Hey, I was just banded last Monday, and I have loads of questions for others who have been banded already. I would love to hear your experience right after surgery, as I've been able to find plenty of information about fills and such, but not right after surgery.

I'm doing much better than before. I hurt like a B&$#@ right after the surgery, and actually all week long. I wasn't really prepared for the surgery, as I snuck in a month early due to a cancellation.

I spent the weekend at a beachhouse for the 4th of July and all that treading through sand and such caused my largest incision (does everyone get 4 small ones and one big one? why is the one so big?) to split open a bit which is causing me major pain and it's swollen, but when I talked to the Doc on the phone, he said not to worry and just keep an eye on it. Has this happened to anyone else?

I heard from a lot of people that they feel like normal a week later, but I'm still sore and uncomfortable.

I also seem to still have the CO2 in me, because it causes sharp shooting pains in my stomach. How long did it take for everyone else to get rid of all the excess gas?

Also, according the plan, I should still be in the liquid phase, but I've progressed to mushy/pureed foods anyway. I've even had a few bites of regular food and just chewed them up really well and felt fine. How has anyone else handled it?

I just want to know if everything I'm going through is normal or not! :confused: haha Please let me know how it was for you!

Thanks!

Ann

Here is what I can remember from my experience (banded 2/2010). I was EXTREMELY TIRED for over 2 weeks. To the point that I would start to put away dishes or walk across the room and want to lay down. I did not have too much gas like others experience. The pain was tolerable and moved to just tender by the end of the week. I did not have a problem with the incisions.

I am an at home Mom and I could not have imagined trying to go back to work real soon after. Not because of pain but because of lack of energy.

I get to go on Thursday and have my Gallbladder removed so I am sure I will go through some of this all over again:ohmy:

Best of luck and hand in there.

Thanks! Yeah, I'm feeling that lack of energy thing, majorly. I took my dogs on a 30 minute brisk walk today, and by the time I got home, I felt like I had just put in a hard session at the gym! I'm so ready to feel normal again!

Wait! Whoa! Is your ticker correct? Have you really lost 44 pounds since you were banded in February? That's AMAZING!

Yeah I was tired as heck the first week. A little sore but nothing I couldn't handle. The gas does cause some pain in the stomach area for a while. The big incision is where the port is. It is probably more tender then the others. I would use ice on any swelling you have and it will relieve some discomfort too.

Hey AnnG123-

I just wanted to give ya my input . I would stick with your surgeon's diet plan. There is a reason for it. Your stomach needs time to rest & heal. Right after surgery is a time to let the stitches & such heel, regular food can at this stage in the game could cause some unwanted & unnecessary problems for ya. Of course there will be others in this forum who disagree but that's fine. :ohmy:

Your energy will come back in due time. Try not to push yourself too much, and keep up on your protein drinks during the liquid phase, it helped me sooo much! Best of luck!

My big incision took the longest to heal for sure. Maybe call him to see if you can put some neosporin spray or something on it just to prevent infection. Did you keep it covered so that no sand got in it?

Regarding the diet, I did mushies and liquids for about three or four days, then I moved to soft foods and just chewed, chewed chewed. My doctor was a bit more liberal about the food, so I did push it a bit. I do with my fills, too. LOL!

But, do keep an eye on that incision. You do not want it to get too infected. And I still sometimes have pains in my left side and it's where I've overexerted and there is "pulling" inside. They told me to take it easy because it takes a while to heal.

I was just banded on wednesday. i didn't realize how bad I would feel. the incisions are healing nicely, but I have no energy and feel nauseated all the time. It feels like I have a lump just below my throat. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Emotional journey is another issue. I have had a couple of meltdowns due to not feeling well. How has everyone coped with this?

Ann,

You really should not progress your post-op diet without your surgeon's permission. When we eat solid foods, the stomach grinds. When the band is placed, they pull the stomach around it and put in stitches to hold it in place. You want those stitches to heal and not tear. Consuming liquids doesn't cause the grinding that solids do.

If the post-op diet is not cutting it for you, call and ask if there is anything you can add in.

I was allowed to advance my diet quicker than I expected because I was healing so well.

The lack of energy..yeah, I remember that. Your body has been through quite the shock. Some people here bounce right back, some don't. We are all different. I took one week off from work. I tried to go back the second week, but did not have the energy to do more than half-time.

The largest incision is where the port was placed, as has been mentioned up-thread.

For the gas...walking is the best thing..not power walking. Just moving around. Also Gas-X strips can help to disperse it. I used a heating pad, it felt wonderful.

Best wishes!

The first week I was tired. It took me a good 2 weeks to get totally back to normal. I walked as much as I could tolerate. You have to listen to your body. When it's ready to stop it will let you know. Don't push yourself to get back to the way you were right away. You need time to heal. After all you had major surgery.

As for your incision - keep an eye on it. If you just stretched it you should be fine. If you have an drainage from the site or develope a fever, call your surgeon immediately.

Do not progress onto other stages unless your doctor says that it's ok. You take the chance of stretching your pouch. This you do not want to happen. You are put on the stages for a reason. As I said, slow down and let your body heal. The first month is probably the hardest.

Oh and for the gas as someone else said. Gas-X strips are great as well as walking and a heating pad. Takes about 2 weeks to get it totally out of your system.

Good luck to you. And congratulations.