pinkposey

Hello, I was banded on August 5th, and the first few days I didn't feel really too weak, mostly just the soreness from the surgery. But today I have felt so weak, and I have not been urinating many times during the day either. I do keep a bottle of Water with me and try to sip on it all day, but my mouth is really dry. I was thinking that either I'm getting dehydrated and/or I'm not getting enough calories in. I go back to my surgeon for my first follow-up tomorrow, so I'm trying to keep drinking water. I actually had my son pick me up a peanutbutter milkshake (I know, that's probably a big no no) because I feel like my blood sugar level may be low and that I need some calories. Thanks for posting this info on here, it helps to see what others are going through. -Rose Ann

Congratulations on your success! You can tell that you've definitely lost weight in your before/after pictures. Today it has been a week since my surgery. I go tomorrow for my first follow-up appt. with Dr. MacMillan. I am very weak. I started out feeling okay, but I think I'm not getting enough calories and/or maybe my sugar level is low. I mean I can hardly make it through my shower without feeling I'm going to pass out. Did anyone else have this feeling one week out? I think when I can move to the next food stage with more substantial items, I'll be okay. I also worry about dehydration. I keep sipping Water all day, but my mouth is always dry. Rose Ann

Hi Lisa - I have that same pain on my left side from the port! I've been worried that I've pulled something loose, but apparently that's how it's supposed to feel. The pain gets really sharp if I twist to my left or bend downward toward the left. I'll be glad when this goes away. As far as my diet - for two weeks I am allowed the following: juice, Jello, popsicles, broth, bouillon, fruit ices, coffee, tea (these were recommended for the first 2-3 days, then I could add "full" liquids like milk (skin or 1% - I drink 1%), vegetable juice, strained cream Soups, pudding (fat-free and sugar-free), diet ice cream and light yogurt. I am to continue with my Protein drinks twice per day until I'm on solid foods. I use the unjury Protein Drinks (not too bad - I can tolerate it). The only things I have actually eaten are jello, chicken broth, popsicles, sugar-free fudgesicles, vegetable juice and the protein drinks. I keep sipping on Water all day too. Yesterday was the first day that I actually felt hungry - my stomache actually growled. I'll be glad to get to the next stage which for me is mushy food, but at least I can have oatmeal, mashed potatoes (thin), and eggs. I called my boss this morning and I told her I go to the doc on the 13th, so I won't be back until at least the 14th. She was fine with that. I am off on the 15th, so if the doc gives me the okay, I may go ahead back on the 14th, and if I get weak, I'll just go home early. I truly am feeling weak - when I shower, by the time I finish I'm almost light=headed and have to hurry to my bed to lay down! I hope I can build my strength back up this week. -Rose Ann

Hello - I'm getting banded on August 5th in Jeffersonville, Indiana. My surgeon is Dr. Daniel MacMillan. I'm really nervous about this - I have been thinking about weight loss surgery for the last couple of years - I'm a real procrastinator. I am super obese at 430 lbs., and 5'8" tall. I have been second guessing my decision to get lap-band and wondering if GB would be better for me since I am so big and have so much to lose. I asked my surgeon which surgery he thought would be better, and he said lap-band (of course, he strictly does lap-band procedures). I am 45 (46 on August 1st), female, and my knees are just shot. I literally cannot stand for more than 10 minutes without being in extreme pain, and I can't walk far. I'm tired all the time, even though I don't do anything, other than go to work every day, and it takes everything in me to get moving in the morning and get to work. My only child is heading to college in late August, and I depend on him alot I see this surgery as my last chance to get my life back and become independent once again! I appreciate any advice from all you members out there!

Thanks Roheryn! I tell you, that 17 days will fly by quicker than you can imagine. It won't be long now and you'll be posting about your post-surgery feelings. Good luck to you! -Rose Ann:thumbup:

Hi Lisa- I do work in Human Resources for the Census Bureau. I had scheduled my leave through Monday, 8/11/08, but since my surgeon did not schedule my follow-up appt. until Wednesday, 8/13/08, I do not plan to return until at least the 14th. I work an "Alternative Work Schedule" which is like 8 - 9 hr days, 1 8 hr. day and one day off every 2 weeks. It so happens that Friday, the 15th is my day off, so I would actually like to take off on Thursday, as well. I think my supervisor will be okay with this, but I'm going to talk to her Monday to make sure. Good luck to you! -Rose Ann:thumbup:

Ann - You were so right about the medication in the hospital making my knees feel great! I had no problem getting up and walking around on them after my surgery! I am very hopeful that as I lose more weight I will be able to walk farther, and stand longer! Bertha - welcome and good luck to you! Just think of the payoff down the road when you feel better, and maybe that will help you with the liquid diet. Being "super-sized" we have a long road ahead of us, but at this point - it's gonna be all downhill! -Rose Ann

Hello everyone! I hope all the August bandsters are doing well! I want to join your party since I was banded on August 5th! I am doing pretty well today after being really sore the past couple of days. I go back to my doctor on the 13th, and if all is well, will probably return to work the 14th. Good luck to everyone on this new chapter in your lives!

Hello - I was banded at Clark Memorial on August 5th. The surgery went great and I am doing as well as can be expected. The pain gets a little better each day. I am looking forward to getting my life back, one pound at a time! Good luck to everyone!

Hello - I am from the southeastern part of Indiana (Madison), and I was banded on August 5th. My surgeon was Daniel MacMillan in Jeffersonville, IN. Hello to all the Hoosier bandsters! -Rose Ann

Hello - I was also banded on August 5th, and like you, I was pretty miserable for a couple days after. Today, the pain has subsided quite a bit. I'm afraid I did a little too much earlier today, when I did a load of laundry. After taking items out of the dryer, I felt weak and my abdomen was hurting. I laid down for a while and feel better now. If you work, when do you plan to return? -Rose Ann

Hi Lisa - I am feeling okay - still sore, but it gets a little better each day. I'm afraid I'm doing too much bending over. I did some laundry today and after getting things out of the dryer I just felt really weak and my abdomen was sore. I am also bored with the liquids. I am not even hungry, but I am trying to get in at least 2 Protein drinks per day. My doctor wants me to get at least 60 grams per day, and the two drinks almost covers that. Other items I've eaten are chicken broth, V-8 juice, tea and sugar-free Jello, popsicles, and fudgesicles. I go to the doctor on Wednesday also! It is strange - I am not hungry, but when I see commercials for Burger King, and other food items, I think wow that sounds so good. It's not that I want to eat it it just sounds good. That's the psychological aspect coming into play, I suppose. I don't know how my blood pressure has been affected yet, because I have been told to continue my daily medicine for that. Do you work and if so do you plan to go back the day after you see your doctor next week? -Rose Ann

Well, I made it! Had my surgery August 5th @ 8:00 am. My doctor told me that the surgery went very well! I lost 13 lbs. in the one week liquid diet before my surgery! He did say my liver was fatty, but that's because I've been super-sized for several years. But even though my BMI isover 60, he said my surgery was no more difficult than any others he has done! I am sore, though. I have 5 incisions, but only one hurts, this must be the port incision. I've had some gassy, watery diarrhea (sorry if that's TMI), and am belching a bit. I've not been hungry at all. I spent the night in the hospital and had a few sips of broth and jello, but mostly just sipped water all day. I am going to try to eat/drink more today to build up my strength. I want to try to start getting my protein in again, so I don't start losing my hair. Congrats to the other August Bandsters! I'm ready to start getting my life back now!:thumbup:

I am getting banded tomorrow at 7:30 also! I am nervous, and hoping everything goes smoothly. I hope it goes well for you also. I'm trying to think positive thoughts about how this surgery will have a positive effect on my life. Good luck to you!

I am getting banded tomorrow, 8/5/08. I'm starting to get very nervous. I am "Super big" at 424 lbs., and have very arthritic knees. I cannot walk long distances or stand for very long, as it is, so I'm nervous about being able to walk enough after the surgery to ward off gas, bloodclots, etc. Wish me well!:thumbup:

My surgergy is on August 5th, and I, too, am very nervous. I keep second-guessing whether I'm doing the right thing, but I know in my heart that it is the right thing, because I'm not living a quality life right now because of the weight. Good luck to you, I'm sure it will be fine - we'll get through this!:teeth_smile:

Hello. I am 45 (oh, well actually I'll be 46 on August 5th), and my BMI is 65.5. I weigh 429 (as of my last weigh in about 1 month ago, I fear I've gained a bit since I've been eating more than I should). My highest weight was 444. I go tomorrow for the upper GI (barium swallow test, I believe). This Tuesday, July 29th, I go for blood work, EKG and Chest x-ray, then meet with the Bariatric Coordinator who will start me on my 1 week pre-op liquid diet. My surgery is scheduled for August 5th! I am excited, yet very nervous. I've read many posts on lapbandtalk where folks have said surgery and recovery was a breeze, but I wonder, for all you "Super Size" folks, was the recovery a bit harder? I have terrible knees (need knee replacement), and cannot stand for more than 10 minutes or walk far. I can't even straighten my legs out flat when I am laying down cause it hurts too much. I asked the surgeon if they could put rolled up towels under my knees during surgery and he said they probably could. I asked this because when I'm under the anesthesia, I'm sure my legs would probably lay down flat, but when I awake and start moving around, I'm afraid my knees will be killing me. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm so happy to have found this forum to chat with other people in the same boat as me. Nobody knows what it's like to carry so much weight around, unless you are living it day in and day out. I look forward to hearing from all of you! Rose Ann