BeeBlueHeron

Hi all! I'm scheduled to have the sleeve on January 17. I'm very excited but also very nervous. I'm having it in Mexico, where I got my band, which I was VERY happy with. I needed to have it removed for reasons unrelated to the band itself. I'm very hopeful but worried -- I have to spend so much more time down there after the surgery -- four extra days! I know that's for my own good, with the barium swallow to check for leaks, et al. Any wise words of encouragement from those who have gone before? Should I bring an abdominal binder? That was so helpful after the band. Thank you! Blue (pics are before lap band surgery, August 2012. and me in September of this year -- before I put on an additional 15 pounds!)

Thank you! How are you feeling? Sent from my SM-N920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Topaz -- I'm going to Dr. Ortiz, same as before. Who are you seeing? [emoji4] Sent from my SM-N920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi -- I posted this before, but I may have not been as specific as I should have been.....I'm not so much worried about the travel as I am about the actual surgery, and being alone in the hotel after the lap-band has been placed. I have the surgery on August 27 with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. Has anyone else done this on their own? Thank you so much, Blue

I'm one week post op, but wanted to post back here to say that I don't know how I would have gotten through this week without an abdominal binder. It's like a thick belt or corset with velcro (you can get them at CVS or Rite-Aid, or may need to special order for larger sizes). It sort of holds everything in, and makes it so much easier to sleep, and walk, and basically do everything! This was not something that my surgeon even mentioned -- it was only because a friend, who had Lap-Band surgery last year, brought one over before my surgery that I even knew it existed. Just a tip I thought I'd share from the other side! Check them out! Blue

Down to 179.5, a loss of 8 pounds!

I woke up this morning with the worst case of bed spins and they won't seem to go away. I'm not on any heavy duty meds -- but last night I took half an Immodium for diarrhea and some liquid Tylenol, along with .25 mg of an anti-anxiety pill. I think I drank all my fluids, but could I be dehydrated? I used to pay good money to get this feeling! Now, it's just annoying and nauseating. Suggestions? Blue

My doctor told me "liquid in, liquid out." You'll "firm up" when you start having puddings, runny mashed potatoes, etc. Good luck!!!

Hey Rox, I haven't lost any weight in three days -- banded 8/27. I think (gulp!) I've been eating too few calories -- sometimes not able to eat over 700 or 800 a day. Really trying to make myself eat LOTS of protein now (protein first!) and try to get up to 1100. I also have NOT been exercising. But I agree with LiveStrong -- the journey doesn't really begin until we get that first fill -- our bodies are still healing! The weight loss we've gotten in the last few weeks is just an appetizer (to use a bad comparison LOL), the meal hasn't even started yet! Blue

I'm just FULL of questions today, aren't I? I've found that the doctor must have given me a total betadine bath -- I'm covered with yellow ****! It's under and above my breasts, in the folds of my waist, all over. I've taken two showers since the implant but it just won't come off! Please tell me I won't spend the rest of my life looking like a Simpson! Blue

A bovie machine? That sounds like it has to do with cows....mooo! But seriously, that's what it is, because there's a clean strip going through it. Something was definitely taped to me!

Too funny, Terry! :lol: :lol: (And I STILL have some weird residual goo on my legs....what did they DO to me??)

I had my surgery last Monday, today is Tuesday, and I start a new job. Luckily, I think I only need to put in about a half day, then go back this evening, so I'll have some afternoon down time. I'm excited and frightened....no one there knows about my WLS and I don't have to tell them! I'm still wearing a binder under my clothes, and haven't been feeling 100 percent yet, but if I take it nice and slow..... I'll report back later! Blue

Not quite sure how to friend people.....but I'm BeeBlueHeron.....would love to get some lap band buddies on there with me!

What an achievement! Lucky you!

Ohhhh....well, keep posting and venting! That's what we're here for!

Somehow I developed a tickle in my throat last night -- I was sick a couple of weeks before I got banded, so maybe that was it, or allergies....who knows? I spent an awful night coughing, trying not to cough, worrying about coughing.....it's quite painful when you're newly banded. First of all, thank God I have an abdominal binder. If your surgeon hasn't suggested one, I recommend getting one for early recovery. It's like a velcro girdle that just holds everything in place. Second, I develop crazy monkey mind after midnight....I was up in absolute terror that during a particularly robust cough I was either going to slip my band (it's kind of like the same movement as vomiting, right?) or I was going to open my incision and send my port shooting across the room. I didn't get to sleep until three, mostly out of worry.....gah! This morning I still have a little cough (I sneezed a few times too, also not fun) but everything seems to be in place. Anyone else have a cough in early recovery? Blue

Definitely try some other brands! It shouldn't make you a sour puss! Blue

Really interesting topic -- i was on Celexa and Clonazepam for years to treat depression and anxiety but always felt like it was a "crutch," (I'm also clean and sober for 14 years, so I felt like I was "cheating"), so over the course of about a year, I slooooowly went off of them under a doctor's care. I had been medication free for about a year, when maybe a month before my surgery I started having uncontrollable panic attacks again. Went back on small dose of clonazepam (.25 mg) a day, and boy did it help! I have only realized over the last few days that I definitely am exhibiting the signs of depression again (even pre-op) -- listlessness, isolation, that "veil" between me and life -- if you have depression, you'll know what I'm talking about! So I'm considering discussing with my doctor starting on Celexa again. I got off all the stuff because I thought it was interfering with my ability to lose weight -- but that was my EATING! Ohhhhhh..... So I would love any advice on taking antidepressants post-surg as well. I know we're all snowflakes, and I'll talk to my doc for sure, but had just been thinking about the same thing when this thread showed up.... Blue

I flew in the day before my surgery and flew out the day after.....I wore compression stockings during the surgery but that was about it. I was given a shot in my thigh to guard against blood clots just before the operation. :-)

Congrats to both of you! Way to go with the good attitude!!! I'm a week post-op today and still having a lot of tenderness in my tummy, but feeling much better every day. Best of luck!

That's great to know.....I start a new job on Tuesday so I hope I'm all better for that. You're about a week ahead of me, hope I feel great by then too!

I think I'm friends with most of you, but if anyone wants to be my Fitness Pal, my username is BeeBlueHeron. Thanks!

Six days post op here. Good for you!!! I feel like I'm "eating" too much liquid, but I added it all up today on My Fitness Pal and it's still under 700 calories, so I guess the band is working already! Stay hydrated and take it easy. Blue

They are truly amazing, I could eat them all the time -- but let's admit it, they are full of fat, even if it's the good kind. I doubt they would count as an "unlimited veggie." I was told just greens, mushrooms, and tomatoes. I would ask your doctor.....but you might not like the answer!