Lynn2988

Shannon, it is so important that you look forward to tomorrow with no regrets. Many of us have set backs and feel frustrated - you are not alone. Everyone is different and loses at a different rate. Have you considered keeping a food diary so that you can see what foods you eat on good weeks, maybe that can help. As far as the medical bill is concerned, fight it- if it was pre-approved they should be taking care of it - sometimes we just need to go through the stressful process. I too, am starting to get bills that don't make sense, but hey they can't take blood from a rock and if I do get stuck paying it will be little by little.

Sounds like the proof is in the jeans and not on the scale. Hang in there until your next fill. You are doing really well.

You must be super excited. As far as advice is concerned all I have to offer is the basics... That is make sure you know what your post-op diet will be and have those things on hand, be sure you have someone home with you for the first few days as everyone's healing experience is different and you may need help getting up at the very beginning, be patient with yourself as this is a learning experience and it takes time to adjust and finally when you are only having liquids you still should be having BM at least every other day or so so pay attention (sorry if the last bit of advice is more than you wanted to know, but it is important). Good luck to you.

You are off to a super amazing start! Keep it up and congratulations

The truth is time is what is going to relieve your pain. In the meantime don't try to be a superhero. If they gave you pain meds take them. You need not to be in pain in order to heal. My doctor had prescribed me tylenol with codeine (liquid) and it really helpful. Some people say holding a pillow to your stomach when you are getting up is helpful. What is hurting you soreness from the wounds or air from the anesthesia? I hope you get better soon.

Well I enjoyed the moments pain free while they lasted. The pain in my shoulder is back in full force. I've been doing a lot of reading on this blog and the I-net and I don't know what to make of it - could be gas, could be the way my body says its full or it could be my port is laying on a nerve. Called my doctor and spoke to the PA she says is gas, but for this long?

Even worse is my daughter might be have complications she has a tiny bit of pus where a port is. It's under the "glue" so its really hard to tell if its old or new. She has no fever, no swelling, or pain, but I am still a bit concerned. Our doctor is only in one day a week and his hours conflict with my daughter's college school hours. She cannot afford one more absence. At this point I am ready to bring her to the e.r. just to get her checked. Any advice???

:tongue2:So things are getting back to normal. I'm moving quicker, no gas pain in my shoulder. I have more energy and most importantly... I'm happy.

For a bit there, with all the discomfort and the fact that I expected a bit more weight loss, I was questioning whether or not I made the right choice, but today seems bright and I have no regrets. I am so glad I joined this forum. I love knowing how others are doing and having people give me feedback - this is definitely one of those things that you need to live to understand. :crying:

I am starting to get hungry (and that's hard, but hey that's part of life - anybodies) and today I bit the big one, four days sooner than I was supposed to, I had some oatmeal. It went down well and I have no regrets. I made a choice and I'm okay with that.

I will try to stick with the liquid diet until then (but if I don't, I will try to forgive myself).

Hooray for you! Celebrate every victory - what we are all doing is hard work and we deserve to take pleasure in each and every step towards our goal. Keep it up - by next week you may only need 98pounds to reach your goal.

Sounds like you are off to a great start Amanda, 15lbs in a week, that's amazing. Thanks for sharing your experience with the port - I think that is something we all fear before having it done the first time. I don't get my first fill until March 19th - seems like a lifetime away. Wondering - are you experiencing hunger at all? Do you have liquid in the band?

Yvette, I feel your pain and minor setbacks, but I know that you will get past this. Everything is about choice and you make choices for you. People who are not living it, no how much they love us, don't really understand that is is not a quick fix and that it is work. This work will be a challenge and there will be times that you will have setbacks. You recognized it, now move on. I know you're strong - hell you've lost 65lbs already - I am hoping to be as successful as you.

Congrats to you. I know how amazing you felt because I had a similar experience this morning. I saw the 260's, like you I hadn't seen that in years. To think that more is to come gives us something to work towards. I am like the idea of celebrating small goals for myself lets me see success. I look forward to hearing about your "next" break and I know the money you invested in your self was anything but a waste. Much success to you.

I can totally relate and I can't wait to be past this. By the way did they give one of those spirometer??? to help gauge your breathing and get your lungs strong after surgery? They say it is important to try to inhale as deeply without discomfort as you can 10 times per hour.

Yay for you. Sounds like everything is normal, thus going well for you. I am a teacher so as I read your post I found myself chuckling about your transport adventure. I was banded on the 10th, just a few days ahead of you and I should tell you that the gassy pains last longer than one would imagine. Other than that each day is better than the next. Looking forward to reading about your journey.

Well today for the most part was a good day. Went out with my husband to buy some things I needed, so I got enough walking in. The gas that is in my neck and goes down my shoulder and arm gets bad at times.

At this point cabin fever and boredom is setting in. This is where things can become dangerous because my mind is wandering and fantasizing (we all know about what). I don't feel ready to go back to work yet.

The high point of my day was that when I went to the bathroom I was able to clean myself with minimal difficulty. I am a bit concerned about which I haven't mentioned before is that I feel a lot of pressure in my chest, feel it when I take a deep breath and sometimes when I swallow. I have my follow-up appointment with my doctor so hopefully I will get some info about this.:frown:

That's absurd. Did he tell you why precisely he wouldn't do it?

I am truly happy to read about all of your success thus far. I was just banded and to hear about your success makes me feel hopeful. Just by reading your blog entry I can tell that you are an amazing woman who is on a mission to succeed in every aspect her life. That is inspirational to others. I look forward to "peeking" in on journeys, both with weight and school. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished thus far.

Amanda, I was banded on the 10th and I can tell you that each day is a bit easier than the next so far. Recovery it self has lots of little things I didn't expect either. But know that the future is bright and soreness subsides. Congratulations.

Today is day 4 and what a difference a day makes. Today I was able to get up without any assistance (although it took a bit - mental thing - not at all physical). I am feeling much better and have a lot more energy. Got up, did some general clean up in my home, bit slower than usual but was able to make the bed, sweep, do the dishes and pick up a few items off of the floor (all in the knees, of course). Haven't felt hungry yet, only thirsty. Every time I have my protein shake my stomach bloats up all over again - still have lots of gas/ air in my body. Haven't taken anything yet - read Gas-X is good from all of you.

What I need to do is start exercising, walking I guess is the safest way to start. Really cold and icy out so I guess I will do it in my home. I haven't done any real exercising yet I guess I am behind. - Shame on me. Will do some now. I'll let you know how it goes.:frown:

As you get to know your limits everything is in small amounts. In terms of sips I sip (swallow) about two at a time, then wait a minute or two, and sip again. Liquid seems to go down (on me) with no difficulty. it takes me about 10 minutes to get through a Boost high protein energy drink (liquid). I am sure I can get through it quicker, but do not want to push it just yet. In terms of feeling full - today is my day 4 after being banded and I haven't felt hungry yet - thirsty yes, but no hunger for food (desire a bit) - my daughter the same - we are taking in the liquids because we know we need to, but based on what I've read the "hungry" will come soon.

As you prepare for your surgery, based on your doctor's recommendations of course, have what you need in your house a ahead of time, chewable vitamins, high protein drinks that you like, broth, sugar free jello and popsicles... These are things you will need to select because others despite their best intentions will not always make smart choices for you (this is experience speaking).

Also, make sure for your first day or two some is there to help you get up and lay down - you may not need it, but that was something I didn't realize I would need and I did (luckily my husband was there).

Finally, depending on your size, flexibility, and soreness level have a plan as to how you will clean yourself after using the bathroom (another thing I didn't think about ahead of time). Needless to say its a temporary thing, that may not apply to you, but its important.

Hope this is helpful.

I started to do the same thing a few weeks before surgery and in doing so I did some damage meaning I gained back the little bit I had lost the few months before. I had to do a liquid diet two weeks before surgery and even then I allowed myself a meal every two days (nothing too over the top)- the idea that I physically could, where after the surgery I could not just tempted me more. But then something clicked four days before surgery I decided once again that I wanted to be thin and that this was my choice. With that I went into to the surgery with four full days of liquid diet and no last supper. Now three days after surgery I have no regrets about what I ate before, where part of my choice of eating might have been nerves I think it had more to do with ability.

Feeling Better than Yesterday...

Today is much better than yesterday. I am pretty much able to get up with little or no assistance now. (My bed is kind of high - didn't realize that would be work). I could always walk around and even go up and down stairs right after surgery. Soreness has been replaced with a feeling like a muscle that has been really worked out. The only thing that is still a bit problematic is cleaning myself well after using the bathroom. I can't fully stretch yet. Thank goodness for showers and the fact that my wounds closed up with some sort of "superglue" so they can get wet. Sorry if that is a bit more than you wanted to know, but there are lots of things that I didn't really consider. I was always thinking long term, never week one after surgery.

Today is much better than yesterday. I am pretty much able to get up with little or no assistance now. (My bed is kind of high - didn't realize that would be work). I could always walk around and even go up and down stairs right after surgery. Soreness has been replaced with a feeling like a muscle that has been really worked out. The only thing that is still a bit problematic is cleaning myself well after using the bathroom. I can't fully stretch yet. Thank goodness for showers and the fact that my wounds closed up with some sort of "superglue" so they can get wet. Sorry if that is a bit more than you wanted to know, but there are lots of things that I didn't really consider. I was always thinking long term, never week one after surgery.

My 18 year old daughter and I just had our surgery two days ago. We came home yesterday are both really sore. Standing up and laying down are two major challenges. I am feeling so many different things (none of which is hunger) that I am not sure what is normal. I know that a lot of my aches have to do with the air in my body and I can't wait for it to pass. Still practicing deep breaths because my lungs feel achy. Its weird because I think this is all normal, but I wonder. I know everyone's experience is unique, but I didn't expect this amount of discomfort. While I can say I got up a few hours after surgery and am walking around I can not say that doing this is not work. Pain medication doesn't really seem to help. Don't get me wrong I feel better than the day of, but it seems like each pain that leaves is replaced by an ache I hadn't noticed before. How long will the discomfort last?:frown: