gowalking

I'm trying to find an informal support group for NYC folks but nothing specific so far. Just a few threads for NYC folks like this one. If you can find something more, please let me know, OK? I've been in touch with some of the NYC folks but no face to face that I can find. The info is below for the support group from the hospital. I'm a week post-op and was also very nervous about the surgery...all those gas pain horror stories...and nausea and bloating, etc. I can tell you that I had very few issues and have been feeling better and better each day, and so far no issues with the liquid diet either...even with thicker soups and a little pastina to help fill me up. I've been hungry at times but have gotten through it with ice pops, or the Protein shakes and the soups. Good luck and please keep me posted on your recovery. 0-12 Months After Surgery Third Wednesday of every month, 6-8 p.m.. Location: 550 First Avenue, Skirball Conference Room. Take the "D" elevators to the 2nd Floor. Our Office: Phone: 212-263-3166

Hi Bubie. There are two support groups run out of the hospital. One is for new bandsters and one is for those who are a year or more out. Did you have your surgery at NYU? If yes, the office can give you info. If not, let me know and I'll find the phone numbers for you.

Hi all you NYC gals. I did a search on 'Manhattan' and saw this thread. I'm newly banded...Dr. Ren did my surgery a week ago. So far, I'm doing well...feeling OK and managing as well as possible on the all liquids. I have made some modifications...I'm drinking thicker soups to help fill me up...and pureeing some of the ingredients....veggies and such and putting them back into the soups. Also added a couple of spoonfuls of pastina again to fill up. No problems so far and went today to Food Emporium to buy some items for the mushies stage. Sugarfree pudding, instant cream of wheat, Ritz crackers for after mushies. Can't wait to put some tuna or egg salad on a couple of ritz crackers for lunch. Never would have thought I'd long for egg salad...but never thought I'd be getting a band either. Would love to hear from any of you regarding how you are doing...what kinds of experiences you all are having, and things like going out to dinner....which is such a part of living here as you all know. Have you gotten together? I'm going to try to make it to the support group at NYU...do any of you go there? I'm also going to join the Y finally after talking about doing so for many years. I have arthritis in my knees and exercising in the pool is better for me than walking/biking. Would love to hear from some of you fellow city dwellers.

don't eat, don't eat, don't eat! Remember your surgery is tomorrow and this is not the time to risk it. Talk to the hubby. Yes, he betrayed your trust, but maybe he was just worried about you and needed to talk to people he trusts to get some input. Talk to him....ask him why he told but not in an accusing way. Just hear him out... We all have issues and we turn to food when our buttons are pressed. We need to approach our issues in a different way. Just think about tomorrow being the first day of a new life...concentrate on you and what you are doing for yourself....don't let this sabotage you.... Good luck tomorrow!!

many of us seem to have had differing pre-op diets and it seems the same for post-op as well. I'm on liquids for ten days but I must say that I've had more than just the broths. I bought low fat thicker type soups like Campbells Healthy tomato and Amy's squash soup...even got the Thai soup and will just avoid the mushrooms and puree the sweet potato and dump it back into the soup. I find that it fills me up better than the clear broths.

I bet the story is an urban myth. All that matters is success.

thanks for posting your first experience with mushies. I was banded on the 14th and have been wondering alot about how the next stage would go. I'm still all liquid but have been hungry and am hoping that mushies will leave me more satisfied.

Thanks for the feedback. I hear what you're saying and I've distanced myself when I had to. The person is family so it's impossible to get rid of him, nor would I want to, most of the time he is supportive and shows me the respect I deserve. I just have to remind myself to not let the remarks sabotage me right now. Oh, and I'm not the only one who gets those barbs....I hear it aimed at my sister as well, but she just tells him to stuff it. Again...I think it's just because this whole experience is new and I'm not good with the unknown. Once the band truly becomes part of my life, and not the defining thing it is right now, I know I'll be good to go.

so...here come the emotional issues welling up...spoke to someone I'm very close to last night, who loves me, but also has a terrible way of making me feel unworthy. I've gotten much better at letting that stuff roll off my back and even calling him on it (with the help of therapy) but it rears it's ugly head now and then, and I think because I'm feeling particularly vulnerable right now, it's more apparent. This person congratulated me on already losing some 17 lbs or so..but of course mentioned that it was surely mostly water loss...so that's a dig right there. Then last night, same person asked how I was feeling and doing, and then had to mention they were at dinner at an Italian restaurant eating eggplant parm and it was delicious. Would you tell an alcoholic you were at a bar and downing a delicious cold beer? I would hope not. I told this person that his comments were not nice and there was no reason for saying what he did and he realized it was a cruel thing to do because he got embarrassed and tried to make a joke out of it. An apology would have been better. Anyway...just wanted to get that off my chest so I can let it go and move on. Thanks to you all for letting me vent in what feels like a safe place to do so.

