chicadoodle

Hi all! My name is Kelly and I am a new bander. I received my Lap Band on March 28th of this year.... so it's been a little over 4 weeks. I was/am a self-pay patient and I have to say, my overall experience has been ok. I guess I had some "excess bleeding" with surgery that required a transfusion (ack!) and 3 days after surgery I was diagnosed with Phnemonia. Yeah... coughing after abdominal surgery = NO FUN AT ALL!!!!! But all of the negative aside, I am doing great. But I do have a few questions. Question #1: I'm assuming that it's my port incision (the largest incision I have) is still sorta "hard" and I still have a blackish-brownish bruise surrounding it. Is this the port that I am feeling that is making it hard to the touch? Why hasn't the bruising gone away yet? Any ideas? Question #2: I am going in for my first fill on Friday. I have heard and read numerous stories with all sorts of outcomes. But is your first fill more difficult than the rest? What should I expect? I was told at my consultation that they will use a ultrasound machine to assist with the fill, but besides the pain of the needle, is there other pain that goes along with the fill? According to the time that I started this journey, I had lost 23 pounds at my 1 week post-op visit:thumbup:.... so about 6 weeks time. I know this month I probably haven't lost any... more than likely, gained. I have absolutely NO restriction. Augh. Thank you for any answers you can give me. And Happy Losing to all of you!!:wink2: Kelly

Hi all! My name is Kelly and I am a new bander. I received my lapband on March 28th of this year.... so it's been a little over 4 weeks. I was/am a self-pay patient and I have to say, my overall experience has been ok. But I do have a few questions. Maybe I should ask them in the post-op section? Heck, I'll ask them here too. Question #1: I'm assuming that it's my port incision (the largest incision I have) is still sorta "hard" and I still have a blackish-brownish bruise surrounding it. Is this the port that I am feeling that is making it hard to the touch? Why hasn't the bruising gone away yet? Any ideas? Question #2: I am going in for my first fill on Friday. I have heard and read numerous stories with all sorts of outcomes. But is your first fill more difficult than the rest? What should I expect? I was told at my consultation that they will use a ultrasound machine to assist with the fill, but besides the pain of the needle, is there other pain that goes along with the fill? According to the time that I started this journey, I had lost 23 pounds at my 1 week post-op visit:thumbup:.... so about 6 weeks time. I know this month I probably haven't lost any... more than likely, gained. I have absolutely NO restriction. Augh. :wink2: Thank you for any answers you can give me. Kelly