k_podski

tntexas- The gas x strips are the ones that dissolve on your tongue:)..

Good morning allllll!!:sneaky: First of all, best of luck to everyone getting banded today, and these last few days of March.. Yay for Shrinking Shamrocks! Second of all, today is day 7 post op for me. I am thrilled to start mushies! This morning I am down 12lbs from surgery day, and 19lb down in a month!! I am so thrilled that I am feeling well, and have seen results thus far:) I have 2 questions- Does anyone know how many "Shrinking Shamrocks" there are? Just curious:) And I've seen that some people have "my photos" set up in their public profile to share pictures.. Can someone tell me how to get there? I don't see it on my user cp.. Thanks!:tt2: Kerri

Congrats! How exciting! Harvard Pilgrim was amazing to work with, and approved me in a very short time as well:) Best of luck to you both!

congrats, and best wishes hopeinapril!! You go girl!:biggrin:

Hey Sarah, glad you ate some Easter dinner for me. I didn't cook this year so there was no dinner here.. I just couldn't do it. I was shocked that my mother in law didn't do anything?? She came by to visit me and said "it's too bad you're not up to cooking, I was craving your ham".. Hmmm.. I just left well enough alone lol.. I wasn't extremely impressed to say the least.. I don't think she meant to be rude, she's just a blunt person, but it just got to me:) So today I am down 10lbs! yay for that! The day of surgery I was 242, this morning I was 232:).. I gained 5 lbs before surgery after giving up on the low carb bit, I figured it was well deserved! lol.. Anyhoo, the Protein deal is getting a little easier, I got 60g in today:) I'm still working on 80g- guess I'll get there someday:) Ok, sorry to blab.. I'm done for now:) Congratulations Jennifer!!! You must be so thrilled! Good luck with your computer- what a pain they can be! I just got a new laptop from Dell and the DVD/ CD ROM drive is broken?! Thank God I payed extra for the warranty.. I would've been in biggg trouble lol.. Congrats again on your loss, and keep up the good work! :)Kerri

Congrats on the jeans Harley! I also put some on today for the first time.. They were only a tad loose, but I'll take it!:wink: I was over them quickly though- I felt like when I sat down they were cutting me off.. So back to the lounge pants:) Busy, I have the same issue with my bra.. I just went out and got a loose fitting sports bra. I felt like the under wires in my regular bra were giving to much pressure to a sensitive area. I also used 2 extra pieces of gauze over the incision for "padding".. It just made me feel better:) Best of luck! Kerri

Best of luck to the both of you, and congratulations!!:wub:

Scrappy Friend- I totally hear you! I am having such an issue with the drinks!! My nutritionist said I need to be having 80g a day?! ugghh.. I weighed in this morning.. 234lbs- down 8lbs since surgery day- last wednesday.. I looked up what my protein goal should be online and I found that they suggest between 50-60g.. I am just taking in what I can right now.. I guess some is better than none! Good luck to you and keep on sipping! :)Kerri

Hi there, Basketgirl!:wub: I was banded last wednesday, 3/19 by Dr.Trieu.. Congrats on getting through all of the requirements, it seems like it's never going to end, huh?! Hey Sarah, I am doing a bit better today.. Day 4, and I feel much more like myself. I am working on a Slim Fast low carb right now.. They have 20g of Protein, which isn't bad.. I just wish I could choke down the Isopure.. 2 bottles, and have all of my protein for the day! UUGGHH.. Anyhoo, the gas pain is mostly gone, all that's left is the port site, which really isn't bad, I'm just reminded that it's there:) Hope you all have a wonderful Easter! Eat some ham and potatoes for me!! mmmmmmmmm!! :)Kerri

Wow Special K- The Protein Drink sounds like a freakin' sundae! mmmmm.. I am going to try that! Great idea!I am having such an issue choking these down.. I am drinking a Low Carb Slim Fast right now.. 20g protein.. They are ok with ice cubes, but if I don't get it down fast enough it starts to seperate.. iiccckkkkkkk! lol.. Fenton- as for this Isopure you swear by.. I have the zero carb, 20oz bottles with 40g protein.. I think they taste alright at first, but when I swallow it tastes like @$$ lol.. UGHHHH.. How do you choke these bad boys down?! Do you not get that same taste after you swallow?? It literally makesme start to gag.. I've even tried "chasing" each sip with a bit of a SF popsicle.. No such luck.. As I said above, I am currently sipping on a Low Carb Slim fast .. It has 20g Protein, and isn't horribly bad, but there is noooo way I'll get down 4 of them each day! OK, OK, OK,.... Sorry to complain.. lol.. Happy Easter to everyone! I am happy to report that I am feeling good today, and getting back to my "normal" self! AMEN for that;) Still some minor port pain, but otherwise feeling good (and sick of this house!).. I am working on getting a spiral ham, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole to fit into this clear liquid stage..lol.. It can be done! Maybe I'll invent a ham, potato, green bean casserole Isopure.. Hmm.. Think it's marketable??

