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I have not had a whole salad since my surgery 4/2/09. About 2 weeks after being on solid's and testing foods I had a few bites and was fine- Today - Lunch was a salad- with chicken cheese and eggs- I chewed until the lettuce was liquid- within 2 hrs I had terrible pain and poopies (TMI :crying:) most of the afternoon- Once everything "cleared" I felt better- I was told that might happen when we "test" new foods....

Yes congrats on the quitting smoking! I've been smoke free for three months now and I just now feel like I can breath so much easier. I also seem to sleep a lot better too. Finally stopped hacking crap up:ack2: (TMI I know..) For all of you looking for good Protein shakes, try Isopure. There's actually an add for it over on the right of the page a lot. It's the best quality protein and is very very low fat and carb. I think with a little added sweetener and even some various extracts, it tastes great. You don't even need to blend it, it mixes fine with a spoon. Just a thought. Good luck on the preop diets everyone I'm struggling, but getting it done without cheating, so far :thumbup:

Burping is like being stabbed for me, I get this shooting pain down my spine my stomach feels like it's moving sideways and I see stars. Honestly, and this is sooo gross sorry if it's tmi, but Coming out the back end feels soooooooooooooooooo much better then burping, at least you feel relief and not like your torso is going to explode.

I wish I had seen that sooner, too. I just got back from a cruise a few days ago and only problems I had were my own doing... eating too much or too fast. We had very relaxing and enjoyable meals. For the most part I made good, band-friendly choices and I did not feel deprived in any way. One night I had to leave the table during dessert, but it was my fault. I was full but stupidly decided to "taste"my dessert anyway. Very often, when I know I am at capacity, even a tiny bite of something sweet will cause an adverse reaction... like I think I'm going to lose it RIGHT NOW. As it was, I excused myself and went to the rest room where I did a little "sliming", but that's all that came up. Sorry>> TMI! Over the course of the week, I ate some things I normally wouldn't, like some carbs.. potatoes, a little rice, etc. And some Desserts, a few drinks, but overall... I did not over indulge and what I gained was 1.8 lb and it's already gone. I ate lots of fish... smoked salmon with my breakfast every morning, lobster tail two different nights, red snapper another night. Twice I had lamb and once prime rib. We did the buffet twice for lunch, but... not a good idea... too many choices and too many temptations, so we didn't go back. Well, I know DH was sneaking up there sometimes between lunch and dinner for a piece of pizza or a hamburger... but he gained NINE lbs!!

I got banded on Wednesday May20th, I have not had a BM except for sorry for the TMI ( Diarrhea probably 3 times). I am really glad I read this thread because I was thinking I wasn't normal because I have been in pain since I came home from the hospital. I have been pretty much miserable due to not being able to eat ( I have two room mates that have been eating lasagna,pasta, spaghetti, pizza) all the things I love!!! and I feel miserable because I haven't been feeling well at all. THE BEST ADVICE IS... USE THE PAIN MEDICATION THE DOCTOR GAVE YOU. Once I realized that taking the liquid pain medication could help me I've been feeling better... sooo until you see your doctor take pain meds and hang in there! I just wish I wasn't so hungry!!

Ok so I saw the other post on here asking about when to expect a BM. I have been having them and it's completely different than pre-op. I am assuming it's because I am on all liquids, but my BM is all liquid.....is this something that is normal for this stage....I had two today and one yesterday. Really made me nervous.

Girl you are not whiny you just had major surgery!! I will tell you I had it right under my left rips and I felt like I was a ballon about to pop for almost two weeks. It hurt so bad I was almost in tears at times............gasx and vicodan only dulled the pain but it hurt 24/7 for awhile. I think your shoulders must be gas too............. I hated to walk because it hurt so bad but when I walked I would belch and fart away (TMI I KNOW, I KNOW) and it would be instant relief!! But I seriosly paced my backyard for about 15 minutes at a time than had to sit down because it hurt so bad!! It took alot of walking to work it all out.....another think I did was pull my knees to my chest and just hold it like that for awhile to push the air out that worked too but so glad no one else was home at the time........LOL. All of a sudden I woke up one day and it was totally gone. I know for the first two weeks every time I eat the gas got worse.........and seriously though it was gonna push up through my chest it hurt so badly..............somehow I survived it one day, one hour at time. But OMG it hurt........... Walk and Gasx my friend!! And contort your body into strange positions to push it out!! I won't tell!! LOL

Candy constipation at your stage..........yep I had it. I use benefiber everyday now but I think you have to wait a few weeks for that. I think it is the food change. The first month I was constipated. Never any diarrhea though Reggie. Changing stages was a huge temptation for me as well. I got tired of pureeing and the same foods over and over. Again I liked the soup stage I found purees harder to do. I have also probably experimented to much with food. Well salad is my perfect example. I have had it three times this week. I am thinking how I could replace it. But my stubborn mind says it healthy and why, why, why can't I??? It makes me full but I grew up with salads and no meat so maybe what I think is full is not the same as full for everyone else.................... Reggie I found after surgery I only like warm liquids. Not cold so I hear ya girl!! Weird because I drank diet coke alot with ice and loved it................. NSV- My underwear is falling off me again!! (TMI I know) second time in six week I have to make another trip to Lane Bryant, maybe next time I will be able to go to victoria secret!! The elastic just doesn't hug me anymore........Maybe I should ask Dr. Baggs to measure me instead of weigh me.........how embarrassing would that be!! Yep I see Robin this week and Dr. Baggs. I think I am working on 1/4 cup this week and not so much counting calories. I have been counting calories and estimating the size but realize I have it all backwards..............cup than calories. I feel like I am starting to make the band work!! LOL. But I have had some mess ups for sure with all this protien and vegetarian stuff.............again maybe four months was to fast for me to learn it all but I am finally getting it down!!

The only trouble I've consistently had since surgery is problems going to the bathroom. I don't eat that much anymore so my bowels just don't seem stimulated enough to work well. I go to the bathroom every couple of days but don't produce much. Then every several months, I get severely impacted. It's so bad that I am homebound for a couple of days. The first day, I writhe in pain and pray for death (just kidding). Then I take laxatives and crap my brains out for a whole day and a half or two days. It seems incredible that a human can crap so much. Does anyone have this problem and has anyone found a way to avoid it?

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum, but almost two years out with the Lap band. It has worked really, really well for me and so far I have lost 78 lbs. and I have about 30 left to go (I have been plateaued for over a year- grrr!). Anyhoo, I have had a sinus infection for the past week and a half after having the flu and I have noticed that for the last week or so I have had a hard time keeping ANYTHING down, even fluids. It's like my band it too tight or everything is getting stuck. I think it is from having so much mucus and goo running down my throat that it is plugging up the band?? Almost everything is coming back up, even Water, juice, milk, Protein drinks, etc. I am almost back on a clear diet and it is very frustrating. I am on antibiotics, Sudafed, Claritin and the band problem isn't getting better... Has anyone else every experienced this? I have even sunk to having a glass of wine tonight hoping that the alcohol would relax the esophagus enough that I could get some Soup down, but about half a glass down and it came back up. I would hate to take the trouble to go all the way into my doc and get loosened, pay the big co-pay to have it go away in a couple days, then have to back and get tightened again, but I have hardly eaten anything in days. I. Am.SO.Hungry. Help! I am getting desperate and I am miserable. Anyone have any experience with that and have any good ideas?? Thanks in advance!!

We DTD a couple of days ago for the first time, although I was instructed to wait two weeks...oops. TMI but I just told hubby to be very gentle! My problem now is that I am not on any birth control and TMI AGAIN the flippin condom broke!! DH was FREAKING out and told me to go get plan B or something but I don't like the idea of that so...hopefully someone is looking out for me right now! (sorry for the information overshare, I just had to get it out!)

My surgeon said V8 is a no-no, so I haven't had any. Yesterday was the first day I pooped since surgery, so it took 3 days! The poop was wierd too- kinda chalky and a mustard green. I too used to poop 1-2X/day, but I don't miss it...wiping the butt is such a pain. (TMI, yet?)

I am going to wait on the pump until after the baby is here. I actually had a surprise baby shower at work yesterday and ended up with a gift certificate to Baby's R Us for $185. I think all of some portion of that might just be the pump after she comes. :0) CherryBlue . . . I feel your pain with the leg cramps. I had to drive an hour an MBA class yesterday night and I found that I was getting a horrible cramp in my foot by depressing the gas pedal. I actually had to use my cruise control. I get really bad leg/foot cramps now so I have been trying to eat more bananas (my mum always told me to do this) and using massage to try and work it out. I noticed my rings are a little tight as well and I had another week with a huge gain (4 pounds or so). I think it might be Water weight but my blood pressure is normal so I am not too concerned. Warning - maybe TMI . . . I am pretty sure I lost my mucus plug on Monday while I was fishing with my husband. I wasnt sure until I spoke to my ob today but now I am sure that is what it was. I was confused because I thought it was supposed to be discolored with a tinge of blood but it wasn't like that, there was no blood at all. My ob also told me today that I am 1 centimeter dialated. That allowed me to get really excited for all of 20-30 seconds before she then said that all it means is that my body is preparing for delivery . . . which could be this weekend or a couple of weeks from now. Darn . . . I was hoping that it meant that this daily discomfort would be over really soon, lol. All it really means is that I will have a baby sometime over the next several weeks (which I already suspected to be the case, lol). Also . . . have any of you noticed that people always tell you in the last bit of pregnancy to "enjoy your sleep while you can get it." What sleep are they referring to? (perhaps they have never been pregnant or have blissfully forgotten the experience) --> Is it the continuous uncomfortable tossing and turning to find a position that is slighly less terrible than the last. --> Or is it the waking up with an occasional unexpected but exceedingly painful leg cramp? --> Or is it the waking up sooo hot because your husband has lovingly tucked the covers around you for the umpteenth time until you look like an eskimo (and it is almost June). --> Or is it the 3rd, 5th or millionth time you got up to pee in the middle of the night? Lol, I need this baby to come so I can get a little rest between feedings. It has to be better than what it is like now.

Thanks for the kind words! I slept pretty well last night...on my side as usual, but a pillow pushed up against my stomach to support me...that seemed to work. Still gassy but it seems to be easing up more and more. I think after lying horizontal all night it spread around a bit, so this morning it's coming out the other end...TMI, I know, but that's the facts! LOL. I've decided to just use Tylenol for the discomfort (can't really call it pain) and headache. Sailor Kristy...are you getting so excited?? Can't wait to hear how your surgery goes. Have a great day everyone!

This probably isn't the right place to look, in fact I have already seen a doctor and plan on seeing a counselor PDQ, but I need to solicit some help and feedback from the many good people I have talked to on this forum. The situation as of current. Thursday of last week, while at home on vacation, I got "the call" from work informing me that I had been laid off after having been there 9 1/2 years. Sunday after that my wife announced that she was moving out. Between the two of these incidents, in addition to some deep depression that I had falled into recently because of the issues that my wife and I have been experiencing, I feel like my whole life is in a downward spiral. Monday I went to the doctor and got prescribed Prozac for the depression - God please let it start working quickly because I can't take how I am feeling much longer! A little background to the issues with my wife. She and I had our 2nd anniversary on 5/12. We were both banded on 12/8/08. Before that she had some personal issues (out of respect for her I won't give any details publicly) that drove her into a depression and ultimately onto anti-depressant medications. After starting to take them she was the woman that I married again and I couldn't be happier! She stopped taking them for a while because they were no longer having any effect, which from what I understand is simply NOT a good idea. She got into some hellacious mood swings and we fought a lot. The problem with the fighting was not because of what she was saying, but rather, what she was not saying. She would not open up to me what she was upset about, regardless whether or not it related to me or something that I had done. I eventually would get it out of her that she was mad at me, but, never got any details of what I had done, not done, or otherwise. Because of the stress of her issue that prompted her to go onto the anti-depressants and a lot of workplace stress, I had to go onto blood pressure medication because I got to the point of having extremely high pulse (160-170 BPM) resting. As a result of these blood pressure meds, I experienced one of the ugly side effects - erectile disfunction and total lack of desire. "Things" would work, but required some work to get them into "drive". She took this personally as if I was no longer attracted to her , which could not be ANY further from the truth - she's the most beautiful woman I have ever know, inside and out, and I love her with all of my heart! This caused some fights as well and got her thinking that I was cheating on her, which could not be further from the truth. We went through some bad months and good months. She ended up going back to the doctor and got the dosage of the anti-depressant increased, which helped out a bit. About 2 months ago we got into a pretty bad fight and then it came out - she had cold-turkey stopped taking the meds again. About a week later she told me that she was sorry for everything that she had been putting me through. This honestly lifted a lot of weight from my shoulders. After a trip up north to see her family, she came back and I felt the weight again. She was upset about something that I did but wouldn't tell me. I took it upon myself to go see the doctor about the erectile disfunction and he gave me a couple of sample packs of Cialis. (NOTE - This stuff works, and works WELL - but ONLY if you actually have some form of ED!) I told my wife about it and we put them to use. She was very satisfied! A few good weeks went by again and we hit another brick wall. We had another huge fight, which I didn't find out what we were even fighting about for a few more weeks, but come Sunday, she announced that she was moving out. Her explanation is she doesn't feel the same way about me that she used to. "It's not you, it's me". "I love you but I am not in love with you." In my heart I can't help but think these are cop-outs, but, I must say that everything in the past she has told me I took at face value and it ended up being just what she said. I can't help but think though that maybe she's seeing someone else, maybe she feels that she can do better than me now that she's lost over 60 pounds, maybe it's the ED issues I'm seeing because of the BP meds. I need some direction here. Do you think it's her lack of taking the medications that has brought us to this? I love her with all of my heart and can't bear the thought of losing her. She has all the divorce papers already filled out but says she just wants to live apart for 6 months so she can have her space and see where it leads her feelings. In my experience, these trial seperations never work - you may as well just skip the trial and go right to the divorce. Any advise is greatly appreciated. There is one other concern, that I'll need to talk to a lawyer about , but I want to see what everyones thoughts are here. Child support.... I have a 11 1/2 year old daughter from a previous marriage that I pay $500 a month support on. With me now being on unemployment, having to keep a roof over my head, having other financial obligations, what happens now if I can't afford to pay this $500 a month? I'll be talking to a lawyer about this but this really has me scared. I've lost my job, lost my wife - the last thing left is my daughter and it scares me to death to face losing her. Thanks so much for reading and any help anyone can provide. All in all I don't feel like much of a man anymore because of all that's going on.

This probably isn't the right place to look, in fact I have already seen a doctor and plan on seeing a counselor PDQ, but I need to solicit some help and feedback from the many good people I have talked to on this forum. The situation as of current. Thursday of last week, while at home on vacation, I got "the call" from work informing me that I had been laid off after having been there 9 1/2 years. Sunday after that my wife announced that she was moving out. Between the two of these incidents, in addition to some deep depression that I had falled into recently because of the issues that my wife and I have been experiencing, I feel like my whole life is in a downward spiral. Monday I went to the doctor and got prescribed Prozac for the depression - God please let it start working quickly because I can't take how I am feeling much longer! A little background to the issues with my wife. She and I had our 2nd anniversary on 5/12. We were both banded on 12/8/08. Before that she had some personal issues (out of respect for her I won't give any details publicly) that drove her into a depression and ultimately onto anti-depressant medications. After starting to take them she was the woman that I married again and I couldn't be happier! She stopped taking them for a while because they were no longer having any effect, which from what I understand is simply NOT a good idea. She got into some hellacious mood swings and we fought a lot. The problem with the fighting was not because of what she was saying, but rather, what she was not saying. She would not open up to me what she was upset about, regardless whether or not it related to me or something that I had done. I eventually would get it out of her that she was mad at me, but, never got any details of what I had done, not done, or otherwise. Because of the stress of her issue that prompted her to go onto the anti-depressants and a lot of workplace stress, I had to go onto blood pressure medication because I got to the point of having extremely high pulse (160-170 BPM) resting. As a result of these blood pressure meds, I experienced one of the ugly side effects - erectile disfunction and total lack of desire. "Things" would work, but required some work to get them into "drive". She took this personally as if I was no longer attracted to her , which could not be ANY further from the truth - she's the most beautiful woman I have ever know, inside and out, and I love her with all of my heart! This caused some fights as well and got her thinking that I was cheating on her, which could not be further from the truth. We went through some bad months and good months. She ended up going back to the doctor and got the dosage of the anti-depressant increased, which helped out a bit. About 2 months ago we got into a pretty bad fight and then it came out - she had cold-turkey stopped taking the meds again. About a week later she told me that she was sorry for everything that she had been putting me through. This honestly lifted a lot of weight from my shoulders. After a trip up north to see her family, she came back and I felt the weight again. She was upset about something that I did but wouldn't tell me. I took it upon myself to go see the doctor about the erectile disfunction and he gave me a couple of sample packs of Cialis. (NOTE - This stuff works, and works WELL - but ONLY if you actually have some form of ED!) I told my wife about it and we put them to use. She was very satisfied! A few good weeks went by again and we hit another brick wall. We had another huge fight, which I didn't find out what we were even fighting about for a few more weeks, but come Sunday, she announced that she was moving out. Her explanation is she doesn't feel the same way about me that she used to. "It's not you, it's me". "I love you but I am not in love with you." In my heart I can't help but think these are cop-outs, but, I must say that everything in the past she has told me I took at face value and it ended up being just what she said. I can't help but think though that maybe she's seeing someone else, maybe she feels that she can do better than me now that she's lost over 60 pounds, maybe it's the ED issues I'm seeing because of the BP meds. I need some direction here. Do you think it's her lack of taking the medications that has brought us to this? I love her with all of my heart and can't bear the thought of losing her. She has all the divorce papers already filled out but says she just wants to live apart for 6 months so she can have her space and see where it leads her feelings. In my experience, these trial seperations never work - you may as well just skip the trial and go right to the divorce. Any advise is greatly appreciated. There is one other concern, that I'll need to talk to a lawyer about , but I want to see what everyones thoughts are here. Child support.... I have a 11 1/2 year old daughter from a previous marriage that I pay $500 a month support on. With me now being on unemployment, having to keep a roof over my head, having other financial obligations, what happens now if I can't afford to pay this $500 a month? I'll be talking to a lawyer about this but this really has me scared. I've lost my job, lost my wife - the last thing left is my daughter and it scares me to death to face losing her. Thanks so much for reading and any help anyone can provide. All in all I don't feel like much of a man anymore because of all that's going on.

LOL I also got the rash..............had surgery on APril 13, 2009. My rash was from not wearing a bra for a month while I was healing and off work............(TMI I know)

Charlene - Are you totally unfilled 0h no i see .6 - no 6 - I am not medically inclinde so all these cc don't mean sqaut to me :0) - How's the tmi issues - did you tell them about that problem?? That's great to hear about the sleeve - cuz it's what I would do if I lost my band - and I really don't want to go to Mexico - I know that pple who go love it - I'm a scaredy cat.. I thought I had read somewhere that they were now paying for the sleeve - Our office just changed to Aetna so I don't know if bariatric is covered or not - question though - I am no longer obese so would they cover it if I lost my band or would I have to gain it all back in order to quailfy??? Wasn't your DH thinking about surgery - This would be perfect... Kath - HUGS gf on the teeth issue - Ya that's terrible - but I bet you mashed potatoes never tasted so good.. I didn't watch biggest loser this season - to much other stuff to watch and of course LBT - but I did see the last 5 minutes and was rooting for her - I was 52 when banded - Lost 100 lbs in 1 yr - and then the other 12 by just eating healthy and exercising... It can be done !!! Laura Congrats on your other pound lost !!! And yes I think that each time you go in for a fill it gets easier for them - they know where your port is and how to hit it.. - My doc says that 1 cc is a lot when I last went for onel - that's what he gave me on 1/23/08 - I could drink while I was there - but like the next day I could barely drink my coffee - tiny itty bitty sips - I was back in his office within a week and he took out all but .01 of the fill - and I haven't been back since.. I never ever want to be that tight again - I could only eat like 1/4 c of food and that was the week of my Bday so I couldn't even go out to dinner cuz I couldn't eat... I would rather be too loose than too tight.. Give the fill a while to settle in.. ------------------------------------------------- Well gang I am late tonite - had to go to the Attonery's office and sign papers after work (my Bro's Estate stuff) and while there - it dawned on me - I didn't pay his property taxes that were due in April - I pay mine in full in Dec (cuz this is what I am afraid of doing is forgetting) and the Ranches I wrote that check in but forgot all about the 2nd half being do on my bro's house.. So came home and did the accounting stuff I had to do on his account - then cooked GS dinner (I'm haveing left over bbq chick - oh but I still gotta cook my veggies).. I wonder how Long's doing on her cruise - can't wait to hear all about it.. Well, just cking in - cbl :thumbup:

