Band_Groupie

Smooth sailing to you...into port (hee hee)! -BG

I'd go to Physical Therapy and let them determine the safest exercises/machines.

Good question! My plan (subject to change LOL) is to never be on a 'diet' again...ever. I've been on them all and they don't work (well, I've lost a ton, but gained it back). I do plan to spend a lot of time upfront learning; how to eat healthier, exercise, counting calories, liquids etc., and yeah, I'll be stocking the cupboard with lots of low cal (shhh- yes, diet) foods. I'm going to TRY not to worry too much about what I'm losing or not during Bandster Hell (easier said then done...patience will be tested), and I've been saying since last year that I'm not expecting real restriction until the holdays this year (if it comes sooner then great!). I do plan to follow the Bandster rules, which means not drinking your calories ever (so no Protein shakes EVER once I'm past this pre-op time unless I'm running low on getting protein in for some reason. I don't get the banders who are drinking 2 meals a day years out from banding...why get a band?). I'm hopeful that eventually (maybe a year or less out) I'll be able to eat the same healthy foods my family is eating (leave out the less healthy ones, but nothing will be totally off limits- I'll just have to figure small splurges into the day) but just a lot less without having to count calories etc. (hoping I'll know enough that it's all habit by then). If I'm not losing I'll go back to counting calories for awhile just to figure out what I'm doing wrong. So in other words I plan to follow the Banding guidlines and make this a lifestyle change. I know I can live with a new lifestyle, but I can't live forever on a diet. Sound like magic to me...we'll see how it goes. I do think a plan like Weight Watchers is the kind of plan that people can incorporate into the bandster rules (you can do both together without breaking the rules) if they need the added structure to help them along the way and I know that's there if I need it.

I took a laxative yesterday and that seemed to help the gas a lot (we'll see what happens today). Before that I wasn't passing gas at all. Have been taking the GasX consistently and using the heating pad too (and walking).

Theresa- Are you using a heating pad (helps my back a lot)?

LOL- You were right! Lost 7 pounds overnight!

Hey Kathi! I've been walking and resting a lot. (And giving directions on 'ridding up' before the big par-tay!) I'll certainly pass on your words to Mr. SA, friend! I know he's hoping I'm back on my feet soon!

This is BG's DH. She made it though surgery without any problems. Surgery took just under two hours. The drugs are working well but she hasn't slept all day so she is a bit groggy. Her drawing was almost too good since the surgeon thought it might be a tatoo. He figured it out and all is well. Thanks.

Oh dear! I hope the further testing comes out all right!!! I'm so sorry to hear this! I clean too...or garden, it's where my thoughts are my own. Chin up girl! Clean on! Thinking of you! -BG

Well said! I'm proud of you. It's so hard when our kids are sick. Good job respecting yourself!

Thanks JT. I do have a canister of the Alpine Punch I bought. I'll see how long I can hold out before using it. I'm not allowed the fudgesicles either. Week 4 will be heaven...creamed soups! Thin I can't have a mushy like your 'pizza' for awhile...sounds yummy!

You poor thing! Feel better soon. I've had pnemonia many times and finally got the vaccine last year. I'm sure they'll nip it in the bud...sounds like you got on it right away! Take care dear!

I'm guessing by week 3 I'm going to be looking for some protein too or I'll be fainting...maybe a watered down protein shake with 0 sugar wouldn't be too bad, we'll see.

I'm not sure exactly where you are describing these, but the port goes in (as does the band) ar your largest incision. You should have a lump right under (maybe a tiny bit to one side)of this incision from where they cut through the abdominal wall to get the LB in. You should also have a second lumb nearby (but not right under the incision) where your port is. The abdominal wall lump should go down although this can take months. The port one should shrink some as well as the area beneath the port where it's attached heals. Hope that helps. -BG

Make sure you're WELL over the 35 BMI when you go. Read HERE. Someone said to take a benedryl before the sleep test, have no idea if that helps, but DO make sure you sleep on your back as often as you can (I don't have this, but others say it shows up mostly on your back). Good luck and send me a note if I can help with anything! -BG

Well, we've only got 4 more dates of bandings this month. How are all you late April Banders doing. Had mine Wed. and I had a few minor surprises, but everything went well (read blog link below Tues-today if you want details). My tummy is super sore 48 hours out...hope things start turning the corner tomorrow. I took a laxative today (nothing happening yet) just as a preventative as I've been reading about everyone else's 'stoppage'. I'm having trouble getting in enough liquids and every once in a while I forget, grab my glass and GULP- Ouch...still makes me smile though...it's great to have that reminder. I know we'll all be in bandster hell soon enough, but just remember this feeling of restriction will be coming back again after a few fills...patience. Anyone else have to do 3 weeks of thin liquids (the thickest things I get are skim milk, SF popsicles and SF Jello, other than that it's broth and SF drinks...that's it)? I'm going to be starving here soon. Gas comes and goes, but at least it's not constant and I haven't had the referred shoulder pain yet. How is everyone?

I was sick at the hospital and have been a little nauseous on and off, but no vomiting at home yet (they told me many get this until the anesthesia is out of your system). I made sure they sent me home with something. ONDANSETRON 8mg - You need to insist your doc prescribe something (they can even do suppositories if you're really bad) as prolonged vomiting can mess up your band (and it's a vicious cycle, once started it's hard to climb out of). I haven't needed to take mine as it's not bad enough and a common side effect is headaches (and I'm on migraine meds). Good luck!

Miniband- So sorry for your loss, and the dog is adorable! Jazzy- Your doc can't say no (if they do you need a new PCP), and if you've done your research then they should be supportive. Just tell them why you will qualify and why you thinkk you're a good candidate. Read HERE. It will make you feel better.

235! OK, tell me one of you gained 10.5 pounds post-op (48 hours out now). I feel pregnant again (and they did tell me I'm not err...voiding...had to cath me before I left). But 10.5 pounds!!!! All I've got to say is I'd better be 'Biggest Loser' next week! Happy weekend all!

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

Hey guys! Just checking in. Had surgery (1st one in Wed.) and got home last night. I blogged a little last night on LBT (link below) and I'll try to do more today (doc liked my porthole drawing on my tummy-pic on my Tues. blog). I'm waiting for the morning drugs to check-in, but I think day 3 seems to be the 'sore tummy' day, which so far it is. Everything went pretty smoothly; worst part was my roommate from another planet. Ah well, I caught up on sleep last night some. I'll try to catch up with everything here today! Good luck to our last week of Bandsters! It's good to be done and your turn is coming soon!

WEBCAM! LOL! Thanks my pickly friend...I was looking lovely about then...he did get some pics, but I'll have to review them first. Thanks for the support gals. Good to know 'Houston' and Mission Control were back here for me! ((hugs to all)) -BG

We had a nice meal out for our early Anniversary last night (my 'Last Supper'). Don't worry, I picked the fish and a salad (OK, and a piece of the soft gooey herb bread…the kind that would for sure get stuck) and had 2 protein shakes the rest of today. It's a fun filled day today of clear liquids. I did another anti-bacterial scrub down as ordered and have finished packing packing. I just called in and I need to be there at 5:30am…I hope that means I get to go first…getting excited. OK, now here comes the reminders…remember my 5th post (2nd paragraph) HERE…WHAT you don't remember? You know…when I went to the initial seminar…the ONLY time I've met my surgeon…and I (accidentally..it just came out!) blurted a joke out in the back of the class that might have insulted the doc…so if I'm not back here my doc must have heard me…and I'm holding you to your promise LOL. Last item…I drew my porthole (if you missed why read HERE)…I decided to add the words "Port Site" around it, lest the doc not get my little joke and think it's a tattoo that he needs to avoid (that'll be my luck). OK, NO WAY would anyone think it's a tattoo as it's so roughly drawn. Add to that you're my stomach is no longer that tight hard taunt canvas I used to have and it's like trying to draw on pudding (yeah, I thought about using the word Jell-O, but even that is firmer than my tummy...trust me, I've had lots of Jell-O today…blech). Now add to that the fact that I need to breath…oh, yeah!...forgot about that didn't you…so my stomach is going in and out. Good thing my boobs aren't huge or it would have been impossible (I should have picked a lower place for my port!). Why the heck didn't I pick a free form picture…and I HAD to do 3 circles inside each other? I DOUBLE-DOG-DARE YOU to try to make a drawing on your own stomach while the picture looks backwards and upside down…common just try to make a smiley face inside a circle…hey, I'll even let you use a washable marker unlike my permanent one (but no do-overs)…now go look at it in the mirror (hee-hee-hee). I'm sending a pic now because it will probably look (as if it's not shaky enough) even worse tomorrow after my shower/abdomen scrub I need to do. Here's the fatal flaw…I forgot about the "blow up your abdomen" part…you know how cute those little puffer fish look with their fins sticking straight out to their sides twirling around as they float along? Then they BLOW UP and they look all sorts of scary!!! I wonder what my poor porthole will look like when it's all blown up and distorted LOL! I think I attached the PIC BELOW. I've never uploaded or attached...only took me three hours from taking the pic LOL (kept me from getting nervous about tomorrow)...and there's me today...No makeup...not sure I even brushed my hair...oh, well...I wasn't wasting my first attachment on one pic!..just don't ask me how to do it again LOL. Thanks my LBT friends for being so helpful along this journey. Bandlandia here I come! See you on the other side. Countdown...5! 4! 3! 2! 1!...Countdown to BG's Banding!!!

Thanks guys! ...temporary tatoos, hmmm, I wonder if those are sterile!