4nefertiti

Check Inova Fairfax Hospital. I am told that they have a group the first Tuesday of the month. Information is from the nutritionist in my surgeons office. I have a fill scheduled in a couple of weeks. I need to get the contact information for myself, so I will pass it along. You might also find something on the Inova Fairfax website. Looking forward to seeing you all at a meeting soon.

Wonderful idea. Please count me in. Just let us know the details on where to send the money.

I have very bad knees as well. So bad that I am now a candidate for a knee replacement in my left knee. Surgery has already been approved but both my surgeon and I agree that I should go as long as possible before doing it since the life span of replacement is 15-20 years. What I have done is have both knees cleaned out. My left knee had to have some bone fragments removed due to the bones rubbing together. I also do regular synvisc treatments(injections) to keep them lubricated which helps alot with the pain and movement. My surgeon recommended using the reclined stationary bike as well as Water activities.

Yes, I also have a large bruise over my major incision and the area around my navel is pretty bruised also. My arms are bruised all over from all of the IV attempts.

Hi I am a March 14th bandster also. Yesterday I was really sore. Broke out that abdominal binder from the hospital and took some liquid tylenol - that seem to help some. Today I am feeling terrific. No pain meds since yesterday. Yesterdays meals consisted of strained egg drop soup for lunch, a couple of bites of sugar free Jello for dinner and an all fruit popsicle later in the evening. I'll start my Protein shakes today. I too had a hernia repair from a previous surgery. Good to know that my stomach isn't the only one talking. It's full of fluids - even though I am just short of my 64 oz that my doc wants me to intake. Lord knows I need at least that much seeing as how they had a heck of time finding a vein to put an IV in or get blood from. The hospital stay is something I would like to soon forget. Roommate from hell who stayed up all night talking to herself, me and anyone who passed by the room. Her overhead light never went off the entire time I was there and the hospital vampires took joy in sticking me to start a new IV at 2 am. I working on each of my arms.Then there was the 4 am need to go to the bathroom but couldn't get anyone to come and help me out of the bed. I managed to get there by myself but paid the price getting out of bed... Some one showed up 1.5 hours later. good thing it wasn't a true emergency. 11 am that morning, I stationed myself at the nurses station until they paged one of my doctors and I saw him walking down the hall. Although the morning hospital crew was great, I needed to be home to get some rest. Just glad that part is over and I can continue the weight loss journey.

Congratulations! I too will be banded at 8am on the 14th. No panic here (at least not yet). Just really, really excited.

I too had to do the whole battery of cardiac test due to an elevated heart rate. According to my cardiologist, abdominal surgery can stress the heart. My surgeon and cardiologist both said they just want to make sure everything is okay before surgery. Not a good idea to find any surprises during surgery. All my other test results came back fine. The cardiologist decided to put me on a medicine to lower my heart rate slightly. Although the test are time consuming, I'm glad my doctors are thorough. Good luck to you.

I haven't been banded yet but I have had the same symptoms you are describing. Turns out I was a bit dehydrated. You might want to contact your doctor just to be on the safe side.

Yes, I had to see a cardiologist because I have high blood pressure and the surgeon wanted a clear picture of my heart health to make sure everything is okay. My cardiologist did a complete workup - echo cardiogram, stress test, ekg, and an imaging test that shows a three dimensional view of the heart (very cool). All is well and I'm just waiting on my March 14th date.

I too am on March 14th. Very excited. Good luck and happy weightloss to you all.

I'm not banded yet. My date is March 14th. The thing I would do differently: I would have started the process 5 years ago when my primary care suggested it. Patiently waiting to begin my journey.

My surgery date is March 14th. My surgeon only requires a low fat diet for the week before surgery, with clear liquids the day before.