trayrenee

I am 13 days post op and I notice whenever I get mild hiccups or a hiccup --- they really hurt. It's like I can feel the band around my stomach.

Howdy everyone -- a question for the group. Was banded 2 weeks ago tomorrow -- everything went well. Feel great. Incisions healing nicely and get to start mushies tonight -- can anyone say mashed potatoes and soft baked fish! One minor concern. Right after being banded whenever I would hiccup or burb it would really hurt in my stomach, inside. Like it was a sharp jab. Trouble is -- it's still doing this and sometimes there is a just a vague general ache in my stomach. I have had zero problems eating. Everything goes down. I have not deviated from the diet even once since starting my pre-op diet. My friend (who was banded 6 months ago) asked if I thought it was my port b/c she said her's ached for a little bit. But I'm pretty sure it's not that. Part of me thinks -- 2 weeks out of surgery is not that long. My bandages just came off a few days ago. I don't have a fever. I'm not vomiting. It's just more than sore it's internally achey. I'm probably going to call the doc tomorrow -- but I just wanted to throw it out to the group.

I don't have any thoughts b/c I'm only 10 days post-op but please do post and let us all know what has happened to you. Good luck, we are all thinking of you.

Don't fret -- I'm the say way. I was banded on Nov. 19. I've lost 20lbs since my pre-op diet started ... but since I've actually been banded ... maybe 2lbs tops. I too am also eating only 800 calories. My friend who has been banded since June said to start increasing activities and very soon it will come off. What i'm concerned about is next week when I start mushies ... I really don't want to gain.

It's hard to resist cravings and a lot of that is going to come from changing your behavior. The path I'm taking is I talk to someone once a week who deals w/addictions and we have been working on some behavior modification techniques to pass over the cravings. The band won't fix your feelings or your mind ... so that's why I'm working on that part separately but equally as hard. Some of the things I now do is remember that a feeling or desire is not an emergency and it will pass. Sometimes I just white knuckle it. I go deep down inside myself and just remind myself that I won't feel like this forever. I also sometimes break it down super small -- "Can I deal w/not eating this for a minute?" "Can I deal w/not eating this for 2 minutes" -- some days are like that ... the entire day. It's a lot of minutes.

Well I'll be honest -- Protein shakes in general are not cheap. That said here are 3 that you can buy either in the grocery store or a Target and they are pretty good. Good Luck. 1. CarbSolutions $10 per can (about 14 servings) Regular grocery store or Walgreens Don't make them w/all Water -- vanilla is better than chocolate. If you are not use to Protein Shakes these are pretty thick and chalky -- but I actually like them. 2. EAS Advant Edge Carb Control Shakes About $5-8 for 4 (not powder) WalMart or Target 3. Metab ReSet $29.99 for about 14 servings Whole Foods The chocolate is really good.

1. Chewable multi Vitamins w/iron forever 2. Chewable Calcium citrate forever 3. 2 chewable pepcids for the 1st 30 days

You might want to contact your patient advocate at the hospital. This is EXACTLY what these people do for a living. Call the info line and ask for patient services. The hospital needs to know that these kind of problems are happening. And in the future sometimes the patient advocate can intervene for you. Even if they are seeing you now - it would be helpful for future patients.

I'm a little more than a week post surgery. 1. My scars look like they will be extremely minimal. Except for the port area they cuts are so small. 2. I came home w/liquid Lortab too. But honestly I was only on liquid tylenol in the hospital and was FINE. Are you uncomfortable? Sure. Are you in mind blowing pain? No. I did you use the big pain killers for 2 days post surgery more for sleep then for pain. Then on to the liquid tyelenol and I was off that 2 days later. 3. I had my surgery on Wed and was back to work on Monday. I have a desk job. So keep that in mind. By Tuesday I was completely fine except for my incisions hurting a little and itching. I'm not trying to brag but I even stopped at the grocery store on the way home from the hospital. I'm not saying I felt great -- but I've been in WAY more pain in my life. The most trouble you'll probably have is getting in and out of bed. Up and down off sitting positions. I said it was like someone made me do 20,000 crunches and the kicked me in the stomach. You'll do great. Good luck.

