katwmn63

I'm about 7 hrs post op - Just got home a little over an hour ago and the only complaint I have is the tightness/abdominal pressure - likely related to the inevitable gas issue. incision sites are no problem... i just wish someone would give me a big squeeze so I can let out a BIG BELCH! surgery was about 45 min to an hour. recovery took a little longer(2 hrs instead of 1) due to me not breathing deep (it hurt from the pressure) and they had to give me oxygen:[ 5 1/2 hours total at the hospital...not bad at all. no sutures/stitches..just tape on 4 little poke holes and a port. pain was initially an 8 but with pain control meds in recovery it went quickly to a 4-5 by the time I left the hospital... the 2 hour drive home was a piece of cake. i can honestly say that from my surgeon, Dr. Vafa Shayani (Chicago/Rockford), to the nurses, to the admins, and even the needle box cleaner...the hospital experience today was wonderful!!! Well I am gonna take my first swig of pain meds (lortab elixir) and put my feet up for the evening. Glad to finaly be a resident of BandLand :=) my very best to all of you and a heart felt thank you for your guidance, support, advice, etc!! XO -Kat

on my way. got a 2 hour drive, then 2 more hours til surgery. tired, nervous, hopeful, thirsty...but you know how that goes....nothin after midnite :}

usually within a week! Tricare has a good reputation for turnaround. Also, you can check you status online at myTricare.com

i went and i am glad i did. one is kind of following in my footsteps and joined the navy (i am retired navy -turned HS teacher) and the other who i love dearly also, joined Nat'l Guard - INFANTRY so yes...very glad i went. wish i could say i feel 100%, i feel better but.... ah well gotta stop being gloomy...tomorrow is a new beginning :=) thanks all!!! you guys are the best!!

ok ok i'm going! maybe that's what i really needed you guys to tell me ps..gonna try the therma care. thanks!

please make sure for these last 5 days you really stick to your diet. yes, many people cheat which is a bad idea... and what you eat when you cheat is the next issue. a half of grilled chicken breast is one thing... rice is another. be careful k? good luck and hang tough!!

you're killing me RM!!

this is it....less than 24hrs from surgery (tomorrow morning 8am), i mentaly feel great and ready, but physicaly i feel awful! in addition to the "always-seems-to-have-bad-timing" cramps, i have a swollen...and i mean SWOLLEN... epitochlear (right elbow) lymph node. seems to be from a bug bite on my hand, but very, very tender :huh2: taking antibiotics just so there is reduced risk of infection for tomorrow. i am supposed to go to a few bonvoyage parties today (former HS students of mine leaving for the military) and i just can't get away from my heating pad and couch These boys are near and dear to my heart, but,.. uggghh what to do? good news is i dropped another 1.8 pounds, despite that cramp-related condition so i got to officially adjust my ticker this morning for the 2nd time. I hope my surgeon is happy with 10 pounds in 10 days. so if any of you want to make me feel better by telling me it's ok to stay home and be selfish today.. i'd definately listen thanks for letting me vent!

you got to get up and walk around as much as possible...that is what my surgeon warned me to do to prevent/resolve gas and indigestion issues. if you are already doing this or it does not help, please call your surgeon's office for advice. i do hope you feel better soon.

i am july 13th also! keep me posted and good luck!!!

a doc that says "no" to lap band surgery, but yes to off-label use of an anti-depressant? kindly ask for a 2nd opinion for exactly the reason above... if that doesn't get her attention to refer you, than go through with it and getthat 2nd opinion from another doc.

I worked in the substance abuse field for several years, so my recommendation comes soley from that experience. You really do need to tell your surgeon so that the anesthetist can safely bring you through surgery. Here is the ONLY place there could be a problem/issue with your insurance: did you disclose this during your psych eval? If you did not, and you share that you did not with the surgeon, he is in an ethical postion to have you redo your psych eval. Addiction of any kind is a major factor in evaluating your readiness for life after weight loss surgery. If your insurance required you "pass" a psych eval...this is the only problem I might anticipate. I do hope you at least tell the surgeon for anesthesia reasons and I do hope you have a safe successful surgery. WTG on getting your life back in your control!!!

best advice? make sure you don't pick up the smokes :[ easier said than done, but absolutely necessary to get this procedure. Keep your eyes on the prize!!! good luck :thumbup:

I am glad you are here. You will find lots of support and advice here. Hang in there on the Protein shakes. I am on my preop diet also, my surgery is Monday. It helps to mix it with nonfat skim instead of Water, and with berries, Peanut Butter etc... to make the taste a lttle better from time to time. But remember...it is only temporary, you won't have to be on liquids forever. And the end result is a new you (weight wise anyway). Keep us posted on your surgery and progress and come back to vent when necessary too. -kat

Thanks to you also Mary!

Thanks so much... I'm tryin:)

i think you are all right though... 800 cals is starve mode :thumbup:

sorry guys... i guess i didn't explain well. I am on my preop diet ordered by my surgeon. I was told 2 protein shakes for meal repacement and one very low carb high protein meal per day: "800 cals per day, 20 or less carbs, 65 oz of fluid min, 80 grams protein. That is what i am doing..exactly what the surgeon ordered. after the first 4 days, I lost 8.2 pounds...now nothing.

... so I was so proud of myself last night going to my karate class despite taking in only 800 calories per day, and feeling kind of week. Working out at class made me even MORE hungry, but I didn't cave. I got on the scale this morning and weighed the EXACT same as I did 2 days ago. :thumbup: sure, I tell myself i'm pre-menstrual (which is true), and that not gaining at a time like this is something.... but it still feels so frustrating. This feeling is so familiar and partly why I am getting the band. All the diets that I have been on only to give up from this kind of discouragement. I won't cave as much as I want to and as hungry as I am, but geez, I hope the band makes a difference for me.

The very best of luck! Speedy recovery and keep us posted! -kat

starving, lightheaded and dizzy... I opted NOT to skip my karate class tonight. I drank as much Water as I could the hours prior to class. To my absolute surprise, it fealt great. I had more strength than I thought. With luck it will have burned some of the 800 calories I took in today and will adjust my ticker again tomorrow. Only problem is all that exercize made me hungry again:( my fingers are crossed regarding my morning date with my bathroom scale :}

Mine is about the same. Some have a full 2 weeks of Clear liquids, some only a week, some none at all...it is completely up to the surgeon. My surgeon told me I didn't have to do Protein shakes...his nutritionist gave me a specific clear liquid diet, but my surgeon told me directly to just lose as much weight as I can so the liver shrinks... it makes surgery safer. he told me low carbs and only do protein shakes if I am replacing a meal. I took it upon myself to do 2 protein shakes for my first 2 meals, then a low carb high protein dinner. Gets me in practice for post op, and gets the weight loss started:) Whatever your surgeon tells you to do is what you should follow. It is completely your surgeon's discreton and decision. Good luck!

BCBS, from what I understand from other posts, and dealing with them with my brother, are pretty good at approving the band. I have heard they can be slow however, so I hate to see you get so anxious when you could have a small wait in front of you. Try and realax.... I know, easier said than done. Keep us posted on here and come back to vent when necessary. Best of luck to you! -kat

Hi There!!! So glad you are here!!! Thanks for the encouragement. I know I can do this. Just GOT to get past this uber hungry stage:{

I am right with you...but perhaps a little luckier. I am on day 4 of "modifed" liquids. My doc said lose as much weight as you can and keep it low carb...only do shakes if it is Meal Replacement. I do 2 shakes for meals and one low carb meal for supper. I can't imagine not having it, but I will have to post op for sure. MANY like you are told...all liquids:( Of course you should try to follow your surgeon's instructions to the "T" as best you can. But when you falter (we all do some time or another) make the next best choice. You did exactly that...you had high Protein, low carb, low fat food...and just enough to eliminate your symptoms. A server and have triplets? Yikes...your body was probably screaming for an energy source. Are you taking the Vitamins your surgeon instructed you to take? I think you will be ok. I also think the symptoms will go away as you adjust to the diet. Remember... it is temporary. You will get to eat food in a few weeks. You will do great, I can tell because you were worried about the slip. BEST of luck to you :biggrin: