New Kid On The Block

Hi Fellow Losers!

My name is Ann and I am 1 week post-op today.  I had lapband at Fair Oaks Hospital and my surgeon is Dr. Amir Moazzez.  I am so happy to have finally had my surgery, especially after what all I had to go through just to get him to agree to do it, & then convince the insurance company that I needed it.  I also realize that what I'm experiencing presently will pass & that I have nothing else to look forward to except success & a long, happy life.  However... I REALLY need to vent & whine, so if you don't mind...please indulge me.

Recovery is coming along as well as I guess can be expected.  I don't remember taking so long to feel better, but then I'm 52 and not in the best of health to begin with so I suppose this is just par for the course.

Initially my first complaint, besides the expected UNBELIEVABLE PAIN (sorry, lost my head for a minute) was the bloating.  I mean come on...I already looked like I was ready to deliver a calf BEFORE I had surgery...3 days later I looked like I was a month overdue & ohhhh the discomfort!  A quick call to the doc & Gas-X became my new best friend.  I'm happy to report that belly size has dimminished & I never looked so forward to passing gas in my life.

Next problem...a week of liquids only diet.  Why?  Yes, I went to my dietary class, but I must have dozed off during that portion.  A week ago I LOVED drinking my 64 oz of propell...now I LOATH EVEN THE SMELL OF IT!  And what's up with those protein shakes?  I managed to choke down 2 of them, but when I brought that third one up to my lips & caught a whiff...OMG!!!  I began praying..."God, please don't let me puke!  It will hurt sooooo much!"  I guess he took pity on me cuz I didn't hurl.  Recognizing that this was a problem, I called the dietician.  She made some alternative recommendations, but also said that worse case scenario, I could just drink extra milk.  Hey now!  Milk, I can do!!!  And yes, it's 1%.  Can't stand whole milk...too thick & rich...have drank 2% for years so stepping down to 1% has been no big deal.  Besides, we all know that milk does a body good! Ok, so I got through 4 days of liquids only.  Being the horrible patient that I am (most health care providers are, ya know), I forced myself out of bed, or rather off the couch, & decided I was gonna cook dinner for the family.  Don't ask me why, but ever since I've been home, I've been obsessed with the Food Network.  I've been recording shows so I could recreate their recipes here at home.  The Pizza bowl was a hit, but the Margarita chicken needs a little work.  But I digress...sorry.  So I made me a teeny teeny tiny pizza bowl for me.  OMG!  It was wonderful!  Then I sat back & waited to see what would happen, what would be the result of my being bad.  Nothing!  I didn't feel bad, I didn't gag, I didn't get a tummy ache...nothing!  So how come I'm supposed to eat all that pureed stuff I have stocked up in my freezer for 4 weeks?  Did I miss something or am I just incredibly lucky? or Stupid? Now we come to today.  Just made my 2nd doc call & am awaiting his return call.  I had a drainage tube for 24 hours.  For this entire week two things have been consistently problematic.  One, I get stabbing pain at the drain site when I move or even breathe in deeply.  Not so sure that should be happening.  2nd, from day one of surgery I've had pain in my left shoulder & up my neck & nothing relieves it.  This makes it difficult to get comfortable in any position whether it be lying down or sitting up.  So we shall see what the good doctor says about it all. So, now that I have been blatantly honest with ya'll about what's new with me, feel free to be just as honest back.  Any enlightenment you can give me will be greatly appreciated.  Any encouragement will be a Godsend.  Any friendship will be welcomed. All kidding aside, I look forward to getting to know all of you & you getting to know all of me.  We have all taken on a huge task but one that was obviously necessary, if not drastic, for very important reasons...our very lives and our quality of life.  I have so much to share, & so much love to give.  I hope you will accept me into the group.  And thanks for listening to my whine-fest.  There will be cheese & crackers served in the lobby.

Dear Ann .. I accept your invite to the   Whine and Cheese Party .. is that Red you are serving .. I had it at my last Whine and Cheese throw down .. Now seriously .. you have every right in the world to vent .. that is what this forum is for .  I am glad you have contacted your surgeon about your pains .. and even though I am not a lap bander .. I can tell you .. it does get better .. it is just one day at a time .  I am so pleased that you introduced yourself and look forward to your updates .. Please keep us posted .. and be sure to go to the FORUMS area and look up the board for Lap Banders .. there is some really good info there as well .  Take care of you .. Keep us posted .. and Congrats on being on the Loosing Side of Life ..  Always, Tink

Tinkerbella...darling, I just have to tell you up front that the name suits you!  You look adorable & your posts are so sincere & heartfelt.  And yes, that IS red whine...Lambrusco to be exact...my absolute favorite wine in the world.  Too bad it shall never be able to pass my lips again...sniff, sniff. I did hear from the doc & I will share the results of that in a post later on. First I want to greet each of you that have welcomed me so warmly into the fold. One day at a time, eh?  Hmmm...interesting concept...might be worth a try...LOL! Anyways, thank you so much for your support. I can't wait to get to know you better.

Hi Ann and welcome.  A little bit of whine is good in the p.m.  Seems like you have conquered the gassy 1st stage.  Onto the liquids.  I did not have to do liquids so I don't personally know the struggle with this but I do feel for you.  Try some different flavors of propel, crystal light, etc.  Try some different protein shakes if you need to.  There has to be something you can get down.  The food channel addiction is pretty normal.  Suddenly everything on TV is amazing and you want it and you want to make it all for the family.  (Don't tell my step mom because we love her to death, but when she went through this after her RNY, we weren't sure we would survive it, .  So the liquids & pureed foods are to help your stomach heal before you go putting all that food down there.  I wouldn't say you were lucky or stupid but remember that following your doctors orders are important.  Never had drainage tubes here but I hope it feels better soon.  The pain in your neck and shoulder are probably gas pains and/or anesthia pains (mine were bad after having my gall bladder out) but it is a good thing you are checking with your doctor. Sounds like you are experiencing a pretty "normal" journey so far.  Keep up the good work.  We are always here to listen, whine etc. 

Hi Courtney!  Gosh...just look at that smile.  You're so beautiful.  I sense a very gentle nature about you, just from your writings.  Oh, and Courtney?  Just in case you might have forgotten... YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!! Have your feet touched ground yet?  Even after 20 years, I still remember how I felt, though my proposal wasn't near as romantic as yours.  Come to think of it, it wasn't romantic at all.  Comical, truth be told...& over the phone...while we were both at work...and I was knee-deep in wedding arrangements.  But that's a whole other story I'll share with ya if ya wanna hear it. I foresee a long friendship in our future & I look forward to the journey.

Ann, What a great post!  Welcome to the VA Boards - we're thrilled to have you.  This is exactly the place to vent/share/whine/celebrate and commiserate - we all do it and you'll fit right in! I'm an RNY person (2 months out yesterday) so I can't offer much in the way of suggestion for your pain - although I had incredible gas pains my first full day home from the hospital and walking did seem to help work those "out".   I've discovered that this process is really a "one day at a time" deal.  I've had a very easy time of it (other than a few hours of gas) and I attribute that to my blindly following the instructions I was given.  I worked with a great nutritionist who put together a wonderful 3-ring binder of the do's and don't's before and after surgery - that took you through the firs 8 weeks post-op.  I figured that this was the first time my body had come with an owners/operators manual, so I'd better follow it!  And, for me it worked.  I know it can be tempting to deviate from the "program" but I believe it's there for a reason - especially early on - so that we have a successful weightloss experience.  I didn't have a liquid diet, but have finally (after 8 weeks) been released from soft/pureed foods...and I haven't been sick or nauseas at all.  I'm having my first salad tonight and can't wait!   My advice would be to remember why you decided to change your life and follow the instructions of the nutritionist and doctor - have patience with yourself (I'm 42 and am still tired at times) - and enjoy the ride.  Welcome to the losers bench!  Hope to hear much more from you! Hugs, Chele PS - for the record - I'm partial to smoked gouda and water crackers - I'll meet you in the lobby!  Cheers!

Hey there Chele!  Honey, when ya gonna post a photo so we can see your sweet face?  Come on girl...if I can hang my mug on here, so can you!  And guess what I've discovered from looking at before & after photos that are posted on this site?  Not only do we get to lose a buttload of weight, but we get to lose a buttload of AGE too!  Absolutely everybody that's lost weight end up looking years younger.  No, really, it's true...go look for yourself.  So don't be shy.  And hey, if ya don't have a digital camera, I'd be happy to take some shots for you.  You don't live but an hour from me!  In fact, I have to make the pilgrimage to see my doc this Thursday.  Who's up for an impromptu meeting? Anyway, thank you soooo much for the warm welcome.  New friend #3...now don't forget your number.

Hi there! Thanks for posting and please don't feel bad about the Whine and Cheese...we all throw these parties every once in a while! The pain in your shoulder and neck are likely to be gas pains still.  After my gallbladder surgery it was horrible....just keep up with the walking/moving and gas-x.  It'll "pass" eventually.  As for the food....I would imagine that they want you to be extra careful the first so that you don't get a stricture or other complication.  The advice you should always get on here is to follow your doctor's orders. You need to find the strength and discipline to follow the rule and start making those lifelong changes necessary for long term success.   SO....since I don't drink, I'll just nibble on the cheese.....got any swiss or fontina over there?!

Oh Christina...look at you, so young & beautiful!!!!  I get the sense that you are going to be my sensible friend.  My Jimmeny Cricket...thank goodness!!  Discipline is the key & I know you're right about it.  I'll add that to my list. 1. Take one day at a time. 2. Learn to be more disciplined. (did I spell that correctly? hmmm.) I, too, love Swiss, but not familiar with fontina.  Please ellaborate. Feel free to boot me in the tush when you think I need it, which will probably be often.

Aww...thanks! I do try to keep my head about me and be sensible! Fontina is a white cheesy that's a bit creamy....yummy. You should give it a try!