matilda01

Hi Fiona! How are you? Sorry about not checking in for so long. Life gets in the way of my computer habit! I hope you are doing OK. Slow and steady for me....down 20 lb since surg and a total of 52 since my initial visit with the surgeon. I'm supposed to have my 2nd fill on 6/11, probably will only get a small one. I'm so afraid of those stuck episodes everyone talks about. I've already PB'd twice because I ate too fast. The second time it happened, I was PB'ing for 45 minutes! Didn't hurt really, just glad I was at home and not out in public! I am feeling pretty good overall and hope you are, too.

Wow, 30 pounds in a month! You're really doing well. I just hit 52 pounds down since my first visit with Dr. Gandhi in Nov. The fill was very easy actually. He numbed the area and even though it took him a couple of minutes to get the needle into the port, it didn't hurt, just felt odd. We were talking the entire time and I wasn't scared at all. I found out that he had left 3.5 cc in the band at surgery. He asked me how I felt about going to 5.5 and was a I ready....I said go for it. I do notice a difference. I'm not sure it's restriction, but I get this "tight" feeling if I eat too fast or don't chew enough. Once I even PB'd (burped lots with food coming back up). Now I really try to avoid that. I had the blues right after surg, too. Just keep plugging along and try to get outside in the nice weather. It does help. I promise you, you're going to feel better!

Hi Robin,

How are you doing? I don't know if I told you this, but I work at RGH, so I hope you had a positive experience there! Did you stay in that tiny private room on 4500? That's where I stayed and so did my friend who was banded a week after me. I'm down 50 lb (including my preop loss), so I'm pretty happy. I had my first fill 2 weeks ago and it went very well. I really notice a difference, and I need to careful to remember to chew lots & eat slowly. Well, I'm here if you have any questions or just want to chat....

Hi Robin, How are you doing on your preop diet? Did you call your doctor about your sugars? I just wanted to make sure you're doing okay.

Hi Robin,

Not sure what to tell you about your sugars, maybe you should call the surgeon's office today and let them know what's going on there. Maybe they will add another Atkins drink or have other suggestions for you. As far as the surgery goes, you will be fine. I was nervous, too, but I was determined to go through with it and I'm so glad I did. After surgery, remember to walk as much as you can because it REALLY helps with the gas pain. The first few days aren't much fun but not unbearable at all. Feel free to email me with any questions, and I will try to help. Where are you having your surgery again?

Hi Fiona! I'm doing well. My first fill is Thurs, 5/06. I've been losing a little bit, down 45.1 total (13.1 since surg). I wasn't feeling any restriction really, but I am starting to get little signals when I eat that I need to slow down, chew more, or just stop eating. I get kind of a fullness in my esophagus sometimes. It seems to happen with chicken (especially if it's dry). I think I read that you had your first fill...how's that going?

Hi Friend, How are you? I'm doing well. I see the surgeon tomorrow & if all goes well, I can start pureed foods. I think he will also release me to go back to work, so I will start back on Saturday. I only work weekends about once every 3 months & this is my scheduled weekend, so I will work Sat and Sun, have Mon off, and then finish the rest of the week. A good way to ease back into work I think. Are you working again? Let me know how you're doing. Weight loss for me has slowed down a bit. I've been really tempted to nibble and have cheated a bit (peanut butter candies of all things). Stay in touch!

Oh, don't worry about it. You will lose it I'm sure! We are not really supposed to even worry about losing weight right now, we are still in the healing stage. My scars are a little sore, too, mostly in the morning or if I move around too roughly. I do notice a difference in my clothes. the jeans that I wear the most were already a little big on me (I bought a pair of stretchy jeans before I even started losing weight & they stretch out way too much after wearing them for a few hours), so now they are pretty sad looking. I tried on a couple of jeans I had packed away, and they fit, but then I end up with a "muffin top" so not sure I'm ready to wear them yet. When do you start mushies? I still have another week of clears and Carnation Breakfast Drink...can't wait until 4/09! It's getting really nice here, going up to 80 this weekend, but I don't think it will last. Too soon to be warm for long here in western NY. Happy Spring!

If you're following your doctor's plan, then I'm sure you're okay. I'm just a chicken and stick to my doctor's plan exactly even though he is pretty conservative. The Carnation Instant Breakfast drink is good, kind of like a thick glass of chocolate milk -not really a shake. I really could drink more than 4 oz -maybe even a full drink, but I'm too afraid. I've been getting out a little more since I can drive again. No more pain medication. I'm down to 211 from my starting weight in Nov of 247. I couldn't help it, I just had to weigh myself!

Hi Fiona, How are you doing? I saw a post from you today that you were feeling icky. Get some rest, baby yourself. Tomorrow you will feel better! Hey, it's almost our 1-week bandiversary!

Hi Laurel,

How are you doing? I'm feeling pretty good finally. Gas is going away. I'm really looking forward to adding to my clear-liquid diet tomorrow when I get to have three 4-oz Carnation Breakfast shakes. Doesn't take much to make me happy these days!

Hi Laurie, I just had to share this. I think I figured out a way to burp. Yesterday, I had that feeling in my chest like I had to burp again. Well, I was outside with my dog at the time, bent over to pick up his ball, and out came a hearty burp and I felt instantly better!! I've tried it a few more times since then. When I feel that pressure building up, I bend over, wait a couple of seconds, and out comes a burp. Doesn't always work, but when it does, it sure feels good! Give it a try if you are still having issues with burping!

Last night I was having a lot of pain, just couldn't get comfy. I had some warm broth for dinner & the pain went away instantly. Maybe it was hunger and not gas pain. I am being very, very lazy. Not doing anything but taking a daily walk outside & walking around the house. I haven't even made my bed! Oh, I did put some dishes in the dishwasher and tidied up the kitchen. Starting to go a little stir crazy. Might try a trip to the mall tomorrow. My daughter's birthday is Tuesday, so I need to get her presents! Can't wait until tomorrow when I get to add shakes to my clear-liquid diet. Where are you food-wise?

Well, today I feel pretty good, the best so far. The gas is finally going away. I figured out how to burp. Not burping was causing much pain. Now when I feel the gas building up, I stand up, bend over & the burp will usually happen. Really happy about that. I feel pretty rested today. I'm going to walk to the store a little later, so I will let you know how I feel after that. Might have to stop at the coffee shop, too, before I head back home. Not dizzy at all. Still only on clears, so I guess my calories are only the clear broth which is no more than 50 each, 3 times a day, so i guess 150 calories a day?! Hard to believe!

Hi, I saw your post about not losing weight after surgery. I'm 5 days out & when I first got home from the hosp, I had GAINED 7 lb from day of surgery weight. Seems odd since I've only had Crystal Lite & broth (20 calories I think). I'm now down about 5 lb. I've decided to ignore the weight for now & let my body heal. I had an IV for about 30 hrs, and I still have incredible gas in my abdomen & chest which feels like 25 lb! Don't get discouraged. We'll get there. By the way, I'm also a 52-y-o medical transcriptionist. I work for the hosp where I had my surgery. I just found out today that I'll be out of work until my followup appt on 4/09. I planned to go back on Mon, 3/29, but when I called the surgeon's office to tell them I just wasn't ready, they told me I wasn't cleared to go back until my followup. Thankfully, the hospital pays 100% for short-term disability. I'm so glad I'm not self employed anymore! Let's stay in touch if you'd like.... :thumbup:

I'm feeling better today. Still gassy and short of breath when talking but otherwise, not bad. Incisions are sore. I still take Lortab mostly for the gas pain. Hopefully, I'll get off that this weekend. I called the surgeon's office and told them I didn't think I could go back to work Mon and she said that I wasn't supposed to go back until I saw him in followup on 4/09. They are filing disability papers for me so I get 100% pay until I get back to work. Yeah! I was so happy to hear that! No work & full pay. My sleep is ok I guess. My hubby is in the spare bedroom for now so I have the bed to myself but I sleep for 3 hours, wake up, watch TV for an hour, sleep again. I'm still not hungry, just bored with broth. I did get some wonton soup yesterday and drank just the broth, yummy! I even had some of it for breakfast today! Enjoy your day outside! I'm going to walk around the neighborhood today since it's nice out!

I think I might try some strained wonton soup for supper tonight....thanks for the idea!

Nope, only clears until Monday, then I can have Carnation Instant Breakfast along with the clears. Not hungry though. I did strain some chicken noodle canned soup and the broth was delicious, but only drank about 4 ounces. I love yogurt normally (especially Greek yogurt), but I don't think I have the stomach for it yet. Gas is still kicking my butt. You sound great. How do you feel?

I have a desk job. I transcribe medical reports all day long. That's how I first learned about lap-band surgery years ago, I transcribed the operative notes. I just put up a couple of pictures....

My scars were glued, so they already looked scabbed over. I'll take pictures when my daughter gets home later (she still has my camera in her purse). You look so cute in your hospital gown & your hair is long! Very pretty for somebody in the hospital!

Well, except for gas pain still, I feel okay. The incisions aren't bad, a little sore, but smaller than I thought they'd be. Going check your photos now....

I'm back! I got home a couple of hours ago and promptly took a nap. According to my surgeon, the surgery was "picture perfect." Let me tell you though, the gas pain in my chest was scary awful, I felt like I couldn't breathe. They think is was because I was in the post anesthesia area for a while (due to my room not being ready). That meant I was on my gurney, flat, for about 3.4 hours. The gas just sat on my chest I guess. Anyway, when I got to my room, the nurses had me up walking and that helped a bit. Still had to take lots of pain med by injection right up until this morning. What they say is true...walking, walking, walking helps! Glad to hear your surgeries went well and you are doing ok. Did either of you have this gas pain in the chest, too?

Good luck tomorrow, fellow March 22 surgery girl! See you on the other side!

I just wanted to say, good luck to you, too. I will be thinking about you! I took your advice and brought a nightgown! See you on the other side!!

I've now lost 9 pounds since I started liquids only on Tues. Oh, and the surgeon never mentioned the nicotine test results (I didn't bring it up either). Two more sleeps! Finally! I've been re-reading all my handouts from the surgeon. Haven't packed a bag yet, I'll do that on Sunday. I have to check in at 5:30 a.m. How about you?