allykat

I was banded on 2/27. I only took my pain meds 2x, other than the day I came home (it was done outpatient, so I took it 2x that day). Drinking is hard for me because we have to sip and I just forget to sip! I'm mostly drinking Water and Protein drinks. I get in a few glasses of water and so far 1 Protein Drink a day. My doctor said this was normal at first and just try to build up from there. I had dissovable stitches covered by the glue stuff. The glue stuff is flaking off now and is nearly off of the incisions on my tummy. The incision in my bra strap area is looking better too. My doctor puts the port in your upper chest so that it is easier to find for fills. Just started using my scar cream today! I was allowed to shower the very next day. No problems at all in that sense! I'm just ready to be completely healed so I can have a long soak in the tub again! The first night or so, I slept in the bed propped up with several pillows. By the 3rd night, I was comfortable on my side. I was never told to wait to do this, so I guess it didn't matter. I'm a stomach sleeper and can't wait until that is comfortable again!

Hey guys, help me with this. I'm not eating very much at a time...very little, like maybe 1/3 cup...don't think it is even a 1/2 cup. But when I eat (and I'm eating slowly) or drinking, I sometimes feel like I have a huge lump in my throat/upper chest area. What am I feeling? Does this mean I'm doing something wrong? I'm trying to sip Water (and having a hard time with that) so I wondered if maybe I'd drank too fast or something. My problem with sipping is that I forget to do it and then I don't get my water in! Here is what I've had today: -This morning - regular sized glass of water, taken in over about an hour or longer. -Breakfast maybe 9:30? - the other half of a small yogurt from yesterday's Breakfast. Honestly, I think it was less than 1/2. -Around 11 am - remembered I hadn't had any Protein drinks yet, so I started on an EAS carb control. Took me about an hour to sip that one down. -Lunch 2:00 or so - small serving of instant mashed potatoes. About 1/4 of a cup - maybe. Since about 3:00 or so, I've had that weird feeling in the throat. I've been trying to drink down a Special K20 water, but I'm just wondering if I'm doing this right. Feels really weird, like I have to burp but can't.

Welcome Diane! I'm sorry, since I'm newly banded, I can't answer your questions, but the office staff is super nice. I'd call and ask them. When I researched doctors, it was between Dr. Bagnato and one in Tallahassee. The office staff alone is one of the factors that swayed me to Dr. B. They are great and were very helpful in answering all of my emailed questions. Jenni Stone is his office manager....she is great with answering emails if you want to contact her that route. I don't have the address with me, but do a Google search for Dr. Bagnato or Weight Loss Surgery of Albany or something like that and you'll get the website. Bainbridge is a pretty town! You'll like it there!

Oh my gosh, I came home to the best surprise yesterday. I have a group of online friends. There are 5 of us, and we've 'known' each other for 10 years now. We were all pregnant together, so we met through an expecting club, and we've just all grown close over the years and email each other all day long. We get together occasionally, but primarily, we all talk online. We live pretty far apart. Anyway, they sent me the coolest gifts to Celebrate "the new me" with my surgery. I was so incredibly touched. One was a "luck toggle bracelet" with peridot and the other was peridot and pearl cluster earrings. The cards with them from Red Envelope said that the peridot was "celebrated for centuries for its alleged ability to accelerate personal growth and impart good luck and open doors of opportunity." How cool is that? And very fitting! Here is a link to the bracelet if you want to see. The earrings must no longer be available. So thoughtful of them! I was so surprised! RedEnvelope - luck toggle bracelet

Oh my gosh, I came home to the best surprise yesterday. I have a group of online friends. There are 5 of us, and we've 'known' each other for 10 years now. We were all pregnant together, so we met through an expecting club, and we've just all grown close over the years and email each other all day long. We get together occasionally, but primarily, we all talk online. We live pretty far apart. Anyway, they sent me the coolest gifts to celebrate "the new me" with my surgery. I was so incredibly touched. One was a "luck toggle bracelet" with peridot and the other was peridot and pearl cluster earrings. The cards with them from Red Envelope said that the peridot was "celebrated for centuries for its alleged ability to accelerate personal growth and impart good luck and open doors of opportunity." How cool is that? And very fitting! Here is a link to the bracelt if you want to see. The earrings must no longer be available. So thoughtful of them! I was so surprised! RedEnvelope - luck toggle bracelet

