Rastis100

Just seeing if my ticker works!!

Thank you Karen, your kind and supportive words made me feel much better (and made me have a good cry - which I think is what I needed). You are what I would refer to as an "Earth Angel", you have a great ability to make people feel much better and I thank you for that. The list was great, and I am off to the shop to buy myself a couple of little treats (ww choc mousse & jarrah 99% drinks). I think my problem was that I was trying to be too good - no treats of any kind, I thought I would be cheating if I did that. So I have decided that I am going to allow myself a treat every now and again, so hopefully I won't get to this desperation point again. Thanks again K - it made me feel heaps better!

Well today is day 9 post op and I am going out of my mind. I can't stop thinking about all the things I'm not allowed to have, I think it's almost to the point of obsession. Everywhere I turn there is food, food, food and it is driving me nuts. Is this a normal feeling?? I have tried going for a walk, reading my book, drinking loads of water, playing with my kids - but it's still there - I can't stop thinking about it - AAARRRGGGHHH - Am I going insane???????

Hey Ann - I actually wouldn't beable to tell you where my port is. I have a little bit of aching from my big incision, but the doctor has said that is normal. I have been trying to locate exactly where my port is, but I can't feel anything. I have been feeling very tired by about 1-2pm, but that could be because I have 3 beautiful children that I have to look after (school holidays here in Perth). But they are really good and when I tell them Mummy just needs to lie on the couch for an hour or so, they keep themselves occupied. Lucky me!!!! Good luck for November 6th Ann, I will be thinking of you!

Fanny - YAY YAY YAY!!! That is awesome news - CONGRATULATIONS - I am so stoked for you!!! I know Dr Watson will be on holiday from just before Christmas until early January. I have an appointment with him around the 6th of Jan, so at least you will know he will be back by then. I know a girl that had her initial consult with him and was banded two weeks later, so you may still beable to have Dec surgery, but not exactly when you wanted it. I know he only operates Monday and Wednesdays as well, just thought you'd like to know that bit of info.

GOOD LUCK today Fanny, can't wait til you let us know how you went!! Did you get much sleep last night? Karen - 3kgs beaudy mate - well done! I'm down 4kgs (8.8 pds) and it's only day 9 post op. love yus all - Rastis

I'm so excited for you and can't wait to hear from you on Thursday to find out what is happening. Make sure you let us know as soon as you find out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take care and hear from you soon. PS-Bet you won't beable to get to sleep on Wednesday night - it'll be like waiting for Father Christmas!!

Goodluck on Thursday Fanny Adams - I hope it goes really well with your GP!! Are you getting excited?

Hey Karen - you asked me lastnight "how I was weighing in", and I forgot to answer that question - "3kg (6.6pds) lighter - oh yeh ah ha - oh yeh ah ha." In 6 days - I am pretty stoked about that - YEE HAH GRANDMA!!!!!!!

Keep us posted on what happens - I am really excited for you - it's been the best decision of my life - GOOD LUCK!!!!!

My surgeon is Dr Stephen Watson. He's done over 1200 of these procedures and is apparently one of the best in WA in his field. He works from St John of God Hospital in Murdoch. I'm still alive, so he must be doing something right!!!!

Perth born and bread myself!!!! Who is your surgeon you're going to see??

Fanny Adams - Just got your last thread and I see now that you are from the NT. I spent 6 months in Darwin and loved it!

Like I said I spun out when she said $12,000. It may vary from doctor to doctor as well. I know she said that included anaethatist and everything. But how can we put a price on a longer, healthier, happier life?????? Where are you from Fanny Adams?

Hey Karen, I would love to say that it's all been no pain etc, but that would be a lie. Firt couple of days were pretty painful, the meds the nursing staff were giving me wasn't really dulling the pain all the time, so had to have a morphine injection, which dulled every possible feeling I had. I slept for a good 5 hours after that, which was great, but spewing cause they wouldn't give me another one after that - oh well. But am feeling heaps better every day. Had my staples out today and the wounds are looking very clean. The doc said that if I was going to get an infection in the wounds that this would be the time, so keep them clean and dry. I am still of pain meds (I'm a woos), but only occassionally now. Over did it with the kids a bit today, so was a bit sore, but apart from that all is great!! Take care - Rastis

Hey Fanny Adams, I was banded 5 days ago in Perth. While I was in hospital I met a lady who was banded the same day as me, and she was not covered for the banding. She told me she paid $12 000 for her surgery. I nearly fell over when she said that cause I only paid $1750, but I am covered by HBF. I didn't have to do any psych evaluation and I didn't have to do a liquid diet leading up to surgery either (hence many last suppers were had in the week leading up to my banding!!). Basically my GP referred me to my surgeon. I saw the surgeon and he said that he would band me if that is what I decided to do. I have 32kgs (70.4 pounds) to loose, so here's to a new beginning. Good luck with your journey!!!

Well I am now officially banded. I was banded two days ago, and have only just gotten home from hospital. My surgeon suggested staying in a little longer than the usual 24 hours as I have three children at home (my youngest being 3) just to give me that little bit extra healing. I had a complete melt down on Tuesday night and cried hysterically for about 20 minutes, and I felt so much better after having a huge cry. I was very calm going into hospital on Wedesday morning, and the process was very quick, as I was secong on the list. So before I new it I was back in the ward. I have had a fair amount of wind/gas pain, and have been doing heaps of walking to try and get rid of it, and it's working thank goodness. I have had no shoulder pain from the wind, mine was mainly in my sternam. I have been drinking peppermint tea because that apparently helps to leviate the problem. I have been taking regular pain killers and am feeling really good. WOW I can't believe I am now officially banded - YIPPEE.

I am day four today, and am getting a little hungrier than I have been. I am craving scrambled eggs. I get my staples out tomorrow. The next day (according to my surgeon) I can have very soft mushie scrambled eggs - YAY!!! This in itself is an accomplishment, because I certainly would not have gotten this excited over scrambled eggs pre-op!!!! Bring on Tuesday!!!

Thanks heaps for your replies guys - hopefully this will get things moving. How long does it normally take before you use your bowels after the surgery - should I be worrying yet (4 days post op)??

Klovermom and Kloverdad - congratulations to both of you being banded at the same time. You will be great support for one another - WELL DONE!!!!!!

Hey Katness, no question is a silly question. This is a big decision that you have to make and one that will effect you for the rest of your life. I was only banded 4 days ago, and things are going pretty good. I have a slight feeling of tightness at the moment, but it is not too uncomfortable. I do feel that once I am up and moving around that the feeling seems to go away. But I am only early days and mine could purely be a bit of swelling from the operation. You must remember that everyone reacts in a different way. But if I were you I would read, read and then read some more info about lap band. This web site was a saviour for me (still is) and put alot of my fears to rest. Good luck with your decision, what ever it may be!

Hey Tasa, I know how you feel. I was banded on the 3rd Oct, and I thought I would be feeling really good by now. I am still on regular pain meds which is doing wonders, but I can feel it as soon as they wear off. I also have 3 young children (all girls), but they are being pretty good. They know that Mummy has had an operation and they have to be very gentle with me, and not jump all over me like they usually do!

Did the prune juice bloat your stomach at all? I am still getting rid of wind from the operation, will the prune juice make it worse or were you guys ok with it?

Well done bpharris - good for you - bring on November 12, keep us posted on how you are going.

I will be getting my staples out on the 8th (5 days post op) and I will be driving myself. The nursing staff didn't seem to have a problem with that. But you may want to check with your medical team and see what they suggest.