MarcyLoo

I haven't had a BM since early yesterday morning, I'm pee'ing but an amount I'd expect for what I'm taking in (maybe a bit less even)...I know if a person retains fluids you'll end up having a day where you pee it all off...so watch for that. I actually think I need to increase my plain old fluidsa bit...water, tea, juice, milk. I had some no-calorie lemonade but my son scarfed it

They did tell me to not even worry about losing the first 2 weeks, that's it's jus ta transition stage. I imagine i will lose since there's no way I;d be taking in the calories I was in my "old life." So, I'm not going to worry...besides, I know slow weight loss is ok if it comes to that. I have a lifetime to lose what I've put on over a lifetime.

My gas pain is so much better today, but I did just take some vicodin syrup and motrin because after driving the kids to the bus stop (getting in and out of a tiny truck where I barely clear the steering wheel) my 2 incisions on the outside/sides started to sting a bit. I'm about to loaf on the ocuch and sip some thin soup and tea and read a book while my 3 year old watches a movie. I'm so glad I had this done. It seems surreal that it's really inside me...and my new life can begin. and now that my family knows, I'm so overwhelmed by their love and support. Soemthing I did NOT expect. Even my kids are beign gentle with me since I showed them my "boo boos' and told them they oculd hurt me if they get rough.

I ate yesterday, but just small portions of broth, jello, yogurt, milk. Nothing that would cause a 5 pound gain -- but I know the IV fluids during surgery, and the body going thru this will tend to hold onto fluids etc. I'm not worried. I know it will dip down soon enough. So I don't see it as a step backward at all. It is good to know I'm not the only one, though.

Good luck to those having surgery today!!

I had my surgery yesterday and am up 5 pounds today -- am assuming this is pretty normal and probably the body's way of reacting to "trauma" and IV fluids, meds, etc? I know it can't be from overeating ha ha. I didn't get upset when I saw the scale, for maybe the first time in my life, but I just wanted feedback. Was this anyone else's experience? Thanks everyone!

Congrats steven!!! I was also banded today (the 15th)...I think there were a lot of us. My pain is mostly in my left side, below my ribs (leftover surgical gas?) but otherwise it's not too bad. I've started having some discomfort between my shouldr blades, also likely the trapped gas. My incisions aren't too bad except my port incision keeps oozing. I've been able to get down broth, milk, tomato Soup, yogurt and am working on apple juice now. I can seem to tell if I've over done it with a pain in my chest, so just stop for a bit and let things sit. Also I've been a bit belchy and that helps relieve that pain. I'm so excited to adjust to this new lifestyle!!! Congrats again to you, me, and all of us March bandsters! :-)

I have different insurance (basically regence/blue shield) and my first decision came in a weeks time (denial)...appeal was sent off about a week later and APPROVAL followed that in about 2 weeks. No matter the outcome,. if they say no stay persistent! Best of luck!!!!

Just checking in to see how the other Ides of March (today) band'ed peeps are holding up? My only real pain is still my left side where it feels like trapped air. The nurse said incisional pain may be way worse tomorrow as the lidocaine they injected wears off. I find myself hurting a little inthe chest if I need to belch...but that relieves it. Was about to try some more tomato soup for supper but as soon as I turned the stove on the dang power went out so I think I'll have some more yogurt and some juice. I'm actually not particularily hungry, so maybe just some juice for now. And shoot I wish the electric would come back on. No CPAP tonight unless it does. *sigh* My mom brought dinner for the family out, and a friend from church is due to deliver some meals. so incredibly sweet of people but I am finding myself a bit jealous that I can't eat it. anyway, hoping the rest of you who went under the knife so to speak today are doing well. and to those of you going in tomorrow GOOD LUCK!!! I feel like my last minute hesitations/anxiety over going thru with this are melting away.

CONGRATS!!!

It just hit me I belong here as of today (was banded this mornming) i feel GREAT except for lingering gas pains on my left side.

I just got banded TODAY! I went thru a lot of anxiety, all the way up to them putitng me unde ron the surgery table (of "am I doing the right thing?') I know I did, but even now I'm scared. I ate some tomato soup, jello, then tried some yogurt and my chest started to hurt...so I put it away for supper later. It just scares me to not know exactly what is going to happen, how much I can eat, etc. a fear of the unknown. anyway I first saw my surgeon like 2 months ago (?) and had lost 7 pounds...so m y "start weight" was down. I was told to lose 10 pound sint he 7 days before surgery. so for about 4 weeks I was in last supper mode (bush)...fast food, pizza, all my favorites. Then i began the preop diet UP 5 pounds according to the nurse. That alone caused me more anxiety. Then for the past 3 days all I;ve wanted to do was treat myself the night before surgery to an entire order of Phad Thai noodes with beef...but I opted to treat myself to reasonable servings of chicken breast, rice, and asparagus instead. Soemday I'll have Thai again (my all time favorite food), but I know it'll be several weeks away and a very very small serving. anyway, you are so not alone. I think this is very common. If you feel the need to bond with some foods before you begin a preop diet (if you have a preop diet) I say do it...but in moderation. Just within reason.

I just decided to try a few bites of yogurt, but now my chest hurts a tad bit....so I'll put it away and maybe have some more in a few hours...

Everything went well today! I checke din at 6am, surgery began at 7:15 and I was out the door to head home at 9:30. I'm a litle sore on both of my sides, and the left feels like trapped air. My port is not hurting at all. I was able to drink about 1/2 cup of tomato Soup and so far half a sugar free Jello cup...but feel pretty full. Am about to take some more Vicodin syrup and lounge on the couch a bit, then get up and walk again. The anesthesiologist said he had to suction my lungs a lot and that I still have bronchitis...he's hoping the antibiotics they gave ins urgery will knock it out. The surgeon said my stomach and bowels looke dinflammed and he aske dmy mom if i ate a spicy dinner (I didn't last night but did the night before). He said not to worry though. According to the scale there I was down 12 1/2 pounds over the past week. To those being banded TOMORROW best of luck...it's really not bad...

Sorry if I start spouting stuff sometime...I'm a nurse and am in such a habit of teaching... Dean have a fabulous trip to Mexico and we'll be thinking of you tomorrow (ok I'll be under for surgery too he he)

Kelli since your body is now using fat reserves for energy your fatigue is probably due to recovering from major surgery in itself or potentially dehydration vs not enough calories. * hugs* this too shall pass I get any liquids the first week after surgery: tomato soup, milk, smooth yogurt, etc. They told me creamed soups ar eok if blenderized or strained. (but of course follow your own directions). I'm sure it's good you chewed chunks really well. How did you tolerate the soup?? My understanding is it's not to prevent stomach pouch stretching, but to prevent vomiting and band slippage while the stomach heals where they've stitched the lower portion to the new pouch to secure the band. I'm in so much pain today I'm tempted to take my post op pain medication. I did something to my back overnight at work. I just took some tylenol so hopefully that'lll do the trick. Usually I take motrin but that's out being pe-op. I just have the rest of today and tomorrow left. I'll sleep on and off today then all night since I worked graveyard last night, have an all-day class tomorrow....then surgery Tuesday at 7am (Pacific Time) I'm getting rather nervous.

17 pounds, WAY TO GO!

IMO you need to be sure before you have surgery. Is this what you really want? I can almost guarantee the rest of us on this board have had the same thoughts. First, stop listenign to your friend. My hunch is she's tryign tot alk you out of it because she fears YOU will get healthy and she will not. Next, for me....with skin issues and being absolutely sad about giving up carbs and carbonated beverages...this is the way I have made MY decision: what's worse, making those changes and having some saggy skin or developing diabetes, having a heart attack, not being able to fit in an airplane seat, not be able to play with my kids, or not living long enough to see my kids grow into men with families of their own? I don't WANT to giv eup fast food, ordering enough food for 2-3 people and binging on it, etc...but i know to be ehalthier for myself and my family, it's a sacrifice I need to make, and am ready to make. i hope that helps a little? Basically you just have to decide if now is the time you're ready to commit...and if not, that's ok too. * hugs *

Looks like a lot of us are headed in for banding on the 15th :-) welcome Rosie!

The problem with gas pains is it's trapped air that your body has to just absorb...so mylicon and gas products aren't likely to help. They really help with gas that's actually inside the digestive tract whereas this is free air in the abdominal cavity way back when I had laparoscopic pelvic surgery, the referred shoulder pain was my worst complaint. Try to find a position that helps move the air off your diaphragm (for me I could only lay on my right side for true relief). Walking helps because it gets you moving, gets the air moving, and your blood stream gets used which in time helps your body to absorb the gases.

I just got a terrible urge for snacking...so went thru the kitchen and filled a grocery sack with stuff to take to work that says "help yourself" -- Valentine's M&M's (like 6 boxes), bagel crisps, chocolates. Made me feel better.

What flavor Bariatric Advantage ar eyou doing? i'm doing banana (but made with nonfat milk)...it's really not bad... Hey amy maybe your stomach knows what's about to happen? he he

Amy...hunger? Or maybe your stomach has acclimated and actually shrunk (or is that a myth?) Congrats to those banded today! Today's been a bit easier (day 4 of preop diet)...but having the raw veggies w/ rice vingar has helped so much. Also the past 2 nights i've eaten real food (but light & within calorie restriction) for dinner...and opted for high Protein options (tuna last night and halibut tonight). I have to really try to not think about what i really WANT to eat! If I do it makes me wish i could have one last binge meal -- am i the only one? anyway i heard today: my surgery is still on for Tuesday. I have to check in at 6am, with surgery scheduled for 7am. My husband will go to work, my MIL will help with the kids, and my mom will drrop me off then come back to pick me up. I've had so many surgeries I dont feel like I really need anyone there. I'm getting so excited, and so glad I only have 3 more days of the preop diet...and even though I know I'll have 2 weeks of liquids/softs, I'm so anxious to get on with the REAL long term food plan!

Only 4 more days.....weeeeeee!

I called yesterday to see if I can add veggies to my diet....and oh goodness to chew!!! I'm doing raw celery, carrots, lettuce, and cucumbers with rice vinegar for snacks. and today instead of a frozen diet meal did a can of tuna, 1 tbsp light mayo, 3 chopped pickle chips, and black pepper...and ate it sandwich style on crisp lettuce. YUMMM (and under 200cal) because of the tuna protein I only did 2 of my 3 shakes today too. for dinner I had 2 servings of black bean soup (160 cal)...it was just heaven to have some flavor. If my weight drops again tomorrow I may keep up with the slightly altered preop diet (clinic said it's ok as long as I stay under 870 cals a day).