MrsFlipFlops

I'm 9 days out too. I had pressure in my chest, but the doctor told me if was due to the gas they use during surgery. I've gotten rid of it through walking. I tried sleeping on my left side last night, it was so sore that I turned back around. I tried again this afternoon, and it seems to feel a little better.

ha ha I had that same thought! In fact, moments before being wheeled into the surgical room, I was thinking, "you can pull out of this thing any time you want!!" I went in, the had me put on a gown and take off everything else. They had me pee in a cup for a pregnancy test then I laid on the bed. They hooked me up to an IV, checked my vitals, and gave a heparin shot in my stomach (it amazingly didn't hurt) to prevent blood clotting. I sat there with my husband until my anesthesiologist came in. She asked some questions then asked if I had questions.... I didn't as I didn't know what to ask. Then my surgeon came in, made sure I was feeling okay about the surgery, shockingly I said yes. My anesthesiologist came back in, she gave me a "margarita" in my IV. I got to the room, they placed me on the table, and next thing I know I'm waking up in recovery saying to myself "Oh my gosh, I went through with it!" The recovery nurse was not one to baby me, she made me get up right away, get to an Xray, had me drink for a few moments and I was out the door! I don't know if you're religious or not. I had prayed about making the right decision about whether or not to have surgery and felt good about it. The morning of the surgery I was extra anxious and scared. I said a prayer to myself that if I made a right choice, that the Lord would help calm my fears. Seconds later I felt so much better. Hope this helps and good luck!

It seems to me like the concerns you have about having to care for your son following surgery are feeding into your bigger concern of "Holy Crap, I could die!" I will admit, I had the same feelings. I hate the thought of being put under and having no control, and willingly letting someone cut me open. I don't know what your weight is, but mine is terribly high. I kind of told myself I could die in 10 years without getting help, or I could die on the table getting help. Of course, these are worst case scenarios. After doing the research, I found there are so few deaths. The most important thing is to find a doctor that you're comfortable with, that you trust, and that has done so many of them WITHOUT having a high complication rate. I don't have kids, so I don't know the concern about not being able to care for them immediately after. I did feel a lot of pain for about 2 days after, but then was able to move around and care for myself. I did have my husband who was incredibly helpful and supportive. If your mom is willing to come down for a week, then I wouldn't worry. My doctor said while you can't pick them up for a couple weeks, they can climb into your lap. :wink2: Don't know if this helps... good luck.

You are singing my song. I'm feeling frustrated, but I know I just need to calm down. I'm scared that by not seeing results as quickly as I want, I'll get discouraged and fall into old routines. What is your daily eating routine? I've been moved to soft foods, but don't really know how much to eat or even what to eat. I have been having a Protein shake for Breakfast, some tuna for lunch, and then tonight I had mashed potatoes and some cheese. This isn't my ideal of healthy... but don't know what else to eat. All in all, ug. :wink2: I guess the biggest thing I'm learning now though, is how to slow down and chew!

Everyone is different. Mine require a supervised diet unless you have significant weight complications and a history of being overweight. Best thing to do is just call the insurance company and ask them. I have UHC and all I did was have the doctor submit the request, it was approved within a few days!

You definately have a right to be upset!! I would be pretty angry! Sounds like you should shop around. If nothing else, no one should treat you like that. I need a doctor I trust and whose staff is polite and out of their way caring... Good luck. Heidi

Hey Tony, congrats!! I had my surgery last week... After getting on the scale, I finally said to myself "Okay, this might've been worth it." The first couple days were rough due to soreness and not being able to eat anything... but I get excited as time goes on!! Congratulations!! Heidi

This has been my fear! I'm just starting the process, got banded last week. I'm scared of surgery, so I promised myself I would never hove plastic surgery. As I meet more and more people who had as much weight as me to lose, I'm realizing that it's important to me not to have skin weight hanging around! I can understand why you're depressed about it. I have a friend who had 35 lbs of skin taken off in plastic surgery. He started the process at 500 pounds though. I heard that seaweed wraps help to temporarily tighten the skin... maybe give it a try and see the difference to determine if the surgery would be worth it. Just a thought. :biggrin: Heidi

Hey BigGuyChicago, I just got surgery last week. I started the process with 210 lbs to lose. I can't say what it will look like in the end, because I haven't yet hit it... but from the people I have known who have had it, 230 to lose isn't unreasonable if you're dedicated. The one thing I've learned about the surgery is that the lapband isn't an easy way out. (Much to my dismay). There's still willpower and self control, dealing with the emotional aspect of eating and what not. I know someone who had the bypass as well... I guess I'm more into the band because it's reversible and less recovery time. It depends on your own preferences and desires. I don't know if this helps or not...

I had my surgery Monday Feb. 11, 2008. This whole week I feel I have been in mourning, just truly sad. I feel like I have given up my best friend... food. Food has been there happy, sad, bored, excited. It didn't matter what emotion I had, food was there. It sounds bizarre I think, that I'm really upset about missing food, but I am. This week has been hard... so hard. This morning I woke up at found I lost 21 pounds since starting my pre op diet. A HUGE SMILE went across my face. Everyday is a struggle, but that few moments of looking at the scale made it all worth it. I am actually excited, for the first time ever, for exercise and being active! I can't wait to do things with my husband, travel, play, explore! This is all! Onward to freedom! Freedom of food!

My dad volunteered for Mitt, making calls and such. All he could talk about was Mitt! He was crushed when he suspended his campaign, but now he's talking Mitt 2012! :wub: I mean... I really thought Mitt was just getting his name out there for the next campaign anyway. So, this morning I got on the scale and saw I've dropped a total of 21 pounds since the beginning of my preop diet. I had such a hard time not nibbling everything yesterday, but today IT WAS SO WORTH IT! I have my post op in a couple hours. My stiches are SO ITCHY they're killing me.

Hi all. Banded 2/11! Just got some general questions and thoughts. I had the gas pain after surgery, I feel like I still have some though... anyone know when this will go away? I'm really trying to listen to my body a little better, make sure I don't over drink or have anything too thick. I'm worried about drinking too fast or too much. I am having these chest pains that kind of move up... no burp. I can't figure out if it's being caused by digestion or drinking too fast or if it's gas still escaping. Anyone have a way to discern between the two? Also, I'm craving everything. Today I cheated and turned my chocolate Protein shake into a yummy shake by adding some chocolate syrup. Bad I know... but I am really struggling to like any Protein shakes. I think I'm hitting a point where I'm scared I made a bad decision. Maybe I'm going through a period of mourning... I don't know. (You know, mourning the loss of my best friend- food!) I saw a commercial today for unlimited enchiladas (my favorite mexican food) and I thought, How come that didn't come out earlier?? I can't take advantage of it! Does this sound stupid?

Hey, thanks mistrnice! I'm LDS, living in the DFW area. Got banded 5 days ago! I was wandering around this site and thought surely there was an LDS link and bam, thanks for letting me know!

I'm amazed at how you're able to be up and around! I read posts about people who get up and type or what not on surgery day! I'm amazed! I was pretty much passed out til the next day, then sooo sore, I stayed laid down except for bathroom trips! My husband says I'm a pansy for pain... so maybe that explains it.

I had my surgery on Monday... so I'm 4/5 days post op. The pain the first couple days were so bad. I couldn't even get up from a chair without my husband pulling me up gently. I don't want to scare you, but the first couple days were very painful. I couldn't take the pain medications because it made me so nauseous, but I recommend liquid tylenol, extra strength. It is my best friend! Yesterday I felt good enough that my sister took me to a store to buy my husband a VDay cake. I have a sit down office job, so I took a week off and go back to work on Tuesday. Lifting things is difficult, I would take more time than that if your job is stressful. Do you have FMLA or short term disability? I had a preop diet for two weeks, but it did help with post op because throughout the pre op I was craving things. Now I'm used to not eating how I normally do. I would recommend trying out Protein shakes. Some of them are truly disgusting and you wouldn't want to be stuck with them post op. (Believe me, you'll want something tasty by day 5!) :thumbup: I'm only 25 and have been battling with weight since about age 5. Last year on this day my uncle died of weight related issues (very young) and that's when I started thinking about this surgery. I told my mom and two sisters and two close friends, who were all very supportive. When I told my dad, he had the same reaction you've been faced with, saying I just shouldn't eat so much and exercise (as if I hadn't thought about that the past 20 years). He was upset... but I think mostly he was ignorant about THIS particular type of surgery and scared for his baby girl. I talked to him at length about it, showed him a video of the surgery. Think about taking them to an information session. I don't think he realized how little cutting and less intrusive it actually was. Going into surgery I know my dad didn't agree with what I was doing- I realized I didn't need him to give his okay. He's been here several times since my surgery and is supportive now. I think all in all my dad was just worried. I don't know your family, but I would guess they just love you and are scared for you. But to be honest, they're scared for you overweight too. Good luck at your PreOp consults! Sorry this post is so long!! Heidi

My husband and I are eager to have kids... but I'm being banded on Monday, so we'll be waiting a couple years. My question is... during my pre op I was told we needed to use "reasonable" methods of birth control. I, of course, don't want to get pregnant at an unhealthy weight... but here's my issue: I have PCOS, so I don't want to take birth control because I'm interested in seeing at what weight my period starts up again. What did everyone else use pre pregnant days? And did it work? :thumbup:

I am 4 days post op and couldn't stop "eating"- really drinking yesterday. I had 2 things of baby food, 1.5 cups of soup, cottage cheese, popsicles. The hunger pain just wouldn't go away. Today I'm doing protein shakes... so hopefully that will help. It's nice to just vent about the hunger... it is painful!

I had surgery on Monday and am in the Clear liquids stage. I don't think I'm getting enough in and am worried, but I just don't feel like drinking. Yesterday I had about a cup of broth, a cup of watered down apple juice, and about 4 sf popsicles. Thoughts?

Indyguy- Okay, I'm officially one day post op. I'm shocked I'm able to sit up and type. Yesterday and this morning were pretty much pain filled... but I've stopped taking the narcotics they gave me and had my husband get me some liquid tylenol. It's better because it doesn't make me nauseaus (however you spell that). The nausea was worse than the pain. I'm shocked at how often I use my tummy muscles! It was hard finding a position that was comfortable to sleep in. I finally found sitting on the couch with my legs on the coffee table comfy. If you have a lazy boy, it might be your best friend. :scared2: Anyway, all in all, I guess I'm okay. The pain today is less than the paid yesterday. Oh, and after surgery, don't laugh, cough, sneeze. They all hurt too. :wink2: It will go just fine!!! Let me know how you are when you're up to it!

This is my night before surgery! It's kind of surreal, like I can't believe that tomorrow I'm going somewhere and ALLOWING someone to cut me! :eek: I think I'm freaking myself out though, because I started thinking my throat hurts and I can't tell if it actually does or if I'm just being nervous me. I've spent most of the day reading about lap band and relaxing with my husband. We didn't really know what to eat for dinner. Anyway, good luck on your surgery on the 13th... !!:thumbup:

This is good information and advice... thank you.

I am being banded on 2/12/08. I have read alot about preop diet and am currently on a high Protein low carb diet for two weeks. I'm curious if there is a difference between the diet they tell 200+ to lost, versus someone who is not so large. What was everyone's preop diet? I'm concerned about my liver being too large and the surgeon cancelling once he gets inside. I've read some stories about this happening. Basically, I'm just scared. Please help! :eek: Heidi

Hi all, my name is Heidi. Long time reader, first time poster (okay, second time, I just posted in the Feb 08 banders thread) I'm having surgery on Feb. 12th and nervous as heck! Well, nervous, excited, scared, and worried. What if it doesn't work for me? I haven't really told anyone except family and a close friend. Today at church I told a lady that I serve with... it was kind of exhilerating... like I wasn't ashamed as I have been this whole time. We'll see how long that last. So that brings up my first question... how many of you tell people about surgery, pre, post, whatever? What's your response to "Wow, you've lost so much weight... what's your secret?" I was thinking mine might be "Nintendo Wii is amazing." Of course, just kidding.

Hi all. I'm new to the site, being banded on Feb. 12. My pre op diet is two weeks low carb, high protein (Or I could've had a week liquid) I prefer to chew my food. :-) The first three days were awful! Headaches, cravings... wow, it hit me so hard. At work they bring in food almost everyday, donuts, burritos, yummy stuff... I cheated on Friday, felt REALLY bad. I had this thought in my head that if I cheat I'm going to have some huge complication and so when I cheated I felt awful... until of course I read a cheating thread and I calmed down. With that one cheat behind me, I'm moving on to the last week.