tammyj

Good Luck and prayers to Tammyj. Keep up with the liquids baby, it help post op.

Thanks Bandstar!!!! I am feeling a bit nervous, probably just fear of the unknown, but I am READY!!!!!! :girl_hug:

I've missed seeing all your posts. You were always so encouraging and motivating and you have such a sweet spirit. I wish you all the best!

And yes, you are looking Fabulous!!! :thumb:

Sue, Almost 2 weeks of liquids is starting to irk me. I need that extra edge. I am trying to stay strong for now, but I am ready for my band!!!

As far as pooping, I'm not sure if it takes awhile to get things moving after surgery or not, but after a few days of starting my pre-op liquid diet things stopped moving for me. I was not getting enough Fiber so I started blending a teaspoon of Fiber Sure into my Protein Shakes and it has really helped. It is tasteless and you can mix it in almost anything.

Oh, I got my heating pad too! :biggrin1:

:happybday: Happy Belated Birthday Pam Bander!!! :happybday:

I applaud you as well for taking control and not giving in to those food urges and finding other ways to deal with your emotions! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: I won't even begin to tell you about my DH, but I can definitely relate.

Only 39 more hours till my surgery and I will be an official March Bandster:clap2:

:welcomeB: nurseamy!!!!!!!!!!!!

I started my liquid fast, my surgery is March 16th I only hope I will also do well with the lap-band. My surgeon has been trying to get me to do the gastric bypass but I don't want to , I am having the lap-band but he thinks I will lose more with the other. Anyway, I hope I will to well.

:welcomeB: mnkbrly!!!!!!!!!!

Hi All, My husband and I both are getting banded this month. He is scheduled for the 15th and I am scheduled for the 27th. This is an incredible forum that everyone provides so much support and information.

As far as the pre-op diet the practice we are using has 3 docs and one of their wives (also a doc) has started her own side business of dietary products, shakes, Protein Bars, Soups etc. So of course they are totally pushing do all of your pre/post op diet through us. We will make it so easy for you by selling you everything you need. They only problem is it is quite pricey.

So far we have been doing a high Protein diet for a couple of weeks, cut out starches, sugars, caffeine, carbonation and we have found it to be so much better than the liquid stuff. We are losing weight and hubby already went for pre-op and his protein levels were great.

He had filters placed yesterday and all of the hospital staff kept asking us (in veiled ways), how do you guys qualify? You don't look like you need it. I told them I just hide it well. We are/were both 100 pounds overweight, and of course he has already lost close to 30#, me not so much.

Good luck to everyone and thank you all so much again for the support and information that you all share.

:welcome:and Congratulations to the both of you. What incredible support you will be to each other. My husband is close to 400lbs and I am hoping that I will be the motivation he needs to get banded. He says, "I'll let you be the guinea pig first." :biggrin1:

Tammyj,

I just think you are the coolest. You are so on top of things and so sweet. I am now 5 days post-op and feel better than I've ever felt. I am down 28.5 lbs and am thrilled. YOU WILL ROCK AFTER YOU GET BANDED. I know this because of your beautiful soul. Keep up the positive feedback.

BandSTAR

Awwwww thanks so much bandstar!!! It's so good to hear you are doing well so soon after surgery. It really helps to calm my nerves. 28lbs is awesome!!! You are off to a great start!

Tammy

I want to tell you after banding you will be able to go for dinner and drinks, you will NOT want to eat and it will not bother you to be around food, and if you feel the temptation of tasting; go ahead and taste.

All I can say is TRUST ME. You will 10000% be in control and not want more than a taste.

Went to El Pollo Loco for dinner last night (my fav. fast food) and I really was HUNGRY (at least I thought I was) I cut off (fork and knife cut off) (no more bite chew and swallow for me), as I said I cut off a tiny piece of chicken and chew chew chew chew and after awhile realized I did not want to swallow so I spit it in my napkin.

What I am trying to say is: Food is kinda different after the band. Sweets aren't different, they are still delectible and well you know.... But real food just does not have that satisfying sensation anymore, even though you think you will get that feeling, it just is not there like you remember it being. You will see what I am talking about and maybe you are more eloquaint/creative with your words than I and you can maybe help me explain what I am talking about for others will know it.

But absolutely you would have been able to go to dinner and drink without ANY problem what so ever post band.

I just ate one egg for breakfast and I feel "stuffed" so that is not to say that hashbrowns don't sound really good right now but the thought of eating them does not sound good right now.

I have never experienced these feelings so my expressionary words are not flowing like I would like to express my feelings.

I guess it is like looking forward to a really really hot hot hot hot lots of Water pressure shower and everytime you go to take a shower it is NOT lots of pressure and your hot hot hot water only lasts 1-2 minutes. It just does not have that HUGE satisfying appealing factor anymore, even though you want it to.

That's exactly what I am hoping will happen. I don't want to have to eat a heaping plate of food to feel satisfied. A few bites will be fine with me...Awesome!!!

hiya march band people! I just gor banded on march6th .. it's been a slow recovery, and yesterday I stupidly had some quite thick soup/broth which I'd seived lumps out.. god I could hardly breath - and all night I was panicking I'd damaged the sutures or whatever! anyway ammuch better today and my daughter brought me some Bovril from the store (chicken flavour) and I have to say it's very satisfying with boiled water.. (do you have it in the states?

well good luck to you who are about to go under the knife, I was so nervous pre op but these boards have been a life saver. The GA is worse than the actual op I think - once that was out my system I felt loads better!

:welcomeB: anniegs and congratulations on being banded!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March Bandster Babes!

This is the list that I will be keeping up to date for us.. PM me if you want to be added or just post a message on the end of this thread....

HERE WE GO........... Current as of 03/14

CarolynB - 03/01

dec0578 - 03/01

Pam~bander 2/22 - 03/01

bikergirl360 - 03/01

Tea Time - 03/02

hlayne - 03/02

Mommakitty3 - 03/02

wilma - 03/02

analee - 03/02

laralynn86 - 03/03

Sophie248 - 03/05

GloGirl - 03/05

Fur Ellie - 03/05

ThickChickTexas - 03/05

Band STAR - 03/05

Char - 03/06

anniegs- 03/06

Sugarbear - 03/07

gailannr - 03/07

Sue in Russia - 03/07

planoltxgirl - 03/08

HeatherPA - 03/08

bronnie70 - 03/09

Mommy202 - 03/12

Sharon67 - 03/12

Hazelbunny - 03/12

nurseamy - 03/12

Hotpink Bubbles - 03/13

Tabithan - 03/13

Kyethra - 03/14

Charlif761 - 03/14

x-ray chic - 03/14

demsvmejm - 03/14

CuddleNymph - 03/14

gret1964 - 03/14

TammyJ - 03/15

Scarlett - 03/15

ohiobluegal - 03/15

Rosi - 03/15

sushiqwn's DH - 03/15

Machele - 03/16

RowdyReptile - 03/16

countrygirl1404 - 03/16

mnkbrly - 03/16

WendyJ - 03/19

vcarozzolo - 03/19

ebony868 - 03/19

SueA - 03/19

demmemoon - 03/19

momlambert - 03/19

ladybug390 - 03/19

Theresa Ann - 03/19

berry - 03/19

deshar - 03/19

purplemonkey - 03/19

lindsay - 03/19

kuebel j - 03/20

TRANAM1955 - 03/20

GOOD&READY - 03/20

alaverde - 03/20

amrdmr - 03/20

Reesh - 03/20

Janine - 03/20

CrazyCran - 03/21

Mrs Husker - 03/21

lilnena - 03/21

blondylocks - 03/21

Famos - 03/21

chatgirl6 - 03/22

Desiree1970 - 03/23

Maggief - 03/26

sushiqwn - 03/27

slikchik10 - 03/28

Deb - 03/28

kssunflower - 03/28

my5grlz - 03/29

SGDodge06 - 03/30

Fenton - pending

tootsiepop - pending

ClickerSister - pending

Sara Mos - Bumped to April 2nd

ginabobeana - pending

mdicurn - pending

Laurend - pending

SusaninKC - pending (tentative date 03/19)

