jayme

Hi, I am only two days after surgery, and I told my mom she didn't need to stay, because I can pretty much take care of myself and my boys are 12 and 15, so other than driving (which I have not tried yet) I'm supposed to be getting up and walking, going potty, etc. I have to imagine you need at least a week to 10 days before you can be lifting your little ones. The pain/tighness is not in your lower belly (like a c-section) but more in your chest. My arms still feel strong and I think I would be ok having a baby sit on my lap as long as they're not too rough. my doc says driving is ok after 24 hrs with no perscription pain meds.

thanks for all your support, it helps to have an idea when I might be up and around. I have a follow up appt tomorrow and was planning on driving myself, but now I think dh might have to take me.

feeling pretty crappy. I slept fairly well last night, got up twice to go potty and drink some water. I have had the hiccups twice and that's misirable! any suggestions? I feel fine walking, and it really helps with the gas, and I've been so worried about post-op blood clots, so I walk around the house acouple times. How are you all getting in your pain meds? Doc prescribed Vicodan (big pill) that I have to crush and have been mixing with OJ. really hard to get down. good luck to you all, I'm hoping this is the the worst of recovery and should feel better soon!

OMG I have a date! I'm excited, scared, nervous and happy to Join the Avengers. I look forward to talking with you all!!!!

tomorrow is our big day! I hope everyone is well and healthy and ready to go! I've been "nesting" all weekend, trying to get the house ready(kids, laundry, groceries, etc) I bought too much garbage that the kids can make for themselves, otherwise the teenagers might just starve to death. Wishing you all well!

I know I'm very lucky only having to be on liquid for 5 days pre-op, but I'm on day 2 and I'm having a hard time. Funny, I'm not that hungry, I'm just cranky and feeling sorry for myself cause I can't eat. Teenagers totally stressing me out, and ALL they do is eat! I keep telling myself how great I'm doing and that this is all worth it, which it is, just struggling a little this evening. 3 days to surgery!!!

keep losing, keep after the ins company, and keep working out!! the better shape you're in b-4 surgery will really help with recovery (at least that's what I'm telling myself. I am a self-pay, so I don't know the insurance co details, but I thought that they go by your weight when you first apply, and any weight you lose just show's how committed you are. (?) Good luck to you!

I'm supposed to start the liquid diet on Friday. I'm starting tomorrow (Thurs) big whoop, one day, but I cant' stand myself anymore. I'm so ready for this journey to start. I've been talking about it constantly with close friends and family (not telling most people), and now it's time to stop talking and start doing something! Less than a week until our band day, TODAY is the first day of the rest of my life.:redface:

Hi!! Me, too. April 29th! I'm flip-flopping between super excited and totally terrified. We're going to do fantastic! Welcome to the April Avengers

Wow, all girls so far!

thindolphin: I ordered Usana chewable vitamins, they're supposed to be really good quality, but $$, I bought Flintstones anyway. Also the SlimFast Optima shakes are good, but still have more sugar than others. Try muscle milk light, or AdvantEdge Carb control; you can buy them in most grocery stores, and they taste ok. My boys drink the MuscleMilk, so you know it's not too bad! My doc said I can blend in a little fruit with the shakes pre-op, so I usually buy the vanilla.

Hi all! Azsungirl, I will also be banded on the 29th of this month. I am excited, and nervous. I start liquid on Thurday. know it will be hard, but don't want to take any chances with the liver thing. I also keep thinking about 4-5 weeks of liquids and mushies post-op. We are looking forward to the rest of our lives!

how do you deal with social situations in the month after banding? I have only told my immediate family and 1 or 2 close friends, and I'm not sure how I'm going to handle the typical backyard BBQ or pizza with the football team families in that critical month of mushies and liquid only.

sugar-free CIB? I'm also hypoglycemic, been having alot of blood sugar issues the past couple months (not banded yet) a couple ounces of OJ helps me.

Even my DH has asked if I'm bulking up b4 the surgery! I hadn't thought I was doing that bad, but i am trying to get in all the things that I know I won't be able to eat. i can't wait for the pre-op liquid diet. (next week) I'm afraid if I start now, it will be too hard to keep it up for the 4 weeks following surgery. i think it will be a "trial by fire". I know what is expected, what I have to avoid, and what I will have to do after banding. But I'm still afraid that I will fail (again). I think the pre and post-op diet will get me down a few lb's and I will be motivated to continue. Right now, I'm just so down on myself for letting it get this bad! Power to the May Flowers!!!

I have suffered from ocular migraines for years. they have become more frequent (probably from a combination of my age and weight) Dr just prescribed Maxalt (sp?) and I was told there was a disolving tablet because many migraine sufferers have nausea and have trouble keeping pills down. I don;t often get nausea, but I worry about taking pills with the band.

Hi! I'm living in SoCal now, but was born at Beaumont. Good luck on your journey, I'm hoping to be banded this month. I'm looking at this forum every day, it's been a huge help!

I hoping my band date will be the end of April. Dr. wants me on 1st stage of South Beach until my next consult. I can't even do one day! I think I'm telling myself that every day is my last meal. Fortunately I'm not gaining, and exercising 3-4 days a week, but every day I start on track and by the time the kids come home from school, something sends me to the pantry. Have others gone through this in the weeks before banding? I would like to get a running start before surgery HELP!

I'm hoping my band date will be at the very end of April. Let's stick together! I have all the same feelings, fears and I've been obsessing about this decision for awhile. I know it's the right move and I could use all the support I can get!

I think we could all write a book on nutrition and dieting. I'm not thinking that I will get much new info from the Nutritionist, although didn't she go over post-surgery eating? I would think that was the point. I just filled out 7 pages of nonsence from the Psychologist. I understand they need to know if I'm mentally ok to go through with surgery, but there were no questions about emotional eating, etc. It was just question after question about whether I had spirtiual support, faith and if I was suicidal. I was really looking forward to meeting with the Psych, ('cause I know I have "issues") but now I'm thinking it might just be a stepping stone on my way to surgery. Sorry to sound so negative, but I know I won't vent my frustrations during my appt, easier to do it here.

Hi all! I'm ready to be banded next month, and starting to get anxious. I am begining as a low BMI but still have a long journey ahead. I'm nervous about the surgury/recovery process, but much more about the long term living with the band. I really want this to work! Has anyone had anything come up (after recovery) that you never expected? Bad breath, PBing in public, :thumbup: anything that was a surprise? Also, what are some good quality liquid Vitamins? Thanks!

I'm hoping to be banded at the end of April. I've done all my research, lurked on this forum, consulted with a great doctor and I'm going to a support group tonight. Other than surgery/recovery my biggest fear is that I will fail. I've failed at every other diet I've ever tried and what if I make this huge investment (self-pay), have major surgery, put my family through my recovery and then I can't make it work? What if I lose weight and gain it all back in a couple years? I'm sure others have had the same thoughts, I could use some advice from long-term bandsters!

Wow, after less than a year it will still cost that much? What band do you have now, and how common is slipping?

I have an HMO that I know my surgeon doesnt work with, but I am considering changing insurance. With BMI of 34 and no co-morbs, should I even bother wasteing time trying to get covered? :smile2:

I'm going for my consult next week (chickened out of my last appt) I'm sure now that the band is the way to go for me. I'm just so afraid of failure! The band is an aid not a magic pill, I know that, but my willpower sucks. I'm a self-pay and I'm ready to give this 100%, but I don't even know if I can stick to the pre-op diet! We are all here for a reason, so I hope I'm not alone. Please give me some feedback :drool: