March 2011 Bandsters

[MarcyLoo 12]

Can I hop on board??

I'm Marcy, 36 (well, close to 36), have a husband and three little boys. My surgery is March 15th (yikes in 7 days!!!!). I started my preop diet today; Bariatric Advantage Protein shakes (I chose banana) and one diet frozen meal a day (I love Smart Ones so bought 7 of them, all under 300 cals). 64 ounces of Water a day. If I make the shakes with nonfat milk it'll put me over my 870 cal/day restriction but I tried one with Water and it was like slug slime...so I may just go with milk anyway. at least for some of the shakes. and I can have any other calorie free drinks. Surgeon wants me to lose 10 pounds in 7 days.

[mzstephanie 0]

My date is the 31st too mzstephanie!! Good luck!!

I'm in Cali also... looks like we have a little more than a week before the pre-op diet. Wishing u the best of luck on ur journey. We are MARCHing on into our victory!!

[azbtrfly 2]

I survived and am headed home, was a little more painful than I thought but doing much better after I got some Jello and broth down and took a vicoden.

[MarcyLoo 12]

congraTS!

[Kellimorty1 1]

Hi Everyone....

.Im home from surgery and alive! My surgery was scheduled for 7:30 am...i arrived at the hospital at 5:45 am and waited about 15 mins to be admitted,....once i was admitted i was taken back to the pre-op room where i was put on an iv and given post op instructions...ie ( when you wake up you will be in this room and we will be calling your name, we will give you some Water to sip and ask you what your pain level is between 1-10, 10 being the highest.) ..my husband was then kicked out and i was wheeled into the VERY COLD operatng room...the nurses covered me with warm blankets and strapped my arms to the bed straight out...the anesthia dr came in and shot some white liquid in my IV and next thing i know i was waking up in recovery....

After Surgery:

I woke up w/ a feeling of sorness in my stomach, from right above my bellybutton to right under my ribcage, it was more a feeling of "the day after doing about 1000 sit ups after not doing them for 2 years"...they pain for me was in my chest...at first i had really bad weezing (sounded like when you have bronchitis and you take a deep breath out, that last few seconds of breathing out sounds relaly moist and mucosy).....so i coughed most of it out and it went away within about 20 mins....THEN the real pain came.... I had/still have sharp pains in my left chest area, above my heard and in my upperback, everytime i take a deep breath in or out i feels like a sharp pressure...

So then....i took one of the other gal's advice and got up to walk right away because i read that i would help w/ the pressure so i got up and walked up/down the hall...NO problems walking, breathing was a little awekward because when i was walking i assume everything kinda shift downward (because of gravity) and when i would take a breath i could feel sharp sorness in my incisions, (almost like they were going to bust open) but the nurse said that that feeliing is normal and that it would NOT burst open so i started taking deep breaths and felt much better....then they made me pee & do my breathing exercises and then sent me home!! I have been home ever since in and out of bed with very low to medium pain! i feel like such a spoiled brat because my family is taking such good care of me!

overall it is not too bad but dont do what i did and go into it thinking " i wont have ANY pain because its laproscopic (sp)...i had 2 c-sections / 1 emergency and 1 non emergency and pain wise i would say it is just under a c-section.

good luck everyone!

[rhino 1]

I got home about 5pm today from my overnight stay after surgery. The surgery went well but I did have some post surgery pain that took me a few hours to get under control. I am feeling much better today and am forcing myself to push fluids and broth.

Overall I'm excited I finally did this and look forward to my new life. Good luck to everyone best wishes to everyone.

Rhino

[Kristi Twisti 18]

Wow! Congrats to you all for your surgeries and making it back home!! Yay!!! Thanks very much for the updates too!!! :huggie:

[MarcyLoo 12]

Congrats to everyone!!

I love hearing how it went for you all.

Questions: are you all anticipating a day-surgery and going hoem the same day? Hospital or clinic? Going back to work?

I'm being banded in a clinic and should go home the same day (on a Tuesday) and have myself scheduled for a single 12 hour shift that Saturday...then 4 more days off. My wonderful hubby picke dup my post op pain meds & nausea pills today. I also told my parents finally and they seem to be taking it well (I anticipated them, my mom in particular, not being supportive)

[Kellimorty1 1]

I was banded at a hospital and my insurance pays up to 1 night in a hospital but i opted out because i have a HUGE ring of support i only took 2 days off work but my days off fall in line with that so i go back to wrok monday at 6pm

Congrats to everyone!!

I love hearing how it went for you all.

Questions: are you all anticipating a day-surgery and going hoem the same day? Hospital or clinic? Going back to work?

I'm being banded in a clinic and should go home the same day (on a Tuesday) and have myself scheduled for a single 12 hour shift that Saturday...then 4 more days off. My wonderful hubby picke dup my post op pain meds & nausea pills today. I also told my parents finally and they seem to be taking it well (I anticipated them, my mom in particular, not being supportive)

[curlygirly999 2]

I'm so glad some of you are sharing your experiences. Kelli your post was especially helpful! Keep up the good work and continue to heal, we'll all be waiting to see how awesome you guys do! Oh yeah...and pretty soon I will be one of you!! Only 22 days!!

[MarcyLoo 12]

I posted on the general board, but how much did you guys lose on your preop diets? I started mine yesterday and am down 4 pounds...I know it won't keep up like that, but is that normal for day 1?

How are all you day one post banders doing??

[dmom 1]

Hi everyone! I have a March 21st surgery date. I have a pre-op 3 day clear liquid fast before surgery with no solid food at all. I am kind of nervous about that part but very excited for the surgery that is quickly approaching! Good luck to all of those that are getting banded very soon!

Hi Everyone!!

Where are all the March bandsters at?!! I was just approved last week and have a surgery date of March 16th. Looks like I'll be starting a two week pre-op liquid diet (Optifast) on March 2nd which I'm not looking forward to!! Anyone else scheduled for March? Do you have a pre-op diet to follow?

Good Luck to everyone!!

[dmom 1]

Mine is and I can't wait!! Good luck!

Hello everyone.......Pretty new here and have already learned alot of tricks that should help me along the way. My surgery is scheduled for March 21st and I start my two week liquid diet tomorrow. I've already been doing the Protein shakes a couple times a day for a few weeks now so it wasn't such a jolt to my system and i'm already down 23 lbs. so i'm hoping the next two weeks will continue to bring more success. Trying to keep busy the next two weeks so I don't psych myself out too much. I actually think my husband is a little more anxious then I am but he's supporting me all the way. Already stocked the house with all the helpful hints that should make my recovery a little easier so for all that have already gone through this and post better options for those to come after and big thank you. Good luck to all of us. Anyone else's surgery on the 21st?

[ElizabethNYC 1]

First off congrats to those who have gotten their surgery's and are at home. Thank you for sharing your experience on here. I'm anxious to share mine!!

Second, welcome to all the new March Bandster I believe I share a surgery date with one or two of you! Good luck to you guys!!

Someone asked about how much we've lost on liquid, so far I've lost 7 pounds and I'm on day 6 I guess it differs for everyone.

:-)

[rhino 1]

I lost 17 pounds on pre op diet, which was basically Atkins diet. Surgery was Monday morning and I am down a few more since then for a total of 20 in 10 days. While I know this is attributed to Water and clearing of the digestive tract it helps with motivation none the less.

I have found the stories good and bad here to be a big help in my journey. My wonderful wife has been a tremendous help to me and while I could do it alone I am sure grateful to have her help and support. To anyone of you waiting for your upcoming surgery dates just remember while it is hard to give up the foods we love to eat that our new lives will more than make up for it.

My little girl will be five in a couple weeks and I'm looking forward to being able to do all the activities I have avoided because I was tired or hurting due to being obese.

I am also looking forward to once again being able to buy clothes at the mall or a regular men's store.

My best wishes to everyone of us in the March group.

Rhino