Bandme08

Hi all- I'm an official member of the couch! The worst part of recovery is the gas pain- it feels like I really need to burp, but nothing comes up! My Dr told me he gave me a fill of 3.5 in the OR- I don't feel it when I eat pudding or soup (which are both allowed). I am just really nursing them, so that's why, I guess. I do have the sensation of heartburn, I think, It could just be the gas. Anyway, the only thing that went wrong were the air conditioning in the OR went down the morning of my operation, so we were delayed about an hour, and I had a bad reaction to the pain meds they gave me- so they loaded me up with epinepherine, and added alot of Benedryl to my take home stash. All in all, everything went really smooth! Cant wait for the gas pain to go away! Would do it again in a heartbeat! Good luck to those on the couch, already off the couch, and those who are in line to be on the couch!

Hey Kerri- Sorry I didn't post yesterday- I stayed at my aunt's cottage on the lake- no internet there. Things went well, once they went! I was just leaving the house at 8:30am on Tuesday when my phone rang- Darn it! It was Me General, the Air conditioning in the OR was broken down, and they didn't know how long it would take to fix- they told me to stay home and wait for a call. SO, about 1.5 hrs later they called and told me to head that way:thumbup:. SO, I went in at 12:00 instead of 11:00. No big deal- everything went well. I had a reaction to the pain meds they gave me, so they loaded me up with benedryl and epinephrine. I stayed until 5:30pm, and then went home( to camp). I am getting conflicting instructions, though. My overly cautious aunt was the only one to get my instructions from the Dr and nurse. She's telling me different things than that of my instructions... Oh well. I'll find out later- I was a bit confused weather or not I actually have a fill now or not. I asked the nurse, and she said that they didn't refill it. Does that mean they didn't fill it any more than the 3-4cc he said he would put in it, or that there is no fill at all? Did you get a first fill in the OR?? Other than that, I feel like a million bucks (have trampled over my abdomen). Not too bad, but not really comfortable. Youve been there, you know what I mean! I hope everything contiues to go well with you! Take care- going to get some more good drugs. Sarah

Hey Kerri- Yep, slept about 1 hour last night. Went to bed at 12:30am, and was up every 30 min or so, finally giving in to being awake at 5:00am. Oh well, I will have a nice hour long nap at 11:00 today! Ok, now I'm wondering why i'm not nervous? I did loose it at work for about 3 minutes yesterday, because the thought crossed my mind that if anything went wrong, I would never see my kids again, and the thought of another loss in my family right now would be "not good". Then, I think by thinking that that I'm thinking way to highly of myself, so I shut myself up, and get on with it. Anyway, surgery is at 11:00, I need to be there at 9:30, although it ususally takes up to 1 hr to get an IV into me... Usually resorts to having on on top of my foot...I work with veins all day at work, I draw blood, and I can tell you, that my veins will be a challenge today. Maybe I'll get there at 9:00am instead! Anyway, I need to take a shower now, so I'll check in later, on the other side of the wagon! Sarah

I just typed a novel and lost it! Man, you have lost alot of inches! Way to go! It must feel so good to look at your before and afters! You are an insiration to me! I go in at 9:30 tomorrow, surgery is at 11:00am. I have alot to do tonight- so Ill post in the morning, or I'll talk to ya on the other side of the wagon! Sarah

Kerri- Don't worry about getting delayed! Life is what happens when you are making other plans! Yep, gettin close! I think I have almost everyting I need- I didn't really think that I would need a heating pad, but if such a great source endorses it so much, well, I'd better get myself down to Reny's today and get one! Yeh, I'm working from 5:30 am until 7:00pm on Monday. GO figure- I problebly should have taken that day off to finish my much needed house and yard work (i'm a single mom, everything tends to add up quickly when you don't have help around the house!) Anyway, I will just have to entrust my "young servants" to help out a little more- Sunflowers? How pretty it must be- especially if it's covering up something you dislike from the past! Well, have a great Sunday, and I'll post tonight! Sarah

Iteachurkid- what diet are you using?? I think we would all love to know!

