Yoda

Thanks Dawn...will do! I've put polytopic on them and I have a bandaid on them to keep them from accidently rubbing. They are stinging though. But, I'll keep a watchful eye. Tks again.

It sounds corny I know, but my inspiration is my sweet husband. We've only been married for just under 5 years, but I want to spend the next 65 with him...so..the weight and the co-morbidities just have to go!! All there is to it!

Elisabeth: since I was only banded 3 days ago, I don't have much advice to offer...or experience in this. BUT....listen to your body and be careful...you prob are still healing inside (logically, I know that you KNOW this!) and need to take it easy. So, plse don't overdo it...you may not be able to have such a full plate right now. I know it is all "important" but try and see what you can do to cut it down a bit. Kay?

:bounce: whooo hoooooo *doin' the Happy Snoopy Dance* I had a shower and it felt sooooo good to get that dressing & tape off!!! I"m impressed: the incisions actually look marvelous...I just have two bad "blistery" spots (not on the incisions) that were caused by the tape...they are quite nasty and are weeping a bit; but I can handle that as long as the incisions are good! So far, so good! If y'all notice a shortage on tape...it's cause it's all in my garbage can; I swear they used a whole roll on me!!!!

Oh and Yoda, my advice to you would be to not eat the baby food in front of your hubby. If he is anything like mine he will get grossed out. I grossed mine out a few times on the combos of foods I'd put in the blender. The one that really did it was refried beans, cottage cheese a little taco seasoning and a little bit of milk to thin it out. LOL: I'll remember that Molly! Although, he had a lot of fun picking them out with me (we have no kids!) so I think he is actually looking forward to trying them!!! Oh and by the way, he is a chef!!! LOL.

Hang in there Molly; I think you're doing great!! I'm learning from you and your posts too since since I'm just a few days behind you. Keep your chin up..... I even have some baby food on hand for when I start the mushie stage....I"ll let you know how it goes!

So, things are going well....better today than yesterday and my hunger has gone away (if it really was hunger in the first place). Okay, so I know that one of my mantras is supposed to be "sip sip sip" all day long. I have been doing that (though I think it is impossible to sip 64 oz in a day). Remember I'm still on clear liquids....so my question is....I know you sip to keep hydrated but what happens if you are "full" and don't think you can take another sip? Should I keep sipping anyways and hope for the best or wait till I don't feel full before sipping again. I just had "lunch" (haha, if you can call it that)....it consisted of 1/4 cup of chicken broth followed by a single stick of NF fudgsicle (just licked it till it was gone). I am feeling soooooooooooooo incredibly full right now, it is unbelievable (yes, I know this is a good thing, especially because 2 days ago I was complaining about being famished!!!). But....do I keep trying to get my sips in?

That's a great promise! I am trying to do the same...except my weigh day is Fridays. It fluctuates too much and can play mind games on us if we look at the scales every day. Plus, I'm taking body measurements once a month ...so even if I don't lose, or I lose very little, I'm hoping to see some loss in inches!!! We can do this!

Tks everyone....and for the professional words Dawn!

You're all so great and have many words of wisdom. Thankyou!!!

forgot to give my two cents worth on the vitamins. There are liquid "multivitamins" out there but my pharm. told me that they are not as good as the chewable kind (ie. not as potent). So, I went for the chewable kind. I got the generic version which was the exact same as Centrum chewables but over half the price.

Liquid Gravol is an anti-nausea over the counter medication. Usually it is taken in pill form but it tastes REALLY gross crushed...so I bought the liquid version (which is for babies/kids)...it is yummy...it tastes like grape. Just be sure to talk to your pharm. so you know how much to take since it is geared for kids (ie. you will have to take a bigger doseage). Yes, the heating pad has been helping me a LOT!!!

Best of luck Roberta...you'll do great!

I just got banded on 21 Apr. I recommend liquid gravol...it has helped me. It seems that the pain killer I take (demerol) is making me nauseous and the LAST thing I want to do is vomit....so the liquid gravol has been a dear friend.

Kewl; I might check it out.

What's the scoop on use of ice in drinks during the Fluid stage? The docs never mentioned anything about its usage. I noticed in some threads folks were saying using ice isn't the best thing. I prefer all my liquids cold...but I can forego it if it is not a good thing. Can anyone shed some light on this? BTW, I'm doing better...hubby got me some Protein powder. I've been having a lot of apple juice; gawd it never tasted soooo good!!

Thanks MelAnne, your words made me feel better!

Good luck Shontel; you'll do fine!!

MelAnne....I see you were banded only 4 days before me...are you already exercising? What are you doing exactly? I was told to take it easy for a bit...no big cardio workouts. So, just curious what you were told. Great job so far btw...way to go!

LOL @ StrawartS....saran wrap! That's cute! My luck though my husband will think I'm trying something kinky!!! hehe.

Way to go Elisabeth! Awesome progress. Tks for keeping us posted. BTW, my husband bought me some Protein Powder today from GNC....so that should do the trick to fill me up while I"m on liquids...and also enable me to get sufficient Protein.

Yes, (sigh) I have another query! Apparently I'm allowed to have a shower the 3rd day after surgery (which will be on Monday). Obviously my steri-strips will still be on (I was told they should stay on for 7-10 days). So...is it okay if they get wet? I need some re-assurance...I don't want to infect anything; I'm prone to not healing well in the first place. So ya....showers...is the question. Tks all.

Okay, doin' a wee bit better than yesterday. But when I think of having this "thing" actually inside my body (like a foreign object) it kinda freaks me out...but I tell myself it is no different from all the pins and plates I had in my ankle....(at least I keep convincing myself of that, so don't burst my bubble!). Question: how long did it take for you to be able to sleep on your side? This sleeping on my back is KILLING ME! I'm a complete side sleeper and even tummy sleeper....I can give up the tummy though to sleep on my side. I tried rolling over last night in bed to get on my side but it made my incisions sore and it felt like they were being "stretched" (for lack of a better description). So, taking it as a warning, I stayed on my back. So, how long for you side sleepers???? Second question: After the surgery, I asked the doc what band I got and he said I got the "mid-band" which holds 9ccs. I know a lot out there hold 4ccs. I'm just curious as to how they decide which one to put in (this doc has a few he chooses from and he says he knows once he is inside which one to use). I'm just wondering what determines that. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to having a 9cc band as opposed to a 4cc? Tks in advance for your input!! BTW, I AM going to get some Isopure today to help with the Protein during this liquid stage!

My doc told me that the pre-op diet is only followed depending on your situation (ie. weight/BMI). I know someone with the same Dr. I have who isn't as heavy as me and she did not have to do any pre-op diet. To be honest, I'm glad I did....it will make it easier once my swelling goes down and I start to feel hungry....you know, because I ate so little anyways in the 2 weeks leading up to the surgery. Susan & K@t....don't worry gals. You KNOW you are doing the right thing for you...you have both researched it inside and out and you obviously realized this was the most workable solution for you. Don't lose sight of that fact! The nerves will go away. You are prob just nervous about the procedure itself (normal). Mind you, I was only banded on Fri so my experience is limited!!!

You can do it!! Mind over matter....mind over matter. Just a few more days!!!!!