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I'm a Bandster!! :biggrin2: Surgery was 3 hours, w/ hernia repair. The first night in the hospital, had my own Morphine button! At home I slept for the next three days, thanks to the Percocet! The pain now feels like puncture wounds. I mean surface pain, except the port feels deeper. Wish I could bend over and tie my shoes . I still have the GAS, enough to clear a room :laugh:. I know TMI, but so far I've only had some left shoulder discomfort. I need to walk more because it's getting worse. The clear liquids made me very weak, and sick. Lack of sugar, according to the surgeon. Once I had my first protein shake on day 7, I started feeling better. Today is day 10 and I'm getting stronger everyday. Shannon, sorry about the longer recovery time and scar. This is my third laparoscopic type surgery, so I now have 12 scars. I'm a human pin cushion! That's not going to stop me from wearing a bikini once I'm at goal! :thumbup: Good luck to All!!

I'm a Bandster!! :biggrin2: Surgery was 3 hours, w/ hernia repair. The first night was in the hospital, and at home I slept nonstop for the next three days. Thanks to the Percocet. The pain feels like puncture wounds. I mean surface pain, nothing real deep. I did have the GAS, enough to clear a room . I know TMI, but so far I've only had some left shoulder discomfort. The clear liquids made me very weak. Lack of sugar, according to the surgeon. Once I had my first protein shake on day 7, I started feeling better. When did you all start mushies? According to my doctor, he wants me on protein shakes until my first fill, June 30th. I know I need to heal, but 5 weeks? Doesn't that seem excessive? If I count the two weeks prior to surgery, that's 7 weeks of liquids! I'm already dreaming of scrambled eggs and runny oatmeal!! :wink2:

Thank you for bringing this up as I thought it was just me. I am only 2 weeks post op but my stomach doesn't seem to be budging. I'm losing mostly in my upper body where I can't afford to decrease in breast size :confused: (TMI?). This makes me feel a lot better to know I am not alone with this.

Congrats:thumbup: I was also banded on May 28th Ive lost 15lbs. I lost 10lbs on pre-op diet and 5 after. It sounds like our post-op diets are different I was on clear liquids for 2 days and 5 days on full liquids. Im now on mushies for a week and then soft for 2 weeks. Im hoping that I'm retaining water because of that time(Sorry TMI). Keep up the good work.

Laura, Congrats on your weight loss and LapBand!!! Happy to hear the strap isn't bugging you as much. I don't even know I'm wearing mine anymore, but at first it was always slipping and I even got a painful blister the first day I wore it. I'm being banded in a few weeks, June 24th! Still waiting in that pesky insurance approval. Its cutting close and making me nervous...so we may have to wait a bit, who knows. Hopefully not. Its my PCP, she wants to talk to me before she sends her letter and not "do this on a whim"....I talked to her in January about it and again in March, she was not supportive but agreed that if I wanted it I should do it. Not only that I've been to so many Dr appointments, support groups, psych consult, nutritionist appointments...its frustrating to think I would be doing this "on a whim" and be lectures by a 120 pound woman on nutrition as if she can understand. She can't get me in until next week...so I'm worried it won't be in time. Sorry if thats TMI. Lori

I've had 3 Brazilians--would definitely do more if I could afford it! The 2nd and 3rd ones where significantly less traumatizing than the first. I wanted it all off though--don't particularly care for the landing strip, or whatever type that's called. The clean feeling afterwards made my want to run nekked through a field of wildflowers....ok TMI. The advice I got was to remember to gently exfoliate the area in the days after to avoid ingrown hairs. Those lil' things were the only real setback for me. A bit of Hydrocortizone helps if you get them.

Yes I did take it easy.... The day after surgery, I tried to get up for a couple of hours and mingle with the family but I didn't feel too well. I think I was trying to do to much to soon. So I laid back down and slept till about 6pm, and then went for a walk around the block, and as soon as I got back. (get ready for TMI) I had my frist bowel movement, and I felt like I was going to die. I broke out in a hot sweat, and wanted to run from the toilet area. But I took it like a champ and it was smooth sailing. I finally passed some gas and was able to lie down and go back to sleep. Now on my third day, I went to the hospital and visited with my sister in law, and now back in the bed. But there is something thats bothering me. Yesterday, my mom told me to, "get up right now and go walking and stop laying around." Well when I walked in from going to visit my sister in law she said, ""Moving around any better today?" , and mocked how I had been walking around. So I had to at that point give her a piece of my mind. I was appalled, because she has had her share of surgeries and I was there for her like no other. For three days post surgery, I think I am doing pretty damn good! Just had to rant!

Thanks guys for the comments! You rock! Sorry Fenton TMI.. lol But- there's nothing like a new bra that fits right and stands the girls up at attention:)

Ok gals...Sorry to let you know I had no staples! I have steri strips over the glued incisions....One just fell off tonight up by my cleavage...my bra must have rubbed it too much! TMI Last year I had staples after my hysterectomy and they really do not hurt coming out...if you two are pierced and tatooed I think you can handle it. Kammi ...glad to hear you and hubby are doing great! I am doing great also...I really have never napped yet. I got home Thursday and was druggy and laid about then slept really well considering I hadn't slept much since the night before the day before surgery. I went walking around the store on Friday morning and then just hung out at home...Sat I went out 3 times to places just to walk...it is too hot to walk outside here... Sunday I was out several hours with a friend even went to restuarant...I am on mushy's so had refried beans... Same with Monday...drove around with my DH as he had things to deliver and then I window shopped and walked from like 10 - 3...was tired when we got back and just hung out at home... Today, I went by my school to see everyone...theyare teaching summer school but NOT ME this year...yea....Then went out to lunch with the family...had hummus and some banana.....then bought a pair of shoes...then tonight went to the casino and played slots and walked around...got my free 2 buffets....watched hubby pig out while I had some salmon and sf jello.... Now I ready for bed...so I guess the sooner your body lets you get back to life...the better you are.... What I am NOT doing is playing MOM...lucky for me my kids are older and can take care of themselves and me if needed... I guess I am just lucky because I bounced back last year after my hyster pretty much the same way... I have not taken pain meds since Thursday PM...well really early Friday am...I think that has really helped plus I am allowed soft food...have been eating since Sat, My surgery was Wednesday... 1 week ago tomarrow! MY port area definitely gets sore every now and then but I am being careful when I get up and I do not try and bend down.... So, that is my story...I am really sorry some of you are so miserable and I wish the best for all of you. I am not writing this to make any one feel bad...I just think those waiting to be banded should hear everyone's experiences..good and bead so they are prepared! Be well everyone....OH yeah I am down about 7 pounds since my weigh-in at the hospital! MY ticker reflects the when I started the process and preparing for all of this...I worked hard preop...I think it helped me! My blood sugars have been great too! And BP! Yea I am on the road to health!

Linda Congrats on the size 12 - way to go Is the shower you are giving personal or house hold stuff - I would let her gf's give her the personal shower and you the household kind - Well that's unless you want to see all the emotion lotions and sexy stuff her gf are going to give her - as a mom - I don't think that my kids are having sex (got 3 grandkids - but my son will always be my baby tmi for me:lol:) Game - you can get books at the party store for that stuff (ideas for games)- it's been ages since I have been to a bridal shower maybe Jackie - Steph - Karri might have been to some lately... Well just got back from the gym - my sessions are now at 5:30 and I have another girl who I am working with so cuts my cost in half - good thing cuz my stupid pool heater came on all by itself and my gas bill was $229 - it's usually 35 - I just about died. The pool guy shut the gas off all together so it won't happen again - this happened once before... Plus summer coming and electric is going to be going up and the price of gas $4.11 on Saturday - $50 buck for 1/2 tank... I have a hemi it eats gas... Well it's 7 gotta feed the dogs and start my dinner - cbl :drool:

Well, that was my first thought too, but I can see where an area for specifically "female problems" of a physical nature would be a good idea. It could be for stuff that might be under the heading of TMI in general conversation. Hey, maybe that could be the forum name--TMI, with subforums for men and for women . . .

