summer08

new2me, you probably have already thought of this, but what about pumping and storing some breast milk ahead of time. you can still pump while in recovery, to keep up your supply (even if you discard due to it not being healthy for baby) if you don't have a pump, i would recommend a medela brand. we rent them at my job, and a hospital grade pump rents for only $48/mo, and the kit is $40 (with the tubing and bottles)...so that should give you an idea on cost. good luck on whatever you decide to do! God Bless You!!!

Hi, everybody! One of my wounds (the largest, port wound) is not healing well. I had my surgery June 5. About a week post op it started draining alot. I had bruised badly, so my surgeon just said the bruise was breaking up and draining. It looked bad...like the incision was open, and there was this white stuff in the middle. (sorry if I'm grossing anyone out). He said that white stuff was fiborous tissue my body was making to seal the wound. Well, after a round of antibiotics, and another week (at my 2 week follow up), the Dr decided to cut the white stuff away, which aparently left a hole in my abdomen about an inch deep, and to have me pack the wound with gauze. Thank goodness my husband is a nurse! The Dr told me by my next follow up in 2 weeks it should be healed to the point that we cannot put gauze in the wound anymore. From the way my husband says this looks (I haven't really got a good look at it...I have a weak stomach when it comes to stuff like that), he doesn't really expect it to heal that quick at all. I'm just wondering if this has happened to anyone else, and how long did it take to heal? Also, when you were healing, did you ever use any waterproof dressings, and how well did they work? I would REALLY like to swim, but my husband thinks this wound is too bad even for me to use a waterproof dressing.

from what i have read, it sometimes takes 3-4 fills before you can reach good, true restriction. just be patient, and remember you have taken the step toward losing, and it will come! good luck!

My husband was banded May 13, and I was banded June 5. I think both of us being banded will only increase our chances of success. We haven't been at the same stages of our eating yet, but we will be soon. We have not really held back on telling people. I'm like the other poster, eventually everyone will want to know how I lost all that weight (that sounds so good!!!), and I'm not one to tell part truths. It's only a tool. It won't work if I feed myself ice cream shakes all the time...I still have to work for it, and make changes. So what if the band will help me...it's better than being overweight and unhealthy! So, I guess I don't really care what others would have to say about it anyway. Good luck to you and yours!

Thanks Diamond for the suggestions. I hadn't thought about V8 juice...I may give that a try! Just out of curiosity...you said if I wasn't getting enough protein my body would let me know. I've heard about losing hair, and I think nails getting weak...but are you talking about something else? I am feeling much better. I start back to work tomorrow. I have a desk job...for the most part, so it shouldn't be too bad. My "bleeding" started again yesterday. It is more like a leaking from my largest wound, like clear/red. My husband is a nurse and he didn't think it looked right, so we called to have the surgeon paged. Well, of course another surgeon was on call for him, but he's concerned about infection, so he called in antibiotics for me to take. I have my 1st follow up Wed. My main concern is that my largest incision doesn't look good. I know the antibiotics will fix it, but I'm worried that it may heal uglier. I want to congratulate all the new bandsters, and soon to be banded. I know how exciting it is! Also, congratulations to you who are doing so well with your loss. God Bless You All! Have a great week!

that is awesome! yeah, you!!!

Hi, everybody! I am 35 yo, married 5 years to a wonderful man who was also banded (May 13th), I have 2 children, boy 14, girl 13. I am a Respiratory Therapist. We live about 60 miles north of Dallas, Tx. I was banded on June 5. I have been overweight since I was about 7 yrs old. I got a fair amount of weight off before entering college (to qualify for a scholarship), and also 4-5 years ago, I lost 40lbs on the Adkin's diet. It helped to to see the 100's...that was an awesome feeling, but of course it came back on much quicker than it left! I could not eat that way forever...even though we did it for about a year! I have never been an emotional eater, or even eaten outside of "meal times", but when it was mealtime, I was a bad overeater. I just knew it wouldn't taste as good leftover. I felt like my life revolved around food. It was always, "what am I going to eat at the next meal?" I just love to eat. I couldn't make that past tense, because I'm sure I still do, but I know that nothing will taste as good as thin will feel. The band will control my portions, which was exactly what I needed. I'm glad to have found this thread, and looking forward to sharing this awesome journey with you all! P.S. to the Army and Navy wives...thank you and your husbands! P.S.S to the ex-employee of ?QVC?, my 13 yo daughter is hooked on that channel..it is so funny! She's always calling me to the TV because she just "has to have that ring". I think it is hilarious...but I told her she needs to get a job there someday! God Bless You All!

all of you that were banded on the 5th, how is your healing going? what is your level of activity? I haven't had too much of an appetite, but i think it's more boredom with what i can have, that i'd rather have nothing. my husband was banded a month ago, and is also a nurse. he told me today he thought it would be fine to have a scrambled egg and grits. i also had a pudding for the first time since surgery. it all went down fine, i just ate slow, just in case. i wish you all the best!

Hi, everybody! I am a wee bit discouraged today. Tomorrow I am 1 week post op. Yesterday I had to go to a 6 hr class for continuing education, and that ended up being a really uncomfortable experience. I also ran some errands, which I didn't really see as a big deal, but from the way I felt when I got home, I really felt like I had overdone it. I was supposed to start back to work tomorrow, but I'm gonna go ahead and take off til Monday. I just felt like as far as my healing goes, I took a couple of steps back. So, I have pretty much stayed down today, besides having to taxi my kids. I know I need to ease in to more walking...which I had been fine with until yesterday. Also, last night I had some bleeding from a bandaged area, so was afraid I had ??pulled something?? It stopped, so I didn't call the Dr. Also, the only thing I have been consuming is like malt o meal(thinned), broth, and carnation instant breakfast, and of course water and crystal light. But I'm so sick of that stuff, it's like I'd rather not have anything. Any different "food" ideas I haven't thought of? I feel like I'm being a big 'ole baby, and that is soooo not like me! Thanks in advance for your prayers and comments! God Bless You ALL!

finally...I found a Kureshi pt! He banded me last Thursday. Good luck! I am really sore. You asked about groups. I like to post in the Christian bandsters thread, but as you can see there's really good info everywhere on here! Just out of curiosity how did you find this site? I was telling him about it the other day, and I was just curious if he's telling pts about it, because it really is helpful.

Glad to see you back, ImaDucky! Yeah for your appointment! I know how exciting that is! Numbrgirl, good for you and your self control. I pray I am able to handle myself the same way in that situation. I am 4 days postop today. Still a little sore around incisions. I mostly notice when getting up from sitting, laying, or changing positions in the bed. I am in awe of how little I am getting down, that is satisfying me. I know that won't last long, at least it didn't for my DH. I hope you all have a great day, and God Bless!

Good morning to all! It's done! What a load off! I am sore. I am bruised pretty bad in a couple of places. This did not happen to my DH. Anyone have this problem? I've got lots of rumbling in my tummy. Just having a hard time getting comfortable when it's time to go to sleep, but i know this will get better everyday. Thanks for all of your prayers! Hugs back at ya, Wombat! Have a great weekend, God Bless!

Everyone's been asking if I'm nervous. I wasn't...until today, about 3:00. That was just the last time someone asked me if I was, and I was like, "yeah, I think I am now". Just like that. I've only been in the hospital to have babies...no sweat. My DH took me to a late movie to help pass the time, and he even let me pick a "chick-flick". He is so awesome! He's doing great...a little over 3 weeks out now. Well, just wanted to share my jitters. I'm past the no food or drink past midnight, so it's pretty close to time! Thanks for the prayers I know you'll be saying for me! God Bless You All, and goodnight!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Hello, everybody! God was good today....again (said like Forrest Gump...LOL) My DH had his 2 week follow up and is down 26lbs from the start!!!! AND....I have a surgery date June 5!!!! YEAH, ME! I am so proud of myself, because instead of indulging one last time, I started my liquid diet. To be honest, I feel like I have been doing the last of this, last of that for a couple of weeks now, and am really to the point that I'm sick of food anyway....so it wasn't too hard. I love reading all of your posts, and am so inspired by your faith, and experiences. God bless you all...TTYL!:scared2:

I brought my DH home today. He was banded yesterday morning. I think he's doing real good. I feel like I have a newborn...all he's doing is sleeping! I praise God for this opportunity for him! All of my "stuff" was sent to insurance Monday, so I am thanking God in advance for answering my prayers for my approval! God is good ALL the time! God bless you all!

Happy Mother's Day To All The Moms!

I work for a medical supply company. Believe it or not, in catalogues that I order from, they do sell "tongs" for this purpose! They have some other things too, but I just wanted the one who made the suggestion to know, that they're not too far off base at all! :biggrin2:

I would imagine the answer to this question is somewhere on this site, but may take a while to find it! I'm always coming across posts that I know I'd like to refer to again, but they're not always easy to find again. I see the little icons by the messages, but don't really know what they mean or do?

Hi, Monique! Welcome! I am new, too. I'm just waiting for insurance approval. Congratulations on your loss...that is awesome!

I hope everyone had a good start to the week! Mine was a wee bit tiring today. I had my sleep study last night....but didn't sleep as much as I'd hoped:sad: It's weird to want to "flunk" that test, but I know that would only help my chances of qualifying. I've got to keep the faith. "Ironically" that is what our sermon was on yesterday. My husband met for the last time with the surgeon and nutritionist today, and goes Wed to meet with the anesthesiologist. I am so excited for him...almost as excited as if it were me! God Bless each of you! Have an awesome week!

Good morning to all! I have been reading this thread for a couple of weeks...I wanted to start from the beginning, and it took a while! It is VERY inspirational to see all the support, and to feel God's love shining through each of you. My husband and I are both getting banded. He was scheduled for his surgery just this week, for May 13. I'm doing my sleep study tomorrow night. That is my last pre-requisite. Hopefully they'll get my paperwork off to insurance soon and I can get a date, too! He's had 2 full days of liquids. He is doing awesome. I am so excited that we are doing it together, as I think it will only increase our chances of success. I pray that all of you are feeling well today, and strong! I look forward to corresponding with you, and taking this journey with you! Have a great day, and God Bless!

My doctor required a consult with a nutritionist, and a psychiatrist, an upper gi, and a sleep study. He also had my primary doc sent a letter stating my history, including previous weight loss attempts. Good luck!