Jenne

I totally TOTALLY understand you. I am so desperate for this band to work -- it really is my last resort (I refuse to get RNY). I had to really convince DH to agree for us to self-pay $17,000 and if I fail....well I don't even want to imagine it. The pressure is enormous, and I have been having some bouts of depression over it too -- mainly fear I guess. One thing I find interesting though -- I noticed from your earlier posts the fact that you avoid the scale until you go to the doctor. I actually was commenting on that to my husband because, you see, I am a daily weigher. I HAVE to know, and although some days it may result in a sense of false disappointment (you know, due to Water weight, humidity, my period, whatever), I feel that it keeps me accountable. For instance, I have just recently begun soft foods and last week the scale inched up a pound. I was very upset, DH just chuckled at me. And I know, I KNOW it is to be expected and it can fluctuate several pounds from day to day, but I noticed myself tightening the reins on myself for the next day or so anyway. I still ate real food, but was very mindful of my choices. Today when I woke up, the scale had gone back down a pound. Was that MY victory? Who knows, but it made me feel good and in control (a feeling I am not that familiar with). Anyway, my point is maybe you should get on the scale - you will either be pleased at the results, or you won't and you will maybe make better choices -- either way, the ultimate result will be (hopefully) positive. And if your food and exercise choices are already great, then just remember what all these other veteran bandsters say about bandster hell. Once we get fills, it will begin to pass and the pounds will be released. I believe it will ALL be worth it. I can't see any difference in myself yet either, and I am wearing all my normal clothes, so I really feel your discouragement there. But, heck, 25 more pounds from now? You KNOW we'll be able to tell. And what you wrote is not stupid thinking. Most of us have spent decades having food issues and internal wars and playing head games with ourselves. This will not sort itself out in under a month, and probably not for many months. Feel free to vent girl, chances are many, many of us get you. :bounce: Good luck to you, I always enjoy reading your posts - the upbeat and the not so upbeat. Hang in there -- we'll get through this together! Jenne

Congrats!! I can't wait for that, too! Keep up the good work!! :whoo:

Poor Amy! I can't really comment too much since I was banded after you were and am only just now moving from the no-energy-stage to the finally-feeling-somewhat-human-again stage. However, in the last few days I have noticed that some days I feel great, and others (like today) I feel like crap. It has only been less than 3 weeks since your body went through a HUGE event, so give yourself some time, maybe it is just going through another adjustment period. Are you taking Vitamins? How is your weight loss going? Do you have another follow-up appt with your doc soon? If not, maybe you should call.... I am sorry that you feel so bad, I truly believe that it will pass soon. I'm sure some more experienced banders will have some better words of wisdom for you than I, but here is a big hug through cyberspace anyway!! :hug: Chin up!! You can do this, and you will get through it! Jenne

I am 3 days post-op and my calves have started cramping really bad, especially the left one. They feel like they are going to go into charlie horses. I am sure it is not DVT because there is no redness, warmth, or swelling, but this cramping sensation is getting worse and worse (just since today really). I know cramping can be caused by dehydration and low potassium. I have been getting all my Fluid in, but I am sure I am low on potassium, but aren't we all if we follow the clear liquid diet? Anyone else experience this? Walking does seem to help, but I am already walking about a mile a day....what else can I do?? :help: Jenne

From what I can tell, every surgeon is different and has their own pre-op diet. Mine was 1100 calories per day, I had to have 4 protein shakes and then dinner with whatever calories were left out of the 1100. It was for two weeks. Not too bad, plus I lost about 15 lbs on it!!

