Bandista

Hi there, so happy to see these posts! I've had a hard time with the site, too. Hope you new Bandits are having a relaxing weekend. I am feeling really good here on day five, lots of walking but also lots of resting. On full liquids and surgeon added a handwritten note, "egg drop soup." So I learned how to make that and it is delicious. Technically can't have eggs until Thursday as they are on the Smooth Foods list. I only had a little and I am trying the techniques of letting the "food" pass through and waiting before having the next bite. Cold soup but so thrilled over strands of egg that I didn't care. My weight was down this morning so I must be shedding some of that fluid from surgery, etc. Determined not to get obsessed by the scale as I know it may take me a while to find the green zone, etc. But so far so good. No fluid in my band. Feeling very positive and grateful for our little community.

Hi there, day five here also. And this was the day I wanted to go somewhere, too -- a little trip to town just to get out. Resting now after making some egg drop soup. Delicious! Only had a tiny bit -- like you, I am not hungry. Have not noticed any left shoulder pain today at all so maybe that is gone. Going without Tylenol and so so glad I didn't do pain killers. I've been walking a lot which feels great. This is a habit I've wanted to make and it seems the band has done that for me -- very happy about that! Tomorrow is my follow up visit with the surgeon. I think he will be pleased to see the incisions healing up nicely. So glad to hear you are doing well, my fellow November 5th Bandit! Best wishes.......

Wonderful NSV. Pre-gain I used to wear seven rings and lots of bracelets. I look forward to that again at some point. Thanks for the inspiration this morning!

Shake world definitely gets easier after the first couple of days. Surgeons have different requirements, but I also used broth with spices, etc. And Popsicles -- helped to change things up. Teas. Drank lots of water to flush out my system (I add a splash of unsweetened cranberry to a 32oz. jar of water and a capful of aloe Vera). And by the end of my two-week pre-op I had four or five different shakes to choose from. The goal is to shrink your liver -- I was happy to drop some weight before the surgery as that is weight I won't be seeing again. Good luck to you -- try to stay distracted. And if you can walk, even a bit at a time, that is such a great way to prepare your mind and body. It will really help once your band is in to walk, walk, walk and starting now will set all of that up ahead of time. Best wishes -- I am day five post-op and so happy!

Hi there, congratulations on deciding to take charge of your health! I started my process in June and was banded last Tuesday. Over the summer I worked with a therapist to identify emotional eating triggers and I also stepped up my exercise to prepare for the surgery and set myself up for success once banded. Yesterday four days post-op I walked four miles throughout the day (one mile at a time). It's working! I chose the band because it is less invasive and, if ever necessary, reversible. Good luck to you as you do all your research and make plans for your healthy future. I have found this forum to be a great place for gathering information. There are some amazing people here with a lot of experience with the band and of course there's that feeling that we are all in this together. Best wishes!

Congratulations -- another November bandit! I like to think about where we will all be at this time next year. Best wishes to you!

Hi Lynn, I can't answer your question because I've just been banded myself but it sounds to me like you are doing well with listening to your body. It's good to notice that you did feel restriction briefly but now have hunger between meals. This info will tell your surgeon exactly what s/he needs to know in terms of your next adjustment. Personally I am glad to take it a bit slow as like you I am nervous about getting to the right place without stuck episodes, etc. Good luck to you!

Hi there friend, you have been through so much -- pain is exhausting and when you look in the mirror I'm sure you are seeing that deep fatigue that comes with a long recuperative period. You must be so ready to get home again. New eyes, new hips......this is a very big year! When I'm having self image crisis moments I try to thank my body as a way to reconnect. Sometimes it feels like there have been true betrayals there, that I got so off track, things happened and I lost the mind/body/spirit connection and could not get it back. The thanking seems to take me to a place of wholeness, even just in that little moment I know I'm on my way. It's the real goal -- not the weigh-in number or even how I look but that feeling of being whole and at peace with my body, myself. Definitely a work in progress and these human bodies, oh my. Complicated vessels sometimes! Now, if your mother wants to help she can get those Cookies the hell out of the house. Sending best wishes from New England on a crisp cold day.....keep in touch!

Hi there, can you put me on the block list, too -- I can't figure out how to do it from here. This is way too stressful for me. Thank you!

This is stressful. And confusing! Is there a brain erase feature in this new format so I can un-read all this?

Gotta wash off the pesticides from our store-bought fruits and veggies! We grow some stuff here but whatever we buy -- even the organic produce -- gets a bath when it comes into the house.

I would definitely call! You are their patient and they want to know! Could you be a little sensitive to dairy right now? Just a shot in the dark...... Eating too close to lie-down time? Again, just long-shot thoughts since it's a Saturday night. Don't stress but get to the bottom of this! Sending best wishes......

Glad to hear you're doing well!

Yippee! So happy for you. Thanks for the inspiration!

Thanks so much for posting -- very inspiring!

Stool softeners ASAP (Dulcolax makes one) and milk of magnesia will help -- I'd go easy on milk of magnesia as it's a laxative and you don't want anything too violent. Pain killers are very constipating and it's hard to get a lot of fiber in your diet on soft foods -- I would talk to the doctor about this. Always amazed they don't seem to set us up with preventative measures as digestion is so important! Celestial Seasonomgs makes a tea called Smooth Move -- senna. There are various products and the thing is to find what works well for your body. Cascara, etc. Good luck to you -- you'll feel so much better when this is resolved!

Hi Jersey Girl, hope it's going well and that you're finding some shake variety. Pre-op is hard, particularly with the butterflies fluttering prior to the big day. Just know you're not alone. Will be thinking of you on the 12th!

Hi there! I was not perfect on my pre-op diet but did the best I could. Mine was similar -- 2 shakes, 2 snacks and 1 meal per day not to go over 900 calories. I immediately got harsh and turned it into shakes only, 800 calories max, etc. then could not sustain that so had a couple of slips. Told me a lot about my dieter mentality and why/how I have struggled so over the years. 18 pounds down is Great! Way to go. That's all weight you won't be seeing again. Good luck with the rest of your pre-op - goal is to clear out your system and shrink the liver -- and with your surgery on the 13th. I am on day 4 post-op and feeling really good. Best wishes for smooth sailing and a speedy recovery!

Hi there and congratulations -- hope you are getting lots of good R&R. It's Saturday morning and my family just left so I have the house to myself. It's day four post-op and I'm feeling really good, walking all I can and resting as needed. Think I will go rustle up a Popsicle and climb back under the covers. We did it -- journeys begun!

Congratulations! So happy for you. I am day four post-op and feeling really good. A return of energy but taking it easy. Except for walking, lol. I am doing a lot of that and it feels really good. Pretty sure that is why I'm healing so quickly -- that and not taking narcotics. Still doing a little Tylenol and ibuprofen here and there but not much. Slept through the night two in a row, hallelujah. Have the left shoulder pain but I know it will go away and the incisions aren't bad -- like a cut healing. Whole stomach feels better today - less distended and more normal. Not hungry yet but will have some broth and Soup, etc. I'm on full liquids. Good luck -- wishing you a weekend of relaxation!

Hi Lauren, don't worry, they will send you another bill -- you can be sure of that! Thank goodness you had the surgery while you still had the insurance. I would try to relax then when you are ready start fighting the insurance company. I have been successful with this (not LB but other stuff for my spouse). Take notes on each call and there will be an escalation process to appeal. Make that insurance company pay -- be a squeaky wheel while killing them with kindness at the same time. When you get bills from the hospital just let them know you are appealing to the insurance company and will get back to them. Have a copy of the hospital bill when you talk to the insurance company. If it turns out you are responsible, then you can contact your hospital to inquire about special circumstances (job loss, etc.). They can negotiate what you owe and they will set up a payment plan. This could be $20/month. First step is to get the insurance stuff straightened out, though. Good luck!

Hi Vince, I was pretty frustrated this summer when I had made my decision but needed to go through the hoops. Big delay because I had to attend a mandatory info session to kick things off and those are only held every two months (live in a rural area). When I finally got the psych eval and nutritionist appointments (same day in my case) that seemed to trigger the rest and it went quickly from there. I was banded Tuesday -- whole process about five months. My insurance company had no requirements other than BMI. Best wishes to you!

Yippee! So glad you're home. I stayed away from the narcotics, too, and I'm so glad. Used Tylenol and ibuprofen as needed and walking like crazy. Healing very quickly -- noticeable difference yesterday (day 3 post-op) then today even better. Wishing you a great weekend -- rest well!

Hi Susan, congratulations! I was just banded on Tuesday and I'm very excited about this new chapter in my life. This forum has been such a great way to learn about the band from multiple perspectives. My process was somewhat delayed as I missed a June mandatory info session and had to do that in August, then all the various appointments for psych eval, nutritionist and meeting the surgeon, etc. I used that time to read about other people's experiences and just to ready myself. Started a journal, got a therapist to talk over food issues and also kicked my exercise life into gear. I'm really glad for that -- pretty sure it's the secret to success. This morning I woke up at 6:30 to let the dogs out and then walked a very brisk mile before climbing back under the covers. I will walk more later. This begs the question, who is this person? The new me, that's who! Good luck to you in these coming months.

Hi there, hope you're doing a little better each day. I'm wearing my loosest clothing and making sure the waistband is not on one of the incision sites. I have been using a heating pad here and there but I also used ice packs one evening. And yesterday when I woke up day three my belly was much less distended -- still fat, LOL, but not full and tight from the surgery. I know all the walking is really helping me heal. Good luck -- let us know how you are today!