March 2007 Bandsters

[demmemoon 0]

AND DON'T WORRY.... ABOUT THE HOT DR. IF YOU ARE GIVEN VERSED DURING SURGERY, YOU ARE LIKELY TO TELL HIM EVERYTHING.

See? THIS is the biggest problem and I'll tell you why.

The day I decided to check out the lapband at our local hospital I also checked out the job postings board. Just for fun, mind you, as I am a happy stay at home mom who has a small soaping business. Before kids I worked in the OR's as a CRNA tech and loved it. It is the only job I'd ever go back to. Unfortunately, the hospital I worked for is now about an hour away.

Well, what do they have posted? A part-time job for a CRNA tech. This hospital is just starting an afternoon shift for the job. And get this, the supervising/hiring CRNA is someone I used to work with at my old job! No friggin' way. I filled out the online application and thought nothing of it. Two days later I had my first phone interview. The day I met with Dr. Boutt I also had my second interview in Human Resources. Two weeks later I was hired (I was upfront about my surgery).

So, as you can see, I will basically be meeting everyone I will be working with for the first time in all my nakedness! I can't just babble and go. I have to face these people officially March 28 on my first day of work. :help:

[momlambert 77]

Hey demmemoon! Thank you for posting all the questions and thoughts that have been going through my mind!

My surgery is Monday morning at 9am and my head is spinning.

Me, too! Just had my "last last supper" with DH for our anniversary tomorrow (39 years!). Tomorrow I'll stick with a lighter fare--I didn't have a preop diet. You don't even want to know what I ate--DH took me to the best restaurant in the state--no kidding. What a way to go! It was incredible--I've eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world (lived in Tokyo for four years) and I have to say this is one of my top best meals in my life. Amazing. But now, back to reality...

So, yes. Fears, worries, nerves, time standing still, and more. Just let Monday at 6 a.m. come, please!

I'm cleaning my fridge and stocking it with all the goodies (clear liquids) I have been accumulating the last few weeks. Have to be on Clear Liquids for 5 days after surgery so I'm prepared.

This will be interesting! ONWARD! Good luck bandsisters and all band friends! We WILL do this and be successful--BELIEVE IT!

[Sharon67 0]

demmemoon

DON'T WORRY THEY WILL NOT SEE YOU AS A FELLOW CO-WORKER WHEN YOU ARE IN THERE. THEY HAVE A JOB TO DO AND WILL BE PROFESSIONAL ABOUT IT... AND "HIPPA" IS ON YOUR SIDE.... THEY CAN SAY NOTHING OF WHAT GOES ON WITH YOU AS LONG AS YOU ARE THE PATIENT. BUT STILL, DON'T WORRY. IT WILL BE FINE. BY THE WAY, CONGRATS ON THE NEW JOB AND SURGERY BOTH!! VERSED IS NOT A TRUTH SERUM SO I DON'T THINK YOU WILL SAY ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD NOT NORMALLY SAY. ALTHOUGH I SWEAR I AM BUYING STOCK IN THAT STUFF......IT IS WONDERFUL!

[deshar 0]

Hi every one, at last tomorrow I will travel to Mexico, stay at the hotel and have my ever wanting surgery. I have been doing well on my pre-op diet, (cheated a little) :hungry: . I am so excited I will post to let you guys know how it went. I am so thankful for this forum, it is very educational and informative. please keep posting so that others like me may be able to answer our questons though you.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[Bikergirl 0]

I'm actually liking the restriction. If I don't eat before 11am - I'm ok with that - I'm hoping this will be the same when I get my first fill. I want to loose some weight before my anniversary (4/15 - 12 years with DH)

My doctoe says first thing in the morning to drink something hot to relax you band. Might work for you if you want to try it.

[Bikergirl 0]

I felt the same way - wanted to chew - so I bought some gum - It worked for me until I was able to get to mushies. Hope it helps you also.

Hi Babylovestoys

You sound like my twin - where are you based?

