GonnaDoIt

I'm not questioning how long glue has been used by surgeons in general. But the doctors in that practice had only been using it for two days. I had asked them to use staples, and I thought that's what would happen, so I was suprised when I came out of surgery and found that I'd been glued. I would not have thought much of it, except that this one incision does not seem to have been closed and glued very well. My main concern is infection. Once I get past the danger zone for infection, I'll be less concerned about it. As I said, I'm going to have a big scar, but the only time that's going to be an issue is if I wear a bikini and if I lose enough weight to feel confident in a bikini, the benefits of the surgery will be so much greater than any scar! I don't think the scar will be hideous, but it will be noticeable.

The bloating and swelling seem to be passing. I can actually lean forward now without being unbelievably uncomfortable. And its been 10 days. How 'bout that. I'm a little concerned about one of the incisions. I was closed with glue and the surgeon (as competent as I think he is) revealed AFTER the surgery that they'd only been using the glue for a few days. The glue looks good on four of the incisions. Its that fifth one, the big one, that concerns me. This biggest incision, even right after the surgery, just didn't look closed enough to me. But I didn't get a good look at it until over six hours after the surgery, which is too late to improve how well a wound is closed. After six hours the best you can do is keep it from getting infected. After just a few days the glue on the big wound started splitting. I was aftraid bacteria would get under the glue. After a week I decided to just pull the glue off of that wound so I could do a better job of keeping it clean. Every day I wash with antibacterial soap. I let it air dry, rather than wiping with a nonsterilized towell. I put on Neosporin twice a day with freshly washed hands. Then I put on a big bandaid that's really meant for scraped knees. The big bandaid allows air to get through, but keeps my non-sterilized clothes off the wound. I think air needs to get through so it will stay dry and form a good scab, which I see is happening now. So far it doesn't look infected, but its going to be a big scar. In other news, I'm frustrated that I've lost so little in the past few days. I did great at first. I lost 5.5 pounds in the first week, but I've only lost .5 pounds in the past 3 days. I know that Water weight fluctuates, so I'm trying not to be too annoyed, but I thought I'd have a big loss this week, too and I don't think that will happen. I'm now on mushies. Even though I said before that I didn't feel much restriction, I have to admit, yesterday when I went to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, I went in starving, but I couldn't eat anything after just one cup of Soup. That cup of soup used to be my appetizer; you know, what I would eat before I really ate. So, the band is doing its job. I'd just like to see a bit more weight loss, man!

So, I had a huge crush on my friend in college, but I always thought I was too fat for him (I was 5'6" and about 185 lbs at the time). I've just learned that he married one of our classmates who was at least 300 lbs the whole time I knew her and still is now. They have two kids. I let my body image hold me back when clearly I shouldn't have.

Ok, did some more reading and it looks like even if I can tolerate eggs and mashed potatoes, eating food like that right now might interfere with the band healing in the right place. So, I'll stick to liquids for another (expletive deleted) week. But its killing me.

Won't Beans make my gas bloating worse? I've been trying to stay away from beans. Things are moving through my stomach pretty well. I'm not supposed to move on to mushies (eggs, mashed potatoes, chunky Soups w/o meat, etc.) for another week according one piece of literature, but some of my pieces of literature conflict. Is it worth the risk?

Six days since banded and I am SO HUNGRY! I want to go the McD and get the Steak, Egg and cheese Bagel. I can't stop thinking about it. I'm already sick to death of yogurt, carrot Soup, beef broth, and pudding. On a positive note, the following good things are happening: episodes of gas bloating are becoming less frequent, less severe, and briefer with a small pillow supporting my belly I was able to sleep on my side for part of last night, giving my aching back some welcome relief experiencing much less pain when I sit up from a lying down position incisions all appear to be healing normally no nausia or vomiting at all And, last but not least, I've lost 5.5 pounds in six days!! I'm sure a lot of it is Water weight but still. I did not expect to lose that much in the first week.

Just had the best burp ever! Feel so much better!

Today is Wednesday. I'm quite bloated again today, which surprises me since I was excited to have four very good burps yesterday. My stomach feels ginourmous and I have to lean way back in the chair. I feel like I'm 9 months pregnant. In fact sometimes my stomach has little muscle spasms around the band, which feels like a baby kicking! At least since the incisions are healing and not as sore the bloating isn't so painful, just uncomfortable. Hanging in there! My mother leaves tomorrow and I'll have to take care of the kids (ages 5 and 3) alone! I think I'm mostly up to the challenge at this point. With some discomfort I can now pick things up off the floor. But my daughter is having a tough time understanding why I won't pick her up or let her sit in my lap. I didn't realize how much physical affection I gave her until now. But she's already bumped one of my incisions once to the point where it started oozing, so I can't take any chances. She's very confused when I push her away when she tries to sit on my lap, but its only for a few more weeks.

Today is Tuesday (banded Friday) and I'm feeling MUCH better. Have been passing gas (YAY!!) and even burped this morning! Had my first BM since the surgery and that helped, too (pardon being explicit about bathroom stuff, but this is a thread about gas, after all). I don't feel like the gas pills really helped all that much. It just takes time to pass the gas from the surgery. My belly is still swollen and some of it is gas, but some I think is just swelling from the incisions. Anyway, feeling much better. I'm not having any trouble with cloudy liquids and semi-liquids. Over the past two days, I've had no problem with yogurt, pudding, carrot Soup with ginger, butternut squash soup, tomato soup, Carnation Instant Breakfast with skim milk, or cafe au lait. I think I actually don't have that much restriction, which I hear is common, but I'm able to keep on the liquid/semi-liquid diet by telling myself that eating solids right now will make me throw up. And don't tell me I won't throw up because the only think keeping me away from Bourbon chicken right now is the threat of vomiting.

I was banded on Friday. Its now Monday. I'm feeling very gassy and bloated. I'm often gassy and bloated when I don't eat, so I moved on from the Clear liquids only to the next phase: yogurt, strained Soups, Carnation Instant Breakfast, etc. It has helped some. I haven't had any nausia or spitting up. But my belly still feels enourmous from gas and possibly from some swelling from the surgery? I took some gas pills and they helped me sleep, but they don't seem to be helping much today. The doctor said I would experience gas for one or two days post surgery. Comments? Suggestions?

I am back in Houston. Snarlene, send me an email and we'll get together. I'm interested in those $200 fills with your trusted doctor in Bryan. Also interested in sharing experiences with someone local. I'm in SW Houston near West Oaks Mall. I'm having a lot of gas discomfort. Sometimes pain, sometimes just an uncomfortable bloated feeling. I normally feel gassy and bloated if I don't eat for a while, so this is probably contributing to normal post-op gassy feelings. Otherwise I'm doing fine. Very sore in the belly, but the pain is tolerable. I have trouble getting in and out of a chair and lots of trouble sitting up from a lying down position. sleeping is uncomfortable, because I can only lie on my back and my back gets sore from being in the same position for four hours. I've got some "what-the-hell-have-I-done-to-myself" thoughts, but then I'm very early post-op and when I'm more healed and start losing weight my sentiments will probably change. I can say that the medical care I got in Monterrey was first rate. The staff are very friendly. I'm a little more reserved with people I just met, so to me everyone was a little too friendly, but I know I'm in the minority about stuff like that. I imagine most people like it.

I´m here in Monterrey at the Sheraton awaiting my surgery this afternoon. The surgery will be with Dr. Sanchez, but I had a pre-op meeting with Dr. Rodriguez yesterday. I´m coming online to report my experience so far for those of you who are considering Dr. Sanchez. The hospital facility appears to a layman to be comparable to American standards. The doctor´s staff have so far fulfilled all promises and have been there every step of the way. The hotel staff are helpful and accomodating. The hotel is nice by American standards. I was given an opportunity to speak to someone who had the surgery two days ago. He is doing well and had no vomiting and only minimal discomfort from the surgery. I have confidence in the quality of the medical care I will be getting. The economic standard of living in Monterrey appears to be similar to some countries in the Meditteranean. In other words, not quite as economically well off as the US, but first world amenities and infrastructure are present. I´m still scared of the procedure and recovery, but not because its taking place in MX as opposed to Houston.

Yes, you put it right. Something inside is soothed by totally stuffing myself. Some people think its a psychological problem. I think its a biochemical problem. But the result is the same either way. But with people telling me I will still get that full feeling, maybe it won´t be as bad as I fear.

