NukeChik

I came back to work today. My surgery was last monday (Jan 7). I could have come back on Friday physically, but didn't want to be on a clear liquid diet at work!!

I agree, reconsider the 1/2 mile walks. Also if you are having a heaviness in your chest it might be gas. Try a heating pad and walking (just not a 1/2 mile at a time). I hope you feel better soon!! I'm a week out today and am back at work.

Pizzaman, I think that your diet is solely based on your doctor. I have the Realize band (Jan 7) and my diet is just as if I had any of the other bands. Week 1-Clear Liquids Week 2-Full Liquids Week 3-Mushies Week 4-Transition to solid food I think that each doctor makes up their own, I know that I've read some post where people were eating eggs 3 days post-op.

I have used the Gas-X strips and the liquid tylenol... a lot! I also went out and bought an extra-large heating pad and I'm glad that I bought it. I didn't take a pillow with me to surgery and that was a lesson learned!! I've survived the last week on popsicles, juice, broth, and iced tea. I bought way too much juice but my sweetie will take care of that for me. One thing that was a godsend for me that I haven't seen anyone else mention are Liberator wedges. They are actually kinda sex toys, but they apply to this also. I had bought the two wedge set about a year ago for me and my sweetie and they worked great for my elevation at night. I would sleep on the large wedge at night and then the small wedge for naps. They have a material on them that doesn't make them slide around. I would definately recommend them because you can use them after you recover:rolleyes:. I'm sure they will come in handy for any apprehensive port soreness!!

Congrats!!! Glad to hear that you are doing so well.

Glad to hear all my fellow Jan 7's are doing good! I'm down 10 lbs already!! Still ravenous!! 2 more days till the creamy stuff!!! I've never looked so forward to having a Slim Fast shake in my life!!

As far as the Gas-X goes, just because it is gas in your abdominal cavity is no reason not to take it. Eventually it gets absorbed into your system and then the Gas-X will take care of it. Consider it a preventative for future gas. I cannot burp!! I woke up from surgery burping and I will burp when I drink something, but when I'm sitting around I feel like I need to burp and nothing will come????

I just made a BIG mistake. I thought if I took my Isopuke Grape and put some ice in it and chop it up in the magic bullet I would have an easier time getting it down. It made the whole thing a big thick foam. I had to let it sit for 30 minutes to get all the air out!!!

I agree with brickgirl, the best thing that you can do is educate your family. I made mine look at the website for my doctor and this forum's website. I had them read all the literature that my doctor gave me and even made them watch the EMMI film. My better half spoke to people that had had the surgery (we work with 4 people that have done it) it helped him to be more open to it. It was funny, my family still thought that it was going to be much more invasive than it was. I think they thought I would wake up from surgery like some of those people you see on TLC and Discovery saying, "Why did I do this to myself". I woke up ready to go home!! I go my band on Monday and I have not had one second thought about doing it!! You have to do it for yourself! Invest in your future!! There are all kinds of reasons that people will try and keep you from getting the surgery, just listen to yourself!!

Just a progress note. I have already lost 10 pounds since Monday. I went and had a Manicure and a Pedicure yesterday. I would highly recommend that to everyone. I'm doing really good with the soreness but I am having a lot of stomach cramping and explosive you know what! I bought some Isopure last night to try and help me get through this week of Clear liquids. If I don't ever have to touch broth again that would be fine by me! I do see why some people refer to Isopure as Isopuke, OMG. I've never had this much willpower in my life! Up until today I have had my mother and my dearly beloved helping me. My mom left this morning and my man has to work midnight shifts this weekend. So pray that my willpower stays up. I cannot wait to eat some creamy stuff. I've been trying to think up recipes of things to make with my magic bullet. I think the first thing I'm gonna make is a smoothie with peaches and some of the vanilla

My doctor used the Realize band. I had surgery Monday Jan 7

aimee, Do you think maybe its constipation? I had my surgery on Monday and I didn't have a bm by Wed so I took some Milk of Magnesia. That sure got things moving along! I'm just really nervous about damaging my band. Its like a child to me. I was self-pay. I was just afraid that the cramping might damage the suturing of my stomach to the band.

Sunshine, I'm trying to grin and bear it and assume that it is just gas pains and not something worse. I have been walking alot, When I am sitting down I have a heating pad either on my back or stomach ( I bought one of the XL pads, its so much bigger and better) I've been taking a lot of gas-x strips and I have been drinking Yogi Peppermint Tea. It seems to help. I hope it helps you a little!!

My cramping is just below my sternum, where I assume my band has been placed. I just worry that what I thought was gas was something more. I'm drinking some peppermint tea right now, that seems to help a little and getting back on the heating pad.

Hey guys, Just looking for reassurance. I have been having pains in my chest for a couple days, at first I chalked it up to just gas, but now it really feels like my stomach is cramping where I imagine that the band is. Is this okay?? I don't remember covering this anywhere in the pre-op class or stuff before the operation.

I did not get to choose mine either. Mine is just below my left breast at the edge of my ribcage. I posted a pic of my incisions on the Scar Stages thread if you wanna see.

Well here's a look at my incisions. I had surgery on Monday, Jan 7 and these were taken tonight (Thursday Jan10)

Thanks Jim, I'm hanging in there. I've lost another 7 pounds since Monday so I guess it might be worth it just a little bit. I actually don't feel that bad just really hungry. 4 more days of broth, popsicles and jello!

I too have had disturbed sleep patterns. I consistently wake up at about 2:30 each morning, I'll get out of bed and go to the bathroom and drink some water. After I do that I can fall right back to sleep.

I sure wish that I could be eating like ya'll are. My doc requires a clear liquid diet for seven days. The only things I can have with protein in it is Isopure (which I haven't bought yet, but think I'm gonna) and Special K Protein water. I'm dying here. I made 3 different types of jello last night because I'm tired of Strawberry and Orange.

Work at a nuclear plant, hence the name NukeChik

I got my cold feet on the night before the surgery. When I got all dressed up in my gown, fancy knee-his and color coordinated blue paper hat I just wanted to run away!! I was pretty stoic though and didn't let on how nervous I was. They did give me something for my nerves after I got in the operating room. It was some good stuff too!! Then I heard the anesteseologist (hooked on phonics, I know I didn't spell it right) say "He's entered the building" Sounds very Elivisish. After I heard that the next thing was waking up and looking at the clock in the recovery room. So what I'm saying in a round about way is just relax, everything will be fine. You are investing in your future!! Good luck:clap2:

So glad to hear that you are doing good!!

I just had some strained wonton soup. How decadent!! I was getting really tired of instant chicken and beef broth!

I've started using the small wedge for naps and the large wedge when I sleep at night. It worked out really well last night. It also prevented me from tossing and turning which I'm sure would hurt like you know what!