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hollyberries

LAP-BAND Patients
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Posts posted by hollyberries

  4. Posted

    Hi, I have loved reading this post. Long but worth it. It is nice to have something in common with you all. I look forward to being a part of the family.

    I am fairly new to Lapbandtalk.com but since the surgery have been coming here alot. Especially during recovery and trying to diagnos all the quirky things I am feeling. I started out on the surgeons scales at 358 and a BMI of 52.3 (ouch). My home scale which I believe is more reliable read 354 so I like mine better and look to more than the docs. I started my pre-op diet on 10/20/07 and lost about 24lbs. prior to surgery. I am not sure how just followed the pre-op diet to the tee. Three Protein Shakes a day, Water and a small meal of 4 oz. lean Protein, starch, 2 cups of veggies, 1 fat, 1 fruit and 1 dairy. I was completely faithful to it and found it was not bad; as it could have been. Also, I was converting my store over to Christmas and worked like a dog for 10 hours a day for 7 days a week. Then 2 days later had surgery. Go figure, I always do things like that.

    I had surgery on 11/6/07 and have lost 9lbs since surgery. I had a few issues resulting from surgery but the biggest has been figuring out when I am full. Prior to banding I could eat and eat and never really knew that I was full. This presented a problem yesterday when I drank 32 oz. of water in a 2 hour period. That was a no no because between not having a bowel movement in 9 days and drinking that much I was so full that I felt like exploding. This morning was like another world....finally relief with the BM and I feel wonderful. I went back to my deiticians instructions and followed it to the tee today. It really has been a great day physically and emotionally. I have turned the proverbial corner. I have to go to work tomorrow so I am glad for feeling better.

    The bonus is losing 33lbs in 3 weeks. I know it is going to slow down but I will take the jump start. I also know that I must follow the docs instructions and I will be successful. Its just been hard distingishing what my body is telling me. Does that get easier? I hope so because the old mindset takes over and the body tells you later. I know that it will just take some time.

    Best wishes to all of you. You have done remarkable and I look forward to getting to know you.

    Primitive Blessings,

    Cindy

  5. Posted

    Thanks for the advice. I will surely try these tricks. The reason I asked is because in my Dieticians instructions they indicated not to drink to fast, to sip so that you do not inhale air because you could get additional gas.

    Yesterday, I was hungry in the afternoon and out without my Protein shake and kept drinking Water. Well, in about 2.25 hours I had drunk 32 oz. of Water and became so full and my stomach hurt like crazy but I was still hungry (weird Huh). Today, I re-read the material and found that they had recommended that I do not drink more than 8 oz in one hour. So I followed their directions for today and felt much better and did not feel as hungry. It's funny how you think you know what you are suppose to do until something happens and you re-read the instructions to see how far off you really have been.

    I think the other problem is not knowing when I was full because I was still full of gas. Today, was the first day for a BM and boy I felt 100 x better after that (something to say about being full of @#$%). It's amazing what Gas can do for your system that I why I wanted to address getting less gas into my system by drinking.

    Thanks guys...you're the best!

  8. Posted

    Langleygirl, let me know what your Doc says. I would be curious. I don't have a post op appointment with the Doc until 11/29. I kind of think that is long time not to see the Doc for a post op appt. don't you?

    The other thing that has been tough is figuring out the full feeling from the bloating feeling.

  9. Posted

    Hi everyone!

    I am banded a week today and am still feeling really bloated and some residual pain in my left shoulder. However, yesterday I tried to go to my business and do some paperwork and found that I could not sit without pain. The pain was directly under my breasts at the top of my stomach. However, after time the pain became concentrated on my right side. It was sort of like a sharp pain you get in your side and when you take a breath it is really uncomfortable. So last night I took pain meds put a heating pad on it and chocked it up to stubborn gas pain. I went to bed and had an uncomfortable night sleeping because the stabbing pain in on my right side. When I press on my right side it hurts under the skin but enough away from the port to not lead me to believe it is the port. Also, I have had not had a bowel movement in 7 days. Today, I had a litte movement but it was difficult. As directed by my doctor, I have been taking liquid Colace but man that stuff hasn't kicked in at all.

    Today, I woke up feeling pretty cruddy for day 7. However, I started to feel better and got some work done (God knows that I need to...I own my own business). However, this evening this pain came back. I am gurgling quite a bit and feel the gas moving around but I am concerned about the sharp pain on my right side. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow because I think that I should be feeling much better by now. I have been eating just fine. As a matter of fact, my hunger has come back full force and I had my most difficult time with hunger today.

    Just thought I would check with you all and see if anyone as experienced this and offer up some advice until I talk with the Doc tomorrow.

    Thanks a bunch.

  12. Posted

    Ok...I am one who does not want to complain about pain. I am having a hard time figuring something out. The top portion of stomach just below the breasts really hurts and its almost like a full feeling. The full feeling really does not interfere with my ability to eat because I can without problems but I am not sure what it is. My first reaction is that it is still gas pains. Also, my shoulder still has pain on the left side. The pain doesn't really show up until I have moved around alot more than usual but really hurt yesterday enough to take my pain killers; as Tylenol would not cut it. Has anyone else out there had this issue 6 days post op. I keep reading that alot of you are doing much better with gas at this point and I am just a little concerned that I am still not comfortable. Any advice from you experience Bandsters would be awesome.

  14. Posted

    Thanks for the suggestion Longhorn. I chose to sleep in my bed last night and took pain meds before bedtime. I was a bit uncomfortable at first but settled into a better position. The only time woke up was when I had to turn but I just did it gingerly. I cannot tell you how much better I feel this morning. Just sleeping in my bed made a world of difference. The gas is not as bad today...still there but working its way out. The shoulder feels a bit better as well. I actually cleaned up after the family this morning so I must feel better. I definately don't have my energy level back and that is hard for me because I am a go go person all the time. I have to be to own my own business, homeschool my children, take them to all their activities and keep up with a family of 5.

    My kids and DH have been wonderful. The boys are 14, 13 & 10 and have cooked dinner most nights and helped me by getting anything I needed. Although, they cannot wait until I cook them dinner again, they miss my cooking.

    I was sorry to hear about your incision issues but glad that your Doc called in the antibiotics for you. I am sorry that you did not get there in time but understand your fascination with finishing the football game first. You are talking to a die hard BC and Patriots fan. I am in a BC depression right now not sure what is up with them but am in a Patriots high with my Mighty Mighty Pats.

    Have a good last day and rest up for tomorrow. You will be tired when you come home so expect it.

    Best Wishes,

    Hollyberries

  15. Posted

    I am post op day 5 and still have pain in my left shoulder and gas like crazy. I have tried everything to get rid of it but to no avail. I am chewing Mylanta tabs, walking and moving around but it just won't go. The upper portion of my stomach is what hurts the most and I had to take my pain meds this morning for it. I was so damn mad because I was hoping to just use Tylenol. I haven't been able to really sleep in my bed yet. I have been sleeping in the recliner but this morning, I did go up and sleep in bed for a few hours and felt awful when I got up but I really want to sleep in my bed. So I am going to take my pain meds and sleep in my bed tonight. I can't do to much yet because I have no energy but each day I do feel much better than the day before. I felt much more hungry today than I have the last few.

  17. Posted

    Thanks Longhorn. It has been fun reading your posts and great to know that we are not alone in this journey. Even if we are states apart. Best wishes in your recovery..can't wait until we are in more normal mode of losing. I don't know if it will ever be normal. LOL.

  18. Posted

    Not bad. I was a little naseauted when I moved around but they gave me something for that and it helped. I am only sore right now and have lots of gas. I knew that I would so it is a wait to escape kind of thing. You shouldn't experience any problems. They do give you a pain pump so if you are in pain you have control over it. I found I did not use it much but when I was in real pain it was good know it was there. Best wishes with your surgery, you are in good hands.

  19. Posted

    I was banded on 11/6 but my preop diet was 3 Protein Shakes a day that did not have more than 250 calories and one meal. The meal was 4 oz of lean meat, 1/2 cup starch, 2 cups of vegies, 1/2 of milk and 1 fat and 1 fruit. They gave me a schedule of what to do every hour of the day. I was to drink Protein shakes at 9, 12 and 3 and have liquids throughout. The main meal would be between 5-7. I chose Body Fortress whey Protein and 8 oz. of 1% milk. It wasn't bad because I was really busy during the 2 weeks. There were times that I did not even think about it and would miss the time. I was a little hungry at night but the main meal a day was my saving grace. Oh by the way, the bonus was losing 24lbs prior to surgery that was within the month prior to surgery. I dropped really fast just by sticking to it. The preop diet helps in getting you ready for liquids after surgery. Believe I am looking forward to mushies.

  20. Posted

    Hi everyone! I am new to lapbandtalk.com but have really enjoyed this website with the wealth of knowledge it has. You are all an inspiration and I look forward to the journey with you.

    My surgery experience was not bad. I was scheduled for 11:30am on 11/6 but when I called the day before I was pushed to 3:30pm. I had to be at the hospital at 1:30pm for all the preop stuff to be done. I had to meet with admitting and a nurse before I was sent into preop. Preop was the longest wait but this is where they put in the IV, I met with my doctor, a surgical nurse, anthesiologist and had my first Heprin shot in the belly. I have IV's, I am a chicken when it comes to needles but my nurse was cool. The patient in the bed next to me cried and whaled when it was being done so that didn't make me to happy but she was quick. The Heprin shot did not hurt and was put into my stomach. I told her it was because I had a nice cushion for the shot to go into LOL!

    I was not nervous and had not been. I thought for sure that I would be while I was in the preop but no nerves. I was cracking jokes with everyone (which is my usual way of handling stress) but no nervous and this is my first surgical procedure ever. The only thing that has kept me in the hospital is giving birth to 3 children. When I met with my surgeon; he was all business and looked tired. This made me a little nervous because I was last on the schedule for the day. At this point my surgery was delayed over an hour. We talked and he asked if I had any questions, I said no that I just ready for to done with. I also told him he better do a good job because this is my first surgery; he chuckled. He was probably thinking what a looney I have here.

    It was 5pm before I wheeled into the OR. I was still not nervous; while I was being wheeled into the OR I was joking with the Anathesioligist and asked if he was the best. His assistant said he had a great reputation and was really good. I proceeded to tell him to autograph my foot. When I was in the OR I had to go from the Preop bed to the OR bed which was really tiny. I was thinking am I going to fit on this bed. I cracked a joke about the fact that "Big Medicine" had bigger beds why not you guys. By this point, they were putting a mask on me and telling me to breath. I was out. I think they just wanted to shut me up.

    I woke in recovery at about 7:30 in quite a bit of pain. My chest seemed to hurt the most. They must have given me something because I passed out again. I saw my DH at about 8:30 and asked what time it was and was still feeling pain in my chest and I passed out again. Most of the recollection is from my DH because I don't remember much. I was wheeled to my room at 10:30 but I don't remember the ride much.

    When I got to my room, they prepped me for the bed. I had to go pee so bad; so they helped into the bathroom and I did everything on my own. I felt really no pain because they had me on morphine. I had a pain pump; which I really didn't use much but if I had pain it was nice to have. I slept off and on all night waking only to go pee and have the nurse take vitals and shoot me up with Heprin shot. The next morning, I was in a little more pain but nothing I couldn't handle with the pain pump. I got up and had to go to the bathroom and the nurse and I decided that I would try to go for a walk. I went to the bathroom and after getting out I felt a huge wave of nausea come over me. I felt lightheaded and broke out in cold sweats. The nurse saw it happening and helped me back in bed. She immediately got me a ani-nausea injection. I slept for about an hour and was wheeled to Radiology for my Upper GI.

    At this point I was not really feeling well. I was in and out of it. When I got to the Radiology room I had to stand up and drink this horrible stuff. I really thought I was going to die during this part because I wasn't feeling well and not only did I have to drink that stuff once but twice. After the 2nd time drinking I got really nauseaus again. I was wheeled back to my room and slept for awhile. In the afternoon, they took me off of the morphine and I went on something else (not sure what). I spent the afternoon sleeping on and off and trying to eat. I forgot to mention that my mouth was really dry and gross. They had given me Water and Water swabs to keep my mouth moist. I also had wicked dry lips and they gave me some petroleum jelly for my lips, which really helped.

