Calling all upcoming bandsters...

I just wanted to start a thread where everyone can post their surgery dates and we can start to compare notes.

I am scheduled for 9/12. I have ALL my pre-op stuff next Wed & Thurs, including psych eval, sleep consult, lab work, 4 hr nutrition class, and pre-op appt with surgeon. It is going to be a couple of very full days.

My parents are coming for a visit the following week, and I don't plan on telling them about the surgery, so I am rushing to get through all of that before they get here.

How is everyone else doing getting their pre-op stuff scheduled?

Here is the list of September Bandsters: I'll try to keep it updated for everyone.

9/1 okiegirl

9/1 TexasBr@t

9/1 TruBlueSue

9/1 finallyonmyway

9/1 ashley

9/4 JamesA

9/4 SLHarrison

9/5 Em1125

9/5 kittylover54

9/5 mcw12985

9/5 chabutter

9/5 BigBZ

9/5 TamifromAL

9/6 Ashlee

9/6 Cole

9/6 Kathy S

9/6 r2ht4u

9/6 Gjdf52

9/6 babyjessica

9/6 P McDonald

9/6 harlito

9/6 kareyquilts

9/6 LindaN

9/7 bibytz

9/7 kristyinusa

9/7 sunnshyne411

9/7 MICHELLE43

9/7 cassandra

9/7 green

9/7 happykat

9/8 dovie6523

9/8 valgal1968

9/8 PattyMartin

9/9 mary9

9/9 msgoat4949

9/11 cindyn

9/11 BJean

9/11 SheryBery

9/11 SherryA

9/11 RHCPgirl

9/11 lamamama

9/11 PHAT TX

9/11 drcollier

9/11 fraleyk

9/11 Dana Kwt

9/12 want2lose

9/12 ItsGottaGo!

9/12 TxAngel

9/12 HopeWorks

9/12 kattiegirl

9/12 brendab

9/13 katt

9/13 jewel

9/13 avasa

9/13 whlatimer

9/13 twiceblessed

9/13 suleehci@yahoo.

9/14 gonnabethin

9/14 mom of many

9/14 spike6

9/15 swanny

9/15 fugnick

9/15 coryW

9/15 ericergoman

9/15 melissa0915

9/18 Linstadt

9/18 tayvia99

9/18 April

9/18 Turmoil

9/18 LovinColorado

9/19 vv0710

9/19 susoue

9/19 Elaine53

9/19 reredc

9/19 missSD

9/19 sweet31eve

9/19 lisalee

9/20 mariecarmen

9/20 wantlapband

9/20 samos

9/20 labradoodle

9/20 ErinS

9/20 beechpad

9/20 lifelongband

9/20 mejomojogolow

9/21 jgandg

9/21 WandaKay

9/21 Dallasmist

9/21 JewelsInLove

9/21 YellowRoseKnows

9/22 diane5467

9/22 kellieatkins30

9/22 Lila

9/22 shell04937

9/22 venetiaann

9/22 butterfly1973

9/22 teachmath

9/23 tgjones

9/25 buzz321

9/25 sandranoelle

9/26 marie noone

9/26 christy

9/26 Lin

9/26 The Woman

9/27 Bettina

9/27 tommygirl

9/27 GettinThinMan

9/27 MimIN

9/28 Tracicat

9/28 jumbojet

9/28 "D"-n-OK

9/28 rbabcock61

9/28 Lisa99

9/29 Lapoli7

9/29 ratgirl

9/29 sweetsue

9/29 chattanoogabrat

9/29 phw72

9/29 JessyInSD

9/29 Chrissy "O"

LOL..How tall are you? I am 5'7"... Now that I am almost under 210, I can practically taste 199! LOL (Probably the wrong phrase to use!)

SherryA: I agree with you that this has been a very helpful thread!

BTW (I think that means by the way) I started off quite a bit lower than you so that's why I was able to get below 200 first. I am probably much shorter than you too.

That's a very good way to set an interim goal. For your birthday, like a reward - not a deprivation! Smart!

Keep up the good work. BJ

I just got back from my post-op appt. They took off the steri-stips and my scars look really good. I go back in 7 weeks for my first fill (if needed). He cleared me to go back on BC pills next week, and said I can go ahead and start mushies now. I do still have a funny lump above my port incision. It does continue to shrink, and he was not concerned. He did tell me to wait 2 weeks before using mederma on my scars.

I have that too.. I think it must be swelling!! Mine has not gotten smaller yet- im sure it will. My port is just below my ribs on the left and on occasion I feel my ribs rub accross it - doesnt hurt just odd feeling!!

Congradulations on the mushies!!!! That will help the full sensation!!

My port is also just below my ribs, but on the right side. My lump last Wed/ Thurs was like 1/2 a grapefruit sticking up. now it's long horozontally, about the size of a fat pickle from the deli. Hmmm... why do you think I keep comparing everything to food??? LOL

SherryA: Uh duh, I'm a tad shorter - 5'1.5" It also hit me why my waistband and yours relate so differently to our port sites. You're probably wearing cute low-slung hot jeans. I'm wearing elasticized stretchies - very attractive. A notch below sweats in fact. But one day!!!!

