houstongirl1

Well I was scared.... when ever a needle is around me, I tell them not to tell me when they are going to do it, because I will jump..... so I just try to calm myself down, and deal with the pain once I feel it....... I didn't feel it, it's weird even though you know they are going through your skin, it just felt like they put the needle in Gel...... So get this..... she pulls my shirt down and says, okay stand up, in front of the x-ray machine.... so as I'm getting up, she says, the needle is still in there so be careful...... I was like :faint: :faint: so as I'm standing in front of the x-ray machine, they give me the white stuff to drink... that's when I saw it get stuck... so she came and took some out, (remember the needle is still in... so I didn't need to get poked again)... so when she took some out, they gave me a little bit of water to see if that helps it go thru... and it did.... so as I'm standing there, she comes around and pulls the needle out.......... (this sounds way worse than it actually felt)... again, I didn't feel anything. my story probably doesn't help with the fear.... but I just figured I'd let people know how it happens, cause I went in without a clue. oh and sorry it took me so long to respond Joanne

Hello All!!! I haven't posted in a while, been busy with work and the kids..... I had my first fill today.......YAY!!!! :clap2: I was scared about the needle pain, but it wasn't bad at all.... I didn't feel a thing, isn't that great!?!?..... they asked me if I wanted to numb the area first, but then I figured, I might as well just get poked once instead of twice for the numbing.... and I didn't feel a thing. Anyways, after they stuck me, I went and stood in front on the xray machine to do that dreaded swallow.... and guess what... it got stuck!!!! :faint: ... it was crazy looking at liquid get stuck in the pouch, so of course the took some of the filling out...... so now, I'm on liquids again for the next 3 to 4 days.... I'm curious what my restriction is going to be now :nervous .... It kinda makes you think, if liquid couldn't get through, how is food going to be able to get through. Joanne

Ms. Khris, that feeling your getting in your chest is still the gas that needs to come out.... it lasted for a while, mine felt like a big gas bubble that would come up into my chest as if I needed to burp but I never would, it would last a few seconds and go away, but it would be numerous times throughout the day. Thank goodness those are gone :clap2: Joanne

okay, I've also cheated.... I went straight from a liquid diet for the first week to the mushy foods...... I couldn't handle it anymore, why am I going to kill myself trying to do the liquid thing and do nothing but think about food???? .... so that when I FINALLY can eat food I stuff my face??...Then have to suffer with the PB's because I over ate... well I couldn't take it anymore. So instead of just wanting EVERYTHING in sight and craving it to the point of being angry.... I munch!!!.... I don't eat alot, I'll still eat my Soups and drink my protien and take my Vitamins..... but when I'm at the office and everyone sits down to eat, so do I.... I stay away from breads, rice, crackers or anything that will expand in my stomach.... and I take very, VERY small bites. I may not lose the weight as quickly as everyone else, and I'm okay with that.... but driving myself nuts trying to follow this liquid diet was just too much for me...... the whole reason I went through the surgery and got the band was because I couldn't follow a diet!!!! So there's my confession:faint: Joanne

Roxy123.... my surgery was on the 6th, on a friday... by that Sunday I was told to take off the top bandages... then my 1st Dr.'s appt was on Thursday, which they told me to go ahead and remove the steristrips in the shower that night... maybe you should call your Dr.'s office and make sure. Bckeye01.... I've asked in other threads about the soreness in the port area... they've said the port area soreness will last anywhere from a month to a month and a half.... then they don't even feel where the port is anymore.... I can't wait for that day :dance: Joanne

How funny, I just asked the same question to the ABC bandsters....... when I bend over, to like brush my teeth or pick something up... the area where my port is hurts.... they said, it takes anywhere from a month to a month in a half for the soreness to go away, now they have to poke around to find it...... I also called my Dr. they said it's because it's still healing Hope this helps Joanne

Thanks for responding.... I was starting to get worried

Hi guys, I posted here a couple of weeks ago... I was recently banded and have a quick question... I figured I'd ask here since you guys have been banded for a couple of months now. When I lean forward, like to brush my teeth, or bend over to pick something up.... the area where my port is hurts a little, wondering if anyone else went through the same, or if I need to contact my Dr.... and if it did happen to you, does it go away?? Thanks Joanne

Question Am I doing something I'm not supposed to be doing???.... I've looked through page after page and I haven't seen anyone else use color in their text?? Thanks Joanne

YAY!!!!! Came back from the Dr..... I've lost 15 pounds... AND!!! ... I graduated to creamy liquids for a week!!!

and good luck KSTAR......... I'm sure you'll do great (group hug) Joanne

okay guys I go to get my first weigh in today:pray2: ......... I'll update when I get back and start my ticker Joanne

Hi Kayleesmom I really don't know about the shoulder pain.... mine was in my back... and it was the worst!!!!!!! :cry ... but it was definately gas, it wasn't from eating... I'm still on clear liquids. Try walking around, moves the gas around, or even just standing up sometimes helps.... let's the gas come out. :clap2: .... most of mine is gone, my back doesn't hurt anywhere near as bad as it did... I still get the chest pains periodically throughout the day though.... that sucks. Don't know if I was any help Joanne

Aza I drove on Monday.... 3 days post-op..... it was sooooo NOT comfortable.... I went to Walgreens then back home, then drove to work.... trust me, I wasn't driving fast at all.... and making the turns was discomforting also..... I ended up having my husband drive me to work on Tuesday... and today I"m fine... drove myself. If you didn't have to drive so far.... I would say as long as you didn't get on the freeway... maybe 2 days post-op..... but one day post-op, driving for 3 hours.... that's going to be too much for you....in my opinion Joanne

Hi Jess I also had my surgery on 10/6..... I posted earlier stating this is my best day yet.... I also get the upper chest pain, I believe it is still gas.... mine only last a second at a time, but it still hurts..... I noticed you've already lost 20 pounds......:wow2: Great Job....I've lost 10....... I'm still on clear liquids, have been since the day before surgery.... and will be till thursday, when I have my follow up.... Glad to hear your doing great!!! Joanne

Hi All!!!!!! Well today has been my best day yet!!!!!!!!! :clap2: ...... 4th day out of surgery and I'm feeling really good, most of the gas pain is gone, don't get me wrong, I still have it, just not nearly as bad as the last few days.... the soreness from the incisions is nearly gone, I'm thinking maybe another day or two and I won't feel a thing..........YAY!!!!!!!!! I definately need to use my little breathing thing more, because it still is a little painfull to take deep breathes. Oh yes... and how could I forget..........CONGRATS TO ALL THAT WERE BANDED YESTERDAY!!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :thumb:

Hi guys Thanks for the replies... sometimes it's just good to know others are going through the same. Mary: yes, I have the Gas-X extra strenght thin strips.... the first day you wouldn't believe how many I took, honestly I don't even remember.... I'm hoping it goes away pretty soon, because as I stated earlier... this is definately the worst. Chrispy: they told me I need to be on only clear liquids... nothing with substance :cry , although I did blend a little milk with half a banana last night, and feel fine... I think they are just telling me this so I don't take in soo many calaries....(crossing fingers, trying to stick to it)... I keep telling myself... It's only a week, it's only a week :hungry: As far as work... I'm already back to work... I have a desk job, no heavy lifting what so ever.... and if I need to walk around I can. Thanks again Joanne

Hey fello bandsters!!! Okay, I'm 3 days out of surgery, had it done 10/6.... still a little sore, but I can honestly say the worst part is this gas!!!... I wish it would go away already :cry .... I've been on the clear liquids since thursday 10/5... it's starting to take it's toll on me... I'm sick of the chicken or beef broth.... I think I'm going to pick up some egg drop soup on my way home from work and strain it at home.... I have too many days left of this clear diet thing to be giving up on it already!!!! I got to take the gauze off yesterday :clap2: ... ready to let the steri-strips fall off when ready... How long is it going to take this gas to get the h@#! out of me????? :faint: Thanks for any input Joanne (Katy, TX)

Thanks so Much Joann Ironically I'm also Joanne... My doctor is Dr. Spiegel... the reason I was asking about the other gauze over the other smaller incisions... was because I thought we couldn't get them wet... but I guess I was wrong... Thanks again for the info Joann... and I will be looking into getting that ticker :biggrin1:

hello everyone I'm new to this site..... I was banded Friday 10/6/06.... Glad to see there are others here in October.... the surgery went fine, my doctor is Dr. Spiegel, he did a really great job.....I'm still feeling the soreness, the only thing that's been a pain is the gas...I've heard alot of people complain about it in their shoulders, but I mostly feel mine in my back, just a little hard to get comfortable. I'm on nothing but liquids, it's not as hard as I thought it would be... but it's only been 2 days...lol.....I have chicken and beef broth.... cranberry, white grape and apple juices.... and we bought Ensure, but I drank half of one last night, and couldn't finish it... it made me need to clear my throat, I guess because of the milkyness in it.... but since my tummy is still sore... I don't plan on drinking those again anytime soon. As far as vitamins, I bought Flinstone vitamins, I chew them up to almost liquid. If anyone as any other suggestions on a clear liquid diet, please let me know... I don't know how long I will last on just chicken and beef broth. Thanks Joanne

Hello to everyone.. I am a new member, I just got banded Friday 10/6/06 YAY!!!!.... Today is Sunday, I feel alot better, but still feel like I'm filled with air.....I know I'm supposed to take off the big gauze today, and leave the butterfly stitches on... but what about the other smaller gauze??... am I supposed to remove those?? I've asked this question to the nurses, but just for peace of mind... I figured I'd ask on here....Thanks for your help