NancyNC

I was banded 12/23 and so far so good until this morning. I was getting ready for work (first day back) and I got choked on some phlegm/slime stuff (sorry, tmi). I just coughed very hard and gagged, never threw up, nothing to throw up probably cause I am still on liquid phase. I am nervous about damage, slipping to the band. I feel like I have a precious, delicate implant and am now nervous to cough/gag.

Burping I can handle, not that I want to be belching all the time, but this was full blown gagging, choking and scared me to death. It was "violent" enough for me to worry about slippage. I assume that an occassional outburst like this is tolerated and that I only need to worry if it continues. Thanks for all of your replies/support.

I am one week out and I am starving and sore. My biggest incision is directly in the crease of my waist exactly where my pants and undies sit. It wouldn't hurt so much if it didn't rub the incision if I get dressed. I went back to work today and did pretty good but was fading fast by 2:00. I am on full liquids for another week and not sure I am gonna make it without moving ahead on my own. I want to follow directions but I am so dang hungry. I think I am gonna check in with the doc tomorrow. The hunger is the worst pain.

It is amazing to me how different all the doctor's post-op requirements are as far as liquids to solids. My surgeon's information said Clear Liquids for a week, then full liquids for a week, then pureed for a week, then mushies for a week, then soft foods, then Week 7 would be back to normal foods. But then before we went to the OR he said that I should do the clear liquids for a few days and then see what I tolerated. Confused me to death. I was banded on Dec 23, and so far have only had clear liquids but I think I am going to try some Soup or cottage cheese or soft scrambled eggs tomorrow. Actually, I think I am gonna put some chicken Noodle soup in the "Magic Bullet" and try that because I am so hungry. Tummy growling and feeling icky. Mostly doing well, still sore at the incision site, but all in all no regrets.

Two days...on Weds, I will be banded. Wow. Hard to believe, excited and nervous at the same time. Got some Isopure to get me thru the "clear" days and some chocolate protein shakes for the liquid days. Need to get some SF jello and popsicles and broth. Debating whether to measure myself or not. Hard to imagine doing, but I am sure I will want to know how many inches lost also. Good luck to all.

Another hurdle crossed, I told my mom yesterday and she was totally supportive. I was afraid that she would be super nervous about it and unsure, since she doesn't really know much about it, but all she said was "good for you, we'll (she and my hubby) give you all the support you need." She is awesome. :willy_nilly: Good luck to all getting banded today and to the ones that have been banded already this month...pre-op visit for me on Weds, surgery on 12/23. -Nancy

If I ever had any doubts, they are gone. I have started a 2nd job working weekends at a drugstore as a cashier...standing for 8+ hours a day. My feet kill me about 30 mins after starting and now my thighs are going numb and feel like hot daggers are poking into the top of my legs. All due to my weight I am sure. Once again, I went to the doctor and they gave me something to help, but got the same answer...of course, losing some weight will help. Well, I am. On December 23!!! Good luck to everyone...Nancy

I am new to the group, but my date is Dec 23. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I am a little overwhelmed about what I need to do/get before surgery. I have been looking for protein shakes and am having a hard time finding ones suggested on the boards. Still on the hunt! Good luck to everyone! And hoping that the ones that have already had surgery are doing great.

I think I am going to order some Tervis Tumblers. Or find a store where they are sold close to me. Here's their website: Product Details, Tervis Tumbler Some ladies that I work with have them, and they have a kind of sippy cup top that you can put on them. You can also buy them with designs in the insulated part. They act like sippy cups but look like adult cups...works for me. Just thought I would share, I do not work for them. Nancy