Hey Girl- What kind of tattoo are you gettin?? Just saw your message on myspace! Sarah

Kerri- OOPS! I was going to write to you on your b-day, but I got sidetracked!! i hope you had a great one!:thumbup:. I hope your'e having a good week! I ended up going to Brunswick the other night, and found the liquid Tylenol- Thanks for the info! Not much going on here- this weekend I'm going to just make sure the house is in manageable order for when I get home. I'm just so glad that my 2 sons are old enough to be able to help me out at home- they're 8 and 10 years old- although they will do their fair share of fighting, I'm sure! :thumbup:. Anyway, any last minute advice? I still am not too sure of what I need and dont really need for post op at home. I have seen many lists on here, but so much of that stuff seems so unnecesary! Toilet tongs? um, I think I can reach my netherregions without them! Well, I hope your restriction improves in the time before your next fill! Keep up the good work, and know that I'm rooting for you!:thumbup: Later gator- Sarah

Hey Kerri- Yep, 7 days! In 1 week I will be home, feeling postoperatively, miserable!! I have never looked forward to surgery as much, with the exception of my 2 c sections! (1 emergency, (no time to think there,) and 1 planned!) Anyway, how are things going with you?? Tomorrow's the big 25 for you!! Happy early birthday!!! Any plans besides Friday??? Tonight I am going out with a friend of mine and her coworkers ( all prison guards- men in uniform, (out of uniform...). We are going out to a sports pub- dont know if I can endulge on the good stuff, though, the PA that did my physical for the surgery said no alcohol for 10 days prior to surgery... humm, 7 days, 10 days... Maybe only one drink- I'm not into getting wasted- plus I have to drive home. ok, I'm sticking to 1 drink. Period. Thanx for the Tylenol advice- unfortunately, Walmart is 45 minutes in either direction for me, so I might try the local pharmacy first! Have a great b day tomorrow, and I will chat with ya later! Sarah

Hey Kerri! Yep, gettin close, but not nervous, yet. I will be spending my first 3 days post op with my Aunt at her cottage on the lake. She's afraid if I am at home, I won't rest at all. SO they are taking me out of my house for a day or 2. Dont give up on that goal! You have come so far in so little time! I only hope I can do as well as you have! so- here is a question for you- Where do I get liquid tylenol? The only thing I can find is the childrens- I would have to drink 2 bottles for 1 dose!! There must be something I'm missing... thanks in advance for the info! Sarah

Yeh, I have wondered the same thing, as I have felt the same way for about the past month. I'm being banded 6/10/08, with no pre-op diet required! I am putting myself on a 1 week liquid diet pre op. Hopefully that will make it not so much of a shock to me to be that way for a week post op! I think that thinking the way we do should be a reassurance that we are ready for this, and we have already changed the hardest part- our mindset! :laugh: Good luck!

Hey! I'm being banded on the 10th too!!

Hey Kerri, Glad you had a great camping trip! I can't believe it takes 6 weeks to heal between fills- I think they were just trying to make sure you dont' get another fill ,and have to turn around and need an unfill! I had my pre op appts today, and the physical with Paul Diaute. All went fine, now I just wait until they call me next monday with a time for tuesday the 10th! Hope you have a great week! Youll be back on track in no time! Just think of the camping trip as a reward for all you have been through with the whole process! Later gator- Sarah

Hey Kerri! So, what did the office say about the fill?? It's really encouraging that you are going camping this weekend. For some reason, I feel like after I'm banded I won't be able to do stuff like that because of the fear of getting something stuck out in the woods! It seems like you certainly have the real food thing under control! Maybe waiting until you get back from camping for that 2nd fill might be a good idea. It would $uck to have your weekend camping trip interrupted by being too restricted! Only 7 lbs to go!! You are kicking some serious band @$$! You will make your mini goal no prob! Maybe even 5 or 10 more than that at the rate you'r e going! Well, dont' work too hard on that 2nd shift, and I hope you have a great weekend camping! Sarah

Hi everyone. As you can see, I am an everyday user of this site, and have found it to be the most usefull tool in my decision to be a bandster. SO, alot of time and patience has paid off- I got my date today! June 10!! :w00t:I can't wait! Just had to share!

thanx guys!! Can't hardly wait to jump on the bandwagon!!

hey, btw, any progress photos???

Ok, Kerri, I think this is our own personal thread now! Thank you for your kind words. Today is being spent picking out flowers, and making arrangements- I hate this- My aunts are kind of having me do alot of this, because " Ive done this before"- as in, my mother died 10 months ago at the prime age of 56, and i have the whole funeral thing down pat... Anyway, more bad news- dbf's mediation hearing didnt go as well as planned, and now they have to wait for the judge to decide- sometime next month... Well, at least it gives me more time to shed the jiggly stuff some more- I told you that we havent even met yet, right? We've talked every day and every night for 5 months now- what an awkward first date this one will be- we already know about everything you could know about a person!- But I am eternally greatfull that he is a huge supporter of my banding. He's tall and really built, but we know eachother's minds, and that is what being is all about anyway. Anyway, I hope you have a great day, and sorry for dumping my crap your way- We should get together sometime and pb or slime or something- just kidding- you r doing great on solids already! Call the office to see if you can get another fill- like .5-1.0 cc or something! Chat later!-- btw if you want to e-mail me...bunit78@yahoo.com. Thanks for being an ear (or an eye, I guess I should say...) Sarah

Hey everyone! Add me to the June 10 list! I got my date today!! Thanks!

Kerri- Pat just called, and JUNE 10 is my date! :eek: I have pre op on 5/29 and all the other physicals and stuff that day too! Oh man, hurry up and get here! I told you I was an impatient person!! I am just SO glad I finally have a date! gotta go- I just had to tell someone! later 'gator Sarah

Kerri- Wow! Only 8 lbs to your mini goal!! You go girl!! This has been a sucky week- my Grandmother passed away yesterday, and I am trying to make the arrangements, and work at the hospital, and help dad at the office so he doesnt' need to be there.. Too busy to eat, so I guess I will drop a few lbs by the weekend... Yeh, I like to camp, same style as you- I do like it if there is a shower in the area...We go camping at Glenn Ellis in NH in the fall. It's in the white mountains, so It's pretty nice. dbf has D- day in court today!!! I cant' wait! Mixed feelings on his part, but thats to be expected- he just wants to be able to move on! Talk to you later- have fun this w/e! Sarah

Just think of it this way- obesity is a contributer to cancer- by getting the band, and losing excess weight, you are reducing your risk of getting Cancer. With a strong family history myself, it is one more thing I can do to contribute to a healthier me! I wish eveyone the best of luck on their journeys, and am praying for all of those whose lives have been touched by Cancer.

I have to agree- as part of the pre op process, we are told to find a protien drink we like- I can only assume that is for the first week post op, of liquid diets only- once solids and mushies are introduced, the protein drink amount can most likely be lessened, as your protein intake is taken over by the mushies and solid food. Thank God! I can't imagine drinking those drinks too much longer than a week or so! (My Dr doesnt require a pre op diet, but for my own good, I'm doing it..)

Hey Kerri! Glad to see the fill is working! 4 lbs is nothing to shake a stick at. Yes, I agree, I shouldn't hit the scale everytime I walk by it- discouraging to say the least! The appt went fine- he told me about the 5lb rule from pre wt, but I'm down 18 lbs since first appt, so not a problem- he said that I should do very well with the band if I've lost that much on my own in 2.5 months. He also said that I have really strong abs (under all that xtra fluff), and my skin should mold well- I guess working them beforehand really pays off- I have done kickboxing for 3 years now, and that is the best kind of excersize for the abs. I did ask him what band he uses. He uses the 10cc band, and gives a 2-3cc fill at the time of banding. He asked me if there were any other questions, and I said, "yes, can we do this tomorrow???" He just chuckled, and said, "let's go have Pat submit this to the O.R today instead of on Monday. You seem ready to get this on the road." Pat said that I will hear from her as soon as she knows the date. Man, the past 2 weeks really flew by with the appts! Things with "talking only" bf are the same- I will im you or email you with the rest, as I keep forgetting that this is a public forum- wouldn't want big brother watching or anything- look for my IM or Email. Later- Sarah

Hey girl! Did you lose 5 lbs since your fill?? You are going to be at 190 or less by your birthday!! Congrats!! I just really want to jump on the bandwagon! Thanx for all of your support with my complaining about how slow this seems to be! I know I just have to be patient! Nate was awesome! He says stuff to make you feel good about yourself, but then you think- he problebly says that to everyone to get them going!! Oh well, it sounds good to hear someone like that anyway- I had my Nurse consult before I met with Nate- waste of time IMHO. 10 minutes to tell me everything I already know- most of it from this site, so I guess they have to tell everyone everything! It was worth getting weighed then, because I found out my scales were off at home! Do you tend to fluctuate 5 lbs or so a day? Man, I hate that! Well, happy losing, and I'll chat with ya later! Sarah