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Hey... me too... oops. TMI.:faint: heh heh heh just kidding! or am I?!?!?!:heh:

I know, or at least I think I know, that most of the weight is water, but I cautiously stepped on the scale this morning and I am 283. TWO EIGHTY THREE!!!!! I stepped off, turned it off, turned it back on, got back on, 283! It cant be that I am dehydrated, (TMI) my pee is light yellow. I guess all that shopping is working. :cool:

Hi Everyone... I'm back and banded and although I'm having a bit of gas pain, that's about it. I haven't had much pain from the incision or the port. My surgery experience was really really good. The woman who woke me up from anaesthesia exclaimed "My name is Jackie and I lost 145 pounds from a weight loss surgery. Hi". Isn't that cool? Like I said, it's been pretty easy for me so far. I haven't had a lot of pain...I'm one of the lucky ones, I know. I worked out a lot before surgery, had the two weeks of full liquids and one day of clear liquids. BTW, I took my ipod with me to surgery and it really calmed me down before and after. I filled it with soothing sounds and it really helped me out. I felt much better in the recliner in the room as opposed to the bed and think that helped a lot with gas pain. It was also a lot easier to get up and moving from a chair than from a bed. I have this bit of advice to those getting banded soon. I've read in many places on this forum about having an enema or something like it the day before surgery. I had heard that it really lessened the likelihood of gas pains. My doctor recommended I drink a bottle of Magnesium Citrate (aka, "The Bomb") around noontime the day before. I did so and I really emptied out. In fact, by the time I weighed in for surgery, I had lost 20 pounds!!!! At any rate, my gas pain, although kind of uncomfortable is not all that bad. So, in my opinion, even if the doctor doesn't order it, I say...it couldn't hurt. I prefer the Magnesium Citrate route. But you have to be close to home. It takes about four hours to clean you out. Ok, tmi, I know. One more thing about gas pain. Whenever I get a shooting pain, I jump up and walk around the room. It really helps. Another thing...cold liquids and ice chips make it worse. It's much better to go for the warm or tepid liquids. At the risk of giving Too much advice....I've got another suggestion for those of you who have to do clear liquids before and after surgery. To avoid feeling just miseably starved, go to GNC and get a few bottles of Isopure clear. It's not really clear, it's a drink in these lurid colors and flavors that has 40 grams of protein p/bottle. So if you sip it all day, you manage to stay pretty full. It's good post-surgery too, when you don't feel much like eating. :nervous For those of you who were chatting about the c-pap machine, I have the kind with just nasal pillows and find it easy to wear. I got used to it really quickly and it is completely silent. The first night I wore it, the room was so silent, my husband had to reach over to make sure I was still alive. lol. Libra...I received meds for nausea when I left the hospital. You clearly need them. Vomiting is the worst....I hope you feel better soon. Caroline...Are you the one that's losing 1.5 lbs every two days?!? Good going! That's awesome. My doc wouldn't let me get back to weight training for a month. I'm jealous that you get to do it sooner. BTW, I gained 5 pounds today. Waaannnnhhh. I'm sure that it's just swelling, edema, gas etc from surgery. Right? Bug...my doctor recommended Colace. I prefer Benefiber because it's so gentle. I just put a tsp in my morning drink. It's not detectable at all. But you may need "the bomb" of magnesium citrate if you're really clogged up. Well, I'm tired but happy that it's over and now the real work starts. :clap2:

Libra, I agree, call your doc. Mine said if I was at all nauseous to call and he'd get me some meds to help. You only just had your band put in and even dry heaving is not good for it. Give him a call and explain what's going on. I got a hold of my doc this morning and he's calling in a different pain med for me. The loratab is doing nothing, I was so uncomfortable all night I barely slept. I'm not doing too bad today, the liquid Tylenol is doing it's job, but I want to be able to take something stronger at night so I don't hurt so much when I sleep. Hopefully this new stuff works. Still got an annoyingly gurgly/grumbly tummy and passing gas like crazy. Can I ask a tmi question to our early August banders though? How long before you had a bowel movement after the surgery? I'm trying to figure out if that might be part of my problem and if I should maybe take a stool softener or something to get it moving along.

North dakota forum is alive and kicking. IMHO, I have turned into a great bandster story. Before I left the US, I bought a couple of size 10 outfits thinking I may get into them someday. they hang on me now. If I do wear 12s, I have to safety pin the skirts or pants to keep them on. YYev, where do you live? Missy, I can't remember where you are either. Cindy, I'm not moving back yet just coming for a couple of weeks. Quit eating around the band or else you will have to come live here for awhile. I leave here 7am Wednesday (North Dakota time) and arrive Thursday night.. Friday I am going to have annual dr appointments and see Dr. Schmit. I'm gonna hang around Bismarck for the weekend. Monday I'm going to start riding motorcycle around ND, SD, and Mn, Labor Day weekend I' meeting about 50 of my relatives in Alexandria. After that I will return to Bismarck until Sept 10 - when I fly out. And I get here Sept 12. Gosh, I hate these eternal flights. I am leaving time in case I have any additional dr stuff. There are no approved medical facilities and dr in this country. The closest is South Africa - about 2 1/2 hours by air. Probably TMI but can you tell I'm anxious to have a couple of 'normal' weeks back in the US. But this week I am enjoying living here. Email me phone numbers and stuff and I will try and call when I'm back or if I ride through your town. Celeste

:wow2: HOLY CANOLIE!! I have had some of the biggest burps of my LIFE today! LOL! Sorry if that's TMI but they are amazing. Snort!! :hurt

Ok all I am sorry I am so late with these but I had a yard sale this weekend and have been SUPER busy. I have gotten up at 4:00 the last two days and been up late.. But we made over 800.00 so it was worth it. I am still up now because I talked my family into taking the kids so my hubby and I could have a date. (Yes, a real date) It was so fun, we went and saw taladaga nights and devil wears proda. Ohh they are both awsome movies. If you like funny movies taladaga nights will have you peeing in your pants.. (don't drink alot before going) Then we went to outback. He wanted that for his last super.. I ate about 10 french fries, 3 bites of potatoes, and one coconut shrimp. And I was satified. I did try a bite of his steak, but ended spitting it in the napkin after chewing for seemed like an eternity. I am down 22 as of this morning... My dh and me have had alot of moments if you ladies know what I mean. I mean we have always had a good sex life but he's has been complmenting me latly and seems to be a bit more frisky.. Is this TMI? Hope not.. LOL OKOKOK on with bingo!!!!!! 1st two words are "July" "Scared" Good luck all!!!

Totally obsessed here!!! I weigh multiple times a day. Naked with an empty bladder...hmm, I just pooped, let's check again....before dinner...before bed...after exercising. I know it's crazy, but I keep hoping to see the scales move after being barely in Twoterville for so long. My favorite trick (sorry if TMI) is to try to have a bm BEFORE I eat or drink anything: The Ultimate True Weight!!! LOL! Get the straight jacket!

I haven't had mine yet, but i could only assume BETTER Sorry if TMI, but I can't be the one on the bottom, I can't breathe! The last 30lbs or so for me pushed me to where I simply cannot breathe. So, praying it gets better!!

Thank you for all of your posts. I think they are all great, especially the ones that you think you are giving TMI. It's that information that the doctors don't give you details about so it's nice to hear what to expect. I'm getting very nervous!!!

First, to Bandster16, I'm sorry to hear about your complications, but I am glad you stuck with it -- you won't regret it. Josette and all - I, too am back at my office job today. I certainly couldn't run a marathon (or even to the bathroom if needed), but I do feel well enough to sit at my desk. I even went out to "lunch" with some friends that I see only once per year. I had tea while they ate. Today was my first day to have any caffeine since surgery and though I haven't had that much, it sure has helped with the constipation problem I was having (sorry if that's TMI but nothing really phases me after having 4 kids!). Anyway, I'm still confused a bit about whether or not I have any restriction and how much I "should" be eating, but I'm just letting my body tell me. Even though Dr. Spivak's diet allows you to move to mushies within 48 hours, I am sticking to a (mostly) liquid diet for as long as I can. It seems that it would be easier on the digestive system during healing and as long as I'm not hungry, I figure I'll stick with it. I plan to go home a little early today and take it easy tonight, but overall, I'm pleased at my progress and healing so far. I look forward to hearing about more August bandster's experiences and I've also been perusing the July and June threads for info, too. Well, back to work. J-

Weight-loss surgery, band-specific, and general medical terms: PB: "productive burp" -- what happens when something eaten can't go down due to restriction has to come back up NSV: Non-scale victory -- a weight-loss achievement that has little to do with numbers WLS: Weight-loss surgery MO: Morbid Obesity (or morbidly obese) BMI: Body Mass Index GBP: Gastric bypass surgery RNY: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (the most popular type of bariatric surgery) DS: Duodenal switch (another type of bariatric surgery) BP: blood pressure PCP: Primary care physician GP: General practitioner NP: Nurse practitioner PA: Physician's assistant BC: Birth control (or BCP: birth-control pills) OTC: Over the counter (i.e., non-prescription medications) NSAIDS: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (a class of painkillers--which includes ibuprofen--bandsters should try to avoid because they can add to ulcer risk). AF: "Aunt Flo" -- menstrual period GERD: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease #/#/# in signatures: weight pre-surgery/current weight/goal weight And some general abbreviations used here and elsewhere on the web, not related to banding or weight loss: LBT: LapBandTalk.com -- this wonderful place on the web! OH: Obesityhelp.com -- another support site, with message forums SH: Spotlighthealth.com -- another support site, with message forums BIL, SIL, ILs: Brother-in-law, sister-in-law, in-laws BTW: By the way DH: darling (or dear, or danged, or use your imagination) husband DW: darling... wife DD, DS: darling... daughter, son IMHO: In my humble opinion (and its cousin, IMNSHO: in my not so humble opinion) IIRC: If I recall correctly ISO: In search of LOL: laugh out loud OMG: Oh my God OT: Off-topic ROTFLMAO: Rolling on the floor laughing my a** off! TMI: Too much information WTF: What the f...? WTG: Way to go! YMMV: Your mileage may vary

Bug (Tracey) - I have liquid pain medication -- Loritab. It's hydrocodone and acetemeniphen together. This is Day 4 post-op and I am feeling better and better. I am using less and less pain medication. I have shoulder pain that comes and goes, and the port site is still tender. I think that may take a few more days to resolve. My energy level is increasing as I am focused on eating enough protein. I am still doing mainly liquids, but have had some applesauce and yogurt. Ok, this might be TMI, but I was wondering about others, so I figure others might be wondering, too. I finally had a BM today -- first one since surgery. I needed a little help and used a glycerine suppository. Does anyone know what we are supposed to use for a stool softener. The ones I've used in the past are gel pills. I don't know if/how much weight I've lost, but the shorts I put on today seem a bit looser. I am not expecting a big weight-loss in these first weeks, but a few pounds lost would be great. Tomorrow I go back to work. I'm a bit apprehensive about it, but if I don't make the entire day, so be it. I am ready to get out -- 5 days at home (except for a couple of quick trips to the store) are enough for me. For those of y'all coming up on surgery in the next week or two, let me know if these updates are helpful. If they are, I'll keep doing them every couple of days for a while, and if not, I won't.

Ok so I got this band on the 25th of july, and my question is does the GAS EVER get better or go away??? If i am not farting I am burping. Its not painful but it just inconvient... just asking..... LOL

Yoda: See, at first? I was like "Maybe I should do a handstand!" Then I remembered that I'm *245 lbs* and that wouldn't work so much. Then the yoga popped into myhead and...well...the rest is history! Paulax: LOL! I feel like TMI warnings are so unnecessary at this point. I mean, we all have bands around our stomachs! How do we avoid the gross stuff?

Or, at least, I *think* it's new! I just can't believe I didn't think of it before! Lots of TMI ahead, so beware: So I had a fill on Wednesday afternoon to about 2.25 cc (I had been unfilled to 1 cc for vacation on my request). 48 hours of liquids, and this afternoon I was ready to switch to mushies. I thought that very thin black bean Soup would be just right. Yeah, well... I was wrong. So an hour and a half after I ate 3 spoonfulls, I'm sliming and all the other wonderful stuff that comes with being "plugged up". I haven't PBd in over a month b/c of the unfill, and I didn't want to try to force the plug back up. In a flash of (IMO) brilliance, I looked at my gym schedule sitting on my desk and realized that I was missing my yoga class. Hmmm...yoga...mat work... Downward-facing dog? Let's give it a shot! So I did the downward-facing dog move...and lo! The plug of black Beans just effortlessly cascaded back up (or down, as it were)! No retching, no stressing the band! I just can't believe I hadn't thought of this before! Okay...which one of you was holding out on me about this!

Non scale Victory: NSV Nice to have you aboard Patticakes. You will love it here. The longer your on here and people get to know you the easier it is. Good luck on your upcomoing surgery. I had mine 3 weeks ago and couldn't feel better. The weight loss will amaze you. Keep me informed on how your doing. Glad to have you, Here are some abbreviations that might help you. Abbreviations and What They Mean Weight-loss surgery, band-specific, and general medical terms: PB: "productive burp" -- what happens when something eaten can't go down due to restriction has to come back up NSV: Non-scale victory -- a weight-loss achievement that has little to do with numbers WLS: Weight-loss surgery MO: Morbid Obesity (or morbidly obese) BMI: Body Mass Index GBP: Gastric bypass surgery RNY: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (the most popular type of bariatric surgery) DS: Duodenal switch (another type of bariatric surgery) BP: blood pressure PCP: Primary care physician GP: General practitioner NP: Nurse practitioner PA: Physician's assistant BC: Birth control (or BCP: birth-control pills) OTC: Over the counter (i.e., non-prescription medications) NSAIDS: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (a class of painkillers--which includes ibuprofen--bandsters should try to avoid because they can add to ulcer risk). AF: "Aunt Flo" -- menstrual period GERD: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease #/#/# in signatures: weight pre-surgery/current weight/goal weight And some general abbreviations used here and elsewhere on the web, not related to banding or weight loss: LBT: LapBandTalk.com -- this wonderful place on the web! OH: Obesityhelp.com -- another support site, with message forums SH: Spotlighthealth.com -- another support site, with message forums BIL, SIL, ILs: Brother-in-law, sister-in-law, in-laws BTW: By the way DH: darling (or dear, or danged, or use your imagination) husband DW: darling... wife DD, DS: darling... daughter, son IMHO: In my humble opinion (and its cousin, IMNSHO: in my not so humble opinion) IIRC: If I recall correctly ISO: In search of LOL: laugh out loud OMG: Oh my God OT: Off-topic ROTFLMAO: Rolling on the floor laughing my a** off! TMI: Too much information WTF: What the f...? WTG: Way to go! YMMV: Your mileage may vary

I've been working like a dog in my DD's room this afternoon, and I'm on my "break" right now...we went to IKEA and got her a futon for her room! We're moving the twin bed that's in there now to my DH's room, and that bed is goin' OUT. (oh yeah, we have our own rooms for sleeping due to snoring...still lovebirds, though...sorry, TMI) SOOOOO, as you know, when you start one of those projects, it leads to others....and I've cleaned out her closet, her dresser, under her bed, and so on. It feels good to get it out of there! I lost 1 lb. last week, although two days ago it was 2 lbs, so WTF? It's mysterious, sometimes, huh? Yes, I did have some ice cream, and I agree with ya'll. When I try to deny myself a particular food, it makes me want it soooooo much! The Lent thing worked fine, but then I was doing it for a more spiritual reason, I guess. My personal goal, beginning 8/8/06: (don't laugh!) 15 minutes of physical activity that isn't regular stuff. On purpose exercise of some kind. Every day. Eileen, are you keeping a list? Are we just reporting in each day how we did? Darcy, I'm craving a peppermint mocha sooo bad. The nearest Starbucks is 15 miles away, so tough for me. Hope you enjoyed your sis. I'm gonna go read some posts, then go back into the DD's room and take advantage of her absence to straighten out her little world! LOL! Hugs, Cindy

I did not but after the gas I wish I had. A doctor her in DC suggested the enema and the person who did it was low on gas pain. If I had to do this over again I would do the enema. TMI I think.

I have a question: I am 4 days post op and my abdomen still feels really swollen...is this normal??? I went to TJ alone and had to handle my carryon through two airports on the way home, and it was definitely over 5 lbs. I know I overdid it, but what else could I have done? I have been dying of hunger, then I made the family a big roast with carrots and potatoes...no, I didn't eat any meat, but I did grab some of the broth and pureed a few potatoes and several carrots. I added a cup of beef broth to thin it and it was definitely a liquid. After only 1/2 cup, I felt better than I had all day! Saving the rest for tomorrow. I was eating jello and popsicles and chicken broth and it just wasn't gettin' it. I am amazed I feel so much better! My stomach is still very rumbly and dh can also hear the hunger pangs! No abdomen gas, but am getting some out the other direction! (tmi?---but feel so much better when I CAN!) Every once in a while I feel a 'wave' of my stomach---I don't really know what else to call it---but it is wierd and kind of hurts, but not much---just a really weird feeling---does anyone else have this???

:clap2: Well all i got my first fill!! Wahoo! I went down with my mother last friday and stayed the night in San antonio. I got up Saturday morning and was SICK SICK SICK!!! :sick couldnt walk straigh so dizzy and then was hurling! I know TMI! lol BUt if youve ever had to hurl with the band its a WILD EXPERIENCE!!! I dont want to do again! haha Anyway Barbara..one of Dr Rods Patient advocate.. and terri picked us up at 7:20am and i slept most of the way to Acunia ..spelled wrong im sure lol.. Mexico. We stopped in uvalde to meet up with our other two girls and go into walmart to walk around and potty..i had brought some replenishing Fluid stuff my husband drinks called "squinchers" with me and drank one of those and felt much better! We got to the Dr new office which is AWESOME if you havent seen it! Dr Cortez is dreamy just like Dr Rod! =0) I let the other girls go first cause i was still dizzy feeling and was nervous about the fill and making sure everything was ok inside me since when i had my first fill wiht my first band was when we found my "issues".. So it was my turn and me and mom went in so she could take pics and he started the procedure. he has you stand in the flour area while he does this..you can see in the pics attached He numbed the area with this little tiny needle that i didnt feel at all and i was watching the flouro screen ..in first and secon pic before ...and had my knees buckled..note to all..dont buckle your knees!!..well the next thing i knew i was in a chair dry heaving again! :faint: :sick GRRR i was mad! I sat there a minute and go composure and said "lets do this thing" And stood up and we started again..he was very fast so i had no time to hit the floor again lol the last 2 pics are the needle he injected saline with..see how it bends..eeekkk:eek: the nurse handed me the barium and i took it with my shaky hand and drank a few times till the dr had put in 2.5 cc and stopped there. I never once felt ANY PAIN AT ALL! :target: Not even the tiny numbing needle! Was awesome! Felt so relieved to see my band and see the restriction the fill was giving me! We left and ate that awesome Soup at a resturant in the building to test our bands before heading back to texas and then headed out shopping! We drove back to sanantonio that evening and me and mom flew back that night. Was a great experience and can not wait to go again which may be next month or in septmeber cause i think i need more restriction... thanks for reading ..just thought id share a fill experience! HAve a great day! locating port numbing the area Fill Time! Look at how that thing bends!!! EEEEKKKK! Its a large needle but tiny in diameter! He has a little adjuster on the side that he turns .5 cc at a time so as to not overfill. It stops his syringe at where he sets it.

:omg: hi all, i just got to my room a little over an hour or so ago. :omg: I AM NOW OFFICIALLY BANDED! i spent 4.5 hours in the OR, with some issues, but i'm okay! I love this hospital, lol. I get a flatscreen tv on a swing pole type of thing on the screen there are so many options. internet, tv, music,movies...and so on lol. i'm typing this laying flat down LoL so now about the surgery, lol. i feel sore mostly on the right side. i even did peepee pretty much right away, i know this might be TMI BUT I WANTED TO SHARE< LOL> l've had urine retention issues in th past, so we all were worried, for no reason lol. l've spent too much time thinking about it. okay, so i've been pretty much nausiated all of day. l've had several issues with bradycardia all moning and evening. I am very tired. i've snoozed several times already. the aid gave me broth and Jello. l tried both, it's ok. and the aide,well,she forgot to give me the sf jello! so it was nasty. l know these will all pass by ,lol,along with the gas that i may recieve by the morning. shortly you all take care, l've been giving a second shot at life, like most of you all have. so i hope to go above and beyond. also, i did my final pre surgery weighin i was at 223, with no pre op diet? :rofl: i'll be more alert later, it took mealmost 2 hrs to write lol thanks for your well wishes

Ok so I am on day three.. I am allowed full liquids today. For brkfast I had 1/3 cup of protein shake. Then around noon I ate liquidifed homemade veggie soup. At four I had 1/3 cup of oatmeal really runny. After each meal I was stunned to know that I was full. I had a tightness in my chest and I was done. It was so exciteing. That was the first real conformation that I had a BAND!!! hehe I am so sick of being sore. The doctors telling me that he has had pat. go back to work two days after surgery is BS. I am so sore and I can't bend over for anything. I get this hot burning sensation on my left side but its not where the insision is. I guess that is where the port is attached.. I have been tootin up a storm.. Man I keep wondering where all this gas has come from, every five mins I let one rip!!! TMI oh well my journal!! I know I have a few more days of rest but man I am so sick of not getting to excersise. My dd has been doing hers and she wants me to do them with her so bad but I just can't.. I tried to do leg lifts with her and you don't relize how much you use your stomach muscles to lift your legs... My dh sais he is so nervous now because he saw me at the hospital in pain. I told him it would be fine, but hes never had any surgery so he is terrified.. I have meet some awsome people on this site and have made some great friends. Kmo and Lmo are a trip. The three of us have all been banded at the end of july. I think we are going to plan a trip in exactly one year... That would be so fun.... My kids are starving so I guess I need to go feed them....

Ok so I am on day three.. I am allowed full liquids today. For brkfast I had 1/3 cup of protein shake. Then around noon I ate liquidifed homemade veggie soup. At four I had 1/3 cup of oatmeal really runny. After each meal I was stunned to know that I was full. I had a tightness in my chest and I was done. It was so exciteing. That was the first real conformation that I had a BAND!!! hehe I am so sick of being sore. The doctors telling me that he has had pat. go back to work two days after surgery is BS. I am so sore and I can't bend over for anything. I get this hot burning sensation on my left side but its not where the insision is. I guess that is where the port is attached.. I have been tootin up a storm.. Man I keep wondering where all this gas has come from, every five mins I let one rip!!! TMI oh well my journal!! I know I have a few more days of rest but man I am so sick of not getting to excersise. My dd has been doing hers and she wants me to do them with her so bad but I just can't.. I tried to do leg lifts with her and you don't relize how much you use your stomach muscles to lift your legs... My dh sais he is so nervous now because he saw me at the hospital in pain. I told him it would be fine, but hes never had any surgery so he is terrified.. I have meet some awsome people on this site and have made some great friends. Kmo and Lmo are a trip. The three of us have all been banded at the end of july. I think we are going to plan a trip in exactly one year... That would be so fun.... My kids are starving so I guess I need to go feed them....

Lizz, I'm just razzin' ya! Looks to me like everything does go on this thread! Honestly, I don't think there is a TMI on this one! BTW, it was a cool post, don't remove it!