DeesDiary

I'm on week three and just this week really feel normal. I can lay on my port side without discomfort and bend over to pick things up. I had a suture come to the surface so have been using H 2O2 and neosporin and band aid since it is right at the waistband area. Dr says its superficial no infection. I get my first fill 4-11. Not looking forward to the "stick" in my belly but not really felling restriction as early in the meal as I think I should. Down 18 lbs since pre-op but only 7 since surgery. I know I'm expecting too much too fast. Don't rush the recovery it will come as your body is ready. D

I'm almost three weeks post op and am on to reg food with some restrictions regarding stringy meats, bread (never again) , etc. I am experiencing lose bowels within an hour of eating and wonder if I am overeating or if it's just my bodies reaction to solids.

sassybee Glad you figured out what was causing it. D

gboreing I was banded on the 9th as well. I have been feeling great and moving about without any problems. I have not had the nausea but do know when you vomit you use some of those abdominal muscles not generally used, add to that the surgery and the port being sutured to one of those muscles and I think you can explain the discomfort. What I am having is some pain issues and muscle issues where the port it. I also have a bit of drainage from my biggest incision, call into the doc and waiting on a return call. I've done all I can to keep things clean but this incision is right at the waistband and I think it just got rubbed. The port area isn't tender to touch it is movement in one direction so I am assuming it is the muscle the port is sutured to. D trenai77 Good luck today........keep us posted

Violet and Neekoal I am using three types of protein drinks......I use the Gold Standard powder in the morning 1 heaping scoop to 8oz of 1% milk in the blender then add 2 ice cubes and blend...stick it in the freezer for 30 min and drink it on my way to work. I take either a Slim Fast Carb Smart or an EAS Carb smart shake with me. Most days I get the one at work down between 3-5. It has been really hard to get the third shake in. So at best I get about 42gm protein a day. I am just now at the mashed potato, oatmeal portion of the post-op diet. I had tomato soup last night and a couple of crackers then made a smoothie with choc. powder, vanilla extract, water, and 1tsp of strawberry jello powder......Wasn't bad at all but getting that third shake down is difficult. I have my first follow-up Tues. the 27th and then my fill is April 11....if I need one. Not sure I am feeling the restriction I should, but then when you only drink, vs eat it's difficult to tell. D

Lisanj I was banded on the 9th as well. I am not having any problems with depression but it is a common side effect of general anesthesia. It could be you are just feeling left out. It is hard to sit around and watch others eat. I have been cooking for Chris in the evenings but I sit there eating my soup and jello while he eats whatever I fixed. The first day back to work, Wed. everyone went to lunch as usual.........I had to sit in my office sipping broth, and jello. Meals are a big social event. Soon we will be able to enjoy the same foods........smaller portions but the same food. We have made the right decision for US. WE CAN DO THIS.... D

Neekoal Glad to hear that WE had him pegged wrong. I would had to have a group of March Bandsters show up at your door!! LOL It's great to have him in your corner. Keep up the good work.......it will pay off sooner than later. D

Ladies The moderator in that group bashing bands needs to be reported. There should never be bashing or anything negative about any members procedure in a support group at all. I suggest you do two things. 1. Report the behavior to the sponsor of the group and 2. FIND ANOTHER GROUP. D

neekoal FIRST: You did not runi anything. I am amazed you were able to drink that much so soon, but everyone is different. Take it slow with fluids, the last thing you want is to throw-up and risk your band slipping. SECOND: You have been filled with gas, have lot's of swelling in your abdomen, and have retained lot's of fluids soooooooooooo weight is going to be up a bit. Weigh when you feel like it not when somone else wants you too. THIRD: I mean no disrespect here............get your husband educated on just what the band is.........a tool, a procedure, not a MIRACLE weight loss solution. It will take both of you to be successful in this journey. While he is eating his chicken dinner you will be eating broth, jello, and protein shakes the first few weeks. He needs to support you, be positive and not critical. (I am not saying he is, I am just saying we need someone with a positive vs negative support mindset in our corner. The journey is difficult enough! My surgeon suggested 30min/6oz of fluid. My first day post-op, 3/10 it was all I could do to get 3oz/6hrs LOL I am on post-op day 7, yesterday was the first day I managed to get my full amount of protein in. So it is a slow process, One Day at a time, One Step at a time. This forum is fabulous for support and good information. WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER.

That is the key.....One Day at a Time.........everyone is different, that's what makes this forum so helpful. We can do this together

yvonne74 I know, it is a strange feeling........not being hungry and "HAVING" to eat, well drink. I got one shake down yesterday, some jello and about a 1/4 cup of broth....OH and a fudgecicle. But really, I am not hungry and worry about drinking too much....I do not want to vomit.

Paul and Judy... Good luck and see you on the other side, your journey begins NOW! Karla0306 and Gboreing: I was banded on the 9th and still have some gas. Mostly when I stand up or lay on my back. It seems to hit my chest and sit there then hits my shoulder. It's getting less frequent and I find that trying to burp and raising my arms above my head helps as well as panting as it hits is much better than holding my breath or clinching down. I'm not sure gas ex is effective for this type of gas, this is what's trapped under the diaphragm not intestinal. The other issue is not getting constipated,so if you haven had a BM since Friday or before it's time for a laxative. Are either one of you having trouble getting your protein drinks down? I'm simply not hungry and it takes me an hue or more to drink a 10 oz shake!!!

Yvonne74 I know what you mean. It took me almost 2 hours to get a 10 oz shake down this morning. It's not that I'm full it's that I'm simply not hungry. I have never been a water drinker so trying to get even 1 bottle a day down is a push for me. How's the gas for you. I keep getting gas bubbles in my chest when I stand up or lay flat. I still can't lay on my L side, it's just too tender. D

Dhales I think they all have flavor. Vanilla would be the one I think would add less flavor to other foods. D

That's a new one for me. But each doc is different in requirements. I'll be googling that to see if there's science behind it. D

Dhales I know exactly what you mean. I was dreading no diet coke. I'm would wake up with diet coke and drink it all day at work. Since surgery I haven't craved it. I don't really care for hot beverages except hot chocolate! I am having caffeine headaches I think and am looking for something with caffeine. D

It's funny how each physician has his own pre-op diets but the idea is to shrink the liver making it easier to manipulate during surgery. I weighed this morning and have lost 11lbs since my pre-op diet on the 9th. D