beckn

Hi Mecia, Now in retrospect, I think I had a couple of days like that. I just felt very weak and kind of blah, but it passed. I am about 12 days post op and I am really feeling great. I actually feel 10 years younger. I know that I feel the best when I get in enough protein and water. Every day is a new learning experience. I feel like I have been reborn in some ways.....WOW...IT is fantastic!! Becky

Hi All, Well I experienced my first PBing. I wasn't thinking an ate a couple of crackers. Now I know what it feels like and I don't want to do it again so I will be more careful. It only lasted a couple of minutes but I thought I was going to throw up but I didn't. I even got a little of that "sliming" YUCK. Now I know what my boundries are. I think it was a good learning experience. Becky

Hi Carol, Mirilax or just glycerine suppositories, or Milk of Mag will help with the constipation. Becky

Hi agm1, I know how you feel. I felt pretty weak at first too although I was able to have my protein shakes after I got home from the hospital. If you feel up to it maybe make some homemade chicken broth, I think you get some protein from that. It won't be long before you can have something besides liquids. Do call your Dr for advise. Hang in there, it will get better. Take good care. Becky

Hi Kim....welcome....glad to have some more May Bandsters on board. It is so nice once the recovery is over and you start feeling like your old self only smaller.....I love my LB. Best wishes, Becky

Hi Lucy12...Yeah, this is going to be a challenging time for you on the pre op diet and the holidays and food. Bring yourself some jello or sugar free pudding as a back up plan in case you want to cheat. That would be better than anything else. It is hard right now but after surgery you will be able to go to parties with confidence that your tool will keep you from having a big caloric blow out. Your tummy just won't let you stuff yourself anymore. I am now about 12 days post op and I will be going to holiday get togethers with NO FEAR!. I will try and make good choices and have just little tastes of things. My plan is to have a good protein source before I leave the house, and then sip on water to keep my stomach full. I will be able to eat but it will be 1/2 of what I was able to put away before my LB. I love the freedom this has given me. I keep saying it, but it feels like a miracle. Just do the best you can and be prepared. It will be so worth it and so much easier once you have your band in place....trust me on that one. Best Wishes and have a happy holiday. Becky

Hi Christine, I too was afraid of yet another failure at weight loss but I see that this is just going to reinforce positive behavior changes because if you do what the drs tell you, you consistently lose weight. That sets you up to try harder. I know that in the past I would always start a new diet and exercise program with such enthusiasm only to get little results back for my efforts. Then I would get depressed and start my crummy eatin patterns again because I would just give up after a few unsuccessful weeks. This gives you postive results right away and then you feel like you can do anything. My hardest thing right now is trying get enough food in.....what a switch!! It is a lovely feeling to have this confidence and control for once in my life. You are going to be amazed!! Becky

You upcoming banders......just hold onto the excitement and enjoy the ride. This is the beginning of a whole new life. It is so worth it when you end up with a control over food that you never had before. It gives you confidence knowing that you have the ability to eat healthy and make good choices. I have been able to experience fullness and satisfaction in small portions that I never had before. It is like a miracle. I am about 10 days post op and feel tremendous. You have a few days of mild pain but it is easily fixed with pain meds and walking. Be sure and follow your Dr's program to a T and all will be well. My very best wishes to you on this fantastic journey!!! Becky

Sharon....Congrats on coming through with flying colors! I am very happy for you. Keep in touch about your progress. I love to hear how others are doing. Becky

Cathy, I am so happy for you!!! I am glad that things are resolved and you are headed for surgery. I am so happy I had my LB surgery. Now that I am all recovered I feel like a new person. My spirits are soaring! I have come to realize that in this life you have to grab the joy and have gratitude for it. I know that we have to experince both the pain and joys of life and I am riding the wave of joy right now!! I wish you great success and smooth sailing through your surgery. Becky

Good Waynet, You can be assertive without being offensive and if the nurse gives you any guff just ask to speck to her charge nurse. I always listen to my patients because they they usually know about their bodies better than I do. I don't ever want to cause unnecessary pain or grief for my patients. Be nice but proactive. Good luck, Becky

Sherilynn, It could be dehydration or it could be caffeine withdrawal. Are you a coffee, tea or cola drinker? I had to have a little coffee in the morning at first to keep from having a headache. Be sure to get plenty of fluids.

Hi Waynette,Explain to the nurses about your veins and past history and then ask if the annesthesiologist can start your IV. I used to work in the Pre Op area of the hospital and if one of my patients had a history of difficult IV starts I wouldn't even attempt it and just call for an anesthesiologist. That is probably your best bet. My very best wishes to you for a safe and uneventful surgical experience. My prayers are with you. Becky

Thanks Ventura, My surgery was on the 12th and I have to say that today was my best day. I hardly feel like I have had surgery except I am not so hungry. What a difference a day makes....I am full of hope and joy and ready to get moving! Best wishes to you on your journey! Becky

Hi Brenda, I am just too new at this whole thing so I don't have any advise other than listen to people like Phil and Janet who have great ideas for staying with the program. Best wishes to you! Becky

Hi Sharon, My Previcid is pretty tiny. I take it with a little jello and some sips of water. Janet was saying that she takes a chewable pepsid. I am thinking about getting some of that. My upper G.I. showed that I had a very small hiatal hernia when they had me bear down, but I have never experienced acid reflux. My surgeon said that he didn't even need to repair it. I bet that is why you are having somewhat more swelling. You've got a couple of extra stiches in place. That should heal up just fine. Ask your Dr if you should be taking an antacid. Becky

Hi Kate, I love your sense of humor and attitude about life. You have done an amazing job and have been able to laugh at yourself. We all tend to take ourselfs way too seriously at times. Life is humorous and if you can't see that then you are missing the boat. We are all just moving through life making mistakes trying to do the best we can and hey sometimes things finally work themselves out. I really have learned the best lessons from my mistakes in this life. It is part of who I am and I am finally starting to like myself. It sounds like you are at that place too. High five to you and all the best!! Becky

Hi Perky...your program sounds exactly like mine. I had surgery on Mon May 12th except I get to start some pureed foods tomorrow. It sounds like you may have just had a little more swelling than I did. I was doing pretty well until about day 6 & 7 post op. I had a lot of epigastric pains early in the morning. I started taking an antacid medication that the doctor ordered and that seemed to help. I also found a good supply of protein that has 25 gms in just 2 oz of kind of a fruit punch, called New Whey. This helped me get my protein in but the water is difficult at times. My dr told me just to start taking tiny sips as soon as I get up in the morning. I have to wait 30 min between my protein drinks. It sounds like your problems should subside when the swelling goes down in a few days. Hang in there! Becky

Hi Janet, Yeah I am a little over a week out and I was able to sleep on a 3/4 side postion with a pillow at my back. It was heaven. I think my little dog Lola and Dottie my kitty slept better too. My poor husband has been sleeping in the quest room this past week. Maybe he will be able to sleep back in our bed soon. Today is my best day yet. I feel almost 100%, just a tiny bit of incisional pain. It helps to hear how others have done this. Thanks, Becky

Hi sugarbear, great observations and advise. I went back over my post op instructions and realized that I was supposed to be taking Prilosec each day. It had been called to my pharmacy and I picked it up yesterday. I had a much better night and slept very well. I guess there was so much going on with everything I just forgot. I agree there is a wide variety of pre and post op directions from the different surgeons out there and different schools of thought. I have the upmost confidence in my surgeon and I will try to follow his orders as directed. I get to have mushies tomorrow....yippee. My friend who had the surgery 2 weeks ago with this surgeon is doing well and says that it will feel wonderful to have some texture, just to go slowly. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You seem very like a very bright gal. Becky

Thanks lorib I appreciate the advise and the support. I know that this will get better. Becky

Hi Janet, I usually don't have anything before bed and I don't have a cpap machine. I usually like to sleep on my stomach or side but have not been able to do that yet. I have had to sleep on my back and I hate it. Will it hurt my band to sleep on my stomach or side? the two times I have experienced this pain has been very early in the morning after about 6 hrs of sleep. Today was my first day back to work and I was pretty wiped out. Should I have something in my stomach before bedtime? I will see my doc this week so he will be able to advise me on these things. I just expected everything to be back to normal after a week. I want to find out when I can start exercising again. I have just been walking a mile or so over the past 3 days. Thanks for listening. Becky

I haven't had a fill yet, I am only 1 week post op. I was just wondering if this is the gas pains people have talked about. I never had them in the hospital or the first few days. Becky

I will see my doc for my first post op visit on Thurs. If this happens again I will call before Thurs. thanks, Becky

Sorry...that was for Mecia....