shellyphaunts

AIRMECH~ I was the same way, not able to sleep well the first few nights. Laying in one position, and my butt would fall asleep in fifteen minutes! :sneaky: I would say last night, night 4, was the best so far. I was able to actually turn on my right side and sleep for about 5 hours. Felt soooo good!!! And day 3 was definitely the worst as far as the gas is concerned! UGH! So glad that part is behind me! Hugs,

Hey all! So, today I have been checking out all the different protein drinks & powders available. I bought a few samples. There are tons of them on the market!!! It made my head spin!! :yikes: I was wondering if anyone else has been trying the protein drinks? Specifically, I found some that are more like a Gatorade-type drink: Sci-fit Protein Twist Cytomax Protein Pure Performance Drink Have any of you tried these? I hate milk and milk-type drinks, so I thought these might work better for me. But I don't want to buy 12 of them if they taste like the bottom of my shoe, ya know? Just curious! Hugs,

The days before surgery were like waiting for Christmas for me. I would go to the store, or wherever, and after a few minutes of walking, my back would be breaking. I knew it was my weight, and I just didn't think I could take it much longer. Just three days after surgery, I am still recovering, still taking my pain meds, but I know I made an awesome decision. Yesterday I walked farther than I have in months, with NO backpain! It is just unreal. I can only imagine how good I will feel once I am completely healed and losing weight. For the first time in maybe years, I have this strange & wonderful feeling. A feeling of HOPE! Hugs,

Three days post-op here!! Today was by far the worst day. gas-wise for me. However, today was also the first day I could, ahem, release some gas. LOL! I have been using the gas-x strips and they aren't doing much for me! (Soooo happy to be able to "legally" post in the POST-op section!):eek: Hugs,

I agree! The bloating is pretty bad today. The gas-x strips don't seem to be helping me much. I think I will have hubby try the tapping thing Babe mentioned. (Thanks Babe!) :wink: NCsQueen~ I am all for the weekly weigh-in. I can't wait till Monday to see how much I have lost. I gained pre-surgery, with all my nervous-eating. LOL! :mad2: Anyone else having trouble getting comfortable? I can't find a chair that I can comfortably sit in. I tried to prop myself up on my bed, but that just makes the pressure in my tummy unbearable. I can't lay down flat, or on my side. It is annoying! Ah well, enough of my griping! Hope everyone has a good nite and feels better tomorrow! Hugs,

Wendy! Yes, I am in band land now! The hospital had me come in first thing in the morning. They had a few cancellations. I was scheduled for surgery at 1:30. Turned out I was banded, out of recovery and in my own room by 11:30am! :cursing: After a long night in the hospital, I was released first thing in the morning yesterday. Home by 10am! The pain is a little worse today, but still not as bad as I thought. I plan on showering and taking a nice walk later. And hopefully a NAP! :tongue2: I just ate 4oz of broth for breakfast and a small cup of jello. Gads, I am FULL! I think that was too much!! ! :blushing: Hugs,

Hey guys!! Had my surgery Monday!! FINALLY! All went well. I was really nervous in pre-op, so the anesthesiologist (my new BFF) gave me a scrumptious little cocktail and I felt fine! I think I could have bungee-jumped after that! :blushing: I remember precious little after being wheeled into the OR. I woke up in my private room, hubby and Mom by my side. I didn't have much pain, but thirsty?! WHOO! Ice has never tasted so yummy! I had an interesting night in the hospital and was discharged first thing in the a.m. I am home now. Not going to lie, pain is a little intense this morning. I just finished my breakfast. 4oz of broth and a little cup of jell-o. I think it was TOO much, as now my tummy feels horribly full. :cursing: Unreal! My big plan for today is a shower and a nice walk outside. Hedostar~ don't stress, just be honest with your doc. Something I read in one of my lap-band books is cheesepuffs are a no-no for bandsters. Don't ask me why, but they were on the no-no list! Nakniwa~ good luck! I know you will be nervous, but trust me, you will be glad you did it!! Ginadonn~ congrats to you and your hubby!! Great job! Hugs to all!

Congrats Babe & NCsQueen!!! :blushing: We are bandsters!! Monday morning my hubby woke me up bright and early, telling me the hospital had a few cancellations and wanted me to come in asap for my surgery! Talk about freaking out! LOL! It turned out my potassium problem was fixed, so I was good to go. By noon I was in my own private room, surgery behind me! I got home around 10am yesterday. I've been enjoying Mom's homemade broth, sugar-free jell-o and popsicles. I still have some pain, but am trying to move around as much as I can. I just finished about 4oz of broth and a little cup of jell-o for breakfast. I think that was TOO much, as my tummy feels way full now!! I can't believe it!! :cursing: Hugs & speedy recovery to all!!!

I finally moved into band-land!:tt1: Monday I was scheduled for surgery at 1:30p. My hubby woke me up Monday morning around 8 and told me the hospital had had a cancellation, and wanted me to come in asap! YIKES! I showered and dressed and we headed to the hospital. It took me about 15 minutes to check in and suddenly I was in pre-op getting gowned and IV'ed. It was around 10 am. My potassium was perfect, so I knew it was a "go." I suddenly got really nervous! LOL!Twenty minutes later, I was prepped and the anesthesiologist was giving me this fantabulous little cocktail in my I.V. I remember waving goodbye to my Mom & Hubby and being wheeled away. The only thing I remember about the OR is being wheeled in, seeing a bunch of people standing around and cheering for me. My surgeon spoke to me, but I have no idea what he said! I vaguely remember moving onto the operating table, them strapping down my arms and a big mask being placed on my face. Next thing I remember is a nurse trying to wake me up in the recovery room. I remember exactly five seconds of that! Whee! I woke up in my own private room with my Mom & Hubby by my side around 11: 30. I don't remember much pain. But I do remember begging for ice. I have never been so thirsty in my life!! That whole afternoon is kind of a blur. But I do remember them getting me up to walk shortly after my kids got there, around 3. That was not pleasant. But the more I got up to walk that afternoon, the easier it became. Around six I told my hubby to take the kids to eat and get them home so they could do their homework. I figured I would be able to sleep, as I was really tired. But, I forgot, sleep isn't easy in a hospital! LOL! They brought me dinner and I wasn't really that hungry, but I ate some jell-o. I was mostly interested in liquids. My throat was really sore from the surgery. I got up about three times to walk. Each time I walked a little further, and my nurse was teasing me about trying to keep up. Around 11 my chest was feeling really heavy from what I assumed was the gas they used during surgery. I was having problems taking a deep breath. The nurse called my doc and he ordered an EKG, bloodwork and a chest x-ray to rule out heart attack. (really? Heart attack??) I complained that the pain wasn't that bad, but I guess my doc likes to be uber-thorough. So there I was at 2 in the morning laying on a gurney outside the x-ray room, pain meds worn off , and wondering what the hell I had gotten myself into. Once I got back into my room, I got my pain meds and felt much better. I was even able to sleep about an hour before the nurse came back for another round of vitals. My blood pressure had been really low all evening so they stopped the IV for awhile to get it back up. Around five in the morning I was able to sleep for about two hours. And then my doc came in, told me my tests from the night before were all perfect. He checked my incisions and said they looked great. Strangely I've only felt pain from one incision. If it weren't for that I would have felt perfectly fine. I assumed that was the port location. NOPE! He told me where my port was and I hadn't even known there was an incision there!! LOL! So, by 8am he was writing up my discharge paperwork! Hubby showed up a little later and I was able to pack up and head home! Other than my puppies wanting to jump on my tummy, it has been pretty smooth sailing. I've been able to enjoy some yummy homemade broth my Mom made me, a few yummy sugar free popsicles and jell-o. I've been walking and moving as much as I can. I still have quite a bit of discomfort, but nothing the pain pills can't take care of. My plan today is to get in a shower and a longer walk outside. And hopefully a nap! LOL! I must say I am quite excited to start my new life!!:thumbup:

Laurr, you are doing great!! Congrats!! I am scheduled, again, to be banded tomorrow @ 1:30. Hoping it really happens this time! LOL! (I think I will put my WL ticker up, in hopes surgery actually takes place!!) Hugs,

GOOD luck Babe!!! I am being banded as well tomorrow! Finally! Feb 2nd I almost got into the operating room before they pulled the plug due to low potassium. Hoping tomorrow isn't yet another dry run!! LOL! :scared2: See ya on the flipside! Hugs,

Tomorrow's the big day!! Strangely I am not nervous. Perhaps because I went thru the dress rehearsal two weeks ago. I am praying my potassium is normal. If they cancel on me again, there may be a body count! LOL! Good luck to all the Feb 16'ers!! And congrats to all the newly banded!!! Hugs,

Hi gang!! Hope everyone is doing well!! Things seem to be looking up over here! YAY! I got in to see my primary care physician after all! Got some shiny new meds. So hopefully that fixes everything! As soon as I got home from the pharmacy, my surgeon's office called, giving me the time I am supposed to report to the hospital on MONDAY! :thumbup: So, assuming my potassium is back up to normal levels, I should be having my surgery on the 16th @ 1:30pm!!! I am cautiously optomistic! If I have to go thru another dress rehearsal, I wll smack someone! LOL! Hugs,

Hope you are feeling tons better today Wendy!! :thumbup: Well, I was SUPPOSED to see my PCP today, to figure out what to do about my ugly potassium levels. Friday afternoon, her office calls me. She has to cancel, and can't see me for about 3 weeks. Insurance issues on her end. Well, ain't that just dandy!? I called my surgeon. He is supposed to get back to me some time today to discuss our options. This whole thing has just thrown me into a funk. First the surgery gets cancelled, and now this. I am wondering if this is the big guy's way of telling me not to go thru with the surgery. ARG!! Hugs,

Thanks guys. I am just ready to get this done! I am not even nervous anymore. At least not right now! LOL! My surgeon doesn't require the pre-op diet. Thank goodness!

Yesterday, I arrived at the hospital @ 1:30, as scheduled. Hubby & I went through the paperwork part of the procedure and then waited. I was called back to the pre-op room and changed into my snazzy little gown & booties. The nurse had me lay down on the gurney and tucked me in under warm, cozy blankets. She asked me oodles of questions, started my IV and then brought my hubby back to see me. Another nurse came back and told me she needed to do a needle-stick because there was an issue with my potassium. She did the test and exchanged a strange look with the other nurse. Then my kids and my Mom & Dad were allowed to come in. That helped alot. I was really nervous. Finally, the anesthesiologist comes in and tells me he is very concerned about my potassium being so low. They won't do surgery unless your potassium level is above 3.0. Mine was 2.6. Wonderful. He tells us he wants to draw some blood, send it to the lab, as that is the most accurate way to test it. So, they poke yet another hole in me and we wait. About 20 minutes later, my surgeon comes in and I can tell by the look on his face things aren't going well. He tells me the surgery has to be cancelled. I need to make an appt with my primary care physician and get my potassium up to healthy levels, and then we will try again. He could tell I was upset and was really kind. So, I got dressed and home I went. All I wanted to do was sleep. Well, first I wanted to drink a gallon of water since it had been about 17 hours since I had had anything to drink! But then I just slept. I guess all the nervous energy and lack of sleep for the last week caught up with me. Today, I am just plain old frustrated with a side order of "pissed off". Upside, I found out I had lost 10 pounds when they weighed me yesterday! I made an appt with my doctor for Monday. I called my surgeon and he said he would talk w/ her and see if I couldn't get in sooner. He wants to get me in for surgery on the 16th. So, here I sit, fingers crossed, in a holding pattern yet again! Will I ever be able to start my new life???

Congrats Wendy! I'm sending quick recovery vibes your way! Well, I can tell ya'all what it is like up until they take you in for surgery. Then, I am out of my depth. They scrubbed my surgery at the last second because of my potassium levels. I am penciled in for the 16th~ provided I get my bloodwork under control. :thumbup: Be prepared to be a human pincushion. Other than that, it is very easy. You put on the cool gown with the opening in the back, booties and nothing else. Then you get to lay down on a gurney, covered in nice warmed up blankies. You get an I.V., a shot in your tummy, a patch behind your ear, and a sedative if you are really nervous. You will talk w/ the nurse in charge of your case, the head scrub nurse in the OR, the anesthesiologist & of course your surgeon. I assume the next thing that happens is you are wheeled to the OR. Since I got to go through the dress rehearsal, I find I am not very nervous about the surgery anymore. Of course, talk to me on the 15th!! Hugs to all you Feb 2nd-ers!!! Heal quickly!!!

I guess I will be joining the Feb 16th gang. I was scheduled for Feb 2nd. I got all prepped for surgery, got all the holes poked in me, and they cancelled it. My potassium was in the tank. Soooo, if I can get my potassium up to human type levels, my doc has me penciled in for the 16th. Hugs,

Yesterday, I arrived at the hospital @ 1:30, as scheduled. Hubby & I went through the paperwork part of the procedure and then waited. I was called back to the pre-op room and changed into my snazzy little gown & booties. The nurse had me lay down on the gurney and tucked me in under warm, cozy blankets. She asked me oodles of questions, started my IV and then brought my hubby back to see me. Another nurse came back and told me she needed to do a needle-stick because there was an issue with my potassium. She did the test and exchanged a strange look with the other nurse. Then my kids and my Mom & Dad were allowed to come in. That helped alot. I was really nervous. Finally, the anesthesiologist comes in and tells me he is very concerned about my potassium being so low. They won't do surgery unless your potassium level is above 3.0. Mine was 2.6. Wonderful. He tells us he wants to draw some blood, send it to the lab, as that is the most accurate way to test it. So, they poke yet another hole in me and we wait. About 20 minutes later, my surgeon comes in and I can tell by the look on his face things aren't going well. He tells me the surgery has to be cancelled. I need to make an appt with my primary care physician and get my potassium up to healthy levels, and then we will try again. He could tell I was upset and was really kind. So, I got dressed and home I went. All I wanted to do was sleep. Well, first I wanted to drink a gallon of water since it had been about 17 hours since I had had anything to drink! But then I just slept. I guess all the nervous energy and lack of sleep for the last week caught up with me. Today, I am just plain old frustrated with a side order of "pissed off". Upside, I found out I had lost 10 pounds when they weighed me yesterday! I made an appt with my doctor for Monday. I called my surgeon and he said he would talk w/ her and see if I couldn't get in sooner. He wants to get me in for surgery on the 16th. So, here I sit, fingers crossed, in a holding pattern yet again! Will I ever be able to start my new life???

Congrats girls!!! Sounds like you are doing great!! I am so proud of you both! My surgery got "scrubbed" (hospital humor!!) I got all prepped and my anesthesiologist called it off because my stupid pottasium was extremely low. It was too dangerous to proceed w/ surgery. Talk about a bummer!!! I hope both of your recoveries continue to go smoothly!! Enjoy the new YOU-S!! Hugs,

Hey gang. Well, I went to the hospital yesterday, got all prepped for surgery and BAM! Anesthisiologist came in and told me my potassium was dangerously low. Surgery was a no go. My surgeon told me I needed to get an appt w/ my primary care physician and get my meds adjusted and possibly begin supplements. Then we will reschedule surgery. I am sooooooo beyond bummed. I was so ready for the surgery. Had all my housework done, menu's planned and shopped for for my family, bills paid. Not to mention I was ready for my new life to begin! Aaaargh!!!!! Oh well, on to the next step, I suppose. Hope everyone that DID have their surgery is doing well!!!! Hugs,

Okay, 7 hours until surgery. SEVEN! I am freaking out a bit, not gonna lie! :w00t: I want a glass of water sooooo dang bad!! I would give up food for a month for just a sip! Oh, wait, I AM giving up food for a month. LOL! Yea, I get goofy when I am nervous! Just wanted to wish all my fellow Groundhog Day bandsters-to-be GOOOOOOOD LUCK!!!! Hugs,