November Bandsters!

[L8BloomR 1]

GREAT Thanksgiving posts, you guys!! I am grateful for my faith, for my "new life" as a banded person, for my family and friends...and for you all. It is so wonderful to not go through this alone, and to share our difficulties and successes! Thank you!!

Hang in there, Vegge... you are doing great!! As for the ibuprofen, my doctor also told me it was OK to take it sometimes. Bypass patients can never take it, but this was the main reason I chose the lapband. It is the only form of pain-reliever, besides aspirin, that I can take. The surgeon even used it in my I.V. in the hospital, the first day after surgery! She told me to take it if I needed it for pain after I got home, but I didn't need it, luckily. So I would take it sparingly, but go ahead if your doctor approved it. You won't be needing it for long, I am sure....

And Misty, I was also hungry in the hospital! Some of us have appetites that won't quit...but now that I am in my third week after surgery, I find that it is quite controllable. A few bites, or 1/2 cup of food, stops the hunger for several hours. You will see, so hold on and don't worry!

Diana, you have GOT to drink more water!! 64 oz.!! Keep a water bottle next to you and sip all day. You don't want to have dehydration mess up your recovery. Keep trying!

Terri, so glad you are doing so well after surgery. Thanks for the reminder that today is about blessings, not food!

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL....I am grateful for our Nov. Bandsters!!

Karen

[MistyArmenti 0]

Karen,

Thanks for letting me know that I am not the only one that was hungry. I feel better today. I have had Jello and protien suppliments. Has anyone else tried the New Whey from Bariatriceating.com. It is quite good. Like melted jello.

BetsyJane.. I guess we wouldn't be here if we weren't all addicted to food.. huh? But it is a good point to take it day by day.

Wishing you all the best!

Misty

[mistynails 0]

Hello,

My name is Kim and I was banded on November 9, 2006 in Houston, Texas by Dr. Felix Speigal. My Pre-Op weight was 306.4 pounds and last friday when I weighed I was at 285. 21 pounds in a week and a half. I have been reading some things on here and I was wondering what does restriction mean??

Last friday I went back to the doctor because for the week after my surgery I could not burp and I was having the awful pain in my esaphogus (I know I mispelled that). Last thursday night I was dry heeving all night long and woke up with a fever. They had me come in and do a barium swallow which showed good flow but come to find out the doctor had given me a fill during surgery and between that fill and my swelling from the surgery it was making it too tight. Once they took out that fill I started feeling better.

So my question is this how long should I wait before I go in for my first fill. I am not sure how long it takes for the swelling to all go away. I have so many more questions but I will stop for now.

[AngelaT 2]

Hello,

My name is Kim and I was banded on November 9, 2006 in Houston, Texas by Dr. Felix Speigal. My Pre-Op weight was 306.4 pounds and last friday when I weighed I was at 285. 21 pounds in a week and a half. I have been reading some things on here and I was wondering what does restriction mean??

Last friday I went back to the doctor because for the week after my surgery I could not burp and I was having the awful pain in my esaphogus (I know I mispelled that). Last thursday night I was dry heeving all night long and woke up with a fever. They had me come in and do a barium swallow which showed good flow but come to find out the doctor had given me a fill during surgery and between that fill and my swelling from the surgery it was making it too tight. Once they took out that fill I started feeling better.

So my question is this how long should I wait before I go in for my first fill. I am not sure how long it takes for the swelling to all go away. I have so many more questions but I will stop for now.

You need to wait a few weeks before a fill 6-8.

[Betsyjane 2]

Spivak told me to wait a month for a fill. Wonder why they filled you during surgery. I have read that alot of European Drs. do that. Didn't think ours did.

[FullofGRACE 0]

All physicians vary regarding fills. Mine is being done 3 weeks out.

[apinksoprano 0]

I hope everyone had a very happy thanksgiving....I know I havent posted in a few days as most of you know I was banded on Monday 11/20/06 and it certainly has been a rough few days....I was okay in the hospital but when I came home those damn gas pains killed me...I couldnt sleep, barely could walk, and certainly could hardly get anything down....And yesterday being thanksgiving was a challenge all on its own....I was very depressed and lonely, I didnt think it would bother me because I was feeling so sick anyways but it did....BUT I woke up this morning and got on the scale to find I was down 10 lbs which made it all better, hahahaha...So everyday I will get a little better I just hope that I am alright to go back to work on tuesday...Well just wanted to update everyone on my progress thanks for the support and care.....To be continued....

[Betsyjane 2]

Welcome to the journey, She Smiles.

Hi Apink. Those gas pains were awful for me too. But do disappear, honest. Congrats on your weight loss!

