heartfire

I don't have ANY port pain (banded 8/25) but I have pain below the port incision. I figure there are some stitches there and they keep pulling. Got worse this AM when my 2 year old started to fall and I tried to keep her from it! Didn't work, she still fell and I got hurt in the process too!!! Now it's burning a little. Need to take some pain meds and I'll feel better soon. Next week I see my surgeon for my post-op appt and I'll ask him about it then but if it does get worse, then I'll call before-hand. I have 5 incisions. One on my breastbone and four along the front of my abdomen. The one above and the two to the outside are all small and the two to the inside are larger, the one to the left being the largest.

I decided to use something only because I scar really easy. It's not so much that I'm worried about the scars, I just want them to heal nicely. Mine are really dry too and they itch so this is helping in that respect also. Oh! I guess I should tell you what I'm using! It's Emu Oil. It's expensive but you only need a little dab. The stuff is going to last forever. I had surgery on 08/25 and started using the oil this past Tuesday. I must say they look fantastic! It also helps with the itching. I don't know if it's the oil or the rubbing but the bruising around the incisions also look A LOT better too. I have a large bruise on my left forearm from blowing a vein with the IV (my veins suck on my left arm, right would've been better but they couldn't use that arm!) and I decided last night to put a little oil on it and overnight looks sooo much better! Especially since it hadn't changed in the week plus since surgery. And like I said, it could be partly rubbing the oil in that's helping too. They say the oil is good for burns and skin conditions too. DH has some eczema and I'm going to have him try this stuff to see if it helps. I don't know that you need to use anything but I am!

LOL Heather!! It is... indirectly! It's the weight you've lost. Happened to my mom too after losing almost 150lbs with the bypass! She'd complain that her butt hurt all the time! She doesn't complain about it so much now but I don't know if that's because she's just gotten used to it or if it's gone away! Maybe you could just carry a little pillow around with you! Enjoy! (The weight loss NOT the pain!)

I noticed that you were in Ireland! Oh! You could bake up or roast some chickens and then separate them up into portions, again to freeze for later. Sounds like you've got a good start to the new week! I think once you get going you'll start thinking of different things you like or want to try. I think it will translate to the scales. I notice a big difference in the scale when I'm eating well. Even if the calorie load is the same. If it's good foods, lean meats, veggies and fruit vs. the high carb, high calorie, lack of veggies and fruit, then I definitely see a difference in how hungry I am and how the scale moves. I just got banded so this is of course before banding. I'm still on liquids and can't wait to get back to the fresh veggies and fruit we get from the farm! Someday I'm going to get over there! I want to visit so bad!!! Someday....

Thank you! These sound like great ideas! I'll have to try them as I go.

I was going to suggest some of the same things as Michee. I'd also like to add things such as casseroles, stews, roasting a mix of root veggies, etc. All of those can be done ahead of time and portioned, then frozen for individual meals. Another thing you could do would be to make a pot of spaghetti sauce, again freezing in portions, then you cook up a bit of noodles, add a salad and you've got a nice little meal. Of course I'm not sure what you can and can't tolerate so you need to take that into consideration. You'd also be able to save a little money by buying a bigger portion (family size) of something and making it into a dish for smaller meals later. Instead of buying just a small portion (single size) of something to eat once. I'd definitely advise a cooking day on one of your days off. It would be so much easier for you. Best wishes and let us know how it goes!

1. Kaiser 2. Northern CA 3. DH's employer 4. Banded 8/25/08

That's good, Fanny! Love it!!! :smile:

I think if you're chugging the water, it would get backed up in your pouch and could stretch it eventually. If you are taking small swallows and waiting in between, it should just flow through to your larger stomach. I have only seen a few people on here that said their surgeons said no to nuts. I have seen other people eating them, eventually. I think these are the last to the list of solid foods to be added. On that note, I just looked at my level foods list my surgeon gave me and starting with soft foods, I can have chunky PB! That's level 2. Level 3 says I can add nuts, says mixed, cashews, pecans and peanuts. As far as protein, as a vegetarian, you know you can have beans, soy nuts, etc. If you mean on the liquids, you're just going to have find a shake or powder that agrees with you and use that. Once you can add stuff to your liquids you could blend tofu to add to your broth and such. Best bet though would be to call your surgeon's office or nutritionist and ask them for specifics regarding all of the above. I can only tell you my thoughts and what my surgeon has given me. I can't tell you what you can or can't do. Best wishes!!

I'm so sorry that you had to hear that and from your own brother. I'm also sorry that you have that knowledge now. It's not an easy thing to deal with. It's also not something you'll forget anytime soon, if ever! :smile: I chose to only tell a few people that I was pretty sure would be only supportive. Whether they agree or not, they would still support me. That does not mean that I told my whole family. I may chose to tell my sister at some point but only my mom knows as well as my mil and fil. Other than that, I've only told some close friends. It may be that you need to only chose some close friends to tell and leave your family out of it. I'm sorry that it has to be that way for you. Take care and keep coming back here for support.

Oh good! I had my mom here to deal with DD. It was such a huge help. DH is home now til the 8th (vacation) and my mom went home today. She'll be back on the 7th to help while DH is gone at work the 8th-10th. I have my post-op appt on the 10th so it'll be nice to have her help that week. I'm sure I'd be fine but since she's willing, I'm taking her up on it. The Dr is an hour away and I don't have child care so have to take my 2 year old with me. So having my mom here to drive and keep DD occupied is huge for me. Starting my 4th week that next Monday, then I'm on my own when DH goes to work (he's a fireman and works a 72hr shift). Should be perfectly okay by then except for the lifting restriction, that'll go another 2 weeks. Sounds like your folks are close by, that's nice. DH and I are on our own. Family is at the very least an hour away (my mom is 3hrs away) and everyone works so it's tough on us sometimes. Glad to hear you both are doing so much better today! Every day seems to be getting better! My incisions are itching too. Not sure if it's the glue on them or them! Probably both! Take care!

RM, I was doing the same thing yesterday and it all of a sudden dawned on me that I wasn't sipping! Scared me too! I think the swelling finally went down and that's what we aren't feeling. If that makes any sense! My stomach growled a few times yesterday too! I'm looking forward to being able to add yogurt, puddings and purees in another week (the 8th). I think the sipping is going to come later as we get restriction. Just my theory at this point. I haven't been burping much, they get stuck in my chest but I am passing gas. More yesterday than anything previous. I'm taking Gas-x strips every couple hours and that's helping some. I've also been walking about 15 minutes, very slowly, on the treadmill to help as well. Sneezing and laughing hurt. My 2 year old is hilarious and it hurts!! LOL!! Hang in there, I think you're doing great!

I'm not on a clear liquid diet. Mine is shakes. UGH! Until the 7th (2 weeks total post-op plus another 10 day pre-op). The 8th, I'll start purees. I'm adding other liquids to the shakes though just for hydration and something different. The shakes are my nutrition.

dwrd, so glad to "hear" from you! Really glad that you and your wife are home and doing well. I have been hit and miss the last couple of days too. Had to go to the main August list to find out if you'd posted yet! Was starting to worry! The gas has been bad but not toooooo unbearable but the constipation, I never took into account. Sorry, TMI but it's kinda the biggest problem I have at this point! LOL!! Take care and hang in there. Do you two have someone at home helping you?

The only shake type that I've found so far that I like is the Slim Fast Low Carb chocolate. The Vanilla one gets too sweet after a bit although it's not bad. bipro (google it) has a Whey Protein Isolate that you can add a scoop of to anything. Has 20 grams of protein, 80 calories and I've put it in broth, juice, boosted the shakes and put it in milkshakes and other stuff. You don't taste or smell a difference. The only thing you have to remember is to not put it in something too hot, it curdles and that's just disgusting!

Actually I think it's great you've lost anything at all! And 10lbs is great! I've heard and read on here that the first 4-6 weeks is for healing only and if you happen to lose, it's a nice side benefit. Until you start getting fills and proper restriction and exercise, losing is a crap-shoot. So. I think you should stop worrying! I think you're doing great! Everyone is different and loses are going to be different, just as fills are going to be different.

RM, that's wonderful!!! So glad it worked this time! I KNEW you could do it! Take care and rest!

Been an "up and down" week. I think last Friday's WI was 210.5. Day of surgery (Monday) was 209.6. That night was 216.9. Now, I'm back down to 210.8. Figured it'd be crazy with all the stuff going on. Exercise, I managed the treadmill Wednesday and Thursday and went "once around the track" or a 1/4 of a mile, each day. Wednesday I was going about .8 of a mile an hour and it took me almost 17 minutes to do it. Yesterday I went 1 mile an hour and it took me just over 15 minutes to do it. Then come to find out I'd had the treadmill set for a 2% incline both days! Hooray for me!! LOL! Diet, I'm still on shakes til Sunday the 7th so we'll see how the week goes. I may start adding low fat/low sodium broth to the mix to change it up a bit. I have the bipro whey Protein Isolate that I can add to get my protein in. We'll see. Off to court! Have a beautiful day everyone!! TTFN!!

I don't see where I was yelling. The only all-caps I used were for certain words for emphasis. I realize we are all different. Sassymama was talking about her experience. She wasn't generalizing except to say that if our post-ops said only liquids and what types then that is what we should do b/c this is what happened to her. She specifically states that her post is for those of us on a 2 week liquids diet. That's not generalizing except to make a note for those of us following a similar diet. The only reason I even mentioned my pre-op is b/c it happens to be the same as my 2 week post-op diet. Just a clarification thing. I think it's great you lost 9lbs before surgery! I had been losing through the program Kaiser requires but the surgeon requires the pre-op shake thing as extra insurance for the liver being small enough. I have heard of surgeon's not requiring anything. Question for you. When did you get hungry? I'm so not hungry right now. I have to do my 2 oz of shakes on the clock or I forget about it. I'm hoping I don't get hungry for awhile but I also know everyone is different in that as well. Just wondering how it worked for you. Thanks! I do apologize if you took my post wrong. That wasn't my intention. It's hard when it's all words and no facial expressions! Maybe I should start using the little faces below more often! :cursing: Take care!

