Ok, I need some serious helpl. Had my one week post-op today. All is well so he says. I have a hematoma where my port is (is this common) it feels like a hernia because it feels like a big ball with a knife in it. I'm supposed to be on liquids still but could eat a side of beef (is this common) I can't eat as much as they want me too, but as far as going off liquids, I ate a few bites of mac and chees and it did'nt bother me at all! (is this normal) Am I healing quicker, did it not work! What's with the hematoma? Anyone with any answers, opinions, suggestions, I'd appreciate it. What does restriction feel like?

Kim

I have NO CLUE about the hematoma....u should probably call ur dr and ask him i mean thats what u pay him the big bucks for!

as for eating... this is what i have learned and experieneced. Most likley a few bites wont KILL u but its NOT something that u want to keep doing and heres why. The band is inside of u and around ur stomach but is not restricted at all. Ur stomach is still swollen from the surgery...u may be right- u maybe healing "faster" then most but honestly no one can tell for sure thats why they have u take this time on the fuller liquids and mushies to allow ur stomach and all the stiches inside of u to get stronger. so try hard to follow the diet not matter how horrible and hard it may seem- beleive me i knooooooooow its not easy!

I think its normal to feel hunger...and even feel psychologically that u want to eat...i know thats how i felt and still feel at times. I promise u that u will get thru this phase- the next phase gets easier and im sure it gets easier after that. I guess part of having the band is about adjusting ur life and ur thinking and acting in a different way then we are used too. A way that we probably arnt used to thinking so it takes time for our minds and bodies to adjust. I still havent figured out a way to get my mind off food... but im sure it will come with time!

Kim -

Yikes - what a day! I had to go look up hematoma to see exactly what it was :-) - heard it before, but I thought it was a bruise - i was wrong....

he·ma·to·ma ( P ) Pronunciation Key (hm-tm)

n. pl. he·ma·to·mas or he·ma·to·ma·ta (-m-t)

<DL><DD>A localized swelling filled with blood resulting from a break in a blood vessel</DD></DL>That's got to be great fun along with everything else going on in there. Wish I could be of some help with the ?'s but I'm in the same boat you are. Hang in there!! I'll keep watching your post to see what you find out! Good Luck!

Kim

Kim,

The hematoma is a medical professional question. All I can do is give you my experience. I was banded two weeks ago. I cheated the first week on the Clear Liquids. I ate cream of mushroom Soup. It is now two weeks and I have cheated on fish and lasagna (not much). I was very concerned about the quantity I was eating. My doctor said I would only be able to eat about a shot glass full. Well, I guess I am healing faster than unsual. I can eat 1 cup of mashed potatoes with 1/2 cup cottage cheese. I am enjoying the Mashed Potatoes. My doctor said not to be concerned about losing weight while I am healing. So I put butter and the good stuff in my Mashed Potatoes. I am also eating pudding cups, homemade potato soup, Jello and mac and cheese. I make sure to chew, chew, chew. I drink plenty of hot tea and skim milk. I have my first office visit after my surgery today. I don't think I have lost any weight, but I have lost in inches.

Oh yea, I did cheat on baked fish last weekend. It felt like I was swallowing sticks. Won't do that again for a while.

Good Luck to you!

Hematoma = bruise.

But I got the impression you were asking *why* you have a bruise? Any cut, incision, pressure, impact, etc. can cause a bruise. Very common after surgery. Very common after falling down the stairs.

1 question, 1 advice. My question to you would be - is it a NEW or OLD bruise? (i.e. what color is it). My advice to you would be to call your doctor. It is not typical for a bruise to become a hard ball and feel like a knife. There are blood-related things that can cause symptoms like those, but a 1 week post-op bruise is probably not really high on the list.

well, during the post op visit he said that it was a "pool" of blood and it will cause some discomfort (go figure, right at the port site) but that my body will reabsorb the blood within a couple of weeks. Is is normal to have so much pain there anyway? Especially when I cough, I feel like I'm still walking around a little slumped over. Just wondered.

I actually ate mashed cauliflower tonight, and a little spagetti with just sauce, no meat. I was ok.