Embrace

Hey Linda, I was bothered by the gas too. It wasn't painful but I couldn't figure out why it just wouldn't stop. I didn't even think about the protein shakes but I bet you're right. I had one of the shakes around 3:30 today (at work) and the gas started not long after. You might want to use a Gas-X strip before/right after you drink the shake. Those things really helped me when I felt gassy during the first two weeks of my recovery. I find that I can eat more than I expected I'm glad I went back to work so I have other things to focus on. Otherwise, I'm totally happy with the band and feeling like I'll be able to achieve the weight loss that's been only a fantasy until now. Good luck to you - and definitely, let's keep in touch.

I was banded on Jan. 27, and I went back to work today. I'm a little tender (no real pain though) at the port site but it felt good to get back because it just gets so boring being at home. Besides, the weather turned bad so I wouldn't have been able to get my walk in anyway. Today I ate: Breakfast: 8 oz. of the Meal Replacement shake (vanilla) with 120 calories and 12 grams of Protein. I added 2 tsp. Benefiber to counteract constipation. Lunch: coffee mug of chicken bouillon Snack: 1 Protein Shake (from Costco) with 160 calories and 30 grams protein. It took about 45 - 60 minutes to finish 11 oz. Dinner: 1.5 cups of crookneck squash and onions - steamed to v-e-r-y soft. I'm really full but not sick. I think that comes in at around 350 calories for the day.

Have you joined yet? I just did. I followed Country Girl's link - it's working now. Click on the box that asks to join the social group. That's it. I'm really looking forward to keeping in touch. Everyone's been so supportive and helpful. I've learned a lot. I just know that this will be a long journey and I'd love to have company along the way.

Hey Teresah, I saw that you guys got more snow today. Are you doing okay (home and health)?

Congratulations on your accomplishment. You're inspiring the rest of us.

How's everyone doing with Water? I'm really struggling. I alternate between sippy cups of no sugar added apple juice and water but I'm only getting two cups a day before I'm maxxed out. Urine is clear so I'm not dehydrated probably because I am drinking clear broth and have had sugar-free popscicles too but there's only so much I can hold. Hope you're feeling better. It's so exciting to think that we're on our way.

How'ya doing today, Carolina Mom? I'm hoping that you're getting better every day. I walked four blocks around my neighborhood yesterday and I'm getting dressed to do it again now. I think it helped break up the gas and just generally make me more comfortable. Bless you and prayers your way.

The gas pains actually starting today. I had bad shoulder pain when I got home from the hospital Tuesday night but a few Gas-X strips wiped that out. Then, by mid-morning today the pain started again. It's around the base of my throat (hard to explain) and I hear gurgling in my stomach. I'm burping too. Gas-X hasn't touched it. I walked four blocks in my neighborhood this morning, which helped with the gas in the beginning. I'm shifting a lot in the recliner - trying to find a comfortable spot. Not too effective, though. The only other pain is around the port. That's sore! I'm transitioning off the prescription pain meds to liquid Tylenol but since there's absolutely no other pain, I feel so lucky. I hope that ya'll are doing really well.

Hi Everyone (especially the Jan 28ers), This will be long to cover the positives and negatives in my experience for future banders. I'm pretty high on a combo of pain and nausea drugs so overlook typos, please. I was banded about 30 minutes later than scheduled because anesthesiologist ran late so I had someone else (who was perfect so I guess everything happens for a reason). The hospital was great. Only down side is the nurse had trouble finding a vein for my IV. She poked only once but I could tell she knew it wasn't going to work. I wanted to wait for the doc but said that they prefer nurses to attempt at least one stick. :tongue: The anesthesiologist got right in with no discomfort even. I told him about a long history nausea after waking up and he promised to give me everything to avoid it. Let's just say my upset stomach (literally) was stronger than his drugs because when they had me walk after surgery I started heaving about 2 seconds after standing. A shot in the IV it settled down. I swallowed fine in x-ray and I was out by 5:15. Nausea started again -- worse this time -- the first time I got up to pee at home. I heaved and heaved before I could get the suppository in. You're not supposed to because the band might slip. So, I'm freaked out enough to call my doc this morning. But, even with all that action, I'm in very little discomfort. The shoulder pain was intense, which surprised me. I needed five Gax-X strips for the shoulder pain to stop completely. I feel a dull -- but completely tolerable -- ache at the port site. I'm hoping to switch to liquid Tylenol today and get off the narcotic. That stuff is too strong and makes me very dizzy. Wrapping up, I feel 70 percent better than I expected to. I got down about 4 oz. of broth this morning. I'm drinking enough too since pee is clear. Just going to sleep and give my body a good chance to heal. I'm not sorry about it all. :cursing:

