mommyrkr

Newbander, Thank you for your post. I look forward to that point. Right now, I am definitely a clock watcher. I don't mind. It sure beats not being banded, but I wonder if you really can teach an old dog new tricks. Glad to hear I might be able to get it down and out of my head. Thanks, Becki

Please make sure that you are getting in enough liquids, 1/2 cup at a time. I was really bad about this. I just didn't feel like drinking any more...and I ended up with kidney stones. They are pretty painful, and completely my fault for not drinking enough. So sip constantly!! Becki

I have gotten pretty good at belching. It is rather gross, but my kids are very impressed. I can't imagine not being able to burp it out though. I am so sorry. You might watch what you drink though, how much and how fast, and see if that makes any difference. For me, that is the key. Good luck. Becki

That is a really good question. Right now, I am consumed with being banded, and eating right, the correct amounts, and when I can eat or drink next (watching the clock). I wonder if it ever will become second nature. Becki

I had the exact same pain. It is gas. And it hurts!!!! A couple of things that help, walking really helped me. I live on a short dead end street. By the time I walk to the end (.1 mile) and back, I have belched and feel much, much better. I know my neighbors must think I am nuts, but what is new. The other thing that really helps me is my husband massaging it for about 3 minutes. He is the only one that can make it go away, but it helps sooooo much. I can't do it for myself, but he can. For me, the gas was the worst the first week, it tappered off. But now, I find that if I drink too much too fast, I get that pain again. It is hard to not gulp down water. But I will learn. I get that pain much less often now though. But I am just 5 weeks post-op. Hope that helps. Walk, Walk, Walk! Becki

Lori, I could fax or email you what she gave me, but it really was not very much, considering it was supposed to include directions for several different stages of the post-op diet, and a completely new way of eating. I actually found it pretty unhelpful. It left me with more questions than answers. I love to read and research, so I knew everything it said, but still had so many questions. I wish I had been given more. As Chelley said, 1/3 is so vague for me. I have never really admitted how much I ate, when I was just letting go, or I was on a diet. I don't know what the right amount is. But I know I could gain with what I could eat now, if I don't watch it pretty carefully. Any help you can come with is really appreciated by all of us. Thanks for all you do. Becki

I am planning on eating my food for dinner on Sunday, and lunch (maybe dinner also) on Monday. I love leftovers!!! Can't wait to meet everyone. By the way, I will wear a name tag, so find me! I will also bring some, if we want. We might not. But just want to make sure to connect to everyone. See you soon. Becki

Kevin, I wore my jeans immediately when I got home. I was completely fine. Whatever was the most comfortable before, will still be. My incisions could not possibly have come close to my pants. So belts, whatever works for you would be fine. The incisions really are in a great place, far enough above your pants and belly button, but below anything else. Becki

Wow Pammie, thank you!! That would be awesome. I do so much crystal light. And I know I saw the Costco from my roomo window at the clinic. It would be fun. If not, just the grocery store. I looked, but I never did find it. I just went to the "Extra", just south of the hotel. Becki

Kevin, For me, I wore sweats the whole time. I wanted something loose around the stomach, partly just for comfort in traveling, but also in bed and stuff. And I wore T-shirts. I really didn't have a problem with my clothes at all, except for maybe the bra, but that wouldn't bother you. I was a little sensitive, but it really felt to me that I had done a lots (and I mean a lot) of crunches. I had no general pain, just soreness when I moved. It was a little hard to sit up (I twisted to one side), or to role over, but you manage pretty well. When I held still, there was no pain for me. I never took the medicine they gave me when I left the clinic, and I never took any Tylenol either. For me, the worst part was the gas pains. I did really well at the clinic and in the hotel, I kept walking. But the day I traveled home, they got me. I was really working at drinking a lot, but I wasn't moving much. So I would recommend walking quite a bit before and after your flight, or during a layover, and maybe watching what you drink on the plane. Once I got home, I walked up and down my street (it's short), maybe twice, and I felt great again (after some LOUD belches!!) Clothes really were not an issue though, and I really stressed about that before surgery. Just bring something you are comfortable in and can sleep in. You might want to nap. Good luck, I'll be thinking about you. Becki

Thanks Pammie, I am looking forward to meeting everyone. Can't wait. Becki

Nicole, I had the same concerns as you regarding what to take to the clinic, my robe, pj pants, etc. I asked a lot of questions, and ended up not taking anything. I had a friend staying back at the hotel, so I left my suitcase with her, and brought my book, and MP3 player in a backpack. It was more than enough. They give you a nice long hospital gown that completely covers everything. There was no reason to change. Everyone else there looked the same, so why not. I brought elastic pants for the whole trip, not knowing what to expect as far as where the incisions would be. You would have to wear your pants very, very, very high (like Steve Erkel) for them to both the incisions. My lowest incision is a good 6 inches above my belly button. However, for me, there was one smaller incision that was right under my bra. It was kind of uncomfortable, not terrible though, on the way home and for the next week. I ended up putting a bandaid over it so that it wouldn't rub, and wearing my exercise bra when I got home. Just an idea. Becki

T-Cat, I understand. I did the same thing for the few weeks before surgery. I ate everything I thought I might not be able to have again, or at least not in the same way (same quantity). It was stupid. Right now, before the first fill, I can still eat anything I want, but I really do need less to be satisfied. I wish I had made better choices in the weeks before surgery, as 5 pounds is so easy to gain, but much harder to lose. I will be in Tijuana on the 23rd with my aunt for her surgery, and my first fill. I'm sure I will see you there. Good luck. Becki

Beauno, Were you banded with Dr. Ortiz? If so, be careful to follow his post-op diet. He does not have a mashed food stage, which is why I asked. Day 22 starts on solid foods, but very solid, no mushy foods, and before that, no chunks, so I am not sure which stage you might be in on mashed foods. Just follow your dr's guidelines very closely. Becki

Miriam, What a comparison to read this post and think of your "I think I'm going to die" post. What a difference. It made me smile. Aren't you glad that you did it. I know I am. It was amazing, and I am so excited to be living with the band. Congratulations!!! Becki

I know exactly what you mean about leaving the household to run itself. In fact, that worried me the most, three kids at home, 7, 4, and 1. I was so nervous about leaving them, I took off for surgery by myself (met a cousin in San Diego), and left my husband and mom at home with the kids. It helped me relax more. In fact, once I got on the plane, it was all fine. I was relaxed, and had a great, relaxing vacation (and surgery). But I was so glad to get home!! Becki

Chelley, I am so glad to see you back on this board, and with some hope. I hope all goes well with your appointment, and that Dr. Ortiz solution is all you need (Hope band hasn't slipped). I know that for many people, this journey is not as easy as for others. I hope that mine will be one of the easy ones, but it has been very encouraging to see your perserverance and frustration with the band. It is very hard to make good food choices with the band, there is still so much that is not as good, ie soft foods. It is hard to make the best decisions. I admire your determination. Don't beat yourself up. Despite your lack of great success yet, you have managed to lose some weight and keep it off, and the rest of the weight coming off is still a very real posibility. You are much healthier now than you were before, and ultimately, health matters most. The slower it goes, the more lessons you learn now. And I know I am learning lessons from you. thanks again for sharing your struggles, you may just help the rest of us avoid them. Becki

Jessica, Your ticker is not showing up. And the liquid diet is described by Dr. Miranda, once you get there for surgery. But basically, it is 10 days of clear liquids, then you can add protein shakes and nonchunky soups for the next 11 days. Day 22 is the magic day of back on solid foods. OH, and you can start yogurt around or a little before the soup days also. Becki

Congradulations, and good luck on your journey. The liquid diet really does get easier once you get the yogurt and the soups. But you can do it. Becki

Lynn, I will be flying in on the 22nd, leaving the 25th. I had surgery three and a half weeks ago, but am going back with my aunt for her surgery, and my first fill. We will be arriving at about 5:30. How about you? Becki

All the best rides are scary at some point, but then comes the thrill and the point where you feel like you are flying. Becki

Thanks Pammie, I'm glad someone is already on top of this. I wondered how we would recognize each other, but I think there are enough of us that we might need a special space, so we shouldn't be too hard to find, and I believe most of us are pretty recently postop, so we will be the larger sized group.....but not next year. We should figure something out though, maybe name tags or something, even when we find our group, it would be nice to remember names. What do you think? Becki

Hey everyone, it looks to me like there will be somewhere around twenty people. Should I call and try to make some reservations? And did anyone else count about the same? Becki