melliecat

I have had panic attacks since grade school. For a long time they would come in cycles of months at a time. Here is some practical advice: your mind is making the panic attack. Our minds cannot think of two things at once (I know you think you can but its true, you cant). When you feel the panic coming on you shift your mind to something else, even if it is naming capitals, making a shopping list or thinking about the lyrics to a song. This will short circuit the panic attack pretty quickly to the point where you can handle it. Good luck, and remember, only expend energy on the things you can control, screw the rest.

I hate to admit this, but I am ALWAYS, like every day early by 20-30 minutes. I like the quiet time and hate when others are late. I am chronically on time, but once in a while I will be 5 min late for a social occasion.

I agree, it is ketosis and I have had it before. Make sure you are drinking enough and it will pass.

I have officially entered bandster hell and it sucks. I am hungry and trying to stick to the portions prescribed by the doctor, but it's very very very hard. Advice about how you got through it would be great. Thanks!

egg drop soup kept me sane.

Hi! I am going on 1 week of "soft foods" and was wondering if you could let me know what foods you ate during this phase. All ideas are welcome. Some on the list from my doctor are: ground beef ground turkey cheese cold cuts eggs Soup Thanks!

here is a question...how long should I wait until I call the surgeon because of no BM? I havent gone since last wed (6 days). Any suggestions or should I just call?

you know, my surgeon said clear liquids, does protein shakes count? I am starving but having very bad gas pains. I would like to have a protein shake but am not sure its ok.

my doctor told me 4 oz every hour, for about 48 oz total a day. You may be pushing it at 100 oz.

Thanks for the well wishes! Some things I have learned so far: *sf ice pops and Jello make you have MORE gas. I cannot have them right now. Stick to the ones with sugar. *sip=good, gulp=not good *laying on my side relieves gas pain *keeping a pillow against the incisions helps while sleeping *enjoy not being hungry. It may not last *don't obsess over every little feeling or sound or change. Go with the flow and it will be much easier. Good luck!

So I was banded on Friday the 5th. It went well. I am in very little pain, just sore from the incisions. No nausea except right after surgery. We had a while to wait because they were behind a little. They make you come 2 hours early to check in. Good thing my husband is entertaining, so the wait wasn't too bad. They gave me the heparin shot, which was like nothing. They gave it to me in the back of the arm. They gave me an antibiotic and had me walk into the or. Within 2 or 3 minutes, I was out from the anesthesia and back in recovery. The pain was centered in my chest and right shoulder, like at the curve of your neck. That has subsided for the most part. My surgery was at 12pm, I was home by 630pm. Percocet for pain. The tricky part is to drink 4 oz of fluid every hour. I can't seem to make it last more than like 20 minutes. Cheers for now, and best of luck to those who are having their surgeries soon! Melliecat

Hi to all you bandsters out there. If you are in or near Saddle Brook, NJ and want a band buddy, private message me! I could sure use someone who knows what's what with this stuff! Thanks!

what keeps me calm is thinking about all the other surgeries I am avoiding by doing this, pretty simple one.

Scorpyian1-who is your doctor? He/she sounds like an ***hole. You have to remember they are supposed to be "helping" you, what a jerk. I hope your new doctor can really listen and do what you need to help you!

I would love to hear some surgery stories from you June 1sters! Post soon, and hope you are feeling good with some gooood drugs!

I am having my surgery on Friday the 5th and am nervous. I guess I am mostly afraid of having long term problems after band, like gerd, nauseousness, generally yucky stomach stuff. I am least nervous about eating differently or the actual surgery I guess. Anyone else feeling jittery like me?

you know, I have been thinking to myself after being on the site for a while, there is more politically correct posturing going on here than at the democratic national convention. Almost every post has an a caveat that equates to "dont bitch slap me for this". I cant possibly be bothered to make sure I don't offend anyone. What would be the point anyway, offended people are often the most hysterical. I welcome some down to earth common sense anytime!

I too have had this from a low carb diet. It is also a by-product of not enough liquid. Make sure to drink enough Water, that should help the furry mouth. Good Luck!

Write your own letter, fax it to your PCP and ask them to sign it and fax it back to YOU. Then you fax it back. I did it, and was fine. I looked up wording on the net, and used examples. Good luck!

I am being banded June 5th and have only told my immediate family- only my hubby, mother in law and sister in law. I have told them I am keeping it private, and am confident they will not tell anyone. I have taken off of work for the surgery and told my co-workers I am having hiatal hernia surgery, which is very similar. Why? I am confident about my decision and don't feel like I have to prove it to anyone, and don't want to be in the position of having to defend my decision. I am not comfortable being the center of attention and this will definitely make me the topic of conversation for some time. I want it to be private, just as if I was having like a female surgery. thats my .02

I should add that my surgeon has NO pre-op diet requirements and I did ask twice to make sure. So, although I have been eating like normal (for me, which is probably not normal) I did start my exercise routine in anticipation of my lifestyle change. I have a month to go, so I am thinking of starting to eat healthier and then cut my portions. IDK, I guess if I was good at this, I wouldn't need the band:)

I am having a hard time eating healthy portions prior to my surgery. I feel like I need to "party" (eat) now because I will have to be seriously healthy post-surgery. I am gaining weight and just miserable. Any one else experience this? Any advice?

no, none for me either. I asked specifically and they said no, just fasting the night before. Good Luck!

ok bear, 4-5 times a week? Can you hang out with my husband, maybe it will rub off on him? lol...It will def take time, hang in there...

Anyone use the Ewing, Trivedi, Schmidt group in Hackensack, NJ for their surgery? How was it, and how are they with fills and follow-up appointments? Any info is welcome! Thanks!:biggrin: