MoTown22

Cool, thanks! And I am not doing any strenuous activity yet by any means, so there's not really a way for me to tear anything just by doing simple moves right? I guess if I knew the pain wasn't anything bad happening I could totally relax bout it and it probably wouldn't hurt AS bad. Anyway, thanks for the heating pad on the back tip. Better than not using it at all! quote name='stateofzen' timestamp='1299592338' post='1583232'] This is completely normal. It will go away, though I had port pain longer than any other kind (not constant though-- like you said, when I moved a certain way or when I tried to lay on my stomach). If you put the heating pad on your back you should still get some help in the stomach area-- at least I always did/do. One thing about heating pads-- recently I've found that I can't put one on my stomach over my port because I've lost enough weight that it heats my port up (the metal parts) and youch! Putting it at my back still works great though.

Okay good, thanks for setting my mind at ease, not looking forward to this for a few weeks but it could be worse so I will try not to complain. I thought of the heat pack too but I freak out when anything comes close to my tummy, I fold down all my big blankets in bed only up to the waist and then just lay the sheet over my top half...maybe after my dressings have come off and I can see how it has healed it will be easier to do that. Thanks!

First time back here since surgery! I had it on Friday, stayed over night as was customary and when they started me on liquids on Saturday I was just still so nauseated (spelling?) from the anesthesia that I couldn't do it, so they had to keep me until Sunday. Other than that everything went smooth, liquids are now going down, and all is well in band land. BUT Just as I was about to be discharged I was getting up from the toilet and felt sharp, burning, stabbing pains around/below the port incision. Holy cow does it hurt. It usually only lasts about a minute, and if it's happening when I'm getting up, I can just sort of "walk it off" I've never had surgery before but my Dad who has, said that when he had shoulder surgery he would too have those pains and it is because of the muscle tissue. I told the nurse at the hospital and she thought since I was fine otherwise that it was probably something that was always there but I am just now feeling it as they were weening me off their pain meds. I've continued my liquid vicodin Rx and that's about gone which scares the crap out of me because I have these sharp pains each time I get in and out of bed or on or off the toilet... Please tell me this is normal and will go away!? =) I called my Dr office yesterday just to run it by and they also said it's usually the most tender spot but she'll note it to my doc. I have a post op on Thursday so I'm not too concerned in the meantime but just wondering about others' experiences...I also can't put my own pants on-anyone else have that issue? lol...Anyway, the bright side is that I lost 32 lbs pre-op!! Won't weight myself agani for a bit because I hear you actually gain weight temporarily from all the fluids. IN PAIN-HELP!!

Awesome results!! Congrats to you!! I can't wait for those little things! Surgery Friday. Did your feet get smaller?

RTD? I bought Pure Protein, I think the sugar was good but I didn't look at the sodium. Thank you!

Friday March 4th is my day!!! 40 hours to be exact haha! Good luck everyone!

I have my list of approved Clear liquids for post surgery diet week 1, which includes: Water, sugar free Jello and popsicles, broth, milk, Protein powder....etc. So my surgery is Friday and I only have a liquid diet the day before, I'm wondering if the pre-made Protein shakes are fine for liquids? I know they said the clear liquid list was fine, but it only says powder...however milk is on there and I would think the pre-made ones are water, milk, and powder with some extra goodies. Any thoughts?

Me too!

Awesome! I'm also hoping to not need fills...I guess I don't have anything against them but it seems like less of a nuisance...Thanks!

One other question-out of curiosity, how many fills have you had?

Thanks for sharing that! I get banded on March 4th and I hope to be just like you!!! haha =)

Wendy- so good to hear about your wonderful experience. My surgery is scheduled for next Friday, March 4th. cannot wait. I hope my experience is similar to yours! haha. Wondering-where are you located? Where did you have the surgery? I wondered with the snow storm

LMBO @ your grocery store comment!! that is so true! and Target! I am amazed to hear all these same day experiences. My surgery is scheduled for March 4th and requires an overnight stay, which I am good with. Anyone else had or have an overnight stay? It's required for everyone at this hospital not just me.

Good for you and thank you!!

Hey, thanks for the response! You have some great points. I'm also glad to hear about success from someone who was focusing on walking mainly and also on what I would consider even more manageable workouts now with your 20 min 3X a week. I would much rather walk all day everyday for exercise but I feel like if I'm not breaking a sweat I'm not doing enough, so I tend to forget the benefits of that I guess. Who is to say if 30 min on the elliptical is better or worse than 60 min walking? Anyway, thanks for your support!

You're right and like you said-once I hit that plateau or as the weight comes off making it easier to do activity, that I will inherently want to intensify the workouts. I can see that coming. I like to introduce change in regards to this slowly so that I don't set myself up for failure. But I guess just reading about how awesome some daily activities were I was starting to feel like I wasn't doing enough....and I know I should not base off my success or goals on anyone else's BUT I also want to be realistic and know as much as I can up front! Thank you!!

I get banded on March 4th.... Currently I'm doing the elliptical for 30 min 4-5 times a week with additional walking on lunch breaks etc. This to me is huge, compared to a lifetime of doing no physical activity. But after reading through forums about how people are "exercise freaks" and training for marathons etc etc, it's a bit discouraging. Am I REALLY going to need to devote 2 hrs a day to exercising!? I want to lose and I want to be healthy, but I also want to maintain my sanity and life the way it is. I work full time and go to school full time and I just know that I won't have that kind of time. The standards across the board are for 30 min physical activity every day (or 4/5 times a week) and so at what point beyond that does it go from over achieving to obsession?

Holy cow on your success!!! Can I ask how often you work out and what you do for excercise? Also, Happy early Birthday!!

Way to go!!! I'm so proud for you!!

I'm glad you've told your BF. Hopefully between her/him and your family they will be a strong support. Along with this forum too! I'm sure that your hospital has support groups for face to face meetings as well. Unfortunately, the one at my hospital meets on Monday and it conflicts with a class I'm taking, but I have found much support here, and it's easier to be candid when you aren't face to face! ha My Mom was the same way, but I also watched her yo-yo her whole life and that is one of my goals of having this tool. She currently has lost and kept it off and I am proud of her, but she and I both know I need more. I had those same fears, and to be honest I was one of thhose judgemental people.... My friend got gastric bypass a year ago and I 100% thought she was taking "the easy way out" but that's for close minded people and I learned real quick going through this process that there isn't anything easy about it. It is hard work and your success will proves your commitment to that! I only have a 1 day liquid diet the day before-THANK GOD! I have been reading about these 2 week diets and I have no idea how they do it!! I would think I would have a problem being weak. But I also have thought maybe I should try a few days of liquids to get used to the weeks of liquids post op. Let us know how your consultation goes!

Hi ERuiz, I am being banded on March 4th and too have had my "freak out" moments, but then I remember how hard I have worked and how far I have come. I know this may sound silly but I believe in signs and this whole process has just gone so smoothly that I believe it is the right thing to do. I hope you can find some comfort in that too. I understand your family being scared but you can reassure them that everything will be okay and you need them to be your support! My Doc said this surgery is less invasive than gallbladder removal and think of how often those occur! Regarding your friends, I am sorry to hear that because I think it may be time for some new friends. They are entitled to their opinion but as friends should support you 110%. Perhaps their attitudes is coming from a palce of jealousy. If you feel it is the right thing to do for YOU then the support of your friends and family should follow. Your life will change but for the better! You can do it!

Hi Racquel, I am 27, and can associate with the overweight the entire life thing. I had my initial consultation a few months ago and have surgery scheduled for March 4th. Because I am healthy, other than being overweight, the process moved very quickly, so be prepared for that. I found that if the hospital is somewhere you want to have surgery, they will make sure you are over-educated. I have had many of my own questions, but I think once you attend that consultation you will get information overload! To answer your questions: I would ask your surgeon how many lap band procedures has he done. A well qualififed surgeon should have done about 250. Ask him what the most common complication is. After the consultation it depends on a lot of things, the hospital's requirements, your insurance requirements, pre-op weight loss, psychological evaulation, and if you have any other diseases/issues that need to be under control before a procedure is done. They say the average time is 3-6 months for someone of relative healthiness. I attended my first meeting Dec 17th and March 4th is my surgery to give you an idea. I have chosen to share with most of closest friends about the surgery, but at the age of 21 I cannot say that I would have done that. I guess it depends on the kind of environment you are in (are you at college?) and how well you trust those closest to you. I think back to when I was 21 and going to a small college there is no way I would have wanted to tell my friends because it would have got around...don't be embrassed, own it, but frankly it is no one's business...so choose wisely and go with your gut and you will be fine. The only other piece of advice I'd like to give you that I never thought of until I hear it, was that my Dr said people in the age range of 18-30 generally don't do as well with the surgery because they are still in "party mode" Being the age of 21, are you a frequent drinker etc? Just be prepared that those types of things will change drastically and if you are ready to committ and follow the rules than you can be just as successful. Good luck to you and I hope it goes well!!! I haven't gone through the surgery itself YET but if I can help any other questions let me know!

Okay I know it's not good for me, but if I wanted to use a tanning bed Am I able to with the band? That sounds weird but I don't know if the direct exposure would do anything. Also, wonder how soon after? I know the incisions would need to be well and healed. Any thoughts?

Got my date set for March 4th! yay!!! I know I should be on here asking all sorts of insightful questions but I'm just so excited! haha But I will ask this, how many days do you think it takes to get back to feeling "normal" pain wise and able to go back to work? What is the energy level like? I do just have a desk job so I'm not too terribly concerned, but just curious as to how much time everyone took off from work etc. Thanks and congrats everyone!!!! url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wNtfnfC/] [/url]

Oh and I forgot to add that I love your username!!! Congrats to you!