July Butterflies Master Thread

[kimaly 57]

Joyful, maybe it would help if you cut your calorie intake down a bit, is 2000 what your DR sugested? it sounds pretty high to me, are you choosing high Protein low carb foods? anyway 14lbs is still good. and don't let anyone else get to you. Remember you are doing this for yourself.

[Charlene K 1]

I don't know your family, but when my son told me he was getting banded I was so proud of him .....owning your obesity and doing something about it is courageous. I got banded because I saw the success of my son. Obesity runs on both sides of our families too. Everyone of my children were supportive. I told everyone because I wanted to make myself accountable. This is just how I feel about the whole thing. Your situation may be different. Just stay on your new journey and it will all work out.

I am eating between 800-900 calories a day and I walk 30minutes a day. 2000 calories sounds kinda high. I am only following the advice of my dietician and getting alot of support on the Mentor thread by Indiogirl.

[orea15 0]

Hi, Butterflies. Sorry to be so long checking in, but I've been sleeping most of the time since I got home. The pain pills just knocked me out. I called Dr. Tran today and got a second anti nausea med, and he said to move to liquid Tylenol as the pain med could be making me nauseous. But the new nausea med can also make me sleepy! If sleep really can make you beautiful, I ought to be gorgeous by now.

It has been a challenge trying to sip liquids and stay hydrated, but I am doing the best I can. I find the broths go down better than the sweeter stuff, but I'm trying not to overdo it.

I've had no shoulder pain, some gas pain, a little incision pain but not a whole lot after the first day. They wrapped my abdomen in a binder, and I'm leaving it on as long as possible.

I haven't gotten on the scale and frankly I don't care what it says at the moment. This is a time for healing, not necessarily losing. Though I am eating so little I'm probably losing, too.

More later. :-)

Orea

[kimaly 57]

orea, glad your doing well and welcome back

[thatDEgirl 1]

I finally got around to posting my surgery story on my blog this life of mine

I'll copy and paste it here...

I am home from the hospital now and finally awake and coherent. I thought I would write a bit about my experience for those that want to know. I am also going to start putting *WLS* in the subject line for those that don’t want to read about it.

After I finally managed to go to sleep, that darn alarm was going off after only about an hour and a half. If it wouldn’t have been the start of a whole new me, I probably would have thrown it across the room. We got up, threw our clothes on and grabbed our bags. Pensacola is an hour/hour and fifteen from our house and I had a show time of 5:30am for a 7:30am surgery (July 25th, Friday). The trip was uneventful, unless you count me driving Bryan crazy, still going back and forth about making the right decision.

Once we got to the hospital, they got me all checked in; started an IV, heparin shot, some stomach acid med, those utterly sexy TED stockings and air compression leggings. I actually didn’t have to stay in pre-op very long, less than a hour if I remember correctly. Then they came to get me and take me to the operating room holding point of sorts. At this point I had to say goodbye to Bryan and he headed to the waiting room. I sat there bored, for what seemed like forever. While I was originally scheduled to be the first surgery for Dr. Nye, for some reason he had to go into surgery before me and was running behind. Don’t get me wrong, I want the surgeon to take as MUCH time as necessary to do a good job, but all that silence by myself started me to thinking again. I actually shed a few tears, thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong and Bryan and Jacey having to make it without me. Did I say good enough goodbyes? Luckily that didn’t last long and the anesthesiologist came by to talk to me, tell me what was going to happen and see if I had any questions. Then Dr. Nye came in to see me and they wheeled me into the OR at about 10am.

Bright, white and blinding. They got me moved over to the OR table, asked me what my tattoo meant and then where I wanted to go for vacation. All I remember is saying Paris and then waking up in recovery, groggy and with a sore throat from the tube. I got my first dose of pain meds and then they called down to the waiting room to tell Bryan where to head. They wheeled me to my room, where Bryan was waiting on me. All of this by 12pm-ish.

The rest of my stay was uneventful. I needed pain meds about every 5-6 hours, battled a bit of nausea and tried to walk when I could. Two nightmare heparin shots, one blood draw and two nasty jello/broth trays, Dr. Nye came in to see me and told me I could go home…YAY! I was out of there a little before 12pm on Saturday (July 26th, Saturday).

Since I’ve been home, I have slept a lot, discovered that I am allergic to lortab and could stand to never see Jello again. The good thing I, I had my last dose of pain meds last night and am feeling pretty good. I have my follow up Wednesday, so we’ll see then how well I have been doing.

Some people ask, with all the pain, discomfort, etc would I do it again? Absolutely, I know this is my chance at a healthier, longer life. Who wouldn’t want that?!

[melaniematters 0]

Hi all, glad to see all the last week of July bandsters are coming through with flying colours. I've put my story up on my blog www.melaniematters.blogspot.com if anyone's interested. Orea, the nausea - I've had it too but today has been better as I've cut down on the pain medication. I too find the broth better than the sweet liquids. I agree that weight loss is very secondary to healing right now - we're on our way. Hooray. Take care everyone, :thumbup:and a special shout out to my fellow July 31st bandsters!! Melanie

[melaniematters 0]

Melaniermatters - Welcome to the other side. I hope you are as relieved as I am to be here.

Shonda, Thanks I'm relieved to be on the other side. I love having all you people to learn from and chat to, thanks.

[ShondaN 0]

Welcome back Orea - Hang in there - Things will get better

[boos02 0]

Orea, Melanie - Congrats and welcome to the other side! I know those first few days are foggy, but by day 4 I was doing much better.

Joiful - I think 2000 calories a day is too much. My doc said I should be staying at no more than 1200. I agree with Kimaly, try more Protein and Fiber. That should help. Also, you need to keep reminding your self that this first 4-6 weeks is about healing and not loosing weight. That will come in time. Steady loss is better than huge amounts at one time. And, as tough as it is, exercise will actually make you feel more energized not tired. I know this is all tough, but it will be soooo worth it. And as we're constantly reminded at my local support group the band is only 10% and the person is 90% of this whole process.

I haven't lost in a couple of weeks either, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it because I know I'm in this for the long haul and not for quick results.

- Kathy

[Charlene K 1]

Orea, Melanie - Congrats and welcome to the other side! I know those first few days are foggy, but by day 4 I was doing much better.

Joiful - I think 2000 calories a day is too much. My doc said I should be staying at no more than 1200. I agree with Kimaly, try more Protein and fiber. That should help. Also, you need to keep reminding your self that this first 4-6 weeks is about healing and not loosing weight. That will come in time. Steady loss is better than huge amounts at one time. And, as tough as it is, exercise will actually make you feel more energized not tired. I know this is all tough, but it will be soooo worth it. And as we're constantly reminded at my local support group the band is only 10% and the person is 90% of this whole process.

I haven't lost in a couple of weeks either, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it because I know I'm in this for the long haul and not for quick results.

- Kathy

Dittos Kathy!:teeth_smile:

[lovegrapes 0]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this thread, but I've been reading it for weeks. I'm 28, from the upper midwest. I have no kids or husband but I've been seeing my boyfriend nearly 4 years now. I have been overweight since I was 8 years old. For nearly the last two years I've worked on the surgical unit where our bariatric patients go. I never ever considered bariatric surgery an option. After getting to know the surgeon and the staff I decided it was right for me.

I was banded on July 30th. Due to extensive scars and adhesions from major abdominal surgery my procedure took around 3 hours! I have eight stab sites and some of them are quite large. I consider myself extremely lucky to have such a competent and patient surgeon to have done all that work; it truly is a bonus as I have had daily pain for the last six years from all the adhesions. Hopefully the pain will soon be a distant memory!

After all of that I am doing incredibly well. I have just mild to moderate discomfort and I've been able to be fairly active taking walks, going to a community outing and shopping a few times.

So thats about it for now. Looking forward to getting to know you.

[Charlene K 1]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this thread, but I've been reading it for weeks. I'm 28, from the upper midwest. I have no kids or husband but I've been seeing my boyfriend nearly 4 years now. I have been overweight since I was 8 years old. For nearly the last two years I've worked on the surgical unit where our bariatric patients go. I never ever considered bariatric surgery an option. After getting to know the surgeon and the staff I decided it was right for me.

I was banded on July 30th. Due to extensive scars and adhesions from major abdominal surgery my procedure took around 3 hours! I have eight stab sites and some of them are quite large. I consider myself extremely lucky to have such a competent and patient surgeon to have done all that work; it truly is a bonus as I have had daily pain for the last six years from all the adhesions. Hopefully the pain will soon be a distant memory!

After all of that I am doing incredibly well. I have just mild to moderate discomfort and I've been able to be fairly active taking walks, going to a community outing and shopping a few times.

So thats about it for now. Looking forward to getting to know you.

Welcome! You will get support and info at LBT. I know about adhesions. I think my doctor took care of some of my pain too....at least temporarily. Walking is excellent for recovery.

[lynlynkr 0]

Lovegrapes - welcome welcome. There is so much support from this wonder folks. Enjoy your new journey!

[cjrose 0]

I had a two week pre-op high Protein diet with Protein Shakes and then I was banded on Monday July 28. I feel great. Except I'm sick of clear liqiuds....tommorrow I get to start a full liquid diet for a week. Total lost so far with the pre-op diet & one week of clear liquids.....21 pounds!!! I do not ever want to see those numbers again...the doc did mention most people gain some back when they start foods....NO!!!! It can't be true. I have my first doc appt. on Monday Aug 11. So glad I found this site..my family isn't as supportive as I'd wished.

[orea15 0]

To jump in late, Joiful, I wasn't even allowed 2000 calories when I started with CalorieKing.com last March at 364 pounds! It was closer to 1850 and their goal was to have me lose 1 pound a week. Lots of carbs won't get you where you want to go. Lean Proteins and produce are the key. If you don't like Breakfast proteins that are traditional, try some that aren't. Or have your lowfat milk in a warm drink of choice and eat later, especially if you find you are tight in the AM.

I've got to find myself a full liquid, my body is screaming for food.

TTFN,

Orea