Maranda

Hey all. Had my first fill today at 5wks out. It went well. No pain at all. I am extremely tickleish so that was a major problem for me more than anything. I did feel a bit nauseaous for about 45mins after then fine. Doc put me on soft foods for today then tommorow back on the regular stuff. Still cannot lift weights at the gym I want to tone, tone, tone.. gotta try to keep ahead of my body. I have lost approx 20-23lbs since 09/30 feeling good. My questions are : the last 2 days I have been so incrediably tired. I doubt it is related to the anethseisa. I came home 2 days in a row from work and just passed out. I could of slept from 4pm thru the next morning if I let myself. Has anyone experienced this? Or am I just "tired" or should I be sucking it up and keep trucking thru the day? I forgot to mention this to my dr today. 2ndly: I found out I have a smaller band in. It holds up to 4cc of Fluid. I am curious how many people have the smaller band and the success/ and or failures with it. I would suppose it depends on how you use your tool.. just curious. Thanks for any info in advanced Maranda

I noticed I have pain in an area to the right of my incision about 1 inch below today. I was fine all day. I did go grocery shopping (I will be a month post op on the 30th) I am really uncomfortable, almost to the point where I am thinking of taking a pain pill. sitting is uncomfortable. Standing is fine... any thoughts???

I noticed I have pain in an area to the right of my incision about 1 inch below today. I was fine all day. I did go grocery shopping (I will be a month post op on the 30th) I am really uncomfortable, almost to the point where I am thinking of taking a pain pill. sitting is uncomfortable. Standing is fine... any thoughts???

Isnt today a great day!.. and by the way if God responds to your post via email can you frwd me his email...I thought your P.s. was wonderful I too prayed so hard for my approval. Im sure God got the message weather he surfs or not.. Amen!

I am glued as well, however there are stitches on the inside that will desovle.. good luck.

Tommorow will be my 2wk mark I wieghed myself yesterday and I am 18lbs down. I had no preop diet to follow. Since then it has been a smooth ride with no problems.. I highly recommended oh yeah chocolate milkshake.. omg yummy. 32grms of Protein. 220 calories. Yummy. I know my honeymoon phase will end so I am enjoying this loss at this rapid rate. LOVE MY BAND

wow I hope you are feeling better. You know the evening I was home from the hospital my face became very warm and my face was red. I asked my hubby If i felt warm, I dont remember but mine went away the next day. hmm makes me wonder if I had a minor reaction. Thank Goodness you took action and did not wait to seek medical attn. Maranada

I understand your delimea. The last question I asked my surgeon right before I was wheeled into surgery was How long does the band last. His response" Ideally a lifetime. The oldest one he implanted has been in place over 18yrs." Its not like a new hip/or knee where it is getting pounded everyday. Sometimes things occur and that cant be helped. You have to decide which option is better for you. Here are the pros I know for the band 1.reversable 2.adjustable 3.less invasive/faster recop time. 4. Not permant 5. Wt loss is more controlled 6. Should not have the malabsorption problems. 7. should you start gaining wt more restriction can be applied. Pros for gastric: 1. Significant wt loss within months not yrs time 2.Not at high risk for getting food stuck. Those are the only things I can think of pro wise for that I am sure there are more. You have to chose the one that fits for you. Good luck in your decision. Maranda

I had my surgery a week ago tommorow 9/30. I didnt have alot of pain until I had to move a bit, then I was uncomfortable. on a scale 1-10 mine was 3-4. I have had cramps worse than this. Like you this was my first surgery. Anethesia effects everyone different. Me, I only felt tired immediately after the surgery for about 6 hrs. My surgery was at 10am I got up and walked by 1:30-2pm. I had to go to the bathroom. If you have ever had sore muscles from something that you way overday the previous day from activity that is what it feels like to me. I am almost 7days out and I just was able to sleep on my side. At an angle. I do have some discomfort on my belly where the port is which is normal. It is really nothing feels like now like a bruise that is uncomfortable is you hit. As far as the gas. I experience like burping, not flatuence if that is what you are wondering. If you are able to burp on your own that will be an very effective thing. Meaning you can do it now just by saying Im going to burp and can do it . Some people can do it with beverages.. this helped me alot and I have "knock on wood" had not had any shoulder pain/chest pain. I did take the heed and purchase gasx strips which disolve on your tongue. My dr. didnt tell me about this I learned that on the forum and that was the best advice ever they come 18 in a box for about 6.00. The worst thing of all was the bad taste I constantly had in my mouth. That may have been anethesia. I hope that answers your questions. I know the anxiety feeling. Try to occupy yourself. breathe deep, let your dr. know you are having some anxiety. I think it is normal. Good luck keep us posted. Maranda

Today I got to start on puree. I had my first meal. It was 1/2cup 4 oz of cottage cheese. I did take heed and I blended it up. It took me a good 45 mins to finish it. And let me tell you.. It was the best darn cottage cheese I ever had. I savored each bite/slurp. I was afraid as you don't know how things are going to go and I took a good pause inbetween each slurp just to be safe. I am hoping I get more pep in my step after a few days. I just wanted to share. Glad liquids are for the most part behind me. So those on liquids keep plugging.. you will get to the next stage. Maranda

I know exactly how you feel. I was there not too long ago. I had my surgery on 9/30. Prior to that I went on vacation. I knew I would never be able to eat certain things again. There is a place in Missouri called Lamberts that make the best "down home" cookin ever. The home of the Thrown rolls. That was the end of July beginning of August. I had my last harrah then. The weeks before my surgery there were foods I just HAD to say goodbye to. Not because I cant have them, but just that I shouldnt have them. follow your dr.s orders do the liquid diet. Its not easy but I have 2 more days on liquids then purees.. so You can do it. THe anticipation will build. My recommendation. The day before your operation keep yourself busy. That way you dont get too worked up and anxious over it. Keep the mind occupied. Good luck. Maranda.

Hi all, I was banded on 9/30. I am to take 3 oz should take 15 mins at least. I have the 1/2 cup broth and 1/2 cup of Fluid for each meal ect that was broken down by the dietician. My cocern is am I taking enough fluid in. I am on Clear liquids. I am not hungry. But I am still quite bloated so that is understandable. I have been told i need at least 70 grams of Protein a day. 1 serving is 24 grams for 8oz. How are you to meet that? Or is that only to be meet in the coming weeks. Is right now about hydration? I am confused. I dont want to get sick Please someone tell me I am doing this right. OR what am I doing wrong.. I know this is a learning process but I do feel a bit overwhelmed.. I keep sipping my Water .. thanks in advance. Maranda

congrats amy. I know when I got my date it was more exciting than anything I have experienced in my life. Nov may seem like I long time away.. but it will fly by. Just keep up on your appts. A word of advice. get copies of all your medical stuff as you go and carry it with you. That way as the date nears and the dr states they dont have some paper or clearance, you have it. You can make a copy of it and give it to them. Under the HIPPA laws there should be no hassle or problem obtaining what you need. Just inform the dr office you know your hippa rights. Good luck. See ya on the other side soon.

I really think it depends on you, your surgeon and your insurance. I started my process start to finish July 20? and got a date on Sep3. I had to do the following 1.letter from my primary outlining my wt loss/gain and what I did, any important medical history. I included my strong family background both sets of grandparents and parents are diabetics ect.. 2.pulmonary clearance this included a chest xray 3.cardiac clearance this included ekg and echocardiogram which are standard, but I had to have a stress test with die (which is nothing you walk on a treadmill while they monitor you and then you lie on a table while the monitor you with a machine) 4.Nutrition consult : this is to ensure you are in the right place and understand what food is good/bad ect.. 5. Psychiatric consult: again to ensure you are in the right frame of mind. Do you know and acknowledge what put you where you are today ect. I had a packet I had to fill out ahead of time. I was as honest as one could be. I didn't want anything to hold me back. 6. Some insurance require you to attend a support meeting. Mine did not, but I went to 1 on a sunday and I have been going ever since. I enjoy it, They are informative, its people who like you and me who have had our battles, and everyone there has felt/thought or experienced what you have. its just a great place to go. 7.A final letter of clearance from your primary. Like I said I had my appts set up by my surgeon and I went. It was fast for me. I have no comorbities I do have the bmi over 40. Hope this helps. Maranda

Hi all, I am post-op day number almost 3. So far so good. Uncomfortable in bed unless on my back. I am getting my fluids in I dont think enough as I am afraid.. Yesterday I did 2 loads of laundry trust me they were very small. And I did some dishes (which I did not dirty up. ) I am experiencing more gas pain today, luckily for me I am able to burp on my own. A hidden talent I have had thanks to the teachings of an older brother and the contest we had. THat alone has been the biggest help. I am very tender on my right side but otherwise ok. I have not felt hungry.. which I guess to reason in part is beacause I am very bloated. Being heavy all these yrs women will say to me I am so bloated, being fat I never felt that. Well after this surgery I felt it and see it. I noticed last night I cannot "suck it in so to speak" Again I believe from all the gas. I have a nice bruise about the size of a half dollar on my stomach from the lovenox shot which by the way did not even feel. The most painful thing of this whole procedure was moving from the bed to the XR table that was difficult and getting out of bed is very hard. I dont regret my decision for a minute. I even went to the grocery store last night and picked up a few things for the hubby and some juice for me. I am proud to say I will be a loser. I dont know if I have lsot any wt because I dont own a scale (they are just evil) I was not wieghed the morning of my surgery 9/30. I know I weighed in at my preop 285 :thumbdown:Time will tell. take care.. Now I am going to try to make myself lie down and rest. Maranda

I was just banded today and my instructions say 2weeks treadmill/bicycle NO CRUNCHES LIFTING FOR 8 WEEKS..

I arrived to St. Francis Poughkeepsie at 8:45 surgery. Went into the holding room Where I gave a urine sample, got blood drawn, put on a gown with just my socks on, Iv starinted of saline and pepcid. A nice woman came in who had to do a belly scrub on me. That was basically to prep me for surgery. All it was iodine and a sponge. She was wonderful. then at 9:35 I went to the OR holding area where again many ques asked by anesthia, the or nurse, They added some pepcid to IV and something to my iv as I do get motion sickness, that did give me a slightly sedated feeling. I mentioned I was getting a little anxious. They then wheeled me into the OR at 10am. The dr came in. I asked my last ques. WHat is the life of the band. The oldest one he has is 18 yrs old they are to last a life time. Ideally. The or nurse was counting the instruments not something I wanted to see it made it sureal to me. They put me on an oxygen meter, strapped arms down. Started to give me some meds and o2 via iv and I apologized for falling alseep as it was rude. The next thing I knew I woke up in recovery. Apparently you do hear things as the nurse asked me do I remember telling them in the or as they wheeled me out as I said "Ill play pool with you.. lets go. " apparently theywere talking about pool and I heard them. When I woke I was not in pain, but when I moved the incision that is on my right side is sore.. but I did not take any pain med. I asked for tylenol.. they said sorry we only offer morphine. So I passed. About 1pm I went for barium swallow. Which was ok. I took probably 3 sips of chalky berry flavor stuff and watched my swallowing on the tv pretty cool. I was kept longer as I did not take in enough liquids yesterday. My bp was low. 88/44. I was encouraged to breathe, given a incentive spirometer which I finally got up to 2000 this eve.. Ya me. I asked to go to the bathroom, went potty. walked. Spoke with the dr. all went well. I am on liquids thru next week clear, but I can have coffe, no soups. Broth, jello, my protein shakes. He told me to hold on my multivitamin but gave me scripts for pepcid and vicodin. I am home now. And it is not bad. Getting up is a problem. Its difficult but I manage. So today is a good day. Tommorow may be a different story.. Shouting to the world I am banded.

I too am leaving in about 10mins for my date with the rest of my life.. Good luck to us all. :biggrin: Maranda

:rose:I am saying goodbye to the old me this weekend. Monday is a new chapter for me and I cannot wait. I have an apt with my future on Monday I have to be at the hospital at 8:45 for a 9:45 surgery. When I got my date way back at the beginning of the month I thought for sure somehthing would prevent this from happening. But to my suprise from the day 1 consult all thru my appts and insurance approval (NY state employee Empire Plan) it has been smooth sailing. I have said my goodbyes to food that I love and bid them a fond farewell. I do not want to be the person I am on the outside anymore and things had to change. The last few days I have told pretty much everybody I work with. Which is a small number as I work in a adult home. I don't have regrets telling them. 99% were supportive, 1 known backstabber and the funny thing is I DO NOT CARE. I have spun their rude comments into a little joke with others... If I cared I would of never told people. So I suppose after this weekend I will be posting more on the post-op forum. I have to say this forum has been the most informative tool I have found. Not to say others have not been informative, but there is so much and things cross your mind you forgot to ask, dont ask or even wonder, and guess what.. its here in the forum. Some where at sometime someone has asked the question you have had. Good luck to my fellow September Samuri.. and October bystanders your time will come..:cool2:

We are fortunate were we live we have a store in the area that caters bariatric sugery individuals. I went in as I was informed they have try it before you buy it. I tried several high in Protein drinks. I settled on a powder by Syntrax chocolate truffle. I think I paid 39.99 for a very large container. It taste SOOO GOOD I questioned the sales rep there has to be something bad in it right.. NOPE ALL GOOD you can mix it with Water, milk half milk half water. They all taste good anyway you look at it. The store rep recommended buy the vanilla powder then purchase some of the sugar free liquid sugars to change the flavors. The vanilla pwder was 39.99 and the large bottles of sugar free sugars were 7.99 and they had I believe over 9 flavors. So that is my next purchase. I think these are 110 calories per 8oz with 24grams of protein. Now if you add milk I had 1% it has 8 grams of protein. I too like others wanted to find stuff I liked ahead of time. I purchased a 4pk Protein shake at a local store for 5.95 horrible I couldnt make myself take 2 sips of it. When I mentioned eating healthy is not cheap the store rep reminded me that I wont be purchasing as much food as before so it may seem like more money but may not be. I know my situation is much different for others as I have no children. But good luck to all in their endeavours finding the one right for them.

Congrats on the date. I know how exciting it was when I got mine (Sept 30)I am from the hudson valley. So I cannot help you with the doctor information. Good luck, keep us posted.

Initially I was only telling my husband. But then I told my sister, then my brother a few people and now I have no secrets Ill tell anyone who has a set of ears. LOL