I decided that even if the hotel didn´t have one, I could go find an internet cafe. As it happens, the hotel in Monterrey has a great internet room included in the price. I really needed it since I´m self employed and do most of my work over the internet and if my clients can´t reach me for several days, they start to panic. So, I´m here, I´ve emailed several clients since arriving, and internet access is great.

Anyone who has had Dr. Sanchez, will they have computers there or should I bring mine?

Tomorrow I fly to MX and then my surgery is the next day. I'm stressed. I'm not looking forward to the poking and proddding that always accompanies surgery. But I'm surprised by what is really upsetting me: the realization that I won't be able to able to eat a big plate of food and feel really full, like I can't eat any more. How much that is upsetting me is making me realize how emotional it is for me to be able do that. Its not about the tast of the food or satiating my hunger. Its the eating a lot and getting full that I've been going after. A lot of pyschologists have theorized that when you overeat there is some psychological reason for it: an unhappy childhood, anxiety, whatever. And maybe there's something to that theory for some people. But I theorize that there is some sort of chemical that is released into the body when you fill your stomach up like that and its the chemical itself that gives you a feeling of pleasure and that some of us are predisposed to dependency on this chemical. Fen-phen worked well because it acted on certain chemical receptors in the brain. Too bad Fen-phen kills you, but I think the drug was a step in the right direction.

I went back over the literature and confirmed that I do not need to be doing a special diet right now. I emailed one of the assistants for Dr. Sanchez, who also confirmed. I'm not supposed to be taking ANY medication at all, not even over-the-counter, without talking to Dr. Sanchez at this point, but other than that, no diet changes. Even so, I will listen to your advice about liquid or semi-liquid diet the day before surgery.

So my surgery is this Friday. I'm getting a little scared about dropping dead on the operating table. Today my son asked me why Bambi's mother died. That made me really think about all the risks. I could use some words of encouragement. Also, am I supposed to be eating differently at some point between now and the surgery? Am I supposed to be on liquid diet two days before or what? I know they sent me literature, but I don't have it handy.

One of my primary motivations for doing this now is because my son is starting kindergarten. I remember the day when I was in first grade and my mom brought my lunch to me in class because I had forgotten it. I was happy to see her and gave her a big smile, etc. After she left another kid turned to me and said, "your mom is FAT". At that moment I was truly ashamed of my mother. I don't want my son to be ashamed of me.

OH! ONE MORE THING. Be sure to buy seasickness stickers that you put behind your ear and wear for pretty much the whole trip. Buy them at your local pharmacy. Trust me!

Oh my gosh! I went on that very ship to those very ports of call just earlier this year. It was a great trip ya'll! Take your kids over age 2. There's lots of stuff for them to do. Unfortunately, there's less for kids 2 and under. The trip to Mayan ruins in Mexico will gobble your whole time there and its an hour on the bus each way, but WELL WORTH IT. The ruins they take you to are secluded. Your tour group will be the only one there and your guide is very knowledgeable even if he is semi-toothless. Bring bug repellant. Those Mexican mosquitoes mean business.

Most of the times a grown man has told me that I'm fat, its been immediately after I refused his advances. Sour grapes!

Funny, You list your highest weight, but what was your pre-op weight? I know you haven't lost 60 lbs in 3 weeks.

Very excited for you MsBrookins!! Hey, everyone whose been banded by Doc Sanchez, do you get a chance to socialize with the other patients? I know I won't be there long, but this forum makes me feel like we're a community and I'd love to chat with other bandsters in person. Anyone else going to be down there on the 24th-27th?

Funny, did you decide to get the apron removed now or later? I have an apron because of my two pregnancies. Its strange to be at my nearly heaviest non-pregnancy weight and still have an apron! I'm thinking ahead to a year or two when I will need a TT or body lift and I'm starting to prepare financially for something like that. Suggestions? Comments? At some point I'd also like a nose job, wisdom tooth removal and skin resurfacing to fix all the sun damage, but that truly is cosmetic and can wait until the money is there. The apron, on the other hand, is a bit uncomfortable with certain skin issues - I know you know what I'm talking about.