5 days and counting! Project FUTURA

[Lawrence Baxter 22]

I'm scheduled to report at 6:30 AM on Tuesday, Dec. 23rd. I've waited for more than a year having started this process in October 2013. Due to medication, I had to hold off for my initial appointment. Several hurdles later - nuclear stress test -- I was scheudled for a December 19, 2013 procedure. Then the last hurdle showed that I DID NOT have a hiatal hernia. State of Texas insurance would not pay so I had to cancel.

11 months later, I sold some of my Roseville pottery collection and was able to get the funds I needed to cover the out of pocket expenses. Once again, I had a road bump and was quickly able to schedule a cardiologist to review my EKG and give his/her "blessing."

I'm 5 days and counting. I have a wonderful niece who went through the lap band process 2 years ago and she's been providing advice and serving as my mentor. [she's the one who recommended this site; it really helped her!!]

A colleague also gave some advice:

TAKE A PILLOW WITH YOU FOR THE RIDE HOME...so the seat belt doesn't hurt the stomach. She also said to sleep with two pillows on either side at night so when turning you have some support for the incision area - at least for the first couple of days.

My enthusiasm is measured this go around. Even though the financing is in place, it's hard to believe that it's going to happen. I will really believe it early Tuesday morning when I gently sip a bit of Water for my BP medicine and my ride shows up for the journey to the Texas Medical Center.

[anewme6380 5]

I am scheduled December 23 at 6:30 A M also. Good luck and thanks for the tips.

[Lawrence Baxter 22]

Good luck, anewme6380...

[Lawrence Baxter 22]

Well...into Day 2...

Had a GREAT post op. Did alot of moving around when I got home. Didn't have the shoulder pain; probably since I did not have a hiatal hern ia. However, around 5 PM I started noticing a major swelling at one of the bandages and then BLOOD! It was running down my sides! I was able to get in conctact with my surgeon. He explained it was a hematoma and happens with some patients. It was the larger incision for my port placement. He described how I could get items for compression. So with a belt and old CD containers and pillows, I fashioned a compression and wore it the remainder of the night. It worked! Boy, I had visions of a trip to an emergency center, ER or even surgery to remove it all!

Day 2 is a bit slower and it really does feel like someone hit me in the stomach. I'm beginning to feel sips of Water hitting the bottom of my stomach [wierd feeling!!] in a 2-minute delay. Still moving about without much problem.

Just trying to figure out how to take meds by crushing.

[anewme6380 5]

Good luck to you too. I also feel sips of Water hitting the bottom of my stomach. No gas pains! Moving around fine. Stomach is sore.

[Bandista 7,466]

Congratulations both of you -- and best wishes for an amazing new year.

[samcat681 38]

Hey Lawrence,

As for crushing your meds, I use a hammer in a ziploc bag. I work as a nurse and I have to crush a lot of pills sometimes. Pill crushers work to a point but a hammer works better. I mix them with a little applesauce to make them a bit more palatable. Hope this helps.

[Lawrence Baxter 22]

Thanks for the advice. I take 8 meds of which two are capsules. I got them crushed and then dropped them in my shake. Egads! The taste was aweful!! I'm on DAY 5 with band so am still in the clear liquid phase and Protein drink. I am looking forward to other means of disguising the taste at week 2 and 3!!