Erin O'Donnell

Hey everyone! So I kind of debated whether or not I should put my YouTube channel out there or not..and I've decided that I will. I think it could be helpful..maybe?...to some people. It's just vlogs about me and my progress with Lapband. Here's the link to my latest video if anybody is interested lol:
That's it! Hope everyone is doing well!
-Erin

sorry hon, opposite problem here; I have plenty of feeling at my port site. To the point I have tenderness.

Haven't been banded yet, but when I had my hysterectomy I had the same thing over my incision. It's just the healing process.
I'd still ask your Dr. That's why they make the big bucks.

Feeling nervous is totally normal, especially with something like lap band that requires a serious life style change. I am only about a week post op, but once the surgery was done I felt a little silly for feeling as nervous as I did prior to my operation lol! The surgery it self is a breeze (assuming you have a good doctor and good nurses) and even recovery isn't terribly bad, though everyone is different. But I'd say that if you don't have any adverse reactions to the anesthesia (nausea...) and plenty of pain meds, than there's not much else to worry about. good luck with your surgery! Feels good to be on the other side

Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear this is what you've had to listen to your whole life! I'm the only obese person in my family. In fact, I have 3 gorgeous, thin, talented younger sisters, and 2 handsome an cute younger brothers, none of which struggle with weight by any stretch of the imagination. This js true of my entire family; aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. They could eat anything they wanted all day long and suffer no consequences. All I ever want to do is go shopping with my sisters and buy stuff from the same stores but my family is so so supportive and never put me down for my weight. I can't imagine what I'd be like today had I not had the positive support of my family. I went through a period as a child where my step mom would make underhanded comments about/towards me and it really made me feel bad. I'd go cry to my mom about it all the time, but that was put to an end and my relationship with my step mom is great! Just know that we're all beautiful.. You don't have to be thin to be beautiful. Good luck with your journey! I wish you nothing but the best!

Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear this is what you've had to listen to your whole life! I'm the only obese person in my family. In fact, I have 3 gorgeous, thin, talented younger sisters, and 2 handsome an cute younger brothers, none of which struggle with weight by any stretch of the imagination. This js true of my entire family; aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. They could eat anything they wanted all day long and suffer no consequences. All I ever want to do is go shopping with my sisters and buy stuff from the same stores but my family is so so supportive and never put me down for my weight. I can't imagine what I'd be like today had I not had the positive support of my family. I went through a period as a child where my step mom would make underhanded comments about/towards me and it really made me feel bad. I'd go cry to my mom about it all the time, but that was put to an end and my relationship with my step mom is great! Just know that we're all beautiful.. You don't have to be thin to be beautiful. Good luck with your journey! I wish you nothing but the best!

Thank you everyone! I feel a lot better about it now. I know it's no fun but I know it's not really the end of the world either

Oh and I'm 20, also in college! I don't live at home while attending school though. I start classes on Thursday! :/ it should be interesting going through this huge life changing surgery while also in college. It'll be a challenge but it's gotta happen. I'm only 5 days post op and will only be 10 days post op when i start school. Yikes! Well, good luck with this and attending school!

Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear this is what you've had to listen to your whole life! I'm the only obese person in my family. In fact, I have 3 gorgeous, thin, talented younger sisters, and 2 handsome an cute younger brothers, none of which struggle with weight by any stretch of the imagination. This js true of my entire family; aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. They could eat anything they wanted all day long and suffer no consequences. All I ever want to do is go shopping with my sisters and buy stuff from the same stores but my family is so so supportive and never put me down for my weight. I can't imagine what I'd be like today had I not had the positive support of my family. I went through a period as a child where my step mom would make underhanded comments about/towards me and it really made me feel bad. I'd go cry to my mom about it all the time, but that was put to an end and my relationship with my step mom is great! Just know that we're all beautiful.. You don't have to be thin to be beautiful. Good luck with your journey! I wish you nothing but the best!

I'm day 5 post op and I've been drinking tons of water. I've also been drinking chicken broth and Vitamin Water Zero. The vitamin water is really good. It's flavorful and gives you the vitamins you need. I've also had wonton(sp?) soup, minus the wontons and that was good.

My first goal post op is trying to go the rest of the day with out taking the pain meds. I think I got to comfortable taking them and now if I feel sore it feels worse then it probably actually is. I've got 1 dose left in my first bottle and then I have a second bottle that I haven't opened yet. Trying to save some for when I start back at school next week. Man these past 4 days have kicked my butt :/
P.S. I have a YouTube account! I've made a few videos and plan to make them weekly my user name is erinmodonnell92

Hello! So I'm day 3 (or 4?) post op but I'm already beginning to worry about getting those 'stuck' episodes. I've always been terrified of throwing up and even with a stomach bug rarely throw up. If I'm understanding correctly, when you get stuck you have to kind of burp it up, right? Is it really that bad? Is there anyone out there who have never experienced a 'stuck' episode? I want to avoid them at all costs after reading what it's like. Is that even possible? :/

Take a moment, sometime before the surgery, and close your eyes. Remember all of the things that you might have done BEFORE. The food choices, the emotions you felt when you maybe might have eaten too much. Think about the times you were embarrassed about your clothes, finding a comfortable place to sit or a time when everyone else was ok and you were out of breath from a short walk.
Then I want you to push that away from you and remember that after tomorrow, everyday will be one day further from all those hurtful, maybe even unhappy times. And when you have a moment of doubt and you think that changing your habits is too hard on this journey (because you might just have those days!) say to yourself, " Nobody said it would be easy. They only said it would be worth it."
Good Luck and keep us posted.

I'm on day 3 and am definately more sore and swollen than before. I think I simply did too much yesterday afternoon (too much bending) so I took it really easy today. I'm hoping to wake up in the morning feeling much better. I started thick liquids today, so far so good. It also gave me something to put my crushed meds into. Pills that looked small enough pre surg now scare the heck out of me! This really is a journey, so glad we have each other here!

Day 3 has been better than day 2 for me but I feel so full of gas that I might float away! I have been walking around and around, started peppermint tea and gas x. I hope tomorrow is better! I had my gallbladder out last year and I remember my biggest problem was the gas. I at least haven't felt nauseous today so that's a step in the right direction!

I am day 2 post-op also. Luckily I have had no nausea, but I am pretty sore today. Much more than yesterday. I find it hard to get up from the seated position. Ouch! I am hoping that tomorrow will be a little better. Good luck!

Congratulations. It does feel good to post in post op threads!

I'm in tomorrow. Waiting on the hospital call for a time:) soooo nervous. But the fact ur doing well,
Ames me a little more at ease. So happy for u.

Thank you!!

Welcome to your new life. Everything will go great, you both are on your way to a healthy life !

Congrats to you!!!!! Your new life has begun!!!!!
5/28/12 pre-op diet started (217lbs) 6/14/12 Surgery 1.8cc added to 10cc band (205lbs). 7/17/12 1st fill (194lbs). 7/24/12 (191lbs) 7/30/12 (187lbs)