jtorie

I have been overweight my entire life. I only remember a couple years right before puberty that I was a decent weight. Since I started my period its been irregular. I took birth control for about a year, and afterwards had a bled for 6 months strait then not at all for about 2 years. Since that time I have been having a period every 6 months on the dot. My last period was 3 months ago. I started today 4 days before my surgery. Although I spoke with the surgeons office and they said no problem. Just one more thing I have to worry about. About 8 years ago (I can't believe its been that long) I had Emerg. Appendectomy, cut one side to the other for exploratory as my appendix burst. Worst pain ever to recover from and I started my period the day following my surgery. I don't know what my deal is. besides the fact that I have lost 14 lbs rather quickly. maybe stress? who knows... anyone else have this happen to them? Thanks Jul:ohmy:

:huh2: I am not asking for permission, I think I have already screwed up... While my current habits are not as bad as in the past I have definetly not stuck to my Doctors diet plan. I don't know if I screwed up the band or not, but I can't seem to get back on plan... I have been extremely hard on my self and practically in tears all the time... I feel horrible knowing that I could have already screwed this whole surgery up. Today not even paying attention, I drove up to a drive thru and ordered what I used to order 2 5pc chicken nuggests and a baked potato... I was on auto pilot and ate like a Hoover vacuum... I felt extremely full (NOT SICK), and horrible... I know everyones advised is stick to the diet, you can do its only for a short time, no excuses yada yada (no disrespect). But Dammit I did it, I am not saying its okay... but I can't control it... I hadn't even realized I ate all of the food until it was gone... Its horrible I know, I've even been seeing a couple different counselors and psychiatrist... nothing is helping... It drives me insane to think I put all the time and pain into this surgery to maybe of screwed up before it had a chance to work. All these people are looking for is kind words, support... not permission... I am sharing my humiliating story with you because I know I am not the only one and when people say they never strayed from your diet THEY ARE LYING. I will talk to my doctor and tell him the truth and hopefully nothing bad has happened to the band.

Yes, it is possible in most cases, you may need to have a couple tests done to confirm that they will be able to successfully perform LB surgery. Good Luck!

you may still be quite swollen in the pouch or band area, rather than trying the more solid foods. Maybe try egg drop/flower Soup without the veggies for Protein, take some quick and easy Protein shakes I personally like atkins advantage or EAS myoplex lite. or mix mashed potatoes with thin gravy or broth. Cream of wheat thinned with milk or melted butter. My doc has a restrictive diet of clear liquids for 6 weeks. I have been pulling my hair out, and have tried these suggestions with no problems. I was banded March 18. 08. Good Luck with your band! J

I had my surgery in SE WASHINGTON (Tri City Area)... 2 weeks out from surgery. I feel good down 31 lbs... It just seems to melt off... my best suggestion is read read read. Everyones experiences everything differently. Its not the worst surgery I've had, but trust me it is still surgery, you will have pain. My only regret is not going crazy and eating all my favorite foods before surgery, because I am craving them really bad right now. stick to your Drs. diet also... they have a reason for the diets. GOOD LUCK! Keep us all posted on how your doing!!!

It could also be nerves. When the surgery is done they chop up your nerves, and they are very painfull to heal. you pain sounds similar to what I was having on my left side and after a few days it moved to mid abdomen. If its achy its usually gas pains but if it sharp like a lightening bolt or a series of bolts then its usually nerves healing. If your uncertain and still worried give your surgeons office a call. If you think it may be constipation, you may also try a small dose of Phillips Milk of Magnesia to help it move along. Good Luck with your new band!! J

LOL Iam 23. My family was poor so we lived right on up through 2003 like it was still the 80's. I can relate my entire childhood to this. Pretty funny stuff. Thanks for sharing!

I was banded on March 18, 2008, and I am supposed to be on Clear liquids until mid april... I am having a really hard time with it, so much so that I have added cream of wheat, apple sauce, cottage cheese and occasionally chicken for Protein. I have tried several suggested Protein shakes (wasted 100's of $'s) and still have not found one I am able to choke down without gagging, so I know that is where a lot of the hunger feelings are coming from and the need for protein. I also have been craving all that is bad for me. I am glad to know I am not the only one. Has anyone slipped the band from this sort of pre fill eating? Thanks and Good Luck!!! J

Thank you to everyone for you tips! Yesterday I went to see my surgeon, I called their office and they told me to be there ASAP as it did not sound good. By the time I had gotten to his office, most of the itchiness had passed but the redness and puffiness was extreme (and at every incision), apparently I had a severe allergic reaction to the steri-strips. He told me to take claritin during the day and a double dose of benedryl at night. I was also told to stop using the benedryl cream because it was making it worse. The redness and puffiness is about half gone now. I now have healing itch (which I have to say isn't as bad as the allergy itch). Good Luck Everyone!!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE, THIS is DAY 3 and itching is more tolerable. I will be going to the store I'll see what I can find. Thanks for the ideas.

Yeah I plan to tomorrow! I was just wondering if anyone knew now, its 11:00 pm here, their office is closed. I'm sticking with the ice right now... well MR. FREEZE POPS (LOL). I am going nuts!!!

I am 8 days out from surgery, and the itching has been going on for 2 days and driving me insane. Is there anything to relieve it? Can I use benedryl cream, cortizone 10. I use ice which lasts for maybe 10 minutes. But its still driving me NUTZ! Please someone help!!!

Hi Jomarie, I am 8 days post op. I had a bad addiction to caffeine mostly, Diet Coke... I can actually say most of my cravings are gone, I have tried a few things post surgery that I used to love and I don't really even want them. The way I keep myself from drinking carbonated beverages is thinking how it will taste to drink it flat:thumbdown:. Once you start giving your body the good foods and lose some weight though you won't need the coffee for caffeine. You will have more energy than you'll know what to do with! I regretted my band the day prior and then up to 3 days after. But I am sooo happy that I have it now. I can't wait for my first fill, April 29th... Good Luck!

You know, I only had to deal with the gas pains for a few hours after surgery. It was up under my rib cage. Changing positions really helps with that. Otherwise the gas pains were completely gone once I left the from the surgery the same day! Good Luck Hope you feel better, soon!

I would have to agree please seek another opinion (I have 215 lbs to lose) My surgeon did not have second thoughts, I was banded a week ago! Check with a LapBand only surgeon!

Banded. am soo glad I took two weeks off. nearing the end of my first week and I will need at least one to recoup. Its not bad, just taking longer to recoup that I initially expected. still quite a bit of incision pain. and side and back pains. It is better and better every day, though! Yay for being banded. I don't regret it at all! The weight has simply melted, I know its mostly post surgery. but well worth it even if this is the only wieght I will lose. (I know it isn't)

I'd like to pose a question to the post weight loss banders: Once you've lost a great amount of weight (to where its very noticeable), do you notice how people treat you differently? How you feel in public? How you feel with your husband/wife (sorry if this is too personal) or how you feel dating? At work? with Family? friends? I am getting banded on March 18, 2008. and was just wondering. Also I watch a lady on some talk show that had GB, and after a TT (tummy tuck) and LBL (lower body lift) she looked great. But was Angry at men and other people for treating her better now that she was smaller. She didn't date or socialize much because she felt betrayed. Thanks everyone! This board is great, everyone is very supportive!:smile:

I had surgery yesterday March 18, I came out of recovery around 2:15, then waited for my doc to come in. I felt great and begged to be release, apparently he made an exception and I was home by 8:30. I still feel pretty god definetely more sore! the 3rd day is always the worst. So honestly good luck with everything.

hamburger and fries blended in the blender, yum! LOL... I read a great tip on another thread. Take anything you are craving and put it in the blender until mushie. Be glad your at that stage, I would love to be there but I still have 4 weeks and 2 days until mushies... (still on pre op diet, surgery in 2 days)

Hi Destynee, My surgeon has strict guidlines also. Once banded and in the 3rd month, I can have 1 oz (shot glass sized) of food 3 times a day from 60 g. Protein drink. He said that his patients are satisfied with the 1 oz. I think it has something to do with the band being placed higher on the stomach so there is a smaller pouch. Good Luck!

