marcyinak

Talked to Dr. K he feels the pain is probably a nerve...especially because of the area and that it's a "sharp, burning pain". This isn't typical, but sometimes happens. He said to take some Ibuprophen, but wouldn't you know, as soon as I talk to the doc the pain subsides?! Isn't that how it always is?

Icy - I don't think you're losing your mind...I have the same feeling too. I don't think it's necessarily Head Hunger, but there are times I feel like "heck, I'm not full, or even feel full so why not have more?" I think the idea is that we don't feel hungry...feeling full is irrelevant. This is a hard concept for me to grasp. I also eat when I'm bored and I've been trying to drink instead (which is hard, I'm not big on fluids). Oooppsss, I hear a war starting with the children, must go and conquer!

Patti C - Good news! I noticed this past week I gained a few pounds and wasn't really freaking out, but not happy about it at all! Today I weighed myself and I've lost what I gained. Remember, also that I can eat just about everything...no real post-op diet for me, just progress as I see fit. There IS hope, just remember you're RECOVERING not DIETING! Jeanie - I didn't really have any "food stages"...I was on clear liq. for 2 days and then I moved to all liq. and soft foods (yogurt, cot. cheese) for a few days. Now I'm eating everything except bread and soda (I'm just not mentally prepared to deal with an issue if I have one with these). Kathy - Now that surgery is over I'm sure it went fine. You had an odd pre-op diet anyway...doc should've given you more options. Indiogirl - Love ya, girl, but we shouldn't give any mis-information here...MY DOC HAS ABORTED A SURGERY BEFORE and almost did the other day again. Pre-op diets are designed for a reason and if we can't follow them (most of the time...no one's perfect) then maybe we should re-evaluate if this is the right tool for us. Cate54 - I would suggest trying Tylenol instead of Ibuprophen...Ib. has been known to show stomach/bowel upset...which could be showing up as pain for you. I would stay off of it for a couple of days, eat some yogurt to clean you out, and stick to Tylenol. I would be this will help. Update - First...we did IT! Yes, I mean, IT. Pain wasn't so bad...did I mention that my husband is a fantastic luuuvvveeerrr? Sorry, Lynette that you're having to wait so long. I spoke too soon the other day, the pain in my left-of-center is back with a vengence. I moved a lot yesterday and that could be the culprit. Could be that I've been picking up my daughter and today I'll stop and relax...I have a hot date with my DH tonight!OOOOOOwweeee! Last night I had my first REAL meat. I got over zealous and downed a large piece of grilled chicken. Right after I swallowed I realized that I did not chew well enough and I was instantly worried that I was going to have issues. I just sat for a minute and sipped some Water. Within a couple of minutes the discomfort passed, but it really taught me a lesson about chewing!

ShelbiCallie - Flying the day after might be a little uncomfortable...but my flight was around 9 hours (not including lay-overs). I slept and felt find on the plane though. The surgery center I went to (Health South) gave me a patch behind my ear to help with nausea and even though I had BAD dry mouth, I think it helped and I have not even used any of my nausea suppositories. I'd say as long as you can take your time at work (for naps and drugs) you'll do just fine. For sure have a "Plan B" in place just in case! That pain in my left-of-center is rearing it's ugly head today. I'm in more pain than I have been in for a week! Bad enough I'm considering the Vicodin instead of Tylenol. I think I'll give Dr. K a call and make sure all's ok. There's no redness, just sharp pain.

nicnaknut - YEAH! There's a couple of folks who just got banded by Dr. K on the July Lucky #7 Bandsters thread. They both said that they have been recovering well and had very little pain! So maybe what is happening to me ISN'T a miracle afterall?! No, really, I believe this all happened for a reason....ALL the stars aligned for me to be able to do this! Dynamo - You seem as if you go a mile a minute....I hope you're taking time to relax and enjoy your new body and life!

jfk and Biggest Loser - welcome to bandland via Dr. K!! I thought he was awesome! I'm glad you had good experiences and are recovering well! As for Red Lobster...I'm now picturing Red Lobser's around the continent with banded women all eating at the same time and sitting with their laptops at the table to chat with everyone else! Haha! Just a side note...anyone aware that I'm on the coast? King crab here as often as I want! In the winter it's better becaue you don't need a boat, just a snowmachine, auger, and a crab pot...usually 7-8 king crab a pot! Oh yeah, can't wait for winter!:hungry: I go away for a softball game and a zillion pages of posts go by...now everyone's in bed. DANG! G'nite all!

Mark! Wondered where you were....sarcasm apparently has bitten you on the butt!

elinrw - I also had my gallbladder out several years ago...major pain there! I also had a LOT of that gaseous "referred pain" in my right shoulder. This time I had a little stiffness in between my shoulder blades and very little tummy pain...really, this was NOTHING compared to the former surgery! I had my surgery on Tues. 7/10, flew home to AK on Thurs. with very little discomfort and drugs. I managed three kids with no husband (he left for some meetings for 5 days) the week following surgery and today (2 weeks out) I have ablsolutely no pain or discomfort and I'm able to eat anything I want!

Chim - that's right sister, you jump around! I'd say stay up all night and have some fun, but really....sleep on your tummy, it will be a while before you're comfortable doing that again! (it doesn't hurt me, just makes me too aware that I'm doing it...therefore, uncomfortable) Hey, I got some kids for sale....anyone interested?

TWELVE for tomorrow!?! Geez!

Shesha - I'm curious...did you have to pay for all that? I remember someone sayting that he "guaranteed" his procedure for a year, but not really sure on that. Drew - what about you? did he charge you for the complications?

I'm healing well. Today I feel AWESOME! JenniferNAZ and I email eachother and we seem to be doing about the same. We both have been plagued with some pain near the left-of-center incision. Yesterday I wore a girdle like panty and I don't know if that helped, but today I have NO PAIN! WAHOO! Now, I'm pretty sure I'll be sore later, but I'm feeling good now and that's what counts! Woofay - NOPE, no restriction. I can eat a ton of food if I want (and one night I did because that's just what I do!). I haven't had any of the stuck issues, PBs, slimming or anything. Generally I'm doing well on portions, but I can tell you right now, I'm hungry! I'm looking forward to that first fill...it's Aug. 16 in Anchorage. Thanks everyone!

Anytime Lynette, I'm glad I could "fill in"....no pun intended! LOL! Ok, I'm crackin' myself up here! Hey, GOOD NEWS! I've been having some sharp pain near an incision (same as JenniferNAZ - we email eachother). Yesterday I wore a girdle like panty and today I have NO PAIN! I walked for about 20min and then went out and played with the chickens (my kids included). When I got in I realized that there's NO PAIN! WAHOO! Now, I'm not deluded or anything, I'll probably feel it this evening, but this is great! What's not great is that I've gained a few pounds...totally sucks, but I'm trying to stay in the mindset that I'm trying to RECOVER not DIET! Although, I'm not eating all that much...it could definitely be the sedentary lifestyle I've been leading the past couple of weeks....I'm going to start walking in the morning with the kids and at night with the whole family!

Lynette - sister, you have NO IDEA what ssssslllllloooooowwwwww internet is! LOL!

Nic - the pain is not from nerve damage or anything...it is called "referred pain", but it's not referred from anything. What it is is the CO2 (they blow your tummy up with that) that was not completely deflated from the lap procedure....it usually tries to get out through your shoulders. When I had a lap chole (gallbladder removal) the pain was terrible in my right side. After Dr. K's band I had a little "stiffness" in between both shoulder blades...lasted a few days, but was NOTHING compared to that lap chole! The referred pain is selective, some get it, some don't and there's no way to tell who will. I've also heard that the band referred pain is a lot less than other lap procedures...don't know why. Don't let this deter you! As for the ticker....go to www.tickerfactory.com enter all your stuff and it will give you a code. Copy the code and insert it into your signature (look up above under Quick Links to Edit Signature). When you want to change it you just click on your ticker and it will open the site to change it and it will automatically change it on your posts.

Ms Yackie - I don't know about starting mushies too early, I was eating that stuff at day 3! Didn't have a problem. I bet you got something a little stuck. Remember, we're not DIETING now, we're RECOVERING! It's ok to drink with your food right now, you WANT it to go down easy! I would bet it was a combo of dehydration and the walking, maybe even a little shock to the system. REST and take it easy! Jeanie - thanks for the compliment...she was extra precious tonight on our walk! Gladster - call your doc, the nurses here are great, but you PAID MONEY to the doc, he should take your call anytime to answer ANY question! Don't feel like you're bothering him, feel like you EXPECT him to take care of you! dieka - I also have the 10cc band, the doc likes it and hasn't had any complications with it. He recomends RECOVERY for the first 4 weeks and first fill can be done at 4 weeks. He calls a just placed band a "immature band" and a band at 4 weeks and able to be filled a "mature band". Kathybad - YES on the liq. Tylenol! I got the gas-x strips too, but don't know if I really needed them, I didn't have much of a gas problem. I also suggest getting an "abdominal ace bandage" (I saw them at Walgreen's) and some papaya pills (health food section)...I've heard that if food gets stuck then the chewable papaya pills help it go down...I also know that papaya helps with back pain too. It was pretty cheap and it can't hurt to have some on hand. Food wise...really, you should be able to get up and about within a few days and use a grocery trip as an excuse to walk! :-) G'night all....It's time I set the computer aside for the night.

Haha! Sunny, did I mention that my DH (or as he likes to say Big Stud Of A Husband BSOAH) is the Sergeant for the Alaska State Troopers? He just came home! That uniform ROCKS! Gives good butt...and did I mention the gun? Ooooooo, baby!

Thanks for the comments on my little Stormy! She's started smiling on command (you know, smile for the picture) and it ends up looking a lot like an angry snarl, but it's still cute! Sunny and Dini - I appreciate that you think us Alaskans are so well off that I've got a spare bedroom! LOL! I guess I could give you Stormy's room and she could stay with me...I'd make room for you, but my little "bungalo" has only one bathroom! This might sound hillbilly, but I allow the boys to pee on the trees outside! Needless to say the neighbor kids are appalled! LOL! My neighbor's house is for sale though! Only $290,000 for a 4bdrm 2bath!! Ok, really, the prices are outrageous!

I got a question: In what way to you find support most helpful? For instance, do you find chatting on line most helpful (from other banders), sweet comments from family and friends, or even the doctor giving you praise and confidence? I find, right now, that the support from a couple of banders that email me to be the most helpful right now. My DH is great, but the other night did the, "are you supposed to be able to eat all that?" thing and, well, didn't feel supportive, even if he is.

Ok, Miss Marce has had WAY TOO much time in front of the computer today! It took hours to read what I had missed and here I am posting and posting and posting.....LOL! I really do hope that all those folks who have had to wait until the end of the month that your recovery goes as well as mine! It's rockin' baby! Doin' good!!!

Bloo-Dini HAS had a rough go of it with her man. Too bad for you. My husband is more than supportive (even if he had to give up sex for a few weeks! Poor boy!) Just remember, this IS really all for you, not for anyone else....others may benefit, but let this be a selfish thing if people want to call it that...live it up sister!

Dini....just for you! You should know that she has the most stunning blue eyes you'll ever see! They actually look purple in the sun!

Dini - you crack me up girl! My little girl's name is Stormy Rachel (Stormy to piss off my mom and Rachel is my middle name). She turns 2 at the end of September. She's a cutie, but man does she have a scream on her! YIKES!

NewCC - my port is centered...a few inches above my belly button...I have felt it, but it takes some effort to feel it. Renee - I'm sorry to hear about your dog...I totally support euthanasia...my parents let my childhood dog suffer for YEARS before he finally collapsed and died in severe pain!:think Wrangler - that swelling is probably the port site...where it actually is and the swelling is normal. I'd ice it and see if that helps with the swelling. Lindaa - Oh My! I tend to say the most inappropriate things at times like these so I'll just say that I'm so sorry, how sad that is for the family, and at least your son and his wife can have comfort knowing that they were able to spend some time with him during his last day here. Phyl - I just read that your fever is gone! GREAT! I had/have diarrhea occasionally...remember, we're mostly eating soft food...nothing with real bulk so give yourself a little bit of time for this.:nervous Chimboree - I too have been the biggest in an exercise class. You have to put it into perspective though...some of those folks USED to be the biggest in the class...the reason they aren't is because they are AT THE CLASS! LOL! Keep smiling and pumpin' along sister!:whoo: Lynette - I'm so jealous that you have a Dollar Store! There's really no such thing in Alaska (even in the cities). While I was in Denver for my surgery I used the Dollar Stores and Target as my "reason to walk"! LOL!:bandit Mango - I just realized that I spent all last week being upset at my DH for leaving town for 5 days (a week after surgery!) I managed ok and I should be thankful for that. That negativity was NO GOOD for me, try not to be upset...maybe you'll recover like me and not need him at all...that'll show him. (Of course, it is nice to milk it once in a while. ) Ash - instead of potatoes try mushed up steamed cauliflour! It actually does taste good and it's so much better for you! Also, get in on come creamy soups that are good for you...also remember that your RECOVERING...we're not supposed to be trying to lose weight while we recover, just eat healthy!:biggrin1: Sunny - you know the ratio in Alaska is 6 men for every woman! Why you going on-line? Just do a summer stint as a nurse for an Alaska hospital and find yourself a rich health care professional! Dini - First, I'm disgusted that people gave you crap about your weight (before surgery)! You're not FAT, and from what I see in your pics...you really weren't that bad! It sickens me that there are folks in the world who make fine looking people feel like they're cows and then go through SURGERY to look "normal"! You are a beautiful woman and I'm sorry that you've had to go through all this (man, your STARTING BMI is where most of us would LOVE to be!) Please, learn blow off those who can't see your beauty, because you ARE beautiful! POST-OP UPDATE: Well, I seem to have a more lenient doc than everyone else...first there was no pre-op testing and now, afterwards I've been given the go-ahead for ANY food (and tomorrow makes 2 weeks out, but he said this after two days). I've been able to eat anything I want. I chew a lot and eat slowly, not because I get full fast (I don't), or because I get tummy pain (never had this), but because I don't want any of those! Maybe my brain IS helping me!?! I had a pretty lazy weekend (which I needed) but am back in gear. Chasing the chickens (getting them in and out of the coop...and back in again because my 4 yr old sprayed them with the hose and it's too cold to be outside and wet) has been a good form of exercise today. I'm definitely feelin' it! I only have one spot of pain...near an incision (not the port incision), but it's better today that I have some girdle-like panties on that's holding it all in...MUCH better. I know someone recommended an "ace bandage for the belly" I too recommend this. I saw it at Walgreens. I'm still suckin' at drinking the shakes, but I'm getting enough protein, etc. in so I'm not too worried. I can sleep on my stomach now and pick up my daughter (she's almost 2) so I'd say I'm doing FANTASTIC! I know that's a lot, but I don't post that often and since it took 3 hours to get through the thread....I deserve a little long-windedness!

ShelCal- Welcome! I just got back from surgery last week and things are going great. Dr. K did not have me do ANY tests, including some urine and blood whilst in the gown as Woofay stated! I didn't find this unusual as he's not using insurance and doesn't have to "prove" that our obesity is a health risk, etc. I know he does pre-op testing on a patient by patient basis though. Marilyn will give you all the info you need to set up your post-op appt. and surgery. I stayed for two days post-op and I HIGHLY suggest bringing someone with you, even if they are just a driver! This goes for all the new Out of Towners! I took off my tape/bandages today. The incisions are a little sore so I put steri-strips on a couple of them so my skin doesn't pull....much better! I've been kinda blah on the whole Protein shake thing...I usually like them, but I'm just not in the mood this week. I think my chickens are eating healthier than I! LOL! Mal - Geez! I had a month like that last year....by the end of the month I was just so stressed that I started praying, "Bring it on! I can handle it!" There's a hymn in my church that talks about our trial and one of the lines is, "And if I die before my journeys through, All is Well, All is Well!" I swear that was my theme song! LOL! May God give you the strength too! Woofay - try housetraining a Boston Terrier....is just doesn't happen! Too bad, they are so cute and ours was so much fun, I just couldn't have my new baby crawling around on the floor only to find a "Tootsie Roll" to munch on (this didn't happen, but it was a BAD vision)...he found a new home where they just love him...we miss him a lot, but it's all for the better! If I only knew.....chickens crap A LOT! Have fun with all those visitors! (See, it pays to live out in the middle of nowhere!) Dynamo - the friend we stayed with while there is a painter and holds private classes. She let my sister sit in on one and my sister actually had the better painting! LOL! Sue kept saying, "Try mixing these colors....apply like this...you know, like Mary!" It was too funny! Good luck with yours! Hey, there's a few planes for sale here...you interested?