OregonHolly

Hi everyone, sorry I've been "missing in action" for a couple of weeks now. I haven't even been keeping up on posts and the Roll Call. This is a really tough time, that pre-fill time when you're banded and you can't even tell anything was done. Right after surgery it was great, but once the swelling went down, then....... it feels like nothing has even changed. I was really motivated to get this band, and really worked up about it, and doing okay for a week.... but now it's settled into a kind of depression. A "let down". I guess it's bandster hell. I'm discouraged, don't feel like exercising, etc. I think I need my support group's encouragement. My first fill is Nov 19, and I don't expect that fill do offer much restriction. Sorry for the negativity. Please send hugs and encouragment. I need it!

I've been an RN since 1985. I coordinated clinical trials of investigational drugs for a few years (after being a NICU nurse for many, many years) and most recently I am on a team that helps develop computer software for clinical staff to use - I teach the classes to other nurses too once the software is developed. I had my lapband surgery in the hospital where I work and was treated like a VIP, so it was pretty cool.

Hey Carrot, I made chocolate fudge sf/ff pudding and added 2 scoops of Isopure vanilla flavored protein powder. I whipped it all up with a mixer and poured it into 4 pretty decent sized bowls. It tastes great, and creamy and I don't even notice the Isopure at all. Isopure (from GNC) is a protein isolate and has a LOT of protein per scoop compared to other protein powders.

It does seem like an "unrelated" place to get new pain, but as long as it's intermittent I wouldn't panic. And no fever right? Have you had a bowel movement yet?

I didn't notice any breakouts, but I was kind of strangely sweaty for about 3 days after surgery. Were you? Could that contribute? Did you have skin troubles when you were younger? I KNOW! Maybe you're diet changes are flushing all the toxins out, including out your pores. That could happen right? I hope it goes away! Keep us posted!

Hey gang, I will update the ROLL CALL soon. Today I am going to a wedding, or I'd do it today. Welcome to all you fellow October bandsters who have newly introduced yourselves!

OMG Carrot, check out your ticker! You're down 26 lbs already, I guess that post-op nausea really paid off, LOL! I too look in the mirror and already see a change in my face. I'm down a pants size already and it's only been under 2 weeks since banding for me. But my FACE is starting to look like me already! It's it a cool NSV (non scale victory?) POST your picture Carrot!!

<p>Coo, good luck and you'll find it's over so fast. The recovery period is a bit hard, but the hard part only seems to last from around 3-5 days. Totally tolerable! And so worth it! Actually I was like you, really prepared and even more prepared than I needed to be. I was able to do a lot more after surgery than I expected to! I didn't need some of the supplies and meds I'd bought, I purchased WAY to much soups and stuff for the mushy stage --- the whole journey is easier than you fear. I'm so excited for you!

WOW! Buckle up girl, sounds like you're in for a FAST ride! Welcome aboard! I will add you name to the "roll call" when I next update. Congratulations on your persistence, very assertive, good for you! Keep us posted! We were all nervous as hell, but the surgery is a total breeze. Recovery can be a b*tch but we all survived! Good luck Tuesday!

