Okay, so I didn't die in some hovel of a hospital in TJ Mexico in a desperate search for a slimmer figure. I am SOOOO relieved. I prayed for a second chance and the Good Lord above has given it. I can't believe it's true!

I am home and sporting a brand new 9.75mm Inamed Band with 4cc saline capacity, and of course, no fill at this point. Surgery went great, no problems, I'm sore, tired, kinda gassy, but sipping liquid Tylenol and hot tea and a little coffee, happy to be home. I tucked my sweet little ones into bed tonight and next I'm taking a warm shower, dressing the wounds, etc, and going to bed.

Dr Kuri is a lovely man and he has quite a set-up in TJ. It's better than you think, but definately different. More scoop later, but it really was more lovely an experience than I hoped for. Hi to my band buddies...chris, mary,ardee, and then Denise (there for port revision) and a few other folks we met...it was fun!!!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers...I have a few PMs to answer, let me get this posted and OH! I have a pic of my belly to add to this post, will edit later and post it here.

YAY!!

Well, wish I had fixed my shirt a bit nicer and covered up my chubby belly button but here it is...port incision is one of the ones on my left side...not sure which just yet. I'm sure I'll be able to tell when I unbandage later.

Editing: the port is on the lower left. Oh my word I can't believe I posted this terrible picture of my fat ole belly on the dadgum internet!

Later taters!

Keep Getting plenty of rest. Sounds like you are doing everything you possible can. Everyone has such good advice. Hope it all gets better as time goes by.

Thanks Kathy. I think I'll recover pretty quickly too. You are doing very good--considering! I was doing nothing 1 week after surgery--my husband was doing literally everything. And that was without PBs. So . . I think you're doing great. Glad your family is closeby and willing to help.

Kathy I am glad to hear you are doing a little better, and yes, I think you are probably just swollen. I think that is still good that you are going to check with the Doctor's office so they are aware you might have some problems over the weekend. It never hurts to prepare! Good Luck and keep us posted!

Kathy,

oooh good! 4 ounces is good.. I hope its getting better!

I agree with the others.. in a few days if its not better.. Do something.

Most my love!

Kathy, I hope you are feeling better this afternoon!!

I don't mean to be ignorant but what is PB? Peanut Butter is the only thing I know of that is called PB.. lol

I have got to learn all these new terms!!!!

Keep us up on how you are feeling, and I loved the Pic you are much braver than most of us!!

Kathy, did I read rigth? You slimed up brown mucus? Could that be old blood? I don't want to scare you, but I don't think you should slime up anything other than the color you took in. I've only had white/clear slime.

Have you tried skipping liquids in the morning and trying your first warm liquids around lunch time? I know the mornings are tightest for me. Even with no port I still can't eat Breakfast. Most of us open wider at night. So instead of trying to force something down in the morning, maybe you can see if waiting till later will bring more comfort.

Please call Dr. Kuri and tell him about the brown slime and that you can't get anything in. And PM me your phone number if you'd like a call this weekend, okay?

As far as people saying they don't have any advice, let me tell you from personal experience that every single post and well-wish meant the world to me when I was sick. Just knowing I could come to LBT and see my friends checking in on me made me feel so much better. Kathy, we are all here thinking of you.

Rebecca: We are not supposed to take any Anti-Inflammatory once banded due to the irritation it can cause the stomach lining. So be very careful taking that pill.

There is an anti-inflammatory pill I take every morning and night for feet problems I have.

So be very careful taking that pill.

For those who don't know what "being very careful" means when taking NSAIDs (aspirin, Advil, etc.):

1. Always be sure your band doc is aware that you have been instructed by an M.D. to take NSAIDs/or wish to take them on your own. He may want to closely monitor you to ensure that you are not suffering any damage. Your band doc may also have specific instructions on how the NSAID should be taken.

2. If the NSAID is crushable you may want to consider crushing to make sure it clears the pouch/stoma ASAP after taking.

3. Be sure to drink plenty of Water after taking the NSAID to ensure the pouch/stoma is flushed clean.

4. Be aware that NSAIDs can cause problems in NON-banded people - and the damage they cause is rarely noticeable to the person - i.e. no pain. NSAIDs can burn/irritate the lining of the stomach, which is why they are so dangerous for banded people and other people who have modified stomach sizes, like those who've had the gastric bypass.

I don't know if it's advisable to drink some sort of buffer first - i.e. milk, or something, to help give the pouch/stoma somewhat of a protective lining. Penni, would that help?

Thanks Donali for spelling it out. I think drinking Milk or something like that to buffer the NSAID's is a GREAT idea. In fact it is advisable.

I don't know if it's advisable to drink some sort of buffer first - i.e. milk, or something, to help give the pouch/stoma somewhat of a protective lining. Penni, would that help?

Brown mucous looking slime is NOT good. COuld be old blood. Watch this closely and if it happens again you should report it to Kuri. I would in fact report it to him anyway. Slime should not have any color other than what you are bringing up. If you had drank a few sips of tea then the slime would be a brownish color. Please don't take any chances. WORRIED about you girl!

Took a few sucks of popsicle and fed the rest to little man, and got the stuck feeling, so I sucked on a Gas-X and layed down, then started sliming and PB'd the Gas-X, slime and a bit of what looked like slightly brown mucus. I felt much better afterwards, but have resolved to have nothing, I mean nothing, until tomorrow morning and then start over with ice chips. UGGGGHHH.

Another update: Brown Mucus issue...this is what I think. When I was PBing the Gas-X the brown was the last to come up, as if it had been stuck there a good while and finally made it up or down, rather than stuck. I studied it carefully before rinsing it down the sink, and I do NOT think it was blood, which was my concern the whole time I'm spitting up this stuff, I look carefully at it. It seemed to be more like stained from tea, which I had been sipping on.

The mucus itself is coming from my lungs, since I am not taking my allergy med (Singulaire) and after the anesthesia, I have been coughing up stuff, especailly after sleeping for a while or all night. I have used my Albuterol inhaler a few times since coming home just to make the coughing easier on my belly, not because of asthma or allergies. I actually have not used the inhaler at all since probably Tues night and then only 3-4 times before that since returning home Sat. So I guess the mucus I have is irritating the stoma?

That's what it feels like is happening. I do better in the morning sipping warm liquids, but by the afternoon, I'm so irritated I get very tight. This is making sense.

SO, I called Dr Kuri, and not my patient rep this time, and he calls me back, him, himself, THE Dr Kuri, calling me sweetheart, etc. Okay, so it took him a few hours, but I honestly expected that he would call in the evening there when he got back to his office before giving the speech to the next group of bandsters tomorrow. Having an idea of his schedule really helped my expectations...anyhow...

he asked my weight, I told him 223 at surgery and 214 this morning. He asked me where I was and I said North Carolina, he said "oh" in a dissappointed way (hehe) and I told him I have a local band Dr and he said you may need a baruim swallow. He said to take Prilosec twice a day.

And then, and here's the great part, he said to be sure and let him know what happens and that he will review my surgery tape. Oh MY GOSH! He tapes his surgeries!!! Just like a real Doctor!!!! As if he isn't, but that was just so reassuring. I don't know if he makes an audio tape during the surgery or afterwards with all the notes and details but that is an awesome resource from a professional doc, and I would expect it here, but for some reason was surprised and pleased. Kudos for Kuri on that one.

AND, sorry this is so long, I called the Urgent Care up the street and told them I have been sick and I'm concerned about dehydration, could they give me an IV bag there, or would I need to go to a hospital...sure they can if I need it, yada, yada, so tomorrow morning I will go and get an IV and any other IV meds they think I may need. WHEW! I hope SO BAD that I feel better soon. I need fluids, I know it. I'll certainly be fine until the morning but I AM GOING.

This thread is long, and I hope to close out the drama soon and start an "I feel lots better" thread.

Thank you so much EVERYONE for your care, concern, advice, and like DeLarla said, every post with a well wish for me has been SO helpful and meaningful. I will make it, thank you my friends.

Thanks for the update, Kathy, we're worried about you! Having asthma must complicate this a lot. I'm sorry you're having so much trouble!

Good luck tomorrow and don't forget--we're checking up on you!

"He said to take Prilosec twice a day"

Kathy, ((hugs))

girl, Ive truly been out of the loop for the last few days. My goodness, I had no idea this was going on!

Be careful when taking this prilosec - please crush well before taking it!

Also, I remember you attempting the v-8 juice several threads ago. Hang on to that thought for now... tomatoes are very acidic and can cause stomach irritation.

Remember: fruit is the easiest food for our tummy to digest. IF you feel that you can try something other than broth or tea, then try a natural fruit drink - the ones that come in a single can, like pear necter. And drink it room temp - not refrigerated!

This is very nourshing - AND easy for our digestive system.

I will definately pray for you tonight.... so sorry to hear this!

Yes--the doctors at Molding Clinic video tape all their surgeries too. I thought that was pretty cool.

"Be careful when taking this prilosec - please crush well before taking it!

Also, I remember you attempting the v-8 juice several threads ago. Hang on to that thought for now... tomatoes are very acidic and can cause stomach irritation.

I got a look at the Prilosec pill after DH got home from the drug store...NO WAY! I haven't taken it, it would never go down. And then the box says do not crush or chew...since it's sustained relaese I'd be getting the whole dose at once. So I'm waiting until after I see the Urgent Care doc in the morning...going to get an IV bag of fluids-YES!

And I think you are exactly right about the V-8...looking back, I felt the swelling and difficulty passing through the liquids coming on, probably due to the V-8, and then the jello PB, well, it was all down hill from there. No more V-8 for a long time!!!

Hey Rebecca, they VIDEO tape it? That's cool. I don't know which Dr Kuri does, video or audio only, but either way, it's cool.

OH! and Paula, the fruit juice I had been drinking were the mango and guava nectars, and some others but I got them at Wal-Mart in well, the juice section, but they sell them in the grocery store too in the Mexican foods sections. I guess Hispanic people use them alot, maybe in cooking and preparing foods, but, yes, they are yummy! and nutritious.