March 16

[Rdy4ANewLife 3]

~Replying to LapLady09's question as to when we get our first fill~

I get my first fill in 3 weeks!!

P.S. I too am jealous of the ones that are able to sleep on their sides! Lol

~17 lbs gone since surgery!~ =D

[aimtowin 0]

Hi everyone

Just wanted to check in on the 16thers!! Im still feeling good but soo bloated, the only way I can describe it is to say it feels like you do after thanksgiving dinner and it is so uncomfortable that you almost feel sick. I don't know if that makes any since at all but that is how my tummy feels all of the time. I don't have trouble passing gas but I have only had one BM, sorry I know that is really personal. I think that is why my tummy feels this way. I have tried laxatives and no help. If anyoone has any suggestions I would love to her them. Thanks, Bernadette:ohmy:

My doctor suggested milk of magnesia for the Constipation. You may want to chek with yours and see if this is ok.

[aimtowin 0]

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have been MIA. Had to get my energy up. Today was my first day back to work since surgery on the 16th. It also was my first day driving. I only made it a half a day. :rolleyes2: I got the worse gas pain in my shoulder:mad:--which probably means I need to walk.

I'm sleeping on my side and stomach now, although can't sleep to long on the stomach.

This surgery will be a great tool, but it is not a "piece of cake" as some of our more judgmental naysayers think.

My biggest challenges right now are getting in my Water and exercising.

I feel good in general, still tender and sore, but not to bad. Keep up the good work all you 16thers!!!!!!

[SillyGoose 0]

I too started back to work today. I made it the whole day, but boy am I exhausted now!

So far I'm doing pretty good. The largest incision is still a little tender. I can sleep on both sides, but it's more difficult on my left side where my port is (sort of).

I have been very hungry since Friday and have my follow up in two days. I hope he moves me to something more than Protein shakes and Water. I have cheated (at least according to my doctors rules) by having the broth only from veggie Soups.

Fab by 50 - I feel your pain. I had horrible Constipation for several days. I found out that the liquid pain meds (Mine is Loritab) can cause constipation. I was taking it the last few days only at night to help me sleep. I've now cut that out and started taking Fiber and today I am so much better! Took a couple days with the fiber - but I'm going to continue with it. I've always been regular - this is a first for me! LOL.

Anyway, it sounds like everyone is doing so good! I really hope we keep this thread going for support - I know I'm one who needs it!

Best wishes & keep up the great work everyone!

Edited March 24, 2009 by SillyGoose
spelling

[NEW BEGINNINGS 0]

I can't belive how connected I feel to you all just because we have the same banding date. Thanks for all the support and information!!

I too am having pain in my left shoulder. Have spoken to the Dr. office and now take tylenol when it starts. They never said that it was gas pain, but did say expected it to get better with time. If it wasn't for my shoulder I would feel great.

Don't go back to work until Monday, my Dr. required 2 weeks off and since my work is slow decided to take advantage of the rest. Can begin soft foods on Saturday, can't wait. Have been on protien shakes only since 3/2. My 1st fill isn't scheduled until 4/28.

Do you all have to take all liquid. crush or chew medication? Have been having a hard time finding all the required. I did find chewable Gummy B-12 CVS brand that taste great. I thought is was just because I haven't chewed anything in sooooo long, but even my 19 year old daughter wanted a bottle. Am taking flintstone chewable and they are not very good, do like the tums for calcuim. Does anyone else have anything they are taking that isn't horrible. I would just so rather swallow a pill.

My best to you all!!!!

[Gregnlr 0]

I a surprised you are having shoulder pain this far out. Hope the Tylenol works for you.

I am taking Centrum Silver Chew-ables, you can find them anywhere, also chew-able Calcium, again, Walmart or anywhere. I also have fish oil, and a list of others to help make sure my hair does not fallout :tt1:. I am taking 4 weeks off, it should be a good jump start to my new life. I have group tomorrow night, and Dr. next Tuesday. I found out I have a 10cc band with a little Fluid. All is well her.

[SillyGoose 0]

Well, I went to my post op appointment this morning. All is great and he cleared me to level 2 which is eggs, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, yogurt, & Peanut Butter (everything low fat or fat free). Next week I can add in Beans.

He said he doesn't want me to ever drink another Protein drink. He wants all calories and Protein to only come from food sources. I'm very okay with that! The first thing he asked me was how my appetite was doing. I told him I was STARVING!!! He laughed at me! He said that the swelling goes down a lot faster for some than others and that's why I'm so hungry.

I also told him that I started taking Fiber for Constipation and told me to stop that ASAP because the Fiber will expand in our pouch and can stretch it! I had no idea. So, now I have to take milk of magnesia.

I hope you all are doing great!

[FabBy50 0]

Hey fellow banders!!

I went back to work on Monday and let me tell you it was a long day! I had alot of port site pain by the time I got home 11 hours later. I woke up Tuesday a little tired but my tummy finally quit feeling so over full.

Silly Goose Im jelous that you have gone on to some solids. That siunds very good. Im not sure if I think the Protein drinks are the best idea either, they have alot of fat. I have looked everywhere and could not come up with a good one under 5 grams per bottle.

I everyone still loosing weight?? I have stalled at 11 pounds for 2 days now ugh. I did try eating (bad me) and I did not feel restriction at all. Im worried that when I get my first fill it won't be enough. Speaking of the first fill when is everyone getting one?? I hope I will do okay and not get sick after eating. What size bands did everyone get?

Anyway I'll sign off for now, Have a great night

Bernadette

[LapLady09 0]

I agree re: connected, New Beginnings! Great name, btw!

Every day is better and I'm generally feeling good. Finally back to sleepin in my bed, sometimes on my side, which is wonderful. Haven't had any shoulder pain since Sun/Mon, but a friend of mine who had a hernia repaired is still (same band bday as us).

My weight loss is soooooo slow since surgery - was down 15 with one week on preop, and only 6 since then. I guess my body (and mind and taste buds) is loving the reintroduction of carbs and fat this week and hording it! Grrrr.

I need/want to start walking soon...started wearing the pedometer, but haven't put forth enough effort yet. I'm just excited to feel good this week!

Glad to hear everyone's continuing to improve!! Hard part's over...only up from here!!

[Rdy4ANewLife 3]

Great Job on 11 lbs!!

I went in for my first check-up since surgery and Doc was VERY pleased!! I asked him what size band I got and he said the "Standard AP Band(10 cc)".

My first fill is on April 15th!!!! He told me today that he will probably put 3 cc's in as long as I can handle it. =D

Good luck to everyone and may you continue to DROP THOSE POUNDS!!!!

[LapLady09 0]

I think our messages crossed, Bernadette. :cursing: My fill is on April 10. The one Protein drink I've found that I really like is Isopure.

Re: fiber...I had been eating high Fiber oatmeal and was told by the dietetion today that my 1/2 pack is ok, but whole is not. Its so odd to restrict fiber (since as a norm, its a good thing), but given the circumstances, I'll do whatever they tell me.

[falishaiscooler 0]

I've slowly started getting back into the swing of things. A little work, a little school. I'm not ready to take it all back on yet. My incision sites are very itchy, which is a good thing, but my back is really hurting. Is anyone else having back pain?

I slept on my side for about 5 minutes last night before I had to roll back onto my back. I guess I'll just have to wait a little bit longer to get back on my side again.

I have no appetite at all, I hate drinking all of this stuff. I can't wait to get solid foods though!

hope all is well!

falisha

[aimtowin 0]

Well, we made it through our second week!! LOL

I worked Monday and Tuesday of this week, but took the rest of the week off due to low energy level, severe shoulder pain and fuzzy thinking.

I had my post op appt. and my first fill is scheduled for five weeks from now.

My nutrition appt is Thurs. April 2nd- still on liquids and creamy Soups. I needed some real Protein so a made the deviled egg recipe in the book " Eating Well after Weightloss Surgery" on page 33.

Still having a problem with not being able to burp. (Anyone else have that problem?)

All is well, and I hope we all continue to be successful.

Good to be among you fellow 16thers.

[FabBy50 0]

Aimtowin

Sorry that you have not been feeling the best. I have to say that I have had a tough time all week too. I still have port pain but the rest of the insisions are just fine. I have a very busy job and I don't really get a break. We are also moving and my back is very sore, I spent my whole day off yesterday packing boxes...ugh.

I have not had any trouble burping but still having trouble with my bowels. I sure wish there was something that would get me moving.

Did your Dr say that you needed to wait 5 more weeks for your first fill? I want to get one asap because I have no restriction now. My first week I just felt overly full so food or even liquid was hard to get in.

Everyone have a great weekend!!!

Bernadette

[NEW BEGINNINGS 0]

Hope that everyone is doing well. Yesterday was my 1st day off liquids only. It was great, I didn't know how exciting it would be to have a scrambled egg!

My 1st dr. followup is on 3/31. My 1st fill isn't scheduled until 4/28. I sure wish that it was sooner.

Finally feel that things are getting back to normal. I certainly was suprised at how much recovery my body needed from this surgery. I am so glad that things are getting better. I think this was the 1st time that I have done something for myself and I am so excited about the future.

Good luck to everyone, let us know how everyone is doing!