sailorChristy

That's what I was going to say too, GR. I have that same sensitivity to adhesives. I've heard it's pretty common. Sorry that you're itchy and such. But hey, lookin' really GOOD for only being 11 days post. It looks like your scars may end up being thin lines that blend well with your skin. Here's hopin', eh? You've come a long way, girl!

Hey! A tip of the sombrero to you, Kell and Dani !! Keep up the good, hard work. I'm sure it's very gratifying to know that this time, you have the tool and the ability to make these changes permanent!

Sarah - (our Aussie girl :-)) "Great" is a pretty strong word. So glad to hear that! Do you know if the anesthesiologist put some anti-nausea meds into your iv before he/she brought you out from under anesthesia? It sounds like nausea, even nausea immediately upon waking, is fairly common thing. I had some fenergen (sp?) given to me by iv before I awoke from my thyroidectomy, and didn't have a problem. I'm hoping that the same strategy will help for my banding. Anyway, just wondering if preventative measures were taken or if they just waited until you were full-on nauseous to give meds? You've sure been through some ups and downs, shedule-wise. Congrats on finally getting your band!

This is such a helpful thread. Thanks for sharing. First, how did things go when you talked to your hubby? Are you feeling better about things? Second, Linda you have inspired me to stop being so mysterious with my team. My boss, fellow manager, and a couple members of my team already know. I think I'm just going to stop being so secretive about it. I don't think it's because I am ashamed or embarassed. It's more about the way I usually share information freely, and I thought I'd try not to do that this time.

Hi Linda, and welcome aboard! It sounds like you are ready! I am too. My date is 5/26, so I should be off the pain meds and mostly coherent by the time your turn arrives. I'll look forward to hearing your story. Have a wonderful week, Christy

McDonald's breakfast - an almost daily obsession (bacon-egg-cheese bagel + a sausage burrito) Pizza from Cheshire Market during or after an evening sail. Applebee's Veggie Patch Pizza (wondering if I can put a slice in my Magic Bullet as a puree -- hee hee. kidding.)

I've gotta chime back in here and agree that you've really got to tell your husband. :-)

Grrrrrrr. This type of situation really gets me steamed. I really feel for you, hon. I hope that the following doesn't sound like a lecture, as that is not my intent. First of all, this is not a cosmetic procedure. It's a treatment to resolve morbid obesity and all the accompanying (and deadly) health issues that go along with it. Would these folks prefer that you keel over from a heart attack at age 50? That's pretty much what the choice comes down to for many of us here. This procedure, like any other medical treatment, is your decision and your decision alone. Please don't let yourself be swayed by the people around you. The people who discourage you from proceeding - or give you grief after surgery - are either envious of you, have poor self-esteem, or afraid for your safety. If it's the latter, I'm sure you are armed with plenty of information about the low risk of the procedure to help reassure them. If it's one of the first two, all you can do is love them to the best of your ability while refusing to hear any negative comments about what you're doing or have done. This is all just one gal's opinion, though, and I sure hope I haven't offended you with my little rant. :scared2: I really feel for you, doll. It's such a shame that those to whom you are closest are trying to steal your sister's joy... and now yours. Your fellow Banditos are here for you, 'kay? Please keep in touch.

steri-strips -- not sure if anything else. I am to remove the dressings the day after surgery and can shower that day too. I was told to expect that the strips would curl up and fall off after one week or so.

Thanks for the encouragement and for sharing your experience. Also, congratulations on being just a few pounds away from GOAL!

Oh! And to stretch the "graduation" analogy even further, we each get to wear a cap and gown on our big day!

Hey, it sounds like our 5/11 group -- just like all the others who have gone before -- is STRONG. You all are such an inspiration. Everyone's experience may be a little different, but we are ALL going to start the month of June in a much better place than we were on April 30th. We're just a couple days shy of the halfway point. This is so much fun! It's like we're the "Class of May '09" and we're celebrating 'graduation day' every day this month. :crying: God bless all of you as you heal.

Day 3 of Medifast here. I don't have much of an appetite, for the most part. I'm bummed that I had my one bar permitted each day for lunch instead of saving it for an evening treat. Based on the nutritionals on the packages, I'd estimate that I'm taking in around 600 calories/day. I was so psyched to get on the scale this morning and see that I'm down nearly 10# after just the first two days. I know I won't continue at this pace, but I'm hoping to lose 20 "bonus pounds" over the two-week period. Boy, I sure am tired though. zzzzzzzzzz

You're going to do GREAT tomorrow, ladies! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get home. :crying:

Awesome. :-)

How are you feeling now, Ann? Are you over your cold and fever?

Welcome, dmarcy! I did the same thing you did -- self-pay all the way. I was tired of waiting around. When you're ready, you're ready! OMG, Kellster - You are post-op now, and I'm going to search for your story now!

Ann, it is so good to hear from you! Oh gosh, I am sorry for what you had to go through. Morphine *and* dilaudid?! Thank God that the most painful part is behind you now. Please keep us posted. Don't forget to walk as much as you can manage!

Today was 'Day One' of my 2-week Medifast diet. It wasn't so bad. I get to eat 5-6 products per day and only 1 of them can be a Medifast snack bar. Today I had chicken/pasta soup (convinced myself that it's like eating ramen noodles), a chocolate shake, scrambled powdered eggs, and a caramel something-or-other snack bar. Everything tasted good, but ask me again in 12 days or so. Oh, and btw, I paid $188 for 14 days worth of Medifast food. It was so exciting to jump (er, step gingerly) onto the scale this morning knowing that the number I saw there would be the LAST TIME I would see a number that high on my scale. I'm hoping to shed 15# before surgery. It's going to feel so good to start losing. :-D Okay, now this is really starting to feel real!

All About Me :tt2: Where do you live? Columbus OH How old are you? 38 Are you married, dating, significant other, partnered? Perpetually Single Any children? I sure wish. Grandchildren? No. Pets? Judy Jetson, my shepherd-collie mix Currant Health Morbidities? Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Fatty Liver, sleep Apnea, Depression & Anxiety, the thing where you grow hair on your CHIN. What are your greatest Fears? My greatest fear is of what will happen to me if I do not have the surgery. I also have a pretty serious case of the claustrophobia. What is your weight loss short term goals and Long term goals? My weight loss goal is 150 (BMI 24), which will most likely be a size 8. I'd like to measure my success in another way, with each co-morbidity that I shed. List at least one thing you want to do/wear/eat/buy when you reach your goal? I want to wear cute little sporty sailing outfit (nothing fancy -- like maybe a baby doll t-shirt with something witty on it + faded Levi's cut into capris + magenta colored sporty mary jane shoes)... and look all cute, young, and sporty when I encounter my ex at the docks.

I am SO glad that you all are doing well and are healing at home. Some common themes that I'm picking up on are (and excuse my language, please): heparin shot -- sucks port incision -- sucks gas pain -- sucks nausea -- sucks having the actual surgery part over with -- ROCKS! To be honest, I wasn't afraid at all before, but I am pretty wigged out now. I won't waver from my decision, though. It's flat out 'what needs to be done.' I like to think about what it will be like on June 1st, with our supportive little group continuing the journey together and celebrating the life-changing event we each experienced during the month of May. (And to be quite candid, I also like to think about prancing around in front of my ex at the docks later this summer.) KareBare, sounds like you and DH are to be commended for reacting so quickly and intelligently to the incision issue! Keep up the good work, everyone! We are nearly 25% of the way through May!

Congratulations, HG!!!! Thanks so much for posting your story for your peeps here. :thumbup:

Hi, everyone ~ What a great month to be a Mayo Bandito!! I am in Atlanta this week for work. My last business trip for awhile. I am staying at the lodge at my company's corporate campus in Norcross and commuting via the MARTA train to downtown for a conference through Wednesday. Well, I found the MARTA station closest to the office and found a place to park, marveling about the fairly long walk from my car to the train platform (and then marveling even more when I actually managed to walk all that way.) When I got off the train in downtown Atlanta (actually my first time in downtown Atlanta) and took the escalator up to street level, it was amazing -- like NYC or something! I was operating under the mistaken assumption that I would be able to look around and see the Hyatt, so I was unprepared with directions. Unfortunately (or not?) I zigged when I should have zagged and ended up walking for several blocks in the wrong direction. When I finally arrived at the hotel, I was pretty must *toast*. But I was pretty pleased with myself to have made it over that hurdle. The other "I did it!" for the day was when I had lunch at the hotel, I felt inspired by my own efforts and decided to order one of the better choices on the menu -- tuna salad on wheat and a salad. I typically would have chosen the grilled chick sammy with fries. After the conference, I took the train back to my car and walked the long walk back to the parking lot, feeling pretty darn pleased with myself. Yay!

Hi, everyone ~ What a great month to be a Mayo Bandito!! I am in Atlanta this week for work. My last business trip for awhile. I am staying at the lodge at my company's corporate campus in Norcross and commuting via the MARTA train to downtown for a conference through Wednesday. Well, I found the MARTA station closest to the office and found a place to park, marveling about the fairly long walk from my car to the train platform (and then marveling even more when I actually managed to walk all that way.) When I got off the train in downtown Atlanta (actually my first time in downtown Atlanta) and took the escalator up to street level, it was amazing -- like NYC or something! I was operating under the mistaken assumption that I would be able to look around and see the Hyatt, so I was unprepared with directions. Unfortunately (or not?) I zigged when I should have zagged and ended up walking for several blocks in the wrong direction. When I finally arrived at the hotel, I was pretty must *toast*. But I was pretty pleased with myself to have made it over that hurdle. The other "I did it!" for the day was when I had lunch at the hotel, I felt inspired by my own efforts and decided to order one of the better choices on the menu -- tuna salad on wheat and a salad. I typically would have chosen the grilled chick sammy with fries. After the conference, I took the train back to my car and walked the long walk back to the parking lot, feeling pretty darn pleased with myself. Yay!

My pre-op visit was Tuesday (went great and all clear!) I would suggest: 1.) When may I resume taking the Vitamins I. usually take each day, and may I take them in pill form or try to find them in chewable or liquid form? (I will take a chewable multi and chewable Calcium for the first two months after surgery and then can resume my regular vitamins.) 2.) Bring your medications with you and ask which must be cut up and which capsules must be taken without the actual capsule, and at what point will you be able to take them in their usual form. (I must cut up a couple of mine and empty one capsule, but only for the first two weeks after surgery.)