Stitchy

Banded 5/9. Today is 5/10. My stitches are starting to itch. Yesterday, I removed my wrist band. I forgot to remove it when I got to the car. I didn't think I was allergic to anything, but my whole hand above where the band was is all red and itchy. I've been using cortisone but still red. Belly is still hurting. Yea! For drugs.

How about a second and or third opinion? There is more than one surgeon out there.

MelAnne The first 6 weeks are about healing, not losing. That should come after your first couple of fills. Now, I am not an expert; I was just banded yesterday, but I have done a tremendous amount of reseaching. When you get to solids, it should work better. In the meantime take care of your poor stomach and let it heal. I would talk to your doctor, Maybe he/she sould let you starting more substantial food.

We drove to Everett on Tuesday morning. I was to check in at 9:15, but it was well after 10:15 before I was called to change clothes, etc. (How can a Drs.' office be way behind first thing in the morning? It happens all the time to me.) After changing, I had a comfy chair and a foot massage gadget. Still waited for at least another hour. DH stayed with me, but his chair wasn't nearly as nice. Pretty soon, Dr. Watkins came to talk to me if I had any last minute questions. Then the anesthesiologist came (can't remember his name at the moment). I asked him about the tubes in my throat because my throat hurt for about 3 weeks after my nose surgery in February. He promised me he would be as gentle as he could. Then he started my IV. This is the first time ever had a numbing pre-shot before getting an IV. I told him so and that I thought it was really nice. Then he gave me the pre-op drug to help me relax a bit. I think a pre-op drug is probably normal. I've had a couple of surgeries and have always gotten something to relax me beforehand. It's mild. Doesn't knock me out. I can still walk. Then, off to the surgery room - I walked in there while the nurse held the IV. I climbed up on the table. They put some pressure cuffs on my legs to help avoid any potential clots. They strapped my arms to the side arms that stick out 90 degrees for support. I was told to breathe deeply from the pure oxygen mask. I don't remember anything after that. I woke up in recovery still on the guerny, very thirsty and very cold and groaning. I didn't feel very well, but I wasn't hurting much either. I don't know why I was making noises, but I did feel really dry and wanted water which they gave to me. They put lots and lots of warm blankets on and it was very comforting. The nurses also gave me some pain meds while I was there so the ride home would be more comfortable. After a few minutes I felt so much better, and then DH was there. They were supposed to go get him, but it was taking so long, he insisted on seeing me. I'm glad. I can't remember just how long I was in surgery/recovery since they were running behind. They said that it would only be about 1/2 hour for the actual surgery, and then some time for recovery. I just took a little longer in recovery than normal. I seem to remember going into the OR around 11:30; then I was aware of a clock on the wall in recovery around 12:45, but I don't know how long I was there. I could be wrong about the times. I was still drowsy. DH said it was about another hour. After an hour or so, they had me sit up, and one of my stitches leaked (no pain), so that had to be patched up. Then I walked to another little room where they put me in a chair. A few minutes later, I asked what I had to do to go home. I guess that was all that was needed. DH helped me get dressed. The nurses walked me down to the discharge door, and DH showed up about 3 seconds later. Finally got home, and in my own recliner. Felt so good. I drank liquids (including chicken broth) for the rest of the night. I got the prescription for the liquid pain a few days before surgery, and I’m so glad I didn’t have to go get it filled when I got home. I had some at 7pm and again at 10 pm and started to feel a lot better. I thought that I would have to sit in the recliner all night, but I slept in my own comfy bed. I got up every three hours to pee and take more drugs. DRUGS RULE!

We drove to Everett on Tuesday morning. I was to check in at 9:15, but it was well after 10:15 before I was called to change clothes, etc. (How can a Drs.' office be way behind first thing in the morning? It happens all the time to me.) After changing, I had a comfy chair and a foot massage gadget. Still waited for at least another hour. DH stayed with me, but his chair wasn't nearly as nice. Pretty soon, Dr. Watkins came to talk to me if I had any last minute questions. Then the anesthesiologist came (can't remember his name at the moment). I asked him about the tubes in my throat because my throat hurt for about 3 weeks after my nose surgery in February. He promised me he would be as gentle as he could. Then he started my IV. This is the first time ever had a numbing pre-shot before getting an IV. I told him so and that I thought it was really nice. Then he gave me the pre-op drug to help me relax a bit. I think a pre-op drug is probably normal. I've had a couple of surgeries and have always gotten something to relax me beforehand. It's mild. Doesn't knock me out. I can still walk. Then, off to the surgery room - I walked in there while the nurse held the IV. I climbed up on the table. They put some pressure cuffs on my legs to help avoid any potential clots. They strapped my arms to the side arms that stick out 90 degrees for support. I was told to breathe deeply from the pure oxygen mask. I don't remember anything after that. I woke up in recovery still on the guerny, very thirsty and very cold and groaning. I didn't feel very well, but I wasn't hurting much either. I don't know why I was making noises, but I did feel really dry and wanted water which they gave to me. They put lots and lots of warm blankets on and it was very comforting. The nurses also gave me some pain meds while I was there so the ride home would be more comfortable. After a few minutes I felt so much better, and then DH was there. They were supposed to go get him, but it was taking so long, he insisted on seeing me. I'm glad. I can't remember just how long I was in surgery/recovery since they were running behind. They said that it would only be about 1/2 hour for the actual surgery, and then some time for recovery. I just took a little longer in recovery than normal. I seem to remember going into the OR around 11:30; then I was aware of a clock on the wall in recovery around 12:45, but I don't know how long I was there. I could be wrong about the times. I was still drowsy. DH said it was about another hour. After an hour or so, they had me sit up, and one of my stitches leaked (no pain), so that had to be patched up. Then I walked to another little room where they put me in a chair. A few minutes later, I asked what I had to do to go home. I guess that was all that was needed. DH helped me get dressed. The nurses walked me down to the discharge door, and DH showed up about 3 seconds later. Finally got home, and in my own recliner. Felt so good. I drank liquids (including chicken broth) for the rest of the night. I got the prescription for the liquid pain a few days before surgery, and I’m so glad I didn’t have to go get it filled when I got home. I had some at 7pm and again at 10 pm and started to feel a lot better. I thought that I would have to sit in the recliner all night, but I slept in my own comfy bed. I got up every three hours to pee and take more drugs. DRUGS RULE!

Got banded yesterday, May 9. Everything went great. Came home the same day and allowed to drink anything I could get through a straw. I thought I would have to be clear liquids for few days. This morning I am having coffee and will go get a yogurt smoothie in a few minutes. I thought I would have to sleep in the reclincer a couple of days, but slept in bed last night. Had to stay on my back and I'm normally a side sleeper, so that was a little weird. The pain isn't too bad, Hooray for drugs. They rule! :heh: :heh:

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just take the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy... The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree. Now Men...Men are like a fine wine. They begin as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the shit out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with. Doesn't that just warm your heart...

I' being banded tomorrow. Tonight I'm having my last supper at Red Robin. A big juicy hamburger. My doc doesn't require any special diet prior to surgery, so I 'm goin for it :biggrin1: I think I'm gonna have a beer, too. I'll see you all on the other side!

Yeah, that's what she said. Her weight was flattening out her feet, and compressing her spine and other joints.

For those of you that have lost a lot of weight - are you taller now? Are your shoes smaller? A couple of years ago, a co-worker had gastric bypass. After she lost a lot of weight, she said she had to get all new shoes (poor baby), and she gained an inch in height. :clap2: :clap2:

Marsailles just clued me in on this thread. . I have been posting to the forum for about a month, but didn't know there was a thread for NW. I live in Issaquah/Sammamish. Anyway, I am getting banded on Tuesday, May 9. :rockon:

Brenda...local? You mean Washington State? I'll look in on it.

This thread has gotten long, and I can't remember who is being banded this week. I should have kept a list. Darn. Anyway, I am on Tuesday, May 9. Who else?

See this thread http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16218 See message #1. There are some pictures. It helped me.

Well, Heather said she was on the mushie/liquid stage. I guess I didn't notice everything she said. Sorry.

Angie - Congratulations on your new bouncing baby band!

V - I'm so sorry. That's so discouraging. Why is he insisting on so much weight loss? Did you ask why the requirement increased? I don't know if this would work for you, but I lost 10 lbs without really trying by eating the Bandster Way. I am chewing chewing chewing and not drinking any liquid with my meals. I think that the food is staying in my stomach a little longer so I am not as hungry. I also found that by taking so long to eat I actually got fuller sooner. Maybe that would help??

Well, yeah. I didn't mean that you had to use a straw. Just that is how thin it needs to me. Sorry.

Marianne - we are going to be band sisters! I am being banded in Washington State. Your comment about getting tired of explaining is exactly the reason I haven't told ANYONE!! I'm not embarrased by having surgery, but I don't want to argue and explain. AND, I don't want to be watched. A couple of years ago, a woman I worked with had gastric bypass. While everyone was supportive, and didn't criticize, we were all watching and speculating about how much she had lost and if she looked healthy, etc. I just don't want to go there.

Also, visit the Food Forum. There are lots of great ideas there.

Sounds like you need another fill. From what I understand, they don't completely fill the band all at once. They sorta' sneak up on it. Talk to your Doc.

Peach - Good to hear the soaking the capsule worked. How long did you have to soak it?

This is a list I have been collecting from LB groups and forums. Blend these with milk and/or broth. If you can drink it through a straw, it is OK. Hope they help. Maybe they will inspire your own imagination. Blended cottage cheese and fruit Trader Joes oatmeals Chili – blended during mushie phase Cream of Wheat creamy Soups applesauce yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit Protein powder for shakes frozen fruits for Protein Shakes Small pudding cups (SF/FF) or yogurt 1. refriedbeans toped with cheese 2. cottage cheese & soft low fat cheeses 3. pudding 4. cream of wheat/grits 5. yogurt 6. Jello 7. mashed potatoes 8. scrambled eggs 9. Tuna 10.Plain crackers 11. lowfat milk 12. soups(cream or pureed) SHAKES 8 oz soy milk, mini banana, frozen blue berries and a couple tablespoons bran Cereal Choclate Protien mixed with Milk, 3 strawberries, sm banana, some crushed pineapple 2 bananas peeled, broken in half and then frozen 1 cup frozen strawberries 1 cup plain yogurt 2 cups 100% apple juice .25 cup wheat germ (optional for additional fibre) mangos and peaches SOUPS chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed) soups & broths Blend soups "Imagine" Soups - in cartons. (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups Egg Drop Soup - 4 Cups, 160 calories total2 - 14oz cans low sodium chicken broth 1 - tablespoon rice vinegar 2 - teaspoons soy sauce 4 - egg whites 1 - tablespoon *optional* flour for thickener (or even better buy soup thickener) 1 - tablespoon *optional* ginger I also add a few green onion chunks for flavor, but remove them after cooking since I can't have solids right now. Bring all ingredients on the stove to boil except eggs - once boiling drizzle in egg whites.