Lanakila

If you feel pain in your shoulder or chest that's not actually where the pain itself is coming from. When they blow you up for surgery the leftover gas presses on your diaphragm. The vagus nerve behind there gets pressure on it and that radiates up to your shoulder.

So here I am thinking I'm my usual calm self, not at all nervous or even excited. Yesterday my shoulders were full of tension while I was at work. I figured that my chair had to be adjusted and that would fix it. Nope, ended up taking meds when I got home and hanging out with a heating pad. This morning, still tense :thumbup: Hubby is sure that it is subconscious stress causing it. I've also done great for the last week and a-half on my self-imposed cut back on food. I've been sticking to liquids during the daytime and then having a regular dinner. No problem. No temptations. BUT, this morning I did my pre-registration at the hospital. I've known since Friday that I was going to have to go all liquid for these next 48 hours. Since things had been going fine the past week, I figured "no problem", right? Wrong! I want every food known to man right now. When I was choosing to do it I was fine, but now that I have to do it I feel deprived. That's some pretty crappy head hunger right there! Thanks for listening to me whine :thumbup:

Hey Kathy! I'm on Thursday at Rex and I'm right down the road in Holly Springs. I'll be back at work at NC State on Tuesday, since I have a private office and just sit behind a desk. Keep us posted on how your trip to BandLand was!

Thanks for stepping in to celebrate Ro's big day! We'll see her and all of the others back soon. She's a lucky gal because she'll be the first one done...by a long shot! She'll be done before I go to bed tonight. I'll be dreaming of BandLand :thumbup:

I was only put on full liquids for the two days prior to surgery. I am paranoid about them getting in there and deciding they have to do an open surgery, so I actually put myself on a self-imposed pre-op. I did two shakes through the day, and a regular dinner. I lost weight, found out which shakes I like best, and have a much, much reduced appetite without the feeling of deprivation that I hear people suffer.

Nope, no snacks for me either.

Aspirin and Ibuprofen products are not permitted once you have been banded. There is a danger of ulceration complications around your band.

Alright Ladies...that is quite enough! Polite debate is a good thing, but I think that this conversation has gone on far enough. Respectfully agree to disagree and get on with life. This has gotten to be a very ugly thread with a very insulting tone and this is not at all what banders are looking for in this site.

I'm a teller, so I've told everyone. There have been a couple of people who ask "why would you do that", etc. but I've basically said that it's a personal choice and leave it at that. I haven't had anyone push me beyond that....

Did your doctor or dietician not give you and kind of diet to follow? Goodness! At minimum you should go to www.lapband.com and check out their recommendations.

It really doesn't matter what you are wearing when you weigh, but you do need to keep it consistent. You should really only be concentrating on the CHANGE in your weight so if you always weigh in your undies then you shouldn't weigh one day with your clothes on. I agree, I wait until I pee first!

My dr said it was mostly a matter of how much air you are unconsciously swallowing when you chew it.

My doc told me to hold off for one full week, and then I was free to do whatever I could tolerate comfortwise. I did read from one gal that everything was fine but that she thought it was funny that she could feel her port when it was, shall we say, rubbed? She said it didn't hurt, it was just funny that she noticed it. She said her hubby couldn't feel it.

Heidi, Use something like fitday.com to track your food for a couple of days. It may be that you are not getting enough calories. We don't want you falling over in the ER...although I guess if you have to fall out somewhere that would be the right place!

I've learned that I have to leave the powdered shakes all mixed up in the fridge overnight. It gives the powder a longer time to dissolve and makes it taste MUCH better! I also treated myself to a Blender Ball cup which really mixes things up and doesn't require any electricity so it's good on the go. I got my latest one at GNC.

My girlfriend told me to chew, and chew, and chew some more, and that when think you have chewed enough, chew some more. Funny, but not so much when you are actually doing it.

I'd check with your new insurance company before deciding to lose anything on purpose! If you get down to 228# you'll have a BMI of just barely over 35. Some insurance companies are really hard to convince with that, but others are fine with it.

Ditto, except that I can have drinks such as crystal light and VERY diluted 100% juices that are clear such as apple juice. My dietician said everything had to be "clear" enough to be able to read through. Protein Shakes aren't allowed for me until Week 2. As far as post-op, my doctor approves of protein shakes but only those that are very, very low carb. Everyone's orders are different, so follow what your doctor prescribed for YOU! If you aren't sure, call them first.

I think that it is sad when we see every other post being about "can I eat this or that" or "why do I have terrible shoulder pain" or "is my port flipped (really very rare)", so on and so forth. It really does come down to patients actually following their doctors orders, plain and simple. I don't understand why banders choose to be so non-compliant right off the bat! I agree that there are those who believe that the band is a miracle cure and have jumped on the bandwagon without doing any research or asking any questions of their doctors. As cold-hearted as it sounds, I think that it is their own fault when they get into a situation that they whine about. This is not to say that we cannot be supportive by explaining a few things for them (i.e. sliming and pb), but even lapband.com has the basics.

Dust yourself off and get back on the wagon. Everything will be fine and you'll come through with flying colors! Isn't it funny how that burger didn't taste as good. Sometimes it's not the actual food that we want but, rather, the experience itself. We're learning as we go!

I've heard this called the Farewell Tour, but as I go on through this process I have learned that you don't actually have to say goodbye to your favorite foods. You will still be able to eat them, just not gorge on them, which is the purpose of the band. My major piece of advice is not to leave quitting coffee, soda and empty carbs until the beginning of your liquid diet. It's tough enough to adjust to without having to deal with caffeine withdrawal and carb withdrawal headaches. I weaned myself back slowly and will be forever grateful because the liquids have been tough.

Hi Liz, and welcome to the boards. This is absolutely an appropriate request and we are thrilled to see supportive family and friends seek information. You are always welcome to pop in an ask questions anytime! I am going to be banded this Thursday and I have been VERY active in a discussion board here on the site that is used by over 400 people being banded this month. I think that it would be valuable to both you and your sister to hang out there and learn how people who have recently been banded are doing. From the home page, scroll down the menu on the left and choose Monthly Lap Band Support Groups, then select August 2008. Or, you can use this link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f183/ Looking at the list of August Bandsters on there, I see that we have folks from Temple Hill, and Forest Hill, and one that just listed Maryland as where they were from. There is also someone from the District, and someone in Alexandria. You can also look to see if there are others from your area by checking out the Local Lapband Support Groups, USA, Maryland section. Follow the links on the menu on the left of the main page. Good luck to you, and congratulations to your sis!

My doc said that walking is fine because it doesn't cause any serious strain on your core. If you were already a walker, I'd imagine it would be fine. My guy said that things like curves or other resistance exercises such as yoga are off limits for at least 6 weeks.

There are lots and lots of others who are posting over on the August 2008 Bandsters boards. C'mon over and introduce yourself to the 390+ band buddies there! Who's on your date? Who's in your state? From the home page, scroll down the menu on the left and choose Monthly Lap Band Support Groups, then select August 2008. Or, you can use this link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f183/ You'll love it!

Adult beverages are only calories in a cup. You went through this whole process and yet you are willing to jeopardize your progress so far. You are a big girl and can make your own decisions, but I think you should reconsider and ask yourself why you think you should be having a drink so soon after surgery.