Hi, I will say that 2 days ago, I felt exactly like you. I was a sobbing, weeping mess and could not believe what I had done to myself. I kept saying it was the stupidest decision I'd ever made and I wanted it out! I had some pains as well, so the doctor wanted to see me yesterday. In a nutshell, my numbers (blood sugars, electrolytes, etc.) had all bottomed out and were screwing up my hormones. I knew I was being irrational, but I couldn't stop my head from freaking out. My doctor was great and told me that first of all, I could reverse it, though he wouldn't do it right then. Second of all, he thought that once I had some food and Gatorade in me, I'd see things much differently. So on the way home I had that Gatorade and he moved me from Clear liquids straight to full liquids and mushies and I immediately felt better. I cannot believe it was just yesterday that I was sobbing in the shower. So, having said all of that, wait and talk to your doctor. It could be that you just need some nutrition in your body and you'll feel human again. That was what happened with me!

Nip - that is awesome! You look great! Big difference!

Mia - good luck on the scales! I have a scale, a Walmart special that I've had forever, and it actually weighs me exactly the same as Dr. B's office and at the YMCA - that never happens! Georgia Girl - Meant to say I loved your pics - big difference! Jeannie - Your pics are great too! Can't wait until I can say I'm halfway there! Holly - I think I was banded right before you. Definitely too soon to be eating those solids. Dr. B just told me I could move to the full liquids and mushies, so if you are gonna cheat, it would be better to cheat with one of those foods. Not that I'm saying cheat...but you know what I mean! Bamboo - I did a personal trainer a few years ago and it was awesome! Great motivation and she really worked my butt. I lost lots of inches (just didn't keep it off, sadly). Brina - thanks for the kind words. Your posts are always just what I need to hear! Girl, you are hilarious! As for me, I think today is the best day I've felt, both physically and emotionally, since having surgery. It is amazing the difference food will make. I had some cream of chicken soup last night and man, I was stuffed on such a tiny amount. Today, I'm drinking the Special K protein water and I've had yogurt. I've got a protein drink with me and some cream of chicken soup for lunch. Have no clue how I'll manage to get all of that in. I'm struggling drinking water!!!

He thinks that all of my electolytes, glucose, etc. levels were messing with my hormones. I told him that I knew I was thinking irrational with wanting the band out, but I didn't know what was wrong with me since I couldn't seem to stop crying over it. He said the tightness I am feeling isn't common, but isn't unusual either and means the weight will likely melt off really quick. I've lost 11 lbs. since Wed., so I can believe it! Anyway, he told me to slowly start eating off the full liquids and mushy list and that that should really help with how I'm feeling. I believe it because I am starving! He also told me, believe it or not, that I need sugar, so not to go totally sugar free on everything. Makes sense since I ate some regular pudding yesterday and felt human again. He told me to get Gatorade on the way home and with just a few sips, I started feeling better. DH went with me today, and he feels better about things, too. He feels like his behavior on Wed. is what led to my downward spiral, so he feels totally guilty. I told him not to even think that....the important thing is that he is there for me now and everything feels good again. Anyway, thanks again for all your support... I really appreciate it. Georgia Girl and Mia - your pics look great! Reminded me that I needed to do a before pic now!

Thanks, Pam. I knew when I did that post how truly irrational it was. I just came back from seeing my doctor and he thinks that my glucose, electrolytes, etc. were so out of wack that it started affecting my hormone levels. I've been on clear liquids for 5 days, so he is moving me to mushies slowly. He told me to have gatorade on the way home and I already feel 100% better. It is weird how it was seriously messing with my head.

I was banded last week and although I know that several bandsters have had that feeling of regret, I am having a really hard time with it. I have cried every single day that I've had this band. I don't know what is wrong with me. I really researched this and wanted it sooo bad! But now I feel like I have made a huge mistake. My DH was little less than supportive on my first day and made some comments about how he didn't think I needed this and how he had issues with me having a device inside my body. He has since apologized and has been sooo supportive, but I feel like that messed with my head. And now I'm absolutely miserable. I just feel like I want this out and I want to go back to how I was. What in the hell is wrong with me?

I feel like the voice of gloom when I come here but guys, I am having a bad day. I feel like complete crap. My back hurts, my side hurts, I feel real shakey and dizzy feeling. I feel like I have heart burn from everything and all I've had to eat today is a bit of jello and some apple juice and water. My DH, bless his heart, is doing great with trying to be supportive of me. He is being so sweet today. But I feel really messed up in the head. Like I have made the biggest mistake ever. I feel like if I had the option of having this band removed tomorrow, I would do it. What is wrong with me? I have cried so much over the last few days and I am sick of feeling like this weepy mess. This is not me. I'd rather be fat and happy than feel like this. We've talked to both Elizabeth and Terri at Dr. B's office and I'm supposed to go tomorrow to be checked out. I just can't believe I am dealing with this when I was looking so forward to this surgery. I don't even care about it anymore. I just want to feel normal.

Brina, I am with you on everything you said! I am hungry! I wanted to cry this morning when I got my little thing of Jello out. I am so sick of this stuff. DH had shrimp last night and it looked so good. I was strong though, I didn't cheat! I'm also sore on the port incision...feels really tight. I'm also sore where the port is located. I'm not itchy on my incisions, but I have one nasty bruise around my belly button. The only place I have pain is on my left side. Not necessarily on that incision, but almost like a nagging cramp in my left side. Anyone have that? BTW - DH is doing fine now. We have talked tons and he is really being super supportive now. He knows how much the chicken broth disgusted me so he went out yesterday and came home with different Soups that I could strain and some pudding. Can't have the pudding yet though!

I feel tons better now than I did when I first posted. First of all, DH is normally very supportive. He is really one of the good guys. I guess that is why I was so messed up by this. He and I have talked today and he wants to be supportive of me and has apologized. I think it really is just change. This is happening at home and he is less than thrilled with things at his job. The financial aspect is also his issue. But he loves me, and we've had a great marriage for 15 years, so we'll get through this. His feelings coming on top of the "oh gosh what did I do?" feelings that happen anyway right after surgery just really hit me hard. Brina, when I had knee surgery previously, he acted a little freaked then too. Didn't put it together until then. I guess maybe it is the fear in him talking. Anyway, I'm doing tons better now than I was then. Today was the first day I left the house. We went to pick up our daughters from dance (they dance in a competition company) and just had some family time. It was nice. As for eating...I don't care if this is considered liquid or full liquid but I got some chicken Soup from Chick-Fil-A and strained and ate that. So much better than the broth. I serioulsy have felt nauseaus at the thought of eating that nasty stuff again. I was so hungry, though and Jello and popsicles were no longer getting it. Now I feel 100% better!

I have to say, my DH is far from being a controlling a$$. He really is one of the best hubbies you can have. I guess that is why I was feeling so crappy, because we were so out of synch on this. We've been married 15 years and honestly, the only fights we have ever had (if you want to call it that) is over financial matters. And I think the cost of the surgery is what is at the root of his trouble with this. He is worried that we'll get into debt that we cannot get out of, but I know that isn't the case. I'd have never taken on an obligation I can't handle. I think his issue is also change. He is a captain/paramedic in the fire department and is less than thrilled wiht some things going on in his job. Today, I've gotten myself together a little better, and we've talked more. He told me he is really upset about work and that he really does want to support me. We will get through this. I was just feeling really down this morning, I think someone hit it on the head...I'm hungry, I have incisions, I can't lay down like I want to right now and I just feel soooo yuck. I'm sure one weight starts coming off, it will be better. BTW - I have lost significant weight in the past and DH knows I wouldn't ever leave him. We talked again today and he was pretty upset that I was upset because he never wanted to hurt me. I guess time will heal.

Hi guys. I'm having a pity party today. I am feeling some serious regret over having this band put in. If I could go back in time, I don't think I'd do it. Physically, I'm doing okay. I absolutely cannot stomach broth, so I'm making due on popsicles and jello for the most part. I'm not in any pain and I'm moving around good. The problem? I had no idea until after this was done that my DH was against it. He and I talked prior to the surgery and I really thought he supported me and he was on board with it. But we've had some pretty serious heart-to-hearts over the last few days and I can see now that he was against it. He feels like if he was happy with me, than that should be enough. And the fact that he loves me the way I am means more to me than he knows. But it really hurts to feel like I've damaged something between us now. What freaked him out was the port incision. The fact that it was near my breast just did it for him. He can't stand it that I'm "all cut up" and that I have something unnatural in my body. I've tried to reassure him that the scars will fade, I even got special scar cream to help with that. He is also feeling like everything will change because we used to go out to eat pretty often, and now he feels like we can't do that or that I won't enjoy it. I've tried to tell him that I can go out to eat...that I'll just eat less. I don't want to ramble anymore. But I feel like I should never have done this. I've told him that there isn't anything I can do about it now but after one year, if he is still feeling this way, then I'll have the band removed. He says that he knows it is his issue and he needs to get over it. But I can't help feeling like I made a huge mistake.

I really did research this and just felt so excited to be having this. I really have a great DH who loves me in spite of my weight - he thinks I'm beautiful the way I am. And man, do I love him for that. But a few days before surgery, he told me he didn't support me doing this. He said he felt like if he was happy with me than that was all that mattered. I had a real honest heart-to-heart with him, where I told him exactly how I feel being overweight and exactly how much I weighed. I really left that conversaton feeling like he got it and he was behind me. The the day of surgery, he barely spoke to me. After getting home, we had it out a little, and he said he just didn't like it that I was all cut up and that I did this. We've talked again, and I can see now that he was never totally for this surgery. He is against it because it changes me and puts "unnatural things" in my body and he also is worried of the financial burden since I was self pay. I'm just so sad now. Had I known it was going to be like this with him, I'd have never done this. I really thought I had his support. He is trying hard now to get over his feelings, because what is done is done. But I just feel like I made a huge mistake.

Brina, I've actually been a little hungry today as well. I can only eat about 1/2 an individual container of jello, and I could hardly get down 2 ounces of chicken broth yesterday. It is weird...I want to eat, but I just can't. I guess that is how we know it is working. How long do we wear the wrist zappy thing? Oh and are you coughing? I wouldn't say I am coughing a lot, but it sure does hurt when I do!

Mia so happy for you and your loss! I know you must be thrilled.

Yesterday was my band day! I feel 100% better today than yesterday when those nasty gas pains were killing my back. I walked and used a heating pad and it helped a bunch. Today I've felt good enough to shower, do my hair and make up and make the bed. Not hungry at all. I had a single serving pack of Jello that I've eaten on for 3 meals now. Just not hungry at all. The ice chips are great though.

Mia, I appreciate the post you did where you had the lightbulb moment that your issues with weight were crowding everything else. You are sooo right on target with that. I think that is why I end up failing on every diet I try...I just get so tired of the fight and the diet really defining everything about me. When I first started researching LB a few months ago, I really hoped my insurance would pay. When I found out it wouldn't, I decided then and there that it was in God's hands and if he found a way to provide for it, then I had to trust that this was what I needed to do. When I found out my financing was approved, I was really scared and nearly backed out a million times. But I kept remembering what I said....that if the Lord provided the way, it was up to me to trust him to walk through the door. So now here I am one day post-op and yesterday, I had those "what the heck have I done?" feelings. I'm still really nervous about it. But I trust that God has a plan for this, just like I'm sure he does with you. As far as feeling like you won't succeed with your weight loss efforts, I think we all feel like that. How can we not when every attempt has either failed or had short-term success? But I think this is it for me, and I'm sure it is for you, too.

I'm from Thomasville, that is in sw Georgia. Don't think I know where Enigma is, but I have heard of it. Welcome!

Well, I am home and it is done. I will confess to a few tears as they wheeled me into the holding area just before taking me into the OR. I was just so scared for some reason. Dr. Bagnato did not come by to talk to me but talked to my DH and sister. Said everything went fine. I am coming out of the fog okay...just took some pain meds. My upper abdomen, just under th ebreast bone and my back are what really hurts. I'm sure it is just gas. I have walked around a good bit today but I'm still in pain. nures said Gas zx strips would not do anything...did they help anyone else?

Brina, I'm so glad you are home and doing well! If you survived, I know I can do this tomorrow. I've had a ton of second thoughts in the last few days (do I really need to take this step? Could I try dieting one more time without WLS?). I know it is just nerves and I'll be fine. What the heck is the wrist zappy thing? I don't think anyone has told me about that one! One more question for anyone....like a big dummy, I forgot to bring the number with me today that I am supposed to call to find out the time of my surgery. Does anyone have that handy? I could go home and get it at lunch, but I was hoping to stay in town today and run errands during my lunch hour.

Good luck, Brina! I hope your surgery goes well today! I'm thinking of you...but then again, you are probably done by now! Georgia Girl, glad you are feeling better. When you loose weight, weird things happen with your cycle, so maybe it is something in that area. Hormones do crazy things to us! Mia, thanks for finding that out on the band. I think I read that somewhere on this site, actually, now that you mention it. Okay, I'm not freaking out too much about my surgery on Wednesday, but I did re-read my info again last night and the idea of drinking has been freaking a bit. All of the "drink slowly" warnings together with the fear of dehydration - I don't know what to do! Tell me how you guys did with this. I usually fill a glass of Water in the morning and add a straw and I sip throughout the day. I tend to get all my water in this way. Can I still do this?