umystifyme

Hi Kristin, My name is Amy, I'm 35 yrs old, and I'm from Beecher. Welcome to LBT! I was banded on Dec 23rd. My surgeon is Dr. Shayani from Olympia Fields. If you have any questions let me know. Amy

Congrats on being a December Bandster!! I am 10 days post-op and I can only sleep flat on my back. It hurts to sleep on my right side even though the port is on my left side. I had a lot of gurgling in my stomach post-op and I just knew it was not hunger. Maybe because I was passing gas and felt bloated. Also, I didn't feel like eating. The gurling would stop after I took Gas-X. I also experienced hunger pains and they were totally different. It is hard to explain the difference. You may want to try some Gas-X strips to see if the gurgling goes away and if it does, then you are experiencing gas. If not, then it is hunger pains. My guess though, is that you are having gas. Amy

Good analogy, Sue. Thanks soo much. I've been resting all day and that's what's on my schedule for this weekend.

Why do I feel like I keep making stupid mistakes??

I thought there was a weight restriction too on lifting. I questioned my surgeon about this issue and he said I was fine. His staff also said during the education classes that I could do anything as long as it didn't hurt. Anyways... here's my story... I'm a cashier at a local grocery store. Not to complain but they put me on a 9 hr shift (9 am-6 pm) my first day back. And on top of it, they only gave me a bagger from 9-1. I had to do my own bagging from 1-6pm. I was exhausted by 10 am and in severe pain by noon. I was in tears by 3 pm and begging to go home by 4 pm. They let me go home at 5:45 pm. I almost went to the ER last night the pain was so severe. It was worst than the day of surgery. But I couldn't go b/c my insurance expired at midnight. Now my port area is swollen and I am in a lot of pain. I'm scared that I might've damaged something. Anyways, I called off today. I also explained that I would not be returning to work before Jan 8th. It looks like I will not be returning for awhile considering what kind of work I do. Sorry about venting.... Thanks everyone for listening to me. Thanks for all the support and advice. Amy I

I'm on my second day of solids and I am tolerating foods very well. I'm sticking to scrambled eggs for breakfast, chicken salad or chili for lunch, and turkey meatloaf for dinner. Any other suggestions? Thanks! Amy

I'm 8 days post-op and went back to work today. I worked 9 hours and oh my!! I can FEEL it!! I definitely went back too soon. I hope I didn't cause any damage to the band itself, the port, or any of the incision sites. A lesson learned. I will be taking the next week off. On a brighter note: HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! HAVE A FABULOUS, ROCKIN' 2010!! I am soo excited to be on this journey right now. It feels SO great to be banded!! :biggrin:

No problem hon!! Anytime... that's what friends are for!! You might want to try the strips that melt in your mouth to be on the safe side. But it does work!! I carry some of the gel caps with me at all times. Let me know how you feel tomorrow. Hugs!! Hope you get some rest! Have a great New Year! Amy

Lisa! :biggrin: So, you are 3 days post-op. It is VERY normal to still be experiencing gas. And I do believe that the gas is most likely causing the majority of your pain. I would try Gas-X Strips. Most people on the board here swear by them. I used the Gas-X gel capsules (they are small enough to swallow) and they worked great! My doctor also recommended them to me. I was kinda of having a pity party for myself 3 days post-op too. That was when I was having gas and diarrhea. Once that cleared up, I was feeling much better. I went a couple of days that I was feeling miserable emotionally. I think some people refer to it as Bandster Hell. You might read about it in some of the threads. Anyone out there that can shed some light on this?? Thanks! Take care, Lisa and please vent..... Get some Gas-X and feel better soon!!

Katy, WOW!! 17 lbs!! That's AWESOME!! Way to go!! I'm SO proud of you!! :tongue2: I lost 3 lbs on my pre-op diet, which was high protein/low carb for 1 week and by this morning I had lost 7.2 lbs since Wed. Dec 23rd. So, I have lost a total of 10.2 lbs since Dec 17th and feel great. Can't wait to put on my work clothes and see if I can tell the difference! Yesterday, my watch was sliding down my wrist. Katy, all I want for the New Year is a healthier life!! What a way to start, eh? We are on the right path. You are doing awesome hon!! Keep up the good work!! You are an inspiration to me!! Please keep me posted. Hope you have a great 8th day! Hugs, Amy

You should be banded by now or soon to be! Congrats! Take it easy and relax!!

Hi Lisa!! SO good to hear from you!! :tongue2: Just curious, is this your first surgery or your first abdominal surgery? Unfortunately, it is painful because you really do use those muscles for everything you do (getting in/out of bed, sitting/standing, walking, bending, lifting, etc). However, trust me, the pain will be better by tomorrow and will practically be gone by Friday. Move slowly and when you have a pain spasm take deep breaths. Try lying in bed or sitting in a chair and just deep breath. And take your pain meds every 4 hours or as prescribed by your doctor. If you are still in severe pain tomorrow morning, call him. He may have to call in something different for you. Everyone's system is different and therefore reacts differently to pain meds. You might need something different. In fact, if the pain is intolerable right now, I'd call him and see if there was something else you could take in addition to the pain meds (maybe advil??). Just take it easy and try to use lots of pillows to prop your body into a comfortable position. Breathe, relax, and know that it will get better. Also, some people use heating pads for the pain. I didn't but have heard of it. You might want to try it. Lisa, it WILL get better!! Keep the faith, girl!! Hope this helps!! Amy

Katy, It's been 7 days!! Whoo Hoo!! How are you doing?? I'm doing much, much better. I'm feeling a lot better. Don't know if I'm ready to return to work quite yet, though. But I am suffering from cabin fever! lol Hope you are doing well!

Hi Crista!! Congrats on being a December Bandster!!! It's a great feeling to walk past all those greasy, high fat foods and realize that they are no longer a part of our lives. And to be able to walk AWAY is a fabulous feeling. It can be tough. I am 7 days post-op and pizza has always been my weakness. I've had to walk past it a few times this week and Monday night was a true test of will power. But I did it (I guess being on a liquid diet played a part in! hehe). Glad to hear that you are feeling great. I'm feeling a lot better but am still experiencing pain around the port area and have gas. I am up cleaning today and have to say this is the best I have felt. You sound like you are doing great and will be very successful. Keep up the awesome work and keep us posted on your journey! I'm excited... tomorrow I resume a "normal" diet! Wish me luck! Amy

Well, I'm 6 days post-op!! I'm still tender and sore around the port site and have pain during certain movements but other than that I am doing terrific! I'm still a bit gassy but no more diarrhea. I'm starving and ready to start on my regular diet on Thursday! I weighed in yesterday and I have lost 6.2 lbs since Dec 23rd.

Congrats and Good Luck!! This time tomorrow you will be banded!! YAY!! You must be soo excited and yet nervous, which is totally normal. I'm 6 days post-op and can't believe how fast the time has flown by. Just remember to take it easy and to get lots of rest. Also drink lots of water! You'll do fine!! Keep us updated!!

Hi Carleen!! :laugh: It's so great to hear back from you! WOW!! 7 Days already! Time flies, doesn't it?!! I'm 6 days post-op. I'm POSITIVE that you've lost weight and that it's noticeable. YAY!! I was out and about today and people asked if I had lost weight. My pcp and my nutritionist weighed me yesterday and I had lost 6.2 lbs since Dec 23rd! I can tell the difference in my clothes and in my watch. I put my watch on for the first time since surgery and it just dangled on my wrist. It was an awesome feeling. I agree with you. This forum is great for support. My friends, family, and even some of my doctors did not feel that I should get this surgery. When I was frustrated and depressed, I was able to find comfort and support here. I'm still experiencing some pain around the port site and discomfort when doing certain movements, such as bending to put my shoes on and off. Other than that, I'm doing much better. I'm still experiencing gas on and off but no diarrhea! Have a great night, Carleen and keep us updated on your progress. I start my solid food on Thursday. I can't wait! I'm starving! :w00t: Hugs, Amy

Hope your resting and doing well, Lisa!! :biggrin: Amy

Sue, Thank you soo much for your concern, advice, and support. I'm really relieved that was I was able to see my pcp today and actually have a long discussion with my surgeon (he's out of state). It was also nice to see my program coordinator and the nutritionist today and go over what I should be eating and how much. I did learn that they do make probiotic pearls and I bought some. I'm eating Soup, apple sauce, and fudgecicles. I have not had diarrhea since yesterday. My doctors and my nutritionist stressed that I'd vomit if I overate. It all makes sense, since the band forms a type of funnel. It will overflow at the top, making you vomit before it will overflow at the bottom. This was all explained to me at my education seminar but I had forgotten in my panic. After seeing the diagrams again and having it all explained, it all makes sense to me and I am relieved. And I am feeling SOO much better. Thanks again, Sue!! :biggrin:

I'm feeling much better, thank you!! I stopped my protein shakes yesterday along with yogurt and all milk products. I saw my pcp today, spoke with my surgeon and saw my nutritionist. I am not having dumping syndrome as that only occurs in patients who have had gastric bypass. I did not overeat, b/c I would've have been vomitting. The diarrhea is from the antibiotics administered in the OR along with dairy products I have been ingesting since surgery. According to my doctors and nutritionist, I'm doing well. I just have to cut out all dairy products from my diet and let the antibiotics run their course. I am feeling soo much better today and of course I feel relieved after seeing and speaking to my doctors. Whew! What a relief! Thanks eveyone for your advice, support, and encouragement! I truly appreciate it!! :smile: Can't believe I'm 5 days post-op!!

Hi!! :biggrin: Dumping Syndrome only occurs in those who undergo gastric bypass. It's the body's reaction to an overload of sugar that one ingests. You may want to google it for a better definition. You won't see it around here b/c it does not pertain to us. It only pertains to those who undergo gastric bypass. Also ask your surgeon and/or nutritionist for more information regarding this, since I'm not a doctor! lol Take care and good luck!! Keep us updated!! :smile:

Katy! :biggrin: Unfortunatley, I was misguided by another board member on another thread. I saw my pcp today, spoke with my surgeon, and saw my nutritionist. Dumping Syndrome only occurs in those who undergo gastric bypass. It's the body's reaction to an overload of sugar that one ingests. You may want to google it for a better definition. You won't see it around here b/c it does not pertain to us. It only pertains to those who undergo gastric bypass. BTW~ This is not written to offend anyone or to hurt anyone. This is my experience since Wed, Dec 23rd. A quick re-cap for everyone new to this thread: I had been having diarrhea since Thursday evening, my 1st day post-op. My doctor told me it was most likely due to the antibiotics that they had given to me in the OR. My stomach is very sensitive to antibiotics and milk products. Since the surgery, eating the creamy soups (as prescribed by my surgeon), and drinking my protein shakes, I've been full of gas, crampy, and having bouts of diarrhea. I freaked out on Saturday and came on the msg boards that night afraid that something was wrong. I was misguided into believing that I had been eating too much and was experiencing this dreaded "Dumping Syndrome." Not to hurt anyone's feelings and not to start any debates, I'll just state what my doctors and nutritionist told me today. If I had ate too much, I would have vomitted NOT had diarrhea. People who are banded do not experience "dumping." The diarrhea is from the antibiotics and the milk products in the yogurt and protein shakes and will go away. To stop eating the yogurt and switch to a different protein shake. To stop eating creamy soups and eat a broth. I am NOT a doctor. I'm just relaying information given to me by medical professionals. Katy, I was feeling great today until I ate yogurt and drank a protein shake. Yesterday, I skipped the protein shake and did awesome. Everyone's system is different and I'm just trying to figure out what works for me. Glad you were able to tolerate the oatmeal~ that's AWESOME! I hear you about the Walmart incident. I am bored out of my mind but I am exhausted from my trips to my doctor's offices. I'm supposed to return to work on Thursday but my surgeon wants me to wait another week. I now have to ask for another week off!! YIKES.... this is scary! I must say that I feel SOO much better after being better informed by my doctors this afternoon. I wish everyone luck on the upcoming surgeries!!! :smile:

Nope, definitely no mistake Katchat. I was banded this past Wednesday, December 23, 2009. Thanks! Amy

I was eating nutritiously and working out regularly. It got to the point that I could not reduce my food intake any more without risking malnutrtion. Thank you, it was quite an accomplishment. I worked very hard to do it. Yes, the day of surgery, I weighed 197.2 lbs. Also, I did not have to do a pre-op liquid diet. My doctor had me on a high protein/low carb diet one week prior to surgery. Sorry about the earlier confusion. I thought you were banded last Wed. But it's great that you'll be banded THIS Wed!!! Good Luck!!!! And share your experiences with us!! Amy

Yes, I was 285 lbs in March 2009 and 284 lbs at the time of my initial consult. I lost almost 90 lbs in 6 months. Then I was just able to maintain my weight. I wasn't able to lose anymore. Due to personal reasons I went ahead with the surgery.