cookielover

I too was banded on the 3rd of October. I am on the clear liquid stage until Monday. I just don't rush myself. It took 2 hours to get down 1/2 cups of ISO PURE, and 1/2 of apple juice. I am constantly sipping water through out the day. Yesterday I didn't follow the meal plan and I didn't drink the protein drinks, and by 9pm I was starving! So today I promised myself I would drink my protein at the very least! But I am not giving up on the water!

I wanted to respond to the dreaded "PAIN" question. It seems to vary from person to person. When I woke up from my surgery I told them I was in pain so that they would give me a pain killer right off the bat. (I didn't want to wait and see what happens.) During the car ride home every little bump on the road made me want to scream! However, as the days progressed the pain has gotten easier to manage-thanks to the advice of LBT. I take pain killers, sip, sleep, and walk. IMHO it is very frustrating to be the odd man out-in the pain dept. It seemed to me that most people had just a little to no pain. I kept thinking, "what is wrong with me?" But then I remembered that every experience is massively different...and what I call pain may be a walk in the park for someone else! You will be happy to know that I am sleeping 8 hours a night, and starting today (cross my fingers) drinking everything on my meal plan. I am in this to "lose" it! So, for all those going in to get your band later this month...I will be there standing with you. If you are uncomfortable in anyway...remember that you are strong for undertaking such a task. My biggest advice to you is: rest, read LBT, Walk, sip, and hire a maid (ok I am joking about the last one, but wouldn't that be fun?)

It is so funny that you started this thread, because I was going to start one like this too! I wanted to know how everyone who had be recently banded were doing on their clear liquid diet? I was banded on the 3rd and tonight was the first time that I started craving food. I started second guessing my decision to have the banding done: "maybe this wasn't such a hot idea after all." (I am such a whimp!) I haven't gotten a chance to "drink" everything that has been recommended on the post-op list, because I start to hiccup and then stop. How is everyone else doing?

Wow your feed back makes me feel much better...especially about the shortness of breathe. I got 8 hours of sleep last night :notagreeand I am going to try to drink the post-op diet...and TAKE A SHOWER! (But between you and me: I never thought I would be so happy to pass gas! :rolleyesI think I am truly going crazy!)

I am banded, as a result I am sleeping, sipping, and walking. I have to admit that recovery is different than I thought it would be. I am hanging in there, not too much pain, but I would like the gas to go away. I am trying to walk more but it is hard to breathe, but everyday it does get better.

Hi I was banded on the 3rd of October...and I am miserable. I have been walking, but I get out of breath easily. (Which is something that I am totally not used to.) I feel like there is a lump in my chest, and I have all these weird gurgling noises coming from my lower stomach. I have been following my doctor's orders to a T. Yesterday I had only water and ice, which is what was ordered. Then today I had some apple juice, flavored water, and 1/2 cup of protein ISO-PRO mixed with water. I been either sleeping, sipping water, or walking. I am frustrated because when I walk (SLOWLY) I feel like I am having a heart attack, which my doctor warned me could happened and told me it wasn't serious. I also been constipated. I also do these painful little hiccups once and a while. I am not complaining... I need some feed back to let me know that I am not alone ...can you give me some tips and hope? I am sure this is all par for the course, but I would feel better hearing it from someone who has been there. Thanks a million!

This has been my exact feelings all along...what if I can't handle being SEXY? It is funny because being sexy is what I dream about, but I am so scared of it at the same time! I think I liked hiding behind my fat, because nothing was ever expected of me. I am getting going to get some councilling regarding this issue, so I can overcome it.

Hey Dreamchasertx- I know how you feel about telling people; at first I wasn't going to anyone. :zip: I was afraid that I would fail at losing weight, and everyone would think that I did something dangerous and stupid. Well I ended up telling EVERYONE! :gossip:I figured in the end this would give me more determination to succeed. Most people were for it, but a few were against it. I can't do this alone. I need people to understand why I am changing my behavior, so that they can support me. If they are not willing to support me then I need to know that now...not later. As for passing the time I went to Vegas and Southern California to soak up the sunshine. I took a lot of pictures of myself, so that I could remember where I had come from. I also went to the salon and got my hair done and my feet pampered, because this time was all about me.:biggrin1: I had my surgery yesterday and so I am still not feeling too good, but when I came home I had a lot of well-wishers calling me, and I had you guys on the boards! I love you all! Good luck Dreamchaser- I know that you will do just fine, and I am here for you...I am always up for a party!

:update: Well I broke it off with food yesterday at 11:30 am. You'll be happy to know there were no tears shed;:Cry: it was just an "ok see you later" kind of thing. I left the hospital feeling a little overwhelmed as I had never in my life did something so life changing (Well except have a child, and get married.) This journey is mine alone to take. Sure I have a lot support from friends and family who will assist me, but in the end it will be me making the choices to live better. The only question I have is why does it feel like you get punched in the stomach everytime you breakup with someone? Let me tell you something when Food and I broke up it was like, "Ouch, you have got to be kidding me!"

I just wanted to say that you are beautiful! Also I took my before pictures on Tuesday night from all angles; then I made my husband take his before pictures also. Now he is not fat, but I thought it would be fun to see if he loses weight as a result of the house changing our eating habits. Plus the man sees me naked every day, he is always stealing looks, so what did I care if he took pictures of me in a tank top and undies.

Debbie- You did amazing! Speaking from someone who just had the band done; I can honestly say that! Now, we are in it to "lose" it!

I was banded on October 3rd...doing fine. I love my pain and gas meds. I am walking, sleeping, and eating ice chips. I can feel pressure in my chest my doctor said that was the band itself and not to worry. I felt like I was in excellent hands today. The only thing I found strange is that all my cuts are in one line just below my waist line, and I think my port is above my belly button. I have seen lots of scar pictures and most of them seem to be all over the place. All in all I give the whole experience a: 7 Emotionally, I am working things out. I broke up with food today; now we are just friends. So I am mourning the loss of that relationship a bit.

I am a little late coming to the party, but I do have my party dress on! I was banded yesterday on October 3rd. Since I am a newly minted banded girl I decided to check out the message board further, and I found you guys, and I am thrilled that I did. (I would jump up and down, but I am really sore.) My surgery went fine, which is fantastic news. My tummy feels like someone kicked it with high heeled shoes, and I have CO 2 gas in me. Emotionally I am a feeling a strange, because I just realized that I changed my whole live today without a "back-out" plan. (Somewhere deep down inside I know it is a great change, but if you ask me today...I wouldn't be able to tell you that.) The nurses told me to give it 32 days, so that is what I plan to do...and if that doesn't work I will give it 32 more! In short I know I will be ok, and the TENS are where I need to be! My name is Amy, I live in BC, Canada. I am a self-pay. I have a wonderfully supportive husband and 10 year old daughter.

Well I tend to write in a tongue and cheek fashion...even when things are serious; I find it makes things easier to swallow. I am glad that I am not the only one who has to break up with FOOD. It looks like FOOD is going to loose a lot of lovers in the world tonight! Yeah, feel free to tell FOOD to "Stuff it!"

Moving on is always the best medicine...growing sometimes has bumps and bruises, but the self-respect that I gain will be worth it in the end. Besides...my husband makes a better lover than FOOD anyway!

This is a serious post! I was lying in bed with my husband today and it occured to me that I would be breaking up with my lover tomorrow...my lover being food! Sure we can still be friends, as I will eat differently: smaller portions and paying more attention to what I am eating. But there is no more passionate eating! No more careless late night romps with ice cream! No more eat now and think later episodes. I will not be able to hide behind my fearless fork and spoon for comfort. I have had to admit that this relationship has been dangerous and harmful, and we should have broken it off sooner. But in all honesty he is so sweet at times and spicy at other times. He was always there when I needed him, and he always gave me what I thought I needed. It really wasn't FOODS fault it was my own. I am the one who took the relationship too far-I am the one who got into bed with FOOD. To be honest we should have just been friends from the start; I think I would have been happier that way. So at mid-night tonight I will tell FOOD that we can just be friends; no longer lovers...I know that FOOD will totally understand, but it will be me that will have the problem. I will have to fight the urge to call (or as some call it "Drunk dial"...or we might call it "visiting the fridge"). I will have to stick to my resolution to stay strong and know that it was not a healthly relationship. When FOOD passes me on the street in such forms as chocolate, Cookies, tacos, cheese burgers, and hot wings I will have to resist the temption to run back into the arms of FOOD. I will just wave and say, "hello" as I drink my Protein shake. "I am sorry that we have to break up FOOD, I think it is better for me that we just stay friends..."

I am going in tomorrow @ 9:30 am!:becky: It's a new day, it's a new life for me...and I am feeling GOOD!

As for the last question...if they have to replace parts and do more work...you will have out-of-pocket expenses for that. (THE FREE PART was if you have actual complications from the surgery...)

Hello there I am from BC and I am having my surgery tomorrow! I am a self-pay as well. There are two surgeons in Vancouver who currently preform the lapband surgery. It took four months from start to finish to get this far. I was tempted to travel south and get the surgery done in Washington state, as it would have gotten done sooner. However, I know that if something went seriously wrong and I needed medical help ASAP it would most likely be covered by our medical care in Canada. Downside- the band may not be recoverable if you needed serious surgery. When I was choosing between Canada and the US I called the clinic and talked to them about this very issue and they informed me that if there were problems that there would be out of pocket expenses, because I had no medical insurance. I did not want to go bankrupt, so I made my choice based solely on that fact alone. After the payment everything is covered because in Canada once the surgeon operates on you he must continue care without payment. That is why that insist on payment upfront. I would stayed in Canada because it is safer in the long run. Also if something goes wrong my doctor is closer.

Yeah this post was SO helpful! I am under the knife tomorrow and I wondered what the day might look like. I am not nervous, as I am actually excited about the surgery. I am more scared about the pain afterwards. If I get a hangnail I tell everyone about how much pain I am suffering. However, the goodnews is that I am determined to tough it out! Thank you again for your post you did amazingly well, and I hope I do as half as well as you.

Alright so nobody mentioned Hawaii as part of the recovery; I can deal with that. I totally understand that this will not be "Queen Amy"-with-a-bell situation that I am dealing with here.:eek: (Speaking of queens...I am a real drama queen!) I am going to take all your good advice to heart and if there is pain I am going to walk, and take good care of MYSELF. (Alas, don't tell my husband...I have him believeing that I must be pampered during my recovery! So, shhhh....:zip:

Alright we talk about clear food and mushy food after surgery, and I think I have the hang of it now.:hungry: But my question is this: What will it be like when I get home? You see I was picturing myself all tucked up in bed with my blender, TV, and books just chillin' like a villian for about a week after my surgery. (You see I did not want to do anything that would cause further discomfort, pull stitches, or mess with the band.:crutch:) I even planned on renting on the DVDS I haven't watched all year! Man it was going to be a sweet deal! sleeping, watching, drinking, and reading...yeah. But I have been reading some of the posts you folks have been posting and my dreams of chilling have been crashing. What's this I hear about gas pain?:omg: Seriously, how soon after the surgery should I be up moving my butt around? When did you start walking after the surgery? How did you walk for? Currently, I can walk for about 3 hours straight with no problem, but I am betting that that is not such a hot idea after the operation, huh? I just need some feed back about your experience after the surgery and what helped the most. Hey and if anyone says that they went to Hawaii I will be TOTALLY down with that!

Thanks for the list; I am going shopping tomorrow. I am having my surgery on October 3rd. I am going to get everything but the tongs...I just can't make myself do it.

Well I just returned from 3 fab days in Disneyland! I walked for 13 hours a day with no problems. I just enjoyed myself. I went to a LA Dodgers game vs SF. ( I really don't know much about baseball, but I loved the boo-ing and cheering.) I also playing at beach in Newport CA. I got my hair and toes done, and had a professional photographer take my pictures with waves crashing as my backdrop. On my trip I also at the most decadant food (MMMMMMMMMMM....) (I was not put on a pre-op diet.) and had the time of my life. I spent time with my close friends and the love of my life; it was truly an amazing opportunity. I felt like I was transitioning from a catipilar to a butterfly. I am preparing for my next stage of life. My surgery is this week and I plan on taking it very easy afterwards. In the next few days I will spend a lot of time loving my plump self, but at the same time I will be ready to shed her off so I can fly.

Alright so here is the deal... and it is a very GOOD deal. I decided that since there was a long delay in getting the lapband that I would take a journey of "self-discovery." I started out with the woes and the moans, and the pity party (no one came but me and my dog.) Then I decided to meditate, and look deep within. Yep I did that, and I realized that I did not like what was in the deep crevasses of my soul. I think I didn't like myself too much. Well I had to have an all out pity party with that new revelation...you will be happy to know my cat showed up, but looked bored and left early. Then I don't if it was the cat's departure or getting some brains- I decided that I am the master of my body. I can not wait until I lose the weight to start living. It must happen within a time period of 15 minutes. As a result and some positive thinking I booked two plane tickets to Las Vegas in August. It was so HOT! I walked around like I owned the city. I was the cat's meow. I was all over my husband (He wore a perma-smile until about three days ago.) The bottom line is I felt sexy, and my extra belly did not dictate my enjoyment. Well I should really be sleeping because in a few hours we are going to get on another plane and head for Southern California. I want to lie on the beach and get more sand. I have hired a professional photographer to take pictures of me for my before pictures, because I think it is important to capture my beauty today, as well as my beauty tomorrow. In the last 6 weeks I have started on the road to self-love; without having to fit into my perfect ideal of what I outta be. Now I am positive I can rise to the challenge of WLS, because I have myself on my support team, and I am doing it for the right reasons. So ladies if you haven't felt like your own cheerleaders, because your waiting for the band, or your waiting until you lose a certain amount of weight; I say seize the day, and love your self now and appreciate your beauty. Hey I am going to sun bath with movie stars Whoot Whoot. Soon after I come back I will get the long awaited lapband. Just imagine what kind of trouble I am going to get myself into with that thing!