rakes4321

I know that scattered throughout this site there are mentions of websites that track your food for you. Would you all be so kind as to list for me those websites so that I can check them out! thanks, Amy

I have had some minor complications, but today, I feel great! Still on nothing thicker than milk, and have an apt on Mon am. The complications have kept me from getting my protein and liquids in, but I think that I'm on track now. Today is the first day since the 25th that I feel human. Lost a ton of weight, though, kind of scary. I'm hoping to slow down once I can get some actual calories in me. Glad you're doing well, too. I know, the liquid thing can be hard. You're almost there!

I was an athlete throughout HS and college. I 5'11.5 and was 165 in my Sophomore year of college. I played competitive volleyball and was in the gym EVERY day! I needed to have my knee fixed, so I go the Oklahoma Health Science Center, where they take care of the OU athletes-ooohhhhhh! Anyway, he taped the surgery, which was too cool, and IN the video, he is narrating and says to me, "You need to loose weight, or this surgery will be a complete and utter failure!" He didn't have the balls to tell that to me in person, but can slime away with saying it on a video of the surgery, when I'm out and can't punch him in the face! I just figured that BMI and it was 23!! What was he thinking. No wonder I have had issues with how I see myself! And I was at the top of my game, too! Anyway, enough ranting about the past.

I am continually amazed at how different every aspect of this surgery is for every person! I have a thread going, if you want to catch up on how I've been doing since the 25th called I'm not doing so well today. I believe that we were banded close to the same date and you have 4 cc's in a 10cc band. I have been having so many problems, yet my doc took 1cc out today and I feel like a new person! (I haven't had any fills yet, there was 2 cc's in the band from surgery) It is so individual! I'm at 6 ft, so I'm not the average size of a woman, so I'm assuming from this experience, that I won't ever have much in my band. Who knows, maybe just the band, with my 1 little cc will do me forever! Wouldn't that be great! Glad everyone is doing well. Amy

So I had surgery on the 25th. Yesterday,Ifelt great! Today, I feel like I've got a lumb of something that keeps wanting to come up, kind of. It almost feels like gas, but I haven't been able to drink anything all morning, and my day is half gone! It's like really bad indigestion. Is anyone else banded on that day having similar experiences? I was getting hungry last night, so I did have 3-4 sips of a whey shake with skim milk and banana blended into it. But I literally only had a couple of sips. Concerned, Amy

Ok, so everybody sing that Sheniah Twain song in your heads with me- I feel like a (new)Woman! Oh, and it doesn't hurt to imagine ourselves in that little black get up that she wore for that song, either!:frown: Anyway....... When I walked in to the hospital, I couldn't stand up straight; coming out, I felt like I had been given a new life. This is what he told me.....every band comes with air in it. They have to take out the air and add a bit of saline. Bands don't want to have "nothing" in them, kind of like a vacuum. So, there is fluid in the bands after surgery. He just accessed my port and pulled out just over 2 cc's and let the plunger go and my band sucked back in how much it wanted! It was so cool! He did it twice to make sure and he pulled out what the band didn't want, which was just over 1 cc. He warned that I may not feel the effects right away. He sat me up and I had NO pressure! It was amazing! He got me a glass of water and I actually felt it go all the way down! I had no frame of reference until then. So, he put me on gaterade, to rehydrate me and said that in 24 hours to start on anything that will fit through a straw! I'm so excited! I was really starting to wonder what I had done to myself. But not anymore! I also lost almost 12 lbs in 5 days! Amazing that our bodies can carry around 12 lbs of water! Well, it's off to the races! Thanks for checking in on me, Amy

Well, as of last night, laying down totally made my symptoms go away. I had a rough night. I woke up this morning with a pasty mouth and DARK yellow urine, so I know that I'm dehydrated. My stomach is totally growling like a wild dog, but I'm the farthest thing from hungry. We leave for the doc here in the next hour. I'm starting to get headaches and when I stand up from laying down, my vision gets all blurry and I can't see anything for a couple of seconds. So, I know that there is something that is not right. I have read that several people with the newer bands already come with a slight fill. I pray that it is as easy as taking out what is already in there. If he says he has to go in again, I will be devistated! My husband is in the final throws of writing his thesis for the Air Force and he just can't take off anymore time to help me with the kids. But God knows that and I know He cares about me, so........I will update when I return from the hospital. I'm so thankful that the rest of you are doing fine. Amy

I am off to see him tomorrow! The nurse made an off the cuff remark..."oh, it sounds like he may have sinched it too tight." What does that mean, does that mean that they will have to go back in and loosen it? It definitely feels like i am way restricted, even without drinking. But once I sip something, boy howdy! I know I need fluid, but it is so uncomfortable to put it down. I'm guessing that they will start an IV tomorrow, for sure. Thanks for all of your input and suggestions. It's good to have you all to bounce things off of, you know, to make sure I'm not crazy!:tongue: AMy

What do you mean, shakes? Are you off Clear liquids already? I'm so glad that you are doing so well!. Good luck with the rest of your recovery!

But how can clear liquids clog anything up? And as far as I know, my doc didn't put anything in the band, I just had surgery 4 days ago? Oh, question on the timeliness of eating......say a popcicle......how long "should" it take to consume a popcicle once you've been banded? Or 8oz of beef broth? I don't think I'm drinking too fast, but you never know.... Every time I sit up, i feel sick, like pressure. It gets pretty sharp and then dissipates, but this happens probably 4-5 times every minute. So, I've been laying down most of the day and my kids' brains are mush, now because they have watched straight TV until their dad came home! Argggggg!

I just called my surgeon today and I am going in. It is very hard for me to get any liquids down, I'm still on clear liquids banded on 25th. It feels like tons of restriction and I am totally bloated! The nurse said that he may have sinched it too tight. Wonder how they will fix that? ANyway, I haven't had fever or anything, just cant stand or sit upright. The only thing that makes the bad, bad feeling go away is to lay down flat on my back. Does anything releve yours?

Yes, it is, but a couple of times I remember swallowing with my mask on and big air goes all the way down, and out my ears even. Weird. I probably should call. thanks

Taylor, Yesterday was a great day for me, today, not so much. I can't get any liquids down. I feel my heartbeat in my stomach and it feels very bloated. My stomach is distended. I had a couple of sips of a blended whey/banana shake last night and it was down hill ever since. But I'm not so sure that it is entirely the shake. I have to wear a cpap machine and that forces air into my airway all night. And if feels like I am absolutely full of gas! It is so ugly! I hope this goes away soon. I have only had two popcicles today and that is it, I can't seem to stomach anything else. Glad you are doing fine. Let's keep in touch. amy

Oh my gosh! Could my cpap machine have anything to do with this?! It forces air into my airway and air HAS to be getting into my stomach! Does anyone else have to sleep with cpap? I think I might stop it for a few nights. The cut off for having apnea is 5 and I came in at 5.4, so I don't have it bad. Any thoughts! I'm dying! I can feel my heartbeat in my stomach! Argggggg! Amy

Hey, I was banded with you guys on Friday. How long are you on clear liquids? Are you on clear liquids? And when do you move to pureed foods. I'm supposed to move to purred foods today, but I think that I will call the nutritionist first to check it out. Glad everyone is doing fine. I've only had to take pain meds twice since I got home on Sat am. Usually at night after the long day. Have a good day, Amy

oops, that verse came out of Philippians 4, not Ephesians

After I set up a ticker, where do I copy and past it to on this site, I forgot my first password and had to make another one, and I can't figure out what I did the first time (which was quite by accident as well) thanks, Amy

Thanks a bunch

This so plagued my heart! We have two boys, 5 and 3. This is what gave ME peace, it is a verse out of Ephesians. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Go forth with the boldness that you will be a healthier, more energetic mom, than you have ever been. Blessings to you, you'll do fine. I am out one day and I feel a million times better than I did yesterday! This procedure is but an hour of your life, you have the rest to LIVE and LOVE!

Wow! I had my surgery on the 25th at 11am. The nurse that wheeled me down was short, thin, and blonde. She squirreled up her nose and said "oh honey, you don't need this surgery, don't do it." I made some benign comment to get off the subject. THEN......a pregnant co worker walked by and comments were made like At least I have a reason to eat the way I do. She, of course, didn't know what surgery I was having,but the nurse that was pushing me started in on her drug habbit! Like Mary J habbit! Like let's go toke up habbit! Like I wanted to slap her habbit! Anyway, I was glad to not have her involved in my day any more than she was. On the hubby thing. My bmi is just over 36...the only reason that I qualified was that they found out that I have sleep apnea, barely. He was totally against it. I know the freaken effort that Ihave put into this, so does he. I certainly didn't want to just do something against his wishes just to spite him because it is my body. I know it wouldn't work for us if we werent' both on board. It may sound funny, but I prayed about it. Not only does God care about the little things, He cares about the huge things. For me, this was HUGE. I left it alone for a while and one day broached the topic again and he looked at me and said " Amy, I love you. I know how hard you have worked at this and you have some hurdles that you need a little help with. Let's do this." He has been so supportive ever since! He actually felt a little food guilt yesterday when he made some cookies with our two small boys and he ate around 5 cookies. He looked at me and said, "maybe I need a band" He is so funny, he is a triathlete, yet those cookies have a control that is like no other. I was mad at him at first for making them right when I got home from the hospital, but I took one sniff and wasn't interested. Man, I love this little band! Back to the man thing. You really want him on board, as much as you can. He will be your best friend through this, because the recovery can be a bit ruff. Get information into his hands, set up an apt with your doc and ask him to come. Tell him that his support means the world to you. You'll think of the right things to say. And hopefully, he will come around. I will pray that, like mine, yours will too. Peace out, Amy

Well, I was banded yesterday as well. Taylor.......Our stats are very similar, how tall are you? I'm 6ft, well, 1/2in shy. This gas is almost unbearable. But, is getting better as I "fluff" it out! The kids aren't being too brutal on me...boys 5 and 3. They made dad leave me some pizza last night and they got me out a cup of yogurt and a spoon this morning. How Cute! I got home around 12:30 pm. My husband isn't use to being with them ALL of the time, so he decided to make my famous Cowboy cookies with them. I was flaming at first, but I took one sniff and didn't want anything to do with them, when on any given day the four would have feasted over a gallon of milk and the entire batch. See, I'm already reaping the benefits of this little band. My neck hurts something fierce, too! I think they slung me around by my neck in the OR. As long as I wasn't awake for it, I guess I can't complain:biggrin: So, I'm totally expecting to feel tons better tomorrow. I am, however, having a really hard time getting in the 72 ox per day that they want me to consume! Is anyone else not physically able to get it all in? Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and prayers, even though you all don't know me from Adam. Things are only looking up! Peace out, Amy

This thread is such an encouragement. I go in tomorrow, but I am getting a little freaked out. I'll be fine, just needed to tell somebody. AMy

I'm being banded tomorrow as well! God's speed to you both!

Hey, I am going in for surgery this Friday. I'm so excited. My BMI is 36 and I'm 6 ft. Extremely excited to start this journey. However, a bit fearful of throwing up.....I've only thrown up literally only 5 times in my 37 years and I cried for my mom every time! I'm such a baby! Anyway, on with the show! Amy

oops, I guess I took a little too long to reply...the kids are crazy tonight. I really like the idea. Count me in.