I Did It! Became One Of The Banded - Two-Weeks Post Op Some Things I've Learned

[Ronnivee 11]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Ronnivee and I am 43 years old. After several years of being on the fence about Lap-band surgery, I have finally done it! My surgery date was June 12th and went very well. I still have a bit of port pain (burning and pulling sensation around my port area when I transition positions), but according to my doctor this is normal and will subside in a few weeks.

Some of the things I learned and didn't expect:

1) Recovery time - I thought that since I only had to stay in the hospital 1 day, I would be fully recovered and life would resume to normal. I was very lucky, I didn't experience the horrible gas pains in the neck and shoulders that most people do. I had some discomfort in my stomach but it went away with mylanta gas and walking around. What bothered me most was the pain around my port area. It was not constant pain, but any transition that I made there was an intense burning and pulling - like something was going to rip. I was assured by my doctor that it was the muscle healing around the port.

2) Energy level - I feel like I am in limbo. Before surgery, my eating habits were HORRIBLE and usually ended up with me on the couch in a carb induced coma. Currently, I am still on low/no carb liquids which has certainly been a challenge itself. My brain is fully awake and ready to go, but my body is still recovering from surgery and I am tired. This is a very strange feeling for me.

3) Getting Hungry - pre-surgery, I was constantly eating. I never allowed my stomach to be hungry. Stuffing myself constantly was an everyday thing for me - so feeling hunger pangs is very odd. I'm learning to listen to my body and training myself to eat because I need to and not because I want to...

4) Buyers Remorse - around day 4 and 5 I didn't expect to feel so sorry for myself - sorry that I couldnt indulge in all the food that my family was eating. I got depressed that I couldn't just pick up the phone and order my normal take-out and binge myself into yet another carb-coma. I cursed myself for making this decision, thought about ways I could get this removed (only for 2 seconds) and thought to myself "Damn, what the heck did I do." a lot of self-talk, watching inspirational you-tube videos and journaling really helped me on these days. As they say, This too shall pass - and it did - at least for now...

Sorry I was so long winded, but I hope this helps those who were banded after me or those who are considering becoming banded. 2 weeks out and I would do it again... Especially since I am down 16lbs since surgery

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

excellent post. thanks for sharing. i can so relate.

[DeAna N 229]

wonderful post Ronnivee very helpful for those of us that are preaapring to get to where you are thank you and I am glad you are doing so well if you work outside the home would you tell me how many days you took off? I'm hoping to only use 5DYS? how did you feel by dys 5? Were you able to sit for a long period? I work at a desk job and the summer is the hardest time to take extended time off.

[ashchap13 23]

Thanks for posting! I look forward to watching your journey! 16lbs in 2 weeks is awesome!

[colleenjoy 104]

congrats on your success so far! You're doing great. I had that buyers remorse on days 2-3. It was horrible, but now I'm in a good place.

[Ronnivee 11]

Thank everyone for your encouragement!

DeAna N, I was fortunate enough to be able to take several weeks off to recover. I was completely off of any pain meds by day 4. Sitting for a long period of time was not a problem for me. What hurt was transitioning positions - sitting to standing, I could not really bend, if I got up I had to sit back down slowly. Everyone's experience is different, but I was lucky in terms pain. I was really fatigued though - I felt like napping through out the day. it was not unbearable though - I think if I had to return to work I would have been ok. Hopefully, your job is not too demanding.

My only advice would be to get up and walk, walk, walk as soon as you can in the hospital. It helps to move the gas around and I think that really helped me avoid all the serious gas pains.

Good luck

[mizvicky 14]

Thank you for your honesty. I feel encouraged that I can do this !! I think for me changing those food overload episodes will be the hardest also. Yoiu sound a lot like me, and if you can do it so can I. Keep us posted on your progress.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

d, i work at desk job and took a total of 8 days. am glad i did.

[DeAna N 229]

I'm leaning toward taking five days off and work half days for five so I wont be too worn out it seems to take between 4-10 days to start. Feeling normal again

[LTbanded 1]

Thank you for sharing your experiences you have done so well to lose that much already!

Can I ask how did you manage to talk yourself round when you were fed up because you couldn't eat what you wanted? I'm suffering with this!

[Ronnivee 11]

Thank you for sharing your experiences you have done so well to lose that much already!

Can I ask how did you manage to talk yourself round when you were fed up because you couldn't eat what you wanted? I'm suffering with this!

It's tough and I am still struggling. But I kept reminding myself of why I came to the decision of a lap band in the first place. I try to remember how awful I felt AFTER I ate the food that wasnt good for me - how I'd end my evenings in carb-induced coma and so sluggish that I didn't want to do anything but sit around and sleep. How I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I made a list of all of the NSV's (non-scale victories I want to accomplish). Things I haven't been able to do in a long time - like get on an airplane without an extender belt, wear heels higher than 2 inches and going to six flags without stressing if I am going to fit on the rides or not.

I watched video after video on you tube - lap band success stories. I also researched recipes for healthier substitutes of the stuff I want to eat when I am cleared for regular food. I have recipes for a healthier option pizza, Mexican chicken, Chinese stir fry options, burgers - all of my favorite foods. I have been collecting recipes and will begin to make them them and modify them to suit my new lifestyle. I have healthy recipes for the next stage I will be on...

Journaling helps a whole lot too. It keeps your thoughts in order and provides a bit of a distraction.

Hang in there - this too shall pass. At least for a while lol...

[sman342 13]

Ronnie -

I too thought the surgery was a going to be a slam dunk. I was surprised by incision site pain because I expected i'd be up and at 'em right away. I didn't tell anyone about my surgery, even my kids, so I was able to hide my discomfort.

No gas pains either but my jaw killed because of way my head was tilted for intubation - I have small airway.

I got banded on 6/14/2012 so I think we'll be seeing alot of each other on the boards.

[Kekeboo 47]

I am pre-op and this was really helpful. Sometimes you think your the only one that eats that way. That describes me to a T. I was concerned about what to expect afterwards especially since I don't wait for the "fullness" to set in.

And WOW, 16 lbs...that is very encouraging.

[sman342 13]

About that 16 pounds.....

Congrats Ronnievee

My 10 day/2 week was 12 pounds. I'm tickled.

I haven't lost a pound in 4 days and I just started soft diet and getting what, maybe 800-900 calories?

But I am going to tell you what I am telling myself.....

The gastric band is not known for the rapid weight loss. The liquid diet is what made me lose 12 pounds in 2 weeks.

[sman342 13]

I'm leaning toward taking five days off and work half days for five so I wont be too worn out it seems to take between 4-10 days to start. Feeling normal again

You most likely won't NEED that much time off. Take it if you want it. I'd save for something fun like a shopping trip when pounds start droppin' like their hot!!!