Minnah

So, I was on the phone with the doctor's office today trying to get a release to go back to work on Monday. Apparently since I've taken 5 sick days in a row, I need a doctor's release to go back to work. It seemed the doctor's office thought that a release to work was the strangest thing. Needless to say, I was still talking to someone at 5 p.m. trying to get this. I had to turn crazy lady to finally get some reaction. However, it's not over. I got the release sent via e-mail, but my manager said it won't due. First, the date of my surgery is wrong on the letter and they didn't say whether or not I had restrictions. Since it was after 5, the office closed. I have to try again Monday morning. Now, this is just a letter on the doctor's office letter head saying I can come to work. Nothing fancy. I wonder if I need restrictions, such as lifting and standing stuff, but I'm sure they won't add it. But that's besides the point. I need another letter and it took a whole day to even get the first one. On top of that, my gas pain is still here and it's 7 days out. I'm fustrated by the gas bubble that settled on my left my side that I've been trying to walk out for 2 days, boil with a heating pad for 3 and rub the hell out of all this time. I try to walk 30 to 45 minutes, but then feel like passing out because it starts making me feel nasous. I'm afriad that I will go back to work Monday and keep feeling this bubble. I'm sitting here rubbing my side asking myself if it was worth it. I just wish I knew when this gas will finally leave me be!!:redface: If I can imagine a punching bag with all the gas in me, I would KO it!!

I just read your post and I can't speak to most of your questions because I was banded just 7 days ago. I can say that I am similar in that I didn't have any health issues other than weight. What helped me decide to get the lap band was the prospect of getting a weight related disease. My dad just got diagnosed with diabetes and osteoporosis. My mom started taking high blood pressure meds and I saw where I was heading, but I was younger. Don't see it as vanity, see it as a precautionary method before you end up with diseases brought on by weight. Now I feel like I will be alive and healthy longer to spend with my husband and future kids.

As soon as I can lay on my tummy, I will be back to my normal massage regimen of once a month. They do wonders for stress and blood flow for me.

I like the vanilla atkins protien shake and the slim fast low carb chocolate shake. I think the vanilla atkins shake mixes well with fruit. I can't get the shake down in one sitting, though and drink it in a cup and put the rest in the fridge for when I am ready.

Glad to hear it! For awhile it hurt to sit up and bend and it was easier to roll on my side and prop myself sideways to a sitting position before standing. I do have to say, rolling to the side did hurt, but not as bad as when I just tried to sit up. Hope this helps.

I just got banded, but I think about this one a lot. I was attending an aunt's wedding and the day before, the whole family was at the house. My Grandma had passed away that year and her sisters were there. One of her sisters is a little bit batty, though. When she was leaving, I got up to say good bye by hugging her. When I finished the hug, she goes...oh, you are pregnant! There must have been a hush that fell over the whole house and I was mortified. I think I started hearing ringing in my head and the floor just fell away. I remember saying weakly, no. She laughed and walked out of the house. I went to go sit by mom afterwards, a big woman herself. She put her hand on my back and didn't say anything. Just what she needed to do. Of course, my dad later said...well, she is batty, but your shirt does look maturnity. DAD!!!

Hello fellow Houstonian! I had my surgery the same day and I can say the swelling is already going down. I'm going back to work Monday, so I'm thinking you will be 100% by next Saturday. If you tell your girlfriends, I would pack some meals for yourself. Ohh...I'm so having scallops for my first real meal. Good Luck!

I'm far from solid foods, but I'm going to miss the seven layer dip during the super bowl this Sunday.

I was banded 6 days ago and I'm recovering slowly. I'm able to do more things like get out bed, walk around, and light cleaning. I'm managing the pain and gas as best I can, but there is this annoying pain I get and I wondering when it will go away. It happens sometimes when I burp (I'm burping a lot) or just because. The only way I can describe it is it's like I'm having indigestion without the acid. It's the sharp pain that develops right below my sternum and throbs for a couple of seconds. I have to grip something while it's occuring because it's terribly unpleasant. Sometimes I feel it lower. Does anyone know what this is? Gas, maybe? By the way...I never knew how bad gas could hurt!!

I have a big red spot right under the middle incision. I think in the exact spot you are talking about. It was beat red and hot to the touch and hurt like someone was cutting into me when I would move. It hurt moreso than the gas and incision. It's been 6 days now and it's light red now and not hot. It also doesn't sting as bad. I did put a heating pad on it today, though and it felt really good to do so. Again, I think this is what you are talking about, but I would still show your doctor.

Oh Yes! I think I hit the top of the scale several times this week. I'm reacted poorly to the surgery and took me some time to get out of recovery. The worst pain was 2 days ago when the gas started moving up my side. I thought it would burst. Just manage your pain meds, get some gas-x, and a heating pad for the gas. I'm still dealing with gas pain, but it's worlds better now that I got a heating pad. Also, walking. Loosening it up as soon as you can.

My doctor said once I move to liquids I should measure out 4 oz of food for each meal. Since I may not remember the feeling of being full, I should be consistent to the 4 oz. 50% of that should be protien. If I feel hungry, then I probably need a fill. I would just follow your doc's instructions.

Thanks for sharing your experience! The team I work with is fairly new and I'm not close enough to share with them yet. I did tell my supervisor, but I've know her for over 5 years now. I plan on not saying anything, but if anyone asks I think I will go the route of I had surgery and I was on the mends and it's personal.

Hello! I was also banded on the 23rd. I made a couple of posts already and 2 blogs about it. I have to say it's been a pretty hard recovery and I'm still not at work. I'm thinking I might just take the remainder of the days off and go back next Monday. The extra days might do wonders. Today was actually the first day I was able to get a good amount of liquids in me and this might actually be where I can say the tide turned for me. I'm still getting a stitch on my side and the doctor has told me it's gas and I got to work it out. I know my incisions must be healing because they are starting to itch and I'm feeling them now. Kind of like a tugging feeling. I still can't wrap my head that I finally did it and now things are going to change.