:wave: Ok all you TENacious boys and girls, as you can see our clan is growing ginormous! Here is today's ROLL CALL :update: I scanned and scanned looking for newbies, so if your name doesn't appear on the list, :spider: it's by accident - please send it to me! If I typo'd your data somehow, please send me that as well :doh: and I'll fix it. If you want to join - then send me your stats. I see a LOT of people have fallen off the radar, :eek: but we have our regulars, and I hope everyone will check in from time to time. UserName..........surgery date.........................name lovekatz1975..............1....................... ........Debbie hd10952....................1...................... .........Holli catnipaddict...............1...................... .........Jena realestwoman71..........1......................... .........? Woodsk.....................1...................... ............Kerry Shrinkage..................1..................... .............? KloverDad..................1...................... ..........Dylan KloverMom.................1...................... .........Mary IleneV.......................1.................... ............Ilene MistyDTX...................2...................... .............Misty mescla808..................2...................... ...........Miriam sbee.........................2.................... .............Shana BigK..........................2................... .................? pvchickie...................2..................... ..............Tara summer.....................2...................... ..........Summer BlueEyedKitty.............2....................... ...........Jill bbjerseygirl................2?.................... .............? gallygirl.....................2................... ..............Gail moopymom................2......................... .........? mona-patti.................3.................................? dinael44....................3....................................? Kim in SF...................3............................ ......Kim Kygal........................3.................... .............? MandyW................... 3.................................Mandy Nancy33....................3...................... ............Nancy marcy........................3.................... . ...........Marcy Rastis100...................3..................... ..........? cope1951...................3...................... .........Gerri cookielover.................3..................... .............Amy reneem......................3..................... .............Renee BigK..........................3................... ...............? countrygirljtl................4.................................Janet ygwlewis.....................4.................... ..............? Lizziee.........................4................. ............Ashley rabid 24.....................4.......................... .......Jodi Cheri42......................4.................... .............Cheri want so bad................4.............................. Nicole Lafs ..........................4....................... ........? New L'D RN..................4............................. Twyla Shermy58....................4..................... ........Carol BuffettPhan.................4..................... ........Justin nurse4........................4................... ...........Carina Sillybro.......................4.................. .............? Change.......................4.................... ............? kladybug.....................5...............................Karen babs0101....................5..................... ........Barbara melbear......................5.................... ............? nume130.....................5..................... ........Cheryl mom2kiss....................5..................... .......Lisa superjamiek.................5..................... .........Jamie MizPeppy....................5..................... ........Beth Trudy.........................5................... .........Trudy nvnagdtme..................5...................... .....Ashley RenFize......................5.................... .......Renee Julie25inmass..............5...................... ........Julie SheBeThinnin'.............5....................... ..........? JUDE..........................6.................. ..........? cutiepie123.................7.................... ........? Stfnklly......................8................... ........Stefanie Sierra1411..................8..................... .......Sierra ManhBill......................8................... .........Bill new_me_2008..............8........................ ....Tina foxytri........................8.................. ...........? colesd1.......................8................... .........Dawn emilia12076..................8.................... .......Emilia b_brown......................8.................... .......? miladyelfn....................8.................. .........Mila? NewOrleansGRL.............9....................... ....? OregonHolly..................9.................... ........Holly bbjerseygirl..................9................... .........? brispenny31.................9..................... .......? ::Lori::........................9................. ............Lori dmichele......................9.................. ........Michele wsb............................9................ .............? ssfano.........................9.................. ..........Stacie Jen93003......................9................... ...........? Pepper10......................9................... ...........? mss.............................10...............................? sadie640.....................10................... . ......Sadie Carrot06.....................10................... ....... :-) Arkie..........................10................ .........Sherry Karen204.....................11.........................Karen LSzeliga......................11.................. ...........? BluesByrd....................11................... .........Ray laurygregson................11.................... .........Laury ParaGirl.......................11................. ..........Dana Jenne.........................11.................. .......Jennifer Hoping4the Best...........11............................Sara h npmental.....................11.................. ........? crazy4jags...................11.................. .........Sue Ricebabe.....................11................. ..........? lauren0728...................11................... .....Lauren Karenr204....................12................... ..........Karen hope36ca....................12................... .........Hope MTaylor.......................12.................. ...........Marie lgmb...........................12................ ............? Merv...........................12................ ...........Rhonda sweet_liberty................12................... ........Libby Sonic777......................12.................. .........Neal abckids........................12............................Amy lub2read.......................15..........................Evelyn RondaBen.....................15................... ..........Ben Dustout........................15................. ............? CQQlgirl........................15................ ............Valerie fluffyinks......................15............... .............Jackie ernurse12.....................15................. ..........Sherri State_ur_worth..............15................... .......Susie angelina85.....................15............ ..........Angelina? Andydora.......................16.............................? Melissa300.....................16................. .........Melissa nicnaknut......................16................. ...........Bonnie luvmyboyz.....................16.................. ..........Heidi Topdownbug..................16.................... .........Judy Misjanete.......................16................ ............Janet Margottesser.................17.................. .......Margaret Saintluver.....................17................ ............? Dreamchasertx...............18.................... ........? moving4word.................18.................... .......Amy tizen33........................18................ .........Tina bandster_1007...............18.................... ......Tabatha ahealthieryou.................18.................. ........Tammy BalsamChick...................18.................. ........Kim vfran............................19............... .............Vickie LalaD............................22.............. ................Lala coo..............................22.............. ...............? Donnajade.....................23.................. ...........Donna renewedhope..................24.............................Amy Bandwagon....................24................... ...........? Kathy759.......................24................. ............Kathy Artzygirl.........................24.............. ...............Janet GrizGirl...........................25.......... ................Michelle O2BSlim.........................25................ ............Dianne BigFred...........................25.............. ..............Fred Montanagirl......................25............... .............? sfeiner............................26.............................? Freebigbennow................26................... ...........Ben DavidB...........................26............... ..............Dave EricCharbonneau..............26................... ..........Eric odamay..........................26................ ............? justwaitin2b....................29................ ............Karen Trapped _inside................29......................... ...Anne karlvr..............................31............................? signgirl...........................31............. ................Diane Brookus.........................31................ ............Brooke Margie122......................31................. ...........Margie Kathm.............................31.............. ..........Kathryn CTgirl.............................31............. .............Eileen Bugalu...........................?................ .............. ? marywalker20..................?................... ......... Mary goswicks........................?................. .......... Nettie B-Rog............................?.................. ..........Beth Stranger138....................?.................. ..........Tina ygwlewis.........................?............................Yolunda wsb................................?......................... Wanda

Wow has my outlook changed already..........:wow2: Has anyone else noticed things "differently" since starting the liquid diet? I was banded 5 days ago, and everything is starting to look differently to me. I'm noticing how MUCH volume other people eat, it's astounding. Good heavens, did I eat that much? Where did I put those HUGE portions that I see other people eating? No wonder people are fat! I was recently at a family style restaurant known for it's massive portions, and good grief...... I can't believe now that people don't just leave there and go vomit in the parking lot! It's amazing to me how MUCH people can shove into their stomach -- now that my stomach is practically empty all the time. Sorry for rambling. :blabla: But I'm so GLAD I'm banded now, because I'll never be able to pig out like that again. Gross! I'm FREE FREE FREE and ready to fly! :Banane10:

OK, weird........ first 4 days postop I thought "oh woe is me, will I ever want food again? Will I ever feel normal again? Will I ever get to EAT again?" and today on Day 5 I'm like "ooh, helloooooooooooo double cheeseburgers!" Of course I'm still on liquids (full) but suddenly the surgical swelling went down (I assume) and food looked divine again. As they say on the yahoo group, "we're in bandster hell now" until we get a good fill.

YES, after banding Oct 9th, I feel like I was "warm" and sweating all the time, while other's here in the cold Northwest are all putting their winter coats on! I'm turning on the air conditioner. I'm sure it's temporary, LOL.

Ahhhhhhhh! It's almost here you guys! YES it will be worth it, because you've had years and years of eating the food you liked, and let's face it: once the food leaves your mouth, the "thrill is gone"......... which is why you kept eating it over and over. Well there's NEW THRILLS ahead baby! Thrills that will leave a LASTING pleasure. Good luck and God Bless you all tomorrow! Post as soon as you can, as we'll all be anxiously waiting.

LOL, he might try to pull them off! Chances are that he'll tell you to leave them on until they fall off. Hey at least you're not ready to put on your bikini yet! Have you updated your ticker? I'm sure you're down more weight since you last did!

Hey Neal (Sonic) glad to hear you came through ok. Let's see, it's the 14th today and I expect you feel like you've been stabbed in the stomach about 5 times with a knife....... oh wait........ you HAVE been stabbed in the stomach 5 times except with a scalpel! So if it's a "bad day" hang in there. By day 5 postop you're practically normal again! Hi Amy, glad to meet you! Holly

I took pictures, they're stored in a SECRET place on my hard drive. I took them in work type clothes, shorts/tank top, and underwear and bra. I look at them now and think, "hmmmm, yeah I know her very well." I'm not really having horribly negative thoughts, but I'm not posting them all over the net either! I do want a record of the "journey" though, for posterity.

