AmyMoe

Baylee - the Lap Band Companion Book has been great for me. I think having a quick reference is essential. I am going to start going to a local support group, but they don't meet again until the 19th so my books and you all have been a Godsend. All my incisions are healing great. VERY itchy right now though. I carry a little bottle of vitamin E oil to keep on them. I do notice my port site when I lay on my left side. It feels almost like a little tug. I don't know if there is a little tugging or if I am just very concious of the site. Very happy to be starting mushies!! I can't belieive how much I have missed some texture in my food:tongue2:

Hey everyone - I am down 12 lbs but I have not lost anything for 3 days. I don't want to be frustrated by this but I feel myself getting that way.:w00t: I am on mushie and stewed food. I went to my GOddaughter's birthday last night and I had some chili. Bless my best friends heart, she made it with mostly beans and ground turkey breast. I has only about 1/2 to 3/4 cup and it settled well! She is ttying so hard to be supportive. We are doing the Girls on the Run program with my Goddaughter (her daughter) this next month. We will start training in about two weeks to run a 3k in early May! On Friday I was really worried. I knew I didn't feel right but I just could not put my finger on it then I started running a fever. It was about 101 until early yesterday, it broke and I was fine. There are alot of bugs floating around our valley and I am hoping I just got a little of one. :thumbup: Adamsmom - agian I can't thank you enough for the Unjury tip. I am getting my protein in no problem now!

So, I got in the unjury powder that Adamsmom has been using...THANKS ADAMSMOM!!!! I have been getting my Protein down!! It is great tasting! I am drinking Crystal Light lemonade with some of the strawberry sorbert powder and it is great! I am so excited! I have been so worried about not getting my protein down!!:biggrin:

Andylou - I did tell everyone. This was a decision I was excited about and I know I did this for the right reasons. In a previous conversation, Adamsmom and I were discussing this same issue. I think you just have decide on a need to know basis. I am very fortunate to have all the support that I do. That being said, I have also encountered a few naysayers. There are always going to be those out there that view this as the easy way out and that if I could have just had enough self control I would have not needed surgery. I know different. I do know how hard I tried and I feel like this is a tool like anything else. Failure is a possibility. I have been diabetic since I was 19, insulin dependent for the past five years. I have already quite taking one insulin, three oral meds, and cut my remaining insulin by 2/3!!! AMAZING!! My nutrisionist told me to write down the reasons I was doing this and keep them in my underwear drawer. Then, when I was feeling discouraged or down to pull them out and remind myself. It was the best advice. I believe that being banded will require us all to have thick skin and it probably won't be the people that we think that will test that but I at least know that I have made a tough, good, choice - not an easy out.

It is amazing the difference in Dr.'s. I am on full liquids for another week, then I can introduce pureed, eggs, soft, stewed foods for one week. Then on to regular food. I questioned the Dr. about the progression and he feels that this will give you the best chance of healing the pouch correctly. I also asked again about crushing my pills. He had a patient several months in the process take a vitamin and it became stuck. She ended up in surgery with slippage and erosion. So even though it is a bother, I am crushing my pills. Yes the protein shakes have been rought on my system! I have my first fill on the 12th also. I am nervous because the port site is so tender! I am not complaining, but I have no appetite at all. I get down just what I need to everyday. There has not been one hunger pain or craving (except salt). I am sure this phase will pass, but it has been rough managing my blood sugar and insulin intake. THe good news is I am already on two of my medications!

Barneygirl - We are not far apart at all! I woulld love to meet sometime. When did you have your band done? Did you have it done locally?

Darn right Adamsmom! We can all talk inner beauty all we want, and yes that is SO important. When you break it all down everything wants to be appreciated and there is no shame in that. I can't wait to wear a skirt again and to sit in a pair of jeans without putting a jacket or sweater across my lap to cover up my belly. I talk about these things and realize just how much I allowed my life to change because of me weight. I met a friend of my Mom's this weekend. He had his band done almost a year ago and he is down almost 100lbs. He was so encouraging. He told me to beware of the end of the honeymoon period. He said that he never felt he would regress, but he did. He said it only took a couple of times in pain throwing up from eating too much to teach him a lesson. He said that he tries to walk or clean - just be active when those old demons start in. He said that really trying to keep consistent meals is must so that he doesn't get too hungry. It was nice to see someone so happy with this same decision. Thanks for all the protein tips. I have some coming in on this week, but I think I will order some from Smoothie King and Unjury also.

Hi Rich - My name is Amy. I was banded last Tuesday also. I came over from the Grand Junction area to Parker. Dr. Kershenbaum did my surgery at Crown Point. I was very happy with my experience. It was hard to be away from home and to have to stay in a hotel, but all in all I wouldn;t have changed a thing.

What a difference a day makes! I woke up this morning and the swelling was all but gone and yes I am still muscle sore but I even slept on my side for awhile last night. Today is the first day I have been allowed warm foods. I had 1/2 cup of pureed butternut squash soup. I was very nervous, but it all went down fine. It is amazing to get by with that little. I am having a hard time getting the shakes down and I had to order my Protein poweder so hopefully it will be in Monday and I can lean off the shakes a bit. So far I am ok with full liquids. I am sure as I heal that will get harder, but it is only 2 weeks of my life. My incisions are quite bruised but I do remember the recovery nurse mentioning that one of the medications they use can cause that. They are really starting to itch! I am doing the grocery store for my family tonight and we have warmed up into the high 30's so I took a nice walk with my dog and son...Everything seems so much better today!

I also have 5 incisions. One, is to the right and above my belly button. Then I have 2 right under my breastbone. One is about two inches the other is about 4 inches. My port is below my left breast about 4 inches down and then the 5th is to the left and above the belly button. I feel much better today and I am actually at work this morning. I am only doing a half day but I did not want to be stuck in the house! The gas is getting MUCH better. I tell you guys, I don't think my stomache has ever rumbled and made that much noise. My family all got the giggles:tongue: I have been sticking to the cold and room temperature food. I think in the end I need to follow my Dr. instructions. I can start having Soup and warm food tomorrow! So far I have had no desire to eat much of anything and I will be ok for that feeling to stay with me for awhile, because I know that disfunction will come around soon enough. I am so glad that everyone is doing well!

Baylee - I am on full liquids for the next two weeks, mushy food for a week then transition to regular food. I am very sore tonight, but I was up around quite a bit today. I crushed my pills and took them with a little pudding...it was horrible. I think I am going to try to cut them in to tiny litlle pieces and take them with a protein shake. Adamsmom - I envy your sunshine!! We are so cold right now! I did take a walk outside this afternoon, bundled up. The fresh air was so nice. The gas from the surgery is doing great, I just continue to be gassy otherwise. I am so glad that you ladies told me about the Gas X. It has been a life saver...:wink:

Hey everyody...Well I am doing much better today. I am only doing the Vicodin at night, Tylenol every 6 hours. I almost feel like I get more relief from the Tylenol. I got me meds down today, 6oz of protein shake and some juice. I don't have any hunger pains at all. I have been going to the bathroom ok. I am SO gassy. Coughing has been rough. My mouth is scraped also. I am hoping to go to my sons school for a book fair tonight and a half day at work tomorrow. We will see. I am not going to push it but I do feel better if I am moving around. I won't see my Dr again until February 12. He showed my husband what to do with the bandages in a week. The lump in my throat seems to be going away. Although the Dr said no warm until Saturday, I took a sip of broth and I swear the lump relaxed almost immediatley. I am sticking to cold as much as I can. Since the preop I am down about 9 lbs!

Hey Everyone! So glad to heat you are all doing well. My surgery went well although it was delayed for almost two hours. They actually had me in the OR and had to pull me back out. A patient before me had complications. The drive home today was long. Really hard to get comfortable in the car. We had to stop every half hour for me to walk to avoid bloodclots. My Dr. wont let me have anything warm for 4 days. He said this will help the internal swelling. I know that even when I sip water it feels like a ball going down. He said some people are more prone to this swelling I am so glad it is over and I am actually suprised with how good I do feel. Sore yes but I am not miserable. WE DID IT!!!:sneaky:

Hey Everyone! Excited just doesn't sum it up! I am feeling much better and my preop diet is going great. A couple of the guys that work for my husband and I decided to join my "bandwagon" and have set out plans to get healthy. They told me that they wanted me to know how much they support me. What a blessing:wub: I found myself really questioning this decison in the last few days and they were just what I needed to re-affirm that this was the best choice for me. I am going to finish up some family shopping tomorrow and start packing!!! I am leaving for Denver Monday morning, Surgery at 11:00 (mountain time) Tuesday, and if all go well, home to Whitewater on Wednesday!!! After tomorrow I won't have computer access, so I want to tell all of you goodluck. You are all in my heart and prayers, and I will chat with you all next week!!

Hi all! I went to the Dr. today to, but not for anything good. I have a sinus infection and an infection in both ears. They put me on some strong antibiotics that they feel will have everyting kicked by the time that I go to Denver:sad_smile: All my pre op will be the afternoon before the surgery! It makes me worry. I guess the good part is that my surgeon does no seem worried at all. Adamsmom- It sounds like this may be a blessing in more than one way for you.

Thersa0326 - I am excited too! Like you, coming to this decision was long in the making. I beat myself up for too long. Once I decided and found a doctor (I have to travel 4 hours to Denver) it felt like the smartest thing I have done in a long time. My primary Dr. is a huge fan of the surgery but understood that I am private pay and it was not a choice that I could just make mentally or financially. One great thing is that with the pre op diet I have already seen my insulin levels declining!

Hi Theresa0326! How is the pre op diet going? Mine is basically the first phase of Atkins. I am happy to say that I have already lost 3 pounds, but I am glad this is not the eating style I would have to maintain forever. I am suprised that it is not so much the sweets or bread I am missing but things like beans:confused_smile:

Adamsmom - I did some shopping last night. They were sold out of the personal blender but I was able to pick up a Magic Bullet blending machine. I wanted to tell you that you have the most nuturing tone, and I appreciate our conversations. It has only been a few and a couple of days but you have helped me greatly:tongue2:

Thanks! I would love to!:tongue2:

Hi Colorado! I am from Whitewater (just South of Grand Junction). I will be banded on the 13th of this month with Dr. Kirshenbaum. I am not looking forward to the travel with the weather (it is snowing again) but I feel so lucky to have found Dr.K and besides all my follow ups will give me an excuse to do a little eastern slope shopping!

Perfectform - My doctor told me I would have to crush all of my pills and that if I was on any time released we would have to change the perscription since these can't be crushed

Adamsmom - I see your point with your kids. Although I am bothered that my oldest is upset, he is a very direct kid. I have had to be somewhat that way with him because of the diabetes. Pretty much everyone around me knows about the surgery and supports the reasons that I finally came to this decision. The people I haven't told are the ones that don't support me anyway. I have figured out that the choice to do this would require me to grow some thick skin. I am going to do some shopping today and that has me excited! I leave for Denver a week from today! I just can't believe it is almost here!!

Adamsmom - the single serve blender is a great idea. I am so ready for this to be done. My cousin lives in the Rosville area and my Grandfather is in Fort Bragg! How is your family dealing with all this? I have two boys 9 and 4. The 4 year old says he is scared but happy that Mommy might be able to stop shots (I am diabetic) the 9 year old is not happy at all.

Hi! I am SO happy to meet so many people who are being banded on the 13th! I feel a little isolated. I am traveling to Denver (4hours) for my surgery. My pre-op is the night before. I appreciated the ideas of Gas-X etc. I have received all kinds of lists from the Dr.'s office about food - not about any other thing I might need. I am doing my pre-op diet now which basically is Atkins. It is not horrible but I am nervous because my Dr is very strict about the diet. He had a patient in the OR and walked out because she had not followed the diet!

Hello Everyone! My name is Amy and I am scheduled for my surgery on the 13th. I started my pre-op diet today. I think I am feeling alot of emotions right now. Excitement, fear, sadness. I look forward to chatting with all of you through this process.