VickieSH

Happy Saturday morning early December bandsters!! I feel scared that I'm still experiencing port site pain. On a scale of 1 - 10 I'd say I'm at a 5 or 6 most days (surgery date was 12/1). The most comfortable position is either sitting up straight (then hurts like Hades when I stand up) or reclining on my back on my bed. I still can't tolerate laying on my side even with a firm pillow braced against my stomach. Walking (I think it's the weight of my lower belly "dragging" the port site down) is tough and I'm still taking LorTab exilir every 7 hours or so. I'm scheduled to return to work on Monday and am scared I'm not going to be well enough to go back. I think if I'm not feeling considerable relief by Monday morning, I'm going to call my doctor (my post-op appointment isn't until 12/16). I'm worried that I'm injured myself either coughing or dry heaving the first night I was home from the hospital. Ugh. I didn't expect this much pain. :thumbup:

I'd also go with a soup from the menu (remember to be aware of fat and protein!). Something like French Onion Soup that you can slowly sip on the broth only? Tonight I had a quarter cup of organic creamed butternut squash soup and added a dollop of honey-flavored greek-style yogurt...sprinking of salt, pepper, and cinnamon...perfect!! Warming and comforting...both salty and slightly sweet...it took me 25 minutes to slowly eat it. Time for LOTS of conversation!! :thumbup: Maybe even consider gently suggesting a place that you've already researched their menu online or one where you can call the chef in advance and request a special order? Good luck and have a fun time!!

MUST... AVOID... THIS... THREAD... Even two bites of chicken salad sounds sooooo yummy!! B - 8 oz chocolate protein shake blended with ice L - 3 tablespoons greek blueberry yogurt S - Water D - 1/4 cup organic butternut squash soup thinned with non-fat milk S - 8 oz chocolate protein shake blended with ice Oh, what I wouldn't give for a double cheeseburger and fries!!! :thumbup:

Gas-X makes a strip with the same delivery as the breath strips that came out a few years ago which you place on your tongue to melt. How convenient for banded patients?! Gas-X > Products Below is a coupon!! :thumbup: https://secure.novartisotc.com/secure.novartisotc/gasx/trial_alt.jsp

I was banded on Monday (12/1) and am also really gassy. I don't want to take any kind of OTC medication for it...I'll just go with the flow (so to speak!) :thumbup:

Lots and lots and lots of crazy sex. :thumbup:

Personally I find it impossible to believe!! The human body NEEDS nutrients (especially proteins) to heal!! My post-op diet includes two high protein/low sugar shakes (Worldwide Pure Protein/35 grams Protein per shake), greek-style yogurt (14 grams protein), tomato juice, ff/sf jell-o, ff/sf popsicles, low-fat cream Soups thinned down with non-fat milk, and all the Water I can take. This lasts two weeks until after I go to my surgeon for follow-up. It continually amazes me how every doctor or program differs on this kind of stuff!!

Stuff I won't miss about being chubby: Asking to be seated at a table versus a booth Being squished on aircraft seats High blood pressure Limited sex positions Buying bras online cause they're never large enough in stores Being winded when climbing stairs Always being the fattest chick in the room

Hi Teresa...trust me...as much of a crybaby as I am there is NO way children's Motrin is gonna have any impact on my pain. I have a super low tolerance for pain and I know I need something strong. I just don't want the nausea that comes with opiates. :tongue2:

Thanks for responding Rosey...my blood pressure is nearly to normal now as is my heart rate. I tend to be a martyr and don't ask for help till I'm truly suffering. So today I've felt miserable...depressed...nauseous...lethargic...and I didn't call my doctor. I took less of the Lortab and have been in too much pain today. I'm going to take another dose tonight before bed and if I'm not feeling better tomorrow, I'll call the doctor's office. I'm also having a real challenge in drinking fliuds so I know that's not helping my situation and recovery either.

My surgeon released me from the hospital late yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately I had complications in that my blood pressure jumped up to the high-170s and my heart rate dropped below 45. According to the doctors it was related to the morphine. Although I'm home, I'm in an incredible amount of pain, both my port site as well as my back from laying on it (I'm a side-sleeper). They sent me home with LorTab elixir, but it doesn't seem to really help with the pain. Last night I became extremely nauseous and had the dry heaves. Today I started sipping the high Protein drink, but right now I can feel it swirling around in my tummy just begging to come back up. :whatchutalkingabout

Since today was my last of the pre-op diet, I think I'll wrap up my leftover Optifast and give to my surgeon. Let HIM drink that stuff. :thumbup:

I'm having so much anxiety. I'm shaking from fear (literally). I had a crisis at my work come up late this afternoon and I'm trying to talk myself out of the surgery and request a delay. My guy tells me no way, but I'm just so scared. :thumbup:

Seems to me that if you've been able to lose 51 pounds you're not doing anything wrong!! Congratulations!! :thumbup:

I'm too shy to call the doctor on Sunday, so instead I'm going to take the safest route (and the kindly advice from y'all) and drink one shake early in the morning with my Vitamins before I start the bowel prep. Oh boy. I can't wait. :thumbup:

:thumbup: Holy Moly!! I need to stay in the newbie section of this website because who knew that this was even gonna be a concern?!?

Fruitcake?? :thumbup:

Two days till my surgery and I'm on OptiFast, but am allowed veggies and one fruit each day. Schwan's sells frozen chunked up sweet potatoes so I coated one cup full with lemon pepper, garlic salt, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I then roasted them on a tinfoil lined baking sheet for 20 minutes. Totally yummy!! 54 calories, 1.2 g protein check out this website: CalorieKing - Diet and weight loss. Calorie Counter and more

New cute pink jammies & matching slippers Vanilla Chapstick Cell Insurance card Photo ID List of meds & dosage Small pillow for the ride home (to brace my tummy)

In looking at your stats I see that you're insured with PacifiCare...it might be you won't have the "education fee" because of your policy. I have a co-worker who is with PacifiCare and she had no out-of-pocket expenses, while I'm with Blue Cross and I do.

Another Orange County gal!! I'm in Costa Mesa and would love to gather friends for support and friendship!!

If that's you in the picture, my guess would be that you're not overly overweight and your surgeon isn't too worried about an enlarged liver. Lucky brat. :thumbup:

Unfortunately 99% of the time most insurance companies consider the gastric sleeve "experimental" and will not cover the costs involved in that procedure. My decision to opt for the lapband was based on my belief that gastric bypass is too radical and "Frankenstein-ish" (specifically the re-routing of the intestines and mal-absorption). I've decided to go with the less invasive procedure initially and in the event my weight loss isn't as successful as I intend, then I'll consider sleeving. By that time I'm confident the procedure will have more positive outcomes and will be allowed by my insurance. When I inquired to the other programs in my area regarding the "education fee" I was flat out advised that insurance companies don't cover all the fees involved for aftercare. LOL...one nurse coordinator reassured me that bottled Water was included in the fee. :thumbup:

Congratulations on the weight loss!! :thumbup: You go girl!! But before you toss out the strawberry pre-mades, why not try emptying one in a blender add a few ice cubes and a capful of strawberry extract? Blend well. I'm thinking of applying to The Food Network for my own show about doctoring up OptiFast.