Sha'sJourney

My doctor told me it will take 3-4 fills to be at the proper restriction. I had my 2nd fill today. I am on liquids until tomorrow so I'm not sure if it made a difference but after my first fill I didn't feel any difference at all. It also depends how much your doctor puts in for the first fill. Some doctor's are pretty aggressive for the first fill and others do smaller fill's at a time. Once you get some restriction to control the portions you eat, the weight will start to come off. I lost a good amount of weight right after surgery and from then the weight lose has been pretty slow. I think its pretty normal until you get your band to the right restriction.

My doctor's office actually recommended taking mira lax after surgery. It comes in powder form so I mixed it into crystal light. By the next day I had no problem going. I've noticed I don't go as easily as I used to so I take the mira lax when needed. Its very mild on the tummy and doesn't give me cramps or any of that.

It is very normal to feel what you are feeling. You just had surgery!! I was sore for a few days and wasn't able to sleep. I would actually prop a bunch of pillows on the couch and take cat naps throughout the day. Keep taking the liquid medicine and take the next dose as soon as it allows. Getting up and walking really helps but also remember that you need to allow your body to rest. Try and get as much liquids down as you can because that will make a huge difference in your weakness. Heating pad worked wonders for my achy neck and shoulders so give it a try. The first week is the hardest.... by week two you will start to feel much better.

Good luck to you!

Thanks, i was banded 11/29...and felt like why did i do this...am i crazy...but i am getting used to it, although the gas pain has to go and it is lodged in my shoulder and it gets very painful and annoying....

The gas will eventually go away... I know it feels like it won't but it will. By week two I didn't have any. Walking helps A LOT with the gas. As for the shoulder pain, I had really sharp pains in my left shoulder.. have you tried a heating pad? It worked wonders for me. I used the packs you can microwave and i got it really hot... gave my such relief. Give it a try if you haven't already. Also, walk..walk.. walk!

By next week you will be feeling much better... hang in there!

For the posters that were banded on 11/29...

Don't worry it will get better. By week two, you will start to feel yourself again and start feeling great. I felt the same way thinking what did I do and get myself into. It will def get easier and once you add in some mushy's and soft foods you will feel much better about the whole thing.

Hang in there... it will get better!

I was banded on 11-10-10. My first fill is scheduled for Dec. 13th. I look forward to it because I'm at a point where I don't even feel banded. My surgeon starts with some fill at surgery so I'm not empty but I def feel like I am. food has not been a problem and I can def eat more then a cup. I'm getting hungry much faster then I was 2 weeks after surgery. I look forward to some restriction!

I was banded 11-10-10 and have lost 20 pounds.. I feel like the weight is coming off pretty slow but look forward to my first fill on Dec. 13th.

Everyone here is doing fantastic....Congrats to all! :waytogo:

If I didn't chew gum I would probably munch on anything in sight. My doctor never said anything about gum but I can see why it would be a major problem if you swallowed it.

In my Lap Band handbook that I was given it said two weeks.

I had surgery on November 10th and for a couple days I felt like I had been ran over. The gas for me was horrible. The best advise I can give you is to get rest, drink fluids and when you are awake get up every hour and walk around the house for maybe 10 minutes. That really helped me with the gas. Try switching over to liquid tylenol. It helped with the pain and didn't make me feel all drugged like the stuff the doctor gave me. I'm one week post-op today and feel great other then some gas in my chest. It does get better!

Good luck to you!

Did they put anything into your band during the operation? If not then you currently should be mostly empty post-op. . . or atleast that's how it worked for me. I also had sharp pains around my port area and incision areas when drinking but that faded after a couple weeks. I just kept dosed up on my pain meds and it was tolerable, did you get pain meds? Try utilizing them and all should be well

I also had some gassy issues post ops but nothing a tums didn't cure.

Grats to your decision to be banded and I wish you the best with it!

The doctor said they do add a little saline during surgery but not too much because most people swell so I know I have a little. I was fine the first few days and was much more swollen then I am now. The pain just started 3 days ago when I drink. My port doesn't bother me it is more in my chest between my breasts and feels like heartburn. When I drink liquid the pain becomes stronger. I wasn't sure if it could still be gas trapped. I do have pain meds and liquid tylenol so maybe I will try it and see if it makes a difference.

Thanks for your advise!

Hello!

I was banded a week ago today and for the past 3 days I've noticed anytime I drink anything I get a heartburn feeling in my chest. It seems to last all day since I'm constantly sipping Protein shakes or Water. I don't wake up with the pain/pressure but it starts once I start drinking my Water. I thought maybe I was taking too big of sips so I tried to take baby sips this morning, didn't really seem to make a big difference. Pain wasn't as sharp but still came. Do you think my band is too tight? I really don't want a unfill because i've not been feeling hungry which is a great feeling. I have a follow up appointment on Monday, should I just wait until then and see if anything changes? Any advise?

Thanks!

I was also told not to lift anything more then 10-20 pounds for the first month. As far as physical activity, walking is going to be the best thing to do during the first month. You don't want the band to slip or the port to flip or disappear while your body is healing. I would def consider taking it "easy" the first month.

Hey Sha,

Have you been walking a lot? This will help get that gas out

Ahh mashed potatoes does sound good! And yes, the Protein stuff for me is hard too..and on the stomach- like instant pain/gas but I know I need it so what can a man do?

Enjoy your weekend!

FBS

Hi FBS!

Just wanted to check in and see how your doing.

As for me, I went back to work today and felt good. Actually felt much better after getting out and getting back to my normal routine. Finally got 3 shakes in today. Haven't been able to do that until today... Yeah!! The gas has gone down some which has made it more bearable to put more into my stomach. On day 5 and not feeling hungry yet. It's a great thing. Head hunger is still there but I'm dealing with that. Are you still on liquids? I look forward to being able to add in pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, mashed potato's, chunky Soups etc... Have to get though a little more then a week. Def something for me to look forward to. Hope all is good and well on your end.

Take care and enjoy your week!

I am 5 days post op and have yet to feel hungry. I have a hard time even getting my Protein shakes and other fluids down. I still feel gassy and swollen so I imagine once that goes down I may start to feel hungry but I'm hoping by then I will be heading into the mushy phase. I was scared that I would have a hard time during this time but its not as bad as I imagined and I've been doing quite well.

Good Luck to you!

It all depends on what your doctor considers liquids. There are many threads for the pre-op liquid diet and they are all so different based on the doctor. What some others were considering liquids were not the case for my doctor. You can add in sugar free Jello, crystal light, any low cal no sugar juice/drinks and sugar free Popsicle's but as far as the other items i would just make a phone call to your doctor office and have them give you a list of acceptable foods.

Hang in there... it does get easier.

Good luck!

I was banded Nov. 10th and yesterday I experienced the same thing. I think it's from the surgery. I think when they use the face mask and breathing tube it dries everything up. I've also had some runny nose since then and I don't have any cold symptoms either.

Hi Sha,

Just checking in to see how you are doing? I am getting along pretty well other than getting up and down from bed. That first stretch in the morning catches me off guard and I can feel my incisions pull a bit, ouch.

So excited to be eating solid liquids today, had some Fage yogurt for Breakfast with a drizzle of natural honey. Also lost the 6lbs I gained from all the IVs of Fluid pumped into me. Yesterday went to work for 2 hours just for kicks and it was fine. Today will go back 4hrs. Goal is to walk 30 min on the treadmill today or outside somewhere and get 1000 calories in.

Take care,

FBS

Hi FBS!

I'm doing pretty good. The gas is still driving me crazy and the shoulder pain has returned today but over all feeling pretty good. Slept much better last night however, I'm still propped on pillows on the couch. Looking forward to getting back to sleeping in the bed. Will try tonight.

I'm looking forward to mushy stage... would love some mashed potato's right now LOL. I'm having a hard time getting down the Protein shakes... With all the gas the last thing i want to do is fill myself with more liquids!

Glad to hear you are doing so well. I go back to work on Monday and I think I will be fine.

Have a great weekend and talk to ya again soon!

I had surgery on Nov 10th and as of last night I was still unable to lay down in the bed. It is extremely uncomfortable and puts tension on the incisions and port. I've been propped upright on pillows on the couch the last couple nights. My back hurts also but could be from the surgery itself or sleeping on the couch. Like most people said, I think it just depends on you being comfortable. If you are not able to lay down comfortably then I would not push it. Take it a day at a time. The sleeping does get easier... the first night I woke every hour but last night I slept through the night.

Good luck to you!

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I know its a learning process so I will just try my best to Force myself to drink them. I know that it will eventually get easier... by the way... does the gas go away or do people find they are more gassy since being banded? It's so uncomfortable... I can't imagine always having gas like this!

Hey Sha!

How are things going today? Ive still got a sore thoat, but Im getting over that. The surgeon used durabond over my invensions instead of stitches and its starting to itch now as it heals. Good sign i know, but its driving me crazy. Im also having a hard time getting my waterin. Anyone got some tips?

Hi Ape...

Things are going a little better today. The sore throat is still horrible. Makes you wonder how roughly they push the tube down your throat! I too have the bond instead of stitches and have had them start to itch too. Like you said, I think it's a good sign. My doctor has me wearing a binder around my stomach so the itching hasn't been too bad.

Funny you mention about the Water... I posted a new thread (accidentally under the pre-op) just a bit ago because Ive been having a hard time getting the shakes down and have had not much Water. Not sure if it's normal. Just not feeling like stuffing more down while I'm so bloated and gassy. Hopefully people respond with some ideas or advise.

Ooops, I just realized I posted this under the Pre-op forum instead of the Post-op forum. Sorry about that....

Hello,

I had my surgery on Wednesday Nov 10th and I'm having a hard time getting the Protein Shakes down. Have had a little Water, few sips of broth and sugar free Popsicle's have really helped the sore throat. Just don't have much of a appetite and can not force the shakes down. Does this feeling pass? I'm worried going on my 3rd day with no food and hardly any liquids. Still swollen and gassy which is probably why I feel full. Should I just wait until I'm able to get them down?

I just saw that your surgery is today!! Good luck!! I wish you the best on your journey!!

Thank you!!

Surgery went great... Having the gas pains and abdomen soreness but nothing that I wasn't expecting. Over all feeling pretty good.

Very excited for a new me.

Good luck to you too!

My surgery was yesterday and if you are going to be an out patient then you don't really need to pack anything. I brought my cell phone with me and wore lose comfortable clothes.

As for after surgery you will need... your Protein shakes, Water, sugar free Popsicle's, sugar free Jello, chicken broth (i buy the chicken noodle Soup and strain the noodles out.. more tasty broth that way). liquid Tylenol, gas-x strips and heating pad has been a life saver for shoulder and back pain.

Being nervous before surgery is normal... I was the day before but once I got to the hospital I was not as nervous. They took good care of me and made sure I was comfortable at all times. It all goes so fast.

Good luck to everyone!