Fenton.. lol... You always crack me up! Thanks again for some great advice! I am so worried about the damn Protein shakes.. I got one slim fast down yesterday and about 3oz of an Isopure this morning.. I can't get over the after taste and the skanky feeling it leaves in my mouth and on my breath!! Blecchhhh.. I literally feel nauseous thinking about it! So for now I'm just going to work on fluids, and at least one slim fast... Tomorrow maybe I'll be able to suck down a bit more Isopure:( Thin2bme- I think the site was down yesterday.. I had the same difficulties. What a pain! My page would load after like 5 minutes, then not allow me to click on anything.. :)Kerri

Hi all... I am feeling a bit better tonight.. I am having such a hard time choking down the protein drinks.. I also have been walking around today, which gave me some relief.. Although for the first time I'm getting some of the gas pain in my shoulder.. GGAAHHHH... I can't win sometimes! lol... I guess it's better than in my ribs.. Has anyone had this feeling above their breastbone.. It's pressure I guess (it feels like a brick rising in there), every time I sit up, and a few minutes after I swallow anything thicker than water, I get it- It almost feels like a burp that's lodged in there and wont come out.. It feels horrible, and it makes me nervous.. If it wasn't for this feeling I would be able to get the fluids in so much easier! Anyone have a similar experience or ideas? The nurse at the bariatric center said not to worry about it?? But I am.. It's painful! lol.. Thanks for all the great advice, and updates, glad to hear everyone's doing so well!:shades_smile: ~Kerri

Hey Sarah:) I am doing alright.. Last night and this morning I had some issues with nausea, I came sooo close to throwing up this morning! It scared me half to death! I called the nurse again today.. She said I need to get beyond the popsicles and ice chips, and onto some thicker Soups and my slim fast.. So I'm working on it:) Good news is- no gas pains today!:shades_smile: Just some port pain.. That's it! Yay.. I just need to keep working on the liquid stuff, and I'll be up to par! Thanks about the avatar.. We have been married for about a year and a half, and together for 7 years:) He's been good to me so far through all of this, and I warned him before that eating junk in front of me will NOT go over well lol.. So far he has respected my wishes:) hehe Hi Elaine:) It took about a week for my PCP to get everything faxed over to the Bariatric Center. From there it was about 2 weeks before I met my surgeon, and got the show on the road.. I would definitely keep on top of them, give your PCP a call, and see where your referral is at, as well as the Bariatric office, and see where they are at, and how far out they are scheduling appointments. Also as Sarah said, try to get on any cancellation lists possible, it helps things move along! I really wouldn't hesitate to call them still, though. You have that right to know where things are at, and it seems that you have been waiting wayy to long! Good luck to you! And be sure to let us know how things go! :success1: Kerri

Hi all:) Glad to see so many new bandsters out there! I was banded on 3/19.. I am having some issues with getting things down.. Shortly after I sip something it feels like a rock rises into my chest.. Ughh.. I called the nurse yesterday and today.. She said I need to get beyond popsicles and ice chips for now, and get something thicker down:(.. I am soo nervous.. This morning I have been so nauseous, and came sooooo close to throwing up.. Boy it scared me! Right now I am sipping on 1/2c of chicken broth.. Per the nurse.. About a half hour after I get the broth down, I am going to work on a slim fast.. MMMMMM lol.. I am just not hungry, and don't like the feeling in my chest! I am down 4.5lbs since Wednesday morning?! I am definitely worried about not keeping up with the fluids.. So wish me luck.. I'm going to continue sipping away:) ~Kerri

Hey Sarah:) YAH! I am so excited to be a bandster:) It still doesn't seem real! Today has been okay, I am a bit sore under my ribs and abdomen. I have no pain in my shoulder still?? I walked quite a bit today, but I'm not so sure how much it helped.. Dr. Trieu said that Gas X strips probably won't work as the gas is not in the bowels, but said I could try it... So I did, and it didn't work:( He also said that I can't use the heating pad near my incisions, which is where my gas pain is.. So I guess it's just down to walking for now! I hope tomorrow I'll feel a bit better. Still though, on a pain scale of 1-10 I'm about a 3 or 4, and that's just discomfort from the gas, and slight port pain from using my muscles (which it is sooooo hard not to!) I will be sleeping on my couch again tonight, as my bed is too tall, and I need to be sitting up to sleep right now:) As for insurance... It was about week and a half after they recieved my psych eval that they called with the approval from "team" and insurance. I think they said it took about a 2 days to approve me?? From the approval to the first fitness appointment and nurse consult was about 2 weeks, then the following week was fitness appt number 2 and final consult with the surgeon, and then submitted for my date. Hope you got that ok, I keep reading over it to see if I make sense lol.. I'm under the influence of some pain meds tonight, so sorry if Ijust plain ol' confused you! lol.. When I can move around a bit better I will find my planner with the exact dates, and give you a better timeline.. You are almost there!! YAY! I hope things keep moving quickly for you! :)Kerri

Fenton- thanks a bunch for your words of wisdom! It def put my worries at bay.. for now:) Unfortunately I was told nothing about deep breathing, nor a spirometer.. EEK! I have been taking in deep breaths as it seems to move the gas a bit, as well as the walking. I walked around my house for 20 minutes or so earlier, and felt some minor relief. I will be sure to keep up with it though! Thanks again, your words are a huge help! :)Kerri

Best of luck to you tomorrow, Texas T!! And congrats on becoming a badster! I had my surgery this morning and am doing fairly well. I am so happy to have it behind me. This is the finish line.. As well as a starting line to a great new life:) Good luck to you, and be sure to update us! :thumbup: Kerri

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YHTMUCHNEEDED SUPPORT!:thumbup: I am ffeling good tonight! No gas pians that I had earlier under my ribs?! Does everyone have the left shoulder issue? I'm wondering if itwill happen and hit me full force tonight or tomorrow? The only pain I'm having now is my lower right abdomen... It feels like it's gurgling down there?? Once I sit on my couch I have to move once and a while, and it hutrs there and pulls a bit.. I am sooo hoping I didn't mess up my port?! I assume they stitch it in pretty well.. Any one with advise or a similar experience? Iam sonervous that the gurgling or whatever it is isa very bad thing??? Thanksin advance!! You guys rock:) ~Kerri Marie

Hello all:) I'm home.. and amazed at how little pain I feel at the moment!I was at the hospital at 6am. I went into srgery around 9am, ( I was bumped this morning when I got there lol..my luck again!.. Told u Sarah ! lol..) They loaded me up on some happy meds while waiting, which made me doze off quite a bit. Before I knew it Dr. Trieu came in, and they were readyto rock and roll! I remember about 2 minutes of the OR room.. Then they were waking me up! The worst was the recovery room while coming out of everything, but even that wasn't too bad.... All in all I had a wonderful experience, am super happy to FINALLY BE A BANDSTER!!!!!!!! Yay! Sorry for typos, I do have some pain meds in me:)... Their is a bit of pain from some gas, but NOTHING like I expected:) *knocking on wood* .. Here's hoping that I am feeling alright tommorow.. I am definately nervous! ~Kerri

Hello all:) I'm home.. and amazed at how little pain I feel at the moment! I went in around 9am, ( I was bumped this morning when I got there lol..my lick again!.. Told u Sarah ! lol..) They loaded me up on some happy meds while waiting, which made me doze off quite a bit. Before I knew it Dr. Trieu came in, and they were readyto rock and roll! I remember about 2 minutes of the OR room.. Then they were waking me up! The worst was the recovery room while coming out of everything, but even that wasn't bad.... All in all I had a wonderful experience, am super happy to FINALLY BE A BANDSTER!!!!!!!! Yay! Sorry for typos, I do have some pain meds in me:)... Their is a bit of pain from some gas, but NOTHING like I expected:) *knocking on wood* ..As soon as I can get up easier I will post some incision pics:) Kerri

Here I gooo... I can do this! Bring on the nerves! lol... I am so freakin' nervous I'm shaking... Hopefully when I get there they'll hook me up with the "happy shot" and I'll calm a bit! I've never had a surgery and just can't get over the anesthesia bit.. I can do this, I can do this! lol... I'm off to be a bandster:) ~Kerri

Here I goooo.... I'm off to be a bandster! Thank God it's finally here:) Bring on the nerves! lol Best wishes to everyone today!!

Thanks busywoman! I can't wait to get the show on the road:)

Hi guys:) I'm a bit new to this master thread.. Just wanted to hop on the wagon:) I leave tomorrow at 4:45a.m. to be at the hospital for 6.. They are aiming for a 7:30a.m. surgery.. I am hoping to be out by noon-ish:) Just wanted to say hello to everyone, and wish all of other 19th bandsters good luck, and best wishes for a speedy recovery!! :)Kerri