Good luck to you Devin! My experience was very good, very smooth. I am only 9 days out from surgery, and so far, so good! I think you are very brave to make this decision so young in your life. I wish I had been more proactive about my weight when I was a teenager...but I'm no old fart now, am I? It is a wonderful thing to regain control no matter what age we are. I lost about 15 lbs on the pre-op diet, and have lost another 5 so far. I don't know how much you have looked on this forum, but there is a 16 year old girl on here from Canada (I think her name is Isabella) who has done remarkably well...check out her before & after pics. Good luck to you!!!! Jenne

I don't really know the answer either, but I agree with Josephine. I think walking will really help you. Also, when I felt nauseous, a sugar free popcicle always helped. Good luck to you, and let us know how you are doing! Jenne

Got to the hospital at 6 am, surgery at 7:45 am and was home by noon (I live right down the road from the hospital). It was a breeze! Jenne

Hey, I'm sure this has been addressed before, but can I ask the more experienced folk -- when did your belly swelling go down? My port is on the left side of my belly button and I am pretty swollen still ( 7th day). I call it my little alien growing insided me... When did this go down for you guys? I have to go back to work on Monday, and I dread people checking out my lopsided belly, most of them don't know about my surgery. Thanks!! Jenne

Actually, I lost 16 lbs on the pre-op diet and the other couple since my surgery. Which is another aggravating thing to me...for the last 3 days, the scale hasn't budged!! I am eating about 300-400 cals per day and everyone else loses like 10 lbs the first week or whatever, and I am at a standstill. I know it could be the swelling, or starvation mode, or whatever, but it seems at SOME point the body would start to give up the pounds. My DH laughs at me and my impatience, but it would feel so good to see some results when I am eating less than a bird! *sigh* Well, at least the swelling seems a little better today.... Jenne (feeling a little blue at the moment)

I am worried about this too. I am only 6 days out, some steri strips still on, so I have no idea how they will turn out. However, I had a cyst removed on my upper back and that scar is crazy looking! It is about 5 inches long and there are 3 "bumps" along it that are hypertrophic and the whole thing is a lovely pinkish purplish color. My dermatologist injected it with a steroid which helped a little, and I will go back soon for another injection. She said she thinks I just don't scar well, so I am very interested to see how these new lovelies turn out. I know it is not a big deal, but like you, I am young and just envision a smooth pretty tummy. *sigh* Oh well, small price to pay for all the other fantastic benefits we'll get from this, eh? Jenne

Congrats! You look gorgeous and so happy!!

I think you certainly have a right to be ticked off. They should call you -- even if they think it is nothing -- to either set your mind at ease or get more information from you to determine if it really IS nothing. I was only dizzy on my 3rd day post op and it was because I was totally not drinking enough, I also had a fever of about 100 degrees the next morning. I just took some tylenol and drank as much Water as I could tolerate, and the fever and dizziness went away. Did you have a fever with your chills? My doc said it was time to worry if it was 101 or over (but I tell my patients if it is 100.5 or over - I work for a homecare agency and that is our policy). Either way, you deserve to 1) feel better, and 2) have peace of mind. If things continue to worsen, I'd page my doctor if I were you. Good luck and let us know how you are feeling! Jenne

lap2007, not sure if you were talking to me or not, but I will answer your question anyway. I am only 6 days post op, so it's hard to say how I will adjust ultimately, but so far I am not really hungry at all. I am currently on full liquids right now which includes: skim milk, strained cream Soup, juice/water/popcicles, soupy oatmeal, sf Jello and pudding. I have a hard time getting it all in actually. The only pain I have now is some in the main incision where the port is. THe surgery was a breeze and I am recovering nicely, I think. I don't know how much of this board you have read, but there are alot of people who can give better info on long term adjustment since they have been banded much longer than me. I can just say that I feel a change in how I see food already, and judging by my past failures at weight loss and my skyrocketing weight, this was the best choice for me. Good luck to you and feel free to message me anytime! Jenne

I know how you feel. I lost about 15 lbs on the Protein shake diet before my surgery. I was so pleased with myself, and proud! The thought kept occurring..."if I can do this, why do I need the band?" Then I realized that if it wasn't for the fear of messing up the liver shrinking process thus delaying my surgery, I TOTALLY would have cheated on the shake diet and TOTALLY would have "fallen off the wagon". As I have done many, many, many times before - hence my ever increasing weight problem. And yes, I had this argument several times a day in the weeks leading up to my surgery, including the night before. I am SO glad I had it done. My willpower has about a 2-3 week shelf life and I just had to keep reminding myself of that. Good luck to you and whatever decision you make!!! Jenne

