littlefroggy

I have to be on liquids for 3 weeks. I am already sick of the shakes and it's only day 3! I am also getting hungry. I think part of it will be finding a shake I like and can drink without being annoyed at the bad taste. I am going to GNC as soon as I can drive again!

I had the first surgery of the day, scheduled for 7:40 am. I had to be there at 5:30. I was with my mom and best friend (who is a film maker) and she decided to do a little doc about me, so she had the camera out in pre-op waiting area. She interviewed my mom who was giggling like a mad woman and totally a crack up. I think we were the loudest people there, laughing and just having a good time. My mom is pretty much a nut case and a ham, so she was being pretty funny for the camera! Once the nurse came in to prep me and it was time to have the anesthesiologist come, my friend left, but it was great having her there for the short time she was (until about 6:45.) They started giving me drugs and prepping me for the big surgery. My doctor and his nurse came to visit. My mom and I had a nice little talk for a bit, just about how exciting my future would be and all that. They wheeled me into the operating room, which was so much smaller than I expected. After that, I remember NOTHING. I woke up in the recovery room feeling really cruddy. I think I was cold and tired. I kept asking "am I breathing?" because for some reason I felt like I wasn't. They took me to my room and I slept for awhile, and my mom was there. I had been given some oxycoton for the pain but an hour later it was still not kicking in. I was nearly crying I was in so much pain. They gave me another drug (I think called tramadol or tramaden?) that also had some anti-inflammatory effects. After that I felt SO much better. I was getting the pain meds every 4 hours. They also put these things on my feel that would expand every few minutes to keep my circulation going in my legs. I was hooked up at the legs. My right side had the BP machine hooked to it, and the pulse monitor on my finger. My IV was on the left. I felt very trapped. As soon as I was ready, (maybe a few hours) I got up and peed. After that, I felt comfortable to get up and walk around a lot more. I walked to the nurses station and then around the corridor a number of times. I ordered some chicken broth from the cafeteria and some crystal light. I was drinking Boost, which is the only Protein drink available at the hospital. It was good though. I only drank about half of it the whole day (4 oz maybe) and maybe 4 oz of Water. I was not hungry or thirsty at all. I also was losing my voice, from the tubes they probably stuck down me during the surgery. The first day I had three friends visit, which was great. I got a beautiful lavender plant! I was tired off and on but in good spirits. I had this amazing Australian nurse who was so cheerful and cute! She was with me during the day and was so encouraging! In the night I had a different nurse who was also nice, but I was way GROUCHIER at night! Poor nurse! In the morning I had yet another nurse, she was also nice. I did have some problems though. My BP was low the whole time as was my temperature. My breathing wasn't great and it turns out I do have sleep apnea. I took a test at the doctor's office that didn't come up as sleep apnea, because I only answered yes to the snoring question. I never had a sleep study. My oxygen was going to 89% when I slept and the machine would beep and wake me up. They increased the oxygen while I slept so I would get enough. I also got this little puffing machine to breathe into and brought it home. I started getting a little yuck in my lungs and was coughing a lot. I still have that but otherwise feel so much better. If your doctor has you do the lap band as an out patient, I totally recommend you find a doctor who does an overnight. I couldn't imagine going home in the state I was in the same day as the surgery!!

I was banded on the 18th too. I have the most pain when getting in and out of bed or in and out of a chair. I am feeling SO much better today though! I think most of my pain is around my port. My scars are NASTY though!

I can tell you, judging from my one day out, you WON'T want to do any lifting right away. I can hardly bend over or lift anything. My doc said 6 weeks.

I actually gained 7 lbs while in the hospital overnight!!! I am hoping it's just Water weight do to the IV. Did this happen to anyone else?

I made it through the pre-op diet and am doing clear liquids today! Surgery is tomorrow. I am so excited about the surgery and my future that the clear liquid thing is totally doable!

Update: I am so much better today! I am feeling very excited and hopeful! I have bought a new scale today (one the the things I didn't do yesterday in my frenzy) and look forward to an evening with friends to ease my mind... thanks for your responses, everyone!

I am SO stressed out! I am trying to get everything I need done in order. I was so busy today I FORGOT to go to a party that I helped plan! Hello???? What's wrong with me? I kept running around from store to store looking for the right kind of Protein drink. (I never found something I think I will like) I went looking for a scale and got a bunch of things done for work. I never found a scale I liked either. Overall it's crazy around here. Anyone else have chaos right before surgery? I was trying to get everything done last week so I could just relax, but it's not happening! I'm not sure what to do tomorrow... I still have things to do (buy a scale, rent DVD's to watch while recovering, get crystal light, clean, do laundry (since I won't be able to lift after tomorrow for awhile) and on, and on... I am pretty much freaking out now. I am also a teacher and start school in two weeks and have to be completely prepared to do that. I am 90% done, but there is ALWAYS more you could do! :mad2:

When I first visited the doctor, they said "don't gain weight" but didn't give me the diet until my next visit. I was stressing a bit... as "don't gain weight" isn't much of a diet!! I started by cutting caffeine and any drinks with calories and switched to crystal light and flavored Water. I just tried to limit myself a bit more and be a bit more conscientious. I also started a light workout. (sit ups, leg lifts, arms, squats and walking.) I went to the doctor and amazingly was down about 5 lbs just from that (over about 4 weeks though, so it wasn't anything huge.) During that time I also ate at all my favorite places and had all my favorite foods! I wanted to get everything in before the surgery!

I'm a little sad that "eating" is over now for 7 weeks... (3 weeks liquid + 3 weeks soft foods.) I am doing a high Protein, low carb diet prescribed by the dr. I am not missing regular foods yet. I'm eating a lot of salads with grilled chicken. I've lost 7 lbs though, so I'm feeling ok. Before this started, it was my birthday and I went to my THREE favorite restaurants. My favorite Thai, Vietnamese and Indian places. I had leftovers every day! I went to sushi a few days before too! I really wish I had pizza though, because I LOVE pizza and miss it. I will be able to have a little bit of it in 7 weeks if I want it anymore. I always imagined I would go for one last "feast" before the surgery, but don't feel like it right now, which surprises me!

When I did my labs they discovered I had a UTI. I didn't even notice because I had been using the bathroom more because of the heat, and my desire to drink more Water in preparation for having the band....I was on antibiotics for ten days!! But, now my surgery is on Monday and I really think it may have come back!! I am definitely feeling SOMETHING. I had my appointment today where I signed all the papers and everything. At that appointment they did another exam, but no labs. I need to have the last labs done Friday. I asked about a UTI and she said if I had one again, they would give me a big dose of antibiotics... but I am afraid whatever it is will mess everything up. Has anyone had any last minute things that prevented the surgery? I am hoping this is pretty minor and will be ok. :confused2: The good news is I lost a lot of weight since my last visit! :crying:

Thanks... I'm relieved! I am super excited and only now starting to get a litle nervous!

I am REALLY excited!! I was stressed out and worried that it wouldn't happen this summer, but it is! I'm a teacher and wanted to have it done before school starts on Sept. 3rd. I think I should be feeling good by then. If not, hopefully my kids will be nice to me! I started my pre-op diet today, which is just a low carb diet. I have done it many, many times before, so know I will be fine. Of course, I went to a music festival today and had a beer and a gyro, so my diet wasn't exactly successful!! It will be though. I actually started it earlier than needed, as the doctor said to start it a week before the surgery and I gave myself an extra couple days! 1. What kind of exercise do you plan on doing? I like swimming best, but it's not that convienent. I have a gym membership and NEVER go and they don't have a pool. I am hoping I will be motivated to go to the gym after the surgery. In the meantime, my bag is packed in the car in case the urge hits me. I think I will also pack a swim bag and find out the lap swim schedule at the pool in case I want to do that. I think it's $7 though... which will add up since I already have a gym membership. 2. What shakes are you going to drink for the post op liquid diet? I have to go to GNC or something and pick some out. My nutritionist gave me specifications but I haven't looked at shakes specifically yet. Any good brands? Any great flavors? 3. My doctor has all patients stay overnight. What do you bring to the hopsital? Do you bring slippers, books, etc? I know most places do an out patient procedure, but they always do overnight stays at the hospital where I am having the surgery. 4. Does anyone know how long until you can lift? They told me I can't do any heavy lifting, which is fine because I shouldn't need to lift at work, but I do need to be able to do things like carry groceries and laundry. Anyone know that?? Thanks!!

