bromo

Yes, it is held with sutures. I am only 7 days out postop but I know that I am glad I had this done.

They ae actually made for checking ketones in urine mainly for diabetics that can have a dangerous condition known as ketoacidosis. However, for a person on a very low carb diet they can be used to see if you are burning fat cells which creates ketones in the urine and known as ketosis. There are different trains of thoughts on whether it is a good state to be in, and you can find supporting arguments for both sides all over the net. Oh, and for what they actually are, little white plastic sticks that you dip in urine or pee on to see the little square on the tip of it change colors.

Marebeth,you made me remember having some ketostix so I checked myself this morning. I have never seen my color that dark, so burn fat burn!! I have mine from being on one of the many diets that I have been on that recommended checking ketones.

Hope all of you getting banded this week have a very good and easy time of it. I have a question. I am day 6 post op and have no physical hunger. It is all I can do to get in the daily amount of protein because of my lack of desire to do anything but drink water. I have battled a couple of bouts of head hunger, but not physical hunger at all. Is this normal or at least have some of you felt this way too?

I received a card from my doctor's office before I left the hospital.

Peg, I am on what my doc calls thin liquids for a week. It must run off a spoon, so I can have strained, creamy soups but no yogurt or puddings. Week 2 is mushy, Week 3 & 4 are soft and hopefully at a month I will be on regular solids. My doctor thinks you get the benefits of the gastric sleeve in the beginning with the weight loss coming not only from the band but the plication of the stomach. As time goes by the band will come more into effect as the early benefits of the plication slow down. Also holding the band in place is a big deal. I am excited about being a part of this new procedure and hope that the good initial outcomes shown in the testing will be as good in my weight loss. I am a widow and live alone, so if something needs to be done, I have to do it myself. Although, I cannot imagine my late husband shaving my legs. I would have been terrified while he was doing it. lol Yes, let's stay in touch on this journey together. Pam

Peps, that is what I had, but since I am on day 5 post op, there isn't much difference right now than the regular lap band procedure, I don't think. Having high hopes that the plication does what it is supposed to do in support of the band, or the band in support of the plication, which ever way it is supposed to work. Managed to shave my legs today! Major happy victory. LOL

pugs, hang in there, hopefully tomorrow will have you standing up straight. I was so glad when I realized I could do it today and I am sure it will happen for you very soon.

Count me in for our Sept support group. Today has been a pretty good day and can now stand up straight! Each day has a little victory. Good luck to those of you getting banded tomorrow.

Congratulations, Kathy. I would call your doctor as well to find out what he recommends. Mine had me purchase Pepto Bismol just for this problem, but I haven't had to use it yet. Had a couple of close calls, so I understand what you are talking about. It is not a fun place to be. Hope you can get some answers tomorrow.

I posted in another thread that I just had pureed and strained vegetable beef soup and felt the same way about being in heaven. Even though the shakes are actually not bad, it is nice tasting something else besides chocolate and vanilla.

I think I am very lucky that my 1st week postop diet is thin liquids, not just clear. As long as it will run off a spoon and is strained from all solids, it is on the list. So I just took a can of vegetable beef soup and pureed it in the blender with water. Strained it and heated up half a cup. I feel like I am in heaven right now. It tasted better than any prime rib I ever had. LOL

Only a couple of days to go, Eric! How funny is it to be excited over oatmeal?

Awaking on the 4th day after surgery and I am feeling much better mentally. Maybe moving out of the fog of surgery or something, but am feeling much more like myself. I am still very sore on the left side and coughing is a real pain for sure, but the pain is less each day and soon I know it will be gone. Am still sleeping in the recliner as I cannot lie on my back due to lumbar problems and cannot lie any other way yet. Actually put on clothes this morning after my shower rather than pajamas and I think that in and of itself is a mental uplifter. However, I am having difficulty with pressure on my port site which is just right above my natural waist, so the clothes I put on this morning are the loosest I own. Hope this gives others some idea on what to expect perhaps, although we all heal differently and at varying speed.

Glad you are getting started with the new doctor Monica. $5000? That is absurd. I did have a program fee of $300 but it allows me unlimited access to the nutrionist, fitness person and mental health person for a year.

Thanks for the support. I just wanted those that are not healing as quickly as some to know that they are not alone.

I would call my doctor's service and leave a message. Surely you would get a call back from the doctor on call today.

Congratulations Shirley. You did it.

Perhaps you should call your doctor.

Although not as swift as some of you, I am proud to have found some pants that did not hurt, go down the steps, walk on my hilly parking lot for a bit and climb back up the stairs. I am 57 and not a spring chicken, but I am still having a fair amount of pain on the left side. It has lessened each day, but still is there. There is no way I could walk two miles or go back to work right now. I am proud of all you that have been able to do so, but some of us may just be slower healers than others. I am having no problem with nausea or drinking my thin liquids, which include strained cream soups. Cold stuff gives me a little bit of shoulder pain, but I am sure that wil go away soon enough. Trying to get in all my liquids and proteins is a tough challenge, but one I am striving to complete. All in all I am pleased with my progress but will be glad when a few more days healing has transpired.

I would not stop taking prescribed meds without talking to my doctor.

lizzy, that was a very informative link. Thank you.

I was able to start on cream soups yesterday, but only tried some tonight. Could only get down around 3 ounces and I was sated. yay!

I am still taking my pain meds but my left side is very painful. I am walking in the apt and moving around a lot so hopefully just another couple of days til some relief is in sight.

Same day surgery as you, and I have been burping, burping and passing gas. Lots of it.