merlina

I am curious...I am just wondering how many incision sites everyone had after surgery? How long before the port site incision stops hurting? How bad are the scars? I was just banded last week. I have four incisions and the only one that bothers me still is the port site.

I was just banded on July 12th. The pain was the worst the first few days. Each day the pain got sooo much better though. The first and second day were by far the toughest. There was incision pain and gas pain. However...now I am only feeling incision pain where the port is and it is not so bad. I am a teacher and chose to stay home for the summer this year but if I had to go back to work I would have been able to do so yesterday (Monday)...a week after the surgery. In comparsion to the other surgeries I have had this has been the easiest and quickest recovery. Best of luck!

I am down about 15 pounds. I was banded on 7/12 and did not have to do a pre-op diet but did a modified version of one and lost 7 pounds pre-op. I have lost 8 pounds in the last week (since surgery). Sounds like you are all doing great! Keep it up!

I was banded on Tuesday. Is anyone else experiencing diaphragm pain? I have this intense pressure right at my diaphragm and it hurts to breathe. Is it gas? Or is this something I should be worried about?

MustangMama...I hear you! I am trying so hard not to complain to the friends and family around me (I was banded on July 12th). However, I know I have gotten significantly better since Tuesday. I am forcing myself to walk a lot and to drink fluids as much as possible. I am finding it really hard to watch tv...I never realized how much food and eating is incorporated into tv shows! Someone on here recommended a recliner chair and it has been my saving grace. I have been sleeping it in at night and it is amazing. I have been using lots of ice packs...I have four in the freezer. My doctor told me to not use a heating pad but rather stick to the ice packs. I picked up a box of herbal teas and have enjoyed trying the different flavors...even though I can only try a few sips. I am still happy that I chose to do this. I feel like right now I am going through withdrawal like a heroin addict...cept for me its food. I need to do this...I want a life again! Thinking positive thoughts for those of you getting banded soon!

Hi All, Just dropping by quickly to say that I am finally in Bandland! I was banded on the 12th. It has been a rough couple of days but BOY does each day get better! I am on full liquids as of noon today and was only able to drink a few sips of a creamy soup. I did try to drink some protein shake as well. I am feeling really naseusous a lot though. I don't think I am over the gas pains yet. I am also not sure if what I am feeling is hunger or pain. It feels like hunger but I am not sure. I will write more when I am more with it. I am really enjoying reading everything you all write! Good luck to those of you being banded soon! p.s. I have lost 11 pounds in a week! I lost a few before the surgery (no pre-op diet required except the day before but I did a few days of protein shakes only) and I have lost a few pounds since the surgery. Yay! ~karen

I had a hard time figuring out which shakes to try too. I am being banded next week and have finally found two that I do like. I went to Vitalady.com and ordered a bunch of samples (they weren't free...like 1.99 each). It helped me figure out what I liked. There are a variety of places that offer samples too...search for samples on here and you will find lots of information. Good luck!

Thanks Lifeisjustbeginning and Highland for the information about the medications. You have eased my mind a lot!

I only needed the nutrition and psch eval, a blood test and an endoscopy. At the surgery center I am going to, additional tests are required if there are pre-existing conditions. It seems like each surgeon requires different things. They will probably provide you with a list of required tests closer to the surgery. I think its good that you are thinking about these things...it is better to be prepared and not worry. If you think calling the office will make you feel better than you should do that

Happy Fourth of July All! My surgery is coming up in 8 days! I was at the pharmacy the other day to pick up a prescription (not related to the surgery) and asked him about liquid meds. He said that I should call the surgeon and ask him what meds I will be taking so he can pre-order them so that they are ready for after the surgery. I called the surgery center and spoke with the nurse. She said that they don't give liquid meds. She said most people are fine with regular pills. My question...for those of you recently banded...are any of you taking pills? Do you think I will be able to? I do take some meds that are in pill form that do not come in liquid form already so I guess I am going to have to try. It just looks like most of you are taking liquids and I am a bit concerned that the pills will get stuck. Any thoughts? I am also getting quite nervous. Just within the last few days I have developed a real fear of having the band inside my body...like I am going to want to pull it out (weird I know). I have had a spinal fusion and an ankle fusion and sometimes I have a panic attack because of the titanium implants. I get the idea in my head that the metal doesn't belong in my body. Last time I had a cast on my ankle I went completely nuts, went to the ER and made them take the cast off. I think I have some kind of weird phobia. I just don't want to experience the panic attacks after the surgery. Ugh! I am so happy to read all of the stories you have all written. It is helping me in so many ways. Thanks for all of the interesting posts!

Congrats all! I am happy to hear that your experiences have been so positive! Kay, you and I are scheduled to be banded on the same day We should keep in touch!

Good luck to those of you being banded today! Looking forward to hearing more from you all! Happy you got a date Shauna! We will be doing the preop diet at the same time. Happy to know that I won't be alone.

Congrats! Thanks for the info! Good to hear that it wasn't so bad. Your husband sounds like a gem! Lucky you!

Thanks Shauna for the article link about H Pylori. I really don't like thinking that I have this stuff in my stomach! Yuck! I will look for the Mio drink...thanks Lizzy2150 and MassMommyRebecca. I thought I was the only one that couldn't stand aspartame. Also...good to know that omeprazole can be cut in half. I have ordered chewable Celebrate vitamins because the vitamins I take now are horse pills. It was the gastroenterologist (sp?) that treated me that way...not my surgeon (thankfully). QUESTION: I realize I shouldn't be asking about fills yet but it is bothering me. I have read a lot about them on here. Has anyone's surgeon talked about when you would get your first fill? I know it varies based on weight loss and sensation. I just wondering if anyone was told when they would get a fill already.

That sounds like a horrible experience! Stay strong in New Orleans. You have done great so far!