dreamhappy07

Hi Elizabeth, Are you getting enough protein? AS far I understand, you can have up to 3 protein shakes a day. Since we are still on the liquid diet, I try to drink alot more and not just sugar free stuff, but have some sugar. I can tell when I have had too much sugary liquids. That is when I get very tired and more hungry than ever. So, I try to another creamy soup or broth. Not sure if you read my reply to the other post, but I have some of those Healthy Choice fudge bars that have no added sugar, but have protein and are low fat. They are very satisfying and taste like you are cheating...lol Good luck and hope you feel better. If not, you might want to call Dr. Miranda, or your regular doctor. Judy

Hey Elizabeth, So glad you joined the forum! That is so cool! Have you seen the posts from luv2dive(Nicole) and iowagal(Beth)? I heard about your trip for your first fill with Beth. That is great! I so wish I could join you both, but financially it is too much. Maybe on my next fill. I have a fill doc here that costs $180 for the first fill and $165 for every fill after that. But, she doesn't use flouro, so I definitely want to go to TJ for one of my fills just to make sure all is good with my band with flouro. You are so funny! I would have done the same thing with that pork chop bone. LOL I actually did something very risky myself, but I had control. I put a chunk of bread in my mouth and chewed it up and then spit it out. Gross I know. I did the same thing will a chunk of a cookie. I knew that that would never have gone down anyway, because just by trying to chewing it to mush, it was still so dry. Other times, I just chew a piece of gum. I know so well that I am strictly not allowed to swallow solid foods that I don't and have control. Almost makes me wonder if when I finally am allowed to eat and swallow food, will I remember how? LOL I am running out of options for soups and so on. Getting very old very fast. I got a box of Healthy Choice fudge bars and they taste so rich and creamy that it feels like cheating. But they have no sugar, and have protein and low fat and calories, so to me, it's ok to eat. I ate a ready-to-eat velvety potato soup yesterday and it had little chunks of potatos in it. I mushed the pieces of potato in my mouth before swallowing, and never had a problem. I can't wait to eat solid foods. I feel sooo ready right now, lke I have no restriction and can handle whatever soft foods I want, but I know we have one more week. Take care, Judy

Hello all, After my shower the last couple times, I noticed my liquid bandage seal is flaking off like after a bad sunburn. It's peeling and flaking off and sometimes I help it around the edges. How long before it's gone all the way. I know it probably won't be long around the outside of the incisions, but over the wounds themselves is still tender and healing. That probably means quite a while before that part is gone, right? Thanks for all the replies. Judy

Hey Lisa, I so want to go back to TJ for my first fill. There are a couple of gals going and sharing costs of the ride and the hotel. Unless I win big at bingo, I won't be able to go. LOL For now, I have an appt. with a fill doctor here, but it's not under flouro. I have heard alot of greats things about her and she hasn't missed once. I can't wait to eat. I have the VG band and feel like it is ready to take solids. But, I am being good. It so sucks though! I thought I was three weeks out already, but in reality it is only two. I am down 35 lbs. since my pre-op diet and banding, so that's good. I am running out of things to drink and stay nourished. IT's getting sooo old. Ok...I am done whining now. I know to keep thinking about the near future. I just keep thinking about by the time my birthday comes around, I can go to Olive Garden and get a full meal and eat on it for several days. ) Don't worry, I will make sure it is fairly healthy enough. But I will have my tiramisu for sure...even though only a couple bites. Good luck and congrats on your continued success! Judy

Hey all, I thought I would start a post to find out from all you pro-banders, what the first solid food was that you tried to eat when the time came for you to start that phase. Thanks for all replies. Peace, Judy

Hi Judy, I found a great protein drink at Costco called Muscle Milk chocolate. Each single serve carton has 22g protein and only 5g of sugar. There are alot of other flavors of it, and it is also sold in the big dry powder jugs. Costco only carried the vanilla and chocolate. I love it and have tried EAS powder but couldn't stand it. I missed my muscle milk for the first 6 days of post-op and was so happy when I was allowed to drink it again. It was like a friend that had left me and then came back...LOL I really need to look into getting the liquid vitamins too, but don't know what exactly I need or would like. Good luck with your experiments and seach for the best one you love. Peace, Judy

That is super scary! yikes! I chew gum a couple times a day and always think about swallowing it, but haven't yet and don't plan on it, even if I am REALLY hungry. What kinds of meds do you take Donna? I have been crushing my Lortab and Amitryptilene(sp) and it sucks. I don't take my Prevacid anymore and so far so good. I also, don't take my Naproxen anymore either...I have been wanting to get off of that for a long time. I usually take Metformin once at bedtime, but they are huge and I don't think I need them anymore either. One of my other tiny pills is my hormone and my Amitryp. is also very small. I only take my hormone pill like every other day or less, and the other one every night which I crush with my Lortab. I know there is liquid Lortab, but not sure if my doc will give me some because I am on a narcotic contract and it's not refillable for another two weeks. Judy ps...are you in Iowa city, or in Iowa state. I know a gal that had surgery the same day as me and she is in Iowa city I believe. She recently joined this forum and her name is Iowagal or aka Beth.

I have been having heartburn or acid reflux about once or twice in the past few days. What is going on? What is causing this? I thought I was done with it and haven't taken my Prevacid since the day before surgery. Am I possibly eating or drinking something wrong or too much? This is frustrating. Judy

Thanks Karmel. WOW! Sounds like great stuff, but really spendy. Is there anything else out there like at GNC that would do the same thing. lol

Ok...I need to put my two cents into this. My experience was great! Yes...it was different, but that was expected because of having surgery in another country and the way things are done here, but it was orderly and there was good communication. I totally knew what to expect mostly every step of the way. What Donna said was to the point and trying to drown out the negativity from earlier postings. Boohoo! Life is not perfect, but going to another country and being prevented from having to deal with US insurance hoops was a pleasant experience all the way around. NoWorry, you seem highly intelligent in your postings and replies, but you tend to be to criticizing and picky about anything and everything. Yes, you did say good things, but you picked apart every little experience to pieces and that made it sound bad. Myself always looks at the good in every situation unless it gets really bad and there is no turning back. Your experiences that you weren't happy with were probably because you dwelled on it made it bad. Seriously, relax and enjoy life. It's the only one you have. Good luck with your band experience. If I hit a wrong note over any of this, I am sure you or someone else will let me know. Peace, Judy

Hey all, I have been getting hiccup spells off and on and also coughing a bit here and there. Does anyone know why that is? I rarely got hiccups before, but thank goodness they are short lived, but bug me anyways. The coughing could be from my occasional smoke, but other than that I can't figure it out. With the hiccups, it seems that they are from my stomach making room for some thicker liquid to pass through? I don't know...lol Just trying to figure it out and get more in tune with my band. Thanks for any suggestions. Judy

Thanks Karmel for the info. I take Lortab(extra strngth vicodin), and have been crushing them to take them(what a pain). I kinda figured something should be coming out in some way since I was taking alot in...even though in lliquid form. I have started feeling really yucky for a couple days now and just didn't know why, so I took some of the laxative syrup I have for problems like this, and hopefully it will help. I do pass alot of gas every day, so that isn't a part...lol I am not familiar with the colonix program you mentioned but it sounds like a good thing. Thanks again, Judy

Hello all, I have not had any kind of bowel movement since my diarrhea day last Friday. Should I be concerned? I realize I am only on liquids still, but thought maybe I should have something coming out. I don't have any urge or pressure in that area, but I have been passing alot of gas here and there. LOL Sorry for the gross subject. I know every body is different. Thanks for any replies. Judy

The refried bean thing and oatmeal sound to me like a 21-22 days out food. Hey! If I can't have my runny cream of wheat that Dr. Miranda told me I couldn't, then that other food is a no go too! LOL Sorry to burst anyone's bubble. Just trying to protect you from another PB episode my friends. Good luck! Judy

AWWWW....Thank you all for the kind words of support and encouragment. It really means alot to me. I will be ok, but it is HARD. I think by next week or the week after I can start on solids, but to be honest, it scares me. I don't want to be one of those people that forget to take little bites and chew, chew, chew your food to mush. NEVER want to PB or throw up either. Of course, my teeth are really ticked at me for not having anything but gum occasionally to chew...LOL Thanks again and good luck to all! Peace and hugs, Judy

That could be...LOL I got on the scale this morning and was banded May 21st. Since the pre-op diet my scale says I have lost 35 lbs. Yeah! Happy, happy, joy, joy! LOL But, sometimes I wonder if I am losing too fast. Not quite on solids yet, so that will probably change. Thanks, Judy

Hey all, I finally had to post this. I am always cold....almost to freezing. Might be a good thing in hot weather, but really getting concerned. Has anyone else experienced this? Am I deficient in some vitamin or something that regulates my body temp? It is going to be hot here this week and I don't like hot, but I don't want my body to be suffering the wrong way...ya know? Thanks for any help and suggestions. Peace, Judy

Hi all, I finally wrote Dr. Miranda about the cream of wheat since I guess noone else knew the answer to my earlier question post. I am kinda bummed, but have no choice. I had also mentioned to her about feeling starved in the afternoon. Dear Judy Take some liquid fiber (estore) at 300pm you will feel more relief. Make some home made shakes lactaid milk in the begining, protein powder, banana or berrys, ice, and chocolate powder OR Orange juice, plain yogurt and a banana, protein powder. Creamy souops are OK Cream of wheat has some little chunks, avoid it. Dr. Miranda Peace, Judy

Thank you so much Bamaslady. That is exactly what it looked like and it stopped leaking within a short period of time. I knew it wasn't an infection, but now I really know and understand what it was. Peace, Judy

( I am getting to the point where I cannot take the feeling of starving anymore. Also, starting to regret this surgery. People are barbequing for the holiday, and I sit here trying to figure out what to drink, and not eat! I know it will get better, but I am trying not to fall apart and cry because I am so HUNGRY! I am being good though so far I think. I know that alot of people have gotten to this point and can't take it anymore and eat something that they suffer for dearly. I refuse to throw up or PB, but I am soooooo hungry! Sometimes I think that maybe the reason why I am so hungry is that my pouch has healed enough to try the next step of food. Then I realize, NO! my stomach is still swollen. I am not healed yet. ARGH!!! Thanks for letting me cry on my computer keyboard since I don't have a shoulder to cry on. Judy

I saw on a list that cream of wheat(runny) was able to be eaten, but it wasn't listed on Dr. Miranda's food list and when you could eat it. When can you eat it? Would it make the stomach work too hard right now almost 8 days out from surgery? I am starving here! I am drinking the protein shakes and started creamy soups, but looked at the instructions and I was a bit ahead of myself with the soup part. oops! Can I drink milk as a liquid as well? Also, I take Lortab which is extra strength vicodin and have been crushing it and taking it with juice. Can it hurt the band at all? I have been taking it since the day after surgery and never had a problem until just recently about 2 hours after taking it and then all of a sudden with my next sip of juice, I got rather bad heartburn feeling in my throat. I hope I am still ok. The heartburn is gone now, but I really started to worry there. Thanks for any help and/or advice you can give me. Peace, Judy

Hi Beth, Thanks, but I cleaned it with some peroxide and after my shower I put some neosporin on it. It's totally fine now. Not red or hot or hurting, so it's all ok. How are you doing? I finally drank some tomato soup and a protein shake yesterday with no problems. Can't wait for solids, but being patient. Take care, Judy P.S. When were you thinking of going back for your fill? I want to stay at the Lucerna at least one night and found out it's pretty cheap if you do...like around $80 US if you let OCC(Rene) know about it.

Wow! Lisa. Way to go on your first fill! It is so awesome that I found your post because I was just looking around the net to see if I could find some cheap fares and was thinking of posting a question to see if we banders could get a discount at the Lucerna through OCC if we wanted to come back and stay there a night after a fill. I REALLY want to have my first fill there so bad and at least stay at the Lucerna at least one night. I am in Oregon and so far the fares are not too cheap for the time I would get my first fill. I was looking at the second week of July which would put me at 8 weeks. Is that too late, or should I come sooner. That would be so great if I could come back and stay at the Lucerna again for my first fill. Thanks for posting about your experience. I am so excited now. WOOHOO! Peace, Judy

Great list there! Good job NoWorry! Yes, FurEllie. I was banded on May 21st and Dr. Miranda NO JELLO.

My port incision starting leaking this weird fluid. Not sure if it is pus or draining, but it broke through the seal. I noticed earlier that it was looking like it was building up underneath and then finally broke through. It is not red around the incision, just normal like a wound that is still healing. I am not feverish I don't think. Never have been, but it is humid today so probably don't have a fever. Do I need to call or email someone or does someone here know what to do, like if you have experienced the same before after being banded? I don't want to put a bandaid on it because then later I will have to pull it off and that would not be pretty. Thanks for any advice and replies. Peace, Judy