Longhorn

But if you finance it, you can only deduct what you pay that year, right? So not likely to exceed the 7.5%. Or am I wrong about that?

I've had a bad reaction to whey Protein in the past. That's why I wanted to avoid the unjury for a few days. I was too sore elsewhere to put up with more pain from being lactose intolerant! Also, the gas I was experiencing was inside my digestive system based on how it exited. :confused: I haven't quite figured out how the CO2 gas that my doctor injected into my abdominal cavity got inside my stomach and intestines. However, I'm no expert on this. If someone has an explanation, I'm interested! In the meantime, I seem to be tolerating the SlimFast just fine.

I'm supposed to be on clear liquids for the first two weeks. However, the list says "protein powder mixed with milk or water." Since I was so bloated while drinking the Unjury mixed with Propel, I switched to low-carb SlimFast. Maybe it's a coincidence but the pain and bloating have gone away. I may try some Unjury mixed with chicken broth this evening and see how that goes.

That's great news, Pamela! I hope you continue to feel well and recuperate quickly! Welcome to the club!

No, I'm not interested in food at all right now. It isn't unappealing but it isn't appealing either. You must be doing great because I can't imagine leaving the house yet for any length of time. I may be babying myself but that's okay. :confused: Take care!

I have quite a bit of bruising around my port incision, too, that didn't really show up until the last day or so. My entire abdomen was swelling before but that has gone down. Do get some rest! I'm feeling very lazy today but I'm hoping that this will help me when I go back to work next week!

That's great, lizzie! It's good that you've found a way to be comfortable. I am also more comfortable in a recliner except when I want to sleep. A nap is okay but I've been sleeping in my bed with my body pillow and I'm comfortable. It's been easier for me to walk today since I'm less sore. You may find that your soreness gets a little worse before it gets better but it shouldn't last long if you take it easy. Take care and thanks for the update!

I'm a little better each day. Thanks! My doctor's food schedule is very conservative so I won't be on mushies by Thanksgiving. I'm supposed to be on clear liquids for two weeks, full liquids for four weeks, and then soft foods until five months after surgery! I'm beginning to wonder about that because I haven't seen anyone else who has such a strict schedule!

Tishbite: The pre-op diet varies from one doctor to another. I had to do a low-carb diet. Some have a liquid diet. Some have no pre-op diet at all. But no matter which diet you're on, I'll bet you could eat lightly on Thanksgiving without harm and without letting others know what's going on.

Nessa, are you kidding me? You're cleaning your house?!! Wow, you must be doing a lot better than I am! Please don't overdo, though!

Hi, Kristin: I switched to low-carb SlimFast and I think that's helping with the bloating. I may have been lactose intolerant of the protein powder. We'll see how it goes the next couple of days. It looks like yesterday, my second day, was the worst but it's early yet. :confused: No, actually, I felt the least sore getting up this morning and I had a good night's sleep, too.

Great to hear from you, Forestcat! It looks like several of us November Firsters had unexpected hernia repairs. I hope you continue to feel well and recuperate quickly!

Better every hour! Thanks! I think I'll sleep better tonight, too, since some of the pain has subsided. Last night was okay but I was restless. I just had a Slimfast low-carb and found it much more satisfying than the Protein powder mixed with Propel. I'm supposed to be on Clear liquids but the list of foods mentioned Protein Powder mixed with milk so I don't see how this is much different. You've got about a half-day headstart! When are you planning to go back to work? I'm returning Tuesday, I hope. I teach and tutor at community college so I can sit down if I need to. And I have long periods between classes.

Congratulations, Sades! I'm so glad you're home and feeling better. :clap2:

Congratulations!!!! That's great!!:whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

Nessa: I am also a little more sore today than yesterday. But I have to share this with y'all! I read on the steri strip thread that a back rub would help with the gas. So I lay down across the middle of my bed and my husband straddled my legs (it was strictly platonic! ) and he gave me a back rub, pushing from my lower back upward. Then he went downstairs and I stayed on my tummy. First, this was a completely pain-free position that I hadn't even tried so I was very relaxed staying there. But second, over the next hour or so, the gas started bubbling up and finding its way out. After awhile, I rolled over on my side and that caused some more gas to move out. Oh, my, I feel so much better. My abdomen isn't as sore or tight. I've asked my husband to do it again before bedtime. He's not going to sleep in our room again so I'll have the privacy I need. I feel like I've passed the worst and now I'm on my way to normal again!

Glad to hear from you, Bobbi! Your experience sounds very similar to mine only I did have the hernia repair and I asked for a mimosa instead of a margarita since it was only 7 a.m. I'm glad you're feeling so well! Check in again when you come out of the fog!

I've got liquid Tylenol with codeine. It seems to be working pretty well. The only other surgery I've ever had was a tubal ligation back in 1984. But he went in through my belly button and I don't remember anything much to recovery. And nothing about the lap band surgery approaches the pain of childbirth! At least, not in my experience.

I'm bumping this thread because I did a search for this topic so maybe other newly-banded folks need to see it, too! Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm also going to see if I can get a back rub!

After you've chosen your ticker, the last window gives you several places with code. Just copy the code in the top window, then go to UserCP at the top of this board, and click on Edit Signature. Paste the code into the signature box and you can add any other text you wish (such as my consultation and banding dates below.) You can test it by clicking on "Preview Signature" at the bottom of the signature window. When you're all done, just click on Update Chages (or something like that) at the bottom and it will start showing up in future posts. You will LOVE Austin Surgical Hospital! Everyone there was so friendly, caring, and efficient. It made the entire experience that much better for me.

Wow, that's great -- the visit actually included things that would have to be done anyway! Good for you! By the way, could you get it done sooner if you went to San Antonio?

Well, two things and you've already done one of them! That is, you came here for support! No, it won't change your situation but it's something to take your mind off of things. And the other? Well, I'm no expert but I've read on this very informed board that losing weight can positively affect one's fertility. So in this case, turning to food is the last thing you want to do! Finally, when you turned to food before, it surely didn't change whatever situation that upset you and you probably didn't feel good about it later. So whatever comfort you got was temporary. As you begin to face things without food, you'll find that many of them aren't as bad as they first seem. You're a young and beautiful woman and I hope things work out for you! :hug:

The gas moving around in my stomach -- I finally figured out what it feels like! It feels like a baby's foot pushing on my uterus! It's been more than 23 years since I carried a baby inside but you don't forget that feeling -- especially when one of those pregnancies ended up being 15-1/2 pounds of twins!

Try the Bertolli frozen dinners. They come in a bag and literally take ten minutes and they're quite yummy! They're a little more expensive than other frozen dinners but they're worth it!

Can you try another source? Will your surgeon's office help you? I applied to two companies to see who would give me the better rate: Capitol One and Care Credit. I also ended up using both because Care Credit had a lower interest rate. I ended up splitting it about 2/3 on Capitol One and 1/3 on Care Credit. Surely your doctor has some suggestions on who they work with. Keep trying and good luck!