Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Surgery 3/30/11 So nervous!



Recommended Posts

I'm getting LapBand on March 30th and I'm totally nervous. Are there any complications any of you have experienced that I should know about? I'm worried how I will feel after surgery, any advice?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi! I'm Jennifer and I was just banded a week ago today. I was nervous, too and the medical staff was amazing. I woke up in pain and they immediately pumped pain killers into my IV and kept me until I was pain free but still alert and able to go home. I stayed in bed the first day then walked around in costco the next day. I had to take the prescription pain killer every four hours for the first two days. I was banded on Friday and went back to work on Monday. Took one pain pill at work then another when I got home and have been walking for my 30 min lunch break. I feel noticeably better and better each day. Right now I have a small centralized area of pain on my left side where my stomach was banded. I can almost sleep on that side but not quite. I am ready to exercise and feel quite good. My follow up appt is next Friday and I will weigh myself for the first time then. It has been difficult drinking 3 Protein Shakes a day because I don't feel that hungry and don't enjoy them. I have been drinking only 2 shakes and peppermint tea, chicken broth, lemon Water. I hope this helps and wish you the very best of luck!!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have my surgery in July 5th... Am soo nervous so I can image what u feel... Good luck and best wishes... Cant wait to hear from u and ur success.

Liza

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was just banded on the 14th. The biggest thing for me was the shoulder pain, a common occurence after laparoscopy. It comes from the CO2 that the surgeon uses to insufflate the abdomen being trapped in the body. Walk as much as you can after surgery and do whatever deep breathing exercises they tell you to do and it will go away after a few days. Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds if it will help you get up and move around. I can finally sleep on my left and right side with no pain at all. I was very bruised on my lower abdomen from the Lovenox they gave me in the hospital which made it hard to get around at first, but that cleared up in a few days. This was all normal post op stuff, nothing horrible.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery on Wed March 23rd. The only issue I had was with my blood pressure ( sky high!) which was weird because I don't have hypertension. I did have the shoulder pain and it was worse than I expected BUT I took Gas X strips and by the morning it was gone! I also walked quite a bit and I think the combo of the two did the trick.

I took the Lortab every 4-5 hours post op day 0 and 1. Today I have only had it once.

I was scared the day of surgery and looking back it wasn't that bad at all! Good luck to you and let us know how it goes!

PS Take a pillow with you for the car ride home. It helps to hold it against your tummy .

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No, I noticed no difference in swallowing at all.Some folks have a slightly sore or scratchy throat from being intubated but I didn't. No problem at all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm getting LapBand on March 30th and I'm totally nervous. Are there any complications any of you have experienced that I should know about? I'm worried how I will feel after surgery, any advice?

Hi there. I totally know how you feel! I just got the lap band surgery this morning and am doing better already. I was so apprehensive but the staff was so great. I checked in at 5:45 and left by 11 am. It seemed so fast from the time they were getting me ready to go into surgery and then when I awoke from it. I got up and got dressed very carefully. The car ride home was NOT fun. I wish I'd read about taking a pillow. I was the worst back seat driver! Once home, I used my spirometry bottle and went to sleep. I've taken the pain and anti-nausea meds as directed and have been feeling okay. I do have to take it really slow when getting up and sitting down, etc. The laparoscopic wounds are not hurting me too much. The one that seems to be hurting the most is where they put the port but it's manageable. My 2009 surgery to remove an ovary and fallopian tube caused a lot more pain and recovery time so this one doesn't seem so bad in comparison.

I was so nervous but tried to focus on being positive and remembering why I was doing it. I knew I was in for some discomfort and just took it one step at a time. I hope the best for you too! Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, I am a little nervous too my surgery is scheduled for April 8th. I will try to follow your posts to see how you are doing. Good Luck to you.:D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have my surgery in July 5th... Am soo nervous so I can image what u feel... Good luck and best wishes... Cant wait to hear from u and ur success.

Liza

O me firist Grandson's Birthday ! Twas a Lucky Day.

As you can see you have the luck of the Irish on your side,

so,,, that's already a foot in the right direction.

Trust me you will do fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm getting LapBand on March 30th and I'm totally nervous. Are there any complications any of you have experienced that I should know about? I'm worried how I will feel after surgery, any advice?

I totally agree with the other lady who had prior surgery, and it was worse. I had DENTAL surgery that was far worst.

Believe me,,, this is only Banding, and the surgery is not that painful.

Your women ! That's why you birth children right? So believe me when I say "It's not that bad..."

Nothing against the guys here ! But the women want to know.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

O me firist Grandson's Birthday ! Twas a Lucky Day.

As you can see you have the luck of the Irish on your side,

so,,, that's already a foot in the right direction.

Trust me you will do fine.

Thanks shirley I'll take all the luck I can :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good luck as you begin your journey! It's an amazing and wonderful experience. You will probably have that "What the heck have I done to myself??" thought a few days after surgery, but don't worry, you'll soon forget that! I've been banded about 9 months and I have to say it was the best decision I've ever made.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks shirley I'll take all the luck I can :)

You'll do Great ! It's a easy surgery, for the surgeon, and not hard on the patient at all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm getting LapBand on March 30th and I'm totally nervous. Are there any complications any of you have experienced that I should know about? I'm worried how I will feel after surgery, any advice?

I have had no complications. I was banded on 3/18/11. Just sip the Water and walk (as much as you are able) afterward. I had pain. don't be afraid to take the pain med prescribed. Stay on top of that. The first three days I walked around but was very tired. After that, I began feeling better and better. Some of the folks on here have an easier time than I did. I didn't have bad gas pain...I have pain at my port site. It is still sore but I am sure it will pass. Good Luck! These feelings you are having are all normal!!

*HUGS*

Rachael

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×