boredryu

I got really drunk one night and dry heaved in the bathroom. No real problems after that. The band is sturdier than we think, I would still pay the surgeon a visit (it's just a copay right?) if it's really bothering you.

I was on the same diet you were post op and came out okay. I waited almost 10 weeks before I got my first fill. I know I love to eat and drink Water by the mouth full so I wanted to be sure I adjusted. I'm on my second fill (4.5 in an 11) and can feel a little restriction.

The one thing that is bothering me is I have so much GAS. I've never been this gassy in my life! Belching and the other end

how early can you exercise? I am 6 days post op and I really want to get on the treadmill. The only problem is that my steril strips are still on. Any ideas?

my surgeon allows mushies day 5 and and soft foods day 10. However I am not hungry at all so I will be waiting a little longer than recommended.

willsmommy, you may be full and just not realize it. Sometimes I am so full I can't get my Water in. One thing I had to learn very quickly is that it's not the same "full feeling" than when I stuffed my face with fast food pre-band.

Good Luck

There is no better feeling when you see results (and even feel results) after weight loss. It's a feeling no food can give you! You're 30 lbs down, remember that!

I had the same problem and it was because I was dehydrated! We forget how much Water we get from our foods! Try and drink some more Water and see if it helps. After the dizziness if you get cottonmouth then it's definitely the water intake.

still, call your doctor :welldoneclap:

I remember during the seminar they said if you drink too quick it will feel like that. Once the swelling goes down you don't have to sip, but once the band is filled you'll be back to slow drinking.

moondshadow is that including pre-op weight loss? Even if it is 40 pounds in 2 1/2 months is excellent!!!

Congrats

Well guys since I am posting on the post op forum I will keep this mostly to my 5 day post op experience (since this is definitely the toughest period).

Day 1:

Went in on May 7th for surgery, no pre-op diet, went in an 9 was in post op at 10. I could not swallow because of the tube during surgery so they gave me ice chips. Had trouble breathing because of the mask, the kind nurse took it off. Got up at around 10:15 to sit in the recliner chairs they have and while sitting down passed gas. Was discharged by 10:40 and literally spent more time at the pharmacy than in the or! Finally got home at around 1 with tons of gas and tenderness from the incisions. The gas pains felt unbearable even with gas-x. Fell asleep in the recliner.

Day 2: Gas pains had lesson but incision and port pains still hurt. Just lounged around the house trying to pass the time watching tv. Still on liquids, couldn't eat much so I drank as much gatoraide as I could. Fell asleep on the recliner.

Day 3: Gas pains had lesson again but still hurt. Incision and port pains had lessoned but if I sat up or stood up it stung for about 5 seconds. Tried to sleep on my bed but I will still too tender.

Day 4: Still on liquids, but I could fill my appetite coming back. Read on the forum that a heating pad works. Placed the heating pad on my stomach while watching tv and every 20-30 minutes gas passed! It never felt so good! Also, was able to sleep on either sides and my back that night. My stomach was still sore.

Day 5: Entered mushy stage ate oatmeal for Breakfast with some milk. Had some applesauce for my second meal. Have a really bad taste in my mouth I can't shake, Water seems to help. I think it's from all the gatoraide. I can hardly feel the gas!!!!!!

Summary: Get a heating pad! I keep mine on me all day and even when I am sleeping! My nurse said to eat gas-x like skittles (she was joking but you get the hint) but I just hated the taste of the strips and didn't want to take even more pills.

A side note to all of you post op or if you're surgical date is coming close:

I never had surgery before and afterwards I was really upset at the decision I made. I regretted and it plagued my mind the first few days. I read the boards to those who said "it will pass" and it truly will. Once you're back to your regular self you will be very happy you made this decision! The benefit outweighs the risk!!!!

Take it easy!

I was banded on Monday May 5. I wish my doc was a bit more specific about the days and how long to stay on x y z. I was shocked that after coming up to my room from recovery they gave me custard! I had thought I needed to have clear liquids as well. My doc said..yogurts..puddings..applesauce creamed soups...then nutritionist said I would KNOW when to move to blended foods..I would be hungry she said. Well I know I am not sure what ready is...

I will keep working at it. Tonight I ate about a 1/2 c of ice cream...I have never been able to eat only a 1/2 c of ice cream in my life! Always a Soup bowl! and I was full. I know that is not a choice to make on a reg basis but is it okay like once on the weekend? OR should I avoid it? I welcome advice because I want to succeed at this.

