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Biotin is awesome! I had a friend who had gastric and she swears by it and that woman has hair now!

Today I feel grateful! I am finally keeping liquids down even if it isn't 64 ounces - every little sip thrills me! When I woke up this morning I realized I haven't had my chai tea in over 10 days and I have survived the caffeine withdrawals without incident. I never thought a week ago that I would have the gratitude I do now for water but I do. I KNOW I have a long road to go but am so happy to feel a little better today. I have taken all your comments on my prior blogs with such thankfulness! I think a lot of the doctors and medical personnel staff create direction for our lives post surgery without fully understanding that lap band is a major surgery and every body reacts in its own way. I decided I am going to make recommendations to the Kaiser in Denver. They can choose to help those on this journey or not but, to recommend thick liquids and runny cream of wheat, oatmeal, etc to someone who is hours out of surgery is INSANITY. Even if I did experience more swelling than the "normal" patient (and I don't know if I did or did not) it is far too speedy a move. So, slowly I walk forward - hoping that today brings more clarity and peace to my body, mind and soul. I am going to go clean mi casa and then work through figuring out insurance crap. My house was hailed on July 4, 2010 and I need to find a roofer. Wish you were me right? LOL God Bless you all and thank you SOOOO much for your presence here. "He who learns ---teaches." Ethiopian Proverb

Yesterday was rough. I didn't think I would be in hospital twice in one week but by noon I was vomiting mucus and blood. I had a fever and literally felt like I was going to die. I had not been able to keep down the four ounces of water I had tried. I called Kaiser at 12:15 p.m. and was told I had to call the surgeon. Called the surgeon and his office was closed for lunch. Waiting in misery until 1 p. m. called again and was told someone would call back. Between 2 and 4, my honey and I had called Kaiser and doc's office at least 6 times. Finally, spoke with weight loss nurse from Kaiser who said if I was vomiting blood I needed to get to ER ASAP. Long story short, after a scare that the band had slipped or was too tight, they determined I was super swollen and liquids were barely going through. (xray, cscans and barium swallow) I spent night in hospital (super dehydrated) and was sent home this morning. I definitely agree with some of the comments on my blog from yesterday. I think Kaiser's recommendations are completely off the mark and that one should never go from lap band surgery to thick liquids (cream of wheat runny or not) the day after surgery. I'm back on clear liquids (even though doc said I could do thicker liquids) because I feel safer that way and do not want a repeat of yesterday! I have diarrhea like water (12 times today) (sorry to be gross) that is just bile and my white blood cell count is elevated. They are testing me for CDIF and hopefully I don't have that to deal with. All that being said, I'm sipping slowly and trying to rest a lot more today and maybe in a few days I'll be human again! Lesson number 1 - be gentle with self!

It is indeed a form of rebirth when we have to redefine who we are and especially who we are when we are with food. I was banded on Monday so we are both July bandsters! I hope you are feeling better. Sending lots of hope and prayers your way! You will be amazing! Elizabeth

Everything happens for a reason. I'm going super slow today and being gentle. I will heal and life will be good. Thank you so much for the message and encouragement. This site and the people on it are amazing! God Bless!

Be gentle with yourself! Sip slowly and DO NOT worry about those 7 lbs. I don't know one person who has had the surgery and not gained weight immediately after surgery. Within a week it will be gone and then some! Your body has just gone through a major trauma and been filled with liquids and gas, of course, it is going to weigh heavier! Take care of you!

I'm a huge HOPE girl! My daughter, my best friend and I have a tattoo that says AMALI which in Swahili means one who has overcome great adversity through hope! Keep up the great work! The world is smiling with you!

Congratulations on your weight loss and progress. I know the comment from your dad had to be the highlight of your day. It is amazing how much a little encouragement can boost ones belief in themselves. Way to go! Keep up the great work!