I think it is probably very normal to have port pain and even gas pain especially after increasing workout. I did a 5K race followed by a 6.25 mile walk/run today and my port HURTS tonight. I was about double over in the grocery store tonight. My guess is (and this is not a medical opinion) that the muscle that the port is stiched to is not one that we used much as fat, non exercising poeple. So now we use it and it gets sore and the fact that it has something stiched to it make the irritation worse. My feels like a REALLY bad toothache. As for the gas, you are still relatively early after surgery. A few pockets of gas may have been trapped somewhere that they were not causing pain. Now you have been moving around more and exercising and they moved. Is it this type of gas or "tooty" gas (you know the TMI kind!). They are different. If it is tooty gas it could be a change in your diet. Or it could be milk. Have you ever been lactose intolerant? I never was before, but after surgery I can only do cheese and yogurt...and in very moderate amounts. I can't do milk and I can't do ice cream (not that I need it). If you are noticing that you are having problems after eating dairy try to eliminate it and see if that helps. Hope some of these suggestions find a good home!

I didn't have one, which surprised me a little bit. Five years ago I had a hysterectomy (warning -- TMI ahead!) and for some reason the doctor did catheterize me but didn't give me an enema or anything beforehand..... and I had a bowel movement all over the operating table in the middle of surgery. What a nightmare for the doctor and nurses!!! And a very near-nightmare for me.... talk about contaminating the operating field. The doctor was extremely worried that I would get an infection, and for 5 days they gave me 4 different antibiotics intravenously. I was lucky -- no infection. But that experience did make me ask the bariatric surgeon about precautions for the lapband surgery. He said he was very surprised my gynecologist didn't give me an enema before surgery, but that it wasn't necessary for the lapband and neither was a catheter. My surgery was at 1:00 pm and I hadn't had anything to eat or drink since midnight the night before so I guess my system was pretty well cleaned out by then!

Sorry Lap, but I beat you! I gained 4.6lbs! I do not want to own it, I hate it, It sucks, I hate my scale, I'm going to the Goodwill and dropping it off this afternoon! okay, I am calm now. I have no idea how that happened! Could be water weight or the fact that I haven't been 'regular' in about a week. (TMI - I know!) (I'll be hiding behind this couch until next Saturday weigh in and I better lose the 4.6 plus another 4 lbs or I'll never make my goal!)

Glad to see everyone doing so well. My poo problem is opposite of yours! TMI I know.

I'm on liquids now (preop) and I'm peeing like never before. Like, literally going pee . . . working for 15 minutes . . . and needing to pee AGAIN! Did this happen to you? It's kind of getting old.

Have you tried Miralax? I have had periods of diarrhea and constipation over the past 3 weeks with the pre-op and post-op diet and recovery period. I purchased the Miralax prior to surgery just in case I might need it. I had very bad diarrhea (I know...TMI) the first week but the second week was a totally different story. I just couldn't go to the bathroom and didn't feel like I was every going to go. I took the Miralax, which is tasteless and has no texture, and within 24 hours I was regular again. It doesn't cause cramping or anything like that. I believe that you can get it in a liquid formula but I bought the powdered formula and am very pleased with the results. I purchased it at my local grocery store. I decided to go with this rather than the benefiber that I usually take as I didn't want to contribute to the gas problem. Here is a link... MiraLAX OH...and just so you know...I have a very low pain tolerance. If I can do this...so can you! I made my Dr. aware of my anxiety regarding pain and he really took that into consideration when determining what pain meds to put me on. He understood what I needed because I was open and honest with him. It's not something to be embarrassed of...some people can tolerate and others can't.

You are almost there Allison! Greg...good luck that train is heading in the right direction....my husband wants to know what is your secret? You have done so well. Best to all...gotta run......the magnesium citrate bowl prep is working very well at this time! TMI

I'm hoping it will. I've had great results so far, and I've gone from having hair basically all over the front of my neck and along my jawline to only having a couple of spots on my neck that are about the size of a dime each. From what I can tell so far, all the visible hair follicles in both of those spots seems to have had a reaction to this last treatment. If I need more treatments, though, they've said that they aren't as expensive as the whole package was. I think it's something like $50 if it's less than 10 hairs, a little more expensive for more hair. Believe me, don't let yourself get talked out of laser treatment because of the pain. Even as painful as this last treatment was, I'd still do it again in a heartbeat. And seriously, this treatment was over in less than 3 minutes with the wet laser. even with the tech going over a few spots multiple times. It really hurt, but it was FAST. It probably would have felt better, honestly, if I'd had the same technician that I'd used for the other treatments. The other one was better about stopping for a bit when it was getting too painful for me. This one would only hesitate a few seconds if I flinched away from the laser. I'm definitely going to try to save up for more laser treatments. I'm hoping that my eventual tummy tuck will get rid of most of my abdominal hair (TMI, probably), but my leg and arm hair is very obvious. Even after shaving, you can see my leg hair follicles because I'm so fair-skinned. And I've been waxing my arms, so I'm tempted to just do laser on them.

No worries Lena, this may be TMI but it took me 11 DAYS! Pain meds can really slow down your system. When I called in about it they said as long as I was able to pass gas I was okay. Also, I had a LOT of glue going on and I was very gentle in the shower so I bet it took a month for everything to fully come off without me picking. Good luck and be sure to get enough liquids in--don't be like me and get dehydrated!

Prayers to everyone!!! I have to use magnesium citrate...Like and epson salt preperation...on Tuesday and I hear I'll be on the pot for 6 hours! I am NOT looking forward to that but I'll pretend that I am loosing a bunch of FAT!!!! I am prepared with soft and moist wipes too! Sorry TMI I think tonight will be my last "Food" I am choosing this...then I will just have protein shakes Monday and Tuesday morning and then it is clear liquids from then on...they said I could have an egg and slice of toast Tuesday but....I usually just do a protein shake every morning so why change that????? I am also allergic to egg yolks...yea I could have egg substitute but I'm sure I'll be having plenty of that soon enough! I am also to put a motion sickness patch behind my ear at 10:00pm on Tuesday to help with the naseau! Anyone ever try that? Good luck and love to all Late Bloomers this week!

I had to take Milk of Magnesium and (TMI) it was miserable. I lived in the bathroom the day before surgery. I also suffered from dairrhea after the surgery. My mom said it was probably a lasting effect from the Milk of Magnesium. It was a wretched feeling that lasted about a week. Sleep before surgery was elusive for me. I was just so excited!!! Best wishes for the tail end of our May Bandsters! I am sure that you will do great with the surgery.

I have had this problem most of my life. I have tried ALL of the stuff suggested and nothing. My MIL gave me a product that is what I consider a miracle. It's called Dual-Action Cleanse and you have to order it online or call them. (www.DualActionCleanse.com or call 1-800-941-0163) I DO NOT SELL THIS PRODUCT OR HAVE ANY REASON TO SOLICITE FOR THIS PRODUCT. I put that in caps because I don't want anyone thinking I have any reason to tell you about this but helping. Most laxatives & stuff like Activia give me horrible gas. :thumbup: I've been gasy after banding anyway and don't need the pain or help. You take this everyday for a month and then a month off. (take everyother month) I just started so I don't know quite what to expect next month. My MIL swears by it and it works so good I can't believe it. I mean 95% of days I have a healthy BM. Sorry if this is TMI.:crying: I plan on continuing with this because I have NEVER had these results. I hope this helps someone else.

Well, I'm going to give myself a little pat on the back tonight. It is the worst part of my TOM (TMI for all of you probably sorry :tongue:), AND I had a horrendous toothache (not sure what's up with that, need to see the dentist tomorrow) BUT, I still did my Couch to 5K session! Becky, you are going to have one pretty garden to look at while you're recovering! Have a great night everyone!

Hi! And can I just say, HOLY MOLY! Some of us (you, OTBT) are doing very, very well!!! :wink2: Congratulations on all the weight loss! After my 2nd fill, I had a rough couple of weeks -- I was taking bites that were too large sometimes, having a PB, and not giving my body sufficient time to recover from it. My doc wants me to follow his post-fill diet (2 days liquids, 2 days mushies) after a PB, and I kinda forgot that. So, I had one very bad experience really throwing up (sorry, TMI), and that's what brought me back to the doc's office to figure out what was going wrong. Bottom line: I'm being way more careful now with my bites. Other than that, all is good. I really need another fill, but with all that nonsense above, plus having to travel on business all next week and be around people 24/7, we decided to skip the fill and just wait till I get back. I'm hoping my weight loss will roll along after that fill... So, bandmates, has anyone reached that magical sweet spot? :smile: