Feeling the band

diva · April 12, 2006

Hello all,

I keep reading about "feeling tight". Stupid question-do you always feel the band? All the time? I don't mean when you get a fill or when you come out of surgery but just on a normal day.

Thank you for answering.

ps My "New Patient Orientation" is next Monday!

Hedwig · April 12, 2006

I don't think that is a dumb question at all:D . I can't answer it because I am not banded yet . But I also would like to know if you can always feel the band. Or even the port. Does the port ever feel uncomfortable when you are sleeping:notagree ? And can you feel the band around you stomach at anytime or (when food passes through?)? Sorry I am not hi-jacking your thread . I just think it's a good question:clap2: . lol

JJB · April 12, 2006

I have been banded since Jan 24th of this year. I odnt really feel my band yet. But I need another fill. I do not over eat though. I guess just knowing it is there and that if I do over eat I might get sick helps me. Im a baby when it comes to getting sick. I do feel the port every once and a while. If I move the wrong way. It feels like its in the muscle or something. Nothing to bad though. I hope I have answered your questions. Maybe after my next fill I can help more about feeling the band. Good luck to you. JJB

the best me · April 12, 2006

hehe this is a very good question! I'll do my best here.

Nope, I never feel the band. I can't press my tummy and feel it in there, I can't twist a certain way and get a sensation of the band around my tummy. I'd never know it was there...unless I eat. Eating tells me my band is definately there. That's where feeling "tight" comes in. I don't walk down the hall of my home or office and "feel tight". I DO take a bite of cottage cheese and chew the heck out of it because I know what happens if I don't, and even then it still happens with cottage cheese. My band is very good about stopping me in my tracks. Well, except for those Cheetoes I ate last night. Doh!

The port is a little different. I can feel it under the skin and it can get sore from exercise, or I can lean over the washer just right and "OUCH!" or my 3yo can knee me accidentally.

Others will explain more and I hope you will get a good picture of banded life. Good luck!!

Alexandra · April 12, 2006

I agree wtih Kathy, and also think it's not a dumb question! My band is unnoticeable except in its effects; I only know it's there when I eat too fast or too much.

I'llsucceed · April 12, 2006

I feel my band everytime I eat. I also feel my band when I do certain exercises. But its a very soothing sensation, knowing that its there. Its more of the port area I feel when exercising & more of the actual band around my stomach when eating. My food tickels when it goes through & I know exactly when it passes.

niki · April 12, 2006

Hi,

I think Kathy explained it very well. We are not supposed to feel the band (it is buried down deep around your stomach) but you are supposed to feel the effect/consequence of having the band and that's where restriction or feeling tight comes in. Everytime you eat more (talking about quantity here) than you are supposed to, rest assured because the band will let you know it's time to stop eating.

There are several threads about restriction and they can be very useful. You'll see how feeling restricted can vary from one person to the other and how important it is to find the correct fill.

As for the port, I think most people can easily feel it under the skin just by touching it with your hand. You'll notice it as well when doing some exercises.

niki

Jen RN · April 14, 2006

you know i really thought that i would feel something in the stomach area immediately post op, throbbing at least. but nope, all i felt was the port and the port incision. now at 10 days post op all i have is stinging in the port area, i truly feel normal except in the amount of food i can eat, when i do push the amount it feels like a back ache, but no ring around the stomach or anything. i am really surprised.