Firebolt

Hey & Hi to you Bandpal! Hope you're doing well after surgery.

Hi Friends! This is my first post since being banded on the 20th. It looks like all of us are hanging in there and doing well! Glad to hear from Israel too! My surgery went well. They found a Hiatal Hernia that they fixed while inside. Kinda a two for one surgery. Unfortunately, they also found a golf ball size tumor on my liver. Took a biopsy. They said it looked beniegn, but I will know in a few days. It's a blessing that they found it - if I'd have not had this surgery, we may have never known it was there!:straight I've only had some managable pain at the incision sites. The Tyenol/Codiene Sryup is keeping the edge off though. I've not yet had any of the upper shoulder gas pain, or nausea that I was expecting. I prayed for each of you that I knew was having surgery on the same day. I'm so glad we did it together & we're all home now. Keep in touch & let us know how you're progressing! Judy

Ok, my surgery is in days (tuesday). I've reviewed all my pre-op documentation, done all my shopping, have my own shelf in the fridge, purged all 'off limits' items from the pantry. I'm starting to get nervous. Can I really do this? Will I remember everything? Will I screw up? I'm kinda freaking about 'getting stuck' - do you really have to go to the ER everytime this happens, or can you just PB it back up? How often should I plan on going to the ER? How long will it take me to learn to slow down & chew fully? Can I be successful at this after failing so many times in the past? Will I be recovered in time to decorate my house for Christmas & have family in town? So many thoughts - I can't even sleep. Thinking of asking my surgeon if I can take an ambien tonight to get some sleep. :help:

Wendy - As I write this you are in the hospital. I pray that all went fine and that you'll be home soon. We're thinking about you & all of our fellow bandsters. Let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it. I'm going to get mine tomorrow. Words of advice? Take Care! Judy

:whoo:Ok friends, IT'S ON!:whoo: Just a few more hours to go before we're "banded together"! I am so excited for each of us. We all get a new start. A clean slate. A fresh beginning. Forgiven for all past failures - we are free to move forward. I will keep each of you in my prayers. Don't be fearful. Write back soon & let us all know how you're doing, how things went & keep us posted!

Hey Summerbushnell - you just need to go to Tickerfactory.com. Once there, towards the bottom of the page you'll see: Weight Loss Click on it. You'll have plenty to choose from. Once you've chosen, you just follow the dirctions. Once the HTML code is displayed, you'll need to "copy" with your mouse & paste into your signature on LAPBANDTALK.COM (see your user setup pages). I believe it will show 3 different versions of code. I had to use the 2nd set of code (the first set didn't work for me) Good luck!:scared:

John - luckily, I've not had to do any pre-op torture! No pre-op diet, no bowel prep, etc...Thank the Lord above! I am contimplating having a Margarita with dinner though! It will be the last one for a very, very long time! No eating or drinking after 12am. That's about it. Go in at 9am & surgery at 11am. Hope to be in recovery by 12pm & home by Wednesday (they make me stay 23 hours). That is if all goes as planned! Thanks for keeping me in your prayers! Judy:)

Well, tomorrow is the "Big Day"! I am so encouranged by your words of wisdom. I continue to read them when I get feeling anxious. I have done the research. I have a great surgeon. I have a great facility. I have terrific support from my family & friends. I have paid cash (hee hee - that's always a motivator!) I AM READY. In the words of Todd Beamer "Let's Roll". I will let you all know in a couple of days how went.

Hey TLWEMPEN, Good to hear from you...Don't worry about your ex - They'll be amazed before too long! It's great you're doing this for you and your kids. Your whole family will be healthier & pleased with you. I'm amazed you're going back to work on the Monday after your surgery. I've booked the whole 2 weeks off. Hope I can go back sooner, but kinda planning on the worst case scenario. Did you have to do a pre-op diet?

Wendy, Good luck to you, your DH & DS! It's terrific your entire family is doing this together! May you all have great success!

Tracy, So glad to hear you're doing well. Thanks for the tip on Emend! I've asked my Dr. if he can prescribe to me prior to my surgery on Tuesday. I too have awful nausea post General Anesthesia. Take care & keep us posted!

Thanks to each of you who've posted. I'm to be banded in 3 days. It's comforting to hear your stories. Thanks friends!

Khaley - I feel your nerves! I'm being banded this Tuesday. I too am 43 yrs old. Do you have any kids, hubby, or other support? My mom is having the surgery about 1 month after me. I have been having trouble sleeping as the day gets closer. Not really 'scared' but just anxious. My Surgeon & PCP agreed that I could take Ambien for the next few nights to help me sleep. I wish you much luck on the liquid the next two weeks. I guess it's good preparation. My Surgeon didn't require it, but I've been taking it very easy with food. I don't want my stomach to be too bloated when they band me. It's good that both your liver & stomach will be shrunk and in good shape before the surgery. I imagine this will make your recovery smoother!

John, Your words are very encouraging. I'm glad to hear that getting 'stuck' isn't as bad as I perhaps had thought. I used to have trouble with lettuce while pregnant - I wonder if that will be my problem food w/the band? I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Any of us who've dieted before know that we all make sacrafices - I guess yours is Romaine!?! I'm also glad to see that you were up so quickly after surgery. I have been trying to walk every day in preparation for this. Anything I can do to get myself ready! You are a real inspiration. I'm glad you're working with patients in the field passing your inpiration and knowledge on to others. Together, we can do this! Thanks again...

John, How long until you and your wife felt better after surgery? I know this is an individual feeling, but I'm wondering if I'll be up and around a couple of weeks after. I've got my entire family coming for Christmas! And have you ever gotten something stuck? I think I'm most worried about having to go the the ER in the middle of the night! Thanks for helping me remember all of the positive thoughts! I will try to keep them at the front of my mind the next few days!

Oh Cerrin, I'm taking a deeeeep breaaaath noooooowwwww....At least I had the motivation to walk on the treadmill this AM. Still Shakin....Can't let my Hubby or kids see it though!

Ok, Chris - I get the food intake, and can probably comply well with that. But how much TIME does this workout take you on an average day? This sound scary to me, since I'm pretty sedentary right now. How long did it take you to work up to this pace? Thanks for your "Secrets"!:bounce:

I am paying $15,700 for the surgery. I do not yet know if Insurance will pay for the pre-op tests that I'm going to tomorrow. Of course, my Insurance (UHC) has a specific "No Weight Loss Surgery" clause. Whatever it costs, I've got to do it! I've taken a 15,000 loan out from my credit union & will cover anything else out of my normal savings. You know, many people pay more for a car! I'm paying to get more life in my years & more years in my life!

Andie, You will & your family will be in my prayers. You will be fine. You know you can do this, and we're all rooting for you. You've done your research, you trust your MD and you have the love & support of your family... Hang in there girl! Tomorrow, you will be a new woman!

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So, after reading all these posts, I've been searching for the Liquid Tylenol (Walmart, Kroger, K-Mart, etc...) no luck.:cry So, tonight, I'm in Kroger just to pick up Milk. I'm at the check-out counter. Put my milk on the counter, look up at the magazine racks, and low and behold... No, could it be? Is this the Elixer of Life I've been searching for all week? My Gosh - It is...someone had picked it up somewhere else in the store, and while checking out decided NOT to purchase it, and stuck it in the magazine rack (you know, we've all done that when we check out and think..."Do I really need this?? Nah..."). Well, there it was, just waiting for me! Needless to say, "It's mine...All mine!!":clap2::heh::heh::whoo:

Hi folks, I'm just wondering if there's anyone local being banded around the same time I am. I'm scheduled for Nov 20th (my Mom's promised to make me home made Turkey broth for Thanksgiving as she feeds the rest of my family for me). I have Dr. Schuster and will have the procedure at Sycamore Hospital. I live in the Beavercreek area and am just looking to talk w/someone with similar experiences at the same facility/doctor/area. Thanks for reading.... Judy:biggrin1:

Hi folks, I'm prepping for banding on 11/20/07. I've printed out the list of "to-do's" and items to have on hand before surgery. Thanks for everyone's input so far. My question has to do with meds after surgery: Doc says no more motin. OK. I'll take the Tylenol - but I don't know if I should take the Children's liquid, Chewable, or the adult Fast Dissolves. Should I take the liquid/chewable while I'm on the liquid diet 2 weeks post op and then progress to the solid adult tabs? What about my Prozac (it's capsules) should I mix it in applesauce, or can I swallow whole? What about my Lipitor (it's a tablet). Can I take it whole? Should I crush it? I've purchased my chewable viitmins, Calcium, etc. Purchasing the unjury Power this week. Any other thoughts about meds post surgery that I should be aware of? Thanks for any input you can give me. You guys are such a wonderful support system! I thank God for each of you! Judy

Hey Lori, Patty & Dave, Thanks fo each of you for the input. Great info. I'll talk to my Dr. today about switching to the liquid Prozac (I bet they don't have a generic for that one!!!) and I'll grab the liquid adult tylenol. I'll also stop the Lipitor for a couple of weeks & then start it up again. And rest assured, I will talk with my family practice MD to ensure this plan is ok. Patty - as for my Lipitor, I have a genetic high C-Reactive Protein that's some type of lovely indicator for the potential of heart disease (besides the high cholesterol). So I may have to cotinue taking the Lipitor even if/when the cholesterol levels drop. Guess I'm just lucky that way!!! Thanks to each of you. You are more help than you can imagine! Judy:)

Hey HolleyHobby, Welcome to the site. I too found & then lost the Pre-Op list and it took me a while to find it again. If you want to read the entire post, you'll find it in LAP-BAND SURGERY FAQ'S AND REFERENCES thread, titled PRE-OP CHECKLIST. Here's the quickie version: Post-op Checklists - Things to have before surgery. Some time ago, Mandy posted this excellent list and I thought this would be a good place to put it for all the new folks coming in. Maybe we could get this sticky? Other suggestions have included have your laundry all caught up, and make arrangements for someone else to take care of the family meal preps (you might not feel like cooking for some time). If anyone esle can add to this it would be great. Try to avoid conversations so the info is easily seen. Thanks everyone. ------------------------------------------------------------------- lab-band shopping list: heating pad flexible ice pack liquid tylenol (they make adult strength) chewable or liquid gas-x a few books or movies comfy clothes (loose waisted shorts or jumpers) squishy pillow for car ride (guard against seatbelt) a sports bra (doc said no underwire for a few days) protien shakes flavored Water make sure you have a good blender I bought a drink mixer for the protien mix (cost $10 at walmart) broth or stuff to make broth sugarfree popsicles and Jello sugar free gum (ask your doctor) sugar free breathmints (ask your doctor) Now, once you get the entire list, print it out. I have it in my purse and am using it for a shopping list! Good Luck & God's blessings to you on your fantastic journey! Judy