BringingSexyBackToTX

Okay so I am three weeks post op and my tape and surgical "band-aids" are starting to become really loose and fall off. Im nervous and I can even see the open wounds' date=' its freaking me out and grossing me out. I know this is normal but the wounds and the scarring, how do I minimize it? I go in the ocean a lot so Im in salt water...!?

Thanks xo Chloe[/quote']

Three weeks out and you have open wounds? That doesn't sound right. I was banded last Wednesday (17th) and my wounds are closed and healing. He used the Dermabond glue (like super glue in place of exterior stitches) and my wounds look pretty good (even the big port one) given the extent of the surgery.

Does anyone know why they tell you not to drink with your meal and instead tell you to drink 30 minutes after your meal? That is going to be a challenge as I'm so used to drinking Water or iced tea in conjunction with eating my meals. Since I've always done that - its going to be hard to retrain my brain around that. Is there a medical reason for it?

you are all great to read about! I'm more afraid of sleeping due to nightmares and confusion from the pain meds. anyone else having that problem? I know this is the right thing for me my head is just in a weird space! hoping for some comfort! thanks all!

I would call your doctor and ask for a different pain medicine due to the nightmares and confusion. You seem to not be metabolizing that particular pain med well. There are many choices they can give you - so why suffer with this one. I'm sure your doctor's office can easily just call in a different/better one for you. Don't add more misery to post-op then necessary - and you need the pain meds.

Hi I was banded in 2009 and recently for some reason my band decided to do some rare backward flip not sure what happened. Why? Who knows. Still not sure as I did all the right things. If it doesn't work second time round it will be the sleeve. Remember the band doesn't work for every one and when it does it wonderful.

Oh gosh that sounds awful! I hope that isn't common. Sorry you had to do that. Were you able to lose your (goal) weight in the interim?

I didn't worry about it on day 1 or 2 post op but started getting it in by day 3. It will aid healing and help keep you full. I have been having my shakes cold without any problem.

Me too. I've been having Protein Shakes (made with Unsweetened Plain Almond Milk) and I haven't had a problem getting them down. Actually - I haven't had problems getting anything down yet - which is making me nervous. I HATE throwing up and I dread having to figure all that out about what foods I can/can't eat via the old throw-up test. Not looking forward to that at all.

Post-Op/Day 4: Still feeling sore in my belly (like I did a million sit-ups) and tender around my incisions (especially around the larger port site). I'm not hungry but my eyes are starting to get hungry - which worries me. My Dr's plan is Week 1 "thin liquids", Week 2 "thicker liquids" (cream Soups, etc) and Week 3 "Mushies". I can't WAIT until mushies! I had a cream Soup lsat night (which I wasn't supposed to) and I just hope that I didn't blow anything. I also had to start taking applesauce with my crushed up meds (trying to swallow the powder solo was awful) and I had no problem getting the powdered meds down. I'm just today starting to have weird gas (but not uber painful) in my belly and finally had a BM last night (sorry if TMI, but I was starting to worry!). Now I want the lumpy/swollen belly to go away and my incisions to not be sore anymore.... ready to get back to feeling "normal" and starting this journey! How is everyone else doing so short out of their procedure?

Has anyone had problems with there incisions itching?

Yes. I believe that is normal and it is just that the incision wound is healing. Just don't scratch it - it can open and/or get infected!

Hi I was banded again on the 15/7 still very sore and the pain 2nd time round is a killer.

Just curious: Why were you banded twice?

Hi everyone hope you're all doing well! Stomach is just fine but my back friggen hurts. I miss sleeping on my side! Kbush how was your trip?

I hear you on the side sleeping thing. I still can't do that because of my port soreness, but its getting better every night. Hopefully in a week I can return to my normal fetal/side sleeping position.

Hello my fellow July Band Buddies! I was just banded on the 17th. Feel very bloated! Can't wait until I am all healed and on a regular routine. It will be nice to follow everyone's progress!

Hi MagsInAZ: I was banded on the 17th as well. Feeling pretty great except not running on full 100% energy. My stomach is bloated and a little bumpy near the port site, but I hear that is normal and that it will go away in a week or two. I gained 6+ pounds post surgery but I hear that is normal too (from the anesthesia and the saline drip they give you IV to keep you hydrated). I hope we both keep up the pretty easy recovery!

I have a friend trying to have the surgery and can not afford the 28' date='000 . Can you give me an estimate of how much it is in Mexico? Don't mean to be nosy and understand if you do not want to.[/quote']

I was self-pay and it cost $9,888 here in Houston at True Results with Dr. Hollis (he's been a surgeon for 20+ years and was previously an ER doc). The $9,888 covers everything even one year of fills. And he was GREAT (so far)! I'm having hardly any trouble/pains other than a little sore in my belly. I'd recommend him anyday... and for sure over $28,000 you are suggesting.

Day 2 post-op and I'm starting to get hungry but I don't want to eat. Week 1 is "thin liquids" and Protein Shakes. broth isn't really cutting it 100% but it does help. What are y'all doing about hunger pangs? I really think it is my eyes that are hungry more than my body is.

Ok fellow bandsters I just found out I got the sleeve instead of the band. I'm not sure how to process that yet......tbc

Wow! That's not a good surprise.

I go for my 3rd fill tomorrow! I'm not quite there' date=' but I'm close! :-)

(Sorry I'm just now responding, I didn't see replies til just now.)[/quote']

Who was your surgeon at TR Houston? I just got banded an Wednesday (2 days ago) by Dr. Hollis at TR.

I had my surgery on June 28. I am down 19 lbs so far. I get my first fill August 14th!

I was banded yesterday (17th) and I have my first fill on August 13th Best of luck to all of us!

Day 1 wasn't bad at all. Day 2 was a little worse bc of the gas, but its bearable. Op nurse called to check on me today and said that was normal for Day 2 because all the anesthesia is wearing off from yesterday. Now someone tells me that Day 3 is supposed to be the worst of all... I thought the worst was supposed to be Day 2? Yikes. So far though - its been no big deal. I'm just hoping it stays that way. I'm hoping the "Day 3 rumor" isn't true. How's everyone else doing?

I just weighed myself and I've gained FIVE pounds since yesterday morning's surgery! What the heck? Is that normal? I've only been on liquids and not many. Advise?

I had surgery yesterday morning - and I'm doing well, but I weighed myself this morning and I've GAINED 5 pounds in one day. WHAT??? I've been on only liquids and I don't know where its coming from. Is this normal?

Post-Op Day 2: So far, so good. My stomach is a little sore (feels just like I had a good workout) and my throat is sore (from the tube during surgery) but the gas is manageable and I get to shower today. I know that will feel good! I can't say that I'm not hungry, but I'm not really hungry and I'm trying to drink broth and then a Protein Shake - which will hopefully stop any hunger. I'd rather be not hungry for a while after all this trouble. The post-op nurse called and said that my stomach should be achy today because the anesthesia is worn off from yesterday morning. Nevertheless, I'm still surprised with how good I feel. I sometimes wake up and forgot I even had surgery. weird.

I hope the other July Bandsters are doing great too!

I'm officially Banded as of this morning by Dr. Hollis. I woke up a little nauseaus there in the post-op room, but they gave me anti-nausuea meds and a patch behind my ear (which they actually placed there pre-op) and I haven't had any more nausea since the post-op room. (Thank God and knock on wood!) I got home around 1:00 and right before I left they gave me a dose (15mgs) of Lortab. I came home and went to bed until 4:30 and was feeling good. So good that it made me (and my friend who is taking care me a little nervous). I walked around outside some and in the house. I went ahead and took another Lortab dose (just because I'd like to stay pain-free as much as possible) and had about 1/2c of chicken broth since I woke up a little hungry. I just woke up from that nap and I am having a Protein Shake. I found this chocolat Protein Powder called "Gladiator" which is 45g of Protein (2 scoops) and only 2 carbs which I mix with 12 0z of unsweetened, light Almond Milk. Tastes pretty good and that's a lot of protein! That will be all the protein I had all day. So far, it is going down well. My only discomfort so far is a little gas pain in the mid-chest area (hoping the GasX helps with that) and my throat is sore from the tube.

Overall, Day 1 has gone by WAY better than I ever thought it would. I'm walking around and such and plan to keep doing so. I'm nervous about tomorrow - which seems to be worse than Day 1, but I'm hoping I'm going to just stay on this path and it won't get worse. (Fingers crossed!)

Dr. Hollis has us on "Thin Liquids" for Week 1; "Thick Liquids" for Week 2; and "Mushies" for Week 3. I'm looking forward to next week - creamy Soups sound good right now.

My initial concerns with TrueResults and Dr. Hollis are now misguided. I really liked Dr. Hollis and his team. And my port site scar doesn't look too bad.

I hope all the other July Banders are doing well! Here's to our new life!

Getting Banded in the morning. I had my first set of fear and sadness tonight about the surgery - which is odd for me because I am usually a "trooper" and just power through things. This forum has been so helpful - but also makes me a little nervous, because there are so many mixed stories on here and some people really sound miserable post-op. But then again, some people seem to be doing rather well. Prayers for health and success for all of us on this journey and to reclaim our lives back. Prayers for me tomorrow.

Banded July 1:) and back to normal work and sicial life just eating way less n loving it

That's great news! How much have you lost since getting Banded?

Hello July Banders: I'm July 17th (1 day from today) and I'm nervous but ready... Here's to us having a great July post-op! Looking forward to sharing our journeys.

As the title of this post suggests' date=' I am new to Lap Band - and new to this forum!

My name is NaChae. I am a registered nurse, wife, and mother of 3. Since I had my first child I have struggled with PCOS and my weight. I have tried diets, workout plans, and all kinds of diet pills, but every success was short lived. The weight just kept coming back. After being on prescription diet pills (Adipex) off and on for the last year or two, I started weighing the long-term consequences of these pills on my overall health. A girl at my job shared her Lap Band story with me and I started consuming all the information I could find about it. To my surprise my husband was completely supportive! After a few office visits, some financial finagling, and an EGD.... I was banded on Wednesday, July 10, 2013!

I'm still on thin, mostly Clear Liquids. I'm not really hungry at all, but I'm eating (drinking lol) on schedule and taking in plenty of Water. Pain is tolerable, but definitely there, particularly where my port is located. I'm very excited about my future with Lap Band. I can't wait to shed the excess weight and show everyone the me that I am inside.

<3 NaChae

Starting weight: 220 lbs

Current weight: 216 lbs

Goal weight: 135 lbs[/quote']

Hi Nachae: I started a thread on here about PCOS. Check that out - several of us posted about it. Glad to hear your stories... looking for all of us to have great success. My surgery is on Wednesday (07/17). Nervous but ready for the new chapter to begin after 20 years of struggling with PCOS.

Thank you all; getting packed and heading to Houston. ---fingers crossed

Best wishes to you CotonDeTulear. I'm in Houston too... looking forward to seeing your success. I'm scheduled for Wednesday!

Thanks so much for sharing your stories. I was banded in March and am down 33lbs. My pcos symptoms are slowly fading. Good to know there are others out there as frustrated as I was with the catch 22 of having a diagnosis that causes weight gain while the only "cure" for it is weight loss. Best decision I ever made!

Cntrygrl13: Yes. Very frustrating! Glad to hear you have had such great success. -33 pounds since March is great! Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing!