November 1st Bandsters -- Can you believe it's been a week already?

Longhorn · 11-08-2007, 10:51 AM

It has gone by so quickly! And one more week and I'll be able to add blended and creamy liquids! I could live on sugar-free pudding! :)

How are y'all doing?

nessa3678 · 11-08-2007, 11:53 AM

I can't believe that it's been a week. It has gone by so fast and everyday I feel better and better. This morning the tape on my top incision feel off. It looks fine, still need some healing of course but no drainage or blood or anything. Looks like the next to go will be the one on the left, not the port incision of course, the small one. Has this happened to any of you? I remember the nurse said it would take a week or two for them to fall off.

I started one mushies today. I had a half pack of oatmeal this morning and for lunch I am going to have some brocolli and cheese soup. Everything is going down well but I am still hungry. My stomach is growling right now. I can't wait to get my first fill!!!

lindata · 11-08-2007, 03:05 PM

I can't wait to have canned fruit and cottage cheese! pureed chicken salad on crackers!! yogurt! cheese! Who knew I'd be over the moon about these things? haha

My one incision area is falling off somewhat. My doc said I could take them off after 1 week. I'm quite nervous to do that!! I don't want to look! ewww, gross! I just hope to God my port area is not infected. So when you're all eating your breakfast tomorrow, think of me, slowly peeling back stinky, yellow surgical tape, sticking to my fish-white belly, catching on the skin! hahaha, so gross!

Linda

Mom of Chuy · 11-08-2007, 03:22 PM

I went to the docs yesterday for my first check up. He took the steri-strips off and told me to wash with Lever 2000. He said I could introduce other things now such as cottage cheese, cauliflower mashed potato stuff, etc. I am back at work and feeling great! I just need to start drinking more water, I can't get the hang of that. All in all, life is good!

Mom of Chuy · 11-08-2007, 03:23 PM

I forgot - I see the doc again on November 27 and I get my first fill on December 3.

Carsons_Mommy · 11-08-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindata

I can't wait to have canned fruit and cottage cheese! pureed chicken salad on crackers!! yogurt! cheese! Who knew I'd be over the moon about these things? haha

My one incision area is falling off somewhat. My doc said I could take them off after 1 week. I'm quite nervous to do that!! I don't want to look! ewww, gross! I just hope to God my port area is not infected. So when you're all eating your breakfast tomorrow, think of me, slowly peeling back stinky, yellow surgical tape, sticking to my fish-white belly, catching on the skin! hahaha, so gross!

Linda

SUCH a nice image, Linda. Thanks so much for that. LOL!!!! Now I REALLY can't wait for my surgery! Woohoo!!! Stinky, yellow surgical tape. YES!!!! Score!!

Mom of Chuy · 11-08-2007, 03:33 PM

By the way, my doctor was trying to clean up the tape a little for me. He suggested to remove it with nail polish remover with acetone. I tried it last night and it works great.

Another thing, I am pretty bruised up and he said that the meds they use during surgery causes bruising. Never knew that one.

Carsons_Mommy · 11-08-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom of Chuy

By the way, my doctor was trying to clean up the tape a little for me. He suggested to remove it with nail polish remover with acetone. I tried it last night and it works great.

Another thing, I am pretty bruised up and he said that the meds they use during surgery causes bruising. Never knew that one.

Yeah, my pre-op nurse said that the blood thinner will be what causes extra bruising. I haven't found anyone else that said if they have to do the 2-week heparin therapy like I do. I have to give myself injections every 8 hours for 2 weeks. Anyone else? I know that we're all getting it before we actually go in for our procedures, but what about continuing after?

nessa3678 · 11-08-2007, 03:47 PM

Bobbie - Glad to hear everything is going well. Also, thanks for the remover idea. I have that stuff all over and everytime I try to wipe it off my skins gets really red and hurts. I am going to try the remover tonight.

Mom of Chuy · 11-08-2007, 04:02 PM

Nessa,

I rubbed the remover on and not much came off at first. I went back later after it dried and it rolled right off. I don't know if it was because the remover I have has a conditioner in it but I think so.

solaa5 · 11-08-2007, 06:40 PM

Hi everyone,

Guess the question at hand is how am I doing after a week...

Well, here goes:

I had low fat yogurt today (1/2 a cup) and that filled me up a lot. Went to the mall with my sister and mother...and after three hours of walking around, I was tired as hell. Came home, tried to eat some mushy cereal but only had a few bites before the shoulder and back gas pain started bothering me so I stopped. I waited 30 mins bofore I went back to my splenda and lemon infused iced tea...yummie...

I'll try some scrambled eggs or cottage cheese for dinner...

Cannot tolerate the shakes because they make me gassy and irritate me...I'll try them again in a few days.

I am so glad I am off work for the month. I don't know how some of you are doing it, but I couldn't imagine heading back to work the way I feel...even though I have a desk job.

I am also on my period which is causing me to be weak (as usual)...and tired as hell...so I am glad I have the time off...

What's really annoying me is the constant shoulder pain I have and the annoying burps I have to let the air out. My port is still sore, especially when I bend to try and tie my shoe laces. I cannot wait for the discomfort to end. I have a follow up with the doctor tomorrow and believe me, a long list of questions regarding pain (it's never been my favorite thing to endure).

For the most part, I am glad to be moving onto mushy foods...I have been on liquids a total of 4 weeks...3 weeks pre- op and this past week. It felt like a breath of fresh air to use a spoon for a change...LOL

Total weight loss so far, 20 lbs, which means I have 80 lbs to go. What a road I have ahead...and I am glad not to be doing it alone...

lindata · 11-08-2007, 09:32 PM

Solaa, I hear you about the gas pain. I thought today wasn't going to be too bad. Then I went shopping and on the way home I almost passed out. It was even worse than the first day out of surgery. I'm not sure if it's the walking that caused it or drinking water. It seems everytime I take a sip of something I get this pain. It's absolutely awful.

Longhorn · 11-08-2007, 11:09 PM

Do I detect a pattern here?

During my drive home from class tonight, I had the most excruciating pain I've had since surgery! I had the pain in my shoulder, my port area was sore, and I got the "stinger" that I often get in the back of my shoulder, the same shoulder as the other pain! I couldn't get in bed fast enough!

But I'm feeling better now and I see the doctor tomorrow for my one week post-op. I have plenty of work to do at home this weekend but it can be done from the comfort of my La-Z-Boy! :)

Forestcat5 · 11-08-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carsons_Mommy

Yeah, my pre-op nurse said that the blood thinner will be what causes extra bruising. I haven't found anyone else that said if they have to do the 2-week heparin therapy like I do. I have to give myself injections every 8 hours for 2 weeks. Anyone else? I know that we're all getting it before we actually go in for our procedures, but what about continuing after?

Hi Carson_Mommy,
I had my surgery Nov 1st and have had to give myself a shot of blood thinner every day since then. Today was the last day. When I had my pre-op consultation with the surgeon he asked if anyone in my family had ever had a blood clot and I said yes, and he said he was sending me to a specialist to be evaluated. So just to be extra safe, and given my family history of heart disease, they decided I should have a week of blood thinners after my surgery. I had never given myself a shot before, but I had a very kind nurse who explained everything to me and sat with me while I gave myself a shot before I left the hospital. There is another bandster I talk with here who also had to do the shots after she got home. It's another one of those things - like the sleep apnea test, or stress test, that the surgeon requests so we have the best recovery possible. So I did it, took a few seconds to be proud of myself for doing it :clap2:, and now onward I go!

Best of Luck to you!!

katwrenz · 11-09-2007, 12:14 AM

Hi, guys, I was also banded on Nov. 1 and I am doing great........hungry but great!. I had a rough couple of days post op. I use CPAP and my surgeon thought this possibly added additional air to my gut........that was trapped, wouldn't go up or down. In addition to the gas pain, I couldn't take fluids without significant spasms. I only managed 3 oz in 12 hours. I required 48 hours of IV fluids, they also gave me a dose of steroids to help reduce the inflammation of the pouch. The morning after the steroids I felt like a new woman and was ready for discharge. today was the first time I have had a spasms since I've been home......it was from jello and lasted several hours. I am looking forward to full liquids next week. Went for my first post op visit and I was only down 3 lbs, it was disappointing but............when I got home from the hospital I was UP 8 lbs from my pre-op wgt ( from the IVF) and considering I walked the halls incessantly at a brisk pace to help move the gas along (I stopped counting after literally 12 miles) but I am truly THANKFUL that I was able to have it done and was fortunate enough to have insurance cover it. I started with heart disease at 41 and hope to avoid and future problems. I look forward to a longer and healthier life, and wish all of you the best

Banded Nov. 1st 2007
14lb wgt loss before surgery and 3 more this week, 70 lbs to go
Tampa, Florida
Dr. Aguilla