May 2007 Banders

[SillyWillyMommy 2]

I'm back.

Very run down. I spent 60 hours in the hospital (for which, I AM thankful).. I was in alot of pain but could not stomach any kind of pain medication. They gave pain meds via injection for the first day after but then I had to swallow.. which I couldn't ... too gross. I also had a hard time with the barium for the swallow test... (Mostly because of the conturtionist table they put you on :-) but I did it. I vomited once, and all the nurses were like "YOU CAN'T VOMIT... YOU'LL SLIP YOUR BAND"... (Like I was vomitting because I wanted to).

It was worse than I expected, and when I was checking out.. I asked the surgeon how soon I could schedule a lapband removal.

When I got home.. I walked as much as possible, but constantly felt dizzy, clammy and cold.. Most likely from dehydration because I couldn't drink much (not that there was anything wrong with the band.. just the gas pain and the boulder in my neck :-).

Yesterday (day 4 post op) I started to feel a bit better.. I've been craving salt.. I would have licked the salt off a potato chip it there was one available.... (I don't know what that was from).

Today is the first day that I feel like things are going up. It's sunny out. The excruciating pain in my shoulder has lessened.. the gas is not as bad, and my tummy feels ok. (My incisions were the only thing that never actually hurt. Not even when I sneezed or coughed). I have yet to have a bowel movement... But I haven't really eaten much.

Today is the FIRST day that I don't feel like I've made a bad decision. I've also lost about 10lbs since the surgery... but I'm quite sure that will creep back on once I start drinking regularly.

I don't want to discourage anyone.. and everyone recovers differently.. BUT this definately was major surgery and by no means whatsoever a quick fix.

Congrats to all you banded already.. and good luck to those on deck.

:-)

Rachel

[cindyluhu 0]

I'm back.

Very run down. I spent 60 hours in the hospital (for which, I AM thankful).. I was in alot of pain but could not stomach any kind of pain medication. They gave pain meds via injection for the first day after but then I had to swallow.. which I couldn't ... too gross. I also had a hard time with the barium for the swallow test... (Mostly because of the conturtionist table they put you on :-) but I did it. I vomited once, and all the nurses were like "YOU CAN'T VOMIT... YOU'LL SLIP YOUR BAND"... (Like I was vomitting because I wanted to).

It was worse than I expected, and when I was checking out.. I asked the surgeon how soon I could schedule a lapband removal.

When I got home.. I walked as much as possible, but constantly felt dizzy, clammy and cold.. Most likely from dehydration because I couldn't drink much (not that there was anything wrong with the band.. just the gas pain and the boulder in my neck :-).

Yesterday (day 4 post op) I started to feel a bit better.. I've been craving salt.. I would have licked the salt off a potato chip it there was one available.... (I don't know what that was from).

Today is the first day that I feel like things are going up. It's sunny out. The excruciating pain in my shoulder has lessened.. the gas is not as bad, and my tummy feels ok. (My incisions were the only thing that never actually hurt. Not even when I sneezed or coughed). I have yet to have a bowel movement... But I haven't really eaten much.

Today is the FIRST day that I don't feel like I've made a bad decision. I've also lost about 10lbs since the surgery... but I'm quite sure that will creep back on once I start drinking regularly.

I don't want to discourage anyone.. and everyone recovers differently.. BUT this definately was major surgery and by no means whatsoever a quick fix.

Congrats to all you banded already.. and good luck to those on deck.

:-)

Rachel

Oh my goodness your story is so familiar. Today is probably the first day that if someone asked me if I was glad I got the band I could reply yes. (I had surgery 5/10 so it's been about 10 days). It was just the overall tiredness and weakness that were my biggest problem. My surgeon started me on chewable vitamins and some mushies a week early (I had already lost about 24 pounds since 5/01). Glad you are feeling better. It really does get better each day, and everyone does recover differently. Were you on the 10 day preop liquid diet also?

Take care and look up.

Cindy

[Wenjea 1]

Rachel - I'm so glad you posted, I thought I was the only one feeling horrible! I actually slept all night and when I woke up I was on my right side.(non-port) I swear they did something to my throat because it feels like my cords are damaged when I swallow, the golf ball everyone talks about. Most of my cuts don't hurt at all but my port hurts with evey move I make. I can finally yawn without pain. I've been sipping a lot of Water but the pounds are fallingoff fast. I am on Clear Liquids until I see the doctor on Friday and then I add back Protein Shakes and Vitamins. I actually can't wait to get some Protein in my system.

