Longhorn

Are you getting in at least 70 grams of Protein every day? Drinking 64 oz of Fluid? I was banded on the 1st and I'm not hungry yet but I have either low-carb SlimFast (20 grams of protein per can) or chicken broth with a scoop of unjury Protein powder (also 20 grams of protein) every few hours. I also have sugar-free popcycles, sugar-free Jello (sometimes made with protein powder or powdered egg whites) with a small dollop of sugar-free Cool Whip, Propel, and diet Snapple. If you're doing all of that or something similar, then I suspect it's head hunger and the main cure for that is distraction, exercise (eventually) and re-commitment to your goals. Good luck!

I laid down on my stomach two days after surgery. I was sure it was going to hurt but my husband was going to give me a massage to see if that would help with the gas. So I tried it and it was the most comfortable position I had been in since the surgery! I actually fell asleep for a few hours but I don't normally sleep on my stomach so I eventually woke up and changed positions. It felt so good, I did it the next night, too!

Wow, I am stunned! I'm like you -- I can't imagine being hungry for anything, let alone a meal like that! I haven't even cheated on a sugar-free pudding! Is that psych evaluation a joke? Or do some surgeons not screen their patients? Or was the guy a liar? It's possible his mom has no idea what his post-surgery requirements are. That meal might have been tiny compared to what he would normally eat. The whole situation really boggles the mind! I wonder how he knew he had messed up his band? He must have had some really abnormal symptoms. Yikes!

Kandice: I'm 11 days out from surgery and I'm STILL not hungry! I can tell when it's time for another shake or cup of protein-enhanced broth but it's more like my energy wans a little than the hunger that I'm used to. Seeing food doesn't tempt me at all but sometimes smelling food does, but even then, it's only mild temptation. If this is what it's going to be like after I get some restriction, I'm going to like it! :woot: Andie: I assume you mean they'll change out your PORT to a low-profile port. I don't think you want them messing with your band. I have no idea what size band I have. I forgot to ask at my appointment. But the size shouldn't matter when it comes to initial restriction. They choose the size based on the size of your stomach and both sizes are partially filled just to keep the plastic balloons from lying flat. However, they do sometimes remove the Fluid during surgery if they think the band is too tight, based on what I've read. Glad you're both doing well! You'll be amazed at how much you'll improve day by day! :clap2:

Well, it turns out that the co-pay on the antibiotic is $98!!! I refuse to pay it! My incision actually looks better today than it did yesterday so I'm going to wait until tomorrow and call my doctor. If we still feel like I need the antibiotic, I think he can find something less expensive. They had a report on our local news the other night that there is a HUGE difference in prices from one pharmacy to another and the chains, like Walgreens, are the worst. Their spokesperson said they provide superior service, such as being open 24 hours. They featured one pharmacy in town that won't take insurance but their prices are very low. I'll get it from them if I have to!

Nessa: I don't know if this will help but when I was on Medifast a few years ago, I was hungry a lot. In order to deal with it mentally, I tried to imagine that every time I felt hungry, I was burning fat. Of course, to some extent, it's true so I wasn't lying to myself. It doesn't make it go away, of course, but maybe just helps you deal with it. Good luck! :hug:

I agree completely with Kacee. If you plan for more days and can go back earlier, that's great! But I wouldn't do it the other way. Is it possible to have your surgery right before Thanksgiving so you have the long weekend to recuperate? Or if you can't go back on Monday, is the worst that would happen is that you don't get paid? I'm a teacher, too, but I teach adults and I only teach up to three classes in a day. I can't imagine being ready for a classroom full of first graders on the third day after surgery! Go check out the November 2007 Bandsters forum and you'll see plenty of surgery and recovery stories. We're all doing great but it took a little longer than you have planned. Congratulations and good luck!

Yes, turning over in bed isn't a lot of fun! I asked my husband to sleep in the spare bedroom the first couple of nights so that I didn't have to worry about disturbing him. It doesn't hurt as much now but I still hug the pillow to my belly while I turn. I took the prescription painkiller again last night. I think I have only one dose left but my shoulder and port incision also don't hurt as much. When we pick up the antibiotics, I'm going to get some Tylenol PM. A good night's sleep is so important! I'm fortunate that my children are all grown and my husband did most of the cooking, when we cooked at all. We both have schedules that keep us away from home in the evening so we haven't had "normal" dinners for a long time. Maybe this is something we can change as I learn to eat again. I'm glad you're back in your bed and feeling better! Each day will be better from now on. :clap2:

Thanks, Stacy! Of course, I couldn't force my family to read it. My sister asked me when I would have my band taken out. :woot:

I didn't think you were knocking anything, Sades, and I'm sorry if I sounded argumentative. I just wanted to make sure that I had presented a complete picture of my doctor's philosophy because, while I believe that what you're saying may very well be true for some doctors, I haven't had any indication that my doctor is looking for quick success stories. In fact, he has cautioned me that weight loss should be slow but steady. I didn't have to do a severe pre-op diet, either -- just a low-carb diet, high Protein diet. I lost a whopping three pounds in that two weeks! :P

Even better, ask your doctor to call in your prescription ahead of time so you can pick it up before your surgery. That's what I did, partly because coltonwade, a friend I met through LBT, told me that some pharmacies do not always stock the liquid medicines and have to order it.

