littleroo1

I'm doing great!! My surgery was on the 5th at noon - had no complications. The next morning, DH and I took a trip 45 minutes south and I got lots of walking in. Aside from being a little tired and sore, I knew it was in my benefit to be moving around. We took another trip the next day and we were at the zoo for about 5 hours, walking around and standing. I would sit when I needed to. I went to work Monday with no problems. I do have a desk job. Each day I am less sore each day. By the end of this week, I knew I would almost be back to normal. I really think the key is to be up moving early. The night of my surgery I went to Target - not for long, but I did. I was really worried about feeling terrible afterwards. I told DH to make sure that I was up and walking around, doing things even if I was complaining that I didn't want to. I knew it was the best to get me on the speedy recovery track! I took a week off work because we traveled from Florida to Colorado for my surgery. My co-workers all think I was on a great vacation - which I was! They all told me I was looking nice and refreshed from my time away. I've been reading this thread but I guess I never commented! Sorry!!

No makeup allowed. That was the hardest thing for me - walking around the morning of my surgery, running last minute errands, nekked!!! Afterwards, you won't care - trust me!

I read this and was thinking "thin people have heart attacks too!". In the end, you will have to decide how you want to treat your body and that is very much tied to what you put in it. I would get tired of eating the same things everyday no matter what it was! I did have some frozen yogurt during my full liquid stage and it was good! Happy to report it didn't take much to get that statisfied feeling.

Andrew, I was also banded on the 5th. I have the standard size AP band. My pre-op diet was 10 days before surgery and it was Atkins to shrink the liver. I can tell you that his post-op instructions are not nearly as strict as others I've seen - I did not have to do a week of clear liquids, followed by a week of full liquids. I was able to progress at the speed he wanted with no problems.

I'm on mushies right now, but I can tell you that I'm loving my Beans right now! I put black beans (or whatever) into a bowl, mash them up really well, add some salsa, stir, and then I sprinkle some low fat cheese on top. Microwave and it's like a fiesta! I tend to not eat refried beans as there can be some yucky stuff added to those. I only tell you this if you are having problems eating your beans and peas - just mash em up!! In the future, yes, I'm going to try to eat my Protein and veggies first, carbs last until I have a really good idea of how much I can eat so I don't get full and skip them.

Make sure you are still getting enough good fats... olive oil, avocado, etc.

I wouldn't wait. I think it's best to get into the mind frame that celebrations with family and friends DON'T have to revolve around food, but of being together and thankful for what we all have. It's hard so if you're forced to do it, you will see that it is no big deal. I went through my "last meal" mentality. I thought about it all day and where we were going to go. It wasn't as good as I had been imagining all day, so it was disappointed. But then I remembered that nothing tastes as good as being thin feels! Go for it!!

Check in when you are up and about! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!

Want2B - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Welcome to band land! Tina - Glad to hear from my band twin! When I told Dr. K that I was able to drink and get liquids down just like before, he was happy. He knows that my body was not seriously swelling up from the surgery. I'm still working on trying to keep my drinking to sips, but that's not working too well. I don't gulp anything for sure, never have before, but I'm just not doing good at the tiny sips. I was worried I was stretching my top new stomach, but I don't think so. Liquids just go right through anyway! If anything I'd have to burp right? I haven't had any mushies yet, but I'm going to have some for dinner tonight. I have gotten a real hungry feeling a few times, but I went too far in between "meals". Took my bandages off when I got home from work today. Was a little worried about that, but they are all closed up. I put a little neosporin on each just for drill. I went out walking last night and went a little faster than I should have because the dog was all excited. It really helps - even 10 mins after dinner! Everyone that made it to RR - looks like you all had fun!! Thanks for posting pictures. Everyone is FABULOUS!!! Woohoo!

If you have a Vitamin Shoppe close to you, or even order online, they have a liquid multivitamin in orange flavor. It's their Vitamin Shoppe brand. You mix it with 1 oz water.

Congrats Maria!! November will be here before you know it and it sounds like a great band day!!

Welcome Deb!! Sounds like you are doing great with your band! CONGRATS If you are moving away from the VA area, you can look at FillCentersUSA for locations close to where you are going. They do fills and adjustments for a rather reasonable price. Well, it may seem expensive if you haven't had to pay out too much money until now but to keep on track, it's worth it! Do you have friends you could go back to VA and "visit"? You could get an adjustment when you're in town!

Actually only 3 people know about my band in my offline life! My DH (obviously!), his boss, and my brother. It's a decision for everyone how much to divulge and I didn't want to explain myself. I really plan on telling people who ask how I'm losing the weight that I'm watching my portions and making good food choices. That is 100% the truth! The band is only a tool to support my new habit, not a cure. It's funny because I remember sitting in the car with DH the day after my surgery and I told him that I was feeling great but that I never want a c-section because it has to be far worse than this! So even thought I've never had a c-section, you will think this is a breeze! Some of the same tips apply... like holding on to a pillow while getting up or while coughing. All that will come back to you but you will think "this is it??? I can live with this!" LOL

Oh Cerrin, those comments were not called for or deserved. You'll show them!! I'm a closet bandster - only 3 people in my offline life know about my band. I was afraid of the situation you are having with people "watching". Hang in there!! Rants always welcome here!! :biggrin1:

I have something similar, I wouldn't say it is painful but I do feel pressure. I attributed it to swelling and healing since I'm only 6 days out. Have you talked to your surgeon about it? I hate that you are in pain, especially after the length of time after your surgery.

LOL Mine too! I keep telling him "slow down!!!" because he takes HUGE bites and chews it maybe 4 times. socalgal3 - I appreciate the feedback about the papaya enzyme! Thank you!! Yes, getting stuck and PB'ing are two completely different things and I'm not thinking clearly! Ha!! I'll have to check out the grease bags. I know that we already have a bunch of dark colored doggie doo bags that we carry around and you can't see what's inside. Although they are "scented", I'm getting an aversion to the scent because it is associated for me what usually goes inside so they might not work too hot if I'm sick. :paranoid

Thinner_me is exactly right! I also think that there are so many more bandsters out there not posting on this site that are doing great and we just would never know about it! You will know when you have made the right decision... good luck!

I was going to add that I took a week off work because we traveled from Florida to Colorado for my surgery. My co-workers all think I was on a great vacation - which I was! They all told me I was looking nice and refreshed from my time away.

I was only out a week! It is definitely possible! My surgery was last Wednesday at noon. The next morning, DH and I took a trip 45 minutes south and I got lots of walking in. Aside from being a little tired and sore, I knew it was in my benefit to be moving around. We took another trip the next day and we were at the zoo for about 5 hours, walking around and standing. I would sit when I needed to. I went to work yesterday with no problems. I do have a desk job. Here I am 6 days out and each day I am less sore each day. By the end of this week, I really see myself almost back to normal. I really think the key is to be up moving early. The night of my surgery I went to Target - not for long, but I did. I think you'll be fine! As my surgeon said, you will be surprised how well you feel afterwards! I was really worried about feeling terrible. I told DH to make sure that I was up and walking around, doing things even if I was complaining that I didn't want to. I knew it was the best to get me on the speedy recovery track!

Mandi, my official post-op instructions were not to drive or drink alcohol for 24 hours after surgery, obviously longer if you are taking narcotics. That I could regain normal non-strenuous activities within a day of the surgery. My surgery was on Wednesday at noon. The next morning, DH and I took a trip 45 minutes south and I got lots of walking in. Aside from being a little tired and sore, I knew it was in my benefit to be moving around. We took another trip the next day and we were at the zoo for about 5 hours, walking around and standing. I would sit when I needed to. I went to work yesterday with no problems. Here I am 6 days out and each day I am less sore each day. By the end of this week, I wouldn't have any problem with normal walking/standing at all. I really think the key is to be up moving early. The night of my surgery I went to Target - not for long, but I did. I didn't have any restrictions on what I couldn't lift either. If it was too heavy, I'd feel it and stop. Like I could pull my suitcase, but DH had to take it off the bed for me. I think you'll be fine! As my surgeon said, you will be surprised how well you feel afterwards!

If you are planning on being out and about for any period of time afterwards, like you are up for a day trip or sightseeing, take an insulated lunch bag and some cold packs. I had liquid antibiotics and pain medicines that I was to take after surgery. Even just flying back, I needed to keep them cold. But that was the best idea I thought of! Besides the gas-x (I had the chewable extra strength gas-x plus Malox and they worked!), bring some throat losenges with you. The sore throat from the breathing tube was worse than my incisions for the first 2 days. I had my own refillable bottle that I could keep sipping on. Oh yeah, I was super glad to have packed a heating pad! Sometimes my neck and shoulders were bothering me, more at night, and it felt good to prop myself up in the bed and have that over my shoulders for the gas pain.

Bloo - Definitely the worst is behind you!!! I was the worst the day right after surgery, but I can tell you each morning afterwards, you can tell it is better. Get enough Protein and Water and get some walking in if you can. That helps keep all the circulation moving and the gas monsters away. You CAN DO this - in fact, you ALREADY are!!

Found this for you since I probably didn't do a good job of pointing you in the right direction! Questions to ask about surgery

Welcome Vanessa! I don't have any advice about the insurance route as I was self-pay. I think in the Q&A section a few forums away, there is a great list of questions that you might want to ask. There's a lot of support here and information! It will keep you busy for a while!! Good luck with your consultation!

Dr. Rumbaut was definitely on the top of my list for surgeons but I remained in the states. Several people I know personally went to him and loved the entire experience. Today is your banding date! Good luck and have a speedy recovery!!