Lilly73

I was only in bed for about 12 hours....then I was up a lot....taking rests of course....the gas pain moves much better if you are up and moving....I used rice socks for gas pain, sipped on prune juice and walked a lot. Don't sit too much. The first 12 hours I was very naseated so I pretty much stayed in bed...I did get up to walk once the first 12 hours. It is only day 4 and I am back at work...taking liquid tylenol for pain. I did have to use a suppository today though...hadn't had a BM for 4 days....I feel great though....just a bit sore. Hope this helps.

I use isolate total whey protein powder (one scoop is 25 g of protein) mixed with 1/2 cup soy milk is another 5 g protein. Add a few blueberries or strawberries, half banana and a tablespoon of milled flaxseed.....need a good blender. It comes out great...don't need any sugar and it has none of the terrible artificial sweeteners that are in most low sugar, low fat protein drinks. You will love it...guaranteed.

I don't know from experience but I heard a woman at my support group say the exact same thing.....she was feeling very frustrated also....just HANG IN THERE until your next fill......she felt much more restriction after her second fill. Don't let all this hard work and money go down the tubes....HANG IN THERE!!

It sounds like you went through complete medical hell...to put it frankly. I don't think you should do any more to yourself right now. You need to heal physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. Also...your 6 year old is scared for you....relax and recover.

Have you ever tried topical muscle pain relievers??? What is that one called?? Arnica?? Forgive me if my spelling is wrong.

No....no diet requirements at all pre-op

I was told no coffee for 3 months.....anyone else told this??

Great question....so many people have asked me this and I don't know what to say.....does anyone know what the band is made out of? Is it SAFE to have in your body the rest of your life? Out of all the questions I have gotten by family and friends...I must say that this is the most common question. I understand some of your replies....that you would be dead without the band so it doesn't matter but there are some people having bands who don't have such crucial and life threatening health concerns. What do you all think? Would love to hear opinions. THANKS!

I was drinking about a 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke every day....I have been slowly cutting back and have gotten myself down to one glass a day. My doctor says no carbonated beverages ever.....have to give it up....not good for you anyway....there is a lot of really bad stuff in those artificial sweeteners. Even Splenda. Check out this website~thetruthaboutsplenda.com~ when you get a chance.....I hear your pain...I love Diet Coke but I have to say goodbye....good luck!

I love to read your postings....you sound so much like the entire reason why I want to do this....I bet it is an incredible journey....I am so excited yet so nervous!

I am going to be banded in 4 days and I just told my family about 2 weeks ago because I KNEW they would not be supportive....to be honest....I have found few people who are. My husband and a few close friends is all. I love to log onto this site....you have all helped me tremendously!! THANK YOU!!

Thanks for the honesty.....I hear so much about the good stuff...don't get me wrong...it is great...but I need to hear the raw truth too....I am going to be banded in 4 days...I am so nervous! I needed to hear about the drinking and eating at the same time and how to drink very slowly....THANK YOU!!!

This was wonderful....it set my mind at ease....I needed to see EXACTLY what it is they do!!

Hello. I am awaiting my surgery date....should be getting the call any day now. Dr. said it would be next month (July.) I am also nervous and even had thoughts of backing out the other night but I am going to keep putting one foot in front of the other and embrace this journey into the life I have always wanted but never was able to find. I do have some questions about recovery. I only have 4 days off after surgery....is this unrealistic?? The girls at work said they would let me take it easy when I come back....nothing strenous. That means I will get to do a lot of sitting and resting at work. I am not wimpy and have had 2 c-sections and didn't have "extreme" pain with my c-sections. It was well controlled with percocet and after a few days I didn't need the pain meds anymore. I remember having some gas pain but it was relieved with a suppository. What do you all think? Did anyone return to work 4 days after surgery?

The EGD is a scope they put down your throat with a little camera on it to view your esophagus and probably the opening to your stomach....don't know why some docs do it and some don't. My doctor has not requested one.

Thanks for all the replies. I am hearing that the gas pain is the worst...that can be painful...I remember having gas pain after my second c-section but I am thinking that the gas pain after the lap band must be worse because they actually blow air into your abdomen for the sugery....ahhhggggg!!! I am a nurse and do post op care quite often...we suggest walking, walking, walking, and even suppositories to get things moving. What about prune juice? Is this OK to drink prune juice post op or too thick? ( I am thinking immediate post op.) Prune juice works great. I am going to do my best to get at least 4-5 days off after surgery. I work with great women, who are more than willing to let me take it easy. They said they would give me all the "sit down" work for a while. My girls...who are little...will have to understand mommy can't pick them up for a while. Thanks for all your advice and if anyone has any more advice...please feel free to reply. I am interested in all you have to say....this site has been a wealth of information.

Hello...just reading about people's post op pain. I am a nurse and work in OB...small...not really busy dept. but I do work 12 hour shifts. I get to sit and rest quite a lot and I have had 2 C-sections myself. My last C-section I went home to a newborn and a 20 month old. If the post of pain of the Lap Band isn't any worse than that....I am hoping I will be OK. I only have 4 days off from work after my surgery. I am just not able to take anymore time off than that due to it being summer time and all the vacations during the summer, etc. What do you all think? Is 4 days enough? I hear so many different opinions on the pain, but I really think that post op C-section pain has got to be worse....let me know....any input would be appreciated. (I got in on a cancellation so I had my final consult last week....don't have a surgery date yet but they said it would be next month sometime.)

Yes....you are right....the patches will still add nicotine to your system....try CHANTIX....it really works! I am doing great on it!

I got my approval for surgery! I have my final consult with my surgeon July 14th! I have a few more appts to attend before the final consult...but I can't believe this is actually going to happen! I wasn't getting my hopes up because I truly didn't think it would....I am starting to get excited and really gearing my brain in the direction of my new lifestyle! The office said that the surgery wouldn't be until August....that will give me the summer to really bite the bullet and get busy with learning the lap band way to eat. I am the heaviest I have ever been...286 lbs. I am fortunate to be tall...but I am most comfortable around 200 lbs. The best I have ever looked was at 178 lbs. Should have been running around nude! I have a way to go but I feel confident and hopeful! Does anyone have any advice on what it is I should start with as far as diet changes? What is the number one thing or the first thing to do? I stopped drinking soda and bread...what next?

I am also trying to quit....let me tell you that Chantix....it is a new medication on the market....really works! It isn't like the patches...it works on the receptors in your brain that make you think cigarettes are pleasurable....get this prescription....you will do 100% better!!!

I am hearing a lot about PAIN. I thought it was a fairly low pain surgery? I have had two c-sections and that I viewed as moderately painful for several days. Is is like that? (Anyone who has had a c-section)......or better.....I would assume better! C-sections are pretty invasive. I am just hearing a lot about Pain and it is surprising me. I want to be prepared in any and all ways is all. THANKS A BUNCH!! P.S. I am familiar with the deferred gas pain in the shoulders and neck. I had that with my second c-section. I guess I am curious to know how much time to take off from work. I was only planning on taking a few days.....but maybe I should take more....????:sick

Hi there. I am really getting excited. It is looking like my surgery will happen. I have a few more things to do and appointments to go to finish up before I get a date. I am trying to really inform myself and not go into this with a lot of unanswered questions. I am a nurse and have taken care of many patients after surgery but I have never had bariatric surgery myself...so this is all new to me. I am hearing a lot about pain in the neck and shoulders after surgery. That is deferred gas pain if people are wondering. It is very common to feel gas pain in the neck and shoulders. Walking, water, and prune juice really helps a lot.....gets things moving. I love to hear about all your stories and experiences and I want to say THANK YOU. I am learning so much! I will keep reading these posts everyday!

Just curious....I have not been banded yet....I only have a few things left before I get my surgery date...looks like this is really going to happen. I wasn't sure there for a while. I think that people who over eat obviously have food addiction issues. I am wondering if people have experienced trading or passing off of addictions after the Lap Band.....example.....more indulging in alchohol or sexual activity, etc. I know this is kind of a personal question but it has been an issue I have been wondering about. We are addicts....many of us....not all of us.....what do we do with our addictions once we can't eat??

Thank you all for your thoughts.....great to know that the band has taken away more issues than added them! AWESOME!!!!

I am pre-op too....getting near my date...couple of months. I am worried also. My entire problem my whole life has been CONTROL and eating too much now I won't be able to eat!! But....remember this....that is the point of the surgery....we wouldn't be doing this if we all knew how to eat right...you know? Hang in there and I will too....we will be fine....HAVE FAITH.....good luck to you!!!