imsoready

I just sent you some info in a PM.

I was banded 9/26 by Dr. de la Torre at DePaul. I was also self pay. PM me if you want to discuss costs and payment stuff. I'll be happy to share that and of course my experiences...which have been great so far.

I was banded 9/26...sleeping was hard the first few nights...after 2 nights in the chair I propped a bunch of pillows in the bed and tried that...it was better.....still on my back. Then after 2 nights on my back I could lay gently on my left side. This is all hard because I always sleep on my stomach. This morning...one week in, I woke up after a pretty decent night's sleep...on my stomach. I guess it was comfortable enough in my sleep for me to roll all the way over and sleep like normal. I still have some pain bending and getting up from a sitting or laying position...but it is really better. Hang in there...it will get better.

thanks for that positive post...I know there are frustrations and down times, but it really does give everyone hope to see info from those that are doing really well. Penny can you share some experiences and foods you eat?

Has anyone found anything clear liquid and salty other than broths? Or...a way to make them less bland? Sweet stuff is getting to me.

Hi all...glad to see some Missourians. I am in St. Louis and banded on 9/26. I am a self pay because my insurance specifically excludes any WLS...not fair, but something I had to live with. I am still on clear liquids and will be for another 7 days....its hard, but it does have an end date. I still have some pain and 6 cuts with staples...itchy now. All is well and I am looking forward to a successful journey. Oh yeah, Dr. de la Torre did my surgery.

Did they tell you where your port is? Is it under one of your incisions or just somewhere else. I have no idea where my port is, however I have one spot that is sore and there isnt an incision there. it is near the center of my stomach and at the waist line...not where I had heard they put it. Can you feel it?

Im so glad to see you say you got a short term disability approval....it seems like most others talk about going back to work really fast. I want to be off as much time as I can get approved...so you got 4 weeks approved, is that about right? What kind of work do you do? I have pretty much a desk job...so I am really worried I wont get approved for any time :cursing: and I know from how I feel on day 5 that I am not anywhere near close to ready....mostly sitting in a chair leaning forward all day. Are you on clear liquids now? For how long? Prayers for patience and determination.

Hi all, I was banded on 9/26....will this thread continue now even when we are out of september....not quite sure how this works? It would be great to keep track with others banded around the same time. My experience was pretty good, no nausea and not much pain from gas although my belly was really puffed out. I have 6 stapled incisions and one is about 2 inches long....does that sound big?? The pain I have when I get up feels like incision pain, but it actually is not where an incision is...strange. Today is day 5 and the clear liquids and protien shakes are holding me....felt my first hunger today, but the protien shake took care of that....I sure am looking forward to the next stage of full liquids and mushies....scrambled egg never sounded soooo good. Did anyone else fear their first solid food?? I guess it's the unknown of how much restriction I have and what it actually feels like....am I worrying too much? Im a self pay and didnt have a preop diet....only the day before surgery I was told to eat light. So I didnt have a preop weight loss...but I am thrilled that according to my scale I have lost 18 pounds already...I know mostly fluids, but it sure feels good to see loss.

I was banded 9/26...started feeling sort of down yesterday...for the first time today felt some hunger and really tired of clear liquids....and have clear liquids until 10/8. I'll make it, because I want this really bad....I guess I just need some cheering up or something. I am still in some pain from surgery too...is that normal? I read so many posts about people having very little pain...can anyone relate? And I am so tired...normal? Good thing is...although they didnt weigh me on the day of surgery...I believe I am down about 15 pounds...so that is good.

How much did you walk....like around your house our around your neighborhood...right now I dont think I could do more than around my house (which I a doing often)

thanks...I CAN and WILL do this...I guess a few days of hunger are worth a much healthier and happier me....thanks for your words of encouragement.

Its great to know I'm not the only one that didnt bounce back...I think many on here are pretty young...not that I'm old, but I'm 54 and I guess I should not expect to bounce back as fast as someone a lot younger. Right now I am surviving on broth, Water, diluted fruit juice and small protien shakes...I have to say I do feel a bit better after I have the protien shake. I just really need to sleep well at night and I cannot get comfy at all. Did your first mushy food go down ok....I fear that first real food.

Hi everyone, I have been reading posts for a while, and decided since my pre-op day is scheduled and I'm nervous...that I needed to interact for support. Has anyone else had a full day of pre-op preparation? I know there will be lab work, xrays, EKG, consult w/ the surgeon....but what else? Also...anyone else out there a self pay?

ahh...I think that is a questions that has not come up....WHEN to pay. Did you pay 100% of it that day? If you would rather not say, I understand...but could you share what your costs were?