Hello All,

I've had my band 10 days now and am wondering when I'll get used to these new sensations I'm having. Hunger has definitely kicked in. For the past 2 nights I've waken up around 2am with these weird pains....kinda like really strong hunger with pain mixed in. Has anyone else had this? Its almost a little nauseating too. I have this during the day also but not nearly on the same scale.

I also have had a pain in my back since surgery that does not go away. Its smack dab in the middle of my back and a heating pad has not helped. I thought about going to a chiropractor but am scared he'd want me to lay on my stomach. Cant do that yet because I'm still really sore around my big incision. It looks like I swallowed a tennis ball just underneath it. When I call the Drs office, the nurse tries to assure me this will pass. I realize that I had surgery but dang I'm ready to feel "normal" again.

How long did it take to heal before you felt normal? Do you continue to have strange feelings in your tummy?

THANKS!

I'm 14 days out. I don't know of it's the same thing you're describing, but sometimes I have the sensation of really strong stomach growling. It wasn't really painful, but definitely different.

I was able to sleep on my stomach after 1 week, but could still feel "something" on my abdomen when walking around. not pain, just weird. I'm just now feeling completely normal. I'm concerned about it looking like a tennis ball in your belly... that's doesn't sound good. I'd see your surgeon.

I'm 16 days out and I still feel off-kilter myself. I'm so tired from not being able to sleep in positions I normally sleep in (incisions are still tender). And I think I'm also so fatigued due to some female issues that have been all whacked out too.

The last couple of days my abdomen feels very tender and sore. I think my ab muscles are sore from getting some extra usage, maybe?

I hate that I am hyper-aware of everything my body does because I've got this "foreign object" attached to me. LOL I need to just chill out, but it's hard sometimes.

It totally understand though- I'm tired of feeling abnormal...I wanna feel rested and get back to my normal self again!

I am 16 days post op and I still cant lay on my stomach. I can lay on either of my sides but it is still uncomfortable enough to make me just sleep on my back. I can feel the port a little when I walk and some of my incisions are sore from clothes rubbing them. I also get these AMAZINGLY loud stomach growls when I am hungry. I eat a little of something and it goes away.

Also my back hurts as well but it is due to me trying to compensate for loss of stomach muscle strength. I still hurt even now but it is not as bad.

As far as the red tennis ball- sounds like a post-surgical hernia. Depending on how much fluffiness you have in the front you might be able to feel something the size of a marble which is the port but nothing bigger then that. I would schedule a appt with the surgeon and if the nurse asks why tell her you do not feel comfortable talking with her about it. She can not deny you medical care. If the surgeon does not do anything see your PCP.

Hernias are common after surgery because they cut the muscle which makes it very weak. The slightest stress in a healing muscle wall can cause a hernia. That is also why they stress healing before you do to much.

Edited August 27, 201015 yr by Tally23

Hi, I was banded on 8/18 and I have had the feelings you describe, but only at night. I have found that if I keep a bottle of water by my bed and I take a sip that it passes fairly rapidly. I chalked it up to the fact that was not drinking at night and my stomach was shrunk up like a dry sponge and thus hurting. I had my post-op appt with my dr today and he didn't seemed worried - he just said if drinking water fixed it, then drink.

I would call your surgeon's office. It certainly can't hurt to tell them how you are feeling and feedback. If these are normal feelings, perhpas some reassurance will make you feel better. Maybe they will want to see you. It's never a bad decision to call and ask just to be safe.

Are you getting enough clear and full liquids? Enough Protein? Are you still taking pain medication before bed? I cannot take prescription pain medication without something in my stomach or I get nauseated too. I actually just took a pill for nausea tonight for the first time in a week. I just feel a little off tonight too.

I was banded on August 17 and actually feel really good. I do have some sensations in my stomach that are quite noticable and odd, but nothing that is setting me back. I have had some very painful surgeries in the past so this one has actually been the easiest for me. I think my port is the most noticable thing for me...more than hunger. I have the hunger thing pretty much under control.

Keep in mind though that everyone heals differently and has different experiences. The best advice that I can give is to call the doctor to make sure everything is ok. Please let us know how you are doing.

I do have this pain too... with me as my hunger has been completely shut off, we are assuming it is when my stomach is empty!

Its strange and I described it on my last Vlog as though my stomach is shrinking away from the band and pulling on the stitches!! A little dramatic, yes! but it really feels like that :biggrin:

I find it goes away if I drink Water also.

Had a big tennis ball too ! But mine was accompanied by a 6 inch long bruise! I had a major blood clot under the skin. More than 5 weeks out and the swelling is just going down now....

Rach.

Shelly:

Sounds a bit like the symptoms I had with gall stones. You should see your doctor.

Feel better soon!

Sue

Thanks everyone for the feedback!! I went in yesterday for a 2 week checkup and My dr says everything is normal. He said the knot that I have is from the port attaching the way it does. I had the Realize band and the port has these metal teeth on the back side that dig into your muscle and attach it. He said it will eventually go away and that all of my pains are normal. I am feeling a lil bit better each day but am still very tender at the port incision.

I must say though that food is a lot easier to tolerate now that I can have something other than pureed stuff. Tuna tasted like heaven! :biggrin:

Best wishes to all of you!!!

I felt a little off the first month and a half. I ended up getting a sinus infection about 2 weeks afterwards. Once the antibiotics kicked in I started feeling a lot better. My stomach was still sore for a while after surger and now it doesn't bother me at all. I was banded on February 26. But I would talk to your surgeon about the golf ball thing.