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And to add to all of this, my mother has now decided that this is the perfect time to bake brownies!! :smile:

The gas pain is horrible isn't, it? I cut back on my drinking and that has seemed to help. I'm also cutting back on my eating. I wish my doctor would have been clearer on how much we could and could not eat. That would probably prevented a lot of my current distress. Oh well.. live and learn. I'm soo glad that I have this board or I would be in bed crying. WOW! I can't believe you are up folding laundry! I am barely moving room to room. That's awesome. Good for you! I know you are in a lot of pain, just keep moving. After this pain medication wears off, I'm going to try to do some laundry myself. Good idea... thanks! BTW~ What are you eating and how much are you eating? Thanks, Amy

Sue, I'm eating Dannon Light 'n Fit Carb Control Yogurt, Sugar-Free Fudgecicles, and creamy soups. No one told me how much to eat. Maybe I am eating too much, as it happens only in the evenings after I eat dinner. How much am I supposed to be eating? Please someone help me!! I'm going insane here! For example, I eat 2-3 fudgecicles a day, 1 yogurt a day, and probably 3/4 of a can of soup a day. I guess that is a lot. I didn't really think about it. My doctor did talk to me briefly but did not let me discuss any of these concerns nor did he bring them up. The diarrhea started Thursday night (1 day post-op) and I was relieved that I wasn't constipated. But thought it would pass. It continued and I was too embarrassed to discuss it on the boards. I cut back on my drinking and my eating today and have been fine so far, except for gas. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I did break down and took some of my prescription pain medication a little while ago. Hopefully that will ease the pain and help me get some rest. Thanks Sue! Any other advice is welcomed!

I was up all night with gas and diarrhea. :smile: I had stopped all pain meds on Friday night. I am now experiencing pain around my abdominal area and my incisions. My surgeon said I could be having the gas/diarrhea due to the antibiotics that were given to me in the OR. He doesn't want me to take any Pepto or anything just yet. I'm very miserable right now and am in pain. I'm also concerned b/c I have to return to work on Wednesday. Did anyone else have diarrhea after the surgery? I've been experiencing it off and on since surgery. It usually happens in the evenings after I eat. Now I'm beginning to regret having this done. All I feel like doing right now is crying. I'm miserable. My stomach hurts with gas pains. My incisions burn and sting. I keep burping. I feel all this gas rolling around on my stomach. Is this how my life is going to be like? Did I make a HUGE mistake?? My incisions hurt soo much, I can barely stand, sit or walk. It's like I'm back to day 1. Any advice?? Thanks!

Hi Lisa! I was also on a low carb/high protein diet. Believe it or not but I lost 3 lbs in less than a week!! :smile: So, I do believe that you have lost weight. I am 99.99% positive that the surgeon will not turn you away because you are too fat!! So, please relax!! You WILL be banded on Monday!! I did not have to do clear liquids the day before surgery. I just had to do the low carb/high protein diet. And the day before surgery, I had to eat very light~ everything had to be baked and/or grilled. Right now I'm eating sugar-free Jello, sugar-free apple sauce, yogurt low in carbs, Atkins Protein shakes, cream of chix Soup, cream of broccoli soup, sugar-free fudgecicles, and cream of wheat. Obvioulsy these are not clear liquids. I don't know what your doctor wants you to eat. Maybe other's can help. Any ideas?? Thank you for your support!! We'll be here for one another!! Keep us updated on your surgery! Good Luck!! Amy

Hi Melissa! Time will fly by. I can't believe I am already 3 days post-op!! My surgeon did not require a pre-op liquid diet, thank God. At the most you may have to do a one week liquid diet. So you will probably be banded within the next couple of weeks! YAY!! Feeling excited and nervous at the same time is NORMAL. I was soo excited yet anxious too. Honestly, being banded was the best Christmas present I have ever received. This was the best decision I have ever made and I am very happy right now. Yes, I am experiencing some gas and gurgling but nothing painful. The last dose of pain medication that I took was at 4:30 am this morning. I am tolerating liquids just fine. I'm doing really well. I'm on the computer, I'm walking, I'm watching tv, I'm eating, I'm reading, and I'm getting bored! lol I feel like I should be doing more! I have had surgery many, many times. So, I wasn't scared too much about the actual surgery. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Take care Melissa and keep us updated on your journey!! Good luck! Amy

Thanks Sue! I'll try walking more. That's probably the problem. If that doesn't help then I'll try some Gas-X. Thanks again! Have a great night! :smile:

I'm experiencing a lot of gas and gurgling. Absolutely no pain. Just wondering if this was "normal?"

It was outpatient. I was in about 8 am for prep and out by 3:30 pm. I am experiencing a lot of gas/gurgling. Nothing painful at least. Today I feel a lot better. Trying to drink lots of fluids and get lots of rest, as I am supposed to go back to work on Wednesday! YIKES!! How long were in the hospital for, Katy?

