wtbgone

Chrissy, I'm on the clear liquids only for 2 weeks - and just today have added Protein shakes. It tasted awesome to me after a week of nothing but broths and juices! However, what I do find actually pretty satisfying is to take any soup - say a good Progresso soup or Campbell's and strain off everything but the soup base and drink it. I have found it to be far more satisfying than plain ole broth. I've also been using a blob of whipped cream (from the can) on my sugar free Jello. I know it's not exactly Kosher, but I haven't had any problems. It's no wonder you're so hungry if you are taking care of 2 little ones ! :laugh: You're using up a lot of energy! Hang in there and blessings to you.

Maureen, hang in there girl! I think I would call your doctor about not being able to sip or drink very much. I am on the clear liquids diet for 2 weeks (I'm on day 6 now) and I have no problem drinking anything. Here's what I have been doing to try and keep my energy levels up. First and foremost, ANY time my tummy starts growling, I drink the liquids that have been okayed by doc: broth, soup base (I've been straining chicken & noodle soup and drinking the broth - I've found it to be much tastier and satisfying than Swanson's chicken broth), sugar free jello, coffee/tea (I'm limiting my coffee to one cup a day because of acid), sugar free popsicles and apple or cranapple juice. I want to stress that I drink any of these whenever my stomach growwwlls!! :cursing: So far it has been keeping my energy levels up. You definitely need to call your doctor about not being able to take more than a few sips at a time. I don't think that's normal. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. You'll get through this!:cursing:

I definitely agree with you about the liquid diet. I am on day 6 of 14! My doc has set this schedule up for me: Week 1 & 2: Clear liquids only- tea, sugar free Jello, broth, juice Week 3: true liquid diet - Protein shakes, fat free puddings, yogurts, cream -based Soups (strained!) Week 4 & 5: puree foods Week 6: Begin eating real food - trial and error - rule of thumb - stopand sip! I am so looking forward to being through these first 2 weeks. I just drink lots and lots of what I can. I haven't been getting light headed or anything yet. Good luck!

Hey Wendy, I'm doing great - especially considering it's only been 6 days since my surgery! My first day back at work is today - and it's been good. I'm very interested in the HSV support group.When and where?

Hey Everyone! Even though I live in Tennesse, my doctors for the Lap Band are in Albertville, AL - Dr. Britt and Dr. Groves. I'm scheduled for Tuesday, January 6th. :thumbup: I was wondering if anyone else is a patient of theirs? If so, I would love to hear about your experiences! I'm excited and a bit anxious, too. Thanks, Sandy

Hey JenzNewLife - it sounds like your doc used a different dressing than mine. Only one of my incisions had a bandage - the port. The others look like they have some kind of "super-glue" stuff over them - clear. Anyway, my nurse told me to take the bandage off and go ahead and wash with soap and Water. And, that's what I've been doing. I've been able to take showers, no baths.

Hey Everyone, I was banded on the 6th - so I'm on day 6 recovery. Overall, it has not been nearly as bad as I imagined. I have steadily been getting better. Each day there seems to be improvement. Today is my first day back at work and it's not been as bad as I thought. My incisions are still sore, but even they are improving. The port area though still let's me know it's there! The worse thing is turning over in bed. I can't sleep on my back for very long - so, I've been sleeping on my right side, but very, very carefully turning over. If I'm not careful, that port site definitely lets me know! My first post-op visit with my doctor is this Thursday. I'm thinking that's when they'll remove the stitches? Have any of you had your stitcxhes removed yet?