My Thanksgiving was the Non-Thanksgiving. I too love this holiday. My husband and I were due to go to my inlaws 7 hours away and we jointly made the executive decision for me to stay home and relax. I was banded just a little over a week ago -- and he was worried I was going to be tempted by food and I was worried we'd be on the go (the zoo, the museums etc) like we usually are and since I'm still on Clear liquids -- I thought it would be too hard to eat. So while I was a little sad to be alone on the holiday, afterwards I was really glad I did. Especially when they told me everyone went out for crepes etc. Everyone in the family knew I was banded so it was pretty easy to get everyone on board with my decision. Next year ....

I completely ate what I wanted before my 2 week pre-op diet started. In the one month from my consult to my preop diet started I gained .... are you sitting down for this ... SEVEN POUNDS! In one month. And I can pretty much guarentee you that ll 7 lbs were donuts. When I went back in the nurse weighted me 3 times ... she was like "is this scale right" But that right there let me know that the surgery was what I needed. And I'm kind of glad I did it. I went into surgery with 100% clear head.

I had a good Thanksgiving ... a little lonely but that was my choice. Instead of going to my relatives (they are 7 hours away and we go for 4 days) I stayed home since I am only a week out of surgery. My husband and I decided that it would be best to pass up the temptations this year and just focus on me and my band 100% and next year I'll be on program. So it's nice that it's over and I didn't vary from my liquids which is the stage I'm on. Plus I took myself to the movies ... all alone! My most favorite treat ever. I love going to the movies by myself. Now if I can get through the onslaught of Cookies at work ... I'm 100% good to go.

Good luck! As I write this you are probably on the OR table getting banded right now! I am 6 days post op and getting ready to go to work. A couple of rough days at first but I'm feeling better now

You might want to pop in and see your surgeon. I am 5 days post surgery and I have no problems drinking --- well I'm only on broths, juices, Water, tea etc. But maybe you are on a different liquid diet then I am. I'm only on Clear Liquids. But I don't feel it going through my band and my incisions are not painful at all. They itch a lot. But no pain. I'm not even taking Tylenol anymore. So you might just want to check in with your doctor. Hope you feel better. Tracy

I also sometimes think that people are very careful and reserved about mentioning weight loss or gains to people who are overweight. I think people are sometimes a little uncomfortable with making any comments about it.

Just playing devil's advocate ... but are you sure you don't want to tell them? I know this is a very personal decision. I am very open about my surgery b/c I want as much help as I can get from everyone I know. But that's just my way of approaching the lap band. I'm just suggesting it b/c you might be surprised at how open and supportive people are. Before I came to this decision I was trying to come up with a "story" to tell my sister-in-law why I didn't want to drive 7 hours to Ohio for the holidays (barely a week after surgery). In the end I just decided to say "Hey, I'm having surgery and I can't come to your house this year. But I'll be fine at home and my husband will be on his way Wednesday night). Just an opinion.

I was just banded on Wednesday. I stayed in the hospital overnight. Today (Saturday/Day 4) is the first day where I really felt like I could go back to work. I drove to the store today, but was tired. I will be going back to work on Monday. But then again, I have a desk job where I do not have to move at all.

I can completely relate to the running to the bathroom -- and I'm now starting to think that is where all the gut pain is coming form. As for hunger and protein water. My surgeon has me on a clear liquid diet, no protein, no shakes for 1 week. Just the deliciousness of broth, jello, juice. Good thing I'm not really hungry. Hey is there anyway we can start a Nov. 19th sub group -- it'd be fun if we all took this journey together?

Well just wanted to let everyone to know that the stomach ache I started the post with has passed. I'm still in some minor bits of pain, but that feeling of someone tying my guts into a not are over. Maybe it was gas since I have seemed to gotten rid of a lot of it.

