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nfl1

LAP-BAND Patients
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Everything posted by nfl1

  1. nfl1

    Banded 1/20/09

    Hi Kathy, I'm a Jan 20 bander too, and wanted to welcome you! My one week post op was 18 pounds (since the start of the 2 week preop diet), I was so thrilled. How are you doing with the graduation to mushies this week? Nancy Ithaca, NY
  2. The second and third day were the hardest for me. Luckily I could take them off work so I could sleep late, focus on getting in my Protein shakes (they do keep the hunger away for awhile), and we made hearty stews with extra broth - venison or very lean beef with veggies. I was allowed non-starchy veggies like carrots, onions, garlic, etc. so the hearty stew broth (minus the potato and meat) with the veggies (even without, we made enough so I had frozen some for post-op was liquid only) felt a lot heavier than plain chicken broth. This flavorful broth was the only thing that got me through every day.
  3. I was banded on 1/20. The first thing I tried didn't taste that good, but it didn't get stuck. The other things that went down pretty easy were mashed sweet potato, scrambled egg (soft) and roasted chicken dark meat (the real juicy ones from the grocery store) that I pureed with chicken stock. Everything had to be a real baby food type consistency, but a tad bit less liquified GOOD LUCK.
  4. nfl1

    Hospital

    I had surgery on 1/20, and most of my doc's patients stay overnight. I would NOT have been ready to go home same day! I was filled with gas, uncomfortable, and could not have ridden in a car. I wasn't allowed to drink anything (only mouth swabs) until the doc saw me the next morning and did the follow-up barium scan to be sure the band was in the right place without problems. Good luck! Nancy
  5. I was in the same position, my partner was deathly afraid something would happen to me, and DID NOT want me to have the surgery. I began the discussions really early (about a year or 8 mo. in advance, before I began the actual prep checklist from the surgeon, which takes about 4-6 mo. from beginning to scheduled surgery). She never came to a support group, never wanted to read any info (website or brochure), see any tv show, or look at my dietary stages book. I was really afraid that this would affect us, and as the surgery drew closer, her anxiety grew. I'm happy to report that when I began the pre-op liquid diet (2 weeks) she really stepped up. We care for her mom in our home, and she made a point to fix her meals so I wouldn't have to smell good food, or see the bagels or bread...I was really surprised. I was banded on 1/20, and tonight - my first day of mushies - will be the first day that I have to fix the supper (since I can puree something I'm giving them). I did go on a rampage when there was a big Stouffers TV dinner sale...so there were enough of the kinds they both liked, and it would be REALLY EASY for her to fix "meals" with me "down." So I think pre-planning might help make it easier. I hope she surprises you too! Nancy
  6. Auggies, me too - two weeks out and that is the thing that sometimes give me a stabbing pain. So, I guess it's not the port...my primary doc thought it might be a "route" they took through the fat during surgery, but she wasn't sure, but at least I was happy to know it wasn't a hernia.
  7. Thanks so much! It did go away (well dulled) after a couple days...and I appreciate the words of encouragement.
  8. I was banded on 1/20, and other than shoulder pain have not had problems around my incisions. I had my post-op follow-up Thursday and there was no pain, but today after being up for a few hours, I suddenly began getting stabbing pains around the port area...what is this? Anytime I move, it feels like a stab from the inside when I try to stand up or move at all. What can I do? Is this normal, or the beginning of something else (like a hernia? I've never had any problems like this pre-surg). Nancy
  9. I miss the 7 layer dip too - I have 2 more days of liquids before I can start mushies (and I think because the salsa would not be blended, and olives too might not be mushies).
  10. What a GREAT idea - I'm going to add that to my cream of chicken tomorrow!
  11. I also add non-fat skim milk powder directly to some broths for extra Protein. I am doing Slim Fast Low Carb in addition to the soups (2xday) for my protein. They aren't as thick as the cream soup to me.
  12. Definitely talk with your surgeon and the nutritionist. I was banded 1/20, and my surgeon allowed non-starchy veggies on the pre-op liquid diet, so I had a lot of Soups loaded with onions, carrots, celery and/or garlic. When I was having trouble getting enough Protein, they told me I could do egg whites to get protein, so i made white omlettes. They will try to work with you to keep you on the right track.
  13. OH, and I agree on packing really light for the hospital - the only things I used were the chapstick (NEEDED), Crocs or slip on sandals (so you can slip on and comfortably walk around the hospital to dispell the gas at night and during the day) and a toothbrush (you will be extremely thirsty, and I needed to be able to do more than just pat water on my tongue, I felt like a sweater in my mouth).
  14. I also had GasX and liquid Tylenol. Remember to bring a pillow for the plane ride home! (you'll have to put on a seat belt and that may not be comfortable) I also had creamed Soups on hand for the post-op liquid diet, it's filling, and you just need to strain them if they have contents. Any kind of really flavorful Soup is heavenly (I made 3 vats of venison stew pre-op, and lived on the broth, had more today and was SO happy).
  15. I got the band on the 20th, and made cr of chicken with skim milk, didn't water it down, just strained. I can only tolerate about 4 oz though, it really fills me up. I've also done cream of tomato, and both taste heavenly. Nancy
  16. nfl1

