Hi

I was just banded 3 days ago and have been upset ever since, feeling that I've done something awful to myself - did anyone else have serious doubts AFTER surgery - will I ever feel normal again?

My back is painful, I'm bloated and I havn't slept hardly at all for 2 nights, the stitched areas are painless and healing well but the port area is just so sore that I am still in a great deal of pain and others seem to be fine after only 48 hrs. Is this normal, did anyone else have pain and doubt but a happy ending? I feel that i discuss it much with my family as they were so agaqinst the band in the first place.:cry :help:

I think we all felt that way for the most part. Hang in there, it does get better. I remember feeling that way too, think what the hell did i do. Your port pain is normal. I am about 3 months out and I don't feel it at all. I promise, each day gets better and better! Did your doctor prescribe you pain meds? Use them, that is what they are for. The back pain you are feeling is most likely gas. Use some gas x or mylicon and walk as much as possible. If your family doesn't support you, come to this site, we certainly do! Please feel free to send me a pm. I will help you all the way.

KJ

Thanks, it's been so good to say how I felt and a little understanding from a woman on the other side of the world has made me tearful - I will try to be positive and greatly value your support.Tidge, UK

Tridge,

You poor thing. Feelin' the way you describe, I'm not surprised you have 2nd thoughts. But, on the bright side, remember that everyone heals differently and all the things that you're describing are absolutely normal. Just because someone else felt 100% in 2 days doesn't mean you will. Try not to compare, I know it's hard.

1-Port soreness and pain can actually last up to a couple of weeks or more, depending on you, how you heal, your activity level and your nutritional status.

2-Bloatedness is absolutely normal, too. Remember, they pumped you full of air to be able to see what they were doing. Besides, your insides don't like to be messed with and their response is to swell-hence bloating. Getting up and simply walking around can help this. 2 things happen, your body can absorb part of the gas......you pass the rest. I personally didn't take it, but I've heard gas-x can help.

3-back pain. If you're not sleeping as you normally would AND you still have bloating, I'm not surprised you have back pain. This also depends on you. Do you have a history of back problems? If not, the best thing you can do is get up and get moving. This will help both the bloatedness and the back pain. Also, don't be afraid to take something for it. liquid tylenol was adequate for me, but if you need something stronger talk to your doc. I think I had some liquid tylenol #3 immediately post-op.

4-You just had surgery on your abdomen. You probably can't sleep as you normally would simply because of that, then combined with the back pain.....man, it's a circle of misery. Find a comfy chair and take some cat naps. Once you feel good enough to do the bed, prop yourself with pillows so you're comfy. As you heal, this gets better too.

Everyday past surgery should be getting better for you. As the swelling goes down and the soreness goes away, you'll start to feel like your old self again.

I had my surgery only a month ago and the port pain was the worst. I could only sleep sitting up or on the couch for several days. I could get in the bed but couldn't get out so I slept on the couch instead. My back killed me because I normally sleep on my side or on my stomach. Sleeping in one position all night was not pleasant. Do you notice that each day you are feeling just a bit better than the day before? Take your pain medicine and your gas x and walk around and you will feel loads better. I also doubted myself after surgery wondering what I had done to myself. Life will never be the same, I'll never be able to eat anything I like again, etc. but now that I have gotten through these last few weeks, I realize that life won't be the same as it was, it is getting better and better as the pounds come off! I can right now pretty much eat anything because I don't get my first fill until June 6th but I am eating so much less than before. Just think how you'll feel this summer carrying less weight, wearing shorts again (I haven't worn them in years in public), confidence growing because you look and feel so much better. Good luck and a swift recovery!

Thanks so much - I am so glad I came online - that is EXACTLY how I am sleeping, or trying to, I'm not sure what the british equivalent to gas-x is but I will find out! Really good to know I'm not alone.

Hi Tidge - You aren't alone! On the 4th day I cried all day and questioned what I had done to myself. The next day I was 100% better. My port area is still a bit sore. They stitch it to muscles, so it's understandable that it would be sorer than others.

I just removed my steri strips and have red blotchy spots around my incisions, the incisions look great, but I think I'm allergic to something in the glue. I hope that goes away!

You'll do fine, I think there is going to be times when we all question what we've done. I like to eat and will certainly miss not being able to eat certain things - but the weight I've lost so far is making it all worth while. And seeing the way my husband looks at me just from losing what I have, makes it nice too

Tridge,

You poor thing. Feelin' the way you describe, I'm not surprised you have 2nd thoughts. But, on the bright side, remember that everyone heals differently and all the things that you're describing are absolutely normal. Just because someone else felt 100% in 2 days doesn't mean you will. Try not to compare, I know it's hard.

1-Port soreness and pain can actually last up to a couple of weeks or more, depending on you, how you heal, your activity level and your nutritional status.

2-Bloatedness is absolutely normal, too. Remember, they pumped you full of air to be able to see what they were doing. Besides, your insides don't like to be messed with and their response is to swell-hence bloating. Getting up and simply walking around can help this. 2 things happen, your body can absorb part of the gas......you pass the rest. I personally didn't take it, but I've heard gas-x can help.

3-back pain. If you're not sleeping as you normally would AND you still have bloating, I'm not surprised you have back pain. This also depends on you. Do you have a history of back problems? If not, the best thing you can do is get up and get moving. This will help both the bloatedness and the back pain. Also, don't be afraid to take something for it. Liquid tylenol was adequate for me, but if you need something stronger talk to your doc. I think I had some liquid tylenol #3 immediately post-op.

4-You just had surgery on your abdomen. You probably can't sleep as you normally would simply because of that, then combined with the back pain.....man, it's a circle of misery. Find a comfy chair and take some cat naps. Once you feel good enough to do the bed, prop yourself with pillows so you're comfy. As you heal, this gets better too.

Everyday past surgery should be getting better for you. As the swelling goes down and the soreness goes away, you'll start to feel like your old self again.

Hello. I was wondering if you can help me. i don't even know if I am reply correctly, but I want to [post something on this to get some feedback, but can't figure it out. ???

Thanks

Tidge, I felt the same way, especially as I had a tough time recovering. In fact, I was freaking out a bit. If you had asked me then if I would have done this I would have said no. Now I say yes, even though I have port area pain evryday. Hang in there, it does get better.

Whitezgirl,

Are you trying to reply to this thread regarding port pain or are you trying to start a new thread? If you want to reply to the port pain thread, you did just fine. Just click on reply, type your post and then hit submit reply.

Hi Tidge,

I think it is safe to say that days 2 and 3 are the worst. You are almost out if really bad part, every day you will feel better and better. My doc gave me liquid vicadin, I sucked that down mostly in the first couple of days. It took two weeks before I could bend over without port pain. Find a spot where you are the most comfy and get your family or friends to come help you with anything that absoutely needs to be done. I promise you the pain doesn't last. Just keep your chin up cause you are gonna feel great really soon

Poor baby... I know how you feel. I'm 13 days out and older than most here so that colors my recovery time. I also wondered "what the heck did I do to myself". But as everyone has said, it does get better. I no longer feel like my insides are falling out my port area when I bend over. I do get a lot of port pain if I'm out and about too long during the day. But I can live with that especially when I see my weight loss, it's not as much as some others but more than I've seen in 10 years. Hang in there.... the best is yet to come!!!!

Roberta

I'd be willing to bet that all of us had that thought of "OMG, What have I done to myself???!!!"

It's very normal, and I promise that each day gets better. And just about the time you realize you're feeling better you'll be blown away by your weightloss and that's what its all about! *big hugs*

Tidge, like the others said, it does get better. I had my surgery a little over a week ago, and to be honest, was feeling pretty lousy until yesterday. My doctor let me have some scrambled eggs and it was so wonderful and made me feel so much better. I had been having trouble sleeping at night due to port pain as well, so I just started taking the pain medicine the doctor prescribed for me at bedtime and that helped. Last night was the first night I slept really well and was finally able to sleep on my side instead of my back. Everyone heals and recovers differently, but you will be glad you did this. After talking to several people, it sounds like we all go through a real bad day. Mine was Thursday, I felt so sorry for myself and had a major pity party that day. But, 3 days later and I am now feeling pretty good.

I am so amazed that you all have taken the time to read and respond and HELP me - thanks so much.

I was in pretty bad shape for about 5 days. I was walking but very slowly. When you look for gas-x if you can't find it, go to the baby section and get milicon (spelling?) it is a liquid for gas relief in babies. Tums also helps relieve gas. I put a heating pad on my back and shoulders and that was a great way to relieve back pain. Also try sleeping with an sxtra pillow to help support your back and belly. The back pain can be from the way you were positioned during surgery, they have to arch your body to do abdominal surgery and that can leave you in pain. Take the pain meds if you have them, if not take liquid tylenol or crush regular tylenol, every 4 hours, even if you are not in pain. It is easier to control pain then to stop it. If you keep the pain meds in you system it will keep in under control. Drink plenty of liquids, and walk as much as you can. I found that warm liquids made me feel better, they seemed to sooth the sore insides and made me sleep more soundly. I am here several times a day, PM me if you want to talk or have any questions. ~Mandy