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:

Tidge, I believe Gas-X is a drug called Simethicone. It also comes in liquid Maalox here in the States. I've said this many times on this site. The thing that helped my port pain the most was wrapping my body, not too tightly, with a stretchy bandage. We call it an ACE bandage here. It helped me - and my daughter - so, so much. TRY IT!

hi,

I am 11 days post op and you are not alone. i thought i had been duped!!! i had read such wonderful things "i love my band" "god bless the band" etc.... i hated it. i even told my sister no matter what i say never do this to yourself. i had horrible painful burping, some port pain, lethargy and weakness and the emotional withdrawl of food was the worst. not eating was devestating for me and i even felt depressed. my first 5 days were the worst. and then i got up on day 6 and bam i felt human again!!!Today, I am almost normal very little port pain only notice when bending over. My energy level is back (thank god!) and I am feeling better about the whole food withdrawl thing. I really did feel like a crack addict must feel when taken off crack. I wanted to eat so badly that i said if someone were around to take this out i would pay to get it out just so i can go eat. I do not feel that way now. it is amazing the difference a few days make. i now feel dedicated, energized and optimistic for the first time in a long time. don't think too far ahead literally just take it day by day! your goal is to make it through today, that's it you can do it!!!!! hang in there, your not alone. remember today only!!

Your body is healing right now, there is a lot of internal stuff going on that doesn't normally happen. I had my surgery less than two weeks ago and felt the exact same way at first. Gas pains were bad, port pain was bad, my abdomen looked like someone stomped all over it. But belive us when we say each day gets better! I am less than 2 weeks post op and I feel 100 x's better each day. Almost no pain, mild soreness in the port area. This journey we are on will take us many directions, you are that bumpy road right now, just hang in there, soon you will see smooth roads ahead. There will be other obstacles, but remember this forum is always here, 24 hours a day! Its saved me many times so far!! Chin up!

Wow!! I am so glad I visited today! I am 5 days post-op and I myself said the same thing for the first 2-3 days!! What have I done???:think I thought I was abnormal because I know 4 people personally that have been banded and all 4 said they were up and running around the following day with no pain (just soreness) and only used their pain meds that first night!! I was miserable and in a considerable amount of pain too. Glad that I am not alone!! Thanks you guys for all the info it really made me feel better but as most of you said each day seems to be getting better and easier!

Tidge -

Are you feeling any better?

I know many people that had doubts, and even some folks that had fullblown panic attacks (like me!) It's part of the process and totally normal. Hang in there and things will get better, then once the weight starts coming off you'll realize what a great decision you made. Good luck to you!

Yup! Buyers remorse!!!! Totally normal feeling. But you will feel so much better once you get your strength back, get that fill, and you can start using the band. You are just healing right now. The band is not even being used yet. Once it kicks in, watch out!

Someone posted a list of the stages of the lapband journey, and I laughed when I saw that one stage was, "OMG, what did I do to myself?!" Most of us remember that stage very well, so just hang in there and we promise it DOES get better soon.

My sister just had her surgery and has been ready to kill me for the last couple of days, as she had a harder time than I did with gas and nausea...even had to go back and have them put a tube down her nose and into her stomach to suck out some of it! She's sure I lied to her about how recovery is! Thankfully she's doing better today.

Emily

Hi all - thanks for your support - I am feeling a lot better now 8 days post - op. To be honest I really still don't know how I will get to work on Tuesday though, I obviously recover slowly. Mentally however I am much better and the port pain eases each day - by far the worst pain now is GAS which builds up throughout thecday and as I type this it is really bad in my stomach - I am hoping that it will also get beter daily. Off to make some peppermint tea which seems to help.

Another bandster posted that to ease wind one should place feet together whilst sitting, draw legs into chest and roll - I guess she must have reached her target weight, sounds impossible to me! ha ha.

Glad to hear you are starting to feel better. I hope the gas also gets better each day now too. Keep your chin up, each day is a day closer to a thinner you~Mandy

Walk, walk, walk... then walk some more. Hope you're feeling better now. Remember, the more you DO (as in exercise/walk), the better you will heal and begin to feel your old self again.

I feeling in

I started feeling better in about a week. Hang in there, you should be feeling better soon. By the way, if you don't have any pain meds I suggest asking your surgeon for some. Loratab was a lifesaver for me the first week after surgery. Good Luck to you.:clap2:

Through the early stages of your band journey you are going to have those moments where you think "I did this why?" , there will probably be the time when you eat something that gets stuck and you are wondering if you are permenantly doomed to this horrid pain and then "voila" it is gone and you know that one particular food is either no longer your friend or one that needs to be eaten differently.

Just remember this is a journey to reshape your life! It isn't going to be easy, at times not so pretty and even mentally draining. BUT when you can lay on your back pull your knees to your chest and roll around to relieve gas pain OR sprint up a flight of stairs and not colapse 1/2 way up you will realize what a great journey this really is!

Let us know when you need a good strong shoulder to lean on, I know it has been amazing for me to have such loving and supportive people to turn to when no-one else is listening!

Skye

I'm feeling pretty much the way you are. I'm still real sore . But I have been excercising light toning & treadmill 40 mins every other day . Doc said that was ok. I have continous pain on the left side and I also have been waking up 2 -3 times a night . I hope the discomfort goes away. Good luck .Keep in touch.Sandra