msPatty

I was also told no Milk while you were on liquids. Dont forget to try popsiciles to. I went through a period of when my stomache would growl but then I wasn't hungry. It is hard but you can do it. Its better when you get to the second week of creamy soups and liquid yogurt.

I am able to eat for the first time today. can someone please give me suggestions on what I should start out with eating? Breakfast I guess is what i mainly need suggestions for.

thanks

Patty

I was just able to eat for the first time today. Can you give me some suggestions on what to eat for breakfast food or stuff to try.

i think that you pretty much said it all. Well written. I had everything done in one day and it was better that way I thought to.

FROM MY JOURNAL:

Monday, July 20, 2009

I got up at 5AM this morning and left the house at about 5:45. I made it down to the Border Parking place in a couple of hours and the OCC van picked me up around 9:15AM. We came straight to the OCC where I met with Dr. Miranda who went over what to eat and not eat after my surgery. She wants me to make sure I stay hydrated since it is so hot where I live. She took my height (5’5.5”…weird, I used to be 5’6.5”, so I guess I shrunk!), weight (187.5). My BMI is 30 and she wants me to get down to about 138 and BMI of 24. I can’t remember all the stats she took, but I asked for a copy of the printout which they will give me tomorrow. I can go in the pool after about a week, but can’t swim. Then I met Dr. Jimenez who did a breath test on me and an EKG. He says I did “beautifully” on the breath test and have strong lungs. He also said that I have a strong heart! All good news. (I guess that makes me fat, but not unhealthy). After that I had some blood drawn. For some reason they took it from the top of my left hand and now that spot is very swollen and painful. I think a vein must have broken. Never had that happen before. Then it was on to the Marriott where I just stayed in my room and watched TV, slept and read. I drank some liquids I had brought with me rather than go down to the restaurant to eat because I didn’t bring a lot of money with me.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Today is surgery day! Yeah! Nervous but mostly excited. I met the Marriott van downstairs a 7AM and there were 5 other people going to the OCC as well, Vanessa, Michelle, Annette, Stan and a gal from New York who’s name I didn’t get. All very nice people but none knew about the lapbandforum.com.

At the clinic, we were taken to our rooms, one at a time, and given our gowns to change into. They also put long pressure socks on your legs. The wonderful nurse, Carmen, put a catheter in my wrist to give me antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, antacid and a pill to make me sleepy. She is very sweet and asked me to teach her how to say certain things in English like, “please put the dress on” and “It has been a long day”. So friendly! The room is very, very nice and has a pleasant water fountain and a nice TV with spa music playing as you enter, so that was relaxing. Dr. Ortiz made his rounds to each patient’s room and chatted a little. I asked him why he uses the Johnson & Johnson band and he says that he switched to that as the original Alergan was upgraded (he didn’t know why they needed to) to compete with the Realize band, but the new upgraded band is not approved in Mexico yet, so he switched. He felt that Alergan made an error in their thinking, because he was their largest purchaser of the Lap Band but they didn’t listen to him.

Before I knew it, staff came with a wheel chair and took me to the operating room which was very clean and modern. Within minutes I was under anesthesia. Next I knew I was being wakened in my room and had my vitals taken. I’m doing well. When I first woke up, I felt a lot of pressure in my upper abdomen which was very uncomfortable, but they get you out of bed to walk the halls and that makes it feel better. The first popsicle they gave me really hit the spot and I also drank Capri juice, broth and water.

I have asked if I can go home tomorrow and likely I can, but they haven’t said yes or no yet. One really nice thing is that they have private rooms and each has a phone that you can make calls to the U.S. or Canada for no extra charge. I thought that was really nice. I’ve spoken to Dave several times already to ease his mind. I am still feeling discomfort, but I know this is to be expected. So far, so good!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Today I woke up around 5AM for some reason and went and walked a little. Carmen came in and gave me a pain medication through the catheter that she said lasts all day. She then removed the catheter. Dr. Sol (SP?) came in and gave me discharge instructions regarding when I could go back to swimming, riding my scooter and exercising that I asked him about. He told me I could shower, but wasn’t to touch the incisions (5 in all, 4 small and 1 larger where the port is) with my hands. I can’t swim for 3 weeks because there could be bacteria in the water that would infect the incisions. I am not supposed to ride the scooter for a few weeks, he says. I just need to allow my stomach time to heal. I then asked if I could go home today, rather than spend another night at the hotel and he said I could. I quickly called the receptionist and lucky for me, the OCC van was arriving in 10 minutes. I was already packed and ready to go, so off I went and was shuttled to my car at the border parking lot. I made it home before noon. I’m feeling pretty good. Some pressure and tenderness, but I keep drinking my liquids and walking and resting. I’m feeling great about my decision!

Oh my goodness!!! I had surgery a little over a week ago and I'M GOING THROUGH THE EXACT SAME THING!!!!!!! My port is still so sore and swollen. Painful!! I also can't even begin to describe the gassiness. I think I should call the Guiness Book of World Records because I have to breaking some sort of record. It's driving me crazy... I tried Gas-X Thin Strips and they did nothing. Then I tried tthose quick dissolve in your mouth gas tabs and they are helping a little. As for the port pain, tenderness, and swelling... anyone?

Thanks!!

Karen

I feel that same way so I am not in this alone. I feel better that other people are experienceing this as well.

My surgery is scheduled for Friday. 8/7 with Dr. Ortiz. I am confident that all will go well and that I will be well on my way to being me again!!!

I just had mine done on July 3rd and Dr. Ortiz and his staff is awesome. I think that you will be fine.