Deb_Believes

MFP says I need to have 46 grams of Protein. 2 bottles of my Protein Drink is 50 grams. Is anyone else going over their recommended daily protein?

My doctor says I need to get b/t 75 - 100 grams of protein per day & b/t 800 & 1000 calories so I reset the goals on MFP. It took me a bit to figure out how to do it, but it can be done.

I had my surgery a week ago today and mostly fee back to normal minus some swelling in my tummy' date=' occasional port pain, and I get tired easily. I will be working a half day tomorrow and return FT on Monday.[/quote']

I hear ya, Aviva! I have been both surprised & amazed at how tired I get at the end of a day of being out of the house running around a lot. I chose to have my surgery when I am off (work for a school system so off for the summer) so that I can focus fully on getting back to a work out routine, etc. I really admire those of you who are going back so soon! Just the few days so far that I have have heavy running around days, I have passed out when I got home, once without even eating dinner!

I had a small scare today that I'm going to have to watch closely. One of my smallest incisions has started to get infected (noticed today when changing shirts, very red around the incision, very slightly icky - I won't be too gross here - when I started checking it closer). I have quite the history of wounds getting infected so I was actually a little surprised it hadn't already happened to one of the larger incisions! Called doc & he had me come in. Confirmed mild infection & discussed how to care for it. I'll watch it closely in the process. As long as it doesn't get worse, we'll avoid antibiotics. I'm crossing my fingers & praying given my track record with this sort of thing. >:0

Aviva, had no idea how far behind I was on reading when I responded to the removing steri-strip question! Sorry! LOL!

Are folks leaving the steri-strips on till a doc removes them or removing yourselves? I had band aids over the steri strips that a nurse removed before I was discharged from the hospital. I have been trying to keep the strips from getting too wet in the shower but they are starting to itch a little bit and lift at the edges. I'm trying not to peel them off.

My doctor told me that it was alright to take them off after a few days. For the 2 larger incisions, I bought butterfly strips at the pharmacy & used that & small band aids just to be on the safe side; didn't want to risk splitting open, greater scarring! Also had a nurse suggest using baby oil to get the steri-strips / band aids off if they are being stubborn b/c I tend to bruise so easily & they always irritate my skin.

Hi all,

I went for my 2 week post-op with my doctor today. He said I'm doing great & released me to greater exercise, including swimming & biking (Yeah!!!) & said that I can finally start on munchies, after almost 4 weeks on liquids only! I was so thrilled that I went straight to the supermarket to get what the nutritionist told me to start with! I had not gotten it yet just in case he said wait a few more days! . My 1st fill will be a month from now at the 6 week point.

Hope everyone is feeling as happy & positive as I am right now!

Deb

When can we swim?

When I asked my doctor this question just before my surgery, he said 2 weeks post-op, which is when I am seeing him again (tomorrow). I have the impression that he reevaluates everything at that appointment to make sure all is well & if it is he will give me the clearance to do more strenuous exercise (biking, swimming, etc.).

I never got the invite to the FB site.

Hi kbush & anyone else who wants to join the FB group (in addition to this group & / or MFP)...... I have found all 3 of them to be very helpful and supportive!!! If you want to join the Facebook page, send a message to Crayolaphoenix with your email address that is associated with your Facebook account & she will gladly add you.

No one is taking away from the usefulness, help, & support of this site! It's AWESOME! The FB site is simply extra support if you want it.

By the way.. for those of you that haven't seen my post' date=' we have a COMPLETELY private Facebook group going on, for all of us July bandsters. It is turning out to be an extremely supportive and helpful group and, I invite all of you to give it a try. Nobody can search our group, or see our news feed or comments unless they are members of the group. The only way to be a member is to be invited by me.

If you are interested in joining us, shoot me your email in a private message. I'll be happy to send you an invite! [/quote']

Howdy all you recently banded folks! Congratulations!!!!!

I haven't been on in a few days so I am just catching up reading. I am 11 days post-op from banding & really pleased with how things have gone so far! I can totally identify with what I am hearing from y'all! I went through a lot of it! As you always hear, this too shall pass .... No, really it will! As everyone is saying, back pain = hot packs / heating pad. Incision pain = ice packs. (The only lingering annoyance - not really pain - that I have is occasionally at 2 incision sites & that's b/c they are at or close to my pants line.)

I had heard from people that sleeping in a reclining position for the first bunch of days would make the gas pains / back pains better, so I slept in my dual reclining love seat for @ a week before transitioning to my bed. For the most part, I slept pretty well there so I guess it worked for me. Wise women here told me to keep a small pillow over my tummy in case I coughed, sneezed, or laughed, and I did, and that helped too!

I went through a diarrhea stage & wonderful people here reminded me that it's normal, liquid in, liquid out, and it did pass after a couple of annoying, uncomfortable days. The 1st couple of days post-op for me were very difficult as far as not wanting to "eat" anything. I drank Water, but had no appetite. By day 3, I began forcing myself on a schedule of the Protein Drinks to make sure I was getting enough like my doc said. Seems they all stress that to us! I had ordered the Proasis & Profect liquid shots from their website & Amazon before my surgery. They are a small amount of liquid with a really good amount of Protein, so when I don't feel like drinking a lot, these really help me! I also add the unflavored Isopure to other shakes as a protein boost & that seems to really help me keep my energy up more. There were a couple of days in the beginning that I was experiencing a bit of dizziness, but these extras have helped.

Lastly, I quoted "Crayolaphoenix's" message above about the private Facebook page that you may want to consider joining. A few of us have joined in as an additional way to connect & support one another. I really didn't know that there was a way to make a FB page so completely private as she has, so I've been very impressed & happy with the way that it's going & with how caring & supportive everyone who has joined has been so far!

I'll stop rambling now! Hope some of this has been a little useful! From what I'm reading, y'all are doing great! Keep up the fantastic progress! I have my 2 week post-op visit with my doctor on Monday afternoon & am excited to hear what he has to say next!

Peace, Deb

Deb' date=' I'm looking for "the big book of Lapband" on Amazon (to buy electronically for my kindle app). And I need more info, such as the author, etc. I can't seem to find the original source on this site?? Thanks! Is it worth it to buy post-op?[/quote']

Hey Maggie,

I think the book is definitely worth having post-op, too. It still answers questions for me now. It's a good before, during, after, & ongoing type of reference written, I believe, by the guy who moderates this site. I looked up the link that I used to buy it & pasted it below to make it easier for you. All purchase options are on the same page.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/lapband_book.html

Let me know if you need anything else! Deb

I'm in ocean county and have dr fresco as my surgeon. I am from manahawkin area which is the mainland of long beach island. I know a few people that went to her and the surgeons at their bariatric group. All have been successful!

Hey again ~ I'm very familiar with the area! I used to live on the barrier island in Lavalette & travelled to my job on the western edge of Monmouth County every day until I moved to where I am now.

I'm from nj too deb

Where? Who's your surgeon? I'm in Monmouth County, about 3 blocks from the beach, not too far from Belmar.

Hi Lois how do u feel? Any advice or anything you wish you knew before hand? I am so excited and nervous for Thursday it's insane!

Hey Sprinkle! I was banded on July 1st. A lot of folks here suggested that I purchase "The Big Book of LapBand" that you can find on this site. I got the Kindle version b/c it was $10 as opposed to $25 & devoured it! It answered so many questions that I didn't even enough know I should be asking at the time.

I found that what I heard from people here as far as pain level did not ring true for me. I had some pain in my shoulders / upper back, but did what everyone said & used a heating pad & it helped tremendously. (Note to you: Make sure you have a heating Pad!) The pain in my tummy was worse to me b/c my muscles were not in good shape. First couple of days, I used a cane to help me get up, not to walk afterwards, just to get up. Ice helps too. Everyone here told me to be stocked up on any meds that I take, liquid ibuprofen /Tylenol in case of low grade fever, Gas-X (or something like it), and whatever "meals" your doctor says you should consume for the first week so that you won't have to go shopping right after release from hospital. I have found MyFitnessPal to be incredibly useful & the connections with friends there. If you are not using it, maybe now's a good time to start. Otherwise, almost a week post-surgery, I'm feeling pretty great, down 25 # since I started the original liquid diet & moving ahead. The doctors, nurses, and my friends have been great and very supportive! Wish you the best & keep us posted! If I missed anything or if you have other questions, I'll be glad to answer what I Can! Deb.

Hello everyone, I can say I'm glad to join y'all, I was banded July 2, 2013 ! Yeah

Hi Lois - Welcome Aboard! Living in NJ, but being from the south, it's always great to "hear" a y'all. I was banded the day before you. People are very helpful here! Keep sharing & they will share back!

I didn't mean to offend anyone I was simply stating doctors all have different plans and I read some people on threads on the site that were freaking because they cheated they need support too And letting them know they are okay. Once again everyone's doctor has Different pre op advice and diets and I was simply sharing mine as others have. I wasn't being negative or encouraging others to cheat by any means.

I didn't read all the way back to see what started the conversation so my comments were not intended towards anything anyone in particular said at all. Just a general commentary on my own insights into my needs for my progress. If it helps to support anyone else along the way, then great!

I would prefer if we steer clear of making assumptions about whether certain 'types' of people will or won't cheat. There are people (like myself) who start out morbidly obese and have not cheated. For me personally - I have too much riding on this to cheat' date=' and in my own experience when I give myself an inch I end up taking a mile - so keeping to the particular program my nutri give me has been hard but well worth it. I am going into my surgery (on thurs) with a greater sense of confidence that I can do this and change my behavior for the rest of my life.[/quote']

Thank you for saying this Aviva! I am not trying to be Polyanna about this new phase of my life progression. I don't think that I will *never* have an imperfect moment. What I do come into this with is a new conviction that if I am going to go so far as to allow a dr to put a foreign object into my body to help me (which I did on July 1st), then I will do what he says, and what the nutritionist he sends me to says, to make progress & eat more productively & healthily! My way has not worked for 49 years & they have helped myriads of people so I'm willing to be clay in their hands!

When I read posts where people are talking negatively or about ways to cheat or "get over" on their plan / doctor, I stop reading. I don't need that noise in my head. If people are asking for help to avoid that stuff, I'm all there b/c I need it, too.

I haven't had a chance to check in for a few days, as I have been focusing on healing...... I have been home from my banding since @ 2:15 on Monday afternoon. I also had 5 small incisions, but wasn't too terribly surprised by that. I had my gallbladder removed with a large, full incision in 1983, so I was just grateful that they were able to perform the LapBand laproscopically. I came home from the hospital with an annoying Migraine, which I suspect was a reaction to the anesthesia, so I slept a lot on Monday. Monday and Tuesday, my biggest problems were nausea, followed by a low-grade fever. I was able to keep Water down with no nausea, but clear liquid Protein Drinks & anything else (aka, jello) brought nausea waves. I kept it down, but just tremendously annoying nausea. I called my doctor today to check on both and he said fever was low enough and, therefore, normal and since water not making me nauseous, he was not concerned. He advised me to take very small, slow sips of Protein drinks. I mentioned not wanting to "bother him" over the holiday and was politely chastised and told that there was a doctor on call for me 24 / 7 so if I needed to call, that I should feel very comfortable calling! That was nice to hear! As the day progressed today, I was much better able to handle the protein drinks with the small, slow sips like he said! Water is still going down fine and my stiffness / soreness / pain level is easing substantially! Family and friends have been stopping by and calling / texting to check in on me. I am really glad that I have been so open with my family and friends about my LB surgery, as it has made it so easy for me to have a positive support system. I hope all of the folks who I have not had a chance to check in with who had surgery around the same time as mine are doing well!!!!! Also wishing others who have surgery coming up the best!!!! I continue to be filled with gratitude!

Update: Surgery went well! I got home from hospital @ 2:15. Worse problem was that I developed a Migraine towards end of time at hospital. Took both pain medication (belly VERY sore) & migraine medication & slept for @ 2.5 hours, which helped a lot! Been sipping Water slowly & just ate half a Jello ... so far, so good. Heating pad on my shoulders is helping the shoulder pain issue quite a bit. Spoke w/ my brother who was amazed with how coherent I sounded. Haha! All is well & I'm settling in for another nap. ???Š Based on what I have read from others, pain is not as bad as I expected. Tomorrow may be worse, but this is today & I will only consider today. I'm happy with how today has gone!

Thank you all for the wonderful well wishes, fantastic support, & great advice! You have all been so supportive & helpful! I look forward to reporting back again sometime tomorrow & the next phase of this journey to come! Best wishes to everyone else who is banding tomorrow, too, or on July 2nd, as I have a feeling I won't remember to send this message tmr! Haha! sleep with peace, my new-found friends! And again, many, many thanks!

Tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m., I will be sitting in the hospital surgical lounge checking in for my LapBand! I still have a bunch of stuff I want to do around my house today just to get it more clean so I won't have to be thinking about it when I get home (b/c I know that I won't be up for doing anything about it for a while!). I am otherwise as prepared as I can be thanks to everyone here, my doctor, and my nutritionist. My brother keeps commenting on how calm I sound about all of it on the phone.... I cannot say that I am not nervous at all, but I am at peace. I've made this decision to help me bring about the changes that I have needed to make for a very long time! I know that I will have much work to do!!! What I have read of the success stories here is that the people who follow what the doctor / nutritionist tell you to do will be successful. That's what I want / plan to do. I have already lost 17 #s so far. I am more committed than I have ever been..... ever. I am optimistic, hopeful, positive. After my LapBand, I will continue to look to others here for support and hope to be supportive of others, as well! I'll keep you posted! Deb

I think I got to the surgical center around 9am and was out by 1:30pm. My wife just hung out there I think. Maybe she took me' date=' asked them to call her when I was done and grabbed lunch. I can't remember for sure but it was pretty low key and casual as far as surgery goes. It wasn't like she was waiting on them to deliver a baby or anything. Lol.[/quote']

LOL!!! Thanks Guy!

I was dropped off by a friend and then they were called to pick me back up. All went seamlessly!

Another friend then came by and took me to the pharmacy to get my meds. ( because I wanted to move around)

I can't imagine it being different for you ( unless you don't want to go it alone)

Fabulous!!!!! Thanks!!!!!

Well my mom stayed.. but my status from time i went under to time i woke up to recovery phase 1 and 2 was sent to her phone if needed.. i think that depends on you and your friends as long as you have someone there when its time to cruise on out! btw goodluck!

Thanks Jenni! Very helpful! I'm taking reading / listening materials & would rather my friends return to work (close by) than take extra time off. That way we have more time for fun stuff over the summer! If I am more nervous than I am today on Monday, they have given me the right to change my mind but I doubt it. Thanks for the well wishes & best wishes to you too!!!

I am 3 I am 3 days Post Op (banded on Tuesday) my original process was going to be overnight however I checked in Pre op at 11:00 Rolled into surgery at 11:45 surgery was complete by 1:30 and I was leaving hospital by 4:00, I actually drove myself to hospital and had to have my bestfriend take me back next day to pick up my car, I do not think I am a typical case but if your surgery goes well you may not want them to leave because they may need to ask a question etc... I hope all goes well and Congrats I could not be more excited about my future outcome!!!

Thanks, Royal! That makes me feel very comfortable re: my plans & answers my lingering question about how soon I will be able to drive! Thanks so much for the info and I'm sure I'll be posting about my progress! Best wishes to you on your continuing positive journey!!! Deb

My brother was planning to come for my surgery on July 1st, but now has an abscessed tooth causing him a tremendous amount of pain! He went for part 1 of the root canal today and will have to have parts 2 & 3 next week, so won't be here for my surgery. I am really alright with that, as I have others who have volunteered to be available for taking me to the hospital, checking on me, helping out, etc., since I live alone. I am mostly looking forward to just being in my house, my own space, and reaching out, as needed. My dogs will require me to get up and move around to take care of them, as since they are small, their care is not too taxing!

My question is about the day of my surgery. My doctor has given me the sense that I will have to be at the hospital at the crack of dawn. (I'll find out the time for sure tomorrow.) Is there any real reason for me to ask my friends to stay at the hospital with me or to come back before they get the call that it's almost time to pick me up? I'm thinking no because I assume that I will be pretty out of it, coming out of the anesthesia, etc., but just wanted some other opinions. Any other thoughts from anyone that I should know about as far as my friends being / staying at the hospital or not?

Thanks so much!