luv2blab

Your success gives me hope.

Just wondering....how long before you can sit upright without feeling tight/pain/nausea? I feel better walking or lying down. If I sit up to long, bent in the middle, my chest and stomach feels so cramped. I'm supposed to go back to work this Friday.

Yes, banded on Feb 13, 2007. You're right....my list could have went on and on...but something about a few that I noted made me feel like I needed to make a drastic change now.

I am 5'10 with a large frame and naturally large breasts....currently 278. The "charts" say I should weight 140! BUT...I had a complete screening with a nutritionist who used some sort of water/fat machine she hooked up to me. With my height and frame... she says a healthy weight for me would be at 186. You have to find out what a realistic weight would be for you as an (individual). Also, the weight that you are comfortable with. Those charts are not made to fit everyone. Good luck in your journey.

For me...a bunch of things.... I stopped allowing myself to be photographed, didn't want to see. Couldn't fit on a harness/strap in ride at Great Adventure,was humiliating. Able to eat a medium extra cheese pepperoni pizza all by myself. A snack, became a whole bag or box of chips or cookies + 2 liter soda. I lost interest in sex and felt embarassed for my hubby to be seen w/me. I started buying a size 30/32.....my biggest ever. I was getting close to 300 on the scale....289 my biggest ever. Sciattica had gotten worse coming on more often. I stopped taking diet pills. I stopped going out with my girl friends. I started anti-depressants. etc etc etc...and this is why I look forward to my new bander life!

Had surgery Tuesday morning. Surgery "went very well" per the surgeon. Had a morphine button so I was able to get some rest lying still. Got up at 3 am to sit on potty. Very difficult to get up. Sore sore sore. Had the upper GI...since everything was ok...I was given chicken broth, jello, and hot tea. Sipped a itsy bit of each...and then was allowed to go home later in the afternoon on Wed. The WORST part was the chest pain...gas bubbles I guess. I walked laps around the house trying to dispell it until I couldn't stay awake any longer. On Thursday, I had only gotten out half of it so far. The left side was still hurting. I started my chewable vitamins and sipping Special K protein water. Little sips definately. My chest was very tight. Got up today and felt like I'd gotten the last of the gas bubbles out. Now the worst is just the getting around, headaches, hunger pangs....but, I finally got in the shower and that really made me feel human again! I sipped chicken broth and ate a few spoons of frozen yogurt. I'm feeling much better now. My chest feels very tight and I have 5 incision sites that are quite tender. I have lost about 15lbs so far since the start of my pre-op diet. I look forward to healing and getting back to normal. I go back to work next Friday. I have been reading alot on measuring my fluids. I have sugarfree candy and gum to deal with the dry mouth. I have liquid tylenol with codeine but haven't taken it since Wed. My family laughs and asks if it was worth it? Hmmm...YES...I think in the long run it will be....otherwise....I wouldn't have put myself through all this! Well, again, I'm thankful for this forum....anyone even remotely thinking about surgery should have these personal accounts at their disposal. The surgeons could never provide this. Take care everyone. I'll try to fiqure out how to do one of these ticker things and keep ya posted. Let's get healthy!

Had surgery Tuesday morning. Surgery "went very well" per the surgeon. Had a morphine button so I was able to get some rest lying still. Got up at 3 am to sit on potty. Very difficult to get up. Sore sore sore. Had the upper GI...since everything was ok...I was given chicken broth, jello, and hot tea. Sipped a itsy bit of each...and then was allowed to go home later in the afternoon on Wed. The WORST part was the chest pain...gas bubbles I guess. I walked laps around the house trying to dispell it until I couldn't stay awake any longer. On Thursday, I had only gotten out half of it so far. The left side was still hurting. I started my chewable vitamins and sipping Special K protein water. Little sips definately. My chest was very tight. Got up today and felt like I'd gotten the last of the gas bubbles out. Now the worst is just the getting around, headaches, hunger pangs....but, I finally got in the shower and that really made me feel human again! I sipped chicken broth and ate a few spoons of frozen yogurt. I'm feeling much better now. My chest feels very tight and I have 5 incision sites that are quite tender. I have lost about 15lbs so far since the start of my pre-op diet. I look forward to healing and getting back to normal. I go back to work next Friday. I have been reading alot on measuring my fluids. I have sugarfree candy and gum to deal with the dry mouth. I have liquid tylenol with codeine but haven't taken it since Wed. My family laughs and asks if it was worth it? Hmmm...YES...I think in the long run it will be....otherwise....I wouldn't have put myself through all this! Well, again, I'm thankful for this forum....anyone even remotely thinking about surgery should have these personal accounts at their disposal. The surgeons could never provide this. Take care everyone. I'll try to fiqure out how to do one of these ticker things and keep ya posted. Let's get healthy!

