insubordination

Congratulations! You have done astoundingly well. It must be so exciting to hit your sweet spot. Watch the weight melt off now.

Welcome back Marlynn (seems like you had a tougher trip than all of us but you got through it), Clarice and someone else whom I know I've missed. This thread seems to be an interesting mix of pre-op and post-op experiences and it's only June 10. It's funny how all doctors are different. I'm two weeks full liquids, 2 weeks mushies and a fill at the end of that 4 weeks, then another fill at 6 weeks. My surgeon has a very good reputation, so I'm not worried about the early fill. Maybe he is trying to avoid 'Bandster Hell'.

I've never heard of someone filming their op before. You'd have to ask the doc, I guess. Too bad there aren't any other guys on this thread but best of luck with your 17 days off-shore - then it's band time. I bet you'll have lost so much weight by then , you almost won't need it.

ETA Lynette, Luck 7 sounds great. You'll be a pioneer there. I was originally a May bandster and got bumped back to June. Post in both threads. Good to have you back Stef. I understand just what you mean about the parked car. I am amazed at how quickly everyone is recovering. I certainly haven't gone for a walk yet and it's been three days. It doesn't help that it's been a non-stop monsoon outside but I probably wouldn't want to walk anyway. Around the house is enough for me. I don't feel in the slightest bit hungry. In fact, I'm finding almost impossible to get the minimum liquid/nutrition required and a struggle to have anything at all. Maybe that'll change in a few more days. I'm not going back to work for at least 7 days and I will take longer if I don't feel up to it. The gas is definitely subsiding - not so bad now. I guess some people get it worse than others. Heat pack helped a lot as does de-gas and prune juice to get the bowels moving. I've also heard you can by a dissolvable fibre supplement if anyone's having trouble in that department Also, I've been sipping on peppermint tea as I've heard that helps a lot with gas. I haven't had one caffeine craving or any caffeine withdrawals so don't worry. QuadMom, you're not going to die in the surgery. It is so much easier than all the other things you've achieved. I can't believe you're a QuadMom! Your life's going to be so much easier when you have some weight off. ETA: I forgot to say that you can by a pill crushing gadget quite cheaply from pharmacies. It really helps to take them ground up. You don't want to damage your stitches. I love this thread, even if I can't name you all individually to wish you well.

Thanks Susannah, I'm doing fine. Just have to wait out this pain in the gut a few more days . I'm having real trouble forcing myself to drink the minimum requirement which is hilarious when I think about it. Chickie, I bet a couple of years ago you could have never imagined you'd be under 50kg. Your before and after has always been inspiring to me. Dakotababe, I'm sure you won't have a problem giving up the CokeZero. I've been banded for a few days and haven't even felt like a coffee and I'm addicted to the stuff. I know there is a list or something for Rockhampton bandsters. If you can't find it on your own, I'll ask around.

I reckon you should forget about your weight loss until your first fill. Start from that point. Anything else is just a bonus.

So good to hear from you JoJosMama and JoeyGirl. It sounds as though we are all having similar experiences. JoJo, didn't you have sticky bandage things over your wounds already? I don't think the band-aid will hurt. Just leave it. Keep taking your medication and don't drink too fast. My stomach also feels full. I'm finding it hard to drink the minimum requirement. I'd rather just have nothing. How funny! I know I must so I just sip all the time. If I drink too fast, it feels wrong. I find that I don't want my morning coffee and don't have any withdrawals. How odd! Pre-op people, hang in there. Just do the best you can and if you do slip, make sure it's on vegetables or lean Protein not fatty/carby stuff. I really admire the people who adhere 100% I did for a week or two and then snapped a bit. However, the last 6 days I was as good as gold. I guess the only motivation is excitement about your impending op and wanting to be tip-top so it's easier on your body and you heal more quickly. Doesn't help much, I know. I wasn't even weighed on op day. They just took my last recorded weight as gospel. No one mentioned anything or asked me how much I'd lost.

That sounds damn good for 4 months Susannah. You're about to hit double digits. Well done! I was only banded a couple of days ago. I had the scales taken away until my first fill.

I hope our June 7 bandits are doing well. June 8 are just about there too. Although there are too many people to address individually, I am thinking of you all and reading your posts with interest. The description below is for soon-to-be-banded in case they are interested in what exactly happened in (an Australian) hospital. *Checked in at the hospital and paid. They took me up to a bed where I dressed in a gown, injected an anti-coagulant into my leg and put some surgical stockings on. They also measured my bp, temp etc. and checked my stomach for any lesions. *Waited a couple of hours (2nd off rank) and was wheeled down to theatre. The anesthetist explained about meds post-op and explained what he was going to do. At this point, right before the op, I needed to go to the toilet again (I had my period). They were going to bring me a bedpan but I pursuaded them to let me walk. *Upon returning, I was wheeled next to the operating table and slid on. It looked a little small but had some attachments for arms to spread out. I can't even remember going under. All I know is that they let you keep your gown on while you are conscious. In fact, my 'modesty' was protected right throughout my hospital stay. No bedpans, no getting undressed in front of people, was even allowed to put in my own suppository (ew!) *It only seemed like a moment until I woke up from surgery. I was cranky and kept telling them how much it hurt. They gave me some pain killers. I was wheeled to my room and got a call from my mother. I wasn't quite myself yet and kept telling her that it really hurt a lot. When she called a few hours later, I was fine. *I slept for a few hours I guess and then changed into my pyjamas. It retrospect, I should've brought a nightie as I had a leg massaging machine attached to me and it was awkward to put the pyjama pants over the top of it. *I was nil-by-mouth. Dang I was thirsty, though the IV drip helped. Nurses came throughout the night to adjust IV, monitor vitals etc. *I had to press the buzzer for the nurse everytime I went to the toilet. She unhooked my leg massagers and helped me get up. *Went to the toilet by myself and changed underwear/brushed teeth. I may have sneaked a tiny bit of Water. Tip: don't drop/rest anything on the floor, it's too hard to pick it up again. *Spent the night in a room with excessively noisy/sick/dying patients. Wasn't ideal but I felt fortunate that I wasn't too bad. *In the morning, was allowed to drink water and juice. They tried to make me eat jelly too but i rejected it as am vegetarian. *Got another anti-coagulant. Saw the doctor, got instructions and prescriptions, my mother drove me home. Didn't get a barium swallow to check the band's position. *Now am at home, am able to do everything I need to (I live alone) but pain meds are important. I'm still in a bit of pain post-banding (it's been about 48 hours). It was hard to sleep in bed last night and I woke up at 4am needing pain meds. I know I just have to wait it out. I haven't felt like coffee or anything other than water, though I'm forcing myself to have vegetable juice mixed with pea Protein powder and a liquid Vitamin. Anyway, everyone's experience will be different from mine. Just wanted to give specifics for the curious.

Well you can put me in blue because I'm banded and back home. The operation was straight forward. It's a little painful when first waking up but improves overnight. I wasn't put into ICU after all. The only glitch was that I shared my room with two noisy patients...one of whom later died!!! Not of lapbanding, don't worry! I got up my stairs and showered OK. Standing up seems to be easier than sitting or lying. As people mention, it's the shoulder tip pain that hurts more than the stomach. Make sure you have a heat pack/hot water bottle. I hope everyone else (pre and post) is doing well. What a month we all have ahead of us!

Well, my time has come. I'm so excited! The next time I post, I will be banded. Best of luck to fellow June 6-ers. I have to arrive at the hospital at 6.30am (less than 10 hours away as Australia's time way ahead of most of you. I'd better pack my bag and catch some zzzzz. Thanks to all the early Juners. Your posts helped so much and to everyone who's waiting and starving....the date really does come. I swear it!

Only a day and a half until my banding. I hope I can get back to work in a week. How did you guys go?

Yes good luck HuntersMom and everyone else tomorrow. Thanks for the words Becky. Yes, we are being banded on the same day, cool no? So glad you're back MM! I told my ex-boss about the banding today. He's filling in while my boss is away. It's funny because we're not exactly close but I was whining about my pre-op diet and he told me that his sister (whom I have met) is going in for gastric banding tomorrow. I figured it was the perfect time to tell. He swore he wouldn't tell anyone and he's only going to be around a few weeks anyway. Still, it felt good to get it off my chest. I don't like lying to colleagues but medical stuff is private, so that's OK. I hope everyone else is hanging in there with appointments and diets. I only have one more day of the pre-op thank goodness! My post-op diet is kinder than some of yours in regards to the types of liquids, so I'll remember than before complaining.

I only have two more days of the pre-op diet and I will be banded. I am so relieved. I was never able to accept this diet and just suck it up. My life for a piece of fruit! I battled it every day (and on several days, unsuccessfully). I didn't lose as much weight as I hoped but I did take off 7.5 kilos /16.5 pounds. Not stellar but more than I would usually lose in any given month.

Great to hear from you Lisa H. 24 hours, that's tough. Glad you were prepared for the shoulder pain. I'm also glad you caught some zzzz in the recliner. I don't have one but I do have a foot rest and some pillows. That should do it. You're banded!

HT, I just read your post. I'm so happy for you. You really deserved an that experience after a full week of clear liquids.

Becky said I don't even have a goal weight yet. I will set a mini-one first. I can't take on the 'big picture' all at once. I always feel like I have the farthest to go too. I still don't enjoy talking about my weight and feel ashamed, even in this forum. That's why I don't have a ticker. I will get one when the weight starts to come off. I weigh a lot more pounds than you Becky (let me convert as I work in KG) 330! but I must be a lot taller. My BMI was 51 on my initial visit but now it's 47.3 (thank you pre-op diet). About a year ago it was around the 55 mark. It's going to be so much easier for us to get through life with the weight off. I have some great brothers too. Although they have a tendency to stack on weight, they always take it off again with vigorous excercise and diet. They are very supportive of my decision. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to go to the grad. Get someone to film it. Your brother will understand. Mothers are mothers. Ask your doctor first if you plan on going. When Toni was talking about the stairs, well I live on the second floor and always lean on the rails when going up and down. It will be nice not to have to do that anymore. When you're this big, no one wants to sit next to you on public transport (which ain't that bad when I think about it) but it will be nice when people just sit down next to me without giving me the once-over and choosing somewhere else. I'm not going to end the working week exhausted and will be able to do more with my weekends because I'm not so tired. It's these little things I'm going to appreciate so much. MusicalMomma - it's good to hear that the surgery isn't always straight-forward. Although we all hope for that, we should be prepared for the possibility of staying and extra night or two. I will be in ICU as I have an odd heart valve (wouldn't have known that prior to this surgery). I sincerely hope I don't have to stay an extra night as I'm self-pay but will bring a credit card just in case. I hope you're out shortly and that your heart is back to normal.

That's great Suzzzie. I know you have been desperately waiting for it. ToniTeach, so glad you didn't have the gas problem. I'm hoping for the same. June is ticking away for the rest of us.

Serena, I know exactly what you mean. That's why I'm finding the pre-op diet to be an almost impossible task. I think I'll need to see a psychologist post-banding. I live alone too but have told a select few family members I knew would understand. Please offload on us if you need to. PM me if you want. It's so important to vent once in a while. It's so good that you're taking this step for yourself. I'm sure your late friends approve heartily. ja9va You must be really freaking out. Maybe they can take the gall bladder out and band you at the same time. Please keep us posted. I had a cancer scare myself a couple of years ago and I know what terrible thoughts can go through one's head. ToniTeach, I'm so happy you're back and everything went well. Rest up and be gentle with yourself. Come tomorrow, you'll have several other banders on the bandwagon. HottyToddy I totally get your breakdown at work. I feel on the brink sometimes. MsUK - Congrats. A week earlier is so much better than a week later. Congrats also to everyone who got their dates. I plan to get rid of my scales until the first fill. I don't trust myself, so I will give them to my mother until then. I think this will help my mental state somewhat.

Thanks Manatee. I'm glad you're OK. The calendar may not be updated until HT is back in fine form. Good luck June 1'ers. Welcome Bekiet. I hope your tests go well and that you can get a June date. Is anyone else really impatient about their impending op? The days can't go quickly enough for me. I would have it today if they could squeeze me in. My best wishes to all of you on the pre-op diet. The carb/caffeine withdrawal headaches are truly tough on the first few days but you'll get through it.

We'll love to hear from you when you come out of the other side ToniTeach. I'm sure that it won't be exactly pleasant but just try and picture yourself on this day next year.

You should never take 1 or 2 antibiotics. You must finish the course once you start taking them. My thoughts are with all of you guys. I hope you all feel better in a few days.

What annoys me about this type of thing is the focus on financial success.

I like the taste of flaxseed oil. However, it has to be fresh and kept in the fridge.

We need you too (when you're 64) blancha. :grouphug:Congrats on your date. Sadly, yes. I love to eat as much as I want of whatever I want:hungry: and I will miss my Friday Thai takeaway. That's why I need a band. I know I will go through withdrawals but I'm much encouraged by some bandsters here who say that their relationship with food has changed for the better. Have fun in Vegas. I know how frustrating waiting for a date is but it will come and the time will pass. It always does. Thanks for updating the calendar HoddyTotty. I sincerely hope we'll all be here this time next year (only much slimmer and healthier). The June 06 bandsters are still going strong.