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I am 4 days post op also. I still get sharp gas pains once and awhile but am doing better. I am so ready for a regular meal. Just a few more days for me though. Good luck and congrats.

I did throw in some laundry. Just a few whites. Straightened up a bit too. Thanks all for the support and encouragement. It helps when I start getting emotional.

I called the Doc's office today to discuss my pain issue. She said they had to use extra gas to expand my belly during surgery. She said the best thing I could do was breathing exercises. She also said it was completely normal to feel pain this far in and that I may feel it for up to 3 weeks. It hurts mostly in the morning because I have been laying around all night. On Sunday I am gonna switch to Tylenol so by Monday morning I can drive myself to school and have the loritab out of my system. The loritab also makes me sleepy and I feel the pain again if I end up napping from it. I did manage to sleep on my belly a little bit last night. I feel much better to know that what I am feeling is normal. Someone in the world believes it is not just in my head or me being lazy. Such a relief to have that support. I found some clean sweat pants to wear today but I need my hubby to wash some bras so I can get out of wearing this robe all day. He may be off all weekend so hopefully he can straighten things back up. I can do a little bit. I did manage to clean up the bathroom yesterday. I'll put some effort into the livingroom today. That really is the only room visable to my MIL because the rest of our living space is upstairs.

Hi Everyone, I woke up this morning still in alot of pain. I am walking around and stuff during the day. I thought it would have subsided by now. My MIL is upset at me about it. She told me even if I had a major surgery I should be feeling fine by now. "I just don't understand why your still taking these pain meds". I made sure our half of the house was clean before I had surgery and all our laundry was done. Hubby hasn't done any cleaning since my surgery and has only managed one load of laundry. He should be able to do more but hasn't. She won't get mad at him for it though cause he is a man and it's not his job. However, she will get mad at me. I just want to hide everytime she comes home because she is full of judgment and contempt for all her kids. Her Daughter has been having seizers for months now but my MIL just found out today because no one wants to deal with her. Several people have called here asking me about my surgery because my MIL has been telling everyone about it. This is my business, my choice on who to share and not share it with. I am so hurt that she can't even show the least bit of compassion for me even after I have had surgery. I am just the scape goat in this house because I have mental disabilities. In her eyes I don't have an illness, I am just lazy. Thats why I haven't bounced back from surgery cause I am lazy. I hate living here. She is just a miserable old woman, who loves company. Sorry for the vent, I am just going through alot right now with the pain and hunger and now this. It is wearing on my emotions.

I am 2 days post op and my weight is up 2 pounds though I have been on clear liquids. I was getting concerned about it but then someone mentioned that it was from all the swelling. That sounds good and makes me feel better. I didn't want to go to the doc on tuesday after gaining weight. I hope it goes back down. I also didn't expect to be in so much pain. Everyone I have talked to says it was not that painful. To be honest, I hurt. I thought I was doing well so I skipped my pain meds. That was a huge mistake. Now I am taking the pain meds and gas-x and am able to move so much easier. Just remember not to drive while taking these meds. I do feel much better with the pain meds so don't let the pain deter you.

Hey everybody, Thank you for watching out for me. Today is my last day of clear liquids. Tomorrow I can have full liquids. I bought a blender at a garage sale and cleaned it. I guess tomorrow I'll get to using it. I skipped my pain meds this morning then headed to town (with hubby) to run so "quick" errands. I had to get my books for next semester and some PJ's for my son. He is having a pajama party at school on friday and I thought he would need something besides a t-shirt and pull-up. We ended up being gone all day. Boy was I regreting not taking my pain meds. I am not going to play tough again. We never did find PJ's to fit him so I made some really cute spongebob PJ's for him. I can't wait til he gets home and I can show him. I was at the school for over an hour trying to straighten out my grant and we went to 2 walmarts looking for PJ's. I wore my jeans too. Big mistake. Well I have learned my lesson. I hope everyone is doing well. Janet, I will try that bean recipe, Thanks. I have some blackeye peas I can try. Is it normal to gain weight during your surgery? I lost 18 pounds but now am back up 2 pounds. Is it from the IV? My Doc doesn't know yet but I don't want to go to my next visit with a gain.

JB, So sorry to here about your dog. Mine passed away a year ago from a snake bite. I know how sad it can be. I am doing well today. I am up and walking around. I helped cook dinner. I slept most of the day due to the pain meds. I will probably stop taking them tomorrow. I am starting to crave solid food already. I know it is in my head. chicken broth and Jello just don't do the trick. Tommorow will be my last day of liquids, then I can have liquids and Protein shakes. Hopefully I will feel fuller with those. My husband has been so helpful too. I will be going to the school tomorrow and getting my books. Hubby will be going with me though. A trip out of the house will probably do me some good too. Tired of being cooped up.

I am a true bandster now. We arrived at the hopital about 6:15. They had me put on a gown. Then, they put stockings on me and pressure cuffs on my legs to prevent blood clots. Gave me a blood thinner and started me on antibiotics through an IV. The Doc and anestisiologist came in and talked with me. At 8:45 they gave me something to " calm my nerves". Then started to wheel me back and I was out before we rounded the corner. I was suppose to get onto the operating table myself but I was out. I woke up and they told me I was done. I couldn't believe them. By the time I could read the clock it was 10:00. About 11:30 I walked to the bathroom and was able to go so they discharged me at 1:00. I am in alittle pain at my clavicle and around my diaphram. He gave me 2 types of pain pills. One a liquid. My husband has been awesome. I am trying to do things myself like get dressed and get a drink but for the most part he is helping me. I am getting up and walking around. I have to wear these stockings till tomorrow night but am having a hard time keeping them up. With my Doc's plan I will be on solid food in 2 weeks. That's awesome because I know some of you have to wait longer. I also have to wear the bandages 3 weeks. I know some of you already know this but I have written it out so the newbies can learn what to exspect. I feel great and am very excited to get this journey going. I am craving solid foods now but they are bareable. The scale at the hospital said I was down 16 pounds. My MIL's scale still says 18. Since it is most readily available to me I am going with that number.

I am a true bandster now. We arrived at the hopital about 6:15. They had me put on a gown. Then, they put stockings on me and pressure cuffs on my legs to prevent blood clots. Gave me a blood thinner and started me on antibiotics through an IV. The Doc and anestisiologist came in and talked with me. At 8:45 they gave me something to " calm my nerves". Then started to wheel me back and I was out before we rounded the corner. I was suppose to get onto the operating table myself but I was out. I woke up and they told me I was done. I couldn't believe them. By the time I could read the clock it was 10:00. About 11:30 I walked to the bathroom and was able to go so they discharged me at 1:00. I am in alittle pain at my clavicle and around my diaphram. He gave me 2 types of pain pills. One a liquid. My husband has been awesome. I am trying to do things myself like get dressed and get a drink but for the most part he is helping me. I am getting up and walking around. I have to wear these stockings till tomorrow night but am having a hard time keeping them up. With my Doc's plan I will be on solid food in 2 weeks. That's awesome because I know some of you have to wait longer. I also have to wear the bandages 3 weeks. I know some of you already know this but I have written it out so the newbies can learn what to exspect. I feel great and am very excited to get this journey going. I am craving solid foods now but they are bareable. The scale at the hospital said I was down 16 pounds. My MIL's scale still says 18. Since it is most readily available to me I am going with that number.

I am already home from surgery. Everything went great. My liver was great. Of course, I am a little sore. Expecially in my clavicle. I also had a hernia which he repaired. I had surgery at 8:45 and left at 1:00. I had already gone to the bathroom and was able to walk. Now I am home and walking around between naps. He only made 3 incisions. One at my bellybutton, one really close to my left breast and the other is about halfway between on the right side. Only one is visable when I am in my underwear. They all look great and are very small. I have to wear stockings till tomorrow night to prevent bloodclots. Then I can shower too. I will be getting into solid foods pretty qick due to my Doc's instructions.

