lsullivan68

I am 1 week post-op and seem to be unable to sleep on my side any longer. When I do it feels like a weight is sitting on my chest. I'm worried because I just can't sleep on my back for very long, so I've been sleeping in my recliner. Is this normal? Do I just need to wait & let things heal a bit longer?

I'm a high school librarian, but taught for 9 years in the classroom. I was banded on 8-1-08 and started work yesterday. I'm doing the liquids still right now, but lunch time is our busiest time of the day, so I'm going to have to do easy, smooth things like yogurt, cheese, shakes, etc. Because like DWRD73 said, we don't want to "you know" in front of the kids. We'll do it, heck we've all survived NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND, we'll survive this too. : )

I didn't tell my parents or siblings either. My spouse and child know as well as a hand full of best buds, but that's it. I just don't want to hear the "you didn't give the diet and exercise a chance to really work". I'm thinking 11 years is plenty of time. I guess really it was just my avoidance of the drama that would follow.

I too was banded on the 1st and am on a totally clear liquid diet with the option to do 1 - 2 Protein shakes a day. I was never told a certain amount to drink, but to just drink all that I could. I have tried to do the Protein Shakes, but just can't seem to get them down without feeling YUCK. So I think I truly will only do the broth, Jello, juice and Water thing for a full week. I think maybe my body is just telling me to go slow. I go to the doctor Thursday so we'll see what he has to say about my progress. As far as being tired I am just beat. I feel like I need a nap every couple of hours, especially after a good walk. I live in the Houston area and it has just been too darned hot to walk outside unless it's at 3 in the morning, so my floors have been getting a work out. I even attempted the staircase today. Now I'm hoping that the Hurricane Eduard will be kind to me and my family, because I don't think I could make it without A/C.

flem- I did stay in the hospital overnight, but have pretty much been alone since getting home. My hubby left Sunday for his 2 weeks of annual military duty (I guess the 13 months they had him in Iraq doesn't count . . . .hahahaha). I have an 11 year old at home, but she's afraid she's going to break me or something, so I've been doing it all solo and I'm OK. I do believe that walking helps ease so many of the aches and pains. Hang in there.

WOW, there are a lot of August All Stars. I am 49 hours post-op and feeling great. I won't lie I'm still taking the loritab (liquid valium) every 8 hours, because I feel like an NFL linebackers nailed me hard in the stomach, but overall I feel great. I get up and walk. I'm "eating" what I'm supposed to, but I have learned that in the mornings drinking something hot/warm first really eases things.

Tomorrow morning at 5 AM I report to the hospital for my lap band surgery. I am really excited yet a bit scared at the same time. I've got everything that the doctor's office said to buy before hand and I think I am ready to go. I think I've been reading the posts too long now and I am scaring myself. For months before scheduling my surgery I read everything and I really think the negatives are far less than the positives which will last me a lifetime. I am hoping that everyone can give me some advice in regards to what to do and what not to do after surgery. Everyone says WALK and I will. What else do I need to know and do? To introduce myself, I am 36 years old a mother, wife and dog owner. I am a high school librarian. I taught high school social studies for 9 years and have been a librarian for 4 years now. I LOVE my job. It is the best job in the school. I was always fairly thin until I had our daughter 11 years ago and since then I have just gained and gained weight until I am now 243 pounds. I am disgusted with myself and pray that this will be the answer that I've been looking for.

Well I'm home now. It feels so good to be in your own bed, especially when you are 5'11" and your legs hang off every hospital bed on earth. I was Dr. Spiegel's first surgery of the day at University General Hospital and I truly can't say enough positive things about the entire experience. I LOVE that so many of the staff at UGH have had the surgery too. They were all so supportive and had kinds words. I got home about 1:00 this afternoon and immediately took at nap, but I've walked the downstairs of my house for about 30 minutes now and even cleaned the kitchen. I'm so surprised at how well I feel. Of course I'm sore, but overall I feel great. Thanks to everyone who gave me encouraging words Thursday night. I think I was psyching myself out.

I just had my surgery yesterday with Dr. Spiegel and I only have positive things to say about him. He doesn't have the greatest bed side manner, but neither do a number of doctors. I never had a question he didn't answer and he's done thousands of bands which I think is a plus in his corner. His office staff was always very kind to me as well. I think they are probably overwhelmed to say the least. They are at a different office practically everyday, so I think they are just in survival mode. I had 4 or 5 other ladies who all had their surgeries yesterday too and they all had Dr. Spiegel and all said they were happy with him and University General Hospital. You get to talking as you walk the halls after recovery. Best of luck.

Thanks everyone. I am going to try & go to bed (hahahahahahahahaha). I know that everything will be OK. I'm just nervous and ready for it to get done. Please share your post-op suggestions with me. I will read them most likely on Sunday. Thanks again!