I too have to stay on the liquid diet and I have lost 10 pounds. I am now feeling like I want to eat something - not hungry at all - but just the actual act of chewing something would be nice. I am still suffering with the pains from the gas and also trapped wind is really getting me down.

Last night I even contemplated chewing a sandwich but spitting it out and not swallowing it - just to feel food in my mouth and to go through the act of physically biting into something and chewing it. Do smokers go through this do you think when they give up - don't want to smoke the cigarette but they want to hold it in their fingers, light it, suck on it.

My hubby had a bagel today and the smell of it toasting was just unbelievable. He is trying so hard not to eat to keep me company.

I just daren't eat anything that is more solid than a runny shake as I was told that even the shakes could be too thick at this stage.

Any ideas anyone. I'm sure it's just 'cold turkey' but 17 days on liquids is becoming a bit of a bore

[Bikergirl 0]

I think it is normal because I had the same thing - I think it is due to the liquids - we usually have food in our bodies and we are told to drink only liquids - when it is time for the food to be extracted from the body - we haven't put any food in to make it solid so it has only liquid to mix with and that causes the runs. Once you are on mushies/solids it will change.

That was my fear also because I did do that in my last surgery. I told the doc of my fears and they juiced me pretty good. Everything turned out okay.

**QUESTION** for anyone. Has anyone had the runs since surgery? I do not like milk and I think it might be the slimfast mixed with extra Protein or the liquid Tylenol? I have had a couple of popsicles also. Think this is normal? With all of my problems I am so glad to be on this side of the band.

*FORGOT*..I also had to have a hernia repaired! Anyone else, and does this slow down recovery?

[mnkbrly 0]

I had my surgery on the 16th of march and yes, liquids in and liquids out. I guess until we start with the solids it will be this way? I have not thrown up Thank God! I do feel very sore and very gasssy! Kim

[Hazelbunny 0]

2. i am terrified of the unknown me. my size is my identity [/unquote]

I worry about this too - I think it will take time for our minds to catch up with our bodies.

3. i know i'm going to go through a HUGE food mourning stage. [/unquote]

I have three months set aside to mourn food (the way I used to eat it). Much the same way I mourned cigarettes for three months after I quit

4. mega afraid to say something stupid while under.:speechles my surgeon is rather hot![/unquote]

You don't have to get the versed before you go to the OR - I didn't. I like to be aware right up until they put me under. Only choose this option if your anxiety level is not too high because it is slightly disconcerting to go AWARE into the OR

Naked as a jaybird under that gown. They gave me footies but bring socks in case your hospital doesn't provide one.

2. do you get a cath before anesthesia?[/unquote]

Depends on the doc. I carried my IV bag to the bathroom in the holding room to pee right before surgery - but I didn't take the Versed

I totally freaked out the last couple of days before surgery - you are not alone in that. you will be fine - before you know it you will be banded and you won't be able to believe the surgery is over.

[Success in lapband 0]

HI Folks,

I have been reading your posts for the past 4 weeks and have found such a "WEALTH" of information. I am 52 years old and committed to lap band as a last resort to lose these painful pounds. My legs and feet can't take these extra 60 plus pounds I have gained in the past 5 years. At 5'7, if I can get below 200, I will be physically more able to handle standing on my feet. Additional weight loss will contribute to a healthier heart, healthier state of mind, and a healthier "Woman". I am anxious to get off the blood pressure meds, too.

I am traveling to San Diego tomorrow monring. Pre-op testing will be on Monday- Dr. Kuri and his team is my surgeons of choice. A friend is flying with me and we are looking forward to site-seeing in Tijuana.< /p>

I may or may not get to post before Tuesday am, and if not, PLEASE SEND PRAYERS MY WAY.

AGAIN, THANKS FOR THIS AWESOME SUPPORT!!!!

Don't know if you are staying in San Diego, but may I recommend The Hampton Inn Downtown San Diego. They will shuttle to and from Airport, and they have hot Breakfast in the AM (not that you would/could eat, but it is nice for a cup of coffee and juice etc)

[Success in lapband 0]

Good morning all: I am feeling so much better today, I still wake up between 2-3 a.m. for about 15 minutes, Last night I felt a throbbing in my leg so I started walking around. I ended upstairs in our guest bedroom changing the bed that my brother stayed in when he visited last week. I was very careful not to stretch too much, ( He left monday and I had to work all day, then had to drive 61/2 hours the next morning at 5:00 a.m. to my pre-op with the anethesthesis- thats why the bed still wasn't changed) I went right back to bed and woke up feeling great. I still have some upper chest pain, but have lost 5 pounds since the surgery on wenesday. I now need to try to figure how to update my ticker for my weight loss. I truly want to thank everyone for all the information I get from you. This is so helpful. I really enjoy talking to you all, since I have 4 sons and a husband and really enjoy the female perspective on everything. God Bless you all - Gretchen

Wow, Making a bed?? I could not stretch in that direction for at least 10 days. You are doing fantastic!

[Success in lapband 0]

I am so restricted in the morning that I don't start eating until around 11 am - what time do you have breakfast or start eating?

I'm not complaining because before the band I would have had breakfast and a snack by then.

I have never felt restriction like this.... How do you know you feel restricted prior to eating? Then again I am unsure if I feel any restriction at all.....

Maybe my Dr. put on a bigger band and will "cinch" me up with fills. While yours may have put on a smaller band and that is why you feel restriction so far. Does that make sense? Do you think that may be a reason why I don't feel restriction and you do? I definately don't eat as much as I would have done prior to bandland, but that is also do to my self control at this point.

[Success in lapband 0]

I think I will take another painkiller. I am still VERY bloated. We are supposed to go on a beach walk with our Boxer club tomorrow. But, I think I am opting out...even the thought of seeing 30-40 Boxers tromping up and down the sea coast and playing in the Water isn't enough to make me go out yet. I did vacuum one floor of my house and mop, but I think I overdid it because I was feeling good. Three days post-op is probably too soon to be acting "normal'!!

Char

Char;

Be careful at walking especially in a situation that may make you try and keep up with a boxer. You may get winded alot easier than you might think. I am not one to stay in bed if I am sick, my first walk with my dogs was alot shorter than we normally go and it took almost 2x the time. Take it slow on the initial walking.

[Success in lapband 0]

Last night I even contemplated chewing a sandwich but spitting it out and not swallowing it - just to feel food in my mouth and to go through the act of physically biting into something and chewing it. Do smokers go through this do you think when they give up - don't want to smoke the cigarette but they want to hold it in their fingers, light it, suck on it.

My hubby had a bagel today and the smell of it toasting was just unbelievable. He is trying so hard not to eat to keep me company.

Head hunger sucks, how about chewing on some popsicles? How about chewing on ice?

I have to share with you something.

I analyze almost everything.....

It is not the chewing that you miss. It is the swallowing part, the food actually going down your throat. You will know what I am talking about when you get to eat food, and you must chew it to a liquid state. And when you put it in your mouth, you need to remember to keep chewing and chewing and chewing, even though you really want to chew 2x and then swallow. It is interesting, but when you get to that stage think about it and let me know...

Can you "lick" the bagel? Would that help?

This weekend I wanted the warm sourdough bread they served to the table reallly reallllllly bad, so I compromised and ate some the butter (butter, sun dried tomatoes and garlic).

I don't want anybody to tell me shame on you for eating the butter, it was something that given choice A or choice B was the best choice. Bread or butter? BUTTER! In my defense; not all skinny people eat perfect 100% of the time, and I only ate about 2 teaspoonfuls.

It is obvious to me that I really really really enjoy my food, so I am expecting my weight loss to not be the fastest~ But I am eating 180% better today than I did pre band.

[Success in lapband 0]

Scarlett;

The runs is normal after any surgery. I have read many many posts and this surgery is not exception.

Then a few days after that clears up, you will get stopped up. I think the pain meds is what stopped me up, then one day I finally "went" and lost 4# in 24 hours. It has been "somewhat" normal since then.