jude048

Hi everyone! Just got back from the GP. Noticed last night as I was showering I had a small red spot NEAR one of my incisions. This am it was bigger. I already had the doc's app't. He didn't like it - thought it was a "puncture" - anyway he prescribed an antibiotic/cortisone cream - to put on frequently - then he said if it burst - to bathe the area with a weak Javex solution. On the way home it burst - so I bathed it, applied cream and a bandaid. He is seeing me again next Wed to take out my "stitch". He did say if it gets worse to call for an oral anti-biotic. He also said to crush up some acidophilis and take it as well. So here I am with a little infected puncture!!!

For what it's worth, I told my sister and my grown son who lives with me and one friend sworn to secrecy. I didn't tell my grown daughter! I didn't even tell my mother (also lives with me)- who has terminal cancer and has Alzheimer's - partly because I didn't want to worry her and partly because she could tell the mail man if she happens to see him in front of the house - she can't be held responsible for anything she says - but things do play on her mind and she does tend to obsess about things. She did realize that something was going on after I came home on friday and she was curious - and she has noticed that I have lost weight and that I am not eating much - even though I sit at the table with whatever I am having - so today I told her I had gall bladder surgery (just a small white lie - to protect her) and that I had a sore tummy and that I hadn't told her because I didn't want to worry her. She was worried I was getting too weak from not eating enough - I told her this surgery would affect everything I eat for the rest of my life (the truth) and that it will be a try and see kind of thing - to determine what I can and can not have! That explanation seems to have satisfied her and now she won't be telling her friend in timbucktoo - that her daughter had her stomach stapled!!! So - when I am ready to share I will - until then - I am just on a very strict regimen diet - testing my limits! jude

Update! Update! Hi everyone! Well I am alive and well in bandland! 4 days post-op - Not able to get in much nutrition yet - yesterday and today 1 full Optifast over the entire day in 2 sittings. About 1/2 cup of cream Soup strained - over the day in 2 sittings - lots of crystal light and Water - no problems there. Actually also had 1 tsp of cottage cheese today - ok'd by Marie at my Dr's office. So I have been well under 300 cals per day since last thursday now. I am having a check up by my family doctor tomorrow. I am still having huge shoulder pain - still using a heating pad - still using gasx although not really passing gas. I have found that my back is really sore I seem to be using back muscles to compensate for sore stomach muscles. Incisions are healing nicely and I am going to have my 2nd shower tonight. I have not had any nausea at all and no gravol at all. Had 1 ddemerol yestday and then tylenol liquid before bed and no pain killers today and I have been up and about all day today. Had my first trip out of the house today to get mail and the grocery store. Had my grandkids tonight for a couple of hours and so all in all Life is Good! I have lost a total of 25 lbs since starting the pre-op diet. I can't say that I am hungry - at all - but I did have problems with Jello - juicy jells sugar free - it was too rubbery and thick and could not get it to dissolve in my mouth to swallow and it sat there!!! yuck! well thanks for all the good advice and the good wishes - glad to be here in bandland!

Hi everyone, Just checking in! I talked to Marie at the clinic yesterday and she said to try to get some more nutrition in. Sunday - I full Optifast over 2 sittings 1/2 Cup tomato Soup - over 2 sittings 1/4 tub Jello - but had difficulties with it - too rubbery would not dissolve in my mouth before swallowing and stuck lots of Water and crystal light 1/2 popsicle Yesterday 1 full optifast over 2 sittings 1/2 C of cream of chicken soup strained - over 2 sittings lots of water and crystal light She told me to try some cottage cheese today if I wanted it. I am still having gas pain - shoulder and left side - not passing gas - just there. only took one demerol yesterday and then liquid tylenol at bedtime and slept most of the night on my side!! Trying to go out for the mail and to the grocery store today - will let you know how that goes!

Good Luck Carol - I know how you are feeling - it is exactly where I was last week - and I have not had a problem with gas - not as far as passing it - or it escaping - although I have had the pain from the gas - the shoulder pain has been rather uncomfortable at times - but the gasx does help and the heating pad is VERY helpful. I am going to make an attemt to go out today for the first time since Friday surgery - just to the local grocery store and the post office for mail. I find that I have been using back muscles to compensate for sore stomach muscles and my back has been very sore - but I think that I am doing quite well - only one demerol yesterday in the am - only tylenol liquid last night at bedtime. I am not eating much though and I talked with Marie yesterday and she said try some cottage cheese if I would like - and to try to get more optifast in if I could and strained cream soups. I think yesterday all together I managed: `1 optifast 1/2 at a time 2x during the day 1/4 to 1/2 Cup chicken soup strained made with 1% lots of water and crystal light had problems with jello - the pre-packaged stuff was too thick and rubbery I couldn't get it to liquify in my mouth before swallowing and it sat there - felt uncomfortable Best of Luck - you will be fine - see you on the other side!!!

Update! Update! Hi everyone, just wanted to let everyone know how I am and say hi. I am finding that my back muscles hurt like hell - I think that I have been trying to use my back instead of my stomach muscles and therin lies the problem. I had 2 demerol yesterday - one it the am and one at bedtime to sleep more comfortably. I had some tomato soup yesteray - two servings total of 1/2 cup and 1/2 pkg optifast. The optifast actually tasted good after clear liquids and just broth and water. I just could not get down more than half of the pkg - but it was mixed with double water - so it was lots of fluid and I sipped over 30 - 40 minutes. I am having a coffee this morning and going to try more optifast since I am quite weak with no nutrition. I tried some jello yesterday - and had some problems with it - it didn't seem to want to liquify too well - it was ready made not home made - that may have been the problem. The gelatin was thick and rubbery. Shoulder pain is still an issue although I am not passing much gas at either end. Got on the scales today which I probably shouldn't have done - down a pound. Yesterday - was like 250 cals - day before even less. Am trying to get some more cals in today - and more protein. Have not had a BM yet either. Things feel like they are starting to back up there!!! lol! All things considered - I think that I am in pretty good shape - but I do feel weak. I sure do not think I could get on a plane and fly anywhere right now. Trying to sip sip sip but water is the thing that is going down most easliy. I will try more soup today also.

Thanks Everyone for the well wishes!!! All appreciated! Day 2: I am taking demerol every 4-6 hours and it is keeping the pain at bay. I have not had much gas at all - yes on the sore left shoulder but the heating pad helps tremendously. I have not had any nausea nor have I had to take any gravol. Slept on the sofa last night more or less in a sitting up position. But I slept on and off all night. I have been up all day today walking around and such with one lay down in my own bed this afternoon. I had 1/4 Cup of chicken broth twice today and at dinner had about 1/4 of a tub of jello about 30 min after the soup. I am sipping, sipping, sipping lots of water with crystal light. I am so happy it is all over - now just to get healed up and be able to move easily. thanks again for all the encouragment.

Back and Banded today! Hi everyone, just and update. Dr. C's office running a little late today so I was late getting in. I actually left the office just within minutes of both of the ladies who were banded ahead of me and they were still in kind of bad shape. I got up and walked to the bathroom. 2 hour drive was 3 hour drive and I did get some sleep in the car. I am still up but just now taking a demerol and will be going to bed soon. Dr. C said my liver was in GREAT shape!!! well will update soon

Im back and banded! Things running a little late at Dr. C's today - but I finally got in and actually left the clinic within minutes of both of the ladies who were banded before me. 2 hour drive home was 3 hours but I made it and I am still up. Probably going to bed soon as I am taking a demerol right now. Having some pain in the incisions area and some gas pain in the left shoulder but nothing unbearable and I am sipping sipping sipping

Hi everyone, Today I am packing for the trip there and the trip home! Just 2 more sleeps one at home and one at my sister's on Thurs night. JUST 2 MORE SLEEPS!!!!!! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers - they are appreciated - and I will see you on the other side!

Thanks Cloe!! I am getting quite excited - today I am packing for the triip there and the trip home. Believe it or not - I have already dropped a size or 2 in my clothes. And people are starting to notice also. see you on the otherside!

The mess! Of course there are always any number of pairs of shoes at the front door and it does get to be a problem at times!

Hi All! Yes I take my shoes off and so does everyone else who comes through my front door. It is just being polite. I do think it may have something to do with our weather. Since we wear boots a good part of the year and deal with snow and slush for a lengthy period of time - it makes sense that it would be part of the equation. I would be appalled if people did not take off their shoes!

I find it interesting too Yoda! I know what you mean about some of the advice - for example: I went to 12 or 15 pharmacies to inquire about liquid Tylenol - they all said oh sure and took me right to the children's acetaminophen! I specifically asked in EVERY pharmacy for liquid adult tylenol - they said without exception - no way they don't make that. So I had to get someone to get it for me from the states!! I did get some though. Same thing goes for gravol - what I ended up getting was children's and the two bottles I bought will probably do for about 6 or 7 doses since you have to take so much more as an adult. Another example is the Protein - there seems to be so many brands in the US - the Isopure - the isopure vials with pure Liquid Protein - that you could add to almost anything - and I hear lots about Unjury- now perhaps you can get some of these things in the city but where I am from it is non-existant. I am going to bandland in just 3 more sleeps!!!

Thanks Argon, I will let everyone know how I am doing as soon as I feel up to it or as soon as I can walk my sister through how to get on here and post. I have lost over 15 lbs on the opti-fast and yes I have been getting on those scales every day. Just can't help it!

Well done Cloe! It is so nice to know that you are ok and up and around and doing so well! 4 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have not lost as much pre-op as I would like! It came off so fast at the beginning and then just stalled out! Went up a pound - went down a pound and now just stalled but my liver better be in great shape! I am leaving Thursday noon to take the train to Hamilton to stay with my sister for the night and she is taking me to the clinic and staying with me bringing me home and staying for 3 days to make sure that I am OK and to take care of my sick mom in my place. Sliding down to bandland!

Thanks Cloe, I liked dr. C the moment I met him and everyone in the office was just so nice in every possible way and every time I have called the office for information or clarification it has been a pleasant experience. I read your post somewhere about how to update your ticker. You need to do it on ticker factory - then copy the new url - then update by using quick links above - then edit signature - then you have to cut out the old ticker and past in the new one. glad to hear you are doing so great! It is inspirational!

Hey Cloe, Congratulations!!! Sounds like you flew through that operation!!!!! I have been waiting on pins and needles to hear how you were. Next week it is my turn. Glad to see you back! Glad you are not in much pain! Glad you are well on your way to recovery! Keep us posted on your progress!

Cloe, Thinkin' about ya girl! Good Luck tomorrow - next week - it will be me!! Let us know how you are doing - all the best !!!!!!!!

Morning everyone, Well I am NOT doing so great!! Yesterday, I was up almost 3 lbs. I didn't understand why and thought my scales were screwy - thought it would be back to normal today. Today when I got wieghed - I was up another l lb!!! What the hell is going on here??? I have been averaging 550 - 650 cals per day for 8 days now. I have been fasting since last night a dinner so that I can have a blood test in a couple of hours. I have only had Optifast, veggies, coffee clear, v8 juice, crystal light and Water. I have not waivered at all. I have been treading on the mill 15-16 min as well as all the other normal activities. So what is going on?? What does this mean for post banding??? I am going to be unable to lose post band???? This has got me worried????????????????? I am not pre-menstrual as I am post-menopausal - and I am not retaining Fluid????????? Any ideas???

I am on Day 8 of pre-op liquids with veggies allowed at dinner. I have been hungry, dizzy, suffering from headache (caffeine withdrawl), weak, shaky but also happy and excited! I still have 9 days to go with the pre-op diet - I added a few days on my own in order to give my liver the best chance. I have been challenged when it comes to exercise - it is hard to do strenuous exercise with no food - and I have been on the treadmill but 16 min has been my limit. This morning 2 trips up the stairs (there are only 6) had me needing to sit down from dizzyness and an out of breath - light headed feeling. I have enjoyed the vegetables and have been eating them raw or slightly cooked. They told me the more green and white ones the better - not root vegetables - so lots of cucumber, peppers, Beans, broccoli, cauliflower - some carrots and some tomato. I have also been have a 6 oz V8 juice for a snack once a day. I have not waivered once. However, before I started the pre-op - I did have a few things like Pasta, cake, cheezies - enough to put me up 5 lbs from consultation to starting pre-op. I am anxious now to just get to it! I keep thinking about next week, next month, next year - after banding - and I guess that I just want it to be here so that I can start that next stage of my life - a healthier one for sure! Ther very first opti-fast I had was difficult - but it got better and now I don't mind it at all. If anyone is looking for a GOOD liquid Meal Replacement - Weider Pro Plus is excellent - low in cals, carbs and VERY high in Protein - even better numbers than opti-fast and 10% of the cost! Good luck all!

Cloe, You must be getting very excited! Wishing you all the best! Let us know how you are doing!! I am 9 days and counting! Good Luck Girl!!

Hey Cloe, I am on Day 6 and I am feeling the same way! You have also lost a significant amount of weight. Congratulations!!! Great Work! I have not waivered at all on my pre-op diet. Please let me know how it goes - I am just the week after you!

hey everyone, Just an update! Today is day 6 of pre-op - liquid Protein + up to 225 cals in veggies per day. As of this morning I am officially down 17.6 lbs! YEAH ME!!!! It is coming off faster than I would have thought - although historically I can usually lose pretty well - I just can't keep it lost - it keeps finding me again along with some friends! Surprisingly enough - I can not and have not eaten a full 225 cals of veggies - that is a LOT of veggies - and they are supposed to be greener and above ground types - so they are limited - but it is an enormous amount of veggies. The other surprising thing is that my hunger is diminishing - not sure why that is - probably my stomach is shrinking some. Anyway - exactly 2 weeks this morning I will be 1 day post-op! June 2 is Rolling on! how is everyone else doing???

Hey everyone, Yesterday I had all of my pro-op blood work done except for triglycerides. They wouldn't do that test at the lab as they insisted that I must be fasting for 14 hours. No one gave me those instructions at either doctor's office. Anyway, I had all the other tests done and my ECG and will go back for the triglycerides next thursday. I am still VERY hungry but my scales are dropping dropping!