ElizabethAnne

Thanks, Julie and Jepegurl for your responses. The NP called back and asked a lot of questions. She said she doesn't know for sure, but she wonders if it's related to nasal drainage. She suggested I take my Zyrtec at night instead of in the morning after I return from my walk. She also suggested that I drink a portion of my protein supplement before I leave for my walk, so I plan to try both of her suggestions. I am very relieved...I was worried my body was rejecting my new band.

I'm ashamed to admit that I cheated. I was supposed to eat 1400 calories or less daily for the two week time period before surgery. I struggled terribly for a few days and went over my calorie limit with healthy foods. I did a lot of extra exercise then and with that considered, I was likely under my calorie limit, but I still felt guilty. I ended up telling the nurse who called me a few days before surgery. She told me not to mention it unless it came up. However, I felt the need to be honest, so I told my surgeon the day of surgery. I could tell by his body language that he was not pleased. Prior to this, during our small group pre-op meeting, his NP had warned us about gaining weight before surgery, saying that our surgeon had cancelled surgeries that week due to weight gain. According to my scales, I had lost 40+ pounds since I last saw my surgeon in January, so I pointed out to him that I had been working really hard to lose weight since I last saw him and explained that I didn't know what had happened to me on those days of the pre-op diet. He listened to everything I said, then asked how much weight I had lost. (The nurse who prepared me for surgery that morning had told me that my weight was not required on the day of surgery, so he truly didn't know.) I answered him while he wrote notes in my file. He is a man of few words, so that was the extent of our conversation. The next thing I knew, he told me we would be headed to surgery as soon as they had me ready. Right then, I felt like a horrible failure; he didn't say or do anything to make me feel that way but rather I chose not to follow his instructions and felt ashamed. Try your hardest not to cheat so that you can be proud of your pre-op diet efforts.

Glad to read you're doing well. I am still experiencing nausea at odd times throughout the day. I called my surgeon's NP this morning and left a message. I am worried that my body is rejecting the band. I don't have any hunger either, but I am having unusual food cravings. Tomorrow I get to progress to a new list of foods and can hardly wait to eat some cottage cheese, which isn't a food I have ever craved. If I were craving French fries, pizza, and chocolate, I would understand.

Congratulations on your engagement! I understand why you're scared. Take some deep breaths and try to relax. You will get through this. Just ask for help when you need it.

Is anyone having nausea? I am still having nausea (my surgery was 6-5), which makes me worry that my body is rejecting my band.

I'm sorry the meds aren't working for you, but it's great to know that you are feeling better. Every new day will hopefully be a little better than the last one. Today, I rode in the vehicle about 2 1/2 hours and needed a pain pill before we arrived back home. Strangely, I think the seat belt and the movement of my bra irritated my incision sites, especially the incision area just below my bra.

I was banded on 6-5. I had extreme nausea the day of surgery and some short bouts (an hour or less) of nausea each day since, but I haven't had any real pain. I have had to take medicine for the nausea because I'm not patient enough to see if it will go away on it's own. I am normally a side sleeper, but I am comfortable only on my back. On the day of surgery, I walked some before the procedure while I waited, and I walked a little around the house after I got home from surgery, definitely less than a mile, because I was told to walk to help keep blood clots from forming. The next day, I walked 3 miles outside. Yesterday, I walked 6 miles with no problem. However, today, I walked 4 miles early this morning with no issues, but when I walked 2 more miles this afternoon, I was struggling before I got back home, and I felt lousy afterwards for about an hour. I never like heat and humidity, but it bothered me worse this afternoon than it generally does. Maybe it was the heat and humidity. Maybe I overdid it. Or perhaps it was the combination. I had a lot of swelling Tuesday-Thursday, so much that my abdomen felt "tight," but today the swelling is significantly better. I've been lucky and haven't had any gas pain. I've been getting all of my Protein in (60 grams) and at least 64+ ounces of Fluid daily. The nurse told me to drink as much as I possibly could to help remove the anesthetic from my body. The first day, it was very difficult, but the second day was a little easier, though I could hardly stand the taste of the Isopure I was relying on from protein. Then I was able to start regular liquids, and since then, it has been much easier. I have been drinking two Premier drinks (60 grams of protein together), then flavored Water or a low calorie juice drink. I am looking forward to having additional options next week. Hang in there. Every new day does seem to be a little better. And it will hopefully be worth it when we are completely healed.

Congratulations!

No, I didn't have a catheter. This may be TMI, but I thought it might be helpful to tell you about my experience. I expected to start my period a couple of days before surgery. When the pre-op nurse called a few days before surgery, I asked her about wearing a tampon. She told me it would be fine and said to tell my pre-op nurse when I arrived at the hospital. My period didn't start like I expected it to, but I inserted a tampon the morning of surgery, knowing my period could start at any moment. I explained this to the pre-op nurse. She gave me a pad and panties and told me to remove the tampon. It was no big deal.

I skipped my multivitamin the day of surgery but have taken it every day since.

I was told carbonation could stretch the pouch, though "flat" is fine.

Thanks for the tips, Deb! I will likely have trouble getting the protein in, too. I have been drinking two Premier shakes before I eat anything else, just to be sure to get my 60 grams in.

it's great to read that a protein bar filled you up. Can you recommend a good protein bar? I can't have any yet, but I am wondering what will work in the future. I LOVE the Kashi Mocha Almond type but don't know if I will be able to eat them now that I am banded. I am getting tired of the Premier shakes and know I won't want to take the time to make a smoothie in the morning. Morning hunger has never been as much of an issue for me.

Yay for you! You are doing so well---keep working hard!

Has your hunger diminished any since the fill?

I'm so happy to read you got a fill today, and I hope it makes a difference!

Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks Deb, Julie, and momab50 for your responses. I am so happy to be joining the "banded club" and am hoping I can do as well as the three of you have done! Your weigh losses are encouraging! I'm still nauseous today and am taking the medication for it, which helps a lot. Overall, though, I am feeling good, in fact better than I had anticipated, with only a little soreness in my stomach area and a scratchy throat. I've been drinking Isopure, which requires a lot of effort because it tastes terrible to me right now! But I will get through it because it seems to be the easiest way to get my protein in. My cat is clearly miffed at me because I won't allow him in the room with me. I decided I can't risk him leaping onto my stomach, and he just doesn't get it. Normally, he rules the place. Stay cool, Julie. I saw on the weather this morning that it's scorching in AZ.

Thanks, Julie! I was nervous this morning and questioning whether I should proceed. I've purposely stayed super busy today, which has helped keep my mind distracted. I have waited almost 3 years for this surgery and am confident I am doing what's best for me at this point in time, yet I am still doubting myself. I am going to walk extra miles this evening with the hope that I will be able to sleep some tonight. But if I can't, I will be burning extra calories to help make up for those cheating days. Thanks again for the good wishes! Stay cool!

This is embarrassing to admit, but I have been cheating on my pre-op diet. I don't know what is wrong with me, but it seems like I am hungrier than ever. When I was doing my pre-op diet the first time, I struggled mentally but adhered to it perfectly. Today is day 9, and I have only had two days that I have stuck to my 1400 calorie limit. Every single day, I plan to do better, but then my hunger ends up winning the battle. I haven't been going way over my calorie limit, and I have made good food choices, but multiple servings of cottage cheese and Greek yogurt do add up quickly. Most days, I've probably been over 200-400 calories, but I have continued to walk 5 miles daily, so at least I am not completely off-track. I have been debating for days about whether I should call my surgeon's office and confess. Normally, I am the type of person who would call and confess, but I feel like I have so much at risk. I am worried my surgery will be postponed, and I clearly can't stand the thought of that happening again. My husband doesn't think it's necessary for me to call since I have lost several pounds since last meeting with my surgeon in January. However, I don't want to risk a medical complication, and after reading posts on LBT, I worry most about having a fatty liver, which I know next-to-nothing about. I would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you!

Thanks for your input, SashaWLS, Julie, and Stephanie! I am doing better today. I haven't done anything differently, so I assume the excessive hunger, which seems to happen for a few consecutive days every month, has stemmed from a bio-chemical issue. Hopefully, I will be able to manage my hunger better from this point on.

Thanks for posting this topic, MomOf3in OC, and thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply! My surgery is scheduled for next week, and it's encouraging to read about individuals' experiences.

Yay for you! Keep working hard!

Deb, You're doing great! Congratulations on fitting into your jeans! The next time those negative thoughts start to enter your mind, physically carry a bag that contains the amount of weight you've lost. I used to do this when I would hit a plateau and become discouraged, and it truly helped me focus on my success. Keep working hard!

Congratulations on losing 30 pounds! That is fantastic! I'm glad to read it's going well. My surgery is next Tuesday, and once again, I am starting to question whether I should proceed. Reading about your success definitely helps, though, so thanks for posting an update. Keep working hard!