MLeigh

I was banded on 9/21 and also experience pain that drew me to tears. My initial pain was so severe I was unable to walk as the doctor had instructed. I needed help with every movement I made, sitting up, lying down, rolling over, etc. After two days of unbearable pain I called my surgeon who then prescribed me a stronger pain killer. At about 5 days out I was finally able to get out of bed on my own. I wasn't pain free until about 16 days out (although after about 10 days it was mostly a sore feeling). 1) If the pain is that bad, get better medication. 2) Ice packs really do help temporarily. 3) Keep up on the pain meds, once you get behind on the pain, it's a struggle to get ahead of it again. 4) GOOD LUCK! Send me a message if you've got any questions I can help you with!

I think everyone has got great words of encouragement. We can't be spot on 100% of the time, the important thing is that you are aware of the choice you made. The wonderful thing about that is tomorrow when you wake up you can knowingly make a different decision.

I've been overweight since meeting my significant other but have gained an unhealthy 70-80 pounds since living with him over the last 4 years. While he obviously loves me for me (he came to me in the first place), he also realizes that me losing weight will hugely benefit our relationship in that we can finally do more camping/hiking/day outings without me complaining about a sore back or sore feet. He doesn't mind me overweight, he just prefers me to be healthy and active.

I was also banded on 9/21 and am doing significantly better today than yesterday and the day before, etc. I haven't had much for gas pains, I think I've taken 2 chewable gas-x pills total since Monday. I haven't been walking as much as I should, but I did do about 3/4 mile this morning up and down hills. In terms of BMs, I had my first one yesterday morning and like WonderWmn, unfortunately my body hasn't figured out how to make a solid out of a liquid. I anticipate this to get better once I'm in the mushy phase and can eat something with substance. Oh and I know when I'm hungry because my stomach starts growling like it hasn't had a meal in decades. My surgeon told me though to just get down as much fluids as I can this week and not worry about "meals".

It is definitely my port site.

I was banded yesterday morning and consider myself to have a pretty high pain tolerance. However, I've been crying like a baby because my pain meds are barely keeping the pain at a manageable level. When lying still my pain has been around a 3-4, when sitting up or walking it's more like a 7-8. Please tell me this is normal and I'll feel great in 2 days.

permalink September Band List Soco 9/01/09 Amandakrangel 9/1/09 Coloradomom (Gen) 9/1/09 ms_Hart37 9/1/09 mosean6278 09/01/09 katklaws 09/01/09 SmilinShel (Michelle) 09/01/09 Comet321 (Chris) 9/1/09 ivy76 9/02/09 $occer mom 9/3/09 Jmtmb (JoLynne ) 9/4/09 JLDChester(Jamie)9/4/09 Cortney75 (Cortney) 9/4/09 tzn (Karena) 9/8/09 mrsyellis (yohontas)9/08/09 Jules 09/09/09 Soldiersgem(ginna) 9/9/09 pr8453(Pam) 9/9/09 bradybrat 09/09/09 Ready4a2ndchance 9/09/09 travel (Anita) 09/09/09 kittkat2009 09/10/09 Hmarko (helen) 9/11/09 stardustic 9/11/09 BrentinLA 9/14/09 Queen Bee 9/14/09 amwash23 9/14/09 romain123 9/14/09 Nawlinzlady (Dee) 9/15/09 Anni80 (annie) 9/15/09 Lula 9/15/09 smallerj (jes) 9/16/09 Boo Cakes 9/16/09 Hardygostlin (Jody) 9/17/09 Loveslady(Tawonda) 9/17/09 Gatorgirl1024 (Shelley) 9/17/09 MishiB (Michelle) 9/17/09 Bendy H (Brenda) 9/18/09 MLeigh (Morgan) 9/21/09 Sharie3 9/21/09 Italia2020 (Mia) 09/21/09 Ariane (Ariane) 09/21/09 Jenna1979 (Jennifer) 09/22/09 Pookiemp 9/23/2009 leigna 09/24/09 Chickychoo (Jill) 09/28/09 Kinzie 09/28/09 QMOM 9/28/09 Soexcited 9/30/09 ShrinkingV (Vickie) 9/30/09 Celestial 9/24/09 Jenno 9/02/09 BrokeGranny (Jan) 9/22/09 Waynes6 (Jodi) 9/30/09 kimr 9/15/09

My surgeon gave me a good word of advise to start trying protein shakes now to see what I'll be able to stand for the weeks after surgery. Today I tried Muscle Milk Vanilla and it wasn't bad at all. I think I'd enjoy it very chilled and with a straw (Two thumbs up). On the other hand I tried a tropical flavored Naked Protein Zone and it was the most horrifying thing I've put to my lips in a long time. The texture was essentially like when you're building a sand castle and you accidently add too much water to the sand - when you tip the pail over it just squishes out from underneath. Besides it is high in calories (two thumbs down for the Naked drink).

I am not required to do a pre-op diet, though I will probably significantly reduce my food intake a few days prior to surgery, maybe liquids only the day before. I carry most of my weight in my lower abdomen, hips and thighs so the surgeon determined it wouldn't be a significant help for me to lose any amount of weight before hand.