I was worried about taking the time off as well. I teach a 1st/2nd multi-age. I really don't think you need 3 weeks off. Everyone I have talked to said 4-7 days and they were up on their feet and back in their life again. Maybe two weeks just to give yourself time? You might be able to request 1 1/2 weeks off, and then have plans in place in case you need longer.

Anyone know about walking up stairs? I live in an old apartment building and go up two flights to get to my apartment. I'm a little worried about making it up and down right after the surgery so I might stay at my mom's house. Anyone know?? Thanks!

Anyone use this? I haven't even had the lapband yet but am guessing with my huge gut there will be some saggy skin. Do those lotions help, even a little? I bought some Nivea Firming lotion.

August 18th!!! I am so excited!

I am a self-pay patient. I have done every test, every lab, everything they asked. I am a teacher and have the summer off. I started this process in May. I realize some people take a year or more to get this done, but with self-pay I think it would be faster- and should be. I don't have a certain date yet. Once I was told they would TRY to schedule me for Aug. 18th, as this is the last possible date I could have the surgery before I have to go back to work. I still have to have I think 1-2 more pre-op appointments and have not been given a diet or anything. Last time I needed an appointment I waited a month!!! I don't have time to wait a month before time runs out. I also can't really afford to pay for labs and everything all over again and wait until winter break or something. I feel like there is so much more I could be doing aside from just sitting on my butt waiting and wasting time.... I want to call and ask to just make the appointment, but they said they wanted the labs back first. I don't know how long the last batch will take (I had them done Friday.) I feel like they could at least give me the specifications for the pre-op diet or SOMETHING!! I wonder if I should change surgeons but at this point it wouldn't be any quicker- aside from which I think my surgeon is really good. I just am annoyed at the process. Just need encouragement... thanks!

I have told everyone. I told my friends, some of my co-workers and my family. I am a little worried though... What if I am one of those people it doesn't work for?? I know IT WILL WORK but I don't want to have told everyone (and people can figure out anyway) but then to not succeed... it just would be so humiliating.

I went to my seminar on June 12, had my pre-op appointment on July 2 (I waited a bit to call while I did more research) and then got my labs finished last Wednesday. They will schedule one more visit and my surgery before I have to go back to work Aug. 25th. They basically nixed all the pre-op procedures, except the blood work/urine labs and the psychological eval... BUT the counselor I was seeing last year wrote a letter and they accepted that. I had to pay for the labs myself because my insurance won't even cover the labs. Because they are so finicky at my insurance company, the doctor said I was excused from everything else. I don't have any signs of sleep apnea, GI issues or anything else. So ONCE the labs come back I am ready to go!! I am super excited. Oh, and if I jumped through enough hoops I could probably get the bypass if I waited a couple years, but I don't want that procedure, I want the lapband, as it just seems better to me in every way.

It's like a soft gummy candy - a little marshmallowy. Not sticky though... I wonder if I shouldn't have bought them?

I am Jessica and I am a big, fat, lesbian too. I am interested in becoming a healthy, not fat lesbian shortly! Hopefully I will get really sexy, as I am not feeling sexy or cute these days!

I'm using Dr. Ross McMahon. I like him a lot, but they just moved offices and things are a bit confusing right now. But everyone is really nice and I trust his background.

I am set to have my lapband in August (pending the psych eval and some labs) and everything else is all set. One of the questions they asked me in my questionnaire was what will you do instead of eat? I said journaling and writing as those are things I like. What did you say? What are you doing? Are you getting ansty for a snack at any time (like when watching tv?) Thanks! Jessica:biggrin:

Today at work, I went in to talk to one of my co-workers. Her partner is the boss, and we had talked about my having the lap band maybe 2 weeks ago. Anyway, today I went to just say hi and this was the conversation. It is sitting with me poorly now. What do you think? Her: "I don't know if this is public knowledge, but I heard you were having the lap band." Me: Yes, I should have it by the end of the summer. I am super excited!" Her: Let me tell you, I am scared for you. Me: Oh, don't be. I think this is going to be a good thing. I am really optimistic. Her: Well, I will keep you in my prayers, but I am very scared for you. Me: Have you known anyone who had the lap band? Her: I knew one person who had the lap band, and one person who had the bypass. That's all I will say. And with that I just had to sort of digest it and leave. She was very serious and it totally left me with a yucky feeling!