August 2003 bandsters...

[kellymoos 4]

I was banded on August 20. 2003! Still new to me. Had to do Clear Liquids 5 days before the surgery. Can have anything that will go into a straw for 2 weeks after the surgery. Then mushy foods for 2 weeks after that then hopefully a normal diet. Going to Florida for vacation at the end of Sept. and hoping to be able to nibble at the resturants.

[JC_GODOLPHINS 0]

Kellymoos, how were you able to do clear liquids 5 days prior to surgery? I am supposed to be on Protein Shakes alone for 2 weeks prior, and I have had a seriously hard time with that. I think I got through one day, IF you don't include the salmon and crackers I had at night.

[kellymoos 4]

Thank God for sprite!!! I could not do the broth thing. Once I got past the first day I was fine. I did have a salad the second night. I am diabetic so they told me if I had to eat to eat something low in fat. So I indulged!!!! Ready to start eating real food now. Did your Doctor say why you could only have the Protein Shakes?

[JC_GODOLPHINS 0]

Originally posted by kellymoos

Did your Doctor say why you could only have the Protein shakes?

Doctor and nutritionalist said it is so the liver can shrink in size, to make their job easier. Since they have to lift the liver to apply the band, it is better if it is not as big. I understand all that, but then I hear of people around here say they had no pre-op diet at all. No, what's better is that the nurse called me last Wednesday saying they had a cancellation, and that I could have it done on Friday. I was like "WHOA, wait, I haven't done my shakes yet." She said it didn't matter. So if it doesn't matter, what's the big deal?

Another thing, I am from a Cuban family, and we EAT. Just last weekend, we roasted a pig that weighed 100lbs. You think I was going to miss out on THAT last supper?

[kellymoos 4]

That is what they told me something about if the liver was too heavy to lift and it started bleeding and blurred the screen then they would have to cut my open....my thoughts were you are already cutting me 2-3 inches what is another 2-3!!!!

[claraluz 2]

Well, August Bandsters, I guess I'm one of the last ones to get banded in August. Tomorrow is the day. I am anxious. Slept poorly last night and I'm sure I won't sleep at all tonight. But I know I'm doing the right thing. I found out yesterday that I can go home the day of surgery barring any complications, so that has helped me to feel a little less anxious.

Nancy

[bjkgriffith 1]

Good Luck Nancy, We will all be thinking of you.

Barb

[JC_GODOLPHINS 0]

Nancy, good luck tomorrow, and have a speedy recovery.

[bunkie68 6]

Hey y'all,

Another August bandster here - I was banded August 27!

My experience wasn't bad - got to hospital at 7 AM, heparin shot/bloodwork/IV and all that, chat with my doc at 9:15 AM, off to the OR, and all I remember is talking with the people in the OR a little. I remember waking up around 12:30 or so with a massive case of the shakes - hate that little side effect of anesthesia. I stayed in the hospital overnight - no ice chips or anything!!! - had my barium swallow around 11:30 the next morning, and was home by 2:00 that afternoon. I was sore the first few days, but got out and did lots of walking (went home on Thursday, went to GNC and Babies R Us on Friday, went to the mall on Saturday, went to a movie on Sunday, went with my husband for him to get a tattoo on Monday! ), and I think that helped a lot. I'm just stiff now, not so much sore anymore.

Now I'm trying to adjust to my band! I'm between clear liquids and full liquids, and I'm having a hard time feeling full - seems like I'm hungry all the time, and I'm not sure what to do about that. I've had a few "what the heck have I done?" moments, but I know that in the long run this will be the best thing for me.

And I did sneak on the scale - I've lost 12 pounds, woo hoo!

[nicolekiper 0]

Hey there all I am happy to announce the I now am also an August Bander, 8/28/03 I weighed myself yesterday 9/2/03 and have already lost 10 LBS YAHOOOOO. Boy some of what you guys had to go through was a little crazy. I went down to Mexico on 8/24/03 to party and vacation for a few days before my surgery. I got to the hospital which was beautiful at 7:00 am, I was in pre-op at 7:50am, then the OR at 8:15, I looked up at the clock at 8:30am and they told me they were putting me under. I woke up at about 10:30 am and was in recovery, then at about 12:00pm I was in my suite. I was up and walking around 4:30 pm and was drinking chicken broth, Apple juice , Water and Tea at about 6:00pm. I was released the next moringing at about 10:00am. I hung out in Mexico until 8/31/03 and am now home and drinking my fluids and taking nibbles of yogurt and pudding. Can you beleive it 10 LBS Well I will talk to you all later. Congradulations on all of your successes, it is great that we can all count on eachother for support!!!! Keep up the awsome work.

All my love,

Nicole:banana

[FoxyJeun 0]

Hi everyone!!!

I had my lapband the 1st of august and lost 33 pounds so far.

weight 8/1/2003=249

weight 9/3/2003=216

I love my band!!!

Btw....I'm Dutch and I live in Holland.I had my surgery in Rotterdam.

[claraluz 2]

Lisa, You and I were banded the same day, so we're band buddies!

Nicole, so glad you had an easy time of it, welcome.

Jeneuse - 33 pounds in a month - wow! BTW, I learned a little saying from my Dutch classmates in Costa Rica last summer: "If it's not Dutch, it's not much!"

Nancy

[claraluz 2]

Oh, sorry for the typos, Jeunesse!

[JC_GODOLPHINS 0]

Hey August Bandsters,

I know we shouldn't be comparing results, but how are all of you feeling? How are you eating?

As for me, I feel great. I am eating like a horse. Yesterday I had some stuffing, corn, and two whole pork chops. OUCH!! That is too much. Regardless, I weighed myself, and I am down 22 lbs now.

[Alexandra 55]

Hey JC!

Wow, you're doing great! I too can eat a lot at this point, but I'm OK with that. I know that after a fill my portion sizes will drop like a rock so I'm enjoying this time.

I feel terrific six weeks out. Tomorrow I'll be seeing the doctor and I hope scheduling my first fill. No post-op ramifications at all, and my scars are smaller every day. Cool!