SorrowsChild

Hi All, Just wanted to let you know I was banded on the 22nd of January and I'm now home resting until Monday. Monday is back to work for me. I have to admit I am a little surprised at the pain. I had gall bladder surgery back in 2006 and I held lap band surgery akin to the gall bladder surgery since it's done sort of the same way. Don't remember hurting as bad for gall bladder surgery. I also have quite a few large bruises on my belly - did the rest of you have bruising? Also, a few folks mentioned some sort of strips that they were letting fall off after surgery?? I don't have anything on my incisions - they are just "there" in all their ugly glory. My 1st week diet is Water, Clear Liquids like Jello and buillion Soup. No cream Soups or Protein Drinks this week. Get creamy soups next wee. Can't say I feel hungry, but I don't really "feel" anything like restriction. I think if I went to eat food right now, it could be done. My doc asked if I smoked but did not ever offer me anything like some of the folks in these forums, to quit. Never heard of the stuff they've been offered. My plan is to quit on my own after I get the hang of this band thing. I was a big time coca cola drinker, anywhere from 8 to 12 cans a day, which is pretty much one after the other all day long. It took me two weeks of withdrawls just to get off the soda. Actually, I think getting off soda was worse than quitting smoking. I've stopped smoking 2ce before, once for 11 years, and again for 3 years. 2 divorces prompted the habit again. So I know I can stop on my own if I want to. Right now, quitting food and caffeine...that's enough for me at one time! LOL I will let you all know how it's going for me, hopefully to help those who have not been banded yet. If you have questions feel free to ask. I might be asking some questions myself, from those of you who are farther ahead than me.

Amy! Congratulations! First days are rough. Each day seems to be better (just had mine on the 22nd), so hang in there. Add me to your friends list, and we can compare notes. Hope you're feeling great! Best wishes.

Jeanne352, Wanted to ask you, what kind of Protein are you drinking (Protein drinks with milk, protein Water...)? I would like to get some in me as well.

Deb, glad to hear you're feeling better! I don't know where these people get off, saying this is the easy way out??? This is not easy! But it's worth it! Glad to have made so many new friends. This site is wonderful, how else could we have found so many of us all going thru the same thing and sharing our experiences? Alisa and BensonRN, I'm not happy you are in pain, but it's good to know I'm normal with the bruising and all and that we are all experiencing relatively the same symptoms. My port area hurts the most I think, even though they told me that the incision on my left hand side is normally the cut that bothers most folks the worst. Sounds like everyone's port area hurts. At least I think it's the port area; too sore to poke it to find out! LOL I've decided to take 2 more days off rather than go back on Monday. So far, I just don't feel very perky and I am definately weak - Will try for Wednesday of this week. I don't think I can drink Protein drinks this week. Sure wish I could, sounds much better than broth. I don't see where I am getting any Vitamins like you are all talking about, just eating broth, Water and jello!! Looking forward to hearing from all of you again. Stick with it! We can do this! Best Wishes to All

Hi to everyone who shared in my post on this page! I think it would be a great idea if all of us on this page sort of "hung out," followed each others progress and maybe give each other support. What do you think? We all share the same banding date and should all be going through pretty much the same things at the same times! Wow, DPJDMom,4 weeks of liquid diet, sounds long. This one week of clear liquids is rather hard for me. Jeanne352, how are you getting Protein in on the liquid diet? See, I didn't get any guidance on how to do that the first week. BensonRN, I am on the same page as you. I too am confused and don't know how much to take in. Unlike jeanne352, & debk464, I do feel abit hungry, and I am not having problems with getting drinks down. Wonder what the difference is? Maybe swelling for those of you who are having to drink real slow? Anyone out there know?? That's why I was wondering if mine is working right? Should I be feeling restriction or should it be harder to drink? Doc's sure don't give you much info. In fact, the only time I got any info was when he was trying to get me to commit to the surgery. I wish all of you the best of luck in this adventure. All of us can do this and succeed. It certainly beats the alternative of being trapped within yourself. There is no sympathy out there for fat folks. I feel that the public is more prejudice towards obesity than anything else. We are condemed for being fat, condemed for having no self control, condemed for "letting ourselves get that way to begin with," and then when we try to improve our health, and become more "socially acceptable" and more acceptable to ourselves, we get condemed for that too. To hell with all of them, we are doing this for us! We need to make ourselves happy and healthy. Good Luck to all of you!!

Hi Alldunn33, I was just banded on the 22nd of this month. I would agree with everyone else that it sounds as though you're not getting enough nutrients or water; however, I am currently on my first week of post op diet, and all I can have is Clear liquids. So when folks are telling you "not enough nutrition," yet you can't eat anything but buillion Soup,Jello and popsicles (oh,and water), I don't see how the food thing can be remedied without going against doctors orders. Can anyone please clarify, because if I can eat something else, during this first week, it would be helpful to know.

Hi RedTulips3, Thank you for your post. Was wondering what you ate during your first and second weeks? I'm beginning to feel a bit hungry and I thought that was the entire point of this surgery. Wondering if it isn't working or something? Can you eat like a pudding or something? Boullion soup and Jello doesn't seem to be relieving the hunger. I thought I would not get hungry after being banded?

Jeremy, The diet you are currently on, sounds more like a post op diet rather than pre-op. My current pre op diet is 2 Protein shakes and one small meal a day, like a Lean Cuisine, or Smart One frozen dinner. The idea was to keep it at 1000 -1200 calories a day. However, you body still requires nutrients, and 2 puddings a day are not going to give you that. Please check the diet with your doctor!

Hi All, I'm a pre Op newbie, so bear with me here...This Protein drink stuff, is this forever then? While we are on the subject, what exactly constitutes a Protein Drink? I HATE milk, but if it's a very good tasting Protein Drink, I might be able to tolerate it. What are you all using, (and how) for your Protein drinks?? thanks, SorrowsChild (I have a signature, but have not figured out how to use it) :party:

Wendell, Thanks for the post - good information. I am new to this site, and this is my first post. I have a question about fills. Who determines the need for a fill? Can I go in a request a fill when I feel the need, or is this dictated by the doctor? Currently, I am pre Op, but I've been approved by Insurance. 7 Jan is the day I go in to discuss a surgery date (I guess). Also, I read on another post, that there was some "sewing" done on the stomach, attaching the band to it? I didn't think there was any sewing involved? I thought they put the band on the stomach and that was it? Anyone have any clarification to this? Thanks so much!