TXbandit

I was banded on 12/4.....2 1/2 weeks ago. I am so tired after I do things! Anyone else feel like this? I went to the grocery store and Christmas shopping (mild) and came home and put up the groceries in shifts. I'm wondering if I just got spoiled and out of shape the week and a half I stayed in the recliner, or what? :bored It is so great to be able to eat what I like, then getting really full after just 1/3 of what I usually would have eaten. I gave up thinking I would be instantly thin after surgery. At least mentally, I think I am settling in for the long haul. Those of you newly banded - it gets BETTER. You will feel so much better soon. :bandit

I think it is a blast to go into a restaurant and order something I would have 1.NEVER have ordered before because of the calories or 2. ordered, eaten it all, and felt guilty. Yesterday, I went to eat and ordered a meal, ate 1/3 of it slowly and felt full! Then I took the rest home, ate another 1/3 today, and shared the rest with my husband. I feel FREE now, and that never happened on ANY diet before. After my first fill, I am sure that 1/3 amount will be cut way back, but that is fine, 'cuz I feel full and satisfied.

Ask your nurse if it is better for you to explode?!? I would not have made it without Gas X strips!! I noticed the gas pains subsiding about day 8 or 9.

Hello, all! I remember reading about some websites where you can keep up with your calories, excercise, etc. but can't find the posts giving me the addresses.....:help:

I found a good over-the-counter laxative - Miralax. You mix it in water (can reduce dosage if you want). It doesn't get thick, and you really can't taste it. It seems to be gentle, too!

For those who are interested in the experience of one recently banded, I got banded on Tuesday, Dec. 4th. That day I felt pressure, really no pain, just very woozy and light headed. I tolerated watered-down protein shake and water...even a little V-8. I HATE tomato juice, but it tasted so good!!! I took my liquid Vicodin on the 6-hour schedule. Sleeping on my side was impossible. On day 2, I wondered what I had done to myself. It hurt pretty badly, especially the port site. Right when I stood up, the pain was awful, then leveled out. (Pass the Vicodin:rolleyes) I had lots of gas bubbles, took crushed Beano before drinking, and Gas-X several times. It was a rough day.....Today, day 3, the pain has lessened, and I have not had Vicodin for 6 hours, just liquid Motrin. It still hurts right when I stand up, but then stops after a minute or so. I can tell everyday will get better. I am encouraged by all the posts where people say they are really glad they had it done, because yesterday, I was wondering!!! I do feel like a gas factory - with every sip, the bubbles start.

I am only 2 weeks post op, so my port hurts all the time :straight, but I have read posts about the port becoming infected....did you bump it? Did you just get a fill? It would be good to call your doc tomorrow in case it is an infection so you can get it treated quickly.

I only take one medication, and I got the brand that I can crush. I mix it in applesauce like a 112 year-old. I have actually just split it in two, and it went down ok. Don't crush any that are coated or "long release" because you could hurt your stomach or the dosage could be too strong. I also got liquid and chewable tylenol for regular pain relief, and those yummy chewable calcium chocolates. Your pharmacist can really help you find alternatives. I think Sudafed comes in a chewable for kids.

TryingHard, I am praying for your speedy recovery. It is good your stomach made the scar tissue and you haven't had the stomach contents spill out into the abdomen, which over time causes a bad infection. You are in a safe place in the hospital now, but I can't imagine you would need hospitalization for months! Especially with an HMO - they usually get home health or some other way for you to recover without hospitalization. They will find you a surgeon who will take care of you. God bless you! :kiss2:

Ron, I had the same question - it is progressive burping. I guess if I ever have it happen, I'll know what that actually means. I would like to know what Sliming is, though...

Chris, I am doing the same thing, chugging water because I forget about the new Band. Maybe a pill plugged you up for a minute and the water came back up. I usually catch myself before I drink too much, though! I'm like you the fear of PB (acronym still makes me think of Peanut Butter:nervous) keeps me from eating the wrong way.....

I have met 2 Band Docs, Dr. Watkins on this site (not in person) and my doc here in Texas, Dr. John Marsden. I am a nurse, and let me tell you, surgeons are not usually as nice and personable to deal with as these 2 docs are. Both are natural teachers and really sold on the banding procedure. I was soooo nervous the day before surgery, but Dr. Marsden just explained everything down to the smallest detail, and kept saying "you're gonna love it.....you're gonna love it...." Two weeks post-op, and I love it!:bandit

That is a great anniversary date! You will have to buy yourself a gift every year!

Welcome! I just got the band 2 weeks ago. I, too, dieted most of my life, and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was the answer for me. Funny thing, I thought it would change me in some way, but I am still the same old me. I still want to eat constantly, but I can't because I don't want to ruin this SURGERY I had. :scared: Supposedly, it gets easier, especially when you get your fills. It is a learning process, and you are on the right track! It is so helpful to read posts from those who have gone before and experienced the same things you are in the midst of.

I was constantly starving on liquids, too....starting mushies on day 7 helped with that.... Then you gotta stay on track and not nibble all day, but that is a different subject for later (I sound like an old pro at 2 weeks post-op!) Pain lasted for 3-4 days and I took my pain meds every 4-6 hours. The port site is still sore, but I felt much better by day 5 or 6. Be patient with yourself and give yourself some time to recover. After you choose your ticker, there is a panel below your choice on the ticker website (the first panel) Copy all the info in the panel and paste it into your signature update area on this site. Keep reading these posts - they really help.:bandit

I wrote down the quote and will use it, too. SURGERY!!!

I'm thinking for the mushies stage starches are ok - oatmeal, etc....it is after we start on solids that the carbs need to be lower. I couldn't stand to be on Atkins for very long. Carbs in moderation, I say!

I want a cigarette and something to eat!! When I got home after surgery, I was surprised to find I didn't want a cigarette (I smoked 3-5 cigs a day). I didn't want to eat. Now, 2 weeks later, I want a cig and I want to continue my habit of grabbing food everytime I walk thru the kitchen. This forum is keeping my fingers busy.:heh:

Hi, Barbara! Can you remember waaayyyy back to this time last year......I am almost 2 weeks post-op and hungry. I lost 9 lbs the first week on liquids, and none since then. Maybe I am not getting enough exercise yet. I feel the restriction when I eat, and I guess I should just be glad I lost 9 lbs in 2 weeks, right???

It feels much better than it did, but it is still sore. Gets worse in the evening. Pad the incision area with some gauze (Curad makes one that fits loosely over the area and is self-sticking). That helps keep the irritation from clothes and other things from bothering me.

Hi, Rosie, Did you begin eating mushies? That is when I really felt the discomfort in that area. I know you're not supposed to drink anything when you eat, but a sip of water helped me. After eating the mushies for 4 days, it got better.

Funny - you never forget having a baby and compare it to everything else. Back in the 70's when everyone else was on drugs, moms were into "natural" childbirth with no drugs. I always compare everything difficult to that and it makes it easier to bear ('scuse the pun.)

The pool is really the best....the Y has swimming classes. Speaking of annoying people, I did a good job of THAT in the "political" forum. Think I will steer clear of that one from now on. The senses of humor are much better out here!

I forgot Libertarian, which is what I was thinking when I wrote Independent.....what others are there? That is all I have ever seen.

I always love your posts!! I am impressed you went back to work! I have off til Monday. I travel alot, and wonder about the airplane pressure, etc.....but I am local the rest of the month. Curves can be as easy or as hard as you want, so I will probably go back next week....