TracyinKS - Bumped to April 26, 2007 (insurance approved 1/30!)<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Hey girls I'm back from the lovely Lyon, France!!!!!!!!! Banding was on the 7th and it was good. Had a very good experience. I got to the airport on Sunday and sat on the runway for 2 hours due to snow!!!!!!!!! Finally flew, got to Milan, missed my connecting flight. Flew the next morning at 7am got to Lyon, met with Dr. Frering at 10:30 all set. Monday nite had an amazing dinner of beef , salad, baked potato and brownie dessert. Tues. checked into clinic at 12:30. had endoscope at 1:30 , all clear. Clear liquids- surgery time 9am. Get to operating room, pretty nervous but MUCH better than expected!!!!!!!!!! In the operating room get onto a table that looks alittle like a gyn table. Last thing i remember is telling the Dr. take good care of me i have 4 babies at home. Woke up in post op- pain about a 4. Moving to a 6..6 times trying to restart the damn iv..ok that HURT! My arms look terrible. Finally some relief. back to room. Some real pain relief in a shot..life is good. At 3 o'clock get up to pee.Painful to get to side, ouch!! 4 o'clock..water!! 6 o'clock ..broth..very yummy! to sleep at 7:30. great nite sleep , a bear getting up to pee. next day, up for shower. I feel really good(still in hospital). get shower go to put socks on and ..............and the chair slipped backwards and i fell on my butt!!!!!!!!!!!Can I tell you that i am wincing just writing this. I was fine but alittle freaked.Check out with doc- ok to leave. Get bandages changed. WOW alot on swelling on tummy. 5 incisions. Go back to hotel. Hang out - go to mall shopping , walking is good but slow! Home to hotel more boullion...good nite of movies. Friday sleep in, shower off to airport. Note to self...it's a bitch flying after stomach surgery.Got home 3:30am..went to sleep.

I will say that I had no real gas pain to speak of. I LOVED using the heating pad though. On my back it was soothing and on this damn port site which is tender. The swelling is going down. I am sooooooooooo glad I got this done. All of you that are waiting , you will do just fine!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Sue!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: I'm glad you are home and doing well. Keep us posted!

Heyall you post op bandsters:

When I get to a certain level of emotion (up~down~whatever) I am makingbetterchoices and instead of eating, because gawd knows I have always filled that gap with food, matter it be secretive (calories don't count) or out with food friends (friends who only meet with you at restaurants), I live near 2 massage schools, and 2 cosmetology schools, and they have been pretty good so far about squeezing me in for "anything" and anything means, from a facial to a scientific brushing. You know what is realllllllllly good? No matter what service you choose it is pampering for "you" and every single service takes 1 hour, and by the time 1 hour is gone by the food craving is gone, especially if you take in a 23 ounce water bottle with crystal light tea. The services start at $5.00 and go up so they are about the same that you would spend at a restaurant and take up the same amount of time.

I REALLY love this idea I came up with and sometimes feel a little guilty, just like the food makes me feel. Sometimes the services; because they are all performed by students are NOT the best, but conversation is good and I consider it "food therapy". Nobody knows I am there because of the band, I think they just think I like pampering; which I do.

I really want to get into clothes shopping, but clothes are expensive and I still need to shop at oversized stores. Plus there is the food court and See's candies and Starbucks (trigger points) in every Mall around here; but it would be excercize!!

I hope that if you have great food therapy ideas you would share with the rest of us, even if they are lame, because I am always looking for some release other than "food".

What a great idea! Even those trying to get through the pre-op diet can use some food therapy to help keep our minds off food.

I'm going absolutely, positively stir crazy.

I've been sitting in my bf's house since Monday - no cable and no internet (long story). He said he'd take two days off work to hang out with me, but then work is too busy. And he's working tomorrow. And he called earlier to say he's going out with friends, but I can come out and join him if I want.

I'm tired and I'm crabby and I really, really want to eat. I would give anything for Chinese food right now. Yesterday I went and hung out with my sister and on the way home I kept thinking, I could stop and eat it and no one would know. This has been a problem of mine, as if I eat something in secret the calories don't count. As if what matters is how much other people see me eat, not how much I actually eat. I stopped at a Chinese restaurant and got a bowl of egg-drop Soup. It had corn and carrots in it, so I strained them all out and fed them to my dog.

I've caught up on books I've been meaning to read for forever. I've taken my dogs for walks. I've done laundry and kept his kitchen clean, but that's all the housework I've had to do (not a fan of housework in general). Today I took my dog for a long walk down to a play place where there were no children, and I sat in the shade and enjoyed the breeze while listening to my IPOD and watching my dog run and play merrily. So really, it hasn't been that bad. It's no big deal. It's been a pleasant, relaxing week and there's nothing I should be upset or unhappy about. But I just feel tired and frustrated and I don't want another half a cup of soup - I want to go eat all the bad stuff I eat when I'm feeling this way. Except I don't, and I'm glad I have the band so I can't go eat bad food.

But I just feel so frutrated with everything. My bf just called me to see if I wanted to go out, or if I wanted him to come home and hang out with me and I told him neither - for him to just go hang out with his friends. And I freaking started crying, which makes me more angry. If I go out I can't eat, and I can't drink, and no one knows I've had surgery so I'll be trying not to cringe and I will just be out of place. And if he comes home I'll just feel like going to bed anyhow, and I'll feel badly that he's not hanging out with friends.

I go home tomorrow and I'll go back to work on Monday. For the most part, all of my pain is gone and I'm just a bit sore here and there. I got my nails done yesterday and after I'd sat in one place for over an hour, it hurt so bad to stand up. It's strange - the place that hurts is not actually near any incision - it's like the muscle of my lower-right abdomen. I have to really make sure I get up and walk around and work next week so my muscles don't tighten up like this and have me walking hunched over.

Sorry to post in the midst of my mini-crisis. Honestly, I think I was more attached to food than I realized, and it's emotionally draining to me after a week of only liquids. I feel very little restriction. And I feel hungry, but rarely is it an actual stomach hungry - my head is hungry. I just desire to eat.

My bf doesn't own a scale, so I'm really hoping I'll return home tomorrow, exactly one week post-op, and see amazing results. I'll be better for having gone through this, right?

laralynn, You are doing a great job!!! I applaud you for the way you are handling all these new changes. I am going through some of the same emotions and I haven't even been banded yet. I was invited to a Partylite party last night and I was actually planning on going until she said dinner and drinks at 7 and presentation at 8. Sure, I could have just shown up at 8, but the fact that I wouldn't be able to enjoy dinner and drinks with friends was depressing to me so I decided not to go. Since I have been on all liquids I haven't felt like doing doing much of anything. It shows how much my social activities have revolved around food. It doesn't matter what activity they have going on...food will be there. I am hoping to have a healthy, moderate relationship with food and still be able to enjoy time out with friends and family after I am banded. We just have to get past the liquids and the mushies! Hang in there!!!

:welcomeB: Hazelbunny, SGDodge06, and deshar!!!!!!!!!!!

Counting down the days....

Also I think i'm really going to be a mess..I already have a yeast infection,and I haven't even been on antibiotics. I don't know What the Hell is Going On???? I had this over a week ago , though it was gone with the ONE Pill treatment from the Doc but It seems to be back. Phoned the Dr again today , he gave me the one a day pill for the next 3 days.

I sure hope I can get this cleared up . I am afraid they will cancell my Surgery if I have it.

And eat yogart????????? Thats all I have been eating (along with cottage cheese and sugar free jello) for my Pre-op diet????????/

Any help on this matter would be greatly appriciated. Thanks

Bev

OH MY...What IS going on??? I really don't have any advice because you are doing everything right to get rid of it. Maybe fight it both ways by using the over the counter creams along with the oral treatment. I don't think it would hurt anything. I hope it goes away soon!

Hello Everyone:

Doing much better to day - had a slim fast for breakfast and a sugar free popsicle - 1 bottle of Water (so far) and now reading and eating/sipping cream of mushroom Soup. I know I should be eating and only eating, but the I got the soup really hot so I have to blow - wait a few (read) then get another bite. I should be ok.

Sounds like you're back on track!!! :clap2:

Hey Marchies!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for you all! March and April seemed so far away back in January and now you lucky ducks are getting banded!!!!

I can't wait to share my scars and stories of gas!!!!!!! LOL

I've been off the boards becasue I was obsessing TOOOOOOOOOO much and it was driving everyone around me insane.

I'm back and have got spring fever.... BAD!

Keep posting and ENJOY that BROTH! LOL

I am so glad you are back Tracy!!!! I've missed you around here!!!

Congrats!! Hope I can say that, "IT was a breeze"!!

Tammy it is getting closer...15th..15th..15th!! Sounds like you are soo ready:clap2:

Yes, we only have 6 more days and I am ready! It's hard to believe sometimes, but this time next week we will be banded. I can't wait!!!!

Done! It was a breeze :woot:

5 incisions, one a little bruised, covered in the superglue. Gas and "the runs" have been frequent friends, but besides that, I feel great. I started on liquid yoghurt last night and that helped with the hungries. I'm already sick of broth and tea

The nutrionalist didn't recommend a "mushy stage" so I have serveral servings of baby food and applesauce....I'm sure after 3 weeks I'll be happy to eat them even though I can eat "real food" by then.

Also ordered a new scale - mine's a $10 Walmart special that's at least 10 years old and fluctuates a few pounds w/in minutes. I need something more stable so I can keep an eye on things!

Another successful bander! We are on a roll now!!! I am glad everything went smoothly...you'll be healed and losing in no time!

Way to go all you new bandsters!!!!!!!! Sounds like you are all doing great ..keep me posted I have one more week to wait. Thanks for the reminder about Small small small bites when I get the urge....and I know I will. Even this week of Pre diet I have been so tempted to go CRazzzzzy, but the worst thing I put In my mouth was some small pieces of chicken breast wooooooooooooh Rebel..

