mamato3

I had my surgery on Monday and I think the gas pain is getting worse each day. The pain in my left shoulder is unbearable sometimes. If I take a deep breath, cough, hiccup or move in certain ways, I sometimes let out a yelp. I walk a ton and have tried a heating pad. Any other suggestions or am I going to just have to keep waiting for it to work it's way out???

I've been up for a while here this morning too Jim. The gas pain is really getting to me today. My house does not give me much room to walk. I'm waiting for the sun to come up so I can go outside. I took a warm shower and have been sitting up for about an hour now with no relief. Gosh I hope this passes soon.....if it weren't for the gas I'd feel great.

Thanks! Always nice to have a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of positive thinking!

Try not to worry! I know it is going to go great. I wasn't too nervous until a couple of days before. I think I hugged my girls about 50 times more then I normally due. But it will be over before you know it. Like Gingerbug said, try to keep busy and remember, you are doing this to improve your health and your life. It will all be worth it in the end! Renee

Congrats NukeChik... glad everything went smooth for you. I totally understand about the gas pains. OUCHIE!!!!! However, I have no hunger at all. I guess that's a blessing. Looking forward to hearing about your continued progress!

Congrats Jim! Glad your surgery went well and that you are home and feeling good. How nice that you have a supportive wife to help you through everything.

Hey all! I just wanted to check in. Here is my story.... I had my surgery yesterday. Wow what an experience. I got to the hospital at 7:45am, as instructed, and the waiting began. First they brought me back (leaving my hubby behind) and I got my gown and gorgeous booties and hat on. They started my IV, asked a million questions and then I laid there until 10am before they took me into OR. I was more anxious then nervous. They put a mask over my face and told me to take a couple deep breaths and next thing I knew, I woke up in recovery. The only thing I recall right away was that I had terrible left shoulder pain (the gas). After sitting there awhile and coming around the nurse let my hubby come back for a few minutes because they did not have a room ready for me. So, I waited and waited. At 3:30 they took me for my upper GI. Band looked great but let me tell you, that is some of the most horrible tasting stuff they make you drink! YUCK! Then they took me back to recovery. The nurse was joking around with me by this time. She said the first thing I said when I woke up from surgery was "I'm so excited!" haha Not a typical response from someone coming out of anesthesia, but at least I was thinking very positive! Finally they got me to my room at 5:30. I was in a room with 2 other ladies that also had a lapband placed yesterday. That was a hoot! We walked and talked and had a great time together. I was sent home today about 11:00 am. All in all I am feeling pretty good. I still have a lot of left shoulder pain from the gas. Walking helps that alot so I am doing lots and lots of walking. Clear fluids are easiest for me to tolerate at this point. I have only gotten down about 8 oz of carnation instant Breakfast drink since last night. It really fills me up and gives me a tight feeling in my chest, so I am assuming that is the "full signal". I am SO glad to have the surgery over. I am SO excited to start seeing the weight come off. It is so nice to have all of you here to come and share my thoughts and feelings with. Congrats to all of you other Jan. 7 "bandmates" as well as everyone else who has already received their band this month. Good luck to the rest of you who are still waiting for your turn. It's gonna go great and you will be so glad you did it!!! Renee :whoo:

Hello everyone! I have heard from more then one person that this is a fun, friendly place to chat. SO, here I am. HAHAH I have a major case of the nerves today so I am sitting here reading and reading and reading. I thought typing a little might help. I am being banded tomorrow in Richmond, Virginia. I am so excited and nervous. Mostly just ready to be "on the other side". I'm 36 yrs old and have been overweight pretty much my entire life. I dont really have any comorbidities, but with a BMI of 43 I qualified through my insurance pretty easily. I only started this journey in October and here I am looking at surgery tomorrow. WOO HOO! Anyways, I just wanted to say hello to all of you. I am looking forward to talking with all of you more.

I'm scheduled for tomorrow morning as well. I have actually become quite nervous in the last couple days. Like Jim, I am very ready to be on the other side and just get started. I didn't have to do a bowel prep either. Yikes, no fun. My pre-op diet seems to have gone pretty well. This is day 10 and according to my scale I am down 9 pounds. We'll see what the hospital scale says tomorrow, but I'm feeling great! Good luck to both of you and anyone else being banded tomorrow!

Bowel prep??? ughh! I do not have to do that. Is it pretty normal?

Heya Ladyroz! I am with you on the 7th. I am very very excited as well. However, I think today a twinge of nervousness has struck. I dont know why cause I haven't worried at all for the 4 months I have been pursuing this. Oh well, 72 more hours and I can look back on my nervousness and laugh. My new life is soon to begin! Looking forward to hearing how everything goes for you!

I know everyone is different, but I think the first couple of days were the hardest. I had a headache and I felt dizzy and I was starving! haha I am now 8 days complete and it doesn't seem near as bad. I dont know what your pre op diet consists of. Mine is basically 2 high protein meal replacement shakes, a piece of fruit and a yogurt during the day and then for dinner I get to splurge with 4 oz of lean meat and 2 slices of low cal bread plus 1 cup of veggies. I think my pre op diet is a little more liberal then some but I find it very doable! I find sipping on hot tea helps curb my hunger too. Keep strong! It will be worth it!

I have to say that my husband has been 100% ok with me getting a band. However, he often forgets what being supportive means. LOL I think just about every day he offers me something to eat that I am not allowed, and this is only the pre-op phase! I just give him "the look" and he is like, oops sorry! It sure would be easier if he was at all interested in healthier eating!

I think I might be addicted to watching the Biggest Looser! Hahah. Usually I sit there watching it, thinking "If I got up off this couch and moved my butt for the hour it was on, maybe I wouldn't be so fat!" Anyways, I sit and cry as I see how they transform their bodies. It is truly amazing to me. I really dont know the statistics as to how much of the weight they keep off. It sure would be interesting to know.

Congrats! I bet it feels great to finally be on the other side! I can hardly wait!

Congrats on being first official New Year's Knockout to receive your band! Sorry you had a rough start after anesthesia, that's no fun! WOW, 24 pounds! Congrats on that too! You are already doing awesome!

I'm not entirely sure how to post a picture on here... but here goes my best try....oh, and I cant believe I'm doing this! haha This will be much more fun a year from now!

I am impressed with your courage to push through with this procedure even though your hubby, who is also a physician has not been 100% supportive. You are a strong woman. He probably just has worries and fears just like any normal husband would have, but they are made bigger worries and fears due to the fact that he is a Dr. I too, think you should sit down with him and just have a good long talk. Let him know you care about his feelings too. Let him know how important this is to you. Let him know how much you want and need his support right now. Has your husband ever been overweight enough to even qualify to have surgery like this? Has he been a person who struggled with his weight all of his life? No one, not even your husband knows how you feel on the inside related to your weight issues. You are the only one who has to live inside your body. You are doing this for YOU. You are making a great choice. A healthy choice. Anyways, now I am just rambling I think! hahah Good luck to you and remember, we are all here for you for support.

Hopefully everyone is just busy with the Holiday's. I miss ya all!

Hey everyone! I had my pre op testing yesterday and they threw me a curve ball. I need to chose between the AP Band and the Realize Band. My surgeon just started using the Realize band about 2 weeks ago. I'm not sure which to chose. Is anyone else having the Realize band placed? Does anyone have any info comparing the 2 or any opinion as to which one is better or if they are about the same? I had never heard of the Realize band before yesterday and I thought I had read EVERYTHING! hahaha! Also, this pre op diet is TOUGH! Yikes! I didn't think it would be too bad, but I am getting hungry especially at night and I am having bad headaches. I keep reminding myself I AM WORTH IT! How is everyone else holding up on this diet?

I think January Jewels is "cute", but I really like New Years Resoloosers and Dump the W8 in 08. You guys are really good at this... I couldn't even come up with 1 idea! hahah

I too LOVE The Biggest Looser. Last niights show was amazing. Those people are so inspiring to me. I cried every time one of them got on the scale. As for an exercise challenge, I have no idea what to suggest. About the only thing I do consistently is Walk Away the Pounds. SOOOO, I am looking forward to everyones suggestions.

So, I have not officially started my pre-op diet yet. That will start on Dec. 28 with surgery on Jan 7th. But here is my question... I have been trying REALLY hard to lose some weight prior to surgery with no success. I have been doing basically the slim fast plan... a shake for breakfast, another for lunch and sensible dinner plus 2 snacks (I usually do a yogurt or a piece of fruit) Is Slim Fast too high in sugar or something? I am not losing anything! Now I'm starting to get nervous! What if I go through with this whole surgery for no reason? It seems like I should be loosing some weight doing this. It has been 2 weeks! What do you all think? Maybe I should just follow the pre-op liver shrinking diet starting now, or would 3 weeks be too much?

YEAH! I'm so excited to finally have my date!! Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2 Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy Jan 4- KUgirl Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3 Jan 8 Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn Jan 15 Jan 16 Kathy-CA Jan 17- SJK Jan 18- RuthE? Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- Chrisann Jan 22 Jan 23- min Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28~Amber/Amberwaves Jan 29 Jan 30 - Stephanie PortugsePrinces Jan 31

Well, I found out today that I am going to be having my surgery January 7th. I think I might be in a bit of shock! haha Last time I spoke to anyone at my surgeons office, they told me they were scheduling for February and to wait for my letter to come in the mail. My letter arrived today and WOWZER!! I only have 26 days left til surgery! I'm SO excited. I'm looking forward to talking with many of you as we go through this journey together! CallMeJim and comepickmeup.... YIPPEE we have the same surgery day!!