Well, tomorrow is my big day. I will be banded about 8:30 am. I have had a 2 day liquid diet and am doing great at it. I really don't feel hungry. I can feel the liquids cleansing me out though, Gross. Better then a laxitive and enema though. I feel great on this low carb diet. I have so much more energy. I am waking up earlier and easier. I am excited and surprised I am not more nervous. The only thing I am nervous about is waking up and finding they were unable to place it. I have followed the Doc's instructions so my liver should be in good shape. I am down 18 pounds this morning and hope to be down 20 by morning. Some days I don't lose a thing then others I am down 3 pounds. Thankfully it doesn't go up anymore. I am so excited to have this momentum going into surgery. I have quit regular soda and carbs. The cravings for them have gone down substantially. I still have them if I smell them but the need for them all day has gone down. I have gotten everything in my house prepared. It is clean and laundry is done. My MIL is dressing my son in the morning because I will already be at the hospital. I have my bag packed but need to get some before pictures taken. I also got my hair cut, colored and highlighted. I like to do that before each semester. If I have to be fat I don't want to be sloppy too. My MIL got me some Bath & Body works for christmas. Japanese cherry blossom, I simply love it. I think hubby does too.

Jillagould, Go to tickerfactory.com it will guide you through the rest. My goal is 20 pounds by Valentines. I'm having my lapband installed tomorrow. With the liquid diet and stuff I think I can do it. I have lost 18 pounds in the past 2 months without the band. Goodluck to you all.

Well, tomorrow is my big day. I will be banded about 8:30 am. I have had a 2 day liquid diet and am doing great at it. I really don't feel hungry. I can feel the liquids cleansing me out though, Gross. Better then a laxitive and enema though. I feel great on this low carb diet. I have so much more energy. I am waking up earlier and easier. I am excited and surprised I am not more nervous. The only thing I am nervous about is waking up and finding they were unable to place it. I have followed the Doc's instructions so my liver should be in good shape. I am down 18 pounds this morning and hope to be down 20 by morning. Some days I don't lose a thing then others I am down 3 pounds. Thankfully it doesn't go up anymore. I am so excited to have this momentum going into surgery. I have quit regular soda and carbs. The cravings for them have gone down substantially. I still have them if I smell them but the need for them all day has gone down. I have gotten everything in my house prepared. It is clean and laundry is done. My MIL is dressing my son in the morning because I will already be at the hospital. I have my bag packed but need to get some before pictures taken. I also got my hair cut, colored and highlighted. I like to do that before each semester. If I have to be fat I don't want to be sloppy too. My MIL got me some Bath & Body works for christmas. Japanese cherry blossom, I simply love it. I think hubby does too.

Thanks everyone for supporting me and wishing me well. I should be home by tommorow evening. Not staying overnight. We have to get up about 4 am. That is really early for me. Hubby does it all the time though. I may sleep on the way. It's about an hour drive to the hospital. Guess I'll be in bed early tonite too.

I got my Wii fit a week before christmas and have lost 10 pounds so far. I love it. So does my son.

You can't have control over everything that is going to happen to you. With Bipolar sometimes you can't even control your reactions to it. You can regain control with meds and therapy. The therapy will help you to learn when your in an episode and how to handle it. It will teach you about Bipolar and how to accept it and oneday move on from the shock of being diagnosed. When I was diagnosed I felt like I was in a whirlwind. I have manic episodes where I am ocd and this really knocked me off my feet. I had lost control. I had a great therapist though who challenged me and I feel like I have my footing again. I have found a middle ground where I have some control but also I can handle things outside of my control. I don't rant and rave anymore or lie around depressed. My mood swings have evened out. If you do have Bipolar, it will take time and work but you can get back to your normal life. Maybe even a better one.

My husband and I went for a motorcycle ride this morning. Should have checked the weather first. It was 30 degrees out. Once you get going it feels an awful lot colder. We made it about 20 minutes before we decided to turn around. Stopped at Mcdonalds so hubby could get a coffee. I passed. I am on my preop diet. My surgery is first thing in the morning. I am really excited. The only thing I am nervous about is my liver. I hope it has shrunk enough. I have stuck to his diet plan so I am probably worried over nothing. It has been low carb and low fat. Then 2 days of liquids. I had chicken broth for dinner last night. My MIL made a joke of it. Really, I think she is starting to understand though. I basically told her that it was gonna take different measures for me to lose weight because I have so much to lose. It is not the same as her. She is on weight watchers and only has 30 pounds to lose. I am extremly obese and it takes extreme measures to get to a healthy weight again. I am down 18 pounds today. Not bad for 2 months. I already can tell a difference in my energy level. It has made such a difference going low carb I am starting to think maybe I had an intolerance or something. I'll have to do some research on that. I know not everyone agrees low carb is the best way but I am following my Doc's orders. I pay him alot of money for his advice.

I went through this when I was first diagnosed. Really It should take more than 20 minutes to diagnose Bipolar. Can you see another psychiatrist and get another opinion? I spent atleast and hour and a half with a nurse and Doc. I was devastated when they diagnosed me BP I. At the same time I was relieved that help was on the way. I thought everything would be better with just the lamictal. Since then my diagnosis has changed and I am on 4 meds. I hope you don't have this but if you do your life is not over. I am now going back to school to be a nurse and taking care of myself and my family. I can drive again and haven't felt depressed in probably 6 months. If you wanna do some research on it you can go to NAMI.org. Plus, I am always here if you need support.

Welcome back Meredith. Happy New Year.

Well today's the day. I had set a goal to lose 15 pounds by today. Depending on which scale I use I may or may not have lost 15. I first weighed in on my MIL scale but then got my Wii. My MIL scale says I have only lost 14. The Wii says I lost 18. Since I started with my MIL scale I guess I will go ahead and say I didn't meet my goal. My reason for setting the goal was to help me lose as much as possible and I believe I did that. Losing 14 in 2 months without the band is a decent amount almost 2 pounds per week. My next goal will be valentines. Which is 6 weeks away but I will be having the surgery and the preop diet. I will aim at 28 pounds. I plan to be down 50 pounds by april which is 11 weeks thats 4-5 pounds a week. I am going to visit my brother then and I will have to fly. I want to be in onederland by then. Setting goals is one of the key steps in losing weight. If you aim at nothing you will get nothing. Setting small goals and taking baby steps will lighten the work. It will make the task seem easier. It is a great way to outline where you want you life to go. If you change your mind about that then just change your goal.

Well today's the day. I had set a goal to lose 15 pounds by today. Depending on which scale I use I may or may not have lost 15. I first weighed in on my MIL scale but then got my Wii. My MIL scale says I have only lost 14. The Wii says I lost 18. Since I started with my MIL scale I guess I will go ahead and say I didn't meet my goal. My reason for setting the goal was to help me lose as much as possible and I believe I did that. Losing 14 in 2 months without the band is a decent amount almost 2 pounds per week. My next goal will be valentines. Which is 6 weeks away but I will be having the surgery and the preop diet. I will aim at 28 pounds. I plan to be down 50 pounds by april which is 11 weeks thats 4-5 pounds a week. I am going to visit my brother then and I will have to fly. I want to be in onederland by then. Setting goals is one of the key steps in losing weight. If you aim at nothing you will get nothing. Setting small goals and taking baby steps will lighten the work. It will make the task seem easier. It is a great way to outline where you want you life to go. If you change your mind about that then just change your goal.