    I saw the dietician in the afternoon and they moved me to liquids. I could not leave the hospital until I had drank my Protein shake. At this point, I was really having a hard time drinking anything. I tried but wasn't doing well. My DH came in late afternoon because I would be going home and he kept saying you need to drink. I kept trying and got in about 6 to 8 sips and some sips of water. I am finally told I can go home which is what I wanted to do. However, my bag was missing so they could not find my clothes for over an hour. It was 6:30pm before I went home. I had and 1 1/2 hour drive home but I slept through most of it.

    I am home and I get in my PJ's and slap my butt into my recliner with a warm blankets and a pillow. My DH went to the pharmacy for the prescriptions that I needed. I took the Oxycodone when he got home and went to lala land. The next morning, I felt pretty good just really sore. When I got up to move around is when I felt it most. This was the time that I got sharp pain in my left shoulder. Which thank God I have found from this site is normal. I also started to have alot of gas pain; which I didn't have in the hospital. I started to use Mylanta chewables for the gas pain but needed the pain meds for the gas pain. I think the hardest part of this day and the next day was distinquishing between the gas pain and hunger. I definately could feel hungry but the Gas Pain overtook my ability to distinquish.

    As for food, on day 2 after surgery I only took in 16 oz of Protein Shake (46 grams of protein) any maybe a pint of water and 1/4 cup of chicken broth. The 3rd day, I increased to 24 oz of Protein shakes (69 gram so protein) and 1 1/2 pints of water and 1/2 a SF popsicle. Again, I was still having trouble distinshing between hunger and gas pains. Let me tell you how loud my stomach was. I was laughing over it and when I had company they would go what was that. The only other thing that I has was a terrible cough. I went into surgery with a linger cold but the cough yesterday was so bad it sound like bronchitas and hurt when I coughed. I took a shower and that felt great but took a lot of energy out of me and I went for a small walk outside to the end of the driveway and back. I am really surprised at how much energy you exude doing this. I think I can do more than I am really able to.

    I feel much better today but the gas pain is still hanging around and caused alot of pain in my chest and shoulder. I was hoping I would not need meds today because they just keep you out of it but I could not tolerate the pain. I just can't wait until I am pass the gas pains because for the most part I feel fine. My food goal today is 4 Protein Shakes, 2 pints of water and Tomato or chicken broth tonight for dinner.

    Would I do this again. You bet it is not as bad I really thought. Although each of us will go through something different I hope my long post will help calm someones nerves.

    Best wishes to all November Bandsters.

  21. Posted

    I added myself to the 6th.

    1stPattyPoo

    Nessa3678

    brandymom1234

    Mom_of_Chuy

    2nd

    lizzie_07

    5th

    DLW

    Hungryforchange

    Forestcat

    6th

    ndmom

    hollyberries

    7th

    Goldie1109

    susieq125

    shadst83

    8th

    anw5102

    9th

    Banded4Life

    neen7171

    maccy

    10th

    Selisejohnson

    omlagirl

    12th

    jrsyshoregrl684

    suebob

    29th

    Sassafras

  22. Posted

    I'm having my surgery with Dr. Lautz at the Brighams and Woman's Hospital in Boston. I also thought that I would get denied first, even thought the Drs. secretary said that I would not have a problem. Yippie for me. I'm nervous about the surgery, well not so much about the surgery, but the recovery process and the liquid diet.< /div>

    I had my surgery on 11/6/07 with Dr. Lautz. He is fantastic, I was not nervous at all. I am feeling pretty good. I can't do a whole lot without getting tired but for the most part my surgery was uneventful. Dr. Lautz is fantastic, we visits with you prior to surgery and wants to answer any questions that you have. I just love him. He also does about 50% of the weight-loss surgeries; which is why I chose him. You are great hands. Don't worry this is the beginning of the rest of your life.

  23. Posted

    I had surgery on November 6th and had a slight cold going into surgery. Today, I have been coughing so hard and I am concerned about how it is affecting the inside. For the most part, I feel OK with exception of alot of gas but the coughing has me a bit concerned. The cough sounds and feels like bronchitas so it is a hardy strong cough. I feel fine just concerned about coughing. Anyone else with this issue?

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