day after tomorrow!

Thanks for the encouragement. I can relate tothe calm feeling. After being on hte fence last Monday, I have just about come to terms. I even went to Metro. Market lest night and got my soup selections and popcicles Dryer's Fruit bars too. OF course the last meal was a prime rib sandwich. Yum. I have managed to swith to diet pepsi the last few days and have kept off my 6 lb. Maybe I can get at least 2 more off by Thurs? I am scheduled for 8:15 am and have to be in Everett at 7:15. I am sure I will be on the road about the time you check in at St Francis. I would suggest a night lite to bring along. I remeber the rooms were really dark and the only option was to turn the light on over the sink or in the bath and it was TOO bright. It would have been nice to at least have a sense of where you were. They make a mean beef bullion. Steer clear of the chicken - gross - I have experience from my 1st C section there. Mmmm Mmmm. I feel like everthing I have been eating the last couple weeks Ihave been analyzing if I can have it later. I know, not the point of the surgery - ya ya ya . And I have made peace with the fact I wont be able tohave some things. It is ok. I would rather have new clothes (or fit intothe new wardrobe that only fit for 6 mo after I had baby #2. Told myself I would NEVER be big again) At least this time it will be true! Wenjea, we will be doing great this time next week. Mother's Day was more of a chore for me so I am looking forward to a weekend lazing around. Fat Chance with my 2 kids I have been chatting with Evilah and I like her idae of a South end group of folks. No matter where you have your surgery. I noticed a new gal in Pacific. I am in Federal Way, just up the hill! I think they have a trail around Celebration Park and also the BPA trail? It runs behind Dr Oh's building and winds over near my house.

I am schedule for 7 am on the 17th of May!

Do not beat yourself up over one meal. As long as you are committed to tomorrow, you will be in fine shape. Wow, 18 pounds is awesome. I will take some inspiration into next week. Is Thursdy almost here really!?! Have a good tomorrow, band buddy.

SO I managed to mess it up and this time it only took 3 tries to get the ticker in there. I think the initial instructions said to highlight and copy all the stuff from to . Mine works if I do not include the notations or url or whatever. I was just getting an address to post at first too. Maybe it will work now? I used the window of the bbCode.

THanks for the encouragement! I had trouble with the ticker too. I Swear I did the same thing about 5 times before it did show up correctly! I am going to attempt to update mine. We'll see how it goes!

So this afternoon I did my pre-op phone appointment, forked over the moolah, and am scheduled for the morning of the 17th. I have had a couple moments of major doubt, but when I called to push the date, it would be over a month from now before I could get in. I figure when I call to reschedule my hair appointments like that, I end up having to wait and then end up wimping out and head to Great Clips and get the whack job and regret not keeping my first appointment! Then I have to wait for it to grow again. I don't need to have ME growing anymore in the mean time, so I don't think another round of Weight Watchers would be the answer. Why postpone the inevitable, right? I know this is the decision for me and just need to get on with it. From the sound of (pretty much) everyone else if I can get through the first few weeks, the weight loss is worth it! How else am I going to get to Disneyland? So I still have my 2 Pepsi's and have lost 5 of the 10 pounds requested. I am on my way. Cheers! Thanks to the gals (Wendy/Melissa/Megan) at NWWLS for helping me climb back off the ledge! No pressure, they just listened to my fears and shared their own experiences. It was very reassuring!

Sue11: I graduated from Curtis in '85 but was only there that year. We had transferred from Hawaii my Senior year. I did have some cousins that went there. Jeff, Nick and Lavonne Stay? Maybe you knew them? ANyway, I will try to make a soup night or walk. I think my brother went to Chambers Elem. when we moved over there? I live in Federal Way now, between the mall and Dash Point area. Dawn27WA: Thanks for the confirmation that this process will work. You must be excited for the 9th! THey said I could have shceduled the 10th, but I wasn't prepared to hand over the moolah that day. I need a week to transfer things around. Maybe cut a deal with my brother to let him get miles for the big chunk! Let me know how your day goes on Wed!

It makes me laugh to think of Grandview. We bought the model home my senior year at Curtis in Grandview Terrace. It is now about the third or fourth house in on the left side and someone has painted it light blue with royal blue trim. Ghastly! It was so pretty and taupe/tan when we got it. I know they have made that area so nice and pretty for walking along. I may have to join you some time. Are you still doing Tacoma Mall or Supermall? I work in Tacoma M-W.