Hello October Bandsters. I thought I would start us a post-op group now that we are getting ready to start out second week of banders. I know we are all going to do GREAT. We will all be loosers this month!!!! If you are having a bad day dont hold it in. This is where we can let it out. If we stick together we will go far. We can do this ladys and gents. I know we can. Set a goal for yourself and let everyone know what it is so we can help each other meet that goal.

My goal is to walk/run a 5k by one year post op. I hope to meet that before then but I am not going to pressure myself to meet a goal that is not realistic. I know myself and if I set goals I cant meet I will give up.

Good luck to all of you.

Question: what is the average size of the main incision? I had my bandages removed today (surgery was on Oct 15) and was surprised (read: shocked) to see about 1-1.5 inch scar across my belly button. For some reason I expected all incisions to be 1/4 inch or less, similar to my secondary incision around liver area or 2-3 similarly small incision I had with my laparoscopic surgery for torn meniscus.

Is this a typical scenario?

I was banded Oct 12th and my biggest problem is the gas pain that comes and goes from left shoulder and my left side below ribs. Sometimes it's incapacitating. I see my surgeon tomorrow. I hope to advance to atleast mushies. I don't know why tis gas is so persistent.

We were banded the same day and I too have gas pains still. I don't have it in my shoulder but on my left side under my ribs. I guess I'll keep with the gas-x strips.

Good luck tomorrow!

I was banded yesterday 10/19.. no gas pain thats the good thing..but still have some pain near my bellybutton and my back is killing me.. maybe beacuse I normally sleep on my belly.. I just hope it gets better!!

GOOD LUCK TO all of ya!!

We were banded the same day and I too have gas pains still. I don't have it in my shoulder but on my left side under my ribs. I guess I'll keep with the gas-x strips.

Good luck tomorrow!

Thank! The gas x didn't help me and I don't want any more pain med. Want to keep my bowels moving.I'll see what the surgeon says. On the plus side, I'm down 19 lbs since starting the process on 8/17. Most of that has been the three weeks of liquids. Are you on mushies yet?

Arlene

My main incision is exactly 2.5 inches across. I also have two 1 " cuts and two 1/2" cuts.

Question: what is the average size of the main incision? I had my bandages removed today (surgery was on Oct 15) and was surprised (read: shocked) to see about 1-1.5 inch scar across my belly button. For some reason I expected all incisions to be 1/4 inch or less, similar to my secondary incision around liver area or 2-3 similarly small incision I had with my laparoscopic surgery for torn meniscus.

Is this a typical scenario?

A tip for everyone suffering with the major gas pain and burping:

The specialist at the Health Food store recommended I drink Fennel Seed tea for my gas pain and burping (pain from the gas is still killing me and I'm permanently burping). They suggested I add a bit of fresh ginger to the tea as well. I bought both on the spot even though I never heard of Fennel Seed tea. before. Hand on heart, the pain eased even after I drank just 1/2 a mug of tea and I feel that it generally helped me out . I'm on my second cup this evening to help me through the night. I'm not sure how much of that tea you are allowed/supposed to drink in any given day but the stabbing gas pain is mostly gone for now. Mind you I still feel somewhat bloated but the stabbing pain in my stomach/shoulders has definitely subsided.

Hope someone else find it useful...

Thank! The gas x didn't help me and I don't want any more pain med. Want to keep my bowels moving.I'll see what the surgeon says. On the plus side, I'm down 19 lbs since starting the process on 8/17. Most of that has been the three weeks of liquids. Are you on mushies yet?

Arlene

Arlene, yes I'm on mushies now. I started on Wednesday. I'm doing ok but having trouble eating slowly. I guess because I was so hungry. I read somewhere that you should use a timer when you first start eating. So I'm going to get me a timer.

That's awesome that you've lost 19 lbs!! Congratulations! I started the liquid diet on Oct. 6 and I have lost 15 lbs.

Since I started eating my weight has gone up and that's what I was worried about. It's time I start exercising.

I was banded on Oct. 18 and feel really good today. The only problem I am having is that my calves are hurting to touch them, not sure what that is all about.

We were banded the same day and I too have gas pains still. I don't have it in my shoulder but on my left side under my ribs. I guess I'll keep with the gas-x strips.

Good luck tomorrow!

I was also the 12th. I have pain on my shoulder now and then. I learned it means I have to burp. I float between liquids and mushies. Definitely learning to eat slowly. I get a sharp pain if I forget and swallow a big bite. Even with smooth mashed potatoes. Hopefully I will learn quick and not do that again!

My main incision is exactly 2.5 inches across. I also have two 1 " cuts and two 1/2" cuts.

I had micro lap band surgery. I have three little dots on my stomach, mosquito bite size. My belly button has a 1-2 inch incision, but seems to be healing and getting smaller. I am still tender there but not to bad. My port is just to the right of my belly button. That section of my stomach was swelled and hard right after surgery but has gone down and is soft again.

My largest incision is 1" and that is where the port is positioned. My 3 other incisions are very small. I hope they heal nicely since they are on my upper abdomen.

I'm ready for food that has a little more consistency than Soup. I think I'll make some mashed potatoes tonight and see where that gets me. I even thought about eating a scrambled egg but I don't want to rush things too much.

Is anyone surprised by the "look" of the port incision? Not the size mind you, I knew it was large with the size of the steri strips, but mine looks GROSS! Is that just because it is healing? The dr said everything looks good and i do trust him but it is so gross looking. All of my others are a pea sized bump with a cut on the top, but the port one is healed almost in the middle, but pea size bumps on the end and angry looking. I dont really know how to describe it but it looks nasty!

Hi all,

I am officially banded (10/20/11). Yeah!!!!!!. They also repaired a hiatal hernia. I ended up staying the night at the hospital. My surgery was late in the afternoon everything went smoothly. I was sore yesterday especially when I moved around. However, when I woke up this morning I felt much better. I was able to walk the halls at the hospital. I lost 17 pounds on the pre-op diet. I am looking forward to the journey that is ahead.

Take Care

If you remember I was banded on Oct.14th. I have had diarreah for 4 days now so i called Dr's office today. I have lost 13 lbs. But I haven't progressed off of clear liquids except one day. I went back to the clear liquids because of my problem. I feel pretty good ( well maybe a little weak) besides the diarreah. I have to go tomorrow morning and get a test for c-diff. I won't know till Monday. I am praying it isn't that! I read a little bit on the internet but none of it was good! Anyone know anything personally about it? Any info would make me feel better. I am trying very hard not to get dehydrated.

Randi