cherieinnv

Give your husband the facts and he'll probably support you. There is a lot of confusion between bypass and band, and I spend a lot of time educating people about what I am doing. And a few people have been told that I am doing this for me and I need their support. If they are not going to give their support, then I need their silence and acceptance. Good luck!

I have had a very positive experience so far. Some folks just like to play up the drama a little. The band is a tool. No more, no less. Use it right and you'll do great!

Today was a hard day. I thought I had low blood sugar but it checked at 122, so it may be low blood pressure. I drank a bottle of Special K water and felt better, and made sure to take my multi and iron today. I see Dr. Teng Wednesday for my followup visit. I feel like I am doing everything right, so no fears. My post surgery weight is back to my presurgery weight (swelling is going down) and I hope to see losses again soon, but I am so happy to be 30 lbs thinner and to have come through the surgery with no complications, that all I see ahead of me are positive things. I cooked chicken for my daughter tonight but asked her to take it out when it was done and put everything away so I wouldn't be tempted. I had my chicken broth but added a little ramen seasoning, which increases the calories but tastes so satisfying. I did a load of laundry tonight for my daughter, who is going to LA Weds. am with friends and is overwhelmed and exhausted. The only hard thing for me is bending to pick up laundry out of the hamper, but I am doing squats the best that I can. When I do lean forward, it's no longer the stabbing pain that it was 2 days ago. I talked to my boss today and said I expect to be back at work after the holiday. I know the first week back will be tough, but you recover faster if you get up on your feet. Just losing weight and being lighter will make it easier every day. I don't have to pack a lunch either. I'm required to use a boxed protein drink in week 2 at lunchtime. Hope it tastes OK. I may try a short drive to the store tomorrow. I don't see why I can't drive if I feel up to it. I want to start doing WII Fitness this week. It's easier than going outside into the 110 degree Las Vegas heat. I look forward to feeling cooler but it hasn't happened yet. Another bandster says she isn't hot all the time. That would be great.

Medications are a challenge to those who have some that they can't stop taking. However, I wouldn't bother cutting up calcium. There is a chewable chocolate calcium that is great!

I'm home. I think I am doing great, although energy level is waaaay down. I am able to sleep lying down, but alternate between bed and recliner (pillows behind back feel great!) My surgery went well and they took me in 5 mins after I got there, and I got there 25 mins early. They prepped me right away and then there was some waiting before the tw Dr. Teng's came in--one brother is the surgeon and the other is the anesthesiologist. I don't remember the anesthesia at all! The last thing I kind of remember is being wheeled into surgery. It's one big blank after that. I'm not even sure when I woke up. I had a room to myself and it was very nice. This was definitely the best hospital care I ever had. I had a male nurse the first night. It was a littlr weird being helped onto the toilet by a guy, but he was so kind and considerate, I felt like I had a private nurse. He brought me lemon swabs for my mouth and they felt so good! I pushed myself to walk and tried to walk every 3 hours, then I would get back in bed and ask for pain meds--Demerol--which I could have every 3 hours on request. I decided, why hurt? But I never rated my pain higher than a 5 on a scale of 10. I also tried to do an extra lap around the nurse's station every time I walked. I was given Heperin for clotting and wore stockings that inflated and squeezed my legs. It was sort of comforting. The bed was noy especially comfortable but I was told the beds were chosen because they could hold up to 1000 lbs! It was sort of ironic that I only told my one sister I was having surgery, then the other sister called with an "emergency question." I decided to wait to call her back. Now that it's over, I want to tell my parents. The sister I told has been so supportive. I wasn't sure how she would react because she works out a lot and eats right so I thought she would tell me just to diet, I am rambling here, but will use this for my blog and Jazzy Junes entry. The upper GI wasn't too bad although I had to drink an iodine solution that tasted terrible. I actually missed the berium solution! But they said if there is a leak, iodine is just absorbed by the body while berium would cause problems. I asked a lot of questions! When I got back from the test, I had clean sheets and a newspaper, plus towels and a fresh gown. Sunday morning, Dr. Teng's office manager showed up with a vase of red roses and a "Congrats on your new life" note. I haven't gotten flowers in 10 years! What a treat! My "meals" were hilarious, I even took a picture that I will post. The guy who brought my meal was sort of apologetic, so I started being a wise ass and said, "Wow! That looks delicious!" The funny thing was that I couldn't finish my meal at breakfast OR lunch. I sipped my broth, then took tiny mouthfuls of jello. I felt some pressure and thought, "Maybe I should stop," then took another bite and thought, "Definitely time to stop." I saved my Crystal Lite for 30 mins. I never realized I gulp my drinks, That may be the hardest old habit to overcome. I didn't get discharged until around 5 pm Sunday. A friend was kind enough to pick me up. It felt so great to be home and sitting in my recliner. I didn't even have much trouble with the stairs to my apartment, I just took them slow. I still have gas pains and am taking Lortab solution for it. I haven't bothered with the GasX or prescription for reflux or nausea. I will probably go back to bed soon and read, then sleep. I am reading a really good, funny book called Around the Next Corner by Elizabeth Wrenn. It's about a 50ish mom who feels invisible and needs meaning in her life, so she adopts a foster puppy to raise for a year and then give to a blind person. My sister said to have tissues ready at the end! I had lost 2 more lbs when I weighed in before surgery, but when I got home, I weighed 5 lbs heavier. I'm not sweating it, it's fluid or something. God knows, it wasn't the big meals! I can't believe I wrote all this, I feel so blessed that everything went well for me!

I am on clears this week and am already a little bored, so I started playing with my spices. I was told I can use any spices that dissolve. Yesterday, at lunch, I added a drop of soy sauce to my soy ginger broth (Trader Joe's) and tody I will add a dash of curry. Last night, I took my Rachel Ray's chicken broth and added about 1/8 tsp rubbed sage and about the same amount of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. It tasted a little like Thanksgiving to me. This morning, I added a dash of cinnimon to my chicken broth and it was good! Any other ideas?

I am tempted to try my Effexor XR, but they made it sound like I would die if I used any extended release formulas. Maybe I should try chopping the regular (non XR) pill into 4 pieces and swallowing. I can't go off this medication. It has done wonders for me.

I was told that any medications except b;ood pressure meds could be discontinued, but I think that is a dangerous approach. I have discontinued my diabetic med, but can't stop some of the others. I agree that doctors do not give this subject enough attention. I'm told the opening after banding is the size of a pencil eraser and an aspirin would get stuck!

Thanks for reminding me about these flavor kits. I think I saw a sign at CVS pharmacy that they can add flavors. I may ask if I can buy directly from them.

If there are beads in the capsule, then it might be an extended release formula, and bandsters can't use extended release. I had to switch from Effexor XR to regular Effexor, which grinds up easily but tastes really bitter. I tried to take it today in a little Crystal Lite but gagged. I'll try something else tomorrow. I may have to violate the clear liquids rule and use a little applesauce, which works better. My other medication, I just empty out the capsule into a little Crystal Lite and it tastes fine. Hopefully, the huge money-grubbing pharmaceutical companies will jump on the bandster bandwagon and make liquid versions.

Zinc supports the immune system. Psoriasis is the opposite of an immune deficiency. It is caused by a ramped up immune system (you also have to have the genetic factor for it). I will take 50 mg of zinc while I am healing, but then will just take my multi, which has much less zinc. By the way, chewable vitamins for adults rock! The chocolate chewable calcium is almost too good! The liquid multi makes me gag, but I will finish the bottle because I am cheap!

I think I am doing great, although energy level is waaaay down. My surgery went well and they took me in 5 mins after I got there, and I got there 25 mins early. They prepped me right away and then there was some waiting before the tw Dr. Teng's came in--one brother is the surgeon and the other is the anesthesiologist. I don't remember the anesthesia at all! The last thing I kind of remember is being wheeled into surgery. It's one big blank after that. I'm not even sure when I woke up. I had a room to myself and it was very nice. This was definitely the best hospital care I ever had. I had a male nurse the first night. It was a littlr weird being helped onto the toilet by a guy, but he was so kind and considerate, I felt like I had a private nurse. He brought me lemon swabs for my mouth and they felt so good! I pushed myself to walk and tried to walk every 3 hours, then I would get back in bed and ask for pain meds--Demerol--which I could have every 3 hours on request. I decided, why hurt? But I never rated my pain higher than a 5 on a scale of 10. I also tried to do an extra lap around the nurse's station every time I walked. I was given Heperin for clotting and wore stockings that inflated and squeezed my legs. It was sort of comforting. The bed was noy especially comfortable but I was told the beds were chosen because they could hold up to 1000 lbs! It was sort of ironic that I only told my one sister I was having surgery, then the other sister called with an "emergency question." I decided to wait to call her back. Now that it's over, I want to tell my parents. The sister I told has been so supportive. I wasn't sure how she would react because she works out a lot and eats right so I thought she would tell me just to diet. The upper GI wasn't too bad although I had to drink an iodine solution that tasted terrible. I actually missed the berium solution! But they said if there is a leak, iodine is just absorbed by the body while berium would cause problems. I asked a lot of questions! When I got back from the test, I had clean sheets and a newspaper, plus towels and a fresh gown. Sunday morning, Dr. Teng's office manager showed up with a vase of red roses and a "Congrats on your new life" note. I haven't gotten flowers in 10 years! What a treat! My "meals" were hilarious, I even took a picture that I will post. The guy who brought my meal was sort of apologetic, so I started being a wise ass and said, "Wow! That looks delicious!" The funny thing was that I couldn't finish my meal at Breakfast OR lunch. I sipped my broth, then took tiny mouthfuls of Jello. I felt some pressure and thought, "Maybe I should stop," then took another bite and thought, "Definitely time to stop." I never realized I gulp my drinks, That may be the hardest old habit to overcome. I didn't get discharged until around 5 pm Sunday. A friend was kind enough to pick me up. It felt so great to be home and sitting in my recliner. I didn't even have much trouble with the stairs to my apartment, I just took them slow. I still have gas pains and am taking Lortab solution for it. I will probably go back to bed soon and read, then sleep. I am reading a really good, funny book called Around the Next Corner by Elizabeth Wrenn. It's about a 50ish mom who feels invisible and needs meaning in her life, so she adopts a foster puppy to raise for a year and then give to a blind person. My sister said to have tissues ready at the end! I had lost 2 more lbs when I weighed in before surgery, but when I got home, I weighed 5 lbs heavier. I'm not sweating it, it's Fluid or something. God knows, it wasn't the big meals! I can't believe I wrote all this, but I feel so blessed that everything went well for me!

I'm home. I think I am doing great, although energy level is waaaay down. I am able to sleep lying down, but alternate between bed and recliner (pillows behind back feel great!) My surgery went well and they took me in 5 mins after I got there, and I got there 25 mins early. They prepped me right away and then there was some waiting before the tw Dr. Teng's came in--one brother is the surgeon and the other is the anesthesiologist. I don't remember the anesthesia at all! The last thing I kind of remember is being wheeled into surgery. It's one big blank after that. I'm not even sure when I woke up. I had a room to myself and it was very nice. This was definitely the best hospital care I ever had. I had a male nurse the first night. It was a littlr weird being helped onto the toilet by a guy, but he was so kind and considerate, I felt like I had a private nurse. He brought me lemon swabs for my mouth and they felt so good! I pushed myself to walk and tried to walk every 3 hours, then I would get back in bed and ask for pain meds--Demerol--which I could have every 3 hours on request. I decided, why hurt? But I never rated my pain higher than a 5 on a scale of 10. I also tried to do an extra lap around the nurse's station every time I walked. I was given Heperin for clotting and wore stockings that inflated and squeezed my legs. It was sort of comforting. The bed was noy especially comfortable but I was told the beds were chosen because they could hold up to 1000 lbs! It was sort of ironic that I only told my one sister I was having surgery, then the other sister called with an "emergency question." I decided to wait to call her back. Now that it's over, I want to tell my parents. The sister I told has been so supportive. I wasn't sure how she would react because she works out a lot and eats right so I thought she would tell me just to diet, I am rambling here, but will use this for my blog and Jazzy Junes entry. The upper GI wasn't too bad although I had to drink an iodine solution that tasted terrible. I actually missed the berium solution! But they said if there is a leak, iodine is just absorbed by the body while berium would cause problems. I asked a lot of questions! When I got back from the test, I had clean sheets and a newspaper, plus towels and a fresh gown. Sunday morning, Dr. Teng's office manager showed up with a vase of red roses and a "Congrats on your new life" note. I haven't gotten flowers in 10 years! What a treat! My "meals" were hilarious, I even took a picture that I will post. The guy who brought my meal was sort of apologetic, so I started being a wise ass and said, "Wow! That looks delicious!" The funny thing was that I couldn't finish my meal at breakfast OR lunch. I sipped my broth, then took tiny mouthfuls of jello. I felt some pressure and thought, "Maybe I should stop," then took another bite and thought, "Definitely time to stop." I saved my Crystal Lite for 30 mins. I never realized I gulp my drinks, That may be the hardest old habit to overcome. I didn't get discharged until around 5 pm Sunday. A friend was kind enough to pick me up. It felt so great to be home and sitting in my recliner. I didn't even have much trouble with the stairs to my apartment, I just took them slow. I still have gas pains and am taking Lortab solution for it. I haven't bothered with the GasX or prescription for reflux or nausea. I will probably go back to bed soon and read, then sleep. I am reading a really good, funny book called Around the Next Corner by Elizabeth Wrenn. It's about a 50ish mom who feels invisible and needs meaning in her life, so she adopts a foster puppy to raise for a year and then give to a blind person. My sister said to have tissues ready at the end! I had lost 2 more lbs when I weighed in before surgery, but when I got home, I weighed 5 lbs heavier. I'm not sweating it, it's fluid or something. God knows, it wasn't the big meals! I can't believe I wrote all this, I feel so blessed that everything went well for me!

I leave for the hospital at noon. A friend is driving me. I can't eat or drink but brushed teeth twice and am rinsing mouth. Yes, I am nervous but have faith in my surgeon, Dr. Teng. My daughter is sleeping; we hugged goodbye last night. My son is at summer school. I'll call him from the hospital. I'm not taking much to the hospital. They have gowns you can put on like a robe and booties, although my sandals can be worn like slippers. I am taking a change of clothes, 2 books, my cell phone, my makeup and brush. I just cut my hair really short and "tipped" it blonde, so it requires little care. I look cute, I think. I think I will weigh myself before getting dressed. I've been warned that the scale at the hospital weighs heavy. I don't want to get scolded! I feel like a little kid! Well, that's it. I'm signing off. I'll be home Saturday but will be in a Lortab haze this weekend. Hugs to all! Thanks for all the support. Sharon

Thank you!

I can't believe I am getting banded in 2 days. After all the waiting and paperwork and qualifying...it is almost here. I am calmer now and am having some fun with my "look." I cut my hair short and it looks much healthier. I also bought some new eye makeup and experimented. I spent 4 hours today at the hospital, talking to the head of the bariatric program, doing tests like peeing in a cup and having blood drawn and another EKG. I panicked for a minute because I didn't know the hospital would want money up front, but luckily I've already met my deductible and "$2000 out of pocket" for the year because I already gave the surgeon a $2000 deposit. I was planning to use that money for clothes when I get it back, but it may end up going back to the hospital. I had a protein shake for breakfast but ate too much for lunch and dinner. Nothing like I used to eat but more than is comfortable now. I think I needed to feel one more time what "full" felt like. Tomorrow I do clears only and they told me to drink Gatorade. I also drink 2 bottles of magnesium citrate. "Don't go far from a toilet" they said. hahahaha...ewww

I leave for the hospital at noon. A friend is driving me. I can't eat or drink but brushed teeth twice and am rinsing mouth. Yes, I am nervous but have faith in my surgeon, Dr. Teng. My daughter is sleeping; we hugged goodbye last night. My son is at summer school. I'll call him from the hospital. I'm not taking much to the hospital. They have gowns you can put on like a robe and booties, although my sandals can be worn like slippers. I am taking a change of clothes, 2 books, my cell phone, my makeup and brush. I just cut my hair really short and "tipped" it blonde, so it requires little care. I look cute, I think. I think I will weigh myself before getting dressed. I've been warned that the scale at the hospital weighs heavy. I don't want to get scolded! I feel like a little kid! Well, that's it. I'm signing off. I'll be home Saturday but will be in a Lortab haze this weekend. Hugs to all! Thanks for all the support. Sharon

Thank you Cathychats for this wonderful forum. I get banded today and am nervous but was so excited to see my "name" in your well wishes for today. It helped so much. Most of the others who are getting banded today already are at the hospital. I am the straggler! I get banded at 2:30 Pacific time. I can't eat or drink today, but I brushed my teeth twice and rinsed my mouth, which helps. I drank a BIG glass of Crystal Light at midnight. I was already dehydrated a little from the all-day bathroom-a-thon that came from drinking 2 bottles of magnesium citrate to cleam me out. For anyone who is doing this: BUY GRAPE or CHERRY! The lemon lime is truly gross. Hugs to all! Sharon

Do they come with a warrantee? My surgeon says they can leak, but Ill keep my fingers crossed for you!

20 pounds! Wow! Congrats on a successful banding!

Don't be too hard on yourself. I'm told it gets easier after a few fills. A friend of mine is 3 weeks out from banding and says she is starving, do it isn't all "brain hunger."

Good luck!

I can't believe I am getting banded in 2 days. After all the waiting and paperwork and qualifying...it is almost here. I am calmer now and am having some fun with my "look." I cut my hair short and it looks much healthier. I also bought some new eye makeup and experimented. I spent 4 hours today at the hospital, talking to the head of the bariatric program, doing tests like peeing in a cup and having blood drawn and another EKG. I panicked for a minute because I didn't know the hospital would want money up front, but luckily I've already met my deductible and "$2000 out of pocket" for the year because I already gave the surgeon a $2000 deposit. I was planning to use that money for clothes when I get it back, but it may end up going back to the hospital. I had a protein shake for breakfast but ate too much for lunch and dinner. Nothing like I used to eat but more than is comfortable now. I think I needed to feel one more time what "full" felt like. Tomorrow I do clears only and they told me to drink Gatorade. I also drink 2 bottles of magnesium citrate. "Don't go far from a toilet" they said. hahahaha...ewww

I didn't post yesterday because I went into some kind of downward spiral. I am supposed to be on the preop diet but my son wanted to go out to breakfast with me. He is 12 and I am happy whenever he wants to spend time with me. So we went to our favorite breakfast place and I had a very unhealthy breakfast, and I'll admit, I really enjoyed it. I found out my son loves US history and is a wealth of information about all wars. It was wonderful! But then I grocery shopped and bought things "the kids" would like. I did have a nice salad for lunch (fat free) but ate pizza (2 slices) and popcorn at night. I feel sick today and disgusted with myself, but read through all my hospital paperwork and through these forums and I think my head is on straight again. Nothing but protein shakes today and I'm giving the apartment a good scrubbing so it is clean when I go for surgery Friday. I only work 2 days this week and go to the hospital Wednesday for preadmittance tests. Thursday is my magnesium citrate day at home. The Friday is the big day. I'm having a hard time with my daughter, 16, who is my support person. She and I had a falling out and she is not speaking to me. Thank God for this forum. She did something wrong but I am the one suffering. Oh well, I screwed up but now I am ready to face the music. I was embarrassed to post this because there are so many inspiring people on this board and I would like to be one of them, but I am more of a "fall on your face and then get up again" personality. Luckily, I always get up, and that is where my strength lies. Perfection is for other people. Thanks to the people who comment on my blog. It means a lot to me.