I started this process on March 12, 2009 and was banded on December 23, 2009. My insurance company required 6 months of supervised weight loss with my pcp, monthly meetings with a psychologist for 6 months along with psychological testing, and monthly weight loss meetings for six months. I also had to have a BMI of 40 or greater and co-morbidities. I had a BMI of 42 with several co-morbidities. I began the 6 month supervised weight loss program on March 12, 2009. I met with a psychologist for the first time in April 2009 and underwent psychological testing in June 2009. I met with my surgeon in June 2009 and then again in August 2009 after I finished all of the above requirements. The program coordinator at my surgeon's office submitted my documents to the insurance company for approval on September 2, 2009. I was approved for surgery on October 6, 2009. I did not have the surgery right away, because I was dealing with thyroid problems and undergoing tests for thyroid cancer. When all the tests came back fine, I went for my pre-op tests and scheduled time off of work and here I am.... Banded December 23, 2009!!!

Katy! I'm soo excited that I met you! This is awesome that we are able to share this experience day by day! I'm able to walk okay and sit, etc. But it does hurt getting in and out of bed. I guess you use more (or I do) ab muscles positioning yourself in bed than if you are just walking. Other than that, I have discomfort around the incision sites which is to be expected 2 days post-op. I'm taking my pain meds and sleeping a lot. I'm drinking plenty of water and feeling quite "normal." For some reason, my doctor will not allow his patients to eat Jello. I don't know why, and that is why I was wondering what types of liquids you were able to eat. I'm glad you are doing well. Keep me updated, Katy! You're in my thoughts and prayers! Amy

I'm BANDED! I'm BANDED!! I'm BANDED!! What an AWESOME feeling!! Merry Christmas Ya'll!!! Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON!! Joy, Peace, and Love to all!! Enjoy this wondrous day with your family and friends! Hugs, Amy

Welcome to LBT! I was banded on December 23rd too!! I'm still sore around the incisions but am doing well over-all. I'm SOO happy to be banded!! This is the best Christmas present EVER!! What type of liquids are you eating? I'm eating yogurt, fudgscicles, cream of wheat, and cream of chicken Soup at the moment. How are you feeling today? Please keep me updated! Merry Christmas!! Amy

Merry Christmas Sue!! And yes, it will be a GREAT New Year!! I'm BANDED!!!!! I'm SOOO EXCITED. Yes, I am sore and a bit uncomfortable. But it will be so worth it!! I got home just in time, right before the rain turned into ice. I've been sleeping all evening and getting ready to go back to bed. Just wanted to post on here real quick first. I was able to eat a little Chicken soup and a fudgscicle. Everything is staying down fine. :w00t: I took my pain meds and am off to happy dreams! Thanks for all your support. Good night!!

Thanks! I'm sure I'll be on here asking lots of questions! They called me and changed my surgery time from 1 pm to 10:30 am which is AWESOME!!

I'm being sent home.

1 MORE DAY UNTIL I AM BANDED!!! My surgery is scheduled for 1 pm tomorrow, Wed. Dec 23rd. I am soo very excited!! I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming!!

2 more days until I'm banded!! WHOO HOO!! :thumbup:

I didn't go on a diet, I changed my eating habits. I decided to eat healthy. I stopped eating out. No fast food and no restaurant food. I also stopped eating red meat. I also stopped eating cheese. I really cut back on my starches and did not eat any sweets. No soda, not even diet soda. I drink tons of water. 10-12 bottles of water a day. I weigh and measur everything. Buy a scale and lots of measuring cups. I eat lots of veggies. Lots of salads, lots of broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. I stay away from fruits b/c they are high in sugar. I eat 6 ounces of protein a day. Unlimited amount of veggies. Five servings or less of starches a day. Two servings of dairy and some healthy fats. Sometimes I will eat fruit for a snack... very rarely though. Also, I WAS exercising 5-7X/week. Any type of movement is great Hope this helps a little! :biggrin: I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I'm nervous too! Amy

The hospital called me and my surgery date changed again! I'm NOW scheduled for Wednesday, December 23rd! One more week to go until I'm banded!!! I can see the finish line!! Whoo Hoo!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!! Well, I have some VERY, VERY EXCITING NEWS!!!! My surgeon's office just called me. He is going out of town and they had to move my surgery date up. I had the option of either tomorrow :thumbup: or next Tuesday. So, I am getting banded next Tuesday, Dec 22nd!! :thumbup: My stomach is doing flip flops and I feel a bit sick. I feel both excited and nervous. WOW, this has been such a long journey and I'm nearing the peak. I'm in a bit of a shock and am feeling a bit anxious. Now I have to change my days off from work. That won't go over too well. I did go to one education class that lasted for almost 2 hours. It was much needed. I learned SO much. Part of me feels ready and part of me feels like I'm not. Did any of you feel like this?

I'm very frustrated and angry with myself. I slipped off the wagon. I haven't been eating as healthy and I gained 5 lbs. :scared2: Now I have to really work hard to try to lose it plus some before the 29th. I really need some support right now, please.

Thank you soo much!! I finally got it!!!

21 more days until I'm banded!!! Whoo Hoo!!

Cheryl, You read my mind. I hate lying but I don't want my fellow employees to know what type of surgery I am having. The last thing I need is to have everyone "discussing" my business. I'm planning on telling them that I'm having surgery for endometriosis. That way I can take 2 weeks off of work and stay at home and heal. And if need be, I can always take off more time with a doctor's note. Now, I just have to get my nerve up to tell my boss! It's sad because my employer "punishes" you when you ask for days off. When I say "punish, " I mean that he will give you 2-3 days instead of 5 days. He will cut your hours from 30 to 15-17. That's what scares me. But in the end, I would rather be banded with less hours! :wink2: