BeeBlueHeron

August 27 here -- I guess I'm doing okay. I feel like I have so many things that I have to take care of (kids starting school next week, starting a new job on Tuesday) but in reality the only thing I have to take care of today is myself. And maybe the living room, 'cause DAMN! Blue

Oh, Melissa, I'm sorry you're feeling so low! I'm no doctor, but it sounds like you had a reaction to the anesthesia! Poor thing! Just try to sip enough so that you don't get too dehydrated (which can make you feel nauseous), and let us know how today goes after you speak to your doctor. Hugs, Blue

I started off the day well, but as it's moved into evening, I'm feeling stiff and achey -- and a little tearful too. My husband has had to work all day, so with the exception of hot-and-cold teenage son, I've been alone, and lonely. I definitely developed a low-grade fever, but I'm sweating now, so that's on the way out. But I was really worried there for a minute! And whenever I bend over (like on the toilet tmi), I can feel the band, or the port, or something, sort of moving around in there. Also, my son attempted to amuse me with funny stories on the internet, and I laughed a couple of times so hard I was worried I slipped my band! I have a pillow to hold for coughs and laughs, but still.....just taking my own inventory way way too much today! Have had no problem ingesting Water, broth, tea, and popsicles. Burping a bit, but nothing serious (I don't think). I'm amazed by the people who are already working out in their second week! By the end of the day, I can barely get to the bathroom, stiff, achey, swollen. Thought I would share and maybe accept a pat or two on the head.

Congrats, Danielle! I got banded on August 27 too! Good luck to you, see you on the boards.... Blue

I'm brand new at banding, but have other issues I have to deal with one day at a time. Just do the very next right thing and try to stay in this day. I've heard that we (as addicts) can't think our way into right action, but we can act our way into right thinking.....sounds like getting a fill would be a good action, and then just let tomorrow take care of itself. Get one good day, and the rest will follow. My heart is with you.... Blue

Just what I needed to read.....was banded Monday, start work (at a new job) next Tuesday. Also a desk job, and I don't even have to put in a full day, but already worried -- and already wondering if I made the wrong decision getting a lap-band at all! Guess I'm definitely in the right place!!

Well, I've been told clear liquids for the first week, so I'm going to stick to that for now. Can't wait for the protein shakes and creamy soups next week!

I'm wearing one that a friend -- who had LB surgery last year -- gave to me. I checked with my surgeon to make sure it was okay and have been wearing it for a few hours a day since the surgery. It really does help.

Good for you! That's awesome....

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

Hi D -- I got banded the same day as you -- I have found chamomile tea, coconut Water, and vegetable broth are my three favorites so far. Good luck to you!

I'm three days post op, and I'm feeling a bit peckish this morning... The nutritionist told me I wouldn't be hungry at all for the first week, and yet here I sit, hungry. I had a cup of chamomile tea, and now I think I'll have some chicken broth. Is there a limit on how much Clear liquids we can drink the first week? I mean, I'm not an idiot about to down several gallons, but what are the parameters, if they exist? Blue

Oh, and I gained five pounds....I assume that's water weight from the IV and the travel?

Hi All: I'm waking up in my own bed this morning -- had the surgery in Mexico on Monday, and spent yesterday traveling home to New York. Just a weird, but probably normal, concern....if I bend over, I can feel the port kind of "click" against me. No pain -- well, I have all-over tenderness, I mean, I WAS cut open! -- but just a little click-click that lets me know it's there. Sound familiar, anyone? Blue

Sorry, I think it posted twice!

Here's my story - so far: I chose Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana to perform my surgery -- I don't have insurance, and he has really good credentials, plus the bariatric surgeon that works near the town where I live is familiar with his work and will do follow-ups and fills. I flew to San Diego yesterday (Sunday) morning, and met with my three cousins that I haven't seen in 10 years! I got off the plane with a terrible headache (wasn't able to have my pre-op diet) so I caved at lunch yesterday and ate a hamburger with avocado and Swiss cheese (no bun or ketchup). Then I went back to the airport and was picked up at 5 p.m. by the driver for the Obesity Control Center. He had my cell and texted me where to meet him, and gave me updates of his time of arrival -- really caring! There was me and one other woman being picked up at the airport -- she was getting a sleeve. She had her husband with her -- mine couldn't come -- I was flying solo! The driver took us to the Marriott in Tijuana, about a 20 minute drive, and the OCC had arranged a room for me with a king-size bed. I have to say, the hotel impressed me. The elevator doesn't start until you insert your room key card into a slot in the elevator, and -- get this! -- you have to insert and leave your hotel card in a slot in the room to run the air conditioning and the lights! If you take it out, it stops the electricity -- very green! I drank a lot of Water before I needed to fast -- I know that anesthetic makes you very thirsty, and I didn't know how long it would be before they let me have anything to drink. At 6:40 a.m. this morning, I was in the lobby of the hotel, with about five other women, all with their husbands. They came from Alberta (2 Canadians), Las Vegas, Texas, Indiana, and me from New York. We were not all going to Ortiz, just me and the woman from the day before. Although the hotel had a large shuttle van, it was a squish with all the husbands! I had my butt half on and half off the seat for the whole ride! When I was dropped at the hospital, I was a little skeptical. It was only 7 a.m., and we were dropped in the parking garage to take the elevator; however it was broken so we had to walk, and we weren't sure what floor it was. There were only three flights, and it was on the second floor. The clean up crew was still there, so we sort of sat and twiddled our thumbs for a few minutes. Then the front desk clerk and a few nurses showed up and things moved very quickly. I was given a packet with a post-op diet and some disclaimer stuff to sign. I was brought back to have my blood taken. At the same time, the nurse used the injection site as the port for my IV. When I came back to the lobby, I was brought to the nutritionist. She was lovely, and had a Power Point presentation about what to eat and what to not eat. She seems very passionate about her job! Again, back to the lobby. This time a doctor took me back for an EKG (by the way, all the doctors spoke perfect English -- the nurses, not so much, but they are all very sweet). I told the doctor that I had been just getting over the end of a cold, still had a little cough. This time, I went to a beautifully decorated room with a large hospital bed. There are plants, oriental prints of lilies, and a small gurgling water statue, and a window, really pretty! I was told to undress, and given a large hospital johnnie, a pair of paper panties, a cloth shower cap, and a set of little blue booties. However, as soon as I got into bed, they put compression stockings on me. They started the IV, and in it they also put anti-nausea medications and antibiotics. They put a pill under my tongue for blood pressure control (I don't have high blood pressure, I think it's just a precaution). Then a nurse came in with another needle and gave me a shot in the upper thigh to guard against blood clots. Dr. Martinez (Dr. Ortiz's right hand surgeon) met with me for about five or ten minutes to answer any questions I had. He was personable, knowledgable, and kind). "Any special requests?" he asked. "Just don't kill me," I said. "No, we only do that with patients we don't like," he said. I needed that laugh. He then, of course, went on to explain that with over 10,000 procedures they have had no mortalities. But I could swear he knocked the wooden door frame as he left my room. After a little while, they helped me with the IV and I was walked to the OR. I met the two anesthesiologists, really nice, and told them my concerns about nausea. I heard that Dr. Ortiz was going to perform the surgery, but I still hadn't met him. Then they put the REAL good stuff into my IV, and the next thing I remember I was waking up in my room. I was very groggy, dozing in and out but only for about a half hour. All told, that I entered the OR to the time when I was walking around, was only about an hour and a half. Dr. Ortiz came in (I think it was him, he still had a mask on!) and told me I did great, and they had fixed a hiatal hernia (of course at no extra charge). I told him I was sorry I hadn't met him before the surgery, and he told me I had. I told you, they gave me the REAL good stuff! I have no gas pains whatsoever. They made five incisions, and my port is up and to the left of my belly button (if I'm looking at it). That's really the only place I have pain -- it's swollen and tender. I think the best thing I brought, the most helpful, was an abdominal binder a friend of mine who had a Lap Band placed last year gave to me. It has been invaluable for walking around, and needing less pain meds. This Dr. performs Lap-Bands as an outpatient procedure -- I was expected to go back to the Marriott tonight -- but I had argued to stay at the hospital before I came here. No I can see why the hotel. I actually feel pretty good! Just super thirsty still. I'm leaving tomorrow morning at 8 to fly back to NY (the flight is at noon, and the airport in San Diego is only about half an hour away, but I have to cross the border and that can take some major time). There were a couple of minor things -- their icebox is not freezing the popsicles for some reason, but I'm fine with chicken broth, water, and a Capri Sun! All in all, a good experience so far.....

Just had my lap band surgery. Still have the IV in! Feeling a little woozy and sore at the incision sites, but besides that, pretty good! I'll write more later. xxx Blue

Oh, that's super-sweet of you.....it's all but gone. On the very off chance that I still have any coughing, I have a friendly pillow to push against my stomach and a friend gave me an abdominal binder. But I feel pretty good. I'm ready to rock and roll! How about you? :-)

Hey Diane -- I'm tomorrow too. Without seeing your post, I pretty much just wrote the same thing -- I can't believe how quickly this has all come to be! And tomorrow, we'll be banded! I'll be sending you lots of healing thoughts..... xx Blue

I'm settled in my hotel room at the beautiful Marriott in Tijuana. I've drunk the last of my chicken broth and am finishing my Water.....at 6:40 a.m. tomorrow morning the driver will bring me to Dr. Ortiz's hospital, and then next time you hear from me I WILL BE BANDED. Really nervous and excited -- is this really happening? It seems like every thing has gone so fast! Look forward to reporting to you guys tomorrow afternoon if I feel up to it......Yay! Sending me good healing thoughts and prayers tomorrow.....and yay for my fellow August 27 band-sisters too! xxx Blue

I just talked to the doctor's office....they said they could give me a nebulizer or something along those lines and then see if it helps. They didn't make it sound like it was a deal-breaker (whew!).

Thank you so much! That's what it feels like -- asthma! I had asthma as a kid but haven't had it in about 20 years....it could be some allergy thing. Anyway, I'm taking the cough medicine, taking it easy, and drinking lots of fluids. If they have a nebulizer or something (and I'm sure they deal with patients who have all sorts of respiratory problems!) I'll probably be fine. The support I get on this forum means so much. <3 Blue

I know I've posted this a few times, but I'm still sort of nervous....I'm scared they'll cancel my surgery on Monday. I still feel a tickle in my lungs, but it's not productive. I just have an occasional cough. Anyone else have surgery with a cough? Or anyone out there with asthma? I don't have asthma, but imagine that they would need to treat me the same way prior to the procedure.... Blue

Well, I kicked the worst of this horrible pre-op flu I've had. The only remnant is an occasional cough -- not a deep one, more of a wheezy tickle. My lungs sound and feel clear. I fly to San Diego tomorrow, and I am just so worried they are going to cancel my surgery because of the cough. Don't they have something they can give you, like what they would give asthma sufferers, to dilate the bronchia? Or am I totally fooling myself. Really worried. I don't have another time I could go and get this surgery, and I can't afford to eat the airline tickets either. Blue

And a nice little pillow to press against your incisions if you have to cough or sneeze!