Hello, here's my story (I wrote this all yesterday, 5/13/09) I started getting ready for the surgery Monday night. I tried to do things that I knew I wouldn't want to do right away after coming back from the hospital. I scrubbed a bath/shower that needed to be cleaned, unloaded & loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen, (TMI) DTD with hubby lol. I also had to wash our sheets so I could sleep on freshly washed sheets, per my instructions. I also had to take a shower with a hibiclens sponge and then take another one in the morning. I only ended up sleeping 2-3 hours so the showers weren't that far apart but oh well. I got to the hospital at 8am with surgery scheduled for 10am. (I wasn't early just for fun, they asked me to come that early) lol I signed a couple of papers at the admissions desk and then sat in the waiting room for about 5-10 minutes. Then they took me back to a small pre-op room with a bed, chair and tv. The nurse asked me to get all the way undressed and put on their stylish gown, gray skidproof sockies and blue surgery cap. She had me hop on the bed and asked a bunch of questions and I had to sign another paper. She also collected a urine specimen (to make sure I'm not pregnant I think). About this time my friend Becky arrived, which helped pass the time. (I had driven myself there because hubby needed to be home with the kids.) The nurse came back in and gave me a shot of heparin in the belly and it really didn't hurt or sting, thank goodness. She told me that they would be taking me down to the OR about 10:30 (so I guess it got moved back a little) she also started my IV and gave me some medicine to calm my nerves a little. That stuff was great, it did calm me down and made me mellow. They gave a little light up pager thing to my friend and sent her back to the waiting room until the surgery was over. They wheeled me down to the OR and transferred me over to another bed, put the mask on my face and I was out. I woke up in a recovery room and coughed a little from the breathing tube they had put down my throat during the surgery. I remember looking at the clock at seeing 11:30am or noon. I honestly don't remember much from the recovery room, just that they told me everything went really well. I think I might have cried a little as I was coming out of the fog, I don't know why, but I'm pretty sure I did. Other than earlier in the day when my surgeon came to say hello, I never even saw him at all. They wheeled me to my room, which was a double room and already had a lady in there. My roommate had a lot of health issues, I felt so bad for her. She had gastric bypass in 1999 and then a revision and she came in to have a hernia repaired for the 3rd time. After being in the room for awhile, I wondered where my friend was and called her cell phone. She, my husband and my 17 month old son were waiting to come to my room, but no one let them know that they could come up. That was kind of annoying...but I understand they get busy. They came up to visit and my son seemed a little scared by the IV, oxygen in my nose and leg compression thingees. My daughter was at school, thank goodness, I think she would have been really worried about me. After they left, I tried to take a nap and nodded off a little here and there. My roomate got discharged so then I had the room all to myself. :thumbup: I got up a little while later to go to the bathroom and walk the halls. I spent the evening dozing off and on, getting woken up constantly for vitals, blood sugar testing (even though I'm not diabetic) and once, around midnight, I woke up to find housekeeping stripping down the other bed in the room and cleaning that side of the room. Really, at midnight?? As of right now, I am still waiting to be discharged. I actually kind of wonder if they forgot about me...I was able to get the IV unhooked and took a shower. They also wheeled me downstairs to do the swallow test to make sure the band was in the right place (it is). They have not allowed me to eat or drink anything, other than a small amount of water...it has been 36 hrs since i ate!! I don't know what is going on but I am not having any problems so hopefully they will let me go soon.

Good morning everyone!! Tired, wanted to go back to bed, but didn't. I need to poop, I know I know tmi, but wow and ouch!!! It is sunny today, yesterday we had all kinds of warnings, but none came to fruition with the storms. Terry you are always thinking, you are so smart!!! Well I need to get some things done here, so I will check in again before I leave!!!

Hello, here's my story :smile2: I started getting ready for the surgery Monday night. I tried to do things that I knew I wouldn't want to do right away after coming back from the hospital. I scrubbed a bath/shower that needed to be cleaned, unloaded & loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen, (TMI) DTD with hubby lol. I also had to wash our sheets so I could sleep on freshly washed sheets, per my instructions. I also had to take a shower with a hibiclens sponge and then take another one in the morning. I only ended up sleeping 2-3 hours so the showers weren't that far apart but oh well. I got to the hospital at 8am with surgery scheduled for 10am. (I wasn't early just for fun, they asked me to come that early) lol I signed a couple of papers at the admissions desk and then sat in the waiting room for about 5-10 minutes. Then they took me back to a small pre-op room with a bed, chair and tv. The nurse asked me to get all the way undressed and put on their stylish gown, gray skidproof sockies and blue surgery cap. She had me hop on the bed and asked a bunch of questions and I had to sign another paper. She also collected a urine specimen (to make sure I'm not pregnant I think). About this time my friend Becky arrived, which helped pass the time. (I had driven myself there because hubby needed to be home with the kids.) The nurse came back in and gave me a shot of heparin in the belly and it really didn't hurt or sting, thank goodness. She told me that they would be taking me down to the OR about 10:30 (so I guess it got moved back a little) she also started my IV and gave me some medicine to calm my nerves a little. That stuff was great, it did calm me down and made me mellow. They gave a little light up pager thing to my friend and sent her back to the waiting room until the surgery was over. They wheeled me down to the OR and transferred me over to another bed, put the mask on my face and I was out. I woke up in a recovery room and coughed a little from the breathing tube they had put down my throat during the surgery. I remember looking at the clock at seeing 11:30am or noon. I honestly don't remember much from the recovery room, just that they told me everything went really well. I think I might have cried a little as I was coming out of the fog, I don't know why, but I'm pretty sure I did. Other than earlier in the day when my surgeon came to say hello, I never even saw him at all. They wheeled me to my room, which was a double room and already had a lady in there. My roommate had a lot of health issues, I felt so bad for her. She had gastric bypass in 1999 and then a revision and she came in to have a hernia repaired for the 3rd time. After being in the room for awhile, I wondered where my friend was and called her cell phone. She, my husband and my 17 month old son were waiting to come to my room, but no one let them know that they could come up. That was kind of annoying...but I understand they get busy. They came up to visit and my son seemed a little scared by the IV, oxygen in my nose and leg compression thingees. My daughter was at school, thank goodness, I think she would have been really worried about me. After they left, I tried to take a nap and nodded off a little here and there. My roomate got discharged so then I had the room all to myself. :tt2: I got up a little while later to go to the bathroom and walk the halls. I spent the evening dozing off and on, getting woken up constantly for vitals, blood sugar testing (even though I'm not diabetic) and once, around midnight, I woke up to find housekeeping stripping down the other bed in the room and cleaning that side of the room. Really, at midnight?? As of right now, I am still waiting to be discharged. I actually kind of wonder if they forgot about me...I was able to get the IV unhooked and took a shower. They also wheeled me downstairs to do the swallow test to make sure the band was in the right place (it is). They have not allowed me to eat or drink anything, other than a small amount of Water...it has been 36 hrs since i ate!! I don't know what is going on but I am not having any problems so hopefully they will let me go soon.

Hey Gang As you know jury duty this morning - have to go back next monday - it's a muder trial - haven't been picked yet - today they just talked to pple who could legally be excused. Meredith - I was like Apples full liquids as day after surgery - Protein shakes - creamed Soups, sf pudding - sf popsicles - sf pudding - dannon lite & fit yogurt - My doc sells Protein stuff - I love the brand proti15 I think it's called they are a clear liquid Protein drinks (like crystal lite) 70 calores & 15 grams protein Mushies - refried Beans, instant mash tatoes made with skim milk to boost the protein, egg beater - oatmeal - i think I even had spag sauce with ricotta cheese . I usually got most of my protien from pt shakes & the clear protien in the beginning - they make an unflavored protein that I would add to stuff but had to be warm curdle @ 130 degrees. Your doc should be giving you a list - My doc gave me a binder full of what to eat at each stage and there is a food thread on the main page that has tons of ideas. Bariatric Advantage is a good website too to get stuff - you can get the clear protein drinks there.. I am all about the homemade food too - it's more satisfying. I would make a pot of beans - pinto or navy beans - scoop out the beans and puree them add back to bean juice - cream of bean Soup Laura - a tweak may help - I am a big nite time eater still - I can manage my hunger during the day but nites are hard - I budget my calories to compensate/feed my hunger at night when I don't have as much will power Charlene - What is making the diverticulis act up and ya you sound tight - I have been having tmi problems but that's cuz I haven't been drinking like I should. Keep us posted Hugs.. Blklab - Ya you gotta chop up those big pills - I ate mine in pudding - but a plus is now I no longer need that pb med.. Barb - I wish I could break the night eating - it's better - it's controlled - but it's still there... Linda - I like fruit too but don't tend to eat it at home - but have it at work for bf or those times that I just can't ignore my hunger Ok gang - sorry this was short but got on the computer at 6 it's now 8 - I had a call from a lady who's going to be banded next month she lives in NY area - and then DIL called to tell me they are home safe and sound.. I need to go cook - so will talk to you all in the morning... Hugs

Hi Everybody! I love having a group of people who are exactly where I am. I had surgery May 7th, too. It was the easiest surgery and recovery I've had, all except for one thing. I couldn't pee for anything. That kept me in the hospital until 7 pm (and my surgery was at 11:30 am). Turns out that I was so dehydrated, all my fluids (3 bags of IV Fluid and lots of drinks) were going to my tissues and not my bladder. I took a diuretic, and managed to pee a bit, so I was ready to go home at that point. The only real pain has been gas pain, and it is sometimes so painful that I take my prescription narcotic (Loertab liquid) to take the edge off. I also take Prilosec otc and GasX tabs (dissolve on your mouth type), and they keep the pain under control. Ah, and one more TMI piece of info: I was constipated, so I take Miralax and it really helped. I hated the idea of straining with these stitches in me. I woke up this morning with very little pain though. Everybody says that a full week after surgery you do notice a difference, and since we're coming up on Thursday, maybe that's why I feel better. A friend of mine had the sleeve on the same day, and she feels like a truck ran over her. It was laparoscopic, but we just all respond differently to pain. Here's a good thing to think about: if you're in pain, you're probably not hungry. If you're not hungry, you're probably losing weight!!!! I have been hungry, unfortunately. I developed a disgust for those milky Protein shakes, so I went to GNC yesterday and bought PROSlam Energy bullet thingies. They taste like concentrated syrup, so I filled a glass with ice, poured in the drink, then added Water. Stirred up, and it tasted like grape coolaid!!! It was a wonderful way to get 40 g of protein. Another cool food idea: this morning I felt starved, so I cooked some cream of wheat (3 T of Cereal to 1 c water--Tried milk first, but it scalded and was gross). I then put the cooked cereal in a bowl and added 1/2 scoop of protein powder--vanilla flavor. I added splenda, a bit of heart smart promise butter (or whatever they call that stuff) and enough skim milk to make it all liquid. It was UNBELIEVABLY GOOD! :mad2: It was so good, that I actually prefer it to the way I usually eat Cream of Wheat (thick). One more good food idea to try. My mom made me some delicious beef broth. She cooked a roast, drained off the juice, took off the fat, added some wine and seasonings and salt. Man, it tasted like liquid roast! Then I made some instant mashed potatoes. I put them in a bowl and poured some broth over them. I'd stir a little potato and broth together until they were liquid consistency. Very, very good!!! :tt1:I think I can survive 2 weeks on liquids now that I've found these foods. Btw, I have the Realize band. I've read that it doesn't have any fill in it when it's implanted. I think that's why I'm so hungry. Do any of you others have that band? One more thing: if you want some before and after pics for inspiration, go to obesityhelp.com and you can find a section of pics. They're incredible!!! Hang in there, May friends! --Lisa (aka, Venus)

Well TMI, but I hadn't gone potty in a few days. Maybe there was just a lot to come out. It was too nasty for words.

Yea that lasted for me around 5 days couldn't even wipe myself without the burn..sorry tmi.