Caroline

Hi everyone, Got banded one week ago at Brigham & Womans, by Dr. Ashley Vernon. When I met originally with them,( surgeon, PA and nutritionist) I wanted to have the entire bypass surgery, and they were so complete with the complications, and were aware that I had never had surgery of any kind, and were aware that I was a neverous wreck. I told them I wanted to only go through this once, and they were serious pushing for the lap band, because they felt that with my weight, (283) and a five year plan, I could get to my target weight with the less invasive sugery. The experience was OK, except that they were 4 hours overdue in the OR, but gave me sedating drugs - The nurses on the floor were fine, and couldn't really complain. I think I would have liked someone to hold my hand a little more, but, being 45, I should be grown up enough to deal.. So, if anyone wants to know more about Brigham, feel free to ask. Caroline banded 8/2/06 Brigham & Womans Dr. Ashley Vernon

Hi everyone, I'm so glad I've found this place. After reading through, I guess I'm quite luky, as my insurance has paid 99% of this, there was a 500.00 fee from the hospital, not quite sure what it was for. I had my band implanted last Wensday evening, Brigham & Woman's Hospital, Boston MA- Dr. Ashley Vernon is my surgeon. They scheduled me for 2 pm, I didn't go into surgery until 6 pm. Never having had surgery before, I was a nervous wreck. Plus, I sent my husband home, because he is high maintenance. So I waited alone. The post op team was great, nurses on the floor were fine, but, I wish they had forced me to spend one more night in the hospital, as my first night home was not great. My discharge instructions said to make a follow up with her in 1-2 weeks, but by the time I called yesterday, I can't see her until the 28th of August!! These are busy people. I went there originally determined to have the bypass, and they convinced me to do the banding, I think because I'm only 110 pounds overweight, they think that the safer route is better for me. I hope to find support here, maybe give some support, and need help with recovery and what kind of excercises I can do to help shrink my skin so that plastic surgery isn't such a big deal (frightened about that too) - so hello to everyone Caroline 260 looking to be 150

Hi Sweet Caroline, First, best advice I got about the pain is hold a firm pillow next to your body when you lie down or sit up, somehow it helps. Yes, you feel like a pincushion, but every day it gets a little better. Coughing was tough for me and had to take some extra pain meds to get through it. Try to take slow walks. Like a 1/2 mile, flat, and really slow. Then you will be tired. I take a shower and I'm tired. The PA from Brigham called today and she advised me that I should do one thing that is strenous ( like walking) per day, until I feel up to doing more. We are recovering and not expected to run a marathon. The pain in your collar bone, ect.. is from all the carbon dioxide they pumped into you during surgery,( my PA said to try Gas X strips) it has to leave and mine has been heading south, (really embararassing). food. Really cold Slim Fast Optima, freeze you glass if you have to, it will keep it cold for 45 minuts. Crystal light is OK, and yes, I've become the Jello queen as well.You can have fat free chicken broth, and lots of Jello, just make sure you give yourself some viarety - But just think, next week we can go to baby food!! I'm not complaining, but I think they (the doctors) should have given us the real skinny on recovery, I had never spent the night in a hospital, or had someone cut me open - Even is it is little stab marks. Would love to chat more Caroline

Diva, You've made me feel better, I'm one week today, and wondering why I'm not back to full normal. Some of the strips have come off, but the big incision where the port is still is uncomfortable. I get up, do a few things, and feel tired again. I actually slept on my stomach last night for a few hours, but have that pillow by my stomach as well. From spending lots of time on this site, it seems like everyone has a different diet, so you are right, stick with your doc's diet. My liquids include sugar free fruit pops and crystal light and sugar free Jello, so between the slim fast, and a few other things, it makes it OK. I do feel the need for caffienne though!! all the best, Caroline

How did I get so fat? Like a lot of other people in this thread, I suffer from anxiety ridden depression, and am still on Celexa and Xanax. Grew up in a anxiety ridden situation, mother died when I was 8, father left us when I was 12. I am the youngest of 5. My brother ( who loved the term Thunder thighs) and my 3 sisters all made it a primary goal to be thin. My first diet was the Scarsdale diet and that was before the doctor was murdered- so even when I was 16 there was a need for me to drop 20 pounds- I would go to family gatherings and make sure that 2 people were standing in front of me at a family picture. I never want to do that again. Gave up drinking and smoking pot in my early 20s, and stopped excercising, and kept eating. My husband loved to eat, it seemed to make him happy - (Food = love ) and he gained so much weight that he developed type 2 diabeties. Now, with back problems and other things, he has lost 60 pounds. I kept eating. Two years ago, my brother was having treatment for a rare form of Lymphoma, he needed a stem cell transplant and I was a perfect match. For the entire month of July I drove into the city and visited him, brought him a paper and went walking with him. During our conversations he pushed me to loose weight, so I went to the Brigham & Womens monthly lecture on Barraitric Surgery. At that time I decided to try a weight loss and excercise routine and in 3 months had lost 25 pounds. Then my brother died, and I gained it back plus another 15 or 20. And since October of 04, have just been to depressed to even try. I still pay 30 dollars per month for my gym membership, and now I'll begin using again - hopefully. Today is my one week band aniversary, and I've lost 6 pounds since the banding. I just don't want to be stuck with diabeties or severe heart desease, and grow old fast and die from some horrible complication. I'm not looking for a new body, just a healthy one. I like the fact that I'm being told what to eat and how much to eat, I needed this dramatic step to get my life back. Best of luck to everybody in this situation- C

Diva, Well, it is Monday night, and I had my surgery Wens night, and I am certainly not ready for a full day's work. I was on slimfast for a while and did loose 15 pounds before surgery, went in at 264, but have lost only 3 pounds since then. Program told me I would be so pumped up with liquids that it may take a few days, I just hope I feel better or up to snuff soon- interesting tufts didn't keep you overnight, did you have to do a swallow Upper GI picture?? all the best Caroline

Thanks, I will try and get some of this emu oil, do I have to go online? or is it at GNC or some health food stores? all the best, Caroline

How do I put the ticker in? thanks Caroline

Here comes reality, protein shakes and water, and incision pain. I hope that the pain meds work until the pain goes away. Husband is difficult, if I knew how difficult I wouldn't have done this today.

Here comes reality, protein shakes and water, and incision pain. I hope that the pain meds work until the pain goes away. Husband is difficult, if I knew how difficult I wouldn't have done this today.

New to this forum, got banded last Wens night at Brigham & Women's hospital in Boston. I'm trying to figure out how much I should push myself, how much walking, and if the incisions begin to hurt, should I stop? I haven't lost any weight yet, but I understand that I was pumped full of fluids, and that may be that case. Anyway - any help would be welcome for those of you who have been through it. PS - what about the gas?? thanks Caroline