My challenge after that was that when the swelling disappeared, I found that I could eat anything, and I tested it! That threw me into a panic. But it didn't last and I'm settled down into getting to know my new life. Sometimes I have to pretend that there is a restriction and I'm just practicing how I'll need to eat after my first fill, but I'm really developing some peace about it. Everyday I learn something new.

[Randi 0]

I hope everyone had a very happy thanksgiving....I know I havent posted in a few days as most of you know I was banded on Monday 11/20/06 and it certainly has been a rough few days....I was okay in the hospital but when I came home those damn gas pains killed me...I couldnt sleep, barely could walk, and certainly could hardly get anything down....And yesterday being thanksgiving was a challenge all on its own....I was very depressed and lonely, I didnt think it would bother me because I was feeling so sick anyways but it did....BUT I woke up this morning and got on the scale to find I was down 10 lbs which made it all better, hahahaha...So everyday I will get a little better I just hope that I am alright to go back to work on tuesday...Well just wanted to update everyone on my progress thanks for the support and care.....To be continued....

Welcome Back APink! I'm glad to read you're feeling much better and down 10lbs to boot! You go girl!

[AngelaT 2]

Welcome back Pink! 10lbs! WOW! Welcome to all the new members!

Have a great day!

[Jess02 0]

Hi,

I had my band on Nov 21, it was not as bad as I had expected, except for the gas pains and I swear I was hunger yesterday. I feel a lot better today, I plan on going for a walk to relieve the gas. I do have to try to drink more Water.

Jess

193/s190/c188

Dr. Rumbaut, Mx

[Diana G. 0]

Diana, you have GOT to drink more water!! 64 oz.!! Keep a Water bottle next to you and sip all day. You don't want to have dehydration mess up your recovery. Keep trying!

Karen

Yes, I need to drink more water and it helps to have a water cooler right behind me at work... I came back to work today...(didn't have any more vacation time)...:cry Anyways I got on the scale and I am down 7 pounds YYYAAAYYYYY!!!!!

[L8BloomR 1]

Happy "Day After", Everyone! I am feeling a little freaked out right now, since yesterday I found out that I could EAT, with no problems!! I tried a spoonful of everything, and it all went down just fine. YIKES!! I even had 2 slivers of pie.....sigh..... :faint: Part of me was happy that I could share in the meal with all my family, and the other part was terrified.... I am going to have to be very careful until I see the doctor in January!! How did everyone else do?

TropicalJill, how did your ThanksGIVING go? What a wonderful idea---I have always wanted to volunteer at a shelter serving Thanksgiving dinner, but never took the time. YOU did!! I am impressed and I hope it was a wonderful day for you!

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!! :clap2:

Karen

[kathyinca 0]

Hello all,

I'm now banded. Had my surgery yesterday afteroon . It ended up being later in the afternoon after one of the patients having the same thing done with my doctor had some surgical complications. She ended up being fine -- thank goodness. Anyway, it was a long day for the rest of us waiting nervously Whatever they gave me to "relax" worked since I was practically asleep when they took me to the OR.

I'm struggling with a little bit of gas pain -- not too terrible today. Last night was worse. I've been out walking a bit -- but it is all still in their rumbling around. I think my pain meds may be wearing off and perhaps that is the port I'm starting to feel.

Anyway, tomorrow I head home and hopefully can recover by Tuesday -- when I need to return to work.

I understand the "hunger" thing some of you are speaking of. I do feel what I think is hunger. I've just been sipping Water and chicken broth when that happens. Perhaps it is just in my head.

Talk to you soon!

Kathy

[Veggestyle 0]

Hello Everyone

Randi--I am freaked out, but thankful by the info. that you shared with me about the pain meds. I am totally sure that my surgeon (who seems to be very knowledgable and trustworthy) said that it was ok for me to take ibuprofen. He even had me taking an aspirin a day for a few days to help prevent blood clots. I usually have to take about two exedrins a day for unrelated pain (TMJ) is that projected to be a problem too? And what is the problem again...the meds stay in the pouch and could cause erosion? (which is something I am totally worried about in the first place...please provide more info. on this if possible, even an article or possible..?) Thank you!

Otherwise---I have been doing ok. Surprisingly I have not had any trouble with gas pains, I suppose I should consider myself lucky there. I have had gas, but no pain from it. What has been a real pain...ha ha...has been my port incision that just kills me! It has been very very painful, but getting better day by day.

My new issue is feeling very "out of it" disorientated, almost like in a haze...:rolleyes can anyone relate to this? It is starting to freak me out, like it is not going to go away. Maybe I can attribute this to the pain meds (which I have not taken since yesterday morning) and maybe just my body being in shock from all of this?

Thanks for any advice!