bandfan1

In the hospital they will give you a little device that you have to breathe into as hard as you can. My device has 3 balls. You have to try to get all 3 balls to the top with your breath. It is to make sure you are exercising your lungs. My doc also told me to cough at least 2 times per hour.....

Sharon: You are losing more than 2 lbs. per week. If you are sticking to the program, you WILL succeed!!! Slow and steady wins the race!!!!:frown:

Hi Kikival: I slept pretty well last night. Today is only day 2 post-op. I woke up in the middle of the night to take more pain meds, but I honestly wasn't in very much pain. I mostly took it so I would sleep. I am thinking of only taking liquid Advil during the day and the pain meds at night. I woke up with a headache and neckache today. Maybe it was from when they put the breathing tube in. The only cheating that I am doing is that I am having my 1 cup of coffee. I took 2 tums before and will take 2 afterwards so the acid doesn't build up. I NEED my 1 cup of coffee!!!! Otherwise, it will be all liquids for me today. Tomorrow I can start my 1 Protein shake per day........ I am going to take it very easy this weekend because I will be back to work on Monday. The name of the game right now is, walk, rest, sip, rest, walk, etc......

Thanks CTCutie!! the surgery was a snap!! I have had other abdominal surgeries, this one so far has been the easiest. I can't wait to start posting my victories!!!!

I am officially banded!! Got home from hospital today at 1pm. Everything went very smoothly. Bad reaction to morphine, but otherwise ok!! I have had other abdominal surgeries and this one was the easiest by far!!! Thanks for all of your well-wishes!! I felt the "love" in the hospital!! Originally my doc had me on 1 slimfast per day (after clear liquids for 2 days) for 2 weeks. When he saw me today, he told me to move my appt. up 1 whole week!! He made my day!! I plan to spend the weekend pampering myself...walking, sipping, breathing and sleeping!! All the best to all of you "bandsters to be"...it's a snap!!!!

Hi Jules: I have to be at the hospital at 6:30am. Surgery is scheduled for 7:30am... I am going to go to bed now and try and get some sleep...... I'll let you all know how I made out!!!! Marilyn

:scared2:My time was moved up from 12pm to 7:30am There's no turning back now!!!!!

Thanks for all of the good vibes!! The hospital called and moved me up from 12pm to 7:30am......This is even better!!!!! I am not even feeling nervous. I'll let you know how I make out.

There are ways to "get around" the band!! Same with Gastric bypass!! It is a tool that needs to be used in conjunction with good sense and healthy eating habits.... I am being banded tomorrow. I can't wait to start this new chapter of my life!!!

My surgery is scheduled for 12pm. I am supposed to be at the hospital at 11am... Good luck Steph!!! We'll connect soon!!!!

Liquid pain reliever....check chewable vitamins....check chewable calcium.....check liquids stocked in cabinets....check!! Excited? Yeah!!! :lol:Nervous? I don't have time to be nervous!! My kids have me running all day long. Drivers license for my 16yr old, Gymnastics for my 13 yr old and soccer for my 7 yr old!! I can't wait to get to the hospital for some rest!!! :smile2: StephC, I am so excited for you!!! I am hoping to be in your shoes in a year or so, so I will be watching your posts!! Keep in touch!!! I'll e-mail you privately, or you can e-mail me: mclondon@optonline.net Marilyn

Hi Kim!! Welcome to the Fabulous Forties!! I am scheduled for tomorrow :smile2:, but I can't wait!!! May 12th will be here before you know it!! Enjoy the journey!! :biggrin2: Marilyn

Angelic 1: don't sweat it!! I am not even required to do a pre-op diet. As long as you are eating sensibly and trying to stay away from fatty foods, you'll be fine. After you have the band, you will have to make many sacrifices that are permanent....... My day is almost here!!! :blushing: Can't wait!!!!!

Wow!! You are all such an inspiration!! I can't remember when I fit into a size 14. It will be nice to get rid of my "pregnant" looking stomach!! I am being banded on Thursday at noon. It's finally here. I can't wait!!!

Congratulations to all of you who FINALLY got your date. I know that it has to be a HUGE relief!!! :cool2: Now you can countdown to your new birthday!!! 2 more days and I still am not nervous!! My surgery is scheduled for 12pm on the 1st, so I'm sure Thursday morning will be a bit stressful!! :coolgleamA: I can't wait until we can all start posting our victories!!!!!!

Hey Woman!!! I am scheduled for 12pm, so you will be going before me!! I will definitely be praying for you in the morning!! Please come back when you feel up to it and let us know how you made out. I will do the same!!! Marilyn

Hey StephC: I have arranged to get a ride to the hospital. My friend is going to take me. Honestly, my husband will come if I want him to, but he is self-employed and it woud take him out of work for the entire day. Also, he is not very good at waiting around. The hospital is about 30 miles from where I live. I would rather just go, have the procedure done and let him come up later after he and my kids have had dinner......... I don't mind not having anybody there before I go in. I will be so tensed up, that I won't even know they are there. In my hospital experience, the nurses are really great about holding hands, etc.... I know, I'm too independent for my own good, right?!!! Personally, I would prefer not to have my kids there, but I'm sure they will want to see me (at least my 7 yr-old). I will tell them that it has to be a short visit after dinner. I have another friend picking me up on Friday. Again, I would prefer my husband take care of the duties at home (i.e. getting the kids off to school) and then go to work. I don't want to cause a huge disruption in our daily routine. God knows that I will be depending on them enough over the weekend!! I have a new soft mattress. I already told my husband that he will have to help me roll over in the bed :wink2:. I also told my kids "NO FRIENDS OVER FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND"!!! All the best to you!! I am already talking about the tummy tuck that I will need after I lose all of the weight.... This has been a long time coming and you deserve it!!! I'll be anxiously awaiting hearing from you after the surgery!!!! By the way, my name is Marilyn

Ok, now it is down to the home stretch!! I didn't even have time to think about the surgery over the weekend because I was so busy!! Now I am in "nesting" stage trying to get everything "ready" before I am out of commission on Thursday!!! 3 days will fly by!!! I am finally on my way!!! Still not nervous. I'm sure I'll get a little nervous right before they put me under, but then it will be over!!! :wink2:

Hey Ctcutie: Glad to hear from you!! It's less than a week out from your surgery and you are doing great!!! I know that the first few days are not easy and I have planned for 3 solid days of resting, occasional walking, breathing, sipping and that's it!!!! Wow!! 20lbs is a LOT!!! You must feel good though. My doc doesn't require a pre-op diet, but post op is VERY stringent..... Only 1 slimfast per day for 14 days!!!!! I'm getting close and I am still not nervous!! I am soooo ready for this!! I'll keep you all posted on my progress.....

Weightisover: you should take the money that you are saving from Starbucks and start a "new wardrobe" fund!!! You'll be surprised at how fast the $$$ adds up!!!

Sue; I love your MySpace page. You are very talented with the computer. I thought I was good!! House is my favorite show too and I LOVES Vegas!!! :huh2:

After all of my tests/paperwork was submitted, I went to an information seminar at the doc's office. This was on a Thursday. He said that he would transcribe our letters to insurance on Friday. It turned out that the letters didn't go out to insurance companies until the following Thursday. It was received by insurance company on the following Friday morning and I got a call from doc's office on Monday morning!!!! Why don't you call the insurance company and ask if the paperwork has been submitted to them. It may be a delay on the surgeon's or transcription dept's part. I don't know what the process is with transcription, but it sounded like the transcription dept. was an entirely different dept. If they are backed up, then there might be a wait. I hope this helps :huh2:

Gemini: You'll be well on your way on your wedding day!! Congratulations!!

Welcome Jules!! You are going to LOVE coming on to this site for reassurance, questions, support and a whole lot of sisterhood!!! I am getting banded on Thursday. I don't even know how I'm getting to the hospital yet, but no worries!! If I have to drive myself, so be it!!! Congratulations on your decision to take care of YOU!!!!

Calondra; NO, my surgeon does not require a pre-op diet. I am just eating light and avoiding fats and carbs. My doc has me on a pretty stringent post-op diet (after Clear liquids, only 1 slimfast per day for 14 days), so I am not going to do a stringent pre-op diet......... I am looking forward to the surgery and learning new eating habits...... I'll be posting my victories here...stay tuned :smile2: