JusCallMeE Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hi, I'm "E"...(Eleatrice, actually, but E's easier on most) Banded March 16th by Dr. Ortiz...the whole experience was AMAZING...ironically, I don't remember much about Dr. Ortiz, but I remember everyone else very well...I think the medicine they gave me to relax me had already kicked in by the time Dr. Ortiz came in to talk to us. He was funny, though, as far as I can remember. Kinda reminded me of Dr. McDreamy...LOL! Pre-Op diet was tough, but my mind was made up and I lost 12 pounds overall...Dr. Miranda was pleased, even though by her count I had only lost 8 pounds. Losing that weight was my BIGGEST worry pre-op...I just could not fathom being sent home and having to reschedule. Night before surgery, I ate tortilla soup and a hot wing in the hotel's restaurant...I was a little worried about bingeing (and again, possibly being told I'd have to reschedule)...but I found everything was TOO RICH after being on that pre-op diet anyway. Day of surgery I did all my pre-op stuff the same day...nutrition consult, EKG, pulmonary function test, and now they have added a DENTAL SCREEN just this past week...need a deep cleaning, but passed that with flying colors too! =D> The worst for me was getting the IV port put in, and that was 'cause I thought I was just getting my blood drawn...no prep for that...I cried and the nurse felt sooooooo bad...she apologized all night and hugged me before I left the next morning. The ENTIRE staff was so amazingly sweet and comforting and welcoming and I could go on and on and on... Actual surgery took less than 10 minutes (5 according to Dr. Ortiz) from what I hear, and I was up and at 'em! Night of surgery I walked a LOT, round and round and round the facility...made me feel like I was accomplishing something since I couldn't sleep AT ALL. I was under the impression that your companion could stay the night with you, but they sent him back to the hotel, so sleep was hard to come by for me. Grey's Anatomy was GOOD though! Today is Day 2 officially, and all is well. I'm sticking to this post-op diet NO MATTER WHAT...even though every Red Lobster commercial ever made is being aired this month. No band slips for me as long as I can help it. Get at me if you have any questions....'E' > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusCallMeE Posted March 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Today is Day 3 for me...feeling very good. Spent most of the day yesterday walking through the mall. Had soup at Red Robin...French Onion...removed all the onions and bread and cheese till there was only about 3 drops of broth in the bottom of the cup...so I asked the waitress to just bring me some more broth. It was more than enough, but if you order it, save yourself the work and ask for just broth to begin with. It was actually very yummy though, I was pleasantly surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalKev Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hi, I'm "E"...(Eleatrice, actually, but E's easier on most)Banded March 16th by Dr. Ortiz...the whole experience was AMAZING...ironically, I don't remember much about Dr. Ortiz, but I remember everyone else very well...I think the medicine they gave me to relax me had already kicked in by the time Dr. Ortiz came in to talk to us. He was funny, though, as far as I can remember. Kinda reminded me of Dr. McDreamy...LOL! Pre-Op diet was tough, but my mind was made up and I lost 12 pounds overall...Dr. Miranda was pleased, even though by her count I had only lost 8 pounds. Losing that weight was my BIGGEST worry pre-op...I just could not fathom being sent home and having to reschedule. Night before surgery, I ate tortilla soup and a hot wing in the hotel's restaurant...I was a little worried about bingeing (and again, possibly being told I'd have to reschedule)...but I found everything was TOO RICH after being on that pre-op diet anyway. Day of surgery I did all my pre-op stuff the same day...nutrition consult, EKG, pulmonary function test, and now they have added a DENTAL SCREEN just this past week...need a deep cleaning, but passed that with flying colors too! =D> The worst for me was getting the IV port put in, and that was 'cause I thought I was just getting my blood drawn...no prep for that...I cried and the nurse felt sooooooo bad...she apologized all night and hugged me before I left the next morning. The ENTIRE staff was so amazingly sweet and comforting and welcoming and I could go on and on and on... Actual surgery took less than 10 minutes (5 according to Dr. Ortiz) from what I hear, and I was up and at 'em! Night of surgery I walked a LOT, round and round and round the facility...made me feel like I was accomplishing something since I couldn't sleep AT ALL. I was under the impression that your companion could stay the night with you, but they sent him back to the hotel, so sleep was hard to come by for me. Grey's Anatomy was GOOD though! Today is Day 2 officially, and all is well. I'm sticking to this post-op diet NO MATTER WHAT...even though every Red Lobster commercial ever made is being aired this month. No band slips for me as long as I can help it. Get at me if you have any questions....'E' > E, Congrats on the new band and a new life! Viva La Band! Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacy16 Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hi E, I was with you on the 16th. I'm glad to hear your doing ok. I am too, but the gas pains are killing me. I can't walk enough. Isn't Dr. Ortiz cute? That's coming from a gay women! I loved him though. Stacy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusCallMeE Posted March 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 E, Congrats on the new band and a new life! Viva La Band! Kevin Thanks, Kev! Love your posts...so motivating! E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusCallMeE Posted March 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hi E,I was with you on the 16th. I'm glad to hear your doing ok. I am too, but the gas pains are killing me. I can't walk enough. Isn't Dr. Ortiz cute? That's coming from a gay women! I loved him though. Stacy Hi Stacy, He was adorable...(from what I hazily remember, that is). I'm having some gas, but more up in the upper esophagus area...mostly like the onset of heartburn...I notice if I drink something warm (broth or tea) it eases up for a little bit. I also take deep breaths (pretending like I'm using those blue balls) and that helps too. And of course walking. I hope it gets better for you. You were up and walking good that night, so I know you'll do fine! E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusCallMeE Posted March 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Today is 6 days post op. 22 pounds lost since I started the pre-op diet. 10 pounds lost since being banded. =D> All that gas pressure was gone pretty much by day 4...early in the morning I do get some pressure, but from what I'm reading that may be typical. Post-op diet...Still following this to a "T". I refuse to have ANY complications that I can avoid!!! So broth and water and juice for me till Tuesday. I was able to add in liquid yogurt on day 4 with no problems. I added SlimFast High Protein shakes today...no problem...they're 15 grams of protein each, so 2 a day give me the 30 grams that Dr. Miranda says we have to get! Tip: El Pollo Loco has chicken tortilla soup and the broth is GOOD! Pre & post op patients...HANG IN THERE! It CAN be done, I'm a witness! Get at me if you have any questions... "E" > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSib Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Today is 6 days post op. 22 pounds lost since I started the pre-op diet. 10 pounds lost since being banded. =D> All that gas pressure was gone pretty much by day 4...early in the morning I do get some pressure, but from what I'm reading that may be typical. Post-op diet...Still following this to a "T". I refuse to have ANY complications that I can avoid!!! So broth and water and juice for me till Tuesday. I was able to add in liquid yogurt on day 4 with no problems. I added SlimFast High Protein shakes today...no problem...they're 15 grams of protein each, so 2 a day give me the 30 grams that Dr. Miranda says we have to get! Tip: El Pollo Loco has chicken tortilla soup and the broth is GOOD! Pre & post op patients...HANG IN THERE! It CAN be done, I'm a witness! Get at me if you have any questions... "E" > My band was on Monday. I was up walking that evening. After every walk I had dry heaves and I still have lots of gas. The gas that bothers me is whats in the shoulder. I have several nurse friends that tell me that will be gone in a couple of day. Whenever they told me that I weighed 120 kilos which converts into 265 pounds I knew they were wrong so I went to our local clinic to be weighed and weighed 215. The doctor said I probably had already lost 5 pounds but have decided to use 215 as my beginning weight. I'm really looking forward to doing a weigh-in next week. I'm going to really work to keep everything going right during these first 4 weeks. I need a good jump start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenOfChunk Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 So whats the typical amount of time taken off work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSib Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 So whats the typical amount of time taken off work? From what I've heard from people who had there's done before I did they went right back to work if they had a easy job like an offfice job. If you do something very physical it's like much more. I'm a daycare provider and Monday will be a week and I'm having my kids then. I only have one infant and she's 11 months old so hope I can everything with her on the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyo Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IG1000 Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Hi, I'm "E"...(Eleatrice, actually, but E's easier on most)Banded March 16th by Dr. Ortiz...the whole experience was AMAZING...ironically, I don't remember much about Dr. Ortiz, but I remember everyone else very well...I think the medicine they gave me to relax me had already kicked in by the time Dr. Ortiz came in to talk to us. He was funny, though, as far as I can remember. Kinda reminded me of Dr. McDreamy...LOL! Pre-Op diet was tough, but my mind was made up and I lost 12 pounds overall...Dr. Miranda was pleased, even though by her count I had only lost 8 pounds. Losing that weight was my BIGGEST worry pre-op...I just could not fathom being sent home and having to reschedule. Night before surgery, I ate tortilla soup and a hot wing in the hotel's restaurant...I was a little worried about bingeing (and again, possibly being told I'd have to reschedule)...but I found everything was TOO RICH after being on that pre-op diet anyway. Day of surgery I did all my pre-op stuff the same day...nutrition consult, EKG, pulmonary function test, and now they have added a DENTAL SCREEN just this past week...need a deep cleaning, but passed that with flying colors too! =D> The worst for me was getting the IV port put in, and that was 'cause I thought I was just getting my blood drawn...no prep for that...I cried and the nurse felt sooooooo bad...she apologized all night and hugged me before I left the next morning. The ENTIRE staff was so amazingly sweet and comforting and welcoming and I could go on and on and on... Actual surgery took less than 10 minutes (5 according to Dr. Ortiz) from what I hear, and I was up and at 'em! Night of surgery I walked a LOT, round and round and round the facility...made me feel like I was accomplishing something since I couldn't sleep AT ALL. I was under the impression that your companion could stay the night with you, but they sent him back to the hotel, so sleep was hard to come by for me. Grey's Anatomy was GOOD though! Today is Day 2 officially, and all is well. I'm sticking to this post-op diet NO MATTER WHAT...even though every Red Lobster commercial ever made is being aired this month. No band slips for me as long as I can help it. Get at me if you have any questions....'E' > Hi E Thanks for your reply to all my questions. I am leaving on Sunday to get my surgery, I am very excited and at the same time I am trying not to think about it because it makes me nervous. Anyways, Monday is the big day, I can't wait to be skinny and healthy! that is my goal and won't stop until I achieve it. I hope I don't get too uncomfortable with all those gas