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I can't believe that I have to ask this, but I can't find it anywhere and feel stupid BUT....what is the length of the preop diet for us OCC banders? I did the shake/Lean Cuisine for one week before and am on my 6th day (almost) of the clear liquid diet. I get to start on the full liquid diet on Friday, but does that last for one week or two? Thanks guys!

You sound like you are right on target! It does get better and it will all be worth it.

Very good post and definitely something to think about. I hope that you are able to get some answers from the endocrinologist and you get back to normal soon. This entire thing is all so complicated....it should be easy...but it's not. All my best to you! >

It definitely is funny to see the posts. It took me like 15 minutes to type mine and I remember my husband was behind me and he had to move my fingers several times and finally told me to not try to "type" but just to hit the keys to get the message out. I looked back on my message and had to laugh because it looks like I was totally out of it! lol

Yes DEFINITELY the heating pad helps! Also, for some reason for me I always started off with something warm like warm broth or warm diluted apple juice seemed to feel better going down first for me. I know they say that some people get gas with warm liquids, but I didn't. Also, instead of the bouillon cubes, I bought the Top Ramen noodles and took out the seasoning packets and used these in hot water instead of the bouillon. They had more flavor! The hotel rooms have the coffeemakers, so you can make yourself hot water easily and get your broth that way. I'm so happy for you 2 Taras and can't wait to hear from you on your experience. I think that the best thing that you can do for yourself is to keep a positive attitude. If you do that, I think you will sail through easily! Take care...

I have a condition called pernicious anemia and I must take B12 or I will eventually have severe neurological problems. I was doing the shots for a couple of years, but now I do the sublingual B12 and I've done just as well with that. The pills are no good for me because my stomach won't absorb them, but the sublingual works perfectly!

Doing great! This is my 5th day post surgery and my best day yet! I did get a lot of photos (well actually my husband did) and will be posting them in the next couple of days. I thought it would help the new people as well as bring back memories for the old faithfuls. I'm so happy I did this... Oh...and I haven't weighed myself yet because I wanted to wait til one week postop, so Friday is the big day...

Hi Jess! I'm SO glad to see you posting. I was worried about you when I read your post. I guess it just takes time for us to recover....;( Yeah I went home about 3 hours after surgery I think and I think that I would have stayed at OCC if I would have been able to get into a private room, but the room I was in was not private at all (as you know cuz you were next door) and I just wanted my privacy. We left the hotel at 8 Sunday morning and heard that a few had left at 6 so I thought you were most likely one of them. I wish we would have ran into you Saturday since we didn't get much of a chance to chat. Maybe we should schedule our fills together so we can visit. Saturday night was my worst night and Sunday (flying home) was my worst day, but I have been doing better and better every day. Last night I was even able to sleep on my port side for a short time...so that was a milestone...lol. The thing that is bothering me the most I guess is that I am hallucinating about food...but yet I know that if I was told I could eat right now I'd be too scared to. I sure can't WAIT til Friday when I can get full liquids!!!! This broth thing is not really cutting it!!! lol It was great to meet you and hope that everyone joins this forum and we can all keep in touch with one another...

AWESOME for you Cathy!!!! Something more for me to look forward to...

Hi Lori, Sorry I missed you! We did have a large group and I'm hoping they all come on here to check in. I'm doing well. Of course I have some pain from the port site, have a little bit of gas and am downright SICK of clear liquids, but overall I am ecstatic! My husband says that my lack of pain has to do with my mindset and that I am trying so hard to stay positive...but who knows? Also, I noticed that you are getting married next July. Was your upcoming wedding a huge incentive to lose? I ask this because one of my daughters is getting married next summer as well and I was bound and determined that I would not be a fat "mother of the bride!" lol

Hi Lisa, Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I just came home yesterday and everything positive you read here is absolutely correct! All the best to you!

Thanks guys for all of the best wishes! I am getting fairly sick of the clear liquids, but I've only got 3 days, so I can make it. It seriously all though is still like a dream! I'm just so excited to be starting off with my new life..

Hi Tara, I just got home from the OCC yesterday and you will absolutely love the experience! Your birthday present to yourself of the band is far better than a thousand cakes! So nice to meet you!

Just checking in to see how you are doing today? I hope you are better... >

I met so many wonderful people when I was at the OCC last week. We told them about this board, so I am hoping that they all sign up and come to this thread so we can all meet up. Hopefully everyone will check in since I want to keep track of everyone since we all shared that experience that day...

I'm certainly thinking of everyone! Do whatever you need to do to stay safe..

Hey Jessica...I'm so sorry you are having problems. I remember you saying your back hurt right when you just came back from surgery. I think I had some gas pain in my shoulder, but I'm not positive what I'm feeling really so assume that everything that I am feeling is gas. I hope that by the time you read this you will have called the OCC and gotten some help. Keep me posted and get better! >

Best of luck to you! You will LOVE everything about it! I'll be thinking of you..

Hey everyone! You were all right! Everyone was absolutely fantastic and the entire trip from start to finish has been just fabulous! The hotel was beautiful and relaxing and the experience at the OCC was even beyond what you all had said! The only slightly discouraging thing about the entire experience was that I was with a group of about 7 or 8 of us who all had the surgery last Friday and I was the dead last of the bunch to get in. It was a bit of a wait, but it was ok because the people who had the surgery the day before were coming out into the room we were all sitting in and we could ask them questions and they all looked great! I got in about 2:30 for my surgery (having been waiting since 7) and the surgery only took about 20 minutes. By 5:30 I was doing so well that they let me return to the hotel with my husband. I had a wonderful nights sleep in the hotel and then the next day got up and went to the mall and walked for 6 hours. I will admit that I had some discomfort today (probably from so much walking yesterday) and being in an airplane for 3 1/2 hours, but overall the experience was far FAR better and beyond what I ever imagined! I came back across the border with a couple from Orlando and she was there for her first fill. She gave me a lot of little tips that I will pass on to everyone as I remember them (my mind is still a bit fuzzy....I still feel like I am in a dream)...but one of the things she told me about was using a warm compress or heating pad on the abdominal area where the port is. On our way home from the airport, my husband and I stopped at Target and bought a heating pad and I am using it on the low setting right now and it's just SOOOO wonderful...it feels fantastic! I will write more tomorrow, but wanted to tell everyone how wonderful my experience has been and again, how much I appreciate everyone. My husband actually ended up LOVING the trip and he has been such a sweetheart to me...waiting on me hand and foot and supporting me...truly...it's all been such a beautiful experience!

I wanted everyone to know I'm out of surgery and am doin fine except for being super drowsy. I will let everyoe know whenI get to the point where I can sit and not worry abount falling off..lol Everything is like everyone said...it is beautiful and wonderful here. Talk to you all soon! >

That was the same question I asked. I am getting my band in 2 more days so I promise to come back and tell ALL!

Can't wait to hear how it goes!

Thanks guys! He wants to be able to use his electric razor and also his laptop...

I'm sure I know the answer to this, but my husband is insisting that I check to see if they have our type of electricity in the hotels or do we need adapters? Thanks guys!

Welcome back Michelle and so glad you are done! I missed your words of wisdom...