24 days post-op

gabby · February 6, 2004

Hello all:

So it's day 24. I went back to work 2 weeks after surgery, I wish I had stayed out a couple more days, still had a little port pain. As of today I am down 24 lbs. I can eat anything that I ate before, so far. ( I am a fish eating vegetarian) I am reconizing the signs my body gives me when it's full. One more bite and it feels like I swallowed a shoe box. No vomitting or PBing. I just got done shoveling the sidewalk, a feat that would have left me gasping and feeling light headed, it was a breeze today. The people at work are saying something looks different, most say I look younger. Most of them are unaware of the surgery. Because everything I own has elastic it all fits loosely, but, no change of size yet. So far I LOVE MY BAND!!!!! I can also see it's a work in progress that requires work on my part. Meaning that the treats I love can come back to haunt me if I indulge. I bought some sugar free Peanut Butter cups and one is the last thing I eat (it's my little reward ). I'm still having trouble getting in all the Protein and Water, but, Rome wasn't built in a day. I am so thankful for this second chance, somehow I could justify cheating on any diet, because I felt so deprived, it's so different now, I have no desire to sabotage myself. I am going to have a fill soon (2 1/2 weeks). I can't wait for summer........I've started to look at bathing suits and do alittle dreaming, not that Sport's Illustrated is gonna call me anytime soon. It's just that now it's about fitting in......not standing out. Good luck to all.........may God bless .....Gabby

mel22 · February 7, 2004

Hi Gabby,

Wow, you are doing great! 24lbs in 24 days. Where did you have your surgery done? Are you exercising? Do you have a desk job or ?. I'm planning on taking a week off, but if I need more time, it won't be the end of the world.

I'm also in MN, and I'm hoping to have my surgery in early March with Dr. Billing in Moose Lake.

Melissa

gabby · February 7, 2004

Hey Melissa:

I had my banding done at Abbott-Northwestern, in Minneapolis. I work as a night nurse, (supervisor) so that usually there isn't a lot of physical work, but a fair amount of walking. The gas pains came out my first night back, so between the port pain and shoulder pain, my first night back was very long. Also, being without my drug of choice Advil, was a disadvantage. I had my surgery on a Tuesday, but, I was still feeling the effects of the anesthesia on Sunday, which bothered me more than the pain. I took one dose of morphine while in the hospital and one percocet at home and that was it for pain control. I have a rather strong pain tolerance, but, an even stronger adversion for feeling "loopy". All and all the experience was much easier than I expected........the worse part of the hospital experience was that ghastly barium eeeuuuuuu. Please let me know if I can help with anything else. Welcome to future bandland. regards, Gabby