pains, I really need to get though for this. By the way how is the weather over there it seems to be a little cold but again I am in Miami where is hot all the time. So I hope is not too cold. I have so many mix feelings about this surgery, I know I am going to be a nervous wreck this weekend. Good luck with everything to you and everyone here. Keep up the good work! IG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusCallMeE Posted March 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 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 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 > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusCallMeE Posted March 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 So whats the typical amount of time taken off work? I had it done on Friday, went to work Tuesday. I was exhausted though, but I've worked Tues thru today AND I still work tomorrow too. Other than that, all is well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusCallMeE Posted March 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 Hi EThanks for your reply to all my questions. I am leaving on Sunday to get my surgery, I am very excited and at the same time I am trying not to think about it because it makes me nervous. Anyways, Monday is the big day, I can't wait to be skinny and healthy! that is my goal and won't stop until I achieve it. I hope I don't get too uncomfortable with all those gas pains, I really need to get though for this. By the way how is the weather over there it seems to be a little cold but again I am in Miami where is hot all the time. So I hope is not too cold. I have so many mix feelings about this surgery, I know I am going to be a nervous wreck this weekend. Good luck with everything to you and everyone here. Keep up the good work! IG Hey, IG... Monday is the first day of the rest of your life...congrats! The weather there was even all day and into the evening, I would guess about 65-75 which is PERFECT in my book! I wore the same type of clothes during the day as I did when we were out walking at night. The gas for me wasn't so much pain as it was pressure...and I didn't have any at all in my shoulder. It's gone now for the most part except sometimes early in the morning. Proud of you for staying excited...don't let nerves get the best of ya! Oh, by the way...if there is anyone there getting a fill when you go, I recommend talking to them in the waiting room and asking them about their experience...all the people that were there getting fills made it soooooooo easy for me to remember that I made the right decision! E > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IG1000 Posted March 24, 2007 Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 Hey, IG...Monday is the first day of the rest of your life...congrats! The weather there was even all day and into the evening, I would guess about 65-75 which is PERFECT in my book! I wore the same type of clothes during the day as I did when we were out walking at night. The gas for me wasn't so much pain as it was pressure...and I didn't have any at all in my shoulder. It's gone now for the most part except sometimes early in the morning. Proud of you for staying excited...don't let nerves get the best of ya! Oh, by the way...if there is anyone there getting a fill when you go, I recommend talking to them in the waiting room and asking them about their experience...all the people that were there getting fills made it soooooooo easy for me to remember that I made the right decision! E > E: Thanks so much for all the words of encouragement and for answering my questions. I am afraid I will not be checking here until I return from surgery next week since I will be busy all weekend getting ready for the surgery. Soooo with all that said which me good luck on a new me! Talk to you all next week. Best regards, IG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyo Posted March 24, 2007 Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshaj Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 So whats the typical amount of time taken off work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusCallMeE Posted March 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 Today is day 12. All is going very well. 23 pounds down, so I can tell that the weight loss is tapering off as I've added creamy soups (usually higher in fat and calories) to the routine. However this feels a little healthier anyway. My scars are looking good...I'm using Mederma...a little pricey, but you get double the amount for the same price if you go to Costco. Vons soups are good from the Signature Deli section. And I just found out you can get them cold to store at home too...yeah! I haven't had ANY problems keeping anything down. My first fill won't be till May 11 (my mom is having surgery that day), so I'm hoping I don't get to the point where I have NO restriction before then. I've learned and implemented and followed through on some good habits since pre-op though, so I'm thinking I can continue those positive changes to be successful if I'm not feeling restriction. No more air inside, so all that chest pressure is gone. I'm finding it hard to burp...I usually hiccup...that's weird to me. Get at me if you have questions! :-h E > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusCallMeE Posted April 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 Today is Day 16. I've lost 0.5 lbs in the last 4 days. My first fill is scheduled for May 11th...the same day my mom will have her surgery. She started at 334lbs with a BMI of like 61.1. I'm so jazzed for her and I'm praying this will be the end of morbid obesity for her and the beginning of a healthier new life. She is doing the South Beach diet for the 6 weeks prior to her surgery...she lost 11 lbs the first week! I'm so proud of her. Yesterday we went to a casino and I ran into my first real challenge...we were having breakfast around 8:30am and they wouldn't start serving ANY soup until after 11am...yikes! So, I improvised and got oatmeal (which luckily was verrrrry runny) and got it down fine. No problems whatsover. -whew- Next Saturday I start solid foods, so we'll see how that goes. E > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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