Manda's Journey

[x.Manders.x]

Well I figured this would be a good time to start with my journey. My seminar was 11/19/2009, my second class was 12/10/2009, met with my dietician on the 12th.

12/14/09- Started the pre-op diet

Today was the 2nd day and was horrific. Bad headaches and my stomach would not stop turning. I hope tomorrow is better. I can't seem to find a protien shake I really enjoy, but I can handle the EAS carb advantage (chocolate). Surgery is in 11 days and I am scared....:scared-2:

[Patrick]

Manda, what you are feeling is something we have all managed to get through. It certainly is not the most pleasant of times, however, the rewards awaiting you along your journey are going to make this liquid diet seem like just one little sneeze in a long cold, totally forgettable. You can do this and you will. Just do your best and keep your eyes on your goal. Perfection is not required, just honest endeavor.

[gregken77]

Ok the liquid diet blows! I hated it and kicked and screamed all the way through it. Seriously if your scared about this surgery dont be. I know you probably still will be ----I paniced hard, had panic attacks the day before, spent several sleepless nights and then the day I had the surgery I thought you big dummy! All that worry for nothing. I was laying on the operating table one minute and it was done the next. My healing process was painless, had zero gas pains, and actually an hour after surgery I was up and walking around like normal. Dont sweat it. Its not that bad of a surgery.

[x.Manders.x]

Thank goodness I'm not alone in feeling hatred for the pre-op diet! Reminding myself it will all be worth it in the end. You guys here are amazing! :thumb:

[Patrick]

That is why we all love this site so much, the info is real and supportive.

[PattiDi07]

You can get through this. Keep the big picture as your focus. This is the best gift you could ever give to yourself, and after a few days, the liquid phase (to me) got a little easier. The first few days are the hardest, and you're past that already! :)

[x.Manders.x]

Day 4 of pre-op diet
Stress from work isn't helping things. All I want to do is eat a cheese burger ..it doesnt help that I have an office job and everyone brings in donuts and goodies daily...*sigh*
This sucks.
I hope its ok I use this as a journal...

[want 2 be a loser]

It sucks being on the liquid diet! I am also 4 days down and have to start clear liquids on Saturday and Sunday. With surgery on Monday! YAH! It is harder at work. It is just me and my boss in the office so it's not so bad for me. He does have a bag of M&M's (one of my major down falls!) in our break room which is by my desk and he is back and forth all day grabbing some. He is skinny of course! But so far so good on not having any of them! I just keep thinking of my liver and how bad I don't want to be opened all the way up! Hang in there!

[Patrick]

As you make it through each day, you get closer and closer to your goal. Keep at it, none of us enjoyed this, however, the plus side is that you will lose a lot of weight during these two weeks which is a great start to your journey. You CAN do this and we are all with you.

[x.Manders.x]

Finally! A protien shake I love to drink!!!!! Thank what ever diety made muscle milk!:party8:

[x.Manders.x]

First week is over and I've made it this far. Christmas time I knew was going to be hard, but though I had the family support behind me to help me through. My mother-in-law has had a band for 3 years. First off we don't get along the best but I figured she is a bandster we might bond...wrong.
Out of the blue she desides that Christmas Eve she wants to have a family dinner. Ham, potatoes, the works...She makes sure to tell my DH that we have to go. What the hell am I supposed to do? I am in tears over this. She knows how hard it is but is making sure we have a huge dinner that she wont even be able to eat a lot of? I guess I'm not understanding why we couldnt gather as a family and spend time that way.

Sorry for ranting, been a hard few days.

[Want_2_B_Free]

I know the feeling (about the food; luckily I get along with the In-Laws). For me it was very hard. I too work in an office and there is so much junk around, daily. Then we have luncheons and pot-lucks in between. Here is my take. It is hard right now. But you will be able to eat again. Just smaller portions. Keep telling urself that you are doing this for a reason and that the reason is stronger than the will to eat a plate of food right now. Sit at the table with everyone else and drink your shake. That way you will still be able to participate in the conversation. On my liquid phase I went to a restaurant with my boss. She ate her tacos and I "ate" my shake. She totally understood and had no problem with me having my shake. It will be over soon enough and you will start the new year with an awesome tool. Remeber it might take awhile ti get to the right level before the band really shows you how it works. I am there right now and it sucks. I eat more than I should, but do get full faster. I will get filled until I am in the green zone. Then the band will pay off. Keep on posting. We are here for ya.

[x.Manders.x]

Went to visit my Dr one last time before my band date. Down seven pounds, and more nervous as the day gets closer. Hope everyone has a safe and happy holidays!