Hi Carolina Mom, I posted my experience under a new thread 'Thoughts less than 24 hours after surgery' so folks being banded the rest of the month could benefit. I hope you'll read it, it's got a lot of details. The pain meds and the anti-nausea drugs are doing a number on my head and I forgot to mention two things in the earlier post: 1) the surgeon had to repair a hernia. Neither of knew I had one. 2) The anesthesiologist who was scheduled ran late so they substituted. Turns out he and I belong to the same church. Everything happens for a reason! I hope that you're doing well and that today will you will experience healing and happiness. Overall, I'm fine (except for that nagging fear about the heaving when I got home.) Please say a prayer that I'll be fine. Thanks.

Nerves anyone? I'm starting to get a little nervous. I guess that's normal. I feel like I've already accomplished so much - we all have. Lots of hoops to jump through getting qualified, pre-op diet, shopping for the post-op life. Now it's just the just a little more than a day away. Good luck everyone. Let's check on each other's progress after surgery, okay?

I tried Bariatrix Essentials (vanilla) but it has this unpleasant taste of maple or something so I use jello to cut the taste. I add 2 scoops of Protein powder, 6-8 oz. of Water, and 1 tsp. of dry, sugar free jello powder mix into the shake as its blending. Tastes pretty good and sure beats the same ol' thing three times a day. Give it a try, Carolina Mom.

My surgery is at 10. My doc requires a 2-hour, pre-op class, which I will attend on Tuesday. I see the doc and have the EKG on Wednesday. Until then and until surgery that it's just drink, drink, drink my shakes. It's getting "real-er" by the day. I started the post-op shopping but still have a few things to get. Last weekend I bought a sippy cup. That's the first time I've ever used one. Wow! You sure don't get much to drink. I'm glad I tried it before surgery so I know what to expect. This will be a learning experience to take smaller bites and sips. I'm sure we'lll get the hang of it though.

Hi Carolina Mom, I'm scheduled for the 27th too. I'm looking forward to a new way of life even if it changes my relationship with food. Goodness knows, it's time. My pre-op doctor's appointment is the 21st. I think THAT will make it real. Good luck with surgery. Let's chat again for support.

Hi kharmon and B_there, Several of us are scheduled for the 27th so we have company and support. It's getting really close now. I still have some nerves but I'm looking forward to this next phase. Here's to successful surgeries and to a terrific New Year.

Everyone's weight loss is soooooooo encouraging. Thank you for sharing your progress and your successes.

Not sure about this surgery but they used the gas when I had my tubes tied. The pain/ache started the next day and was worse on the third day. I used a heating pad and rested. It didn't last too long. Congratulations on your successful surgery. Please keep us posted about your progress.

What a great idea! Thanks for the tip. I just can't believe that we're two weeks away from our date with the band.

I get the EKG next Wednesday so I don't know what to expect. I think I'm fine but I guess time will tell. Have your nerves settled down at all. Have confidence in yourself.

How's the liquid diet going for you? Keep up the good work - we're only two weeks away from beginning a new life. Good luck.

Have you started the liquid diet yet? I've been adding sugar-free Jello to the shake so it isn't too bad. I finished most of the prep-shopping over the weekend.

You were banded on my birthday. My surgery is scheduled on my sister's birthday. It's going to be a terrific present!

Ladies, hats off to you both. Bellabean for coming through surgery so well and Peanutband for embarking on this journey tomorrow. We're getting each other through this one band at a time! Take care. We're cheering for you.

Good luck tomorrow. We're thinking good thoughts for you. Please let us know how you're doing when you're up to it.

Thanks for the warning about cheating and for looking out for all of us New Year Hotties. Please keep us updated about how you feel and what's happening.