I know now that I really should have gone to a few buffets before I started this.

Bev

I'm in the one week wait with ya! WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!! :clap2:

Just curious, How tall are you? Our goal weight is about the same.

bronnie70 - 03/09

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Updating for you guys, cause I don't think I have in a couple days. I go in tomorrow for my one week post op appointment and I'm soooo excited to go on the full liquids (I know, that's weird). I'm going to ask them if I can have pretty much anything that I can puree into a liquid, cause I'm pretty sure I can, but I'm def gonna ask first. Yesterday I wasn't in any pain except when I lay on my side my incisions hurt a little so I'm still pressing a pillow against my tummy to sleep. I went to the gym last night with a friend of mine, just to walk on the treadmill. Walked for about 30 mins between 1.4 and 1.9 MPH....hahaha soooo slow. But I was there at like 1am, so I doubt anyone noticed. I did ok with the walking, but it seriously tired me out and my stomach hurt...not like the band or the incisions, but the muscles were just tired like they had had a mild workout. Normally on the treadmill I don't feel like that. Especially on my sides and lower stomach. It was a weird feeling. Today I ran a bunch of short errands and was completly fine. Tonight I had a friend of mine go to the grocery store with me so he could carry stuff. :girl_hug: We were at Walmart for maybe 45 mins and I was REALLY worn out. I think it's just because I'm hardly having anything to eat. But anyway, got home and I only carried a couple really light bags up the stairs to my apt, made my friend carry the rest. :cake: He didn't mind, that's why he came with me. I've only been taking pain meds before I go to sleep, don't know that I really need them, but I'd rather take them and have a good nights sleep than keep waking up every few hours. Going to the doctor's office at 9:30am, I'm kinda excited because since I was in the office two weeks ago, I lost freaking 20lbs!!!! I don't know where I'm losing it from cause I don't think I look any different. Probably mostly Water weight, but you gotta start somewhere!!!

Sounds like you are getting some energy back! I don't want to sound like mother hen, but don't push too hard! 20lbs is a great somewhere to start!!! :clap2:

ATTENTION: THE FOLLOWING IS GRAPHIC AND ABOUT YEAST INFECTIONS SO MALE READERS/ EASILY OFFENDED/GROSSED OUT JUST MOVE ON PAST THIS POST PLEASE.

The antibiotic they gave me to take every 8 hours has absolutely REAKED HAVOC on my body. I don't normally get yeast infections. I'm 37 and have had about 8 in my life and have NEVER had thrush. I SHOULD have known, that if my mouth was overloaded as bad as it was with the thrush that I needed to go ahead and treat my other end for a yeast infection. I'm telling you what, I have NEVER had one EVER that was this bad. I had to leave early from work today and by the time I got home I was boohooing like a big baby. I'm like raw shredded meat down there and am even a little bloody. I took a prescription oral pill for this on Tuesday and it doesn't seem to be helping. My DH, thank god, came home this afternoon (he travels) and got me some maximum strenth itch/burn stuff then went back later after I boo hoo'd and cussed when I had to tinkle, to buy the 3 day treatment stuff. I have been using ice packs on it as well and that seems to help. It seems the worst around my ureathra and clit. It was murder when he was putting on the topical stuff. I'm calling the doc tomorrow, though, I don't think there is anything else we can do since I'm already using the prescrip stuff. I am going to make note of the name of this antibiotic that I was given so I don't ever take it again.

Am I the ONLY one this has happened too? I haven't read about anyone else going through this on my feb & march post. For those of you not yet banded... please speak with your doc about the possibility of getting a yeast infection and see if there are any preventative measures you can take or maybe you can at least get some supplies to prepare for the possibility. After you are banded, if you find that your mouth/tongue starts getting sore and discolored.. PLEASE call your doc and don't wait like I did. I'm really paying for it now.

Tracy

Oh my dear Tracy, I am so sorry you have to go through this. I was once prescribed an oral treatment for yeast when I was on antibiotics. It was more affective than the over the counter creams. I only had to take one pill. I was prescribed 2, but never took the second one because the first one worked so well. I wish I could remember the name. Eat lots of yogurt...the cultures in yogurt help battle the yeast. I hope you are feeling better soon!!!

:clap2: Way To GO :clap2:

My scale showed that I had lost 11 lbs so far today, but I'm affraid to change my ticker out of fear that it will go back up! Before banding I was always up and down 15 lbs. Hope being banded will be the end to the roller coaster ride I call my "scale!"

Those pounds are gone for good!!!!!