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Hi Debby... I see Sheri answered your question... Hi Sheri!!!... Yes.. I am a special needs mom... I have a 10 year old with Spastic Quad CP... and you? TTFN

It does get better As time passes, you will discover what your tum likes and what it loathes. Me, I can't eat Chinese food anymore; for my sister, it's salads. At 10 months I miss the early days of mimimal portions and, yes, even the pain because it meant I'd had my procedure.

Hi Mollie, I was banded by him on 7/26, and everything went just as you said. Only I wish they spoke more english,but they knew what to do. I didn't have any troulble, just the usual with this type of surgery. I live in florida, and had never flew on a plane before. You can imagine what it's like facing being banded and then get on a plane. But I loved it. Got over my fear of flying. Now I'm ready for a fill, cause I have no restriction. I did loose about 10 or 12 lbs. and haven't gained it back, but I'm ready to loose more. Guess I'm going to the fill center in Lakeworth as it's closet to me. I hope you have good luck, keep your fingers crossed that my fill works good the first time. Take care, I'll keep you posted. Vicky Waters

So this morning was my pre-op Cardiac MRI. I was downtown at AGH (hospital) early and after muddling through registration I finally navigated my way through the halls to the right elevator. The hospital must have had a million additions to it over the years…it’s like being a rat in a maze..you know, lab rat…fitting. I finally found myself in the bowels of the earth with no one else around and found the two solid doors that read ‘Cardiac MRI’ waiting room...my luck, they were locked…just about the time I was questioning if I'd made a mistake and came the wrong day I found another door down the hall. Apparently I was the first appointment of the day and the receptionist thought she’d unlocked the door – so apologetic! The people there couldn’t have been nicer. I got changed, hooked up to the equipment and then onto the MRI bed…ready to start. Let me tell you, I had a brain MRI done this fall at a different place as a clearance for putting me on medicine for my migraines (which have mostly disappeared…fabulous!). It was quite the adventure…they had me lay on a bed, then WHAT”S THIS? Without a word they snapped a plastic mask over my face (I felt like Hannibal)…no instructions, no panic button…just “Hold still. This should take about 10 min.” Out they went. That’s it! Suddenly the noises start and the bed moves…WTFlip?:ohmy: Why am I moving? Just when I got used to one noise it would stop…ok…WHIRL, CLUNK, WHIZ…bed moving!:clap: Yea…lay still?? Are you kidding me? How can you lay still when this cacophony of sounds keeps startling me…and couldn’t you warn a girl that the bed will keep moving?!! Thank God there wasn’t a panic button, and only my head and chest went into the machine, and that it only lasted 10 minutes! Geez…give people some warning!:Dancing_wub: So I went this morning with some trepidation. They asked me if my blood pressure is ‘always that high?’ (yea, and I’m on meds). The Tech was so sweet and started telling me about everything that would happen (this is new), but I panicked a little when she said it would take about 45 min. I could hardly handle 10 min. how was I going to make it through 45??!! Now this is different…“pick a radio station and here are your headphones to drown out those awful noises”…smart!...and “I’ll be talking to you and telling you when to breath and when to hold your breath and you’ll hear me through the headphones.”…and the best part “Here’s a ball to squeeze if you need to come out.”…YAY…‘a PANIC BUTTON!’...oh, whoops I just said that out loud!:wink2: The Tech laughed and said, “Well, yes, but we don’t like to call it that as it gives the wrong connotation and might scare people!” OK, lay down, eyes closed…I’m thinking “Go to your Happy Place, go to your Happy Place” and into the tunnel the bed goes. Now, I’ve got to say my hips and my arms were squished a bit against the walls of the tunnel the whole time…and I’m big, but I’m not enormous…I can now see why some here say they had to do this with their arms above their heads (I feel for you!). The music is playing and the Tech starts giving me my breathing instructions with her most soothing voice “In, Out, In, Out, Hold, Breath.” She warned me when the bed would move and the music drowned out a lot of the noise. After awhile I calmed down,:thumbup: just in time for Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” to start playing on the headphones:lol:…it was so fitting that I almost started laughing…almost.:frown: P.S. Got my computer back tonight…all better!

Hi all, I'm eight days out of my VSG surgery with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali and wanted to share my experience with anyone still trying to make the decision. I had questioned on these boards if he was really worth the extra money and let me say, without reservation, that he and his staff is worth every penny! I'm sorry this is so long - I tried to keep it brief but failed miserably. Day 1-2 pre-surgery: Of course the day before my flight out I had to work til 9pm, because I had to be up by 4am the next day to get to the airport. Nothing like starting out a long trip tired! Total travel time from my residence to San Diego was 24 hours, since I got delayed in LA. Ernesto was waiting to pick me up, along with my mom who met me in SD and another patient and her friend. They were gracious about having to wait the extra hour for me. I'd only slept about 20-30 minutes total on all those flights so I was super tired and wired. Drive to Mexicali took about 2.5 hours. We were met by Karla, an assistant, who walked us through our pre-op tests before meeting Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos, and the anesthesiologist (by this time I'd been over 30 hours with no sleep so I can't remember his name but he was super nice.) First impressions of the hospital and especially the doctors was extremely good. Even so, due to lack of sleep and an 18 hour time change, I started doubting if I wanted to go through with it. Dr. Aceves and Campos spoke to us in length, answering every question we had. Dr. Aceves has THE BEST bedside manner and comes across as one of the most sincere, genuine, and compassionate people I've met. I immediately felt comfortable with him. Finally we were taken to our hotel about 15 minutes away, which is lovely. Mom and I set out to find carne asada tacos that I remembered from my time on the border and found a local hole in the wall joint that served amazing food!!! I savored every bite of my dinner. I didn't drink, even though Dr. A okayed 2 drinks, as between the lack of sleep and jet lag I figured it might give me a migraine. Surgery Day Thanks to jet lag I slept about 4 hours the night before surgery. I didn't really feel nervous except I really wanted to poop before it was my turn to go in. TMI, I know, but it's true! I was scheduled for 9 am. The shuttle was late picking us up so we got to the hospital about 30 minutes late. Karla was frantic since we still had to do our EKG and X-rays (we were too late the day before to finish). I changed into a gown, went poop (thank god!!), had a quick chat with Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos, the anesthesiologist, and then the internal doc. All looked good so they loaded me on a gurney, put in an IV, and took me away. I still wasn't nervous; I think the whole thing just felt too surreal to process. When we arrived in the OR, I remember scooting to a different bed, and the anesthesiologist asking me if I wanted a pillow. I told him "I don't know" and he started saying something about how if I didn't know, I probably didn't need one, ha ha. Two seconds later I was waking up and it was done! I had a hard time waking up (remember the major lack of sleep) but I remember feeling nauseous and I did throw up once, right after telling them I was going to. No mess, no big deal. The rest of the day is a blur. All I remember is that sleeping felt SO GOOD! I pretty much drifted in and out all day. I think I only got up to pee once, in the middle of the night. Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos each checked on me twice that day/evening. Day 1 Post Surgery I felt some pain in my abdomen but not much, as I was pretty drugged up. I slept A LOT that day. Nurses were very attentive and friendly. The docs came by to visit several times each. I got up to walk a couple of times and peed maybe twice all day/night. I thought it was weird I never had to go! I had a hard time sleeping that night, partly due to some pain (that was quickly administered to) and partly from the time change. Plus my stupid machine I was attached to kept beeping and waking me up. Grrr... Oh yeah, I drank the yucky blue liquid and was cleared for no leaks. I asked for crushed ice to numb my taste buds so I could choke the stuff down. It was nasty! After that I was given juice and Gatorade. It was really tough to try to drink and I had no desire whatsoever. Sip. Sip. Sip. Had a shower and changed into a fresh gown. I wasn't ready for PJs yet. I got a second sleeping pill midway through the night to help me sleep. The pain in my stomach started to increase and I was really uncomfortable. Day 2 Post Surgery I passed the barium swallow test and saw my new stomach. Holy cow, it's small! I was unhooked from the stupid beeping machine so Mom and I got outside a few times and walked around a few blocks. I was pretty slow and really had to force myself to stand up straight. My stomach felt like I'd been run over by a car. More walking, sipping, walking, sipping. Got into my PJs after a shower. Gas pains started. Ugh. I was so tired and slept a lot. There were other patients that had the surgery a day before me and they were all perky and looked like they felt great. I asked Dr. Aceves what was wrong with me since I still had pain and didn't feel perky AT ALL. He was very clear that I shouldn't compare myself to anyone else, as we're all different. I was freaking out that I was supposed to fly home in a few days - there was NO way I'd be fit to travel so fast! What were they thinking letting people check out after 3 days!?! I tend to act tough when I'm not but the gas pains got kinda bad that day and even though I could go outside and walk around, it was pretty uncomfortable. I think I was expecting a walk in the park. I was wrong. At one point I started crying and Dr. Aceves got more meds into me fast. He and Karla admonished me to not let the pain get too bad before saying something. They assured me the pain would reside once I got the drain removed. I was SO SO SO glad to still be in the hospital. I didn't feel regret but I did feel mad at myself for being in this situation - ie, getting so fat in the first place. (A few hours later I started my period so at least then I knew why I was being such a big baby.) Young Dr. Aceves (daughter of the great Dr. Aceves) took out my drain. I took a nap and woke up feeling much better. I had to get a second sleeping pill again this night. I was so thankful for the round the clock care I was getting. Day 3 Post Surgery - Checking out I finally got the IV out of my hand which was a relief. I woke up early, showered and felt great. Then after a couple of hours I was ready for my nap. The pain in my stomach was much duller. I was able to sip the juice, Gatorade and broth with no problem, but very little amounts. I got outside and walked around a few blocks, went to the pharmacy with my mom, and sipped some more. Even though it was Sunday, Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos were there, checking on everyone. Dr. Aceves wanted me to stay at the hospital until after lunch, as he knew how concerned I was about my long trip home in a few days. He reassured me and separately talked to my mom, telling her that I was doing great and would have nothing to worry about. At 1pm, Karla packed up some broth, juice, and Gatorade, and Ernesto whisked us away to the hotel, all of my medical records, DVDs of X-rays and my new stomach in a folder provided by Karla. I went out by the pool, poured myself into a lounge chair, and napped for about 2 hours. Glorious! Mom and I walked around a good deal that night, finding her some good food. I was able to walk comfortably, standing straight. Day 4 Post Surgery - Mexicali to San Diego Ernesto drove us to San Diego at 7am. It took about 3 hours with the border wait. Karla had reserved us a room for the next two nights. These people are so well organized and are there for us every step of the way! We took a short walk, I napped for a couple hours, then later we walked a good distance to find my mom dinner. I was starting to feel really good. I ordered broth and was able to eat a small amount with no problem. I'm a stomach sleeper and was finally able to sleep on my stomach with little discomfort. YAY! Day 5 Post Surgery Mom went home today so I was alone in SD. I woke up early to see her off then took a nap. I walked down to my former favorite Thai restaurant and scored some excellent broth. I felt really good and surprised that the pain just kept fading so fast. I took it easy that day, napping, reading, watching TV, walking a bit here and there. I felt really confident about flying home. Day 6 Post Surgery During my "2nd Day after Surgery Freakout" I upgraded my flight home to first class, thus rerouting me through my home town for 24 hours and breaking up my long trip. Score! I woke up again amazed at how much better I felt than even the day before. Fluids went down no problem. I got to see my family for a few hours that night. No one suspected I'd just had surgery. Day 7 and 8 Post Surgery I ran a few errands with my mom on the way to the airport. My mom was surprised at how perky and energetic I was. I was feeling great! I was able to sleep for a solid 2 hours on the 11 hour flight, thanks to my flat-bed seat. Got a massage at the Tokyo airport during my layover and walked around as much as possible. Slept for another 2 hours on the next flight. I arrived home at about 2:30 this morning and slept til nearly 7am. Took my doggies for a 2 mile/45 minute walk and unpacked. I'm tired and want a nap but am holding off for an early bedtime to try to re-adjust to the time change. I feel really great, no pain in my stomach, just a little mild discomfort. OK, how would I rate Dr. Aceves? 10/10. I cannot rave about this man enough. Really. Staff, including other doctors, the nurses, and patient coordinators? 10/10. Transportation and lodging? 10/10 If anyone has any questions about Dr. Aceves or my experience, please message me. Sorry for the long post!

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html Check out this blog.. She has some great ideas! Today I tried: egg salad for lunch meat loaf and mashed potatoes for dinner Mind you only about 2-3 tbs, if that. The mini chopper she shows here is a life saver for this stage. I've always had one but you can pick one up for $10-15 Cindy Ps: the ricotta bake..yum!!! Love it.

my band is 10 cc. I had it filled with 6 cc but felt no restriction at all!!!! I'm going to my doctor tomorrow to see what's wrong! I felt restriction before with a 5 cc fill!!!

Interesting topic. I just flat out told my husband I am doing this. I have spent soooo many years worrying and catering to my entire family, I decided this is my time. I only wish I came to this point 10 years earlier. Don't get me wrong I love my family unconditionally. But the kids are out of the house, my husband is consumed with keeping his job and I work too. This is my time. I have heard so much about women not putting themselves first. But not this mama ... she is going to the top of the list this time.

After getting my band 7/28/10 I had a series of surgeries(appendectomy and gallbladder removal) within a 4 month period of time which totally derailed my motivation and stalled my progress and was wondering if anyone else has had this happen. I talked to 3 of my surgeons and they all said that there was no literature to connect them but they did say the gallbladder issue can happen with rapid weight loss, but I had only lost a very minimal amount of weight at the time and I couldn't find anything conclusive on the web. It was more than a coincidence and I know it. I had developed a superficial infection at my port incision (underwire of bra caught the scab) site 3 wks post-op which I'm sure started it all off. What's your experience? C

Day 5, 10 more to go!

Black and Gold!!!! I am scheduled 10/1. The Steelers shirt is an awesome idea. I'm stealing it. LOL

I am trying really hard to add a new entry to my blog every week or about a week between, but they have been getting just a little further apart each time! I am slipping.... It is really late right now and I am very tired, so this will be a short one, which will probably be pleasantly refreshing from my normal blog entries that look like War and Peace. (I know that is the gold standard as an example of a huge novel with tons of pages, but has anyone actually read the thing? I don't think I know anyone who has, including myself. Maybe that says more about the caliber of who I hang out with than about how many people have really read the book! :thumbup: Anyway, I have started my first class with the Art Institute online and I'm thrilled. I love school and always have and I am so excited to go back. PLUS because it is online I don't have to feel self concious because of my age, I don't have to sit in a room of 18 year old hard bodies, heck, I don't have to even wear pants!! (Sorry about that mental image! :laugh:) I really love the freedom to log on, read some stuff, post something here and there, and log off. Have an unexpected moment of quiet? (yeah right) Just hop back online and get more homework done. I just love it. Of course I tend to be VERY chatty and I am constantly responding to every person's posts. All the time. I am afraid that I am becoming THAT person and very annoying, but then again, I am really making suggestions or giving kudos for great ideas or whatever. I decided that I don't care - if I'm annoying someone oh well. they can just skip my post - they don't even have to actually listen to me! Plus, I don't have to see these people, so I don't have to care if they like me or not. Not that I want them to hate me, but I'm not as obsessed about not wanting to ever hurt someone's feelings or make sure that everyone likes me the same way that I do if I am actually in the room with them. I can't wait to be done with this class (Strategies for online learning) and get onto the "real" art classes. I am so excited. As soon as my GI Bill kicks in and I start getting that money, I can start getting some of my art supplies that I'll need for my next classes. YEAH! Right after the last fill, I felt like while it was doing a good job and not letting me eat more than one cup at a meal, I was starving again 2 hours later. There was no way I was lasting 4 hours. Now I seem to be settling out and it is lasting longer. But I do have to say that while I only eat one cup and I am not really hungry when I'm done, I'm not really full either. And I do mean comfortably full. so I think I need a little bit more of a fill eventually but I'm still really doing well. I am at 6ccs of a 10 cc band and it seems weird that I am so full and have so little room left and I'm still not at THE spot. But I do think I am really close, so I might only need a small fill next time and then be right where I should be. I am a little nervous about it thought - I only have 4ccs of room left. What if I max out and I am still not where I should be - still hungry or whatever?:smile2: But I have decided that there is no point borrowing trouble. IF that should happen, I can worry about it then - and discuss it with my dr. Until then, I am making more of an effort to relax a little - calm down and not stress at every little twinge, every ache, every bite, every number on the scale. Given that obsessing is part of my DNA, this is harder than it seems! But I'm going to give it hell...:tongue2:

