April 2005 Bandsters

[the best me 6]

Same here Alexra, Water hurts more, Boost drinks slide right on down so much more comfortably. Dunno why?

I'm adding you to the list, even though you have gone and come already!! Welcome to Bandland!!

[Alexra 0]

Does the Water ever get easier?

[the best me 6]

Not so far, at least with bigger sips. I have been banded, what 2 weeks? so I'm hoping I can guzzle a little better in the future. Right now, I'll take a sip, and swallow it in 2-3 swallows, just to keep the volume going down lower. That helps. dunno if that makes me swallow air? Just keep taking it slow. It gets better by the day!!

Hey, Alexra, go to the Introduction Forum and post an intro there with all the scoop...there are folks on the board from your area and you will get a bigger response and HELLO's! that way, give people a chance to welcome you!

[slimmer sue 0]

Hi all! I was banded Thurs. and I'm feeling pretty good. A little sore but not bad. I am eating Clear Liquids and alot of Water and so far everything is going good. Later!

[spldgrl 0]

Well, I'm hatin it but have to move to the May list. Specialist who is going to be on during the surgery had to rescedule for May 2 or 3. I cried! Dr. hennessey said he would try for the afternoon of the 2 or 6am on the 3rd. I didn't want to wait any longer. I'm scheduled to travel (driving) 120 mi. on the 4th around 6 pm for a training meeting on the 5,6,&7. Then out of state every week for 4 days until June. So it's now or wait till June. I'm alittle nervous about not being at home, but gotta do what I gotta do. RIGHT??

Is there any major worries I should address prior? Doc says I should do fine. High pain tolerence and it is sitting at workshop and then hotel at 4 pm to rest. How was the comfort in flight back from Mexico after surger? how soon after did you fly? I will have 2 full days to rest before having to be in class. Am I crazy?

[the best me 6]

Brenda B., I flew the day after surgery and thank God my sister was with me! I was kinda foggy, all there, but foggy, so it really worked out okay. It seems a distant memory and I still had enough pain meds in me that I wasn't miserable.

Driving was an issue for me. I was on so few calories ther was NO WAY I was getting behind the wheel of a car, especially with my kids in it!

My pain was fine, I was sore but it was tolerable. Sit at the back and be in a place where you can occasionally stand, sitting for long periods gets to be uncomfy, and it isn't good for you so soon after surgery.

Some people get a boost of energy after a few days, I did not. I got a BIG boost of fatigue.

I wouldn't worry to much about the travel after the first week, but that darn training meeting may just end up being hell. Hope it's not.

Secure your back-up plan, someone to drive you? liquids handy? And get some Boost or Ensure or something protien already mixed up. That has been a big help to me.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

[desertmom 297]

hi

My date is 30 April and I am glued to the chair at the moment.Reading all the posts like a maniac is keeping me from running away...

[Angeleyes 1]

I am having alot of problems getting enough Water. Try it in warm tea, it seems warm water goes down better.

[Mamadiggs 0]

Hi,

I had my banding done on Monday 4-25-05. I got home this afternoon after a loooong six hour drive, stopping every 2.5 hours to sip and potty. I too, am very sore with a butt load (no pun intended!) of gas. ;-O) The proceedure was uneventful, except I told the nurses who ask me to squooch over to the gurney in my finest Spanish to "Shut Up". In Spanish it sounded like squooch. The I told Dr. Rod how much I loved him!! Lord, you can educate them but can't take a Bandster anywhere!! At least not when they are toasted.

I can't say I love my band just yet, it still hurts to much, may be by Friday. I'm pooped, thanks to all for your support and kindness. It will get better, it will get better, it will get better. No snow boarding thought..hell, I live in Texas no place here to snow anything.

Nite, nite,

Mamadiggs

[the best me 6]

Yay Mamadiggs!!! So glad you are home safe, and thanks for posting with an update. Congratulations!!! You got banded!!!

Toasted Bandsters can be dangerous, particularly when speaking a foreign language. Nice try! I'm sure you were excused for your behavior by the nurses! Very funny! And many others have fallen in love with their band docs. Dr Rod is used to it, I'm sure!!

[Mamadiggs 0]

Hi,

Wow, this surgery thing is not at all what I expected! I've had a c-section and hyst. but no where near this much discomfort. I got to thinking about it last night and I think that my other surgeries were not done with a scope. Therefore no gas was pumped into the body cavity. With the first two a great roaring belch got rid of the gas, but this is really hanging on and the shoulder pain is no fun. Does anyone have any suggestions? The incesions look great and I feel ok except for the gas.

Thanks,

Mamadiggs

[Iluvharleys 15]

A heating pad works wonders with the shoulder, and the more you walk, the better the gas pains get.

[the best me 6]

Betty's right Mamdiggs, walking helps dissipate the gas. Maybe take a few trips to the mailbox during the day, or farther! And the heating pad under my neck and shoulders was very helpful. It took a while (week or two?) for the nagging shoulder/back/neck pain to go away. There was a surgical asst on here one day that said the shoulder pain may be referred pain from the band, since the doc has to disect the opening around the stomach to get the band in place. This made sense to me. It feels like the Pain is coming from the inside out, know what I mean?

So hang in there. It does get better.

[Mamadiggs 0]

I feel like I'm being stabed in the shoulder some times it takes my breath away. I did have a very good sleep last night with little discomfort and this morning it does seem to be better. My mail box is about a quarter mile away, might be just a little to far today. I live in the country and my driveway is 300 feet long, that might be more do-able. I'm also sure a good shower and head scrubbing will help me A LOT!!

Our bodies are pretty stupid, back pain can also mean heart attack or a bad appendix or almost anything. My husband had many instances of what the doc thought was a heart attack, then GERD it turned out he had a bad gall bladder. So there ya go.

Thanks again ladies, I do appreciate the help.

Mamadiggs

[angiebell 0]

I had my surgery yesterday. It went very well and I really didn't feel all that sore until I laid down for bed. I got a really bad gas pain and took some anti-gas liquid and it seemed to help. I haven't experienced the shoulder pain yet...when does that come? The main pain I have is where the port is installed. It is VERY SORE! How long does this pain last? Does it get better tomorrow? I haven't tried to eat yet, but I'm going to try some applesauce today. I am glad it is over for me and Larry will have his surgery tomorrow. Thanks to all of you for your support and for answering all my questions. I am focusing on walking. I heard that help the gas to subside. Mamadiggs, how are you feeling today? Congrats on your surgery. The good news is....I lost 7 lbs on the pre-op diet!!! Yippee!