Losing 2

I'm 6 days post-op and yesterday was the first day I was able to almost finish a can of the EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control ready to drink shakes. I think that was because I walked a whole lot this weekend and way too much yesterday. So, I was quite thirsty and almost finished it. Prior to that - since surgery, I would drink half for Breakfast & half for lunch or later in the day. Take Care

Good Luck to all of you have taken the plunge & for all who are on your way in this week to join band-land! KarenK: So glad to hear that you are doing at least a bitter today.

Hello, I was able to have SF creamer in my coffee all the way up to the day before surgery. On the day before surgery... it was all CLEAR LIQUIDS!

CONGRATS ON GETTING YOUR DATE!! :laugh: IT IS SO JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

I agree.... CareCredit for a 3 minute answer. Best of luck to you... this WILL happen for you.:smile2:

I'm very sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well. I threw in the recovery room and then again, the next morning I almost did again. I agree with others that you should certainly call your local ER to get some advice. My insurance has an 800# where you can press a button to speak with a live nurse 24/hrs for advice. Maybe some sf Jello? sip some broth? Take care and get better very soon. Let us know, please.

Welcome to the board Jenni! Congrats & Good luck on your upcoming Band-Date! My family is from Shreveport!

Hello All, Much Luck to all who are entering Band-Land this week!! Yaaah!! :eek: You'll see how the liquid diet was oh, so worth it! Very sorry to hear of those of you who've been banded and are feeling sore, etc.:crying: Surgery is so, so different for everyone. I've had several other surgeries and am always out of sorts longer than those around me who've had the same procedures. I think we can each compare some of the same things here - but we won't always have the same outcomes. I really love this group for getting answers to many, many questions. I wouldn't be embarrased at all if I was hungry - in fact, I expected to be hungry. It just hasn't come yet, but if it does and I can't tame it - I'm coming here for suggestions! I went to Walmart yesterday and purchased some Whey Protein. In the book I've read on Adjustable Gastric Band, I've received some good recipes for shakes. Today, I'm going to do this one: Protein w/SF FF pudding, crushed ice. Starting Monday, I'll ad low fat yogurt to that mixture in the blender. I was told that I could have blenderized cream of chicken, tomato, mushroom soups - beginning tomorrow. Can't wait! ------------------- While I've experience some discomfort, I found that walking really, really helped a lot with that. Take care all.

:tt2:CONGRATS TO YOU!!:tt2: I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL. I only told my family and maybe two folks at work and I couldn't even let DH know how darned estatic I was (cause he's helping me w/self-pay:blush:). But, when I got the date... I wanted to jump thru the roof of my office! I had to go through that week of liquid diet at work with only one person knowing and I just couldn't concentrate.

CONGRATS TO YOU!!!:tt2::tt2: Walking has helped me soooo much this week!

Hi Anne, praying for the new-coming baby. I am believing that everything will turn out just fine. Best Wishes and Great Health to all of you who have been banded an who will be banded very soon!!! --------------- My goal weight was given to me by my surgeon. --------- I did a lot of walking today - through Walmart and through the hair stores. Picked up a few cream of chicken/tomato/potato Soups that I'm supposed to blenderize (beginning next week). Picked up some low fat yogurt to mix in with the whey Protein powder that I've picked up - will mix with ice to make good shakes next week. Since I was finally able to get a bit more protein in yesterday, I believe I slept better last night and have more energy today. I am getting dressed up later this evening to attend a sit down birthday dinner out at some fancy place for my cousin. Can't believe I'm feeling well enough to go, but I am. Looking forward to getting out and enjoying the company. One of my cousins was banded over 2 years ago and will be there - she won't know until I tell her that I've been banded. She'll be happy as heck! I saw her two months ago and was in the same nail shop with her - had NO idea who she was. She looks AMAZING!! I'm so inspired by her success.

I'm 4 days post-op and was very tired the first couple of days. Was just able to drink finish a protein drink and half yesterday (broke it up into three seperate meals). So, I know I'm not yet getting enough protein. However, I felt a whole lot better today. Got up and walked through Walmart - picked up my cream of chicken, tomato and potato soups for next week. Am reminded to be sure to 'blenderize' these before eating/drinking. I can also have low fat yogurt next week. Have been really enjoying SF popsicles this week. I've had many major surgeries and have never bounced back as easy as this one (so far). I believe everyone of us is truly going to heal very, very differently. Please take care and try to get your protein in as much as possible. I'm drinking EAS Advantage - carb control.

Melboyd, so glad to hear that you've made it through and you and that you working through the discomfort of those 500+ sit-ups! My discomfort is getting easier by the day and I still can't see how I would have been able to go to work Monday, if I had to - I feel like taking it easier for longer than that and am glad to be able to do so. I took a percocet before bed last night and slept very, very well. I planned on taking an early mornin nap, but I'm no where near tired yet. This is good. I walk to get the belches & gases flowing (those are the only discomforts); I've been taking in liquid tylenol for this. Have been sucking on a couple of GasX strips every few hours. Haven't felt much hunger at all - I tried the broth and don't really like it; I'm sipping Protein shakes, sipping Water. SF popsicles are my all time favorite these days! Looking forward to having cream Soups (blenderized) next week. Hoping everyone gets better very, very soon - Best of Luck for those on the way to Band-Land!!

