winifred76

Yes thank you! I think it had to do with the gas settling there. It just never made it to my shoulder as it does with so many others. Now as the gas moves around, the pain is moving around - first side, then tummy, then back around to the chest.. Thank God for GAS X! It is helping a litte. I'm on full liquids now and I never thought I'd be so happy to drink a protein shake! My tummy has been growling for hours now! 3 days on this and then on to soft food.

Must be a full moon. I know what you mean about the scheduling. They've scheduled my monthly visits for the next 7 months without my input. I'm going to call tomorrow and change them all. For the most part the doctor's office has been very caring, and I'm going to hope for no confrontation!

Yes I had the plication too. Here is mlapband day story. I got up at 6:45 am and my hubby followed me to the dealership to drop off the car for an oil change. I've decided to make the best of a late scheduled surgery (1:15pm) and get a few errands done since I can't eat or drink. Then on to my primary care doctor who won't refill prescriptions until he gets my bloodwork. It was a crowded Monday morning (which is why I usually never go on Monday!). While there, I got a call from the surgery center saying the doctor was running ahead and could I come in by 12:00 instead of 1:15pm - sure thing! I got to the surgery center at 11:45 - chronically early. To my surpirse I'm down even more than my scales says 199.4 so that means that I am down over 13.5 lbs on the preop diet and then all liquids over the weekend. They take me back at 1pm and I change clothes. They start antibiotics (only 1 try and they got the vein! hurrah and then a shot of heparin in the stomache - again no pain) and now I'm just waiting for the anesthesiologist and the doctor. I remember going into the surgery room and the anesthesiologist asks me something. Then I am in post op. My left breast is killing me. I remember they said shoulder pain would be likely - I did have a larger hernia - but they didn't say my boobs would hurt too! I told her several times that my breast was hurting, she gave me something more in the IV and it just barely took the edge off. I started dry heaving for a few minutes from the nauseau and she came back with a patch. She put it behind my left ear and told me to leave it on for 48 hours. When I remove it, I am to wash my hands thoroughly so that I don't get what's on the patch in my eyes. After a few minutes the nausea settled down a little. Then she went and got my husband to help get me out the door and on the way home. It was 5:30pm. I told her flat out she was just trying to dump me out the door instead of making sure I was alright before I left. She said the best place for me was at home because she couldn't do anything more for me! Maybe the surgery center wasn't the great idea I thought it was after all. Even though my hubby drives like a maniac, he actually managed to miss all the potholes and I got home without any incident. He went and filled prescriptions while I tried to settle in to the recliner. The pain in my breast is coming and going and the nurse told him I could apply a heating pad and that would help. She also told him to buy some benedryl liquid because that would help with the nausea as well. I did notice that the pain had subsided somewhat in my chest. I do get up and walk once around the kitchen and family room to try to get things moving. When he got home with the pain meds, it was time to take them. I took the dose of liquid lortab (nasty, nasty) and followed it with the benadryl. Then out. When 5 hours was up, I took another dose, the fog from the anesthesia was starting to lift. I slept in the recliner for the night. I noticed I only have 3 bandages. He did as much as possible thru my belly button so that is a huge bandage and two smaller ones out to the side. I'm told the port isunder the belly button. interesting. The next day calls from the doctor and the surgery center - everything is ok no real issues. When they asked how I liked the surgery center I told them about getting "dumped" out the door like they were on a schedule I was coming along fine. Today is wednesday and I'm supposed to go to full liquids after 5pm today. I'm just now getting down beef broth so I'll probably be holding off on shakes until in the morning. By the way, I did weigh on the scale and the surgery put me up 5lbs which is coming back off as I release the gas. (Today - day 3 - the gas is really starting to move and I'm so glad I listened and bought the gasx.) Walking around more and more to get mobility going and this is the first time I've been on the computer for too long. I've had dry heaves several times over the last couple of days but nothing really major. I'm starting to really try to get down some fluids as the other fluids are released so that I can stay hydrated. All in all not too bad an experience.

don't fret! you can do it! I'm on my way now. The doctor is running ahead of schedule so I'm now at 12:15. We'll get thru this together!

Thats great! I sure can't wait to find out what my post op diet is like - the doctor didn't want to go over it until after the surgery (though I know it is low carb) because he says he wants you to focus on this stage before and then focus on the other stage after. I guess that makes sense........

Everyone, I was just perusing the after forums to see a little more about what to expect after we are all banded, and noticed a November 2010 group that has recently checked in to start in again for moral support. Anyone interested in starting a POST OP September group? I don't know about you, but I know I will need moral support after as much as before. I am willing to commit to check the after site at least once a week to see how we are all doing.............

Yeah, I've been on the preop since August 27. I've lost 7.5 lbs. And that's more than the scale has moved in a while. I'm having plication too which should help a little before the first fill so I'm hoping to lose abou 5 more lbs by the first fill. Maybe unrealistic but I won't be unhappy either way. Surgery monday!

Hope it went well for you and you are recuperating well! Keep us updated on your progress!

Extreme low carb the first 2 weeks no more than 30 carbs per day from condiments. All the Protein you want (without breading) green Beans and a host of other green vegetables, lettuce, cucumber, onion, etc etc. Stay clear of non green veggies or starches like corn, peas, potatoes, no bread,etc. Can have fat too.......... I'm finishing 3 weeks on it as my surgery is monday. eggs, bacon, sausage, etc etc all good.

Have you thought about getting an inexpensive sports bra at Walmart or Target? When in between sizes I have bought those for more comfort until I know what to do. A great in between.

Welcome - I'm Monday too! getting nervous and on my 'weekend before' diet. only clear liquids, sugar free jello and chicken or beef broth for the next two days. Hope to keep busy to keep my mind off things! Take care!

Congrats. Read back over the month and you'll find lots of support. If you get a chance look at July Bandsters too - lots of really really good information all around! Finally figured out how to add a ticker

There are several schools of thought. My doctor uses the Allergan. His former partner went with the Realize Band (he gets a kickback). My doctor has indicated that hin his studies (he's done 5,000 + procedures that the realize band has a very high failure rate and he doesn't think it's ethical for them to pay the surgeons to use their band for their endorsement especially considering that issue. Google the realize band and you will find positive and negative feedback, but make sure you do some research and are informed.

I'm so frustrated. I asked my doctor, and the surgery center several times to schedule my banding as early as possible in the morning because of stress and I just got my call for Monday. They have scheduled me to arrive at 1:15PM- which means probably not even having the surgery until at least 3pm or 4. Of course since I am reasonably healthy and only prediabetic, I am scheduled last on the list which means they will be rushing me out the door so that they can leave for the day. I feel very pushed to the back of the line right now. Wah! Just venting

I can't tell you how inspired by everyone I am. Good results for those who have passed and we are on day 15 of September! Good luck to all who are being banded today! This has been great for all us nervous nellies who aren't sure what to expect. I'm getting a little nervous. Last friday I went to the dentist because of a problem with a tooth. They found out I had a gum infection. He prescribed Clindamycin 3 times a day for 10 days (finish up the sunday before my surgery on the 19th). I've been taking them faithfully to make sure that I'm all clear by surgery day. When the surgery center called yesterday, I told them about the infection as part of the preop. She didn't seem concerned when I told her I would be done with 10 days of antibiotics on Sunday and the surgery was Monday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but having nightmares that they will say nope you have to wait.

I know what you mean! I've been having those second thoughts too. I think it's just jitters. Maybe knowing there is no going back? I've managed to stay on the low carb diet for right at 2 weeks and surprising lost 7.5lbs so far, but had a really bad day saturday with wanting to stress eat though I didn't. I wondered how I would have acted not knowing that I was having surgery in a week and needed to absolutely follow the plan? Would I have given in to tempation or would I have hung tight? I think all in all, it's still the right choice, because it will be another tool that I need to help me get through when my willpower will not be so strong.

So my preop was Wednesday and the dr went over the Preop diet I was so worried about. From the 7th to the 16th low carb everything. He said have proteing all you want, the normal really low carb vegetables and only 30 carbs from incidentals (mayo, ketchup, etc.) Then on Sept 17 and 18 only clear liquids on the list, sugar free freezer pops, sugar free jello, boullon cubes etc. Plenty of water, propel but no gatorade. I was completely shocked. He said that what he has found is that what he wants to limit is what causes the liver to get bigger - which is converting carbohydrates into sugar so by going low carb people don't have to deprive themselves except for the two days before and they have a very successful surgery. He also wants me walking 10 to 15 minutes a day before. All in all, much easier than I thought. Also hurrah! He worked out a deal with the surgery center and the plication part that was an extra $800 is now only $500. (He thinks by the beginning of the year that might be covered by insurance too but I'm not waiting.) I've been on the low carb since I got approval on August 28. I'm only down 5 lbs so far, but not really craving carbs at all. Keep counting down! Good luck to everyone who is banded today!

Stay calm and BREATHE! You don't want high blood pressure stopping you from having the surgery! Go to your happy place in your mind and relax. The fight can be after once you have healed up a little.

Preop appt today. 12 days out from Surgery. Maybe I'll finally understand what this preop diet is all about! They say I only have to do it for 3 days before which I guess is great, but we'll see. Luck to all being banded today! Don't forget to share how it is going! SEPT 19 = NEW FOCUS!

I'll be checking on you!

Luck and a speedy recovery!

I did that and you know what - each time I tried something happened that spoiled it! I finally gave up and go down to business on the day!

Other than the gas, any other problems? Are you happy so far with the choice?

I know how that is. My pcd has said my liver functions were elevated - due to a fatty liver - but I expect that to change with healthier eating habits. So this could just be a result of that. As for the hernia, my doc says that 90% of the patients he bands have a hernia that needs to be repaired and they don't even know it. So I guess it's quite common. GOOD LUCK to everyone being banded today! Let us know how you are doing!

Why did you have to give up diet pepsi on the liquid diet?