May 2007 Banders

[RAYSBABE 1]

okay, so I'm so upset right now that I'm crying....I was told that $16,691 on the day of surgery covered EVERYTHING, including a night in the hospital (which I did not use) and 6 fills. My surgeon told me that I would get money back if I didn't stay overnight, and I felt good enough to go home. I have $4,900 in medical bills sitting on my table right now. They either majorly lied to me, or they have the books screwed up. I don't have money just sitting around, so you understand why I am so upset. It really isn't fair that they expect me to pay before I even have the surgery, but when they owe me money, I can't even get them to really discuss it. Maybe I'll get some good news Monday. Just needed to vent...I feel better now.

[Wenjea 1]

I'm up for awhile so I thought I would type. The gas is hitting me hard today (3rd day post op) and being vertical is helping. i am alternating that with the heating pad and gas x so hopefully it will be better tomorrow. i am only on tylenol because everything else makes me sick to my stomach. i am feeling pain but not unbearable, just very sore.

I am crushing my pills with crushed popsicle and it goes down real easy. i follow it with a 1/2 apple-1/2 Water chaser and that seems to take care of the horrible taste. I am sipping SF clear liiquids (4 sips/oz) as much as possible and haven't had any pain from it. I do have some bruising around the one site I can see. The others are still covered with a bandage and steri strips. My port is on my left side about 2 inches above my waist and half way between my belly button and my side. I have three holes on each side of my stomach. The ones on my right side hardly hurt at all.

Breathing deep or coughing are killers in the pain department but because I am asthmatic I have been religious with the breathing machine. I am almost back to where I was before surgery.

I had my surgery at St Francis in Federal Way, WA and I must say that they were very good. I got warmed blankets and my own room that was nice and roomy. It usually is a double but I was the only one in there.

I was very calm going into surgery, relaxed and very sure of my decision. I thought it would be less painful afterwards but it's totally tolerable. I feel like I am ready to do whatever it takes this time. Friends have been calling and being very supportive all day. At first I wasn't going to tell anyone outside my family but it got out and I am okay with that now. Friends of friends are asking me about it because they have been thinking about it. I am not sure why we want other people to think we did this all on our own. I think it's part of the same lie that we tell ourselves when we look at someone else and think they look bigger then us. It's time to be real about this and part of that reality is letting those around us help to hold us accountable. i don't want to go through this and fail. If I can help someone else start a healthier new life with my story then I'm okay with sharing it.

gotta go lay down now. I hope all my band mates are doing well. The nurse said after day three it's all down hill so I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Thank you all!

[kadrianmatthews 0]

okay, so I'm so upset right now that I'm crying....I was told that $16,691 on the day of surgery covered EVERYTHING, including a night in the hospital (which I did not use) and 6 fills. My surgeon told me that I would get money back if I didn't stay overnight, and I felt good enough to go home. I have $4,900 in medical bills sitting on my table right now. They either majorly lied to me, or they have the books screwed up. I don't have money just sitting around, so you understand why I am so upset. It really isn't fair that they expect me to pay before I even have the surgery, but when they owe me money, I can't even get them to really discuss it. Maybe I'll get some good news Monday. Just needed to vent...I feel better now.

The same thing happen to me Friday. I got a bill from the doctor's office for the total amount of my surgery. The thing is I was self-pay and brought them a cashiers check for the whole amount. Some how it got lost and was suddenly found once I called about the bill. So maybe it's a mistake. Dont let that upset you:faint:

[NurseLaureli 1]

Hey Raysbabe....sorry to hear about the bills. Hopefully, it is a mistake...I hope you get everything worked out. Good luck with everything! :0)

[ljuht115 0]

The gas is hitting me hard today (3rd day post op) and being vertical is helping. i am alternating that with the heating pad and gas x so hopefully it will be better tomorrow.

Hi Wenjea - I am going to St Francis as well, Dr Srikanth prescribed me some Prevacid for the gas. Did you not get that as well? I bought gas X as well (should give one to my dog, yeowza, gassy 8 month old malamute) and he said I wouldn't need it???

[NurseLaureli 1]

I'm up for awhile so I thought I would type. The gas is hitting me hard today (3rd day post op) and being vertical is helping. i am alternating that with the heating pad and gas x so hopefully it will be better tomorrow.

Hi Wenjea,

The gas does get better. Yesterday was my 4th day post op and the first day that I didn't feel like a golf ball had permanently lodged itself in my throat...though it comes back from time to time. I found that besides the Gas X strips, walking was the best thing ever. I had my surgery on Monday and walked my daughter to school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday so I am sure that is what helped me.

Good luck and best wishes on your recovery!

[readytolose 0]

Hi!! I had my surgery yesterday and it went great. I was home within 5 hours of the surgery. I tried to stop the pain meds this afternoon, but I had to start taking them again. I need to figure out how to add the ticker and other information. Dr. John Gonzalez is my surgeon in San Antonio, TX. I had the surgery at Turning Point Surgery Center. I am so excited and feeling pretty good. I was so terrified yesterday morning that I almost canceled the procedure. I am so glad I didn't. They told me that I had a huge hiatle hernia that they had to repair. Does anyone know much about that?

[weightingtolose 0]

Hello everyone, hope all the fellow bandsters are doing well so far. I don't get banded until Thursday, may 25th but I've decided to start with walking. With that said, I've been walking 2.5 miles for the past three nights but because my legs are so fat, my thighs rub together and I've developed a rash. Does anyone know what could help with this. I really dont' want the rash to mess with my ability to walk. I thought I read something somewhere that said rubbing baby powder before I walk would help but I'm not sure if my memory serves me right. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[NurseLaureli 1]

weightingtolose -- You are right...baby powder worked for me. I use it in the summer time, and I have to make sure that my shorts or pants don't bunch up on me or I end up with a welt.

readtolose-- Congrats on getting banded...glad to hear you didn't cancel. Speedy recovery to you!

[readytolose 0]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I wish I would have know about this site sooner. I think this will help to be able to talk with other bandsters.

Baby powder does help prevent chaffing!

[Wenjea 1]

there is also some chaffing powder that bikers use. My husband is an avid biker and he uses it. Can't remember the name but you can ask at your local bike store.

thanks for the hints on how to handle the gas!

[rachelb123 0]

:help: Dudes, this is NOT fun. Had surgery on Friday, can't get any burps out. Finally started getting some gas out the other way. The pressure and pain are SO uncomfortable. Have been taking Gas-x chewables and Tylenol. Constantly getting a feeling of needing to burp/burp coming up but can't release it so it just gets lodged it feels like - OW! I was not expecting this much pain and discomfort. BLAH! I am getting better though..... My Mom just had RNY a little over a week ago and is great support.

[rachelb123 0]

I wear longer shorts/pant so there is always some clothe there to keep the skin from touching. Light, cotton sweatpant type capris. I actually get them from the PJ section rather than sports/sweatpants section. Can find lighterweight, stretchy capri type lengths there - like at Target. Hope that helps.

[rachelb123 0]

I was wondering the same thing - I had my surgery on the 18th and can definately say you will NOT want to drive yourself home.

[eljmom 1]

Hello May Bandsters...

Well, it's 4:45am on Sunday morning. Seems my sleep routine is all messed up. I am not used to sleeping so much, but I am still taking pain meds. Doing well with the liquids, just don't think I am getting enough in. I am still not sure if I feel full or if I just fill gas pains. I have been passing gas okay, not much pain in that area. Did have some severe shoulder pain yesterday afternoon. Our neighbor has their Beginning of the Summer Backyard Pool BBQ party. We went and I did GREAT around all the food. I fixed plates for my kids and DH and didn't even feel like taking any in. It looked really good, but I was good with my Water and even went home for a while to have some broth. The neighbors did not even realize I wasn't eating, I dont think. It was a nice day, the kids swam and we had fun. Even though I couldn't get in, I know now that it is possible to socialize and have fun without needing a plate of food in front of you. BIG day for me and my pshycy...

My DH starts his new job on Monday, he will be traveling every week and eventually in 12 months, we will have to relocate. My new life, having started Thursday at the hospital, will be real as of tomorrow. It will be hard not having him around every day. He will travel about 3 days a week. Don't think it will effect the schedule around here much, but it will be harder at bedtime.

Well, we have a birthday party this afternoon for my daughters best friend, I should get some sleep. Thanks everyone for saying what you say. It's nice to hear everyones stories, the hit home.