Cadets71

Congratulations! Sounds like you are pretty much on track with the post-op scenario. As everyone on here says - "You will get better everyday!" I hear you on the Clear liquids - does get old quickly, but it's only for a little while and it is the best way to start healing. My nurse in the hospital told me to guard my pouch like is Fort Knox. That stuck in my mind. So, as I tire of these diet stages, I keep thinking that what I am doing is protecting the tool that is going to help me into a new life. My personal experience with the gas is that it slowly diminished over the past 8 days...still get it but it is so much better. I find that walking and a heating pad is about the only thing that makes it feel better. Hang in there; you'll feel much better tomorrow!

Hi. I am just banded (June 5th) and we are gong on a cruise the end of August. I decided today that I will take my majic bullet to make a protein drink every morning. We can order up fruit and milk to mix in. I will still be on mushies, so I am looking for soups, masked potatoes, soft vegetables. I really am not worried about. I have always found the dining rooms SO acommodating! Good luck and have fun.

Hi Everyone, I am doing really well. Had my post op appt yesterday and was promoted to full liquids - still another week before mushies. I am totally full on 1/4 cup of soup and 1/4 cup of V8 Love having a bit of flavor that isn't sweet! You all sound great! :rolleyes2:

I had a fat free, decaf, iced coffee exactly one week out. It tasted great and I tolerated it fine but could only do about 1/4 cup. Also, I had baby oatmeal this moring and it was awful. Will try cream of wheat tomorrow. It's exciting to be on full liquids.

Beverley, They just opened a fill center here in Vegas. You can find them under the fill center ad on this board. I don't know if my surgeon uses flouroscopy or not. There are only two other bariatric centers in town for lap band: my surgeon, Dr. Teng and Surgical Weight loss Center - Dr.s Atkinson and Soong. I would touch base with all three. There is a fourth surgeon and believe his name is Hamm but I thin he is still in training. Let me know when you are coming!

I had my first post-op visit today. On the day of surgery, I weighed 259. I was terrified that I wouldn't lose weight this week. Although I stayed perfectly on track with the liquids, I was worried. I have this little voice in my head that keeps trying to tell me I can't be successful. Well, when I stepped on his scale, I weighed 244! That's 15 pounds. I broke down and cried. I think I have been given a great gift and I am so grateful. I am going to work with my band and guard my pouch like Fort knox. Now I can begin to believe that I can do this. This board has been a blessing and I am so happy I can share my good news. I hope those considering the surgery will look at people like me and see that there really is hope and if you follow the plan, you will lose.

What does the term "Rep Power" mean? It is located on the left side of each person's post, underneath their name, age, join date, number of posts, etc. I can't find an explanation anywhere. Thanks, Mary

My A1C was 8.1 before surgery and from the surgeon's standpoint - that was not an issue. One of the things about the lap band and losing weight is that our blood sugars will be under better control and our A1Cs will drop accordingly. Also, I have NEVER heard of an insurance company cancelling a surgery because of A1C. Good Luck to you!

Wobin, I was also banded on June 5th and I have had a cough everyday; seems to come in spurts. The first few days it felt like a cough when you get a little chest cold. Now it feels like a tickly cough. I just saw my Dr for my post-op visit and he said it is probably residual tracheal irritation from the endo tracheal tube during surgery. Several people on the site have recommended keeping cough drops around. Hope it gets better for you!

I FORGOT TO ADD MY TOILET SEAT RISER. MY DH got it at a medical supply store. It was a god-send. It is high, so you don't hurt your belly when you sit down on the toilet AND, no need for tongs!!

Sufina, Where were you banded? My sister lives in Portland (Troutdale) and she is doing her research. Let us know when you come to Vegas - maybe we can have a get together. When I am feeling stronger, I am going to try to put a little support group together.

One week of Clear Liquids One week of Full Liquids (adds cream Soups, tomato juice, cream of wheat) Two weeks of pureed food (Baby Food consistency) Week 5 through 3 months is soft diet My surgeon is extremely conservative but he has a great success rate.

Here are some things I had ready: A small scale for weighing foods later on (ordered it online) Small cups (about 5 oz) to eat out of Small spoons (like mini coffee spoons) Liquid Vitamin Liquid or chewable Calcium citrate Chewable Zinc (required by surgeon) Pill crusher if you are on any meds that don't come in liquid form A heating pad - GREAT for the post-op shoulder and back pain:thumbup: Gas-X strips Liquid Tylenol Filled other prescriptions my surgeon gave me (Liquid Vicodin, phenergan) Isopure Zero Carb Protein drink (tastes good and goes with a clear liquid diet) A sampling of Protein shakes and whey protein that I tried before surgery sugar free Jello, Broths, Sugar Free pudding in the Fridge Lip Balm Comfortable lounge clothes Plan on sleeping on a couch or recliner. Last night (post op day 4) was the first night I could sleep in my bed comfortably. I only took me and my glasses to the hospital and the lip balm. Didn't need a thing while there. Had a pillow pre-positioned in the car for the ride home. With these supplies, I have had a very comfortable week. Have not had to go shopping for anything! This is an ecxiting time for you! Don't be nervous. I love my lap band already!

Long2BThin, I am 5 days out as well. My shoulder and back pain is not worse today, but I definitely feel tired. Have been doing really well, I just lost my energy today. My post op followup is tromorrow as well. I am on clear fluids until Friday - then I can have full liquid. I am hoping that will help my energy. Good Luck. I am envious that your surgeon said you could have some refried Beans or eggs! Sounds so good!

I have been using the grape isopure during my first week post-op on clear liquids. It is great - tastes just like crystal light or any other sugar free drink. I am so glad because the powders are generally awful.

Hi Everyone. I went to the hospital on Thursday at 8:00 am and was in the pre-op area gowned, bootied, and IV in place by 8:45. Took 2 sticks for the IV:sad_smile:, but that isn't as bad as other experiences I have had. My DH and sister had time to talk with me for a while. Then the anesthesiologist came in, followed by the surgeon. At that point I was on my way. Before I went to the OR, they gave me the heparin shot in my belly. Anesthesiologist gave me some Versed on the way down the hall so I only vaguely remember getting on the table and having the mask placed. Woke up in Recovery with NO nausea and only minimal pain! I did have a foley catheter so after that was out, I was able to get up and pee. I was back in my room by 2:00pm. My surgeon requires all his patients to spend the night and he does an Upper GI the next morning to make sure everything is in place. So that afternoon I started walking and walking. I was a little surprised how tired I was and how much I hurt. The worst thing by far was that I could have NOTHING by mouth because of the test the next morning to make sure the band was okay. I would have sold my house for an ice chip. I had a second heparin shot, this time in my arm. I took my pain meds at midnight and somehow slept through the night. At 7:30 am on Friday they came to take me for the Upper GI. They didn't use barium this time, rather a thin liqid that tasted terrible, but I didn't care - it was only 3 sips and I was on my way to get ice! At 9:00 the nurse brought me a huge cup of ice and I was in heaven. I had my first "meal" of Jello, crystal lite, and broth. Three tablespoons of each at 11:30 and another meal at 3:00. Received my third and last heparin shot at noon. In between I walked and slept. There were three other ladies on the unit with me and we all were having the same experience. All of us were in our 50's and we all were a bit surprised at how generally sore we were but not a big problem with gas pains. One thing that was really neat is that our surgeon sent each of ua a dozen red roses to Celebrate the beginning of our new life! :tongue2: I was discharged at 4:30 and in bed again by 6:00 after my DH made my dinner (you know 3T each of jello, broth and cystal lite). Had trouble with coughing the second night night - things in my lungs starting to move around. Already felt better the next morning. I didn't expect to have as smooth a recovery as the 20 and 30-somethings, but all things considered, it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. First day was definitely the worst. Days 2,3, and 4 each got a bit better. I still can't sleep well because I can't lay on my left side. I take pain meds only at night and that allows me to get about 5 hours of sleep. Went to the movies on Day 3 and that tired me out for the rest of the day. It's now Day Four post-op and I am moving pretty well. I am not hungry and life is good. Minimal shoulder pain, very minimal belly pain - just get tired easily. I am so happy I am here and onto my new life. Thank you to everyone who has supprted me - I love this forum and I look forward to continuing to share the journey.

Mae, at www.Bariatriceating.com you will find chewable 400mg calcium citrate in chocolate flavor, as well as cherry, cinnamom, and mint. I was just getting ready to order them. I am supposed to take 1200mg per day so that would be three pills. A box of 180 will last me two months at a cost of $29.95. This is a good site for a lot of bariatric requirements. Good Luck!

Hi Kansascase and Bjane... Good to hear from you guys! I was banded on June 5th and it sounds like we are all in about the same state of recovery. We are all also about the same age - so that's a good barometer!:wink_smile: My biggest problem is that I still have trouble sleeping at night because I can't get on my side. But every night gets a bit easier. I only take my vicodin at night (since Saturday). Me post-op followup is Wednesday but I can't add creamed food until Friday - and I am READY!! Let's all stay online and keep each other updated.:biggrin:

Leslie, I will be thinking about you today and wishing you all the very best! I look forward to hearing your story when it is over. I understand scared. I was terrified on my surgery day - but now I am 4 days out and I am a happy camper. Minimal pain and I am not hungry. Doesn't get any better. Also, I am 30 years older than you - so that should give you some encouragement!!:tongue2:

Nausea was a HUGE concern for me too. I am very susceptible to it. The good news is that I am 3 days post-op and I have had ZERO nausea; didn't even have a tinge in the recovery room after the anesthesia. I am thrilled! I think you will do fine.

BrownieUNC, have you tried the Isopure protein drinks? I am 3 days post op and my meal plan this week includes 3 tablespoons of isopure at "dinner". I am very taste/gag sensitive but I have not had a problem with sips of the Isopure. Right now I am drinking the frosty grape. There are several flavors.

Hi Everyone. I went to the hospital on Thursday at 8:00 am and was in the pre-op area gowned, bootied, and IV in place by 8:45. Took 2 sticks for the IV:sad_smile:, but that isn't as bad as other experiences I have had. My DH and sister had time to talk with me for a while. Then the anesthesiologist came in, followed by the surgeon. At that point I was on my way. Before I went to the OR, they gave me the heparin shot in my belly. Anesthesiologist gave me some Versed on the way down the hall so I only vaguely remember getting on the table and having the mask placed. Woke up in Recovery with NO nausea and only minimal pain! I did have a foley catheter so after that was out, I was able to get up and pee. I was back in my room by 2:00pm. My surgeon requires all his patients to spend the night and he does an Upper GI the next morning to make sure everything is in place. So that afternoon I started walking and walking. I was a little surprised how tired I was and how much I hurt. The worst thing by far was that I could have NOTHING by mouth because of the test the next morning to make sure the band was okay. I would have sold my house for an ice chip. I had a second heparin shot, this time in my arm. I took my pain meds at midnight and somehow slept through the night. At 7:30 am on Friday they came to take me for the Upper GI. They didn't use barium this time, rather a thin liqid that tasted terrible, but I didn't care - it was only 3 sips and I was on my way to get ice! At 9:00 the nurse brought me a huge cup of ice and I was in heaven. I had my first "meal of Jello, crystal lite, and broth. Three tablespoons of each at 11:30 and another meal at 3:00. Received my third and last heparin shot at noon. In between I walked and slept. There were three other ladies on the unit with me and we all were having the same experience. All of us were in our 50's and we all were a bit surprised at how generally sore we were but not a big problem with gas pains. One thing that was really neat is that our surgeon sent each of ua a dozen red roses to Celebrate the beginning of our new life! I was discharged at 4:30 and in bed again by 6:00 after my DH made my dinner (you know 3T each of jello, broth and cystal lite). Had trouble with coughing last night - things in my lungs starting to move around. Already feel better this morning. I didn't expect to have as smooth a recovery as the 20 and 30-somethings, but all things considered, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. First day was definitely the worst. I am so happy I am here and onto my new life. Thank you to everyone who has supprted me - I love this forum and I look forward to continuing to share the journey.

Imagoofball, I had surgery Thursday as well and really started coughing on Friday. I am trying to take deep breaths and walk a lot...but yes, it kept me up last night. I also panic a little because it makes me feel like I can't breath. I am sure it will get better! Hang in there. You are not alone.

Marie, I am going to be banded tomorrow as well...so I totally understand the nerves! Yesterday was worse than today in that regard. I felt teary and just an emotional wreck. However, I have no doubt that I have made the right choice. I am sure there are cases where gastric bypass might be a better option but not for most of us. It's been the surgery of choice in Australia and England for years! We won't be malnourished for the rest of our life and our body parts are all intact. That's enough reason for me! I am at peace that it will take time and hard work. I think we will be just great after we get past the surgery tomorrow. Just remember you are not alone. Lots of of will be in the same "place" tomorrow and we are all here to help support one another. Take care and check back in when you can. Hugs and good thoughts...

Eeyore, Bless your heart! I am so glad you found the courage to go through with the surgery. I remember that you had a pretty rough week right before. I am sure that today you are happy you did it. It's all part of yur new life and moving forward. I am really happy for you. Thanks for sharing all the details. I go in tomorrow and somehow hearing the details helps. Take Care and check back often!