I'm a June 10th too! I've lost 30 lbs total so far (10 from pre-op and 20 post-op). I am getting close to getting in the liquids each day, but am no where near the amount of Protein I need. I just bought the New whey Protein Bullets in grape and I hope that will help. I am so sick of shakes! I'm not allowed to start purees until next Monday but I cannot wait. I have been to family social gatherings involving some really good food and it has been tough, but I've realized as I eat my Soup that I'm not really hungry, it's just in my head. I meet with my NUT for the first time this Friday so hopefully I will get some more advice and info then. I'm also going to a support group at my hospital next month so I'm fingers crossed that this is all worth it!

I started going to the gym 10 days post op...just able to do the treadmill tho...but I feel great and will be able to do classes and weight stuff in 1 week..I was banded 1-23-08...good luck

hi, my name is melanie. i am 26 years old, about 125kg (275 pounds), 5 8" and have a bmi of about 39. i have had depression from an attempted rape 2 years ago and am on 37.5mg of exeflor xr, down from 150mg. i have polysistic ovarian syndrome, very erratic periods, 4+ miscarriages, sleep apnoea, and am pre diabetic. i have had 4+ misscarriages in the last two years and my periods can be up to 10 months late. right now i am almost 2 months late and am not pregnant. i have just kept putting on weight since i started my periods at age 14 and havent stopped. i have gone from from a size 12 to a 22/24. i have tried the gym, weight loss shakes, weight watchers, daily excercise, excercise buddies, diet meals and more and just havent been able to shift the weight. the most i have been able to loose is about 10 kilos and that is it. i want to be healthy, be around for my adopted kids and live a long and healthy life with my family. i dont want to get diabetes or any other health conditons that will shorten my life and not give me quality of life. my husband also has a brain tumor and leukemia and we want so desperatly to have a child. we can still concieve naturally in spite of the cancer - well except for the fact that my body wont. your stories have given me much comfort that even if i do not end up having a child, if i can loose all this weight, i will be able to live a long and healthy life with my family and be able to watch my kids grow up. melanie

Hello everyone: I have been searching these forums for some advice. Just quick I will rewind and give all of you my history. I am 30 i am recently remarried and we want to have kids. I was Dx with PCOS about 10 years ago from my GYNO never really treated my just told me i needed to lose weight( always around 200's). When i was 18 I had a successful pregancy and now he 12. I never thought he would have been and only child. Sorry I am rambaling. Ok now more present time over the last 2 years we tried to concieve but nothing. I did Metformin, clomid, synthroid and even tried femara but nothing. I only had 1 period naturally. So we decided that weight loss was going to be my only hope. I had LapBand 04/2010 i am almost 3 months post op and still no Aunt Flow. HELP?? I have had breast tenderness like crazy but no AF. I am not on BC because it makes me sick but we are protecting against pregancy at least for this year. So I guess I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a chance that I will resume normal cycles. Should I we an RE now or wait my year? If any one has any advice i would appericate it!!

I decided in April 2016, went to a seminar, then had to complete at 6 month physician supervised weight loss program. I was approved within a week of completing it and had the procedure on 10/26/2016. No problems with approval as it is covered under my insurance, I completed the 6 months. Started with a BMI of 53 and had co-morbidities (diabetes and sleep apnea). Good Luck!

10 month out and can eat between 3 and 4 oz. I can drink normal again.

I really liked my doctor and was so disappointed with everything. I went Monday for my first fill and was very excited! The Dr. would only insert 1 cc/per visit this is going to take forever to have restriction.$200/per visit. Then best of all he uses a reg needle and I question him re: using a Huber non coring needle to access ports and he said that this needle is fine!! I said that I would provide the Huber needle for him and he stated that he would not use it! I question myself re knowledge so went along with it since he is the Dr. he would know and he has been doing this for 5 yrs. After 10 attempts to access the port he said that he did??? I really don't mind the 10 x's but using the wrong needle I have a problem with!! I then returned home and question Allergan the maker of the band re: the proper needle.( I wanted him to be right because I didn't want to think that a dr. doing this surgery and fills would put $ first Huber needles are much more expensive) They took me to their website and sure enough there it is in black and white only to use a Huber needle. They said that they would send the sales rep to speak to him???!!! ( a sales rep that is my point also,like he is going tell him) I feel very disappointed in the fact that I am a self pay $10,000 and they will only give me 1cc/per fill I wanted to be thin by my 40th B-day (April) That I had said from the beginning before the surgery to him. I don't see that happening with 1 cc a month. Then best of all I am putting my health at risk with the Dr. using the wrong needle. The port could core out!! I then would require another surgery. I should have waited until I finished school and my health insurance would cover the surgery but then again it was a gift to myself for my 40th! Now I feel stuck I guess I will have to see what happens at the next appointment. I will NOT LET him access my port unless he uses the Huber. I also printed out the info from Allergan to show him. Now how will he feel with me ?? How do I feel with him??????????????? Did he do damage to my port??????? If he refuses to to use the proper needle I will wait until I have a job with the insurance and try to find another surgeon, that I hear is very difficult. I guess this is what happens when you go to a plastic surgery center that advertises on the radio every hour for LAP-BAND® surgery!!!! I did my check on the surgeon before the surgery and found nothing negative. I just wonder what else do they do to save money that puts me at risk???? All I have to say is WOW!!!!!!

When I got my first fill last week (1/27), I was told I could have another fill in two weeks if I still felt I was in the yellow zone (hungry between meals, eating large portions, etc.). They just told me to wait one week to see how I feel first and then I could call and schedule the next fill for the next week. Yesterday, I was crazy hungry all day... may have something to do w/starting back at Jazzercise. So, I called this morning to schedule my second fill (thinking it would probably take them at least another two weeks to get me in). Well, I was very pleasantly surprised that they can do my fill next Wednesday, 2/10 (so exactly 2 weeks after my first). Yay!!! Its funny, when I tell my friends how I get stuck w/a needle and aren't supposed to eat for 72 hours after, they figure I would want to postpone as long as possible between fills. And, personally, I was a teensy weensy bit tempted to schedule this fill AFTER Valentine's Day since DH and I have reservations for a very nice dinner out. But, above anything else, I just want to get this show on the road. And, ultimately, this will be my life. I can still enjoy our V-Day dinner out, but savoring a small amount of food (maybe just getting an appetizer for my meal) rather than stuffing myself w/a 4 course meal. I am ready!!! I've been so happy w/what the band has done for me already, but I am eager to get it working to its full potential. :smile2:

I arrived in Mexicali on Sunday afternoon, 10/2. I rode in with 2 other patients and we all visited and shared our stories. After our labs at the hospital, we were taken to the hotel and checked in about 4:30 pm. Since we were all really hungry, we met up in the hotel restaurant a few minutes later and had a really wonderful dinner. For a large plate of chile rellenos , Beans, rice, tortillas, chips and a margarita......my bill was $13.00! With a full tummy and a sleeping pill from Dr. Aceves, I had a very relaxing night at the hotel. Ernesto picked us up at 7:00 am, Monday morning and drove us back to the hospital. Since my surgery was the 2nd of the day, I was given a sedative to relax. The rest of the day is a blur. I remember people coming in to get me....blur........I remember looking up at the ceiling as I was being wheeled to surgery......blur.........I remember someone telling me to turn on my side and bend my knees for the spinal block....blur.....and OUT. I don't remember recovery at all. The next thing I remember is being back in my room, thinking it must be over and then falling back asleep again. I was in and out of sleep for the rest of the night, knowing that nurses came in and out, taking my temp and blood pressure, but not really ever becoming fully alert. Sometime early Tuesday morning, I told one of the nurses I needed to use the bathroom. Although I stumbled a bit, I made the trip successfully and immediately fell back asleep. Later that morning, they brought me those infamous 4 little cups of blue "apple juice." They weren't good, but they were tolerable. I sipped and slept, sipped and slept, sipped and slept for hours. Several times that day, Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos and the nurses came in and told me to try to get up and walk. I'd answer "Sure, ok." with every good intention of doing it, but I'd always fall back asleep. I really had a tough time coming out of all that med-induced sleepiness. By late afternoon Tuesday, I finally got up and walked the halls. I was completely pain-free (yes, really.....it must have been the spinal block), but I felt unsteady on my feet and climbed back into bed about 5 minutes later. Tuesday night was pretty much the same as Monday night, but I woke up Wednesday morning feeling alert and energetic. I took a shower and even put on a little make-up! Wednesday, I walked several times, visited my neighbors, sipped tea and finally got a bowl of that wonderful chicken broth everybody raves about. Yes, it IS that good. By the time I left on Thursday morning, I felt pretty good - minimal pain and absolutely no nausea. It may have been this sense of well-being that caused me to completely overdo it on Friday. BIG Mistake! I met up with a friend Friday afternoon to do a "little" shopping that turned into a 5-hour shopping spree. I thought I was listening to my body.......I sipped Isopure all day........I took sitting breaks pretty often, but by the time I got home, I felt awful. My abdomen was completely swollen with Fluid and gas. I looked 9 months pregnant and felt equally uncomfortable. That was the first time all week I broke down emotionally. I remembered reading somewhere that Day 4 after surgery is the worst..........and that was definitely true for me! So, I sobbed myself to sleep Friday night and woke up Saturday with renewed energy and renewed resolve. I really took it easy that day. I stayed in all morning, sipping Protein and napping. By 3:00 pm, I felt good enough to take my son to a birthday party. It was a huge event, and EVERY single person there must have told me to eat......twice! But I politely told them I had eaten before I came and continued to sip on my bottled Water. The party lasted about two hours and I was definitely ready to come home by then. I went to bed about 7:30 pm, slept pretty soundly, and here I am at 5:00 am on Sunday, finally getting on the Internet for the first time since surgery. To sum up, I've really had a fairly easy recovery. Considering the mess my Band had made of my stomach and liver (Dr. Aceves told me it was NOT and easy revision) I've had very little pain except for the incision sights. I've experienced none of the shoulder "gas" pain I had with the Band surgery. I've had no nausea or stomach pain......just a lot of gas and gurgling. No doubt about it, those first four days kicked my butt, however, I think I'm over the "hump" now. I have one more week of recovery before I have to go back to work and I'm sooooo glad I didn't try to rush it and go back any sooner.