Yes, I live in Oregon but I was born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, Calif. I moved to Oregon about 5 years ago. I'm a registered nurse and have been single for 16 years. I have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren, plus 2 cats and a dog. I acted in musical theater for about 6 years and have been in many, many performances. My "dream" is to get out of nursing and make my living as a Christian author. I love to read and am a book-aholic. I really don't like this picture of myself but it's "real" and it's were I started from. As you can see it's only a face shot, because I really avoid the cameras, but I started out at a size 22 and only 5 foot tall. I used to love watersports, and hope to indulge that love again this summer when I'm feeling healthier and fit. Maybe when I've broken free from the chains that have held me back for so many, many years I will open my heart up again to a nice man. I hope so anyway. And he'd better be cute too, 'cuz I'm gonna be sizzlin'! :flame:

Hey Justin! I hear other people say the same thing as you. Makes sense really - once the postop swelling goes down you should be hungry like you were before since you have no restriction. That's how I expect to feel in a week myself. I guess all you can do is hang in there for the time being, until you get filled. Seems like this band thing is a slow jog and not a sprint!

I've been banded for 2 days and I took a 1-mile walk today. Sloooooowly, but it was good. Helps get that gas moving through. I do not believe I would be able to return to work as quickly as you plan to, but it all seems to depend on your condition pre-surgery (your age, comorbidities, general fitness level, type of work you do, etc.)

Hey Lori, we were banded on the same day. I wondered how you were doing! Sorry to hear about the rash, hopefully it's going away. Did you call the doc?

Don't know about the rest of you, but I'm feeling pretty TENacious lately :cool: And now....... (drumroll:Banane20: please) for today's TENaciousTENS Roll Call :update: UserName..........surgery date.........................name lovekatz1975..............1....................... ........Debbie hd10952....................1...................... .........Holli catnipaddict...............1...................... .........Jena realestwoman71..........1......................... .........? Woodsk.....................1...................... ............Kerry Shrinkage..................1..................... .............? KloverDad..................1...................... ..........Dylan KloverMom.................1...................... .........Mary IleneV.......................1.................... ............Ilene MistyDTX...................2...................... .............Misty mescla808..................2...................... ...........Miriam sbee.........................2.................... .............Shana BigK..........................2................... .................? pvchickie...................2..................... ..............Tara summer.....................2...................... ..........Summer BlueEyedKitty.............2....................... ...........Jill bbjerseygirl................2?.................... .............? gallygirl.....................2................... ..............Gail moopymom................2......................... .........? Kim in SF...................3............................ ......Kim Kygal........................3.................... .............? MandyW................... 3.................................Mandy Nancy33....................3...................... ............Nancy marcy........................3.................... . ...........Marcy Rastis100...................3..................... ..........? cope1951...................3...................... .........Gerri cookielover.................3..................... .............Amy reneem......................3..................... .............Renee BigK..........................3................... ...............? ygwlewis.....................4..................................? Lizziee.........................4.................. ................? rabid 24.....................4.......................... .......Jodi Cheri42......................4.................... .............Cheri want so bad................4.............................. Nicole Lafs ..........................4....................... ........? New L'D RN..................4............................. Twyla Shermy58....................4..................... ........Carol BuffettPhan.................4..................... ........Justin nurse4........................4................... ...........Carina Sillybro.......................4.................. .............? Change.......................4.................... ............? babs0101....................5..................... ........Barbara melbear......................5.................... ............? nume130.....................5..................... ........Cheryl mom2kiss....................5..................... .......Lisa superjamiek.................5..................... .........Jamie MizPeppy....................5..................... ........Beth Trudy.........................5................... .........Trudy nvnagdtme..................5...................... .....Ashley RenFize......................5.................... ..........? Julie25inmass..............5..............................Julie SheBeThinnin'.............5.................................? JUDE..........................6.................. ..........? cutiepie123.................7.................... ........? Stfnklly......................8................... ........Stefanie Sierra1411..................8..................... .......Sierra ManhBill......................8................... .........Bill new_me_2008..............8........................ ....Tina foxytri........................8.................. ...........? colesd1.......................8................... .........Dawn emilia12076..................8.................... .......Emilia b_brown......................8.................... .......? miladyelfn....................8.................. .........Mila? NewOrleansGRL.............9....................... ....? OregonHolly..................9.................... ........Holly bbjerseygirl..................9................... .........? brispenny31.................9..................... .......? ::Lori::........................9................. ............Lori dmichele......................9.................. ........Michele wsb............................9................ .............? ssfano.........................9.................. ..........Stacie Jen93003......................9..............................? Pepper10......................9..............................? sadie640.....................10................... . ......Sadie Carrot06.....................10................... ....... :-) Arkie..........................10................ .........Sherry LSzeliga......................11.................. ...........? BluesByrd....................11................... .........Ray laurygregson................11.................... .........Laury ParaGirl.......................11................. ..........Dana Jenne.........................11.................. .......Jennifer Hoping4the Best...........11............................Sara h npmental.....................11.................. ........? crazy4jags...................11.................. .........Sue Ricebabe.....................11................. ..........? lauren0728...................11................... .....Lauren Karenr204....................12................... ..........Karen hope36ca....................12................... .........Hope MTaylor.......................12.................. ...........Marie lgmb...........................12................ ............? Merv...........................12................ ...........Rhonda sweet_liberty................12................... ........Libby Sonic777......................12...........................Neal RondaBen.....................15................... ..........Ben Dustout........................15................. ............? CQQlgirl........................15................ ............Valerie fluffyinks......................15............... .............Jackie ernurse12.....................15................. ..........Sherri State_ur_worth..............15................... .......Susie angelina85.....................15............ ..........Angelina? Melissa300.....................16..........................Melissa nicnaknut......................16................. ...........Bonnie luvmyboyz.....................16.................. ..........Heidi Topdownbug..................16.................... .........Judy Misjanete.......................16................ ............Janet Margottesser.................17.................. .......Margaret Saintluver.....................17................ ............? Dreamchasertx...............18............................? moving4word.................18.................... .......Amy tizen33........................18................ .........Tina bandster_1007...............18.................... ......Tabatha ahealthieryou.................18.................. ........Tammy BalsamChick...................18.................. ........Kim vfran............................19............... .............Vickie KristinaDawnB.................19.................. .........Kristina LalaD............................22.............. ................Lala coo..............................22.............. ...............? Donnajade.....................23.................. ...........Donna Bandwagon....................24................... ...........? Kathy759.......................24................. ............Kathy Artzygirl.........................24.............. ...............Janet GrizGirl...........................25.............................Michelle O2BSlim.........................25................ ............Dianne BigFred...........................25.............. ..............Fred Montanagirl......................25............... .............? Freebigbennow................26................... ...........Ben DavidB...........................26............... ..............Dave EricCharbonneau..............26................... ..........Eric odamay..........................26............................? justwaitin2b....................29................ ............Karen Trapped _inside................29......................... ...Anne signgirl...........................31............. ................Diane Brookus.........................31................ ............Brooke Margie122......................31................. ...........Margie Kathm.............................31.............. ..........Kathryn CTgirl.............................31..........................Eileen Bugalu...........................?................ .............. ? marywalker20..................?................... ......... Mary goswicks........................?................. .......... Nettie B-Rog............................?.................. ..........Beth Stranger138....................?.................. ..........Tina

OMG Amy that is so awesome!! Congratulations! I LOVE stories of triumph like that, yipee for you! For ALL of us, as we share this journey!

No, it's not just you. Surgery is a breeze, but recovery is a b*tch! My first postop day I wanted to crawl under a rock and die. Today is better. Has it really only been 2 days? Wow. I lay around drugged up on Lortab all morning on the sofa, and then the gas was building up, so I dressed (waistband - ouchie) and went outdoors and slowly walked this path around my house that is a mile! I'm talking slooooooowly. My neighbors were looking at me like "what the hell?" haha! After that my stomach was rumbling like crazy and all that pent up gas came ripping loose, yay! The worst part for me is my 7 year old grandson (who lives with me) is totally oblivious to my pain and feelings of utter vulnerability. I know he's too little to understand that I want everybody to get FAR FAR away from me and not do anything that might result in me getting clobbered with a toy, stepped on, tripped over, etc. Even my cat wants to climb on my belly and "make biscuits" with her paws (as she's done every day for years) and that freaks me out! I can't wait until the tenderness goes away and I feel like a human being again instead of a monster!

I must say that it is VERY comforting to read the post-op stories of all the now-familiar names of you that have been banded. It sure is interesting how different it goes for everyone. Some go home within hours of surgery, some stay overnight at the hospital (someone stayed 2 nights) and some are on IV's and oxygen overnight (me) and others don't need that. For everyone it seems that the surgery was a breeze, and the post-op recovery very variable. I suppose it depends on your age, your condition (hernia repair or not, general health, comorbidities, etc.) and so the journey is very individual. But we are certainly NOT ALONE! It is such a comfort to have all the familiar new friends here sharing the road.