smitten kitten

I was feeling like that up until today. The only thing I can think of is that I'm drinking more warm/hot fluids. I'm also heating my skim milk up and putting a tiny bit of vanilla protein or cocoa in there for a treat. But I do feel like I'm drinking like crazy. What are you drinking? Are you switching up your fluids and giving yourself some variety? Maybe that will help make you feel a little more satisfied.

Hi everyone! Today is my 5th day post-op and I feel pretty good. I've been out and about even though it's snowing like crazy, and I am slowly doing a bit of apt cleaning. Plus, last night I started passing more gas like crazy - something I never thought I'd be so grateful for, lol. I even feel less hungry, which might have something to do with drinking more warm fluids or maybe it's all in my head - who knows. However, I still have this hellacious pain in my chest and some port area discomfort. The port area and incisions don't bother me so much, but the chest pain does. It hurts continuously and even more so when I take deep breaths. Is this pretty normal at 5 days out? Could it just be swollen and tender? Still some gas in there? Something wrong? Thanks in advance for any responses. :blushing:

We were banded on the same day and I'm experiencing exactly the same stuff. My chest and back hurt so bad that it's difficult to breath deeply. I walk a bit on my treadmill (it's ice and snow outside) and my apt, but after 10-15 min I feel lightheaded and have to sit or nap. I'm no doctor, but I don't recall hearing the gas pains should be gone w/in 2 days. In fact, info from my dr and what I read here makes it seem like the gas pain is typical even a week after surgery. Do you have gas-x strips? I've heard they work wonders, coupled with lots of walking to get the build up moving. We don't have the strips here and lord knows I'd kill for some right now, but I moving around much more today and already feeling a slight decrease in the pressure, so I guess I just have to wait/walk it out. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I'm starving! I did Clear liquids (broth/water) for two days and began slowly incorporating some Protein today - still freaking hungry and technically the protein and milk are not clear liquids so I'm already cheating. I can't wait for some Jello and pudding or anything with substance. But it all varies according to the dr and how they want you to progress food wise - some are more conservative than others apparently. From the sound of things your doctor is a bit of an a$$. I'm surprised he tried to deny you pain killers and acted like you are making up pain after surgery. Certainly he's had patients with gas pain beyond 2 days. Hopefully he changes his crap attitude soon. If not, you will have to deal with that kind of bs during fills and if that's the case, then you're better off finding a new dr. Sorry I can't be of more help, but it seems like you're doing everything according to your plan, so keep you chin up and post on how things progress for you. *bol*

I had surgery on the 30th and the day after I felt pain but had no release. Finally today, I'm passing gas, but I constantly feel like I have to burp and I can't - my chest is in some major pain. For some reason, I didn't quite imagine the pain would be this great - blah

mine is through the belly button too -ouch- does anyone know why they use that area? i thought that is where everyone had it done, but apparently not :biggrin:

Hi everyone! I had my surgery last night and I'm officially a bandster *yay* Right now I'm having some serious chest pains (mostly when I take deep breaths) and can't sleep for more than 45min, but I'm hoping this is normal (?). Oh and my arm muscles ache really bad - did anyone else experience this? Bamablondie1: I've a headache since I came out of surgery and I suspect it's because of the meds and the fact that I smoked and was drinking caffeine the night before surgery. I think it's a w/d headache. Maybe your doctor can all you in a diff pain killer. Anyhoo, I wish you all a speedy recovery and the best New Year ever

I'm dealing with the same thing and I have pre-op tests this Saturday. I'm going to be so embarrassed when they see I've gained and I'm sure I have. I tend to go overboard like this before every attempt at weight loss. But I also know this surgery is costing me a pretty penny (self pay) and my vacation - for me those are motivating factors to try and get with the program. I wasn't ordered to do a pre-op diet, but my general dr did give me the stuff to do a 3 day detox/cleanse. I'll do it, because I know I can manage 3 days. Any longer than that though, and I wouldn't be able to handle it because my hunger is out of control. I've also bought an OA book that I hope will give me some insight into why I eat the way I eat. For now I'm not going to stress over it too much or else I'll eat even more. But yeah, you're not alone, and it sucks now, but soon we'll be banded and viewing food a lot diff. I wish you the best of luck

tennesseequeen, i just want to tell you how grateful i am that you shared your story. i'm scheduled for surgery next week and have been thinking about canceling or at the very least postponing, because i keep thinking i won't succeed and it will be like the other (one hundred million) times i've tried to lose. seeing someone like you (we have nearly the same stats) is inspiring and makes me think "i can freaking do this"! thank you so much :tongue:

From a size 28 to a 14 is pretty damn inspiring - congrats!! :thumbup:

Thank you both for the replies. My expectations may need to be lowered. I keep telling myself that slower is better and I didn't end up this way over night. The weight coming off slow would probably be more beneficial for my skin anyway. I know right now I eat mega-huge portions, so I'm assuming that with the band and restricted food intake that I should lose and I guess that is all I can hope for. *fingers crossed* Of course, if I don't, I always have this place for venting and support :thumbup:

This is a such a great list, I'm surprised it's not a sticky yet. Thanks nicci :thumbup:

my surgery will be at the end of the month and i'm nervous about the fills. my biggest fear is that it will take many (discouraging) months before i feel any restriction. i know everyone is different, but i'm wondering how long it took some of you to find your "sweet spot"? does band size matter? pre-surgery bmi/weight make a difference? are there any tips to help get in that green zone easier/quicker?

Hey Doer ^^ I'm sorry you didn't lose what you expected. It's definitely disappointing to try your best and not see the results you want. But, I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the word "starve". Your body probably went into starvation mode and that made losing all the more harder. Btw, the nerves are getting the best of me as well. It's natural from what I see/hear here. This is a pretty big deal after all. Just hang in there, Wednesday will be here and gone soon enough :rolleyes2: Anyway, I wish you the best of luck!

i was just searching for similar info and came across this thread. it's for pre-op supplies, but looks looks pretty thorough, with stuff for post-op too. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/pre-op-shopping-list-post-op-86113/

Never again will I let life pass me by because I'm too busy focusing on food. I will revel seeing the outside match the girl inside. :thumbup:

Were you advised by your doctor to wait 6 weeks before you started the CrossFit program? We have a program here in Seoul that I'm thinking of joining, but I'm worried about the intensity. I know I can walk immediately after surgery, but freaking myself out a bit, thinking I'll exercise too hard and rupture/slip/break the band or something crazy like that. I'd love to know how long everyone waited before they attempted "serious" workouts.

i'll be banded soon and just wondering what other vegetarians out there are eating post-op. are you having a lot of Protein shakes or ??

Hi everyone, I'm new around these parts and will be banded on December 30th. I'm a nervous ball of energy, but incredibly excited as well. I wish you all the best - 2010 is our year!! :Yawn:

Congrats on your upcoming surgery! Do you mind if I ask how long you will be recovering? Are you restricted for weeks or?

I'm also curious about what happens. I have a million and one questions and 20-30 minutes doesn't seem like enough time. :confused:

Thank you for having the courage to post a video of your experience. Best wishes :wink2:

Thanks for the responses ladies. I think I just needed to know what I'm feeling is normal. I plan on making an appt. this week for a consultation and taking it from there. If it's meant to be, then it will be. Best of luck to you all!! :wink2:

Ahn young ha sae yo!! or Hello everyone :biggrin: I'm new here and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm from the states but living abroad in South Korea. I've been overweight (with constant ups & downs) all my life and while this is not the first time I've thought of surgery, it is the first time I've seriously considered it. The past year I've spent my time in a country where most women consider anything over 115lbs to be obese, and plastic surgery is just the norm. Needless to say, my self-esteem has taken a big hit (not that it was that high to begin with). I feel hopeless most days, but I am trying my hardest to stay positive and more recently, focused on getting the band and changing my life (for real this time). However, I still have some fear in the back of my mind. I've been on every diet imaginable with the best intentions, but failed each time. So what if this time it's the same thing? What if I have this very serious surgery and fall back into the same old routine? I'm also thinking that perhaps these fears indicate I'm not truly ready for the surgery. Did anyone else have similar fears before their surgery, and if so how did things work out for you?