I'm right there with you on the trying to do it on your own thing. I'm not a single mom but DH is a fireman and gone part of the week and if it's fire season, depending on what's burning and where, he may not be home for a good month or so. I also try to do it all on my own. Sometimes it's just easier. We also don't have any family close that is available. The closest is an hour away and mil works full-time, so they can't help much. So I totally get it. You may have a totally different experience than I have but I just wanted to warn you for at least the first few days, it's going to be tough. I'm glad you're going to talk to your mom. You may be surprised and your cheapskate dad may not have any say this time! :cursing: Especially since it involves the grandbaby! I've noticed grandma's change when it comes to the grandbabies! LOL!! Best wishes to you!

Had surgery at 8AM Monday and was home by 5:30 that evening. Would have been about 2 hours sooner except that my surgeon made me drink some NASTY Opti-something shakes and I heard him say I could go home if I could drink it. Well, I went too fast and PB'd it back up! DUMB!!!!!!! Then I had to sit there another hour before they'd let me try again and it took me another 1/2 an hour to drink the disgusting stuff. So by the time we got out of there it was already 4:30 and then an hour ride home.

Flowers, she stated that she is still on the 2 week post-op liquid diet! She is not to have anything other than liquids! It sounds like you are further along than that. Especially if you've already gone for a fill (I'm sorry your first fill didn't work for you :tt1: ). I'm so glad you didn't eat the sandwich sooner although you felt you could have. It's so important to follow the surgeon's guidelines. This stage before the first fill is for healing ONLY! NOT losing weight. Once we've healed and start getting fills THEN we can start worrying about losing some of these pounds we're hauling around. Unfortunately, I'm continuing on my shake diet for the 2 weeks after surgery (had to do them for 10 days before surgery). Although being only just banded on Monday, the shakes are fine right now. Come next week, I might change my mind! :thumbup: Flowers, I hope your next fill is better for you. I've heard that it can sometimes take awhile for the fills to start working. Sometime 4 or 5 before restriction happens. Hang in there! Sassymama, thanks for the warning. Crackers seem so benign. I'm hoping you feel better soon. Take care. And no more crackers!!

Betelnut, I just have to tell you that if you can get help, please take it. I had surgery Monday. No way could I take care of DD (2 yrs old) today on my own. She also had a complete meltdown last night b/c mama couldn't pick her up and hold her like she wanted. It was just too big of a day for her. Too many changes, too much going on, etc. I'm blessed in that DH was able to get the day off and take me to the hospital (an hour away) and my mom took off from work and drove 3 hrs to come down for the week. DH had to go back to work today but mom is here til Saturday. DH will be back home from work on Thursday. I'm also on liquid Hydrocodone for pain and no way can I drive right now. Even without the meds, I don't feel near comfortable enough to try it. I just want you to really think about things and how you can manage for you and your 2 1/2 yr old. I don't feel horrible but I do FEEL it. And you have to move slow and it's amazing how much you use your middle for everything. Just really think about it, please. I'm not trying to scare you, by any means, but I did want you to know how it's been for me just 1 day out from surgery. I'll hope and pray that you can get some help. Sit down and talk to your mom about it. She may surprise you. Especially if it means she gets to spend so much time taking care of your baby! Take care and let me know how it goes. Oh and I thought I was going to be in overnight but I came home same day.

Just wanted to let everyone know I'm home and doing well. Sore but that's to be expected. I have a "small, beautiful" liver so the liquid shake pre-op did it's job! FOLLOW YOUR PRE-OP DIET IF YOU HAVE ONE!!! Amazingly, I never got nervous! Everyone was commenting on my attitude both before and after surgery and that was nice. Every single person I dealt with today, was fantastic! So nice, and curious about the surgery. The gal who checked me in wants it and we sat and talked about it for a few minutes! I think I've become a walking advertisement for it!! LOL!! I'm off for now. Just wanted to check in with everyone! Best wishes to our 26ers!!

Thank you! I'm really looking forward to it! Who'd a thunk I'd be looking forward to SURGERY!!! LOL!! Not sure if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. I'm not nervous, I'm sure that'll come later. I'm actually very calm right now. Need to leave the house at 4:30AM due to roadwork and the hospital being an hour away. Need to be there by 6AM for surgery at 8AM. I'm the first one of the day for them. Two other gals that I had my classes with are having bypass with the same surgeon tomorrow so we're hoping to be seeing each other in recovery at some point. Best wishes to my 08-25-08 sisters and brothers!! I'll be praying for all of us! See ya on the other side!