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Ashlee, Happy to hear you're doing well. Welcome to Bandland. Every day you'll get less sore. I had my surgery the day before you and every day it seems to get better. Wishing you a quick recovery. Looking forward to a successful weight loss journey and a healthy lifestyle. Regards,

Good luck to all of you who will be banded this week. I am confident you all will do well. Everyday I get stronger. I never had to take pain meds. A little sore and like I said before very gassy. Other than that, all of you will do great. Wishing you a quick recovery. Please keep us posted once you're up to it. Regards,

Leila, I will pray for you and send positive thoughts you're way. Of course your scared. I don't blame you. My best friend just had a hysterectomy. She did very well and is up and running around in 3 weeks. You must rest. Think positive and don't put negative thoughts in your head. Take care of this as soon as you can so that its not hanging over you. Wishing you all the best. My thoughts and prayers are with you girl. Regards,

BJean, Thanks. I am going to make myself a protien drink in a little while. I'm definetely not getting the recommended 50-60gr of protien. I would say probably 30gr. I would also like to wish you good luck tomorrow and a speedy recovery. You'll do great. You must be so excited. I know that the night before, I couldn't sleep. I was more excited than nervous. When you get a chance and feel up to it, let us know how you're doing. Wishing you the best. Regards,

Hi all, My pain seems to be getting better, but it's still there. Tell me how you're doing with food. I see some of you are eating more than liquids. I'm on thin puree. In my book it's baby food consistancy. Usually 6 days out bandsters are still on liquids. My doc does thin puree (anything that rolls off the spoon) for the first week and then a thicker puree the second week. I've been eating everything that he put on my menu. I have had fat free ricotta cheese. That's pretty good w/salt and pepper and its 10gr. of protien for 1/4 cup. I have made pureed stewed cauliflour and melted soft cheese on it. He allows this after 4 days post op. I do get full very easily and still get gas pains. I would say I'm probably getting no more than 400-500 calories/day. I hope that's ok. Please let me know how you're all are doing post-op. Pain, food and anything you want to talk about. Regards,

hi, I am 5 days post op and everything seemed fine. This morning I awoke with a weird feeling when I swallow. I feel like I have phlem or something there, however, nothing is there. It's a very weird sensation. Has anyone had this happen to them? I would appreciate your input. Thanks.

Jack, Thanks for responding. I spoke with my surgeon. He didn't seemed concerned. He asked a few questions all of which I answered "NO". He said if it continued throughout the afternoon to come to the hospital to do a GI. Thinking about it, I remembered that last night I had hot Soup and I burned my throat. I may have a small blister or something that's giving me that sensation that something is in my throat. I am feeling a little better. I'm not eating or drinking though. I'm afraid. When I drank something this morning to see if that would help it made it worse. It felt as if the Water wasn't going down and was just hanging out at the top of my throat. Weird. Anyway, thanks again for responding. Being new to this band is a journey all on its own. Regards,

I'm newly banded. Four days post op and I have a sharp pain that comes on my left side about 4 inches below my breast. It feels as if I jumped or ran and got that cramp. If I'm relaxing it gets better but when i get up it's an annoying cramp on my left side while I walk, bend, or get up from a sitting position. I did't think much of it b/c I have been banded 4 days ago.

Is anyone getting a pain on left side about 4inches below your breast. It happens when I get up and move and even when i sit down. The pain feels like when your jumping or running and you needed to stop because it hurt. I'm not talking about the port pain. This may be where the band is. I'm not sure. Let me know. Regards,

SeamsSew, Don't give up. I didn't realize you had diabetes. Please, I will almost bet that you will not have to self pay. Diaetes is a major co-morbid condition. If you're not sure, call Kelley Lindstrom. She doesn't charge to speak to people. Speak to her and give her your info. If she feels you can get an approval, she will get it for you. If she doesn't think there's any chance b/c you need to diet 12 months than she'll tell you that. The website is Obesitylaw.com and Kelley's number is 619-656-5251. It doesn't hurt to get legal advice. She is so wonderful, honest, and takes all the time to answer your questions. Believe me, she went over and beyond and I got my appeal overturned in two weeks. That's almost unheard of. Give it try. If she can save you money, that would be great. I booked my surgery for the 5th no matter if I got approved or not. Her response to me was that she would get the appeal letter out so that I would get an answer before I had to self pay. Five days before surgery, I was told that I had authorization from my insurance company to go ahead with the surgery. I saved $23,000. Let me know how it goes. If you decide to call, let her know that I recommended you. Keep me posted. Best of luck. Regards,

Cheryl, That is so AWESOME! You deserve a big hand. :clap2: :clap2: Just think 31lbs gone w/no band. You'll be down before you know it. Good going! The best of luck to you. You'll do great! Keep us posted when you get a chance to let us know how you did. Speedy recovery. Angie, the best of luck to you as well. Speedy recovery and let us know how you do. Regards,

Want2lose - I laughed when I read about your pedicure. I did the same thing. My french manicured toes looked great. When I got to the hospital, they told me to undress and put these ugly socks on. Needless to say, while I was in surgery no one got to see my $30 pedicure. lol. Cassandra, happy to hear you're doing well. Three days post op and feeling much better today. Yesterday was my worst day. The port pain can be annoying. Bending, sleeping, and sitting gives me pain around the port area. As far as liquids, I've been making chocolate protien shakes with a quarter of a banana. I only drink about 4oz b/c I get full with thicker liquids. I made escarole and bean soup and pureed it down to a full liquid. Had a little bit of that. Jello with homemade sugar free whip cream. I don't use alot of the cream. Just a teaspoon on the jello to make it a little more tastey. Split pea is good too. Not eating much. If I'm getting 600 calories for the last 5 days it's alot.

Before I considered getting banded, I tried working with a MD on a semi liquid protien diet. I saw him for one year and three months. I lost 40 lbs in 4 months and had 40 more to go. Then the summer came and I ate and partied like I was at goal. Needless to say, I gained almost all of it back. I started my journey at a BMI of 39 and trying to get insurance approval in May. I was denied twice and then finally approved with a legal appeal. My insurance company required at least 6 months of MD supervised weight loss. It's very common for insurance companies to ask for this. If you lose weight in the next year and you're not at a 35-39 BMI with atleast two co-morbid conditions or a BMI of 40+ they will absolutely deny the surgery. You're other option is to self pay. Good luck.

YOU LOOK JUST BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations. You are truly an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm three days post op and looking forward to feeling and looking better. Regards,

It's just pure ignorance. I know it's hurtful and completely embarrassing but she was very young and at her age not very mindful of others. We learn to be more mindful of others as we grow within ourselves. Tom hit the nail on the head. Perfectly said Tom. So sorry you felt hurt. I think at one point in most of our lives we've come across at least one ignorant person. Hopefully, after the sales girl saw your anger she will think differently next time. A lesson well learned for her. It's a shame it at had to be at your expense.

I am officially a bandster. :clap2: Just got home at 5:30 this evening. I'm a little uncomfortable with gas pains, but other than that I'm doing fine. I had my surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. I must say I was very impressed. They took every precaution necessary. I wasn't crazy about the foley. They took that out this afternoon. I had a GI series this morning to make sure the band was in place. After that, they started me back on clear liquids and jello. I will be on that for the next four meals. I can then start on thin puree for two weeks.

Thank you all for your well wishes. I'm not feeling as well as yesterday. The gas pains are not fun at all. Anytime I drink/eat any type of liquid I feel even more gas building up in my stomach. I'm not sure if that's restriction or gas. Is this normal? and How long do the gas pains last? I'm walking and taking gasX but it doesn't seem to help much. On a more positive note, I am very happy and looking forward to being on the losing side for once.

Can someone explain to me why I'm up 5 pounds from surgery. I had surgery on the 5th and haven't eaten anything since the 4th. I have had broth and jello. I don't understand how I can gain weight. Is it that I'm very swollen or retaining fluids? I really don't understand how this can happen. The hospital pumped me up with IV's the entire time I was there. I don't have much of an appetite as I'm not feeling so hot. Terrible gas pains and feeling a bit weak.

Hi Carol, I am two days post op and feeling okay. Not great. I am home from the hospital and doing light stuff. I cooked for my kids, put a little laundry away. That's about it today. You will do fine. You just can't lift anything heavy including your child for the first few weeks. As far as telling others, the only people who knew were my husband, mom and best friend. I told everyone else that I had to have a hiatal hernia repaired. That seemed to work. Again, it's your personal choice who you choose to tell. If you don't want anyone to know, then don't say anything. I preferred not telling people b/c I don't want everyone looking at the way I'm eating or asking a lot of questions. I felt this was very personal and I chose to keep this part of my life private. This will be a difficult and challenging journey for me but one I'm definetely up for. I have many many years of terrible eating habits that I have acquired that must change. It's difficult enough to deal with that. Having others knowing really is something I'm not ready for at this time. At first my husband was not supportive. I asked him to come to the surgeon's seminar and from there his attitude did change. Good luck with your decision and Welcome to LBT.

A little confused. The medical interns who saw me in the hospital before I was discharged said that I could take a shower in a couple of days. My discharge papers said I can take a shower after I get home but keep the bandages dry. That would be almost impossible. Please let me know how long after your surgery you were able to take a shower. Thanks.

Good luck Dovie. Everything will be fine. You'll do great.

Hi all, Was banded on Sept 5th. Just got home this evening. I posted this on Lap Band support as well. But, since we are all September Bandsters wanted to give you a heads up. I'm feeling ok. Lots of gas pains shooting up to my shoulders and feeling tired. I can't tell if I have any kind of restriction yet b/c I've only had a few sips of decaf tea and a couple of spoonfuls of clear broth. I don't have much of an appetite, but the head hunger and desires don't seem to disappear. Overall, it was a succesful surgery and I see my surgeon next week for a follow up. He said in six weeks I could have my first fill. Good luck and a speedy recovery to all of you who will be banded this month. I'm cheering for you.:clap2: :clap2:

Thank you. I stayed overnight. I didn't get any sleep because in this hospital they put bariatric patients on the surgical ICU floor. For the entire night all I heard were alarms going off. They kept me hooked up to the heart monitor until this morning and the foley until this afternoon. It's funny though I don't want to eat b/c I don't feel well, but the head hunger and desires remain. That gets me a littler nervous.

I can't believe it in about 10 hours I will be on the banded side. I'm am really excited. :clap2: I have only one problem I am starving! :hungry: The only pre-op diet my dr. put me on was for today of clear liquids. NOT Fun. Had a headache all day. I am now going to sleep :notagree as I have taken my frinedly Ambien. So please disregard any typos or mispellings because I am basically typing this totally in a blurr. I do want to thank all of you for your support and knowledge through my journey. You have helped me get to where I am today. Want2lose, thanks for the acknowledgment and good wishes. Please think of me and if you are someone who prays, I'm open to prayer at any time. I will keep you posted at some time on Wednesday when I get home from the hosp. hugs to all,

Hi Patty, The best of luck to you. I'm having mine on September 5th and I'm nervous as well. Think about all the positives to come and concentrate on that. All the other stuff in negative energy. I have three days left, and I decided this morning to really concentrate on my healthy lifestyle and feeling better everyday. If I think of all the other stuff, it's only going to get me crazy. Keep yourself real busy until next Friday. Good Luck and welcome. LBT is a wonderful sight with great ideas and a wealth of information. Not to mention the people here are very caring and truly inspirational.