I saw a thread a while back where all the August Bandsters had touched base with each other. Well where are my September friends?

I am 5 days banded. September 12 was the big day! Things are pretty ok. I am off pain meds completely, but started having some symptoms of esophagus irritation. I called my surgeon and he is calling in one of those reflux meds. I choked down some Maalox. (that stuff is Grade A GROSS) and it’s a bit better. I still feel like I have a lump in my throat that won’t go away and a mild pain behind my breastbone. Other than that, everything is slowly feeling more normal. I think I even slept on my side last night. Not the port side of course. sleeping on my back is so hard for me. I have always slept on my stomach. The total liquid diet is a challenge to say the least. But I am trying to be disciplined.

I am down 15lbs since one week prior to surgery. Yeah!

So anybody else very recently banded? How is it going?

Hi! I'm not banded yet, but I will be on September 22nd! I had my pre op appointment this morning and everything is set! I can't wait!

I was banded Sept. 3. Everything is going well, haven't had any problems except I hate liquids!

Well hello!

Sept 22 is fast approaching Ginger! Yeehaa!

Desiree,

Girl! I hear you LOUD and clear on the liquids. Are you not on to "mush" yet? Isn't it interesting how something like cottage cheese and applesauce can sound soooo yummy?!

Have you tried putting chunky Soups in the blender? I made some clam chowder really thin with extra milk, and then blended the tar out of it. The potato in there worked well as far as being a little more filling.

September bandsters rule!

I'm a September Bandster also. Sept. 2nd was the day my life changed. I am doing great and I had my 2 week checkup and the doctor feels the same way. I am on the soft food phase and I am being very cautious. I was hungry last night so I don't think I ate enough. Today I will try to follow my nutritionists plan to the tee so I can see how much to eat. I have been walking everyday and I am up to one mile.

Wow! Sounds like you are doing great! You also sound very disciplined... I'm jealous. I am still on liquids. I have been sort of "pushing' it though, by blending soups etc. So did you get a nutritionist with the surgery? Or was that something you just decided to do on your own?

Great job!

Sept 17 for me, I am sore, dizzy & bloated. I was surprized to find out i have 6 incisions! Did everyone get this many? i am happy to hear from others from september.

Hi. The nutritionist was with the doctor. I had to see her before the surgery and she gave me a booklet about how to eat before and after the surgery. I'm on soft foods now so I had a scrambled egg and 4 crackers for Breakfast, Taco Bell's pintos & cheese for lunch, banana & Peanut Butter for snack and for dinner I will probably have some chicken & creamed spinach. Tonight I'll either have sugar free/fat free pudding or a frozen yogurt bar.

I too have 6 incisions the biggest being right next to my belly button where the port is. You will feel better every day. I can say by the 2nd week I felt really good.

I am in the mushy food stage. I've also been eating some real type foods (just soft). I feel I already eat too much, and feel like I could probably eat anything I wanted. I have five incisions. The largest is about four inches down from my right breast. My port is just under it, close to my rib cage. I am one of the fortunate ones that hasn't experienced any port pain. That is one of the things I worried about pre-band. Everything is still going well. I just wish everyone will stop asking me how much weight I have lost. They don't understand how the band works. It is just really getting on my nerves. I wish I hadn't told anyone. Oh well, I guess once I really start losing I won't mind them asking.

Hi there Jadrad-

Welcome to bandland. I echo Chris that every day feels better. Today is my one week anniversary and I am feeling pretty good. I have 5 incisions although one of them (i guess where the port is) is much larger than I expected. Three of the incisions are already pretty much healed. It's just the larger one that is still sensitive. I have bandaids on them, and yesterday I wore shorts that the waist band was laying on top of the larger incision, and it didn't hurt. It's nice to be back to almost full mobility. I am notiicing that I still tire a bit fast, but I am happy with the recovery so far.

Dezzy- I feel the same way lack of restriction. I know it's "normal" and these weeks aren't for losing weight, but for healing. It is HARD not to want those instant results!I lost 9 lbs in the week before surgery and about 6 lbs since then and I know I should be like- great!, but I have scale addiction and keep wanting to see those numbers go down down down.

Ginger- Two more days!

255/240/140

Soon to be a September bandster. My surgery is scheduled for 9/30/03. I can't wait to get this thing done. Keep on trucking.

I am going to be a September bandster too. 9-22 is my date. The doctor told me it was only going to be 4 incisions. Now I am worried.

Another September Bandster here in Florida said that the incisions are like 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches--that seems so large!

Linda

Lenny and Gator,

Glad to have you along!

Gator- So tomorrow is the day! Yipee! I hope you get some rest tonight and aren't too worried. I definitely wouldn't be overly concerned about the incisions. I have five, but 4 of them are really really small and healed within the first week. Only the one near the port is larger. I would say an inch to an inch and a half is about right. Although it seems to be healling quite nicely as well. I "think" that incision was stiched. I can't say for positive and the doc didn't say... but it kind of looks like it was. Anyway, good luck tomorrow.

Lenny- so are you trudging through a pre-op diet? liquids? No-carbs? Bleckth! :mad:

Wendy- thanks for the info. Sounds like you are doing GREAT> 24 lbs in a month. I will be thrilled if I can do that!

Thanks Sparkle!

It is nice to have the support--will keep you posted!

Linda

Hello Fellow September Bandsters!

I was banded on 9/22 and I feel like a million bucks! I didn't have to take any pain meds once I left the hospital, and I was back to work 4 days after surgery! I was still a little tired, but now I feel good.

I'm down 13 pounds as of Wednesday! WOOHOO! My clothes fit so much better now!

I'm so happy I go the band, and the surgery and recovery were so easy for me. I wish it was this easy for everyone!

Hi, I'm pretty new to this support board, but I am a September bandster as of the 24th. I am 11 days post-op. My port is on my right side by my lower ribs and yes it was the sorest part of the surgery, finally yesterday I can feel it is starting to heal and I can twist and turn alittle easier, but I also get tired and my back seems to get fatiqued easy. I have been hungry since about the 3rd day after surgery and I don't have really any restriction to speak of, but since I am trying very hard to stay on the liquids I don't know how much is there. I have cheated a couple of times with just a bit of soft food and some milk to get by the real hungry times. Next week is the start of the pureed stage and I am hoping that will help considerably. I don't yet excersize because I have been trying to rest as much as possible and going back to work made me pretty tired, I am still taking the pain meds but not as often. They do really help with the port pain area and finally last night I can say I had a good nights sleep and even was able to turn on either side for awhile. Sleeping on my back hasn't been a fun or comfortable thing during this first week or so. Well anyway I am happy to read others situations that are where I am in the process.

Thanks

Debi