December 2012 --- Band Buddies Unite!

[LadyLeigh2012 76]

We did it!!!

December 2012 was our time … jumping from pre-op to post-op …

here's to the new friends we've made and to the continued success we'll share in 2013!

Let's keep in touch, share our journeys, swap some recipes, and high-5 our pics as they leap from before to afters!

[Stephleupagus 35]

Hi Leigh!! I'm so glad you started a little group for all the December bandsters. It will be great hearing how others are doing along their journeys.

I was banded on the 18th. Am doing ok, still feel pretty swollen and tight around my sternum. Some air pressure, but not tons. Am off my pain meds, just using ibuprofen now. I'm having more of a mental issue now then anything, wondering if I did the right thing, scared of never feeling "normal" again, etc. I'm sure that many people go through that once they get banded. I hope as I start to feel better those feelings will go away.

[LadyLeigh2012 76]

Hi Leigh!! I'm so glad you started a little group for all the December bandsters. It will be great hearing how others are doing along their journeys.

I was banded on the 18th. Am doing ok, still feel pretty swollen and tight around my sternum. Some air pressure, but not tons. Am off my pain meds, just using ibuprofen now. I'm having more of a mental issue now then anything, wondering if I did the right thing, scared of never feeling "normal" again, etc. I'm sure that many people go through that once they get banded. I hope as I start to feel better those feelings will go away.

Hey! I was banded on the 18th, too! I got a nice hot shower this morning and was told I could remove the dressings. Four punctures and one inch and a half cut (for the port I guess) are what I am left with now. I feel good walking around, but the tightness in my chest is a pain … gas in the left shoulder, too. The heating pad helps a lot! I think the tightness and gas pain caused me a headache … that and a 2-day coffee withdrawal … so my hubby made me a cup of coffee with a little half-n-half and trivia … headache gone! Whew!

I am excited about this … we certainly did make the right choice and as foods become reintroduced we will feel a 'new normal'. I made a menu map on my blog of how and when to eat different types of foods. I should try and see if I can attach it here, too.

[LadyLeigh2012 76]

My hubby is the ultimate nurse. He woke me up about 15 minutes ago to 'get me moving' … saying that he doesn't want me to get 'too stiff' … but I'm wondering if a full night's rest would be better for me or not. What are your thoughts?

Another thing … and this may be a little TMI … but I have a potty question.

My bladder woke about 6 hours post-op … but well, the other side has not …if you catch my drift.

In fact, I haven't gone to the bathroom [in the way] since about Sunday. It is now Friday. I realize I have not eaten solid foods in a long time so there may not be much to work with here, but I did have a little stool softener yesterday afternoon so maybe that'll help.

Anyone else having this 'issue'??? I can only imagine how much better I would feel in the belly area if only I could 'go' …. ugh!

[sheky17g 18]

Hey Folks,

I was banded on 12/4 in Essex Cty, NJ. I could really use a band buddy. I'm not having any issues or problems yet with the exception of a little soreness at the port incision site.

I just started mushies yesterday. Never knew tuna salad with lowfat mayo could be so delicious. I hope all the Dec Bandsters are doing well.

-Sheky

[LadyLeigh2012 76]

Hey Folks,

I was banded on 12/4 in Essex Cty, NJ. I could really use a band buddy. I'm not having any issues or problems yet with the exception of a little soreness at the port incision site.

I just started mushies yesterday. Never knew tuna salad with lowfat mayo could be so delicious. I hope all the Dec Bandsters are doing well.

-Sheky

I can't wait until I can have some tuna w/ mayo in a blender! LOL!! My menu map says I can have saltine crackers as of week 3 … the perfect lunch will be a little Soup with tuna and crackers!

I am only post-op day 3 now … trying diff. Soups is sure to keep the next 2 weeks interesting, but I do long for a certain 'crunch' of a cracker!

[jms413 17]

My hubby is the ultimate nurse. He woke me up about 15 minutes ago to 'get me moving' … saying that he doesn't want me to get 'too stiff' … but I'm wondering if a full night's rest would be better for me or not. What are your thoughts?

Another thing … and this may be a little TMI … but I have a potty question.

My bladder woke about 6 hours post-op … but well, the other side has not …if you catch my drift.

In fact, I haven't gone to the bathroom [in the way] since about Sunday. It is now Friday. I realize I have not eaten solid foods in a long time so there may not be much to work with here, but I did have a little stool softener yesterday afternoon so maybe that'll help.

Anyone else having this 'issue'??? I can only imagine how much better I would feel in the belly area if only I could 'go' …. ugh!

i was banded the 19th and havent gone to the bathroom that way either ! but i just started my Protein shakes today so im hoping ill be able to go after i have them . and of course congrats on your new banded life we can do it !

[Peaceful1 110]

I was banded on the 17th, no bm yet...what is a menu map?

[sheky17g 18]

It took a few days post op for me to pass anything. That's totally normal I think. I think as long as you can pass gas...which they tell you should happen within 48 hrs, you should be fine.

Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

[sheky17g 18]

I can't wait until I can have some tuna w/ mayo in a blender! LOL!! My menu map says I can have saltine crackers as of week 3 … the perfect lunch will be a little Soup with tuna and crackers!

I am only post-op day 3 now … trying diff. Soups is sure to keep the next 2 weeks interesting' date=' but I do long for a certain 'crunch' of a cracker! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

I'm staying away from those carbs! Too much temptation to just pound a sleeve of saltines. I made a gross soupy potato slurry yesterday for dinner. Gotta get some chicken for tonight maybe a sweet potato too. Very exciting

Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

[naturallyjai 129]

Japandii put up a post saying she was being banded tomorrow. It's under the pre-op section. IP9 posted a day-to-day of her progress on that thread and she gave a lot of good information, including when she was finally able to go to the bathroom. You may want to look at that thread.

It is interesting to read about everyone's journey. I am seeing so many differences between us. From pre-op diets to post-op diets it seems like each surgeon and nutritionist has their own take on how to be successful the first few weeks out. I was banded on the 19th and I can start creamy Soups and Protein shakes today. I really don't want anything. I am having to force liquids down.

[Peaceful1 110]

Yeah, Im quite astounded at the difference in post-op instructions. Im also concerned about posts I

read in the fitness section that say the band feels tight after a workout!! That's not ok at all!! Wtf

[prettylady73 3]

Hey I'm a newby, I was banded on the 18th and this liquid diet is killing me...lol, the gas is a pain as well.

[suzannetx 21]

I was banded 12-12-12. I'm starting to feel almost normal again. The gas pains are almost all gone. As far as the bathroom thing... I had to finally take some milk of magnesium and it worked like a charm. I feel 100% better after I got that part moving again. It even released all the gas in my shoulder. Know it may sound crazy but it feels great. Of course I called dr to ask if I could take it and I'm glad I did. From my PRE op diet till today I'm down 20 lbs !!!

[blondegal_ 1,028]

All of you that aren't "going" believe me that you don't want the opposite. The antibiotics have caused havoc but I should have expected it as that's a common occurrence for me.

Really wish I could get rid of the gas pains. Ugh.