FeatherHen2010

Now that we're moving closer and closer to socialized medicine in the US it only makes sense that they will work to demonize and ostracize obese people. They are working to "shame" us out of our fatness. Why? Because "they" say the cost of obesity is breaking the healthcare system. Yes, folks -- now a fatty who busts his/her butt working, pays $20k+ a year in taxes and subscribes to his/her own health insurance is lower on the totem pole than a homeless street person. Also notice how all of a sudden you only need to get Pap smears every three years and mammograms are unnecessary for those under age 50? Gotta cut costs somewhere -- let's start with the fatties and the females. What a load of hogwash: "We, as educators, must tell students when we believe, in our heart of hearts, when certain factors, certain behaviors, attitudes, whatever, are going to hinder that student from achieving and maximizing their life goals," (James DeBoy) said. If they are so concerned about it -- why don't they address this problem during K-12? You know, while "we the taxpayers" are footing the bill for the education. Gee -- I wonder what their thoughts are regarding the "beautiful butterflies" who are drinking their brains out every Friday and Saturday night, fornicating indiscriminately and posting raunchy photos of themselves on Facebook? Aww shucks, that's not destructive behavior -- that's a rite of passage...:w00t:

I feel you, sister. I just got my 2nd fill this week and can DEFINITELY tell I have a band now. Unfortunately sesame crackers are going down like butter and stuff like ground turkey taco meat and (sigh) my Morningstar Farms faux sausage patties are laying heavy in my chest. I had my first :puke:PB today on a MSF sausage patty. I chewed it very well too. I'm going to switch over to Protein shakes all day tomorrow and then switch over to mushies for a couple days before trying solids again.

Yep. I can feel my port. I'm pretty well healed now (surgery Oct 8), so I have to push around to feel it; however at about three-weeks to a month out, I was crouched down and had some pain on the inside where I could clearly feel something foreign in there. No doubt about it, baby. We've got implanted devices!

I've only had one fill so far and I could totally feel the band tightening as he injected the saline -- it almost felt like having a lump in my throat, only lower. That feeling basically lasted the rest of the day. I was still on "thick-uids" when I got my first fill. I imagine after being on liquids for five weeks it's not the best gauge. I go in for my second fill on Dec 2. I've been on regular food for the past three weeks so we'll see if it's any different. I should really have my second fill next week, but I didn't want to get a fill two days before Thanksgiving! :bored:

Hi, Canada: The answer to your question: It depends! I got mine free -- but I had to wait in line for three hours with a couple thousand other people to get it. If you want the shot at no cost here you must pay for it with your time. You have to get there early and be prepared to stand in line for hours. There are a lot of people who fall into high-risk groups that simply aren't willing to do that. My GP told me flat out two-months ago that he's not going to offer the vaccine and that if I'm interested, I should contact my county health department. I would have preferred to pay for the vaccine and been spared the hell of standing in that line; however the usual outlets that sell vaccinations such as pharmacies and so forth won't have any vaccine until late November at best. I didn't want to risk the wait.

I got mine Oct 28 -- and waited in line THREE HOURS to get it. I have asthma, and whenever I get the flu it goes straight to my lungs. I started getting the seasonal flu shot yearly about nine years ago and in that time I may have gotten the flu twice. Had plenty of colds, but not the flu. I am unconcerned about the safety of the vaccine -- A flu shot is a flu shot. The selection of viruses they include in the seasonal vaccine is different every year, and they all get the same amount of testing. Had they known about it sooner, H1N1 would have been included in the regular old "seasonal vaccine" mix. So, now instead of just having to get just the one seasonal shot, you have to get two. You have the inconvenience and expense of taking off work early twice and paying twice.

I'm in the same boat as you are. I lost 13 lbs on the two-week pre-op liquid diet. I was banded on 10/8, and have lost 15 lbs post op (and that was all basically in my first two-weeks post op). It's a little discouraging. Like Daphne999 I've consumed more calories on regular "diets" in the past and dropped weight quicker than I am now. I'm on regular food, but am really watching it: Not consuming more than 700-800 cal per day, very low fat, low carb, high Protein. I'm not exercising much, though. Oh yeah, and the stomach growling? Mine growls like crazy. I've literally had growls that lasted like seven seconds. Brrrrrrrrrrrwooorrrruuuuuugh. I'm not going to sweat it. We all got into this for the long-haul!

