Autumn444

Hi there everyone - I had my sugery on March 29, 2007. I was on 1 week of full liquids, 1 week of mushies, and now starting on solids <slowly> Through all of this, I have been having pain in my post site. It seems to be worse in late afternoon and evening. Its not a constant pain by any means. Its more when I turn, bend, or sit for a period of time. And the pain is just like when i was in the hospital... that ache that makes you cringe and makes you catch your breath. Did everyone have this? Am I doing something to agravate it? I see my doctor on Thursday. I was hoping by now, the aches and pain would have been less then what they are still. Any input by you all would be great! Autumn

You are not alone! My surgery was 6 weeks ago, and my port site was painful up until about a week ago. It was as if it up an left. Which was a wonderful thing since I too went through tramendous pain with my port site just as you are. Whenever I used my abes, I would cringe in pain. Hopefully things will ease up soon for you!

Well, I think this deserves an answer of what one who is super obese goes through. I was 354lbs prior to surgery. I am also 5'5. This puts me at the super obese ratio. Never did I feel I was that big. However, When I was having my continual back problems to where I could not even turn properly to take care of my hygene without assistence with a an extra long handled lofa, or had to use towlettes around the extra roll around my tummy and groin, I had enough! I never had to get a seat extension, or any of that. But I did and still do get stares because I have a limp from have 10 hip surgeries. With the added weight, this causes my limp to be more pronounced. And I always hear people go, that pour girl... look, if only she would lose weight, she wouldnt walk that way.... There are indeed extra propblems that come with the bigger package. I am happy I got the band! I have loss a total of 43lbs since March 29, 2007... And I feel great! I still have over 160lbs to go!

The greatest lunches I have had are the South Beach Diet frozen meals. Not only are they loaded with protein, but they also taste pretty darn good. I also do the tuna cups, and fresh button mushrooms with lite ranch dressing. Very filling and easy to eat.

Hi there - The person he spoke of is me. However, I did not bend down, I sadly slipped on a wash cloth that my son neglected to pick up after his shower. I did almost a complete slip. Now, I have had 10 hip surgeries, and was not even thinking about my port ect. I was more concerned about my hips. However, once I recovered, I started my shower again, When I lifed my arms for the shampoo, that is when I felt the port pain. It was a sever burning pain. I went to the doctors and she confirmed that the left side of my port, I ripped some stitches. She said that scar tissue will correct it . No need to go back under. :-) Needless to say, since that has happend, I have taken it easy, and I have no more pain. Today is my 4 week post op. I have losed 38lbs!

Just ordered the Matrix from said link! Cant wait to try it! I have been wanting to add more Protein to my diet. Thanks so much for sharing the link and product!

Hi all - Just had a grand weekend planting another japanese wisteria... They are so beautiful when they bloom in late spring! I will be training it on an trellis in the front yard that sadly is bare... I also added to my fruit trees in the back. I just bought a lovely 4 year ild peach tree that is already blossoming. I love peaches! This will be a lovely addition. My biggest job at this time is placing my bulbs/tubs back into the ground. As some of you may have heard on the news, southern california went under a frost a couple of months ago... I had to dig up the bulbs fearing that they would be harmed by the frozen ground. Now I am back at it trying to re-entraduce them back to their homes! lol My veggie garden is under way! Over 25 greenbeans plants, half dozen tomatoe, bell pepper, and italian squash, peas, and watermelon are all thriving! There is nothing better!I love this time of year!

awwww.... just the idea of killing a living creature makes me sad. They are just trying to survive. Yes, the can be a bit of a problem, but remember, we all live on this earth and share it. The best thing to do is something not to harm, but detour.... Here are a few web sites. I hope this helps! http://www.critter-repellent.com/rabbit/rabbit-repellant.php?source=GoogleAW

Hi Sweet - I was banded on March 29, 2007. On Thursday, it will be 4 weeks post op. I have losr 38lbs so far. VERY fast. The pain however is still lingering. I sadly also had a slip and fall that split a few of my stitches just last week which caused even more discomfort. I think we all heal differently. My doctor told me that a lot of the pain is do to nerves that are on the mend and also the movement one makes stretches and causes discomfort. I hope all goes well for you. Good luck with your LapBand journey! Please keep us posted! and WAY TO GO on the weight loss!

I am already 3.5 weeks postop, and have done wonderfully. As for family, my mother in law had the gastric bypass and eats more food than I ever thought one with such surgery could hold. So, needless to say, when I messure my food ect, it makes her feel like I am trying to show her up! Problems with family can be jaw dropping at times. We just can do what we can do and be happy with the pounds melting away! You are doing so great! Keep us up to date! Love your post!

I bought a pill crusher at walmart of a little over 3.00. It works great with the pills I need to crush!

It really depends on many factors... Such as if you lose it very quickly and your skin has a hard time catching up. Most people lose their weight in their upper region of their body first. Face, neck, shoulders, and breast. You might want to ask your doctor his/her opinion.

I am not happy about this new layout. I was happy with how things were prior. Not only am I having a problem navigating, I am also having a problem editing my post. This is most annoying! I sure hope they correct the bugs in the system soon. Or at least take our comments into account!

Hi all, I spoke to my surgeon about this subject as well.... She said that it really does depend on ones body type and frame. I dont ever remember being at a normal weight. I have always been overweight. However, I was surprised to learn that I am actually a small frame. So I am going to shoot for 140lbs. I am 5'5 and just over 300lbs right now. I dont think this is unrealistic. It is my goal, and if i dont get there, I wont be sad. I am happy with the now 38lbs I have lost in 3.5 weeks! I am a winner either way!

I tend to shop at Lane Bryant, Torrid, The Avenue. However, I have so many clothes ranging from 26/28 at my largest which was right before banding, to size 16 which I didget down to in 2005 right before I traveled to back home to Ireland. Came back to California, dropped my low carb diet, and put on all the weight back plus some. Cant wait to be down to a 16 again! God I love my band!

No... they said the scar tissue will adhear to the port and secure it. ONLY IF I TAKE GREAT CARE! so the Dr. says! lol. Yes, it was scary when he told me that. And yes, the first thing out of my mouth was, Do I have to go under again for you to fix it? She said no. Thank God! So needless to say, I have to make sure I dont break the rules of , Bending, formal exercise <other than walking>, picking up anything over 10lbs, and also to try and stabalize my stomach when I cough, sneeze, ect. So far so good. I had to really good days this week, but today I am feeling pain again. I went to the garden shop with my husband today, and walked for hours picking out plants for my back yard, I didnt pick anything up, but the walking wore me out. Time for a lite nap :-)

I understand the like of fast food. Ofcourse it is what made me fat.... The need to eat and the easiness of getting in your car, driving through the drive in and ordering what you want. even when the little voice in your head says, you dont need that, or can I really eat that much? But you do.... and then mentally promise yourself that you will have a lite dinner to make up for it. Not to mention the secret car eating binge. No ne will know that you ate this way except for the attendent waiting on you.... You dont have to eat around people... you know the ones, the ones that stare... you know what they are thinking. Because you are thinking the same thing. What a rollar coaster ride. I am so happy that I no longer want or desire fast food. And more important to me, I no longer want to be the way I discribed. This is a life change when this band was placed in me. Its not just the portion control, it is the life style you chose to live.

Okay... the night I came home from the hospital after surgery, I PBed on a quarter of a pill. It was a horrible experience! I was very shy about trying it again. Even with the amount of pain I was in. Soooo, I ended up sending my husband out to get the Tylenil Extra strength Rapid Blast Liquid. It worked great. It took the edge off, and it was easy to swollow. I hope this helps. Good luck and keep us posted!

I wish you well with your journey! Welcome to LBT! Keep us posted with how you are doing!

I sadly tore my stiches on the left side of my port just recently from a slip in the shower. I was unaware of it until I lifted my arms and felt the searing pain that made me scream out. I went to the doctors where the confirmed it. Needless to say, they told me to go home and baby myself. It can now take up to 6 weeks for healing.

Wow... okay... i never had an addiction to soda/pop... I have been drinking either propel or crystal light. It does the trick for me. Sometimes I even get the Diet Arizona green tea! IT wonderful!

Big Thunder, I am not sure where you are located, but my doctors that are in Fountain Valley, California have done many surgeries on people that have a BMI higher than yours. As a matter of fact, Dr. Peter LaPorte was in the news paper just last week being acknowledged for doing WLS on a man 700+ pounds sucessfully. It can be done. It sounds like your doctor is more fearful rather than helpful. Get as much info on Doctors who do surgeries with people over the 50 BMI. You should have a pretty good arguement to your insurance company and the doctor.... Best of luck you you.

Hi Meltini - WELCOME! I too had the excitement and anxiety preparing for my surgery! I think we all have. The moment when you can really start using your band... Knowing the benefits of having it, will bring such joy to you! We are so happy to have you join the bandsters! I know your journey will be as wonderful as ours! Please keep in touch with all the goings on with you! Autumn

I totally agree with you! Not only can this effect your thyroid, but it also makes your body more reliant on such drug rather than working it out via what was stated above. Dont forget that these pills are stimulants... they effect your hear and other vital organs....

Hi all, Just got back to from the doctors today. Sadly I have ripped some of my port stitches!!!! A few days ago I was getting ready to take my shower.... Mind you, this was right after my son took his. Needless to say, my 11 year old forgot his wash cloth that was so carlessly left on the bottom of the tub/shower. When I got in, I did not see the washcloth and I hydroplaned doing the slits! This is quite and effort for me since I have had 10 hip surgeries !!! LOL Well, I didnt pay much mind to my tummy... i was more concerned for my hips... Regained my balance, stood under the very hot shower in hopes of some relief from now the throbbing muscle pain.... Preparing to wash my hair, I lifted my arms to get the shampoo, and thats when i doubled over in searing pain on my tummy! DH came running in because of the scream I let out.... He helped me out... I told him what happend.... He called the doctor only to find out she could not see me till today. They said if I ripped something, it would bruise... If it starts bruising badly, take me to the hospital! Well it didnt bruise... But low and behold, The doctor checked me and confirmed that my left side of the port was loose from the stitches being torn... UGH. Now I am back not being able to lift, bend, sleep on my side or anything else till this heals up... She said it could be up to 6 weeks!! Sooooo.... Now I have more pain to whine about on my port site! Everyone be careful of that careless washcloth!!!!!!