I'm six days post-op and I drink slimfast...that helps to fill you up, and I've started to have thicker soups...that helps as well. The worst day was Friday. My sister stopped by and we ordered in chinese food. I had the soup but it was hard watching her eat dumplings and such so I grabbed an ice pop and it helped to be 'eating' something while she was doing same. Hang in there...I understand for sure...I dream of eating an egg again, or tuna or chicken salad..chopped very fine...which I've been told I can have once I go to the mushies stage.

Hi all. Question to those who have graduated to mushies. How is it going, what types of food are you eating, are you pureeing everything? Any insight is appreciated. I'm 5 days banded so I'm curious about the next stage. :

I had my surgery Monday and stayed overnight. It was the right thing for me to do. Having the nurses there to monitor my pain, my vital signs, and just keeping an eye on me was good. It was not comfortable, and you don't sleep well, but there is a feeling of safety just in case when you stay the night.....

thanks for that hint. Not even close yet for a first fill....just got banded on Monday but am appreciative for any advice related to what will come later on.

I had my surgery on Monday. They were very good about pain meds in the hospital...I stayed overnight. I also got a scrip for liquid vicodin for home.

Hi all...thanks for all the good wishes out there. Glad to have heard from you Moses...was getting concerned. Had the surgery yesterday, stayed overnight and got home today. So glad to be on the other side. Not as bad as I had feared. Lots of belly soreness, but no gas pain and the pain killers have worked on my knee so I am waling and moving around much better than I had expected. Some nausea upon awakening in recovery, but got a shot and have been OK since. Have been drinking water and crystal lite...and a little jello. Not very motivated to drink so much but I know I have to. Not truly hungry but am wondering how I'll be in a couple more days once the pain decreases. Have a post op appointment at the doctor next Wednesday. Have to get an esophagram to check that everything is working correctly. Very glad that I am able to work from home so no need to rush back to the office.

good luck R-Sheryl...I have to be at the hospital at 9 tomorrow. I'm presuming a couple of hours of stuff before I'm actually on the table. Staying overnight...will go home Tuesday morning.

great new cofoner. hope you are feeling better tomorrow

thanks to those who provided some comments about post-op experiences. I got the call a little while ago. Have to be at the hospital at 9 Monday morning. Just want to get it over with. Trying not to go on the scale all the time so I just weighed myself at the pre-op testing last week, and again today. Twelve days on the pre-op diet...ten and a half pounds down. I'm not much of a cook and the kids are on their own so my hope for eating once everything settles down is to be able to do as I used to...pick up food pre-made at the grocery store but instead of baked ziti....a piece of salmon, and some mashed potato with it...small portions, and a full belly so I don't graze the rest of the night. That would make me very happy.

question....for those who are on the 'other side', how has it been on the liquid diet? are you tolerating the liquids OK? Are you hungry? my surgery is Monday and I'm keeping an eye on all your comments so I have a better idea of what to possibly expect in terms of all things post-op.

mine is monday also. more nervous than excited. i wish it was over. moses_nyc had hers this past monday at NYU whre I'm having mine done. I haven't seen her post since she got home...i hope she is doing ok.

today is day 9 for me...5 more to go. Some days are better than others, some moments are better than others. It's a struggle but I have no choice. If I don't do this surgery, I won't be able to walk soon because my arthritis is so bad. I am so looking forward to some real food in the future...even if it is pureed. So many people are sick with flu and colds that I'm holed up in my apartment and trying to stay away from everyone so I don't get sick too...not this close to the surgery anyway.

thanks FFP. I found out at my GP yesterday that the blood thinner is a daily injection...which I'm not about to do. So I'm staying overnight for sure...my arthritis makes it very hard for me to walk and all I see everyone say is to walk walk walk post surgery. I do hope that I'll be able to do that....it's my biggest concern about the procedure.

wonderful to hear from you moses. was thinking about you all day. so glad you are done with the surgery. i'm staying overnight when I have the surgery....dr. ren thinks it's better for me because I have so much trouble walking. went to my gp today for final clearance. let me know if you'll be going to the support group at nyu. I was thinking of doing it to hear from others and get support.

a week after you...on the 14th.

yeah..it was a tossup for me..her or him. I went with her because I know someone else who used her and was happy with her. Please keep me posted on the experience and how you are doing once you can come back online. Also...are you staying overnight or going home the same day? I've been told to stay overnight but I haven't cleared it with the office or Nilsa yet.