BostonPA

I actually wish someone had warned me about bras before the surgery. I was very uncomfortable with my regular underwire bras. I'd recommend getting two or three soft, no wore ones for right after. Good luck!

I was banded a little over a month ago, and I'm doing great (despite some heartburn issues). I feel like I have good restriction, although weight loss has slowed down. I have obviously not had any fills yet. Is it possible NOT to need one at all?

That's hilarious! The mental image of carrying Snookie around cracks me up! Way to go, you look great!!

Um, wow. Sorry if I offended, I was just trying to help. Just like I'd be happy if a board member educated me about, say, my car's engine, I thought that my knowledge of anatomy and physiology might help you. Guess not. Why post if you're going to take offense at replies? And for the record, I do have the letters MD (as well as PA-C) after my name.

Your colon is not a rigid tube that gets backed up closer and closer to the stomach if not emptied. It is a flexible structure, so it gets distended when stool is not evacuated. So, it gets wider and the stool doesn't back up. Except in cases of severe obstruction (which would cause pain, vomiting, and nothing coming out from below, not even gas). So no, I'm pretty sure your bowel movement had nothing to do with getting unstuck.

I'm 4 weeks post-op, and overall, I love my band! I have lost 30 pounds between pre-op diet and life with the band! The only thing is that lately, I wake up every morning with this awful cramping in my stomach. I think there is a large gas bubble there, because once I start burping (I know, gross!) I feel better. Will have to experiment staying off soda, even if it's flat. So far, there are no foods I can't tolerate, as long as I take small bites and chew thoroughly. I have not vomited, slimed, or PB'd once! Hope I don't jinx myself... I'm supposed to get my first fill in 2 weeks. But for now, I feel some restriction, and no discomfort other than the morning gas. Yay!

I made some chicken thighs in the crockpot with apricots and curry. Served over brown rice. Yummy!

I had my first post-op today, 2 weeks post-op, and my staples came out. I'm doing great! And...wait for it...have lost 25 pounds since my first visit!!! Next appointment is in 2 weeks and they'll move me to solids. Then 2 weeks after that, first fill. I'm doing well, feeling well, and have advanced my diet without difficulty. Here's hoping for the goodness to continue!

The breathing tube is plastic, so unlikely. It does have a thin metal rod in it that is removed once the tube is in place, but no sharp edges. But the laryngoscope (the tool used to open the mouth and visualize the vocal chords during intubation) is metal. However, the "blade" curves downwards towards your tongue, so I'm having a hard time picturing it scraping the roof of your mouth. Anything is possible, though. White doesn't necessarily mean infected. Are you sure it's nit canker sores? Either way, I'd call your surgeon. You can try swishing warm Water with baking soda in your mouth and see if it helps.

I advanced my own diet today, and it's going very well! I'm supposed to start mushies on Monday, but being a PA I feel comfortable having started today. I did some chicken, some cheese, and some decried Beans all purred together and warmed up till the cheese melted. Yum! I even added a small teaspoon of fat-free sour cream. It tasted like a burrito! I ate slowly, small bites, and chewed each bite to death. No problem! I had a small amount of it and it kept me full for a long time! We'll see what my surgeon says when I see him Monday.

I was intolerant before the band, but since the band it seems to have gotten worse. Maybe it's because I've been on liquids for 3 weeks and all my protein comes from dairy? I don't know, but I have to take Lactaid pills with any dairy now.

Although overall happy with my decision, I am having a bit of an emotional "funk". Today, I realized that my "funk" is probably because I currently cannot do the 3 things I get the most enjoyment from in life: 1) spend time with my husband (he is also a grad student and super busy), 2) eat (still on liquids), and 3) shop (looking for a job, money is tight). So yes, I'm feeling deprived, and the weather around here doesn't help, either! So, now that I've identified that, I think it will get better.

Hi, everyone! I was banded 10/5, and feeling better every day. I have some soreness and bruising around the largest incisions, and the port site is still tender. Also, if I hiccup, I get some discomfort. And there is still some pain between my shoulderblades. But it is all improving! Day 3 was the absolute worst pain-wise, which I found surprising. Today I was really hungry so I cheated on my liquids and did a couple of mushies. I was so scared, but It went really well. Nothing stuck, no pain, no nausea, and good restriction. Yesterday, my bandages came off in the shower so now I can see my four tiny incisions in all their stapled glory. :smile: First post-op appointment is next Monday the 18th. Nice to see you all on this side!

My liquids include yogurt, ricotta, and cottage cheese. Today, my family ordered Chinese and I ate the filling of two crab rangoons, which I rationalized because it's the same texture as ricotta. :smile: I also had hot and sour soup, but only the broth, so that's not cheating!