azarellanos

Hey how is everyone doing? I made if there and back uneventfully...LOL. I've been doing pretty good. Day of surgery and next were as expected. Day 3 and 4 all but my epigastric surgical pain and increased difficulty breathing set in. The nurse I am immediately goes to the worst, "i have a blood clot in my lung, or a leak, or.....". So I went to the ER. All my tests were negative for surgical complications (as I hoped). It was just swelling and the breathing issues were from my asthma. My asthma almost sent me back there today. The change of weather is hard on it. Having my first bit of reflux, probably because I pushed a progression of a food faster that I should have. Today I felt like I just pigged out. When I added it up it was 350 calories!! Amazing. All in all I'm feeling great. The memory of surgical discomfort is fading, kinda like childbirth. Actually I remembered that a good long while...this is fading fast. Stephanie

I'm being sleeved October 14 in Tijuana. There is a group of 6 people going down to the same place with a person who was sleeved there 6 years ago. She's been helping sleevers ever since. I don't know any of the people going down. Hoping to make some friends. I know support is the key and am looking to be part of a support group here and if possible, at home. The Mexico thing has me a bit nervous as well as the flight to San Diego. I haven't flown in 14 years (pre 911). But it's only a 1hr flight, not too bad though. That's how important it is to me to have the surgery....I'm going to fly...LOL.

I'm having surgery on Oct 14. I've told just about everyone. Most have been supportive and offering prayers for a safe surgery. After years and years of trying to lose weight my diabetes is getting worse. This is my last chance before insulin. I have a coworker/friend who is super healthy and disciplined. I suspect she has told others she believes I haven't tried hard enough. At least she keeps her comments from me. Again, I know I have tried and what she thinks ultimately doesn't matter. What matters is what you think. You know your body better than the others Take confidence in your decision.

I'm Wednesday Oct 14. The pre-op diet has been harder this time.

I'm getting ready to have my gastric sleeve this week and I have a friend really wanting to know more. She had stomach stapling (horizontal) in the 90s. Originally she lost lots of weight and later gained more than that back and more. Now she is having serious health conditions. She is wondering if there is a bariatric procedure she can have. She's very interested in the sleeve.

So incredibly interesting.,I'm a nurse but have not heard of the ENS. I know there are nerves; but a separate system, no. I am celiac so that's an obvious gut connection. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which has a gut connection. I still have my lap band but it is essentially empty because of vomiting on anything but liquids. When I get super upset my band becomes tighter than I've ever had it. I can feel everything tightening from my stomach to my throat. If I eat something when I'm super upset, and I usually do, it gets stuck and I vomit. Any thoughts on how this is affected by a gastric sleeve? thanks

I'm part of the Surgical Care Improvement Process team at work. Shaving with a razor actually increases the chance for infection. Only clippers are to be used if hair removal is needed. I wore underwear during my surgery. I didn't consider it prior, but it made it nice.

We were banded on the same day and yesterday I think I was over confident. I also didn't think I had any restriction. But I must because I didn't really feel very good with what I ate. Negative reinforcement is a very good thing for me. Today I've backed off and will see how that goes. So far so good. Hot Soups always feel better for me than the cold. They're just more soothing. Hope you feel better Stephanie

I would recommend at least 1 week, if you have the time. I was banded on a friday (7/23) and thought I was feeling pretty good those first 6 days but on day 7 I started feeling great and realized how bad I was feeling previously. I was off a full 9 days, including weekend days. Having those days where I felt great before going back to work really helped my psyche. It really depends on you and what your surgeon recommends as well as the type of job you have. If you've ever had any other laprascopic surgery, that may give you an idea as well. I think more time off is better, if you can.

Not to mention weighing with clothes on at the Dr office. I weigh just out of the shower and before I get dressed, without clothes. I want the "real" weight sooooo I just assume the difference can be clothes also. I'm also obsessed with weighing. If I don't weigh at all or if I only weigh once a week I don't have the same accountability to myself. When I was with weight watchers and only weighed once a week I was only "good" two days before weigh in. Guess that's why I'm here with the LapBand LOL. My current digital scale is a little weird anyway. I have to weigh myself about 4 times in a row. The first time is always about 2-3 lbs(sometimes more) higher than the next one. Then I do it until I get the same weight 3 times, just to be sure. That second,(third and fourth) weights ususally correlate with continued weight loss. I might have to invest in a better scale but for now this is the crazy one I have. It'll probably take ordering online or a trip to a bigger town for me. We don't have a Target here, darn! I'm going to keep all the suggestions in mind when I do.

Today was the first day I really exercised since surgery and I was to do 30 min on the eliptical. It was just slow and steady but a start none the less.

I go so slow I'm not really tired when I'm done. It's just to get into a routine. Now shoveling out the horse stall last weekend may be another story:) I only took a small amount on the shovel, tried to stay under 15lbs (my limit for 3 weeks)

I was at exactly 1 week when I started feeling good. When I started feeling good is when I realized how bad I was feeling. I had been wondering if I made the worst mistake of my life and was already planning on how to pay for the removal. I had sort of an opposite problem. If I didn't eat is when my stomach began to give me real pains AND gas. I discovered about 3-4 days in that I felt better when I ate. But it was hard to force myself to eat when I didn't want to. Warm liquids were better than cold. Now that the swelling has gone down I realize I don't have any restriction. Did your doc maybe give a tiny fill at surgery? I'd give them a call and let them know how you're feeling.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope the Bactrim works for you. Did the doc mention IV antibiotics for this? I've had an infection in my larger incision. Last Friday, I was one week post op and took off my steri strips because they itched. I noticed my wound had dehised (separated) on one end and was starting to on the other. There was a bit of yellowish drainage with an odor. But no fever, redness or heat at the incision. Ironically this is the day I began to feel really good. I was sort of freaking out inside because I've had MRSA exposure and am probably colonized. My doctor is 3 hrs away. I called their office and the doctor ok'd me to see my local doc and called in Keflex for me. I saw my local doc and he didn't think it was infected and didn't recommend I take the Keflex. But I thought he took too long looking at it and assessing it for my own comfort so I started the Keflex. Within 24hrs it looked much better. The Keflex was in huge capsules so for the first couple of days I opened them onto a couple of tablespoons of ice cream. This was sooooo horrible tasting. I've since discovered I have no restriction so I've been taking the capsules normally--thank goodness. When I returned to work this Monday I asked my boss to look at it (she's a certified wound care nurse). She said since it dehised it most likely had an infection and gave me some advice about it. I'm a nurse too and I kinda forgot that about incisions but knew it didn't look right. Sometimes its hard to remember what we're taught when it's so personal. Best wishes for your healing. Please keep us updated

Yay, today I fell almost normal. I'm officially one week post op, my upper abd doesn't feel/look bloasted and I start thicker liquids today!!! I was really getting discouraged and depressed wondering if I made a huge horrible mistake with this surgery. I've lost 15.5 since pre diet, but losing weight didn't seem worth it if I felt bad all the time. I've been craving something with warm and with flavor and not cold and sweet. Dh made me a couple of thicker smooth Soups to have ready when its time to eat. He's a chef and loves to feed people. So his good cooking has always been a challenge. (I blame him for my weight prob , not really) Now I feel ready to meet this challenge.

I also have had problems but I think mine are related to blood sugar but it would be great if it were just anesthesia. About 2 months ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and one of my signals was blurred vision. I started an oral med immediately and when sugars stabilized I went to the eye doctor. She told me my diabetes was masking my poor vision. My eyes eventually settled into not needing any help. Now since surgery I've needed readers. But my sugars have consistently been below what they were pre surgery and the lowest fasting sugars I've had in years. I'm glad you asked this I was wondering the same thing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for anesthesia to be the reason. I'd like to go without my glasses again.

I was banded on 7/23. The pain is much less by now. One thing I noticed this morning is nausea when I turned to my left side when laying down. Once my insides "settle" it goes away. I haven't eaten (drank) since last night. I'm also still having gas pains and pain with hiccups. Has anyone else experienced this?

My employer believes in the lap band and provides a "benefit" not insurance for lap band. It is a one time, lifetime, 10,000 and very easy to qualify for. There are a couple of doctors, in Mexico, who work closely with my employer. But I had real reservations about going to Mexico-(since I grew up in a border town) I had my band done in Phx. The drs office said if they had to bill anyone I would be charged the "insurance" rate beginning at 22000. I ended up paying cash price 12500 for my surgery but expect to get 10000 back. Just to be sure I had my pre-certification completed prior to surgery. I'm happy with only 2500 out of pocket. My aftercare, fills etc, are included for 1yr. Somewhere I heard, cash payers could deduct this on taxes as a medical expense. anyone else heard that?

Mine was done on July 23. After a couple of hours resting My family and I went to a mall and walked around a bit-30 min or so. The second day I felt much better but today I'm the same as yesterday. Does anyone have any aches and pains? Both of my calves hurt when I get up to walk. It goes away after I walk some. It doesn't hurt when I flex, nor do I see reddness or heat. Its just as if I exercised too much. Possibly the walking at the mall caused it. And I have a difficult time taking a deep breath. Hiccupps hurt like heck.:bolt: How long till I feel normal again?

I've been having a horrible time with my pre-op diet. I was really good the first week but this week is very very rough. What determines the length of the diet? (I know it is determined by the Dr) But I want to know WHY some drs give pts with a higher BMI than mine only 1 week. My BMI was 40 and I was in the middle of the 1 and 2 week diet so they told me 2 weeks. I am trying, but am very hungry and grouchy. I'm hoping this becomes much easier after the surgery and the hunger feeling goes away.

I'm scheduled for 7/23 am. I was on the 2 week Protein shake diet for a BMI of 40. Its so hard for 2wks. I've been soo hungry (stomach growling)-can't wait for that feeling to go away. I've lost about 10 pounds and many people say "why have surgery if this is working". I just explain that it would be the same old routine of loss and gain. However now I'm getting really nervous but still think its a good decision. I've just never been to sleep for surgery before and that's my real concern. What are all of you getting for pain med after the surgery? My office gave me a script for Lortab liquid but Lortab makes me sick and vomit (not good). They said they'd give me whatever I'd like but I don't know what to ask for. I'm also traveling for surgery. We (dh and my two kids) We'll be staying for a couple of days before driving home three hours away. Anyone else traveling for surgery?