sailorChristy

I am so happy for you, and our perspectives are very much the same. High-five! Christy

Howdy! I'll bet you are at goal, aren't you? (At least from your photo, it appears that you are!) I started at 265, now at 181, and heading down to 160 (any minute now - hee hee.) I haven't had any significant backslides, just slow steady progress. If I could make more time for exercise, I'd be in much better shape (literally and figuratively.) How are you? (Happy anniversary.) Christy

I'm still here. I try to skim the boards every week or so. Still doing well and enjoying my band! How are YOU? Hugs, Christy

I can't believe it's been FOUR years now! Are there any other Banditos still here on LBT? I'm down 80 pounds from my pre-surgery highest weight. It's been slow, steady progress with stalls along the way but no major backslides. I'm still aiming for 150, but will settle for 160. I plan to look into getting a tummy tuck when I arrive at 175. I'm trying to get plugged back in here at LBT and would love to hear from you! Best wishes, Christy 265/185/160 - surgery May '09

I am back on the boards just in time to toss the equivalent of my hefty-sized DOG onto the pile. I've lost 65. :-) 55 John337 -105 SpideyMom -70 hdmdavid -75 less-of-me -58 Oliviasmommy -25 tulsarealtorGB -38 ruguay -35 Sarahbellzz -34 Jennifer75 -55 Sbush70 -48 bkmom -34 naynayto2 -40 Mamadot -54 Mamabully -41 On the Way to Thin -44 DON14 - 102 carriemc78- 61 Foxxy-21 Epresco303 - 53 cheri634 - 46 klp713-30 bevanfranks -51 sailorChristy - 65 Total:1185

2911 - Along with the pedialyte popsicles, try some Powerade zero for electrolytes and low-sodium v-8 for a major dose of potassium. My surgeon's guidelines did not include a water/liquids requirement for week 1, but he asks that we drink 48-64 oz per day thereafter. I know that it's very difficult to force oneself to eat and drink anything when all that gas is in there. Maybe when you get more fluids in, it will give you the energy to do more walking. Gas-x strips and walking practically saved my life. :blushing: I've read that a heating pad helps too. Keep us posted, dear. It *will* get better, and when it does you will be astonished at the progress that each new day brings. I'll pray that this starts SOON for you and will trust that it will.

Howdy, all ~ My steri-strips have yet to fall off, but it appears that everything is healing just fine. I'm having fewer and fewer sharp 'port pains,' which is quite a relief. Those really hurt! I'm on pureed foods 'til Monday, when I upgrade to 'soft foods.' (I'm still not totally clear on the difference -- heh heh.) I don't feel any 'fullness cues' at the base of my throat, but I don't have much of an appetite AT ALL. I'm experiencing physical hunger for the first time in, oh gosh, maybe 20 years? Earlier today, I thought I had a stomach ache and was about to hit the gas-x. I decided to eat some pureed Soup (progresso light - zesty chicken gumbo - YUM)... and it turns out that the feeling I had in my tummy was HUNGER. It was pretty hilarious. I'm eating about 1/2 C at each meal, and have been interested in no more than 3 meals per day. I'm tracking everything on The Daily Plate, and it's quite obvious that I'm eating way too much in fat calories, in the form of chicken salad and the like. I know that once my options open up a bit, I'll be able to stay within the limits my dietician recommends. I'm down 9# since surgery (plus 20# from the pre-op diet.) I know that the band is designed to support 1-2# loss per week, which is truly what I want... but I must say that I'm enjoying this initial 'whoosh' while it lasts. Oh, also - not walking or exercising like I should. That must change.

My steri-strips are still stuck firmly in place, and I wash with soap when I'm in the shower and air-dry. One thing that seems odd about my port incision is that it's a slightly raised line. I'm not sure if it's from dried blood or if the would itself has a raised "lip." Is anyone else's a little more distinct than the incisions that my recovery nurse delightfully referred to as "stab wounds?"

Hey, chicas! My pre-op "appointment" is at 2 weeks post-op. Since I live a few hours from my surgeon's office, he allows a "virtual" post-op visit. I'll e-mail photos of my incisions and any questions/concerns I have to the Nurse Practitioner, and I'll consult with the Dietician via e-mail as well. I'm scheduled to transition to soft foods for the following two weeks, and then my first fill will be at the 4 week mark.

marathonmommy, 2911plans, and the rest of the 5/28 gang ~ How are you feeling today? Is that dreadful gas all out of your system? Are you getting your mojo back? I too was unprepared for the misery of the first several days -- the severity of the gas pain, specifically. In the interest of being encouraging, my local bandsters didn't dwell on the gas and other pain-related aspects of the procedure. Even when a medical professional describes what to expect, it's impossible for them to truly quantify how badly you'll feel after surgery because everyone is different. The turning point for me was when I walked laps around the first floor of my house until I worked up my first big burp. After that, it took three days, but during that time I was pretty much constantly burping and gas-x-ing my way through it. Please let us know how you're doing, 'kay? :confused:

Hiya, 2911 ~ I am so sorry that you're hurting, sweetie. Are you taking the pain meds and/or OTC pain relievers that your surgeon prescribed/recommended as scheduled? There is definitely no shame in using the "tools" you've been given. If your body is on a similar healing schedule as mine, tomorrow will be the day that you smile more than you grimace. For today, try to find a good balance of walking and resting (more resting than walking, of course), and use a gas-x melty strip every so often. You've had more "work done" than the majority of us here (yay! - you marked one health issue off your list as "cured" before you even woke up!)... and it sounds like the hernia repair must be causing you some of the angst. Are you able to take a couple/few more days off from work to recover? Be kind to yourself, doll. I promise that it will get better... and in this case, better = "wow! I'm banded! This rocks!" :-) Christy

Congrats, all! Juniper, congrats on putting that dreadful-sounding gallbladder issue behind you. You're still part of our May family here. We'll all be eagerly awaiting your big day and celebrating with you again then. Take good care of yourself and heal, hon.