There was another thread about constipation...they suggested Milk of Magnesia. I tried it and boy, did it work!!! And I only took half a dose! Beware, it tastes DISGUSTING!!! Welcome to the forum!! Everyone here is great and very supportive. Any other question you have, ask away. Someone is sure to have an answer!! Again, welcome! Also, congrats on the weight loss, that is awesome!!!! :clap2: Jenne

There was another thread about constipation...they suggested Milk of Magnesia. I tried it and boy, did it work!!! And I only took half a dose! Beware, it tastes DISGUSTING!!! Welcome to the forum!! Everyone here is great and very supportive. Any other question you have, ask away. Someone is sure to have an answer!! Again, welcome! Jenne

Hi Ann, I'm doing pretty good - thanks for asking! I have been posting here and there, but mostly reading. Well, I am 5 days post op and on my second day of full liquids. I haven't had any trouble swallowing or anything, but I do get very full very quickly, so it's hard to get all the fluids in in a day. Still not hungry, so THAT is a blessing - sounds like a lot of folks get hunger pangs by this time. The only problem I really had was severe calf cramps (like charley horses) which I now attribute to dehydration. That has finally improved somewhat. I took all my bandaids off except the big one - but left the steri-strips on. I am curious to see my "battle scars". It looks like the small ones will be barely noticeable once they are healed. Still with some discomfort in the port incision, expecially with getting up and down, but I can finally walk upright now. :Banane35: I go back to work on Monday the 22nd, but I am nervous about it. I am a physical therapist. I don't do alot of lifting because I work primarily in breast cancer rehab, but it is still a taxing and tiring job. We'lll see what happens! I have super low endurance and energy, although I have tried to walk at least a mile a day.... Every day I feel better than the last, and that is encouraging! I know this was the right decision, and I know you will all do great too! It's nice to have such a great support group during the nervousness period and the afterwards adjustment period. Good luck to everyone!!! :clap2: Jenne

Some of my top things are: 1. sitting comfortably in a movie theater next to someone and not having to scrunch up to myself to avoid spilling over the seat 2. cute matching underwear sets from Victoria's Secret 3. not being afraid of going on amusement park rides that I might not fit 4. crossing my legs 5. people not looking at me like I'm crazy when I say that my sister is my sister (she is 5'5" and 130 lbs) 6. being smaller than my hubby 7. not having to automatically get extenders for my necklaces and bracelets 8. (this should have been #1) GETTING PREGNANT These are just a few....there are many, many, many more...

Don't beat yourself too much renewedhope! This isn't easy, or else we all wouldn't be getting the band now would we? Just start anew tomorrow and stay strong -- you can do it!!! Jenne

Good luck dustout and Sue's hubby!!!! Let us know how you are doing!! Jenne :cool:

I know what you mean...my husband (who is thin) was eating Arby's today and I was not even at all tempted by watching him. He is so sweet saying he won't eat around me, but I tell him to go ahead because it doesn't bother me yet. I feel so delicate and bird-like sipping on my broth and Water...first time in my life! :eek:

You can do it Sue!!! I am so scared to hurt my band or myself that I am not even tempted by anything other than the Clear Liquids. I've actually become a huge fan of chicken broth - I add a pinch of creole seasoning to it which give a nice kick! Stay strong, I'm sure I will be dying of hunger any minute now too! Glad to hear you are feeling pretty good today!! :hug: Jenne

Mine growls constantly too, but it doesn't hurt. I figured it was all the gas, the emptiness, and not having gone to the bathroom for a few days. It has actually subsided somewhat today. Hope you feel better! Jenne

Thanks Amy! I have tried to do better with Water, juice and broth today - but my tummy gets SO full SO quick! At least we don't have hunger pangs to worry about yet....thank goodness! Thanks for your responses about my calf pain - it's hard not be worried about clots, but I walk ALOT. If I'm still having the pains tomorrow, I'm going to call my Dr. just in case. How are you otherwise? Still having incisional pain? Mine is much better today. I took my first shower today, it felt so good, but I was exhausted afterwards. Plus we went to Petsmart right after so when I got home, I crashed for a loooong nap. Take care!! Jenne