Hi everyone--I thought I'd listen to some advice from one of the other monthly groups and start one master thread in which we have an ongoing discussion/updates. I don't know about you all but I certainly spend most of my time on these boards on the pre-op forum and the general forum, not here. It would be nice to have just one thread to go to once in this forum.

We can maybe start out with introductions?

As for me, I'm going the "online privacy" route for now (paranoid that people I haven't told about this will somehow stumble across me on this site I guess, which is crazy, I know) but I can give you the big picture:

You can call me Penny, I'm 27, single and live in the Washington, DC area. I have a background in politics (which is why I live in DC) but now I'm a librarian which is much cooler and way more fun (trust me on that). Oh, and there's no "Marion the Librarian" thing with me either. One of the things I hear most frequently (besides the cliche "you have such a pretty face") is "but you don't LOOK like a librarian", which is another one of those bizarre backhanded compliments that you never really know how to take.

Personality wise, I'm kind of dorky, big into public radio and books and popular science. Oh, I'm also a little on the paranoid side (as you may be able to tell from earlier in this post). Beyond that I'm just kind of silly and friendly, VERY much so into traveling and I'm an aspiring "green" domestic diva (but that's not going so well).

Hi all! Was banded yesterday. Still sore and gas pains. A little about myself: I am 34 years old stay at home mom. I have 2 kids, 7 yr old and 17th month old. I have been obese almost my entire life. I've tried various diets that I would lose about 40 pounds and then gain that and some back. I know that I will succeed with the band.

I got to the hospital at 5:30 am 7/16. I received an injection in my butt, I think to dry out my mouth. Then the heparin shot in the belly. Then I had to drink some digusting stuff to get rid of stomach acids. The nurse did the iv and then I was waiting for the scopal (sp?) patch for naseau. I was then wheeled up the the OR holding area where I met with the OR nurse, anestialogist and then finally my doctor. Then at about 7:45 I went in and was told to have a nice dream and then I woke up in recovery. I was so naseaous that they keep trying different things on me and finally I was maxed on that kind of medicine. At about 12:30 I was wheeled back down to the same day surgical area and was stuck there until about 3:00 because they wanted me to finish the iv liquids but my iv was dripping so slow because of a kink in the line. I couldn't wait to get home and get in bed until I realized I couldn't get into bed! I had to sleep in the recliner. I have been taking the gas x strips and I think they are helping because I have absolutely no shoulder pains at all. My stomach is just very sore and it is hard to get up from a sitting position. I am on sugar free Clear Liquids for 2 weeks then mushies for 2 weeks. The doctor said that I probably will not eat solids until about 5 weeks.

Well hope everyone is feeling better that was banded already and good luck to everyone waiting for their day!

Lisa

Quick update and a question from me:

I still can't handle the Protein drinks well but I switched to a brand I got from a little organic grocery in my neighborhood (it's actually the store's own brand which is odd because it's just a little local store). It is nowhere near as bad as the unjury ones but it's still not fun. I cannot wait until surgery is done--then I'm on full liquids which includes Soup (real soup, not just this chicken broth nonsense).

Surgery scheduled for Monday. I've mostly recovered from bronchitis, a sore throat and pinkeye (lucky me huh) and I'm pretty sure we're going to go ahead with it.

My question is this: My mom will be down here staying at a hotel with me from Sunday-Thursday (I live on the top floor of an apartment building with no elevator, plus she's very allergic to my pets so we decided to get a hotel room with a kitchen). Should this be enough time? I will be back to fending for myself on Thursday and this means lots of stairs, pet care, cooking (well probably not too much of that), cleaning, taking garbage out etc. I'm so used to being totally independent that I have a hard time picturing needing or wanting help ever but how likely is it that I'll need help beyond Thursday?

Thanks all!

Yesterday was my special day. Everything went smooth as silk. However after surgery in my room, everytime a took an ice chip or anything I would start burping and then dry heaving. Mu doctor was concerned and ordered an upper GI Xray to verify the band is working. It was. Come to fine out it was the deliudid pain medication. Once we stopped that, I was fine. My tummy is a little swollen and tender, but not at all unbearable. If you are not banded and waitingl; just hang in there. I t will happen to you and so worth it.

Thx Lisa and Lynn for the updates and congrats on your surgery going well, I have 5 more days and I can bearly stand the wait. Please keep us updated on your progress.

Getting banded TOMORROW! oh my gosh...I can't believe it's finally here.

I'm excited/terrified/anxious. Pretty sure these are the normal feelings! Anyway, I cant wait for my next post on here to be POST banding

Thank you everyone for your support and prayers!

Hi Ladies;

My band is IN! I had the surgery July 10. They had to fix a hiatus hernia while doing the band, so I am still very tender and gassy. It was a little scary, but it was over so quickly!

The demerol they gave me for pain made me wretch and heave, so I am taking Childrens liquid tylenol for pain.

I have my first fill scheduled for Aug 11 .

hey goober, I had my surgery on july 14. I didnt even know i had a hernia. But apparently i did too. Exactly where is that type of hernia because that is the type they said i had too. So now i am 3 days out and i dont know what pain/soreness is from the hernia or what is from the banding. I have five incisions and possible another inside my bellybutton but i cant tell(but they had put a bandage there). Also what is every one eating/drinking at a few days out? I am so sick of Jello and gatorade and Protein shakes.

anyway, i was so glad to have found this place. You guys have so much to share. thanks. Now, a little about my self. I am a 32 year old single mom of a 5 year old boy. i live in arkansas. i will be 33 at the end of this month and having the lap band was my birthday present to myself. i am self pay so i will be paying it off slowly. but i am sure it will be well worth it.

Yesterday was my special day. Everything went smooth as silk. However after surgery in my room, everytime a took an ice chip or anything I would start burping and then dry heaving. Mu doctor was concerned and ordered an upper GI Xray to verify the band is working. It was. Come to fine out it was the deliudid pain medication. Once we stopped that, I was fine. My tummy is a little swollen and tender, but not at all unbearable. If you are not banded and waitingl; just hang in there. I t will happen to you and so worth it.

I was banded too. I was given a pill before surgery that prevents nausea for forty eight hrs. Then I think I had one tordol shot and all I have now is a sore port site. Of course the gas is unconfortable, but I have been trying to walk. So we have alot to be thankful for. Now, it is two more weeks of Protein shakes and on to mushies.

Glad to hear things are going well for Lynn and Lisa. Good luck to those going tomorrow. I'm in for next Monday. Scared to death, but no turning back now!

Congraulations Lynn and Lisa. I wish you the best on a speedy recovery. I am counting down my 12 days until surgery. I certainly hope the post-op diet is better than the pre-op in terms of tolerance. I would rather not eat than drink those protein shakes, but I am doing as the dr. ordered and putting up with the consequences.

Sending prayers and well wishes for all being banded tomorrow. Vaya con Dios.

BeverlyDiane,

I have twelve days to go as well. I can hardly wait. I went to see the surgeon yesterday. I went before my pre-op because he moved my surgery date up to July 29 from September 2 since I am a school teacher and wont be able to do it once school starts. All I can say is bless him, bless him, bless. him. However, he did give me a challenge. He wants me to lose 5 to 10 pounds by my surgery date. I'm up to the challenge so I visited the gym twice today. I dont think it is really possible to lose that much in 12 days but I am willing to give it a try! I will keep you in my thoughts as the day approaches!

hi there,

i was banded monday july 14. regarding your concerns about your independence, here are the things i have and haven't had trouble with: i underestimated how tired i would be from the incredibly small number of calories i can get down. i've slept about 14 hours a day since monday. stairs are no problem, except for the fatigue (i'm 210 lbs.). walking my dog is no problem, but she's 15 lbs. and not a puller. i tried walking my dad's dog, 40 lbs and a puller, and it was too much. you definitely can't lift anything over 10-15 lbs.--garbage, pets, backpacks, etc.--for two weeks, so small, frequent garbage runs would be wise.

in short, i think you'll be just fine, but factor in the fatigue and reduce your calendar to let you rest a lot.

Hi. I was also banded July 8th, and I am a school teacher. Also, I have a two year old. I am doing pretty well. How are you?

Good luck to all the 7/21 butterflies,hope your able to sleep tonight. tuesdays my day, I haven't been able to sleep all weekend. I think i'm more nerves about the plane ride then anything!

Quick update and a question from me:

My question is this: My mom will be down here staying at a hotel with me from Sunday-Thursday (I live on the top floor of an apartment building with no elevator, plus she's very allergic to my pets so we decided to get a hotel room with a kitchen). Should this be enough time? I will be back to fending for myself on Thursday and this means lots of stairs, pet care, cooking (well probably not too much of that), cleaning, taking garbage out etc. I'm so used to being totally independent that I have a hard time picturing needing or wanting help ever but how likely is it that I'll need help beyond Thursday?

Thanks all!

Penny-I had surgery last Monday with a hiatal hernia repair and I stayed home alone on Thursday and I was fine.

Good luck to everyone being banded this week. You will be fine, special positive thoughts and vibes going your way.