Hey Wendy, I just replied to the thread about looking for a surgeon. Yup - I'm an official Bandster now! So far so good. Overall, things went really well. The actual surgery went great - a text book example as Doc. Britt says! The only problems I had was nausea which is my normal reaction to anetheisa. And, if you recall, Tuesday night we were having flood warnings, and since I live in Tenn., me and hubbie decided to play it safe and I stayed overnight in the hospital. I'm really glad I did too. Because I had such bad nausea (I actually got sick) I was glad I was there and they pumped me full of 3 bags of IV martinis and 2 shots for the nausea. But, Wednesday morning the nausea was gone and I was able to drink my broth and suck on sugar free popsicles. Now that I'm home, I've been dealing with the gas pain. But, it is almost all gone, too! I've been walking as much as I can to get rid of it and it's doing the trick. I'm just glad no body has been behind me - if you know what I mean! :confused: Or they might have been blown away! I'm really sore - and getting up and down is a chore. My left side, which is where the port is is incredibly tender and sore. It's really the only incision that is giving me trouble. I just have to be very careful turning over in bed and like I said getting up and down. The next challenge is sticking to the 2 weeks of nothing but Clear liquids. But, this too will pass. And, with the good Lord's help I can do it! When is your big day??

Hey Wendy & All, I was just banded Tuesday, the 6th and my surgeons were Dr. Britt & Dr. Groves. :confused: Though it's a bummer they no longer come to Madison, they are more than worth the trip to Guntersville! By the way, I live in Taft, TN which is an hour and a half drive. I highly recommend them. Dr. Groves is an inspiritation as he is banded himself and has lost over 120 lbs! That was my main reason for choosing them, because I figured there really must be something to this Lap Band thing, if the surgeon himself is banded! My insurance (Fed. BCBS) required me to have the surgery in a hospital and they use Marshall Medical Center North in Guntersville. And, it is a fantastic little hospital! I stayed overnight because of my nausea reaction to the anesthesia and I couldn't have asked for a better or more caring nursing staff! My follow up visit is next Thursday, the 15th. Checkout their website: http://www.samc.stirsite.com/home.html Good luck and blessings to you in starting your journey.

Hey Ladies, I was banded on the 6th too and am doing well now. Don't feel bad about the nausea, Chrissy. My surgery went like a text book my Doc said, but I always have a rough time with anathesia. I was so nauseous there was no way I could go home. Besides we were under flood warnings and I live an hour and a half away! SO, I stayed the night and I am so glad I did. I got sick once, which scared me. But, everything is okay. I had wonderful nurses who took such good care of me. After 3 bags of IV and 2 shots for the nausea, I woke up on the 7th able to drink my broth and ate 2 popsicles! After getting home, I took a couple of my pain pills and was knocked out for a couple of hours and woke up feeling much better. The gas pain was pretty bad, but I've felt better today enough to walk and walk around the house which really is helping to get rid of it. I'm just glad nobody was behind me! I hope you guys get to feeling better. I was able to remove all of my dressings and take a shower this morning, which really helped me feel more human! Take care of yourselves and really drink the fluids. I notice that when I get a little queasy, it's because I haven't had enough to drink. I'm on Clear liquids only for the first 2 weeks - that's really gonna be tough. But, with the good Lord's help I can do it. Talk to you soon! Blessings.

Hey Everyone. I was banded on the 6th and the surgery went great - just like a textbook according to Doc! However, I always have a bad time with anethesia, so I was very nauseous and considering we were under flood warnings and I live about an hour and a half away, I decided to stay the night. And, I'm glad I did. I had marvelous nursing care and after a night of IV martinis and a couple of shots, I woke up on the 7th able to drink my broth and savor those popsicles. Today, I've been doing really well. I've been walking around and around inside the house and it has really helped to get rid of the gas pain that was in my shoulders and neck. I'm just glad there isn't anybody walking behind me - if you know what I mean! They might get blown away! I'm sore but that's entirely normal. But, getting up and down is far easier today than yesterday. As my doctor put it, "This is going to be a great year for you!" I love the encouragement and enthusiasm my docs have and not to mention the loving support of my husband. Who, by the way, has got to undergo disc surgery on his neck very soon. He went to the doctor today, and I think if his doctor could have got him scheduled he would be operating on him tomorrow! So, please remember him in your prayers.

Well, I sure hope things go as smoothly for me as they have for you! My day is TOMORROW!!!!:wink_smile: Wish me luck! I'll let ya'll know how my experience compares.

