mdrai

Good Tuesday afternoon, Violets!~~ Just got back from my 1-wk post-op app't... went fine... I'm doing "great"... 1 more week of liquids (argh!), then on to mushies... I can't believe I'm fantasizing about egg salad! Oh, and I had hoped that because I had my period so wasn't able to take those Lovenox shots yet that maybe I wouldn't have to start now that it's a week later, but no such luck... he wants me to take them anyway... Check out my siggy!! -7lbs this past week, for a total of -29 so far! :clap2: Yay, me! Bwah ha ha, Tracy... "Are you pregnant?"... :faint:

Yay Tracy, so happy for you & your fill! You crack me up, girl! Tomorrow is my 1-week follow-up appointment. My tummy growls something awful now. I'm hoping that doesn't do anything to get my band out-of-whack! I need to keep this baby IN-whack, y'know what I mean??? Terry -- Your pics are FABU, darling! I can really see the difference!! Going to the town carnival tonight... w/a BIG cup o' crystal light to shield me from all the carnival-ly temptations that are lurking there to taunt me... I made it through the volunteer luncheon ok today, already... I was going to "pretend" to eat (get a plate, put food on it, move it around w/my fork), but decided to not play games so I just drank my drink & put up w/everyone asking wasn't I going to eat? I just said I wasn't hungry... but I WAS! Oh well, this too shall pass... No one said I looked thinner... darn it. Gotta dash... have a good night everyone!

Thank you for posting this! I'm a new bander, just a week out!, and I am so appreciative of all the honesty on this board. I'm sure it wasn't easy to tell your story, but I do think that you have touched many with it. Thank you!

Hi! I'm a 5/29 bander as well. My 1-wk post-op appointment is tomorrow morning. I am hungry! My poor tummy rumbles & grumbles so. Today it's been the worst. It's funny to be dreaming of creamy soups, lol! I don't understand the no Protein post-op plans! I had to drink a pro shake before they'd release me last week! My first 14 day plan is: 70 g pro (shakes), Water, crystal light, sugar-free Jello & popsicles, decaf tea/coffee, & low-sodium broth. That was also my 14 day pre-op plan, so I've been following it (perfectly, may I brag) for 21 days now! :welldoneclap: I began @ 317+, was at 295 on surgery day, and was at 289 this a.m. ("official" weigh-in day is Tuesdays, tho). So that's what, almost 30 lbs! I do feel lightheaded at times... mostly in the a.m. before I've had my 1st pro of the morning... otherwise I'm feeling great! No gas pains, incisions healing great, etc. I do hiccup a lot more than before. Good luck everyone!

Good Monday morning, Violets!~~ Day 6 post-band... wow! Still sip, sip, sippin' along... sometimes I swear I'm going to float away! Even when I sip tho, I tend to hiccup or do little burps... and my chest feels tight... but I just breathe through it & it goes away... sheesh... if liquids are doing this what will food do??? I know, I know... patience & healing... my mantra... taking it easy as possible... You are all doing so great! Pam -- WAY TO GO w/conquering your ff demon... that is NOT an easy one! I never eat Tacos, so can't speak re: them... I think it's an each to her own kind of thing... if you can lose eating [whatever you like] in moderation, then I think that's how the band is to work, ideally. I still feel lightheaded alot... like now... that's all I need... to be ditzier than I was! -- ha ha -- my family didn't bargain on THAT! Have a great day everyone!

Good Saturday Morning, Violets... Cute doggies! What a fill story! Glad you're back w/us, Tracy! Truck thing doesn't sound good... Sorry to write responses like that, but I am so lightheaded! Whoo! I am drinking enough + getting in my pro, but man I am weak & lightheaded. The only thing I've done since Tuesday is lounge around the house, which has been nice but boring. Today i actually have to get out there & do a couple things... + tomorrow... & then next week kicks in like a "normal" week again. Go see the doc on Tues... then 1 more week of liquids (ack)... My incisions are "beautiful" I've been told, no redness, no swelling... just the big one itches a bit... I even slept kinda sorta on my side last night! I drink in little sips all the time... takes forever to drink a pro shake! I feel best in the a.m., and then as the day goes on I feel more bloated, gassy & full... by the eve, when I drink I feel chest pain... so I don't drink! I think my mood is ok... still a bit freaky deaky about having the band in there & not knowing how it'll be when I finally go to actually eat something again... Ok... so now I need ya'll to tell me that I'm perfectly normal (if not even ABOVE normal) and that I'm doing great & I'll get used to all this. K?

