BrenM

I was banded yesterday, and am having THE WORST time. The doctor said my liver was enormous, which I'm guessing means he had to beat the hell out of me during the operation. I'm in so much pain, my entire diaphram hurts so bad I am struggling to breathe. I did the liquid diet for 3 weeks, lost over 20 pounds... why then was my liver 'large'? He told me in such a disappointed and somewhat disgusted fashion. I'm sitting here tonight after the worst night of my life last night in the hospital with no sleep, in agony, wondering if this is all normal. I'm having trouble peeing, and I have 5 holes in my stomach, a bruise the size of an orange above my belly button, and I swear I can feel the band under the swollen lump above the giant bruise. I cough and it hurts like no other. I've had several surgeries in life, but this... has to be the worst. I feel so full of air that I might pop, it hurts so bad even into my back that I can't get comfortable. The nurses were superb at being bitches to me, and I got in trouble for being thirsty, and 'drinking to much'. HUH???? What the f*cking HELL!!!! She said I could displace the band if I drank too much. Are you kidding me? I've been sipping all day but feel so full that it's hard to do even that. I'm down right thirsty. I have no nausea though.. Thank God for small miracles. Is any of this normal? I'm in absolute AGONY.... Do people really go get this done and pop out like some track star on steroids??? Cuz I feel like the shit on a shoe and am scared to death, not to mention exhausted from just breathing.

Thank you all for the support. More than anything I think I needed that these last 2 days. This morning was still tough, up most of the night, but my husband went and bought me some Gas X when the stores opened. BIG HELP!!! I already feel so much better. I'm gonna mention that to the Doctor next time I see him. He might wanna put that on the 'buy before surgery paper'. I'm getting ready to go for a walk, and am learning to SIP. I've always been a chugger. No more of that. The heating pad has really helped and laying down this morning got the gas out of my diaphram.I FARTED!!! YAY!!! I hadn't laid down much since the surgery, just walked the halls in the hospital all night long and sat for 3 hours in the car upright, then up all day at home. Today is a new day, and I've recognized my psychological hunger for what it is, as I'm not feeling the least bit physically hungry. I went through some of that while on the liquid diet as well. I am excited about this and though maybe not completely prepared for it's difficulties, have waited 6 years to get to this point. It's the beginning of a VERY BIG set of goals. In the first two weeks on the liquid diet I had already dropped all the insulin and 7 diabetes pills. So I know I am committed, as the lap band didn't do that for me, I did. I'm glad there is a place I can come to talk to people about this. Although my family is supportive, they can't possibly be understanding much, and I am a fairly private person, bordering on shame regarding my weight and health, so I don't discuss it with friends or people I know. Here is a place I don't have to feel ashamed. Again, Thank you!! I know... it works if you work it!!! Bren

Hi Berenice... I was banded yesterday also, and am having THE WORST time. The doctor said my liver was enormous, which I'm guessing means he had to beat the hell out of me during the operation. I'm in so much pain, my entire diaphram hurts so bad I am struggling to breathe. I did the liquid diet for 3 weeks, lost over 20 pounds... why then was my liver 'large'? He told me in such a disappointed and somewhat disgusted fashion. I'm sitting here tonight after the worst night of my life last night in the hospital with no sleep, in agony, wondering if this is all normal. I'm having trouble peeing, and I have 5 holes in my stomach, a bruise the size of an orange above my belly button, and I swear I can feel the band under the swollen lump above the giant bruise. I cough and it hurts like no other. I've had several surgeries in life, but this... has to be the worst. I feel so full of air that I might pop, it hurts so bad even into my back that I can't get comfortable. The nurses were superb at being bitches to me, and I got in trouble for being thirsty, and 'drinking to much'. HUH???? What the f*cking HELL!!!! She said I could displace the band if I drank too much. Are you kidding me? I've been sipping all day but feel so full that it's hard to do even that. I'm down right thirsty. I have no nausea though.. Thank God for small miracles. Is any of this normal? I'm in absolute AGONY.... Do people really go get this done and pop out like some track star on steroids??? Cuz I feel like the shit on a shoe and am scared to death, not to mention exhausted from just breathing.