May 2007 Banders

[PineNut 0]

So I had my post op visit and was down 12.7 pounds. Not bad, but looks about typical for a lot of you. I am itching like crazy. Not so much the port incision, but the outer ones. I was driving and scratching around my belly. Lots of traffic here so I hope no one saw . I still have to take it easy a few more days before I can do the true mushies. Drat. I tried to get away with some quiche yesterday but he said it was too much.

Turns out I have one of the new AP bands...10cc, which is the smaller size. My Dr. was one of the practices that got the early release. It is the one with the little "pillows" rather than an innertube looking band. Supposedly it gives more consistent pressure around your stomach. I also got the card others were talking about. Dr. said that if you get wanded at the airport -by a real sensitive one-that it can set of an alarm:) . So we are supposed to carry a card to show we are banded. The metal at the back of the port is what can set it off. Oh, another tip the Dr. said for getting the gross residue off from the strips is to be sure to use a petroleum based product rather than alcohol.

I have found that ANY of the progresso Soups are really tasty when blended. Not great to look at, but yummy. I am still struggling with Water consumption. I am going to fill a pitcher in the morning and keep track of what I should be getting in.

[kacee 3]

I've grown a little tired of the fruity juice, broth thing, so I got some fat free cottage cheese, a green bell pepper and some onion and blended it. Turned it into a slightly green yogurt consistency and it was wonderful! Thinking of trying it with a piece of avacado tomorrow. MAN that was good! I had no idea the cottage cheese would blend like that! And REALLY yummy! Really gave me a feeling of having had "substantial" food taste-wise.

[Mal 0]

I had my follow up yesterday. I have liquid around my port area, Dr. thinks it is blood. He says to come back in a week and he will check it again. Possibly will need to be drained. Possibly will need to have the port and or the band removed. I am devistated, trying to stay positive but can't help thinking the worst. I have heard people with the same problem, could be blood, could be puss, one person had a staph infection. I need all the support I can get.

[ragdollx19 1]

:help: hi, i just got banded the 25th

Hang in there, I was banded on the 23rd and each day gets better. The pain in my side lessons considerably each day. I have also learned new techniques for getting out of bed. I have found if I hold the small pillow they gave me at the hospital to my port while I get up it is easier.

[ragdollx19 1]

Incisions- I am feeling like a complete retard right now. My doctor put these clear bandaids with gauze in the middle over each of my incisions. They told me to remove them and leave the steri strips on but when I try to remove them the steristrips start to peel off stuck to the clear bandaid. I wish they could get some air so they would heal faster but I cant get this crap off of them This sucks! Is there some trick I dont know about? I am going to call my dr back on Monday. I hate feeling this dumb!

kacee- I cant believe you are wanting to eat that stuff already! Good for you! I am lucky just to choke down these protien drinks. I am not hungry at ALL! I am kind of looking fwd to wanting some food because I think I will feel less tired when I do.

[METALBAND 0]

I had my follow up yesterday. I have liquid around my port area, Dr. thinks it is blood. He says to come back in a week and he will check it again. Possibly will need to be drained. Possibly will need to have the port and or the band removed. I am devistated, trying to stay positive but can't help thinking the worst. I have heard people with the same problem, could be blood, could be puss, one person had a staph infection. I need all the support I can get.

I am so sorry to hear of your situation. Lets hope it is just extra swelling and it will go down on its on. Lots of well wishes being sent your way!

((Hugs))

Maureen

[ragdollx19 1]

Mal- That is horrible! I will say a prayer for you that it resolves itself. Hang in there!

[twinmommy 0]

I had my follow up yesterday. I have liquid around my port area, Dr. thinks it is blood. He says to come back in a week and he will check it again. Possibly will need to be drained. Possibly will need to have the port and or the band removed. I am devistated, trying to stay positive but can't help thinking the worst. I have heard people with the same problem, could be blood, could be puss, one person had a staph infection. I need all the support I can get.

Mal- I prayed for you this morning! I hope all goes well over the next week. No matter what we will be here to support you.

[ja9va 0]

Hello Maysters!

I am being banded in June and reading all your experiences is giving me inspiration. I hope you don't mind me crashing your thread! It is great learning from each other, those that are ahead of us in the journey, those at the same pace and those waiting for the answers!

I am on my pre opt diet and had my pre opt tests. I found out yesterday something showed up in my blood tests regarding my gallblatter. I have no symptoms of problems, but the nurse said she needed to talk to the surgeon on Tuesday. I am praying it does not stall my date. Anyone have this issue?

Good luck to all of you this weekend!

Janine

[ontheway 1]

Sounds like most everybody is doing great! I'm hungry!!! It doesn't seem that I have much restriction, so Protein Drinks and blended Soups are keeping me from totally starving. I can feel liquids go all the way down, so I'm guessing that until my first fill, I will be dealing with this hunger. Oh well...I'm still happy that I have it...it's just a learning curve. I did discover that my favorite Protein Drink is Unjury. Not as sickening sweet as the others. I added a TBLSP of Peanut Butter to my chocolate and YUM!!! Felt like a milkshake.

I'm still very gassy and have some back spasms right in the middle of my back which I've had from right after surgery. Getting better though and actually got to sleep in my bed all night last night! woohoo!!!

Good luck to all....

[METALBAND 0]

Hello Maysters!

I am being banded in June and reading all your experiences is giving me inspiration. I hope you don't mind me crashing your thread! It is great learning from each other, those that are ahead of us in the journey, those at the same pace and those waiting for the answers!

I am on my pre opt diet and had my pre opt tests. I found out yesterday something showed up in my blood tests regarding my gallblatter. I have no symptoms of problems, but the nurse said she needed to talk to the surgeon on Tuesday. I am praying it does not stall my date. Anyone have this issue?

Good luck to all of you this weekend!

Janine

I had to have my gall bladder out 2 weeks before my band was put in. I too did not have any symtoms but the doc said it gets worse with weight loss so it was a matter of time anyway. He would not do it at the same time because of the toxins in the gall bladder are dangerous to the band and port.

Good luck and stop in anytime!

[NurseLaureli 1]

Mal, I am SO sorry to hear that. You'll be in my prayers!

[anjul19 0]

Mal~

Keep your chin up and stay positive! You are in a lot of people's thoughts and prayers! On the top of my list right now.

I'm pulling for you!

[Wenjea 1]

Mal - I'm thinking of you and praying you will heal and this will resolve itself. We are all here for you.

I did the craziest thing last night. I was cutting up cantaloupe for my family and talking to my daughter-in-law to be and without even thinking I poped a piece in my mouth, chomped three times, and swallowed. Mindlessly! I had this panicked look on my face and she was like 'oh my gosh you just ate that'! I was sooo afraid it would pop my stitches and slip my band or get stuck. i felt it go all the way down but it was not painful just weird feeling. I called my band friend in a panic and she said I would either throw it up or it would go down. The point is that we are so used to mindless eating that it was a good reminder to pay close attention to my eating (drinking) everytime.

[keiko 1]

I had my follow up yesterday. I have liquid around my port area, Dr. thinks it is blood. He says to come back in a week and he will check it again. Possibly will need to be drained. Possibly will need to have the port and or the band removed. I am devistated, trying to stay positive but can't help thinking the worst. I have heard people with the same problem, could be blood, could be puss, one person had a staph infection. I need all the support I can get.

Mal, you're in my prayers. Let's hope that whatever the problem is can be resolved without a removal.