Davyna

Hi T_O_M, It seems to me that aging has a lot to do with perspective. Are we looking at it as one step closer to retirement and relaxation, or one step closer to the end of life? What does she think of when she thinks about turning 60, what kind of thoughts go through her head? This would be a good indication of how she really feels about getting older. Instead of a birthday party or something, how about taking a trip somewhere, just the two of you, something she's always wanted to do perhaps? Something to distract her, if you will, from the actual number "6-0" and instead focus her on the beauty of the world's wonders and how great it is to be able to experience these things. Just a suggestion I realize it's difficult to plan something like that when you have so much else going on in your family right now. Remember that it's important to take time for yourselves as well as be concerned for others. Good luck to you.

I think about her too, although we never knew each other. She was around when I was considering lapband last year. I come back this year and I see she's not here. But she's still number one on the top poster list! She had her band removed, eh? Wasn't aware of that. What was the reason?

I met with the nutritionist 1 week prior to surgery and she laid out my pre-op diet really well. She provided suggestions on what to eat and what not to eat and why certain things like soda are bad for me. She talked about what it will be like post op to eat with the band and stressed certain points such as chewing really well and not drinking with meals. She introduced me to several forms of high Protein shakes, which was wonderful, because all I thought was really out there was Slim Fast! I was really in the dark about Protein Shakes Good luck!

I'm only 10 days post op but the port site hurts more than I expected as well. Forgive the description but I have a belly that tends to hang a little (ok maybe more than a little) and this seems to put pressure on the port site. I still can't sleep on my port side and forget trying to stay on all fours for long. Most of my steri-strips are about to come off but the port ones are still snugly on there. Port pain is the only reason I still take pain medication (Tylenol). sigh!

This thread is for those who have had more complications with the band than success... WHEN and WHAT were the earliest signs that the lapband was not going to work as you had hoped? Thanks!

I am 9 days post op and this problem has reduced significantly!! YAY!! :clap2:

I was chubby as a child. When I was 10 years old I had to go home from school with a stomachache. My mother glared at me when she came to pick me up and said, "your pants are probably just too tight." In the past I have yo-yo dieted and lost and gained weight repeatedly. One time I lost weight, and my mother said, "you have a neck again!" People just don't know what to say when you lose weight. She actually thought this was a compliment. My father has the tact of a cab driver. He used to "moo" at my older sister when I was growing up because he thought this was a funny way to tell her to lose weight. Thank God he has come to his senses now that I am older. He doesn't mock me about my weight. He is worried about my health. About a year ago my sister and I went to a Subway restaurant. There were two kids with their dad behind us in line. Suddenly my sister turned to their father and started telling him that his kids were very rude and that he shouldn't let them talk like that. I hadn't heard what they said. When we were in the car later, my sister reluctantly informed me that one kid had said to the other, "she's so fat I bet when she steps on the scale it says, 'one person at a time.'" sigh.

I was getting sick of soda prior to being banded. My DH is a soda addict so we always had plenty around the house. I switched to Crystal Light and really don't even miss it. I think the only time I will really miss it is the rare occasion when I want one or when I go to the movies. For those times there WILL be other things available to drink! In response to your question about giving it up pre-op, my nutritionist wanted me to stop drinking it one week prior to surgery. I wish I could remember why tho....

I like the way Jack writes I too thought this was going to be a major problem. I tried it one time prior to being banded and found it wasn't so bad. Perhaps believing in the reason behind it will help you. It will help you eat less and stay fuller longer. Good luck to you!

Yeah, it's pretty easy to misunderstand someone online. Hence the reason we have emotes. :biggrin1: I admit though that I didn't take into consideration that the discharge papers simply did not give bathing/shower instructions (this wasn't stated in the original post, only that the poster "forgot to ask"). I was providing other reasons why people ask questions, and I forgot that reason, so I felt the need to apologize.

Well I apologize if I offended you. I felt QT's post was a bit tactless and was just trying to lighten the thread. I guess my response was misunderstood. I really was trying to be supportive though. :girl_hug:

Is this directed at someone in particular, or everyone who answered your question? There are so many people on this board, you are bound to get the same answer over and over sometimes. Actually, everyone's answer was just slightly different :girl_hug:

Wooot!! Good luck to you! You will do great!!

I am 8 days post op.. I have really bad gas pain in the same exact spot you are describing (center of chest, right below bra line). The thing that concerns me about what you said is that it doesn't affect my ability to eat at all (course, I'm still in the liquid stage....). It does hurt to take a deep breath tho. Sorry I can't be of more help. I would probably insist on talking to my doctor if the advice you are getting doesn't help.

A lot of stuff on this particular forum was covered in our discharge papers. I think sometimes people like to just vent or receive support that they are doing the right thing. :confused: And everyone receives different instructions, too; sometimes it's interesting to hear the instructions of other people's doctors.

Cake..cake...cake... cake cake cake!! Agghhh!!! :faint: Have I mentioned liquid diet stinks? :biggrin1:

Well it's a tad better today but it sure does move around a lot. Walking.. check. Heating pad.. check. Time...... sigh. Need more time. :straight

I was banded 2/28, I posted earlier in this thread... I was feeling pretty dang good for 6 days post op but then the gas moved to the middle of my chest and made it hard to breathe (because it was under an incision), it's a tad better today but not by much. My port area is still pretty tender to the touch and I still can't sleep on that side. AND YES I am friggin sick of liquids!!! :tired But hey, 19 lbs gone forever, can't complain too much I guess!

I am 7 days post op. The gas pains from surgery have been really unpredictable (not bowel gas). First they were in my upper chest and were tolerable. Then they moved to my shoulder and were a little less tolerable... And now they've moved south to the lower chest and I can't take a deep breath without being in a LOT of pain. I tried to sneeze this morning and ended up crying! :faint: I am walking 2-3 times a day for at least 15-20 min a walk. Is there ANYTHING else I can do to get these pains to go away faster!?

Thank you for sharing this. I didn't even know this could happen. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

For some reason my doctor didn't recommend psychological testing for me (I'm really not sure why. But I'm a licensed social worker so maybe he thought I was "normal," shrug.) From what I've heard, the psychological testing often consists of the MMPI test. This test has been around for ages and you can learn more about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMPI. The general purpose of the testing is to determine if you are psychologically prepared to accept the challenge that lapbanding provides. Being banded forces you to change the way you eat, the way you look at food, and maybe the way you cope with things, if you use food as a coping mechanism. Without asking too many personal questions, I expect you will pass the test just fine if you feel you have been well adapted to life and can accept change, and are not currently depressed. Research the test a little and you can find out what to expect. Good luck!

grats! lol (never thought I would congratulate someone for burping, haha)

LOL... thanks Jack, that made me laugh Thanks for all the great support. You guys are the best!

How much are you eating per sitting?

EWWW!!! :speechles Beef broth turns my stomach just a little bit more now!! LOL :biggrin1: