Hey all~

I made it! Got my band yesterday - WOO HOO

I am so incredibly sore though. Throat hurts from the tubing, backside still sensitive from the pre-op laxative diet, whoosie whatsie hurts from the catheter, my neck, shoulders, and underarms are bruised and very sore/stiff, gas pain in left shoulder (don't get me started), bleeding from my five insicions, and obvious allergic reaction to the adhesive on the tape they used!!. Let's see did I leave anything out? Oh yeah, started my monthly friend while being operated on!!! nice, huh??? And both my 1 yr old and 3 yr old decided to head-butt me in the stomach this morning - I am pretty sure that helped start the bleeding, ya think?

Did I mention that this was my first big surgery, so I really didn't know what to expect! I promise I am not usually a whiner, so I am blaming it on the anesthesia and my monthly friend! I feel worse than I had hoped but MUCH BETTER than I had expected - so that is a great thing! I would do it again in a heartbeat! Besides, the band and insicions aren't really too bad, just a little sore and stiff - it's all the other crap that I am having trouble with!

Went to the mall today to start some Christmas shopping and get some walking in! I think I was there a bit too long, but the walking really helped with the shoulder gas pain (who'd think the gas would affect your shoulders??) I definitely recommend walking and a nice hot shower!

***Important message - Those of you who are about to get banded and are klutzy like me, please have some one get you one of those "gopher" things. That way you can pick up the light things you drop all over the place instead of yelling for someone to come pick it up for you!!! I dropped my hair brush three times this morning and couldn't bend over to get it. I finally got it in between my toes! So, tonight my hubby and the kids will be going out to buy me the gopher at Walmart!!! ***

Take care y'all!

~cheri

Congrats! Take it easy for a few days! The soreness will subside soon! Great things are ahead of you now!!! Good luck on a quick recovery!

Thanks to all of you for listening to me complain! Just to clarify, I actually have three kids, but the oldest one rarely head-butts me anymore (she's 8 after all!) My youngest one is having a tough time with actually having to walk everywhere. I hardly ever carry him around, but he must know that I can't lift him because he is now a permanent attachment to my legs!

I am so sorry for scaring any of you with my complaints - guess I should've waited to post - YIKES!!! I am feeling quite a bit better now. Not as big a whiney butt anymore!! Went back to our neighborhood mall for a little "gaseous removal" walk this evening!

Let me ask a question if I may, am I supposed to leave the bandaids off of my holes when they come off or should I replace them? Mine keep bleeding, but the hubby says the nurse told me to leave them off (why do they talk to you when they know you are stoned?!?!?!) And, I didn't get a dietary guideline at all, so I am going to try to choose one from here and stick to it!! Any suggestions? Since my doc didn't specify, I need to get a good 'un!

***More important info for the newly banded - while you have your hubby and kids at Walmart getting you a gopher to pick your stuff up (got one by the way WOO HOO), have them pick up an ice shaver and some sugar free koolaid mix. Mix the sugar-free packet with a cup of Water. Shave some ice and top with the Koolaid concoction! My dinner for the last two nights has been the best grape sno-cone ever!! Easy, on the plan, and the kids love them too!! By the way, Kool-aid now has invisible mix, so definitely a lcear liquid, and no stained clothes or rugs!! YEE HAW***

~cheri

OK - well I plan to use my 10 year old as a gopher. And he can carry the two year old round as well, lol!

Hi Cheri! Wow! You went through alot but you still are in great spirits which only means one thing....you are going to do great on your journey to losing your weight! I am not too far away too from getting banded. I am getting my surgery on Dec. 21. I am a bit nervous but overall excited about what the future will hold for me with the help of the band. Congrats Cheri! You are an inspiration to us all....and I can't believe it...shopping already! By the way, I can relate when you say that you have 2 small children. My boys are now 13 and 14 but when they were babies I had to have my gallbladder out. My babies at that time were 3 1/2 months and 10 1/2 months! It wasn't easy but with the help of friends and family I made it through somehow.lol...Now I guess you are wondering how come they were so close together...well, I was very fortunate and when I adopted my older son I found out that day I was pregnant. My boys are 7 months apart! That was exciting too! Now I'm excited for all of us beginning this journey together. I know we all have different banding dates but we are here to help each other and cheer each other on to keep on going!! I am really happy I was told about this website. Cheri, keep your spirits up...seems like that isn't a problem for you..and don't worry if you have to whine right now...hey, your the mom! Glad you are home and on the mend...feel better real soon!! Welcome home!! Happy Holidays!Jan:)