Megg40

Well, I am almost 3 weeks post surgery and what a ride its been already. The surgery wen well and I did experience some pain for the first 5-7 days. But by day 3 I went to the movies and started getting out of the house regularly. About 2 weeks post op, the depression came. I realized what I had done to myself and was sad at the "divorce" from food. Food was my best friend and I was letting it go...It was very hard to let go, but I made my peace with it and told it that I no longer needed that friendship in my life. It was ruining my life.... I am still a bit depressed, although not as bad. I am going to ask my psych doc to increase my antidepressant for a bit. I am seeing a therapist to help me deal with my food issues but I do not think she is the right therapist for me. We really dont talk about food issues. We mostly talk about her....I will ask my psych doc for a therapist who deals with addiction and had experience with food addiction....since I am a food addict. Since being banded, I have bought a adult 3 wheel bike, sketchers shape up shoes, and a Wii. I have been looking forward to using this stuff but now have come down with bronchitis and a head cold. I'm feeling crappy physically. I am down a total of 33 pounds which makes me feel good....but I want more. I want everything I have been dreaming of, and the things my morbid obesity has kept me from doing. At my post surgery appointment everyone said how good I was doing and that I have healed up properly. Now, it is time to really start this new life...the healthy life...the active life...the life I have always dreamed of... This will be hard, emotional, powerful, painful,wonderful, exciting, amazing, joyous, eventful and the best thing I could ever do. I'm ready....I just need to get over this cold/bronchitis... I love myself today.... :thumbup:

Well, I am almost 3 weeks post surgery and what a ride its been already. The surgery wen well and I did experience some pain for the first 5-7 days. But by day 3 I went to the movies and started getting out of the house regularly. About 2 weeks post op, the depression came. I realized what I had done to myself and was sad at the "divorce" from food. Food was my best friend and I was letting it go...It was very hard to let go, but I made my peace with it and told it that I no longer needed that friendship in my life. It was ruining my life.... I am still a bit depressed, although not as bad. I am going to ask my psych doc to increase my antidepressant for a bit. I am seeing a therapist to help me deal with my food issues but I do not think she is the right therapist for me. We really dont talk about food issues. We mostly talk about her....I will ask my psych doc for a therapist who deals with addiction and had experience with food addiction....since I am a food addict. Since being banded, I have bought a adult 3 wheel bike, sketchers shape up shoes, and a Wii. I have been looking forward to using this stuff but now have come down with bronchitis and a head cold. I'm feeling crappy physically. I am down a total of 33 pounds which makes me feel good....but I want more. I want everything I have been dreaming of, and the things my morbid obesity has kept me from doing. At my post surgery appointment everyone said how good I was doing and that I have healed up properly. Now, it is time to really start this new life...the healthy life...the active life...the life I have always dreamed of... This will be hard, emotional, powerful, painful,wonderful, exciting, amazing, joyous, eventful and the best thing I could ever do. I'm ready....I just need to get over this cold/bronchitis... I love myself today.... :thumbup:

I agree 100% My band is my sponsor and it tells me the things im doing right and tells me when im not doing so right.....good analogy. Meg

Hello and welcome.... I was banded 2.5 weeks ago and I know what you mean about the success/failure thing....I feel it too. I have had a food addiction for a long time and i'm getting it under control now...I too have depression and anxiety and take meds. I see a psych and a therapist. I go to the lap band support groups and they help me a lot....What i do at night to stay away from eating is I go into the chat room on here...lots of support and fun. it keeps me outta the kitchen and not thinking too much about food.... Take Care, Meg

I appreciate yalls comments but as I said in my first post...I was cleared to exercise....I was cleared to do anything except the 20 pound lifting for 2 more weeks. I was feeling like napping, but Im not sure if thats the "old habbits" or real. Before the pre op process and surgery itself, I would take a nap everyday. Sometimes because of depression, fatigue or boredom. Now, I just feel like i have more energy, and I want to become active instead of sedentary. I am listening to my body and the bike ride ( during it ) just felt so good. I live in Florida where it is getting warmer. I will be better about pacing myself and cooling down....so thanks for that info. I guess old habits die hard. The daily napping is not needed anymore, everyday, but yes sometimes it would be good for me to nap while still recovering. If I keep active maybe I wont need my sleeping pills anymore...I would just be wore out and able to sleep...:thumbup: Take Care, Meg

I am 2 weeks post op and got clearance from surgeon to start doing things physically. I bought a 3 wheel bicycle last week and rode it a few times but today I really went for a 12 minute fast ride. Now, I feel like I could take a nap....ugh Is this normal...to be so fatigued in the beginning? If you were and you felt like napping, did you nap?? Yes, I know its going to take time to build up but god....I am really tired. I have not been active in many years.... I'm just looking for some words of wisdom and someone who's been there... Thanks, Meg

Thanks for all of your responses....I guess my wanting to binge that night and any night is because it IS NIGHT. Night time was always so bad for me...I would just sit in front of the TV and eat. I know it will take time to change my mindset. I am following the liquids to the letter tho. Just the desire was there. The things that pull me through are this site, and the goals I have for my life. When I focus on the positives...I feel and do much better. I am one of the fortunate ones that could have this surgery and have my insurance pay for most of it....I know how lucky I am. I have wanted to lose a lot of weight for a long time....and needed to...and now I have the opportunity and I will NOT let anything distract me or take me away from my goals....Sometimes, I just forget them....and need to be reminded. And yes, my signature line is very true, for me at least... Take Care All, Meg

Wow...I am having the same experience. My port site has been sore since surgery 3-24, but getting less sore by the day. Friday, I felt so good that I rode my bike and walked a lot. I also bent over a few times to pick things up. Yesterday, (SAT) I was having port pain but it felt "different" from the pain I had been having....I called surgeon and she said probably over did it and most likely nothing is wrong. She said if my port moves around, I could have popped a stitch, but I have felt it and it does not move. She also said to ice the area every hour or so for 10 minutes. I will know for sure when I go see her Tuesday for first post op appointment but more than likely, its fine! I AM PRAYING IT IS.....:bored:

I, am looking forward to mushies...but I'm scared as well. During all of this, the pre op diet and now liquids, the weight is really falling off and I want that to continue. I am so scared that when I CAN eat mushies and solid foods that it will all just come back....I guess sometimes i still have the mindset that "this" will not work for me.... Was anyone else scared of moving to mushies and then towards real food???? I'm not even sure what mushies are going to be ok for me as far as carb and fat content...I see the DR on Tuesday of next week for my first post op visit. I guess I will ask her and the dietitian what is ok for me....I'm just nervous..... Meg

Hi all... I was banded 8 days ago and the last 3 days have been doing quite well. I am starting to gently exercise and really have not been hungry...Thing is, tonight, I really want to binge....I want to eat whatever I can. I don't know why since everything is going pretty well:unsure:. I have not binged and will not, but just having the feeling of wanting to is kinda scary for me....I am even wanting to binge on things I am allowed at this point. I am still in the liquid phase and have another week of that....I swear i could drink 2-3 cups of soup or have 2-3 protein shakes....just something!!! UGH!!! Anybody else ever feel this way when things are going good??? Maybe my mind wants to sabotage the good things I am doing for myself...I don't know. Any suggestions or words of wisdom...??? Thanks, Meg

Oh Ruthie, I am so sorry for your loss and hope the traveling goes well for you. This time last week, I was being banded. I thought I was just going to die the first few days afterwords. But I have to tell you that the excitement is back. The looking forward to weight loss and gaining health. Since I started my pre op diet 3/10 I am down a total of 27 pounds:thumbup: and I'm really starting to feel good and feel good about myself. I'm not experiencing very much pain at all and I think the gas is gone....I've "pooted" my fair share in the last few days....lol I go to my first post op support group tonight and I'm looking forward to it. I intend to make these a regular part of my life..."my aftercare"...I have my first post op appointment next week and then 4 weeks til a fill. I can do this!! I really can...I wasn't too sure a few days ago, but now I'm feeling that this is awesome.... HUGS TO ALL OF YOU Take Care, Meg

I LOVED this post. I am 5 days post op and need to start exercising. I am going to start with walking, but in a few weeks...hit the pool Thanks, Meg

So, surgery was Wednesday the 24th and i had lost 22 pounds pre op. Since coming home, I have lost and gained the same 2 pounds these last few days. I just don't get it. Yesterday I was down to my pre op loss of 22 pounds. Today, I am up those 2 pounds. My caloric intake was about 400.....whats the deal....?????

Thanks Cathy, I am now sitting here crying and feeling depressed and confused. I feel like I'm all alone. Everyone in my life is supporting me....but its me that is going through this. There is a support group on Wednesday night that I WILL BE AT!!!! I will also call Dr tomorrow.....just feel like crap in every way... I don't mean to be so negative and I appreciate all of you guy's support. I guess I'm just having a rough day today/tonight. I hope this passes and I start feeling better soon.... Meg:crying:

Well here it is...Sunday night and I'm not feeling so well. I still have a lot of the pressure that makes it hard to take normal breaths sometimes and I'm really hungry but find I can not eat much. I know that's the point but I'm not sure what feeling is what....if that makes any sense. Like am I full or am I having gas pains or is it still swelling pains....??? I'm so confused. I was feeling pretty good yesterday, and today, I did get out of the house and go to the movies. I just dont know whats wrong with me, or if anything is wrong with me....I will call surgeons office tomorrow....this recovery period is confusing and more painful than I had thought or anticipated. Wondering if I should take a dose of my pain meds....??? Take Care All, Meg

Hi...I had surgery on the 24th and I know what you mean. Mine has gotten better. I feel like I am breathing better and deeper. The only time it still bothers me is when I first stand up. I guess when I stand up, everything has got to kinda re adjust and then it passes. Keep up the good work.... Take Care, Meg

Hi all.... I had surgery Wednesday and I'm feeling better each day. I'm still a bit sore and bruised but actually going to go to the movies today....YAY!! My question is about sugar.... My Dr suggests sugar free puddings as a snack. I bought the Hunts sugar free chocolate. But I looked on the nutrition info and even though it said sugar zero and 70 calories it had a lot of sugar alcohol in it? What exactly is sugar alcohol and is that still "bad"? My goal is to not be on sugar and to be low carb but I don't think this pudding is low carb....any suggestions, advice or answers appreciated. Hope all of you are well.... Meg

Ruthie.... If you are having any concerns please call your surgeon. What you described sounds like the gas I am having but it does not come up into my esophagus. It's usually when I first stand up, I feel a lot of pressure like I really need to burp, but it doesn't come up. Then it just settles back down and the pressure goes away. Have you taken any gas x?? I am using the thin strips and I feel like they might be actually working. This morning I feel much better. I am thinking I may not need the pain meds anymore....YAY!!! I am just wondering how long until the swelling goes down....??? Take Care, Meg

Wow...2 days since being banded. I came home from hospital yesterday. I had to stay overnight for insurance. Been sleeping a lot and I am taking the pain meds. I am very sore and bruised. I feel like I need to burp so bad but it wont come up....ugh!! I'm waling around the house fine and in about an hour I am going to walk around my parking lot by my building. My op sites look very good. I weighed this morning and have gained 3 pounds. Dr's office called to see how I was doing and I said that I had gained. They said it was from all the IV fluids. I am taking small sips of water to keep from getting dehydrated and trying to have 2 protein shakes a day....I'm no where near hungry. I know that this pain and gas is temporary and I'm ready to roll..... I hope all of you guys are doing well....WE DID IT!!! WE ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE!!!! YAY!!! WE ARE BANDED!!!!!!!!!! take care all, Meg:thumbup:

Hi all... I was banded on the 24th....2 days ago. I have been in more pain than I had expected. I'm walking around better but this darn gas is killing me....The first day in the hospital, I was so worried that with every movement I would hurt the band....I also weighed this morning and gained 3 pounds. My Dr.s office called to check on me and told me the weight gain was from the IV fluids and not to weigh til i get into my post op visit. I have no appetite, and having trouble getting all my Water in. Dr's office said as long as I take a sip every 10 minutes i wont get dehydrated and I am getting like 32 ounces in. I need to get one really good burp out and its just not coming......I think if I could burp I'd feel much better....I am feeling emotionally very excited and proud of myself for doing this. I think this is really gonna change things around for me. I am very committed and excited. Want to try to walk outside but just in my parking lot near my building. everything inside is just so sore....I have a lot of bad bruising on my abdomen....I am hoping tomorrow i will feel good enough to stop the pain meds and take only Tylenol. So glad to be on the other side now.....Here we go!!!! Meg

Hi. I am using medicare. they, like most insurance had some requirements and I've met all of them. You have to have a BMI of 35-40. If its under 40 you have to have some co morbitities. You have to have 6 months of non consecutive weights. Like Jan 05, April 06, and so on.... You have to have tried a lot of other ways to lose weight before....I had a long and dr documented history. You have to have your surgery at a bariatric center for excellence....you have to have a letter of medical necessity. I had all of this information faxed to my surgeon because my doctors had been documenting everything for me for a long time. They had been recomending me have this surgery for two years before I was ready. Now my surgeon has the complete chart, and I am having surgery Wednesday. They will then send it all in to Medicare and the surgeons office staff knows what will work with each insurance company so they make sure they get everything right. Hopefully, I will get a bill that says medicare paid their part. Its a process.... just like everything..... I called Medicare and asked them specifically what their requirements were before I saw my surgeon. Some people have to have a lot more things done....I was surprised medicare was so "lenient".... Good Luck, Meg

Hey You guys.... I've been reading all of your posts and I'm so glad everyone is losing and sticking with this...This has been really hard for me. My emotions are all over the place and I'm starting to get really nervous. I am so nervous, that I'm having dreams about the surgery and waking up with all these incisions on my body. I feel very stressed. The good news is only 3 more days....I am ( or I was down 20 pounds ) now I'm only down 18....how did I gain 2 pounds?? It's frustrating.... When you're on a Protein shake diet with one small meal, how do you gain 2 pounds??? Anyway, like I said 3 more days to being banded.... I'm nervous.....anyone else??? Meg:scared2:

Were all on a roll here....the 24th is getting closer....I am so excited. I tell you the last few days I've really been a BIT** but today I am finally feeling good. I have some energy, and did a lot of spring cleaning on my apartment. I wonder how many calories I have burned today...I am down a total of 16 pounds with 10 days to go!! I can't wait to see 299 on the scale...I will have to do a dance. Going to take my pics tonight...I have one posted on my profile but it was from XMAS of 08 and I've gained since then. So not quite accurate....Gonna really get some good ones...front, back and side views. Up close and full body ugh!!! I think my body is done with the withdrawing and I'm feeling human again. Yesterday I slept 18 hours....I was an emotional wreck. Funny how I can feel the exact opposite today... oh well, maybe my body is getting used to this.... HUGS TO ALL.... Hope you are all well... Meg

Dr Jessee is my surgeon. Her and her staff make you feel like you're a part of their family. She is a straight shooter when telling you the facts but she has a deep compassion and I feel, a sincere desire to help!! She and the staff are wonderful.....you really can't go wrong with her My surgery is the 24th of March.... Meg

Hi all.... 11 days from tomorrow we will be banded....YAY!!! I have not been nervous or anxious but I'm starting to get there...just letting my mind run away from me, it will pass and I will be fine....I can't wait!! Meg