kellyo

Hey Kelly!

Congrats and good luck! I feel like we're band-twins! hahahaaaaa!!! I didn't have staples...just stitches underneath which will dissolve and dermabond on top which eventually washes away. Thank goodness, cuz staples freak me out. How interesting it is with every surgeon. I have to be on liquids ONLY for 3 weeks and begin solids on Day 22. 1-7 clear liquids, 7-14 liquid yogurts, day 10-protein shakes, 14-21 creamy soups no chunks...it's all good though...I've been so good! So I'll be drinking protein shakes while you're chewing, chewing, chewing...let me know how that goes!

E >

Hi, E!

I'm happy to have a band twin! :-) So far, the "soft solids" have been fine. I'm being really careful......really trying to listen to my body and not overdo it. As of right now, there's no way I can possibly get 60-70 Gms. of protein per day in without using protein shakes. In fact, I'm not sure that will ever be possible. I have found a protein shake that I really like: Amplify chocolate mint...........YUM! I've always loved chocolate mints, so this is really a treat for me. Hope your day is going well! It's a really pretty spring day here in the KC area!

Kelly

kelly u know when u lean to the left while leanin foward does it hurt still? and i caleld the nurses and they said if the pain is still hurtin bad by today to call them coz i been walkin around more its less painful but does hurt if i move to the left side too much or try to stretch

pam - u kno when u was in pain for the 2-3 weeks after was it hurtin on ur left side and feelin like the band was hittin or pullin at some muscles??

Hi, Chan~

I did feel some "pulling" on the left side for several days, though it's all but gone, now. I'm glad to hear that you're in contact with the Dr.s office, though......it is certainly better to be safe than sorry! Hang in there!

Hi everyone! I found this forum searching on google. I've kind of been doing this on my own, and dont really know anyone else whose had the band or i can relate to. I feel like my wightloss is slow, but i was hoping to hear how others are doing. I guess i just looking for support and friends who actaully can understand what I am going through. It hard enough being a fulltime college student and a woman, never mind this whole other huge part of my life i cant realy share with anyone. So hows is everyones life with the bad? anyone near Boston?

With love - Amber

Hi, Amber!

I'm no where near Boston (I'm in Kansas), but I can say I really enjoy and appreciate this forum. It's nice to have a place to come for info and support. I haven't been long on the forum myself, but WELCOME, from one newbie to another!

My banding was last Friday, 3/16. Things seem to be going quite well, and I'm feeling good. Still have to pace myself a bit.....that is, by the end of the day, I am pooped. But, I'm trying to listen to my body and give it what it needs.

So, best wishes to you, Amber!

Kelly

I was banded on 3/19 and have all the gas and stuff that I've read about here. I do have a question, Has anyone else seemed extremely tired ? Although I haven't I feel like laying down and taking a nap all the time. Any suggestions?

Hi, Linda~

I was banded on 3/16. I've also had some really tired times. Right now, in fact. I kinda "hit the wall" and knew it was time to just take a break. However, I have felt better and better every day. Considering you've been on liquids for a while (and continue to be) plus endured abdominal surgery less than a week ago, I think it's pretty normal to be tired! :-) The best suggestion I can give is to listen to your body, to the extent that you're able. I work for myself, so when I'm feeling a bit draggy, I can take a rest break. I know not everyone has that luxury. But, do the best you can to accomodate your body's needs.

Also, I was at a local support meeting last night. One "bander" (several months post-op) spoke about how much more energy she has had since she started taking a B vitamin complex. I hadn't started my "B's", but I did today! I'll take any extra OOOMPH that I can get! Are "B" vitamins on your post-op list?

Anyway, best wishes to you! Hope you're feeling "better than new" soon!

Kelly

Hi, "E"!

I was banded on the same day you were.....exept in Kansas! I experienced some wicked CO2 gas pains for the first 2-3 days, but they're gone now. In fact, today I'm feeling really great! You and I are very similar in our weight loss thus far: for me, 21 since pre-op changes and 11 since banding. I don't go back to see my surgeon until Wednesday. I'm really ready to get my staples out.......my incisions are itching (which is a good sign), but it'll be nice to have that part done.

I (thankfully) havent' had any trouble with nausea or vomiting. I'm beginning "soft solids" today.....chew, chew, chew! :-) I"m hoping that will go smoothly. I'm really pumped about my band, and I'm really happy to have this forum for information and support.

Anyway, wishing you well!

Kelly

Thanks, Greg! I know I've heard that before (the part about the importance of breakfast.....not the Sumo story :-).....), and it's an important reminder.

Kelly

Hi every1, im Chan, 23, from London i just got banded on the 18th of march, i was so excited until i realised i cant handle pain! oh my gosh i know its 3days post op but this pain is killing me i didnt think it wud b this bad because every1 i spoke to said they didnt feel nothing, im in so much agony, i keep being told its trapped gas but how much trap gas can i have?? sometimes it feels as if my stomach is about to rip if i feel like this by friday i might have to go back to the hospital, did any1 else feel as much pain??!, can any1 give me some tips on how to release the gas or tips i can do to stop the pain (the medicine i was given made me feel worse i cant handle tabs that u put in water).

on the positive note i have lost 10lb since my pre-op weigh in last week weds... i think thats whats keeping me tryna make this work rather then go str8 to the hospital, on the other hand since the pain i seem to be finding all the horror stories about the band op (b4 i jus saw all the good stories!). how can i tell if my band has slipped or not? omg sorry about all the Qs...please help!

is this forum only for people who have been banded by Dr Ortiz?? every message i seem to read is banded by that dr, if it is sorry i just in pain and need help from other banded members.

Hi, Chan!

I was banded 2 days before you. I'm in Kansas, USA, and I, too, didn't go to Dr. Ortiz (though he is obviously a popular guy!)

I had some pretty severe "gas" pain, too. As the CO2 used to "expand" the abdomen for surgery tries to escape, it can be very uncomfortable, especially under the collar bones and shoulder blades. Some things that can help are walking (I literally paced the floor a good share of Saturday night) and heating pads. I couldn't tell from your post whether or not you had called your Dr's office, but if things don't get better or you think your pain is from another origin, don't hesitate to call them! That's why they make the big bucks! :-)

I hope you'll soon be feeling much better!

Kelly

WELCOME KELLY

Thank you! :-)

Today has been a really good day. Kind of "turned the corner", I think. Minimal CO2 pain; very rare incision discomfort. And, it was really nice to have some milky / creamy items.

Yep, a good day!

Hi!

I've been lurking for a little while, and I enjoy and learn alot from you all! I was banded on Friday, March 16, 2007, so today is my 4th post-op day.

I have struggled with my weight my whole life (I'm 47 years old). Lots of yo-yoing. I finally decided that looking better would be a nice "fringe benefit", but my true goal is to be healthy so I can enjoy the rest of my life doing the things that I love. I have been very fortunate to not have a lot of co-morbidities. My biggest complaints are arthritic knees (I literally can hear them when I go down stairs in the morning), hip joints and low back aches, and some mild reflux. All of these should improve dramatically as I drop the pounds. I am incredibly fortunate to have a very supportive husband and 16-year-old son here at home. I opted to tell only a very few people about my banding, at this point. I just didn't want to feel the added pressure. I will likely be more open a bit further down the road as my band and I become more comfortable with one another.

Today is the first day that I feel pretty darned good. The second night was the worst.....lots of "gas pain" from the CO2 (which, I must say, is really the only significant pain that I've had). The incisions have been of only minimal discomfort. I've noticed that it seems that most of you had your banding done in Mexico. I did not (so I sure hope that's not a pre-requisite to joining the group!). Mine was done in Kansas. I do have a "Center of Excellence" physician, and I think he's pretty great. I did quite a bit of research before deciding to do the LabBand, and, as I said earlier, being able to lurk and learn here has been most beneficial.

I have noticed that your liquid diet phase is quite a bit different than mine. I did 2 days of clear liquids pre-op. My first 3 post-op days have also been clear liquids. Today, however, I was instructed to begin full liquids......gently.......in addition to the clear. And, this coming weekend, I can begin soft solids, as tolerated (cottage cheese, string cheese, refried beans, etc.). Thus far, I really haven't been able to do more than 2-3 oz. of anything in one sitting. And, honestly, I haven't really wanted any more than that.

Anyway, I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to have my band in, and I'm raring to go. Thanks again for all the info, and thanks in advance, for your support!

Kelly

Highest weight: 275 lbs.

Weight 2 weeks prior to surgery: 261 lbs.

Weight day of surgery: 255 lbs.

Weight today (3/20): 246.5 lbs.