Cat225

So, I spoke to the doctor on call earlier today. He said it could be blood from the surgery that's just making its way up to the skin. He said I should still come in to the clinic tomorrow and let the nurses look at it. If it was an infection I'd have a fever and feel crappy, which I don't. It really feels like the initial bruise I had last week. It sort of burns and is itchy, too. Delayed bruising...you learn something new every day.

The first few days of my pre-op diet I felt like you did. I had zero energy. After that I started to feel better. My mind even felt clearer. The whole 2 week diet really helped break my sugar cravings. It also broke my diet soda addiction. It was hard, but after the first week it got easier. Just keep going. You're doing this for a great reason!

My large incision is in the center above my belly button. It's all under the skin, no drainage or anything. It is a bit warm to touch. I think I'll call the on call Dr. tomorrow just to be safe. It's just so bizarre. Up until now I thought I was healing well.

I think it's on my left side. That's where the nurse said it was going before the surgery. I have two tiny incisions there, but I can't feel anything. I have been getting random pains on my left side, and in the ribs on my left side. I think my pants are irritating the large incision in the center. I have four incisions. Two small ones at the port area, one small one at the top of my stomach, and a large one above my belly button. That's the one that has the new bruise directly below it. I'm really wondering what's going on.

That's what I was worried about, that it might be an infection. All of my incision areas are red and raised, but that's normal for me, because I have very sensitive skin, and I'm really pale. I feel okay. I'm not abnormally warm, and don't have a fever. I'll wait and see how it is tomorrow.

I had to drink a brand of shakes that I was not fond of, at all. Some days I only managed to have 2 instead of the required 3. They were really gross. The first 3 days were the hardest for me. Some suggestions that helped me were to add flavourings to them. I added sugar free Carmel Torani syrup to the vanilla ones, as well as different flavors of Dasani Drops and Crystal Light. With the chocolate ones, I added some decaf instant coffee and also used a packet of Truvia to sweeten it. I also blended them with A TON of ice cubes, sometimes 9 or 10. Then I would take my time drinking as much as I could. Now that I'm post-op, I discovered something else I could have done with the chocolate ones, adding pure cocoa powder. You could also add sugar free hot chocolate. It makes it taste more chocolatey and less gross. I sometimes have this for Breakfast now. I'm also blending them in the blender with skim milk instead of Water. It makes a big difference. They still aren't the best, but definitely drinkable! Good Luck!

The initial huge bruise has mostly gone away. Just a little while ago, I discovered a painful new bruise with a lump, under some stitches above my belly button. I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this? I don't think it's enough to call the doctor on call, and will wait until Monday morning and call the nurses, if it's still bothering me. I just think it's weird to get a new bruise, where the old bruise was, a week later.

I felt so badly for Penny's little boy. It made me think of my son, and motivate me to make changes so I can be there for him. I don't understand how she was able to eat so much, especially the dumplings. I just got my band last week, and even without a fill, my stomach gets full, and hurts if I drink too much soup. Her husband was a terrible enabler, deep frying her food, and asking her if he could get her something to eat after she had just had just been weighed!

Mine was a day procedure, but I did pack lip balm, warm and cozy socks, and super comfy, loose clothes to wear home. I also brought all my medications with me, as well as Gas X, so I was prepared for afterwards. When I got home, I kept my bag on my bed with me, so I didn't have to reach for anything.

You look amazing! Congrats on being able to lose weight during a very difficult time. I'm so sorry about the loss of your dad and your separation. I lost my dad last year, too, as well as another close family member. My dad's sudden death was the most difficult thing I have ever experienced. At first, I couldn't eat anything. I lost 10 pounds. But, sure enough, after a week or so, my appetite returned with a vengeance, and in the year I ended up gaining over 40 pounds. I was the fattest I had ever been. I just got my band a week ago, so I'm starting off the year "fresh", too. We can both do it! You have done awesome so far!

I've been craving hard boiled eggs since my pre-op diet, so I puréed some together yesterday with a bit of water, light mayo and salt. It was revolting. The lesson I learned is egg salad tastes good...egg purée, very bad. On a tastier note, I made extra lean ground beef and spaghetti sauce last night, and then puréed a very small portion for myself, and topped it with a tiny bit of well grated light parmesan cheese. That was delicious. I also bought light ricotta cheese, and I'm going to make a lasagna without the noodles like Chasing a Dream had suggested. I'm finding since going on to the puréed stage, I'm starting to feel fuller for longer, and eating much smaller portions. Yay!

Thanks everyone! There are some great ideas here!

Wow! It's been almost a week since I got my band. I'm still quite bruised up and sore, especially in the center of my stomach, and my left side and shoulder, but I have a lot of mobility. Tomorrow will be the first day since surgery that I've driven the car. I'm glad I was able to take it easy the last week. There is no reason to rush things if I don't have to. So far I don't feel any different with this band. It's hard to believe that it's even inside of me. I do wish I could feel something when I drink and swallow. It's deceiving.

A nurse from my clinic called today. She said that if I continue doing well,I can start pureed foods on Thursday. Does anyone have any good ideas for me? My guide from the clinic has a sample meal plan and some guidelines, but it also says that I could buy baby food in the jars if I want. YUCK, no thanks! What I've been craving for the last few weeks is protein, especially eggs and chicken. How can I make some purees that will taste good? I know about unsweetened applesauce. I think I'll make my own.

Congrats to you! I was banded on 1/30. The first night was pretty brutal for me painwise, but it got better over the next day or so. You're lucky to be in the hospital. They sent me home that afternoon with painkillers that were as good as regular strength Tylenol!

Mine are itching like crazy, too! I think it means they are healing. I don't think there's much you can do. Try not to scratch. I know, better said than done! Lol

Thanks for the support everyone! I'm just so anxious to start losing weight. I guess I need to give it some time.

We were banded on the same day! I had that for the first 24 hours, but since then I've been able to. I still have a ton of gas pain in my stomach and shoulder, though. My shoulder feels like someone knifed it.

I was just banded 4 days ago, and there's no way I could go back to work tomorrow. I'm still in a lot of pain, gas pain, as well as pain from my incisions. I bruise easily, and I have a huge one in the center of my stomach. I'm also still pretty tired. That's just me. You may be a lot better than I am. At least going back to work will give you something else to focus on. I'm going nuts with boredom here!

I got my band on Thursday. I'm getting around the house easily now, and am going up and down the stairs as much as I can. I still have a lot of pain in the center of my stomach, but that's due to some pretty bad bruising. I'm still feeling tired, but doing my best not to lie around too much. food wise, Friday was all clear fluids, and today is the second day of full fluids. Am I supposed to be feeling restriction yet? So far I've had no problems drinking anything. Today I even started my Protein shakes again, making half servings with skim milk instead of Water. My husband thinks I'm nuts, but I'm really worried about gaining or not losing weight right now. After eating, I am satisfied for the first hour or two, and then my stomach starts growling again. They told me at my clinic not to worry about this stuff, but I am and I'm confused as to what it's all supposed to feel like in my stomach. All I feel in there is the gas pain. I thought I'd feel some sort of restriction or something. I'm going to contact my clinic coordinator tomorrow with my questions. It's just all new to me and I don't want to make any mistakes.

Congrats and good luck tomorrow!!

I am also in Canada. I was just banded this past Thursday. My surgery cost 16,000, but I get loads of follow up care included. I have thought about and read about the lap band for at least 7 or 8 years now. In that time, I gained 60 pounds. It's your decision. You can lose how ever much you want once you have it.

I had my surgery 2 days ago, and the only one who knows is my husband. I haven't decided if and when I'll tell anyone else. It's been hard pretending everything is fine with my family, but I don't need my mom worrying and giving me her opinion.

Hi Everyone! Thanks for all your helpful tips! I made it through the first night, but it wasn't easy. I was up from the general anaesthetic from my procedure around 3:30 pm. We were home at 6:30 pm. I didn't fall back asleep until around 1:30 am. My doctor prescribed me ketorolac tromethamine, which really hasn't been doing much for me. I spoke to him yesterday, and he said I could increase it to one every four hours, which still didn't do much. It didn't matter because I slept all day yesterday. I was so exhausted. Today, I'm feeling a bit better. I still have gas pain, but it's not as bad as it was. My left shoulder is still hurting. My main pain is coming from the center of my stomach where an enormous bruise is growing. The bruising is to be expected, but it hurts like hell and is limiting my mobility. I've still been trying to move around. I've been out of bed, and up and down the stairs several times. I'm getting my own Soup and stuff downstairs. I even looked after my son while my husband was out grocery shopping this afternoon. We watched TV together. Honestly, though, I'm still pretty wiped out. I really appreciate all the support from this forum!

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!