Bejeweled

Doddie, you have my sympathy for the loss of your brother.

That's a great start so far, Haizel. Keep it up. Welcome to bandland!

Donna_D, you are doing really well! Good for you. It's been very slow going for me, but I'm off to my 2nd fill tomorrow. Hopefully, I will see some movement (down!) on the scale soon.......

Hi, I thought I would pass on a couple of tips that helped me (1 week out). 1. Nail polish remover I've always had problems removing bandaids and bandages since I could never get rid of the residual glue. I would rub and rub and rub to get the stuff off. Well, I found out that nail polish remover works really good to remove the glue. Just a dab on a cotton pad and gently go in circles to remove to the tape (don't get any on the incisions!). 2. Body pillow I am so glad that I have a body pillow. I can't sleep on my back, only one my sides or stomach. I used my body pillow to support myself when I slept on my side after the surgery. I was able to sleep on my side the day after the surgery. It's so nice to have a pillow between your legs too and you are able to hug it so that it cushions your entire front body. How did I ever live without one of these? 3. Propel Water The Propel water bottles are great to have around the house and I just refill and refill and refill them with the Crystal Light when it's time. They are nice to stash around the house so that you get your fluids in. Have multiple bottles so that you can have some out at room temperature and have some in the fridge when you need something cool to drink. 4. Tucks I saw this on one tip on another thread and yesterday after a bowel movement, it hurt. I used one tuck and a few hours later, I was a new woman. What have you found to help you during the first few weeks after surgery? Share your tips.

Ha! I feel so redeemed now :-) Thanks, Sybaritic01 !

Hey DonnaD, Mine is in the center of my chest, about four fingers width from the middle of my breasts. It sticks out and I can certainly feel it, but it doesn't interfere with anything. That's too bad that your surgery didn't happen yesterday. What a mix-up. Such a waste of time, but I guess this way you can gather more information and make a decision on where you want your port replaced. I am eating like crazy and cannot wait for Monday for my first fill. Even though I am eating less portions, it feels like I'm eating/grazing more often. I can eat anything, although I haven't had any bread for six weeks. Last night we went out to Carmen's here in Toronto and I had half a steak. It went down fine. I took home the chocolate cake dessert and am looking forward to having some today :-)

Donna_D, How did the replacement site surgery go today? Are you satisfied with where the doctor re-placed your port site? How are you feeling? I hope all is well with you.

Cindy_D, I'm surprised that you cannot get sick days for the band as you are a nurse. Do you not have benefits that cover your sick days? Or short term disability insurance/ income protection as part of your benefits package? I took 7 business days off and talked with HR. At first they weren't sure whether they were going to cover it or not, but when I told them I had high blood pressure and intestinal problems, they covered it under short term income protection as I'm allowed 6 consecutive sicks days. On the 7th day, short term income protection kicks in. I didn't care that much (after the fact) if they didn't cover me, as I would have just used my vacation or personal days. Are you sure you're not covered? I would talk to HR or your nurses union. You know you do not have to tell your employer what the surgery is (even though this is elective). Good luck on your surgery.

Bankrupt, or sad to say, maybe even dead. Yes, we are really lucky to live in this geat country.

DonnaD, you are doing great! Congrats on the first 20 lbs lost. Gone forever!

Thanks, Donna. I'm trying to keep that in mind. I get the first fill on Monday so we'll see how everything goes after that.

I have told no one, except the HR rep at work. I haven't lost enough to have anyone notice yet (it's only 5 weeks out), but I have noticed that it's taking me longer to eat lunch when I go out with my friends and I'm also eating a lot less than I would have pre-band. I can't wait until December when I see my family back home. I want so badly to be done 25-35 pounds by then. That amount should be noticeable on me.

I talked to Dr. Yau about it right before my surgery, too, and he recommended the sternum (breastbone) area. If you really want it in the bikini area, then stick to your guns, but don't be surprised if you wake up and it's not there..... With him doing so many surgeries on that day (usally 6 or 7 in a row), he may not remember or feel that it's best for you.