The way it was explained in an article about my doctor, he believes that we have fewer problems if we don't introduce solid foods too soon. He is very conservative about fills, too. He encourages his patients to have as much food as they need in order not to feel hungry. So when you look at his total philosophy, it does not necessarily result in fast weight loss. He told me, when I asked, that he rarely has to do an unfill and his patients rarely get stuck, PB, or slime. I chose him for this approach as I had begun to think that the band worked as some sort of aversion therapy diet. I haven't been hungry at all so far. There are certainly some foods I wish I could eat but it's not from actual hunger. I can see this long break from normal food helping me break the bad habits I used to have and appreciate healthy food as it is reintroduced into my diet. His approach is not the only way but it seems right for me.

At my one week post-op visit yesterday, my doctor noticed that my port incision was a little red. He told me to keep an eye on it and call him if the redness spreads. Well, I noticed today that it had spread and called him and he called in a prescription for antibiotics to my pharmacy. My husband and I decided to wait until the Longhorn game was over (Hook 'em, Horns!) before we went to pick up the prescription. The nearest pharmacy is about 15 minutes away. Well, I called before we left to make sure it was ready and they were closed! It was about 6:10 and they close at 6 p.m. on Saturdays! I was hoping to get started on them tonight to make sure I'm in good shape to go to work on Monday. I guess if I can get them in the morning, I'll be on them for 24 hours so I should be okay. I don't have a fever but it's sore.

hollyberries: Do you have a body pillow? I found that I could get comfortable in my bed by tucking one end of the pillow below my belly and the other end between my knees. I sleep hugging the pillow. You can also do this with two regular pillows. Don't be hard on yourself for having to use the stronger meds. That's what they're for! Just keep resting and taking care of yourself. You'll be amazed that once you turn the corner to feeling better, it goes more quickly than you expect. Take care! :hug:

Be grateful! I don't get mushies until after six weeks! As to why the variation, I can only assume that each doctor is making adjustments to his or her schedule based on the results seen in the office. In fact, while I was leaving my initial consultation, my doctor decided to move blended soups to the second phase when I can have full liquids instead of in the first two weeks. I heard him tell the nutritionist that too many of his patients were reporting problems. I also don't know if we might have a tad more restriction in the beginning with the new AP band. Anyway, as tough as it is, I'm going to follow his schedule.

Good to hear from you, Kristin! So sorry about the spleen. I hope everything heals well and that you're over the soreness as soon as possible. Take care!

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I hope it helps, Tamika (what a lovely name!) I understand about tone -- it took me several drafts to try not to sound like I was arguing! If anyone was offended by my letter, he or she hasn't told me and a couple of people thanked me for explaining it. So I hope the tone is okay. Good luck as you plan for your big day!

Great recap, hollyberries! I fully expected to read that you woke up with the anesthesiologist's autograph on your foot! The tiredness will probably linger but will become more manageable every day. The same with the pain, actually. I took some Tylenol with codeine last night when I hadn't had any since early this week and slept better than I had all week because it took away some of the intermittent pain I still have. But I feel more normal every day and the pain I do have isn't awful, just annoying. Thanks for your story! Take care of yourself!

Thanks, Alfie! Yes, we all have different circumstances -- for example, you're not married to Mr. Longhorn! Good luck! :clap2:

You're very kind! I guess time will tell if I regret telling so many but many members of my family could benefit from this surgery so maybe I can set a good example. Thanks and keep up your good work!

Thanks! I agree that I don't want to be asked all the time how much I've lost!

Thanks, Metalband! I guess the true test of success of my letter is when I see my family over the holidays. They may still have questions but perhaps I'll be spared any negative reactions. And if they're positive, they'll still be positive.

Thanks, IndioGirl!

Thanks! Yes, I sent it to the members of my family that I see on a regular basis with whom we normally share things like this. It's hard to draw the line on who to tell without putting family members in the position of feeling like they have to keep a secret. I did it by email so that I wouldn't have to listen to their initial reactions -- I'd give them time to take it in. If they think I'm crazy, fine, but they have time to be polite about it now.