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 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: