OMG, I FEEL AMAZING!!!

I have little to no pain, no nausea, constipation, gas, nothing. Prior to having my surgery, I was so well eduated, by the time I got home the day after surgery, I knew exactly what and how much food I could eat. I don't even need to use my pain meds...I've been out for walks and I feel like I've already lost 10 pounds (I'm sure I haven't)!

Anyway, for people who are having problems, hang in there. I'm sending positive thoughts your way...

Congrats Bird,

Sounds like you're off to a great start! I hope I am so lucky. Having surgery April 30. I do have a question....you say you knew exactly what and how much food you could eat...what is your post surgery diet? I am two days into my presurgery liquid diet. I wonder if anyone has ever overdosed on popsicles and Jello. It's going to be a looonnnnggg 7 days!

Again, congrats!

Fattyfatty2by4...I LOVE your name!!!!

Birdbrainzz...I am glad it went so well for you!!!

I was banded on the 22nd also and am not feeling horrible. I haven't needed the pain meds they prescribed but I did have a question to put out there. I had a bad fall last year and injured my spine pretty bad and haven't been walking much over the last year (most of it was in a wheelchair or on a walker). I am finding that just walking 5 minutes outside every day is extremely painful to my back. Any suggestions?

Thanks...Katie

Bella,

After in your incisons heal and your doctor gives you the ok you can try walking in a swimming pool. It's alot less stress on your back. Good luck!

I was banded on the 22nd also and am not feeling horrible. I haven't needed the pain meds they prescribed but I did have a question to put out there. I had a bad fall last year and injured my spine pretty bad and haven't been walking much over the last year (most of it was in a wheelchair or on a walker). I am finding that just walking 5 minutes outside every day is extremely painful to my back. Any suggestions?

Thanks...Katie

I agree totally with CARBGRL - the pool is the PERFECT place to exercise. Offers low resistance and you can work a particular excerise to what your ready for. Try it you'll love it! Don't hurt yourself - take it slow.

You can even do exercises sitting down in the pool to start or hanging off the side etc..

Fatty, funny name. Byrd congrats on the feeling great, it only gets better. I got banded on 2/17. I was 310 pre surgery, 303.5 day of surgery and I weighed in yesterday at 259. But, I am a guy and we tend to lose weight a little faster. I am also doing 30 minutes of cardio 5 times a week and lite weights 2 times a week. Anyway to answer your question Fatty, my first week after surgery was liquids only. I ate chicken/beef broth, and strained vegetable and cream soups and jello. The second week my doctor put me on mushy or soft foods such as pureed chickien salad or pureed tuna salad, oatmeal, pudding, etc. The third week I started solid foods. As a note of encouragement the morning of surgery my doctor told me something I had never heard before and that was that the surgery would completely reset my metabolism about 72-96 hours after surgery. He said the band causes food to sit at the top of the stomach and it stimulates the same nerves that are only stimulated when you eat a huge meal. After 3-4 days of being stimulated your body starts to read this constant stimulation as being in a time of plenty rather than a time of starvation and actually releases calories for energy instead of witholding them like it does during a normal diet/starvation mode. I thought it sounded kind of hinky but sure enough about 3 days after surgery I woke up feeling like I was on speed and have been full of energy ever since. Now 2 1/2 months later I am finally starting to see a mental change and much less of a desire for food that was one of the reasons that caused me to over eat before. So far the experience has been great. I was scared before surgery like everyone else, but I feel like I have been given a new lease on life.

That is such a cool explanation ... oh i'd love lots of energy!! I'm still waitin for mine... lol... had my band done on 4/22 and feeling ok - sometimes gassy and sometime a little nausea - but nothing terrible. I need to walk more. I did start with some medifast today and felt better after having something in my stomach.

bird- Glad you're doing so well! You're an inspiration!

I was also banded on the 22nd and would say I was very well educated prior (although I'm the first to say I've got a lot left to learn about post op). The gas hasn't been too bad, and I did get sick only at the hospital, but my stomach is still very sore (the pain woke me at 2am again in the night and I was up getting more pain meds). I have a very high threshold of pain (had 2 of my 3 kids with nothing and an epideral only with the third, had a hysterectomy with not as much movement pain as this, but I'm used to being active and stomach muscles are used for so much). I think we just all have slightly different experiences...that and my age is probably a factor LOL. Each day gets better!

Post op diet: I'm on SF Clear Liquids for 3 weeks; including popsicles and Jello and the only non-clear is 3, 8oz. glasses of skim milk a day.

i don't know if anyone else has been as tired as me. i was banded on the 22nd and was a major dr pepper addict and now i just feel horribly sluggish and sleepy all the time. i have lost 8 pounds in 2 days. does the craving for food and soda ever leave? my god, what i wouldn't give for a cheeseburger right now. i am glad for this group...it's good to know there are people who are or have gone through similar feelings.

katie

I'm certainly more tired than usual. I could probably take a nap each day (and I can't EVER take a nap, ever), but I don't because I'm hoping I'll sleep through the night (haven't yet). You've got a double whammy though if you only gave up the Dr.P on your surgery date. I weaned myself slowly off caffeine prior and I felt like I was in a fog for weeks. You'll get through this and getting off the pain meds and adding solids will help with your energy as well.

I am the devil here..... I am also addicted to Dr. Pepper!! I can't live without it, but I only have about 3-4 cans a week, for real..

There is diet caffiene free Dr. Pepper now!!! Super good and it doesn't taste any different without caffiene. And if you want it to be cherry, just add some grenadine syrup to taste..... I am thankful that Dr. Pepper comes in those cute 8 oz. cans. While I am not banded, I am hoping I am one of those that can tolerate some carbonation. I quit smoking 3 months ago (don't miss it!), I am giving up my addiction to junk food, but I can't quit Dr. Pepper.....

i also quit smoking, back in february...cold turkey after 24 yrs...i am feeling good but what i wouldn't give for a mcdonald's cheeseburger and a soda right now. i feel like i am white knuckling it. i cannot wait for the mushies!