Hey Everyone! My band date is Tuesday, January 6th! I started my pre-op today. It shouldn't be too bad as I am basically following the Atkins Diet. This definitely helps me get more excited about the upcoming surgery - if that's possible!:laugh: The thing I'm dreading the most is the clear liquids phase - which my doctors are making me stay on for the first TWO weeks. I'm dreading that!:hurray: But, this too will pass! I live in Taft, TN but am having Dr. Britt & Dr. Groves from Albertville, AL perform the surgery. Blessings to everyone - and am really looking forward to getting to know ya'll! :smile:

Hey No problem! After I replied to your post, I found a huge number of posts on the caffine problem under the post-op questions forum. This is just such a cool website, isn't it? And, I'm sure after the surgery I will become even more dependent on all the wisdom that's captured here! Blessings to everyone and a Merry Christmas!

Hey Peanutband - I'm also getting banded on the 6th. And, since you bring up the topic of coffee :biggrin: I know we have to give up caffine during our healing process and quite honestly I'm worried about the caffine withdrawals - you know the headaches, shakes, etc! I'm a coffee fiend and for the first 2 weeks I can't have any coffee - even decaf. SO, does anybody have any suggestions on how to deal with the no caffeine??:scared2:

Hey - that's great that you have seen them (Dr. Britt & Dr. Groves) in action! You have direct experience! I'm so glad you answered my reply. I've gone through all the gamut of emotions - guilt (because I at first thought I was taking the easy way out - ha! that's a joke after reading all about the surgery and these posts!), excitement, anxiousness (because it is surgery afterall) and resolution. But, I just finished my final consultation this past week, so I feel ready. Because I have federal BCBS - they require the surgery take place in a hospital - and Dr. Brit & Dr. Groves use Guntersville - Marshall Medical Center North. SO, I go on the pre-op diet Dec. 30th; I go in on Jan. 2nd for the pre-op bloodwork and then the big day is Tuesday, January 6th! BTW, I live in Taft, TN (just outside of Fayetteville). We definitely need to keep in touch to compare notes! Thanks again for replying! :laugh:

Hi thecooley - I also am using Dr. Britt and Dr. Groves. My band date is Tuesday, January 6th. My experience so far has been nothing but positive with Dr. Britt and Dr. Groves, as well as his nutritionist nurse - Amy. :cursing: I would really recommend that you check them out. The reason I chose them is because Dr. Groves himself is banded and has lost 120 lbs! I just saw him last week - and he looks great! You can tell he is much skinnier now than the pictures of him on their website. But, what impressed me most of all was the way he described how it has changed his life - giving him the energy to play with his children and keep up with his family. Also, I was impressed with his honesty when he said that it wasn't easy, but his faith has helped him make it through too! As far as cost - they require an upfront $100 fee only when you have your first consultation visit. I don't blame you for being upset about the way the seminar was run. Prior to even calling for my first appt with the doctors, I read everything I could about it on the web, watched videos of the surgery itself (which Dr. Britt & Dr. Groves have on their website, and read many, many of the posts here on LapBandTalk.com) So, I really didn't think a seminar could tell me anymore than what I already knew! :w00t: I would recommend that you do the same - just read everything you can about the surgery then schedule that first consultation visit with Dr. Britt and Dr. Groves. I think you will be pleased. Good luck to you and blessings! :ohmy:

Hey njgirl1980 - I'm getting banded January 6th, too! :shades_smile: Good luck to you.

Hey Everyone! I had my final consultation yesterday with my doctor and the nurse who went over everything with me in detail. My surgery is set for Tuesday, January 6th.:biggrin: I had a great session with Nurse Amy - she was very upfront and honest in answering my questions. I went home and read all the materials she gave me - which reinforced what she told me during our session - and watched a video about the surgery. I feel like I'm ready - technically. And, I'm getting there emotionally, as well. I'm still battling the feelings that I'm admitting to defeat by not being able to conquer my weight problem without surgery - but, I'm getting over that as well.:thumbup: My husband, who supports me in this, but still has concerns and worries asked me a question this morning that has really caused me to think and take an even closer look at myself. He asked me, "I know you've told me about how the band restricts the amount you eat. But, how does it help in regard to the fact that you are an emotional eater? You know that you don't always eat only when you're hungry! So, how is the band gonna help you work on that?" I was taken aback at first. But, then I realized the band is again a tool. If I truly let the band do its job, it seems to me, if I eat too much at one time, I'm gonna get sick - it will come up. And, I hate to puke!! :laugh: So, physically, unless I want to get sick - I can't eat too much at one time. BUT, eating again later - in other words, adding another meal - because I've come home pissed off at my boss - it really won't help with that, will it?? In other words, I may not be able to eat too much at one time, but what's to prevent me from eating another meal ?? In short, NOTHING - but my determination. SO, that's why the nurse and everything I've read has said the band by itself won't get me to my goal - I've got to modify my eating behavior and address those emotional issues!:sneaky: And, I figure that's what this website is all about, too! Right? Does anyone else worry about this?:tongue2: Thanks, Sandy

Hey Everyone, my husband is also both supportative and nervous about me having the surgergy. Truthfully, I think I would be a little upset if he weren't! Ya know what I mean? It would seem as if he didn't care ! :frown: Anyway, I've told him about what I've read, even sent him my doctor's website where he has a video posted of the surgery itself and all of his patients' before and after photos. He knows how unhappy I am with myself - so, even though he is anxious about me undergoing "the knife" and something in his mind is very drastic - he is supportative. I will keep you guys posted on how mine goes on the 6th. Any news on us starting our own January forum? Thanks, Sandy

Hello, Everyone! I am brand new to Lap-Band Talk and am so glad that I stumbled upon this support group! I just received approval this past week and have been scheduled for surgery Tuesday, January 6th. I'm so excited and very anxious, too. I've been reading everything I can about WLS and along with the consultation I've had with my surgeon, Dr. Britt in Guntersville, Alabama, I believe Lap-Band is the best solution for me. I've been struggling with the guilt and emotions that by submitting to WLS, I've basically admitted defeat - that I am a failure at being able to control my eating. I have a successful career as an engineer, have a wonderful husband and basically in the other areas of my life am in control. But, when it comes to controlling my weight - I am a total failure. I have lost between 60 to 70 lbs about 3 separate times in my life and not only gained that weight back but each time added 20 lbs more! So, now I'm at the heaviest I've ever been and it is affecting every area of my life. I know that the Lap-Band is just a tool - and as someone described it on this website - one leg of a tri-pod. The other two legs are exercise and eating right. But, it is a very important and critical leg that I have never been able to manage on my own before - controlling my appetite and hunger. I know I can lose weight (please see above) - but the key and critical part of the formula I've never been able to grasp - and that's keeping it off! So, this is what I'm praying that the Lap-Band will provide for me - that ability to control this monster appetite :devil_smile:and keep the weight off! :tongue2: Well, I know I'm rambling on and I apologize for that! If anyone has some advice on how to tame the nervousness before surgery - I'd love to hear it! thanks again! Sandy

Thanks so much, Becky! It's so good to hear from people who are enjoying such success - as you are! Congrats on your weight loss. I'm trying to stay positive and focused on the end result I want to achieve - good health and a good self-image. If I think about how much I have to lose, I want to just give up before I even start! So, to see how much you've lost in such a short time both inspires me and gives me hope. Thanks for your kind words and welcome! Looking forward to gettting to know you and everyone ! - Sandy

Hi Everyone. This is my first time to post - I've been lurking for a couple of months - but hesitated to jump in until I knew that this was going to happen. I got my approval this week and my surgery date is set for Tuesday, January 6th! Like many, I'm so excited and a bit anxious, too. But, I've never been as heavy as I am now and I know that if I don't do something about it - a permanent solution - I'm headed for a lot of health problems. I've read so much, both on the official Lap Band web site, my doctor's website and now all of the forums on lap band talk. So, technically, I feel I know what is about to happen and am confident that I am prepared, but emotionally I don't know. But, be that as it may, I am ready to take this leap because nothing else has worked in keeping the weight off permanently. I'm looking forward to coming here for support!