sue in ne

Stewy929, Been there, too. i cleaned floors and tried to organize the chaos at home until 2:30 then had to get up at 6:30 for the surgery. do things you need to do. Not only is lifting restricted but you won't feel like bending over for as bit. Get online and talk to us. It helps. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

SUZQ, Hope you are home and all is well. Bet you are sore Do use the pain meds . ( I would rather not use it but neither do I like pain) I didn't have the enema stuff but have had colonoscopies (One thing I would rather avoid ) You were wise to stay home to be near the bathroom. But it is OVER!! :thumbs_up:Now you can breathe a sigh of relief. and laugh - but not to hard It is all down hill from here!!

:thumbup:JoannMarie and All, Good Luck on your surgeries. You wouldn't be here if you hadn't thought about LBS long and hard. Focus on the present day of prep and the day after surgery. It is worth it- You are worth it!!

All, this is day 2 post op for me. Still feel great. Bending over is tricky but DH and one of those extended reach pickers (from Walgreens - have one already as I'm short) make life easier. For those of you with Children, believe me , they can help and will want to help Mommy /Daddy. [ Our DH is away in College] Have to get walking today!!. Maybe at the mall! :thumbup:Good luck to all.

Southe1010 and All, Am 2 days post op and feel sore but great. Have an extended reach thingy from Walgreens and DH so I don't have to bend over too much. Since I let others know about the WLS have met some really nice people who share they have done it also. Including one nurse aide at the hospital who did a half marathon 6 weeks post surgery, said she hadn't done anything like that before, had 200# to lose, wasn't in shape, but felt great after the surgery.:cursing: Looking at her, I couldn't tell she had it done-she looked great. . Gotta get to walking !! TTFN .

JoannMarie and SuzQ , Hi, I'm BAAACK! They kept me overnight ( due to a history of allergic reactions to some drugs ) But this was by far the easiest surgery I've had. The women in the local support group said having a C section was more difficult and they are Right!. I'd have to add it is easier than oral surgery and knee surgery, too!!! Have some pain medication, am sore, and still a bit tired from the anesthesia but this went smoothly !! All staff were great!! Do everything the doctors say and don't hesitate to ask for some pain medication. The nurses stressed it was easier to maintain a level of comfort than try to get it back. Talk to you all soon. :cursing:

HI all, I just back from the Hospital too. I went in Monday, surgery at 9:30, woke up in recovery about noon. They kept me overnight because of past allergic reactions to some drugs. Have something for the pain, too. The Nurses stressed it is easier to maintain a level of comfort than to try and get it back. Have had other surgeries and this was by far one of the easiest. Good Luck All!!:cursing:

Southe 1010 and all, Hi, Just got back from the hospital an hour ago. Went in at 7:30 on Monday, the 1st. Surgery was a bit after 9:30 , woke up about 12:00 ; then they put me in a short stay room. It was an outpatient procedure but they kept me overnight (Am allergic to many antibiotics) -:cursing: It was a breeze!! (Have had other surgeries and this was one of the easier ones) Have some medications for any pain. I was feeling some discomfort where the sutures are as I woke up, which slowly got worse; and they gave me something for the pain. Today, slight ache in my shoulder- ( from gas) and tummy is sore but feel great!! Had clear then full liquids after the fluoroscope ( to see where the band is and if it works). I am not really hungry but definitely thirsty I know I will be sore but NOTHING like what I imagined. Still a bit tired from the anesthesia but I can start walking tomorrow All I can say is do not hesitate to ask for something for the pain-they told me it is easier to maintain a level of comfort that to bring it back. Good Luck ALL!

SuzeQ and all, Knowing this is no more difficult than more common surgeries like appendectomy or a C section was a big relief to me. About IVs- -You have all had blood draws for lab work, right? An IV is no different though usually in the back of your had. If they usually have trouble finding a vein, be sure to tell them--Had the most experienced RN do it for my C section- it was painless. The Hospital, is a piece of cake. It is a mini break from all the stuff happening in our lives, but on your back (You won't care as you will be sedated.) DO follow instructions. The catheter is not something I enjoyed when done in the doctor's office but they do it while you are sedated. No pain.Removal is painless. They DO give you medication for any pain. Was told the gas that remains will move through your body and up, probably to one's right shoulder area. Don't know about that but have dealt with aches and pains before. I will be in the hospital overnight so won't be back until Tuesday. Will let you know how it went!!:cursing:

HI Steph, D stands for Dear, as opposed to Ex, X. . BTW, I have Surgery tomorrow!! Guess I'm a Holiday Hottie too. On Clear liquids today. Too much to do in the next 23 hours!!

HI! Tomorrow is Dec1st and my surgery. Nothing but clear liquids today... Am still a bit nervous but went to a WLS support group this week. Was the only one waiting for surgery- some were as much as 4 years out. I introduced myself and started to tear up. But the group was great. By sharing their experiences I feel a lot better!! i've had a C section and several said that was more difficult than this. They made me realize my anxiety isn't having surgery ( been there , done that) but the fear of more failure. One Woman works for the surgeon and gave me her phone #- she'll be in the next buildng tomorrow. she is 15 younger than I but we have many of the same stressors, and issues.

