May 2007 Banders

[Wenjea 1]

twinmommy - come on band mate . . . take my hand and we will do this together . . we are out of options and you know it. . . . . if you are like me you have already cheated just a little bit with a pinch here and a lick there.

That is why we need this band, it helps keep us accountable. We are almost there . . . less then 48 hours . . . . looking back is fat land . . . .looking forward is where we wanna go. We can do this!

Wen - it's nice to know I'm not the only one going through this stuff. Thanks for being there! Can you believe we are this close to bandland!

[keiko 1]

Thanks for the encouraging words, everyone! I knew I was freaking out and couldn't seem to control it. Your words of encouragement helped so much. I also took a nap this evening (all the running to the bathroom pooped me out!)

KYsunshine, SillyWillyMommy, and Short01, good luck, Godspeed, and I'll see you on the band side.

[Wenjea 1]

For all those who stalled on the weight loss . . . . take your measurments. I took mine this morning and have lost a total of 8 3/8" off my body. I gave away a new vest to a friend this morning because it looked to big on me. YEA!

Don't give up!

[cindyluhu 0]

Hi everyone. It's been awhile and I wanted to get caught up with everyone. Wow, it took a long time!! Everyone seems to be doing so great, and here I am feeling sorry for myself. I just want to feel normal again. I usually have a high tolerance for pain, and heal quickly. I'm wondering if the two weeks pre-op of just liquids and now being on just liquids could keep me so tired. Surgery was May 10 so thought I would feel a lot more perky now. I tried going for a walk today but it was VERY short. I felt exhausted. Do you think more of the Protein Drinks will help with the tired/lack of energy? Do you think this is normal?:help: . Thanks for listening.

Cindy

[NimbleBean 2]

Nimblebean- I just saw that you have already lost over 50lbs! Way to go!

Is that just from pre-op or are your watching what you eat?...

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Ginger,

I had to have evidence of a 6 month medically supervised diet, and my

weight watchers, LA Weightloss, etc. experience didn't count! So, my

PCP sent me to a nutritionist. Saw her once a week. Figured I would

lose a bit and I would gain it back as usual. But, I lost consistently,

and more importantly, I really learned good eating habits and portion

control. No points, no calorie counting, no weird food combining!

Maybe it was just the right time for me. I knew that this might be my

last chance. Every year, more weight, higher blood pressure, aching

knees, depression. I knew it would only get worse. So, with the

nutritionist I lost 33 lbs and have continued to lose. In fact, I was

worried that I would lose too much and the Insurance Co. wouldn't

approve me. But, it all worked out.

I hope that this change in my relationship to food and its emotional

components (for me anyway) will serve me well with the Band. We

always refer to the Band as a tool, and I feel I am now in a good place

to use this tool to its best advantage. Frankly, it's my last hope!

Glad to hear you are doing so well! You and the other folks who have

already been banded this month have been such an inspiration to me.

I feel I have a big circle of folks who care, and I care about each of

them too!

Margaret

[NurseLaureli 1]

<p>Well..day after surgery and I actually feel okay. I am still having a problem getting all of my liquids down. However, I burped today and not to be gross or anything but it felt really good. I still feel like I did a whole bunch of sit-ups and I found that my shoulders and neck hurt today, like I slept wrong or something. I also went shopping today and I think I walked around a bit too much. I was wiped out and hurting a little when I got home so I took some liquid pain meds and took a nap. </p> <p> </p> <p>Cindy, I have no doubt that being on liquids so long doesn't help in the fatigue department. How much Protein are you getting in each day? I am supposed to get in 50 grams, but I haven't gotten in that much yet. It'll get better (or so I have read on the boards). Keep looking up!</p>

[eljmom 1]

Hey all 17th May Bandsters,

I am getting really nervous. Can't eat anything today, I feel really sick. It all my pshcy, my head and nerves. I fill extremely full and I have not had anything to eat or drink since 12n today. (it's 9:50p) Feel asleep on the bed about 6:30p and just woke up. Do any of you feel this way. Is it all preop jitters. I go in at 11:30a on Thursday, surgery at 1p. I am not on a liquid diet, just nothing after midnight Wednesday night.

Can someone tell me if this is typical? I think my mind is starting to talk over my hunger, which I guess is good.

Thanks everyone for all thier support! We are A-May-zing, aren't we.

[twinmommy 0]

Can someone tell me where the lowest incision is? I am trying to pack. Not sure what to wear home. No bra, right? If so, for how long?

Thanks for all the encouragement! I feel better now! Off to chick. broth, Jello, Water, and C. light only tomorrow!

[NurseLaureli 1]

eljmom,

I know how you feel...I did the same thing the night before my surgery. I was laying in bed thinking about my surgery the next day and had a breakdown. I couldn't stop crying. My poor husband didn't know what to say. It's normal. The day of the surgery, I was okay. I was a little weepy leaving the house to go the hospital, but I was fine when I got there. You'll do great!

Jessica, I have five incisions. The lowest one is in my belly button. I am able to wear a bra but my incisions are not near my bra line...the are a little lower. I wore a pair of thin, loose workout pants and a T-shirt. I took a jacket with me to cover up in case I couldn't wear my bra.

I have spent the day today in scrub pants b/c they are drawstring...I'm still swollen from the air the pumped in me.

[crabcake 0]

You and Soulful Grandma need to stay away from scale

Amen to that! I was banded May 8th and am still swollen, mainly w/ air I think, but partly fluids (my IV was saline I think and this *definitely* causes Fluid retention). Do yourselves a favor and get off those scales girls!

[Wenjea 1]

Cindy - My doc says 90 grams of Protien a day. It helps healing, keeps your hair from falling out, gives you plenty of energy and keeps the hungrys away. He has us load before surgery to get through the week of post-op, Clear Liquids only. The 2nd week post op we add back the 90 gr. of Protein. I put 1 1/2 scoops per drink to get it in. I can't remember for sure but I think we drop down to 60 grams of Protein/day once we start mushies. Hope this helps.

Thursday banders . . . . aaaaaaaahhhhh! . . . . . I'm soooo excited and a little nervous but am sure this is the answer for me. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30am. Geeeez! I've got a million things to do tomorrow to be ready. Good luck and big hugs and lot's of prayers for all of you!

We can do this!! Together!! Take your Happy Thoughts with you!

[almanorgirl 0]

I have a May 23rd date for surgery. It was good to find you all.

[Wenjea 1]

welcome almanorgirl to an a-MAY-zing group of people.

[JennyC724 15]

Thanks for thinking of us!! We were both banded today, me at 7:30am and losin it (my best friend) at 9:15am. Everything went well for both of us and we're both relieved that it's over and excited to start being losers!! I feel absolutely fine, UNTIL I LAY DOWN, which is why it's almost 3am and I'm still up! I can't sleep! I'm just so glad it's over!

[Laurienj 0]

Hi all

Nimblebean - I know you are doing so much work on this but would you move me to Thursday from Friday. I just got a call from the MD's office that they will do my surgery the day I arrive in Mexico. I'm getting there so early in the day and that will give me the weekend to recover there where the physician is. Thanks. I just don't believe this is happening. I have a sore throat and am taking antibiotics. I think it's viral. What a shock. The stress right now is at an all time high. Everybody know what I mean? Like Laurili, I'm a nurse too. I tend to worry about all things medical. I need to calm down.

Best wishes to today's banders.

Laurie