Elisabethsew

My surgery was 3/30 and my first fill is scheduled for June 5th.

I had my gallbladder out a few years ago and that surgery was a breeze compared to this one. LOL. I'm preparing for my comprehensive exams for my PhD and really thought I would "bounce back" from this surgery as well as I did for the gallbladder surgery. I'm glad to hear I am not the only one taking longer than expected to feel like normal again. I'll be a month post-op on Thursday and will start on solids a week after that... hopefully that will make a positive difference.

Thank you for responding. I still have to consume 2 protein drinks a day with the soft diet so that I get 60-70 grams of protein. I took a week off from work to recover but still feel exhausted at the end of a 12 hour shift. I'm hoping I regain my energy level soon and start sleeping better.

Has anyone noticed that they are more tired and/or sleeping less since being banded? :notagree I had my surgery on 3/30/06 and can't seem to get more than 4-5 hours of sleep. I'm on a soft diet for weeks 3-5 (will get solids in a week and a half) and don't wake up hungry so why can't I get a restful sleep? I take all the Vitamin supplements and have been sticking to the diet (first fill not until 6/5). I am an RN who works 12 hour shifts so it's not like I am sitting around all day. I also go to school full-time and NEED my high energy level to get everything done. Lately, I'm so tired when I get home from work that I can't concentrate on school work. Am I unique or is this something others have experienced post-op. If you have, when does your energy level kick back to normal?

Hi Kim, Did they do a pelvic sonogram or transvaginal sonogram? If so, THAT is usually how they diagnose PCOS and then confirm the degree of the PCOS with the hormonal blood levels. I have never heard of giving glucophage to get pregnant. It's to regulate insulin levels. I really think you would do better seeing an endocrinologist. They deal with this type of problem all the time and can best determine a treatment plan individualized to you. The medical profession is not all it's cracked up to be. LOL. I will give you some inside advice, however. Stay out of hospitals in July and August. That's when the medical students of yesterday are now out "practicing" as interns. A lot of RNs take vacation in those months. LOL.

It would NOT be a good idea to go on birth control pills if you're in your late 30's, a smoker and overweight. That's a triple threat. I do NOT smoke but was on birth control pills (low dose) and nearly died in January when I had pulmonary emboli (blood clots in both lungs). Because many people with PCOS develop diabetes, nearly all patients are placed on glucophage. Make sure you ask a lot of questions before taking medications. You might also consider seeing an endocrinologist.

I am also a side sleeper and the WORST part of the surgery for me was having to sleep on my back. I was able to turn on my right side after about 8-9 days and could tolerate being on my left side at about 2.5 weeks post-op. I am now 3.5 weeks post-op and still have twinges of pain when I sleep on my left side. My surgeon told me the healing process takes 6 weeks so hang in there... it gets better.

I'm 3.5 weeks post-op and, like you, have had no fills yet and can eat anything I want without restriction (I'm on a soft diet). If it were not for the incisions and being able to feel the port, I too would think they did not inplant a lap band in me. LOL.

Congratulations on your amazing progress. I wish you continued success!

I'm an RN so you know I HAVE to say you should see your MD. That said, I do not think your incisions look bad or infected. As you heal, it's natural to see the red color along the suture line as well as some "puckering" of the skin. It's also natural to "itch" as you heal. Clean the incision with alcohol or betadine and then apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream/ointment. Shower daily and clean the incisions after your shower and apply the antibiotic cream/ointment. You're suture lines looked well healed so you might want to consider calling the MD to move your appt. up so you can get the staples out.

Chris, I did not know about the LI group on Yahoo. Can you send me the link? It would be nice to get together with others who have has this surgery. Thank you for letting me know about it.

I was having a hard time getting in the protein shakes also and I hate yogurt. The dietician allowed me to substitute lite ricotta cheese (4 oz) for the yogurt and that filled me up. You might want to consider trying a soy based protein shake instead of the slim fast.

I am 3.5 weeks post-op and have no problem taking any pills. I don't get a first fill until June 5 but my surgeon said to break any pills bigger than a dime in half.

YOU are a wonderful, talented, sincere woman with a successful professional career. The men you're going to date should be kissing the ground that you've decided to go out with them. I would suggest that you not go into these dates prepared for rejection. Instead, go to them with the intention of meeting a new friend. After all, you want a life partner to be your best friend so don't look at the men as potential husbands on a first date. You're going to be wonderful because you already ARE wonderful so go and have a good time. See what develops.

Are you allowed to have protein shakes? My surgeon was a stickler that I get 60 - 70 grams of protein in a day to promote healing. The stomach gurgling that you wrote about I had also and it lasted about 4-5 days. Thankfully, I did not have the gas pains that others did and I made sure I was up and walking as much as possible. Congratulations on having your surgery and I hope the recovery is smooth. Remember to keep yourself hydrated and eat every 3-4 hours.

I think you're already nearly back on the band wagon. You recognized that you're eating for emotional reason and admit that it's you and not the band that's the problem. Do a little more soul searching to find out WHY you're back to emotional eating. Clean all the junk out of the fridge and cabinets and take some time to plan your menu and meals for a week. When you're back on tract 100% for a full week and FEEL so much better, you'll be more apt to stay on the band wagon. Good luck!

I had my first consult with the surgeon in mid-December and then began the long process of consults, blood work, etc. I finally had the surgery on 3/30.

I had my surgery on 3/30 and was hungry after about 6 days post-op. It gets better when you move to a soft diet. If hunger continues to be a real problem for you, call the surgeon and see if you can advance a little earlier to a more substantial diet. I feel NO restriction and that seems to be the trend for many people until they get their first fill. Good luck for a speedy recovery.

Pink Mary, I am a shoe lover too. I try to justify the "buy" by only making a purchase if they're on sale or if I find them at a discount place. Now that the warmer weather has arrived, I'm on the hunt for sandals.

I've never been on an anti-depressant but my mother is on Prozac and is doing very well with no weight gain. Interestingly, Prozac is now being prescribed for people with rheumatiod arthritis so, if you have that condition, you might see an improvement in the pain from that condition. I hope the Prozac helps you and that you feel better soon.

I vote no to Phentermine also. I took one several years ago (the lowest dose) and my blood pressure (which was normal then) soared and my heart rate went from the 60's to 120! I felt dizzy, short of breath and had some mild chest pain. The following day I flushed the pills. If you're going to try this drug, do it under the supervision of your MD and make sure you're not alone when you take the first dose in case you react badly and need to be brought to the ER.

It doesn't look like you have a slippage but it does appear that your fill is too restrictive. You should see an MD for an unfill ASAP or the GERD (esophageal reflux) could cause scarring.

Since many people struggle from time to time with their weight loss, I thought it would be helpful if we shared our non-food rewards to ourselves. For example, if I have 6 days in a row of sticking to my eating plan, I reward myself with a night out to a healthy dinner so I can relax and have a nice conversation. If I reach a mini-goal (losing 10 pounds, etc.), I treat myself to a new blouse or an hour away from the house doing something I enjoy like strolling around Barnes and Noble or a gardening store. So, how do you reward yourself?

Some people watch TV, some people read, some people go on the computer, etc. I work full time and go to school full time and run my household. I am certainly NOT an inactive person. I would guess that your husband does not have a weight problem. If he did, he would understand the purpose a support board serves.

Hi Tina, For me, the hardest part is waiting for my first fill. The week after surgery I didn't feel like eating at all. Once the swelling went down, my appetite returned and I found I felt no restriction from the band. Because I will not have a first fill until June 5, I am being very careful to follow the diet and pay attention to real physical hunger as opposed to my usual pattern of eating when I am not truly hungry. In reality, I am sticking to a diet without benefit of the band because I get zero restriction from it. I'm looking forward to the first fill and hoping it produces the restriction that others write about. Good luck on the surgery.