jbperry21

*Hugs* Try to stay positive. This is the first surgery I've ever had and it was scary for me too. But, like others have said, once you get past the bad part (the liquid diet, the mushy diet, and the pain), it'll be worth it. You can do it! Just keep your head up and put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time.

I have been super itchy as well. I'm 13 days out, so almost 2 weeks. But yeah, mine are itchy and i just have to itch around them, but dangit if I don't want to just claw away at them occasionally.

I haven't had that problem, but I do have to share that when I drink the Cappuccino flavored slim-fast, my pee smells like it for like 2 days. I refuse to drink them anymore for that simple fact, lol

I'll definitely try those. Cause ugh, the Isopure to me was horrible!

My release stuff just basically said don't mix driving with the pain meds. I actually didn't drive the first time until a week later. And I was uncomfortable driving at that point. Today at 11 days out, I was feeling more comfortable driving, though looking over my shoulder to the blind spot gave me a little twinge in the port incision. But I'm not as stiff now, so it's more comfortable to sit and use my arms to drive normally. You've just got to do it at your own pace, in addition to your dr orders. Don't push yourself. No need to put yourself behind the wheel of a multi-ton vehicle and endanger yourself and others if you're not sure.

They gave me jello at the hospital the night over my surgery. I didn't eat it because I couldn't eat anything. But a few days later I had a few bits of it and I thought for sure I was going to be sick. I got the whole mouth watering uncontrollably, but thankfully it didn't go past that. I've been so afraid of throwing up and am so glad I haven't! I haven't tried jello since that experience though.

I didn't have a cath. I was given water as soon as I was awake basically. About four hours later I was brought jello, beef broth, and apple juice. I couldn't eat any of it though.

Lucky! I'm 10 days post op and I still can't sleep on my side all night.

Not at all, I snorted when I first saw it and couldn't stop laughing...which was a little ouchie for the incisions too!

Thanks for that article! I am so glad to know that me still having pretty serious pain in my left shoulder even 1.5 weeks out isn't unusual!

TV series on DVD (watched four seasons of Friends) Lots of pillows to sleep in a reclined position Microwave heating things for my shoulders and neck with gas pain My roommate and mom to heat stuff, get me water, etc A tv tray that I moved beside my bed to keep all the remotes, my cell phone, and drink on Slimfast and ensure protein drinks, skim milk to water it all down

Stool softeners worked for me. I think it was Phillips. My doctor suggested that because he said it was less harsh than laxatives. No cramping, no runs, worked it's magic within a few hours. I was told the pain meds were more than likely the culprit.

I'm at day 8 and I still have some pain behind my left shoulder. It definitely isn't much fun. It's not as bad as it was in the beginning thankfully. I'm hoping mine will clear up soon!

I hope your surgery goes well! Let us all know how you are :ohmy:

I was banded on 3/31/2008 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Asheville, NC by Dr. Christopher Edwards. I started the whole process originally like 2 years ago, but really buckled down in June of 2007. I lost twenty pounds before surgery on the liquid diet they required and now I'm just trying to make sure I'm getting all my protein and what not in. I have a blog on livejournal, gl_journal is the username. Oh and my name is Jamie

I'm six days out and today is the worst day I've had so far. On top of that, horrible shoulder pain from the gas stuff. Worst day I've had since right out of surgery I think.

I told two of my managers and one of my friends at work who is like a second mom to me. Everyone else just knows that I'm having surgery and that it's nothing big or life threatening. I'm taking a little over two weeks, as long as the Dr approves me to go back to work at my follow up 2 week appointment. I'm able to move around and everything, but standing for 9 hours at this point 4 days after my surgery would do me in. I was out for like 3 hours today and I was worn out and had to take some pain meds due to my incisions hurting and being very tender. I understand the frustration about trying to decide to tell or not tell. It's not that I don't think people would be supportive, but there is a tendency to drama in the store I work in and people are very vindictive. The last thing I want is someone I work with that I don't trust knowing something personal about me and this I consider very personal.

I had my surgery on the 31st as well at 1:45pm. I had to do the whole 2 week liquid diet thing and 24 hours before hand clear liquids and after midnight nothing at all. I was SOOO thirsty!

I lost about 13 pounds during the 2 week liquid diet

I was on the liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery, which I ended up only have 13 days from my pre-op surgeon visit on 3/18/2008. Highest: 267 3/18: 261 surgery 3/31: 250 Today 4/5: 247 So, I'm down 20 pounds!

I'm 5 days out myself (3/31/08). I stayed overnight because my surgery was mid-afternoon and I had a hard time coming out of anesthesia. I was groggy for a few hours after and couldn't keep my eyes open at all. I have the breathing thing too, I've been using it a few times a day just to make sure I'm breathing deep enough. It's getting better and better every day, though I had really bad gas pains. I had horrible pains in my shoulders and neck from the pressure, bad hiccups (which made everything hurt!), but it's better today than it was yesterday. Like others have said, it's day by day and it's getting better every day!