mom2kiss

I was always having acid reflux and my friends used to tease me that drinking water would give me heartburn!! I am thrilled to say that I have not had 1 episode of heartburn since surgery. And I have tried the things that bothered me before, just to see. Good luck.

I have the left shoulder pain when I am hungry, and when I get full. I know it seems strange, but I start to get the ache, and I know I better stop and eat something, or it will get alot worse. After I have eaten a little, the pain goes away. If I eat too much or maybe too fast, then the pain comes back. I actually enjoy this little feature, as weird as it is. It reminds me to eat (isn't that an odd thing to say) and it reminds me not to eat too much ( now that is more normal). I also mentioned this to my Dr, and he said it didn't have anything to do with the band, and to see my regular Dr. I talked to the nurses at the hospital who do the fills, and they said they have heard of this, but were kinda hush hush about it. I think they need to tell you that this is a risk of the surgery. People need to make an *informed* consent. I would have still chosen the surgery, and would still do it again. I just am hoping another fill will help restriction. I haven't found the "sweet spot" yet. I have lost about 35 lbs, but no more in the last month. (I can't remember how to change my ticker.) Lisa

Hey everyone! I had surgery yesterday. Woke up a little sore, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I usually have "girl cramps" worse that this pain was. I was up walking around within an hour of recovery, and took a walk every hour until I went home. I didn't have any nausea, thank God, and was able to drink 32+ oz, of Water in the 7 hours I was in the hospital. When we got back to the hotel, I was having some shoulder pain, but just used a heating pad (lucky the hotel had one I could borrow!) and the liquid hydrocodone. I was able to sleep well, on my side, and have just been moving slowly and gently today. We had a 5 hour car trip home, but we stopped several times to walk around. I had swansons fat free chicken broth for Breakfast, and it tasted yummy compared to all the sweet drinks I've been having. This afternoon, I have been having all sorts of tummy rumbles. I'm thinking it's my stomach saying,"Hey, what have you done to me!!" I am on Clear liquids for 1 week, then onto 2 weeks of full liquids, even thinned cream of wheat, and baby food textures. Then 1 week soft diet, and gradually to a regular diet. I have realized in the 2 week strick pre-op diet that I had, that I was truely addicted to food, carbs in particular. I felt I sort of went over a hump, where the cravings and "need" is gone. I can now smell something yummy, and think, oh, that smells great, but it's not like I have to have some. I'm sure there will be great temptations in the days ahead, but I feel stronger to deal with it. That and all the money spent for this, will help avoid temptation! Sorry for all the rambling...I'm afraid I'm a little high on the meds!!:faint: Congratulations everyone on their hard work. Thanks for all the support!

Hello everyone! I am so glad I found this website. Here is my story. I have been overweight my whole life, but especially after I got married and had a baby. Well, my baby is alomst 14, and I still haven't dropped the "baby fat". I come from a family with history of heart disease, strokes and diabetes. In fact, I lost a very dear aunt to complications of diabetes 2 1/2 yrs ago, when she was only 54. My Dr.s have told me, it's not a matter of "if" I will get diabetes, but "when". I want to do something about my health before I have tons of serious health problems. I already have high blood pressure. I have been considering weight loss surgery for a few years, and have of course tried many diets, and exercise programs. I can lose weight, I just can't seem to keep it off. I have done lots of research about the band, and watched the live surgery, and "Big Medicine" on TLC. I have talked to several surgeons and nurses (I work in an Operating Room) Finally, in May 2007, I made the decision to have the band, and went to a seminar. From then till August I put together everything the insurance company required, and less than 2 weeks later (yesterday) I found out I was approved. Yeah! I live 5 hours away from my surgeon, and so this board is my support group. Luckily, 3 of us from our work are all doing this surgery within 2 weeks of each other, so we will have each other for support. I am the last of us to get banded, so I will get to see what the others go through, before I do. That could be a good, or bad thing!!:paranoid I look forward to getting to know each other.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I am leaving tomorrow morning to travel to the city where I am having surgery. Friday, is my surgery. Keep me in your prayers. I've lost 15 lbs so far on the pre op diet, and 25 lbs from my heaviest, but I can't figure out how to change my ticker. I will look into that when I am home on sick leave, and have time to figure it out. Thanks again everyone!

Wow, it's a small world. I am from Caldwell, Id, and we have to travel about 5 hours to all the appointments. A friend I work with and I have been doing this together, so we have carpooled to the seminar and pro-op teaching and appointments. My friend had her surgery today with Dr. Chamberlain. I haven't heard from her yet, but I will let you know how she and I do. I'm sure I will be up to posting within a day or 2 of my surgery. I know what you mean about having a short time to eat all your favorites, but I also know that whatever junk I eat now, I will have to just take back off again, and losing weight is hard work...Is it really worth that cookie. (or whatever). Also I try to keep in mind that after the 2 week pre-op diet, the 3 weeks of liquids, and a few weeks getting used to solid foods, I will most likely be able to eat small amounts of things that I normally eat. Especially once I get down to a healthy weight. I think all our hard work will be so worth it in the end. And as the saying goes, "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." I'm hoping to find our if that is true! Sorry this is so long. Keep up the good work everyone

Carrot06 That is my pre-op diet too. I start it this Sept. 21, and surgery is on Oct 5. I have been keeping between 800 and 1200 calories the last 2 weeks, trying to shrink my stomach, and get in the habit of healthy eating. Saturday, I did go to breakfast with the family and had french toast, but thats the most carbs I've had for a long while. Thanks everyone for your support.

Twyla, (and everyone) I feel the same way you do. I work in an Operating Room as a Central Service Tech, and aide. Your story sounds a lot like mine. I have 1 daughter that I easily concieved when I was much thinner, but put on a lot of weight (that never came off) when I was pregnant. I haven't taken BC pills for 12 years, and haven't had any more children. Now, at 34, with a 40yoDH, I feel too old to have more. I don't want to be looking at 60 when the kid finishes school, (although many people do and that's great. For us, since it's been so long, it would be a major lifestyle change.) Anyway... I applaud you for being proactive while you are still so young. I wish I knew about this years ago. I always wanted a big family, and have had many a dissappointing month when I realized that, no, I'm not pregnant, just late again. Of course just recently would my insurance pay anyway, and I could never afford to do this self-pay. I also have lost large amounts of weight, with diet and exercise, only to gain it back. I am hoping that this band will help me find the person inside this fat suit. I can't imagine what I would look like 100 lbs lighter. I keep having the vision of the guy on the movie "Click", when he wakes up in the hospital, having lost a large amount of weight, flopping his extra belly skin back and forth. I am scared of saggy flabby extra skin, but I suppose it won't look any worse that what I'm looking at now. I am hoping to lose weight, and have the energy to go back to school to get my RN. But for now, I can barely drag myself home at night. Thanks everyone, for all the encouragement. We can do this. Hugs, Lisa

Hi. I am scheduled for October 5th. I atarted this process in May, and I can't believe it's actually going to happen. I have been practicing not drinking with meals, and no straws and chewing well. But I also tend to want to have no no's, say like some prime rib, or pastries, for the last time, so thanks to those who have been suggesting eating healthy before surgery. I look forward to getting to know you. Good luck everyone. Lisa:whoo: