SherryA

Bella Congrats on making the decision to have the band! My advice, for what it is worth, is to start making little cahnges here and there. Since you have quite a little time to do this, it will probably work out better for you once you are banded. I was banded Sept 11th, but started making life changes (and I do mean life changes!!!) in July. First, I cut out soda. I didnt do it cold turkey, but started with only allowing two sodas a day, then after a couple of weeks, one soda a day, then one every other day adn so on. I mention soda because I was addicted to it for almost 34 years!! I havent had one since Aug 5th and do not miss it now.. Another was chocolate, and did the same type of deal...Just focus on one thing at a time. Try to think you are lucky you have time to make little changes instead of jumping into it all at once! I really think the extra time helped me be as focused and successful (so far!!) as I am right now! GOOD LUCK!!

Mourning.... Have you thought about seeing a nutritionist that is familiar with the lapband?? I couldnt do this without my nutritionist. My surgeon works specifically with two nutritionists, and recommends you go to one of them (or you can go to one of your own choice), but the information and guidance I get is priceless for me. I cant believe that there are doctor's out there that will basically just put in the band and send you on your way. Please, you made a courageous decision to have the band placed, you deserve to do this for yourself. Good luck!

Congrats on your upcoming surgery.. I had my surgery on Sept 11th, Monday, and went back to work on Sept 13th, Wednesday. Was it too soon? Maybe a day too early. I worked about 6 hours (mostly desk job) and called it a day.. I only told one person at my office that I was having this surgery... I am a private person in some respects and just decided that not telling at this point was what was best for me.. Knowing that I was going to try like heck to get back to work on Wednesday, I did what I could to make sure I had the best chance possible. I started walking almost immediately after I got to my hospital room after surgery.. I only took the heavy duty pain meds one time on day 1 (when going to bed to ensure a good night's sleep). Took them twice in the hospital the next day, then pretty much switched to liquid tylenol...The walking, I think, was "key". I had a bowel movement (a couple) before i left the hospital. I think the walking just helped to get things moving all around..i cant stress that enough to anyone. I did have gas, but the walking also helped as well.. Even today (almost two weeks post op) I still get a little twinge in my left shoulder but overall it wasnt that bad for me.. Also, I followed my nutritionist's eating plan to the letter (and am still doing so), and I think "not cheating" or a thinking "just a little taste of this wont hurt" has helped as well. Good luck!! Sherry

Congrats! Amazing!!! Thank you for sharing your story and insight!!

Hey Everyone... Wow, I cant believe how big this thread had gotten!! I have been so busy with work, havent been able to read for a few days.. Looks like everyone is doing great and congrats to all the new bandsters...I am two weeks post-op tomorrow and as of this morning have lost 15 lbs since banding (37 total since pre-op dieting)... Now time to read through the rest of the thread! Sherry

BJean: I am feeling perfectly fine! No problems here. I started mushies on Monday, and I do get hungry, but I am so determined to make this damn thing work for me, that I wont "cheat" or it will just be my old ways haunting me. I havent varied much in the diet that my nutrionist gave me, but I see her next Tuesday... I can start solids this coming Monday (2 weeks post-op) if I chew the heck out of it...I am looking forward to that. Gonnabethin: WOOHOO! I cannot wait to get there..I have about 10 to go...So close!! CONGRATS!! Good luck to all the upcoming bandsters!

BJean, Thanks for the good info! I went in yesterday for my post-op appointment, and it went very well, and I will get my first fill on Oct 17th...Yeeha! Sherry

LOL..How tall are you? I am 5'7"... Now that I am almost under 210, I can practically taste 199! LOL (Probably the wrong phrase to use!)

Thanks BJ! Everyone here is an inspiration, and it is wonderful to be able to read everyone's accounts first hand! I have learned so many tips and tricks just in this one HUGE thread alone that has helped me greatly! Ahhh..you made it out of the 200s! YIPPEE! That is my b-day goal, which is next month. I hope to hit it beforehand, but I also have to be realistic and realize this crazy weight loss will slowwwwwwwww down real soon! My port area is a bit above my waistband, so it doesnt exactly hit. I hope that calms down for you soon, but it is tender enough without trying to pants on it!!

