ikerry

Hi, I had my first fill today 4/15/09. I had surgery on 3/16/09. I found out I have the large band that holds 14 cc. I asked the nurse and she said some people have larger stomachs than others and that some people are more muscular than others. I think she was being nice. I also found out that my doctor (Benevides) put in 6 cc. during the surgery. I have been hungry and eating regularly while maintaining my diet. I have lost 45 lbs overall and 29 since surgery. They added 1.5 cc today. I have been reading about others getting much less, but all I can say is it's feeling pretty good right now. I am drinking liquids and won't get to eat solid food for another 3 days. The only problems I have been running across is when I eat to fast or drink when I eat. Those are the only problems I've had. I have been able to eat pretty much anything I want, but have been careful to stay on the diet. So far so good.....stay tuned. Hang in there Big Dan, we will pray for you bud. Regards, Ikerry

Hi, I was banded this morning bright and early, Monday, March 16th, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. I am home now. And the pain is minimal if any. I don't have any gas (knock on wood). It only hurts when I twist or get out of the recliner, lol. The only thing even remotely giving me trouble is my throat where they put a tube down it. I started out my morning by going to the wrong hospital, but found out in time and made my appointment. There are so many Baylor Medical Centers around Grapevine, Texas it's ridiculous. The operation took 37 minutes from start to finish and that's including everything. About 27 minutes worth of surgery. Dr. Benavides is a Master!!! I was up walking 10 minutes after I woke up. No shoulder pain nada, nothing. It's great so far. I'll keep you up to date. I waited 6 months for this and so far all I can say is it's worth the wait. Regards, Ikerry Day two: Woke up this morning feeling fine. The general anesthesia has worn off from the day before....I know because now although I am still without gas or nausea (anyone need some Gasx strips, lol) I have soreness. I felt it getting out of bed. I slept on my side like I always do and feel great this morning. I am eating, rather drinking Water, crystal lite, and have had only two Protein shakes. I plan on more shakes today. I am not hungry at all. I am just a little sore from the incisions. Not bad at all. I am very surprised it has gone this well. Day three: Slept again in bed last night on my side and all went well. I have not had either nausea or gas since I was banded. My incisions are sore but the pain is relatively minimal if I don't strain myself. I turn on my side when getting out of my recliner. I am drinking water, crystal lite, and Protein Shakes. I also had two cups of sugar free Jello (strawberry). I also had three sugar free popsicles. I am not hungry. So far so good.

Hi, Since I just got banded, I don't know a thing about refills and any problems associated with them. I would suggest starting your own thread with that question. I will be interested to hear the answers. Thanks, ikerry

Hi, It's been 5 whole days since I was banded. I had minimal pain at first and it's only gotten better. Now the only pain I have is when I press down on the port. So I don't do that, lol. All the other incisions are fine. I am showering everyday. I am drinking Protein Shakes called Wonder Slim. They are chocolate flavored and taste great. I am trying to get in as much Water as I can. I have learned over the last week to take sips not gulps. Since I am two weeks away from food, I am concentrating on sugar free Jello, popsicles, and crystal lite. I haven't been hungry so far. All is well. I had no idea it would go this smoothly. I wish everyone who is getting banded should have the same experience. It's been surprisingly smooth. Regards, ikerry

Hi, I got banded on Monday. Today is Thursday. The first 24 hours you are drugged up pretty much from the anesthesia. I sat at my computer for about an hour the first day. But I got off realizing I needed to take it easy. If you have no nausea and gas, you will be able to sit at a computer for a good number of hours the second day. You also have prescriptions to take care of any additional pain. Day three and Day four are better. It all depends upon the pain and how you feel. I hope your banding goes as well as mine. Regards, ikerry

Hi, Well, another day has come and gone. I feel great. The soreness is wearing off. The only incision that I feel is the one with the port. It is still a bit tender. Drinking and Eating wise I'm fine. No nausea or gas yet....ever. I was told to watch out for this. I have 18 gasx strips waiting to go just in case, but haven't needed them. I had my first Fred Flintstone Vitamin today. Smooth city. I am not experiencing any hunger pangs at all. I am still surprised at the lack of pain. I have two prescriptions that I have just in case but haven't used them. I can't say enough about the great job that Dr. Benavides did for me in Dallas. Now I'm looking forward to my first fill 4/13/09. I wish all of you getting banded the same success. Day four. Thanks Traviaun for the update. I gives me something to look forward to down the road. Very cool. Regards, Ikerry:biggrin:

Hi, I would call my doctor and ask why you are having those problems. I am drinking shakes, Water, fruit punch (sugar free), and eating Jello and Popsicles. You shouldn't be sick from drinking. Call them. Traviaun, tell me what it was like a month after banded, two months after banded, and now three months down the road. I am very interested to hear how you have done and what you are eating. Regards, ikerry

Hi, I updated to day three. Little pain, just soreness. I haven't taken any medicine since I got home. Regards, ikerry:biggrin:

Hi, Just wanted to let readers know, that I am updating it each day to basically share my experience with them. So far into middle of day two and all is going well. A bit of soreness around the port incision, which is the largest but that is all. No nausea or gas problems thus far. Very surprising to say the least. Is this the usual way or am I lucky? Waiting for things to happen that I've read about and nothing major or minor so far. Regards, ikerry:smile:

Hi, I drink WonderSlim chocolate shake. It's called Weight and Inches. It takes great. 7 packets per box, mixes with water, and has 29g of protein in each packet. It has 200 calories per packet. Each packet makes about an 16z drink. I bought mine online from Diet Direct. You can look up protein shakes on Google and find it. It runs about $15.00 dollars a box. The cost is sort of high, but the taste is so worth it. It also comes in Vanilla and maybe Strawberry, but the chocolate is so good, who needs the other two. Regards, ikerry

Hi, I was banded yesterday, March 16th, 2009. My gf dropped me off at the Baylor Medical Hospital on the way to work. I walked inside and couldn't find anyone around. I finally found the operator and she directed me to outpatient services. I went there and found no one. I went back to the operator and she asked me why I was there and she told me I was at the wrong hospital. OUCH!! So I looked at my watch and I only had 15 minutes to make it. I called the correct hospital and told them of my dilemma. I called a taxi. It came 15 minutes later and gave me a ride the rest of the way. What a rough start to say the least. It was all downhill from there. I checked in at 5:45 a.m. (15 minutes late) and in 5 minutes I was back being prepped. The nurse couldn't have been nicer. They all got a laugh when I told them I went to the wrong place. Once prepped with IV and all, I was all set to go. I watched a little tv. I was the first one up that morning and didn't have to wait long at all. Dr. Benavides came in and said let's go. We did. When I woke up I felt fine, gosh the drugs were great. I got up and started walking almost right away. They took me over to xray where I drank some barium stuff. I remember that I was still thirsty, very thirsty. I wasn't allowed water until I saw the doctor. He came by and asked me how I was. I was excellent (drugs), lol. The surgery was at 7:00 and it took 36 minutes for the entire procedure. At 8:00 I was in xray, and by 9:00 I was ready to leave. Unfortunately, my ride home, (my mother), was lost. She too went to the wrong hospital. The nurses gave her instructions on how to get to the hospital where I was at. An hour and half later she made it. So funny. What could I say? I too went to the wrong hospital. There are just too many Baylor Hospitals in Grapevine, Texas. Well I finally got out about 11:00 a.m., and was home by noon. I felt great and there has been no gas or nausea whatsoever. Dr. Benavides is terrific. Regards, ikerry

Hi, I had surgery at 7:30 a.m. and was able to go home at 10:00 a.m. but my ride was late. So I had to sit around for an hour....11 a.m. out of hospital and was home at 12 noon. Quick, fast, and little pain or gas. Dr. Benavides is a master. Regards, Ikerry:thumbup: