AMARI

We went in for our 12 day post-op visit today and we are doing great. Dr. gave us the ok to start introducing puree/mushies today instead of waiting til the end of 3 weeks to do so. We are so excited because we could not stand the thought of broth for another week. I've lost 10 lbs. since surgery and a total of 31 lbs. since pre-op diet. My sister has lost 7lbs since surgery and a total of 22 lbs. I just hope that we don't gain anything back once we start introducing foods again. Our first fill is scheduled for June 30th. I guess we will just have to be careful with our choices until then.

Sara All I can tell you is that I went through exactly the same. Like you I also had to drink apple juice at night because I was shaky and felt my blood sugars were low. My symptoms got better after about 5 days so hopefully you are on the end stage of your symptoms. The burping and cough is probably because you are hungry. What really helped us is instead of using the store bought broth is we actually made large pots of chicken soup or beef soup and strained it for the broth. Others in the family ate the soup with all the good stuff but at least the flavor of the broth from homemade soup was 100% better than the store bought ones. I also tried changing things up by asking my local chinese restaurant to make me won ton soup without all the ingredients same with french onion soup . As long as the broth is clear you can change it up a bit. I hope this helps and that you start feeling better soon. Speak with your doctor at your post-op visit and maybe he will let you add some puree at 2 instead of 3 weeks, ours did. Please post and let me know how you are doing.

Ann, thank you for the nice word words of encouragement. I hope, like you, that we get through this without gaining any weight. You were right today was great just being able to have blended black bean soup, instead of broth.

I saw my Dr today and was told other than walking I have to wait 6 weeks to start any other excercise that uses stomach muscle. I can't even use my recummbent bike until then nor can I go swimming until after 6 weeks.

I really like Oh Yeah 35 grams of protein and Lean Body 25 grams. I get mine at GNC and my favortie in the Vanilla.

My doctor told my sister and I we had to be on liquids for a full 3 weeks. States this will give the stomach time to heal better. We were banded on Thursday, 5/14/2009, which means we won't be on mushies until 6/4.

I also had my surgery on Thursday 5/14 and was experiencing a good amount of chest pain radiating up my neck. I usually experienced these while sipping on my liquids and think they are due to the swelling and gas pains. I found just shifting my position or lifting my arms made them feel better. Last night I tried the Gas X strips and I do believe they helped some. My stomach feels better today and there is less swelling. So, hang in there and walk, walk and walk it really does help all the symptoms. I hope you start feeling better soon.

Hi All: My sister and I are 2 days post-op. All went well except we both had to have HH repairs. We got to the hospital at 9:00AM and my sister's surgery was at 11:00. Her's went very smoothly and she was in her room by 3:00. I was called back for prep at 11:30 and surgery was at 1:30. All went well except they did not have a room for me. I was very patient but I finally got anxiety and became very upset/angry :wub:. Keep in mind I've been in this gurney and room for 11 hours and no one helped me get up to walk or go to the restroom. I was just laying there. A room finally opened up right next to my sisters and it's was a VIP room and they gave it to me. I was finally in a room at 10:00 PM. We are both doing well except I'm having bouts of gas pains (I assume) in my neck area. They come in spasm and it starts in my chest and radiates and wraps around my neck. These take my breath away. My sister is complaining of the shoulder pain. We are on clear liquids/broth/protein drinks/SF popsicles and sorbet as well as jello. We are having a hard time with meeting the protein requirment. With only being allowed 4-6 ozs. I feel like I have to sip the shakes all day to get it all in. How are you all managing this?? I would appreciate any feedback. Sorry this was so long. With all this said I am excited to be on the way to a new and healthier me. I still can't believe I did this but it's comforting to know we are all going through this together. GOOD LUCK TO US ALL.:scared2:

My sister and I are also scheduled for tomorrow. We are both really nervous but so excited at the same time. I know this is expected and I'm thankful for all the positive feedback I get by reading everyone's stories. I'm also glad that we are doing this together and will have each other for support. We have to stay overnight at the hospital and we are anxious to get it over with and get back home to our families. Good Luck to all of us tomorrow!!!! "We can start our lives over at any time. Let us Begin now!" :smile2:

Hi Laya, I also live in Ventura County. My sister and I are being banded next Thursday 5/14/2009 at Cedars-Sinai by Dr. Nishi. We are scheduled on the same day, back-to-back. We were hoping to have our done with Dr. Billy but he was not contracted with our insurance. I know a few people who have been banded by Dr. Billy and he is terrific. We attended one of his seminars and were very impressed. We are very happy with Dr. Nishi and the staff at Cedars but we just hate the travel. Good Luck next week and hope to meet you at the support group meeting.

Hi from Southern California. We are new to the site but we've been visiting often. This is a great site with lots of information been reading and gathering great information almost daily. My sister and I are doing this together. We started the process, in Februray and we are scheduled to be banded on Thursday May 14th, 2009. We attended all the classes and had our appointments on the same days. We have the same surgeon and are scheduled back to back for our procedures. We are excited, nervous and scared but it's great to be going through this together and supporting each other.

Thank you for the well wishes. We are pretty excited and can't believe that in 10 days this is really happening.

My sister and I are scheduled to be banded on May 14th. We are doing this together and have our procedures schedule back to back on the same day. Ten days to go and we are excited, nervous and scared but glad we have each other for support. Like you genetic_gem I've never had surgery before nor been in a hospital.