vericks

Thanks Melissa, I visited your journal site and it helps. vickie

Thanks for your feedbacks. I will refer to the list. It also helps to know things are what is to be expected. Vickie:) :girl_hug:

Banded on May 29 2006, it's now been a little over a month. I seem to be healing nicely, been trying to put some neosporin with vitamin E on my stitches, hopefully to lessen the scarring. Have a little pain on one side and feel a little restriction with the band, but not significant. Went to Dr. Enochs first follow up visit after surgery. I had gained a pound over the 20 I had lost after surgery. That sure was a bummer! Dr. Enochs told me to concentrate on healing right now and if all looks good I might get my first fill next visit. The thing is I am still mostly on mushies and most of those are carb oriented. I sure have been hungry this last week, June 4, 2006. I am trying to be careful what I eat, but it's been a challenge. I guess this is where "patience is a virtue." Still a little hard to bend or stretch, also trying to keep up with a regular exercise routine. Since I am on the road a lot it's hard to come up with a snack I can eat while driving on the road. When I eat small meals consistently I seem to do much better. Kind of tired of liquids! Looking forward to down the road with weight loss. I wrote the NC site and they gave me some suggestions on eating, basic answer avoid carbs! I was referred to the LapBandTalk.com site on forums>food specifically dylansmoms listing. That site has a list of foods that help, great information. :nervous

Banded on May 29 2006, it's now been a little over a month. I seem to be healing nicely, been trying to put some neosporin with vitamin E on my stitches, hopefully to lessen the scarring. Have a little pain on one side and feel a little restriction with the band, but not significant. Went to Dr. Enochs first follow up visit after surgery. I had gained a pound over the 20 I had lost after surgery. That sure was a bummer! Dr. Enochs told me to concentrate on healing right now and if all looks good I might get my first fill next visit. The thing is I am still mostly on mushies and most of those are carb oriented. I sure have been hungry this last week, June 4, 2006. I am trying to be careful what I eat, but it's been a challenge. I guess this is where "patience is a virtue." Still a little hard to bend or stretch, also trying to keep up with a regular exercise routine. Since I am on the road a lot it's hard to come up with a snack I can eat while driving on the road. When I eat small meals consistently I seem to do much better. Kind of tired of liquids! Looking forward to down the road with weight loss. I wrote the NC site and they gave me some suggestions on eating, basic answer avoid carbs! I was referred to the LapBandTalk.com site on forums>food specifically dylansmoms listing. That site has a list of foods that help, great information. :nervous

Best of wishes for the surgery. You can do this! I have to remind myself that same thing! I've been banded a month now and I am excited to get on with a new life. How about you?

That is so exciting, I just hope for such a day also. I am so happy for you. Okay bond girl share how you got to this wonderful weight! Once banded what have you done to be consistent and what works and what doesn't. Did you lose the majority of the weight right off or later? Vickie

Hi I'm doing so much better, now going on a month out. I wasn't able to get a fill but maybe the next visit. My doctor fills my hernia and stitiches still need time to heal. So I basically eat soft mushies which are carbs. I haven't lost since surgery and keep going up and down a pound. My doctor says to not worry that I need to concentrate on just healing. Is this fairly standard? Good luck Karen! vickie

Congratulations on your upcoming band. We wish you the very best. My "runs" came after surgery, but I didn't have any preop diet per say. Keep this thread out there and someone has the answer. Ask your doctor if this is common in the preop diet phase. Get yourself lots of pillows, even a neck pillow was helpful, the kind you put around your neck. Mine even vibrated. Lemonade Gatorade was wonderful (and I am not a Gatorade person). Make sure you order your pain prescription ahead of time. I had a bad reaction to my first pain medication, got it changed and did so much better. Heating pad, a must. Walk, walk, walk, but carefully. And a new life begins! Vickie

Yay for you! I have been banded going on my third week now. This is a sight you want to stay glued to. They can help you through any problem or get you motivated to get to your doctor when you need to. The first week was kind of rough but I had a hernia repair also. If you can get past that things are going great. I am healing and up and about. I have began to tread mill the last couple of days. I will be getting my first fill next week. Lots of mushies, really got hooked on the mashed potatoes this week, but have to watch the amount. I found the creamy tomato soup to be so soothing. You need to get a heating pad and lots of pillows. I got a wedge pillow which helped me stay slanted and comfortable, also a neck pillow came in handy. Make sure you get the protein drinks that say they are low in carbs, Atkins etc. I loved the GatorAid Lemonade (I don't usually like gatoraid) but it seem to settle well and kept my electrolytes up. Something that I wasn't told was about the pain in the shoulder and neck from the gas they use to pump you up for surgery. If this occurs it takes a couple of weeks to ease up. I just used a lot of cold/heat compresses. Watch the pain medication. I was sensitive to the first pain medication, kept getting sick from it. I switched and was so much the better. Like they say its better to get up even if to walk around a few rooms than lay still. The purpose mostly to get your intestinal issues moving as quickly as you can. If you can go to the potty, it's a big deal and seems to ease up the after surgery shutdown (as I like to call it). So if grape juice works for you, drink it. Lastly, when in doubt call the doctor. This site really will help you, keep in touch. All of us are rooting for you! Vickie

Hopefully by now you have this under control. What did your doctor do for you? Are you doing better? Was it due to too much tightness? My thoughts are with you and hope this finds you having a better day. vickie

I have been banded going on my third week and I have the same issues. I haven't had a fill. I keep losing and gaining two pounds. I am trying to cut back on my carb mushies (potatoes, puddings) to see if that makes a change. I get my first fill in another week, perhaps that will bring about a loss of pounds. I lost thirteen pounds initially but nothing except a pound since. Hang in there until your fill. Vickie

Sorry when things like that happen. Why don't people give complete information, it gets so frustrating, but you are going back Thursday and that will be over. Good results, I am getting at a bit of the hungry stage also. I keep filling up with the water and liquids. Helps some. Vickie

I use to live in Houston back in the 1985 for about six years, then in Dallas about 4. Love those Texans, and miss them. I still have a son living in Arlington Texas. We live in North Carolina now, love those North Carolinians also, and are very happy here as well. Sounds like you've done well. I got banded this week and this is my best day yet, looking forward to continual improvement and success. Keep us informed! Vickie

Thanks DVSA Boss Your feedback was soooooo inspirational and promising. I need to remind myself a step at a time. Yay, another over fifty, we are out there! Vickie

Hey Jude, (had to say that line, makes me chuckle) Anyway, It has now been nine days since the operation and today I am feeling quite well thank you. Hurray! So if I can get through this I know you will. I felt the same as you, high blood pressure and diabetes was comin around the mountain. I even went out and about today and enjoyed it immensly. Admittedly the first week had a few ups and downs, but got them in control quickly due to the encouragement of my fellow bandsters. Stick with the Bandster group, they will lead you through, they did for me! Good Luck, let us know how you are doing! Vickie

Hey my boys think Vin Diesel is a real mans man, so I guess if that counts for anything you got there vote!

Okay with some minor setbacks (however major at the time, and dang it, it hurt!) I got banded and hernia repaired on May 9th. Didn't do so bad the first couple of days. Was able to pee which is very necessary to help the hospital staff believe you are back from the living dead. Didn't feel extreme pain. Hospital stay was not most pleasant, too isolate, too old, too behind the times, so I was anxious to get out. Maybe a little too anxious. I left the next day after surgery. Unfortunately, I had some set backs with a reaction to the pain medication (was hurting me more than helping) fixed that and got a new pain medication, also my intestinal works just stopped on me. After a night in the emergency center we got that under control also. I came back home still struggling with pain in the shoulder and neck due to the air pumped in my body during surgery. My doctor says this should subside substantially in about 3 weeks time. I sure hope so. My stiches were never a problem. Minimal pain in the abdomen, had a few issues with sleeping, nausea and couldn't keep anything down for couple of days, day of stomach bloating and shut down of intestinal issues, got it all fixed… now moving around fairly easy and things are appearing to be on the way up. Saw my doctor, lost 13.5 pounds the first week. Today my husband and I went to a movie (May 18) and I even got a small non-fat/non-sugar yummy peach and vanilla yogurt. Life is looking good and I hope I will be looking better with each day. I have hope, something I thought I lost!:clap2: :kiss

Okay with some minor setbacks (however major at the time, and dang it, it hurt!) I got banded and hernia repaired on May 9th. Didn't do so bad the first couple of days. Was able to pee which is very necessary to help the hospital staff believe you are back from the living dead. Didn't feel extreme pain. Hospital stay was not most pleasant, too isolate, too old, too behind the times, so I was anxious to get out. Maybe a little too anxious. I left the next day after surgery. Unfortunately, I had some set backs with a reaction to the pain medication (was hurting me more than helping) fixed that and got a new pain medication, also my intestinal works just stopped on me. After a night in the emergency center we got that under control also. I came back home still struggling with pain in the shoulder and neck due to the air pumped in my body during surgery. My doctor says this should subside substantially in about 3 weeks time. I sure hope so. My stiches were never a problem. Minimal pain in the abdomen, had a few issues with sleeping, nausea and couldn't keep anything down for couple of days, day of stomach bloating and shut down of intestinal issues, got it all fixed… now moving around fairly easy and things are appearing to be on the way up. Saw my doctor, lost 13.5 pounds the first week. Today my husband and I went to a movie (May 18) and I even got a small non-fat/non-sugar yummy peach and vanilla yogurt. Life is looking good and I hope I will be looking better with each day. I have hope, something I thought I lost!:clap2: :kiss

Hello Tonya and welcome! I have just been banded, going on nine days. You can read our NC site as I've told a few of my ups and downs this first week, but I am happy with my decision and feel more encouraged than I have in a long time. I started battling with weight during college years my highest weight has been 280, but I do know there are other bandsters that are in higher ranges. No matter where we fit in the weight category, we all can relate to the struggles that added weight has put upon each of us. This is a great site for encouragement and help. You mentioned about going to another area. My surgeon is Dr. Enoch in Wake Forest/North Raleigh, he has been a great surgeon for me. I do not like the hospital in Louisburg he has to use, but I have been told that he also works out of Greensboro. He is also a certified surgeon when it comes to hernia issues which I found that is the reason some of the bariatric surgeons don't always take people over a certain weight because they don't do the hernia repairs, etc. I originally was at another weight center and they wouldn't approve the band for me because of the hernia issue. I looked elsewhere. That's something you will have to seek more information on, maybe more experience bandsters can tell you if they have heard the same thing. I think everyone would keep telling you to be persistent. For me personally, it took a year to get everything done and approved and to find the right person. There is a wonderful group of women who get together in Charlotte, I hope to meet them one day, maybe they can tell you more. Stay on this site! Ask questions! If you got to lose some before you will be considered a candidate, I think it would be the best fight you could do for yourself. No I didn't say easy! We've all been there. Happy Trails Vickie

Okay now it's going on the fourth day, mother's day to top it off. I am so nauseated. I am having trouble just keeping the water down. I just seem to be so bloated and nauseated. Everytime I try to eat a jello or popsicle, even sip water, I end up spitting it all up. I have tried the gas x and heating pads and walking and even laying on my stomach to see if I can get some of this bloating feeling to release, Nothing! Today has been the absolute worse day for the nausea, nothing before. I try to take my pain medication and it just keeps coming back up. Suggestions please and quickly! Thanks Vickie:cry

This is my first week since surgery and I to am going through this run to the bathroom phase! I am starting on some Carbo conscious protein drink today, very slowly in hopes the diarehha problem starts to let up. I have had some problems keeping the liquids down and constipation the first 4 days, now I am at the phase you are at. I was told it's kind of a cleansing, you bet! I've lost a lot of weight, but I don't want to continue this process. I have gotten some medication for nausea which has helped. Hopefully you are able to keep your electrolites in tact. Call the doctor and ask if this continues on. So sorry, my sympathies are with you. Vickie

A repeat on Happy Birthday even though I am a bit belated. Hope it was a fun one! Vickie

I would have thought the weight loss would relieve some of the disc problem as well. Have you considered some physical water therapy? My dad had a horrible time with herniated discs and even had surgery without a lot of difference like you said, but the water and physical therapy seemed to help some. I am not an expert by far, but just thought I would pass that along. You are a brave individual!

:biggrin1: Want to try and meet you wonderful people, but I am way out in Raleigh. Maybe I can make a special trip in June just to say hi and thanks! I can stay overnight with my son who lives in Highpoint. So keep me in touch for June. Hopefully I will have all this new stuff behind me. Vickie

Oh this is what I need for humor! Bruce Willis was not bad shaved headed guy. Hmmm, can't think of any more at present that hasn't been mentioned. I felt shock when Chris was kicked off also, but we all know that guy is going to go far. I can't understand why he didn't get the votes? My son is quite upset and said he isn't going to watch the rest in protest, but I bet he will be there watching it with us tonight. Why can't America Idol pick the right idol? I mean only one authentic idol has really made it, Kelly. The rest who have made it were not the winners. Who would have thought! I am a watcher and not a voter, so maybe it really does pay to vote.