Barb H.
12 days Post op
Nov 21, 2007
Well, I can't believe it has been 12 days already! I feel great in some ways, but still very sore in other ways. I have found that if I eat more than 3 oz or so, my stomach really, really hurts and I have to lie down. I thought that I was still having port pain (which I am), but realized that it was only happening after I ate. When I wake up in the morning I feel great, so I waited to eat yesterday, and sure enough, the pain started after I ate. I ate less than 3 ounces (OK, I drank, didn't "eat"), and it still went all crampy! I hate this! I am eating what I am supposed to (liquids!) and as much as I am supposed to, and it still happens!! I think I will copy and past this and put it on the Lap band forum...maybe fellow lap banders will have advice!
On a more positive not, I have lost 26 pounds in about a month! I like that...A LOT!!
On a more positive not, I have lost 26 pounds in about a month! I like that...A LOT!!
1 week post op
Nov 17, 2007
Well, yesterday was my one week post op bandversary and when I woke up I thought that I felt fine. My daughter had an 8:30 ortho appointment, and I told my hubby that I could take her. Getting into the car was TORTURE! Sitting up and turning and maneuvering my car! Ouch! I decided to stay in the car while she went into her appointment, then when it was over I dropped her off to school. When I pulled into the garage, another OUCH! I though I was going to rip my insides open! All of the pain was in the port area, so after a very slow and painful entrance back into the house, I took some of the liquid Vicodin (which I had not had in 4 days) and settled with an ice pack. I eventually felt better and realized that it could have been worse...i could be the owner of a sedan that was lower to the ground than my SUV, and that would have been even harder to get out of!
I learned a couple of lessons yesterday about overdoing things:
1. Give yourself time for the medication you use for pain to take effect (I had taken Tylenol about 10 minutes before leaving the house).
2. Don't inhale your food after having gastric banding surgery...I will cause more PAIN (I was trying to coat my stomach).
3. You can't jump back into the car and play "catch up" on all of your errands after surgery (there were other places i "needed" to go).
Anyhow, I am taking it slower this morning and am taking my time. I still have another week off of work and feel better every day. I am jealous of all of those folks out there that were up and moving a few days after their surgery. I am not one of those. I should never compare myself to them. Maybe the hernia repair is slowing my healing time??
The positive is that I have lost a total of 22 pounds now, and when I put my jeans on, they fit nicely...no bending to stretch them before wearing or anything. YAY
I learned a couple of lessons yesterday about overdoing things:
1. Give yourself time for the medication you use for pain to take effect (I had taken Tylenol about 10 minutes before leaving the house).
2. Don't inhale your food after having gastric banding surgery...I will cause more PAIN (I was trying to coat my stomach).
3. You can't jump back into the car and play "catch up" on all of your errands after surgery (there were other places i "needed" to go).
Anyhow, I am taking it slower this morning and am taking my time. I still have another week off of work and feel better every day. I am jealous of all of those folks out there that were up and moving a few days after their surgery. I am not one of those. I should never compare myself to them. Maybe the hernia repair is slowing my healing time??
The positive is that I have lost a total of 22 pounds now, and when I put my jeans on, they fit nicely...no bending to stretch them before wearing or anything. YAY
3 days post op
Nov 12, 2007
I actually feel better today than I have so far...I have been slowly titrating down on the pain meds, and am trying to go 6 hours instead of 4 between doses. I do notice that the walking is very helpful for bringing up that supressed gas, but I also get tired pretty easily. This website has been full of good info and such WONDERFUL contacts! I am so thankful and happy that I got so many nice emails from people that have really been there!
Thank you whoever told me to try peppermint tea, that has been a life saver! I find that sitting up in this computer chair is not too comfy, so I will write more when I am better about sitting up...i just wanted to say THANK YOU to those of you that sent me warm wishes, and good luck to those of you with upcoming surgeries
!!
Thank you whoever told me to try peppermint tea, that has been a life saver! I find that sitting up in this computer chair is not too comfy, so I will write more when I am better about sitting up...i just wanted to say THANK YOU to those of you that sent me warm wishes, and good luck to those of you with upcoming surgeries
!!Day 2-the day after surgery
Nov 10, 2007
Well, the beginning of today was hard, because I couldn't take anything until after the barium swallow test, so no water either. That was tough! I have to say though, that the solution that they had me drink almost tasted goo because I was so hungry and thirsty by then!! The test went well though, and I was able to start drinking and "eating" a protein shake right away when we were done. I endured the 4 hour trip back home after than, and am now in the office of my very own home! Feels like heaven!!
I notice if I stay on top of the pain with the medication, it is def less painful than if I stretched it out in between doses. I am a bit loopy from it, so when I read this post later, it'll probably sound like gibberish. My scars are not too bad, thankfully, because some of the scars that I have seen pics of are WAY worse! Thank you Dr. Tersigni!!!
Thanks for reading this...i will try to write more later.
I notice if I stay on top of the pain with the medication, it is def less painful than if I stretched it out in between doses. I am a bit loopy from it, so when I read this post later, it'll probably sound like gibberish. My scars are not too bad, thankfully, because some of the scars that I have seen pics of are WAY worse! Thank you Dr. Tersigni!!!
Thanks for reading this...i will try to write more later.
I did it!!
Nov 09, 2007
Well, I had my surgery today, and am doing way better than I had expected to be! The surgery lasted 1.5 hours, and we were back to the hotel 4 hours later...thats from start to finish this morning! I am currently sucking down lots of ice chips and pain meds, but was able to get up fairly quickly and start my walking to reduce occurance of blood clots. Hallelujah! I have also not eaten anything in about 30 hours, and I am not STARVING, like you would think. The gas is barely there, and I have made it staying awake today for about 2 hours. I will write more later, but thought I should update! I am on my way!!!
goodnight!
goodnight!I am off!
Nov 08, 2007
Well, here it is, my last day bandless! I am heading down to Coos Bay to our hotel and will check in at the hospital at 7:00 tomorrow morning. I ate a PB&J sandwich (which I had not had in about a year) since I won't be able to have one after today, and a glass of cold chai tea, yum, yum. I will have a light dinner tonight with my husband when we get to Coos Bay, then that will be it! I think I have kicked the cold that was trying to creep up, lots of Echinacea, Zinc and vitamin C must have done the trick. I am so thankful for that!
My total weight loss prior to surgery: 13.5. Not bad for a little over 2 weeks!!
I will blog again when I get back...Thanks for the well wishes you have sent!
My total weight loss prior to surgery: 13.5. Not bad for a little over 2 weeks!!
I will blog again when I get back...Thanks for the well wishes you have sent!
3 days to go!!
Nov 06, 2007
OK, so I have been on this liquid diet for 2 weeks now and have lost 13 pounds! Woo-hoo! I am getting super excited that my surgery is in 3 days, but now a little stressed because I may be getting a cold. I have been chowing down on Vitamin C for a week and just went to the store and bought Airborne, Zinc/Echinaeca blend and Emergen-C, and took them all. I am going to be so ticked off if they have to postpone until my cold is gone! I got all of my FMLA stuff done for work and all the liquid meals that I will need for just after surgery, even some Gas-X for immediately after when I am still trying to fight that! I am so counting down the days now.....tick-tock!
UGH!
Nov 03, 2007
OK, I am getting a little sick of this liquid diet. I am sure once I have my band installed it will be different, since I will be groggy from the surgery and recovery, and when i don't feel well, I tend not to be hungry anyhow. I have been really, really good about this liquid diet craziness and lost 12 pounds to date, but a fresh chocolate chip cookie or a grilled turkey burger sound awful good! I guess this is what people mean when they go through a sort of withdrawal period, like losing a friend. I have been more subdued than I usually am, and my hubby has asked me if I changed my mind or something. Yeah, right, like that would EVER be the case! There were a few factors that occurred to me though:
1. Aunt Flo made her appearance last week
2. I am totally off of caffeine now
3. I am on a LIQUID DIET and there is candy everywhere!!!
Scratch number 3, it actually isn't so bad if I keep the Halloween candy out of sight. I am excited that I lost 12 pounds in like 10 days though, why didn't I try this diet sooner??? Sheesh!
Well, just needed to vent and thought I should update...especially since I am in the final week before surgery, I think it is important to get all these feelings down before I go in.
1. Aunt Flo made her appearance last week
2. I am totally off of caffeine now
3. I am on a LIQUID DIET and there is candy everywhere!!!
Scratch number 3, it actually isn't so bad if I keep the Halloween candy out of sight. I am excited that I lost 12 pounds in like 10 days though, why didn't I try this diet sooner??? Sheesh!
Well, just needed to vent and thought I should update...especially since I am in the final week before surgery, I think it is important to get all these feelings down before I go in.
Waiting is crazy!!
Oct 26, 2007
I am on the liquid pre-op diet, officially today. I started it on Tuesday this week, and that was 3 days early, I wanted to see how I did and it made me feel like i was doing something to curb my anxiety and excitement, and that went fine..
So, last night was the last night that I originally could have been diet free, so I had chicken and ice cream. I sooo regretted it after I did it , because apparently my stomach must have shrunk in those 3 days, I was STUFFED
! Oh well, i finished off my favorite ice cream and it is not sitting in the freezer taunting me anymore. I am done with that foolishness!
Now, I am officially on day one of my liquid diet. I still need to go to the store to buy the protein powder that the doctor wants me to take, and see what else I can find that is low carb and ridiculously high protein!
So, last night was the last night that I originally could have been diet free, so I had chicken and ice cream. I sooo regretted it after I did it , because apparently my stomach must have shrunk in those 3 days, I was STUFFED
! Oh well, i finished off my favorite ice cream and it is not sitting in the freezer taunting me anymore. I am done with that foolishness!Now, I am officially on day one of my liquid diet. I still need to go to the store to buy the protein powder that the doctor wants me to take, and see what else I can find that is low carb and ridiculously high protein!
My Surgery date...
Oct 22, 2007
YAY!! I finally got my surgery date!! I am scheduled for Nov. 9, 2007. I went into Bay Bariatrics today for my consult, and everything went well, the staff there were really awesome and were all so knowledgeable and helpful about everything! Woo hoo!!
Now the hard part is going to be starting this 2 week pre-op liquid diet..ugh! That means I will be on a liquid diet for 6 weeks if I start now, and will have to be on it 4 weeks post-op. I don't care, I am on my way to healthy and that is what matters most right now! I did make my hubby stop at DQ on our 5 hour trip back home, and we chowed down on burgers fries and shakes..kind of a last supper for me!
I am really tired right now, very drained! I will write more tomorrow maybe!
YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!
Now the hard part is going to be starting this 2 week pre-op liquid diet..ugh! That means I will be on a liquid diet for 6 weeks if I start now, and will have to be on it 4 weeks post-op. I don't care, I am on my way to healthy and that is what matters most right now! I did make my hubby stop at DQ on our 5 hour trip back home, and we chowed down on burgers fries and shakes..kind of a last supper for me!
I am really tired right now, very drained! I will write more tomorrow maybe!
YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!
About Me
Damascus, OR
Location
27.5
BMI
Surgery
11/09/2007
Surgery Date
Sep 23, 2007
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
Almost at goal!
160lbs