The Surgeon has me on 2 weeks of 2 Slimfast and one reasonable meal/day. Lost 8 #. But they recommend adding protein supplement it really cuts the hunger. For about 2 months prior, I got ready by switching to slimfast for breakfast, boosting protein to 70 g/ day and upped the exercise- have lost 33 # overall .

Hi,My banding is Dec 1st. Am anxious and nervous about the whole thing. i am as ready as possible and the forum helps s lot. ...

Van Girl, Are you taking any aspirin, Ibuprofen, or other medications for pain? Especially on an empty stomach, they can cause nausea and vomiting, esp on an empty stomach. Check with your physician and your pharmacist. I have felt this way, too in prep for another surgery- turns out the Ibuprofen and other pain meds were too strong. Am toughing it out and taking Protonix

Losing weight to shrink the liver is the goal pre-op. It isn't as bad as it sounds. Here they urge you to use protein supplements to liquids with a goal of 70 G of protein a day. It REALLY does help with cravings, etc. I started using the protein and supplements prior to the 2 weeks of a partial liquid (Slimfast) diet. Have lost 27 # over 2 months, and 4# on Slimfast in 5 days, so far .

All, My surgeon has me on 2 weeks of a partial liquid diet- 2 meals of Slimfast and 1 "reasonable meal" nothing else . A few times I've felt hungry but it passes. Am also excited and nervous about the surgery...

South 1010, Will let you know. Am on day 1 of a partial liquid diet, in preparation for the surgery.

Kimmee, Relax. Rescheduling happens around the holidays all the time. If he was taking time off at Christmas, the 1st date made sense; but plans change .. i've had mine moved , too. I, too have to get it in before Jan 1- My employer changes insurance carriers and would have to start over, too.Good Luck !!

I just got my surgery date last week. Mine is December 1st. ! Am already on the partial liquid diet.

WillowCat, been there myself. :wink: But for anything to succeed, you need to be honest with yourself. You don't have to be desperate. But be honest at your ability to stick with any diet regimen, alone. I, too, kept saying I can lose this on my own. i did do several weight loss programs but something always happened - life, illness, injury and I couldn't get back on th a treadmill. I've been anywhere from 138 to 311# in the last 30 years. :cursing: I really hesitated, until my Family doctor suggested it. I still hesitated after a consult and wanted to save the co-pay 1st.( Roughly 6-9 months) Then i had a 4 month roller coaster experience with my health - all complicated by my weight. I'd had enough and said I was ready. Just got insurance approval yesterday !!! Will use some of the $ for the Kid's college tuition, but at least I'll see her graduate.

Yes, it is hard. Everyone has good and bad days. Let's put this in perspective- no one jerks a cigarette out of a smoker's mouth unless they're in a highly flammable area. So why is it OK for your 'friend ' to behave so rudely? The 'friend' isn't treating you with respect. Don't beat yourself up for their behavior. Focus on you.

WV GAl, I am waiting, too but Do go to GNC, Walmart, or the local Health food store ASK them for protein supplements, Either in powder or mixed. Try some. Drink these;they're like slimfast, only more protein. Aim for 70 grams a day total of protein , inlcluding whatever food you eat . it cuts down on cravings and helps lose weight. As a former smoker, and watching peers go through other surgeries while smoking, even when told to stop- save yourself the discomfort- tell the doctor. I don't think you can inhale once you have the band, it may force air into your stomach.

Hi, need help and a another opnion- . I have been seeing the psychologist, have done all the evals, the paperwork is now with the ins co, as of 9/30/08. Fine, but 10/3/08 , the psychologist said they have to send a letter to the surgeon ok'ing me before the surgery will be scheduled. Then I am told- i am too stressed and dis-organized at this time. Of course i am stressed. Of course i need to make changes; but i have to start with me. BUT, am I soo Disorganized? My husband is in worse shape than I but won't do anything about it. without going nto details- Life at home sucks My job kept me on the road for 30+ years until a year ago. (Politics and finally going all on line). The road trips were getting a bit much and ddn't help my eating. But now I might as well be invisible. My job is boring, draining, and may be eliminated. My siblings are still in touch, except for my only sister, She hasn't spoken to me since our mother's passing. She wanted to control how the estate was handled, and carried on saying she was having a hard time because her mother had died. I sided with my brother who in charge of the estate and told her to get a grip- we all did. Somehow I have portrayed her as the evil sibling (?) i did apologize but she still won't respond. :sad: I've had health problems and injuries like many of you . conducive to a rote schedule. Many, but not all Household chores get mostly done.(i.e.haven't been able to weed all summer due to Asthma)and the house needas a good cleaning. Something/ anything will throw plans off. :tongue2: i did join a sports club with conducive hours and activivites. Fine but My back and neck started hurtng enough to put me on prescription pain pills after this Wednedsay. Wanted to walk upright without prescription drugs so am holding off until tomorrow. Am I soo Disorganized?

MacMadame, I haven't heard from him. His office responds to my calls but he won't be in contact until the insurance Co. decides. Right now I am really trying. But if i could stick to a diet now, chew 20 X, omit carbs, use a baby spoon, and leave half my servings, wouldn't need the surgery. i am just tired of getting jerked around. :tt1:

Bandme up Scotty, Good Luck! Am originally from Akron and have friends in Youngstown ( Plus the NU Football Coach is from there) . (Buckeye in Husker Clothing)