nightingale2u

Hi everyone... I had an episode of pain last night that really scared me and I thought I would just check to see if perhaps it is a "normal" part of being banded before I call my surgeon today. I have not been having very much pain at all with exception of port discomfort. I had mashed potatoes for dinner... followed 2 hrs later with a large glass of Water... evening meds of 1/2 tab Zoloft and 1/2 tab Flexeril ( very small... not crushed ) and then onto an exciting night of watching T.V. Later on had a horrible headache and couldn't get comfortable d/t muscle spasms in the port region so I took some of my liquid pain med thinking that would help.... WRONG. Within minutes I had severe epigastric pain that went through me and between my shoulder blades... it felt like a tight fist. I paced in the house for 3 hours... the pain would at times subside and then return like a muscle spasm. I only stoped pacing because I was absolutely exhausted! This morning I still feel uncomfortable in the epigastric area but it is nothing compared to lastnight. I am drinking coffee as I type and it seems to be going down without a problem. I still feel a "pressure sensation between my shoulder blades???? Is it possible that my band has slipped (a fear that sits in my mind constantly) or could the build up of gas cause this type of discomfort after banding???? Yikes... I hope I get past this fragile feeling... always worried that I am going to move the wrong way or eat or drink just a little too much... what a big baby huh... Darcy

Bummer Penni!!!! On the bright side... Dr. Billy will probably have a VERY nice bedside manner! I think you said he was cute...right???? Seriously... I am so sorry that you have to go through another surgery. That is my worst fear at this point.... scared to death that if I move wrong my port will leap from my body! Keep us updated and hopefully this will mean lots of follow-up visits with you favorite M.D. ((((hugs)))) Darcy

Hi Carmen, If I didn't have a horrid fear of flying I would be there with bells on... I was holding my breath while all of the planning was going on and hoping a spot would be chosen that was in driving distance. It sounds like a blast and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time! Sorry I couldn't help... Darcy

Welcome back Alex... so glad to hear you had a wonderful time and BTW... you were missed! Glad to see you and your posts back! Darcy

Thanks so much for sharing Keith! I connected with so many things that you said and have plotted what I will do if I suddenly find that I have no restriction. I have only been banded since June 30th but have every intention of making my banded life a healthy and active one... restriction or not! I love that I don't have a choice about portions right now but I have my mind prepared for a day that I may have to say stop instead of my band saying it for me. I've lost 13 lbs so far... walk a minimum of a mile and a half a day and already feel less aches and pains... more energy... and much more positive about the future! I worked hard to get this darned band into my body... couldn't live with myself if I didn't work just as hard with it as I did to get it. It sounds like you are going to achieve each and every goal you set Keith... wishing you much success with your band and your positive outlook! Darcy

Welcome Gail! I guess I am the odd one out... My surgeon starts his patients on a pureed diet on post-op day 3 so I have been eating basically baby food type things for quite a few days now. I am really looking forward to switching over to a soft diet on Wednesday and eating something that I can chew just a little! Take care and congratulations on your banding! Darcy

Welcome Pam! I am freshly banded as well (June 30th) and hanging out here has really helped me through this whole process! You are a lucky one to have met Miss Alex and I'm glad she helped you come to the decision to travel to bandland! Take care and congratulations! Darcy

Congratulations Nanny! Isn't it just wonderful to be on the banded side of life???? Wishing you a speedy recovery and oodles of success with your new band! Darcy

Congratulations New Girl! I know JUST how you feel! I was banded 9 days ago and I have felt many of the same things. It sounds like you are doing wonderfully!!! My surgeon gave the okay for walking ... said the sooner... the better... BUT... that was the only type of exercise he gave the thumbs up to for the first month. It seems like my post-op diet is different from everyone else. I was on Clear Liquids for two days... full liquid for one day and now am on pureed foods for two weeks... then mechanical soft diet for two more weeks. I'd give my left arm to be able to chew something... ANYTHING...LOL. Wishing you the best... Darcy

WTG Leo!!!! You look great! Darcy

I'm Above Average .... Maybe I'll find out what kind of tricks I have below my belt when I can actually see my belt! Darcy

Good idea Marie... yup... All those in favor of Megan being the test subject for the spray-on tan say AYE!!!!!

Hiya Kim, Welcome to the site! Everyone is very friendly and helpful here! WIshing you the best with your journey to Bandland! Darcy

Hi Megan, I've never tried the self-tanning stuff... too afraid I'll mess it up and be "streaked" for a month...hehehehehe. BUT... a friend of mine went to a tanning booth where they do the spray on tan and she looked awesome! Good Luck... and my whole body glows 24/7 Darcy

Alex... sounds like you could use a helping hand at the ole beach house.... *pick me... pick me...pick me* Have a great time and you will most definitely be missed! Darcy

WTG Alex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Happy Dance* You've worked hard so be very proud of yourself!!!!!!! Darcy

Welcome back Debra! Let me tell you girl... that time is going to fly! I was amazed when my day finally arrived and at how quickly the time passed! I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited for you!!! Hang in there and wishing you a happy and uneventful trip to bandland! Darcy

My surgeon suggested walking as soon as possible and to walk as tolerated on a daily basis. I started walking on post-op day four and have slowly increased the activity as I am able to tolerate it. He doesn't allow any other type of exercise the first month... I did a mile and 3/4 on the treadmill today but kept the incline at one and the speed at just a niced paced stroll and I am post-op day 7. Good Luck with everything! Darcy

Thanks Teresa... Shelly and Michelle! Again... it's a HUGE relief to find out that I am not losing my mind! I'm sure the anesthesia is part of it but also think you are right on the money in regards to the food issues Michelle. I think instead of dealing with emotions... I ate... and now... well... I just have to deal with them. I think it's a good thing all and everyone should buy stock in facial tissue because the demand for it is definitely increasing around these parts! Teresa.. I actually did speak up when I was first treated this way by the office and think that may be why things have worsened. I know that another patient posted that I should not say anything because the process for getting surgery would take longer if I did. I thought... holy crap... that's blackmail. I will copy the letter that they send out to patients once they submit paperwork to the insurance company... it's has the very same tone. I have worked in healthcare for years and have literally NEVER encountered this. I have talked to others that have encountered this problem as well but perhaps my skin is just a little thinner than most??? There is a support group meeting the beginning of August and I will be bringing my concerns along. My blood pressure is ALWAYS normal with one exception... it is sky high evertime I enter that office. I think my next tactic will be to kill them with kindness and be OVERLY friendly and perhaps even a bit of a pain in the buttocks... we'll see! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohhh... and Marie... thanks for the compliment on my new pic! That was actually taken a year ago at my wedding... so not terribly recent but at least I have make-up and a smile on! I guess I better go puree something... hopefull the kitty isn't on the counter again.

Sue, Marie and Donali... thanks so much! I'm not generally this whacked...lol. I have an appointment in 5 weeks for another post-op check and a possible fill... I'll wait until then prior to saying anything. My surgeon has a private practice and it doesn't appear that any specific person is in charge... other than the surgeon of course. It's been this way from the beginning... I think It's just harder to handle right now. Maybe this is the way people are in a bigger city???? It was really important to me to make patients feel good... laugh... smile and know that I cared. This line of behavior has really thrown me for a loop from the start. Donali... you have an incredible gift for putting things in perspective! You are right... I have waited for this... worked for this... and dang it... I'm here at last! ((((hugs to Y'all))) Darcy

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I am soooooooooooooo emotional ... crying at the drop of the hat... is this part of the post-op course or am I just going over the edge???? Yesterday when I went in for my post-op check... the Dr. was wonderful and so helpful and yet as usual the staff rarely looked at me when speaking to me... never once used a friendly or caring voice when speaking at all ... in fact... the one gal worked on her computer and never looked up at me one or even bothered to tell me she was finished with me. I finally said...do you need anything else??? She looked up at me like I was retarded and said... "uh.. no"... which actully came out in a *DUH* tone. She never returned my script and I forgot about it... I get home to a message saying it will be at the front desk (UMMMMM... I live FAR & AWAY... I'll be right down to pick that up. ) All I can think of is... It makes me literally sick to my stomach to call their office with any problems... so I never do... it makes me feel even worse to drive the 1 hour and 45 minutes to be seen there. I love my surgeon but in my opinion his office staff (reception and nursing) completely lack people skills and certainly are not well trained in customer service. So... I'll just sit here and blubber some more and have another pity party and hope that this emotional crap passes soon! It's wonderful to have a place to vent... just needed an ear or two... Bummed Darcy

OHHHH... and Vera... thanks so much for the B-day wishes! I am thinking this surgery is going to be the best B-day gift I have ever given myself!

I feel better today... think I just pushed it too far yesterday. I had my own little pity party hopefully if I get enough rest I won't need to hold another... LOL. I am definitely seeing the weight-loss now... especially in my face... that makes this girl pretty darn happy and helps know that WLS was the right path for me. Must go jump in the shower... just got of the tready and this body is just not used to exercising... I'm one big lump of sweat! TTFN