Hi, I really would like to be able to keep in touch with all of you waiting for

December surgery and as we progress on our way to success. Maybe start with Date of surgery, Where banded, Present weight and goal weight. Of course, add anything else that is helpful to others or if you need some words of encouragement hopefully someone here will step up and help us.

I will be banded 12/12/06

Banded in Wisconsin

Starting Weight 266

Goal 140

Hi StephC and NGAdams,

I have to tell you I'm not a warrior at all. I lucked out with a wonderful surgeon and a high tolerance for pain. I only have four very small cuts. Of course the Port one hurts every so often but if I put a pillow for pressure it seems to be tolerable. I'm getting to the missing chewing on something stage right now!

i tried to ask for more meds, but they dont understand vicoden!! come on now, this is like mideval times. Torchure the stupid american day.

You need to throw a good ole American hissy fit! No one in there speaks English? Do they understand pain? How do you translate Vicodin into German? How do you say "I AM IN PAIN" in sprakken ze deutch? Poor lil thing. I have so much empathy for you. I wish I could give you a few doses of my stuff. I can't imagine.

MEANWHILE I think I drank too much too quickly. It feels like I was passing liquids faster while I was in the hospital. Right now I am overfull from a Protein drink. I'm miserable. I can't get in my full 96 oz of surgeon prescribed Protein Drink plus all my other liquids. Surgeon's notes say that by day 5 I should be able to drink everything on the plan. I feel like I'm failing. No wonder I'm not making poopies. I've also got gas in my belly and the Gas-X isn't helping.

I think I'm going to call the surgeon's office tomorrow. I'd like to just get some confirmation that I'm not screwing this completely up. I don't like feeling full. I thought maybe stretching would help the liquid trickle from the top part into the bottom part of my stomach, but no such luck.

How much are the other recent bandsters able to eat/drink in a single day?

UGH!

N.

Nat - today I had a cappiccino - my first since surgery, a Jello cup, 1/2 cup of Soup, then at support group tonight I had more jello (freaking jello coming out of my ears!) and another cup of broth around 8 - but I drink Water all day - I probably get at least 64 - 96 oz of water - I have always drank alot of water. I have a water cooler - you knw the kind that holds 5 gallon jugs and we all drink water all the time. I don't do flavored stuff - kinda gross to me so I don't think I'm having a Fluid problem. I just so darn sick of liquids. At support group those who have been banded said the same thing - the liquid phase is the worst, once you get past that its alot easier going. The other thing my dr said is to take slow sips all day long, just have it sitting around - I can drink 16 oz without even thinking about it.

DDee - its good to hear something encouraging isn't it? WTG Hubby!

Annie - about the poopies - I don't know if we'll ever be the way we were.

Dreikilina - do you have another name or should we call you dre? Anyhoo- WELCOME to Decemeber bansters!! Now explain why you live in Mass and are going to Ga for a fill. Do tell.

:nervous Y'all keep me in your thoughts and prayers:) ....I asked my surgeon for something to help me sleep these few days before surgery, Have woke up about every hour it seems like...and the office called in a RX for 1 (one) ,yep, that's right 1 valium to take the night before surgery...lolI hope that's no indication of how he doles out pain meds...I'm a firm believer in the miracles of modern medice. Oh well all you you ladies hang in there and thanks so much for the words of encouragement!

Kathy in Chattaboogie - you'll do great! I was up all night prior to my surgery. It's normal to feel that way. I hope you get lots of sleep tonight and that your procedure goes very smoothly for you.

StephC - "The poopies" made me cackle. My friend Kevin calls 'em that (As in, "Let me call you back, I just caught the poopies,") and it just KILLS m. I will do better sipping. I feel instantly full after 1/2 cup or so, even of Water. It doesn't drain through, it just sits there, so I don't want to drink anything. I'm also missing my crystal clear pee pees. It's amber now. NOT GOOD.

Dee - what did we say? YOU ARE A WARRIOR! ((laugh)) Just say "thanks, Nat & StephC" and glow in the warmth of our love. Seriously, you're awesome to be up and about. Great surgeon, high tolerance of pain and all, you could be lounging about (like me) resting on the laurels of "recent surgery"

My body feels different. I miss burping. It always brought such immediate and fabulous relief when I could belch/burp. Yes, it's mannish, but I like it too!

I think I'm going to sip some warm water and put my jelly in the sack. (laugh) I wonder how KayDotRN is doing? I MISS HER! She's been on my mind for a while. I wonder if she's back home yet. She's probably sleeping it off right now. We're thinkin about you Kay!!! (And other 12/18 and 12/19 girls)

We really need a running tally of whose surgery was when. I hate not remembering everyone's special days.

More tomorrow, chicas.

Nat

Tomorrow is my big day! I am so nervous I am running around the house cleaning and straighting. My husband is begging me to sit down. I am so ready. Let's pray I have restriction as soon as I wake up b/c i am so hungry. Talk to everyone soon!

