Ravyn
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Everything posted by Ravyn
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April Bandsters - How are you doing?
Ravyn replied to BusyMom1961's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey April Bandster Buddies. It's been a few weeks. I too am very happy to see that we are not on the Post-Op side of things. I'm actually due to have my first fill tomorrow. This is a good thing too, because I have NO restriction. Okay, well I have the tiniest bit of restriction, but it hasn't been enough to keep me full or from maintaining my weight. I can't wait til my clothes start to loosen up again. Right after surgery I lost 15 pounds, because I couldn't eat. Now that I've healed, I see that I totally need a fill. Will keep you all posted. Hey, I'm using Mederma on my scars. Does anyone know if this is effective or am I wasting my time? Best wishes to you all! :thumbup: -
ATTENTION!! All Pre-Bandsters READ HERE!! What to expect Post-Op to Succeed!!!
Ravyn replied to coloradobanding's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
OMG! The first week I totally regreted it. But it was mostly cause of the pain, the 5 scars and the fact that I could barely swollow Water (had a hernia repaired too). Im not 3 weeks post op and my scars are so small and faint that I can definitely live with them. I'm also able to swollow any and almost everything I eat and the pain is totally gone now. I lost 12 pounds, but gained back two since I am now able to eat again. I figured that things wouldn't really start moving until I got a fill. So I am not depressed about the weight issue, nor am I concerned. But I still have this fear that after I eat my Soup and brocoli, that even with the restriction I will feel hunger pangs. I just can't imagine feeling fool and satisfied. This remains to be seen until my next doctors visit on the 23rd. Thanks for a GREAT post. Keep me up lifted in positivity! -
Yah!! It's week two for me and I'm feeling GREAT! I can eat more again, and I'm hungry all the time, but I feel normal. I go for my first fill in 3 weeks. Oh and next weekend I'm planning to do the Revlon Run/Walk for Breast Cancer. It's a 3 mile walk. So excited. Things are finally looking up! Hope you all are doing well too!! :thumbup:
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Sorry NewMrs. Smith, I just realized I accidentally posted to the wrong person. However, I still want to wish you a quick recovery! The first two nights are the hardest, and then it quickly turns around for the best. You'll be great within a matter of days. Lucky you with only two cuts. I unfortunately have an "old school" doctor. I have a cut that is about 1 inch and then four very small cuts. I also have the realize band, which has a larger port than the lapband. So I guess that's why my incision is so much bigger. Well, best wishes and drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated!
Dawn
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Hi Carolyn, How's it going? It's been a few days since we've chatted. I'm scheduled for mushy foods today and for two weeks. But honestly I've had soft veggies in my soups. I chew and chew and chew some more. I can get so much more food down than I could the first two weeks. I think I was just swollen from surgery. I'm kind of happy that food isn't coming back up again. I hope you're feeling confident about your decision to do this still. I hear that the docs like to give you a month for healing, so our first fill will really make the difference with restriction. If I were you, I'd enjoy being able to swallow food for a while. Most people gain a little bit of the weight back that they lost, so I'm expecting to gain some back before I go in for my first fill. I'm more comfortable in my clothes now, so this is a good thing. I'll continue to eat my soft foods for the next two weeks and see how it goes.
Anyway, I really hope you're doing well. Talk soon!
Dawn
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Disappointed..25 days post-op
Ravyn replied to Littlehouse's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It really is important to talk to others who have had the surgery. Prior to my surgery my Cousin, who has been banded for 4 years told me that the first year was very very slow in deed. She didn't really start to lose until the 2nd year and then the 3rd year she really dropped. I was banded on April 18th and also had a hernia repaired, so I feel as though I have some restriction now, but I've been told that it should loosen up some and I'll be able to eat again. I've even had a hard time getting Water down. So I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I felt like I had too much restriction. But yesterday was the first day that I was able to sip on Soup and actually finish half of it, without feeling as though it were coming back up. -
It's Saturday-6 days after my surgery. My pain has subsided considerably and lucky me, NO gas pains at all! I am wracked with hunger though. I'm supposed to be on this all liquid diet, but I snuck in some noodles from my chicken noodle soup. They went down fine, but it realy hardly any noodles at all. I can't wait to eat more. I've lost 3 pounds since my surgery date. I suspect that will come back on as soon as I can eat some real food. Sheesh!
Hope all you are doing much better than me with the hunger pangs ; )
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You're taking antibiotics for a UTI. Happens all the time. Or have a glass of wine and sip it slowly. ; )
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5 days banded, food/hunger question
Ravyn replied to JaxieGirl's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I can't believe I survived today sipping on V-8 juice, Isopure, Kangen Water, and eating Jello and one very slowly eaten tablespoon of cottage cheese. Oh I forgot the two Protein shakes I managed to get down. Man it really takes a long time to eat now. Only a few swallows and then I have to get up and walk the beverage/food down. I did get a little sad today, when I walked to the kitchen and realized I couldn't fix myself a BLT sandwich, with thick applewood smoked bacon But hey I have lost 8 pounds :biggrin: Can't wait for my post-op on Saturday so I can have mushies. Best of Luck to you all -
Going back to work after surgery?
Ravyn replied to mscafe32's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was banded on Sunday, and returned to a miserable day of work on Thursday. I think everyone is different. I test kids, so I had to bring things with me, and even though I used a wheeled cart, pulling and pushing uses your abdominal muscles, so by the time 5 rolled around my back was throbbing, my portside was aching and I just wanted to crawl in a bed. Take it easy, take your pain meds and listen to your body. Good luck! -
I had my surgery on 4/18 and I tried to sit in a reclining chair and it was the MOST uncomfortable ever. The best thing is to get you pain meds and then find a nice bed to stretch out on. I laid on my side, because it was too painful to lay on my stomach. Don't worry, the pain will keep you in position. You'll find the position where you experience the least amount of pain and try to stay there. You'll find a way to steal little naps throughout the first two nights. Best of luck!!
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5 days banded, food/hunger question
Ravyn replied to JaxieGirl's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Jojo, you ROCK! Thanks for the tip. I was so hungry and so over broths, popsicles and juices. My doctor told me to wait two weaks until I started blending foods, so I actually was instructed to stick to the clear thin liquids. But I am able to tolerate the thicker, blended soups as I have discovered tonight. I went to dinner with my family and got a cup up tortilla soup, without the tortilla strips, cheese and avocado. So basically it's a think broth, loaded with veggies and chicken breast. I sipped on the broth til I was full and brought the rest home, stuck it in a blended and got my veggies and protein in. I also got full really really fast. But it was yummy! I felt more satisfied this with this too. So, thanks for the tip! My tummy appreciated it! And my body will at a pound lost a week : ) Only 64 weeks to go - yipeeeee!! -
What a coincidence that you wrote this tonight, because I got the hiccups today for the first time. I was banded on 4/18. So this was my first experience with hiccups and it kind of made me nervous because I usually drink sips of Water to help me get rid of the hiccups. Well, I couldn't drink anything because I was already full of food. Haha... Guess I have to be careful about how much I eat to avoid the hiccups, cause there's nothing you can do after that point. Rave:tongue:
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5 days banded, food/hunger question
Ravyn replied to JaxieGirl's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It's day 3 for me. I had surgery on Sunday the 18th and it's Wednesday night at 8pm and Im STARVING!!! Tuesday was a breeze because I wasn't hungry. Today, I have a headache and all the food looks and smells good to me now. Im going for my third cup of soup-broth. I don't think I can manage through 2 weeks of liquids only. I'm going to need some mashed potatos. I need to make a post-op with my doctor very soon too. -
So is Isopure yummy? I just purchased 9 bottles for my upcoming surgery. I need to stock up on a variety of protein beverages. I also have Atkins, which is disgusting when I haven't had surgery on my stomach, so I can just imagine how nauseating it will be after I have the surgery, at least for the next week. - Ya know?
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The Jello trick is a good way to sneak it in without suffering through the after taste. I'll definitely give it a shot : ) Well it's 3 days after my surgery and I'm feeling hungry. liquids aren't quite enough anymore. I need to chew on something. I ate the carrots in my Soup. Good thing is that I can't eat that much, but I had no problem getting it down. Ha!
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I have to chose between the Realize Band and the LapBand. The port looks flatter in the Realize product, but is wider in diameter. Is everyone able to visibily see their port underneath the skin? When you lose the weight does the port stick out like a weird petrussion (SP?)? I've asked a few people about which bands they've chosen and most didn't really have a real reason. I'm back to that question again. What to chose, what to chose??
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Well, I got banded and I let my surgeon decide based on my anatomy. He went with the realize band. I had the surgery on Sunday the 18th. Today is Tuesday and I feel much better than I did on Monday. My port site is tender, so I know where it is. I'm not sure if I can feel it. I think I can though. However, I can't see it, which is good. Hopefully it stays that way. I'll keep you all abreast of the situation.
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Thanks for sharing Ladies. My cousin has the band too and she is down to 150, from about 235. She says that she can see her port too and that she can definitely feel it. She has the LapBand. She didn't have an option at the time of her surgery, which was about 3 to 4 years ago. I think I'm ready to make my decision. Wish me luck. I'll be banded tomorrow morning at 6 AM.
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Thanks. I really appreciate all your posts. I'm stuck with 9 bottles of the stuff now. I'm not looking forwarding drinking lumps of undissolved protein. That sounds vile! I just want to make sure I'm getting enough nutrients in while I can't eat solids. I guess I'm stuck with the isopure for now.
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Ready for my first fill....
Ravyn replied to M.T. in Indy's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey guys, I'm worried about my port showing through my skin. I wonder if the Realize port shows as much as the lapBand port. I still haven't chosen which band I'm going to get. My doctor said just let him know when I'm ready for surgery, which is on the 18th of April. -
Cannot feel port and first fill is in less than a week!
Ravyn replied to cynpatt's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I don't want to feel my port. I'm hoping that I will never feel it and never see it, even when I weigh 127 pounds and I'm in a size 4 jean. The point is to keep it hidden, right?? Please tell me that most people can't see their port. I wanna wear my bikini again! I love two pieces and the last time I wore one was in 2005. No darn PORTs going to keep me out of my two piece!! LOL! Good luck and I hope everything goes well.:thumbup: -
You have inspired many. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. You seem like the full package, beauty inside and out! Wishing you much success : ) -
Twinserly - Thanks for the tips on the variety of protein drinks. I've been drinking the Atkins and they're putrid after you've had one. I really need to stock up this week. Guess I'm off to GNC! Oh and I hope your shoulder pain goes away soon. Froggie it sounds like you're doing great!! You give me hope! LOL!
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I've been away for a few days and I feel like I've missed so much. So many have had their surgery, and so many - Montynic and Mamasugar - are well on their way to feeling like themselves again. Glad things are going well Ladies! I look forward to hearing about marketing, post-op dieting, gas pains and general recovery stuff. I'm scheduled for Pre-op testing on Monday the 12th and my surgery is on Sunday the 18th. Can't believe it's SO close! Hope mine goes as well as all of you! Oh and congratulations to all of those banded on the 6th, 7th and 8th!! Froggy, you're Friday, tmr, right? Good luck!!