To Those Banded on 1/27/09

[Holabbie 0]

Just checking in to see how everyone else is doing that had their surgery on 1/27/09. I did end up having both the lap band placement and hiatal hernia repair surgeries at the same time. I guess that's why I feel double-sore! I have little or no appetite but I am trying to keep my Fluid intake up. I use Boost High Protein as my supplement along with chewable Vitamins. I am supposed to drink three bottles of Boost each day but that has been difficult. I have managed two per day as long as I take a long time to drink them.

I am having a horrible time with this left shoulder pain. I had no idea what the heck that was about but the day after surgery I checked this forum and found many entries about it being a common occurance. I am using a heating pad and ground up Aleve for the pain. It is lessening each day. I am very glad I purchased liquid Tylenol before surgery also.

All in all, I am taking things slowly. I am trying to decide if I will be returning to work on Monday or not at this point. That my be a bit optimistic but one day can make a huge difference. I won't decide until Sunday. I know that if I can't make it through the day it will be okay for me to leave early.

My surgeon reguired two weeks of liquids prior to surgery and requires two weeks after surgery. Then two weeks of soft foods, then regular foods. What does your doc require?

I hope all of you are doing well and it will be interesting to hear from you on how you are doing.

[Makulafamy 55]

Just checking in to see how everyone else is doing that had their surgery on 1/27/09. I did end up having both the lap band placement and hiatal hernia repair surgeries at the same time. I guess that's why I feel double-sore! I have little or no appetite but I am trying to keep my Fluid intake up. I use Boost High Protein as my supplement along with chewable Vitamins. I am supposed to drink three bottles of Boost each day but that has been difficult. I have managed two per day as long as I take a long time to drink them.

I am having a horrible time with this left shoulder pain. I had no idea what the heck that was about but the day after surgery I checked this forum and found many entries about it being a common occurance. I am using a heating pad and ground up Aleve for the pain. It is lessening each day. I am very glad I purchased liquid Tylenol before surgery also.

All in all, I am taking things slowly. I am trying to decide if I will be returning to work on Monday or not at this point. That my be a bit optimistic but one day can make a huge difference. I won't decide until Sunday. I know that if I can't make it through the day it will be okay for me to leave early.

My surgeon reguired two weeks of liquids prior to surgery and requires two weeks after surgery. Then two weeks of soft foods, then regular foods. What does your doc require?

I hope all of you are doing well and it will be interesting to hear from you on how you are doing.

Today I am feeling the best so far. I have to get up and pee about every hour in the middle of the night, and it was really easy last night to get up and down.

Did your doc not give you pain meds? I can't take my Multivitamins until I get the okay from my doc. How much Protein does your Boost have? I was told not to drink those...

I was on a clear liquid diet for 6 days prior to surgery, and have to be on a clear liquid diet for 2 weeks after. Then, I go to a full liquid diet for a week. Then pureed foods for a week, then mushies, then real food. There are 5 phases.

I am not really hungry either. Yesterday I drank 3 bottles of Water and two Protein shakes. I am taking full advantage of being off work, and sleeping alot. I will be going back on Monday.

Thanks for checking on all the Jan. 27th rockstars. I try to update everyday on my blog. It's easier to share pics there.

Yeah for us!

[coloradobanding 5]

I did not have surgery on the 27th but wanted to see if your doctor gave you the OK to take Aleve. Aleve & ibuprofen were #1 & 2 on the do not take list as they thin your stomach lining or something. Just making sure!

[debbutler333 0]

I had surgery the 27th, too. It feels like I've done a million sit-ups where the port is but other than that, nothing else is painful. I am also not very hungry, mostly trying to get the Protein in with diluted Protein shakes.

I finally noticed last night a lot of gurgling and burbling and am hopeful that the gas is working its way out. I still feel very bloated from the surgery.

My doctor told me to alternate advil and tylenol every three hours for pain. I've stopped the adivil though because I read that it could bother your stomach. The tylenol seems to be working ok.

Good luck to all!

Deb

[kastoner 0]

I was banded on the 27th and also have quite a bit of gurgling and gas noise, no shoulder or back pain though. My doc gave me percocet for the pain. I use liquid tylenol during the day and take a percocet at night before bed. I am on full liquids now and have to do a bit of planning to get my protien in during 3 meals and a snack. Of the 64 oz of fluids I am to consume half is to be Clear Liquids and the other half high protien full liquids. I am using the Unjury products to boost my protien intake. I won't be going back to work until Feb 14 when I am in the mushie stage.

[Holabbie 0]

Hi, tell me about why you were told not to use Boost? I am not thrilled about the calorie ratio to Protein level in it. What are you using for your Liquid Protein?

[Holabbie 0]

Hi, thanks for the heads up. I do know about Aleve and stomach issues but I am using it very sporadically so I don't think it's going to be an issue. Thanks for caring though, that was really nice.

[Makulafamy 55]

Hi, tell me about why you were told not to use Boost? I am not thrilled about the calorie ratio to Protein level in it. What are you using for your liquid Protein?

The nutritionist said to stay away from things like Boost Ensure, etc bc of exactly what you are saying. Not enough protein and too many calories. For my liquid protein I have found that Atkins are the best tasting. I drink the strawberry and it takes like a real shake! I am going to see if Walmart has chocolate tonight. I aslo tried EAS chocolate...but not the best. Slim Fast has a low carb Protein shake as well, and the vanilla cream is really good too!

Yeah, I was told no on the aleve also. Just Tylenol.

Hope everything else is going well! I am looking foward to full liquid in about 10 days. Come here cream of chicken soup!

[mrsebg 0]

I didn't have surgery on the 27th but my husband did (I had mine the 16th). He is doing really well so far. He is way stronger than I was. The next day he worked from home and went into the office yesterday and today. I got on him to rest more so he can recover. He's having a hard time with the pure liquids and is on count down to mushies! Thankfully our Dr only requires 1 week of liquid.

Good luck to everyone!!

[B_there 0]

I was banded 1/27 and recovering quickly. Did have some trouble getting my Vitamins in, vomitted once. Today I was having an irregular heartbeat and throbbing headache. Figured out I probably needed to increase my mineral intake. I took a magnesium supplement, increased B12 and switched from low sodium broth to regular bullion. Doing fine now. I'm on full liquids: 1/4 cup of Protein Shake, three times a day plus calorie free liquids and Jello in between. Will see the Dr. Monday and will probably advance to mushies. Looking forward to that, let me tell you. :redface:

[Carolina Mom 0]

Hey I was banded on the 27 th. The shoulder pain is gone but now I having alot of nausea. I felt pretty good this morning but the day has gotten worse. I am running a low grade temperature. I have been making my shakes and drink two ounces every hour like I was told and Clear liquids the rest of the time. Not as sore today either. I am having regretts now. Help Advice please.

Has anyone else run fever?

[debbutler333 0]

Carolina Mom,

I, too, have been second guessing myself since this has been more painful than the 2 c-sections I have had. However, I know this beginning stuff is temporary so . . . .hang in there.

You should call your doctor regarding the fever - could be an infection.

Deb

[Holabbie 0]

Hi CarolinaMom - Don't let the first week get you down, it's always hard to do something new in the beginning. Remember the last time you started a new job? That first week was horrible, the second week almost as bad, the third week, you thought you may survive and the fourth week, well, things are looking up. Time goes by so fast that the first month of this will fly by and you will start feeling like yourself again.

I know that when I go back to work next week, the time will speed up even more and these first two weeks post-surgery will be gone in a blink. I don't see my doc until February 12.

There is a support group meeting this coming Monday night put on by the dietician at my clinic. It is attended by both pre and post lap banders. I think I may attend. I did attend once pre-surgery since that was a requirement. Do any of you go to support groups?

[nvr2late 0]

Hang in there! I was banded on Jan 20th and also had the hernia repair. I had sooo much pain in my shoulder for the first couple of days!! The gas was so horrible too. I thought it would never end. I took everyones advice and got some liquid Tylenol and that seemed to help. And also just getting up and walking it out. I know your first inclination is to just lay in bed and rest but the walking is really the best for getting all that gas out and you will feel so much better. Publix is right by my house so when jumped in the car with my hubby and walked around just enough to grab a few things and get back home. I did notice that it helped speed the recovery process up. You will feel so much better when you get past the first week.

Good luck to you all!

[Holabbie 0]

Hi and thanks Never2late - We did exactly that this evening. After reading the other posts about liquid Protein drinks, my husband and I went to Sam's Club to wander around and walk the store. I was looking for something to use as a Protein Drink that has less calories than Boost. I did get a 12-pack of the Atkins in both chocolate and vanilla. It has the same amount of Protein and half the calories.

Tomorrow we will go walk the mall. The shoulder pain is getting better each day. That was so unexpected. I am glad I thought to jump on this forum and sure enough, there were multiple threads about it. Was your hernia a hiatal also?