Ridgies Rock

I was banded on Tuesday and all went well. I was told about the excess air that gets trapped in your abdomen since they blow it up like a balloon in order to be able to see. I was told that it would feel painful under the diaphragm and around my heart, almost like a heart attack feeling...but that it would go away in 24 hours or so as my body absorbed it back. It's been three full days now and I still have that awful pain. It comes and goes, but it's still there. I have an appt. with my doc tomorrow so if it's still there I'll ask him about it. Was just wondering if anyone else had it take more than a couple days to clear up??

A couple of mine I can crush, another I was able to get in liquid form...but my cymbalta I have to take whole. It's a gelcap with beads inside and the Rx said you can't open it and just swallow the beads. I am weaning myself off it right now but in the meantime I just have to swallow that one whole and pray it doesn't get stuck anywhere!

Thanks, i noticed walking has helped. I'll give it time and not freak out then

Your surgeon or dietician should have gone over this with you as it's apparently a pretty common thing when people don't get enough protein. My nutritionist at my doc's office told me that to avoid the hair loss you need to be taking in at least 70g of protein a day, at an absolute minimum. Of course ask your doc in the event he'd like you to have more per day based on your bmi.

I was banded Tuesday and yah, the sore throat is definitely from the intubation. The whiteness on your tongue and uvula are from being ketonic, most likely....this is when your body is forced to use fat stores to release sugar into the blood stream because you are not taking in much sugar. If you have ever been near an anorexic person, their ketosis is so strong you can smell it coming off them...it makes them smell like they are sick. This should go away as you incorporate more carbs into your diet. However, if you have trouble swallowing and the soreness isn't going away I'd say you should definitley have a chat with your doc.

Hello all, My Dr. has me on a liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery...you know the typical high protein shakes and clear protein drinks, water, jello, popsicles, etc. I have been on it for 5 days now and feel terrible. I feel thick headed, mildly nauseous and feel like I could sleep my day away because I am so tired. I know I am getting enough protein because I am not hungry...but feeling like this for another 9 days is not appealing. Am I detoxing?? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks! ~Kristen

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the responses. I called my Dr. and he was pretty non-chalant as well. I was kind of put off by that because though he's done hundreds of these surgeries this is MY first...so it's important to me!! Anywho, he said to just have a piece of chicken and some salad or broccoli to help. It did help a little...I am thinking it's all the whey. I might have to look into another protein powder source. Thanks again everyone!

I also have Aetna POS, so my co-pay is only $100 for the surgery. As long as you meet all your pre-op appointments you shouldn't have to wait any longer than a few weeks after the completion of the pre-op time (for Aetna it's usually 3 mos.). I literally just finished all my appointments two weeks ago. I called the insurance person at my surgeon's office and let her know so she could make sure it was submitted asap...and Aetna had it approved 4 business days later! Needless to say I was amazed at their turnaround time. I was able to schedule my surgery for three weeks out after that and I am going in soon! I hope yours goes just as well!

I am so sorry to hear about your job loss, that's awful. We are in the middle of layoffs and I asked the same question of my benefits department. Their reply was that they don't administer Cobra so they couldn't speak specifically about their process, but that your coverage was to remain identical to your current coverage because the plan itself doesn't change. Cobra just allows you to continue to take part in an employer group plan, versus having to go out shopping for an individual health insurance plan. Hope that helps!

I personally like the Now Foods powder...it's 100% whey isolate (vs. the concentrate which is not absorbed as well) and tastes pretty darn good. One scoop has 25g of protein, which is the highest I've found in the whey isolate. You can get it at some health food and vitamin stores, or online. To get over 30 in one shake (and keep it around your carb limit), mix it with 1/2 skim milk and 1/2 water/ice-cubes, and toss in a sprinkle of your favorite crystal light drink mix for flavor. Yum!