maggs79

Today was a bad day. Nothing to do with the band, though! But just not a good day. Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong I think. Which of course put me in a bad mood for most of the day. Ugh! Suckage. I won't go into the details, but the stress and frustration didn't help my healing today, that's for sure. For the first day in 2 days, I had pain in my port incision. So I'll be using an ice pack a little bit tonight I think. PLUS I didn't get to work out today. Double ugh!! But I bought myself a super cute red dress tonight! That made me feel better. It's 2 sizes smaller than I would have bought a month ago and it's only the tiniest bit too tight! Still fits ok though. :thumbup: I have a month to fit better into it! I know I can do it! Tomorrow morning I'm going to Zumba for the first time ever. We'll see how I can handle it! I've heard a lot of good things about it, so we'll see. I'm going to try to make up for the lack of workout today. Hoping for a happier tomorrow! xo

I am so glad to hear from you and that you are doing well!! Congrats! Today is typically the most difficult day, so if you can get thru today ok, you'll be grand! Keep us updated and let us know what's going on or if you have any questions about anything. Blessings!!

You know you can vent on here any time!! I am sorry they had to reschedule...man. Mine got bumped because my doctor was going on vacation, but it got moved earlier, not later. Well, the good news is, you can eat regular food again for now! And you already know how to do the liquid diet! Just eat healthier meals. Oh! Or try the POST op diet to figure out some meals you like that are soft foods!! I wish I could have figured that out! I'm playing it day by day.

Best of luck to you!! It is the best decision I've ever made! (Right, so I'm only post op by one week, but I'm not regretting it one bit so far!)

Can't you just picture Olivia Newton-John in all her gloriousness? Fan-TAS-tic. Anyway! I did 30 minutes on the treadmill with 5 pound handweights for a bit of upper body workout as well, plus a little over 3 miles on the bike! Only 1 week after surgery and I'm feeling great! I am trying not to push myself too hard, but I figured if it started to hurt, I'd stop. It never hurt! Dang, how I'd like to be at least ONE size smaller by July 13th! That's when I have to fly up north for work and I want to buy a cute outfit in a smaller size. So, I am making it my goal to make sure I eat ALL the right stuff, enough protein and all that. Plus workout at least 30-45 minutes at least 5 days a week. I can do this! I just have to keep telling myself that! SO, if anyone has some stellar tips and tricks for working out and eating yummy good-for-you stuff before my first fill, let me know! I'm going to just have a protein shake for dinner because I'm not overly hungry, but I know I should have something.

I would avoid the straw. It's hard to judge how much you're drinking at a time. I am SO glad to hear from you and that you made it through ok! I knew you would! Sugar Free Jello is good to have too. Also hot tea with no milk. But you can add Splenda. This calms your stomach too. Plus a HOT liquid is nice for your stomach. Chicken broth made me gag, so I avoided that. Day two is kinda rough, so tomorrow make sure you try to walk and when you need the pain meds, take the pain meds. Rest as much as you can. And an icepack on the port incision will take the pain and swelling down dramatically. Let me know how you're doing!! Be well!

Yes, a laxative is the way to go, pardon the pun! Ha! Seriously though, it will HURT if you don't take a laxative. MiraLAX powder mixed with something has zero flavor. I suggest that. Also, try to eat some pureed tuna...this was suggested to me and really helped with the energy level.

Let us know how you are doing!! It sounds like you are totally prepared! Well wishes!!!

I like the EAS Advant-Edge Vanilla shakes. They come in a pack of 4 for about $4.50 at Target. Yummy and filling!

If there is anywhere that can prepare you and help you for life with the band, this is the place!! Best of luck to you! Keep in touch!!

By the way, what part of Australia? My sister studied at Uni in Newcastle for 5 months and we're going back down there in the fall (err, OUR fall--September) of 2011 for vacation. I've seen enough pictures to know how beautiful the coastlines are!

I love your name! It's beautiful! Anyway, best of luck with your surgery! I was banded one week ago today. It's a fairly simple surgery, just the recovery can be rough for a couple days. But only one week out and I'm feeling very good!! Only minor soreness around the big (1 1/2 inch) incision. Keep in touch!!