I saw it the other day. It just reinforces my firm belief that we are really lucky to live in Canada. I feel sorry for the people who cannot afford life insurance. Although our system is not at all perfect, I don't have to worry about being turned away from the emergency room or have to worry about a call to my insurance company before I could get treatment. You can walk into any clinic or hospital and get treated. I felt so bad for that elderly woman who was just dumped on the streets. That could be someone's mother, aunt, sister, etc. Really, really sad. I hope everyone in the US sees that movie and then acts. They can afford universal healthcare and should demand it for everyone, IMHO.

Just letting you know that I picked up the Benefibre. <grin> Thanks all who suggested it. Also, I broke down and finally bought the Magic Bullet blender which I am loving! It makes fantastic Protein and Fruit drinks. This thing is great. I have a full-sized blender but it's a pain to use and clean. I started to use the Magic Bullet in the mornings with AllMax Unflavoured protein (bought it at Nutrition House in TD Center) with some Nesquick chocolate flavouring and some fruit, and it takes great. I picked up some bananas tonight and can't wait to try that out tomorrow with some chocolate syrup and the skim milk. That's another great tip and wish I had bought the Bullet earlier for the pureed stage. Oh, well, live and learn.

Hi DonnaD, I'm doing okay, but am trying not to be too discouraged since I haven't lost any weight since the surgery. I seem to be losing and gaining the same 2-3 pounds, but since it's only been 5 weeks since surgery I'm trying to keep in mind that these weeks are for healing and not for weightloss. I go for my first fill on Monday July 30th and I expect to darn well start loosing weight after that! If I don't, then I'll really have to get serious :-) My port site is on my sternum, about four fingers width down from between my breasts. I don't have any problem with it interfering with anything. Although it does definitely sticks out and I can feel it, particularly since all the bloating from the surgery went away. Not sure what to tell you re: port site. I know yours bothers you and you are planning on getting it moved on Thursday. Just think long and hard about where you want it to go as going through the replacement site surgery will be a pain if you have to do it multiple times. If you are not opting to go for the bikini area, how about on either side or just underneath the belly button ? Or lower than where you have it now but still in the center of your body ?

I must confess that I started solids early, too. I have had no pain or problems with most foods (haven't tried bread and have no plans to). I think everyone's body heals differently and yes, we should all follow the doctor's advice to the letter, but sometimes the advice is too broad. I'll deal with the consequences (if there are any) and take responsibility. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to my first full next Monday as I have been hungry. I wasn't hungry after the surgery for about 3-4 weeks, but come week 5, forget it, I was really hungry and gave in.

I was reading a book and it had the phrase "decades of misery ahead" and that really hit home for me, as I have already had decades of misery behind me since I've missed out on so much being fat. I said Enough! and scheduled the consultation the next day. I had the surgery (self-pay) within the month. It's been a month since I've been banded and although I haven't lost that much, I have hope that after my first fill I'll be farther along on the loosing path. So, instead of "decades of misery ahead", I'll have many decades of happiness ahead.

I can see mine and feel it, too. It's comforting to know that I can feel the little "bubble" where the fills go so I know that it's not flipped. That's great that you are getting yours moved, DonnaD. I hope the new placement goes well for you.

It might be useful to mark off how many drinks you have left until your surgery and change your thinking towards the Optifast as it's getting you one step closer to a healthy body. 10,9,8,7, etc. Hang in there and don't fight it as it's medically necessary. Besides, this is only the first phase...

Yes, Andrew, you are doing fantastic! How are you feeling day to day? Your motivation must be still so high after seeing such results, but I'm just wondering how your energy level is. Thx.

Congratulations on taking the first few steps to a new you! "A thousand mile journey begins with a single step"

Hey DonnaD, glad to hear that you are moving your port to where you originally wanted it since it was causing you problems being on your sternum. I think it takes guts to go through another surgery again. Good for you for making them change it.

Congratulations! I hope you have a speedy recovery from the surgery.

I came across this very interesting and fact-based entry on the band on Wikipedia. Very informative, particularly about the history of banding. Thought I would share it with you all. Adjustable gastric band - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia