FullofGRACE

Mine was very painful for first week..I'm two weeks out today and I have no pain whatsoever.

Ditto Leatha it's the diaphragm...I find holding my breath and bearing down until there is a little click almost always takes them away...I read it somewhere years ago.

I'm kinda with Geezer Sue...your weight is my target weight and for the weight you're at I'd never have the surgery...but that being said you have to do what is right for you. Good luck making your decision.

Welcome...and I dig the code name

HI Melanie...I can't tell ya how to feel, but I, like you, was scared. Excited about the prospect of being healthy again, but fearful of the surgical process...and the length of the journey to recovery. I have to say being 14 days post-op I'm thrilled with my decision. I won't say it was painless for me it was not, but it was very very tolerable. I've had worse pain post a sinus surgery. You will be weak after the surgery I lost 27 lbs in those two weeks prior and one week after and it left me real weak, but now that I'm allowed real food "soft food" I'm feeling much better. It's the journey that gets us back to health...I feel it will make us stronger people and certainly healthier. Take care on Monday, I'll add you to my prayers this weekend and I'll talk to you on the other side girl.

Hi Karen... thanks so much for writing back hon. I never had anemia until the pre surgical testing which slowed a very slight hemoglobin drop...think it's normal is supposed to be 12 for non anemic and I was 11.7. Post surgery I am 10 and change not sure I remember exact number. I'm wondering if it is because I have fibroid uterine tumors that cause me seriously heavy periods...like some days I have to change tampons every hour. Not to be gross, but trying to relate how heavy they are. So I'm wondering if that might be it. I started iron three days ago and today I started to feel better, but this evening I'm fairly certain I'm catching the old cold UGH! Just took a bunch of echnicea (sp?) hope that combats it. Tomorrow and Sunday bed bed bed.

Vegge...no worries...the reality is and it is stated in Inamed band the long term use of these drugs. That is to say that if you had to take an anti inflammatory like Naprosyn or Aleve everyday for arthritis. Taking them for a period after your surgery is completely acceptable. My surgeon is a proctor for Inamed and he said take the Aleve!! Erosion does not occur from taking this for a few days. Or taking one every now and then. Tylenol does not work for me period and it never has so I wouldn't have had the band without confirming the safety of every now and then use. As for everything else I'm two weeks out today my surgical tape all fell off today and the wounds have healed very nicely I'm pleased. As of one week after surgery I am down 27 lbs which is exciting. I, like Karen, was able to eat a bit of everything yesterday and YEAH! I' m not freaked out I'm happy I was able to enjoy the holiday with my family with something other than bouillon, popsicles, etc. I've had some trouble with anemia I guess slight case before surgery and now bigger problem. I'm also having low blood pressure....both things have me in a bit of a quandry as I'm scared, but will hope they are resolved soon. Two days ago my PCP said he needed time to decide what to test or do next...UGH! Anyone else ever been diagnosed with anemia?? In closing, I'm thankful for family, for friends, for health, for love and for spirituality. Be well friends...I hope to cheer up once I have some news that I'm gonna be okay.

All physicians vary regarding fills. Mine is being done 3 weeks out.

I was wondering...I guess I've heard so many people say that 3 to 5 days they're back to normal. I'm not close to normal and I'm 4 days post op...still lots of pain in incision area on stomach. How long did it take you to feel good?

No I don't know the cause but when I read the list of possibles I had a good cry.

After successfully going through the Lap Band surgery and meeting with my surgeon several times, I'd be remiss if I didn't spend a moment sharing my fortune. I am a former writer (now loving mom ) on issues of patient care and patient satisfaction. Having published in some surgical magazines and such I am acutely aware of the importance of finding good care and frankly it's not that easy to come by. I was fortunate enough to come onto this site and Obesity Help and see the postings of a Dr. C...and I'm thinking what doctor takes his time to come out to websites and answer...so I think to myself a smart doctor, one who knows how to do effective marketing. But I gotta tell ya I meet this guy and he cares for me for a couple weeks and I realize it's not about marketing...it's about giving a shit...sorry for the directness :phanvan Whether you're flying or driving distance I highly recommend the surgeon Dr. C otherwise known as Dr. Trace Curry. www.thebanddoctor.com In addition, to his exemplary care, I also experienced outstanding care from everyone in the hospital where he practices...lucky them...lucky him. Sorry for the sales pitch, but if I was researching and wanted the best I'd wanna know all the opportunities and possibilities and I think you can't go wrong here.

Oh my, I just read your dizziness post...and it's all coming together. When I researched my low blood pressure on the internet last night one of the biggest causes dehydration. It would seem to be that your dehydration probably caused a markable decrease in your blood pressure. I would definitely get to PCP today or at least call and let them know what's going on.

Ditto...I went to my PCP yesterday cause I was experiencing the same thing post -op ... I'm 12 days out. My blood pressure was significantly low so I have to go off bp medicine...you might want to check into your blood pressure. ... this is exactly what happened to me.

I agree I've been on mushies since Thursday and I find it I eat slow I'm eating about a cup 1/2 cup tuna 1/2 cup mashed pot sometimes a bit more

Here's my guesses on your matter. The pain in your throat area I had as well and I attribute it to the intubation. The tube going down through your vocal cords and so forth is trauma to your body. I had extreme chest pain and back pain particularly when breathing in all gas problems that have resolved...I'm 12 days out. I had bruising by an incision it was not my port but I did have bruising as well...again I'm sure that's fairly common. Good luck with the rest of your after care you're doing normal sounds likee.

Yeah Karen nice job on the ring I'm sure that feels incredible physically and mentally. And welcome back Vegge glad to know you are doing well post-op.

I had the exact same thing took about a week to go away...you'll be fine soon stick in

No problem...I've had a rough couple of days post surgery...my blood pressure has dropped to alarmingly low levels and the search is on to see why...I'm scared and tense...so sorry too if I came off wrong

I wanted to post this because it has been a life saver for me and may help someone else. When I went to my week follow up appointment I was still having a considerable amount of pain in my port area despite pain killers. When I saw my doc we discussed it and he said try anti inflammatory Aleve as it was stitched to muscle which could be angry. One hour later and 2 days later I've had no pain whatsover in that area and feel 100 percent. Hope this helps someone else who might be suffering like I was.

Wheetsin hit the nail on the head...the problem isn't taking the weight off most of have taken off 100 lbs before. The problem is,as stated in "Prevention" magazine only2 percent of those who are morbidly obese and lose weight can keep the weight off...that's a pretty daunting figure and I wasn't prepared to fight those odds...

I'd also like to point out that my surgeon is a proctor for the company Inamed and likely knows what the band will tolerate and won't. He didn't give me Aleve to make me have an erosion I assure youl.

Folks, my surgeon told me to take the Aleve and it's been a god send for me. Aleve does damage long term not over the week or so that I'll need it to feel better...but thanks.

In Ohio I recommend Dr. Trace Curry www.thebanddoctor.com He's done the most of these surgeries in the Midwest area...and experience is important in regards to safety. He also posts here under Dr. C you will see his postings most often in complications, where he helps those who aren't his patients as well.

I did the same thing for about two weeks then I had to go on liquid diet for two weeks pre op and I'll tell ya I thought I'd die, but it was the best thing honestly I have adjusted mys tomach has adjusted and now a small bread plate of food fills me and sometimes I can't eat that

I'm post surgery 8 days and my surgeon recommended purreed/mushie I had pureed tuna today and I feel great.