I can say that it does get easier by the day... but so far - I still can't see how I would be able to go to work Monday, if I had to. Maybe I would be feeling better by then - but I just feel like taking it easier for longer than that. I still don't really feel actual pain - just discomfort. I took a percocet before bed last night and slept very, very well. I planned on taking an early mornin nap, but I'm no where near tired yet. This is good. I walk to get the belches & gases flowing (those are the only discomforts); I've been taking in liquid tylenol for this. Have just not been hungry at all yet. THAT's AMAZING for me! On the ride home yesterday, I walked into mcdonald's w/dh to get his fish sandwich and watched him eat it and an apple pie in the car. He ate a cold sandwich earlier and the day before in the hotel, he wolfed-down a ceasar salad - he cooked dinner last night and none of this bothered me (although it all smelled great). I tried the broth and thus far, not liking it. I've been sipping protein shakes, drank a cup of coffee per day and am sipping water. My most favorite thus far, SF popsicles! Am looking forward to having cream soups (blenderized) next week. Hoping everyone gets better very, very soon. Oh yeah, I have takin two gas x strips every now and again to get the gas moving!

----------------- Get Well very soon.. glad to hear you made it thru. I have had better luck walking my soreness through. But we have to make sure we get plenty of rest. Take Care

I was banded this week by Dr. Laker of Great Lakes Weight Loss Center. He was extremely knowledgeable, bedside manner was excellent and I would very easily recommend him. While I was in recovery, he was able to ease many of my husbands concerns and this meant a whole lot to me. When I can made it to my room, my husband gave me much information about the surgery that I had never shared with him. Dr. Laker came back to see me before discharging me - answering all of my questions. Now, to the hospital staff. Since I work at a hospital - I wasn't at all surprised to know that everyone wasn't going to be as knowledgeable as they should or, as nice as they could. I let the nurse know that I could have ice chips and Water (because she didn't think so). She checked my electronic record and yes, I was allowed. So, I got the same thing; Jello, water, light minute made. Couldn't eat/drink much of it anyway. Keep in mind that this nursing staff works directly for the hospital and are not part of the GLWL Center (I don't think). I have a forwarded an email to the three bariatric coordinators regarding my concerns at the hospital. Which weren't that many - but, if you don't let the GLWL Center know of our concerns... they might think things are just fine there. I was given a straw every time I was given anything - each time I said, "oh, I can't have a straw." So, little stuff can be pointed out. Actually, a nutritionist from GLWL Center (I have her name upstairs if you need it) stopped by and explained the full diet plan to me in total detail. Her name is actually listed under important numbers under the huge document they email you before surgery. Initially, I'd planned on doing all of my f/u here at home with Synchrony - however, after meeting and speaking with Dr. Laker, I will fly back in six weeks for my first f/u. Oh, I didn't have any problems with prescriptions. My health insurance covered the percocet pain pills and I wasn't given anything else.

I have heard of Dr. Vitello on Obesityhelp.com. Also, have you done a search here for U of I?

--------------- Will certainly do so!!:biggrin:

-------------- Linda... thinking of you & hoping you are doing well tonight.

---------------- Very Best of Luck to you tomorrow!!:biggrin:

BTW: Have you tried to mix your protein powder drink with ice and a blender? Sometimes that helps. Even drop a sf popsicle in with it while it blends. Thus far, I've been drinking ready made, but I've drank powders in the past. Good Luck.

Hi Short n' Sassy... We are so very similar. I too was banded Tues., d/c from hospital yesterday & will return to work on 10/20!! Good Luck to you - the walking is really good, isn't it? Take care

10 pounds post-op!!

I had one before surgery then approximately 3 (I think) while in the hospital - in my belly. One really Quick sting and that was it! Well worth what my planned:sneaky: results will be!

Self-pay is just that... SCARY:eek:. Having said that, I'm thinking you could call a whole bunch of places (like I did) to find out the EXACT self-pay policies. They will give you the total facts on this. Some cover allll sorts of things and some don't. I learned a whole lot about self-pay, possible problems, etc. before I chose a place. I decided [in my own head] that I would opt for this place that charged less even though they didn't cover as much as many other places do. I chose this because outside of being obese x3 and mild sleep apnea, I'm pretty much healthy and am a very compliant patient. With that, I asked this surgeon a few questions about possible hernia's, etc. once he's in the midst of surgery. He says he doesn't charge for things he needs to take care of BUT, the patient would need to pay any additional hospital charges. There are many places nation-wide that cover unseen problems, etc. Call, call and keep calling. Many of them have details on their websites. I wish you much luck, but I was totally speachless the day before my surgery, because I was still SCARED about self-pay. But decided I wanted this too bad and I planned to do the best I can to make the best of this... and just like the financing/cash came forth to get it done - I'd have to deal with any mishaps - but I am PRAYING that all will be very well. And I pray the same for you!:wink2: