Creekwood

I was banded Monday 5/6. Everything seems to be heeling pretty well. My incisions (you can see a 48 hour after photo under thread "my incisions 48 hours post-op" thread if you like) seem to be healing fairly well. No drainage today. They are starting to itch so that means they must be starting to heal! I'm happy about that. I am still very tender/sore in the stomach area. I can put my own socks on starting yesterday though! Lol The pain isn't horrible, just taking tylenol a couple times a day. Unlike some other I have been able to eat/drink within my guidelines without any issue. I have been getting feelings of hunger and thirst. No nausea to speak of at all. My pain/soreness gets better everyday. My gas pains haven't been horrible. I do get it them and when they do they can be pretty uncomfortable but they haven't lasted long. Usually when I eat/drink I will get them. I have had no back pain to speak of. I had my first BM today (sorry if its tmi but constipation can be a problem for people after surgery) and I was happy that that waiting game was over. I feel that I've been fairly lucky overall in my recovery. My energy is nowhere near 100% but I didn't expect it to be. I am very happy with my progress so far and figured done pre-op people would like to know! Ask ANY questions on here or via message if you would like. I'm an open book.

Congratulations on your success!! You're a true inspiration man!!

I admire your courage of posting your before and after pics. I'm sure most people wouldn't. But, excess skin can be a big problem for people and I know the reason I joined this site was to get a "real" account of things lap-band related. So thanks for sharing! It looks great! Your surgeon did a great job and as it heals I'm sure it will look even better and better! You have done a great job on your journey and continue to help others (like ME!), who are just starting on theirs!

Oops I was in here too..... LOL

No need to apologize, do what works for you! I'm just making a goofy off-topic post. It's me being lazy! 99% of the time I use the app on my iPhone and never notice, but today I was using the desktop site and saw a very long post that was nearly impossible to read Lol.

Am I the only person that refuses to read posts that are in crazy fonts/colors that make them hard to read?? It drives me nuts Lol Usually I am on the mobile version and everyone has the same

I was banded Monday, I have been lucky to not experience some of these things. BUT, the trouble taking deep breaths is gas. At least my experience has been that. I had the same feeling walked around a while, a huge belch came out and that pressure was relieved. It felt really good, my gas pain was a very nagging type of pain. If you don't feel it's safe to shower yet, then don't. Not worth the risk, unless you have someone home who can help you or at least be on standby just in case. But, I'd just wait. My doc told me to focus on Water at first to not get dehydrated then move to Protein Shakes when ready (hopefully after a few days). I hope you start feeling better and are able to sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk. I know it has helped me big time! Good luck!!

Great job!! Congratulations on your success so far! I'm sure you will have a lot of future milestones as well!! Good luck!!

Good luck to everyone having their surgery today!! I had my surgery Monday and every day gets better and better!!

I know that Jamie Dukes (former nfl player and current nfl network broadcaster) has the realize band. Rex Ryan's brother Rob Ryan also has a band. Rob is the current Saints D-coordinator.

I had surgery Monday and have been doing really well! My experience is that I expected it to be a lot worse than it really is!! You will be fine, just stay calm and remember why you are doing this! You'll be post-op eating a SF Popsicle in no time!

I was definitely pretty irritable during my pre-op, but If you work with high school kids you have more patience than me already Eventually my hunger essentially faded. I told my wife that my stomach gave up its hope for filling food Lol. I had the surgery with 5 incisions on Monday (you can see pics 48 hours post-op under post-op forum, I posted it tonight). Honestly the only incision site that hurts is the main one above my belly button where the port is. My son accidentally pushed on one of the others and I didn't feel a thing. But, if he would have pushed off of the port site I might shed a tear Lol

Thanks! I'm definitely happy with my progress so far and look forward to each day getting better and better!

Overall I feel pretty good. I have been tired/exhausted today, but I think that's mostly anesthesia. The pain hasn't been too bad, took Tylenol this morning, nothing since then. A little gas pain here and there, more discomfort than pain. Eating some food, drinking enough liquid. My stomach area is definitely very sore/tender when I move around but that's to be expected. Definitely noticed an improvement from yesterday! Hoping to feel even better tomorrow!

It is definitely crazy how different pre/post op diets can be. Refried beans were good, I won't lie. Hopefully your two weeks fly by!

I was always curious what the incisions would look like. So if you are pre-op and curious, here are my incisions 48 hours after surgery! I have some drainage but not very much, mainly from the port incision (directly above my belly button).

My surgery was on Monday. My incisions (mainly port incision) are still sore/very tender, especially when I stand up or sit down. But, overall my pain hasn't been too bad today. Only taking Tylenol for it and not in nearly as much pain as yesterday. Still feel exhausted/worn out, but it always takes me a few days for the anesthesia to run its course. As far as eating/drinking today I have had a 1/2 cup of retried beans/sour cream, 3 cups of water, a protein shake and a SF Popsicle. When I drank my protein shake I drank about 2 ounces every 20 minutes. My stomach hasn't been upset when I eat, buy often I have little desire to eat. My doc said If I don't feel like eating the first few days just make sure I drink water and stay hydrated. Good luck!!!

I'm sure every doc is different but I also have a two week appointment, BUT I won't get a fill then. It is mainly to check incision and for them to evaluate if I'm ready for soft foods. Then I go back two weeks later (four weeks after surgery) for my first fill. Every doc is different but I know what you mean about being in pain, having a fill is the last thing on my mind right now Lol. I don't even like touching my port incision, it's very sore. But, we will be feeling great in no time!

Walk, walk walk, and gas x strips helped me! Good luck, it will get better. When I walk I also roll my shoulders or move my arms above my self. Good luck!!

Also a protein drink! High protein, low carb, there are a million to choose from. Everyone has a different preference.