Just thought I'd start a thread on the post-op side...

I was banded on 03/30/11. I am doing pretty good. I have felt more discomfort than pain. It is mostly in the left shoulder. I do not use the pain meds during the day but I have taken them at night to help me sleep better. I am now able to sleep on either side. I use a a pillow on my belly when I turn.

I mixed some Miralax with my Water today for some assistance in that department. I have been surviving on broth,sf popscicles,pudding and yogurt. I use muscle milk and atkins for my Protein shakes. My swelling has gone down quite a bit which is causing me to feel hungrier. I am suppose to do 14 days of liquids before mushies but I don't know if I will make it.

I am happy with my results so far:

03/02 consult 305

03/28 pre op 298

03/30 banding 295

04/03 today 289

Good Luck to Everyone !!!!!!

Donna-great to hear!!!

Thanks fly

i didn't want anyone worrying that I had died!! I also wanted to stop the complaining and let others know that there IS a corner to turn and it's not all as bubbles, stomach emptiness and whining!!!

I wanted to say that I really feel great even though I am hungry. Sort of like I've derided from my drug of choice. I feel good.

Man I hate autocorrect. I didn't mean derided. I meant detoxed. How it gets derided from detox I'll never know.

I was banded on March 28th, almost a week ago and it's been one tough week. The first 3 days post-op were the worst. On Friday I was finally able to start sipping on Protein shakes. I really like the Adkins brand as they are high protein and low sugar. I am also able to drink the Elite whey Protein Isolate that I got from my personal trainer. The orange and the banana are delish, especially when blended in my Healthmaster Blender with a banana or orange. It really helps with the hunger pains.

Last night I made my family a huge salad and spaghetti and sat with my back toward them while they ate . This morning I got out of bed and made them sausage and pancakes. I really miss chewing my food and can hardly wait until the 11th when I can start mushies. My husband had some Fritos with his lunch today and I took one and licked all the salt off of it.

I am going back to work tomorrow and that should be an experience. I'm taking my Water bottle, a small thermos with liquified vegetable beef Soup and an Adkins shake poured into a resealable shakeable container.

I was banded March 29, I am suppose to eat liquids until tomorrow then full liquids for a week then mushies.. blah blah blah.... so sick of itl i have pretty much followed the rules but today i ate about 3 bites of spagheti. i hope it doesnt stretch my poach. i am having the hardest time getting all of this gas out of my system. my stomach feels sore like i have had a intense work out sore, but i also am having swelling. i was scared i was getting dehydrated i am trying to drink more today. hope to feel better soon, i am still glad i did it but i wasnt prepared for as much pain as i had. it seems like every doctor is different on your post op diet. i dont get a fill for 6 weeks, that seems a little long.

Hello March 2011! I was banded on 3/16 so far I have lost 11 since my surgery date...THE scale hasn't budged in almost 2 wks. I have my f/u on 4/22. I guess that will be when I get a possible fill. I so agree everyday after surgery you get a little bit better. I had a hernia repair at the same time. I feel hopeful now that I'm banded, so weird to hear pple say man you have lost weight, or my goodness your paints are baggie. It is hard for me to take compliments....but I'm trying!

So thankful for this community and everyones support!

I was banded March 29, I am suppose to eat liquids until tomorrow then full liquids for a week then mushies.. blah blah blah.... so sick of itl i have pretty much followed the rules but today i ate about 3 bites of spagheti. i hope it doesnt stretch my poach. i am having the hardest time getting all of this gas out of my system. my stomach feels sore like i have had a intense work out sore, but i also am having swelling. i was scared i was getting dehydrated i am trying to drink more today. hope to feel better soon, i am still glad i did it but i wasnt prepared for as much pain as i had. it seems like every doctor is different on your post op diet. i dont get a fill for 6 weeks, that seems a little long.

Hi Donna,

I was banded on the same day as you. I doubt highly you stretched your pouch with 3 bites of spaghetti! Have you tried gas x strips for the gas? They work wonders for me. I was not prepared for the level of pain either, so I know how you are feeling. I know that the liquid stage is tedious but I keep reading that it's not that it stretches the pouch but that your stomach has to work hard to digest anything solid which places strain on the healing stitches, hence making it a possibility for the band to slip. That scares me more than the idea of stretching at this point! I do NOT want to go for another surgery to have my band repositioned. No way!

Today I was not even very hungry. I'm savoring these moments, believe me. I know the hunger will eventualy come back with a vengeance and it's not something I am looking forward to.

My doc made a follow up for my fill on 4/27, I thought that was a little soon as the guidelines are indeed 6 weeks.

Good luck and the month will pass before we know it!!

Donna

Has everyone told people at work they had surgery?

Hi, I was banded on 3/29/11. I told only 4 people that I was having surgery due to my current position. I have multiple overlapping team projects and I wanted the leadership team to know the deal. Other than that it's not up for discussion with my other colleagues. The people at my company love to eat, bring in food, go out to eat and plan the next reason to eat....LOL.

I don't want to turn into the team project to monitor how much weight I've lost. That's not support to me. I'm a private person and don't like everyone all up in my business. The weight loss will be obvious once I reach my goal, so I'll just let them wonder how I did it.

Ms G

I was banded 3/31. I feel great other than the incisions on my stomach. My trouble is I can't get enough protein in after drinking my ounce of water every 30 minutes I'm full or can't get anything else down. I'm also very afraid of vomiting while newly stitched. Anyone else having these issues

Hello guys,

I was bamded on March 8th. So far, I lost about 10 lbs. My first fill is on April 20th.

Just wanted to say Hi Mollyjollie! I too was banded on the 8th and have my first fill on the 20th. How have you been doing? Do you have much restriction? I am feeling good but hope this first fill will help to cut down on my portions.

I am also a March 15th Bander as well. The gas pain was so bad I ended up in the Er 6 days post op. Well I am now into 3 weeks & can finally eat soft protein only. I am so sick of Cottage cheese & tuna I could scream. Now I am so hungry that broth & jello will not help. Any ideas on pre moisened meat? I cant have veggies for 3 more months or fruit until 75% weight loss.

I was banded 3/31. I feel great other than the incisions on my stomach. My trouble is I can't get enough Protein in after drinking my ounce of Water every 30 minutes I'm full or can't get anything else down. I'm also very afraid of vomiting while newly stitched. Anyone else having these issues

yeah, this was a bit much for me too. Trying not to get too full, get all that water (which I wasn't used to) and protein. I never made the protein goal. My doctor said the protein goal, is just that, a goal -- something to work towards. The nurse said mix the two, put unflavored Protein powder in my Crystal Lite. I never did throw up. One nite of nausea though. When I got on the scale it was all worth it.

I was banded on March 2nd and I am about to have my first fill on this friday April 8th! I have barely any restriction at this time but i have still managed to lose about 20lbs before even getting a fill so I am happy about that!! Happy Monday March Bandsters!!!

Back to my pre-op weight today!!! I think that is pretty good , they told me they had to give me alot of fluid in the OR (my BP likes to drop) and then considering that it is that special time of the month to be back there already I am excited. Survived my mom's bday yesterday. I had a few spoons of beans, some cottage cheese and a spoon of mac and cheese. Everything very soft, chewed very well and enjoyed some good conversation while everyone else ate hot dogs, chips, etc. I think I am very lucky that my doctor allows you to be on full liquids the day after surg and progress as tolerated, slowly of course. I am having alot of pureed soups, water, protein pudding, water, protein icecream, water, but doing ok so far. It is pretty funny though when your 7 year old says to you-"mommy I never knew you to "toot" before, and boy do you burp alot now" LOL Just gotta love those boys!!