Doxie

Ok, so I've quickly made a trial spreadsheet to see if it works. I can make one to keep track of totals and then monthly ones for the weightloss challenges. Please let me know what you would like to have included. I'm open to ideas. Holiday Hotties ~ How Low Can We Go in 2009

You should be able to do one on google docs, like the Notorious Novembers...maybe you could "borrow" theirs to copy: Notorious Novembers 2008 Weightloss Spreadsheet - Google Docs Let me know if you need some help with it. I think I would like a column to show weight lost as well, so it's easy to see at a glance.

Hi all, Glad to hear everyone is doing well ~ can't believe we are halfway through the month now. Yesterday was 2 weeks for me. I'm feeling so much better, just a little tenderness at the port site and an occasional "stitch" in the side pain. I went back to work on Mon. I had my post-op appt on Mon, DR said everything is looking good and he said to start doing activities as I feel up to it. I go back on Jan 5 for my first fill. He said come back the week after Christmas but no appts were available that were good for me. Oh, and I'm down 16 lbs from my first appt, lost 9 on the pre-op diet and 7 since surgery. I am on soft foods now, wonderful! The hardest thing for me right now is no drinking while eating, I find myself reaching for a glass then snatching my hand back... I need to up my liquid intake between meals too. For those still in pain, it gets better every day. I think day 4 and 5 were the worst for me, had the gas issues the most those days. It's all uphill from here : )

one difference I've noticed in the 2 is that on the daily plate, you can find foods by brand names and I wasn't able to do that on fitday.

Welcome, come join us on the Dec 08 forum located here: December 2008 Bandsters - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum and other posts are here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f284/

Are you on clear liquids or full liquids? If you can have full liquids, try some pureed soups and a nice thick protein shake sure does help me. I also had some cream of rice cereal and some oatmeal thinned with milk (and with some added baby food fruit for flavor) until it was very thin and I can also have pureed chicken, turkey or fish thinned with broth.

welcome harleyfarmer, I wasn't banded in TX but I did live in Lubbock for about a year before I came to CO. Most of my family lives there now. My youngest sister is a missionary and a few years ago, she stayed at a house in O'Donnell for her furlough.

Hello there, I'm in Colorado Springs and I was banded on 12/2. I would be interested in a get together in the springs sometime.

Hi willowcat, I was just banded by Dr Fisher. I have nothing but good things to say. Everything went very smooth and the staff has been wonderful too.

I was starting to worry because I hadn't had one but I finally did on Sun afternoon. I know that some pain meds can cause constipation (I learned this the hard way from a previous surgery that entailed a visit to the ER to get cleaned out ~ NOT FUN). Anyway, I've read where some get diarrhea but some have the opposite problem.

Ain't that the truth. It's making all kinds of crazy sounds. The only reason I took 2 weeks off is I have been saving my vacation time for this and if I don't use it, I lose it...so I was able to use it all in conjunction with this so they had to give me the time off. I am glad that I was able to have the extra few days.

Had my surgery on Dec 2nd at 12:30. Everything went smoothly with that but afterward, I had a hard time getting my oxygen level up. It drops when I sleep and I kept dozing because of the anesthesia and pain medicine. The nurse finally had me sit in a chair and that seemed to satisfy them so I got to go home about 6pm. The pain the first couple of days was manageable with the loratab. I never had the shoulder gas pain I read about but from all the sipping, I did get gas. I didn't buy any gas-x so on Sat I had my first outing and hubby and I dropped my books off at the library and then went to Wal-mart for the gas-x and more motrin. I was beginning to worry because I hadn't had a BM yet and I know that the pain med can cause you to get really constipated. Hope this isn't TMI but I finally had one yesterday afternoon. That's a huge relief. Now the pain feels like a bad stitch in my side from too much running. I went out on my own today to pick up my prescription refills and to make a quick run through the commissary to get a few groceries. That was too much. I started getting a sharp pain on my left side and had to sit a few minutes, then I didn't think about having to lean over and get stuff out of the grocery basket. I made it home ok and took some motrin as soon as I got here. I'll be taking a dose of loratab at bedtime for sure. In fact, it's about time for that now....later.

Had my surgery on Dec 2nd at 12:30. Everything went smoothly with that but afterward, I had a hard time getting my oxygen level up. It drops when I sleep and I kept dozing because of the anesthesia and pain medicine. The nurse finally had me sit in a chair and that seemed to satisfy them so I got to go home about 6pm. The pain the first couple of days was manageable with the loratab. I never had the shoulder gas pain I read about but from all the sipping, I did get gas. I didn't buy any gas-x so on Sat I had my first outing and hubby and I dropped my books off at the library and then went to Wal-mart for the gas-x and more motrin. I was beginning to worry because I hadn't had a BM yet and I know that the pain med can cause you to get really constipated. Hope this isn't TMI but I finally had one yesterday afternoon. That's a huge relief. Now the pain feels like a bad stitch in my side from too much running. I went out on my own today to pick up my prescription refills and to make a quick run through the commissary to get a few groceries. That was too much. I started getting a sharp pain on my left side and had to sit a few minutes, then I didn't think about having to lean over and get stuff out of the grocery basket. I made it home ok and took some motrin as soon as I got here. I'll be taking a dose of loratab at bedtime for sure. In fact, it's about time for that now....later.

Hi Mr Mike, I too have been getting hungry some. I'm post-op day 6. My eating plan says I should do full liquids one to two weeks and then start soft foods one to two weeks after surgery so it kinda leaves it up to me when to start on the next phase. My nutritionist did tell me that in the beginning, since the pouch will be so small that I could do 3 meals with 1 to 2 Snacks, (basically 5 small meals a day). When I do go back to work next week I work 6am-3pm and will never make it til dinner if I don't have an afternoon snack (my "lunch" is at 9:45am). She did stress that I have to make sure I get my Water and liquids in esp if I eat more frequently since we have to wait before and after eating to drink. Hope this helps some

Why thank you Roseyyyd1....his name is Charles. I am glad to have the support of a site like this and appreciate everyone's input and encouragement. It makes it so much easier for all of us.

I'm sorry this has become such an ordeal...I hope it all works out for you TODAY so that you can have your gall bladder surgery tomorrow. You are looking so good.

Thank you for posting this. As a brand new bandster, this really cleared some of the confusion for me regarding fills and what to aim for.

Thank you JoannMarie and Suzeq. It's not an easy life but it's been fulfilling and we have been places and met people we never would have otherwise.

He leaves tomorrow. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. My main goal was to have the surgery before he leaves so he could have no worries about me. Now, he'll come home to a new wife...ha ha ha... (at least how I used to be). This should be his last deployment, the plan is to retire a year after he returns. He has been in for 21 years the end of the month. We just moved in Nov to get into a bigger (and cheaper) house off post and then my surgery and getting him ready to go. My family will be here for Christmas so I have plenty to keep me busy, finishing unpacking and getting pictures and such up on the walls. As well as working full time and being mom to a high school senior. Plenty to keep me occupied.

Glad to hear from you and I'm glad everything went well. I had a little more pain today, 3 days out but still able to stay on top of it. I know what you mean about the ride home, felt like we hit every bump on the road. Take care.

Yes, they are about to deploy. Casing the colors is taking the unit flag and casing it until they arrive then they will have another ceremony when they return next year. I didn't make it to the ceremony. I was in a bit more pain this morning plus he got the time wrong and I didn't have time to get there. Maybe I'll make it out tomorrow.

My throat was pretty sore too, probably from the breathing tube and just being dry. I only got one little medicine cup of water, I could have asked for more but was still so woozy I was just in and out. I didn't have to do an x-ray before I could go home ~ just had to keep my oxygen level up. I think the binder sounds like a good idea. When I get up to walk around it helps when I hold my stomach. I took a shower today and a couple of my incisions are starting to itch. I'm going to attempt my first outing tomorrow. They are having the casing of the colors ceremony for my hubby's unit tomorrow. They were supposed to leave Sat but now he won't be leaving until Tues. A few more days is always nice.

Sorry to hear your having a rough time. My dr said I could take liquid (children's) motrin along with the loratab if needed. I was starting to hurt a little more last night and early this morning so I took the motrin too. I had bought a liquid nausea relief but haven't needed that yet. I hope you feel better soon.

I ditto this. I did drink up until midnight but was still thirsty. Seemed like forever before I got that one little sip at the hospital afterward. I've been keeping the water bottle or crystal light, etc. beside me too, taking little sips. The nurse gave me several little medicine cups to bring home but it's easier to just take a sip and guesstimate.

Hello all, Had mine yesterday on the 2nd. Everything went well. Surgery was at 12:30 and I was released about 6. Almost had to spend the night because my oxygen level was too low but if I sit up it is good. I slept in my recliner and only woke up once at 2am to go to the bathroom and take some more loratab. Pain is very manageable and trying to walk around some. No gas pains so far. Just a little hunger : ) Hubby made me some chicken broth last night and I told him it never tasted better. Just sipping on clear liquids for now. The hard part is keeping the 2 puppies off of me. They are used to sitting in the chair with me.