pooky032281

Thanks for the well-wishes everyone.

I just got back from my PCP a few minutes ago (have been having back pain and stiffness, and I wanted to talk to him about this surgery anyways, so I made an appointment)

I have good news, and bad news.

so, remember how i was bummed about having to do 6 months MDS (medically supervised diet)? well... I told him about it and he filled out two of the forms. One for our appointment last month when we discussed my weight, and one for this month. He wants to see me every month for the next four months to get this done. He also made some copies of some test results that he thought would be useful to the surgeon. He's really doing everything he can to help me with this, and I am sooo grateful for his support.

I told him I was also ready to quit smoking and asked about the medicine Chantix. He got me all set up for that, wrote the prescription and explained it to me... but when I got to the pharmacy my insurance declined it. Apparently they stopped covering it. I cant afford the $140 a month at this time, so I guess im gonna have to quit smoking on my own

sooo... Im happy but frustrated yet again. Oh well, I'll get through it.

Edited to add- my diet plan for the next month: eat off of a desert plate... no going back for seconds, and my servings cannot touch eachother. Switch to diet pop for two weeks and then see if I feel good enough to eliminate pop completely. Go on a 20-25 minute walk 5 days a week. YAY!

If you cut the pop all together, you'll be amazed at how much better you feel! I took a drink of coke about a month ago and couldn't believe how gross it tasted to me. Good luck with the quitting pop and smoking - two vices that I had as well. I did both cold turkey and it seemed to work the best. Chantix gave me horrible nightmares even though my insurance paid for it, i couldn't handle it. I will keep ya in my thoughts :crying:

Hey everyone! Wow, yesterday was my first day back at work and let me tell ya, that 12 hour shift about kicked my tail! We delivered I can't even remember how many babies, and then at the end of the shift when it was time to go home....a floor above us caught fire, so the entire hospital went on lockdown. They wouldn't let us leave, and we were all soooo tired!!! Thank goodness we finally figured out a way to get out without getting caught. Then I came home and slept for about 12 hours too.

Good luck to all those being banded this week, I hope you all have a great experience and a speedy painless recovery!

I am being banded on 9/22, starting to get excited but at the same time I am nervous!

Pooky -As for your question, I have this concern too. Eating meals and enjoying foods, sweets, etc, is a big part of many relationships. My husband has an eating problem but he is younger than me and can exercise it off easily. Does your husband have a relationship with you and food too?

Oh absolutely, and I think that's part of the problem. Our date nights have changed from going to a nice restaurant to just being at home so I can have my liquids. I'm sure I'm worrying about nothing, that seems to be my middle name. :thumbup:

Hey guys....I need to vent, and figured this was a better place to do it than to my hubby since the problems I'm having this week center around him.

Have any of you guys experienced a change in your relationship since the surgery? At first I thought he was very supportive, and now, I'm getting the feeling like he never wanted me to have this done to begin with. I mean I still cook dinner for him and the kids, its not like I've slacked off on the cooking/housework. I just feel like he's pulled away from me. And it all started about 10 days ago (the day after I came home). Now I'm going back to work (at least 4 12 hr days a week) so that means I'll be away a lot, and I'm thinking it will only make things worse.

I know they say relationships change with WLS, but I never imagined it would happen so soon. :thumbup:

Good Monday all! I hope this finds everyone doing well. I start back to work tomorrow, so I'm sure that my posts will drop in number after today.

Best wishes to lillyegg, debrarh, ready4change10, CalaCake, bandalley, RN.Violet, SarahMarie123, glitteryvampiregirl, ConB113, lovemysgt...I hope you all have a speedy recovery!

Good morning!

Ok, I need to vent some fears I have now that I'm less than a week away from my surgery. It's not that I'm scared of the surgery-- I'm scared I won't get to have it as scheduled!

I've been sick for a full two weeks as of tomorrow, and finishing up a 10-day run of antibiotics today. Problem is, I'm still having to take tons of medicine because I don't think the antibiotics have killed my infection (sinus)-- helped tremendously, but I still have throat and ear pain if I don't take ibuprofen or tylenol every 6 hours. I worry a LOT about what my liver must look like after two weeks of round-the-clock cold medicine, pain medicine, antibiotics, and prescription antihistamines and there is no way to know until Wednesday, when I go in for all of my pre-op work in anticipation of surgery Friday.

And then there's the TMI-- since I started the antibiotics, etc., I have had nothing but the big D happening in the bathroom. You should hear my stomach gurgling through the day (or not). This just seems like a bad way to be before I even get the band.

I guess the worst thing that could happen is that I have to put off the surgery for a few weeks. It would be disappointing, but not the end of the world. it's just hard, now that it is so close after SOOO long, to think it might not happen.

The good news is that for the past two days I've weighed in at 261, which means I am officially down 32 pounds from my high weight of 293 a year ago, and 15 pounds down since I started my unofficial pre-op diet August 10th. I'm praying that I'll be in the 250s before my surgery, something I haven't seen on the scale in probably 6 years if not more.

Hey there! I too fought off a sinus infection within a week of surgery. Took a full round of antibiotics and Tylenol and the works. Not to mention immodium for the big D!!!

I hope your doc gives you the go ahead, I just had to be without fever for three days before surgery. I will keep you in prayer to get well soon!

I was wondering what your doctor told you to do with your incision site after surgery? I was banded on 9/7/10 and I am not sure when my dr said to remove the liquid bandage..or it appears to be a liquid bandage...site is sore still and swollen. I was pretty drugged up when he told me what to do and I can't find it written down on my discharge paperwork. Of course the dr's office is closed and it's the weekend.

Thanks,

Sandy

My incisions were covered with steri-strips, and I was told to leave them be until they fell off on their own. If they used a liquid bandage, I would just leave it. You're only a couple days post-op, that skin could still separate and cause you problems. My doc has an answering service that pages him when patients have questions...have you tried calling the office number to see if your doc has something like that?

I am soooooo tired of drinking this sweet milky crap. Surely there's something out there that is high in Protein that doesn't taste like a milkshake? I am just over a week post-op and still have a whole week of liquids to go. Any suggestions?!?!

I'm down 15 lb and am post-op one week and one day. I haven't gotten a fill, and won't for at least another month. I just hope that I keep up the pace that I've started with!

Congrats to you for losing so much so quickly!

Desiree, You will do great! We're rooting for you!

Congrats Rebecca on your loss! We are both celebrating today, I'm down 15lb :thumbup:

Hi Everyone! Been lurking for a while but just figured I would introduce myself. I had my final(6th month) appointment on August 30th. I met with Dr. Kurian (NYU) and she asked me how soo did I want the surgery. Of course I said ASAP so she gave me a surgery date of Sept 10th! I had to start the liquid diet the very next day. I was so stressed about starting the diet that I didn't even have a "final meal". The liquid diet has been rocky but for me it is more psychological than physical hunger. I recently cheated and had 1 strip of grilled chicken. Three days ago I had one of the 100 calorie pepperoni snack paks. I am so scared she is gonna open me up and say "NO CAN DO! THIS ONE HAS BEEN SNACKING!"

Hahaha I thought the same thing, I had a couple bites of cheese and a bite of a YUMMY hamburger when I did my pre-op diet, but I still got banded a week ago.

I was banded on 9/2 and I'm starving! I thought maybe it was just me, but I guess I was wrong. I eat a little bit of Soup, get full and within a few minutes, I'm hungry again. One more week of liquids, then mushies! I can't wait for some mashed potatoes lol

I am starting to count my hours down... They called with my "arrival time" earlier today. I have to be at the hospital at 5:15 am; which made me very happy! Don't want to wait another minute longer to fly into bandland...I have taken my first of two showers with the hospital soap and will take my nail polish offffff in a few minutes....

Had my last meal at 7 pm, thougt about something special first but then decided to stick with my low carb fish and veggies diet. I am excited! Aaaaaaaaand nervous.... but more excited!

It has been great to read all the posts along the way and I hope I will be able to post soon again.... well if I can't sleep I will just read and post all night ...:blushing:

Any prayers are very welcome!!!!

Ready to fly in NC!

Best wishes to you!!!

Hey everyone, how are you all doing? I haven't heard from anyone on this thread in a while!

Best wishes to NYsLegend78, donnalys, LadyT39, 1reign, lemonchick, Brian-LA crossing over into BandLand today!!! I wish you guys the best and a fast recovery.

Post-op day 6 here in Oklahoma today...the past couple have been rough for me, bad nausea and left shoulder pain. I just read Bandednellie said moist heat, I think I will try that here in just a few minutes. Other than that, I haven't been too hungry, just trying to get all the Fluid down. I have a hard time forcing myself to drink LOL...

How are all you post-op peeps doing? I hope everyone is feeling fine...I go back to work next Tuesday....dreading that, but on the other hand, I'm ready. Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Happy Labor Day all! I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend off! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you that are being banded tomorrow...I will pray for you all. Today has been a good day, pain is virtually gone. Have a great day everyone!

The gas pains have been the only real pain I have had...in my left shoulder and like a huge burp that won't come out. This is post op day 3, and its much better than yesterday. I haven't taken any meds since Friday.

Well at least it isn't just me, I am sipping constantly all day it seems.

Is anyone else having to give themselves Lovenox (blood thinner) injections? That stuff burns like liquid fire, not to mention that I have UGLY bruises all over my belly from giving the shots to myself. I look like my hubby just beat the fire out of me! LOL Oh well, I guess its better to be bruised for a few weeks than to have problems with blood clots. Also, is anyone having trouble drinking all they are supposed to? I feel like I can't get in all the Fluid that I'm supposed to. My band has no saline in it as of yet, no fills until 6 weeks post op...but I still can't drink all that I'm supposed to. Maybe its just me?!?!

Hey all,

Today has been a pretty good day for me. My hubs and I just got back from taking a mile long walk. How is everyone else doing today?

I'm cleared!!! Surgery is Tuesday!!!!!

Congrats girlie!!! I wish you the best!

I developed a new issue today.

My belly is driving me crazy. It tingles which makes me scratch it and then it tingles more. It's like a bug bite, that vicious circle.

So what does a VERY itchy belly (meaning my incisions) mean?

Cathy

Means they're healing! :biggrin:

danide -- OMG is right. WOW that is so wonderful and what a great surprise. So HAPPY for you:thumbup::w00t::thumbup::scared2::biggrin::mad2:

pooky032281 -- Hi pooky how are you feeling today? Only 2 weeks of liquid - I'm jealous.

sunny day -- On the ticker I copied and pasted the html in the section where you can write stuff. For example mine says when I started, when I was approved and surgery date. Underneath the surgery date, I just pasted that whole thing. The September Sweeties, I just added through the instructions. If you have any troubles let us know.

leeblewb -- Hi Leila glad you finally heard from Cigna. Looks like several here are getting great news today. It's amazing how our emotions are put to the test during this process. Again, I am happy that part is over for you.

Hey Cathy,

I am feeling okay today, the gas pains are terrible, but bearable. I got home about 10am this morning, and have just laid around the house being lazy bones since then. Did you have a hard time getting in all the Fluid and the Protein the first couple days after? I feel like I'm forcing fluids, but I don't want to get dehydrated either! Thanks for asking about me...how are you doing????

MrsFitand42 -- Congratulations Tiffany on getting your surgery date. :biggrin:

Brian-LA -- Hi Brian, I am going great. I feel almost 100% am able to sleep on my right side but not my left. I can even sleep on about 70% of my tummy, again jacking up the left side which is great because I am a belly sleeper. I am getting around normal, driving to town and today - cleaning house. Thanks for asking.

Since you live alone, I would suggest you stocking up on sugar-free popsicles, Soup, Protein Drinks, Jello and yogurt. I found some excellent popsicles that are made from juices and only 25 calories each. The best Protein Drink (but kinda expensive) is Special K Protein Drink, comes in strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. Oops, add milk to the shopping list for your Soups.< /p>

As for your "Last Dinner" I did Chilis with my husband, even though I ate a salad. I knew I would be on a liquid diet for 9 weeks (3 pre-op and 6 post-op), so it was my reward for doing this. I did not over do it, nor did I order desert, just a salad. If you are going to reward yourself you should do it this weekend to allow plenty of time for everything to be processed through your system. Just make sure you surround yourself with people who support you and don't temp to you eat more than you want.

danide -- I feel for you and anytime you need to RANT we'll be here. I could not imagine how I would feel if I was denied. I learned about this procedure from a co-worker in January and had no clue there was even a procedure like this. I was sure this was my ticket to a happy healthy life that I committed 100%. I have a daughter who is in her 3rd year of college and we are paying $2000 a month in tuition, room & board. Taking into consideration our house payment, my husband and I live on about $500 a month. I would have been absolutely crushed if I was denied because I know I could not afford to cover the cost. I would have simply given up.

It's a big decision and I am glad you have decided to go for you.:scared2:

missjoany -- Wow you have really had some major obsticles. Your determination will work for you and you will be successful with this tool. Congratulations on your surgery date and glad to have you in our family.

South Dakota Girl -- Welcome and congratulations on your surgery date. I was one of those who did not want to leave the hospital but was booted out. I surgery was at 8, woke up in recovery at 10 and was leaving the hospital by 11.

fusionbell -- I had my surgery a week ago today and could have gone back to work by Wednesday. I am glad I took the week off which is allowing me to get caught up on things that I had put on the back burner. I'm not a smoker so I can't answer that question. But just think, by this time next year how much better your health will be. Good luck.

Mandyrae -- It's good that you know about your heart because that will make you more determined to make this work for you.

__________________________________________________

So I have a question for everyone. Just curious because there has been such a big different in pre-op diets.

1. How long after surgery will you be on liquids?

2. How long will you be on mushies?

3. At what week can you move to regular food?

My answers:

1 - for 6 weeks

2 - for 1 week

3 - starting 8th week after surgery

My answers:

1 - 2 wks

2 - 4 wks

3 - starting after the 6th week post-op

Well, I'm done now, banded at 10 am this morning. It hasn't been too bad short of a reaction to a breathing treatment that got me an overnight visit. Oh well, at least I have a great doc to take care of me. Talk to you guys in a few days.