Longhorn

Did you do that free $400 session? If so, what does that consist of? I signed up online to do that but no one contacted me and I didn't want to go all the way up there and find out they weren't expecting me. I had started considering other options by then, too. I'm self-pay and needed to keep the costs down. I have an open mind about Aggies -- my daughter married one.

Who are you going to? I live out in Dripping Springs but my doctor's office is on Jollyville Road near the Arboretum. What part of town are you in?

Yes, I think it's a little worse today and it's exactly as you described. The heat seems to help and I called my doctor's office and his assistant agreed that heat was good. I believe some of it is gas because when I get rid of it, the pressure is relieved a little. So I think you're doing the right thing. Are you taking Gas-X, too? I'm trying to hold off a little before I take the pain meds so that I can take it right before I go to bed and have it last longer through the night. I'm not feeling so bad right now so hopefully I can make it until 4:00. What are you taking for pain? I'm taking Tylenol with codeine.

Hi, Patty! It's good to hear from you, too! I'm glad you're doing well! I'm feeling a little more sore than yesterday but still more of an ache than pain. And some aches have gone away. It's mostly my upper abdomen that is bothering me today. So I'm still taking it easy and I'm sure it will improve. Take care and be sure to check in as you feel like it!

I was at Austin Surgical Hospital on Bee Caves Road about a mile west of Mopac. They were great, too, and I think it makes a big difference. Someone from the hospital called today to make sure I was doing okay. I was so afraid I would somehow miss my alarm! Since I cancelled classes to sneak this surgery in, it would have really messed things up if I had missed my chance! But, of course, everything worked out fine and it will for you, too!

Heat or cold? Thanks!

43 pounds! That's great! Wow, I didn't catch before that you have a Mastiff! My daughter's neighbor has one and he's huge! In fact, your Bailey is at my goal weight! I found a site that calculates a dog's age in human years taking into account their weight, since large dogs tend not to live as long. My oldest dog is in her sixties and the next two are in their early fifties, just like my husband and me. They all seem to be in good health but we'll lose them eventually, of course. It never gets any easier. I think you'll find the pillow will work. Corky also likes to lay beside me on the arms of the chair, which is what he's doing right now. However, I need to get up and walk so I'll have to disturb him. But he'll be back. He's my baby!

Yes, I was home the same day. I've never rested well in the hospital. My daughter was here with me yesterday until my husband got home but I kind of wanted a reason to get up since I've read that walking as much as possible can help with the gas pains. I've stocked up on chicken broth, SF Jello, SF Popcycles, and Propel. I also have chicken-flavored and unflavored Unjury protein powder. It dissolves well into liquids. That's how I'm getting my protein. My doctor said I could have SF Carnation Instant Breakfast made with milk, too. I'll probably wait a little till I add that. I'm sure you'll be glad to be in the hospital. Will you be in the same town or are you traveling?

See the Sticky on the FAQ forum: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/ Then if you have specific questions, feel free to come back here and ask! Good luck!

Me, too! We Boomers gotta stick together!

Ashley: How nice that your mother is going with you! Is she getting the surgery, too, or just going to take care of you? A liquid diet is tough for about the first three days. If you can stick with it, it gets easier. At least, that's how it was for me when I was on Medifast four years ago. Good luck on your trip! Be sure to let us know how it goes!

Thanks, DLW! I was able to sleep in my bed last night, though I kicked my husband out. Actually, I thought he'd be more comfortable in the spare bedroom because I might be jostling the bed when turning or even end up in the recliner watching TV. However, I slept pretty well. I have a body pillow and I slept on my side with the pillow under my belly and between my knees. That seemed to help with the pain. I woke up several times but wasn't really uncomfortable until about 6 a.m. I got up and took more painkiller and now I'm feeling fine, though I'm back in the recliner with the heating pad. The gas pain seems to be mostly gone from my shoulder but my port area is aching the most. I took the bandage off of my hand where the IV was and there's barely a spot! I expected a bruise. I haven't looked at my incisions yet but none of them hurt. I had a low-grade fever -- about 99.7 -- and my upper abdomen was sort of swollen and tight. I took some more Gas-X and that seemed to help. It's all better this morning. I'm still feeling better than I expected! Thanks for caring! I know how excited you are to get this show on the road!

My doctor is VERY conservative about introducing solid foods! Here's my schedule: Clear Liquids -- 2 weeks Full (blended) liquids -- 4 weeks Soft foods -- until five MONTHS post-op "Normal" foods -- after five months He also doesn't allow calories from liquid -- that is, Protein shakes -- after the first six weeks. He and his nutritionist said I will lose most of my weight in these first five months. This schedule gives me time to relearn how to eat and get used to my band and the adjustments. Because I really don't want to experience being stuck, sliming, and PB'ing, this conservative approach is okay with me. But I'm a pretty boring eater and once I find some foods that I like that fit into this schedule, I can pretty much eat the same thing every day.

You were banded yesterday, right? I was wondering how some of the rest of you are doing! I'm glad you didn't have to know about the "drama" until after it was over! Hope you're feeling well today! I woke up pretty sore but the painkiller is beginning to work and the heating pad helps as well. Take care!

I hope all goes well! Take care!

I'll be thinking of lizzie_07, lindata, KristinaDawnB, lindseyann2u, sconie, and pam726! Good luck!

I just got banded today, too, and it's in my post-op instructions to take several deep breaths and cough every hour! I have to admit, my coughs have been kind of wimpy. However, I've burped a couple of times and felt port pain then! Congratulations, Victoria, and again, to Nessa! :clap2:

There's a sticky at the top of this board with suggestions. I hope it goes well!

You know, I've read that, too, about Gas-X, and I'm curious how it would work. I just figured it wouldn't hurt and it might keep me from having the other kind of gas. I've burped a couple of times and it doesn't feel that great (just had surgery today.) Welcome to the board and thanks for sharing!

Shelby: I'm glad to hear that you went back to work so quickly! I had my surgery today and I'm planning on going back Tuesday. I'm a teacher and tutor so as long as I can use my brain and a pencil or dry erase marker, I should be okay. I also had an excellent hospital experience (Austin Surgical Hospital for the local folks.) Everyone there was caring, efficient and happy, like they actually enjoy what they do! It really put me at ease and made the experience quite pleasant!

The anesthesiologist told me ahead of time to let them know if I felt the slightest bit of nausea because it's easier to treat the earlier the treatment starts. So while I was in recovery after they wheeled me back from x-ray, I felt just a little twinge that I might have ignored if not for his words. So I told the nurse and she brought a plastic pan and they put some anti-nausea drugs in my IV. Well, the feeling passed without incident. They gave me the pan, too. When I was almost home, I started to feel it again. I was at the end of my driveway so I told my daughter just to let me out and I would walk up to the house (about 100 yards.) She parked the car and came back to meet me but I was fine and, again, the feeling passed. I have the pan nearby just in case but that's been it so far.

Ann: We used to have a dachshund but he was far from mini! He weighed 23 pounds when we found out he had a thyroid problem. We currently have, from oldest to youngest: Paco, a female black lab mix, 50 pounds, 10 years old; Buddy, a male white lab mix, 75 pounds, 8 years old; Sparky, a male Rhodesian Ridgeback, 110 pounds, 7 years old; Corky, a male poodle mix, 18 pounds, 2 years old; and Chase, a male German Shepherd mix, 80 pounds, 2 years old. Every one of these dogs was some sort of rescue or "pity adoption." I've been keeping my pillow on my tummy (in the recliner) and when Corky jumps up on it, I don't even feel it. The other dogs don't usually try to climb on my lap but we have a baby gate at the top of the stairs to keep them away, when necessary. Too bad you're so far away! But for now, I guess we'll have to be virtual buddies! :hug:

Thanks, Tralynn! I hope there are many surgery stories that are as positive as Nessa's and mine!

Thanks, sunshiny! I can't think of anything yet but I will tell you that I AM glad that I had my doctor call in my pain reliever so that I could pick it up yesterday. I took some as soon as I got home and that may be one reason my pain hasn't been too bad. This was actually coltonwade's idea. She said some pharmacies don't always have the liquid pain relievers in stock and might have to order it. I was pretty well-prepared. Here are the things I've used so far: Heating pad Pillow for the ride home (and I was more comfortable with it in recovery) Carmex at the hospital -- my lips were so dry and I couldn't have anything to drink until after the x-ray. slip-on shoes A "leisure bra" -- for me, it offers very little support but just enough to not be jiggling everywhere and very comfortable for the ride home. Propel and

Yes, I'm feeling good but I was also serious! I really want to avoid those gas pains! I'm trying to balance the two -- take a nap, walk around, repeat. :faint: