Wenjea

just got back on line Merrilee. Sue is out of surgery but I havn't had an update yet. Is it to late to walk? Could you give me your phone number on PM so I can call you. Oh wait . . . . anna has a concert at 6:00pm so I guess I'm stuck. Maybe tomorrow, send me your number.

dawn - I'm wondering if I'm losing to fast also. The last few days I've been dropping 2 pounds a day. The loss is great but I have this light headed feeling all the time. The nurse suggested regular apple juice and don't dilute it. she suggested my blood sugar is low. I see the doc on Friday and he will add back vitamins and protien shakes so I know that will help. i won't be surprised if I gain a little. Sue - keep in touch while you are waiting. Let us know your surgery time as soon as you get it. My prayers are with you. Mer - It's beautiful outside! Do you have anytime to walk today? Pinenut - I slept without meds last night and my steri strips are very close to coming off. I feel more like myself everyday now and I haven't seen this weight in . . . . . .I can't remember it's been so long. Cool! Evilah - be sure to record your weight and measurments at your highest. It's pretty impressive to see how fast it goes. Good girl for starting now!

Are any of you LOST watchers? I can't wait till next season! Jordan Rocks! So glad she won cuz boy does she have a voice! I love Blake for what he does but singing isn't one of the things he does well. Good Luck Sue!!!!!!!!!

Have you gone to the store yet!!!!! Can I bring my little dog to try stuff on? Thanks for the ID info Mer. You are the best! Wanna walk tomorrow?

Mer - I was looking for medical ID tags for my wrist and I couldn't remember where you said you got yours from. Everything I found was pricey. Can you tell me again. Please . . . .

i have six. What's up with that?!

Mer - sorry we missed you. We drive all the way to the back on the left side of the fields when you drive in, by the dog park, and there is a gravel lot with a paved path that leads around a lake. we can hook up Friday if you want to. Sue definately won't be there. Maybe I can come to the Harbor. Dawneb - I really liked the heating pad for my tummy too. I think it helps your scars heal better. Heat brings blood to an area and causes any infection to rise to the top. Laying down with a heating pad is very comforting and they don't cost that much. I think it's worth it. Evilah - When I decided to have surgery I managed to eat on about 10 pounds from the 'last supper' syndrom. I think a lot of us do it and you will get it together and it will come off quickly. Mine came off when I had to do clear liquids for my pre-op scope tests.

Mer- I am so sorry I didn't see your post till just now. sue came and picked me up and we walked very, very,very slowly around the lake (1 mile) then I had to come home and rest for a couple of hours. Getting out of the car was the toughest part. I felt a little light headed but kept putting one foot in front of the other I have an appointment at 10:15 on Friday with Dr. oh but I could walk after that . . . .slowly. let me know.<br /> <br /> pinenut - guess what? i had a poo! not very big but I am so proud of myself. I can't believe you are working. I spent as much time as possible being vertical today but I am exhausted. I'm sneaking a protein tomorrow before I faint. I think sitting is the hardest thing. A half hour is about my max. I'm wearing a bra today for the first time since surgery and it is okay. All that walking sent the gas racing to my shoulder and that just takes your breath away with sharp pain, first day I have had that.<br /> <br /> O2bethin- I gave up on my insurance and did self-pay when they said it was under 'no exceptions'. Don't forget to add in travel cost when looking into Mexico. At 12,800 Dr. Oh isn't that much more then Mexico plus traveling expenses. Boy, the last thing I would of wanted to do this week is get on a plane and sit.

Sue - Julie will be here this morning/early afternoon so maybe around 2pm. We could walk around the lake at Ft. Steilacoom.. . . .slowly!

Hi everyone! Today I feel better! Don't know how much pain meds I will need today, not that I was taking a lot anyway. I really want to walk outside today because it is beautiful out. I actually slept on my side last night without pain, Yea!!! I went on NWWLS web site and looked at their post op instructions and they get SF pudding and applesauce along with pureed soup. Would it be cheating if I had some of those? I havn't had a BM in so long I'm thinking I need to get something in my colon, feeling a little toxic! Maybe if I add anything it should be a protein shake. Any suggestions? My insicions look good but are starting to itch like no other! i guess that means they are healing. I worry about not getting enough water in during the day. My throat is finally feeling better. I think that now that it is day 6 I can finally say it's going to be worth it. BREAKTHROUGH!

Mer - good girl for walking!! up hill even . . . I'm impressed. Sues surgery is Thursday. I am feeling pretty lightheaded and weak, wish I could start back on my protein now. I can't believe I have to wait till Friday. This can't be all that healthy. I am so wanting to eat something . . . anything at all. But I totally understand the fear thing. I made some chicken noodle and strained the noodles out and bagged for the freezer. It has taken me all afternoon to eat it and there is still some left. I think I will try some jello and see how that goes. Pinenut - slowdown, you might be pushing things to fast. A friend told me today that if you do to much to soon you risk the build up of scar tissue on the inside of your incisions. I thought I could go to support group too but was out of gas at the end of the day. Sue said she was going to go so hopefully she will report back to all of us tonight.

If it's not raining tomorrow then I am going to attempt to walk around the track once if someone will drive me. Is the no driving rule because of the drugs or because of the pain and strain on the abdominal muscles? My conclusion is thatTylenol doesn't do squat with the pain! anybody have this feeling of something lodged in your throat? how long before it goes away? sorry about the complaining and all the questions . . . just looking for guidance.

Day 4 post surgery and I think the belly pain is a little better but the gas pain is definately on the move. Didn't know it could be so noisy. I think i had a little post surgery depression today. I was upset that my family can't seem to put dishes in the dish washer or cleanup anything. I was angry that I was still in pain and I can't figure out what this feeling in my throat is. it feels like something is stuck in my vocal cords or around that region. Some people make this sound a lot easier then it is. Maybe my age has something to do with it but this is not a walk in the park! After all of this there is no way I am ever going back to being fat!

hi Sue - I just can't get comfortable!! Just took some more Tylenol so hopefully that will kick in real soon. Tomorrow has just got to get better!

hi Mer - you promise that this will get better? My port side is killing me!!! The only time it doesn't hurt is when I lay in bed with the heating pad on but then the gas fills like it isn't moving so I get up. I'm having a hard time getting comfortable tonight. Tomorrow will be better I hope.

Evilah - they will just fix it when they are in there. I had one to but they didn't see it during the scope but found it when they went in for the surgery. I think some of my pain could be from that. The port pain is the worst today and the gas is really stating to move around. I didn't realize how much stomach muscle it took to fart!

I'm back! So I'm vertical for a little while and I will try and type fast before I need to lay back down. Day 1- (surgery) woke up at 4:30, left at 5am, checked in at 5:30. They took me back to pre-op at 6:40 (could of used that hour to sleep) I was 2nd on the schedule. In pre-op they had me get my gown on, took my blood pressure and put in my IV. They brought my husband back and he stayed with me for a while. Then I got a shot of Heprun (sp) and we walked to the surgical unit. I hit the bathroom on the way there and then kissed hubby goodbye. I got on a gurney and waited for the different people to come in and introduce themselves. They put my leg squeezers on and gave me shot number two of heprun. I went through one whole bag of glucose by then so hit the bathroom again on the way to the surgical wuite. I transfered beds, put my arms out, got the mask and that was all I remember. I had told everyone how sick I get on pain meds before hand so they started with the antinausea meds right away. They gave me something very strong because I have no memory till about 5pm. My husband said that my surgery was around 9:45 and over around noon. They found a hernia and repaired it while they were in there. Like I said I woke up around 5pm and they had me get up and use the bathroom. I had no idea if Iwas going or not but hte nurse turned on the water to help me. It took a while for my bladder to wake up. Some of what made me sooo sleepy was the nausea meds. The nurse made me walk a little while she hang on to me. She kept telling me to open my eyes, felt like I just wanted to sleep. I was in and out for the next couple of hours. They gave me breathing treatments and kept the leg squeezers on. They were pouring IV's through me so I had to keep getting up to go to the bathroom which was frustrating because I would have to wait for them to unhook my IV so I could get up. Almost peed my pants a couple of times. I was very glad for my pillow from home and as soon as possible I changed into a knit night shirt because the tent they had me in was very uncomfortable. My scars are all above my underwear line so I could wear those without any discomfort. The advise to wear a jacket so you didn't have to put a bra on was perfect for coming home with. I still havn't put on a bra yet. They gave me another antinausea at 10pm that knocked me out for the night. Boy was I glad I was in a hospital with bars on the bed to get up on and bars by the toilets! Day two - came home about 9:00am from the hospital. Proped up on lots of pillows inbed and settled in for the day. Gas was not bad. They had to send me home on a pain pill that I had to crush and mix with crushed popsicle to get down. Tasted nasty! but didn't make me sick. The breathing machine is really important this day!!! Popped a lot of gas x strips so that was good. Stayed on top of pain and rested, slept pretty well last night. Day 3 - Gas is worse today. port pain is sharp. Trying to stay vertical more. Switched to liquid tylenol, just couldn't take the bad taste of the other stuff anymore. Heating pad feels wonderful on port side. Drinking lots of dillutted apple juice. I took a shower and one of the clear bandages came off but the steri strips are still on. I'm not hungry but want to stay hydrated. Read through my material and remembered I was supposed to be taking my B vitamims, oops. I can't believe how anyone could fly to Mexice and home again after this, ouch!!! Okay, been up long enough, need some more heat on the belly. I'll check back in soon. Hope you are doing well pinenut, bet we could swap some stories!

Thanks team! you guys are great! I'm ready to go and a little excited so I am not sleeping right now. I figure I will have a few days to catch up on the sleep.<br /> <br /> Pinenut - Good luck and my prayers are with you! I had Sue take my pictures and measurements the day I started pre-op. I wouldn't want to give my husband a heart attack. Maybe when I'm thin I will let him keep the lights on! lol<br /> <br /> Sue and Mer - don't use my down time as an excuse to not walk. I will be waiting to hear you went on without me. Sue, don't forget to order me vanilla protein.<br /> <br /> here I go . . . . . . . . .

Pinenut- if you work in Tacoma then maybe we could meet to walk on Rustin Way. Sue and I walked there last week and it was very nice. Do you get a lunch hour? I can't believe that you are going to work on Monday! Take it easy girl. is anyone having to wait forever for your message to post? I'ts taking forever!

Pinenut- if you work in Tacoma then maybe we could meet to walk on Rustin Way. Sue and I walked there last week and it was very nice. Do you get a lunch hour? I can't believe that you are going to work on Monday! Take it easy girl.

Evilha - I am planning on feeling up to it, Sue said she would drive me. Guess I won't really know until I'm there.

Sue - I have class untill 1pm, then I have to stop by Item House and fit review two coats. By that time I will be close to picking up Missy and getting her to dance. I could walk after I pick up Anna from fastpitch. I should be home about 5pm. Whats your evening look like? Pinenut - thanks for the tips.

Pinenut - Good luck and lot's of prayers for you on the 17th. We will have to share our stories after we are back on our feet. My surgery is scheduled for 7:30am on the 17th. i have to check in at 5:30am, yuk!

CJQuilter - if you spend some time on the May banders thread under general discussions then you will get a first hand look at lots of people just getting banded. It is a variety of people with different experiences and very educational. Welcome to the Washington banders! Where abouts are you? Who is your doctor?

I'm more excited then nervous. i have a real feeling of peace about it. I'm ready to get on with the rest of my life. I had to give Julie some of my clothes today because they were to big already. That was fun! I have a bunch of things to do tomorrow to get ready but it's not like I'm not going to have time to rest or anything. lol