lapbandade

gweniper, I, too, was at St. Al's. The staff there is very good, and helpful. I would recommend any locals contemplating this surgery to go there. Mary, The gas pains are not quite as bad today, but still there. Walking helps, and now I just don't recline the recliner, and it seems to be better. I've noticed the ab muscles are a little touchy, also. My gas in that area feels just like a side ache. kacee, The only time I feel my gas moving around was when I first got up this morning. No pain at all until I started moving around, and then the shoulder started in again. It's been there ever since, but not as bad a yesterday. I kind of wonder why it doesn't stay where it was last night when it didn't bother me at all. Iluvharleys, Thanks for the welcome to bandland. I am looking forward to getting the program going. I've been good about my walks. This morning I was able to do a 3774 step walk, and then went to the store, and put in another few hundred steps. I try for 7000+ steps a day. The doc wants at least 5000 per day. I do sip all day, and also suck on ice chips. Just discovered the sugar free (15 calorie) popscicles. What a find!! DonHoll1, Thanks for the welcome. I am already finding lots of support, and I am thankful for it. I am sure all of us that have suffered through weight problems for years can appreciate any support available. I used to have doctors, and others, say, "you need to lose weight." It's easy to say, but, as we all know, not easy to do. Maybe I should have just waved my magic wand. That's how easy some people make it sound. Again, thanks for the encouragement.

Well, yesterday I had the band installed, and came home this morning. I am feeling pretty good. The only problems seem to be the gas pains, dry mouth, and a slight amount of pain around where the port was installed. I think the worst is the pain in my left shoulder caused by the gas. The nurse told me to lay on the side that hurts, as the gas tends to rise. I said, that's great. We'll just move the pain around a little. She also said to put a heating pad on the affected area. This seems to help quite a bit. I've also had my first two "meals?".....the first an 8 ounce chocolate protein (whey) drink, and the second, 8 ounces of chicken broth. Yum, Yum!! Also worth noting is that I put on 5 pound of what I am sure is IV fluid weight. I am sure this will come off as soon as I get regulated, and start exercising a little more. I walked around the hospital quite a bit, and just back from a short walk tonight. Again, the gas pains seem to cause the most distress when walking. I've also found that sitting in a chair isn't bad at all, but sitting in the recliner, and then getting up, really causes distress. I am looking forward to getting into a routine, start losing more weight, and most of all, get my health back.

Hi gweniper, How have been doing since the install? May surgeon is Dr. Anderson. Today is my last day before I go under the knife. I have high hopes for this, and plan to be very religious about sticking to the "rules". I'll start going to the local support group sometime after a little healing. Have you been to any?

Hi All, This is a great forum, and I can see it provides lots of good information, support, and answers to our weight issues. I am looking forward to being a part of it. I just registered last night, and have been wading through it ever since. I go in for my band bright and early Thursday morning. Just got serious about doing it last month, after about 40 years of yo-yoing. I could deal with it OK until it really started affecting my wardrobe budget, and more importantly, my health.....diabetes (type 2), hypertension, atrial fibrilation, GERD, etc. After the diabetes diagnoses, the weight really started piling on....up about 60 lbs. in 6 years. The Doc wanted be to loose 10% of my weight before he would do the surgery. So, I've been dieting and exercising like crazy and have lost almost 30 lbs. in one month...all healthy too, thanks to my wife. Went down to a 800-1200 calorie a day diet with "balanced" meals. I've been going for 45-60 minute walks every day, and drinking lots of water. Why go for the band then???? Well, I've played this game so many times before, but my will power (lack of) always gets the best of me, and it all comes back on, and then some. Sound familiar?? With this "tool", I am hoping to solve all of my previous will power issues, and get down/stay down, once and for all. It is a challenge that I am looking forward to conquering, and sustaining for the rest of my life.