I don't smoke, but I have noticed that alot of posters are having to quit before being banded and are having a hard time with it. I get daily Feng Shui Tips from Ellen Whitehurst, they are usually on point for some event or occassion that corresponds to that day or sometimes they are just random. Today's was about how to quit smoking so I thought I would share it...hope it helps. *** Here is your Daily Feng Shui Tip for Thursday, November 19 'The Great American Smokeout' encourages smokers to quit the habit for just one day so they can see that they can actually do it and perhaps quit for a lifetime. A long, healthy and happy lifetime. But as anyone who has ever smoked knows, quitting is harder than anyone besides a smoker could ever imagine. That said, there are some 'tricks' or 'tips' that might make stopping a little less traumatic. Once you make the decision to quit and are weaning yourself off cigarettes, change to a brand that's much less appealing to you whenever you buy a pack. This not only reduces the pleasure you get from smoking, but will also affect your blood chemistry reaction, making it easier to eventually stop. Buy only one pack of cigarettes at a time while thinking of better ways of spending your money. Don't buy cartons while you're trying to quit. Smoke your first cigarette an hour later than you would normally start. Wait an hour longer than the day prior before lighting up. Lastly, take the nicotine out of your system by drinking a mixture of a half-teaspoon of cream of tartar and eight ounces of orange juice before retiring for the night. The tartar will help clear the toxins from your system while the orange juice replaces depleted Vitamin C. Do this for 21 nights straight and without fail cigarettes will begin to taste yucky and you'll begin to think it's easier not to smoke than to light up. As always, consult a medical professional when necessary. Warm Regards, Ellen Whitehurst

I understand (i think) the liquid and puree portion of the post-surgery diet, but what I don't understand about the "regular food" part is the portions. I see posts about eating a 1/2 cup but is that per food group, or total??? For example, if you had meat, veggie and fruit would it be 1/2 cup of each??? (or suggested portion of each) Or is it 1/2 cup total??? I am sorry if this is a dumb question, but for some reason, my mind isn't comprehending this...maybe it's the two anesthesias in two weeks that affected my brain. Thanks for all advice.

Yes, thank you so much for the honest answers. I know that I am not going to give up food, but it's my "blankie", and it's scary to change my relationship with it. Guess it's like a child having to give up their pacifier. :redface: I have done all the pre-work, jumped through all the hoops, had gallbladder surgery, a stress test, and a EGD, the rest should be smooth sailing. Thanks again, and good luck to all.

This post is right on point for me. I had to have my gallbladder out pre-surgery, and had my follow-up appointment today and inquired about my insurance approval. They said they would check into and let me know. Later this afternoon I had a voicemail that I was approved and to call back to make my FINAL appointment where we would go over my results, which I already know, and to schedule my surgery. EEK! I haven't called back. And I am excited and scared to death. I fear that I will have it done and miss the social aspects of eating. food is my one constant, its there no matter what and taking that away scares me to death. I do not want to be this fearful over losing food. That is crazy. I am also afraid that I will just revert to my old ways and this too will be one more failure. I am just scared, scared, scared. I am gonna try to find that book and keep looking around on this site. Good luck to you!

What do PB and PS stand for

Thank you, I am not sure what productive burping is, but I am familiar with Plastic surgery. :thumbup:

I was also approved for surgery, but have to have an EGD. Apparently I have an "abnormality" in my duodenum and the GI wants to do a biopsy to find out if it is an infection or what. He said he would do the ERG whether I was having LP surgery or not. Guess they just have to see what's going on. :thumbup:

I am 5'3"(and a half)...lol...with a BMI of 46. I have hypothyroid, high blood pressure, and take meds for my heart racing and anxiety. I just recently had a sleep study and have sleep apnea, not that severe, but I was to get a Bi-Pap machine, with oxygen. As I was leaving the doctor's office (for the resluts of the sleep study) he made a flippant comment to the effect of lose 50 lbs and you won't need the Bi-pap. After finding out that the Bi-pap and oxygen would cost approx $3000, and I might not even like it, I decided to pursue other options. That's how I came to investigate LAP-BAND® surgery. I had a co-worker who's sister had it done 6 weeks ago and some other acquaintances who have had gastric bypass. I have had my initial consultation with the surgeon, a dietician and the psych consult this week. I have an appt on Tuesday to have the lab, UGI, EKG, etc. Not sure how quickly I could have the surgery after that, but it is happenening so fast. It is scaring me to death. I don't deal with change very well, even if it's positive. From the information I have received and what I have read on the forums, I am feeling overwhelmed. :smile: Any advice/support is welcome. -Nancy

Well, the results of the pre-testing were: 1. Hiatus Hernia 2. H Pylori (bacteria for ulcers) 3. Irregular EKG 4. Gallstones So I had to get cardiac clearance, got that today, had to have stress test and have GI consult tomorrow and gallbladder surgery on 11/4. Still info gathering and jumping hoops.