Everything posted by Leena
-
3 days post op- help
I've been walking a lot. Finally managed to urinate on my own. But at midnight went back to npo status due to vomiting. They're pumping me so full with iv fluids. I was 198.2 on Tuesday- day of surgery & am now 218. My legs are swollen. I walk 4 laps around the hospital floor every 2 hours. I became allergic to dilouttid now so am on demoral for pain. This has been really rough. I hope in the end it's worth it.
-
3 days post op- help
The nurse & dr have spoken. I saw my dr this morning. He doesnt know why I can't keep liquids down.
-
3 days post op- help
Im still at the hospital in pain, nauseous and can't keep liquids down. Yesterday I was vomiting blood. Today its just liquids. I also can't pee- so ive had catheters. I had my band removed in April. Then on july 8th a gastric bypass and hital hernia repair.
-
post op!
Im on zofran as well as a seasivk patch behind my ear.
-
post op!
I had my surgery yesterday as well as scar tissue from the band/adhesion ans a large hital hernia repared. Reactions to sedation- cant pee so I've had a cath. Today vomiting up dried blood from surgery and still npo except ice chips. This is a lot rougher than the band and band removal.
-
surgery the 8th
I'm feeling so nervous and on edge for my bypass on Tuesday. I have to stay 2 nights in the hospital. My partner isn't going with me, so it'll be my first stay ever in a hospital alone overnight. In August we were supposed to go on a vacation-camping in the desert, but my surgeon told me I won't be able to do that. My partner decided he's going anyway. This is an expensive trip, well about $5k including airfaire so it was going to be our only vacation of the year for us as a couple. He's going without me. I've been on liquids for a week- am so hungry. I admit I'm emotional. Am I justified in feeling so upset about these things? My band removal wasn't planned: it was an emergency removal in April and the insurance gave me a window during which to do my bypass as did my surgeon. I loved my band-it slipped and I couldn't drink Water without pain. So it's not like I elected to have it removed and screw around with his life. Words of wisdom?
-
surgery in a week
I have a different insurance than the one I had 7 years ago with the band. I can tell you the new insurance BCBS covered removal and revision. My band slipped and had to be removed in an emergency procedure so it came out and then got approved /covered by insurance.
-
surgery in a week
I'm scheduled for my revision on July 8th. I'm having second thoughts and cold feet. My band removal was 3 months ago and an emergency, so I didnt have a chance to worry about it or even think about it. I was in so much pain, unable to eat or drink, so it was the right choice as the band slipped. Now one week to go. Im on liquids for the week, have gone thru all my preop testing. I'm just freaking out a bit. Im wondering how much I'll even loose as im 5'5 and 199 pounds. Everyone says revisions loose slower. How slow? Thankfully my insurance is covering it, well I had to pay 3.5k as my surgeon is out of network. I know overall its the right decision as I don't ever want to see 350 pounds again.
-
Band slippage revision to RNY. A question about insurance!
I had my band removed in April after having it almost 7 years. It was an emergency surgery as it had slipped and I couldn't even drink water without pain. My insurance covered the removal. My slip was diagnosed by a upper gi. I lost very well with the band- from a size 28 to a 2- then back up to a 16. Im approved for a bypass and will have surgery in July. I think I just squeeked by with approval as my bmi is currently under 35 as I've lost weight since removal. I have BCBS. Approval took 2 weeks. My doctor sent in my records of compliance with the band, complications I had- gerd, erosion, then slip. I think it helped that I'd done well with the band for so long until I started having complications.
-
recovery from revision
I'm wondering how recovery from revision has been for people. I had my band removed in April & will have the bypass July 8th. I'm supposed to go on vacation the end of August. Just wondering if I'll be ready for desert camping then. My removal recovery was easy, back to myself after 3 days. My initial lap band surgery recovery was long and hard- took 2 weeks before I was fuctioning without pain.
-
Surprise Revision
I found out my insurance will cover a revision surgery; although my surgeon is out of network so I'll be footing part of the bill. I had my band removed on 4/3 at 225 pounds and am at 203 this morning. I really thought they'd deny converting me to a RNY as my BMI is on the lower end. But somehow it went through. I know it sounds crazy, but I really am not emotionally prepared for this news? I've been eating right and working out a lot. I don't ever want to see 350 pounds again. Fear has been my motivator to loose weight in the last month. Now the question on my mind is do I go ahead with the RNY.
-
How to tell new boyfriend ?
Lying is no way to be in a relationship. And if you're lying to stay in a relationship with someone it might not be the right relationship for you. Would you want him to lie to you about something? Would you stay if he lied? If the relationship is that great and wonderful and you see it going somewhere and having a future together that lie you told is going to linger over you. If he was "the one" he would take your wls in stride. If not, well he knows where the door is. The only way to even redeem yourself here is to tell him the truth immediately. And then let the chips fall where they may. Fyi: a lot of bandsters will have their ports protrude as they get close to goal. I know mine looked like a bump under my skin. So, if you choose to continue to lie about it you better come up for a reason you have a port sized lump under your skin. People's reactions to the truth may be difficult to take, but it sure beats their reactions to being lied to.
-
How to tell new boyfriend ?
I'd tell him. Hiding something like that isn't a good idea. If he leaves because of it, well he leaves. Not being honest about it or trying to hide it isnt a good idea. Sooner or later he's going to catch on. If things are getting serious he should know. What if you're out together & get stuck? Have an accident? End up in the ER? Do you want him to find out in an emergency situation? Or from you in a calm normal conversation? What's your fear? I've always been up front about medical issues. And expect my partners to be the same.
-
Dr. Oz
Just watched his show on lap bands. Anyone else see it. He's touting it for people 40 pounds overweight. And he didn't even mention complications. I'm so livid. It was such a poorly researched segment. I actually refuse to watch him anymore and switched over to Ellen while im working out.
-
3 weeks post removal
Laurie- I'm a vegetarian, so my diet is probably not the most normal one out there. I generally get Protein in the form of egg whites, lentils, black Beans, just about any kind of bean, as well as Protein shakes. Mostly I've been striving for 60 grams of protein a day- 26 grams is from my morning Protein shake. When I find myself getting hungry between meals I snack on cucumbers with balsamic vinegar and garlic. I easily get in all my Fiber and have salads at lunch and dinner. Since band removal I'm able to eat garlic and spicy foods again without being sick. So every meal has garlic. Yesterday I added some jalapenos to my salad for flavor. Making food as flavorful and diverse as possible also helps me from overeating or getting bored with food. I haven't gone back to any of my pre-band vices (mainly bread, Pasta and all those bad carbs). And I think for me this is key. I know I could sit down and eat a whole box of pasta myself, but then again I see that as leading me down the road back to 350 pounds. So I don't allow myself to eat it. The thought of seeing 350 pounds again and being so inactive, unhealthy, unable to enjoy life, having swollen feet, diabetes, high cholesterol and asthma terrifies me. I also workout daily, sometimes twice a day. Yes, I'm greatly motivated by my desire to never be 350 again. In a way I feel like one bad food choice could lead to another, which could lead to another, and then, well I don't want to go down that rabbit hole again. I'm very mindful of my choices when it comes to food and activity. As per insurance covering an additional surgery for me, well I just don't know if they will. My BMI is right on the border of it at 35 but at the moment don't have any co-morbities. I do have 2 herniated discs in my back which is another reason I don't want to gain any weight as my back hurts enough as it is. With working out more I find that by the end of the day my back pain is worse and sleeping is difficult. So I have to go back to the ortho and see what can be done there.
-
3 weeks post removal
Im 3 weeks out from removal surgery. Eating well & healthy while still loosing weight. This last week I added weights at the gym in addition to daily cardio. Im so excited about salads and veggies. My incision s are healing well and pain is gone. So happy to be getting back to healthy.