I'm just glad to hear that things get better after the first fill. Because I don't feel any restriction now either. I have caught myself drinking really quickly and have to stop myself. But I have had no problem keeping anything down. I have even had tuna and some bits of soft chicken. Granted I am making sure everything is chewed up really well, but I feel like there is no restriction for me. Hopefully I will feel more full fast once I get a fill in 3 weeks or so.

Who knew oatmeal could taste so good?! Today is my first day of mushies and I started the day with a nice bowl of oatmeal. Then I had a protein shake for a snack to complete that portion of protein I needed this morning. For lunch I'm going to have tuna and mashed potatoes. Strange combo, but what is "normal" at this point? Ha! I'm in basically no pain (besides a little tenderness at the port site), so I feel up to working out today. Nothing too strenuous, but definitely the treadmill and bike...maybe some arms weights. We'll see how that feels. Last night I had what I THINK was gas pain in my shoulder. Either that or I strained it somehow. But I hadn't had any gas pain up to this point. Anyway, I took some GasEx just in case and some liquid Tylenol and went to bed. Felt like a million bucks this morning, so that did the trick. So, not much else to report today so far! How is everyone else doing today? I hope you are all well!! xo

I'll have to check out those books! Keep updating how you're doing! Best of luck!

I start mushies tomorrow too! Good luck!! And yes, take some more time to heal and feel better.

This week has been a roller coaster! Monday morning was my surgery. Everything went well, but of course I had a lot of pain afterwards. It has gotten better every day, though and today feels the best so far. Still sore at the port, but that will pass eventually. I am sleeping better, sitting better and driving a LOT more comfortably than earlier in the week. Tomorrow is one week! And I can start mushy foods! I am SO ready for this. I bought mashed potatoes, oatmeal, refried beans, lowfat cheese, greek yogurt, egg beaters, tuna, salmon....anything that I can make mushy, I'm going to try! LOL It'll just feel so good to have some real food again! Though I'm tempted to stick with a protein shake for breakfast. I've never been a big breakfast person and the protein shake is the perfect amount of "food" for me in the morning. Side question: For anyone that has been "glued" after surgery, how long did it take for the glue to wear off? One of my tiny incisions is barely starting to come off now around the edges, but I was just curious. I hope everyone has a great Sunday!! Blessings! xo

Today I went back to work! Only for about 4 hours, but I was photographing the whole time! It was a bit different today because it was really just for a model search. The girls were all older, so I didn't have to kneel and make funny noises! LOL But I was surprised, frankly, that I had the stamina to stand and shoot for 4 hours straight! It was a blast! :laugh: So, still sore at the port incision, but better today than yesterday. Everyday gets a little better. :smile: Started to feel a bit hungry today. I haven't really felt hungry since last Sunday before my surgery! Luckily a protein shake hit the spot! I'm gonna go test drive a car today. Not sure if I am going to buy it, but I need to start looking for a new car. Tired of driving around a little Chevy. :smile2: Blessings, all! Maggs xo

Day 1 and 2 are the most difficult days for sure. Ice pack on the port incision, heating pad on the back and try to relax. It will get better, I promise. As much as it hurts, try to walk a lot as well. Are you on liquid pain meds?? Try sipping it over a 5 minute period.

The healing is the toughest bit! I'm only 5 days out...ready to be healed already!! Good luck going back to work!!

And I cannot wait for the recovery to be over too! lol

Glad to hear everything went well!! As far as going to the bathroom, your muscles are still tensing up because of the trauma they've just been through. You'll be able to relax and go fully soon. Rest and walk!!

I agree will all of that. I would recommend you have someone drive you the day after surgery. I went out 2 days after surgery and it took a LOT out of me. Driving still isn't 100% comfortable yet. GasEx strips are awesome! Cinnamon is the best. Good luck! You will be fine!!

Yay!! Happy dance for you!! I am so excited that you're getting close to the surgery! You'll be great! You're already preparing yourself and that's the biggest part.