Hello All,

I was FINALLY banded on Oct 19th after months of trying to get the funds to self-pay.

The thing is, I thought I'd be farther along now than I am. I expected to feel much better than I do. I'm still pretty sore and every now and then I think, "what have I done?!?"

My back hurts; I am tired of sleeping on my back! I want to roll over on my side so bad, but it's painful. Not extremely painful, but I certainly can't do it.

Today is Monday and I have to go back to work on Wednesday and I'm just not sure I'm ready. I have to say, I honestly thought I would feel better than this. I really did.

Could anyone tell me how long it took you to adjust? I guess I need to hear that this is not abnormal...

~Pamela.

Hey Pamela

I'm only a week ahead of you so I don't have much to offer, I just started sleeping on my side, try a warm heating pad and an extra dose of the Hydrocodone(just a little extra)and If ya need some, I'll bring it to ya, I'm in houston too.

Anyway everyday I feel a little better, so hopefully by Wednesday you will too

Take Care

Krissy

Pamela, I'm going to be banded today but I' have had 2 other stomach area surgeries in the past. If you can, take some pillows and put them under your stomach so when your laying on your side or partial side, your tummy isn't stretching/pulling down onto the bed.... another words prop your belly up. Thats what I remember doing. Hope it helps.

FEEL BETTER !!

Pamela,

I am sorry to hear you are feeling bad, but I know exactly how you are feeling. I was banded on the 20th and was feeling the same as you. I thought I would feel better by now. My abdomen is still pretty sore and lying on my side is really tough. I still have some gas pains which I thought would be gone by now. At times, I have thought - what have I done???

I know it will get better and the results will make the memory of this discomfort go away. We just need to stay positive!

Pam

I understand how you feel. I was in school in the spring semester and that's when I had my surgery done. I couldn't miss that much school so the doctor did my surgery on a Thursday and I had to be back at school the following Monday. It was pure hell. My classes were Monday, Wednesday, adn Friday. So I had to suffer through it and when I got home all I could do was relax and if I was in too much pain I had to take a pain pill. But it got a little better everyday. I had to sleep on the couch because that was the only way I could get up without hurting to much. It will be okay. It just seems that it will take for ever to heal but you will.

I didn't really get to feel completely myself until about a week and a half. I slept in my recliner for almost two weeks until I could at least lay on one side. To this day I still can't sleep on my stomach without some discomfort. It will get better!

Buyer's Remorse...it happens to the best of us. You are not alone. It didn't take me long to get over myself though. Think back...you are improving a little every day, and it gets better and better. See if you can increase your calories just a bit and that may help you feel a bit better, plus all the advice you have received already. Congrats!!!

Hang in there. I felt horrible for 2 full weeks, but then I bounced back. I also went through the panic of "What did I do?" Don't be surprised if you start feeling better, then start feeling worse - it's all normal. The hardest part of recovery is behind you. Drink tons of water and keep walking.

I wasn't completely back to normal until 2 weeks out. It gets a little better every day. Some people are walking around shopping the day after, some take a few weeks to recover. Try to get a few more days off this week if you can. Feel better soon!

I was always afraid when I tossed and turned I'd pull my tube out of the port or the band, but it's in there pretty tight, now I forget I have it.

The pillow does help.

Your still in the rough spot - at 6 weeks out I feel totally normal (have since about 4 1/2 weeks out). It may not feel like it now but things do get better - just tough through it and it will pay off in the end. Keep using the pain meds as long as you need to - your body heals better when you are not in pain. I went back to work on day 9 and came home every night for the first week and fell a sleep. Now I cant even tell that I had surgery except for the funky little port - If I put my hand on it when I walk I can feel it.

Good luck!

Thank you all so much for the support! It's nice to know I am not alone...

~Pamela.

I was banded on the 13th, and I guess I was one of those that bounced right back. I'm back to all my pre surgery activites except weight lifting pretty much and eating :straight of course. Make sure you are getting in enough protien a day...I think that helps alot. My nutritionist told me I had to get at least 45 grams of protien minium in...and I've managed it everyday except the day of the actual surgery. Also walking helped me alot. I got up the first week every two hours at least and walked even at night. I've been sleeping in my waterbed since day 4 and now sleep pretty much on my tummy/side without discomfort. You will get there.

Melissa