I was also banded on Tuesday... I was outpatient, however! So I've been home since Tuesday, recovering. Our bodies have been through quite a trauma, so we must let them heal. Be gentle w/yourself, give yourself time, and all will be well! Good luck!

Hey Girlies... Day 3 of healing... I think I feel pretty good... chest still tight (doing the breathing thingy) and incisions are itchy... I think I'm doing ok getting liquids in... as the day goes on, I feel "fuller", for instance last night I told my family that it felt like I'd eaten a turkey dinner when all I'd had is a few spoonfuls of chicken broth! Weird. I guess my bod is just adjusting to everything. Haven't gotten on the scale, will wait 'til Tues at my doc app't. Have had a few fleeting thoughts of "omg what have I done what do I have inside me!?" but I let them come & then breeze on through, did not invite them to stay awhile! Feeling lightheaded... need to go get some protein... bbl.

Ahhh... a nice warm shower felt oh-so-good this morning! Of course, after that & all the other morning routine activities (which I did slowly) I feel it in my gut now... amazing how those core muscles really control everything! Oh my! Slept well, too... in my bed w/pillows all around/under... on my back, bleh... I tried to roll on my side a bit, but that's a no go just yet... but I slept from 11p-4a, then 'til 6:30a, w/my cpap machine, so I actually felt fully rested for the first time this week! Another day w/nothing to do... I could grow to like this -- not! But I am trying not to rush things and just be slow & heal... no pain meds so far today... Make it a great one, everyone!

I had a pm from TracyTX that says basically the same thing as Teach posted above. Hope they can fix her problem quickly! Terri, Yes, I am doing the breathing exercises... am walking (around the house)... have not showered yet (ew) (kinda nervous to, but think I will have to tomorrow or the family will shove me in!)... am getting in my 70 g pro, although very slowly (can take up to 2 hrs to get an 8oz shake down!)... otherwise am drinking, I mean sipping, only water... am getting bloated w/gas all of a sudden (just in my gut, not shoulders)... let's see what else?... am doing NOTHING all day, just the above + resting/dozing/watching movies... and am fine emotionally (so far!). I figure I'm a typical healing bander one day out! Oh, one thing I found myself doing last night when I couldn't get comfy anywhere so was just laying there... I started telling myself positive affirmations of all the good things I was doing for myself, starting w/the band... I just kept talking to myself (in my head) like I would a friend whom I was proud of for taking this step & why I was proud & how excited I am for her (me) & all that she has to look forward to... kinda weird, I know, but in a good way, I think. I really feel this is such a new, fresh start for me! And it makes me feel so good to have all you "experienced" Violets to tell me I'm ok!

Hi! I was banded yesterday, too! The gas hit me this afternoon... ugh... I took a gas-x strip awhile ago and am waiting for it to kick in... 'til then... as Shrek says, "better out than in!" I'm also sore today, mostly on my right side... it hurts to move, bend, twist... walk! But I am. sleeping hasn't been so hot, either... <shrug>... it's all part of the process! I'm not "hungry" either, but don't want to dehydrate, so always have an 8-oz cup of something nearby to sip, sip, sip. It takes me up to 2 hrs to drink a Protein shake! Amazing! That's the only thing I'm trying to get in is the 70 g pro/day... + Water... that's it for now. Good luck!

Ow, ow, ow... That's how my belly feels now... owie. Hurts to move, twist, turn... anything! And I really can't tell what's where under there... port? band? <shrug> My right side hurts more than the left. I'm not freaking about it... just figure it's par for the course... no shoulder pain at all... slowly sipping the day away... so I'm normal, right?

Good Morning Violets, I'm a bit slower today than yesterday... didn't sleep much/well last night... couldn't get comfy anywhere... chair or bed... then couldn't get off the bed this a.m.... my kids thought that was funny! So glad to be their morning entertainment! The pain is different today... yesterday it was more tightness across my chest... today that's subsided and it's more incision pain + sore stomach muscles... have taken 1 happy pill so far... have taken all my vits, etc., + it took me 2 hours to sip, sip, sip an 8oz protein shake! :confused: I'm still working on an 8oz water now, but I was dozing a bit in there, too... everyone is gone & it's just me & the 2 kitties in the quiet. My plans for the day are: rest. Guess I have to schedule a surgery in order to get a few days of R&R w/no household responsibilities! lol! Check back later!

Good Tuesday Evening, FELLOW BANDERS!~~~ :biggrin1: I did it! I did it! I did it! Arrived @ Surgical Center @ 6:30am, signed in, etc... then while I was waiting for them to come get me I started crying... as I told my surprised DH, it was because I was sad that I had let myself get so out of control that this was necessary. But I got a grip pretty quickly, just a few mins really. The nurse came & got me & prepped me... oh so lovely w/TOM visiting, ugh... she had probs getting the IV placed, so I have several bruise areas on my arms. They wheeled me back @ 7:30 exactly! The sliding from the pre-op bed onto the surg table was not my most graceful moment, between the IV, the pad I'm holding between my legs, and the big gown getting caught up underneath me... entertaining visual, yes? Once I was situated, I looked up and saw the big surgi lights, and all the machines, and they're hooking me up to everything and the tears started a bit again... all the staff were really great tho... then I started getting loopy (as if I wasn't already!) and then out! About an hour later I'm waking up, or rather they're trying to wake me up. Waking up is not my fav activity on a good day! So it took me awhile... little by little... they brought back my DH... said everything went great... I had a small hietal hernia but not big enough to have to repair... It turned out that the only patients at the center today were me & a little 7yo kid! So I had lots of attention. My mouth was dry, dry, dry (still is!) so I asked for an ice chip to just hold & let melt... man that felt good! I was so nervous taking those first sips of water... then I had to sip a protein shake, too! All went down fine. After a long time (a couple hrs??) they walked me to the bathroom and I took care of my personal issues + got dressed, etc... then went home (the pillow helped a lot!). At home, I got into my nightshirt & got settled into the chair in my bedroom & dozed & walked & dozed & walked... pretty much my day so far. Finally came downstairs awhile ago and came straight to the computer & my wonderful violets! Overall feel good! No "pain" really... more of a tightness across my chest... no shoulder pain... feel slow & loopy, but am attributing that to the pain meds... should take another now, but am waiting awhile longer so I can take 2 for "bed" -- or should I say "chair"? Thank you all for your good thoughts & wishes & advice over these long weeks... now I'm with you in Band Land! ((hugs) & goodnight!

My dear, dear Violets~~ I cannot thank you all enough for your kind well wishes, good thoughts & prayers today as I enter "band-land" (remember to sing it LOUD!)! And also for all the wisdom that has been shared w/me during my prep month. I'm so glad to be an "adopted" April bander!!! This is THE best group on the boards!!!!! I am outpatient. Scheduled for 7:30am. Hope to be home by early afternoon. I DEFINITELY will post as soon as I am able. and I DEFINITELY will be thinking of each of you who has gone before me in this journey of self-improvement, self-discovery, and the unknown! Little jittery but not too much... part of me is so ready, and another part (probably that fat imp who's been fighting me every step of the way) can't believe I'm actually doing this... that it's not just THEORY any more! Oh my! DH is pacing the floor... time to get going... thank you all!

Good Afternoon, Violets!~~ TOMORROW IS MY BIG DAY! I've spent the whole day today so far CLEANING, cleaning, cleaning my house, as I don't want to be recuperating w/dust bunnies everywhere. My lovely family has been helping me, with their reward to be going to see "Pirates 3" this afternoon. Then I'll come back & clean some more! I'm finding it to be a great distraction & it gets the nervous energy out! I'll definitely check in before I leave tomorrow morning @5:30am Eastern time for my date w/destiny! I have a funny feeling that I won't be able to sleep much tonight, so I'll probably type the night away! I can't believe that my day is here!!!!!!!

What happened Terry??? :drum:

Just got home from my 2nd bbq of the weekend... I'm on day 14 of my liquid pre-op diet. I drank Water, crystal light, & decaf green tea. Did it suck? Yeah, I guess. Have I tasted everything that was on the spread? Yeah. Am I going to be on a liquid diet the rest of my life? No. Did I enjoy time w/friends? Yes. Am I glad I went. Yes! This is just a short period of time in the grand scheme of things. You won't starve & blow away. You can do it! We all can! Think how great you look & feel next year when bbq season rolls around! Hang in there!

Good Sunday Morning Violets!~~ Day 14 liquids, 1 MORE TO GO! Yesterday was long & hot... but I made it through. I probably didn't drink enough yesterday, but... Today is our annual neighborhood block party/bbq... I have strategies for not eating, but I know it will be hard... but hard doesn't mean impossible, so I can do it! I try to imagine life "on the other side" of Tuesday... no more eating a piece of pizza in 4 bites? No more marathon cookie dough eating? No more "big" salads? No more wolfing down dinner? I think that speed and volume are my biggest enemies, and also my biggest fears post-band. I'm not really so worried about choice/variety, however. Interesting. Is it psycho to be grieving the loss of speed & volume? (Maybe I'll get two goldfish & name them that: speed & volume. LOL!) You guys have all adjusted to these things, right??? So I will too... right??? This is it... after Tuesday I HAVE to change... the band will force me to... and it's a bit scary as I know that this will be a catalyst to a LOT of changes that I can't even predict now... this is all becoming VERY real! I'm nervous, but not in a freak-out way... Have a great day, everyone! PS -- Laura -- don't do that again!

Hi Christy -- Glad to hear from you & so happy for you that the fill went well and you're dropping lbs again! Yay you!

I second what KarenB said about you, Alexandra -- you are an amazing role model and advocate for the band... words you have posted have educated, motivated, and helped me countless times. Best of luck with all of this... if anyone can persevere through, it's you! Look how far you've come! My best thoughts are with you!!

Good Saturday Morning, Violets~~ Today is Day 13 -- 2 more to go!!! :biggrin1: Will be out & about most of today... one of my best friends is moving back to our town after 4 years away & I'm going to decorate her new house w/streamers & balloons & a sign for their return later today! Then we have soccer, soccer, soccer... that will take up about 6 or 7 hours today... I can't believe that when this weekend is over... I'll be getting banded! When I start to get anxious &/or hyperventilate, I just think peaceful, positive thoughts and zen out... I'm actually ok, I think! Hey, did any of you have to "swish & swallow" this nasty mouthwash stuff 4x/day for the 4 days prior to your surgeries? BLEH! I can't remember the name of it right now, but it's to prevent yeast?? I also have to wash w/a different yeast wash medicine 2x/day on my stomach/folds area... lovely. Not. But having to do them is making this REAL! Oh, and OF COURSE I'm expecting TOM ANY MINUTE... so I may or may not have to start injecting myself w/the Lovenox on Mon night... they said that if I'm bleeding, not to do it (this may be a time when I'm actually happy about TOM! if TOM = no needles!) Ok, gotta dash -- Have a great day, everyone!!

Good Friday Morning, Violets~~ TGIF! And a "fun" weekend, to boot! Yay! Today is Day 12 Liquids... 3 to go!! Reality is creep, creep, creeping in! Well, I went & did it last night. I was on the p hone w/my neighbor who is a great gal but also THE BIGGEST gossip & who always knows everything that's going on in town w/everyone. I've mostly been just very vague w/most people re: what surgery I'm having ("female type thing")... that usually gives folks the idea that I don't want to talk about it... but she's going on & on asking "Are you having THIS?" "What about THAT?"... but ina nice way... really, sometimes you don't even realize you're telling her stuff as she's so good at extracting info... anyway, I got to the point where I couldn't figure out what to say so I just bit the bullet (which I don't think was on my liquids list) and told her. She said she guessed that. How would one guess that?? <shrug> I told her my "whys" of why I wasn't telling everyone up front, and she assured me that she would keep it to herself -- NO WAY! -- so I realize that I just told the town. The only good thing is that w/school almost over, I won't see most folks 'til the end of Aug... it'll be great to be all healed & hopefully have lost another 25 or so by then! Busy day... hope everyone has a great one!

Slow doings around here today. We all must be busy out in RL! Tracy, what a wonderful thing you are doing for this woman... what a heart you have... she is lucky to have found you! Kat, have fun this weekend..."buy a smaller cow"... hee hee hee! Riddle me this, violets... pickle juice is a liquid, right?? Cuz I actually had a few spoonfulls tonight... tasted just like a pickle... I must be going off the deep end!... you should've seen the looks on my kids' faces! Priceless! G'night!

I was not REQUIRED to lose any weight prior to surgery, but they said it'd be nice if I did. After the first class w/the nutritionist, I began following her suggested plan: a Protein shake in the morning for Breakfast, no potatoe/bread/rice/past, no caffeine, no sodas, 64+ oz Water, 2 Multivitamins, but otherwise whatever I wanted as long as it fell in the basic range of meeting 70 g protein, 15-30 g fat, 30-50 g carb, and approx 1,000 calories. I lost about 8 lbs w/that (although I wasn't so great w/ following that plan). Once I got my surgery date I got much more serious about it. Now that I'm on the 2-week liquid pre-op diet I have been *perfect* w/it and have lost 12 lbs, for a total to-date of 20. I'm hoping to be at -25 by surgery on Tuesday! Good luck!