StLouisGal

I think my doctor is a little more liberal than some. I had no pre-op diet, I did put myself on a restricted calorie, high Protein diet to get a jump start on the loss and did lose 13 pounds pre-op Some of his patients were on liquid Protein pre-op diet. I think it had something to do with BMI. I started at 47 and ended at something like 43-44. My blood counts were all really good to so that may have had something to do with it. I'm glad I did it on my own rather than being told I had to. I tend to be a control freak and don't like being told to do anything. His post-op diet is pretty liberal too, ten days of clear liquid plus 4, four ounce servicing of Protein powder mixed with skim milk. So far Water, Jello and crystal light is all I have wanted. I'm going to try a little seasoned broth this evening to see how that goes. I'm getting tired of sweet. I'm three days post op.

My doc said no steak or pork for about six months. Ground beef is ok. Don't want to stress the pouch. I'm going to make some chili and see how that goes as soon as I get to the soft food stage. That sounds good. Right now it is seasoned broth.

Twenty one pounds, wow. I stepped on the scales this am for the first time since surgery on Friday. I'm down six pounds. It won't be official until I see the doctor on Feb. 25 to have my staples out. I can hardly wait. I managed to get in all my Protein and six glasses of Water so far today. I think I'll get the last two in before I go to bed. I agree that you should join us on the Victorious Valentine's thread. We have a great group and they have been super supportive. Everyone is about the same stage. Take care.

I had morphine in the recovery room and twice while I was in the hospital. After that I had Loretab once in the hospital (just before the discharged me) and twice here at home. I haven't needed it during the day. I may try tonight without anything and see how that goes. I did have some strange dreams last night. I'm day three post op. So far pain hasn't been much. Port site hurts some when I am up walking around but certainly not enought to go into a drug induced stupor from the pain meds. I was one of the lucky ones, no gas pain. I think getting upright away helped that.

You'll breeze through this! Just relax and enjoy the ride.

I take it you don't have to stay overnight? I did. I am totally with you on the ballgame. I am planning to drive across the state to see my neice play her final college home game next week. As long as you take it slow you'll be fine. Just watch out for the bugs and germs out there. You don't need the flu on top of surgery. The food thing will take care of itself. Just follow your doctor's orders to a T and you will lose weight. According to my bathroom scales I am down six pounds since Friday!:wub:

Getting the insurance paperwork sent, accepted, approved, etc. is the worst part of the whole deal. It took the Dr's office three weeks to send mine because they were looking into things. I guess that is to make sure the surgery is safe. That is why DePaul has such an excellent record I think. Call them about once a week to make sure you aren't on a desk somplace forgotten. Take care!

I think that the scarring depends on your skin. I had gall bladder surgery about ten years ago and you can't even find most of the incisions. The one big one is just a white line on my tummy. Some people think Vitamin e rubbed on the scars (after they are completely healed) helps with scarring. I didn't do anything with mine. So far my six new incisions look good and will decide what if anything to put on them after they take out the staples. Hang in there and concentrate on healing. :biggrin2:

It's good to hear from you. I grew up around the lake at California, MO. Great area to live in. I don't know if you will be up to going back to work on your feet all day by the end of a week. The bending and pulling you have to do to wash someone's hair is not going to be comfortable. I feel great after three days but I am barely up to washing my own hair and certainly not up to standing on my feet all day. Of course you are tweny years younger than I am and that will make a big difference. I am a receptionist and plan to go back to work after two weeks. You certainly don't want to have a relaps or pull something. Ask you doctor what he thinks. Good luck. Hope you have a smooth surgery and recovery. It will be here before you know it.

You are a great inspiration. Sounds like you have done very well. I am only three days post op and already ready for the staples to come out. The ones on the port incision really pull. Other than that, no real problems. I think the reason we have to go to the ladies room so often is becasue of all the fluids they pump into you at the hospital. I had at least four big IV bags in the day I was there. It has taken a while for all of that to work it's way out of my system. Time to go again, Have a great day!

Thanks Amy, It went really smoothly, I think thanks to all the good advice and support I got here. :wub: You have been a terrific support. I'm up walking around, sipping my Water and Protein shake. Trying hard to take things slow because I don't want a relaps. Port incision still hurts when I walk:eek: but if I hold it, not too bad. Nurse said that was very normal. :thumbup: How are you feeling, back to "normal" yet?

Glad you are feeling better. Keep up with the liquids, that makes a diffence. I have Asthma and suffer from chronic coughs a lot. 64 ounces of water a day makes a big difference. Good luck! You are almost there.:wub::pray2:

HappyOne, Glad you are doing well. I wasn't up to going out of the house yet today. I was on my own most of the day. :cheers2: DH's idea of taking care of me is going upstairs and checking on me every couple of hours.:ohmy: Unfortunately my body clock didn't match most of his checks so I did most everything for myself. All in all it was a good day and I feel pretty good. Haven't taken anything for pain since last night. Take care!

Oh Gibson, You've got! Good luck, Keep drinking your fluids to keep those lung fluids liquid.

I'm really glad I don't remember any tubes. :girl_hug::clap::thumbup: Today I have a little more pain around the port incision but still nothing I really need pain medication for. Just have to hold it when I try to walk around. Today I kind of feel like I've been hit by a mac truck :smash:but it really isn't unbearable. As soon as DD gets here I am going to try to take a shower.

Thanks, I think the reason I am doing well is because of all the good advice I got from this board. You all rock! I think I overdid it a little when I got home so I am going to take a dose of pain meds and head for bed. It's been a long day.

I've heard good things about him. You will do great!

I'm home after my banding yesterday and my overnight stay in the hospital. Didn't sleep much but wasn't uncomfortable either so I guess I won't complain. It's good to be home. walking, sipping and sleeping. I think that is what my days will look like for the next few days.

Where in St. Louis are you having your surgery. I just got my band yesterday at DePaul Hospital. Dr. Scott is my doctor. Good luck to you! If you have questions, just ask.

I'm home and banded. Hospital experience was great! Not a lot of pain, just achy and hard to get up and down. Only needed a couple of doses of pain killer so I think I'm doing pretty good. If I can get a ride to the support group meeting I'll be there. Not sure I'll be up to driving by then. I think DD will bring me.

Sounds like the 15th was a good day for banding. I'm banded and home now too. Keep sipping, walking and resting.

It's been a long day but I am finally home and banded. I arrived at the hospital at 8 a.m. yesterday. After another blood draw I got my cute little backless gown and got to wait on the most uncomfortable cot for about two hours. They came to get me for surgery at 10:15. They gave me a little shot of happy juice on the way to the OR and that is pretty much the last thing I remember until I woke up in the recovery room. They gave me a shot of morphine and I don't remember much else until they took me to my room. I was up and walking within half an hour of getting to my room. I sucked on ice chips for about half an hour and then they brought Isopure, Jello and iced tea. It sure tasted good. (Not the isopure so much but the tea was great!) I've been up walking about ten minutes out of each hour and drinking my six ounces of fluids per hour, blowing on the little machine they give you to clear your lungs, and pumping my feet. The pain hasn't been bad and so far I haven't had any gas pain. The doctor finally came by at 3 p.m. today to release me. By then I was thoroughly bored with the limited channel selection at the hospital and ready to go home. I had excellent care and the nurses on the floor I was on were wonderful. I have five small incisions and one larger one. Sorry for the long post but I really have appreciated everyone's success stories and wanted to share mine. Have a great day!

I hope to be at that support group meeting. It depends on if I can talk DD into driving me there. It pretty much depends on how I feel.

Thanks, I can feel the good vibes. You take care of yourself and we'll compare notes later.