Getting prepared!

[voiceomt2002 4]

I was banded on Friday, and I can tell you that the Gas-X strips were a godsend. I popped one in as soon as I could get to my stash, and the relief from the gas pressure was well worth that shot of peppermint in my already dry mouth. They gave me a medication that dried my mouth for intubation during the surgery and the effects hadn't worn off.

My experience will be slightly different from other patients of Dr. Baptista. Because of my severe sleep apnea and previous cases of DVT, the hospital wanted to keep me overnight. I drank a lot of hot tea to ease my dry, slightly sore throat.

Lena:thumbup:

[GlenSand 1]

Lena,

thanks for the tip on Gas-x. How has your recovery been? It's been only 2 days? I would really like to hear how you are doing and what you are going through. I have 2 days left b4 mine and am reading all I can about the process just so I can know everything. Thanks for taking the time.

[judyx3 0]

Hows everyone doing getting prepared for the big day? I went shopping the other day and bought some things for post op. My Doc was nice enough to give me a list of things I may need. I must say it sinks in real fast when your buying all that stuff. I still feel unprepared but thank god I have a Lap Band buddy here in town who was banded in Nov. so she helps me a lot. So again, hows it going getting ready?

Good luck on your surgery. I'm scheduled for Jan 14th. Could you share your shopping list? Thanks. JX3

[voiceomt2002 4]

Lena,

thanks for the tip on Gas-x. How has your recovery been? It's been only 2 days? I would really like to hear how you are doing and what you are going through. I have 2 days left b4 mine and am reading all I can about the process just so I can know everything. Thanks for taking the time.

My first answer to this was destroyed by attempting to use the spellchecker, so y'all will have to bear up with my mistakes. LOL!

Recovery has been very smooth, so far. I can't even complain about the pain, because I can control it with liquid Tylenol. I still have some gas pain in my left shoulder, but it's to be expected as well. Gas-X or a walk definitely helps.

I will remain forever grateful to the bandster who recommended the sippy cups. I did find the one resembling the travel coffee mug and took out that plastic insert. Just once I used another mug and gulped, not sipped. That taught me with a straight quickness to sip carefully and slowly. OUCH.

Do obey that pre-op diet! I'm proud of the pictures my doc took of my liver during the surgery. It wasn't pretty and perfect, but it was liver shaped and reasonably healthy.

Tomorrow, I have permission to go back to the Liquid Meal Replacements, and I'm looking forward to doing so. I may not be hungry, but I'm tired of the same old flavors of broth, Jell-o, and Popsicles. A little variety would definitely be welcome. One thing is for sure -- I'm measuring an ounce or so at a time of the shakes. If that gulp I mentioned was any warning, I'm taking the new addition to my intake very slowly. The ache of "too much" is not worth it. Trust me on this.

Lena

[KawasakiChick 0]

Lena- I'm glad your surgery went so well!

Here is my list so far...

EAS Carb Control Ready to drink Protein shakes (Wal-mart)

broth

sugar free jell-o

Crystal light

Bottled Water

SF Popsicles

Gas-X

liquid Tylenol

Bio-Oil or Mederma (something with Aloe Vera for scars once I get the ok to use them)

Sippy cup

Centrum liquid Multi-Vitamin

Baby spoon

Herbal or Decaf tea or coffee

Hope it helps!! We're almost there!!

[EmeraldCoastPhotog 0]

I was banded December 10th and figured this out.

The IV antibiotics I was given in the hospital killed not only the bad bacteria in my intestines, but also the good ones.

Thus I exprienced lots of monster sounds in my belly. Since I was on clear and Water consistancy liquids, I went searching for something with some active cultures that I could have. I found "Good Belly" which is a juice with active cultures, in the yogurt department of the grocery store. Within a day all those monsters were gone and my bowels were settled. I spoke to the doctor about drinking it and he gave his blessings. He also said unsweetened Kifer would have worked, though at the time I didn't want to do that because Kifer is thicker than Water.

Just a tidbit, hope it helps someone. Best of luck in your upcoming surgeries.

Fran