I KNOW that the ic was not the best choice..I had been having a rough day emotionally and ic is what I often turn to. Just being honest.

Cindi

I don't see why fat free ice cream in a half bowl amount is so bad. It probably has the same calorie amount as my low fat yogurt :tt1:

Two things have helped me with gas. Walking like crazy and a heating pad. I can't tell if the gas x strips really help or not.

When I walk I go to albertsons or Walmart and just walk the store. I don't want to sweat with my steril strips on so I walk in a cooled environment (malls work too). The other day I was picking up some milk and I had a 7 second belch, it was heavenly music!

I just started the heating pad and I passed gas maybe 4-6 times in a 3 hour period so that definitely helps. No real shoulder or lower back pain yet but you never know.

So missie you recommend milk of magnesia? I haven't had a bowl movement since tuesday night myself. Also, did you take your bandages off to shower? Not the sterile strips of course.

hey missie I was banded on may 7th as well! I am on 1 day clear 2-5 full 1 week mushie and then on the 2nd week soft foods!

You still having gas pains?

I am on post op day 4 and last night I finally felt the shoulder/back pain. I was laying in the recliner so I didn't feel much and it passed as soon as I passed gas. I asked my brother to pick me up a heating pad so that if it comes stronger I can fight it.

Take it easy

I dunno, because of all the gas pains I don't know if taking bigger drinks is a problem or not.

On my discharge notes it says to sip day 1 but doesn't give much instructions 2-5. So I'm a little lost.

i feel tired too but that's because of not having enough food in my body. I've just been drinking Water and gatoraide for the past 3 days. I have Protein shakes but I cannot sip them to save my life. I start mushies tomorrow but in all honesty I'm sure I could eat them today.

I have a question though, does anyone put ice on your stomach? During post op the nurse put some on my stomach and i started doing it when I got home. Should I keep it up?

Thanks

are you guys eating Soup and or Jello yet?

on the seminar they answered that question and none of surgeons like working with medicare. It's just such a hassle (their words) but he did say something about the big hospitals taking medicare in the dfw area.

I'm sure their general surgery surgeons (that work in the hospital) don't mind taking medicare, it's not like they are doing the paperwork.

you know what's funny? I didn't have those thoughts until after the surgery. I now know why surgeons make you have a psych eval before having this surgery. I wanted to lose weight so bad that I jumped the gun and applied for it on monday was approved 7 days later and then had surgery 9 days later.

I Was fine until I woke up from surgery a swollen and gassy. I was cursing my decision until a few days passed when I realized everyday it got better and it made me look forward to the next day.

You'll probably think the same thing I did right after surgery but believe me it will pass!

i would kill for some vicodine or oxycodone, right now I am on 10mg ketorolac and I can't tell a difference.

do you guys sip the Protein Drinks or drink them regularly (2-5 days post op?)

you know when I came out of surgery I regretted my decision a little. I guess because of the pain (I've never had surgery before) but as the days go by it gets better and better.

My only wish is that I could sleep on my bed

hey pix, I had my surgery on Wednesday and am feeling better as the days go. Are you drinking Soup? My list of foods says fluids but doesn't list Soup or Jello. Just Water, gatoraide, Protein, coffee, and tea. I can start mushies on sunday so that's good.

I have a question, does your stomach look swollen still? Right below the chest my stomach looks swollen, it could be the gas, or the pouch so I'm not worries.

It's just good to hear from others

is it safe to drive home afterwards by yourself?

I'm going at it alone but only because my family lives far away from me and my friends will be working. It's a quick procedure with a low rate of complications. If I was married though I definitely would want my wife there, through thick and thin.

Good luck

I'm in the same boat. I got my approval letter on Saturday. Called the insurance rep on monday, faxed it over monday mid-morning. Had my pre-op scheduled for Wednesday and my surgery scheduled for the following wednesday (may 7th). It really has to do with the insurance and the testing. A surgeon loves to cut, and as long as you can afford it and the tests show you can handle it they'll do it!

Good luck, we are getting banded on the same day!

I would reccomend finding any doctor you have been to where they had you step on a scale. Also, all weight watchers records would definitely help.

The goal is to prove that you've been obese for a very long time and diets do not help. If you have the records you'll find success in the appeal process. Things that will also help, if you have your doctors write letters to the appeals board.

Good Luck