I am a little worried. I recognize this is a new experience and that I'm learning to listen to my body in a different way than I ever have before. Yesterday I was sore, more sore than I was the first day - today less sore; except of course, from my port incision. It looks good but still really swollen. The thing I'm worried about is yesterday despite the recommendations that I eat 2 tablespoons of liquid food (runny cream of wheat, creamed soup, etc) five times a day I couldn't. By the end of the evening, my ribs felt like they had been beaten with a two by four and by 10:30 at night I felt like maybe I was stuck - although on what I still can't figure it out. And in truth, I don't really know what stuck feels like. My stomach gurgles and gurgles and gurgles, so much so that it woke up my beloved. I feel like when I drink even an ounce of water it's backed up and then it gurgles more. Does anyone have any insight into this? I've gone super slow this morning and am trying warm herbal tea now but nothing seems to alleviate this. Am I blocked? Is it gas? I'm walking but nothing seems to shift this. Patiently trying to figure it all out but not going to eat even liquid food until I know it is okay . . . nervous Nelly!

I had my lap-band put in yesterday. Dr. Thomas Brown did my surgery. I have read both negative and positive things about him but from day one we hit it off and he did an excellent job on the surgery. I really like him. He is a nice man! I had to be at hospital at 5:30 a.m. They ran through the gamut of registration paperwork and I was brought up the pre/post surgery unit where they hooked up two IV's - one a saline based bag and the other a bag of antibiotics. I met with anesthesiologist and Dr. Brown and around 715 a.m. I was brought up for surgery. I honestly don't even remember them putting me under. Note to those of you who have had the surgery - I'm a puker and super drug sensitive and they gave me an anti-nausea patch that is behind my ear. It lasts for three days and has been helpful. I woke up in recovery and had to ask a few times if they actually did the surgery because I couldn't feel anything different. After being in recovery for a couple of hours they sent me back downstairs to the pre/post surgery nurses. I got up right away used the bathroom and walked the halls. By 11:30 a.m. I was in the car and on my way home. I slept most of the day yesterday. By 4:00 p.m., my beloved was waking me up every 15 minutes so I could have my sip of water. I definitely didn't get the 64 ounces but maybe 1/3 of that. This morning I woke up a little sorer - guess the drugs wore off. Even though they gave me percocet I have only been taking Tylenol every 4 hours and that is enough. I'm really scared of vomiting and know the percocet would do that. I had 2 teaspoons of runny Greek yogurt this morning and have held it in without any problems. So maybe in a couple of hours I'll try some creamed soup pulverized in the blender. Kaiser gives out a great handbook that tells you what you can eat at each week stage. I'm on full liquids for two weeks and that is fine with me. Right now I don't feel like eating, which is rather a crazy thought to me given that I've been on clear liquid fast before surgery. I also read alot on this site about gas pains. I have some but not bad either. Someone here recommend gas X strips and they work. Definitely buy that and liquid Tylenol before your surgery. Oh and this morning my beloved took off the gauze and replaced it. I have 5 incisions and they are all about the belly button. Three 1/2 inch ones, one 2 inch incision above my belly button and then a 3 1/2 or 4 inch incision to the left of it, where the port is. I'm glad it is over and look forward to losing this fat and feeling better with each passing day!

Thank you ladies for your words of encouragement. Jodie1, you are doing exactly what I did. I have had surgery before so I had something to gage it with but you will be fine!

Yesterday was surreal more than anything. I meditate. I used to do it twice a day but the past few months have been so soul consuming I haven't meditated or prayed with any sort of regularity. I miss that connection to the Divine, but there is this space in meditation where I feel disconnected

Thank you WeCanDoIt for your kind words and your inspiration. Congratulations on your baby girl! There is nothing in the world like the love for our children and family to motivate us to be better people. I truly believe at the end of each day, hour, minute our purpose should always be love. I'm learning self love is as important as loving others. Maybe in another 45 years I will really will be an old wise woman - hopefully a skinny old wise woman. God Bless you beautiful for your positive and bright light!