ljuht115

Hi Wenjea - I am having issues to - Went to my gp this am for my 1 week follow up. she didn't like the way the port looked ( gave me antibiotics but told me to hold off on taking thme unil I could see someome at dr Srikanth's office. It is red and sore, but not necesarilly oozing and there is healing. I really need some one to change the steristrips there and clean it out . I was told not to do it myself. Last thing I want is an infectiom in my incisionm. once you look online you see how many people have issues with a portion of the lap band and now I am really scared. Tje dr is in surgery all day and his nurse is not in until later today! I wish I could help you but I am scared out of my witts right now =-) I would definitely call the dr to fimd out about the accumulation of fluid asap. UPDATE 5:00 - Saw the Dr - All is okay

I have been taking it really easy and am starting to feel better since surgery. I just started back on my protein drnks and thought I would never miss those from the pre op diet, but i do have to say yummy. I am still on a small portion of vicadin to help with the residual pain and help me sleep some. I am down 15. since the preop diet and about 5 or so since surgery. I don't get the fullness golfball feeling but neither am I that hungry yet. My port is REALLY sore especially if I move the wrong way. I was supposed to return to work tomorrow, but think i will put it off until wed or thurs. I don't want to hurt my port for any reason, i do have a desk job but it is really stressfull. I do miss my ergonomic keyboard, this laptop keyboard sucks. Once I can stand in the shower and dry my hair - I will go back and do what I can. I truly hope everyone is healing as they should. How are my may 22 (23rd ) band mates doing? I highly recommend if you go to St Francis for a lap band bring books and your lap top if you can - My wait (which i am told is unusual was 24 hours). Of which I did not agree wiht but everthing went excellent afterwards, so far... Normal wait can last 6-8 hours... __________________

Sue11 - Take care of yourself. I have been taking it really easy and am starting to feel better since surgery. I just started back on my protein drnks and thought I would never miss those from the pre op diet, but i do have to say yummy. I am still on a small portion of vicadin to help with the residual pain and help me sleep some. I am down 15. since the preop diet and about 5 or so since surgery. I don't get the fullness golfball feeling but neither am I that hungry yet. My port is REALLY sore especially if I move the wrong way. I was supposed to return to work tomorrow, but think i will put it off until wed or thurs. I don't want to hurt my port for any reason, i do have a desk job but it is really stressfull. I do miss my ergonomic keyboard, this laptop keyboard sucks. Once I can stand in the shower and dry my hair - I will go back and do what I can. I truly hope everyone is healing as they should. How are my may 22 (23rd ) band mates doing? I highly recommend if you go to St Francis for a lap band bring books and your lap top if you can - My wait (which i am told is unusual was 24 hours). Of which I did not agree wiht but everthing went excellent afterwards, so far... Normal wait can last 6-8 hours...

Let's just say this pure liquid diet after surgery, I understtand why, but 5 days post of (SHOULD HAVE BEEN 6). I am really hungry and got my period today which doesn;t help with the cramps and gas. Suture wise - I am ok unless I move around the wrong way. I am exausted from lack of protein and food. I am taking my vitamins, etc and will not talke anything to sabbotage my band, but cmon. How much longer do I have to wait to feel better? I was gonna go back to work on Tues, but I don't think I will make it... Whew - pooped reading some more - any help appreciated

Congrats for all of u. I am struggling with terrible hunger this week 5 days post op. No protein shakes for me until Tuesday and my stomach is growling and pinching causing real hunger pain. I am really starving off of sf pops and broth with water. SO i am struggling and on top of that got my TOM today cramps and all. Just what i needed. I sent hubby off for some tomato soup that i will liquify down and add 1 SMALL dollup of ff sour cream. is this bad??????? I have stuck to the liquid diet religiously for the past week. My surgery was supposed to be the 22nd and ended up on the 23 (see previous posts). Why am i hanging low with no energy and everyone else seems ready to go and get back to life by Tuesday. I wonder now if I am evem going to be able to make it to work by Thursday. I am ok when I lay down. I still have gas and my bm's are all still liquiid. Anyone else feeling like me or have any extra ideas for dh or I on food or words of wisdom???? Help starving and down in Seattle..

I was just banded onthe 23rd. My insicisions all look good except for I am a bit concerned about my port incision. It doesn't hurt really but it does look a little icky under the tape, a portion of it anyhow. I go to my post op appt with my dr on Tuesday. I have antibiotics. shold i take one or two just in case?

Hello everyone i- I am starting to feel much better - The gas sound remind me of aliens 1. The person that I got bumped for surger was not a bariatric paitien,bue someome that was bleeding in their colon. My typing sucks on little keyboards and will for the next fews days. Gas pain hit this am in the morning. heating pads - and more heating pads. I am hoping o get out for a good walk tomorrow with hubby. Today was too gassy for me to do much of anything. I still havent weighed mself yet. Once tje gas stops moving around and i am not so bloated. Anhow - I thought I would be conribuing more post op but perhaps this weekend when I can type better! Sweet dream everyone Laura

Ljuht115- I'm glad that you're finally done but sorry that you had such the delay. I'm a little concerned because we have the same dr. and I'm a self pay. Did they make you pay for the extra night?? Hi Dawn i am not certainabout that but i do know but i do kmow that Dr Srakanith had do some checking because of such an unusual situaion. If thwy do make me pay - I will contest bill. I found out you can call to see how many patients the doctor has and where you land in them. I did as to see of this is something that happens all the time and was told no, but the wait part, yes, which is why I recommemd bringing your laptop to chat and watch movies. I don't have any shoulder pain yet, (sorry but the gas is moving and is turning to liquid squirts on it's way out) is that normal? I just need to make sure I drink tons of Water because of this.... Other than that, am getiimg real tired. Regrd

i posted this on the may 07 bandsters as well too tired to retype it all::: Talk about an experinece. i arrived at the hospital on Tuesday morning the 22nd at 5:38am. Therewere 6 p3ople aheadd of me then. Well, the doctors first three suegeries were Gastric Bypasses and took the doctor much longer to do than he had planned for. So by 6:00 pm I am still waiting. I loose my patience then and ask for a valium to calm myself down and then had them put something in my IV for my stomach acids were starting to act upand bothering my esophagus. well I finally was goven my heparin shot on the 22nd at 8:15 pm, brought back to the anesthesia room by 8:45. By 9:45 I had been spoken to by the anesthesioloogst about what was going to happen. THEN - A DOCTOR CAME RUNNING IN SAYING HE HAD TO PERFORM AN EMERGENCY SURGERY ON ANOTHER PATIENT - NOT A BARIATRIC PATIENT THOUGHT THAT WAS LIFE THREATENING. So afther this long I was needlless to say, ver frustrated. So - Dr Srikanth came in and felt horrible that we had to postpone my surgery, so they "put me up in the recovery room I would have been in any how, fed me gave me apple juice and jello and broth untill midnight. Thebest part thoug is tat my band partner whom I had met a few times before was reeled into mu room. The rescheduled me for YESTERDAY morning so the doctor bumped his GBP's and did mine first so i was taken back up to anesthesia around 6:30 am and was back in my room by 9:30ish. I ended up stayng the night again and got home around 12:0 ish today. I slept - went for a walk outside and have just enough energy to let you all know there was a reason I did not post until now. No major pain of any kind yet. Stayinmg prrettu drugged up and waling lot. No gas pains yet either. This has postponed my return to work but that is all. How bout themm apples fom Washingtom State.. Surgery went beautifully! Barim drink afterward showed everthjing in place looking great!! http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/clap2.gif

Talk about an experinece. i arrived at the hospital on Tuesday morning at 5:38am. Therewere 6 p3ople aheadd of me then. Well, the first three were Gastric Bypasses and too the doctor much longer to do than he had planned for. So by 6:00 pm I am still waiting. I loose my patience then and ask for a valium to calm myself down and something in my IV for my stomach acids were starting to act upand bothering my esophagus. well I finally was goven my heparin shot on the 22nd at 8:15 pm, brought back to the anesthesia room by 8:45. By 9:45 I had been spoken to by the anesthesioloogst about what was going to happen. THEN - A DOCTOR CAME RUNNING IN SAYING HE HAD TO PERFORM AN EMERGENCY SURGERY ON ANOTHER PATIENT - NOT A BARIATRIC PATIENT THOUGHT THAT WAS LIFE THREATENING. So afther this long I was needlless to say, ver frustrated. So - Dr Srikanth came in and felt horrible that we had to postpone my surgery, so they "put me up in the recovery room I would have been in any how, fed me gave me apple juice and Jello and broth untill midnight. Thebest part thoug is tat my band partner whom I had met a few times before was reeled into mu room. The rescheduled me for YESTERDAY morning so the doctor bumped his GBP's and did mine first so i was taken back up to anesthesia around 6:30 am and was back in my room by 9:30ish. I ended up stayng the night and got home around 12:0 ish. I slept - went for a walk outside and have just enough energy to let you all know there was a reason I did not post until now. No major pain of any kind yet. Stayinmg prrettu drugged up and waling lot. No gas pains yet either. This has postponed my return to work but that is all. How bout themm apples fom Washingtom State.. Surgery went beautifully! Barim drink afterward showed everthjing in place looking great!! http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/clap2.gif

Hi Sue11 - YES - I would definitely bet on a wait - The dr has 7 surgeries today and I am the last at 6-7 pm. I found out you can try and call the day before to see where you are in the line up (although you still have to be here around 5:30 am. Do you have a lap top - if so bring it - they have wireles. Hubby brought me a ton of movies to watch as well... The cardio info DID show up this morning, thank god I didn't call a bunch of people and throw a stink a bout it since it wasn' delaying anything!!!!! All is well right now. I am also going to ask dr srikanth if pureeing food that fits through a straw like soup qualifies as a clear liquid!!! 3-4 more hours and counting.

ljuht115, you are probably in surgery now, but seeing that you are St. Francis caught my eye. Are you in Tulsa? I ask because I grew up in the Tulsa area. St. Francis was an awesome hospital back then, so I'm sure it still is! I wish you luck. Hi Lodum - I am actually in Seattle Tacoma area of Washington state. I have not yet had my surgery as i am last on the list of 7:00 - I am hungry - but not terribly, and am ok with the wait. I did just get my iv though ( how is that for a step by step call on today's progress). they do the gastric bypasses first then lap bands. I won't get my surgery until later today around 6-7 pm... I do stay the night though. I got a movie in on my lap top and will get another and have a tv in my room so really all is good right now.. WenJEA - so glad you are feeling better. Whew... well whoever is out there - just keep on a postin as I have another 4 hours or so to go! Hope everyone is well and for those feeling poopy, just quote scarlett O'Hara (tomorrow is another day) is that right?

Hello everyone - I am waiting in the hospital for my surgery - turns out my cardiologist did not send in my approval yet to this doctor... they were supposed to fax it in last friday so now I have to wait until their office opens at 9:00 am to get my go ahead! A little frustrating, but not the end of the worlde - think I am gonna watch a movie on my lap top for now to pass the time.

Hello everyone - I was luck enough to find out that St Francis has wireless... i am stiiting in the hospital waiting for my surgery that could be any time this morning. Dr. Srikanth has alread stopped by just to say hello. I am REALLY thirsty, and getting hungry, my blood sugar is going to dive since I haven't had my protein shake yet. I am down a total of 12.4 lbs. from my preop liquid protein. i am fairly nervous, but not really about the surgery, mores0 afterwards and the PBing I have heard about, that is about my biggest fear right now. I don't think I have told any of you why I am getting the surgery, besides just to loose weight. We start with my mom who has arthritis in her hips (I have it now) and cannot walk for more tan 10-20 minutes at a time and is wheelchair bound at 60. Mind you she is about 60-70 lbs overweight, just got diagnosed with diabetes, has heart issues at this time. I did not want to end up like she has as it is already hard for me to get up and moving around with the extra weight I do have. My weight has been increasing steadily for a while now because walking and exercising can be a painful experience. I am looking forward to a Pain free or at least slow down the arthritis in my hips by loosin weight and taking care of myself finally. Good thing is that my mom is now wanting to talk to her nutritionist to try and loose some weight as well! Anyhow - I will be on the computer until the laptop dies (or I eat it) one or the other - Good luck to all of you that go in tomorrow. Regards -

Hi everyone - Well - I am off tomorrow to get banded and just wanted to say congrats to today's bandsters and GOOD LUCK to tomorrow's (including me) bandmates!!! I am exausted from cleaning and packing and am going to bed now. I will be back in touch on Wednesday. P.S. I really like all the posts from the day of or day after bandsters with all the mispellings =-;.. That will be me on Wednesday!

Hello everyone - I have been busy de-hairing my bedroom, with two big dogs and a cat I didn't want to come home on Wed am to a room full of hair! I am packed and ready to go. I am nervous and excited. I want to wish everyone luck tomorrow on their bandings as well!! I will be offline for a few days but will make sure and catch up with all your posts when I get home. To today's bandsters - I really hope all went well, I will be watching your posts closely as well! Take care everyone...

Hi Evilah - Kind of a good a good question. Dr Srikanth has been in the bariatric profession for over 10 years, he has been published and has done over 1800 lap band and GPS surgeries. My understanding is that he and Dr. Oh used to work together and has recently spun off on his own. Have you heard anything about him I should be worried about? I like his credentials and I like his honesty.***Dr. Srikanth is a a Board Certified Bariatric Surgeon (has been for 3 years) and is a designated ASBS Center of Excellence surgeon. He has performed over 1,600 Bariatric surgical procedures and over 800 laparoscopic Bariatric surgical procedures***. I searched the web and only found good things about him. It is hard to pick the right doctor, I think things are going to go very well. Does that help answer your questions?? Regards -

Hi Nimblebean - I am actually all the way across the country in Seattle! You must be tired it is almost 11:00 - 12:00 right now for you. i just found a box and threw all the paperwork around the house into it to clean up the clutter. I vaccuumed the downstairs which takes a good 1/2 (two big dogs, golden and a malamute) that keep me busy. My hubby is going to take care of me, alothough I do have to admit he is not the best nurse in the world, so he will have a lot on his hands. Maybe I'll find a buzzer or something for him =-) He definitely has no interest in watching all the chick flicks I have in the netflix queue.. Trust me bandmate - you will be ready for the anesthesia... I think it will really hit me tomorrow night as I pack as yes I am required to stay the night as well. I am to arrive at the hospital at 5:30 am but have no idea when the surgery will be as all the patients arrive at the same time, I just hope I am not last and have to wait hours and hours to get it done. I am a self pay as insurance would not cover me and am pumped up to do all the right things afterwards to make the healing process as smooth as possible and ease back into regular "life". I definitely look forward to keeping in touch with you for a while to compare notes and for support. (boy was it hard not to pick even a little piece of chicken off the baking pan tonight.) Take care and I am sure we will talk tomorrow!!!! Get some rest!

[quote name= Enough of that, I'm just going to keep thinking positive. A few of you were talking about hernias. Do you know if they find and repair one, does that add to the cost?? Maybe it just depends on your dr? Just curious since I'm trying to account for every penny. I'm trying out my ticker - hopefully it works. Thanks for the help with that.:clap2:[/quote] Hello - My Dr. told me that if he repairs my hernia which i am going to ask him to do, that insurance does pick up certain charges after the surgery if extra care is needed. He told me it was not very big so he wasn;t sure if he was going to fix it, I just think he books himself too tightly. I want it done if the are gonne open me up wide. Talk to your doctor about it to get the specifics so that you are prepared beforehand. Good luck

Nimblebean our day is coming up soon... 36 hours and counting... My husband is cooking chicken tonigt with rice and beans and my stomach is agrowling... Is that head hunger or tummy hunger when your tummy actually growls. I actually starting to get a little nervous with the pressure to wrap everything up at work tomorrow (which is a good thing as hopefully it will keep my mind off of Tuesday). Reading all the posts and hearing about PB scares me but I do understand it is part of the deal. GOOD LUCK to everyone tomorrow! I look forward to reading your posts on how thing went for you when I get home on Wednesday. Also - I heard the belly button was good place for the port to be, also have been hearing about these new ports. I am going to ask the Dr. about this. Regards -

Hi Dawneb - go to tickerfactory.com... Pick your options and fill it out (it is very easy).. then cut and paste the first link option you see below your choice (there are 3) and cut and past it right in your signature section where you put your name etc so that is shows up each time you post. Good luck... Yeah - my surgery is tuesday so I am cleaning the house and getting it ready, being passive aggressive with hubby cause he is taking yet another nap, but I guess after I get surgery, he wil need all the energy he has to help take care of me cause it kills him to miss work. I am on my 8th day of my pre-op and am about 10 lbs down so far. I am only really hungry at night I found, so I have to keep my mind on the goal. I truly thought the liquid diet would be a lot worse than it really is but I have a while to go after my surgery as well so my band can heal. Nice to meet you. I will be keeping everyone posted as to how tues goes. Reading all the posts, I have learned a lot (especially the ispure protein drinks post surgery since protein is what helps you heal). Good luck with your labs ( mine found a hiatal hernia they are not certain they want to fix, but if they are going to be in there, why not is my question! I did do all my labs at st fracis and so far everything has been submitted to insurance at this point.

The gas is hitting me hard today (3rd day post op) and being vertical is helping. i am alternating that with the heating pad and gas x so hopefully it will be better tomorrow. Hi Wenjea - I am going to St Francis as well, Dr Srikanth prescribed me some Prevacid for the gas. Did you not get that as well? I bought gas X as well (should give one to my dog, yeowza, gassy 8 month old malamute) and he said I wouldn't need it???

Evilah ljut, post the "cc" code (i think that's it) Evilah Hello Evilah - Thank - I figured it out and now it is on!!! Yay - for some reason I feel "official" now that I am on the calendar AND have my ticker!!!!! Having "dinner now"- Thanks again - I know I am gonna get thinner but I guess I will never get taller =-)... 5'.05"

Oh My gosh - I have been following your journey on the may band month. You might want to call the dr and let them know what happened once the shock wears off from the accident. I am glad that no one was hurt. Remember - Accidents happen like that - The very same thing happened to my husband and all worked out well - Let insurance take care of it and make sure you are ok with your port and the band. Are you bruised from the seatbelt??? Caring in Seattle...

Maybe we were at the same nutrition class last monday??? I asked about the soy milk then. I will be checking out as you check in. I also met some people at the nutrition class that are banding the same day as me.. Congrats on loosing the 10 lbs! How exciting. The nutritionist did mention that soy would be okay , as it has 9 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar (the unsweetened one) and 80 calories per cup, but I only use about 3 oz of it so the actual intake is much lower and I am still within all the guidelines. Kind of confusing as she mentioned soy is ok and the office said no... As long as it is in the limits, I am loosing weight, and unless I get really hungry, I am feeling quite well. Cutting out caffeine, wine and everthing else has given me so much more energy. Keep me posted all of you out there on how you are doing with your pre and post ops. I had a teenage boy sleepover last night for my stepson and ordered them pizza. OK that was a little hard, but I made it through. Are we never going to be able to enjoy food again? My belief is that this is a tool for my life to change both my behaviour and my body. Eventually I do hope to have some steak again and "regular food" but in moderation, smaller portions and smarter choices.... By the by, did anyone have any issues with taking the vitamins and too much iron? I sure did...