We're any of you BANDits instructed to do lung exercises after surgery to prevent bronchitis & pneumonia? My sister had her sleeve and given a devise to take home and exercise her lungs but I wasn't given one with my band.

Got one after my band. Was told to use it 3-4 times a day for a week

I've had three major surgeries, including my banded plication, gallbladder, hernia repair combo surgery. I was given a spirometer after each surgery, and told that it was to help keep my lungs clear, to avoid pneumonia. I was instructed to use it once an hour for a full week. After my band surgery it was painful, because I had a hard time breathing for a good 2-3 weeks.

I am 7 days postop and have been having trouble with back pain. It was mostly in the center of my back but overnight and this morning it's also lower back! Had serious heartburn last night too..anybody else experiencing these things?!

Carol - this thread is a different subject matter than what you're asking. You will get a lot more responses on your question, if you post it on a separate thread.

I was banded last week and received one too. I was told to use it 3-4 every hour for a week. The nurse said it is commonly given to patients who under go surgery in the abdomen or cheat area to help prevent pneumonia and the exercise of holding ur breath for a few minutes helps to stretch the muscles around the lungs. After surgery I did feel short of breath a lot and these exercises helped a lot. After a few days my 3 year old stole mommies "game" so I just continued to do some deep breathing exercises on my own.

Both my husband and I were given one after surgery. We were both banded in May. However my father had curated artery surgery and he was given one as well, so I'm thinking this might just be something they do for any extensive surgery where the patient is intubated and sedated to open up the lungs and clear them of fluid after surgery.

Girl your right on! I worked in the nursing field for many years and the always used some sort of treatment post surgery to prevent pneumonia as you tend to breath shallow after surgery.

I got LB and did NOT get an incentive spirometer. Don't worry' date=' it is usually given to those who underwent cardio or lung surgery as there is a direct compromise to the lungs. However, it is also given to anyone who were under anesthesia for long periods of time. Because LB is such a short surgery (comparatively) it is not a requirement. IS's just may be standard protocol for some facilities opposed to medically warranted. However, with that being said, deep lung exercises are always a must. So just breathe normal with ocassional bouts of intentional deep breaths for 30 seconds every hour just to clear the anesthesia. Thanks for the share[/quote']

I think you nailed it! My sister has the sleeve done and I had lapband.... I guess since my surgery was about an hour or less (and hers lasted longer) she was given it and I wasn't. Thanks all for commenting <3

I did not get one either and I wondered about not having one, as I know many times after surgery they usually give you to help clear your lungs.