Hey martom -- I had my first fill today too. My doc hit my port on the first jab. It didn't hurt, but it was trippy how you can really feel it the moment they inject the saline. After reading your dosage I feel like a wimp! Mine was installed empty and I only got 2.5 ccs today; yet it still kind of feels like I have a lump in my throat when I swallow water! I was really looking forward to starting on my "mushy" phase today -- but now, I think it'll need to wait. :thumbup:

Hmmm! That sounds tasty -- I'm going to try it! :thumbup:

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I was banded Oct 8 and had some decent pain under my breasts -- mainly in the middle -- for about the first week, then it went away. Then about 10 days post op, I developed pretty nagging pain below my left breast (right where the spleen is), that lasted for about three days. It hurt when I inhaled, stepped hard, laid on my side, etc and felt better when I applied pressure to the area. Occasionally the pain would travel up to my left clavicle area. It worried me a little since it started so long after surgery, but I didn't call the dr about it. I believe the initial pain was caused by gas and the after-effects of abdominal surgery in general, and the secondary pain was caused by a combination of gas and constipation concentrated at the splenic flexure. If you are concerned, follow isaviolinist's advice and contact your dr. I had pain of one sort or another for exactly 13 days after surgery. Then like magic, the 14th day -- all of my pain was gone. Now, the hunger...:blushing:

I was banded Oct 8, and my surgeon prescribed a two-week pre op and four-week post op liquid (read: Protein shake) diet. Frankly, I can't stand it anymore. I feel like I'm cheating because I'm "eating" stuff like cream of potato soup and V8 broccoli soup that I've blended smooth with a stick blender, or maybe a serving of plain fat free yogurt. I've been having a serving of that type of thing once a day for the past several days because If I don't, I starve myself. The serving of soup or yogurt satisfies me enough to gag down a couple of Protein shakes a day. Either way, I'm not getting as much protein in as the dr orders. I made a batch of instant mashed potatoes a few days ago and ate one bite -- but then I got scared something would happen and felt guilty so I threw the rest away.:blushing: My "transition to solids" class is this Wednesday (three-weeks post op) and I fully intend to begin mushies immediately rather than endure a fourth week of post op liquid.

I had my surgery last Thursday, took Friday off, worked from home Monday and returned to work on Tuesday. I really felt like crap though. It also doesn't help that I have an hour commute (and I don't drive a Lexus if you get my drift). Frankly, I kind of still feel like crap. My doc requires a four-week post op "Protein shake" diet and I can't stand the shakes and Protein drinks so I'm basically starving myself. Constipated, gassy, and starving doesn't make for a very comfortable workday. :thumbdown:

Hi, KLY1977: It might help you to focus on all of the reasons that brought you to the decision to take this step. I'm not sure of your stats, but the reasons you made the decision were probably the same as the rest of us: You are suffering health problems that are the direct result of your obesity. You may have pain in your joints, and don't move around much. Perhaps you are unhappy with your appearance, and are aching inside to be able to go out in public and not feel scorned and ridiculed. Perhaps you look at the latest fashions and cry because you are unable to wear them. Perhaps you want to move ahead in business, but know your fatness is the only thing holding you back. This is going to be hard work; there's no doubt about it. Stick to your decision and do what your doctor tells you to do to prevent any kind of complications with your band. Remember you haven't permanently altered your anatomy here. In a couple of months you'll be enjoying real meals, in smaller portions, and will be on your way to the "you" you've been missing. Buck up!

Hi, Linda. Glad you're back! Two days out I'm feeling pretty good; much better than yesterday. I wanted to stay the night at the hospital too, but with my roommate there was NO way. (Surgery day story ==> http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/surgery-day-stories-64287/) Just got down a full cup of strained Campbell's chix noodle Soup & the last pain pill I took was seven hours ago (allowed one "Norco" every four hours). I've decided to try to do it with just plain ES Tylenol today. Have a restful weekend! :thumbup:

I tried the Isopure -- blue raspberry I think it was, two days before my surgery. It tasted pretty good (smelled kind of funny though) and with 40g Protein per bottle, I wish I'd bought more of it then. Two days out of surgery all I've been able to get down has been a lot of Water, a little broth and peach sf Jell-O. Not hungry at all. Having Mom drive me over to the Vitamin Shoppe today to stock up on this product!

I had my surgery yesterday. I arrived at 5:30 am for my 7:30 am surgery. The hospital is about 40 minutes from my house and about eight minutes from my work. I arrived a few minutes late, but it wasn't a big deal. They checked me in and put on my bracelets, and then walked me back to the lab. The phlebotomist took one vial of my blood to test my potassium and do a pregnancy test. My gown and booties were on my bed waiting for me. The gown was HUGE, which was a nice switch. My booties were the shower cap kind rather than the "golf socks with tread" kind, which I would have preferred. Naturally my monthly "friend" showed up two days before surgery, so the nurse said she'd go get me "Victoria's Secret". It was a pair of lightweight mesh "panties" and a couple of old belt-style napkins to wear. I lay in bed while they asked me a bunch of questions -- verifying my information, current meds, allergies and so forth. Then the nurse started my IV in my hand. She gave me a couple of sticks of local anesthesia first. My veins weren't putting on much of a show, but she found a good one on the first try. They started me on three bags of solution: Lactated ringers, antibiotic, and Heparin. From some of the other stories about the Heparin I've read here, I'm glad they gave me mine slowly through the IV! They also wrapped my legs in "stockings" that kind of breathed in and out (like a blood pressure cuff) to help prevent the formation of blood clots. About 15 minutes later my anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself and asked and answered questions. Dr. Owens arrived about 10 minutes later -- he said he'd overslept. He talked to me for a few minutes and went back to prep. I was his first procedure of the day. A few minutes later my anesthesiologist came back and injected a nice dose of Versed into my IV. After that, everything was peachy. They wheeled me into the surgical suite and had me scoot over onto the table. They put an O2 mask over my nose and mouth and I could hear them talking. Then my anesthesiologist said "OK, think happy thoughts -- you're going to go to sleep. Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts..." next thing I knew I was back on my bed waking up in the recovery room. Dr. Owens visited my mom in the O.R. waiting room after the surgery and told her everything went well and that I'll be fine. She was very happy about that and appreciated it. Last time I had surgery was at Kaiser about 12 years ago they never came out to talk to my mom and it really upset her. I had weird dreams while I was under, but can't remember them. Once I woke up, I began doing deep breathing exercises because I knew the drill. I dozed off and woke up a couple more times, and after about an hour they wheeled me up to my room. My mom came in about five minutes later to kick it with me. They didn't give me a private room, but why they teamed me up with this particular woman I have no idea. She was moaning, praying, and crying and people were in and out of the room constantly for her -- family, doctors, nurses, etc.; all talking extremely loud -- in Spanish. Her husband's cell phone was ringing about every 20 minutes. She'd had back surgery and was in extreme pain because she was all clogged up with gas and feces. Then she soiled herself and stunk up the room so bad they could smell it down the hallway. You'd think they could have paired me up with somebody who'd had a similar procedure.:sad: For pain, they gave me the "Jeopardy" signaling device that would supposedly dispense Dilaudid every six minutes. I hit it about every half-hour. They brought me some broth and sugar free "off brand" lime Jell-O. The broth was good, but I only took a few sips because I didn't want to get sick. The Jell-O was gross. About two hours later I asked to get up and go to the bathroom and walk around. No problem going pee, and it felt good to walk. The physical therapist had me walk up a couple steps and when we got back to the room she gave me a list of basic upper-body weight exercises to do. She also had me practice getting in and out of bed. They took my Jeopardy button away from me a lot sooner than I'd have liked, and started me on Lortab elixir. I asked for another dose about four hours later and the nurse said the dosing schedule was every eight hours so it was too soon, but she could give me a shot of morphine in the shoulder. I said "Morphine?! I don't think that's necessary but if that's all you can give me I'll take it." She came back three minutes later with another cup of Lortab elixir and said -- "Here you go baby. I'm sorry; it's every three hours -- not eight. My handwriting it looked like an 8." :thumbup: Mom and I decided straight off that we'd stay there until at least 7:00 pm to miss the OC traffic; however I could have stayed the night if I wanted (overnight was paid for). I would have preferred to stay over night, but the telenovela that was playing out on the other side of the room killed it for me. I was unable to doze off for more than 15 minutes at a time before the next round of "call the nurse" or "husband's cell phone" ensued. Finally around 6:00 they gave her a shot of something that knocked her out -- then the snoring began. We left around 8:00 pm, and I started feeling car sick on the drive home. I don't know how people who live several hours away can stand such a car ride. I was extremely uncomfortable by the time we pulled up the driveway. As soon as I got in the house, I popped a phenergan tablet for the nausea and a Norco for the pain. My doc prescribed me tablets rather than liquid (thankfully because that Lortab elixir is grody) and said I shouldn't have any problems tolerating them with the band right now because it's completely empty. He said once it's filled it may be a different story. I didn't have any of the gas pains the day of the surgery, but I had a little this afternoon in the area under my right boob and up into my neck shoulder area. I can hear the gas rumbling around in my intestines as well, but nothing's "happened" yet. I'm in pain, there's no doubt about that. Like everyone says, the pain is strongest at the port site (doesn't help that my cat stomped on it a little while ago). I actually have six incisions instead of five. I found the sixth one right in the hole of my belly button. My belly button hole is so deep because of my fat that it’s a wonder I found it! He used Dermabond rather than stitches. My doctor advises us to shower daily and clean the incisions with soap and water to help prevent infection. I just took another walk around the block and a shower, now it's time to take a Norco and hit the sack!

Two-weeks pre op liquid, and FOUR WEEKS post op for me! I'm beginning to think my surgeon is a sadist. :wink2: I soooo thought about cheating last Saturday. I just wanted one last order of tuna sashimi and yellowtail sashimi before this four-week hell begins. Alas, I sucked it up and didn't do it. In hindsight, being basically pure Protein, it probably wouldn't have made any difference. The only technical cheating I did was the other morning at work, I got extremely dizzy and confused. I figured it was low blood sugar, so I ate 2/3 of a regular sugar/fat Hunts Snack Pack butterscotch pudding one of my coworkers had in the fridge. I felt normal in about 10 minutes. So maybe that was more therapy than cheating.

I've told my mom (who blabbed it all over her work) who isn't as supportive as I'd like; my dad, who is very supportive -- but lives 2,000 miles away; my boss, so he'll better understand if I need a little more time off or am acting like a bitch; and one of my co-workers (so far). I, like ElfiePoo, would prefer to promote the procedure rather than hide it. Also for me, now that others know what I am doing, failure is not an option!

Hi, Linda! We share the same surgery date. I am experiencing similar emotions -- how did I allow myself to get to this point? Why couldn't I do this on my own? Hopefully in a couple of months I'll be saying "Why did I wait so long?" I've been on liquids since 9/24 and today was the first day I felt a little dizzy and confused. Thinking it was probably lack of sugar and calories. You're lucky you only have to do one week! Good luck to you!

I'm on day 10 and have lost 9 lbs total -- but the needle hasn't moved in three days! :thumbup: Hopefully it's because I'm about to start my . because the literature says to expect 1-2 lbs weight loss per day and I haven't waivered at all. I've been sticking around 425-475 calories per day with 75-100g of it being Protein. "Any Whey" Protein powder has been the most useful product I've used so far (1 scoop: 17g protein, 1g carb, 0g fat, 70 cal). You can add it to drinks, soups, coffee, etc. I have to have coffee on workdays, so the Any whey and Torani sugar free syrups have worked out OK for "breakfast". My problem is more lunch and dinner. I crave savory foods more than sweet, and there aren't many options available. My pre-op diet instructions don't mention anything about s/f puddings or cream-style soups being allowed or disallowed so I haven't had any. Man, even some plain ff yogurt would hit the spot right now. *Sigh* I've been thinking about a pre-surgical "cheat" by going out tonight and having an order of tuna and yellowtail sashimi , but know I'll feel guilty if I do.

October 8 -- and starting to get nervous. Thank you all for your optimism. I was feeling a little blue earlier and your words have cheered me up! My Dr requires a two-week liquid diet and the literature I was given says to expect 1-2 lbs weight loss per day. I'm on day 10 and my weight loss stalled at 9 lbs two days ago. A little disheartening when you're only consuming around 450 calories per day! :thumbup: That said, if you have to do the liquid diet, give "Any Whey" protein powder a try. One scoop = 17g protein, 1g carbs, 0g fat, 70 cal. It really has no detectable taste (ignore the fact that the dry powder smells like vanilla) and imparts a creaminess without adding fat. Add it to drinks, shakes, soups or plain water (may require a clothespin). Coffee Lovers: One scoop of Any Whey and a shot of sugar free Torani syrup added to black coffee makes a pretty palatable substitute for "prohibited coffee drinks". Two of these make a satisfying "breakfast". Good luck to us all!

Oct 8...my teeth are chattering!