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A few days post-op....



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Hi all! I decided to join this board after finding it in a Google search while looking for forums specifically for lap banders. ;)

After nearly three years of going back and forth to have WLS done, the day finally arrived last Thursday, March 22, when I had my lap banding surgery done by Dr. Courcoulas in Pittsburgh. I was discharged from the hospital Friday night, and I did a lot better with this than I did when my appendix was taken out 18 months ago.

I'm a little sore around the incisions where the banding was put in (nothing a heating pad or a Tylenol won't handle), but other than that, I feel great. Of course, I can't bend from the waist or carry anything heavy for awhile, but that's only temporary.

"Meals" for the next few days or so will consist of clear liquids; I need 64 oz of liquid daily..but here is the good news--I got taken off FOUR of my meds! Yippeeeeeeeeeeee! The rest I have to crush up or take out of the capsules; totally GROSS tasting!

Next week, I should be going from clear to full liquids, then on to pureed goodies after that. So far, I've dropped 12 pounds already. Heh.

About me in general, I am single with three cuddly cats, reside outside of the Pittsburgh, PA area. I enjoy reading, theater, writing, football, wrestling, travel and music. I am a freelance writer and also work in publicity part time as well.

I also am looking forward to chatting with others who have had the surgery or about to undergo the procedure. I also have a site that outlines my journey here.

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wow you are doing great- i had mine done on thursday too but have no lost that much???:phanvan

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Hi Lori......

Welcome! I reside in the Pittsburgh area as well! Like you, after quite a bit of research and thought, I have finally decided to get Lapband! I attended the info meeting at St. Clair Hospital with the Hope Bariatrics group. I received all of my paperwork last week and the first 2 appts (surgeon & dietician) are set up for April 9. Sounds like you are on your way! I can't wait until I can join you!!! ;):):lol: I look forward to following your success!!!

All the best to you, neighbor!!!!

Judi

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Four days past surgery day, and I continue to feel fantastic. The bandages fell off last night while I was getting ready for bed, and outside of some bruising around the incision sites, they look good. I'm not even sore today at all. And what a nice morning here; already 61 degrees. I'll likely be going for my walk later again.

Got some good news from the doctor's office this morning; I am going on food beginning a week from this coming Thursday (when I see the doctor), since I am tolerating liquids so well. Granted it is only the mushy stuff, but it will only be for two weeks. I had some Protein drink today and some cream of chicken Soup and no problems so far (I had to strain the Soup to get out the chicken chunks, though; hey, the cats liked them LOL).

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hi lori, and everybody else!! :) congrats on your banding!!! i am so excited to find somebody from PA, im located in scranton,pa. still in the process of getting everything together, finally found a surgeon, and found out that i am elligible (sp) if i meet the 'list', which i sure do,lol now, may i pls. ask you a couple of questions? i read soo much about lapbanding... and, to make it short, i am a bit confused at some stuff. anyway, i read about a lady, who had lapband done, and she was complaining about the 'packaging' of the wounds, she had long gaze stuck in her wounds, and was all infected.. and now HERE i read that people more or less have everything just clued? wich of course is a whole lot nicer then 'packaged', what was your experience?

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Hi LORIPA-

So glad to see your thread. :) I'm from Pgh also and have my consultation with Dr. Courcoulas in April. I'm really excited but nervous too. Like you I've had many years of dieting and considering WLS.

So here it goes, I'm really doing something this time! I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. I look forward to reading about your progress.

Does Dr. Courcoulas have a lot of experience with Lap Bands? Sounds like you were very happy with her. So far there's a lot of good feedback.

Hopefully talk to you again soon~

:wave:

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YAY Loripa...Wow! sounds like you are doing great! How exciting...the new you is just ahead! I cant wait to hear the rest of your story.

:P becky

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      1. This update has no replies.
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