I can actually sit up and type without holding my stomach with my other hand so I must be improving. Thank God for heating pads!!! I plan to try and stay on my feet as much as possible today and start to get back to a normal life but I have the feeling I will be laying down often. I thought I was having a rough time because I was older but you are young so I feel better now. lol

Cindy - I've been thinking what I would say if someone asked me about surgery, whether it was worth it or not. I'm glad that soon I will be able to say yes because I was thinking that this was a heck of a lot of pain to go through. I would be honest and tell them it's about a week of hell first! Glad to hear you are feeling so much better. Can't wait!

[Wenjea 1]

Wen - nice to hear from you. I am very jealous of you getting tomatoe Soup and cottage cheese. All I get is clear SF until friday and then i get to add back Protein Shakes. Yippee!

[legster 2]

...and this morning I am going to see about a new workout place that is opening right up the street. It's one in the franchise "Contours Express". Somewhat like Curves in the 30 minute workout, but they have weight resistant machines instead of hydraulic. Again...one minute drive from me! I'm so excited. They open June 11, so I hope by then I'll be able to go ahead and start. I see my Dr. for the follow-up this Thursday so I'll ask him then.

Thinking good thoughts for all who are being banded today and the rest of the week. *hugs*

[SillyWillyMommy 2]

Cindy/Wenjea-

Thanks

[SillyWillyMommy 2]

Cindy/Wenjea-

Thanks for making me feel sooo not alone. It seems that the positive stuff gets posted 100x more than the negative. I guess that's because no one wants to scare anyone off... which I totally understand.

Cindy- I was on 6 days full/ 1 day clear preop. Post op, my doc seems to be the most lenient. I was on clear liquids for about 12 hours post op. (But I couldn't/wouldn't eat or drink anything anyhow).. Then the hospital gave me yougurt and skim milk the night of my surgery (didn't eat or drink that either), ... and for my one week follow up she'll put me on mushies. I'm still only consuming about 4-6ozs of food daily.. and I eat MOSTLY things like chicken broth and tea.. Hey, those of you on clear liquids.. I found this tea.. I think it's by earl grey.. not sure.. it's French vanilla Decaf.. YUMMY!! IT's sooo good.....

Thanks again guys.

[violeteyes37 0]

I know that the pain will be different for everyone, but can someone give me an ideal on a scale of 1-10 you know probably how the hospital had you rate pain, how bad is the pain. I dont know what to expect. The last time I was in the hospital was almost 15 years ago when I had my daughter by c-section. Im starting to get a little nervous. All of my family supports my decision, but I dont want them to have to see me in pain because I know the negative comments that I shouldnt have done this will start. I especially dont want my kids to see me in pain like this. Though they are teenagers I think it will still scare them. Especially my son because though he really hasnt said much about it I know he is nervous that something may happen to me.

[Mal 0]

Ladies, I am so sorry to hear you are having a rough time. Hang in there!

[Melissa S 1]

I was banded a week ago today. I cant begin to tell you how much better I am feeling... gas is gone..and the only slight pain I have is where they put the port..and even that is not bad. I even helped paint over the weekend.. I was tired as hell after, but I did it. I've also been trying to get out of the house for a little each day.. walking mostly... I never thought I would say it.. but I'm really egar to get back to the gym! Dr said I have to wait at least 3 months for any weight training or ab work. I weighed myself this morning and I'm down 9 pounds since surgery.. wow. never thought I'd see that!!! I'm very happy I had the surgery and would do it all over again in a heartbeat..

OH... and as for the hellish barium swallow??? I too was subject to their acrobatic flipping table! Scared the sh*t out of me... I thought I was falling!!! They first had me lay on my back and took an xray..then they said... ok, lay still while we stand the table up. HUH? I felt like a circus act!! They tried to comfort me by saying.. oh, you wont fall.. there is only a tiny space between you and the machine... Oh, believe me, I COULD fall... HA! So they did the test and right away I felt like I was going to vomit... they brought out a cold cloth and I sat in the wheel chair while they tried to decide if they did it right!!! Apparently the image machine was on the wrong speed and the swallow couldnt be seen correctly! They had to take it into the back and slow it down and have someone else come read it! Finally they came out after about 10 minutes and said it was ok.. Oh, man... heads would have rolled if I had to do it again!!!

[michelle lowrey 0]

I guess everyones pain is different. My pain scale never really went past a 6 and that was only when I was getting up or down. It's been 3 days now and I'm feeling good>> Everyone is different and was told if you had a c section you could take this with no problems. Bu ti never had one so I don't know. My husband had a much harder time with his pain then I as well so really everyone is different.

I know that the pain will be different for everyone, but can someone give me an ideal on a scale of 1-10 you know probably how the hospital had you rate pain, how bad is the pain. I dont know what to expect. The last time I was in the hospital was almost 15 years ago when I had my daughter by c-section. Im starting to get a little nervous. All of my family supports my decision, but I dont want them to have to see me in pain because I know the negative comments that I shouldnt have done this will start. I especially dont want my kids to see me in pain like this. Though they are teenagers I think it will still scare them. Especially my son because though he really hasnt said much about it I know he is nervous that something may happen to me.

[twinmommy 0]

I know that the pain will be different for everyone, but can someone give me an ideal on a scale of 1-10 you know probably how the hospital had you rate pain,]

I would say a 6 at the worst. By no ,eans is it as bad as a c-section. That is what I was expecting, and I was pleasantly surprised. It is surgery though, so you will have to deal with the after effects of the anesthesia. Everyone is different as far as that is concerned. Remember around day five after surgery you reach a big turning point. You will do great!

[keiko 1]

I'm back.

I also had a hard time with the barium for the swallow test...

When I got home.. I walked as much as possible, but constantly felt dizzy, clammy and cold.. Most likely from dehydration because I couldn't drink much (not that there was anything wrong with the band.. just the gas pain and the boulder in my neck :-).

I have yet to have a bowel movement... But I haven't really eaten much.

Today is the FIRST day that I don't feel like I've made a bad decision. I've also lost about 10lbs since the surgery... but I'm quite sure that will creep back on once I start drinking regularly.

I don't want to discourage anyone.. and everyone recovers differently.. BUT this definately was major surgery and by no means whatsoever a quick fix.

Congrats to all you banded already.. and good luck to those on deck.

:-)

Rachel

I'm so sorry you had such a rough time of it. I don't understand why they had you go through all the contortions for the barium swallow. I had to stand against a board and just take a small sip. They watched it go down, then told me to take one more sip but stand with my side to the board, watched it go down and that was it.

I too have been dizzy and cold. Today it's supposed to get up to 80, and I'm wearing a long sleeved shirt and long pants along with socks and shoes, because I'm cold.

I haven't thought I've made a bad decision, but I definitely thought yesterday, when I was starving all day, that it's a good thing I couldn't eat anything for fear of complications, because I was ready to eat anything that moved! I will say, though, that as soon as I had some of my allowed Protein Drink, the feeling went away for awhile. I'm drinking 3-4 ounces of liquid for my meals. It really depends.

Good luck and I hope you start feeling better soon!

[ragdollx19 1]

Hi ragdoll - I think I've read somewhere on here before that you have BCBS Fed don't you? If so, so do I. I did not have to stay over night when I was banded on May 10th.

Good luck to you - remember to walk. I was out shopping the next day

Did you have to pay the hospital 30%? The issue I am having is according to the hospital if I am outpatient I owe 30%. If I am inpatient I only pay $100.00. I have BCBS Federal Basic. What plan are you on? I am so upset and stressed out about this happening so soon to my surgery date I am sick to my stomach. There is no way I can come up with $5k by Wednesday! And I dont understand why if I was approved by the insurance to stay 2 days they wouldnt let me stay for one???

[jsrico 1]

Just found out Satarday that my surgery is on Tuesday, May 22, 2007. I was soooooo excited that I wanted to call everyone and tell them.,...then I remembered I had decided not to tell anyone except my husband and kids and my parents. They are all very supportive. Well now today is Monday and my surgery is tomorrow and I dont feel prepared. Nobody has given me any advise except to buy gas-x....liquid tylenol, chicken broth, sugar free jellow, crystal light. So I guess I will join the May 2007 Banders. Anything specific I should by before I have the surger???? I wont have any help at home so if I need something I will have to wait till he gets home from work in the late evening. So any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I am soooooo happy to be apart of all this. Wish me luck you guys.