Don't forget a pill crusher -- I'm only 3 days out of surgery but I've already used that to crush my anti-nausea medicine. And the above poster that said TIVO! That's the best thing. I couldn't really concentrate to read (and btw, I brought all this stuff to the hospital and read none of it). I find tv shows are helpful. You can doze off and still find your place.

Good luck! I am 3 days post-op and I felt the same exact way. I was just ready to get going. The night before I got super nervous. Kind of like "why on earth am I doing this" but my husband and friends kept me focused and now I'm in bandlandia. Keep up the good work and let us all know how you did after surgery.:drool:

Greetings all -- today is my first day back home (I was banded yesterday morning: Wed. Nov. 19) Surgery day I felt ok -- very out of it b/c of the anesthesia. This morning I kind of felt ok too. But this afternoon the pain has progresed. I have the standard gas pains in my back and sides etc. And of course the stitches are a little sore. But what has me concerened is that my stomach feels like a big knot. Kind of like when you take an antibiotic and it just eats up your stomach. I can't figure out if this is normal (just had a surgeon rooting around in my guts paing). Or if this is a misreading of a gas pain? Sometimes it even feels like the kind of pains ones get when you are very very hungry. I've been eating a little: broth, ice pops, diluted juice etc. Everything stays down. I think if it doesn't get any better by tomorrow I'll give my surgeon a call. Has anyone else expereienced this?

Howdy everyone! I'm due to be banded tomorrow (wed nov. 19th) at 7:30am and guess what --- I'm starting to get a slight cold (or maybe allergies). I don't have a fever. Just a little stuffy and itchy face (that's why I'm thinking seasonal allergies). No coughing, no clogged chest -- just runny eyes and a stuffy nose. I'm hoping they don't postpone my surgery -- has anyone else had this happen. I'm sure anxiousness about the surgery has contributed to this.

I am right there with you. While I really want it and I'm completely committed to the band lifestyle -- I'm scared of the surgery and possible complications. I sent you a private message. Thanks everyone for such positive feedback. I can't even begin to image being 75 to 100 lbs lighter in a year. Right now that seems the equivalent if you guys wrote that I will be staring in a major Hollywood blockbuster and climbing Everest!

It is true it is hard. But it's going to be hard after the surgery too. And then you will have a band in place that can make you feel not too well if you eat too much. 1. After about 3 days of true compliance your cravings for sweets and carbs WILL go away. No lie. That crazy drug addict feeling does pass. 2. Those feelings of needing to eat the PB&J or pizza (that's mine) or whatever -- will pass also. They are just feelings and you need to say to yourself "Can I handle this for the next 2 minutes.", "Can I handle this for the next 5 minutes" and so on and so on. Sounds rediculous but I have a friend who is a recovering alcoholic and this is similar to what they have to do. Trust me some days you'll be able to say "Can I handle this for the whole day" and that seems 100% doable. There are other days where "3 minutes" seems way too long. Do NOT take this on as a week long or 9 day long or 6 month long or 100 pound losing long task. You need to break it up into teeny tiny pieces. 3. Keep in mind that it's just food, it's not going anywhere and it never tastes as good as we thing it does. I know we all have unhealthy relationships with food -- but you can make the choice. And you can do it. I know you can. 4. Find something to keep your mind busy. I bought a dumb mindless craft project at a store. I didn't even care what it was I just wanted something to do with my hands. I'm sure it's harder when you have 4 kids -- but maybe that's the perfect time to start a very messy project like finger paiting. 5. Make sure you are having shakes w/enough protein (based first on what your doc says). 6. Drink a lot of water or crystal light 7. Plan out your food/liquid consumption hour by hour. I found this was very helpful -- I mean I made myself little charts while on LD like "6am coffee" "7am protein shake" "8am crystal light" --- and then I checked it off. It was easier, made me feel in control and didn't feel like I was awash in a big abyss of liquids. Ok, those are my words of advice. I'm am a horrible dieter and I've managed to stay true to my pre-op LD (13 lbs down!) so if I can do it you can do it. Good luck and stay strong.