txtigergirl

I lost 16 pounds in the two weeks prior to surgery and have lost 11 in the three weeks since surgery, though most of that 11 was in the first week. Like so many others here have posted, I'm not expecting a whole lot more until my first fill (scheduled for 11/17).

I agree with you, dtermini - I wish I had done this at a much younger age. Being thinner doesn't make life easier, but it could have saved me from some health problems and a lot of tears over the years. Katie, just hang in there - you are doing this at a good time in your life. I've made some decisions in my life that my family (especially my dad) did not support. The biggest decision was when I got engaged. Most of my family was completely against it, but I was confident in my decision. That confidence (plus 4 years) has shown my family that I was right. Make sure that you're confident in your decision, have considered all of the pros and cons, and do what you think is right for yourself. You're young, but not a child. If you can handle your family as maturely as possible, showing them that this is not an impulsive decision, then that's all you can do. We are here to support each other!

Destin2fly19 - I, too, was very concerned about dehydration prior to getting banded. I have a condition called diabetes insipidus--it's only related to diabetes mellitus (type 1 and type 2 that everyone knows about) as it makes me urinate a lot. (Basically, my pituitary gland doesn't produce enough vasopressin, a hormone that tells the kidneys to retain Water.) Though I'm on medication for it, I can get extremely dehydrated very easily, especially when I work out. Since getting banded, I was relieved to find that I can still stay hydrated enough. Unlike a couple folks who posted here, I can't guzzle water as much as I could prior to banding, but I have absolutely no problem getting a large volume of water in every day. Best of luck to you!!

Nope, we're not alone. My husband was banded about 2.5 years ago, so he's been supportive to a point, but he doesn't get why I've been blue lately. It's almost like having "buyer's remorse." I know I didn't go through with this without a lot of consideration and prayer, but now that it's done and I'm in "bandster hell" (I think that's the period between surgery & getting a fill), I've had a lot of moments where I've wondered what in the world I've done to myself. I've been mean and cranky because I've basically been hungry since my 2 week pre-op diet started! I'm also very glad this site is here--not because misery loves company, but because we WILL make it through. Keep the faith...

Lisa - you also asked about a good soft protein. Canned tuna is soft and has a ton of protein.

You also have to take into consideration that if you're working out a lot, you'll be gaining muscle, so the scale may not move or may go up a little. Focus not only on the scale, but non-scale victories as well (like clothes fitting better, having more endurance, etc.).

Mine is an inch or two below my largest incision. It turns out that the burning/stinging sensation I was feeling below that incision the first 7-10 days after surgery was where the port was stitched in. Much better now!

My surgery was a little less than a week ago (10/15/09). I arrived at the hospital at 10AM with my hubby and parents in tow. After the initial paperwork that hospitals and insurance companies love so much, I was sent up to "holding tank #1"--a pretty nice private room with chairs for my family and a gurney for me. I got changed into the gown and non-slip socks and went back to my gurney to wait. After getting the IV plugged in and answering more questions from the nurses, I got moved to "holding tank #2" about an hour later. The anesthesiology nurse met with me, as did my surgeon, just to make sure I didn't have any last minute questions. The nurse gave me a dose of what felt like 8 tequila shots and rolled me into the operating room. I fuzzily remember climbing onto the operating table and getting told to tilt my head back for the mask over my nose and mouth. Surgery must not have taken long at all, as my family had barely had enough time to go get lunch and come back before being told I was done (they left when I was sent to holding tank #2). I vaguely remember getting moved from the operating table back to the gurney, though I don't think I really woke up until I was safely ensconsed in the recovery room. I wondered how awake I was because the nurses kept talking about some kid in a homemade hot air balloon floating over Colorado. :cursing: I felt fine, other than being really thirsty. About 30-45 minutes later, I was taken via wheelchair for a barium swallow - thick, chalky stuff you swallow as they watch via X-ray (or whatever cool technology) to make sure liquid can pass through the band. After passing that test, I went to another room with a big recliner with my hubby and waited to get discharged. When they came to check my vitals again, I kind of felt "blah" - turns out my blood pressure was pretty low (95/65) so the nurse hooked up another IV bag. After draining it, my blood pressure had gone up sufficiently to make me feel better and for the nurse to discharge me. I was home and nesting into my favorite sofa around 5:30. Luckily I haven't needed any of the anti-nausea medicine my doc prescribed. I switched to plain ol' ibuprofen after day 1 as the prescribed pain meds did nothing for the pain (just made me sleepy). Hope this helps any newbies or anyone reading this considering getting banded!

Hi all--came back to work today after getting banded Thursday. A little tired, but so far so good. I do have a question though: has anyone else had bruising/swelling/stinging pain about 2-3 inches below their port incision site? My incisions all look good and appear to be healing well, but there's a point about 2 or 3 inches below my port incision that stings like crazy when I move certain ways (e.g., getting in and out of the car). It's slightly bruised and was a little swollen last night (though better this morning). Just curious if this sounded like something anyone else has had...

Wisteria75 - I'm right there with you. I had my surgery Thursday morning. Every time I've felt like whining or complaining about my incision pain or gas pain (yikes!!), I've just thought miserably that this was my choice and I have no one to blame but myself. But then I remember that this feeling is temporary--in a few weeks it will be better. Let's hang in there!

I'm getting banded tomorrow! Starting to get a bit nervous... Good luck to everyone! Happyloser 10/1 heyred1 10/1 bethany329 10/1 Timmers 10/1 Lindac80 10/1 Marfar7 10/1 Ca7696 10/2 Opus03 10/2 RedboneLA 10/3 ihavehope3 10/3 Viking_girl 10/5 leetie 10/7 Jtreece 10/8 MommyOf1 10/8 Suz-Q 10/9 Noodles 10/9 SharPei 10/13 Guy 10/13 Cshytle 10/13 MoniqueD 10/14 Jenfromtheburg 10/14 ncarreras 10/14 angela677 10/15 Kme 10/15 Nooshie 10/15 munkee'smommy 10/15 txtigergirl 10/15 Oliverdog 10/16 danyett 10/16 We3601 10/19 Onikenbai 10/19 Thegerm 10/19 Deekel 10/19 Mzcancer 10/20 Soexcited 10/21 erenstar983 10/21 pina3940 10/21 jenrobbar951 TBA HDmama 10/22 Crazychica133 10/26 Idahlem72 10/27 Daria77 10/27 Barley 10/28 4girlfamily 10/29 Tina 10/29 kcg 10/20

Glad to hear it! I'm getting banded tomorrow...and starting to get a bit nervous.

Best of luck to you, Tonya. My surgery is scheduled for 10/15 - less than a week now! Strangely enough, I'm starting to get used to the protein shakes. I cheated at lunch today and feel a little sick from eating junk. Back on track to try to lose a couple more pounds before Thursday... :thumbup: