drehn88

Don't feel bad for feeling that way! I don't like to admit it, but I've been pretty miserable since surgery. I have moments of good, but then I sit up or move and I'm reminded of my ab and gas pain. I'm really dreading going back to work on Monday. I have zero energy and honestly I'm afraid to eat too much because it still makes me nauseous sometimes. I've read other forums where people had a hard recovery time, but now they are doing great. I'm sure that will be the same for us!
For those not banded yet...I hope I'm not discouraging you. I've never had surgery before so I was oblivious to how I would feel. I'm sure it's not nearly as bad as other WLS. I think there are best case and worst case scenarios. To me, all are better than being fat and unhealthy.

Thanks! I needed to hear that!

I agree with the others. It really sounds like carb withdraw. If you ever read anything about Atkins they say you need make sure you're getting enough sodium during a low carb diet. That can really affect how you feel. If you log your food into my fitness pal it can give you sodium counts. Atkins even says to add a teaspoon of salt to your meals to make sure you get enough (I think it's 2500 mg for women, 1500 if you have high blood pressure).
Enjoy your meat and veggies. I'm on liquids until Tuesday and finally have an appetite since surgery on Monday. I would kill for some meat!

I'm only on day 5 post-op, but I agree completely with the feeling of being able to eat whatever I want. I feel that I can, but I'd be terrified to try it. I'm sticking to my 1/2 cup portions of purée food every 2-3 hours, even though I know I could physically eat plenty more (heck sometimes my stomach growls 20 minutes after a meal). My doctor told me that the first 4-6 weeks to focus on healing, if you lose great, if not there will be plenty of time to lose once you're completely healed.
I'd just be honest and talk to your doctor and maybe ask his suggestions on what to do. Personally I'm too afraid to eat more than I'm allowed (even though I KNOW that I physically can), because its just not worth the risk of messing up the surgery. I'd have to go into the witness protection program if I had to tell my wife that I messed up and wasted that 13,000 dollars we just spent! Lol
Good luck!! Be honest with your doc/dietician, they can help you!

I haven't heard that about salad, but it makes total sense. Once this post op gas is gone I don't want to eat anything that can cause gas too soon.

Day 5 post op and I feel the best I've felt so far! I was able to sleep only stomach with no pain! It's tricky but can be done Lol. My incisions are looking very good. A little gas pain still (mainly when I eat), still not 100% energy wise but getting better every day! I feel like I'm in the home stretch healing wise and that feels good. I'm able to eat/drink with no problems. Well minus the occasional shoulder/gas pain, but it's not overpowering. I'm very happy with my recovery so far and can honestly say that it hasn't been as bad as I had anticipated! Good luck everyone!! Btw sorry that I have posted updates throughout several May threads, it's hard for me to keep track of! Lol

Thanks for the tip. I don't want that! I googled trapped gas and came up with a lot dealing with gallbladder surgery. A couples things mentioned: lay on the floor and bring each leg up to chest one at a time. I tried that. Not sure if it helped, but it was dang hard to get on the floor and hard to get back up. Probably won't do it again. The other tip was to lay down and sit up over again. What I've noticed is when I'm in a half laying position and then I get up I can feel the gas move up my esophagus. It's a bit painful, but maybe that is what it takes to get out.

Day 2 post op has gone well for me. Only small issue I'm having is my right thigh feels a little numb. I can walk fine just feels odd. Read it can be from the straps on the table. Doctor said to keep an eye on it.
Other than that things are great. Trying to get a couple Protein Shakes down each day. Overall I really am not hungry so I just sip away. Weighed myself and have lost 24lbs since pre op diet started April 23 =D

I am right there with you! Today (3 days post op) I'm having a hard time taking deep breaths. There is a "heaviness" in my chest and I'm having a harder time swallowing today than any other day. I'm really hoping it's gas and will be gone tomorrow. I'm still not eating (drinking) very much at all. I'm a little concerned I won't heal as fast without the nutrients from food.
Hang in there. Thank goodness for LBT. Just knowing someone else is going through the same thing helps tremendously.

It sounds crazy, but flap your "wings" like you're doing the chicken Dance. It will help disperse some of the gas. If the pain doesn't go away in a week or so, consult with your surgeon.

I also had surgery on Monday. I am a lot more sore than I thought I would be. I like a to hold a pillow across my belly for support as I walk around the house as I feel so bloated. I've taken a few walks outside which has been nice to get some fresh air. Today is the first day that I felt hungry, though a popsicle filled me up too much. Trying to figure out the sipping. Yesterday was the first day I met my Protein requirement thru Protein Shakes. Today the emotions kicked in, what was I thinking, did I do the right thing?

I am right there with you! Today (3 days post op) I'm having a hard time taking deep breaths. There is a "heaviness" in my chest and I'm having a harder time swallowing today than any other day. I'm really hoping it's gas and will be gone tomorrow. I'm still not eating (drinking) very much at all. I'm a little concerned I won't heal as fast without the nutrients from food.
Hang in there. Thank goodness for LBT. Just knowing someone else is going through the same thing helps tremendously.

I'm one day post op. My suggestion is not to buy broth, but to buy the real stuff and strain it. You will probably need to "eat" something with the pain meds. I tried the broth last night and it was disgusting. As little as we will eat, throwing out most of a can of chicken noodle Soup to get the broth is worth it to me. Actually, I'm saving it in the fridge for my husband.
Good luck!

Day 3 post op... the pain is slowly subsiding. Mostly just gas pains & discomfort where the port is (Under my diaphragm hurts) still trying to sip Water & fruit/protein juice. Ive walked around the house to help move the gas but I'm going to start walking around my neighborhood. Lord I can't WAIT til there's no more pain...

One more thing I forgot. As they were rolling me to my room I got VERY nauseous. Luckily I was able to keep it from coming all the way up. I wanted to vomit so bad because the compulsion was so bad, but I'm glad I didn't. Then in the last 5 mins. on the ride home home (it was a 45 min drive) it happened again. I was able to stop it again. My trick? I kept swallowing and told myself "you are not going to puke". Maybe it was mind over matter!

Well May banders, here is my experience post-op. The first 30ish minutes of recovery were worse than I thought. It was hard to breathe because of the gas on my chest and you can't get up and walk in recovery. My throat was so dry it was hard to swallow, but ice chips cured that. My advice, ask for ice chips right away. The worst is the pain in my abdomen near my port (I think). It feels like a really bad pulled muscle. I'm assuming that's because they have to cut into the muscle to add the port. At least I'm hoping that's what it is. I'm not hungry, but very thirsty. With all that said, I'm so glad I did this.
Fellow newly banders, please let me know if you are feeling the same type of pain in your abdomen.

Two days post op and I'm feeling much better. This morning was rough. I think the swelling is worse in the morning because it was hard to get liquids down to take my pain meds. I really want to stop taking the medicine, but I'm pretty sure that's what keeps me from feeling bad. Pain is still in the left side of my abdomen (like a pulled muscle), but I think the gas pain is pretty much over. I hope this helps those of you not banded yet. I know it makes me feel better when I hear other people feel the same way post op.

My back hurt yesterday (2 day post op) also. It hurt much worse than shoulder pain. A heating pad didn't help either. Today I haven't had any back pain. Hope that's the same for you.

Two days post op and I'm feeling much better. This morning was rough. I think the swelling is worse in the morning because it was hard to get liquids down to take my pain meds. I really want to stop taking the medicine, but I'm pretty sure that's what keeps me from feeling bad. Pain is still in the left side of my abdomen (like a pulled muscle), but I think the gas pain is pretty much over. I hope this helps those of you not banded yet. I know it makes me feel better when I hear other people feel the same way post op.

Sharon Osborne (sp?) has the band. She's had it forever.

I can only hope there is a news crew around the first time someone tells him what a bad decision he made in choosing the band over the sleeve
Or better yet, he choose the easy way out, all he really needed to do was "Eat less, and move more".

I heard that on the news today. I was glad to hear it.

well, yeah...your insides were cut, moved around, something placed around your tummy and then something sewn into your tummy....so yep, its gonna hurt..deep inside....and it will for a few days until it starts healing, swelling going down etc..my stomach, when i stood up or whatever def felt like it was coming apart (but it wont).....and i was sore in mid section for about a month..i think its normal...stay ahead of the pain with meds if you need to..congrats on your surgery...well done

thanks for the update. I have eagerly been waiting to hear from several people how their surgery went! I'm very happy the procedure went well overall for you despite some of the yucky feelings afterwards. The difficulty breathing sounds a bit scary, though!!
Thanks for the heads up - esp. about the ice chips for the nausea. I am having just day surgery, staying in a hotel for the night then have a two hour drive home the next day, so it helps a lot to hear your solution.
sending you best wishes for your recovery

Good luck! I go in at 8:30 so 10:00 is probably my surgery time. Let us know how it goes!