Thanks! I will

I am not so nervous about the surgery, as I am post surgery weightloss and being able to stick to the diet that the surgeon has written out. I am also worried a bit about my dad, who has never had surgery nor had to take care of someone who has. I asked him a while back if he'd take the day off from work and stay with me for the day of surgery. Apparently surgery is no big deal to him because he planned on taking his wife to a Drs. appt, then coming back to the Hospital to pick me up, then go back and pick up his wife then drive me to my moms in his little tiny '80s toyota stick shift with Jerky shifting. He kept saying to me over the phone, "well someone should have told me that there was more to surgery!" And when he tried to ask his wife to reschedule her appt. She said no, he then asked her if she could get another ride and she said no you will drive me. Its 30 minutes after my scheduled surgery. So I hope that plans don't fall through, and I hope he doesn't plan on driving his car. I told him I'd rather ride in my car for comfort reasons. Otherwise, I think the surgery will be a breeze, I've had abdominal surgery before. cut one side to the other almost as if they were going to do a lbl (lower body lift, I should of had them do it while they were exploring. eh!). You may be thinking well cant she find someone else to drive her. Ah! My mom is heading on her 16th surgery on the 19th (brain related) so she and her husband have been told to stay away from the hospital. And also, my dad has gotten off pretty much scott free for taking care of the "big" tasks with me and my siblings, our mom's pretty much took care of everything, and I THOUGHT he was feeling left out, so I thought it might of made him feel like a DAD if I included him this time. Apparently, it doesn't matter. Don't get me wrong he's a great dad when it comes to boy things, like cars, camping and fishing. but he has no knowledge if its medical related. Sorry I am just venting. You all don't know me, so I have to add in details. Trust me, I've been told by people who have had slipped bands and everything that the surgery is the easy part. The hardest part is over once you reach the pre op room on the day of your surgery. I may have to agree with that, I went threw hell to get everything together for surgery. It took almost 6 months, but everything is done now! Surgery Here I come! Peace to everyone!

4 weeks of clear liquids, plus (3) Protein shakes a day. 5 weeks of mushies, then 1 solid food at a time for a week each. I am still on preop diet, but I am sooooo ready for solid foods. Julie:thumbup: YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Yeah I know what you mean...I would have to agree with maidmarion, your body just needs time to adjust to the weight loss and then you may see changes. Although I was in denial for a long time thinking I wore a size 26, until one day they were so tight I couldn't breath. I went strait out to get a new pair of pants and couldn't even fit into a Lane Bryant 28. I still have yet to find a comfortable pair of jeans. I know I have a ways to go until I can again fit into a 26. but lucky for me I won't have to buy any clothes I have lots of clothes left from that time in my life, LOL and they are back instyle, eh. sweats and jammas until then. ha. Good Luck with your weight loss!!! and also know that you scale may be inaccurate and DRs. scale correct. I'd rather go by my docs scale if the number looks better. ~J

My psych eval was done by a friend of my surgeons. Which I think helped tremendously. I answered his questions truthfully, but did not offer more information than he requested. God only knows I could be a mental head case with my Childhood and early adulthood. But I have never thought of it that way. psychs are trained to percieve everything the look in your eyes when you talk, your mannerisms, to check if you have nervous characteristics, watches your body language possibly to check if your lying or telling the whole truth. They pay close attention to your confidence levels when you answer questions. I believe that that is probably 60% if not more important to "pass" the whole psych eval. I am either a really good liar (in body language) or I really believed the answers I gave. Either way, he thought I was healthy enough to have the surgery and succeed. ~J