andrea0121

I get a shot of lidocaine as well. One time the PA didn't get me good enough with the lidocaine and I thought I was going to go through the roof when the fill needle went in. I can do pain, but man that stung.

Now that I have restriction, I have a hard ass time getting 64 oz in a day too. I actually count my grape juice/V8 as liquid. I can't really eat/drink anything till after 11am or so so it's tough.

Wowza, just read this whole thread (boring morning at work). What a journey!! I will continue to follow your progress and can't wait to hear how the new baby is when he gets here!! Signed, New Groupie

When I had to have my thyroid out I had to have a catheter and I was on my period then as well (what's up with me menstruating during surgeries!!?!? lol) and I was MORTIFIED...crying asking them to please not cath me. The nurse was wonderful and calmed me down, plus...like I just posted...they give you an anti anxiety med and I was like whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatever after that.

You put a picture up, you look young! Is this your first surgery? Don't fret about the undergarment issue! Like everyone has said, it's a professional environment and they have SEEN IT ALL!!!! I know it sounds easy, but truly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It's one of those things that 'it is what it is' plus once they give you your anti-anxiety med in your IV you won't care if you're buck naked or not. ;)

I've only told several family members, and only a couple of co-workers. Eating in public (like in meetings with co-workers) is kind of iffy, but I usually just take food and push the excess around, and if anyone asks (haven't had anyone ask yet) I'll just say I'm not feeling well that day. Good luck with your surgery!! It's an exciting journey.

Your caloric intake might be too little. I'm no band expert by any means, because I'm a slower loser myself, but it seems like you're really low on calories, especially if you're exercising!

Are you extremely modest or just not thrilled about your girly bits? I'm not sure about the gauze around your chest, but perhaps you could fib and tell them you have your time of the month? The underwears they give you are the pits though.

I had my 'girl time' and they gave me these horrendous paper underwear with a pad the size of a log to wear. If I hadn't had my monthly, I would have had to have been nekid. No catheter though

I'm glad you found the forum and hopefully someone can reach out to you. I feel HORRIBLY for you, it seems you have taken the high road though. I'd be much more disgusted and angry. Please keep us posted and best of luck!!

14 months into this thing and I just recently (with my last fill) have found out that I can't do scrambled eggs, bread, buns, tried to have a hamburger (without the bun last night) that was a no go. Homemade pizza I can do, I think it's because the crust is so thin that we use? Dunno, but the band likes pizza which is no bueno for me because I LIKE pizza too, lol.

I just snooped on Amazon quickly and found them - for a really reasonable price too!!! http://www.amazon.co...opchips&x=0&y=0

"brilliant blue cinnamon streusel ice cream" Is there a drooling smiley?? That sounds awesome.

Hi. I was banded 12/8/2010 and I'm only down 59 lbs........ You've not been banded 3 months, so you're losing on average at least 2 lbs a week. If you ask me, that's great weight loss. I'm not sure what you were expecting, but I'd be tickled pink if that were me!

I use a straw too. Never was told not to.

I've tried those too. That's cheaper than what CVS sells them for. They're really similar to the little shot guys I posted earlier. Taste a bit better though.

Samsies. I only have a little bit of my thyroid left after surgery and take synthroid daily. I'm going to echo what everyone else has said, get your rear end to see your GP or an endo and get that checked out. My goiter was so big they couldn't get a proper biopsy on it so they ended up taking it and most of my thyroid out to be on the safe side (cancer safe side).

Right? Kind of a racket if you ask me.

I get these little Protein shots at CVS or Walgreens. They're 28g of protein ~110 Calories and sugar free. They taste like kids cough syrup, so not the BEST tasting, but 5 sips and you're done. I have to have these in the morning because I can't get anything down. Not even juice or shakes. I took a pic of the one I just finished.

I had a spirometer after surgery that I had to use and my Lord it killed me. I couldn't breathe in deep either and I was so afraid that I'd get pneumonia or something. Gas X and walking didn't help much, it took a couple of weeks but the gas pain finally went away. For months afterwards, if I ate too much I'd get a horrible pain in my left shoulder similar to the gas pain. Finally that went away after my last 2 fills. It'll eventually go away, it sucks in the meantime though. Good luck and congrats on your surgeries!!

Karen, I'm bummed to hear you're still having gas pain. If I remember correctly, mine lasted a couple weeks. It was like all of a sudden, I woke up and it had subsided. I hope yours does soon as well!!! That was the worst part of the whole surgery for me!

You did the right thing. Get some of your fill taken out. I have no idea how to cut the phlegm besides bringing it up. But if you're sliming on water, it's definitely because you're too tight.

Once you hit restriction, soda will hurt like a mother (for some people, me being one of them). I did soooooooooooooo well before and months after my surgery not drinking soda. My lovely boyfriend brings home bottled cream soda and I was like hmmmmmm, I want that. OW. I had to let it sit open for like 2 hours for me to enjoy it (and let the fizz go out of it). That first drink of it though with the fizz? no bueno. There's also a lady in my december bandster's forum who drinks a fountain soda every day with no problem. I think a lot of it has to do with the Dr's not wanting you to drink your calories early on...I dunno. I'm sure you're fine though.

I was about 13 months out before I felt any real restriction. Bandster hell was a long time for me. lol.

I get tipsy off the sample wine at the Olive Garden, hahahaha. I was a bad drinker before getting my band, haven't drank since (cept for 2 times at the OG). It kicked my rear though.