-
11 days after removal
It's my 11th day after the removal of my band. Today I headed back to the gym and hit the weight machines. I've been biking at home just to keep from going stir crazy. I feel so much better without my band. I'm back on a regular diet, well regular for me as I don't eat meat. Raw veggies have landed in my fridge and in my stomach as well. I'm so weary of having another surgery. I saw my surgeon for a post-op visit and am on 500-700 calories per his instructions- more if I compensate with exercise. So my butt will be regular at the gym. Has anyone opted not to have a revision and still maintained or lost more? I've been reading the horror stories here and have managed to scare myself out of the sleeve.
-
Tomorrow is the day...
I'll be around. I still have to find out if a revision to another surgery is an option for me. I loved my band, but after the complications with it I won't be getting another one. Right now I'm struggling with a fear of food. And at the moment am stuck at the hospital with my son & staying on liquids because there's no way to advance my diet here.
-
Tomorrow is the day...
I know how you feel. Mine has been out for 5 days. I have so many emotions about it that are just hitting me now. Very bad timing as my son is being hospitalized right now for mental health issues so it's at least taking my mind off not having a band. Thursday I have my post-op appointment so I know that's going to hit me.
-
NJ
Riverton here, very close to Medford & Cherry Hill.
-
post removal diet?
I'm a vegetarian so meat won't be added at any time. Im thinking yogurts & cheese & beans soon. But I'm just a bit cautious of foods still, as I dont want to vomit or have my stomach hurt. And very concerned about gaining weight. So I'm going to start using myfitness pal to track things and stick to it. Right now no exercise, just walking as much as I can. My surgeon wasn't very detailed about things and I didn't see him post op. Hoping to get the details on Thursday.
-
post removal diet?
Im coming up to 48 hours after removal. My surgeon just said to return to a regular diet. But the hospital had me on clear liquids and told me to slowly transition. So, I'm thinking the next step is almond milk or tea with milk. Does anyone have any thoughts on post removal diet? I have a follow-up on Thursday, so I'll ask my dr then. But in the short term advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks-Leena
-
Removal in 10 days
Since I had emergency removal I didn't have a pre-op diet. I did have egg whites a week before removal but that was they only solid thing I'd had in weeks. I definitely was not getting in enough protein and my bloodwork from the ER showed it all. I'm close to 43 hours post op. Still struggling to get in protein, im on clear liquids so no shakes for me.
-
no more band
My band was placed in 2007. It slipped in 2011 (fill removed and I was on protonix) everything seemed fine. Then in January I started having pain. So I cut out splenda and wheat thinking those could be the culprits. I also cut back to one cup of coffee a day , instead of my usual 3. Still having pain, a few trips to the ER, a course of protonix, CT scan. Then the last few weeks I stopped tolerating solids. I would get pain about 30 min after eating & it would last for hours. Then on Tuesday I had a protein shake and was un pain afterwards- which lasted until removal on Thursday. The ER did an upper gi which showed a slippage with major trapped gas. But no blockages. And no restriction- the contrast went thru easily. So they took the remaining fluid out of my band & sent me home on pain meds. The meds did nothing for the pain. Water hurt to drink. The next day I was back in the ER- and my orginal surgeon removed the band. The only pain I have now is my throat & one incision site- where my port was. And thankfully I can tolerate water, apple juice and ice chips- the only issue being choking from my uvula. I started at 350 before my band and am about 215 now. I did go as low as 160- when I had my first slip as nothing was going down. I have 3 months until a revision surgery- this time the band is not an option. I still have to find out if my insurance covers revisions & jump thru those hoops. My surgeon requires a 3 month healing period/ resting period.
-
no more band
It was from intubatuon. I called the dr. He told me to.keep an eye on it, as I have a slight fever too. Lots of icewater and ice chips.