March 2007 Bandsters

[RowdyReptile 2]

just realized i've lost 17 pounds in 2 weeks. been doing two regular slim fasts and eating one meal...pretty much whatever i want, but low carb. working out 4 days per week as well.. that's pretty crazy

[lilnena 0]

I have 6 days until my surgery date.. I'm getting restless. any tips?:nervous

We will be having the surgery the same say I see! I'm restless too :success1:

Wish it was next week already

[Sugarbear 2]

I am suffering soooooo much with the gas pains.

Hazlebunny - surprised that you are allowed Jello only two days after surgery. I have been told I can only have Soups [as long as there are no 'bits' in them], Protein shakes as long as they are really thin, Water, tea coffee or zero cal fruit juice [again as long as there are no bits in it] or yoghurt as long as it is thinned with milk or Water.< /p>

I am absolultely black and blue with bruising but not painful but really, really suffering with gas pain.

I don't know if they told you but WALK,

I don't know if they told you or not but WALK, WALK, WALK.......Move about as much as possible and frequently. It will help disapate the air they blew you up with. That seems to be the best thing to get rid of the gas. When you are down at night, a heating pad feels good too. Hope it is better soon. I have a long driveway and I made many trips up and down it even at night the first few days. Really helped.

[momlambert 77]

I originally decided not to tell anyone but DH about my decision to have surgery. But, yesterday I started worrying about my kids. What if something happened during surgery and they would always be left believing that I didn't trust them with my decision or left them out of my life to this extent. I was worried about hurt feelings when they found out in the future if everything did go well and so I decided that if they were ever going to know then I should tell them now. I didn't sleep well during the night and spent the night composing conversations and/or emails (I was undecided about HOW to tell them).

At 6:45 a.m. while I was stewing in bed about this, my 3-year-old grandson called me. After he shared the good news that he is coming to my house this summer, I talked to his mom--my daughter. We were Weight Watchers buddies together--she lost about 60 lbs 3 years ago and has kept it off, even during another pregnancy. She is a devoted advocate. I lost about 37 but gained 45 back. So I told her my plan and was absolutely astounded when she said, "Oh, Mom! I heard about that a few months ago and thought 'this is what Mom needs but she would probably never consider surgery.'" Amazing! She told me she knew I could do it because I follow rules like no other and that I'm motivated and dedicated, etc., etc. Just the pep talk I needed!

So I was spurred on and over the next 8 hours called my other nine children. Of course, the responses were varied and ranged from the very positive first call to "you are beautiful how you are, I strongly advise against this, make friends with your body, accept who you are" etc (all from one daughter). The other daughters were somewhere in between those two viewpoints and my son was (as he is) inquisitive and thorough in wanting to know about risks, results, etc. but satisfied with the info I gave him.

My last call was to the daughter with whom I have had a rocky relationship through the years. She couldn't have been sweeter or more supportive. She reiterated how hard the weight issue has been in my life, how it sounds like I have done my research, and how she is proud of me for doing something that I feel so hopeful and positive about. It was wonderful!

I feel so supported by these wonderful adult children--even though I know that they don't all feel that I am doing the right thing and most would probably not ever do it themselves, they all support me! They send good vibes and some send prayers my way for Monday. They are nervous about my welfare but proud of me. They are awesome and I feel so energized, ready to get through the weekend, and ready for my new life.

For the first time in a long time I feel hope about the future and my quality of life. I'm so happy I decided to tell them and they voiced their gratefulness that I would share with them and have confidence in their support. It was a wonderful day! I AM READY NOW!

[Janine 0]

Oh Sandy How nice you were able to talk to your children and will now go into surgery with the peace and comfort that you are supported.

My laringitis is cleared up yahoo.

I thought I was the only one pigging out. I literaly put a paper on the frig and jotted down foods that will probably be my last, so I had to have them.

Has anyone banded have any changes in their tastes. I have read on other sites about people no longer craving sweets, or that stuff tastes different not as appealing. This is probably very premature to ask.

This is going to be a long weekend, have a great weekend everyone.

[Tabithan 19]

Hi All,

I had my surgery on Tuesday, and I am still in pain. I was hospitalized on Tuesday night for observation and yesterday night as well. I came home today.

I am not in as much pain as I was the past few days, and thankfully, I am now passing "gas." Sorry, I know it is TMI but the nurses told me that I need to, to release the pressure caused by the CO2 during surgery.

I am home now, armed and dangerous with vicodine and anti-nausea medication. The past two days I was wondering what I did to myself, but now as the pain slowly decreases, I believe i made a good decision. I cannot wait to live the rest of my life.

Thank you everyone for sharing on this thread as it has been amazing moral support. Reading about what everyone is going through gives me the courage and confidence to keep moving forward.

Good luck to those being banded today and shortly. Keep us updated/

Tabitha

[laralynn86 0]

Tonight one of my employees brought fresh, homemade, warm sopapillas to work for us (if you don't know what sopapillas are, they're a sweet deep-fried bread sort of thing) with honey to put on top. They looked delicious. They smelled even more delicious. I kind of wanted to cry for wanting one so bad. But as my employees and my sister at the bread, I warmed some Yellow Squash Soup (which was good in it's own way, but really not the same). My employees, who do not know I had surgery, were amazed at my will-power. As I sat eating my Soup looking longingly at the bread it occured to me, this is EXACTLY why I got this band. Two weeks ago, I would have eaten two pieces right off. Then snacked on two or three more the remaining four hours I was at work. If I could be trusted to have one and then leave them, I wouldn't need this band in the first place. I decided then I was excited I couldn't have one, and not sad at all.

I 'cheated' today. I had a Tomato this morning. Not a huge deal--of all things to eat that I shouldn't have, I suppose I'll survive a tomato, but it's the idea that I ate something that was not on my list of what I'm allowed to eat. I found myself just scarfing it down and not chewing really well, and that scared me. I finished it, but made sure to chew very well. Better the tomato then the sopapilla, so I'm still OK with myself.

[Sugarbear 2]

Hi Gailannr. We were banded on the same day. How are you doing now? I am doing good. I have lost 18 lbs. in all, from pre-op til now. I am still on liquids, are you? I will be until next Wed. Then pureed and creamy foods for a week, then soft, then intro back to solids. I don't have any problem with the liquids, Soups ect. I am anxious to get to real food so I can actually feel the band work. It isn't designed to hold liquid so I can't tell anything at this point. Can you? Good luck.

[magnolia 1]

so what does anyone think about me trying some thinned out pureed butternut squash Soup. It certainly is no thicker than the Protein Shakes. I just need a bit of variety for my sanity.

[Charlif761 0]

Hi guys:

Two days post op..almost 48 hours to the hour. I am not experiencing any of the gas pains in my shoulder, which so many talked about. I do feel very bloated around my middle however. I have all my incisions pretty well covered, but can only see bruising around my port incision. So, I guess Dr. LaFullarde took good care of me and was gentle. I have a tendency to bruise like a banana!!!

I was not allowed ANYTHING the day or night after surgery...except two ice cubes (small ones) about 6 hours apart. Yesterday I was only allowed Water, Water and more water. Today, I was allowed my first cup of coffee (YAY!!), tea, and clear broths...also tomorrow. As of Sunday, I can add milk, and THIN yoghurt and other very thin liquids. I cannot eat mushies till Day 14. But, to be fair, I am scared to eat!! I haven't gotten used to the idea of the band and narrowed opening and am afraid that when I eat I will hurt myself. Has anyone else experienced this??

I am drinking lots of water with Crystal Light (thank God I brought this from the US, as they don't have anything like it here in the Netherlands.) I am also taking Lortab about every 4-6 hours to be comfortable. Unfortunately, my doctor in the US forgot to prescribe liquid, and I didn't realize it until it was brought over here by my friend. So, I am having to dissolve the capsules in water and drink the nasty bitter liquid in small sips. YUCK! But, ok, I don't hurt, and I would be very unhappy wihtout anything.....And in Belgium, I got nothing except a shot for the ride home. :-(

All in all, I am ok, and happy with the way everthing went. before Wed. of next week, I will go and get my steri strips removed. Then I will share photos of my incisions for anyone who is curious.

Congrats to the banders today and in the coming days. I wish you as much success as I have had and a speedy recovery.

[magnolia 1]

does anyone have any good first mushy to recommend? I know when that time comes I will be afraid to try anything:)

[Mrs Husker 3]

Magnolia,

From what I have read, it seems that mushies are anything you put into the blender. One of the ladies in my support group had tuna or egg salad. I have read that most Soups are pretty good blended. Look on the recipe thread. I went through and printed off all of the ones that looked good to me.

I found this one when I googled "mushy food recipe". I would add Protein powder to it. I love spinach so this sounds really good.

Great Veggies recipe

3 medium potatoes

8 ounces spinach

2 large cloves garlic

Peel and cube potatoes. Crush and peel garlic. Cook potatoes, spinach, and garlic with about 1/2 cup Water for about 15 minutes and boil, or until potatoes are soft.

Process all in a blender or food processor until very mushy.

Freeze in ice cube trays overnight, then pop out cubes and store in another container in the freezer.

Yields 20 servings.

[lokiluvr 0]

Hi all,,,I was banded March 9th,,I had gas pains but not up into the shoulders,,my scars are healing extremly well...Not as much pains as I had excpected in my abs area,,but a bit more than I would have liked.

I have been having a tough time sticking to the liquids like I should,,,but hanging tough,,,,I'm looking forward to the stage 2,,,where I can have the Soups, ,,or mashed potato's,,,,,,

[Hazelbunny 0]

I am suffering soooooo much with the gas pains.

Hazlebunny - surprised that you are allowed Jello only two days after surgery.

Hope your gas pains are better!

I got banded by Dr. Spivak and his rules are different than a lot of surgeons. I could have full liquids the first 48 hours including Jello and Protein shakes and a soft diet (mushies) for the next 4 weeks.

My DH is making tilapia tonight - I am pretty excited about chewing something!

For my mushies I did the same thing as when I made baby food for my three kids. cooked the veggies, pureed them, froze them in ice cube trays, and then popped them in ziplocs. Of course with my "baby food" I used seasonings.

[Sugarbear 2]

Tonight one of my employees brought fresh, homemade, warm sopapillas to work for us (if you don't know what sopapillas are, they're a sweet deep-fried bread sort of thing) with honey to put on top. They looked delicious. They smelled even more delicious. I kind of wanted to cry for wanting one so bad. But as my employees and my sister at the bread, I warmed some Yellow Squash Soup (which was good in it's own way, but really not the same). My employees, who do not know I had surgery, were amazed at my will-power. As I sat eating my soup looking longingly at the bread it occured to me, this is EXACTLY why I got this band. Two weeks ago, I would have eaten two pieces right off. Then snacked on two or three more the remaining four hours I was at work. If I could be trusted to have one and then leave them, I wouldn't need this band in the first place. I decided then I was excited I couldn't have one, and not sad at all.

I 'cheated' today. I had a Tomato this morning. Not a huge deal--of all things to eat that I shouldn't have, I suppose I'll survive a tomato, but it's the idea that I ate something that was not on my list of what I'm allowed to eat. I found myself just scarfing it down and not chewing really well, and that scared me. I finished it, but made sure to chew very well. Better the tomato then the sopapilla, so I'm still OK with myself.

Laralynn, what is on your post-op diet? I have to do liquids for two weeks, then pureed, then soft,then solid. Our surgery was close. Mine was the 7th.