A New New Dawn

I was banded on 7/25 and had to stay overnight because of severe sleep apnea. Either I was way out of it and don't remember or was left alone but I don't think I was bothered at night at all. They had the inflatable booties on me to massage my calves so I wouldn't get blood clots. They brought me juice and broth as I wanted and I went home later the next morning. It was pretty uneventful. I had very little pain so I wanted to get up. The nurses were wanting to hold me and help me around and I felt fine (yes, I have a high tolerance for pain and once walked around for days w/ a ruptured appendix unknowingly - being overweight actually saved me in that instance). Nonetheless, my stay was uneventful. They gave me oral medicine (liquid Tylenol III) for the pain and that was sufficient. Good luck - no worries. Also, when they put the IV cathetor (sp) in the back of your hand, make sure it isn't too high up near your wrist. Mine was and I could hardly bend my wrist and over 2 weeks later it is still sensitive if I bump it. You will do great.

Awesome! What a great feeling.

If it is any consolation, it does get easier each day. Yes, food still smells great but as you start to see the scale going down that will release some of those endorphins to get you feeling good about what you are doing. If there is anyway for you to go for a walk or leave during their mealtime so it doesn't bother you as much, perhaps you could do that. Good luck!

That is very devastating news. For such a permanent and life-altering decision like that, could you get a 2nd opinion? I am noticing from this site that many surgeons approach things a bit different. Also, someone else mentioned they had to have theirs removed due to adhesions and were going to get the bypass. If you are able to get a 2nd opinion and it has to be removed, could you consider getting the "sleeve" (which is very similar to having the band)? I know no one wants another surgery but just thinking of options. Best of luck to you!

I, too, had my surgery 7/25. Same thing. I have lost 14 lbs since sugery all in the first week and nothing this past week. I am excited about the weight I have lost but going a week without when I know I am eating minimal calories is frustrating. I know it will happen so I am trucking along. They were celebrating our CFO's birthday at work with two delicious looking bakery cakes.... I wished her happy birthday and went back to my desk. Sure wish I could have had a piece but my conscience is keeping me on track. Sent my daughter back to college yesterday and managed to go out to lunch and felt complete with my cup of soup. We can do this!!!

What symptoms were you having that caused them to check for this? If you don't mind sharing, how much were you eating? I worry about this and just want to learn from your experience so hopefully I can prevent this too. Good luck to you!

Also, unless you are in the buff around your dog, and no bandages over the incisions I don't see where they would bother it (other than potentially jumping on you). I have 2 dogs that were my couch companions for the week I was home and recovering. For the first week I had a clear (fully sealed) bandage around each incision and under that guaze and steristrips covering them, plus my clothes. They are all healing nicely. My dogs both were sniffing my shirt though as they knew something was amiss.

My dietician said it can cause dehydration and increased appetite; however, isn't caffeine in most diet pills? Just sayin.... I think small doses here and there are harmless. Also, tea typically has much less caffeine than coffee and even decaf coffee has caffeine.

I suggest you try not to harbor the anger and sit down and have an open and honest discussion about how you need his support and the things he is doing to sabbotage it. Perhaps some reassurance that you love him, etc. and your love will grow stronger by him being supportive and encouraging. If you aren't able to have that conversation, perhaps some couples' counseling? Not to sound extreme but you deserve that. When I was married, my husband did similar things. He would want me to lose weight but sabbotage my efforts by foods he would buy or prepare, etc. If he was serving my plate, he would pile it high. It eventually became evident to me that, yah, he would love to have a "thin" me but was very insecure in himself and felt I would become more attractive to others. It was actually very subtle and controlling behavior in my situation. When I went for my pre-op appts, this also came up with the pyschologist. He said some men will get jealous as the woman loses weight (or vice versa) and as the other gets more attention, feels better about themself, etc. It sounds like your husband's comments, food purchases, etc. now are a subtle way of him trying to sabbotage this new lifestyle again. I hope you are able to stay strong, stay focused and not let his insecurities get the best of you. This isn't just for appearance, it is your health at stake. I hope you have a strong support system around you if he cannot be that for you, such as close family, friends, local support group, etc. Sorry you are going through this and perhaps you continuing to persevere and avoid those "muffins and icecream" too will help you feel good inside about what a strong person you have become! You deserve this - and yes, 2 lbs. a week is a great goal! Best of luck to you.

Also, can you drink regular (skim) milk? There were times I couldn't get the drinks down and my dietician said at least you get some Protein drinking milk (and you need the protein for your energy). I loathe protein drinks; however, I was able to tolerate the alternate "recipe" my doc gave of 1 packet of the (no sugar added) carnation instant breakfast (comes in blue box), mixed w/ a cup of skim milk and 2 1/2 T of powdered milk added (for extra protein). It was similar to chocolate milk. Or if you could get slimfast down, that has a lot of nutrients too. Everyone heals differently as I was up and about the next day and driving a couple days later, going to store, etc. You will be feeling good again soon and the regret will be a thing of the past. Lastly, I would talk to your doctor. I know I get severe nausea from anesthesia so they put a patch behind my ear that helped tremendously. Maybe something like that would help you get through this to eat and get your strength back. You have to get some nutients and Water in you though. Please keep up posted and good luck.

If you cut them, put water in your mouth and then drop them in while you still have water in your mouth. Everything (just about) makes me gag but that way I don't feel, nor taste them as they go right down with the water.

Are you also taking vitamins every day? If not, you should add that stat. Good luck!

Congrats! Stay active with people that are supportive of you too (this site, close friends/family, etc) and I felt the support groups my hospital offered (no charge) were great too and helped educate me and hear real stories of what to expect.

It is hard, no doubt. I am 2 weeks post-op and just moving on to mushy/soft food. Are you allowed a snack during the day? I had a protein shake in a.m., snack of a hard boiled egg and 1 pc of light toast, protein shake for lunch, 1 graham cracker w/ very small amount of peanut butter, then grilled chicken/veggies for dinner. I did that for 2 weeks and lost 10 lbs. I found having the snack during the day (which was endorsed by my dietician) gave me something to look forward to. It gets easier as the days go by. Food still smells so good to me, but thankfully, my conscience and my tummy won't let me have what my mind would like to! It will get easier!!! Good luck!

There is bagged popcorn that is very good called skinny POP. I get it at Costco. It is 39 calories for a cup.

Congrats! I was banded on the same day as well and agree with you! I am so excited about the days ahead and this forum is really helping me cope and know that I am not alone in my struggles and gives me a lot of encouragement and great ideas. Best of luck to you!

It's natural to be nervous, but if you are committed to this it is a wonderful tool to aid in a healthier, happier lifestyle. It won't be a walk in the park but will help you in your Quest. It's great that you are taking control of your health and weight at a young age. So many people I talk to say they wish they would have done it sooner as they have such a better quality of life now. Also, remember that this is reversible if you truly had complications from it later in life. Make sure to reach out to others for support via this site or support groups as you can get a lot of encouragement and great ideas to stay on track. It is a huge change in your lifestyle but once you can get past the mental challenge it poses, the physical benefits are so worth while. Best of luck to you!

Good luck to you! It is great that you are chosing to do this now before you have kids, etc. Best of luck to you. I am 10 days post-op. There were some difficult days after surgery adjusting to full liquids, etc. but the surgery itself wasn't that bad. I have been able to still cook for my family and my daughter baked cupcakes last night. They sure smelled good but I know that I can't have and don't need them and have been able to stay focused on my goal. From the 2 week pre-op diet to now I have lost 23 lbs and that is a great motivator. You can do it!

Are you exercising at all too? Also, the soup you are eating is it high sodium to where you may be retaining water? Lastly, I have heard many say to take measurements, sometimes what isn't reflected on the scale shows up in inches. Good luck.

The pain in your shoulder is actually a "referred" pain caused by your diaphram being irritated. I have seen several people say walking and/or gasx seemed to help. I was having this issue last night and kept walking it out and (gross-sorry) trying to expel any gassiness I could. When I woke up this morning it was much better. Good luck.

After your first fill do you notice a difference?

My surgeon has been doing the procedure for years and told me he has never had any problems with the surgeries. It was much easier than when I had an appendectomy. You will do fine!

Another thing... if you are on any medications, you may want to either get a pill cutter or talk to your doctor if it is a larger pill to see if there is a smaller size alternative. I am on BP meds and the pill is fairly large. I cut it into 4's.

The first couple days of the "fast" for me were difficult. However, I came to the mindset that I had to do it so it made it less of a "choice" in my mind. I do not like protein drinks but my nutritionist recommended the Carnation Instant Breakfast (NO sugar added - comes in a blue pkg), mixed with 2 1/2 T dry non-fat milk powder (extra protein) and 1 c. skim milk. I added ice as I prefer it really cold and it was pretty good. Once I saw the pounds going down it helped motivate me too! Good luck! Be prepared too for doing this post-surgery.

*Sorry, I should have clarified, I am one week POST-op. I had it done on 7/25. Good luck to you!