JulyBandster

I LOVE - am addicted to - Law and Order.........am married for 10 years..........no kids, but a great cat Katie.........am a 5th grade teacher in Connecticut..............dreading going back to school in late August.........love to take spinning classes, getting my first tattoo this Saturday (OMG!!) , and love watching HGTV a little too much.

I was able to add the mashed potatoe and scrambled egg after Day 8. As of Day 17 I was able to add in teeny, tiny cuts of chicken and very thin slices of deli meat. Puddings, applesauce.....have been since Day 8. Protein shakes as of Day 2. Hope this helps!

How about trying some new clothes from Ebay? I buy a lot there.....and most people would never know! I used a tape measure to measure my favorite shirt, shorts, pants.....and keep those measurements near by. When I search for a top on Ebay, for example, I know I like V necks that are a specific length....makes it easy to find! Same thing with shorts, pants....skirts...I have run into very few problems buying on Ebay - I established an account ahead of time with Paypal - basically just registering my credit card....and away I went! (Paypal is a great and safe way to pay other people - it is free for the buyer!) Many people sell things that are essentially new too - think of all those things you have in your closet that you wore once, or that still have tags on them?! I have found most people to be pretty honest....and I never buy anything without checking the photos of the item, or the seller's feedback - this is really important to do. Try it! Another idea is to try shopping at your local Salvation Army - another place to pick up some used clothes.

I think there is a sticky at the top of this "food" forum that is titled "Food Stages" or something like that - I assume you were given a list of appropriate foods from your doctor? If you didn't get one, make sure you ask your surgeon what he/she wants you to do. You really should follow what YOUR doctor wants. But, to give you an idea of what I'm doing 3 weeks after surgery, here are some ideas: Campbell's Creamy Tomato Soup (new favorite!), potatoe soup with Bacon Bits, scrambled eggs with a teeny bit of cheddar, Carnation Instant Breakfast No Sugar Added with low carb milk, protein pudding from health store (though it is easy enough to make your own), mashed potato, chicken salad chopped VERY finely. My doctor suggested tuna salad and egg salad during my 2 week follow up visit - but I don't like those - haha. When I have a craving to chew on something I have been taking a few saltines and chewing them really well....not the best idea, i'm sure, but helps me. Hope this helps!

A great reward goal for me would be a trip back to Vegas - we just got back from a week's visit over the 4th of July, before my surgery. I would LOVE to go back..........maybe I'd win this time. (Spoken like a true gambler!)

DeLarla, what a great dream! Wish mine was a bit more positive... I am a teacher, getting ready to go back to school, and not real thrilled about it. I dreamed last night about this awful parent I had last year who was real passive aggressive with me, and made me feel like crap. He always wanted to know why I couldn't see his precious 9 year old daughter was incredibly gifted.....he didn't like the way I discussed the presidential election...he didn't like much that I did, and always let me know it! My dream was just a continuation of his condescending manner, looking over his shi$head glasses at me.....with that snotty look....Funny thing is, he is a bariatric surgeon, and I saw him walking in the halls on the day of my release.....I wanted to go over to him and sh*& all over his shoes, the pompous son of a you-know-what. (Can you tell I get a bit fired up about him?! He upsets me even now, and I still am dreaming about him and his daughter. Hoping it will end soon...probably have someone to take his place, I guess!) But I liked your dream better, DeLarla!! AmyK

I am a long way away from this now, but am dreaming.....I'm curious about what a bandster orders from restaurants - all kinds of restaurants. Do you always order off the children's menu? (I noticed lots of high fat foods there....but?) Order a regular entree, but bring much of it home? I'm curious about everything from going out for breakfast to dinner....What do you do about the bread? Thanks for helping me out with your ideas! Amy

Well, I'm 10 days post op now....I also had gas pains, sometimes worse at times than others. The heating pad helped, GasX helped, and walking around helped. The biggest helper is simply time.....it has to work itself out......I was out today and had a bubble like feeling in my chest...more rare now, but still gets ya! It won't last forever...I noticed a nice change in the amount of gas by the end of day5..... AmyK

Thanks everyone for all your great responses...I am napping in my recliner, taking my percocets and Gas-X, and sip, sip, sipping my water! I will try to do more warm things...that sounds good. I'm alone, and boy, it hurts to stand in the kitchen for a long time - so I've been hesitatant to do anything more than just grab jello, water....Thanks again....It's amazing how much we are all different with pain! I really thought I'd have it easy ~~~I could not have been more wrong! HaHa!

Well, I'm home from my banding session........but boy, am I hurting! Did anyone else experience deep belly pain? At least that is what I think it is. No gas that I'm aware of...just intense belly pain. The doctors said I was healing fine, and that is day 2 after all....and i guess I am a big weenie! What were your pain experinces? When did things start to feel better? I did morphine at the hospital all night,,,,,,,,,,and now am on Percocet, 2 pills ever 4 hours. And I'm counting the minutes now until my next dose. I am really feeling pain! Please write and tell about your experience! AmyK

Mandy, my name wasn't on the list - I'm to be banded tomorrow, at 1:00!!!! July 12 for me..............Good luck to everyone! AmyK

I'm so excited for this surgery to finally happen! I'm starting to get nervous, as I have about 24 hours until I go in. I'm sitting around the house wondering what I should do now that I'll have trouble with later? I'm doing lots of laundry....gonna go to grocery store to stock up on liquids...What were your favorite liquids during the early stages?

Thanks for your suggestion! I will check it out...Amy

I am just back from my doctor's preop visit! I asked the questions about taking pills after surgery. I too take birth control pills. He said I could continue to take the BC pills without any problems, and that I can take anything that is shaped like a pencil eraser or smaller without real issues - just remember to drink lots of liquid with it.

I am curious about my upcoming surgery on July 12 - how many of you had a catheter? If you did, was it removed before your awoke, or was it still in place after you were in your hospital room/recovery room? I am more nervous about that than I am about some other aspects of the surgery! LOL - why? I don't know.....

Trauma Nurse - I just noticed your signature - we share the same doctor! I am getting banded July 12 by Dr. Haag!!! What has your experience been with him? With his office staff?? I'm so excited to "chat" with someone who has been through all of this with Dr. Haag. He seems like a very nice man....I have my "family" visit on Monday.....If you can, write back about your experience!!! Thanks... AmyK

I have read the book - It was really helpful when I began this process. If you have been on this board, and others like it, you probably know a lot in it. Jessie Ahroni is also a regular contributor on a yahoo user group I belong to, smartbandsters.com She has the band herself, and is very direct and to the point. I recommend the user group if you are just beginning this journey...she responds to just about everyone's posts daily.....anyway, the book was useful, but I feel like I know just about everything in it now.....just from being on this group, and OH....Good luck! Amy

I'm so thrilled to be a part of this great group! I've been lurking for awhile, and have learned so much. What did people do before the internet?? Anyone else have a July surgery date? I'm in the Springfield Mass area -

I am a fourth grade teacher - soon to be teaching fifth! - in Connecticut! Can't wait for summer - last day is June 17 for kids, June 21 for teachers....can't wait!

Anthem Blue Cross/Shield of CT is covering my surgery, but they did initially deny. I hired a lawyer, whom I'd highly recommend by the way, and in less than a month I was approved! My understanding with my insurance company is that they tend to deny at first, but generally will approve upon appeal. I guess they are thinking we'll go pay for it ourselves!

I teach 4th - will be teaching 5th next year! - and school isn't out until June 17 for kids, June 21 for teachers...ughhh!!!!! Please let this year be over! Can't wait for my July 12 surgery date.....Very, very excited!