Stephanka917

Hello- I was banded on 12/30 and supposed to stay on clear liquids for a week. I called the nurse at the hospital and she said to add 1/4 c. protein shake every 4 hours and it has helped tremendously! Call your nurse or doc! You don't need to suffer! ~Steph

Hi Samie- I was banded the day after you. I also caved in and have added protein shakes- I cannot believe how much better I felt almost instantly! I also have no trouble getting my liquids in. I can't wait to get the go-ahead to mushies so I don't feel hungry. It happens so suddenly, too. I was not expecting that! ~Steph

Mederma worked very well on a surgery scar I had on my foot- I plan on using it on my tummy, too. I am just 5 days out and the dermabond is not lifting a bit- but my incisions are starting to get itchy!!!! ~Stephanie:thumbup:

Hi Lyd- glad you are doing so well I am not allowed anything I can chew for 2 weeks. I've been happy with slim fast protein drinks- had enough jello and broth to last me the rest of my life! I have good restriction for now, but I expect it will lessen as the swelling goes down. Does your Doc. allow mushies right away?? I am actually nervous to eat "real" food. ~Steph

Hello all, I was banded this past Tuesday December 30th at 8AM. Got to the hospital at 6am, got prepped and answered all the basic questions... shot in the tummy to prevent blood clots.. booties that squeezed my legs. Then I saw my surgeon and asked him to place my port on my right, since I sleep on my left and he marked it right on my belly! Next thing I know, I am waking up in my room- I have no idea how some of you beg to go home! The staff was very kind to me and I was well cared for. I stayed until 6PM the next day. I am on clear liquids- the gas is not fun, but I am getting by. Hot showers and sleep feel the best. When I drink broth, I feel queasy, so I have been sticking to water and apple juice- diluted. AND Gas-x strips. OH- my doctor also found and removed a benign tumor from my liver that he discovered when he was in there, so I've got that going for me! :biggrin: Good luck to all and Happy New Year! ~Stephanka917:thumbup:

My surgery was 12/30 and I have been taking showers 2x a day- feels so nice and helped my breathing return to normal. The steam helped me cough up some ugly globs from anesthesia! I was told not to soap or scrub my incisions, though. ~Stephanie

Hello all, I will be banded tomorrow and I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who have offered their support on this site. It has helped to relax my worries, which is no easy feat! I suffer from terrible anxiety to begin with! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow! I am lucky- I have to be at the hospital at 6AM and surgery is at 8AM- not too much time to worry. :tongue2: Thank you all! ~Stephanie:thumbup:

ClayVerde: Thank you so much for the in-depth post! I am being banded tomorrow (Dec 30th) at 8AM and that was exactly what I needed to read! Way to go on your loss :tongue2: Thanks again! ~Steph

Treesa, You are in my thoughts and prayers! I will be in your shoes tomorrow at 5:30AM!!! You will be great! Let your Doctors and Nurses take care of you :tongue2: Blessings! ~Steph

Hi there- Every time I say something about being scared or thoughts of changing my mind, my pal at work has been telling me- "Shut Up! You'll be fine!" It always makes me laugh and relax a little bit! I go in on Tuesday, so I know exactly how you feel. We will be fine and in much better shape by summertime!!! Let us know how you're feeling when you get home, if you feel up to it! ~Stephanka917:thumbup:

I'm so sick of clear liquids- I can't wait to get my band and my pain meds so I can stop thinking about CHEWING something!!! I go in on Tuesday Dec. 30th. I have to be there at 6AM- surgery at 8:30AM. I'm lucky that I got the first spot! I can't wait to get my band!!!! Good luck and blessings for all of us! ~Stephanka917

Hello, I'm Steph in Minnesota and I will be banded on December 30th. I'm looking for other people who will be banded the same day to keep in touch with and to support each other. I would love to hear your story! Thanks and Good Luck! ~Stephanie:thumbup:

Poodles: Good luck on the 30th!!! I am a little nervous, but very excited! You are lucky your Doc lets you have shakes- I have to have clear liquids for 2 days pre-op! I barely made it through today! Broth, Jello and water- WOO!!! Please post if you can after surgery and I will be sure to do the same. I am staying over 1 night at the hospital, are you? Blessings to us all! ~Stephanka917

Have you had surgery before? They will give you something to relax and you won't care about a thing! You will be waking up before you know it :tongue_smilie: I will be banded the day after you. I will keep you in my prayers! ~Stephanka917

Chat is at the top of the screen on the left.

