banded 2/19, having a bad day, need some support

[Laura P 0]

I was banded friday, came home on sat on full liquid diet (supposed to stay on it until my office visit 3/3). I am having a hard time meeting my Fluid and Protein requirement. I have no appetite at times, getting in 3 meals, really spaced out. Sometimes I feel like my stomach is in my throat. I have a lot of crampy movement and gurgling in my gut (I'm thinking probably gas pains as they come and go). Im running to bathroom every

1-1 1/2 hours, letting out some gas. My incision pain is tolerable, i'm moving more easily now. I'm gagging on my chewable Celebrate brand Multivitamin, not a good feeling. Now i'm sitting here, my husband away on business trip, and I'm feeling sorry for myself, wondering what I got myself into. I'm trying to stay positive saying each day will improve. They say you can usually return to work in a week, but at the rate i'm feeling, I cant even imagine it. (Im a nurse and rarely get time to sit, nevermind run to BR every hour.)

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get over this hump?

[fhce13 0]

hang in there. i had terrible diarrea the first 4 weeks. i had to resort to wearing a pad on the back part of my undies in case i did not make it to the bathroom. are you on pain med? my dr. gave me liquid codein for the first week and a half. things do get better i promise. I was banded 12-21-2009. had to go thru christmas feeling as you do. i lost 28 lbs the first 5 weeks and 5 lbs since. please let yourself heal.

[Astrasmom 1]

I was banded friday, came home on sat on full liquid diet (supposed to stay on it until my office visit 3/3). I am having a hard time meeting my Fluid and Protein requirement. I have no appetite at times, getting in 3 meals, really spaced out. Sometimes I feel like my stomach is in my throat. I have a lot of crampy movement and gurgling in my gut (I'm thinking probably gas pains as they come and go). Im running to bathroom every

1-1 1/2 hours, letting out some gas. My incision pain is tolerable, i'm moving more easily now. I'm gagging on my chewable Celebrate brand multivitamin, not a good feeling. Now i'm sitting here, my husband away on business trip, and I'm feeling sorry for myself, wondering what I got myself into. I'm trying to stay positive saying each day will improve. They say you can usually return to work in a week, but at the rate i'm feeling, I cant even imagine it. (Im a nurse and rarely get time to sit, nevermind run to BR every hour.)

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get over this hump?

Have you tried some Gas-X strips? Hang in there. I also had the runs the first week or so after surgery. Things do get better. You have to make sure that you get the Protein in so that you can heal. Even if you don't feel hungry you have to force yourself to get the protein and the fluids in. CONGRATULATIONS!!

[Laura P 0]

Thanks! I do have gas-x strips, trying them occassionally. I'm trying to get the Protein in but its not going in too easily, hate the feeling of my stomach in my throat. I'll keep trudging along, i'm sure each day will be a little better.

Does anyone have suggestions on tasty Vitamins?

[JoJo1 0]

I promise it will be better. Don't worry about the mulitvitamin until a few more days. You will be much better by the end of the first week, then every day will be much better. Some of the lack of appetite is because of the surgery itself. That always happens to me, it even happened after the birth of my children. You are only on the fourth day, so give it some time.

[1unknownperson 0]

Thanks! I do have gas-x strips, trying them occassionally. I'm trying to get the Protein in but its not going in too easily, hate the feeling of my stomach in my throat. I'll keep trudging along, i'm sure each day will be a little better.

Does anyone have suggestions on tasty Vitamins?

I use the Adult chewable Gummy Bear Multi Vitamin from Costco...

I still have the stomach in my throat feeling once in a while... It comes and goes.... I'm almost 3 months out... Not sure if it will ever go away....

Each day will get better and you WILL have good days and bad days... When you are struggling or even when you have successes to share we are all here for you.... We are all walking this journey together...

[Laura P 0]

Thank you all, its very nice to know I can turn to people who have been through it or are newbies like me. Family is always supportive but they dont fully understand. I'll keep thinking positive and hopefully better days are coming.

[mellabella78 0]

Im a nurse as well, and to be honest.. one week is so not enough. I took 2 and still had a hard time going back. See if you can get another week girly!

[BetsyB 9]

Hang in there--it gets better quickly.

Hydration is the main thing right now. You don't need to worry about Protein and vitamins--you'll be able to tolerate them long before your body misses them.

But it's critical that you get enough Fluid. The 64 oz./day is a lofty goal at first--but do keep a Water bottle (or other drink) at hand, and sip, sip, sip throughout the day.

Gas-X helped me, but walking helped me LOTS more. If you can get a good walk in each day, you might find that you feel tons better.

Your icky stomach-in-your throat feeling is likely due to intubation; that discomfort will fade over the next few days.

[~amy~ 1]

I'm freshly banded, too, and I have to say that I felt the same way you did. I got a little discouraged at first seeing how many people on this forum felt "great" after a few days, or when I saw this one guy posting from his room at the dang hospital!!! Why couldn't it be that easy for me?!!

It's easy to throw a pity party when you're feeling alone and discouraged. Just know that you're not alone, and that this is only a means to an end - your goal weight!!!

As for the advice - I can only say that I wish I had forced more Water, and started stool softeners earlier (I didn't know I had a problem until it was too late and had to go to the ER...I'm sure being a nurse, you're aware of what they do for an impaction). Not fun!!

Let me know if you need a buddy - you can email me or PM me...I'll be happy to help any way I can!!

[alicianoelle1dec82 0]

Thanks! I do have gas-x strips, trying them occassionally. I'm trying to get the Protein in but its not going in too easily, hate the feeling of my stomach in my throat. I'll keep trudging along, i'm sure each day will be a little better.

Does anyone have suggestions on tasty Vitamins?

Do flintstones complete. my nurt. recommended them.. she said take one.. but i'm fatter than most 10 years so i take two!

[onyah 0]

I also bought the Celebrate chewables (three months' worth!) and I hate them. They're huge and they taste really vitamin-ey, and you have to take two of them every day and you can't take them at the same time!! Nuts to that. I bought a $4 bottle of Target brand adult gummies, and they're much tastier. I think I'll go that route from now on.

[~amy~ 1]

I also bought the Celebrate chewables (three months' worth!) and I hate them. They're huge and they taste really vitamin-ey, and you have to take two of them every day and you can't take them at the same time!! Nuts to that. I bought a $4 bottle of Target brand adult gummies, and they're much tastier. I think I'll go that route from now on.

Are gummies okay for a person so freshly banded?? I'd love to start something different than the funky Vitamins they gave me. :smile2:

[LollyMoe 1]

Hang in there..it gets better each day. If you can, take a little more time off unless your nursing job isn't on your feet all shift. Lifting is out for at least six weeks. Thank goodness, I'm a retired psych nurse and there's no way I would have gone back in a week.

I had the opposite problems with my bowels. I couldn't go...had to take colace. The first one was a doozie.

I take Bariatric Advantge chewable Vitamins in the berry flavor. Not too bad as long as I can remember to take them. $20.00 for a bottle of 60 tablets.

Drink your Water, drink your Protein, and walk from room to room as much as you can. Use the Gas-X strips too.

It will get better.

[onyah 0]

Are gummies okay for a person so freshly banded?? I'd love to start something different than the funky Vitamins they gave me. :smile2:

I switched to them about ten days post-op, and they've been working fine for me. I just make sure I chew them thoroughly.