    I've been cheating.

    Thanks Leslie, your post puts us newbies minds at ease. It's a journey, we just are peeking through the door with one foot across the threshhold. Having hands from these forums reaching to us with help, makes all the difference. Nancy
  17. I was 1/20, and the heating pad was a wonder, but I was burping all the time and was very sore. Sleeping sitting in a recliner for 5 days really kept me sane, though everytime I woke up I tried to walk, and it really helped to dispell the gas throughout the day and night. I did liquid pain meds and liquid tylenol, and gas-x, but I found Maalox chewables to be better. I still have the shoulder pain now, though almost 2 weeks later.
  18. nfl1

    I've been cheating.

    Hi Leslie, you are definitely not alone. I was banded 1/20 and still have 4 more days of liquids, and just had to have something to crunch...but didn't want to hurt myself. I took a crouton (since I've had so much soup) and took a tiny bite of the edge...I know it's not allowed, but I crunched it so much and took about 4 bites to eat it...but still it's sticking in my mind. Most other cravings these past 2 weeks I've avoided, but today I gave in.
  19. I add some non-fat skim milk powder (5g protein per Tablespoon) to soups.
  20. I slept in a recliner for 4 days, and then tried being propped in bed with lots of pillows. I found the recliner to be much more comfortable, and my shoulder pain had gone away (since I kept waking and walking through the night). After going to the bed the shoulder pain returned and I haven't gotten rid of it. I couldn't lie down at all (due to pain) for many days so did not give into the temptation.
  21. KY bandchick, I'm so sorry your first day back was tough. My first day was going to be tomorrow, but the gas and shoulder got so bad today I put it off another day.
  22. nfl1

    Shoulder Pain

    Me too - the shoulder pain went away after a couple days, but only stayed away for 2-3 days (I was banded 1/20). I've tried heat, cold, massage, walking, GasX, anything else? Liquid Tylenol takes it away for a little while, but it comes back and I don't want to take too much.
  23. I too have the left side neck pain, and shoulder, was banded 1/20. My shoulder stopped hurting for about 3-4 days, but yesterday it came back with a vengence and comes and goes. Liquid Tylenol takes it away for awhile, but I don't want to keep taking it continuously, and I've taken Gas-X, walked, tried ice, heat, massage... ANY other ideas would be greatly appreciated! Nancy
  24. Is there a difference between pureed and mushies? (different substance?)
  25. I can have cream of wheat in the liquid phase, made with skim milk it adds a little extra protein. I tried it today and surprisingly it went down as well as the creamed soup. I was banded on 1/20, and have another week before I can go to pureed.

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