Had surgery Tuesday morning. Surgery "went very well" per the surgeon. Had a morphine button so I was able to get some rest lying still. Got up at 3 am to sit on potty. Very difficult to get up. Sore sore sore. Had the upper GI...since everything was ok...I was given chicken broth, jello, and hot tea. Sipped a itsy bit of each...and then was allowed to go home later in the afternoon on Wed. The WORST part was the chest pain...gas bubbles I guess. I walked laps around the house trying to dispell it until I couldn't stay awake any longer. On Thursday, I had only gotten out half of it so far. The left side was still hurting. I started my chewable vitamins and sipping Special K protein water. Little sips definately. My chest was very tight. Got up today and felt like I'd gotten the last of the gas bubbles out. Now the worst is just the getting around, headaches, hunger pangs....but, I finally got in the shower and that really made me feel human again! I sipped chicken broth and ate a few spoons of frozen yogurt. I'm feeling much better now. My chest feels very tight and I have 5 incision sites that are quite tender. I have lost about 15lbs so far since the start of my pre-op diet. I look forward to healing and getting back to normal. I go back to work next Friday. I have been reading alot on measuring my fluids. I have sugarfree candy and gum to deal with the dry mouth. I have liquid tylenol with codeine but haven't taken it since Wed. My family laughs and asks if it was worth it? Hmmm...YES...I think in the long run it will be....otherwise....I wouldn't have put myself through all this! Well, again, I'm thankful for this forum....anyone even remotely thinking about surgery should have these personal accounts at their disposal. The surgeons could never provide this. Take care everyone. I'll try to fiqure out how to do one of these ticker things and keep ya posted. Let's get healthy!

Well, I have to be at the hospital at 9:45am tomorrow for surgery. Wish they would have made it earlier. I'm nervous but excited to finally get this done. I surprised myself this past 2 weeks. I didn't cheat....I wanted to...so many times...but once I started seeing the weight come down....I knew I could get thru it. Today was the hardest yet. I could only have clear liquids today and I'm starving. Not being able to binge eat thru my anxiety sucks...but that is a bad habit of the past. I now have to find other ways to deal. Well, I'm gonna go lay down and read myself to sleep. Good luck to all those pre and post banders. Take care.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+reviews+Samuel+Wasser+kjh.html

I am using all my self control right now not to go to McD's for a burger, taco bell for a burrito, kentucy fried chicken for mashed potatoes and corn, pizza hut for breadsticks, etc etc. That's whats on my mind! I am feeling so hungry for some real food. It has been torture smelling anything thats being cooked around me. Yesterday when the family stopped to get sandwichs for a trip we were taking...I bought a high protein bar....it was GOOD! I chewed it slowly to enjoy each itty bit. I've been chewing alot of sugarfree gum and drinking alot of crystal light. Today is the last day I can have shakes...tomorrow and until surgery it's only clear liquids. Damn, I am gonna be even more hungry! AUGH...looking forward to getting the surgery over with. I'm daydreaming already about what mushies I'll have in a couple weeks. I started having bad dreams the last couple nights. I'm nervous and excited about Tuesday....guess that's where their coming from. Surprisingly, my moods have been ok...not biting anyones head off like I'd worried about. I spend free time reading, watching tv, and reading the lapbandtalk forums. They have really helped me throughout this whole process so far. I'm down 10 pounds...which I'm eager to show the surgeon but know it will go back up once I start eating again. I'm glad I could accomplish it before surgery like I was told to....I had had my doubts.

I am using all my self control right now not to go to McD's for a burger, taco bell for a burrito, kentucy fried chicken for mashed potatoes and corn, pizza hut for breadsticks, etc etc. That's whats on my mind! I am feeling so hungry for some real food. It has been torture smelling anything thats being cooked around me. Yesterday when the family stopped to get sandwichs for a trip we were taking...I bought a high protein bar....it was GOOD! I chewed it slowly to enjoy each itty bit. I've been chewing alot of sugarfree gum and drinking alot of crystal light. Today is the last day I can have shakes...tomorrow and until surgery it's only clear liquids. Damn, I am gonna be even more hungry! AUGH...looking forward to getting the surgery over with. I'm daydreaming already about what mushies I'll have in a couple weeks. I started having bad dreams the last couple nights. I'm nervous and excited about Tuesday....guess that's where their coming from. Surprisingly, my moods have been ok...not biting anyones head off like I'd worried about. I spend free time reading, watching tv, and reading the lapbandtalk forums. They have really helped me throughout this whole process so far. I'm down 10 pounds...which I'm eager to show the surgeon but know it will go back up once I start eating again. I'm glad I could accomplish it before surgery like I was told to....I had had my doubts.

Nervous....started having bad dreams the last couple nights....that's how I know. One more day of shakes then clear liquids. Sounds like I'll be in the living room recliner for a few nights from what I've read. I took a week and 1/2 off work after the surgery. I hope that's enough. When I had my gallbladder removed (lap)...I was off for 4 weeks. I remember having that tight band wrapped around me and it was hard to sit or get dressed. Do they put that on for lapband too? My husband is taking me on Tuesday...my mom will be home with my kids. I have all the prescriptions ready for my hubby to take to the pharmacy and also a grocery list to pick up. I got the laundry caught up and any housecleaning chores done that I'd wanted done ahead of time. Hmmmm...hope everythings covered. I plan on resting as much as I can the first week. SO very glad I found this forum online. MUCH more helpful than anything the surgeon or nurse will tell you. Take care everyone!

My surgeon gave me these horrible NASTY protein shake mixes and said I could have 3 a day with only non-caloric drinks in between...that's it for 2 weeks. My surgery is on the 13'th...so far I have lost 8 pounds the past week BUT....I could not literally gag down those shakes. I went to Acme and bought Slim Fast instead. I drink 4 of those a day and drink crystal light or fat free milk in between. It has been torture to not eat. I imagine my surgeon has a good reason in his mind why this would be beneficial for me to do but.....AUGH! I read that some of you didn't have to do anything before surgery and it makes me jealous...Oh, and did I mention....HUNGRY! Well, good luck to you all no matter what your situation.

I had to go for all the specialist appointments, bloodwork, and an upper gi so that my insurance company could determine whether or not to approve the procedure. Started Aug 1'st 2006-Surgery date is Feb 13'th

I got on the scale today to see if this diet has been working. That was a boost I really needed. Sometimes I get so hungry I wanna scream...but it passes. I soon will learn how to add all the neat little info you all have under your posts. 5'10 34 yr old married mother of 2 in Burlington County NJ Highest weight=289 Current weight=280 Goal weight= 185

Fasting bloodwork, chest x-ray, sat down with nurse for medical history and vitals. I will be going in on Tuesday Feb 13'th for the surgery. All my pre-admission stuff is done now. I will be there overnight at minimum. I was given Rx for liquid morphine and liquid zantac for recovery at home. I made it thru another day on liquids. I cannot wait to get to the mushies stage! I am hungry for a hot cooked meal.

Thank you for the fast response and info.

I am scheduled tomorrow at the hospital for pre-op testing. The only thing I know for sure is that I'll have fasting blood work done. The paper also says expect to be there for 2 hours. What else will be done?

These protein shakes that I had to buy at surgeons...are NASTY....they make me GAG! I couldn't drink them. I went out and bought slimfast protein meal replacement drinks. Although not yummy....at least I can get them down. I drink 4 of them a day and in between drink fat free milk or crystal light only. This is my third full day on liquids. I am pleasantly surprised at my ability to stick to this. I get shaky, my stomach growls, or a headache comes on and I know it's time for another shake. Having the family cook and eat without me is really hard. Tomorrow is my daughters birthday. Instead of the usual spread I serve....we are only having her icecream cake. It will only be a family party so I told everyone to eat dinner before coming over. I've been trying to clean the house and get some things done before surgery so that's been keeping me busy...but...it takes energy...and I end up feeling like I do right now....like I just need to go take a nap. I imagine it will be so much easier being on liquids after surgery when I'm recovering and not feeling so well anyhow. Right now it's torture. My parents visited tonight and I overheard my mom ask my husband "is she really sticking to it?" How petty! Whatever. I am proud of myself. I know I need to do this for my surgery. Would I rather eat a big mac or pizza? Hell yah! But I ultimately want to be successful with the band and enjoy life more.

These protein shakes that I had to buy at surgeons...are NASTY....they make me GAG! I couldn't drink them. I went out and bought slimfast protein meal replacement drinks. Although not yummy....at least I can get them down. I drink 4 of them a day and in between drink fat free milk or crystal light only. This is my third full day on liquids. I am pleasantly surprised at my ability to stick to this. I get shaky, my stomach growls, or a headache comes on and I know it's time for another shake. Having the family cook and eat without me is really hard. Tomorrow is my daughters birthday. Instead of the usual spread I serve....we are only having her icecream cake. It will only be a family party so I told everyone to eat dinner before coming over. I've been trying to clean the house and get some things done before surgery so that's been keeping me busy...but...it takes energy...and I end up feeling like I do right now....like I just need to go take a nap. I imagine it will be so much easier being on liquids after surgery when I'm recovering and not feeling so well anyhow. Right now it's torture. My parents visited tonight and I overheard my mom ask my husband "is she really sticking to it?" How petty! Whatever. I am proud of myself. I know I need to do this for my surgery. Would I rather eat a big mac or pizza? Hell yah! But I ultimately want to be successful with the band and enjoy life more.

Thank you for all the replies and info. I will try and get doc to switch my one capsule to a tablet so I can cut it rather than open and mix with something.

For 2 weeks I am supposed to ONLY drink 3 protein shakes a day. Nothing else except for non-caloric drinks. Each shake is 280 calories. My stomach is growling as I type this. AUGH! I've read alot of variances in regards to what other banders have to do before surgery. The surgeon told me today that he wants me to lose some weight before surgery. I haven't been able to lose weight that last 10 years. AUGH!

My husband is supportive. My close female friends are supportive. My family on the other hand....the opposite. My parents think I'm crazy to be having this done...and think I should be able to lose the weight myself. Hmmmm....this coming from 2 obsese people with diabetes, heart problems, varicose veins,sleep apnea,arthritis, etc. They have made many rude comments already. Whatever,they've always been this way. I'm doing this for me. I'm doing this to be healthier, live longer,and enjoy my life more. I told my co-workers. They can be very petty and so I fiqured since they'll be talking about me anyway, I might as well let them hear the truth from my mouth rather than have a bunch of different rumors flying around once I start losing weight. I've worked there almost 14 years now. 12 of which I have been in the obsese weight range so I don't need them thinking I'm on crack...lol. I'm only using a week and 1/2 of vacation time for the surgery. I could have made up a story but why? I'm not ashamed of having this surgery.

I am on 2 daily meds. 1 small pill and one medium sized capsule. I cannot not take these. I asked the surgeon today about it. He said crush or use liquid when I can. So I asked the nurse. She said cut the pills up as small as you can get them with a pill cutter and open the capsules to mix with applesauce or pudding. How are all of you post-banders doing with this issue? I cannot imagine not being able to swallow a pill. Just how small is the hole it has to pass thru? I also take seasonal sinus pills as needed. Just wondering if this will always be a problem for me.