FarmGirl7

I have the same issue...

I have 5 kids (ages 7,6,5,3,3). I had my surgery last Monday, and I haven't been able to lift anything at all, not if I wanted to. My husband was home most of last week to help me, but he's going out of town all this week, and I'm not quite sure how I'll handle it. I can't chase my 3yr olds, I can't lift them, I'm not even sure I'll be able to buckle them into their carseats! I can't bend over to unload the dishwasher, and I can't lift or reach to wash clothes. I'm not really sure I have any advice, but I'll be going through this this week alone, and I'll let you know how it goes! Right this moment my husband is doing dishes and laundry to get me through this week!!

My doctor sells Healthwise soups and broths packs. They have 15gms of protein, and you can put them into a regular soup, or just mix them with hot water.

I was banded last Monday and I'm still VERY sore in my midsection, especially around my large incision/port. I now have bruising around all my incisions, and I stil can't bend over for anything. I've yet to go an hour without my pain meds, and I usually have a pretty high pain tolerance!

Healthwise has a long list of soups and drinks that are full of protein and are quite tasty. If you have a Magic Bullet, you can put regular soup in that and blend it for a few seconds. This was okay for me during full liquids.

I was banded last week, and obviously don't have a fill yet. I don't seem to have any restriction, but then again I haven't tested the boundary either. I'm wondering though if it's ok to still have bread/rice/pasta and drink while eating until I have a fill? I know after the fill I'll have to see how everything goes, but did anyone have any issues before their fill? So far I haven't had any problem keeping food down or anything. Thanks!

Thanks. I've been cleared for mushy food, and on Tuesday I'll be on "normal food". My post-op diet has "ideas", but it's really whatever I can handle now. It doesn't say I absolutely can't have pasta/bread, it says "breads are sometimes untolerable". I just have to play with it all and see. My doc's post-op was 2 days of Clear Liquids, 4 days of full liquids, 4 days of mushies, and then regular solids. He has a pretty lienent post-op, however the pre-op diet was pretty extensive. I've had no issues with keeping anything down, and in no way am I hording myself. I just want to keep my options open, and know what is generally tolerated and what isn't right now. I know after the fill things will be different as to what I will be able to tolerate.

For drinks, the best thing I can suggest is to get a Magic Bullet. I'm on full liquids right now, but I'm able to put in a can of Soup (chicken noodle, Southwest chicken, etc), and make it into a tasty drink. I sometimes add Healthwise chicken bouillon packet to it to add more Protein. If you haven't tried the Healthwise Soups and such, they are GREAT. Most of it are drink mixes or soup mixes, and you can either make it by themselves or add it to other things. There is 15gm protein in a chicken boullion packet. By putting soups in the bullet, I don't have to worry about Pasta or anything getting stuck (not that I would right now anyway).

I was banded on Monday, and I can start mushies tomorrow. I'm doing pretty good now. Wednesday I had a HORRIBLE day, but my doc was able to give me a magic pain shot and I was good after that! I'm still pretty sore around my port area, but I'm moving around a lot better now!

I'm getting banded on Monday, and there is a good chance I'll be getting a visit from a certain aunt soon. I'm already seriously overdue, but because of my thyroid, my cycles are crazy. So, she can come any day. I'm just wondering if anyone had this visit either during or right after surgery, and if you had any issues with bending over while sitting.

Thanks, of course mine came 2 days before surgery, but luckily they now make ultra tampons, and I was able to keep it during surgery. So far no issues at all, and I think this has been my lightest cycle in a years! Thank goodness!!!

I was banded yesterday, and I also had a hiatal hernia repaired. I'm still having issues going from laying down to standing up, it's just the incision on the upper left that is bothering me. And the shoulder pain.... OMG... this better go away soon! I've had heating pads on it all day, my husband massaging it, and nothing seems to help! I hope this goes away soon!!! But congrats! I'm supposed to be on full liquids tomorrow, and then mushies on Saturday. I haven 't even been hungry today, but I drank some broth anyway. I have my liquid hydrocodone, and I've been taking it religiously, but more for the shoulder pain than anything else!

I also was banded yesterday and have the horrid shoulder/neck pain. I told the nurse about it today, and she said if it's not gone tomorrow then I need to call them back. But you all seem to have it for weeks? Oh my! This is excruciating!

Sure will!

If you don't already have the MAgic Bullet, I highly suggest buying it. My favorite Protein shake: scoop of Breyers Carb Smart chocolate ice cream. 2 scoops chocolate whey (got it from Walmart) Splash of milk. 5 seconds in the Magic Bullet.

I am not an emotional eater, nor do I eat because I "love food". My thyroid went bizerk 5yrs ago, and it took 6 months before I got a diagnosis, and 40 lbs packed on my tush. I then had a set of twins, and after they were born I gained some more. I have to stick to Weight Watchers to NOT gain weight, not to lose it. It's been frustrating to say the least.

If you don't already have one, I highly suggest getting one! I am able to make Protein shakes that don't taste like cardboard in a matter of seconds, and it's super easy to clean and everything. I am truly amazed at how easy this thing is! It only makes one cup at a time, so it's perfectly sized. Plus, you can do many other things with it, like ground coffee, make salsas, etc. I truly believe this one little product is what is getting me through the liquids only phase! Plus, I just made a 52gram Protein shake that REALLY tastes great! No chalky taste at all. I think this will be my new Breakfast of choice, even after I can eat real foods! I just had to pass this along! The docs really should put this on the "must buy before surgery" list!

I have Cigna. I was required to do 6 months with my PCP (I had to visit him once a month, 7 times). After my PCP wrote my recommendation letter, it took 3 weeks for Cigna to approve. At first they denied me because I wasn't over 100lbs, but my doctor called Cigna and talked them into it (my thyroid is causing me to gain weight and not lose it). The approved me at 50%, so I had to pay 50% out of pocket. That was $6500. It was a long road, but I'm finally there

I was told that nighttime coughing is a #1 symptom of the band being too tight. I'd call the doc ASAP.

Parrothead - I went on that same cruise last year and had a BLAST! We spend most of the summer camping, hiking, swimming, SCUBA diving, etc. I am getting banded this Monday, and I have a full weekend planned for Memorial Day weekend. Not sure how it will go yet, but I'll update you at the end of the month :thumbup:

Mine, too! I can't believe it's coming up so fast! MONDAY! WOOHOO!

Hey Dani :thumbup: I hope Tricare approves you soon! I know this has been a long road for you!

I got mine at Walmart. The Protein shake that I just made ... 1/2 cup Breyers Carb Smart chocolate ice cream 2 scoops chocolate whey protein splash of milk 5 seconds in the Bullet! For a 52gram smoothie... scoop of fat-free yogurt (any flavor - Yoplait tastes best) 2 scoops vanilla whey protein splash of milk 5 seconds in the Bullet!

I'm alsot getting banded on the 4th! I'm SO excited! I start my liquids only tomorrow and the mag citrate (yuck).

I'm being banded on Monday! Friday I have to drink the stuff to "clean me out", so tomorrow is my last day for real food for a while! I've been so darn excited about this for quite a while, and funny that the last couple days I have barely thought about it! I can't believe the date is coming up so fast! I am SO done with the pre-op diet. If I don't see another steak or piece of chicken for a year, I'll be good. I can't believe that this is really happening!! YAY! :ohmy: