nymoosic

I also had my surgery on Dec. 19th. I originally wanted to do it in the summer but my insurance wasn't going to come through in time, so I put it off four months until my next long break. I took the day before off for the endoscopy and then had surgery on Wednesday and was off on Thursday and Friday. I returned to work after New Year's. It worked perfectly. I needed the time because my port was so sore (still is). I am a fast healer, but poking those things through my abdominal muscles really did me in. Take some time for yourself. You won't regret it.

I'm an elementary school music teacher.

I'm a teacher, too!!! I bet my students are wondering why I'm walking around holding my tummy all the time. I'm very sore much of the time. At night I take the painkillers I had in the hospital so I can sleep better. I'm dying to kick up my exercise but I'm hurting and just can't yet. Oh well....time will help from what I've heard.

My surgeon says I don't need to crush anything. Ever. ???

I, too, will have my first fill at 8 weeks post-op. Frustrating!!! But, honestly, my port is so sore I can't imagine anyone touching it for five more weeks. But seriously! I have no restriction right now. Too much time between now and then to revert back to the old ways.

It's been almost three weeks for me and I've tried chicken, turkey, scallops, shrimp...some soft veggies...but no bread or red meat. Everything's gone down extremely easy with no problems. I can definitely tell when it's time to stop, but I think I'm just paranoid to see what one more bite can do.

I'm only 2-1/2 weeks out, but sleeping on my sides or tummy is completely out of the question still. WAY too much pain.

I am two and half weeks out and I still can't roll over in bed. Sleeping on the couch is much preferred to my bed....I guess it takes time.

Thank God for this forum. Thank you all. I'm 'normal'!!!!!!! Yippee!

Congratulations! I am very happy for you. And I hope to be in your shoes very soon!

I also had the same pain upon deep breathing. Keep breathing deeply and gently and it will eventually go away. It took about 5 days for it to stop altogether. I didn't think mine was gas (I had none at all), but thought it was my lungs and/or diaphragm adjusting to the surgery. Hope you feel better soon.

The third day after the operation I had a severe headache for about three hours and then that was it. Thank God. I hope it ends for you soon.

Wow, many of you are really lucky! My doctor made me lose 10% of my entire weight before I'd even be considered for surgery. There was no particular method for making that happen either....

I am 2-1/2 weeks postop and every time I bend or twist my port feels like it's pulling. It is very sore and for the first time since the week of the operation I could easily take some drugs. I also can't sleep on my side or tummy yet. I'm getting very uncomfortable still sleeping on my back. Is it normal to feel this way still?

Chapstick - you'll be very dry after surgery. A pillow for the ride home in the car -hold it against yourself so the bumps don't hurt so much. Good luck!

A friend who had bypass suggested I bring Chapstick with me. OMG, thank goodness she said that. It was the best advice ever! After surgery you will be parched!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I woke up from surgery, definitely a 9. It was bad....but, the nurses quickly got it down to a 7, then a 5 and all the way down to 2 when I finally went back to sleep. Up in my room I never experienced more than a 3 between meds. While on meds it was a 1. Don't worry. Just don't be afraid to ask for more medication. You're not complaining - it hurts!!!

We'll have to let each other know if it changes at all!!! My appt. with the surgeon is on Thursday so I'll let you know what he says.

YES! Mine has looked sunken since day one. Thank you for saying yours is the same!

Alright, I have a weird pain. When I breathe really deeply I feel a pain in my left side - sort of shoots up toward my shoulder, too. I'm thinking this is just my lungs/diaphragm stretching back to normal. I was not given one of those breathing things in the hospital and forgot to do deep breathing after my surgery. Do you think I'm correct in this assumption? I tried breathing deeply all day yesterday and it does seem a little bit better. I was banded 11 days ago. Your thoughts?

There is a group on Yahoo called something like Bandsters Insurance. They keep records of how long each insurance takes. You might want to join and check out their info, tables, etc.. Once I had completed all my doctor's requirements and they submitted it, my insurance approved it in a few business days. I was extremely impressed.

I was banded 11 days ago and just tried sleeping in bed last night for the first time. I am a tummy sleeper, so sleeping on a recliner is different for me, but honestly my only option at this time. Lying down and getting up from that position is extremely painful. I'm content in the recliner.

Good luck! Soon you'll be on the other side and won't even remember all the anticipation!

I was banded on 12/19 and am supposed to be on clear liquids for 14 days. I knew I wouldn't be able to handle that and sure enough I was right. I added yogurt, pudding, soup, and cream of wheat on my own. I DO NOT believe in lowering the caloric intake to that extreme. It raises havoc with your metabolism and I can't live that way. I try a little of something new and see how it goes down. That's my suggestion. If a teaspoon of something new doesn't go down well, then don't continue. Good luck.

I was just banded last Wednesday and also feel the same kind of pressure. It's not connected with my eating or drinking, though...it's just there every once in a while. I've heard this is normal. Anyone else have this?