Kate rules

How long did everyone's gas pains last? I need HOPE...

There are a lot of different ways that people (including us) perceive the band. Some of us do view it as "the easy way out" or "throwing in the towel." I do not. It is unlikely that anyone who spends the time and energy to use this site and chat with others made the decision to embark upon the journey of weight loss surgery with a cavalier attitude. For me, this has been a very emotional journey to admit 1) that I need help 2) that I am not completely at ease with my decision. You've lost 80 pounds, that's incredible! Sounds like you have been working hard at it. I think you are making an affirmative decision to lose more weight and keep it off. It's just a tool, it can't lose the weight for you. The same hard work and decision making processes will gave to be in effect for this phase of your weight loss and it has been for the first 80 pounds, In many ways I feel like a failure because I have not been able to keep a normal weight (or even just being simply overweight) for my entire adult life. I have made the changes I need to make the band as much of a success as possible for me. I'm done beating myself up for my mistakes. We have a whole world out there who judges us because we are heavy. We really don't need to pile on any more. Congrats on your incredible success to date and however you go forward, I wish you health and happiness!

Feeling better with stronger pain killers on board. can't recline without discomfort so I am sitting up. Hoping for a nap. I normally bounce back from everything so easily - this whole thing has taken me by surprise!

I did drink protein and had pudding and applesauce. So I'm going to concentrate on water today before I worry about anything else. Amy - can't thank you enough for heating pad advice and support. Last night was hard. I tried to lay down in bed last night but bronchitis still bad and I couldn't stop coughing. TMI - I'm still getting green stuff out of my lungs despite all the antibiotics. Physician assistant writing me script for stronger pain killer so maybe I can sleep. Still chewing gas x.

I was in Bandster Hell last night. Chest hurt, stomach hurt and there was nothing I could do other than chew on gas x and take my lortab. I did end up getting sleep but not enough. I'm back like that this morning so calling doctor for better drugs. Last night I couldn't help but wonder if I had made a huge mistake.

Banded yesterday. Hoping it isn't hunger. I'm having head hunger and can power through that but actual tummy hunger I hate! It is a bit early for real hunger, right?

I'm gonna try the heating pad now. Geez, don't know if I'm starving or if it gas pain. HELP!

I have to say, I'm not sure whether I am feeling hunger or gas pains. Has anyone else gone through this? I can hear and feel my tummy talking but am not sure what it is trying to say! Please tell me someone else out here has experienced this!

I am so jealous, Steph! I've been up and about but not feeling as great as you are. Not sure if hernia repair or liver biopsy is making it worse.

Yeah, I didn't do bowel prep. Couldn't eat at all day before surgery. But when I mentioned to nurse I had to work that day, she said just eat stuff that will easily digest.

I'm post-op day two. Have a lot of gas and am looking forward to getting rid of it. Never been so excited to burp and pass gas!

Hey Shauna, Not scared at all! Excited, a little anxious maybe, but not scared. I don't really have anything to compare against. My doctor did annoy me a bit when he kept forgetting that I definitely needed a hernia repair. So, he did do the hernia repair and also did the liver biopsy. My port incision is the largest and most uncomfortable. It feels like I have been kicked in the stomach or like I did 1000 situps in one day. I would insist on proactive pain management if you are concerned. I'm home now and am a bit uncomfortable. I got Lortab, a liquid form of Vicodin. Also have to take a liquid Augmentin due to the bronchitis. Have 5 incisions. Will post pics on my blog. http://lowbmilapbandjourney.blogspot.com/

Still in hospital. Am thinking this extended stay has more to do with my nurse being at lunch more than anything else. They took away my pain pump but haven't given me anything else. I napped for a little while this morning and definitely needed it. I've been up walking a few times. I had my barium swallow this morning - yuck. Everything looked good. I'm bored. Ready to go home. Good luck to our July 6 banders. How are my July 5 band buddies?

Hi Everyone! despite my respiratory infection my surgery went forward! So this is a greeting from BandLand! I am in much more pain than I had anticipated but I did have a hernia repair and liver biopsy. I've been up doing laps around the ward. A little gas pain but walking helps with that. I am glad I stayed overnight because I have a pain pump that I can use everu 10 minutes for a bolus of diauded (sp?). I'm thoroughly drugged am grateful for it. My wonderful husband slept in the fold out chair so I would not be alone. His support through this process is so appreciated. I will do something nice to repay him. I am afraid that I do not remember much from yesterday but the last thing I remember is laying on the operating table and breathing in oxygen from a mask. I slept through both recovery rooms and did not wake up until I got to my own room. Thinking of you all...Kate

Have bronchitis, I think. Have to call surgeons office at 9 when they open and see what they want to do. I'm young and have no chronic breathing trouble or apnea so hopefully they will still operate. Will let you know.

Oh no Am sick! Left sinus hurts, throat hurts from post-nasal drip, and have dry cough. Not sure if they will operate if I have a cold! Ugh!

My pre-op nurse said that my cycle would be off for a while. Luckily I just finished my TOM so I should be ok for a couple of weeks. Good luck ladies, make sure you're using BC.

https://services3.horizon-bcbsnj.com/hcm/MedPol2.nsf/0/85256c0d004f6650852577a7003c9eb0?OpenDocument&Highlight=0,obesity&Click= here is a sample medical policy from NJ. Good luck

Depends on what your BMI is regarding whether you are placed on liquid diet before surgery. I did not have to do the two week liquid diet because I lost a fair amount of weight prior to surgery (tomorrow!). Get all your records from Weight Watchers. Also, if you saw your doctor for obesity during your weight watchers efforts, get a copy of those medical notes. My BCBS PPO plan required either a six consecutive month diet or two 3-month (consecutive) diets conducted under medical supervision). What state is your BCBS plan issued in? Not necessarily the state in which you live.

Check your BCBS medical policy (depends on what state policy issued in) and see if medically supervised diets are required for approval. Bring any diet history with you (including notes from your chart regarding your medically supervised diet programs). I decided I wanted to use the surgeon I had the consult with before I even went in there, so I brought copies of my results from a recent endoscopy, etc., with me to the consult. I was FAST-TRACKED. First consult May 17, surgery July 5.

Hey alygurl, we're going in 45 mins (ok, you live pretty far from DC) apart! Not nervous at all. Today is my all liquid diet. Have to stand post for 8 hours and provide food for 14 people. That's gonna stink. Bad enough to have to work! I was supposed to be off by 2300 hours. Now it appears 0100 hours is more realistic. Well at least I won't be bored going through the next 24 hours. Good luck and good health!

Oh My Goodness! 36 hours to go! http://lowbmilapbandjourney.blogspot.com/ My Blog (with pictures)

I have 49 hours and 30 mins until I am due to leave my house for the hospital. Today is my last day of food for at least two weeks. I've been considering WLS for 6 years now and seriously since January. As I've posted before, this is just as much emotional as it is physical. I love food too so this is hard for me but I love myself and my family more. The past 5 weeks of dieting has changed my attitude towards food and I see it more as a tool rather than a friend. I don't enjoy feeling stuffed anymore. I think I'm ready and I'm scared that I will fail. Where do I go if I screw up the band?

I had my true last supper last night and I ate half of what I normally used to. Felt good. I was good the rest of the day so it shouldn't be a problem that I ate like that. Maybe had 1200 cals yesterday. Took kids to pool and did a mega-shop at four different grocery stores/mall/warehouse store. Know I burned it all off just bringing all that into the house! How fares our July banders?

Yeah, that stuff ticks me off too. To kind of sum it up, I detest stupid people and the effects they have on my life at times.