Everyone seems to be doing great! Good luck to all that is scheduled soon. I will tell you, one week post-op makes a huge difference..I had a fairly easy time with everything last week, but today I really feel great. No issues with eating or anything else. I see my surgeon tomorrow and hope he can tell me I can exercise some more... And my hiccups are gone!! Those were the worst for anyone that has gotten them!! Ouch!

BJean: I am so happy to see things are moving along for you!! Congrats! I am also one week post-op today and I couldnt feel any better myself. My only complaint is that if I move a certain way my port area is tender, other than that, I am fine! I, too have lost 10 lbs since surgery day...

While I certainly agree it is better to be safe than sorry, I am hoping for you that your level comes within the normal range!! Crossing my fingers for you! Sherry

Hi there Go read the September bandsters thread, there is a lot of post-op comments and tips and tricks! Good luck! Sherry

want2lose: I am glad you finally got a full night's sleep. I did starting on Wednesday night, and that really makes a difference!!! valgal: I am glad you feel so good! I do as well! Sure, I still am slightly uncomfortable here and there, but it is all doable! BJean: I suspect you are right in the difference in our recoveries. I have taken some of the prescription the doctor has given me for pain, but really just stick with the liquid tylenol unless absolutely necessary, and I am convinced that the laps I started doing hours after surgery really pushed me along. (I knew that I had to move because I wanted to go work Wednesday for a partial day and the rest of the week and I have two small kids, so that was my incentive. If I wasnt going to go to work, then I may not have been so vigilant!) What is everyone's diets this week (first week post-op)? It seems to vary for everyone. My doctor (who works directly with my nutritionist) for the first week has lap banding patients drink 4 oz water every other hour, and on the hours in between having 4 oz of carnation instant breakfast, or 4 oz liquid smoothie yoqurt (or broth, or a popsicle..you get the idea)... I do get times when I do feel hungrier, especially because I am doing a lot and moving around alot, but the 4oz seems to cure the hunger til the next hour... Sherry

Aussie Chick, I just wanted to tell you that you are a complete inspiration and by posting your pics and telling your story openly and honestly you have helped and will help so many of us on here. With you smiling in those last pics, you look truly happy and beautiful. Congratulations for your success and continued good health! Sherry

I havent had any nausea either, and I was also given a prescription for it if need be... Call your doc first thing so you can have something on hand. That is not fun!

I also have had the gurgling and racing to the bathroom!!! No problem in that department at all! When I was leaving the hospital one of te prescriptions given to me was Colace for constipation if needed (instructions were to take one ? times a day until first BM occurs)..I just laughed~! It truly is amazing the different extremes of pain, etc that we all have had this month. I was back to work in two days, but a couple of people sound so miserable :-(...Hope everyone heals quickly! Sherry

Hi everyone.. want2lose, I do still have some major bloating. I cant wait to that part goes away! My port incision area seems to be the same as the other areas though (not a grapefruit!)... Good luck everyone over the past couple of days and going forward!! Sherry

Hi Everyone!! I love reading everyone's experiences, so I thought I would tell you mine... I had to be at the hospital 600am Monday morning (the 11th of September), after doing just under two weeks of a pre-op diet which pretty much consisted of 5 carnation instant breakfast a day, a can of Healthy Choice Veggie soup, 2 pieces of fruit, and add in about 3-4oz of white chix or fish two to three times per week, so while it was a different way of eating, it was very doable. Also, I had gotten this pre-op diet in July when I saw my nutritionist, and "practiced" in July and early August, so I was ready... So... got to the hospital at 600am on Monday, and it was pretty straight forward. IV in, some antibiotics beforehand in the IV (and also 4 times over that day and nighttime stay in the IV for precautionary measures I guess) along with a anti-blood clotting medication (I think that was it :-). Then off to the OR where they gave you the relaxing "juice" and then I waas out cold! Woke up in Recovery and had already told them beforehand that I tend to be nauseous with anesthesia, so they had put some medicine to combat that in my IV as well. I woke up, asked how I did (was told fine), and went back to sleep for about 45 minutes.. Oh ya, forgot about this! While I was waiting to go to the OR, the head nurse asked me if I minded if two student nurses watched my procedure. I said no problem, and they both kept me company while I waited to go to the OR (and they were wonderful talking companions!), and they stayed with me all the way up to my room after Recovery... Anyway, woke up in Recovery, said I felt really well, and they decided I could move on up to the floor. I was delighted to see that I had a private room (because last year I needed my appendix out and got stuck in a room with 3 other people...ARGH!!!!!). This was about 12 noon. I rested my eyes off and on for a bit and by 2pm I was ready to start moving. My nurse came in and I asked her if I could walk, and she walked with me my first lap, and then told me I was free to move around if I felt okay to do so... That was KEY in starting my healing process I truly believe. It got the gas moving around (I could easily tell :guess) and I didnt take any pain medication until I was going to go to sleep that night... Monday night I needed an IV change (it fell out while I was sleeping..grrr), but other than that it was pretty uneventful. You really do not get much rest in a hospital at all though. With the people coming in to check your vitals, doors opening and shutting, etc etc...I couldnt wait for morning to come to get home. Woke up Tuesday and they brought me down for a barium swallow which was pretty nasty after not eating or drinking anything since Sunday evening. This was a pain for me because I was then sent up to my room and my Doctor came in and asked if I had had the test yet, and since he hadnt heard anything, he assumed it was fine, so ordered a liquid lunch for me was told I could be discharged if I tolerated that. A half hour later I was brought back down to X-ray and was told that I wasnt emptying properly, and that my doctor was now in surgery and they had to wait for him...FIVE HOURS LATER!!! he finally comes in and says it all looks fine to him, so continue with the liquids (which would now be dinner) and then they would discharge me. Finally, I left about 530 for home... I have taken some of the pain medicine since I have been home because I have been uncomfortable, but it has been quite tolerable, moreso than I thought. I went to work for a 1/2 day today, and although I was exhausted by 2pm and came home, I will probably do a full day tomorrow. I came home and layed in bed with the heating pad on my stomach for a couple of hours and it felt great!!! My biggest advice I can give is to MOVE MOVE MOVE if you can after surgery, it really helps. Not to be too gross, but I had two bowel movements before I even left the hospital...And I really think that helped! The other is the heating pad. I may bring it to work with me tomorrow :-) Any questions, feel free to ask!!!! Sherry

Hi Everyone... Got home last night from being banded on Monday. Will write up a "report" later today. I am actually at work today!! (Just a half a day, didnt want to sit in bed another minute!!)... Doing well, some soreness and tenderness, but otherwise fine! My biggest advice I can give right now before writing up my experience is WALK WALK WALK after surgery as much as you can! I have had no gas pains and yesterday (the day after surgery) made several visits to the bathroom (ie NO CONSTIPATION PROBLEMS!!), and the nurses kept saying it was because I got up and started moving immediately! Sherry

Thanks for the well-wishes want2lose! Good luck tomorrow everyone! Sherry

Hi Lamamama There are a few of us scheduled for Sept 11th! Welcome! Sherry

BJEAN: Summer came to a screeching halt in Mass. Nice and cool, 70s, low humidity. After being in Florida in that weather, it feels great here! Good luck at pre-op tomorrow, I hope it goes smoothly! I am feeling pretty good, really looking forward to Monday that's for sure! Let us know how you make out tomorrow! EM1125: Glad things seemed to go smoothly! Good luck to everyone scheduled for tomorrw! Sherry

BJEAN: I am just north of Boston, MA! We went to Orlando. I had been a few times, but it was my son's first time. We had a great time. Great vacation, BUT HOT! I do not know how you guys in FLA deal with the heat AND humidity!! (It does get humid up here, but not for weeks on end!) Since I started seeing my nutritionist in June, I have lost over 20 lbs, so I told her when my vacation was and she just said since I am doing so well, just start my pre-op diet on the day I get back :-) (I only tried one Mickey bar on a stick and it was yummy!!) :-) Sherry

James Great post and I am glad your surgery went so smoothly!!! Hope it continues! Sherry