WorththeWeight

Had my first fill today too. I asked for only a little bit because I don't want the whole "too tight" thing going on for me either. I'm with you on the really feeling weird part. My doc could feel it cuz it so close to the surface but couldnt get the needle in right away. Had to lift and hold my legs up for abt two minutes to clinch my stomach so she could feel it. FINALLY, she got it in there and only but a few ccs (.7). That's all I wanted for the first time cuz I want to understand the restriction and not just have a ton of it. Anyway, no numbing agent (she offered but I declined). I was really nauseated and sore for the rest of the day. But they would not let me leave until I could get at least a half of cup of water down without any problems. Glad about that. I lost 8 lbs and I'm only 2 weeks post-op!! I was SSSSOOOOOO excited that I hugged my surgeon and nurse!!!:clap2:

I'm in the same boat. Holiday party is Thursday and the choices are the same. I chose the chicken because the sides are mashed potatoes and fresh green Beans. I'm not quite two weeks post-op so technically I should still be on liquids until Saturday. I've had a "mushie" here and there to see if it would hurt or come back on me and it's been okay. I figured I could eat the two sides and "play" with the chicken enuf to where it looked like I ate some of it. So crazy, right? But I'm not going after the meat just yet. Don't want to get myself so uncomfortable at the party that I have to leave because I'm uncomfortable. GL...you'll pick the right thing!

Wow, Longhorn, your doc has you on liquids/soft foods for a long time...my doc has me on liquids/pureed Soups for 2 weeks, then "mushies" for one week, then regular foods. I like the stuff you bought though. I'll have to get some of the Special K Protein powders. That's a good idea. I was drinking the crystal light powders (they're good) but why not get the protein too? Foofy, what are Laughing Cow light wedges? I get to move to "mushies" on Saturday so need to go shopping!

Sorry for starting a new thread but need some advice/opinions ('course that's why I'm here!). I'm going back to work after one week. I feel pretty good, off the pain meds, have a 50/50 desk job. I mean, I work at my desk but I'm up and down a lot from 3rd floor to 1st floor for meetings, observations, etc. I didnt tell anyone at work that I was having the surgery (well, one co-worker but he doesnt remember). I told everyone I was gonna be on vacation for a week. My question is...for those of you who have gone back to work within a week or less, was it ok? Any words of advice to get through the week or am I just being stupid? Since I've been at home, I'm really sore if I don't move around after abt 30 minutes or so...I can't really "sit" for more than an hour or two without SEVERE discomfort at the port site. Sorry for the long post. my doc said she wouldnt release me until I'm ready but I think a week is plenty. Thanks for any advice you can pass along....:whoo:

Thanks for the info! Very helpful! I went back to work yesterday and by abt 3:30, I was so tired I thought I wouldnt make it...I left an hour early and came home and fell asleep on the couch within 15 minutes of getting home. Today is better. Still tired but I made it the whole day. Still have more discomfort at the port site than I thought would by now. It'll be two weeks on Friday. Wish I had restriction already...pretty much anything is passing through right now...maybe next year!

Longhorn, you're right...St David's is on 32nd and I-35. holleyhobby...my surgery was on Friday and my surgeon called me personally on Saturday. SWB was great! racetrackweary, good luck on your way to Bandland!:biggrin1:

The stomach pain from the gas is probably the worst. Also port site pain. The gas pain might even move into your shoulder and that hurts too. The very best thing you can do to help that is to get the gas moving. Walk as much as you can and use a heating pad. Also, gas-x strips are really good. They knock out a lot of that pain. I was banded on 11/30 and I'm still dealing with the gas. My doc told me that it's the gas that they use to blow up your tummy during surgery. It has to absorb itself into your body and that can take some time (also the pain meds can make your gas pains worse if your sensitive to tylenol). Too bad your doc didnt tell you all of this. There's a lot of info on the boards about this. It's all perfectly normal and you WILL feel better in a few days. Don't push too hard on the liquids. The first couple of weeks are the hardest, also because your tummy is swollen. Hang in there...it really does get better.:clap2:

My doc said nothing over 15 lbs for 2 weeks. She said I could mess up the port site because the stitches havent healed yet and I could do damage there. My daughter is 2 and half and weighs abt 35 lbs. Dr. said not lift her for any reason. I miss it.

How is everyone doing? It's been a week and I finally got off the pain meds. Still one more week of liquids and then on to mushies! Feeling good but tired. Looing forward to solid food. Guess I just miss something substantial. I feel like I can't drink another Protein shake ever again but I know have to. Havent weighed myself since the surgery. I've been reading a lot on the boards to just stay away from the scales for the first two weeks. I'll weigh before I start the mushies stage. Have any of you weighed yourselves yet? What's your loss so far?:whoo:

Well it's finally here! I don't if I'm excited or ready to just call it off...surgery is scheduled for 7:30 am tomorrow (at hospital at 5:30 am) and I'm first on the list. Here's hoping everything goes okay. I have a question, tho. I'm scheduled as a day surgery. Anybody do the same? I thought it was mandatory overnight stay. Thanks and please send good vibes!! Really freakin' right now. :faint:

Hi Nov 30 bandsters! It was a week ago yesterday!! Can you believe it? I'm finally off pain meds and feel good but tired. Still have another week of liquids (so ready for something solid). How is everyone doing? I have to go back to work on Monday and wondering if anyone has any advice. I'm worried abt being tired and not getting through the day. I didnt tell anyone that I was having this surgery. Hope everyone is doing great! Looking forward to Christmas parties without gorging myself this year! :heh:

holleyhobby Congrats! I LOVED Southwest Bariatrics. They were great. Jerry (nutritionist) had me ROFL at my consult. So far they have been extremely accommodating and very responsive for anything that I've needed. Good luck and keep us posted!

You'll never know...it's fine...you might have a bit of a dry throat afterward but a few ice chips will take care of that.... Good luck!

There are lots of posts about this on the monthly lap band forum. Basically, there's really no "end" to it...kinda depends on the person. I was banded on 11/30 and I'm still dealing with it. Gas-X seems to work. LOTS of walking gets the gas moving and a heating pad works well. Check out the monthly lap band section for November 07 and read the posts there. Lots of good info and some remedies.

My doc told me not to take them off for abt 10 days. They should start to peel off in the shower but don't pull them off yourself. You should have received post-op instructions abt the bandages. After they come off, you don't have to rebandage them. I put aloe on the scar to keep it from scarring and itching so badly.

Hi daynaloo and welcome!! Congrats on getting your band! I was banded last Friday (11/30) and had lots of pain at the port site. If you are concerned abt the sternum pain, I'd call your doc just to ease your fears. Pretty much pain all over is what I felt at first but it's so much better now.

I guess maybe I'm the weird one here but I absolutely LOVE not being able to finish food on my plate. It is such a self-satisfying sight! I get to eat what I wanted (at this stage), it tasted fairly good, and I left tons behind. I think that's awesome! I'm not upset at all about what I can't finish but I'm jumping up and down and excited that I CAN'T finish it. It's almost become a challenge to me to see how much I will leave on the plate. I can't finish a cup of soup, I can't finish a bowl of oatmeal, takes me forever to drink a cup of juice or a bottle of Water. I'm thinking to myself "is that really me? This ROCKS!!" Dunno, like I said, maybe I'm weird but I think it's absolutely amazing that I am leaving food behind...you'd think I'd won the lottery at each meal or something, I get so excited. Guess it just gives me hope that when I do move to regular foods, I won't be able to jump in with both feet...I'll wade a little bit and enjoy that just as much!:clap2:

Congrats SkinnyJill!! Way to go!!

hungryforchange, hang in there.... Sounds like you might be slightly dehydrated or not getting enough Protein. Also, are you taking a daily Multivitamin? I use a liquid Vitamin that's not too bad and make sure I get at least 8 glasses of Water in. I understand about your son. I have a 2.5 yr old who loves to climb in my lap and read books or play dolls with me. I've had to forgo that (I got banded 11/30) for a couple of weeks and my other two (11 and 8) and my wonderful husband step in but it's still not the same. I see this as one of those valleys we'll have to get through to make it to the next peak. This is life changing and will eventually be one of the most wonderful things we've ever done for ourselves. If you keep feeling this fatigued, call your dr. Good luck and keep posting. We're always here for you!

Sorry, forgot something. I tried TrueResults in Austin as well. They never called me back. Didnt research abt whether or not my insurance would pay. The also don't have surgical facilities in Austin. Was going to have to travel to San Antonio for the surgery but they don't tell you that until the end of the "evaluation." I thought they were shady and I'm glad I didnt use them. Would not recommend them (the Austin location) to anyone.

I used the Southwest Bariatric Group (Capital Surgeons Group) in Austin, TX. They have a staff of about 10 or so doctors and their offices are located on 38th & Lamar (across from St Davids). My surgeon was Dr. B. Brady. She was wonderful (I was banded 11/30). Surgery, hospital stay, and fills until I reach goal totaled $23K. My out of pocket was for the psych eval ($40), the pre-op tests ($60), and the nutritionist eval ($40). I was banded at St David's hospital (downtown Austin on 38th). Day surgery; was great!

Hi nicraelle I can feel my port but not the band. My doc told me that because I didnt have a lot of "fat stores" at the site where they normally put the port, I would be able to feel it more than most. It's kind of annoying cuz right night it sort of bulges at the port site but I can't feel the band itself. If you're concerned, I'd ask your surgeon, but it should be fine. LMK what you find out!

Just wondering.... I'm taking a long trip (about 500 miles) to my hometown for Christmas. I'll be 3 weeks post op by then. Anyone else done this yet? Any issues with the port site after being in a car for that long? Or stomach issues at all? Any info would be great!

Oh great!! Good to know! Traveling with my husband and 3 kiddos (11, 8, and 2.5) and that's a handful all on it's own. Just wanted to make sure that I didnt complicate an already stressful situation!!

Hi Brenda No bruising on my abdomen but lots of port pain. Deep breaths still hurt, laughing, and coughing. I havent had any trouble getting in the Protein but tough time with getting all of my Water in. I know I'm not getting enuf because I'm getting leg cramps every now and again. The gas? Forget about it! My kids have made a game out of deciding what the monster looks like from the sounds that my tummy is making! It's crazy! Gas-x strips for 3 days and still have gas going strong. I'm thankful it's confined to my stomach though. Anyone back at work having any issues with fatigue at all? I go back next week and am worried about that.