nycm00

February weight 288. After pre-op diet 271 on surgery day. Currently 263. Down 25 pounds since February.

I think I should set a mini-goal to help me get motivated since I am starting to feel a bit down and need to get on track with making healthy choices. My first mini-goal is to hit 250 before May arrives. I can do it. It's 13 pounds away....Lord grant me the strength to make wise choices! Christine

Today I had my post op appt. At 11 days post op I am down 8 pounds since surgery. I had my esophogram this morning. That barium is pretty darn yucky. My doc has moved me on the mushies. I told her I am nervous about it because there are fewer high protein/low carb choices in the mushie food group. She looked at me funny and told me to make healthy choices. I thought to myself..."ahhh, you are so, so skinny doc." So I had some oatmeal and I've had some yogurt. I scheduled my first fill for April 22. I can't wait. My doc told me that she had just filled someone who after six months of fills is finally feeling resistance. God I hope it does not take me six months. Congrats on all the NSV's and the SV's. Keep in mind the tickers don't always represent loss since surgery. Mine includes the pre-op stomach virus I had and the pre-op diet. I think 10 pounds since surgery is excellent. I have also heard that muscle weighs more than fat...so those of you who are working out like crazy don't watch the scale as much as your body measurements. Christine

(((I am so sorry you are going through this.))) I hope once they are in , they will find the problem and be able to correct it immediatly. Hopefully it's just a matter of getting fitted with the larger band. (((Hugs))) Christine

Looks like it. Dont know what's up.

Harley: Congrats on your move to mushies!! I worry about mushies, because there are way too many bad choices that are beautifully mushy. I guess I'll deal with it when I get there. Fenton: I think I would go ahead with the fill, or if you cancel, re-schedule it for 2 wks down the road. It's really hard to get appts with NYU and I'd hate to see you sitting in bandster hell for 3 wks waiting for an appt. I think 1600 calories for a man your size should be OK for weight loss. What I dream the band is supposed to do is make it easy to stay below that and little temptation to go above that. I have a call in to the donctor's office right now. I caught my DD's virus. Thankfully no puking yet, but running to the bathroom if I drink anything. I also have horrible burning in my belly/chest. Normally I would manage with bland foods, bread, crackers. Now I have no idea what to do. I'm waiting for the MD office to call. Christine

Ok, those Reese's eggs my kids got from evil family members for Easter did not just disappear....I ate them. Slowly...liquifying them and swallowing. I admit it. Christine

Texgirl, can you tell us more about the fill? Did it hurt? Did they go through the scar? I know I will be setting a date for my first fill when I have my post-op appt on Friday...I am hungry already at 7 days post -op. Congrats on your first fill and on you 17lb loss! Christine

I have my first!! I found myself sitting in our big stuffed rocking chair with my legs bent under me and I was so comfortable. It was not a conscious thought to do it. It ws wonderful! Christine

Gas pains gone at 7 days post op. Finally pooped yesterday! Was getting a bit concerned about that. My steristrips are still on and very itchy at times. I can't wait until I am comfortable sleeping on my tummy again. Yesterday I found myself sitting in our big stuffed rocking chair with my legs folded beneath me. It was comfortable and they did not fall asleep within minutes. I guess 21 pounds really are gone. Not feeling it in any other way though. Today was supposed to be my first day back at work, but I had to call sick b/c DD is sick. I'll probably go in on Thursday since I am off on Weds anyway and tomorrow is a no because DD has a fever and the poops now, no more puking though, that was waaaaay too much bending to clean and scrub floors for my post op belly. Have a great day everyone!! Christine

I have told close family and some of my friends. My immediate co-workers know and have been very supportive. I can imagine there will be some talking behind my back. Working with almost all women, that will happen, but it will not hurt me. People can think what they like. I know how hard I have struggled with my weight for the past 25 years. My children and myself will see the biggest impact of this surgery and I did this for me and for my children. I need to be healthy. I need to be more active and I need to be here for them for many, many more years than I would be without the surgery. So people may say what they like, but I say it's my life, my choice, my shoes to walk in. I am 6 days post op. I know I am overdoing it on the lifting and housework. DH has left for Hong Kong and 22 month old DD still has her stomach virus. She's very sick. When I took her to the pediatrician today at the end of the visit I told the Dr that I had the surgery on Monday. She told me I should have said something...she would have put Nadia in the stroller for me, lifted her on to the scale, etc. She told me I should not be doing what I am doing for at least 6 weeks...more like 8 weeks. She was so helpful then in getting us through the office quickly and out. (Glad I told, wish I had said it sooner.) I fingure I may end up with another hernia to go with the one have near my c-section scar. I guess I'll just get the fixed together. Anyone else here with small kids struggling like this? I am hoping Nadia will be well soon and I won't allow myself to do so much lifting. By the way, I am 6 days post-op and I am hungry. Christine

Went out to dinner tonight with DH. My mom was babysitting while we had our taxes done and I could not resist taking advantage...we never get out without kids. We went to a resturaunt that I really enjoy. It was hard passing on the bread bowl filled with tasty treats. I ordered a chicken tortellini soup and had them blend it so there were no lumps and it was thin. I just explained that I recently had surgery. (Did not say what kind of surgery) I loved having the flavors of the soup, but definatly missed the textures. It was great to have something a little different. I ate less than half of it and was full. I also had a half a cup of unsweetened ice tea. It's the first time I realised that when I am past this first month, I won't be really ordering drinks when I go out to eat. What's the point if you have to stop 20min before eating and stall for 1 hour after. This really is just a short healing phase and in a few months we will hardly remember all these liquids. DH has been pretty amazed at how little intake I have had since surgery. I think we'll definatly be saving money on food! Christine

MsHansy: Would it help to chew on ice cubes or those SF ice pops. I have thought about freezing some of the Isopure dirinks and then blending to make a slushy type thingy, but I'm not sure what that would do to the Proteins in the drink. Just think, only a week and a half to go! Ajoneen, sounds like you are doing great with your eating method. I'm definatly dealng with some head stuff and will be focusing on the things you mention to try to keep control when I get to solids. Harley: Way to go! You are doing really well. Busy: Could the shoulder pain/headaches be tension at this point? My shoulder pain definatly changed yesterday. I tried a heating pad on my shoulder and some massage to my neck and shoulder. It did feel better for a while. Whenever I take something for pain it's always for that dang shoulder pain. The belly is totally tolerable in my opinion. Hope you find some relief soon. My 22 month old DD has been puking all yesterday evening and all night tonight. I am so afraid of getting a stomach virus. I am being really diligent about washing hands, but I have been so close to her the past feew days, I know I've been exposed. I really hope I don't get this virus.....TMI..although if it helped me to poop which I have not done since Sunday I might feel differently about it. Christine

Can I ask when the post op bloating went away? I am 4 days post op and the area where most of my incisions are (a straight line across my abdomen just above my waist) is so swollen. I look like I have gainged weight since the surgery. I am going back to work on Monday and I look like I've been away at an all inclisive resort for the past week gorging on buffets of food instead of having bariatric surgery. Christine

The paperwork from my MD says 2 weeks post surgery. Christine

Way to go Harley!! I can't wait to be able to wear my real engagement ring and wedding band and get rid of this cheepo that I bought because the otehrs were too tight. Christine

Well, day 4 post op. Not too much incision pain. It's more of a change of position issue. I find after I drink anything I need to burp. I hope it's not like this for life. Not very lady like. I find I am able to get in more fluids as the days pass by and I'm struggling with feeling hungry too. None of the liquid options are very appealing, so I find I am just keeping it to a bare minimum. Making sure I get my Protein and Water. The head hunger is a problem at night, but I know it's just the head talking so I just tell it to shut up and move on. DH is being more supportive now. I don't think I had posted about he horrible sabbotage before the surgery, but he's been so good post surgery. I find it hard to cook delicious meals for my family and then sip at my liquid...whatever it may be, so I've been blending some Soups and adding more broth to make it very watery, but it's nice to have something with flavor. I have my post op appt scheduled for Friday and I'm looking foward to it. Fenton, did you get your x-ray done at NYU or go elsewhere? I work at a radiology center, so it will be so much easier for me to get it done while I'm at work. I know I need to bring the films with me, but I also don't want to screw anything up and end up having to have another x-ray. Only a few more Shamrocks waiting to be banded. I am looking foward to hearing how things progress for every one. Christine

I had 2 shots of Heparin, to prevent blood clots, while in the hospital. Nothing at home. Glad to hear most people feel much better one week post op. DH will be leaving on Sunday for Hong Kong and I'll be on my own with my 3 little kiddos and returning to work on Monday. By the time he gets back I'll be gearing up for my first fill. I tried to schedule my first fill for about 4 weeks from now, but the office would not let me at this point. They said I may not need one at that time. I guess I'm kind of in disbelief because I see so many struggle with hunger about a month out. My doctor's office is really busy so I wanted to get a jump on it. Oh well, time will tell. I too am a daily weigher. Not a good thing right now. I think I will switch to weekly. I've had hardly anything in the way of calories the past 3 days, yet the scale has not changed. I know it has to do with the surgery, but it's discouraging none the less. I will assign Monday morning as my weigh in time. Christine

(((Annie))) So sorry you are being so hard on yourself and you have to deal with a very strict nutritionist. It's really up to you at this poin to try to make healthy choices and limit your intake. I am only 2 days post op, so I'm not sure how helpful I can be, but I know during my 2wks of liquids pre-op I had a very hard time. Some days I gave in. Some days I did just fine. I would suggest keeping a food journal. Just write down what you are eating each day. It will help prevent mindless eating. Try to seperate the true hunger and the mind hunger. Best of luck to you! Christine

Frances, try to hang in there. The first few months of this journey will be tough, but you can do it. Hopefully your first fill will give you some restriction and you can get over the hump. Until restriction really kicks in I think we'll just have to be really aware of everything we put in our mouths. For me, keeping a food journal really helps. Hang in there just a couple weeks til your fill. Hugs! Christine

Harley, I bet if your surgeon bill it right you could get most of your surgery covered for the hernia repair and just have to pay for the band. It may turn out to be a very good thing. When I signed my conscent for surgery it was also a consent for hiatal hernia repair in case they found one. It was explained before surgery and they did not find one, so it's a moot point now for me. I agree it should have been discussed with you before and especially after! Texgirl, I hope you are feeling better soon. I had a stomach bug about 4 weeks before surgery and I had absolutely no appetite which might be a good thing after surgery. I hope you are feeling better soon. Christine

Fenton, you have lost 38lbs. I think that is very impressive. Don't be so hard on yourself. When is your fill scheduled for? Not too far off right? Lisa, Moday will be here before you know it. Harley, you must have been so psyched to heave your jeans be loose. My belly is so distended right now 1 day post op and I weigh 2 pounds heavier that yesterday, but I know it has to do with the surgery. Even my fingers are swollen. Christine

I am now an official Bandster. I was admitted yesterday at around 11 AM. The nurse that came in to take my BP and temp and such, was really harsh about the fact that our 7yr old DS was with us. We got quite the lecture about bringing children to the hospital. They made short order out of getting me in to the OR and before I knew it I was in the recovery room in A LOT OF PAIN!!! I was really surprised by how much pain I was having. It was mainly in my chest and arms. I was burping a ton and nauseous. They gave me something for the nausea and took a bit of time before getting me something for the pain. I felt bad because my DH could only run in while my DS waited outside the doors (they would not let him in, which is understandable). My DH pretty much saw me writhing in pain and then he left. Once they gave me the morphine, I felt better pretty quickly. Still had pain, but could stop writhing and moaning. DH had to leave to get back in time to pick up our other 2 kids for daycare. I was then moved to a room with a nice view of the East River. I got the window seat, and was happily relaxing until they moved my room-mate in. She and her mother stayed the night. They were so loud, had the TV on all night and their cell-phones were ringing at all hours on full blast. It was horrible. By 3AM when the phone rang for the thousandth time, I told them they really needed to turn the volume down. They said they could not find the button. I did not respond well. It told them they could either turn it down or I would turn it off for them. It did not help, but I asked for more pains meds and finally drifted off after that. In the morning the docs came and checked out the incisions and told me I could shower when I got home...I was surprised. The nurse gave me the discharge papers and told me I could shower today...I was still surprised. So, I came hoem and took a shower. Well, a little Water got under the clear plastic dressing that is covering the steri strips. This clear plastic is to be removed Thursday. The incision where the port is definately got wet and there was a lot more blood on that dressing when I finished showering. I guess time will tell if I really did any damage, but I'm hoping all is good. It's been hard keeping my belly protected for the kids. I actually had to show them my belly to get through to them that they really need to give me a bit of space for a few days. My 7 yr old is being very helpful, which is great. Today most of the pain is in my shoulders. Been up and walking so hope for that to pass. I have had half a bottle of Isopure clear and half a cup of hot chocolate with skim milk. I had a little broth before I left the hospital this AM and I've been sipping water through the day. I really don't think I'll be able to get down the rest of my Isopure, but I am not concerned. Christine

Best of luck Karen. I'll be leaving home at around 9AM. Christine

Thanks for the calming words! You are right about the lifting. I think I have rigged up a syatem where I can teach my DD to climb intothe crib and over the bar. I'll just coach her and get it all worked out before DH leaves for Hong Kong. I'll put a step in my care that she can climb on to get in and out. And I am sure my eldest DS will love being able to help me out over the next few weeks. He's so looking foward to having a thin, energetic, healthy mom. This will be a small price to pay. I have a large hernia from my previous c-section and I am sure it is from too much lifting after my surgery. I would love to have it repaired tomorrow, but my doc said it's too big. She also said that I might want to hang on to it so that insurence will help cover a tummy tuck. When she said that I almost fell off my chair. Maybe that will be in 2010! I am signing off and will post on Tuesday when I get home. Christine