July 2011 Bandsters!

[Short and Chunky 230]

REPOST FROM PRE-OP BOARD

Greetings from the other side of the banding journey!! I am home from the surgery which took place at 8:30 this mroning. All in all, REALLY not bad. I don't know if my pain is on a lower level because the surgeon used the same incision sites from my gall bladder removal, but I CAN say that I have only taken the liquid vicadin once since I have been home. I was not nauseous after I woke up but I tend to respond pretty well under general anesthesia. They had me up and walking within a few hours and sent me home with orders to come back in 7-10 days to meet with the nurse about my incisions and to have an esophogram before that appointment. I don't look forward to chugging more barium but apparently I will be having a lot of esophograms because that is part of the annual physical now to make sure that the band is doing well. I am able to drink my clear broth and juice and Water without any issues as well. Again, don't know if that is because I am taking sips or because I am just responding well to the band, but it is comforting!

As far as the gas issues I have seen others have after surgery, I have not had any pains at all. I find that weird so I expect that it will kick in tomorrow. I did bring a pillow with me to hold against my stomach in the car on the way home and that was a huge help, so I recommend it to everyone.

That's all for now! Have a good night

Glad you did so well. I am encouraged by what you had to say. My surgery is tomorrow and thanks to you - I won't forget to take a pillow...

[lifeisjustbeginning2011 11]

Oh YUM! Aside from the fruit juices and applesauce, no Protein intake...but I tried Peanut Butter (a teasspoon) yesterday and no issues. I'll survive on that until mushies on Friday. Not the healthiest thing, but hey, its protein for now. I think that later on, peanut butter probably isn't a good idea because of the stickiness, but with no restriction now, seems fine. Whew. A change of taste!! Sure beats licking BBQ Sauce off my finger like yesterday. LOL

[songbird5769 0]

Oh YUM! Aside from the fruit juices and applesauce, no Protein intake...but I tried Peanut Butter (a teasspoon) yesterday and no issues. I'll survive on that until mushies on Friday. Not the healthiest thing, but hey, its protein for now. I think that later on, peanut butter probably isn't a good idea because of the stickiness, but with no restriction now, seems fine. Whew. A change of taste!! Sure beats licking BBQ Sauce off my finger like yesterday. LOL

[nancy2011 1]

I'm feeling itchy too. Good news!! I started mushies today!! I had to eat very slow and waited before taking another bite but so far so good. My tummy feels good and satisfied after eating some oatmeal 1/2 cup was all it took. Still have some gas issues but yep gas x not working too well.

[girlwithflair 0]

Hey all! This is my first post on the board! I had my surgery on Friday July 1, 2011....and was back to work yesterday. (Tuesday). I had to leave work around 2 to go home and sleep. So today, i'm back to work and it's almost 4pm so I feel like that is some improvement!

Here's what I'm going through--

BURPING! BURPRING! and more BURPING!

My incisions are itchy.

I'm taking my pain meds at night only so i can sleep

My dr allows me to eat anything that would go through a straw...so i picked up some Soups and added milk and pureed them in the blender. The potato Soup with bacon and added cheese and milk was delicious!

I'm a stomach sleeper and have been able to sleep on my stomach...thank goodness!

I woke up on the operating table after it was all said and done and i just started sobbing...I told those nurses that I wish i were naturally skinny and didn't have to do this.....one replied that she wishes she was 5'8" but she just isn't I hope i have made the right decision. Does anyone else feel like that?

Today is the first day that I can recognize hunger and not get grossed out by food smells. I'm ready for some mushy foods on Friday!!! I have my refried Beans and sour cream and cheese waiting for me in the fridge hehee

TTYL

Edited to add: Try vanilla Protein powder, skim milk, Peanut Butter, a touch of nutella, and blend! MMMMM lots of Protein and very tasty.

Also, i have been taking my regular pills just fine. If they are a bit large, I break them in half.

[Kate rules 43]

I'm post-op day two. Have a lot of gas and am looking forward to getting rid of it. Never been so excited to burp and pass gas!

[lifeisjustbeginning2011 11]

Welcome aboard!!

I'm surviving until Friday on applesauce and Peanut Butter. I'm pretty sure no one has died from lack of nutrition from that. My stomach has been rumbling ALL DAY today, but I don't feel hungry. I'm eating very little but trying to focus on Fluid intake. Today I had a tiny amount of parmesan cheese (like 1/2 teaspoon, just for taste) and a teaspoon of BBQ Sauce after that. It made my mouth happy.

My burping finally calmed down yesterday. Sunday was horrible - all I had to do was move an inch and I burped 873 times. Now I just burp when I stand up or change positions, and only two or three times.

I'm a chocolate and Peanut Butter combo lover, too!! If you haven't tried it yet, bellplantation.com has powdered peanut butter that is SOOO good. There's a plain peanut butter and a chocolate and peanut butter combo. I paid $4 for two samples to be mailed to me to try them, then ordered online. Including shipping, my total was $25 for four jars. SOOOO worth it. I should probably put the info on my blog since I keep talking about it.

Again, welcome! We're small right now because we're the other half of the group in the pre-op seciton. Once we have our surgeries, we come over here. Although we do visit the pre-op board to provide support to those with upcoming surgeries!

Amy

Hey all! This is my first post on the board! I had my surgery on Friday July 1, 2011....and was back to work yesterday. (Tuesday). I had to leave work around 2 to go home and sleep. So today, i'm back to work and it's almost 4pm so I feel like that is some improvement!

Here's what I'm going through--

BURPING! BURPRING! and more BURPING!

My incisions are itchy.

I'm taking my pain meds at night only so i can sleep

My dr allows me to eat anything that would go through a straw...so i picked up some Soups and added milk and pureed them in the blender. The potato Soup with bacon and added cheese and milk was delicious!

I'm a stomach sleeper and have been able to sleep on my stomach...thank goodness!

I woke up on the operating table after it was all said and done and i just started sobbing...I told those nurses that I wish i were naturally skinny and didn't have to do this.....one replied that she wishes she was 5'8" but she just isn't I hope i have made the right decision. Does anyone else feel like that?

Today is the first day that I can recognize hunger and not get grossed out by food smells. I'm ready for some mushy foods on Friday!!! I have my refried Beans and sour cream and cheese waiting for me in the fridge hehee

TTYL

Edited to add: Try vanilla Protein powder, skim milk, peanut butter, a touch of nutella, and blend! MMMMM lots of Protein and very tasty.

Also, i have been taking my regular pills just fine. If they are a bit large, I break them in half.

[lifeisjustbeginning2011 11]

Just wait till you POOP! You'll want an award! LOL

I'm post-op day two. Have a lot of gas and am looking forward to getting rid of it. Never been so excited to burp and pass gas!

[AlyGurl 3]

FINALLY slept for the first time in two days and pain has really decreased!

[lifeisjustbeginning2011 11]

awesome news!!

FINALLY slept for the first time in two days and pain has really decreased!

[Nechama L 4]

The itchiness is definitely the incision sites healing, I remember that from when I had my gall bladder removed (the surgeon was kind enough to use my old scars for 3 of the 4 incisions this time around). I am having the worst left shoulder pain. It is unbearable at times and I can't sleep or function sometimes because it just throbs. Anyone else having this problem?

[ahassan 0]

Hey all! This is my first post on the board! I had my surgery on Friday July 1, 2011....and was back to work yesterday. (Tuesday). I had to leave work around 2 to go home and sleep. So today, i'm back to work and it's almost 4pm so I feel like that is some improvement!

Here's what I'm going through--

BURPING! BURPRING! and more BURPING!

My incisions are itchy.

I'm taking my pain meds at night only so i can sleep

My dr allows me to eat anything that would go through a straw...so i picked up some Soups and added milk and pureed them in the blender. The potato Soup with bacon and added cheese and milk was delicious!

I'm a stomach sleeper and have been able to sleep on my stomach...thank goodness!

I woke up on the operating table after it was all said and done and i just started sobbing...I told those nurses that I wish i were naturally skinny and didn't have to do this.....one replied that she wishes she was 5'8" but she just isn't I hope i have made the right decision. Does anyone else feel like that?

Today is the first day that I can recognize hunger and not get grossed out by food smells. I'm ready for some mushy foods on Friday!!! I have my refried Beans and sour cream and cheese waiting for me in the fridge hehee

TTYL

Edited to add: Try vanilla Protein Powder, skim milk, Peanut Butter, a touch of nutella, and blend! MMMMM lots of Protein and very tasty.

Also, i have been taking my regular pills just fine. If they are a bit large, I break them in half.

Looks like we have the same doctor and were banded back to back on friday, mine with him on July 1st was at 10:45...I am also looking forward to eating mushies on Friday...there is a support group meeting on Monday at 6:30 PM, do you plan on attending? I am planning on it since it is only once a month, I think it should be helpful!

[SkinnyCL 0]

Hi everyone! I'm post op day 4 and finally comfortable! Almost no pain and down 8 pounds already!

[lifeisjustbeginning2011 11]

I cheated.

I'm not supposed to have mushies until Friday. Today I ate a half slice of cheese. Very carefully....slowly....and it was a super thin piece...but dang. WILL POWER, AMY!! WILLPOWER!!!!

I'm trying not to be too hard on myself, but the guilt is haunting me. And how there's still half of a slice left...sitting all lonely in the fridge...

I can make it till Friday......

[songbird5769 0]

Hi everyone! I'm post op day 4 and finally comfortable! Almost no pain and down 8 pounds already!