[x.Manders.x]

Today I recieved my surgery time. Monday morning at 10 am I'll be knocked out and being banded!:cool_dancer:

[want 2 be a loser]

Good luck to you on Monday! How nice not to have to be there until 10 I was 5am! Hope tonight works out for you at your in-laws. That sucks they have to be like that! I know its hard enough without all the added temptations. But you will get through it and just think Monday will be a new start!

Seen your ticker for Ireland. Do you have family or just going for vacation?

Lana


Banded 12/21/09
Heaviest wt 255
Surgery wt 230
Mini goal wt 199
Long goal wt 160
Current wt 230

[x.Manders.x]

Thank you it went ok.


Seen your ticker for Ireland. Do you have family or just going for vacation?

Just for fun :bounce:

[503-250]

So many new people so little time....

I just read through the entire thread and all I can say is that posting here will definitely get you past the rought spots. I know it worked for me...you can do this. use that anger, fear, hunger and stress to drive you instead of stopping you.

I see fantastic things for you, just remember this is a long journey and you need to be patient, not only with you but with those around you.

Right now, you need to do things for you, put you first. First thing to do is take pictures of yourself, lots of them. The one mistake I made is I hated being photographed so I have almost no pictures from before my surgery. Pick a place in your house or your yard etc etc...someplace you can go and stand in the exact same spot and take the exact same picture as time goes by...then as your journey progresses you can see it in the pictures.

Best of luck Manda, I wish I would have done this when I was your age....ahhh to be young and beautiful with all of that life in front of me still.

[x.Manders.x]

Thanks for taking time to read the thread. Was having a rough day and your post helped me out just now. Thank you. Christmas is finally over, no more huge family dinners with just my trustee protein shake by my side. Just two more days to go.... I think I can, I think I can.

[503-250]

I know you can, I know you can!

[x.Manders.x]

The day is almost here. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. Thanks to everyone, I made it through the pre-op diet from hell. :thumb:
Things I have ready:
Broth
Gas-x
Heating pad
Special k protein mix for my waters
Apple Juice
and Sugar-free popsicles (Is very excited about popsicles)

If anyone has any other things I might need please let me know!

[503-250]

Pictures...you dont have to post them, just take them for yourself.

Best of luck, we're all there with you.

[catmom50]

The day is almost here. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. Thanks to everyone, I made it through the pre-op diet from hell. :thumb:
Things I have ready:
Broth
Gas-x
Heating pad
Special k protein mix for my waters
Apple Juice
and Sugar-free popsicles (Is very excited about popsicles)

If anyone has any other things I might need please let me know!


Good Luck tomorrow Manda. We'll all be thinking of you and waiting to hear back after.

[Want_2_B_Free]

Let us know how it goes.

[x.Manders.x]

Well guys I hurt, but I made it!

[Laurel86]

hey i just went through your thread. congrats on being banded! :) Just wanted to mention that for me, a bag of ice that i could put on my belly really helped. it helped more than the heating pad. ice will help with the swelling too. took me 8 days to fully get back to normal. i couldnt sleep in a bed for 8 days though. cause it was difficult to lie down & get back up cause of the pain. I slept in a recliner. remember the "bandster shuffle" *walk walk walk, sip sip sip* i did laps around my dining room table with aprotein shake or water. sipped thru a straw. i honestly felt less pain when i was up & moving around. i even went to a support group meeting the day after my surgery lol. good luck on your journey! this website is awesome & helped me alot!

[Want_2_B_Free]

The pain will get better (or should I say get less, LOL) each day. The more you move (slowly) will help with the recoop. I went to Target the same day I was released from the hospital. It felt good to walk around. Take is slow and easy. I, like Lauren, slept on the recliner for a few days (not 8 though). I finally had to get into my comfy bed about 4 days after. I slept so much better in my bed.

[x.Manders.x]

My couch is easier for me to sleep on. Been walking around more and more feeling a little better. Think I need a nap now lol.

[503-250]

Congratulatons Manders...welcome to bandland...

Now, it's an important time for you...follow your docs meal requirements, let that band heal correctly and NO SCALE...weighing in has to wait until after you get back on solid food. People have weird reactions to this period of time...some people lose, some gain...your body reacts based on you...so if it thinks you are starving it may start storing fat. Now isnt the time to worry about any of that crap. Now is the time to relax, feel better and heal.

The more walking I did, the less pain I had (I had a pain in my shoulder), I hope you feel better soon.

[x.Manders.x]

The pressure is mostly gone! My muscles still hurt and I am really tired still. At the hospital I had a hard time keeping my oxygen levels up, but I think I am doing ok now( no shortness of breath). I walked around the store last night for about 30 minutes and then came home and relaxed. I havent been hungry but every couple hours, I have a 1/2 cup of broth. Been taking more laps around the house, walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip, with protein water. I'm afraid I am drinking to slow.


Thanks for all the support guys!

[want 2 be a loser]

Good to hear you are doing okay!
Lana

[Want_2_B_Free]

One of the main things you need to do during this time is stay hydrated. I know its hard and you feel like you are drinking too slow. Start drinking water the second you wake up until you go to bed. Have ur popsicles too. If you feel lightheaded/dizzy and more fatigued then you probably are a little dehydrated and need to increase as much as you can tolerate. Always have ur water with you and sip every 5 minutes. It will add up.

[x.Manders.x]

Been trying to. Instead of the gas pressure in my shoulder, its in my ribs. I just want to cry

[maggieD]

Wishing you success in the new year.... Have an awesome NY eve and stay safe!

[503-250]

Where's your port? (it's usually the largest incision)

[Patrick]

Just got back on in time to belatedly congratulate you and welcome you to bandland. Reading through your first few days, you are perfectly normal. Things really will get easier each day and in a short while, you will have forgotten all about this, except to reply to other new bandsters and encourage them. Like Bear said, stary off the scale and keep sipping and walking. Do not expect instant miracles, just give your body time to not only heal, but more importantly, start adjusting to your new lifestyle. You will getting hungrier soon, so just do the best you can for the first few weeks, doing your best to stay within the bandster rules. Remember, you only have some very mild, if at all, restriction until your body heals and the Dr can put a real fill into you. Please, be patient and give yourself the necessary time to get into the real routine. Keep it up, you are doing everything right.

[x.Manders.x]

I feel normal again with just some stiffness. Bear, my port is on the left side. I get to start the puree portion of the healing diet tomorrow (Monday) and very excited! I've stuck with the Dr's orders so far!

[503-250]

Is that port located where the most pain you are having is?
You are doing absolutely fantastic! Keep focused on feeling better, healing and soon enough you will be amazed by the dramatic changes.

[x.Manders.x]

The most pain is by my belly button not so much the port. :(

[Want_2_B_Free]

I have a scar 1 inch above my belly button. That scar was from inserting the instruments for the procedure. Mine was sore for a few days then I was ok. It was red for a few weeks until it was completely healed.

[want 2 be a loser]

Thats were I was most tender also. I figured they must have streched that incision! Great job on sticking with the Dr.s orders! It's hard!

[x.Manders.x]

I really hope I don't scar to bad.
Been quite the day. First off, pureed food is delicious!!! Everyone looks at me like its gross, but to have some flavor is pure bliss. I ended up having to push my car off some ice so I am sore today. I didn't want to but there was no one to call and no one would stop and help. Ah well.

[Want_2_B_Free]

What happened to all of the gentleman in Utah? Pureed is good. Goes down with no pain or other issues. Sounds like you are feeling better each day.

[PattiDi07]

Oh yeah, I remember that first bite of puree'd food .... OMG.... Heaven! Glad you are feeling better each day. Now that you are eating puree'd food, you'll find that you will get back to normal pretty quickly. That's how I was, anyway. =)

[x.Manders.x]

Sick as a dog..down 13.5 pounds though. Miss talking to everyone one....back to bed I go...

[want 2 be a loser]

I was wondering where you were! Hope you get feeling better soon!

[gregken77]

Just take it easy for awhile and heal up good before you tackle the world again. Hope you feel better quickly!

[caleb_wright13]

Best wishes Manda on your journey, because that is exactly what this is. I was banded on December 4, 2009 and I am down right at 40 pounds since then. Best wishes on your walk towards good health!

[x.Manders.x]

I'm finally at back at full health! I missed you guys! I'm down 3 more pounds which is exciting. Better to lose any weight then it is to gain. Been going to the gym 5 nights a week. So far, no real difference.

[x.Manders.x]

My first 20 lbs is gone! See ya! whoo hoo!!! Never to be seen again!!!!:elephant:

[x.Manders.x]

Got my second fill yesterday! I'm now at 2.5cc! I am only on soft foods, so I am not sure how I am on the restriction yet.

[Want_2_B_Free]

Hey Manda-how's it going? Do you feel some restriction from your last fill?

[x.Manders.x]

Im now up to 3.5 cc and feel restriction. I am defiantly not capable of eatng like I used to which is wonderful for me. Candy gives me the biggest stomach ache now. Honestly, I am excited about that lol. I am going to Europe soon, and I think I'm going to have them take some out. I've heard altitude can really mess with the band.

[x.Manders.x]

I need a fill but can' get one because of my trip. Argh. I've been busting my butt at the gym though just wanting restriction. Can't have my cake and eat it too I guess.