DebWS

I am seeing the surgeon this week, and expect to get my first fill (and a temporary return to liquids and purees for a few days thereafter). I have found that I get really hungry at times...and therefore, am looking forward to this fill...I think I need a measure of control I don't quite have. On the other hand, I continue to lose weight...now 27 lbs since four weeks prior to surgery...so I am feeling quite cheerful on that count! I have struggled to find exercise, however, and wonder if this is true for anyone else. I had to stay out of yoga until last week, and I think that I need yoga, cardio, and strength-building as well. Anyone have any good advice on this front? And on a completely different front: are you finding that it's frustrating to not get notices of updates to this board any more? Maybe it's my settings and I haven't found the right one yet, but I don't know when any of you post -- and I don't like that!! I also think it's cut down on posting. Thoughts? Best to all, Deb WS

I, too, am approaching the time for my first fill. I'm interested in hearing from others who have had this already: is it uncomfortable to go through this? Do they give you lydocaine before they inject saline into the port? What is the post-process like for people? Did you feel that going on liquids for a couple of days, then smooth food for a couple of days, then diced foods, worked? Also, I had my annual physical the other day. Although my blood pressure has dropped since the surgery, my NP put me back on a second of my former medications...hydrochlorothiazide. Although I was a little bummed out (my goal is to get off all of these meds) I went along. Well, the next day my weight, which had plateaued, dropped 1.5 lbs. The next day, another pound. Today, another. Since I am behaving in the same way around food, I have to believe that the medication -- which is a diuretic -- is making the difference. Whoo-hoo!!! Anyone had a similar experience? Best, Deb WS

Great to hear from a number of you regarding your Thanksgiving experiences. I felt good about the way I survived Thanksgiving -- without eating too much, and without my father-in-law (who tends to have many opinions about how much people weigh) opening his mouth. I also had my first comment from someone who hadn't seen me in a while, who said, "Have you lost weight? You look fabulous." That was so, so nice...to put on a jacket I haven't worn in a while and have it fit much more comfortably, to know that my pants look better...these are blessings. So now I suspect we all face the long progression of "holiday month," where, everywhere we turn, there are parties and sweets and snacks. I am trying to remind myself that calcium chews are really like sweets, and so a craving for a treat should be followed by, not preceding, a calcium chew (what a game to play with myself, but it works). How's everyone doing? I go to my surgeon on Dec. 15 for a check-up and my first fill. Since I note that my appetite has increased a bit, I am glad, but wishing it were a little sooner! Best to all, Deb WS

So I am curious to know how you, and all of us, fared on Thanksgiving? I am far enough out on my surgery, and doing well enough, that I had a little taste of everything. What was interesting to me, however, was how much less I ate. And it still felt like a LOT. I had a few bites of hors d'oeuvres first, and small amounts of all other things...and then I was able to eat just over half of what was on my plate. I hated stopping, but I was full and the food ceased to be so appealing. I have also tried a little wine since surgery...anyone else had any, and how did that go? And...much to be thankful for, I would say! Deb WS Banded Nov. 3, 2010 Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston Dr. Malcolm Robinson, Surgeon

Well, friends, the maintenance on the site was, as we can see, more than maintenance...a whole new content management system (CMS) for the site! I've missed folks during the few days the site was down, and hope all are doing well. Anyone want to share plans for coping with/enjoying (with moderation, of course) Thanksgiving? I am 3 weeks post-op tomorrow and starting to really feel more like myself...most of my energy has returned, no pain and little discomfort. I'm looking forward to resuming yoga next week as well. Hope you are all well. Deb WS

Here you go: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/119003-november-2010-bandsters-post-op/ Join us! Deb WS

I would say that if you eat slowly and chew, chew, chew...it's ok to try it. I would try having your broth AND the egg, and make sure you stop when you get any sense of 'enough.' And for me...my 'full' sense stopped...and then at 5:00 PM, having last eaten at 11:45, I was so ravenously hungry I thought I'd dive off a cliff. I got home and just had 1/4 c. of egg salad...which seems to have gotten me off the cliff and back to sensibility. Moral of this story: stop when starting to be full, and don't wait too long to have a little something. But just a little! Deb WS

As usual, you folks have come through for me. I read a couple of responses about ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. This morning, with my legs sooooo stiff from doing a school holiday fair (I am a caterer, among other things) I decided to just do it. I took ONE naproxen sodium (aka, Aleve)...usually, I take two. I followed it with a Tums. It made a huge difference -- I am less stiff and creaky, more able to move without pain -- that I feel it was worth it. I'm going to try very hard not to get into a habit of doing this, and stick with the Tylenol wherever possible. But if I start behaving like I'm 100, I think I'll go for the little blue pill! Also, I think that, for the first time, I may have overeaten just a little at lunch. I had some mushroom soup (pureed a bit more than when I first made it, with an immersion blender), four little crackers with some cheese, and 1/4 c. homemade applesauce. It was delicious, but the last three mouthfuls of applesauce felt like 'stuffing' -- and I have been burping ever since. So (and yes, this is a bit TMI) is burping one of the indicators that you've overdone it?? Best, Deb WS

I had lost 12 or 13 lbs, I believe, before surgery. And of course post-surgery, it's very frustrating to get on the scale and note that you have gained weight (or at least I did) from the gas and the fluids I received IV during hospitalization. It took me at least five days to get rid of that and I am not 'counting' the weight gain...it was a pause in progress, really. Since surgery, though, I've lost 8 more lbs, and I'm feeling pretty darned cheery about that! Best, Deb WS

Topazz and others: I just hit my two week post-surgery milestone (yesterday). I have had no problems with food getting stuck. Here is my best wisdom on the food subject: - a two week liquid/shake diet is boring as all get-out. I started to stray 'off the reservation' at about day 8. But I was VERY careful of how I strayed. I picked things from the next phase (mushy) diet, and had teeny quantities of them, eaten very slowly, to test out where I was. I also found that doing this, with broth or whatever, made the broth tolerable. So I would have 1 T. cottage cheese and 1 T. Tuna salad along with broth. I found that it provided enough variety to keep me going ...and that was my only goal...to buy one more day on a mostly liquid diet. - When you get to phase 3, make good choices again. Celebrate that you don't have to drink another shake, or at least not 4 or 5 a day! Enjoy the soup, cottage cheese, mashed squash, and measure it all. I have a digital scale and I use measuring cups...I find that I'm satisfied and it helps to know what I'm consuming. - Be honest with your nutritionist. I told her, at my 12 day visit, what I had been doing (with straying) and what I had eaten. She said, "That's fine, and you did the right thing. And you are clearly ready for the next phase, so go for it." That was a great feeling. Having said all that, my three other comments -- and I wonder if others have found this -- are that I am REALLY bummed to not be able to take ibuprofen or aleve (naproxen sodium) any more for arthritis pain...Tylenol doesn't cut it. I also have some persisten swelling and sensitivity on the left side of my abdomen (in other words NOT the side where the band is, the other side) and wonder if others have had this. And I found that it really was just yesterday, or today, that I started to "feel like myself" -- in other words, two weeks to the minute, more or less. Best to you all, Deb WS Banded Nov. 3 - Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston Surgeon: Dr. Malcolm Robinson

A brief update: I had my (almost) 2-week post-surgery checkup today, and it went swimmingly. I go back in 4 weeks, at which time the surgeon will probably do the first fill. I then saw the nutritionist and had another great meeting and am now cleared to move to the phase 3 diet, which is mushy soft stuff. It will feel like an 8 course banquet, in teensy amounts! I have a call in to the physician assistants in my practice to find out when I can return to my yoga practice, and when I can start working with a personal trainer. I am quite cheered by all this - small steps, but important ones! Best, Deb WS Surgeon: Dr. Malcolm Robinson Brigham and Womens Hospital Banded Nov. 3, 2010

Brownsugar and others... I think walking and taking Gas X are the two best things, along with drinking your protein and water, that you can do. The walking may hurt but it will help clear the gas that is in your body...and your head. Take your pain meds, but walk as much as possible. Best, Deb WS

Today is my 12th day post-surgery (surgery on Nov. 3). I have not had the pain issues you mention...but I am still taking some pain medication. This morning I realized that I was very stiff (I have arthritis in one knee and one foot) and just generally 'achy.' (I had a busy weekend and feel like I'm fighting a cold, which is probably contributing to these feelings). I took 2 T. of liquid Tylenol, and it has helped. My pain medicine is Roxicet -- which is a form of oxycodone --and it has worked well for me. I took a dose last night, and it helped me to relax and sleep. I expect that I'm almost off the pain meds, but I'm not trying to 'tough it out' more than seems sensible. It does sound to me like you might benefit from a call to your surgeon, however...just to check on the symptoms you are experiencing! Deb WS

I agree, and in fact, I would ask again. I can not imagine that this is correct. You need protein. Please call your surgeon's office and ask again whether you aren't supposed to be doing protein shakes AND clear liquids. I strongly suspect that there has been a miscommunication somewhere... Deb WS

Bella Luna, Go to http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/november-2010-bandsters-post-op-124006/#post1549876 Best, Deb WS

I was also banded on November 3. My experience is that the feeling of 'hungry' isn't there as much as a feeling of 'empty.' There is a reason for protein shakes...they provide something the body needs. So even if you don't feel 'hungry,' if you can slowly sip the shake over an hour, you will be doing your body a favor, and I suspect it will affect the way you feel in the afternoon. My surgeon is also prescribing enough protein shakes to have me consuming one in the mid to late afternoon, and that helps to keep the sense of emptiness, or hunger, in balance. I have another one at about 9:30 PM, which helps me feel less empty when I wake up (although it does induce more middle of the night bathroom trips!) I will also say that today I believe I learned another lesson. I had a neck ache last night, and this morning my neck really hurt. I started drinking water, and kept at it through the morning, and now my neck is much less sensitive (I also did some gentle stretches). I suspect that I was dehydrated from not enough liquids...and it's a lesson to me. All in all, things are going well, as I hope they will with you and with others! Deb WS

I will say, as a nine days post op patient, that the best pointers for those looking ahead to the surgery are: - don't read post-op horror stories. Yes, there are a few, but they are FEW. Believe that you will do well, and it will help. - Definitely be regular in taking pain medication. You do not get extra nobility points for toughing it out, and it allows the pain to gain on you. Managed pain allows your body to rest and heal. - Try to provide enough variety in your liquid diet to keep going on it. Look for flavors of protein shakes that might be of interest; remember that beef/mushroom/barley soup, strained, has lots of flavor that plain beef broth doesn't have (and ditto for chicken noodle soup, strained), and so on. - rely on a supportive community - this one. Remember that we have a November bandsters 2010-post op thread going in the post-op section of the forums...post there for post-op support and shared experience. Best wishes to all, Deb WS Banded Nov. 3, 2010 Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston Dr. Malcolm Robinson, surgeon

Kimoki and others, we have a November Bandsters 2010 - post op thread going where there is discussion among folks who have been on this group about their post-op experiences. See http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/november-2010-bandsters-post-op-124006/#post1549876 and you might want to bookmark the link, and hang out with folks who have already had surgery! Best, Deb WS 8 days post-op and feeling quite well!

I think that drinking slowly is very smart -- chugging something is not going to work...so think about what you can consume over 1/2 hour time, or an hour. I don't know that the temperature of the liquid has much to do with anything...I have to say that I am a 'cold' person...I put crushed ice in all my shakes, which I make with an immersion blender...on the other hand, room temperature or warm beverages are comforting! I suspect that there may be a time when you can have a little peanut butter, but that would not be now. It's a matter of taking it slow. What I am finding is that I have to balance the absolute boredom of clear liquids and protein shakes with a little (and I mean LITTLE) slippage from the Stage 3 diet. Last night, that meant a 1/6 cup of baked, mashed winter squash and 1/6 cup of whipped no-fat cottage cheese. First, it tasted GREAT...I could really taste everything...and, combined with my chicken broth, it made everything tolerable. I hope sharing my experience is helpful. Take it slow! Best to you and to all, Deb WS

Shawna, Besides being envious of your doctor's regime of soup (not to mention potatoes!) I am interested to hear about the treadmill. Last night, as I marked one week post-op, I found myself wondering whether I might be able to do a little on the treadmill. I have been thinking that this would probably be OK at this point. Did your surgeon clear this, or did you decide on your own to do it? Best, Deb WS

Devo-tee, I do not use a cpap machine. But I have a long body pillow, and I used my other two pillows and then the body pillow to raise me higher (mostly because it is then easier to get up!) You might try that if you have that kind of pillow around..or one of those reading pillows with arms that some folks have. Best on your recovery, Deb WS (who is celebrating exactly one week since surgery at this hour):thumbup:

G Rose - I am so, so glad to hear that things are better today. My husband has a saying that things generally go on about one day more than you think you can possibly stand them. I think that might have been the case for you, but it just makes me happy to know that the tide seems to have turned. May it continue! Best, Deb WS (who has taken NO pain meds of any kind so far today)!

Just checking in with you all. I had my procedure on the afternoon of November 3, so as of 5 PM today, it will be one week! I had some pain in my neck last night (and wondered if it could still be gas "leaving the building"), and have gotten down in the pain medication, but not off it completely. Yesterday I had one dose of Tylenol and two of the prescription pain meds (late afternoon and before bed, which I find are the most uncomfortable times). Anyone else experiencing/experience this at the same time in their post-op? I also allowed myself a little slippage in diet yesterday. I got to the point where I thought that if I looked at one more cup of chicken broth and one more plain protein shake with no fruit, I would go nuts. The popsicles and the jello aren't doing much for me, because I'm not craving sugar - it's some food variety I want. So I cooked a small amount of noodles and made a light cheese sauce, and mixed them together. I measured out 1/3 of a cup of the noodles, along with 1 c. of chicken broth - for lunch, having had a protein shake that AM, and some crystal light. I ate VERY slowly, tiny, tiny bites. I got the 'full' feeling after having 1/2 of what I had...so I stopped. I was amazed to be full at that point, but - so be it. I had a protein shake at 2:15, and at 5:00, I had the rest of that chicken broth/noodle mix. At 7 I had 3/4 c. chicken broth and 1/4 c. noodles, again, VERY slowly consuming, and 1 T (I kid you not) of a shredded cooked carrot casserole I had made for the family. I had another protein shake at 10 PM. I had a fair amount of stomach gurgling at 11 PM at night, and some through the night, but no reflux, no nausea. Today I feel able to resume my boring chicken broth regime, having had a little variety in the mix...but this also makes me believe that, the next time this hits me in a few days, I could try a tiny bit of cottage cheese or tuna, *slowly* and it would also work (both on the stage 3 diet). I am writing not so much to confess but to share, to see if anyone else has had similar experiences, and to see what your 'take' on all this is. My surgeon is one who has patients on clear broth, protein shakes, SF jello and popsicles, SF beverages, for two full weeks before moving to smooth or pureed foods. In search of collective wisdom, Deb WS

G Rose, Do you have pain medication, and are you taking it? I'm serious in asking this question: if you didn't receive pain management help, you need to ask for it. Pain can exhaust you. If you did receive it and you aren't taking it, I would encourage you to do so - because I believe it will help. The body can't heal when you're in pain - so this is a big issue. How long were you told not to drive for? I would suggest calling your surgeon's office and checking in with them. It sounds to me like you may need to consult with them about the way that you are feeling. I'm concerned and am hoping for a better report tomorrow! Best, Deb WS

Christie, Yes, do call your doctor's office. The dieticians on staff will also be helpful to you. And perhaps you need more pain medication...I found, for instance, that I was able to breathe more deeply, without hesitation, and move more freely, after taking pain medication...it may be that you aren't taking enough!! Let us know. Best, Deb WS