HarleyNana

Well gals, I can finally join the Monday scales challenge, today makes 1 week. I've been weighing it every other day, though I will have to cheat when I go to doc this week. I know I'm at a great advantage right now, being a new bandster. but I'm enjoying the ride....down Betty, my DH just came in with a box of Dunkin Donuts for me to take to the office, as soon as he saw my face he knew he'd screwed up and apologized. I thought, well, I could suck that filling through a straw, then my band said, (NO, don't do it!) Just got off the scales, -16.5 lbs, :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana (includes the 3 lbs of fluids I gained in hospital) That now makes me a onesy and very glad I didn't suck the filling out of that donut, LOL. Dec 7, Day after surgery 215 Today 198.5 Oh yes, I will be good!

Thankfully, my doctor told me anything I could suck through a straw I could have. It's amazing what will fit through a straw and NO, I'm not using a straw. Only 3 days after surgery, which was Dec 6, I had a real pity me day and night. I even went to bed @ 8:00 I was so miserable. If I'd had to stay on Clear Liquids, I'd probably be unglued by now. TG, I have never had slime or golf ball, but I DO know after a few licks or sips (I use a spoon for everything) I've had enough. It's amazing how long you can drag out eating a smidgen of soup or thin sausage gravy, with the sausage removed. I don't do milk in any form other than cheese, obv no cheese here. I have found s/f popsicles to be my bands friend too, when I get that urge I need something now, I reach for a popsicle, it's crunchy, sweet, and it fills that void and gets me past that rough time. I would suggest all new bandsters find something that will be their diversion from the no no stuff. It seems every doctor has different rules and guidelines, we're all in charge of our own bands, and it's up to us to repect ourselves and our band.

I haven't had any problems taking pills at all, the pain med was huge, I did cut into 3 pieces before taking. I usually take a couple swigs of Water, then swallow pills, then couple of more swigs to help disolve it, or maybe that's dislodge it...what ever I haven't had any problems, but I don't want erosion to happen either. Marie, thank goodness, my doc fixed my hiatal hernia while he was installing the band, boy has it made a difference. Tums use to be my very best friend, in the car, beside the bed, next to my chair, on the kitchen counter, in my purse, well you get the pic.

Theresa, I tried that with my surgeon as well, I told him it would be a nice surprise to wake up and find these droopy eye lids gone, he laughed...didn't work, still got em.

The morning of the surgery, last Monday, Dec 6, I drove myself to the hospital because I had to be there @5:30 in the am, (boy was my dh upset because I didn't wake him until I was leaving), I told him to come to the hospital around 7, because my surgery wasn't until 7:30. When he and my mom got there, I was sitting on the bed, watching Today Show. My mom asked if I was nervous, I said no, I know this is meant for me to do, although I was a bit tensed when the iv was started, hate needles! I have to admit the few days prior I was questioning myself, then a calm came over me and it was ok, and it was OK! They rolled me out of the preop section, made a right turn, then that was the last thing I remembered until I woke up in my room. The only pain I've had has been in my left shoulder and for some crazy reason, my left breast. Now almost a week out, the shoulder pain comes and goes, but does not last long. As for my incisions, tender for a few days, but now up and down's a breeze. I did gain 3 lbs of Fluid while I was in the hospital, but I've lost that, plus 12 more lbs, so a -15 lbs, I'll take it! I wish you the best and a speedy recovery, we'll all be thinking of you.

I use to have diet Coke running through my veins, about 2 years ago I got tired of it and started drinking bottled water, now I have a bottle with me constantly and have it delivered to my house by the cases. Although, I use to be able to gulp down half a bottle at a time, now it's tiny sips and it takes so much longer to get through 1 bottle. When I go to a restaurant, I ask for a dish of lemons and sprinkle tiny bit of sweet n low, and it went down so easy, haven't tried since the band. I did have some light lemonade today, omg, over ice, it was the bomb!

Way to go Jen. Hope you're feeling as well as your post indicates. I received my band on Monday and I'm still fighting the shoulder gas pain. It goes and comes, but when it's on, I get quizzy on the tummy. My first two days were better than my day 3 and 4, but today has been very good. Oh yea, on my day 4, I was down 13.5 lbs. I'm sure most of it's Fluid, but it's still good to see those digital number drop. I had to do a double take, even got off the scales and back on to make sure I didn't mess up. Take care of yourself.

Betty, hopefully the doctor hit that sweet spot everyone raves about. That would be great through the holidays. Also, it's good to know that needle doesn't hurt, I don't think I'll ever get over that one I had on Monday for my IV's, still can't get a watch on from the swelling. Blossom, he probably just wanted to look at those pretty blue eyes one more time!

Babs, I'm glad you were pleased with your visit and I hope things are looking brighter for you.

I had those on my legs from the time I returned to my room until the morning of checkout. Actually, I referred to them as my leg shackles. I guess I'll go walk, walk, walk...Thanks

It's 12:06 eastern time, I'd say you're officially a bandster now. Congratulations!

Gosh, that's all that's been on my mind today is, "am I getting a blood clot", I have a new pain up the left side of my neck and behind my left ear. It happens every now and then, but then it goes away. The only pain I had after surgery was the left shoulder pain, which still goes and comes. My incisions do not hurt at all. I move around a lot, but I don't consider it really walking. Does doing laundry count, LoL. Then someone told me to look for a red spot, that would be an indication of a blood clot. Then what did I find right next to my right temple, a red swollen spot. I think I'm doing it to myself. What do yall think?

Thanks everyone, I did very well, no tummy bubbles, only shoulder pain, big ache, but the pain gone by this am. I think all the prayers did the trick. This is such a wonderful support family! Thanks again

I wish you luck, I hope your banding goes as easily as mine did. I'm 36 hrs out and doing great. I asked the doctor to check for hdl hernia, which he found and fixed, as well as a liver biopsy. Keep walking after the surgery, I couldn't wait to get out of the hospital today. My biggest pain was my IV, so make sure they put it in a comfortable place, because it will be used a lot! You really don't need to take a lot, because you're not there for long, I wore my gown and housecoat home from hospital. Again, Good Luck.

I can hardly wait. Although, I'll be happy to just comfortably fit into what I've been overfilling, LOL. Another inspiration.

Penni you look great! I had my daughter in law take a couple of pictures of me Sunday night before the surgery and she just kept clicking away, because usually I'm yelling, "don't point that thing at me". So hopefully I will have some after pics to send you to post before and afters for me. I like your new avatar pic as well.

Babs, I'm so sorry to hear you're having so many trials and tribulations at one time. It sounds like you're really being challenged right now. I know what you mean about the meds, my doc tried to send me home with percosets today, but I opted for darvocets (sp), because I don't like to take meds at all. They make some pretty low dose anti's now and if it would help cope with your situation, it may be in your favor to try one. As for the hair loss, my daughte in law's mom takes propecia (sp) because she has been thinning and she's not a bander, just a very small person. Take care and don't let these milestones undo what you've worked so hard to accomplish. If it takes a few meds to get your through this, then go for it, be glad there's something out there to help you through this, plus you've got all of us @ LBT.

Hey guys, just wanted to let everyone know I sailed through the surgery just fine, no tummy gas, but the left shoulder gas was a biggie! While the doctors were in there, they found a hadal hernia, fixed that and did a liver biopsy for my pcp. Most of you probably remember me telling you, I am the first adj bander in my area, and the first for my doctor. Dr. Allen from Ky was the assisting proctor. I met two other people that had it done after me, of course I had to introduce her to this site, I'm sure she will be joining soon. So, now it's just me, my band and all of you wonderful supporters. I had my dh stop by Dunkin Donuts had a cup of coffee with splenda, ummmmm. Went right down, slow, tiny sips. and it's still down an hour later. I'm so swollen with fluids, I feel like the Michellin man. Thanks for all the prayers and thinking about me.

I'm happy to say, as of 26 hrs ago, my port is now in place on my right side between my right boob and rib...I think! I know it's under one of these bandages. Although on the xray this am it looked like it was on the left, I'm not really sure where it is, I just know I got one!

I'm glad I took time to read a few more posts before getting ready for my big day tomorrow. By this time tomorrow night I'll be in bandland. Thanks for all the positive thoughts.

Delarla, just when I was feeling sorry for myself, really getting a case of, "what in the hell am I getting ready to do?" syndrome. I think I'm even getting close to a panic attack, although I've never had one. So, after reading your story, I'm going to suck it up and stay focused on the new me and my journey ahead. You've been such a martyr, I only hope that if I have any problems I can handle them as well as you have. Thanks for letting us share your ups and downs. PS Any encouragements today will be greatly appreciated, still a little, what am I saying, a lot nervous and scared.

Thank you, boy do I feel silly.

Leatha are you calling hard proteins? (This is one of those, you don't know until you ask ?) you said its ok to ask dumb questions

Thanks Everyone for all the support and advice. My surgeon said he has heard this site (right side, near rib cage) leaves less chance cor port to flip or tube to bind, although, seems to me the sternal would be the best. Who knows what I'll end up with, LOL, the proctor may decide to put it sternal..we'll see...now what would I like to eat today?

I'm not looking forward to that with DH around, it's ok for him to blow a wall out, but if I make a tiny noise, he immediately bellows, "Did you fart???". I can hardly wait! Again, Blossom, when do you get your first fill?