bama_belle

I was told no driving for a week. BAH! I have been chauffered by my daughter this whole week. I love her, but I think I will be glad when I can drive myself again, and I know she'll be glad. LOL This morning I actually felt good when I got up. The bloating seems to be going away, and there's very little pain... mostly around my port area. But tonight, after work, I'm crawling in another car someone else is driving and heading north to Tennessee for a family reunion with a branch of my grandmother's family that I've never even met before. I've been doing genealogical research for over a year now on my family, and discovered a part of her family she's never met. She's 83, so we are all determined that she's going to this annual reunion because who knows when this may be the last time she can go, right? So.... mother, granny, step-dad and I are taking the 2.5 hr trek to Jasper, Tennessee to visit kin. I am excited. REALLY. Honest. I just hate riding with my mother. She's a maniac behind the wheel, and step-dad is pretty close behind her. :tt2: The big thing I'm wondering about is what the heck I'm going to do about food - or the lack of it. I've bought some Boost shakes to throw in the cooler, so I'll have something to sustain me, but there's going to be so much food... food... BAH! Those folks are going to think I'm crazy when I get up and walk around the park every time I look at the food table! :thumbup: Luckily, I have this wierd obsession about eating food when I don't know who cooked it (restaurants don't count - just regular folk) so maybe that will help that I don't know ANY of them. Today is Friday. The sun is shining. (OK so it's going to be blistering hot, but this is my fantasy, OK?) And today, I am thinner. You can't see it yet, but I am. I can feel it. Happy Friday, all.

I was told no driving for a week. BAH! I have been chauffered by my daughter this whole week. I love her, but I think I will be glad when I can drive myself again, and I know she'll be glad. LOL This morning I actually felt good when I got up. The bloating seems to be going away, and there's very little pain... mostly around my port area. But tonight, after work, I'm crawling in another car someone else is driving and heading north to Tennessee for a family reunion with a branch of my grandmother's family that I've never even met before. I've been doing genealogical research for over a year now on my family, and discovered a part of her family she's never met. She's 83, so we are all determined that she's going to this annual reunion because who knows when this may be the last time she can go, right? So.... mother, granny, step-dad and I are taking the 2.5 hr trek to Jasper, Tennessee to visit kin. I am excited. REALLY. Honest. I just hate riding with my mother. She's a maniac behind the wheel, and step-dad is pretty close behind her. :thumbup: The big thing I'm wondering about is what the heck I'm going to do about food - or the lack of it. I've bought some Boost shakes to throw in the cooler, so I'll have something to sustain me, but there's going to be so much food... food... BAH! Those folks are going to think I'm crazy when I get up and walk around the park every time I look at the food table! :crying: Luckily, I have this wierd obsession about eating food when I don't know who cooked it (restaurants don't count - just regular folk) so maybe that will help that I don't know ANY of them. Today is Friday. The sun is shining. (OK so it's going to be blistering hot, but this is my fantasy, OK?) And today, I am thinner. You can't see it yet, but I am. I can feel it. Happy Friday, all.

OK. Here's what I would do while waiting. Start doing your research of all of the doctors in your local area that do the surgery. See what info you can find, how their patients feel about them, etc. and go ahead and decide what physician you'd like to use. If you call Tricare, they will give you a list of "covered" physicians in your area and you can work from there. Once you've narrowed it down, contact that surgeon and find out what he or she requires as far as paperwork, etc., and if possible, get them to go ahead and send it to you (mine has all of his stuff online, so that was great!) and that will cut down on some of the wait time. Get that paperwork filled out and go ahead and get that sent in to the surgeon. Then, once they get the referral from the PCM, you'll already be a little ahead of the game! And great idea about calling regularly to see about cancellations. :thumbup:

If it is any consolation, I'm on day #8 and today is the first day I've woken up and not felt bloated and uncomfortable. I actually feel really good today, except for a little pain around my port area. Don't feel bad about all the sleeping. All our bodies are different, and if you slept that much, then your body needed it in order to heal properly. I say sleep as much as you need to as long as you be sure to do your walking, which will help, I promise, and get in enough fluids. I know it stinks, but just hang on. I promise it gets better!

Congratulations, and hang on - if yours goes anything like mine, it will be super fast! I sort of did things backwards. I got a referral to a surgeon, got an appt. with them, then realized that I needed the PCM referral, got that, saw the surgeon on 4-7-08, was approved on 4-14-08 and was scheduled for 5-29-08. They actually wanted to schedule me for 5-22-08, but I wasn't available that week. CONGRATULATIONS!

When did you have surgery? --- May 29, 2008 Where did you have surgery? --- Cahaba Valley Medical Center, Alabaster Who performed your surgery? --- Dr. Richard Stahl When is your first fill? --- not scheduled yet. My two-week post-op visit is the 17th.

You know, it's not the skin color that bothers me, any more than the sex of the person running. But the Muslim thing... that bothers me. Sorry.

I didn't vote because I had my gall bladde removed about 10 yrs ago, so I don't have it anymore.

I used to have the one that sat above my mouth, and I was given the full mouth/nose one to try and I loveloveLOVE it. DH calls my hose my trunk, which I think is funny. Somehow I wound up with an extra long piece that goes from mask to machine, so I never have any problems with reach, or whatever.

Anyone from the Bessemer/McCalla/Tuscaloosa area that would like to have a local meet & greet, I'm game. We could meet at Tannehill and take a stroll along some of the trails there, or whatever. Anyone interested, let me know and I'll start a new thread for a local meet & greet. Same goes for traveling to Oak Mountain when we finally get a date set. I'm up for carpooling if we need to.

I love my CPAP. I feel so horrible without it that I can't imagine doing without it. I was never able to use the nose pillows, but I sleep with the mask that covers mouth and nose, I have super long hair, and I sleep on my side. I guess it's what you get used to. I pull my hair up in a ponytail on the top of my head at night, then just slip the pony through the top opening when I put it own, and slide right into it. It did take me a bit to figure out how to sleep on my side with it, but I figured out that if I sleep with two pillows and angle one slightly, so that my head is actually cradled by both of them, the tube goes up and over the pillows and I'm happy as a clam. I'm sorry you have such a hard time with yours.

I was banded May 29. On Saturday (2nd day) I felt awful. Like the truck mowed me down and then backed up, but I figured out most of what I was feeling was from the gas they put in you for the surgery. I have been using the Gas-X strips for the bloating and "food" gas, and it seems to be helping me. I was given liquid loritab for the pain and I used it. I didn't skimp on the dosage the first three days, either. By Monday I was still pretty sore around my middle (the incisions) but I did go to work - I haven't driven yet - my daughter is playing chauffer, thankfully. I have found that broth makes me queasy ever since the surgery, but thankfully I haven't vomited. However, since day 5, I've been able to drink down strained hot & sour Soup broth, and it has been soothing. The first 4 days or so, I stuck with Water, Ocean Spray cranberrry drinks (10 cals, 12 oz), skim milk, Carnation Instant Breakfasts (the sugar free kind), sugar free Jello, and sugar free ice pops. Today is day 7 and I could eat a cow. Really. Just knock the horns off, skin it and give me a fork. :confused: I'd give my dr. a call about the vomiting. I was told if I vomited just ONCE I was to call immediately. It does get better, I promise.

I have 5, including port.

I was banded May 29th. One week today, and I swear I don't feel like I've lost anything. I still feel bloated. I don't know what the deal is. I know I haven't walked as much as I should, but that's partly because I went back to work on Monday after surgery on Thursday (didn't really have a choice), so.... I've done well with sticking to the liquids, so hopefully, it will all catch up with me in a day or two. Congrats on your loss.:confused:

One good thing I have done this past week is that I've started writing down everything in one note book. I am not keeping a separate blood sugar log, etc., etc..... I'll quit before I get started good. One day - one page so far. Everything that goes in my mouth - food, liquid, medicines, everything, gets written down. Right now, BMs are even being written down. This WILL be a good thing, though I hate doing stuff like this. Just have to remember to keep doing it every day. :thumbup:

One good thing I have done this past week is that I've started writing down everything in one note book. I am not keeping a separate blood sugar log, etc., etc..... I'll quit before I get started good. One day - one page so far. Everything that goes in my mouth - food, liquid, medicines, everything, gets written down. Right now, BMs are even being written down. This WILL be a good thing, though I hate doing stuff like this. Just have to remember to keep doing it every day. :crying:

Today marks week 1 Banded. This time last week I was going down for the count, so to speak, and being wheeled in for the surgery. I would like to say it's been a great week and I've not had any problems, but since I was back to work on MONDAY that would be a lie. I've been worn out, no energy by the time I get home and sleep through most of the evening, so walking has been at a minimum other than around my office and house, BUT I think the not walking was more because of all of the soreness, which I had in abundance - there was a good bit of scar tissue to go through from some previous surgeries, so.... Anyway, no more whining. The bloating is finally starting to dissipate - the gas is finally going away. YAY! I have managed to have only one "cheat" through this whole week. Well, sort of. I was craving something meaty to chew. It was driving me crazy. So (DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, KIDS) I chopped up a Slim Jim and chewed each piece just enough to get the flavor out of it, then discarded it instead of swallowing. IT WAS AWESOME. OK. I know that was bad, but it made the craving go away, and I was much better after. Here are some things I learned this week. I absolutely hate watermelon jello. But I like strawberry. I'll be glad when jello is not the big item on my food list. Canned chicken broth makes me queasy. Bouillon cubes are ok but not much better. Wonton soup broth tastes like I think dirty dishwater would taste. A bowl of strained hot & sour soup is the most awesome thing on the planet right now. I have always said that hot & sour soup was the nectar of the gods - the cureall for what ails you. It even cured my craving for chewing beef, strangely enough. I think it was the salt. Who knows. The BIG NEGATIVE I learned about myself. I am a Nibbler. Not like, at my desk, 24/7 sort of thing. Even worse. I'm a Cooking Nibbler. I haven't been in the kitchen much this week, but I did cook one evening, and made cornbread. Once it was out of the oven and had cooled enough to handle, I sliced it and buttered every slice, as I always do, so the butter melts instead of just sitting there. So... the next thing I know my brain is on high alert. I hear Nuclear Meltdown sirens blaring in my head. My brain and my body are having a conversation something like this: Brain: Was that cornbread? Mouth: Yep, and it was goooooooooood. Brain: No. Bad. Very bad. Sips not chewing! What did she just do to us!? Mouth: Shut up. It was good. And Teeth chewed it really, really small. Really. Brain: You imbecile. Stomach is in recovery! She can't handle cornbread! We're doomed! What if she sends it back? Mouth: I'm not taking it back. She'd better hold on to it. Brain: Stomach! Stomach! Red alert. Cornbread coming your way! Stomach: MMMMMmmm CORNBREAD. Brain: I am surrounded by morons. Anyway, I didn't even realize I had put the small crumb into my mouth, until I actually swallowed it, and then I was in panic mode. I have managed not to throw up, or anything, and I really didn't want to start now. Soo... now I'm putting together a jar of "goods" to keep on the counter while I'm cooking that I can stick in my mouth that will deter me from "tasting" and "nibbling". I realize that later, it won't be such a bad thing about swallowing the cornbread... but just imagine how many calories I've ingested unwittingly, sabotaging myself, all for a nibble.

Today marks week 1 Banded. This time last week I was going down for the count, so to speak, and being wheeled in for the surgery. I would like to say it's been a great week and I've not had any problems, but since I was back to work on MONDAY that would be a lie. I've been worn out, no energy by the time I get home and sleep through most of the evening, so walking has been at a minimum other than around my office and house, BUT I think the not walking was more because of all of the soreness, which I had in abundance - there was a good bit of scar tissue to go through from some previous surgeries, so.... Anyway, no more whining. The bloating is finally starting to dissipate - the gas is finally going away. YAY! I have managed to have only one "cheat" through this whole week. Well, sort of. I was craving something meaty to chew. It was driving me crazy. So (DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, KIDS) I chopped up a Slim Jim and chewed each piece just enough to get the flavor out of it, then discarded it instead of swallowing. IT WAS AWESOME. OK. I know that was bad, but it made the craving go away, and I was much better after. Here are some things I learned this week. I absolutely hate watermelon jello. But I like strawberry. I'll be glad when jello is not the big item on my food list. Canned chicken broth makes me queasy. Bouillon cubes are ok but not much better. Wonton soup broth tastes like I think dirty dishwater would taste. A bowl of strained hot & sour soup is the most awesome thing on the planet right now. I have always said that hot & sour soup was the nectar of the gods - the cureall for what ails you. It even cured my craving for chewing beef, strangely enough. I think it was the salt. Who knows. The BIG NEGATIVE I learned about myself. I am a Nibbler. Not like, at my desk, 24/7 sort of thing. Even worse. I'm a Cooking Nibbler. I haven't been in the kitchen much this week, but I did cook one evening, and made cornbread. Once it was out of the oven and had cooled enough to handle, I sliced it and buttered every slice, as I always do, so the butter melts instead of just sitting there. So... the next thing I know my brain is on high alert. I hear Nuclear Meltdown sirens blaring in my head. My brain and my body are having a conversation something like this: Brain: Was that cornbread? Mouth: Yep, and it was goooooooooood. Brain: No. Bad. Very bad. Sips not chewing! What did she just do to us!? Mouth: Shut up. It was good. And Teeth chewed it really, really small. Really. Brain: You imbecile. Stomach is in recovery! She can't handle cornbread! We're doomed! What if she sends it back? Mouth: I'm not taking it back. She'd better hold on to it. Brain: Stomach! Stomach! Red alert. Cornbread coming your way! Stomach: MMMMMmmm CORNBREAD. Brain: I am surrounded by morons. Anyway, I didn't even realize I had put the small crumb into my mouth, until I actually swallowed it, and then I was in panic mode. I have managed not to throw up, or anything, and I really didn't want to start now. Soo... now I'm putting together a jar of "goods" to keep on the counter while I'm cooking that I can stick in my mouth that will deter me from "tasting" and "nibbling". I realize that later, it won't be such a bad thing about swallowing the cornbread... but just imagine how many calories I've ingested unwittingly, sabotaging myself, all for a nibble.

I was told Clear liquids, but I did clarifiy with the doctor's office, that thin liquids are OK. Specifically, they told me skim milk would be great. DH bought some sugar-free carnation instant breakfasts, and I mixed one cup of milk with one pack of the mix in a large cup with a lid. Since I'm only able to have about 2 ounces at a time, I use one of the disposable bathroom cups (which hold 3 ounces) and fill it 2/3 full, then sip from that cup. It's perfect. And the sugar-free Carnation instant breakfasts have 5 grams of Protein per pack, 4 grams of Fiber and only 12 grams of carbs. So, one pack gives me four servings. That's a little over 1 gram of proten, 1 gram of fiber and 3 grams of carbs per serving, which is not too bad for a start. I'm having an awful time with broths, though. I tried some chicken broth yesterday and it made me queasy, so I haven't attempted that again.

I'm glad to hear yours went so well. I was banded on 5/29 and mine was a breeze!

I don't think the day could have gone better for my surgery. We arrived at about 6:45 for my 7:00 a.m. check in. Surgery was scheduled for around 10:00. I was on the "fast track" to get in, so all I had to do was go back and let them draw blood and check my vitals, then they put me in a room where I was told to change clothes. I had a very chic, slate blue gown that was nowhere near big enough, and matching gray socks with treads on the bottoms. Daughter took a pic. I shall delete it as soon as I find her camera. I was in the room for about 1 1/2 hours, due to the surgery before me taking a bit longer than they expected, but then I was wheeled into the prep room. There were at least half a dozen people who came to see me and talk to me, including the anesthesiologist, and Dr. Stahl, my surgeon. I know a couple of them were students who were observing everything, and that was fine. They were all super nice. An IV was started in my left hand (my preference), then those nifty leg massagers were placed on me. They told me they were going to give me something to help me relax. I don't remember anything else until I woke up in my room about 3:00 p.m. I looked at the nurse and said, "am I next" and she laughed and said "honey, you're done". I think I said thank you, then drifted back off, but they made me wake up and talk to them, and they started giving me ice chips to suck on. I got up about 3:30 and went to the bathroom with no problems whatsoever. I had already been told I'd be spending the night since I have sleep apnea - they apparently make all of their sleep apnea patients stay overnight. That was fine with me, except I got the bejeezus scared out of me about 2:00 a.m. They had a shift change, and both of my overnight nurses were men. Not a problem. But I apparently forgot where I was, and when they came in at 2:00 to check vitals and give me my next round of antibiotics and pain meds, I woke up to find a strange man standing over my bed and I nearly decked him! LOL It was funny after it was over, but yikes! I would have felt so bad if I had actually hit him! Anyway, I was awake about 7:00 when they brought in a food tray with strawberry jell-o, chicken broth and tea. I ate a few bites of the Jello, but couldn't stomach the broth. I drank a little of the tea, but decided to stick with plain Water and ice. I was up and down most of the night going to pee, but other than that I wasn't required to do any other walking. The morning after, I took a shower and they released me by 10:00 to go home. The ride home was a little bumpy, so I was just a little uncomfortable, but once I got home and settled into my recliner I was fine. I slept in the recliner the first night, and propped on the couch for the second night because it was just too uncomfortable to lay flat, but I think that was more from the gas than anything else. Today is morning 3 post op, and I feel great. I'm still a bit sore around the port area, and still have a little gas, but I'm fine. I even cooked a small breakfast for my still-sleeping family! All in all, I had a great experience with a great group of medical professionals at my side. I had my surgery at Cahaba Valley Medical Center in Alabaster, Alabama, and I highly recommend their facility and staff!

I was banded on 5/29 as well, and yesterday I was absolutely miserable from the gas. I made a point that every time I felt gas pressure I would get up and walk laps around the interior of my house until it went away. It was way embarrassing last night when I finally cut loose and passed gas. My husband and daughter were in the living room, I'm in the bathroom, and apparently they both heard me because they were giggling like crazy. I told my husband he was just jealous. The best advice I can give is bear with it and walk it off. It will take several days for the gas they gave you for the surgery to pass. As far as gas from your diet, Gas-X strips are what my surgeon suggested. So far, I haven't had to use them. I feel great today. I did have a little gas this morning when I got up, but I'm much better now. I even cooked Breakfast for my family this morning!

I have been so very fortunate in that my entire family has supported me since I first announced my decision to go through with this. DH was totally against gastric bypass and I honored his decision not to have it, but when I presented him with (literally) a year's worth of research about the band, he was OK with it right from the beginning. He has been wonderful. I have had no second thoughts at all. None. I am diabetic, have sleep apnea, bursitis in my back and shoulders, aching knees and ankles, and quite frankly, have been so miserable for so long that the thought that I would have a chance at some relief far outweighed my addiction to diet sodas. When they told me I was approved, I stopped drinking sodas almost immediately. It was hard at first, but I started drinking Lipton diet green tea, Ocean Spray diet cranberry juice, Crystal Light peach tea, and Water, and never looked back. I'm three days post-op and I don't even miss the sodas. The decision to do this wasn't because I didn't want to be fat. It wasn't because I wanted to fit into a bikini or for vanity. My husband LOVES me exactly the way I am. My decision to do this was so that I could be around for many, many more years to be loved by him. The only advice I can give you is to take a pad and pen and write down all of the pros on one side of the paper and all of the cons on the other side, then decide, looking at that list, what's more important to you. For me, living to be a ripe old age and watching my future grandchildren grow up was far more important than soft drinks, alcohol, food, or what anyone else thought of my decision to do this. I wish you luck in whatever you decide.

I'm just three days post-op and was told not to take in more than 2 ounces of anything at one time. A great trick my husband figured out for me is the little bathroom cups - they're only 3 ounces - so if I use them, I stay in perfect portion.

It's done! I'm banded. I'd do a happy dance, but it hurts to much! I'm still having some pain, but I know what I'm feeling is more from the gas still inside me than anything. I always have trouble with the gas they put in you with laporascopic surgeries. Ick. I have done well with taking in plenty of fluids, and I feel good otherwise. 267.2 was my pre-op weight. My first mini goal is 250. I tried drinking some chicken broth, but it made me a little queasy, so I think for now I'm going to opt out of the broth. What are the rest of you drinking? So far I've had Water, Crystal Light peach tea, some Ocean Spray diet Cranberry (my favorite), and I had half a fudgesicle earlier today. I was told I could have skim milk, but I haven't tried that yet. I was told Clear liquids for the first two weeks, but I'm wondering how I'm going to get Protein in with just clear liquids. I guess I shall call the Dr. on Monday and see what else is allowed. The biggest thing I'm worried about is hair loss and not getting enough protein, so any of you past that first week who have advice it would be much appreciated. All I can say is I FEEL AWESOME. Well, except for the gas. :thumbup: