rracheal

Yikes! I hope things settle down somewhat before my first fill because my doctor's office won't do a fill for 6 weeks! I started some soft foods today and that seems to help the hunger more than the liquids...I've just done such a good job of losing that I am terrified I will start gaining weight!

Hi all! I am now 5 days post-op with the Realize Band. And the hunger has begun. I have been lucky up until last night with little to no hunger. Last night I started to get intense hunger pains. I go from feeling fine to feeling hunger pains so intense they actually bend me over and stop me in my tracks. I am nostalgic for the early days of no appetite! Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I am hoping that this is normal. I go back to the doc on Wednesday, and I plan on talking to him then...but if anyone else has experienced this, I would like to hear about it! Then I would feel like it's a bit normal.

Thanks! You were right, it wasn't too bad at all. I am still a bit sore and have some discomfort from gas but it's so worth it. Today is the first day that I have started to even feel a little bit hungry...if only my appetite would always be this small!!!:cursing:

Good luck, Hefer7629! I'll be thinking positive thoughts about you! Hope all goes well and you have a quick recovery.

Surgery date 11/18/2008 Highest Weight 258 Preop diet starting weight 244 Surgery weight (Your weight the day of surgery) 228 Current weight 224 Goal weight 150

I don't have any experience with MUSC, but I had my surgery on Tuesday at Palmetto Baptist in Columbia, and I got to go home that afternoon. The doc said everything went as smooth as can be...he wished he'd have videotaped it because it went so well! I am home and a little sore and a little gassy, but it's all worth it! I haven't had much appetite yet, so I haven't put a whole lot into my body other than water. That's all I had Tuesday. I had a cup of broth and a sugar-free jello yesterday. Today I am trying a Slim Fast shake...I'm going slow to pace myself and make sure I don't make myself sick! Hope all goes well for you, pht1226. Lexmed, they used staples on you? I have some kind of glue type stuff that they used on me. They said not to pick at it but to let it come off naturally...and the doc used a black sharpie to mark my stomach so now I have faded black marks all over my stomach! The nurse said not to scrub the area with the glue until that comes off, so I guess I'll just have a treasure map on my stomach for a while! But, the hardest part is over, and now the living well can begin. Good luck to you all!

Hello Notorious Novembers! I had my surgery on Tuesday, and I got to go home that afternoon. The doc said everything went as smooth as can be...he wished he'd have videotaped it because it went so well! I am home and a little sore and a little gassy, but it's all worth it! I haven't had much appetite yet, so I haven't put a whole lot into my body other than water. That's all I had Tuesday. I had a cup of broth and a sugar-free jello yesterday. Today I am trying a Slim Fast shake...I'm going slow to pace myself and make sure I don't make myself sick! I agree with Kaitiana, this is much less difficult than a c-section...but still sore. Good luck to everyone who has already had their surgery, going in today or the near future! Hope your surgeries go just as smoothly as the ones being posted on here recently!!!

Hello! My name is Racheal, and I live in South Carolina. I am scheduled for surgery this Tuesday (Nov. 18, 2008)...and I'm a bit terrified about it. Hoping all goes well. My husband found this site while he was deployed and bored (USAF) and sent me the link. I am looking to find other people to talk to about the difficulties and rewards in having a gastric band! Thanks for taking the time to read this. Racheal

Thanks! I am hoping it isn't too bad. I've had 3 c-sections, so I am no stranger to abdominal surgery!!! I think I just have my fears built way up for some reason...luckily, I have my dh and he calms me alot!!!

Excited, nervous, anxious...yep, that's about it. I'm getting ready to go for my last pre-op visit--this one with the surgical nursing team...let's hope all goes well!

Here's hoping you're doing better today, Amy!

I feel really comfortable with him. He has a good "bedside manner" with his patients. He's been very helpful with my questions. 28 hours to go...yikes!

Mine is Tuesday, November 18, 2008 with Dr. Prickett in Columbia, SC. Can't wait!

Hello November Bandsters! My name is Racheal, and I live in South Carolina. I am scheduled to be banded on Tuesday, November 18th...and I am extremely nervous and excited all at the same time. As a child/teen, I was always about average size...until I turned 16. My cycle went crazy and I started gaining weight. 10 years later, the docs finally figure out I have PCOS. Anyone familiar with the syndrome/disease/nightmare will understand how happy I was to have a diagnosis and upset to find out what it was. I have been married to my wonderful dh for 13 years. We have 3 kiddos, 12, 5, and 17 months. PCOS really kicked my butt after my first child. I went from about 195 (heavy, but not awful) pre-pregnancy to about 220 during pregnancy to about 200 after pregnancy...to about 250 6 months after pregnancy. It was crazy that I gained so much weight after the baby! Years later, the docs explained about PCOS and why that happened (so unfair!), but at the time I merely became super depressed. My heighest weight is 258, and I am currently at 228. I have been doing Atkins for almost 2 weeks now as my pre-surgery diet. I have to say that I am happy it is Atkins instead of the liquid...my heart goes at to all you liquiders...be strong! Anyway, I wanted to introduce myself and join this group. Because my doctor is 45-60 minutes away, I don't have a lot of access to their support groups so I am hoping to find that support online! Can't wait to get to know you all! Amy--since I haven't been banded, I can't really tell if what you are doing is normal, but I say if you are that uncomfortable more than a week after surgery, call the doc! Maybe they can give you some advice on how to make it better.

I live in Dalzell (Sumter County), and I am having my surgery done by Dr. Prickett at Palmetto Baptist. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. I started the process in July by attending the seminar...and now I'm having surgery in 3 days.

Hi all! My name is Racheal, and I am going to be banded on Tuesday the 18th as well. I am super nervous. My doc put me on an Atkins type diet...and that has been pretty easy to adhere to...I've done it before. I've lost about 15 pounds since my first visit in August, so I'm super excited about that. Super seems to be the word of the day for me, sorry! Well, our week is almost here...good thoughts and prayers for all!!!