Kathy in Chattanooga - and Bexleygal - Good luck sweethearts! Let us know how you're doing when your'e up to it. I'll say a prayer for ya and be thinking of you. I can totally relate to both of you - cleaning house like a mad woman - which is great cuz when you come home you aren't going to be cleaning no houses! and not sleeping - I had more then one of them! I finally got to the point where I took an otc sleeping pill the last couple nights before surgery. But boy did I sleep after surgery! All that night, half of the next day, next night and napping on into day 3 or 4. In fact I think I'll go catch me some zzzz's now - talk with ya'll tomorrow.

Good luck to our Dec 20th Bandsters!

Hey my lovelies!

I am home safe and sound. so far so good. I have not read any of the messages but I wanted to leave a quick post so you all could sleep knowing that I am okay-hehe.

I feel alright. This stomach sleeper is struggling to get a good rest on my back but it wil allwork out. I have a small fear that every time I cough, this band is going to fly out of my stiches and land across the room somewhere-maybe dangling off my Christmas tree-how pretty. The procedure itself was a piece of cake and the staff was glorious. Everyone treated me so well. I look forward to being back to my old self soon-hoping by Sunday I will be up and about.

Have a good one all, I will post more later.

Congrats, Kay! I'm a stomach sleeper too, and I'm almost to the point of being comfortable enough to try my stomach (my surgery was last Thursday) - so, it won't be long! Just rest, relax, and get what sleep you can. Glad you're doing ok!

welcome home kay!! I'm so glad that it went so well for you. I totally understand about the stomach sleeping, I too am a stomach sleeper. I can'tget comfortable at all. Last night, my first night home, I slept in our lazy boy wtih tons of pillows around me.

this morning I am feeling a little better. gas pains are getting so much better, incisions are sore, but not excruciating anymore.

I think I may feel up to going to my little girls recital tonight, it's amazing how fast our bodies bounce back. Kind of reminds me of having children and feeling like crap for a few days then all of the sudden you start to heal and go back to normal in a few weeks. soon all the pain will be a distant memory. then I will be wanting a tummy tuck. right now, I am saying no way, this is more than enough pain, I can't handle a TT. I know that I will forget the pain. I don't know if I will get it done in germany though, these people must all have a high tolerance for pain, I really really don't. .

this morning i woke up hungry and I'm allowed to have full liquids now, so i had 6 oz of a yummy chocolate Protein shake. Now I'm good. my stomach is still rumbling, but i'm not sure if it's hunger or gas. but i don't feel hungry i don't think.

anyway, the month is coming to an end, we will all soon be banded. what a wonderful 2007 we will have!! I can't wait for next christmas.

sweethot - I'm glad your pain is subsiding. If you have a TT in Germany, I will know for sure you have a masochistic streak. They would not have another chance to cut on me and leave me for dead! ((laugh))

KayMyLove! I'm so glad to hear from you! sleep away, girlfriend. Your body is in "healing" mode, so catch some Z's and enjoy languishing about. I'm glad you had a great hospital experience. I swear being in the hospital was like being in a spa for me.

bexleygal - Have a wonderful banding experience! I was in the same cleaning frenzy prior to my surgery. It was like a need to create order in my home. Can't wait to hear from you when you get back.

As for MY problems, I have discovered that warm things are easier for me to drink than cold things. I sipped some hot Water last night and things moved downward and I was comfortable. I didn't sleep all that well, I have a kink in my shoulder/neck this morning.

Well we're on our way to town today, so I'll catch ya later!

Nathalie

good luck today my December 20th ladies! When I get nervous I get very very quiet. :-) so, when I big mouth isn't running on here, that's why!

I'm deep in thought.

hehe KayDot! coughin' it up...

NG I don't think I will be going for the TT in germany!! lol.

I couldn't wait 6 days to shower, so today is day 2 and I had a sponge bath to wash off all the iodine and I washed my hair in the sink. I have nothing to wear tonight to my daughters recital, my stomach is massively swollen so all my jeans hurt, I could do sweats, but ewe. I just keep those for bed. guess I will have to resort to sweats and look like a bum. Noone here knows expect two close friends, so they will all be looking at me weird when I show up like a street bum, lol. I'll just do my make up.

gas pains are still getting better! can't wait for them to go completely away. I"m not hungry at all, I drank 11 oz Protein shake today over 3 sittings. Each time I got really full, almost too full. good sign I hope. I think I have lost 3 lbs since surgery. I weighed after my sponge bath and it seems like I did.

good luck today 20th bandsters. soon we will all be done. Everyone is doing so great, I love checking to see what's going on.

Good Luck to all of the 12/20/07 bandsters. Beversman, only 2 more days for you good luck!! You always make me laugh!!