strikeuptheband

OK my turn to rant! I have been giggling about some of the things said on this thread. Seems like this forum is the only place to go where I can get positive support. Luv ya guys! this weekend BF was flaunting how easy it is for him to drop weight. "Oh lookie, I lost two pants sizes!!! Its soooo easy, I just eat blah blah blah." Then, master of the grill that he is, cooks up rib eyes all seasoned and tasty (never mind that I am still supposed to be on soft foods). And after that, he whines "I could sure go for one of those cappafrappacinofrostywhatchamacallit shakes that sonic has...." I told him to go get it, eat it there and DO NOT bring it home. So he did. He is not the best example of a support partner. Then today, my boss, who is way heavier than anyone else where I work, extends her gratitude to all employees by giving us each a lunch BAG size bag of candy, with comments written all over about we are SMARTIES, she likes our LAFFY TAFFY, we are as precious as pepperMINT patties, smarter than TOOTSIE POPs, yada yada. Most of that is going home to my skinny son but I have to admit I succumbed to the sweets and had a few pieces. Dammit anyway! But I will go to the Y tonite with a more supportive coworder to swim off the calories. Seems like I have to be a hermit and live all alone to stay away from the stupid people.

Its been two weeks today for me and i am still having pain near where my port is. I got some support panties that go way up to under the breasts, gonna see if that squeeze will help that pain. Seems like that is the one spot that takes the longest to heal. I am focusing on the good things, I have lost 8 lbs since surgery. Not bad for two weeks and especially since I can't feel any restriction, I have eaten more than I should have on a few occasions. Seems for me the evening is my weakness. I do good all day but then want to eat eat eat all evening!:sad: Since I started this journey I have lost 27 lbs!:frown: I wont get a fill till July 1st and I hope to see some more lbs drop off when I really CAN'T eat too much then! Be sure you aren't lifting anything heavy, that puts a strain on that area. I suppose it will heal, it just takes a bit longer. Hang in there!

Warms your heart, doesn't it! I had breast reduction when my daughter was 17. She was a real little trouper. Even got me thru a second emergency surgery a week later when I developed a bleed. She was jazzed because she got to ride in the front of an ambulance! It was my first ambulance ride too but I think she enjoyed it more.

I was somewhat over the blithering idiot stage by the next day. I stayed overnight. But it was still a hard drive home. Now if I can just get over this pain at the port site I can start shaking my booty till it falls off!:frown:

I was also banded on June 2nd and am having pain around my largest incision. I am assuming from what others have said here, its the port. As I have lost some belly fat, that area now jiggles when I walk. (sigh). And thats what hurts. When I turn over at night I carry my belly over with me lol. Today I got some support underpants called Slimmers at Walmart. They look like big ol grannypants with the waistband that goes up to under your breasts. At this point, I don't care about pretty! Hopefully they will support my middle until I can start strengthening my stomach muscles. I will report back after I have worn them to tell you if that worked.

For all you support people out there: God Bless Ya! You have to know how important you are. At first my SO was all gung ho about it, "I will be there for ya, honey, no matter what..yada yada" But then he started questioning...are you sure you can afford this, do you know how hard its going to be on you, do you really think you are that heavy? and on and on. Then he couldn't be bothered to come to the support group meeting. Then he did come and sit with be before surgery, but left when i got out because "You are just going to sleep all day anyway" and he came back the next day to "help me" get back to my car. I ended up driving myself there 2 1/2 hr drive and back home. In the week following, he only called me once to see how I was doing. And he questioned why did I wait so long and didn't call him! Needless to say, his idea of support and mine are far apart. It has made me question if I want to stay involved with him. He has managed to lose a bunch of weight by eating healthy and watching his portions. I feel this is a subtle message that hey, why can't you do that too? It makes me sad because I really like the guy. But I know I can't depend on him for support. In fact when we get together for a dinner date or go anywhere to eat, its him plus my hunger I will be fighting. I ask myself if its even worth it. So again, to all you support people, stand by your partner, and know you are well appreciated. Sorry for ranting, but it felt good to write this down. Best of luck to all of you who are looking at or have had surgery.

Tell us the funny part!

Glad to hear you are home and doing well. Just keep telling yourself that the soreness, tiredness or whatever is going on is temporary and soon you will be feeling great and having lots of energy.I am 4 days post op and I am still waiting for the energy part lol. Hang in there and get all the rest you need.

Jimmy, You are doing great!! I have also lost 3 lbs. Today is my first full day back to work...I hope. I know I can't get away till about 3. Tonite is our Relay for Life so I have to be out doing that starting at 6. Maybe I will go home and get a nap before then. I told them I could stay all night but that was before surgery:huh2: Not so sure now..lol. I am keeping track of my food on the realize band web site and it shows I am not even near getting enough calories. How could ya when everything I eat is sugar free!! So I wonder if thats why I am so tired. Yes, the shoulder pain is from the gas. Mine is about gone. Walking helps. And if ya toot, umm, let me know what state you are from first! lol and which way the wind is blowing! Nah, its not bad and the pain will be gone in another day or so. Hang in there, this is a new beginning!

YoungNY, I am one day ahead of you and I promise it does get better. I also chose to stay overnight as I would have had to drive myself home 2 1/2 hrs away. I wouldn't have made it! lol I warned them ahead of time that I tended to wake up barfing from surgery and they actually listened to me! They kept the nausea meds coming and I didnt have any problems with that. I feel so much better than yesterday. I even started out doing some upper body weights for a few minutes today. Sometimes its baby steps that get us where we want to be. Once you find a comfortable position in bed, you will rest better. I finally got turned on my side without pain last nite and it was wonderful! Hang in there and you will be amazed how much better you feel tomorrow. Oh, and I know what you mean about the grabbers lol. I dropped my comb on the floor twice! trying to comb my hair. It took a while to get down there and pick it up! Also, be sure to keep drinking liquids, that will help and I hear its bad news if you get dehydrated. Hang in there!

Jimmy, I was banded Monday also. I know just how you feel! lol I have been carrying my belly around with me like I was 9 months preggers! lol I went in to work yesterday for a meeting I couldn't get out of. Stayed 3 hrs and was pretty wiped out. Today I go in for a half day, then tomorrow all day. (at least it will be friday so I can rest for the weekend.) I feel much better today. I just did a bit of weights...upper body, 3# wts (hey I gotta start somewhere...) and I feel good right now. I lost 3 lbs this morning (total of 20 since I started this journey back in October). Every day gets easier. I know we will have bumps in the road but I believe there will be more positive than negative things. Keep posting to let us know how you are doing.:confused:

Wow! lookie all the couch potatoes!! We will soon be off and running, I am sure. I am feeling so much better than yesterday. I think every day will be improvement. Surgery was monday and today I am going in to work for a short while--for a meeting. Going to try a half day tomorrow and I have to be there all day on Friday. So my couch days are getting very short! I feel good, a little sore but am taking Ultracet and its helping. As long as I take it slow I will do ok. And HEY! I don't need to use toilet tongs! Woooooooo Hooooooooo!!!! Good luck to those having surgery in the next few days. You will be up and moving before you know it!

Well said, my friend. I think I haven't quite realized that I actually did this! When I do, I look forward to a sense of accomplishment but I think I am too tired and its been really humid with thunderstorms today; thats sapping my energy too. We better rest up cuz work is going to be yelling for us to come back soon! lol

Just 1 day post op so I don't have scars yet but I have 5 cuts, 4 very small, maybe 1/2 in and the 5th one is about 4 inches. Doesn't look like stitches on any of them so maybe they glued me back together! Nothing hurts now but I am not moving too fast. Gonna take a shower then put on new bandaids and get some sleep. These look like they will heal nicely. I don't think you need to worry about this part. I think the diet hell was 10x worse than the surgery! Good luck, I know time will fly for you!

Glad to hear you are doing OK Jimmy. I was on my way about 7am and think I was awake and had some brain cells back by 10. My surg was about 45 min. I was up walking by noon. Stayed overnight and just got home today about noon. I haven't looked under my bandaids yet to see if theres stitches or glue. Trying to build up my courage to get in the shower and see whats there. Guess no one told me at the hosp if there were stitches and i was too goofy to ask. Every day is getting better now!

1 day post op (never thought I would use that word!) and happy to say I do not neet toilet tongs lol. Just a slow stretch and I can git er done.

Wow! Am I the first one back on the computer? Got banded yesterday bright and early. Everything went well. Had some pain last night but they kept asking me on a scale of 1-10 what was it and i judged up to about 7 once and less than that most of the time. They were good at keeping up with the nausea and pain meds. I stayed overnight because I had to drive myself home today. Glad I stayed because even with a nights rest I had to stop 3 times for a 2 1/2 hr drive. The hospital staff was great, although I never did see the doc before or after. Whatsup with that, its not like I left the car there for an oil change! But I am feeling better today. Got some pain in my right shoulder and of course tummy is sore but I am getting around. Slept a few hours after I got home at noon and now up and posting. I donn't feel hungry but my breakfast of chicken broth sure was tasty! They limited me to 1-2 oz of water or juice per hour, then as tolerated. I was really thirsty and I have been sipping fruit juice off and on. Tomorrow I will get back on the protein drinks. (Don't want to lose my hair yaknow!) Lets see....what else....got 5 bandaids, moving kinda slow, I guess I still don't believe its actually done! Didn't quite make my goal to go into surgery under 200; i was 201.5 but I had lost so staff was good with that. If anyone has any Q's just ask away and I will answer if I can. Good luck to those of you who are right behind me. I found it was a good experience and glad its past me now!!

I had breast reduction in 2004. Can't say really went down in clothing size because I carry most of my weight around my belly. Now my belly is bigger around than my boobs! I don't regret that surgery, the only problem I had, and still have, is I have to wear sports bras that tend to flatten ya (which wasn't in the plan...geez). My scars continue to itch and drive me crazy even now. Hope with banding (Tomorrow!!!) I can lose the belly weight and get my proportions back.

She's my BF's mom, she'a about 81 and has tons more energy than I do! (especially these days!) She lives in Jeff City, about a half hour from Columbia and I was going to stay at her house. But she's getting Chemo on the 3rd and is very stressed about it. She is usually the most upbeat cheerful person you could meet, but this has got her down. I don't want to add to her stress; she would feel like she has to take care of me. Shes a sweetie. Got it under control...BF will be with me and I will spend the night in the hosp. I have a good paperback and I am sure they will keep me busy walking around and sipping broth all day! Will let you know how it turns out.

Change in plans again...now I WILL be staying in the hosp overnight, because my BF's mother, whom I was going to stay with is getting chemo on the 3rd and she's a mess worrying about that. I don't want to add to her stress. BF will be at the hosp as soon as he is off work (he works nights) and will probably see me before I go in for surgery. Gonna make him come back and help me get in the car the next day lol. I will be on Untraset, a painkiller that doesn't make you sleepy. I think I will be good going home as long as they last. I know they work, had them before when I had breast surgery. I am starting to slosh now I am so full of water. They said to drink LOTS today and of course nothing after midnite. Thanks for the prayers. I will let everyone know how it went when I get back home Tuesday.

Hopefully BF will come thru for me. Its tricky with his work hours. If they make me stay overnite thats fine but after a whole nites rest, I doubt if they could stop me from driving home. Eventually I will have to anyway. Thanks Diz for the offer. That would be quite a trip!! I used to live in Bakersfield but its been many years since I was out that way.:laugh::ohmy::ohmy:One More Day!!!!:biggrin::ohmy::thumbup:

Diz, does your husband have a brother?? So glad you have a rock! Most of my support for one reason or another are not able to be with me monday when I go in for my band. I will get up and leave at 3 am for a 2 1/2 hr drive and git er done. If I have to stay overnite, at least its figured in the cost I already paid. I am self pay. Funny, they never said anything about a refund if I DONT need to stay overnite. I am getting nervous and excited now...only one more day of liquids, halleluia!

I have one of those and I really like it. And the exercise you get from shaking it has to lose ya a pound now and then! Also have a smoothie blender. Today I mixed orange juice and Amplify powder and a couple of ice cubes and made a smoothie. Found I needed more ice, but at least it was a cool drink and tasted pretty good.

I have almost a dozen bottles of Isopure and would be willing to sell some of them (at less than $5 a bottle!) if anyone is interested. I have a couple of varieties and just don't care for the aftertaste. If anyone is interested, post me privately and we can discuss it. I also bought Amplify powder from GNC in tropical banana and its ok with milk or orange juice. Getting banded Monday and I don't think I will ever use the Isopure so its up for grabs! If I don't get any takers, I think I will take it to a support group meeting sometime and donate it to whoever wants some. Once a month there is a support meeting and they have a clothing exchange too so maybe someone will try these and like them.

I have one day left of this and get banded on monday. I haven't had energy to do any exercising or walking. Its all I could do to go work and sit at my desk all day. Had body ache, muscle ache, especially my lower back. Because of this I haven't slept well either. I am sooooo looking forward to getting past this stage. IMO this is the worst part. Soon we can start building our strength back and get some exercise in. Hang in there!