Shesha

It Hibiclens. It comes in a blue bottle. The Wal-mart and Target pharmacies can order it for you, or you can get it off the shelf at Walgreens. It's around $9.99. He'll want you to do a Dulcolax Suppository the night before. I did mine and it worked in about an hour. I figured I didn't want to take a chance on anything. He said it makes it easier to work in there if your bowels are clean. It's up to you to do it, I guess. You'll get a prescription for about 20 anti-nausea suppositories to use after the surgery. I did not use them. I just kept the anti-nausea patch on behind my ear that they gave me before surgery. I kept that on for about 4 days. I did end up using the anti-nausea suppositories a few weeks ago though when I had the flu. I couldn't get to the walk-in clinic until late in the day (and Dr. K was at his daughter's wedding) so I was stuck with no anti-nausea medicine except for the suppositories. Boy, was I glad I had them. I did not want to vomit with the band! Here's a link with more info on the prescriptions... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=389305#post389305 I wore an underwire bra to and from the surgery. I did not have any problems. You might have an incision between your breasts right at about bra strap level like I did. It was annoying and kind of tender, but I still wore all my normal underwire bras. I wore underware to and from the surgery. They prefer you do not wear undies during the surgery, but do have little paper ones if you ask. Underware is not going to cause you discomfort after the surgery, so I'd plan on wearing them. Your incisions are high on your midsection. Even if you have the "granniest" of panties, it won't be a problem.

I am not. But I was banded in Colorado. There are quite a few people out there from Colorado, and maybe even a few more "honorary" members 'cause they were banded there.

Don't let my experience deter you. It really wasn't all that bad. Like anything new, there are things you have to learn. I've really had a great experience thus far. I just ate some asparagus and it is clearly stated in the band pamphlet as a no no! Geesh, I remember reading that AFTER the fact...

hey Skye! I am glad to see you are still around. And doing well with the weightloss I might add. Awesome!

I feel this sensation, but didn't know what it was. And here I thought I had read everything on this board!! tee hee! I am happy to know others have this first bite syndrome. Thanks!

Ha! Great analogy though...I have been through both situations you describe and it's true!

PB is short for "productive burp". When you eat more than or something that your band can't handle, it comes right back up. It's kind of like vomiting, but isn't as yucky since the food has not mised with your digestive acids. The food comes up in a sort of clump (at least in my little experience)

I didn't bruise at all, and I bruise fairly easy.

Ha! My name is Sheila too. I just realized lizrbit was talking to sheilamj1fan and not me! I think I may have things under control. No soda and no sliming or PB's in three days! woo hoo! I think it was the asparagus. It will be a long time before I try that again!

Yes, I knew I could count on my fellow bandsters for some good advice and some tough love! 3 days now without a diet coke! woo hoo!

Yes, I think I am just now "coming into my band" and finding out what works and what doesn't. It's just a fickle little thing. I just have to test the waters carefully, I guess. Thanks Again!

Thanks to all who replied. It's interesting how some Dr.'s say NO WAY to diet coke and others.."ah, wait 6 months" or "Sure, no problem" How confusing. Anyway, good ol' Water is so much better for you, and cheaper! I am going to wash out my water bottle and take it with me to work tomorrow! Wish me luck!! (hey, I remember buying some Crystal Light and Propel powder when I was playing chipmunk pre surgery and hoarding everything I could.. I think I'll try to find that stuff...) Thanks again for all your help and good luck to each of you as well!:girl_hug:

That's true. Diet Coke is so bad for you. I'd rather drink flavored or Protein Water, but it just calls to me.. "Sheila.. drink me...." I haven't had ANY in two days though, so maybe I kicked the habit!!

Thanks for the well wishes!! Yes, I do think this is a learning thing, I just hadn't had that light bulb moment until the other day. I have been making better choices the past few days, and I am sure they will get even better when I get another fill. Thanks again!:girl_hug:

that this is serious stuff That's exactly what I told myself. I too was self pay and would feel absolutely awful if the balance on my credit card (0% interest at least) outlasted my band!! No, I really need to lose this weight to be here and be a fun mommy for my daughter. And if that means no more diet coke and paying attention to what I am sitcking into my mouth, then so be it! Thanks for the kick in the pants!! (which are now a size smaller, thank you very much :girl_hug: )

I did liquids/mushies for a day and feel better. I guess I could steal one of my 16 month old's fork and spoons! Thanks!:girl_hug:

If you're having a hard time, go back to the basics food-wise. Eat only the smallest bites, and put your fork down - foce yourself to wait about 5 minutes between bites, until you are confident that it's going to be ok. This is great advice Wheetsin! It's good to know that there are others that go from zero to golf ball in 2.2 seconds! I sometimes drink a little with meals. It's really becoming less and less ... This is good to know, since you too have done really well so far. I think i'll be able to wean myself. I just don't think I can go without a sip of Water here and there. Worst case - I drank too soon or before something cleared. When you do that, you know it immediately. Yes, I have felt this feeling. Really weird! Umm... something you could do (a RNY friend used this) is to flatten your sodas before you drink them... swish the bottles around or something. She did this in the beginning, and eventually it just wasn't worth it anymore so she quit. I've tried this and it does seem to work. I get a little taste, but really don't want it. I think I've got this diet coke thing figured out though. I haven't had any in 2 days! Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it!

I've only had the one fill. Dr K. did start me with 1.6 cc's but I was having trouble even getting Water down. I went back to his office that afternoon and had him take out .2 cc's. Now, restriction is kind of hit or miss. Breakfast, I am usually tight. Sometimes I can eat a bowl of Cereal, other times a Protein bar. Sometimes just a Protein Drink. lunch, I seem to be wide open. I have restriction, but it take a while to get there. I very rarely eat more than half of what's on my plate. Supper is kind of hit or miss. Most of the time I am tight again. I am still eating way more than I should though. I log my food on Fitday.com. Some days, 1000 calories. Other days 1400! Obviously this is less than I ate before, but I would like to keep it around the 800- 1000 mark.

Thanks for letting me know that I am not the only one! Hopefully this next fill will help you out! Keep me posted! Congrats on quitting diet coke!:girl_hug:

Yes, I think I am just now finding out what foods I can and can't eat. Before the fill, pretty much anything went down, just smaller quantities. Now, chicken, fish, bread and fiberous veggies are creating trouble for me. I did liquids/soft foods after the PB incedents and seem to be feeling better. I have not had any bp's golf balls or anything in the last few days. I may just be getting the hang of this! It's good to know that you've done as well as you have and still drink during meals. I just get so thirsty! I've really limited sips while eating though, and may be able to stop altogether. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for taking the time to post some great advice!:clap2:

Pam, Your post is so sweet. I didn't realize I had a following.. tee hee! All kidding aside, it is really sweet and motivates me even more to succeed. Thank you for your reply and your honesty. I won't let you, or myself, down!

Hey Terry! Congrats on your band! I just used the liquid vicoden for a day or two, then that's it. I didn't use the liquid tylenol I bought until about a week ago when I got a headache I just couldn't shake. I just drank chicken and beef broth, along with some french onion Soup broth I found. I also sipped on my Protein drinks. I ate a lot of Jello and popsicles. Yep, it's normal not to have a bm for a few days. I didn't have that problem though, thank goodness! Just take 'er easy for the next few days, and make sure you follow the diet that Paula gave you! You'll do well! We're rooting for ya!

Ok, I am changing my answer then... tegaderm on the outside, disolveable sutures on the inside.. whew! Thanks Faithmd for all your research and information!

Howdy Mark! Glad to see you're still around! I have just had the one fill. Sometimes I have a lot of restriction, othertimes very little. I haven't lost any weight in the past week or so. Guess I need to be making even better choices...

Funny. That reminds me of a question my mother-in-law had for me when she (accidently thanks to my husband) found out I had the band. She asked me how I stop losing weight. She was genuinely concerned that I would wittle away to nothing! I told her that if I got to that point, I'd have the band losened. Too funny!