Greekie17

I will be using Dr. Tiffany Jessee for my surgery Feb. 8th, 2012. The staff is competent, caring, and really know their stuff. They do charge a program fee of $1,000 for insurance patients (this fee is NOT covered by insurance nor can you use a HSA account to pay for it- the only drawback )

I had this same problem for many weeks after surgery (also it started at 3.5 weeks after). Turns out that I was eating too fast and the pieces were too big. Bites should be no bigger than your pinky nail. Chew, chew, chew, and eat sloooooowly. I went for my first fill yesterday and they didn't give me any! Said I was restricted from post-op with air in the band...that was contributing to the lump in throat feeling. Since I had lost 6 more lbs since the post-op visit, they thought I was restricted enough.

It sounds like it is till gas built up! The first couple of weeks after my surgery I was going crazy with the same type of lump in my throat feeling. My doctor said it was gas but it just didnt make sense to me that thats what it was so I was really worried and nervous Well let me tell you that he was right -- it took a month plus for me to be back to normal. It will subside I promise once you are all healed up you wont have the problem!

I wouldn't wait til the 27th, that's a long time to suffer needlessly if that's the case. Call and try and get in tomorrow.

I got banded at 213 lbs on Feb. 8th. I am now at exactly 199, and am exactly 5'1". My BMI is around 40 or 39.8 which is considered super obese (just a hair under morbidly obese) We are all trying to get healthy and overcome our addictions to food and poor habits. I applaud anyone at any age or weight who is taking this journey!

First report after the big day! I have to say, this was a bigger ordeal than I expected. I am home from the hospital since yesterday afternoon; surgery was around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. I couldn't sleep at all the night before the surgery. Normally, I never have any trouble, but one of my colleagues said, "You won't sleep a wink the night before...." which came true. The power of suggestion, I guess. I did stay overnight at the hospital and am very glad I did, due to the constant monitoring and dosing of pain meds, heparin shots, etc. The worst thing was feeling a need to use the restroom constantly while needing a nurse to unhook iv, oxygen, leg massager thingies, etc. Then not being able to go once reaching the rr. All in all, a terrible night! The pain was more than expected. My belly is all black and blue from the heparin shots, incisions, etc. I am walking around as much as I can.day; daughter and son in law coming over later. Do not refuse help! It is very comforting!I have needed to take the pain meds during the night, although it is better during the day. My son stayed with me all day yesterday.

Hi Everyone! Just thought I would check in today, 6 days post-op. Things are improving both pain-wise and food-wise. I wasn't able to have my Protein Shakes post-op due to the fact that the thought of more sweet liquid made me gag, but today I mixed my Suncoast Bariatric shake with skim milk, drank 4 oz. of it, kept it down and no instant diarrhea. So that is progress! I've been off the narcotic pain killer med since Sunday. Today I had a recurrence of left shoulder pain- not sure why since that has been gone since Saturday. I did go for a short walk outside in the warm sunshine which was nice! Each day is getting better! I am planning to go back to work next Monday, Feb. 20th. The whole surgery was more than I expected, but I am adjusting and can say....thank God for Greek yogurt! (We Greeks are doing something right! LOL!)

Yes life does get better! For either good or bad I am one of those bandsters who can basically eat anything. I choose not to eat pizza everyday (which at one point of my life I did. No kidding). I try to eat by the 95/5% rule. Eat correctly 95% of the time and enjoy your treats the other 5%. The only bread I've had trouble with is cheap rolls you get at low end restaurants. I reallllyy really like bread so I choose my battles. If there is good bread to be had I can have some but I choose not to eat lesser bread the rest of the time. I don't tend to eat sandwiches because the bread is not the star of the sandwhich so only have the filling. You will be able to eat out again you will just need to choose healthy foods and to probably pack up half of what you are served.

How you feel is totally normal. The first couple of weeks are all about healing. With each passing day, you should start to feel a little bit better. You have lost 22 pounds and that is amazing. Try to focus on that and not what you look like in a mirror. It took me about a month to feel completely normal again and the weight is coming off (I don't mind the mirror now, as much as I used to). Drink a little, walk a little, take your pain meds when required and get lots of rest...and you too, will feel better. Good luck and keep us posted.
PS..Bread and Peanut Butter are two things that I have to avoid or I get stuck, but toast is okay. I can eat pretty much anything else, just not large amounts of it.

I agree with the other replies, you're going to be fine. I remember walking (hobbling) down the street a few days after my surgery, every step painful and just feeling like I had destroyed my body. It hurt so much to breathe that I was taking these little shallow breaths, until my body would suddenly take over and sharply inhale... which hurt like a mother. I was having crappy Soup and little sips of this and that through out the day. Everything was disgusting, everything made me feel sick... and I really did feel like I had ruined my life. What kind of person does this to themselves, etc....
A week later I felt absolutely fine. I am only a little over two weeks post op today, and I have felt absolutely dandy for awhile now. No problems whatsoever.
As far as eating in the future goes... I refuse to let myself mourn the fact that I will no longer be able to stuff my face with an entire pepperoni pizza while I watch a movie, or order the super sized version of everything and pig out... People with bands seem to be able to eat mostly anything, in small doses... which is what I have basically wished for my entire life, that I could do that. If it turns out I won't be able to eat something... well, I consider that a small price to pay given what I am likely to gain in return.
Chin up, you'll feel better. Much better

You are going to be fine. What you are feeling is normal for most but by next week you will say to yourself...what was I thinking. You will gradually graduate up to eating some of the things you once ate. Right now your stomach is swollen and you need to give it time to heal. Crush your pills and take them with a little apple sauce, well this is what I was able to do. Just check with your dr.

I have had the same thoughts and sometimes feel depressed that eating will be completely different for me, but then again, that's what got me in this spot in the first place. And then I think of one of the main reasons I did this....my grandkids. When I see their faces I know I'd do anything for them, and if eating healthy is what keeps me around a little longer to watch them grow up, then so be it.

It does get better. You will definately be able to Soups and most other foods. As far as bread goes, every bandster is different - some have no problem with bread, others need bread to be toasted, and some can't tolerate bread at all. I don't know if I can eat bread because I haven't tried; I haven't wanted to.
Rest, heal, and follow your doctor's dietary recommendations. You will be fine.
Since I have been banded, I survived (and enjoyed!) Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have eaten at restaurants. I have had pizza and Chinese delivery. I have been to Disney and eaten there. Last night, I had 2 cups of air popped popcorn with a tablespoon of real butter.
Life didn't stop because I have a band; life did stop being about food. My food choices have become more about what my body needs because giving my body the quality it needs makes me feel better. Because I am eating slower, I take the time to savor my food.
Good luck on your journey to good health. I hope you enjoy life as a bandster as much as I do.

You're not alone! I was feeling pretty awful at one week out, but now I'm a whopping two weeks and one day post surgery and I feel much better. Hang tough! One thing that swayed me toward this surgery is the overwhelmingly positive attitude that banded people have about their bands.

I am one week post op. Yesterday my surgeon's office said that these shoulder pains can last off and on for 2 months! The reason I asked them is my pains had stopped last Sunday, but started up again in the upper left shoulder yesterday. Gas X is very helpful. Good luck!

Hi Everyone! Just thought I would check in today, 6 days post-op. Things are improving both pain-wise and food-wise. I wasn't able to have my Protein Shakes post-op due to the fact that the thought of more sweet liquid made me gag, but today I mixed my Suncoast Bariatric shake with skim milk, drank 4 oz. of it, kept it down and no instant diarrhea. So that is progress! I've been off the narcotic pain killer med since Sunday. Today I had a recurrence of left shoulder pain- not sure why since that has been gone since Saturday. I did go for a short walk outside in the warm sunshine which was nice! Each day is getting better! I am planning to go back to work next Monday, Feb. 20th. The whole surgery was more than I expected, but I am adjusting and can say....thank God for Greek yogurt! (We Greeks are doing something right! LOL!)

Hi Everyone! Just thought I would check in today, 6 days post-op. Things are improving both pain-wise and food-wise. I wasn't able to have my Protein Shakes post-op due to the fact that the thought of more sweet liquid made me gag, but today I mixed my Suncoast Bariatric shake with skim milk, drank 4 oz. of it, kept it down and no instant diarrhea. So that is progress! I've been off the narcotic pain killer med since Sunday. Today I had a recurrence of left shoulder pain- not sure why since that has been gone since Saturday. I did go for a short walk outside in the warm sunshine which was nice! Each day is getting better! I am planning to go back to work next Monday, Feb. 20th. The whole surgery was more than I expected, but I am adjusting and can say....thank God for Greek yogurt! (We Greeks are doing something right! LOL!)

Hi Everyone! Just thought I would check in today, 6 days post-op. Things are improving both pain-wise and food-wise. I wasn't able to have my Protein Shakes post-op due to the fact that the thought of more sweet liquid made me gag, but today I mixed my Suncoast Bariatric shake with skim milk, drank 4 oz. of it, kept it down and no instant diarrhea. So that is progress! I've been off the narcotic pain killer med since Sunday. Today I had a recurrence of left shoulder pain- not sure why since that has been gone since Saturday. I did go for a short walk outside in the warm sunshine which was nice! Each day is getting better! I am planning to go back to work next Monday, Feb. 20th. The whole surgery was more than I expected, but I am adjusting and can say....thank God for Greek yogurt! (We Greeks are doing something right! LOL!)

Just checking in 4 days post-op. Wish I could say that I was feeling greAT but that would be a lie. I stopped the narcotic painkiller last night so maybe that is why. Today was pretty bad, although I am staying awake more and sleeping less. I still am existing on cream of chicken Soup since I can't tolerate the Protein Shakes, so am worried about losing muscle during this period. Tomorrow I will call the surgeon's office for some tips on what to do. Have been plagued by diarrhea since early this a.m. which also is leaving me weak and restless. Each day is getting better than the day before, though, so that is a hopeful step. Good luck to everyone else getting banded in Feb. By next month we will all be old pros at this.
Marianna

B- minus 11 hours......Yes, folks, I have 11 hours until I have to be at the hospital for my surgery!
I have to be at Palms of Pasadena Hospital on St Pete Beach/ Gulfport tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. I am 4th in line for the surgery. I am so nervous I don't know what to do with myself. I haven't had my last supper yet, but I will soon. Have packed my little bag and am almost ready to roll. It takes an hour to get to the hospital so my son Tommy is going to sleep over and drive me down there in the morning. Alarm is set for 5:00 a.m.
Marianna
Wish me luck everyone!!!!!!!! !

Just checking in 4 days post-op. Wish I could say that I was feeling greAT but that would be a lie. I stopped the narcotic painkiller last night so maybe that is why. Today was pretty bad, although I am staying awake more and sleeping less. I still am existing on cream of chicken Soup since I can't tolerate the Protein Shakes, so am worried about losing muscle during this period. Tomorrow I will call the surgeon's office for some tips on what to do. Have been plagued by diarrhea since early this a.m. which also is leaving me weak and restless. Each day is getting better than the day before, though, so that is a hopeful step. Good luck to everyone else getting banded in Feb. By next month we will all be old pros at this.
Marianna

Hi Heather,
I am 3 days post op (surgery was Feb. 8th) and am doing a bit better today. This was much more of an ordeal than I expected (OMG yes!). I am on full liquids for 2 weeks then 2 weeks of mushies. Have had very little appetite so far. The pain from the incisions and the gas really knocks your socks off! I am keeping a chart of all the meds and the times I take them. It is too easy to OD on the vicodin/acetominaphen elixir. I am down to one morning nap and one p.m. nap as of today. I have had a couple of 2 hour periods of time PAIN FREE where I have been feeling almost normal, but then the pain comes on fast! So it is all about listening to your body and doing what it needs!
I am taking off work until next Thursday- and if I feel that's too soon, will also take off Thurs. and Friday. I just will see how it goes. Today I had a half cup of 98% fat free cream of chicken Soup and it was delicious. For dinner I might have the same or perhaps some Greek yogurt. It's a waiting game!

First report after the big day! I have to say, this was a bigger ordeal than I expected. I am home from the hospital since yesterday afternoon; surgery was around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. I couldn't sleep at all the night before the surgery. Normally, I never have any trouble, but one of my colleagues said, "You won't sleep a wink the night before...." which came true. The power of suggestion, I guess. I did stay overnight at the hospital and am very glad I did, due to the constant monitoring and dosing of pain meds, heparin shots, etc. The worst thing was feeling a need to use the restroom constantly while needing a nurse to unhook iv, oxygen, leg massager thingies, etc. Then not being able to go once reaching the rr. All in all, a terrible night! The pain was more than expected. My belly is all black and blue from the heparin shots, incisions, etc. I am walking around as much as I can.day; daughter and son in law coming over later. Do not refuse help! It is very comforting!I have needed to take the pain meds during the night, although it is better during the day. My son stayed with me all day yesterday.

B- minus 11 hours......Yes, folks, I have 11 hours until I have to be at the hospital for my surgery!
I have to be at Palms of Pasadena Hospital on St Pete Beach/ Gulfport tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. I am 4th in line for the surgery. I am so nervous I don't know what to do with myself. I haven't had my last supper yet, but I will soon. Have packed my little bag and am almost ready to roll. It takes an hour to get to the hospital so my son Tommy is going to sleep over and drive me down there in the morning. Alarm is set for 5:00 a.m.
Marianna
Wish me luck everyone!!!!!!!! !

B- minus 11 hours......Yes, folks, I have 11 hours until I have to be at the hospital for my surgery!
I have to be at Palms of Pasadena Hospital on St Pete Beach/ Gulfport tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. I am 4th in line for the surgery. I am so nervous I don't know what to do with myself. I haven't had my last supper yet, but I will soon. Have packed my little bag and am almost ready to roll. It takes an hour to get to the hospital so my son Tommy is going to sleep over and drive me down there in the morning. Alarm is set for 5:00 a.m.
Marianna
Wish me luck everyone!!!!!!!! !