LiseSeattle

Ooh my gosh - I'm in the exact same place. EXACTLY. I can't pick up my dogs, I can't laugh without the port side hurting...can't even go to the bathroom normally...hurts to "wipe" because of the "reaching" effect that pulls at the stomach. Ugh. I was just banded 4 days ago and thought I would be able to go back to work 2 days later...noooo way. Ended up working from home but new plan is to head back in on monday. we'll see how that goes. thank you for posting. makes me feel like i'm not alone!

I was just banded about 4 days ago. Whenever I cough, sneeze, hiccup, laugh (not doing much of that the past week), yawn, etc my stomach hurts...specifically the port side. Can doing any of these things have a negative impact on the port...such as pull a stitch? I'm afraid to clear my throat! Ugh...eeek. Even when I go to the bathroom and "push" I can feel it on my side and I'm all paranoid. Anyone else going/gone through this? Lise

You aren't alone. I am 4 days out and I'm feeling the same way. I've been posting about my experience in my blog (link below) because it helps to write about it. I keep telling everyone it feels like I've been stabbed in the stomach ... port hole stings and feels like there is a pulling going on. Ugh. Wish I could snap my fingers and a week would go by. Ugh - just coughed. Hurts. Owwww!!!!

I know this time is for recovery...but just wondering if others gained/lost weight? My post-op has been full of ups/downs as far as my weight. 3/4 (surgery): 227 3/5: 226.8 3/6: 230 3/7: 227.2 3/8: 224.4 My upper stomach (yes, it looks like I have 2 stomachs) looks like it is full of liquid...it's all watery and jiggly (and not fat-jiggy...a different kind of jiggly). I feel like the blueberry girl on Willie Wonka who needs to be drained. Please let me know your stories! Lise

My schedule was as follows: Seminar: Feb 21 Psych Exam & Nurse Consult: Feb 25 Surgeon Consult: Feb 26 Banded: Mar 4 So - it all happened in about a week and a half. The fact that I was self-pay helped to speed it all up. Insurance wouldn’t cover me b/c I’m not morbidly obese, do not have diabetes or other serious health problems, etc.

I plan to take up knitting...and I can't even sew a patch on a pair of pants so it should be interesting!

Yeahhh - I'm so excited for you! You are going to do great. It's not as scary as it seems and the surgery goes by so quickly. I've been keeping a blog of everything that happens after surgery so you should check it out (link below). I've posted recipes, tips on how to cope with constipation (yes, it's not fun) and more. Best of luck - you're about to change your life!

obviously you are doing something right - just look at your results so far - amazing!!! you should be so proud of yourself!!!

I was just banded a few days ago and it's hard b/c you think that you'll start to feel the effect of it immediately (feeling full, etc) and then you don't...and you have to wait 4 weeks until your first fill. ugh! I want to feel full now! patience is what i have to keep telling myself...and keep experimenting to find liquids that taste good so i will stick to the post-op plan. you can do it. i know you can.

It's saturday - you are allowed to feel slow!!! I haven't taken my pain meds for 2 days b/c i'm just tired of being constipated. I'm going to take a walk today, as well. Only problem is that when I walk I tend to get gassy and then need to run to the bathroom...ugh! I may look young, but I am about to turn 31. Is that young? I guess it depends on who you ask. I doubt you are old enough to be my mom! Have a fabulous day - and imagine what we will look like in a year - here's to the band-ettes!

I am I am I am!!! And I'm all gassy and gargly and gross. My stomach feels like there is a bunch of liquid in it and it's heavy. Ugh. When will it go away!!!

are they ever!!!!!! so good i chipped my tooth on one and reached for another!

Awhhh - thank you! And you are way too sweet! It's hard to see myself as pretty at this weight but i look at pictures of myself when i was thin (not too long ago) and think wow - what a happy woman. I look at pictures of myself now and think "ewwww...who is that"? it's hard to see yourself go from one thing to another so fast. but a lot has gone on in the past 2 years - husband got very sick...new job...etc - no excuse, but things that contributed to the weight gain. i'll keep blogging as long as you keep writing comments that keep inspiring me! :crying:

Laura - you are a genius. I've reread your post like 10 times and each time I feel better and better. Thank you for taking the time to write so much fantastic information. I really appreciate it. And it helps me to understand what's going on with my body. People like you are what make the world a better place!!!

oooh my - your babies are toooo cute!!! what little love buttons! seriously - we should get our dogs together for a walk! :crying:

haaha - brave...or nutty...one of the two! :crying: i'm a bit sad because since the surgery i've not lost any weight but it's only been 3 days and i have to keep telling myself that i am not supposed to lose weight until my first fill. i'm just impatient!!! I've been sleeping well the last 2 nights - except for my tinkle breaks...still having odd bathroom time - where i tinkle a little - stop - wait - tinkle a little more - stop - tinkle - tinkle...done...but wait - tinkle. nuts! i thought i could only take off 2 days but boy was i wrong. i ended up taking off the rest of the week and will hopefully return on monday - i'm jealous you have 2 full weeks off!!! that's great that your boss is so supportive. everyone i've told has been amazing - but if they gave me any negativity i would give them a mouthful so they wouldn't dare be anything but supportive! :teeth_smile: can you feel your port? since i still have the bandages on i can't tell if it's the bandages or the port i'm feeling and i'm too scared to push hard. fun times. :eek:

ahhh - i never thought of jollyranchers. thank you for the tip!!!

last night i chipped my tooth on a werthers. but i still love them!!! :crying:

riskylady - you are amazing!!! congrats - i can't wait to get my first fill and actually start losing! thank you for the inspiration!

I started taking MOM today after 3 days of no movement. MOM was all I needed...now I can't stop whooshing!

very nice chart. i'm severely obese. dear lord. i think when i get to "normal" i will tattoo it on my forehead!

you are too silly! congrats on having a collarbone - i want my cheekbones back!!!!

I'm out and proud! I started a blog where I post everything from the photos of my surgery to my constipation to my favorite liquid "foods". At first I was going to tell a handful of folks but then decided- what the heck. if i can help one person feel more comfortable then why not. it's been really great and taken a burden off of myself. couldn't be happier!

I can't believe how great everyone has done - I'm just starting out but this thread is a huge inspiration for me. You are all my heroes and I can only pray to be as successful as you in the year to come! lise

hahaha - you are too kind. my goal is to get my cheekbones back!!! not sure if that's a weight or size (do cheekbones come in a size) but i'm inspired to look like i did 2 years ago...i mean - it's not like i'm trying to look like i did 15 years ago in high school...2 years is not that much of a stretch...right? :eek: