MeredithMcFee

New Me: I just came back from my 1st PO visit with surgeon and nutritionist after having surgery last Friday and I his recommendations also say we can have oatmeal on Stage II diet. However, I have noticed on this site there are different rules for different docs so it's best to check again and make sure and stick to what your doctor requires. I have to say, I am looking forward to having oatmeal tomorrow morning as it has some substance.

I just came back from my 1st PO visit with my surgeon who said everything is fine. I am short waisted so whe I sit down, my left rib cage and left hip basically touches depending on the chair. Due to that, my port is somewhere in the middle and it's ok, per Dr.

I woke up today feeling a little bit better. Like other's have said, it's only days after surgery, it's normal. I'll let you know what my dr says after I see him tonight.

I am on day 5 PO and wondering if I'm supposed to still feel sore and tender in the port area? Seems like I'm going backwards, not forwards. The dr has the port under my let rib, I am short waisted so when I sit down, it seems to be between the hip and rib cage. I see the dr tomorrow afternoon and will go over it with him as that time but just wondering if anyone else felt this way and am I expecting too much?

good luck, "journey to be", we're all here for you. You'll be home before you know it and starting on that journey to a healthier, thinner you with the rest of us.

Hey, Jr Guru, glad to see you on here. I've been thinking of you all day. I had a private room too which was real nice. The peeing is a pain since you have to buzz the nurses to unhook you to go to the bathroom but it's all worth it. I was just very thirsty being I was having the barium swallow the next day and couldn't drink anything. The nurse let me take a mouthful of water, swill it around and gargle and spit it out. That helped. Each time I went to the bathroom, I did that. You'll be home in no time and start the journey with the rest of J-bandsters. Try to get a good night's sleep, or cat naps.

Day four PO for me and I was able to sleep on my side without much discomfort last night which helped alot. Although I was up tossing and turning to get comfy, for some reason, when I did sleep, I selpt well because I woke up energized this morning. Perhaps it's because I didn't eat any junk food before I went to bed like I always did, sugar, salt, whatever was around, I ate it. Plus I have lost 10lbs since the start of my pre-op liquid diet. Baby steps...Of course, still swollen and sore around my middle but that's to be expected. I'm so glad it's all behind me now, and speaking of BEHIND, I can't wait for that to diminish in time, but being that's the largest part on me, it will be the last to go. Oh well, it's a start and I'm thrilled.

Thank you all for your support. Glad to have people in the same situation, going through the same thing basically at the same time. Jr. Guru, you will do fine. It's natural to have all those emotions going on. It wasn't bad although I'm glad I'm home now. My major problem if you want to call it that, which basically got me into this mess, haha, is learning to take sips insteads instead of gulps, taking baby bites instead of using the soup spoon to down everything!! If that's all it is, I guess I can live with it! And always keeping a great sense of humor. And knowing the future will be brighter and lighter on our journey into feeling more healthy and thinner. You're in my thoughts and prayers for tomorrow.

Hi Jr Guru, I am done, and just came home a little while ago. Tired but did fine. It's not bad at all. No complaints yet. Came home to have a protein drink and lots of water and now for a nap. Funny, I took my cell with me and checked my email while waiting for the surgery and what was on there, promo from Lane Bryant for their February sales!!! LOLOL Timing is everything! Good luck on Monday and I'll check in on you during the week.

Tomorrow is my big day and I can't wait. Family members are surprised how calm I am about the surgery. Perhaps I'm too calm but it works for me. I haven't weighed or measured myself since being on the pre-op diet but will do that first thing tomorrow prior to going to the hospital. I know the scale is important but I believe the inches show up more and that's what I'm going to go by, that and one of my tightest pair of jeans. They will be my "barometer" more then the scale. Aside from wanting to be healthier and more active, there are other reasons of course for losing weight which I'm sure will all can relate to but one of the things I can't wait to do after losing a good amount of weight is to cut up my Lane Bryant card, personally call them on the phone and ask them to please take me off their mailing list!!!! Forever!!! LOLOL Good luck to all of the January Bandsters! Life is Good.

Horsegirl, good luck to you too. Talk about being on the cusp, you win!! :-)

I guess I'm on the cusp of the Jan/Feb bandsters. My surgery is scheduled for this Friday, Jan 27th and can not wait. My doctor required me to do a one week pre-op liquid diet. I am of the same thinking of Suzibuni re: the pre-op diet, mentally, it helps us realize how we will deal with it post surgery although from what I hear from everyone, you don't feel like eating the 1st week or so post op. Looking forward to being back on here next week so I can share the experience that you all have gone through this month. January Bandster.....

Aussikiwi, sorry to hear about your thyroid or lack thereof. I have heard that before. That little "innocent" butterfly, called the thyroid gland is a very powerful organ with or without it. I think you're right re: exercising for people who have been diagnosed with any form of dysfunctional thyroid disease, CA, hypo/hyperactive,,,, etc. Sounds like you're on the right track and I'm 3 days away of finding out. Thank you.

I'm getting banded 1/27 and I'm fighting hunger right now too. Better go to bed and sleep through the hunger pangs. Good luck Jennabe.

I'm a newbie here on bandsters as my lapband surgery is scheduled for this Friday the 27th. However, I'm definitely not a Newbie to thyroid issues. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease in the late 90's and hypothyroid. In 2004 I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. I had my whole thyroid removed at that time and follow up with radioactive iodine treatments 2 yrs in a row and have been fine since then.I am now considered hyPERthyroid as I am on high doeses of synthroid. One would think" Hyper"thyroid would help me lose weight easily but it hasn't. It's nice to find a forum here where I can relate to with this problem and know that it's possible to lose the weight, maybe slower then those who are not hypo or hyperthyroid. :-)

54 Shirley, thank you very much I will do just that.

I apologize for getting confused with the original question. I thought you were talking about the pre-testing, not the post testing the day after the surgery. I guess I had my endoscopy on my mind since I had it yesterday. Mea Cula. :-)

Shannon if you do have to swallow the barium, make sure you drink plenty of water all day. I worked in the x-ray dept and make the barium drinks. They forget to tell you to drink water to get it out of your system sooner then later. Good luck. Hope you have the same procedure that Shirley36 & I had.

I had my endoscopy yesterday and I didn't have to swallow any liquids. I was in a day stay setting, had twilight sedation, and was out for about 15-20 minutes. The doctor put a scope down my esophagus and that was it. Never knew I had it, no after effects at all.

Thank you both. I too ,was diagnosed years before with an underactive thyroid as was my mother, her sister,and my two sisters' who by the way are thin. I'm very familiar with the fact that being hypothyroid can slow down the metabolism in some people. However, my concern is with those who have had their thyroid entirely removed and are taking medication who are considered hyperthyroid. Again, thank you. It is what it is and I'm sure I will see much improvement, perhaps slower then other's but it'll be better then not having it at all.

I'm wondering if anyone here has been diagnosed with thyroid Cancer and removed. If so, has had the lapband surgery afterwards and how succesful it's been for you. I had mine removed in 2004 and doing well. I know metabolism plays a big part with thyroid and losing weight. I am scheduled for lapband surgery a week from today, the 27th. My doctor didn't see any contraindications to both, but I never asked if he has had anyone with a simialar situation and how things went for the patient.

Super Mommy, where can I get New Direction soups? Wondering if Whole Foods carries them or any other brand?

Hi Lisa, My surgery is a week from tomorrow and I start my liquid diet tomorrow morning. Like you, I can't wait for my surgery. Excited not anxious as I've been thinking about this for some time as well. I'm a month shy of beinga very young 57 {so they tell me} and due to health issues and just everyday life issues, I've put on lots of weight the past 4 years. Fortunately, I am not on any BP or cholesterol meds but if I keep this up, I'll be on them plus eventually become a diabetic. Hoping you have much success on your new journey being healthier & happier.

Thank you all for replying. I start my pre-op diet Friday. Elcee, we really don't know what it is in yogurt that I have problems with. Funny, I can eat frozen yogurt but not fresh yogurt as I become very lethargic, with flu like symtoms of joint aches, minus chills/fever. Cottage cheese is fine, as it's just the yogurt which I enjoy but after a day or so of it, all the symptoms start and I have to stop eating it. I've pulled up some ideas from my nutritionist and the support group since and have a good idea of what I'm expected to eat. I am so excited to have the surgery and start a new phase in my life just in time for my 57th birthday. :-)

My Lapband surgery is scheduled for Friday 1/27. I start my pre-op diet this Friday and going over the list of foods we can eat. Two questions here. I am allergic to yogurt and it's on the list. Can I improvise with fat free cottage cheese or fat free ricotta? Also, I can't eat most fat free dressings for the same reason and wondering if I can use light virgin olive oil with lemon juice in it's place?