Minnah

I was banded on 1/23/09 and I read about the recovery time being 3 to 4 days, so I expected to be back at work Tuesday. How naïve I was. Ha! I woke up in recovery feeling I had been stabbed 5 times and then suckered punched. I had a flitting thought of "Oh God, I change my mind!" I woke up at 5:30 p.m., but didn't get home until 9:30 p.m. The issue was I was very nauseous and couldn’t muster the energy to walk over to the next room to get my x-ray. I finally just sucked it up and did it. I just wanted to curl up and go to sleep, but they wanted me to drink water. I managed to get some down and told the nurse I cannot do anymore. Right on queue, I jumped up and started dry heaving and instead of vomiting I expelled 2 large burps. Painful!! I didn’t know how I was going to make it home, but I concentrated on bed. I need to get to my bed. My husband ran to the pharmacy and filled my prescription and gave me some. He’s so great. That night would have been okay because I would have just lulled myself to sleep on pain killers, but they had given me 4 bags of liquids and I had to run to the bathroom once or twice an hour. Each time, my husband had to wake up and help me out. The next day I realized I wasn’t putting too much pressure on my bladder and once I did they trips decreased. I thought I was going to be back to work on Tuesday, but Sunday I called my manager and told her I underestimated things and might need more time. She understood. I then called a co-worker to make sure my open items would be covered. At the end of the conversation, she says…did you think you would be superwomen afterwards. I was like…well, yes. Ha! Now that keeps echoing in my mind. I’m not quite superwoman and it’s okay to take some time to recover. The world understands. This is day 3 after surgery and I’m starting to walk around more, but not quite ready to clean or go for a walk outside like I hear others are doing. But everyone is different. I don’t have to be superwoman, just me.

Not stressing about airplane seats. Shopping anywhere, but Lane Bryant. Not being the fat friends and/or family memeber. When the time is right, having a healthy pregnancy. More confidence at work to do presentations and speeches. Being more active!!

Would ice chips help? Just chewing on ice chips. Just throwing it out because I haven't got the need to chew yet, but thinking this might be a solution.

I was banded on the 23rd and I recieved a lot of ideas from everyone on how to get this excess gas out and I'm doing a lot better. I've been walking around more too. I tried to start a protien shake today, but got only 3 sips down before it upset my tummy. It seems the only thing that I can stomach is crystal light and chicken broth. Did anyone else have this problem? How did you get your protien in? Also, since I expelled a lot of the lower gas pockets I feel the pain of the incisions more and if I sigh or take in a deep breath, I think I'm feeling the band on my stomach. Is this just my imagination and might be due to a gas pocket? So, many questions, I know.

Thanks Everyone! I'm so glad I found this site.

Thank you everyone! I took a dose of Milk of Magnesia and was able to exspell some gas. I would stay in bed, but my husband makes me get up and walk a bit. However, I am spending a majority of time in bed close to my pain meds. I also started drink some broth. Do you think I should try to start taking some of the protien shakes? I tried some this morning, but only got in 3 sips before I had to put it down.

Being healthy and being able to have babies with my husband is well worth the debt. I did the weight watchers thing and exercising thing, even had a trainer for 15 mos. telling me to eat tuna all the time. I only lost 6 pounds and maintained. So, getting a tool to help with actually get results seems to be a good idea. Plus, I'm only financing half and plan on paying that baby off by the end of year!! :laugh:

I'm scheduled for January 23rd and so excited! I started my pre-op diet last Wednesday, which consists of 2 protien shakes and 1 meal. I find if I have my 8 glasses of water, I'm usually good and not hungry. The operation has got me so psyched that I want to loose wieght on the pre-op diet, which helps with having shakes for 2 meals. I also got a dog and have been walking him for 1 to 2 hours daily. It's paid off and I've already lost 7 pounds!! I have been stuck in the 240's forever and when I saw 237 pop up on the scale, I had a smile on my face. Even though I'm excited and starting off on the right footing, I am nervous about post op diets and actually moving to solid foods. It's not like their are cookbooks you can order. Unless there are and I just don't know it yet. I will definitly check out the forums here, though. Best of Luck, Everyone!! :cursing:

I'm scheduled this month to get banded and I'm using care credit. It was easy to fill out and get approved. But, the price does seem high...19K. It must be an awesome package. I'm in Houston and my package is 13.4K and that will include 10 fills over the next 2 years.