Hey! I'm new to this board but thought it might give me a suport system that's been thru the surgery and is going thru it at the same time. I've been to support meetings but they are always during times I'm working so they're hard to get to. Anyways, I am 3 days out and I have been on a liquid diet now for 2 weeks. I still have a very, very long way to go! I can definitly say I will never look at soup or broth the same again! My docter was one of those that encouraged the RnY but agreed to "try" the lap band. Even up to minutes before my surgery he was telling me he didn't know if he could do it but he would "try" Evidently he tried hard enough because it happened. That alone is discouragment enough for me but I'm lucky and have really good friends and family that have been encourgaing me along the way. Like I told my docter though, this is isn't supposed to be easy, I should have to work at it!

The only issues I'm really having is the uncomfortable sleep positions and wanting to eat something more then broth and jello. According to my docters specifications I'm not going to be able to eat solid food for another 5 weeks! Anybody else have this issue come up? I understand the first couple of weeks are vital so that your band doesn't slip but woman cannot live on broth alone! LOL

Feel free to e-mail with any suggestions or encouraging words! )

thank you for the input. i will pick some up today. i was unsure how to get the 80 grams of protien my doctor suggeted with liquids only.

Hello !! I too was banded just 3 days ago. I keep telling myself the broth and jello isn't forever, but I agree it's hard. My doctor had me on just broth and water until today, now I can have "full liquids" which include tomato soup, slim fast, protein shakes, and other liquids with some substance. How are you feeling? I was in such pain the first two days, but it's getting a little better now.

Hi All,

Congrats to all! I havent had any itching as yet, I stil have the clear plastic tape on my incisions. I got banded 7/19 and yesterday I felt the need to chew. I have viactiv Multivitamin chocolate cherry flavor and I have to admit I took more than the prescribed two a day:D.

So far no real pain just a little soreness by the port. I glad you are all here this forum real helps alot.

P.S. how do you put the ticker on your signature?:help:

my dr had similar advice, although after first couple days i started liquid protien. seemed to help quite a bit. unfortunately i wasnt drinking enough fluids with the protien and became dehydrated. very sick feeling. drink drink drink. going back to work tomorrow, probably half day. getting out will hopefully keep me from thinking about solid food. i must admit, it is easier than i thought, given i know i cant eat even if i wanted to.

I didn't have the itching; I started using vitamin E right away in hopes of reducing the scarring. Maybe that also helped with itching. I remember the lack of energy though. I really didn't have any pain from the surgery or port area, but it turns out that I was very constipated from the meds I was given. I hadn't gone for about 7 days. It turns out that I had an impacted bowel. Not pleasant. My physician recommended something called phosposoda sp? that worked wonders and got me back on track. If you're not making bowel movements, this might be something to look into. Barb

Hi Robie,

How was your 1st day back at work?

hi strawberry. i still havent had my surgery yet but i am really curious about some of the stuff you mentioned. like, how uncomfortable is it to sleep?? i sleep on my side and on my tummy..will i have to start getting used to not sleeping in that position? and what is the best position?? i really have no one to ask about preparations and expectations so can you give me a hint?? i'd really appreciate it.

hi strawberry. i still havent had my surgery yet but i am really curious about some of the stuff you mentioned. like, how uncomfortable is it to sleep?? i sleep on my side and on my tummy..will i have to start getting used to not sleeping in that position? and what is the best position?? i really have no one to ask about preparations and expectations so can you give me a hint?? i'd really appreciate it.

I am 6 days post-op and also a belly sleeper. I am going to try and describe the position I am sleeping in. I prop up a bunch of pillows at the head of the bed, got as high up as I possible can, then I lift my left bum cheek and put a pillow under there and another pillow under my right arm. It is kinda how I slept on my tummy but in reverse and I am sleeping pretty well. Of course the gravol helps a LOT too.

Doxielover

Have you asked your doctor if you can have yogart or the yogart drink. Or even early thinned out cream of wheat. You can even liquify cottage cream with skim milk so it is Soup like.

Lisa,

I'm 3 weeks post-op and I've always been a belly sleeper. After about 10 days, I could sleep on my stomach without any pain at all. Good luck! John

I know exactly how everyone felt as I am 5 days post op & not really interested in work or doing anything. Have little energy & feel strange when I go out. I am thinking it is the difference in calories as I was not put on a pre-op diet. Up until last night there was very little to no gas pains. Then I got the shoulder pain & tons of gas pain today. Getting better with a heating pad & had to resume my pain meds along with Gas Strips. How long did it take everyone to be rid of the gas pains?:mad: I can't believe how much gas we have to get rid of!

I didn't experience much post-op gas pain except for when i tried a scrambled egg and got really sick after it. But that wasn't because of the egg, it was because my stomach had herniated and caused the band to slip. But from what I've heard, everyone is different as to when the gas pains are gone, but some people still experience them afterward because of something they ate, or eating too fast, etc. I think I only experienced gas pains on the first day post-op for the re-banding. Best of luck to everyone experiencing gas pains. If nothing is working, call your doctor or your surgeon.

Dear Strawberrygrl,

Congrats on making it to day 3. Sleeping is what will heal. I couldn't sleep more than 3 hours at a time. I wanted to rent a recliner but that deal fell through, so if you were like me then it's the couch and bed and my incisions were sore. I took my fluffy down comforter and made a poufy pile and sat in the corner of my couch and kind of laid on my side while hugging the "pillow" I created, while sitting up -- actually laying down hurt too much. After 3 hours in the living room I would move to my bedroom and sleep sitting up on my bed cushion. Sleeping like this really did a number on my neck but by day 6 I could lay on my left side with cushioning on my port. If you can tolerate your loratab, keep taking that, it will help you sleep deeper. When I got hungry I would make egg drop soup in hot chicken broth -- really tasted good! I also highly recommend Isopure Protein from the vitamin shoppe store.... it's the protein that you need to keep from getting hungry. Don't forget that sugar-free ice pops are the best summer treat. Hey, and congrats once again.

Hey Dutchgrl59-

I will be banded on Monday and bought some Isopure on the recommendation of my nutritionist. I bought the grape flavor, and I can barely get it down...it tastes gross to me. Are there any flavors you recommend other than grape, or do they all taste alike? It leaves a really nasty taste on my tongue.

Thanks!

Shleb: How did you know you had a slip? Did you have a particular type of pain?? Just curious. I hope your rebanding went well.

<p>Jennigan,</p> <p>I didn't like the flavor of Isopure either. I would take half of the 40oz bottle of isopure(alpine punch) and add 20oz of Vitamin water by glaceau(you can find that in every grocery store $1)making a 40oz drink. My goal was to drink 60ounces of water while adding much needed protein. Since my surgery I have purchased the powdered Isopure($$$) and once again I had to figure out some way of swallowing it. It smells aweful but without this drink I feel dizzy most of the time(thats the diabetic in me speaking). Each scoop of the powder is 25grms protein and I mix with water/Vitamin water for 24oz. Yesterday I drank 2 of these bottles. I have not yet had a fill yet.... I am 3 months post op. I hope this helps alittle bit. Hugs,</p>