hollyberries

I was banded on 11/6 but my preop diet was 3 protein shakes a day that did not have more than 250 calories and one meal. The meal was 4 oz of lean meat, 1/2 cup starch, 2 cups of vegies, 1/2 of milk and 1 fat and 1 fruit. They gave me a schedule of what to do every hour of the day. I was to drink protein shakes at 9, 12 and 3 and have liquids throughout. The main meal would be between 5-7. I chose Body Fortress Whey Protein and 8 oz. of 1% milk. It wasn't bad because I was really busy during the 2 weeks. There were times that I did not even think about it and would miss the time. I was a little hungry at night but the main meal a day was my saving grace. Oh by the way, the bonus was losing 24lbs prior to surgery that was within the month prior to surgery. I dropped really fast just by sticking to it. The preop diet helps in getting you ready for liquids after surgery. Believe I am looking forward to mushies.

Hi everyone! I am new to lapbandtalk.com but have really enjoyed this website with the wealth of knowledge it has. You are all an inspiration and I look forward to the journey with you. My surgery experience was not bad. I was scheduled for 11:30am on 11/6 but when I called the day before I was pushed to 3:30pm. I had to be at the hospital at 1:30pm for all the preop stuff to be done. I had to meet with admitting and a nurse before I was sent into preop. Preop was the longest wait but this is where they put in the IV, I met with my doctor, a surgical nurse, anthesiologist and had my first Heprin shot in the belly. I have IV's, I am a chicken when it comes to needles but my nurse was cool. The patient in the bed next to me cried and whaled when it was being done so that didn't make me to happy but she was quick. The Heprin shot did not hurt and was put into my stomach. I told her it was because I had a nice cushion for the shot to go into LOL! I was not nervous and had not been. I thought for sure that I would be while I was in the preop but no nerves. I was cracking jokes with everyone (which is my usual way of handling stress) but no nervous and this is my first surgical procedure ever. The only thing that has kept me in the hospital is giving birth to 3 children. When I met with my surgeon; he was all business and looked tired. This made me a little nervous because I was last on the schedule for the day. At this point my surgery was delayed over an hour. We talked and he asked if I had any questions, I said no that I just ready for to done with. I also told him he better do a good job because this is my first surgery; he chuckled. He was probably thinking what a looney I have here. It was 5pm before I wheeled into the OR. I was still not nervous; while I was being wheeled into the OR I was joking with the Anathesioligist and asked if he was the best. His assistant said he had a great reputation and was really good. I proceeded to tell him to autograph my foot. When I was in the OR I had to go from the Preop bed to the OR bed which was really tiny. I was thinking am I going to fit on this bed. I cracked a joke about the fact that "Big Medicine" had bigger beds why not you guys. By this point, they were putting a mask on me and telling me to breath. I was out. I think they just wanted to shut me up. I woke in recovery at about 7:30 in quite a bit of pain. My chest seemed to hurt the most. They must have given me something because I passed out again. I saw my DH at about 8:30 and asked what time it was and was still feeling pain in my chest and I passed out again. Most of the recollection is from my DH because I don't remember much. I was wheeled to my room at 10:30 but I don't remember the ride much. When I got to my room, they prepped me for the bed. I had to go pee so bad; so they helped into the bathroom and I did everything on my own. I felt really no pain because they had me on morphine. I had a pain pump; which I really didn't use much but if I had pain it was nice to have. I slept off and on all night waking only to go pee and have the nurse take vitals and shoot me up with Heprin shot. The next morning, I was in a little more pain but nothing I couldn't handle with the pain pump. I got up and had to go to the bathroom and the nurse and I decided that I would try to go for a walk. I went to the bathroom and after getting out I felt a huge wave of nausea come over me. I felt lightheaded and broke out in cold sweats. The nurse saw it happening and helped me back in bed. She immediately got me a ani-nausea injection. I slept for about an hour and was wheeled to Radiology for my Upper GI. At this point I was not really feeling well. I was in and out of it. When I got to the Radiology room I had to stand up and drink this horrible stuff. I really thought I was going to die during this part because I wasn't feeling well and not only did I have to drink that stuff once but twice. After the 2nd time drinking I got really nauseaus again. I was wheeled back to my room and slept for awhile. In the afternoon, they took me off of the morphine and I went on something else (not sure what). I spent the afternoon sleeping on and off and trying to eat. I forgot to mention that my mouth was really dry and gross. They had given me Water and water swabs to keep my mouth moist. I also had wicked dry lips and they gave me some petroleum jelly for my lips, which really helped. I saw the dietician in the afternoon and they moved me to liquids. I could not leave the hospital until I had drank my Protein shake. At this point, I was really having a hard time drinking anything. I tried but wasn't doing well. My DH came in late afternoon because I would be going home and he kept saying you need to drink. I kept trying and got in about 6 to 8 sips and some sips of water. I am finally told I can go home which is what I wanted to do. However, my bag was missing so they could not find my clothes for over an hour. It was 6:30pm before I went home. I had and 1 1/2 hour drive home but I slept through most of it. I am home and I get in my PJ's and slap my butt into my recliner with a warm blankets and a pillow. My DH went to the pharmacy for the prescriptions that I needed. I took the Oxycodone when he got home and went to lala land. The next morning, I felt pretty good just really sore. When I got up to move around is when I felt it most. This was the time that I got sharp pain in my left shoulder. Which thank God I have found from this site is normal. I also started to have alot of gas pain; which I didn't have in the hospital. I started to use Mylanta chewables for the gas pain but needed the pain meds for the gas pain. I think the hardest part of this day and the next day was distinquishing between the gas pain and hunger. I definately could feel hungry but the Gas Pain overtook my ability to distinquish. As for food, on day 2 after surgery I only took in 16 oz of Protein Shake (46 grams of protein) any maybe a pint of water and 1/4 cup of chicken broth. The 3rd day, I increased to 24 oz of Protein shakes (69 gram so protein) and 1 1/2 pints of water and 1/2 a SF popsicle. Again, I was still having trouble distinshing between hunger and gas pains. Let me tell you how loud my stomach was. I was laughing over it and when I had company they would go what was that. The only other thing that I has was a terrible cough. I went into surgery with a linger cold but the cough yesterday was so bad it sound like bronchitas and hurt when I coughed. I took a shower and that felt great but took a lot of energy out of me and I went for a small walk outside to the end of the driveway and back. I am really surprised at how much energy you exude doing this. I think I can do more than I am really able to. I feel much better today but the gas pain is still hanging around and caused alot of pain in my chest and shoulder. I was hoping I would not need meds today because they just keep you out of it but I could not tolerate the pain. I just can't wait until I am pass the gas pains because for the most part I feel fine. My food goal today is 4 protein shakes, 2 pints of water and tomato or chicken broth tonight for dinner. Would I do this again. You bet it is not as bad I really thought. Although each of us will go through something different I hope my long post will help calm someones nerves. Best wishes to all November Bandsters.

I added myself to the 6th. 1stPattyPoo Nessa3678 brandymom1234 Mom_of_Chuy 2nd lizzie_07 5th DLW Hungryforchange Forestcat 6th ndmom hollyberries 7th Goldie1109 susieq125 shadst83 8th anw5102 9th Banded4Life neen7171 maccy 10th Selisejohnson omlagirl 12th jrsyshoregrl684 suebob 29th Sassafras

I had my surgery on 11/6/07 with Dr. Lautz. He is fantastic, I was not nervous at all. I am feeling pretty good. I can't do a whole lot without getting tired but for the most part my surgery was uneventful. Dr. Lautz is fantastic, we visits with you prior to surgery and wants to answer any questions that you have. I just love him. He also does about 50% of the weight-loss surgeries; which is why I chose him. You are great hands. Don't worry this is the beginning of the rest of your life.

I had surgery on November 6th and had a slight cold going into surgery. Today, I have been coughing so hard and I am concerned about how it is affecting the inside. For the most part, I feel OK with exception of alot of gas but the coughing has me a bit concerned. The cough sounds and feels like bronchitas so it is a hardy strong cough. I feel fine just concerned about coughing. Anyone else with this issue?