Longhorn

I've got liquid Tylenol with codeine. It seems to be working pretty well. The only other surgery I've ever had was a tubal ligation back in 1984. But he went in through my belly button and I don't remember anything much to recovery. And nothing about the lap band surgery approaches the pain of childbirth! At least, not in my experience.

I'm bumping this thread because I did a search for this topic so maybe other newly-banded folks need to see it, too! Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm also going to see if I can get a back rub!

After you've chosen your ticker, the last window gives you several places with code. Just copy the code in the top window, then go to UserCP at the top of this board, and click on Edit Signature. Paste the code into the signature box and you can add any other text you wish (such as my consultation and banding dates below.) You can test it by clicking on "Preview Signature" at the bottom of the signature window. When you're all done, just click on Update Chages (or something like that) at the bottom and it will start showing up in future posts. You will LOVE Austin Surgical Hospital! Everyone there was so friendly, caring, and efficient. It made the entire experience that much better for me.

Wow, that's great -- the visit actually included things that would have to be done anyway! Good for you! By the way, could you get it done sooner if you went to San Antonio?

Well, two things and you've already done one of them! That is, you came here for support! No, it won't change your situation but it's something to take your mind off of things. And the other? Well, I'm no expert but I've read on this very informed board that losing weight can positively affect one's fertility. So in this case, turning to food is the last thing you want to do! Finally, when you turned to food before, it surely didn't change whatever situation that upset you and you probably didn't feel good about it later. So whatever comfort you got was temporary. As you begin to face things without food, you'll find that many of them aren't as bad as they first seem. You're a young and beautiful woman and I hope things work out for you! :hug:

The gas moving around in my stomach -- I finally figured out what it feels like! It feels like a baby's foot pushing on my uterus! It's been more than 23 years since I carried a baby inside but you don't forget that feeling -- especially when one of those pregnancies ended up being 15-1/2 pounds of twins!

Try the Bertolli frozen dinners. They come in a bag and literally take ten minutes and they're quite yummy! They're a little more expensive than other frozen dinners but they're worth it!

Can you try another source? Will your surgeon's office help you? I applied to two companies to see who would give me the better rate: Capitol One and Care Credit. I also ended up using both because Care Credit had a lower interest rate. I ended up splitting it about 2/3 on Capitol One and 1/3 on Care Credit. Surely your doctor has some suggestions on who they work with. Keep trying and good luck!

Did you do that free $400 session? If so, what does that consist of? I signed up online to do that but no one contacted me and I didn't want to go all the way up there and find out they weren't expecting me. I had started considering other options by then, too. I'm self-pay and needed to keep the costs down. I have an open mind about Aggies -- my daughter married one.

Who are you going to? I live out in Dripping Springs but my doctor's office is on Jollyville Road near the Arboretum. What part of town are you in?

Yes, I think it's a little worse today and it's exactly as you described. The heat seems to help and I called my doctor's office and his assistant agreed that heat was good. I believe some of it is gas because when I get rid of it, the pressure is relieved a little. So I think you're doing the right thing. Are you taking Gas-X, too? I'm trying to hold off a little before I take the pain meds so that I can take it right before I go to bed and have it last longer through the night. I'm not feeling so bad right now so hopefully I can make it until 4:00. What are you taking for pain? I'm taking Tylenol with codeine.

Hi, Patty! It's good to hear from you, too! I'm glad you're doing well! I'm feeling a little more sore than yesterday but still more of an ache than pain. And some aches have gone away. It's mostly my upper abdomen that is bothering me today. So I'm still taking it easy and I'm sure it will improve. Take care and be sure to check in as you feel like it!

I was at Austin Surgical Hospital on Bee Caves Road about a mile west of Mopac. They were great, too, and I think it makes a big difference. Someone from the hospital called today to make sure I was doing okay. I was so afraid I would somehow miss my alarm! Since I cancelled classes to sneak this surgery in, it would have really messed things up if I had missed my chance! But, of course, everything worked out fine and it will for you, too!

Heat or cold? Thanks!

Well, Mindy, I'm in if I can fit it into my teaching schedule. So far, I don't have any evening classes next semester. I hope it works out!

43 pounds! That's great! Wow, I didn't catch before that you have a Mastiff! My daughter's neighbor has one and he's huge! In fact, your Bailey is at my goal weight! I found a site that calculates a dog's age in human years taking into account their weight, since large dogs tend not to live as long. My oldest dog is in her sixties and the next two are in their early fifties, just like my husband and me. They all seem to be in good health but we'll lose them eventually, of course. It never gets any easier. I think you'll find the pillow will work. Corky also likes to lay beside me on the arms of the chair, which is what he's doing right now. However, I need to get up and walk so I'll have to disturb him. But he'll be back. He's my baby!

Yes, I was home the same day. I've never rested well in the hospital. My daughter was here with me yesterday until my husband got home but I kind of wanted a reason to get up since I've read that walking as much as possible can help with the gas pains. I've stocked up on chicken broth, SF Jello, SF Popcycles, and Propel. I also have chicken-flavored and unflavored Unjury protein powder. It dissolves well into liquids. That's how I'm getting my protein. My doctor said I could have SF Carnation Instant Breakfast made with milk, too. I'll probably wait a little till I add that. I'm sure you'll be glad to be in the hospital. Will you be in the same town or are you traveling?

See the Sticky on the FAQ forum: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/ Then if you have specific questions, feel free to come back here and ask! Good luck!

Me, too! We Boomers gotta stick together!

Ashley: How nice that your mother is going with you! Is she getting the surgery, too, or just going to take care of you? A liquid diet is tough for about the first three days. If you can stick with it, it gets easier. At least, that's how it was for me when I was on Medifast four years ago. Good luck on your trip! Be sure to let us know how it goes!

Thanks, DLW! I was able to sleep in my bed last night, though I kicked my husband out. Actually, I thought he'd be more comfortable in the spare bedroom because I might be jostling the bed when turning or even end up in the recliner watching TV. However, I slept pretty well. I have a body pillow and I slept on my side with the pillow under my belly and between my knees. That seemed to help with the pain. I woke up several times but wasn't really uncomfortable until about 6 a.m. I got up and took more painkiller and now I'm feeling fine, though I'm back in the recliner with the heating pad. The gas pain seems to be mostly gone from my shoulder but my port area is aching the most. I took the bandage off of my hand where the IV was and there's barely a spot! I expected a bruise. I haven't looked at my incisions yet but none of them hurt. I had a low-grade fever -- about 99.7 -- and my upper abdomen was sort of swollen and tight. I took some more Gas-X and that seemed to help. It's all better this morning. I'm still feeling better than I expected! Thanks for caring! I know how excited you are to get this show on the road!

My doctor is VERY conservative about introducing solid foods! Here's my schedule: Clear Liquids -- 2 weeks Full (blended) liquids -- 4 weeks Soft foods -- until five MONTHS post-op "Normal" foods -- after five months He also doesn't allow calories from liquid -- that is, Protein shakes -- after the first six weeks. He and his nutritionist said I will lose most of my weight in these first five months. This schedule gives me time to relearn how to eat and get used to my band and the adjustments. Because I really don't want to experience being stuck, sliming, and PB'ing, this conservative approach is okay with me. But I'm a pretty boring eater and once I find some foods that I like that fit into this schedule, I can pretty much eat the same thing every day.

You were banded yesterday, right? I was wondering how some of the rest of you are doing! I'm glad you didn't have to know about the "drama" until after it was over! Hope you're feeling well today! I woke up pretty sore but the painkiller is beginning to work and the heating pad helps as well. Take care!

I hope all goes well! Take care!

I'll be thinking of lizzie_07, lindata, KristinaDawnB, lindseyann2u, sconie, and pam726! Good luck!