September Bandsters

[valgal1968 0]

I forgot to ask, is anyone else having runny stools all day long. Obviously, I don't have the Constipation problem, it seem to be the opposite, since I got out of bed yesterday. Anyone else??

Yes I did too (the runny part). It is now down to once a day. I feel wonderful though.

[valgal1968 0]

Im HOME!! had surgery 930 got home 5pm- I feel good, left shoulder pain and some soreness near port otherwise great!!

About the shoulder pain and other sharp pains, GasX, GasX, GasX!

[lamamama 0]

I wasn't aware of an anti-nausea drug, I will definetly call my dr. in the a.m. Thanks everyone for your insight. I definetly don't want to vomit!

[valgal1968 0]

Good to hear everyone on the road to recovery, all went well. What is the cause of "shoulder pain"? Read it in several..

Mine is Tues, the 19th, ready can not wait.

Elaine

GAS Trapped :cry very painful. Walk and GasX. I also have my husband pat/pound my back quite hard actually, and it helps. Just like burping a big baby.:biggrin1:

[cindyn 0]

I was banded 9/11 and I had the runs. I am sue it was brom the barium swallow!!! Yuck. I had several bouts with bad nausua and it was in hospital so I got shots right into my IV. Dr sent me home with a prescription as well. I took one for ride home but have not needed them yet. I still did have the runs but past 2 days that has subsided. liquid in..liquid out I guess. My husband bought me a magic bullet and I can say I have used it everyday. I was feeling a bit hungry and I put half a portion of creamy potatoe Soup on the run (campbell's) some skim milk and it pulverized it to liquid. I also added a scoop of Unjury unflavored Protein. (if using unjry for hot liquids they actually have to be warm but warm feels better to me than hot anyway). It was very soothing, My dr an dietician have on some creamy Soups not just clear. I found that odd but with the sf popsicles, Protein Drinks and Water and some soup I have lost 5 pounds. (fluid but I will sure take it!!) I had shoulder pain yesterday. My daughter is coming over today and I am taking a walk outside!! Walking sure helps with the gas pains.

[cindyn 0]

Wow Valerie, I just notice that you have lost 21 pounds!! Is this all since the 8th!!!! I was pleased with 5!!

[HopeWorks 0]

It's obvious to me that my nausua is from eating things with a thicker consistancy - pea Soup, pudding. So, I'm going to stick to the clear liquid type foods....at least until I can get a script from dr. Started taking tablespoons of Liquid Protein (I skipped the powder, because I don't like shakes) - oh my goodness is that awful stuff - don't know if I'll be able to keep it up - yuck, yuck, yuck!

[gonnabethin 10]

my nausua is from eating things with a thicker consistancy - pea Soup, pudding. So, I'm going to stick to the clear liquid type foods

Im going to get tylenol fast melts today-

i suspect the thickness of the liquid may have been the problem. Im still on clear liquid consistency- too much volume when i thined the tylenol!

[want2lose 1]

Well that explains why some of us have been "runny" and some not. I have not, but I did not have to do barium after my surgery. They just did a plain old xray and mad sure liquids went down OK. That could explain the difference.

I drove yesterday with no issues. Even went to the grocery store to pick up more Soup and walk a bit since it was still raining here. Today DH is going into work later so after the kids got on the bus we took the dog for a walk outside for about 20 minutes.

The true highlight of my day today will be that I get to take a shower!!!! My Dr's orders were no shower for 72 hours. I also get to take off all the band aids and dressings. He did internal stitches and uses steri-strips. The strips will stay on until they fall off (about 10 days), but I will get a much better look at the size of my incisions once all the dressings are off.

[want2lose 1]

Oh, and I forgot....I slept through the whole night last night!!! I have been getting up 1 -2 times to pee in the middle of the night, and it is such a production to get out of bed without waking DH, and then getting back in bed and trying to get comfortable (usually the whole process takes about 30 - 45 minutes). It was great to finally get a full night's sleep.< /p>

[BJean 16]

Sherry I enjoyed reading your account of your lap banding experience. I am now convinced that the way I did it was probably the wrong way. I had every pain shot they would give me - every 4 hours - after surgery until late that night. They also gave me anti-nausea meds which I really seemed to need. But when you're that drugged, it is hard to move around much and walk like you need to. The more I read, the more I think that is the key.

I got up off and on throughout the evening to go to the bathroom, but that was the extent of my walking. I was not able to pass gas and that went on until about Wed. (Surgery early Monday AM) I am just now beginning to be able to do that. Consequently, the pain in my shoulder is almost unbearable at times. Fortunately, I can get relief from that by walking and lifting my arms and doing different arm movements. I still have not been able to go "big potty". (I'm trying to keep my sense of humor here.)

While I go over everyone's experiences posted here, there seems to be a common thread of walking and less pain med being the key to a more speedy recovery. I think those who go to Mexico are at an advantage in a way, in that they are forced to move about. My surgery didn't take 10 or 11 minutes though - it was more like 1 hour. With all the anesthetic and stuff, about an hour and a half. So I don't know if the speedy Mexican approach is wise and better, or if they just are lucking out. I know my doctor is highly qualified and experienced in laprascopic surgery, but he's only been doing LB for 3 years. For whatever that is worth. Also, I did have a hiatal hernia repair as well.

Anyway, I am still battling the recovery process. I am not sorry I had this done. I have lost 5 lbs. since surgery. I know that rate won't continue, but it's helping to give me a jump start and an incentive for going on to become the new svelt me. This is a process and I have to hang in there and stay strong. But 4 days (so far) of a really painful shoulder and uncomfortable trapped gas is less fun than just about anything I can think of right at this moment.

One pretty funny thing is that yesterday, one of the workers who are building our pool (for exercise) knocked on my back door. I had taken my shower but didn't feel like doing anything with my hair and although I had been dressed earlier I was so uncomfortable and kind of stooped over, I had gone back to my tee-shirt and bathrobe costume with my comfortable theraputic black Merrell wedge shoes (woo-hoo).

Since he wasn't able to communicate exactly what he needed me to see, I had to go out on the back porch and take a look. 10 men with shovels and re-bar and various other boards and tools, looked up, dropped everything and watched me silently with their mouths hanging open. I guess I was quite the vision of loveliness. I felt like they wanted to scream and run away. Heh, heh, heh. And to think it's not even Halloween yet! :heh:

[SherryA 0]

want2lose: I am glad you finally got a full night's sleep. I did starting on Wednesday night, and that really makes a difference!!!

valgal: I am glad you feel so good! I do as well! Sure, I still am slightly uncomfortable here and there, but it is all doable!

BJean: I suspect you are right in the difference in our recoveries. I have taken some of the prescription the doctor has given me for pain, but really just stick with the liquid tylenol unless absolutely necessary, and I am convinced that the laps I started doing hours after surgery really pushed me along. (I knew that I had to move because I wanted to go work Wednesday for a partial day and the rest of the week and I have two small kids, so that was my incentive. If I wasnt going to go to work, then I may not have been so vigilant!)

What is everyone's diets this week (first week post-op)? It seems to vary for everyone. My doctor (who works directly with my nutritionist) for the first week has lap banding patients drink 4 oz Water every other hour, and on the hours in between having 4 oz of carnation instant Breakfast, or 4 oz liquid smoothie yoqurt (or broth, or a popsicle..you get the idea)...

I do get times when I do feel hungrier, especially because I am doing a lot and moving around alot, but the 4oz seems to cure the hunger til the next hour...

Sherry

[BJean 16]

Itsgottago: Count your lucky stars! Having the runs is not all that fun, I agree, but the opposite is absolutely painful. I'm sure that if the diarrea doesn't clear up soon, they will have a remedy for you. But you shouldn't be having all the trapped gas pain that so many of us are experiencing and believe me that's a good thing!

[katt 0]

dping, I loved Dr. H and his office staff. They all worked with me every step of the way. They were very encouraging and helpful and would call me when something that was expected to arrive didn't. The whole program is exceptional and well oiled. I really believe that this is the best chance I've got to lose and and he and his staff are well prepared to give me the support I need to be a success. In other words, couldn't recommend him higher. I was self-pay and didn't have to go thru the ins. stuff. I started in May and the only hang up in the works was my PCP. Wishing you lots of luck. Katt

[wantlapband 0]

I was denied today my surgery was next wednesday..I am so upset....I called the doctors today and they were sad, they are going to fax my medical necessity letters off today to see if I can still get approved, my bmi is only 35.2...do I have to gain 30 lbs? I will if I have too....I have heart disease and other things.

Nothing like ruining my whole day. I just want to crawl in bed and not come out.:think

Anyone have to appeal and write their own letters? Have any suggestions..I went through the preop, all excited for next wednesday, counting down the weeks since July....this suckS!!!!

I hate insurance companies.