LadyBlue

I was banded 2 weeks ago today. The large incision just under my left breast started to "ooze" a little today. The steri-strips are still on it and have not fallen off (my dr. said to leave them on until they fall off on their own). When I noticed the bottom corner of the strip was lightly blood tinted, I pulled it up a little just to see it, and it's not looking good. It should be pretty much healed after 2 weeks, shouldn't it? It's been very painful, as a week ago, I stretched one morning without thinking and it hurt pretty bad. I've only been able to sleep on my left side for 2 nights now, as it was too painful to lay on. I've put a call in to the dr., but haven't heard back yet. So I wanted to get anyone's input on this while I wait. Thanks.:confused:

Mine started out at about 3 inches to the left of my belly button and down about 1 inch. When I had my second fill, the port had moved behind my incision! (this fill hurt because he had to go into the incision). The dr. said it moved because of the weight loss. It has now moved a little above the incision scar -- at least the 3rd fill next week won't hurt this time!

Sometimes it helps if you "reverse the psychology" on him. By that I mean -- let him know : "how could I NOT want you, babe? I don't want YOU to be turned off and find someone else. I want to make sure I look and feel sexy for YOU. I also want to be healthy so we can maintain our fantastic sex life well into our older years, which will be even more fantastic after I've lost weight because I'll FEEL more sexy!!!! I also want to be around for a long time and I have to be healthy to do that. It's not just for me, babe -- it's for you and the kids, too." Just a thought -- hope it all works out for you!

It's definitely a learning experience, but it's not something that CAN'T be lived with! You'll start eating more cautiously because of the things you've heard and read about. Before my first fill and even after that first one, I didn't have any problems getting much of anything down! After the 2nd fill -- different story. It's taught me that I have a long way to go to learn how to pay attention when I eat; to eat slow and to chew thoroughly. It's so easy to get side-tracked when you're eating and before you know it -- something's stuck. I did read on another thread that keeping pineapple juice onhand is great for when things get stuck -- it helps it go down. I tried it last night and yes -- it works. (Put it on your grocery list now). Wish I'd know about that when we were on a cruise at the beginning of the month!!! When things get stuck, it's just trying to get it down or waiting for it to come back up. My husband asked me if it's worth it -- my answer to that -- YOU BET! It's teaching me to take it easy and slow down. And believe me -- you're not going to WANT as much food as you think. (Not to mention, as clothes start fitting loser, you bet it's worth it!):clap2::whoo: Good luck!

You shouldn't have any problems. You go on about your normal life -- as was mentioned, my only restriction was not to lift anything too heavy. Have a great trip!!

I get it when I haven't chewed my food to a pulp.

SD Chick, don't be too disappointed if you still have an appetite after the first fill. I was hungry and ready for real food the very night of my first fill. I had my second about a month later, and didn't feel like it did much. But we went on vacation (cruise) and I discovered real fast that the 2nd one worked pretty good. Not only did it keep me from consuming everything (I was able to get a taste of just about everything), but in the process my appetite has decreased immensely. I've heard people say that it can take 3-5 fills to get that "just right" spot. Good luck!

I get the hiccups and feel like I want to burp. My nose runs usually when it's too late and something is going to come back up.

Yep--keep in mind you'll still have an appetite until you start getting the fills. And even then you'll feel hungry until you get it just right (the fill!). I've had 2 fills. After the first one, I didn't notice any change. I didn't think the 2nd one did much until we went on a cruise a week and half later. All that glorius food and I was only able to eat a couple of bites at any given time. When it gets stuck, it gets stuck!!! My husband has gotten to know that look on my face now. If I don't pay attention to how I'm eating -- slow and chewing my food well -- then before I know it, something has gone down that wasn't completely chewed and it lets me know. The week was quite a lesson in how to eat for me. I'm still eating slow and well now that we're home. Didn't take long for me to catch on!!!

You are definitely NOT alone!!!! About a week after I was banded, I was sitting at the computer one morning. I usually always stretch while sitting at the computer and lean way back for a really good stretch!!!! I completely forgot about the port -- when I stretched -- IT stretched! And boy, did I feel it!!!! It was horrible. But as you said, the doctor's office stated that when you do that (or do the ab-lounge like I later found out also) that it pulls because it's sewn into the 6-pack muscle, and until the scar tissue is built up and healed completely, you will feel pain when doing things like that!!!

I'm glad I was approved before my insurance started requiring patients to see the head doctor. I don't like head doctors, as they like to "read" into everything. It seems like no matter what you say to them, they find an "issue" related to it. Geeeezzzzz! Good luck to you! As the others have said -- just hang in there.

As far as solids/liquids -- it depends on the doctor. They all prescribe a different diet before and after the procedure. My doctor had me on liquids for 5 days, then mushies another week. After two weeks, I was eating solid food. If you're not completely chewing your food, though, yes -- it'll definitely get stuck. Sometimes it can take a while for it to go one way or the other.

I agree it's a mind game. The sooner you get used to the new way of eating, the better off you're going to be. What's the purpose of a pig-out day when you need to change the way you eat? Just my opinion.

Don't ever think you're a failure! Nothing is going to go perfect all the time and that goes for anything. All doctors are different. Mine had me on mushy foods a few days after the initial surgery and then solids within the week. I just had my second fill today and was talking to another lady who had her band the same day & told her I still want to eat. So I'm eating a little because that's what I feel like I need to do. But I'm not going to overdo it. I'm taking it easy, eating a little solid food to kill the hunger and that's it. I know that it'll take several more fills for me to be at the "sweet spot." So I'm using it as the tool it's meant to be. I've noticed my clothes are more lose and that's progress. I'm down a total of 20 lbs. (2 months since the surgery), so I wouldn't have even lost THAT if I hadn't had the band. The band will work if you let it. Tell your dr. you're hungry and want to eat real food. Work together with him to get a plan that will work for you. You're just starting out, sweetie. You'll do fine!

I was wondering why they have you on Clear liquids on the day of and after a fill? Is it because of the actual filling of the band itself, or is it to allow your pouch to adjust? Thanks for the info!!

I'm glad you brought this up, as I've been thinking the same thing myself. Would it or could it hurt to take them until the right "restriction" is found?

I bought a couple of great cookbooks specifically designed for eating after weight-loss surgery. I go through each book and pick out menus/recipes for 7 days. Each day I cook what I picked out. So far, the meals have been fantastic. They are basically low carb, low calorie, and some with higher Protein than others -- but we've been eating so good, my husband is having a hard time believing the food is actually good for you -- there's so much flavor. This is what works for us, as I'm one who's got to eat real food. At least this way, it's healthy, tasty food.

Thank you, enterprise01, for the info about that cream. I will see about getting a prescription for it and using that (just in case)!! Have a fantastic weekend!

I can handle anything I'm asleep for (LOL) -- the pain I wake up to, I can handle. When I have to be awake while they stick a needle through my belly is terrifying.:faint: Oh well -- I'll get through it somehow.

I didn't get my band through Dr. Spivak, as I'm near Conroe, but now I'm scared as the dickens to get a fill. I don't like needles and I don't like pain:faint::omg: I get my first fill in a couple of weeks -- boy I hope my doctor or whoever does the fill in his office is GENTLE!!!!!:paranoid

My doctor did a pre-op diet of low carb, low calorie, high protein. They stressed making sure there was at least 60 grams of protein per day. I, too, was told it was to shrink the liver so it doesn't get in the way during the procedure.

Thanks for the responses -- the dr. finally called last night. We've been told to keep the strips on until they fall off on their own. Said to put peroxide on it and if the oozing starts to look greenish, then to come in. Have a great day!!!!

Something that my doctor suggested: he said if you must have something to drink while you eat, fill a glass with ice and have it next to you with your meal. Whatever melts while you're sitting there, you can sip on -- that way it won't be too much to wash the food through, but yet you can get a little wetness in also.

I've noticed a little of that myself. My theory is that it's a combination of a lot less food than we're used to, as well as basically losing our "best friend" -- we no longer have that "comfort" anytime we want and the body is reacting to that. Once the "greiving" is over and the body adjusts, I think it will get better. JMHO!!!

You have to have a BMI of about 40 and/or be at least 100 lbs. overweight. That doesn't sound like "just a little weight" to me -- but it's different for everyone. With the research I've done regarding the band, I've come across many, many people who have lost in excess of 100 to 200 lbs. Do your research, go to the seminars, ask questions.......until you decide what's right for you. Good luck!!!