melloways

You are not alone. I lost 23 lbs on the pre op diet. I went to my first post op appt today and I put on 4lbs. I asked if its because I had my period and my Dr. said that was likely. She also said my body could simply be adjusting and not to worry. So I'm not going to. Not gonna touch a scale again until I have my first fill Dec. 14th.

Ok. Day after Thanksgiving I am starting a simple walking routine. I am not gonna go by miles but by time. First goal 30 minutes. Will build it up slowly. Who's with me? I have an elliptical machine (aka clothes rack) not gonna go there yet. Lol!

I was banded on the 17th and will have my first fill on Dec 14th.

Yay!!! You are gonna have a euphoric feeling for a while. Enjoy it. Feels great doesn't it? I mean, besides the discomfort.

My surgery weight was 293 lbs

Hi Jess, you have definitely come to the right place for support. I experienced some negative reactions when I first considered surgery as well. My process took over 10 months and as the date got closer, I joined this site. I read through most of the forums and appreciated that nothing was sugar-coated. Some people's experiences have been trouble free and some have had many bumps in the road. You know what is going to make YOU happy and healthy. You have decided on your own that you want to take charge of your life. I am 8 days post op and so grateful that this site exists. So take your time going through the thread topics. Hearing about other people's success is very encouraging. Good luck with everything and feel free to ask anyone questions. Welcome!

I also had SIL and my incision is about an inch above my belly button. I go to work next Monday and am a bit worried myself about the pain. I have a desk job as well and I hope some of the suggestions will help.

I swear I could have written this exact same post. You are not alone. I am also going through the "transition" period. I am 8 days post op. I also felt as if I'm going through a bit more than other banders. But as I read more and more I find that others also have a hard time. I have 100% faith that this feeling is gonna pass. Yeah, the euphoric feeling has died down a bit and reality is settling in. But I am sure that a week from now, we are going to feel so much better.

@ Miss Whitzel. Things are slightly better today. Starting a list of questions to ask the doctor tomorrow. I am ready to do my barium swallow to make sure everything's fine. My first question will be, where in the hell is my port? LOL. I have one incision only, right above my belly button maybe its still too swollen to feel? Despite all the discomfort, still not regretting anything. Thanks to this site, I knew it wouldn't be an easy process. I am gonna get through this and be a healthy KNOCKOUT!!

I am so sorry you had dry heaves, sounds painful. I made sure I was given a script for anti nausea meds because I was so scared of that. Oh and I didn't have a barium swallow right after surgery either. However, I'll be doing one Wednesday at my first post op appointment. Maybe you have to do it eventually.

Yesterday was a bit of an emotional rollercoater. I am 7 days banded. I began to wonder if I would ever feel 100% again. When I go walking, I start to feel weak and my stomach gets queasy. When I am relaxing at home I feel pretty good. But walking actually makes me feel sick. At first I loved walking because it relieved the gas pains. But now I dread going outside. I live in NYC and take public transportation everywhere and have to walk a lot. I pray that I'll be able to cope with my commute to and from work when I go back next week. Also, got my period today and thought I was going to cry. I get really bad cramps. But it feels 10 times worse with the band. Feels like my band got really tight or something. Then came the nausea. It was so bad that I paced back and forth through the house singing old Bobby Brown songs. LOL (every little step I take, you will be there...)I just kept thinking, I CAN'T THROW UP! Thank god I asked for a script for anti nausea medication because I knew this day was coming. I ended up getting in the shower with the Water as hot as I could stand. SWEET RELIEF!! I just pray that it isn't gonna get this bad every month. When I start getting fills I probably will have to schedule them so it doesn't coincide with my period. Oh and on a lighter note. My brother started making fun of my new laugh. You know...the I can't laugh to hard or my stomach will hurt laugh. Gotta stay away from funny people. LOL...ouch!

@ Moxi. Keep us posted on how your appt goes on Tuesday. Hope everything turns out perfect.

@ kstacy. I am glad that I don't have a scale in my house because I know the weight loss is gonna slow down. I lost 23 pounds on the pre op diet so at least I got a good jump start. Its gonna be a struggle not to get on the scale at the nurse unit at work though. Gonna try and not weigh myself at all and just be pleasantly surprised when I have my check ups.

