Banded June 26th, here's what's happening....

[Mike70 17]

Okay, here's the short of it. I got the band with plication, woke up in the recovery room with a big thumbs up from the Doctor, and sent to my room for recovery. I spent one night in the hospital. I had the usual soreness and gas, but I was dealing with it. I had a cup of broth the next morning, kept it in no problem and was sent home. Everything great so far.

However, the feeling of hunger that were subsided since the surgery weren't enough to make me feel better. I had extreme bouts of dizziness and weakness, not to mention the remaining gas from the operation that everyone deals with. That was unbearable unto itself. Remember, I still haven't eaten anything in over two weeks since the start of the liquid diet. But I was dealing. Came home thursday afternoon and rested. Drank my broth, ices, yogurt, followed the diet they gave me. But I didn't get better each day, I got worse and worse. Sunday morning was the pinnacle. By then, like many before me I'm sure, I was sure I had made a mistake and this was not working. I didn't care if I payed out of pocket, I was having this removed. The gas and the nausea were too much. My wife called the Doctor and when they got back to me the person I spoke to, someone (not the doctor I had dealt with before), gave me the basic blow off advice: Try Ice chips. Yeah right. Ice chips weren't cutting it at this point. I couldn't take a sip without wanting to vomit it up and feeling intense pain. So I didn't want to bother someone on their Sunday day off, but you can kind of tell when you are being brushed off the phone. Ice chips. I know they mean well and aren't going to tell you different, but com'on.

So I had an epiphany, even though they advised against it, I was going to try and eat something that day. I know I was only four days post, but I needed to do something. I started very slowly and had a few small bites of a raw vegetable. Got it in, no problem. Then a second one, no problem. I then took a piece of grilled chicken and tried a small bite. Chewed thoroughly, swallowed. No problem. Now I took a few mins to see how I was feeling, and I was VERY QUICKLY feeling much better. Over the next two hours I downed in total about one quarter of a small meatball, a piece of grilled chicken the size of a McDonalds nugget, a few raw vegetables. I felt like I was gorging. I was stuffed. It took two hours to eat and when all was said and done, it was less than a real plate of food. By the time I was done eating, I felt like a million dollars. I felt revived, refreshed, actually healthy and not sickly.

Now I get a follow up phone call today from the doctors office. I told the person on the phone what I had done and I got yelled at like a five year old. They told me NOT to do that. They were a little unprofessional in their tone, but they were passionate about my health so I respect that. If I had not taken a little action and moved myself forward a little on my own, I would still be very ill. I obviously don't regret my decision, but I would like to know if anyone else has had similar experiences.

The end result is, I now feel like this band might be the best thing I ever did and I have only just started. I can't wait to rock this weight off.

Thanks for sticking this long post out.

[chasingadream 1,311]

Glad to hear you are feeling better...oh my, that is the same doc I am using...have things been better with them in dealings with the office? Just wondering!

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Did your doctor's office explain why what you did was so foolish and not to do it again? It has nothing to do with weight loss and everything to do with healing. Your stomach has been sutured, manipulated, and squeezed with a silicone band. Not following your doctor's post op plan puts you at very high risk not only for a slip but ripping those new stitches holding your band to your stomach.

I understand you didn't feel well because of a lack of nutrients, but we've all been through it and we all survived. I don't mean to sound so harsh but the truth is, you just have to suck it up and deal with it. It's temporary and it's also necessary to allow your body to heal. If you're smart, you'll go back on your doctor's post op diet and stick to it.

[Mike70 17]

I have no complaints about my doctor or his staff. I didn't mean for this post to sound like I was ranting against them. I am still very impressed and happy with them.

[Mike70 17]

Of course I knew why the diet is in place.

[MiniMi 1,468]

Mis, you said it all but lets define "slip" and what it means to pop those stitches.

It means internal bleeding that could cause you to bleed to death!

[chasingadream 1,311]

I have no complaints about my doctor or his staff. I didn't mean for this post to sound like I was ranting against them. I am still very impressed and happy with them.

Ok...thanks....just wanted to check on that...that is good to know...good luck to you!