I did discover a bit of a lump at the port site, but nothing orange sized. Oh yea! I may get rid of the steri-strips tomorrow when I go for my first appt. Woo-hoo!

want2lose: funny you referenced pickles. I actually dreamed I was sucking on a nice big fat huge pickle like we used to see in large glass containers at the deli. Which is peculiar because I have never eaten one and don't like pickles. Think it was some kind of subconscious yearning for something salty instead of all this artificially sweetened Jello, puddings, popsicles, etc.?

want2lose: funny you referenced pickles. I actually dreamed I was sucking on a nice big fat huge pickle like we used to see in large glass containers at the deli. Which is peculiar because I have never eaten one and don't like pickles. Think it was some kind of subconscious yearning for something salty instead of all this artificially sweetened Jello, puddings, popsicles, etc.?

I'm so excited for mushies I don't even know where to start. I have been having Soup (broth only) 2x/ day....and I am sooo sick of soup. I'm hitting the grocery store tonight. I'm thinking mushy scrambled egg might taste real good for Breakfast tomorrow.

I just got back from my post-op appt. They took off the steri-stips and my scars look really good. I go back in 7 weeks for my first fill (if needed). He cleared me to go back on BC pills next week, and said I can go ahead and start mushies now. I do still have a funny lump above my port incision. It does continue to shrink, and he was not concerned. He did tell me to wait 2 weeks before using mederma on my scars.

I wonder why he said to wait to put Mederma on your scars. I was banded on 9/5 and as soon as all of the steri strips fell off, here I go with the Neosporin. I put it on my scars at least two to three times a day. They are healing very quickly. Very true that our surgeons have different opinions.

Which leads me to those of you who went on to criticize Bettina for giving the same kind of advice that 99 percent of the people on this board do. I haven't been on the boards for a couple of days and just read what some of you were saying. What is your deal? Everyone on this forum relates what their personal surgeon has to say, so why is it that you chose to jump all over Bettina. Very uncool, kids. When people peruse these boards, they know that the posters (save one or two) are not physicians and that they should not take every piece of advice to heart. This board is for support, not true medical instructions, and people know that.

Don't act like you're Queen-Of-The-Board, because you're not.

XoxO

Flame AWAAAAAYYYY

Hey guy & girls,

I just got banded on 9/15, I think the worst thing for me was the wearing off of the general anesthesia (it makes me dry heave) But after that was over the gas pain is just aweful. It goes away but then when I eat or wait a long while to eat my stomach seems to fill up with gas..... Has anyone else had this problem. I have tried a heating pad (which feels good) Ibuprofen, and gas-x. Ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Don't act like you're Queen-Of-The-Board, because you're not.

XoxO

Flame AWAAAAAYYYY

Ha,

Queen of the Board....... You are too funny.

Oh by the way, I love Tennessee. I took my kids to the smokies for spring break and they loved it. Plus it's a great place for a romantic get away!

Any advice will be appreciated. I've never been able to sleep on my back but i can't lay any other way because of the pain where my port is. any helpful experience dealing with this. I would love to get more than about 4hrs of sleep.

Cory,

I had surgery on 9/15 and I have been able laying on my back or my right side (non port side) since the surgery. I am able to lay for a short while on my left side. So just wait it out you will be able to lay another way soon.

I finally found a Protein shake that tastes pretty good. A pal of mine that had gastric bypass gave me this recipe.

1/3 Cup Designer whey Protein powder (Vanilla)

8 ounces skim milk

1/2 Cup strawberry Yogurt (Carb and Sugar Control)

1/2 banana optional

Blend together to desired thickness

38 g protein total

I tried this today and it's very, very good.

I got the box of Designer Whey protein powder at walmart for $19.95 (46 servings!)

This also carry it at Rite Aid and GNC but it costs more. They also have chocolate and strawberry.

Also, I was told not to pull off the sterile strips over my incisions, it's been a week and only 2 have come off. I keep washing them but they aren't falling off. Any advice?

I

Also, I was told not to pull off the sterile strips over my incisions, it's been a week and only 2 have come off. I keep washing them but they aren't falling off. Any advice?

I had Tubal Reversal Surgery back in 2003 and my surgeon said to just wait until they fell off. I don't remember if I was to wash them or cover them when bathing and just wait till they fell off. I want small scars so the longer they stay on the better???

Hope that helps

Oh by the way, I love Tennessee. I took my kids to the smokies for spring break and they loved it. Plus it's a great place for a romantic get away!

Tennessee is pretty. I moved here about a year ago from Dallas, big change. Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is great, about an hour away from me in Knoxville.

Tennessee is pretty. I moved here about a year ago from Dallas, big change. Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is great, about an hour away from me in Knoxville.

It is a small world!!!! I was born in Dallas Tx. I would love to move to Tennessee but my youngest just started HighSchool. I have been in Illinois for 30 years. Maybe I will be able to move when my son graduates. For now I will just visit as often as I can.

McW - Don't know whom you were jumping on, but you must not have read back quite far enough. No one was "jumping on" Bettina.

On a couple issues or topics, there were some of us who had differing opinions and experiences and were concerned that those would be ignored because Bettina was making herself out to be an "expert authority" on those topics by repeatedly stating her qualifications. If a reader thinks someone is an "expert", why read any further or consider a different source of information? When I said something to Bettina about it, she became very defensive and acted wounded.

No one ever, to my knowledge, has had a problem with anyone speaking their mind here. But we should ALL be able to do it with impunity, not just ones with whom you may agree. Furthermore, if you have information and experiences that don't jibe with someone who is sharing information contrary to yours, why can't you talk about it without everybody getting all het up?

So attack on, if you must, but if any of this has served to make people aware that all posts should enjoy the same credibility here, then it has been a good thing.