@ MissWhitzel. I am so happy to hear that you are doing so well. Its encouraging to know that I won't be uncomfortable forever. Congrats on losing so much weight already! You are on your way lady.

I was banded on the 17th and I am also getting a bit tired of the liquids as well. But just remember this stage is important so we can heal properly. The first few days I was like yummy, soup!! Considering that I had survived on nothing but Protein shakes for 3 weeks. But now, I have to force it down. I know what you mean about the confusion between hunger pain or fullness. I am also getting this weird burning sensation in my chest which I'm not sure if its heartburn or not (never had heartburn before). The gas pain hits me in the chest like a bullet at night and I haven't slept more than 3 hours at a time. On the up side I am moving around easier and it doesn't hurt as much to get up and down. Walking is the key. I pace throughout my apartment while talking on the phone. And yesterday I walked to the grocery store (about 5 blocks from my apt). On my way back, I had to stop and sit on a park bench because I felt nauseous and weak. You know that feeling you get in your tummy when nervous or feeling guilty? That's how my stomach feels the majority of the day. But you know what's amazing? I am still not regretting my decision. I am still thankful I was able to get this done. So just hang in there because lots of people on this site have gone through this stage and have overcome it. Stay strong and remember it won't always be like this.

Way to go!! 20lbs down. Remember how hard it was to get off 20lbs off before? (I'm assuming you struggled like me). My first check up is Wednesday. I'm looking forward to getting the ok to move on to mushies. Tired of Soup already. How are you feeling? All soreness gone? Can you feel the band?

Hey everyone. I see that someone started a thread in the post surgery section called "november knockouts". Come on over.

Hi everyone, I had my surgery on the 17th and I am doing well. Today was the first day I was able to get up and down without serious pain. I only had ONE incision so I probably would have been miserable if I had the usual five. I still can't put on my socks yet. LOL. Thank god for shoes that slip on easily. I've been on full liquids and have been enjoying a variety of trader joe soups and my protein shakes. I've been trying to get enough calories but its hard. I have to eat constantly just to get at least 600 calories in. Today I could only get in a little over 500. But hey, I'm not complaining. I've been going for short walks and doing chores around the house. And I am relieved I finally had a BM today. I am not used to not having regular BM's. Thinking of trying benefiber or something. Tomorrow I will venture futher than my neighborhood and head downtown to Manhattan. I have to really take my time with all the subway stairs but I'm sure I can do it if I don't rush. Now if only I could sleep more than 3 hours at a time. The horrid gas pains build in my chest and wake me up so then I have to get up and pace through the apt. But none of this upsets me. Still feeling a bit euphoric about taking this huge step. Feeling pretty awesome right now. No pain...No gain right?

I just had surgery yesterday. Dr. Kurian and all the NYU staff were the BEST!! They made me feel so comfortable.

@ GraciesMom. You can certainly stick to the pre op diet. I was on mine for 3 weeks and it was just protein shakes and 1 cup of veggies if I felt like I was starving. I did cheat one time though. But cheated with low fat string cheese (at least it had protein). I didn't mess up again though. I just had surgery yesterday. I only needed ONE incision (SIL), my surgeon said my liver looked perfect. I like to think it was because of the diet. I lost 22lbs on it. That's a nice jump start. So keep up the good work and be strong!!! It'll be worth it.

@ soexcited. I still have some deficiences. But apparently it wasn't enough to stop the surgery. I just have to follow up on it and take extra supplements. I am in some pain today. Not too bad since I only had ONE incision. I plan on going for a walk later. I am so happy I did this. Oh and I had some tomato soup that tasted like heaven!! Considering I only had protein shakes for 3 weeks.

Hello all. I thought I'd share my surgery day story. Especially since it almost didn't happen due to abnormal blood tests and irregularities on my EKG. But eventually everthing was good and I had surgery yesterday (11/17). I arrived at NYU medical center at 6am with my Aunt. I signed in and took care of my co-pay which was only $100. It all became real when I got my fancy wristband and was sent to the interview area. I changed into my gown and then was asked to remove my eyebrown ring. I totally forgot about that. When taking it out, it fell on the floor so I was in the room on hands and knees booty out and all. LOL! But I found it! The members of the team began to visit me one by one. The anesthesiologist (who was FINE!), the physician assistant, a nurse, my surgeon Dr. Kurian, and a few others. I had so many chances to ask questions. I felt pretty comfortable. I just kept asking them to be sure and prescribe anti nausea meds since I would be getting my period next week ( I get really sick). My surgeon, Dr.Kurian was great (she did Al Rokers gastro). She informed me that I had the appropriate body type to get the single incision (SIL) but there could possibly be more incisions if everything wasn't accesible with the single incision. She explained that I would get a 10cc band and explained what it would be like in the OR. When the nurse came to get me around 8:15, I started to get nervous. My Auntie held me, and we said a prayer together. The nurse held my hand as we walked to the OR. I started to freak out a little when I saw the bright lights and all the people. And that operating table scared the heck outta me. But I kept it together. My tricky veins decided to play hide n seek while trying to get the IV. It took forever for them to find a good vein. Soon, I got my "happy juice" and then I drifted off as they worked their magic. When I came to, I was a little nauseous and was in some pain. They quickly took care of it. I felt like I was slipping in and out of conscienceness. I then realized I wasn't in the OR and asked "Where am I? Is the band in?" (I had a dream last week that they couldn't put the band in.) Soon my Aunt was by my side and they informed us that I would be getting a room for the day. I was a bit high, so I was calling and texting everybody, cracking jokes, and sending hilarious pictures. That certainly eased their minds that I was ok. LOL! (I have to post some of the pics soon). My Aunt left to fill all my scripts. After a while, the pain started to come again and they gave me more "magic" drugs. I was told that once I urinated a sufficient amount, I could go home. One of the nurses came and asked me to take a walk with her and that it would make me feel better. Boy I tell ya, that walk was GREAT! I didn't wanna lay down again. I just wanted to walk, walk, walk. The nurse happened to live near me so we chatted like old friends while we strolled. My body was being stubborn. I wasn't urinating enough. So I was told I would be there a while. I was given a morphine shot (burned like hell), a heprin shot (to prevent clots), and some meds for acid reflux (which I didn't have). So I spent my time watching TV, laughing with my Aunt (well more chuckling because laughing hurts), and going for walks. Around 8pm, they decided I had urinated enough. I was like I better have!! I had chicken broth, a bottle and a half of propel water, two cups of tea, three cups of ice chips, and two IV bags. I was discharged around 9pm. The ride home was TORTURE. NYC has no shortage of potholes I tell ya. Thanks to suggestions on this site, I had a pillow pressed against my stomach to lessen the shock and jiggling when we hit rough patches. It still got pretty bad once we entered the Bronx. I cried a little from the pain. I finally made it home and took my time going up the steps. I had everything set up in my apartment before I left. I am camping out in the living room. Its easier for me to get up from the couch than my bed. I am having trouble sleeping. So I'm sipping peppermint tea while listening to music (and passing gas...tee hee hee) I am using my spirometer often . It really helps. Ok. Eyes getting heavy, maybe I can get some sleep now :-) Feel free to ask me anything.

The surgery went well 11/17. It was around 8:30am and I left the hospital around 9pm because I was having trouble urinating. But eventually, my body stopped being stubbborn. Even though I only had ONE incision (about an inch and a half) I am in a lot of pain. Getting up and down is when it's really bad. Pain meds help somewhat. The gas pains are manageable since I did a lot of walking in the hospital. The ride home was nuts. I'm in nyc so imagine my face when we hit potholes or stopped short. LOL! Thanks to suggestions on this site, I had a pillow held against my stomach to lessen the shock. But I finally made it home and I am coping with the pain. I still can't sleep so I'm sipping some peppermint tea listening to some chrisette michele. I am sure things will get better in the next few days. Feeling pretty great emotionally right now.

I have surgery tomorrow! Yay!

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Hope these next few days get a little easier.