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I have been on pureed food for four days now and feel really great. I did puree some sloppy joe and it did not go down well. I had a tightness in my chest that felt like really bad heartburn. My doctor had me buy papaya enzyme(before the surgery) from the vitamin store just for this reason. It helps to break down red meat, and it worked like a charm. I will forever carry a few papaya pills in my purse. the magic bullet is awesome. I can't wait to really use it when I get to the real food stages, but it does wonders grinding everything down for me. A favorite for me is refried beans, a little shredded mexican cheese blend and a little FF sour cream, tons of protein and tons of yumminess!!

Hey Rosie, Ann was right, it was me. About four days into my pre-op I was doing all protein drinks, only. I started to get hives ALL over my body. They never itched. and like Ann said, my body was just reacting to the amt of whey I was absorbing. Two days later I was fine, and I still use my whey powder without incident. Hopefully you are doing better now. Good luck,

Hey HHCyndi, I had my first post op appt today, also. I should be on liquids until this Friday, but they said I can move in puree foods, like you. Wow. What a differences already.

Bene-fiber is excellent. Just a scoop once a day, I add it to my coffee and do not realize it's there.

Hi 10x2010, I totally felt the band, all the time and had problems breathing, which made everything hurt more. I am 9 days out and feel much better. The port site is the only thing I feel. Breathing fine. The feeling of the band is because your stomach is swollen and you can feel the band. Once the swelling goes down, and it will, you won't feel it. Good luck!!!

Chipotle (R.I.P)

I have been told best thing to remember when eating(whenever I get there, LOL) three bites protein one bite whatever (veggies, carb) that way I know that 75%of my meals is protein.

Alright, calling Ckoon73, Chubby Traveller, sweettea, hkitty, don14, headin_to_mxico, lorileeann, Scorpiqt, gonnaride. Here is our post for letting our fellow Mayo Banditos know how we did and how we are doing. Good luck to everyone. See you on the other side (of skinny)!

HHCyndi, I ditto everything you have said, to the letter. But I know that the band is JUST a tool and not the whole thing. It is still up to me to make sure I lose the weight. I have to make the right decisions and make time to exercise. So really in the end its us who are doing the work the band is back up. You will succeed, we all will and probably will tell everyone, in years to come, that me and my band helped us get healthy. I struggle a long time about my decision because I never thought I gave it my whole heart. Now I have realized that I can't do it on my own and this band and these wonderful mayo banditos will help me get to where I need to be. boy what an emotional roller coaster for me.

Hey Gonna ride, just wondering how you and your port are doing? I'm sorry that its infected, but thank goodness for pain meds and antibiotics. Good luck, lets us know how you are doing. Hi Lisa, I was good for the first two days then it hit me, the pain and swelling but that only last a day or so, today, six days out, I feel better good, easier to get up and down, port site is still a little sore, but nothing that I need my pain meds for.

I did not get a binder, but I was looking for one right after surgery and I know that helped a lot for you, lucky Cali!! I'm gonna try to find one today, and like you daid it probably will get me sleeping on my side faster.

near the post office in kingstowne, VA. Are you in VA, too?

God created man, and man created drugs. You'll do just fine. And we are all here to help and support each other through this. Congrats on getting your date.

I have four incision in a line, two equally placed on both sides of my belly button, my port incision is on the right side, my favorite side to sleep on!!! My fifth site is up high, I'm guessing that was the liver lifter one. It's great to loss all that fluid weight from surgery. Way to go!

Staples out are always a good thing. Way to go on your weight loss! Seeing weight number go down make this all worth it. I will 1 week post op tomorrow and I feel pretty darn good today. I keep my daughter home from school and we are off to get a pedicure (I had to take all my nail polish off for the surgery). Continue with the success!!!! I am also on a two week liquid diet, but for some reason it's not as bad as the pre-op. Weird.

thinking of all you may 14th banders today. I'm sure you all are doing fine. Best wishes.

Way to go may 12th-ers! Everyone sounds in good spirits and glad everyone came out ok. Hey Kellster, I know how you feel about playing softball again. I went to a junior college on a scholarship for softball (many, many years ago) and I havent played since. I am so looking forward to joining a league, maybe a co-ed league, LOL!!

John, you are so right about your own bed. I have yet to sleep in mine. I've had to sleep in a semi sitting position. I am a belly/side sleeper and I can't get comfortable yet. I am glad to hear the swelling and pain are subsiding.

For me, I have figured out that what I thought was gas pains under my left chest is hunger pains. Its different than before (BB-before band), but I noticed that if I drink some protein or soup that it goes away and it was usually around "eating" time. Isn't it wonderful, that the further away from surgery moving, pain etc gets a little better everyday!?

Good luck May 14th banders!!!

I watched the video on youtube and it made me feel better before my surgery. It amazed me how quick, really, the whole procedure is. I never had surgery before and was scared out of my mind before "going under". HA, soooo easy. Everyone who is having surgery tomorrow good luck and you all will do great. Remember that the pain you may or may not feel WILL pass and you will not regret your decision. Good luck and let us know how you are doing afterwards. Oh yeah, my doc left my band unfilled and will not fill until at least 7 weeks.

Hi Gonna, I am so sorry to hear that you had such a rough go of it. That really stinks! I have had pain off and on, and I too am not a wimp with pain, and I have also wondered why I decided to do this and then I remembered that first of all I was doubting myself because of the pain and second, if I could have done this on my own then I would have been able to. But I have a history a mile long and I know that in a few days, weeks, bathing suit time that this will be well worth it. Hang in there and we are all here to help and support each other through this. Good luck.

thank you skinnybyrd for the update on the M.O.M because my docs did suggest taking it and I would have totally did what the directions on the bottle said. Thank you for looking out for you fellow banditos, although I am very sorry that you had to find out this way. Glad you are back to normal..

Where do you live? Alexandria, VA How old are you? 37 Are you married, dating, significant other, partnered? Divorced after 12 years of marriage, weight was a major issue Any children? one- 6 yr old daughter Grandchildren? no Pets? Aja (she is 15 yrs old, named after Steely Dan band) Currant Health Morbidities? none, a trick knee What are your greatest Fears? that my daughter is going to follow in my footsteps regarding weight, and failing with the band and doing something that would cause the band to slip or erode. Excess skin. What is your weight loss short term goals and Long term goals? down 30lbs by my birthday in August and long term to become more active and truly begin to change my relationship with food, therefore instilling good values and a good relationship with food to my daughter. List at least one thing you want to do/wear/eat/buy when you reach your goal? Be invited to a pool party and not turn down the invitation. To shop in the regular sizes. Lingerie, love it.

I'm alive!!! I must have kissed my little girl a million times over before I went in. So my parents and I got to the hospital around 7:45am, surgery was at 10:30. They called me back around 9:00 to get me dressed, tons of questions and for some bloodwork that wasn't done. There I got dressed in the lovely gown with my blue hat and circulation stockings for my calfs. The nurse did give me a shot in the belly (blood thinner) it did sting but was very tolerable. I met with the OR nurse, the drug doctor and his assistant and then my doctor, Robert Pinnar and his PA Paul Marino (I knew I picked the right guys, my favorite quarterback is Dan Marino) came in and talked a little to me and my mom. They wheeled me into the OR room about 10:20 and I got over to the table and as the nurses where setting up my bed and placement of my arms the drug fairy gave me a mask and told me to take several deep breaths. By #2 I was OUT!!!! I woke up in recovery room with my PA Paul telling me I did great with my pre-op diet and everything went very well. I was in my private room by 1pm. My doc required an overnight stay. The nurses were excellent and my pain was managable. I did have to take some nausea medicine around 5pm. I slept off and on everyone hour. My left shoulder had some discomfort from the CO2 they pumped into me, but it wasn't that bad. I did go for several walks up and down the halls, which did help the CO2 move around and did make me feel better. Around 9pm I did ask for some pain meds and then slept through the night. I was discharged by 9:30am today, my daughter had a dance recital that I really wanted to attend, so my nurses did get me out on time. got my prescriptions filled and home by 11:30am. Slept till 3:30pm. the pain is there, around the incisions, especially the port one, and there is some CO2 still hanging around, but I haven't had any pain meds. Getting up and down from my chair or bed is no fun, so any tip would help. but I am so glad this part is over now, I have my band now and I am excited to use it in the future. I hope everyone else is doing great and to those who are next, good luck!!!! welcome dtb0006 to the may 8th date.