toffeesocks

Aaah, I fell into a rut at about 5 days too; I looked in the fridge and I just didn't want anything. I had to have alerts on my ipod to keep sipping on water and having the two-three shakes. I also made a fluid balance chart in excel like the ones we use at work with patients to keep track of everything. It was looking pretty bare the last few days but I've manned up. I don't want to lose my hair! ^w^

Gastric tubing and catheterizing happen for reasons I cannot see being caused directly by infections from the banding. You can get infections anywhere in the world if you don't follow the rules or don't have a strong immune system. I for one have a throat/mouth infection/oral thrush post-op. I had the same thing after getting my tonsils out 12 years ago. I personally think Mexico and Thailand have some of the best medical/dental care and practices. And for way less than the escalated, crazy prices elsewhere. ETA This is about you, not anyone else. Screw what other people say. Good luck!

BIG emphasis on the lip balm. 10 days later and my lips are still cracked and sore. Fermented Papaya ointment is a dream! Loose clothing. You'll be a little swollen and tender so you don't want anything digging in! Unless you're like me and my clothes hung off me prior to the whole pre-op thing. An MP3 definitely helps. I drifted in and out of sleep for the day and had a horrid sleepless night, so reading and watching TV were out of the question for me! Toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash - especially an antibacterial mouthwash. That nasty white stuff from the anesthetic makes your mouth feel... just gross. Wheatbag - they seem to be heavier and retain heat longer then hospital heat packs. And they are a god-sent gift for the gas pains! :redface:

We have an organization called MedicAlert here which as a member, I get a complimentary engraved emblem bracelet, a wallet card and a log-in to view my medical history, medication and what-not - as can any medical professional should they need to. It's not just for the band for me. It's better to be safe then sorry. (:

I suppose indulging in some success stories might do the trick. Yelp- hair falling out? I have a love affair with mine. Protein shakes it is! Dx I just got some mouth gargle that numbs everything... aah, bliss! :redface:

Odd! That's so soon. :w00t: I was banded May 6 and my surgeon recommends no fills in the first month to allow everything to heal (even though it's possible to need it before the month is up). My next appointment is on June 9 and we'll see if I need a fill then or not. (:

Hey guys, I'm Chelsie (18) and was banded on May 6. I'm looking for a buddy from NZ/Aus or teens that have recently been banded or soon are going to be to share the ups and downs with. (: Feel free to PM me. ^^;

Only my parents and Gran know. I did tell someone that I was looking to get it done but they're no longer in my life. I brought home a puppy a few weeks prior to my surgery and he's been my comfort buddy. :w00t: It gets a bit lonely going through all the psychological stuff though.

I'm in NZ so I can't be too much help but maybe try calling up medical centres/clinics in the areas close to your college and ask if they do banding fills? :w00t:

Good luck! :frown: If you're going to be careful with your pregnancy weight gain, don't forget that on top of your own requirements, through pregnancy you really only need about an extra glass of milk, because you're not actually eating for two! :laugh: :w00t:

I seem to get the idea that the article is suggesting overweight women are more likely to be lesbian rather than the lesbian lifestyle contributing to obesity. I think. :laugh: I'll agree with you there. I used food as a crutch first when my parents went through a nasty divorce and then more-so going through puberty and my high school years where I tried to be normal (in an all girls school) and dated guys which made me super depressed and put on weight like nobodies business! Getting out of that vicious cycle was the best thing I've done! The banding comes second. :w00t:

Surely not! I'm in NZ, considering moving to Melbourne, if that counts in any way. :w00t:

Hey there! I'm Chelsie and I'm an 18yr old lesbian in NZ (any other kiwis here?). I'm 1 week post op and everything's going fine except for picking up a throat/mouth infection which is putting me off wanting to drink my shakes even more. :laugh: There's not much of a variety of powder and liquid Proteins on the market in NZ - everything's sickeningly sweet and bloatingly milky which are two things I detest. Thank goodness it's not forever. :w00t: I'm saving up for a trip to America to visit all my friends in March 2011, knowing I'll fit in the plane seats with room to spare! :frown: I've reached my first milestone and I'm thinking to Celebrate my new-found confidence I'll volunteer at Rainbow Youth as a buddy for younger people! :Yawn:

Congrats! :w00t:

I was banded May 6th too and sensation of the port moving has settled for me. I however am sticking to what my surgeon has stressed with 2 weeks of thin liquids, then each week going through thicker, puree, mashed and then introducing solid foods to let both stomach and port site heal and reduce the chances of pulling anything. (:

Aaaah! SO good to know. I'm one week post and the burps/random hiccups are evil! My surgeon keeps asking if I'm farting like a Trojan yet... but I think I've gotten outta that one. Whew!

I've already posted a couple of times elsewhere but I came across this forum and thought I should introduce myself. I'm Chelsie, from Auckland, New Zealand. I'm 18 going on 19 and I was banded on May 6th - so just over a week ago. I came looking for a forum because the last couple of days I've been feeling like I'm in a bit of a rut. And I don't personally know anyone else who's done this. (:

Almost there! (: They recommend 3-4 Optifast sachets a day but my mum's a nutritionist and opposed it and so I had 4-5 a day, 1-2 cups of nonstarchy vegetables, s/free gum & jelly and I was still fainting and getting dizzy spells. In the end I still lost more then twice what I needed to. Good luck!

Congrats! I still feel the excitement I felt when mine was approved after a month of waiting. Good luck!