Soco

I think I am having the same thing as you. I am 9 days post-op and I understand that my port area will be sore for a bit. The port is located under my chest a little to the right (almost in the middle). The dull pain however is located in my right side. It has come and gone this past week, but since Friday night (when I lifted some grocery bags) it has been constant. I do see my doc on 11/2. I am wondering if I should make a sooner appointment. The pain is uncomfortable and I am unable to do tasks like dishes, laundry, shopping. Any other ideas on what it could be? Or is this completely normal?

Hello, I would think that some pain/discomfort (depending on you pain threshold) is normal. However, the pain I experienced wasn't brought on by anything. The fact that it became worse after lifting grocery bags could be of some concern. Maybe you strained, pulled or even tore something.. You should definitely call you doctor and see what they say.. Make sure you tell them it was worse after lifting grocery bags.. Good luck. Let us know what happens.

Soco? Are you sure he said 1cc? Seems like most on here are getting anywhere from 3-5cc... Did you have some fill put in at time of your surgery? Good luck!

You Know.. I thought the same thing. He said "A little over 1cc". and that now I should start feeling the restriction since it was empty. So, okay that answers our second question. But, I remember seeing on a post that the bands come in different sizes.??? I don't know?? I just thought Okay.. I must have a smaller band that requires less fill?? I'll have to ask about that.

And guess what? This morning I weighed myself and I'm 236.8?? I must have some serious Water retention problems.. I doubt I lost the evil four overnight..

Question: You know the cut that is right above the breast well mine has a slight pin hole in it and it seems to leak something clear. No smell or anything like puss. Has anyone been through this?

For me it was the lowest incision near the belly button. It was taking a long time to heal and was red with a pin hole opening. I started washing the area really good with anti-bacterial soap and drying it well. I also put a little antibiotic ointment. I think drainage is good specially if it's clear. At this point I think it's just wound care. Maybe some of our medical field gals can be more help..

Hello All, Well I had My First Fill today.. I must admit, I was a little nervous. I was called in and my vitals were taken, No big surprise, 240 lbs... -those wicked four pounds I've been struggling with- I was then taken to the room and instructed to lie down, pull up my shirt and push my pants down a little. The nurse sterilized and draped my port site. She then stepped out and came back with the Doctor. He went directly to work and injected a numbing solution that stung as it went in. He used a little syringe, like the little insulin ones. But, then he pulled out an Enormous Syringe. I swear.. I don't know where it came from.. I didn't feel anything when he inserted it but, It made a crunching sound. Yuk!! It felt so weird inside. A total foreign object.. The Doctor then helped me up needle in and all. He handed me a cup of Water and told me to drink while he filled the port. He told me to tell him when I felt the "stuck" feeling. I took three drinks and felt that awful chest pain, pressure. He took out some of the liquid and I could feel the Water going down. After a couple more time of this and he was done. The nurse put on a band aid and I fixed my clothes. I asked how much he put in and was told a little over 1cc. I totally feel the restriction and no interest in food. It's weird if not for my growling stomach, I would not even think of food. It's like right after surgery without the shoulder and incision pain. I've been working on 12oz cup of coffee for the last hour. I drink about 1oz and feel it just linger in my chest.. I love it! Even though it hurts a little. I have to do two days all liquid and two days mushies. The only thing is, My second fill isn't for another TWO months!! I don't know if I can go so long with only this restriction.. We'll just have to wait and see.. I purposely haven't changed my ticker because I don't plan to have those four pounds for much longer..

Dee: Hang in there.. It'll be Okay once you get your fill.. I can't wait to kiss those four pounds Good Bye!

Hi Soco,

I get my first fill tomorrow too. Haven't gained any weight but I haven't lost any in 2 weeks either. I'm also having the same problem with my blood sugars. Sometimes that seems worse than the weight thing. Just because I know I can do better. I can't believe you said you're looking forward to liquids and mushies again! I was thinking the same thing yesterday! LOL

Hello Patpie, In Reading about first fill experiences.. I can't wait to feel that restriction. I'm a type 2 diabetic and know what you mean about it seeming worse then the weight gain. Right after surgery my sugar levels were in the low 100's.. I was So HAPPY.. At that point the surgery was Sooo worth it. I had been on three different types of medications and it was still very difficult to control my sugars. Needless to say I was elated when the doctor told me to stop taking them except for one. But, like I said my sugars have been high and I would hate to start taking all those pills again. It seems that they have so many negative side effects.. Well we'll see how it goes tomorrow. I'm scheduled for 1pm and have to stop eating and drinking anything four hours prior... Good Luck and I'll be looking for your post..

I had my first fill on Monday, at 4pm and got home yesterday and was at work all day today so now is my first chance to post.

We had a five hour drive to the hospital and I went in at 4pm. I had just managed to get a real coffee inside me an hour previously when we arrived at our hotel, so that was good and just in time!

First I had to take off my top and put on a paper gown, and lie on the X ray table. The radiologist was really friendly and we were chatting away while he cleaned the skin over my port. He stuck in a white needle which was really not painful. Not anything as painful as having a blood sample from your arm. The needle connected to a three way tap and a syringe containing the saline.

Then the entire table was tipped slowly so I was almost upright with the needle still in my port. Then they got the Xray focusing on my abdomen and I took a small swallow of the radio-opaque liquid. That was really fun to watch, as it slid down into my oesophagus and stayed there for a short time, and then a wave of contraction squirted it into the stomach as the sphincter relaxed at the same time. Only the first time it did not work and they had to get me completely vertical – then it went down.

The radiologist sucked out the saline in the band, to see how much was in there, then put it back and added a bit more, I swallowed some more stuff and we watched it go down. You could see the band quite clearly and the stuff going through the opening. I swallowed some more radio-opaque liquid and we watched each time I swallowed and some more saline was added and eventually when we reached the goal diameter of 3-4mm, I had a drink of Water and everything felt fine so that was it. Needle removed and a tiny plaster stuck on and off I went.

I felt absolutely no different to start with. That evening we went out to a Chinese meal with my daughters and that was really hard! I asked for chicken Soup with no chicken and no noodles and ended up with a bowl of clear chicken broth and I WAS HUNGRY!!! I was really tempted by all the lovely food and in the end I was reduced to spooning up some of the sauce! I was seriously thinking about buying some low-fat yoghurt from a convenience store on the way home.

However as we walked home I started to have a slight discomfort in the chest, just like after the op and I stopped feeling hungry. The next morning I had a glass of orange juice, some yoghurt and a little fruit compote and coffee for Breakfast in the hotel, and I was not remotely tempted by my husband's fruit salad or yummy pastries or toast.

We met my daughters out shopping and went for lunch. I had some soup and found myself saying to myself, no-not a bowl, a cup will do, and a small cup of coffee will be plenty instead of a large one. So I am back to how I was post-op, not being that interested in food.

Today at work I had taken a can of soup and did not get round to heating it up till after 2, which just shows how other things take precedence over eating which is just such a big change. Long may it last!!!

Thanks for the play by play... I hope my fill tomorrow goes as well as yours. I've been eating way more then I should. I hope I haven't stretched out my pouch.. Thanks again.

Hello All, I get my first fill tomorrow. I'm so glad because I've gained four pounds.. Urrgh! I can't wait... I'm even looking forward to liquids and mushies. I guess I could have done that on my own. But, it's much easier when you Have to do it.. I don't feel much restriction and even my blood sugars have crept back up..:eek:

Well the cultures came back from my skin infection and it's Mrsa.............so I have to get another antibiotic called bactrim. I have my appt. at the surgeons office tomorrow at 9:30 and they are going to check it, she said sometimes this certain type of infection can definately be a cause for port removal for up to 4 months and it may delay my first fill if it's not cleared up in time. From what I understand this particular infection can get into the port itself and cause problems and not clear up easily. Just a word to you all don't assume just because you have no fever that you have no infection........I still have NOT run a fever and I noticed the infection on Thursday. If your inscison doesn't look "normal" or you feel alot more pain 2wks after surgery than you did right after surgery something is not right. I had a large red area, itchyness, warm/hot to touch, hard packed tissue like thing all around and on my inscisonand no puss til the 2nd day and it was very very sore...............but NO FEVER don't wait for the fever to get checked. This particular infection can be hard to treat.

i'll keep ya posted...................Goodluck to the rest of you, don't get scared by this post.....there aren't many people that get this from this surgery i've already had it in the past so i was more susceptible (sp?) Take care

I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal.. I hope you get good news from the surgeon tomorrow.. Keep us posted as this information helps immensely... I will keep you in my prayers..

OK so at my post-op appt the doctor said I could move on to regular foods and I have been doing good, until tonight. I was eating some chicken that I had boiled so it was nice and tender, I also had bell pepper and onions in it. Well i guess I was not eating slow enough but I had a pepper and it got stuck and let me tell you that is the worst feeling. TMI but they are not lying about the foam that comes back up. It was nasty so after about 5-10 minutes it finally passed and I was able to finish my meal. Let's just say I really focused on chewing and eating more slowly. Moral of the story, we may not have restriction but things will still get stuck, so chew, chew, chew and eat slowly. Take care guys and remember me at your next meal so you will head my warning. Bye guys. Til tomorrow.:scared2:

I have had the foam thing too. It's horrible! You try to clear your throat, or burp and you spend 5 minutes spewing bubbly stuff. gross huh

OMG.. This happened to me too. I had eaten Breakfast (Oatmeal) and I was planning for a Protein Shake for lunch. Well I had company and before I knew it, I was rushing out the door to my daughters back to school night. It was late when I returned and I was Starving!!.. I warmed up a chicken thigh. I chewed and chewed the first bite went down okay. But, the second got Stuck!! It was Horrible!! I felt the worse pain in my chest. I must admit I panicked a little. I went outside and started walking and walking. I'm not sure if that would help but, I couldn't just stay still and die! (okay.. Drama..) Then I started with the foaming. I was walking and spitting. Gross! I think it's your bodies natural lubricant to try and pass whatever is obstructed. I started to stretch my arms out. They suggest you do this to open up your chest.. I'm not sure if it helped but, 15 to 20 minutes later I felt better. This happened on Tuesday and even though I didn't throw up I went back to liquids and mushies. It Was Scary!! It's now Friday and I've lost 2 pounds since my ordeal. Even though I haven't had a fill, apparently I do have restriction.. Ladies be Carefull... Don't let the fact that you can gulp down Water with no problem fool you.. It's Scary.. Chew, Chew and Re-Chew..

Well...........i'm worried. I have having port site pain, and redness. It's also hard and warm to the touch. I'm not running a fever or feeling sick. My port site just hurts alot.

I am going to the doctor on Tuesday, I hope they don't have to remove the port.............if I have an infection and they have to remove the port then i'm just going to have everything removed. I'm not going to chance getting another infection. THIS SUCKS

I had redness, pain and it also felt warm to the touch. I showed it to my primary and he suggested I use oral antibiotics. But, He also said that since I had no fever I could also try just putting some antibiotic ointment on it. I don't really like to use oral antibiotics. So, I opted for the topical. But, he told me that if it got worse I would have no choice but to begin an oral regimen.

I washed the site with antibacterial soap, dried it well and applied a triple antibiotic ointment. This was about a week or so ago. It has gotten better. I can still see a little redness but, despite that it's drying up well. The pain continued for a bit and now it's just a little itchy... Good Luck I hope you feel better..Don't give up, We've come such a long way..

Hello Ladies, I have my first fill set for Oct. 15th.. I can't wait.. I'm using allot of self control.. I feel my stomach growl and I try to convince myself it's Gas..lol I have no trouble eating a cup of mushies.. I'm trying to limit myself to one mushie meal and two shakes.

Yes, I did.. I was weird because it wasn't at the incision. It was in the area and it was pain. I had it on and off for like a week. I'm not sure why it was. I would have been more concerned if the incision was red or something. but, nothing other then the pain.. Weird..

Hello Ladies, Congratulations to all those who have been banded.. It's my 22nd day in. I was able to feel the port at first and it was "weird" But, now I don't know if I'm just getting used to it or with the healing it's not as prominent. I have to press down to feel anything.

I haven't really lost any more weight but, I guess it's all good since I haven't gained any either. I have been slacking on the working out. So, that may be the reason.

At this point, the hardest thing for me is to eat without anything to drink. I was doing that in the beginning.

Just because I was so used to having a drink with my meal and I had forgotten my instructions not to. I couldn't figure out why I was feeling so bloated and uncomfortable. Now, I eat my meal and wait the recommended 45 minutes to drink anything. I feel full, satisfied and I notice the feeling last longer. This has totally been a learning experience. Well, just checking in I Hope the best for Everyone! :bored:

I'm really not sure. I was real gassy and I think that made me nauseated.

You know that happen to me with bean soup.. I felt awful. Have you been hungry and how are dealing with it?

Don't be so quick about adding more foods, once we get off the shakes and Soups and start eating real food, our weight loss is gonna slow up lol

I'm gonna stick with the shakes and soups as long as i can stand it and then ill start adding the real food:wink2:

You're not Kidding.... I'm now sticking to one to two Protein Shakes a day and a mushy meal. Yesterday for dinner, I made the kids hamburgers. I pureed a patty with some organic Tomato and roasted pepper Soup. I added some chili and It turned out very Good.. I'm happy to report I lost one pound.. That makes me officially under 240.. WOW I haven't been that in years..

Goodmorning everyone. I am feeling better today. Yesterday I was really nauseated for the first time, so I stuck to liquids yesterday and feel better today, will start again today with soft foods and see how it goes. How is everyone that was banded the first week doing? How is everyone else?

Hello.. I'm sorry to hear you were nauseous.. Was there any particular reason??

I unfortunately have a horrible cold. I thank God everytime I sneeze or cough that I didn't get it right after surgery.

I'm at the mushy stage of my diet. My initial idea of pureed steak with A1 sauce hasn't happened. I find it hard to eat real foods in pureed form. So, I'm sticking mainly to Soups and Protein Shakes. I do feel full faster. But, I can drink with almost no restriction. I'm taking gulps compared to the little sips I took right after surgery.

I wish I could report more weight loss. But, Unfortunately my little trip to Las Vegas set me back 3 lbs and I barely managed to take them off.. almost a week later. Who knew grits with butter were that bad.. :biggrin:

Hi everyone! You are all in my thoughts and for those of you who have surgery tomorrow no worries you will do just fine!

So, I am now 5 days post op. Couldn't even think about food , had a difficult time even getting down sips of the shake, then today I don't know what happened but I blew it.

I had slow cooked a roast overnight for my family and friends to eat during the Cowboys game today and my absolute favorite thing about roast is not the meat or veggies , its dipping slightly buttered bread into the gravy until its drenched. I ate half a slice :mad:. yes it was soggy and liquidy but omg what have I done? How was it possible for me to eat this? Yes, I was stuffed afterwards and no I did not have any issues tummy/band wise with it. I am so upset with myself! It took me 3 years to mentally decide to do this and here I go partaking in one of my previous bad habits. I was doing so well too, I didn't even have cravings for anything prior to this. There are people who are desperately trying to get banded and here I am blessed with the band and I abuse it. :wink:

Don't feel bad.. I was bad too.. I went to Las Vegas this weekend. I really wish that what happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas... It didn't.. I brought back the guilt! My boyfriend and I went to one of their famous buffets. I know a waste of money considering the band. Well, they had grits and I love grits. I had two! bowls with butter and I didn't stop there I polished off a bowl of Tomato basil Soup. I was sooo stuffed, I was in pain for the next 30 minutes. I had to walk and walk. I felt so awful.. I wanted to run out of desperation. Then today on the way home we stopped off at Peggy Sue's 50's Diner. They had cream of chicken soup.. I could have ordered the cup but, NO! my Big A#% ordered a bowl. The soup was not creamy and thin, It was chunky with pieces of potato. I figured I'll only drink the soup, but, then I thought maybe I could just chew and dissolve the chunks of potato. It wasn't hard everything was very well cooked. Well before I knew it, It was all gone. Big Mistake.. I got that pain towards the top of my stomach again... What am I thinking!

Needless to say I was miserable on the way home. I deserved it! I really need to put Myself back on track.. I'm afraid to get on the scale.. I'm afraid of stretching out my stomach if I haven't done it already.. :thumbdown:

Welcome Everyone please join our list.. Just copy, paste, add yourself, and post.

September Band List

Soco 9/01/09

Amandakrangel 9/1/09

Coloradomom (Gen) 9/1/09

ms_Hart37 9/1/09

mosean6278 09/01/09

katklaws 09/01/09

SmilinShel (Michelle) 09/01/09

Comet321 (Chris) 9/1/09

ivy76 9/02/09

$occer mom 9/3/09

Jmtmb (JoLynne ) 9/4/09

JLDChester(Jamie)9/4/09

Cortney75 (Cortney) 9/4/09

tzn (Karena) 9/8/09

mrsyellis (yohontas)9/08/09

Jules 09/09/09

Soldiersgem(ginna) 9/9/09

pr8453(Pam) 9/9/09

bradybrat 09/09/09

Ready4a2ndchance 9/09/09

travel (Anita) 09/09/09

kittkat2009 09/10/09

Hmarko (helen) 9/11/09

stardustic 9/11/09

BrentinLA 9/14/09

Queen Bee 9/14/09

amwash23 9/14/09

romain123 9/14/09

Nawlinzlady (Dee) 9/15/09

Anni80 (annie) 9/15/09

smallerj (jes) 9/16/09

Boo Cakes 9/16/09

Hardygostlin (Jody) 9/17/09

Loveslady(Tawonda) 9/17/09

Gatorgirl1024 (Shelley) 9/17/09

MishiB (Michelle) 9/17/09

Sharie3 9/21/09

Italia2020 (Mia) 09/21/09

Ariane (Ariane) 09/21/09

Pookiemp 9/23/2009

leigna 09/24/09

Chickychoo (Jill) 09/28/09

Kinzie 09/28/09

Soexcited 9/30/09

Good Luck to BrentinLA, Queen Bee, amwash23 and romain123. You guys will be in my prayers..

I had my surgery on the 9th..my surgeon said everything went perfect. I went in at 7:30 and was home by 1:30. I am a little sore and feel a little loopy..but other than that I am good. I am having no gas pains except for an ocasional feeling in my stomach where it feels like I need to burp but can't..like it's just a stuck burp or something..once that passes I feel fine. Hope everyone else is doing as well:tt1:

Kudos!! I'm glad to hear you're doing so good.. :cursing:

I hate the stuck burp feeling.. :laugh:

September Band List

Soco 9/01/09

Amandakrangel 9/1/09

Coloradomom (Gen) 9/1/09

ms_Hart37 9/1/09

mosean6278 09/01/09

katklaws 09/01/09

SmilinShel (Michelle) 09/01/09

Comet321 (Chris) 9/1/09

ivy76 9/02/09

Jmtmb (JoLynne ) 9/4/09

JLDChester(Jamie) 9/4/09

Cortney75 (Cortney) 9/4/09

tzn (Karena) 9/8/09

mrsyellis (yohontas) 9/08/09

Jules 09/09/09

Soldiersgem(ginna) 9/9/09

pr8453(Pam) 9/9/09

bradybrat 09/09/09

Ready4a2ndchance 9/09/09

travel (Anita) 09/09/09

kittkat2009 09/10/09

Hmarko (helen) 9/11/09

stardustic 9/11/09

Nawlinzlady (Dee) 9/15/09

Anni80 (annie) 9/15/09

mmmorgan 9/15/09

smallerj (jes) 9/16/09

Boo Cakes 9/16/09

Hardygostlin (Jody) 9/17/09

Loveslady(Tawonda) 9/17/09

Gatorgirl1024 (Shelley) 9/17/09

MishiB (Michelle) 9/17/09

Sharie3 9/21/09

Pookiemp 9/23/2009

leigna 09/24/09

Chickychoo (Jill) 09/28/09

Kinzie 09/28/09

Soexcited 9/30/09

shrinkingV (Vickie) 9/30/09

Warning!! Future Bandsters!!

I thought I should post this since this is one of the things that set me back.. Be careful and not get into the "Last Meal Mentality" aside what you think Yes, You will eventually be able to eat everything! Except in much smaller quantities.. I made the mistake of allowing myself to get into this state of mind. And gained EIGHT pounds! It wasn't till I thought I might jeopardized the surgery that I got back on track...Good Luck to Everyone!

Soco? I have never heard anything about drinking through a straw, why? Just curious

I was told that it makes you take in air thus causing gas.. They told me that after surgery. I could drink anything that could be drank through a straw but, Not to use a straw.

one more thing, when can I take all these freakin bandaids off :thumbup:

They put steri strips and gauze bandages over that. I was told to take the bandages off when I got home the day after surgery. I was to leave the steri strips till they fell off. But, they never did. I went back a week later for my follow up and asked since with the showering the adhesive was already black around the strips. They had also became puckered and even though I would pat dry them well. I was a little leery of Water getting in and just sitting there. So, the nurse said to take them off next time I showered and gave me some adhesive remover. I did but, when I took one of them off It pulled off a little of the scab and I was petrified thinking "It's now an open would" YIKES!.. But, it closed the same day.. You might want to call them and if they give you the okay Be Careful With The Scabs..

Hi -- I'm asking here from those who've just had surgery. My son had it on Wednesday and is very uncomfortable from the gas in his belly and chest.

I've had multiple lap. surgeries and for some reason this has never been a problem for me. I know I've read that walking is good for it. Any other tips I can share with him...?

Hello NanaRenan, GasX strips worked well for me also, Warm Soups and no drinking through a straw. Good Luck to your Son.

got you on there mrsyellis :w00t:

Ok so just how many calories are we supposed to be taking in right after surgery ? I can hardly stomach anything. It has taken me 2 days to get through one shake. I have creamy Soup that I dip a toddler spoon in and have only gotten maybe a tablespoon of that down in 2 days. pudding, a lick here and there.. soo sweet!! . All I crave is Water water water. I probably haven't taken in more than 300 calories in 2 days and thats stretching it.

When should I start becoming concerned? I no longer have an upset stomach, that stopped yesterday. I am just not hungry!

Hello Karena, I think it's more important to make sure you get your Protein in. Protein is what's going to help you heal. Try sipping on some Isopure the red punch one is really good. It has 40grams of protein in a 20oz bottle. I know 20oz. sounds like alot but, you can sip on it throughout the day. Also, take some liquid vitamins.. I think right now it's important to keep yourself well hydrated.

I wish I still had that fullness.. It's the swelling in your stomach that's not letting you take in that much.. I'm starting to get hungry.. I've also been drinking some Aloe Vera to help with the internal healing.. Good Luck..