NewBeginnings2018

I had a cathedar as well, but they put mine in after surgery started and took it out the next morning. It didn't hurt at all when they took it out. I think the cathedar is moreso for after surgery as it takes a while for the anesthesia to get out of your system.

I want to try and start up running myself, but I know it will be a slow process in the beginning. I used to be very athletic back in the day, and strive to get there again. Telly - I'd love to get some exercise in but with my incision infection I was told I couldn't even do housework until it heals up. BUT when I am feeling healthy I will gladly take you kicking my butt into gear!

Hi MA Bandsters. SherryW, myself, and a couple of other MA Bandsters are going to set up a chat in the chat room portion of this site around 7pm tonight. No real agenda just yet, but we thought an on-line support group is better than no support group! So hope you fellow MA Bandsters can join us. If you're not from MA and still want to join us, feel free!

Knowing the way Sherry and I can talk, we very well may be!!

They had me take a pregnancy test because I was late, even though I was 100% sure I could not be pregnant. It ended up coming 3 days before surgery, so I got to wear a pair of those sexy mesh panties. I was embarassed a bit until I told my nurse who said I was the 4th woman that day, so I think it's something they are completely used to. I just felt bad for the person who had to put in my cathedar. Eeewww...

I'm in the same boat Cat. The appetite coming back does totally stink. It's funny - I read your blog and you and I have a lot in common. Our age, the shoulder pain, the port incision drainage, getting hungry every two hours on the soup, etc. Although I'm not allowed mashed potatoes on liquids, so I have total potato envy! lol.

I was on full liquids by the time I left the hospital. They had me drink some carnation instant breakfast before I could be discharged. When I got home I also had yogurt, pudding, and creamy soups and I had no problem tolerating them. Granted the first week out I had no appetite so I was lucky to get down 1/2 a pudding cup at a time and I would feel very full, but about a week after I was banded my appetite returned and I could eat larager portions. But overall I had no issues with full liquids.

Wow, very interesting Christy. What's a little more interesting is that he called it a little case of fat necrosis for now. My friend's mom has fat necrosis, which is basically fat cells that are dying. hmmm... The good news is that again this morning the incision looks better, and I didn't have too much draining yesterday. The incision is not as red around the edges, so that is very encouraging. I'll let you know what the Dr says tomorrow afternoon. Thanks!

Congratulations on your band Mark!!

Yeah, I should be around.

Hey Morph!!! Glad you found us! :confused: I think an on-line chat support group would be great as well. There is a chat feature on this site. For me, it would have to be in the evenings or on the weekends because of work. BTW - my incision looked pretty good this morning when I changed the dressing. It was less red than it was yesterday and didn't seem to be leaking any more fluid. I'm not going to take my exam tomorrow, but rather just stay home and rest like Dr Jones suggested. I'll see you on Monday! Hey aaamom! SherryW and I were thinking at some point of trying to have some meetings in Taunton eventually. We'll definitely keep you updated!

threebeauties - sherry and i haven't started our support group yet, but want to do it soon. I'll chat with her about it this weekend and see if we can start up in November.

Nana - sorry to hear you've been down lately. Getting youurself well is an important part of the pre-banding process. I know it seems like it will take forever to get to the finish line - I've been there! Just hang in there! The psych was nice - just weird. She'd probably love it if you cry. lol. Just remember that the band is only a tool, that you will still have to do the work, and that you are making the committment to come back for follow up care. Those seemed like the sticking points when I met with her. Good luck!

No antibiotics Mandy. My Dr said that since there is no infection yet, he didn't want to prescribe an antibiotic and have me develop a more serious strain of an infection, if I am going to get one. Can you follow that? lol But if I do get an infection over the weekend they will call me in a precription for Cipro.

Oh Kat that is so great to hear!! Wonderful, wonderful news!!!

Dez it's good to hear you had a similar situation. Did you go back in for follow up care from Dr Jones, or did it just go away on its own?

I'll log onto AIM Sherry. I saw Dr Jones. They didn't give me anything to put on it. Just keep it covered.

Hi everyone. I was just banded on 10/2 and went into my surgeon's office today because I noticed my port incision was seeping some yellow Fluid. The good news is that my incision is not infection - yet. My surgeon actually opened up my wound so whatever needed to drain could drain. I am under strict instructions to keep it covered and not go to any public places over the weekend. He wants me to come back in on Monday and he'll take another peak at it. He also said while there is no infection, this does not mean that one won't develop. I have about a 30% chance of developing an infection he said. So I was curious if anyone else has had a similar experience, or a port incision infection? How did it turn out? I'm trying not to freak out about this, but I am really nervous. Thank you! Chris

Hi everyone. I just got back from the Beth Israel. I've hit a little bump in the road. Earlier today I had noticed some draining from my port incision. I didn't like the looks of things, so I called Angi. We debated, but then she had me come in just to be safe. She cleaned up the incision and said it didn't look infected. Phew. Dr Jones happened to be there, so he popped in to take a peak. He noticed that there was some draining, but that it wasn't puss. He had me lie down and, oh my, proceeded to open my incision. It actually didn't hurt that bad. But he did this so he could let whatever needed to drain, drain. He then ster-stripped it together, told me to keep it covered in gauze and tape, and to stay home for the next few days. He wants me back on Monday so he can take a look at the incision. He said it's not infected now, but there is a chance it could become infected. I asked him what he usually does if there's an infection, and he said he hasn't had one before. OH GREAT! He said there is about a 30% chance I'll become infected. So now I'm freaking out. I asked him what he will do if there is an infenction, and he said that since I am "thinner" (I almost told him I loved him - lol) my port is closer to my skin so there is a good chance that my port would get infected as well. If that happens, they will cut off the port, allow the tubing to recess, and then after I fully heal they will open me up, grab the tubing, and attach a new port. I can not tell you how badly I don't want this to happen!!! So any prayers or good kharma you want to send my way will be greatly appreciated!! Oh, and I was chatting with Angie. I told her about LBT and she said she was going to check us out and maybe join us! Hi Angie!!!

Hi ladies. I just got back from my surgeon's office and I'm a bit nervous. Earlier today I noticed some draining from my port incision. So I called and they had me come in. My surgeon played around with my incision, actually opened it up, and drained whatever was in there. He said it wasn't an infection - yet. I have to keep it covered, stay in, and go back to see him on Monday. He said there is a 30% chance that it will turn into an infection, but that everything looks ok for now. So I am really worried. He admitted that if I do get an infection, it will likely mean that I will have to have my port replaced. Ugh!! So any extra prayers or good kharma you want to send my way will be appreciated!

Sherry poor Rainbow never got her fill. Her appt was hectic and they had her leave without a fill (if I remember correctly). She is flying solo these days - AND doing great may I add. It's good to hear that the mushies will keep me full a bit longer. I don't think I'm going to want to have tomato soup every again! lol

Hi kimmi. At the info sessions I went to at BI, they mentioned that there is something with gastric bypass and the hormone changes that happen from cutting the stomach that almost always cures diabetes. I want to say it was something like 85 or 90%. Perhaps while you are in the research phase you should check out another hospital's info session, like Beth Israel, and see what they have to say. That being said I think it is your choice to decide which surgery you would like to have. Granted you should talk to doctors and listen to what they have to say, but there is a very big difference between gastric bypass and the band and it's your body. Your body = your choice. Keep us updated as you go along!

Thanks everyone. It seems like I have made it over that hump, and definitely have my appetite back. Gotta love liquids! Ugh! But overall I am doine well.

Sorry to hear about your back Eileen. Isn't it horrible how easy it can be thrown out sometimes. I had a massage once that felt so fantastic, but the aftermath was horrible because it threw my back out. I couldn't stand up straight for 3 days. lol. I hope you feel better soon!

Welcome Dreaminbig! Congratulations on your band date. Nov 8th will be here before you know it. It seems like just yesterday I was 3 weeks out myself. The time does go quickly. I'm glad you decided to join in on our discussion! The more the merrier! To my other ladies - when did you guys take the steri strips off? I have a few that are starting to come off and I'm trying not to help them along. I was curious what you all did.