Hi Sheesh- I am being banded on Dec. 30th, too! I am a little nervous, but more excited to be done with the surgery and on to my new, healthier life! I looked at the photos of me this Christmas, and I know I will not be so unhealthy next year. Good for you to do well on the pre-op... I have had a terrible time of it. Are you on Clear liquids the next 2 days to prep for surgery? I am and I am super hungry!!! It will all be worth it- I am here to chat anytime! ~Stephanka917:thumbup:

Hi there, I quit a few weeks ago with Chantix. I had tried everything in the past to quit and this is a miracle drug! The side effects can be tough- I am taking half the recommended dose and it works great. Good Luck!!! ~Stephanie:thumbup:

Merry Christmas!!! I have only lost 2 lbs on the pre-op and my surgery is on Tuesday!!! I am also very worried that I will be denied surgery.. But I have been SO GOOD on the liquids! I have PCOS and that makes it extremely hard to lose weight, according to my endocrinologist. My big fear is that I will get the band and STILL not be able to lose. Still- I am excited to get the surgery over with. I'm more excited that scared, now! Wish me luck on The 30th and keep me in your prayers! Thanks! ~Stephanie:thumbup:

I'm doing good- liquid diet is sorta' easy now that it has been a week. I'm having a little plate of Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow night, and I thought I would be more excited about it.. I guess I really am ready for this lifestyle change! I had my pre-op with my regular Doc. yesterday- had perfect EKG and everything checked out great so I got the Green Light to proceed with the surgery! My Doc. put a lot of my fears to rest, so that is a relief! I suffer from anxiety to begin with, so that part has been hard. How are you doing? Keep in touch! ~Stephanie:thumbup:

Hello, What is your scheduled date? I am afraid I will be put on hold and I have been sticking to my diet! I went to my regular Doctor for my pre-op today and I have STILL not lost a pound! I'm about to chuck all these shakes and just eat normal until the 2 days before surgery!!!! I am super frustrated, can you tell??? :smile: ~Stephanie

Hello! Good luck on the 31st, I will be in the day before you! How are you doing on the pre-op diet? My surgeon has me on Slim-Fast for 12 days, then clear liquids for 2 weeks. I am allowed a VERY small plate of dinner on Christmas! YAY! :tounge_smile: ~Stephanie

Hi gang, and thanks for the response! :tounge_smile: It is difficult to be on pre-op through the holidays, that is for sure!!! But I keep thinking that I will be having the best New Year ever and finally will be able to stick to my weight loss goals! I'm in a size 22/24 and hope to be down to at least a 16 by Summer! I keep that in mind and the pre-op is not as difficult to stick to. Also, posting helps! Too bad about your husband- I'd tell him to jump in a lake, but that's just me! We should be able to focus more on the meaning of Christmas, rather than the Eating of Christmas! Take care and post often! ~Steph:thumbup:

I've got the popsicles, too!!! :tounge_smile: I am so excited for the 30th! It seems like the closer it gets, the less anxiety I have- and I have major anxiety!

Hello, I have been having crazy vivid dreams, but I am also taking Chantix to quit smoking (IT WORKS!!!) and that is a big side effect of that med. Good luck, we have to remember all the hard work is worth it! ~Steph:thumbup:

Kelli- Did you stay off the Diet Coke??? I am a DC JuNkIe and I have no idea how I will live without my chemical cocktail! Did you get massive headaches from caffeine withdrawals? ~Steph