Jenne

Yeah, I've decided it's dehydration because last night it moved to both legs and this morning it is mainly in the right now. Plus, my urine was really dark this morning. But I have been getting the liquids in as the doctor prescribed. No liquid vitamin though. I physically can't drink any more than the 64 ounces or so that I already am. :Banane10: Oh well, I have been trying to just constantly sip water and it seems to be a little better. Thanks!

Hi all, I am getting banded tomorrow (yay!), and a question occurred to me this morning as I was brushing my teeth. I have a very sensitve gag reflex, I gag anytime I brush my teeth, and at various other times as well. Will gagging mess the band up, cause it to slip, etc? I was just curious if I would need to be more careful with stuff like that (brushing, etc.) Thanks all and see you when I'm officially a bandster too!!! :clap2: Jenne

I was only banded two days ago, and my surgeon said 4 to 6 weeks. I'm not going to schedule it though until I see how much restrcition I actually have when the swelling goes down...

I have been having those hiccup things too...they are uncomfortable, but they are often followed by a burp which feels good. I have actually not had any chest pain from gas, but I do feel it rumbling around in my belly which is just weird cuz it does it ALL the time. My two biggest complaints have been light-headedness and dizziness (yesterday mainly), and incision pain (where the port is). Getting up and down from the couch is no fun at all! Also, I have been having left calf pain, but no redness, swelling, or warmth to the touch. My mom is a nurse and she said it's probably nothing, just maybe from the way I was laying and/or not getting as much Water as I normally do. I'm not that worried about it, I have been walking alot and have followed the doctor's instructions to the letter...but anyone have any opinions? Mostly, I feel good but tired. No hunger yet, thank goodness! Hope you all are getting along well and good luck to those still waiting!! Jenne

Hello to all! Well, I was successfully banded this morning! Yay! For all those who long for details (as I did), here is my story... Went in at 6 am and was taken back almost immediately. The nurse had me change, asked me a bunch of standard questions, and had me pee in a cup (preg test). I was surprisingly calm through all this - I had predicted a MAJOR panic attack, but I was cool. Then the nurse tried (unsuccessfully) to start the IV, and said the anesthesiologist would do it later. Next, with husband, mom, and sister in tow, we went down to another room at about 7:30 where I met my anesthesiologist - crazy, funny British guy who had us all cracking up....and.....I was still not nervous, can you believe it? He finally (after 3 failed attempts) got my IV started (my wrists and forearms are sore!). Just about then I felt my stomach start to flutter, and the nerves kicked in. However, before it could get too bad, they had me give the the family a hug and kiss, and he injected the "happy juice" as they call it. Within about 10 seconds I was super giddy and trying not to giggle as they wheeled me to the OR. After that I vaguely remember seeing several people hovering around me in the OR - and I thought "All these people, just for me?" Then someone put the oxygen mask over my face and ........ 10:00 am and nurse Tom is saying hello to me. The first thing I asked him was how my surgery went (in my head: "Am I banded??!") He said all went smoothly and then asked me about my pain levels. I was SUPER groggy but wiggled around a little and decided I was a little uncomfortable. He gave me something in the IV and, oh man, within seconds I felt awesome! Then he also gave me some liquid Lortab which actually tasted good since I was so thirsty and had had nothing to drink for several hours. Still pretty out of it when my surgeon stopped by briefly. He said all went well, the liver looked good. He quickly left as he had other cases waiting in line, but I was happily reassured that I was fine. Oh, and I had no nausea at ALL! I was so worried about that. After about 15 more minutes, he wheeled me into recovery where my sweet family met me. The nurse had me sit up a little, which didn't feel so great on the larger incision and made me feel the gas a little bit more, but I did whatever they asked because I was ready to go home so bad! Then, I requested to get up and walk - it's like you innately know that being up and moving will help you feel better. It felt weird to be upright, and I couldn't straighten all the way up, plus for some reason I was taking these tiny little old lady steps - it was pretty funny actually. But we ended up walking a long way and the nurse was really surprised that I was doing so well. Anyway, to wrap this up: they made me pee, gave me my post op instructions, mom helped me get dressed, and I was out the door by noon! Since then I have had some mild to moderate incision pain, and just occasional gas pain. I take the Lortab pretty much exactly when it's recommended - trust me, this helps ALOT! Good stuff. If I sit too long, I feel stiff when I get up, but I have been walking alot and this helps. I am able to sip Water, diluted apple juice, and broth with no problems at all, but I am taking it super slow so as not to have ANY issues. My throat has gotten pretty sore over the last few hours, so I suck on sugar free lozenges and that helps some. All in all, I think I have been very lucky and have had a very smooth experience....of course, tomorrow may be another day and I may post a whiny post on here, but hopefully things will only improve. Sorry for such a long post, but I know these kind of posts helped ease my mind before my surgery, so I just hope I can ease someone else's. It really was a piece of cake! (sorry for the food reference). Good luck to the rest of you October folk!!!! Here's to new, improved, healthier, happier lives! Jenne :clap2:

Holly, hope you are doing well and that it was smooth sailing today! We're all thinking about you. :eek:

mine is in 2 days too....scared, scared, scared and excited too!!!

Good luck to all tomorrow!!! I'll be thinking of you and can't wait to hear how you all do..... I can't believe my own B-day is now only 3 days away already!! :clap2:

congrats to you and good luck! i go in on oct. 11th -- i have a feeling my meltdown is forthcoming....i am so nervous!!

Dave and crazy4jags, I too am from FL...Gainesville (go gators!!). Where are you guys at? Crazy, I am guessing you are in Jacksonville? I have one week til my surgery, and I am getting so nervous, and soooo excited!! I get butterflies every time I think about what will be happening at this moment one week from now....! Good luck to all!!

oops meant to say "watch what you say" society.... **lack of food causing brain failure -- day 6 of pre-op diet**

It amazes me how fat comments/jokes etc are still so accepted in today's increasingly PC "what what you say" society.... My sister, who is also my best friend, is my height (5'5") and weighs about 130 lbs. We go everywhere together and people at stores or wherever will be like, are you guys friends? When we tell them we're sisters, they always look at me like they don't believe me - one guy even chuckled and shook his head like "no way" at us. What is up with that?? Also, one time we went to get pedicures and the guy doing my sister's pedicure asked her if I was her friend, she said "she's my sister" and then he asked her if we had the same mom and dad?!?! She was weirded out by the question and told him "yes". THEN he proceeded to say that was "really crazy because we looked so different and had such different body shapes." This guy was a TOTAL stranger and why should he care? How am I any of his business??? It's like our fat is their business, and it's their duty to point it out to us....like we're totally unaware. And sometimes I get the feeling that I'm pissing people of b/c of my weight. I am conscious of my body every second of every day, I assure you, I know what it looks like. ;( *sigh* sorry for the vent. Cannot wait for the band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks crazy4jags! Good luck to you too! I have to have 4 Protein shakes per day and then can have a stuctured meal with whatever calories I have left out of 1100 per day. Last night I had a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato Soup, and that was the best thing I think I've ever tasted....after nothing but yucky shakes all day! I was not given any do's or don'ts, just the calorie restiction and a minimum of 60 g of protein per day. Funny how all these surgeons have differnt pre-op plans huh? *sigh* oh well, almost 5 days down and 9 to go until surgery!!!!

I am a physical therapist (yes, really) and I specialize in breast cancer rehab and lymphedema therapy. I, too, love my job, but definintely feel that I stick out due to my weight -- all of my co-workers are slim and fit! Can't wait to be one of them....

oh yeah, and my jaw is KILLING me from chewing so much gum!!

kygal, I feel the same way you do...I am on day 3 of my pre-op also and am terrified of cheating in case it screws up the surgery! I have done really well, but am obsessing over food... oh well, I am hoping the food preoccupation will eventually fade somewhat - it HAS to right? I have the same diet as BuffettPhan basically. My surg isn't until the 11th though. Good luck to all!!!

My date is Oct. 11. YAY!!!

Welcome! This is a wonderful group, I just joined also. My date is set for Oct 11. I had to do the pre-op diet for 2 weeks though, so I am right in the middle of protein shake heaven right now. Good times. Best of luck to you!

Thanks! I look forward to sharing this experience with all of you -- seem like such a nice, friendly, supportive group of people!!

Hi, I am new to this forum (although I have been lurking for a few months now). I am scheduled for my surgery on Oct. 11. I start my liver shrinking diet tomorrow (woo-hoo!), but I am sooooo ready to do this thing! I am scared, but excited - I would like to lose about 130-150 lbs. I am a physical therapist (believe it or not) and have always felt a little out of place in my career. I have been big all of my life - don't know what it feels like NOT to be overweight. I looked at alot of the before and after pics on here, and everyone looks fantastic!!! I took my first "before" pic tonight, look forward to posting my own "afters". Okay, well I just wanted to introduce myself, and wish you all good luck! Jennifer:)