Nena

Girl, I started out so strong. I felt so good but now I'm just dog tired. I keep having these horrible hiccup/spasm things that happen and they HURT. At first they weren't bad but they're getting worse. Plus the gas is atrocious! I'm taking gas x strips but they don't help that much. I'm not able to consume much. In one day, I have one atkins Protein shake, one small drinkable yogurt (like milk), one Jello pudding, half a cup of coffee and lots of Water. Are you able to consume more? What are you drinking/eating? I've also started having problems with nausea. The first 3 days it was so easy (I wasn't even taking the pain medicine) and now I'm miserable most of the day. I don't mean to whine but I was hoping you could tell me if you're experiencing the same things or what you're doing that maybe I should do. Thanks for the responses.

:unsure:I've NEVER been one to have the hiccups- maybe once every 5 years or so. Now, maybe 6-7 times a day, I'll hiccup. It's just one hiccup. It's kind of weirding me out. It's not too painful. I'm on day 5 after my surgery. Has anyone else had this or know why it could be happening.

Ok, I had never heard of these before but I so LOVE the Gas-X strips! They are awesome. I've had some gas but not bad thanks to those strips. I've had some soreness. It was only bad when I overdid it. Thinking that I would run a bunch of errands while I was off from work. Bad Idea! So I took pain meds on the 2nd day and on the 4th day when I ran the roads. Today I'm feeling good, not hungry, just taking it slow. Thanks for asking.

Hi I'm Nena and I'm from Beaumont. I was banded in Houston by Dr. Michael Storey. I like him. When I went for my surgery THREE of the nurses had been banded by him and absolutely LOVED him! Isn't that funny? So no jitters for me. Oh poor Lufkin girl, I bet all my fellow Beaumontonians are flooding your town. Ol' Gustav is running everyone off! I looked up my doctor on the internet, checked to see if he'd had any lawsuits filed against him, looked for blogs about him to find honest opinions. Sorry I don't have anymore suggestions for you. I got banded this past Sunday and am feeling pretty good so far. Good Luck to you!

I swear I have a college degree and have a good career. I think I'm smart and I thought I really investigated this whole lap band thing but everytime I get on this website, I feel STUPID! I was banded this past Monday and have NO idea what they put in me LOL!! I didn't even know there was a choice!! I'm laughing about it cause I guess it's too late to worry about!

I agree with all the other responses. The atkins are SO much better. The dark chocolate is really creamy reminds of drinking chocolate milk as a child. I also like the low carb slim fast. The EAS was the pits! I drank 4 a day and lost 15 pounds in 10 days pre-op. My doctor said that I had to be on CLEAR liquids for the last 5 days and I was honest- told him that I couldn't do it. Could I please have the atkins shakes for the entire 10 day period and he agreed. Here I am post-op, recovering very well and still drinking those same shakes.

Ok Jason, you were banded a day after me. I have a question. I have these things over my incesions, they look like tape. I was told to let them fall of by themselves and they're still there. How about you? Do you have this "tape"? I forgot to ask what type of sutures the doc was going to use.

You guys are awesome! I don't know ANYONE who's had this surgery so when something weird happens like the hiccup thing- I'm not sure if I should worry or not. Now I know it's no big deal. I love this website. I'd be hysterical without it since my doctor really didn't tell me anything. He tells me to ask any questions but who knows which questions to ask?! I see on this website that most of you are much more knowleadeable than me. Thanks.

I promise I'm not trying to be rude. I just saw your progression slide show. You're obviously a beautiful lady- so why are there no full body shots since 2007? What's that about? Take a full body shot so we can all see how great you look!

I was in OA for about 3-4 years. I lost 120 lbs without diets and maintained it during that entire time. I did it by using the 12 steps to help me find focus in my life. I had a great sponsor. Then the group kind of fell apart and my sponsor fell off the wagon. I quit going or searching for a new group and re gained all of my weight. So now I was banded on Aug 25 but I know that it's not enough. I know that I need more. Has anyone here completed all 12 steps with a sponsor? I'm ready to let go of all the insanity and have peace in my life again.

I was amazed at how quickly I was approved, but I was not the first tricare patient that my doctor had. I'm assuming he knows "the right answers". I had been a little underweight for the surgery and just started enjoying food more than usual so by the time I made it to the specialist I definitely met the weight requirement and I have a co-morbidity- my knees- arthritis (truthfully, I think my knees are just begging for mercy under all this weight). I had my surgery Aug 25. I never thought to ask about fills. I'm assuming that my doctor has that covered but I know now to ask. I have have tricare prime remote with humana

I'm on day 4 and feeling great. On the 25th, I was still full of anesthesia and sleep most of the day. Day 2, I was still groggy took some pain meds and felt exhausted. I was thinking to myself- am I crazy, why did I do this? Day 3- I drove myself to Houston (1 1/2 hour drive each way) to my follow up appt. I went to my ortho appt too. Took my son to the doctor then to buy school supplies. Was completely exhausted when I got home and took a shower for the first time. Day 4- today, I feel almost normal. going to run errands today. NOT hungry at all and I still have energy. I am excited because tomorrow I go off clear liquids and an have liquids that can go thru a strainer. I've already lost 15 lbs from the pre-op liquid diet. Feeling good that life can only get better from here.

congratulations! I had mine done on Aug 25. I'm on day 4 and it's getting easier. I don't know who Veronica is but she's giving you great advice. The walking around has helped me a lot. We've started a new adventure in our lives. Ur son sounds so cute. My son is 17 and has been really sweet too. My husband has been VERY sweet. I should be sick more often LOL.

Oh my gosh! I so know what you mean! My best friend told me to quit watching tv because of the commercials. To only watch movies. I also stayed away from other people while they ate if it was possible. The first 2 days, I really thought that I would lose my mind. I drand the atkins protein shakes. They're low carb so I could lose weight and help me feel full. The day 3 it started getting easier to not eat. Now I've been banded, still on liquids- not even hungry. Girl it's worth it. Tell yourself that being thin and healthier will so be worth it.

We are sisters! We were banded the same day! I was feeling like crap at first too. I have found that the more I force myself to walk around the better that I feel. I have been using the the gas x melting strips and they're a God send. It's day 4 and I'm feeling much better. I keep telling myself that this surgery is no big deal and I'm ok. This positive self talk helped me run a couple of errands yesterday and I'll do some more today. Good Luck!

Oh my gosh, you're so smart! I'm educated and think I'm pretty smart but I didn't even think to ask when I can take a shower?! LOL. I feel really stupid and unprepared that's why I love reading the blogs, I learn so much. So what did they say about showering?

Maybe it is gas but I haven't even had the surgery yet. I get my surgery this Mon. Aug. 5. That's why I'm freaking out over all the pain but you're probably right. It's gas, my poor stomach is used to being packed with food and now it's got only liquids. Talking like this comforts me so much. Thanks.

I get my surgery on Aug 25. I too was really worried about the pain and being able to return to work. This lady posted that the lap band was nothing compared to a c-section that she had. Well, I had a c-section when I gave birth to my son and it was no big deal- if this is less painful then we'll be fine. I think some people just have a low tolerance for pain and probably eat things they shouldn't. If the stomach is trying to recover from surgery and you eat stuff that makes you vomit- it's going to delay your recovery and make it painful. You and I, we'll continue on these protein shakes and we'll be fine.

I've talked to you before in the chat room. You have no idea how much I APPRECIATE your input. As I've said before, I don't know anyone who has had this surgery and my doctor has not been very informative. I have my surgery on Monday aug 25. When I asked what does mushy food mean, he said anything you can get in a blender. After reading your article, at least I have some ideas of what to avoid at first. Thanks so much

Can I ask something really gross? I've NEVER had problems in the bathroom. Now that I'm on liquids- I drink protein shakes- when I need to "go", I get really bad stomach cramps and it's really painful- I'm in the bathroom for like 5-10 minutes. It used to take me like 30 seconds. Are you having any of these problems? Do you know how to alleviate it? I have my surgery MOnday and am worried about if the stomach cramps get worse or what? I'm so glad to have someone to talk to. I don't know ANYONE who has had this surgery.

Bertha, 36 lbs! OMG, that's awesome! I've heard of lots of people who cheated on their pre-op diets and still got their surgery. It sounds like your doing really well. I wouldn't worry. I'm on my second day of pre-op liquids and think I'm going to lose my mind I'm so hungry. We have to support each other. We CAN do this! Failure is not an option.

I'm on my 10 day liquid diet too. I'm so HUNGRY! I ate egg yolks to help. I hope that counts as a liquid.

I am on my pre-op liquid diet and I'm so hungry! How do you battle that?

I was underweight too. So I just started eating sweets until I was at the right BMI and now I've been approved. It's sad, I had to gain weight to lose weight.

I have tricare prime remote south. I went to the seminar at the beginning of July and my surgery is scheduled for Aug 25. Psych eval? I didn't know I had to have that. My dr told me that it's going to be outpatient.