I was just banded today and having a problem getting rid of what I think are hunger pains? not sure, could be the gassss. but i'm so excited to start this journey.:biggrin1: Any suggestions to figuring out what this pain is.

Shantell

Congrats! How exciting for you. I can't help with the pain issue since I'm still pre-op. But I'm sure someone will chime in.

How was the surgery? Were you nervous? What were your first thoughts as you woke up?

I experienced some strange stomach growling as well. From what I was told it is actually the water and other liquids you are drinking working their way through the stoma which is pretty swollen right now. It is different than hunger growling, or at least mine felt different. And congratulations on getting banded!

Probably gas pain...

Step away from your computer, go for a walk often over the next two weeks and get some rest.

Thanks everyone.

I was very nervous and excited. When I first woke up I was in no pain and thought how simple it was, i was feeling pretty well yesterday compared to today have not beeen sleeping so good. I'm a stomach sleeper and I feel my muscles and incisions today. But I'm wxcited for the future.

Congratulations! I am just 1 week post op and feel great. I have a little tightness in one area, but other than that fine. I have occasional gas and use the heating pad to ease that away. Walking and movement seem to help. I must say though I have been hungry from the get go. I had little swelling so I was able to sip my broth, drink my Protein drinks, and juice.

This week I'm on thicker liquids and had a can of tomato Soup last night. That really filled me up and was so much better. Combination of a little thicker and warm felt good.

Good luck to you.

Thanks Barbra!

I too have been able to sip broth and juice but it takes awhile to trinkle through. How did you put your weight measure on your name? Congrads on your weight loss..

I was just banded on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 and am feeling so depressed about it. I can't believe that I did something so drastic and feel like a failure for doing this.

I too am on a liquid diet and feel so weak. A close friend said the depression is probably related to lack of nutrition, going into ketosis before the surgery, and the anesthetic.

Has anyone else had these depressed feelings post op?

Thanks,

Kathi D

Kathi,

I too have had those feelings come and go. But I remind myself of why I did this, When i researched it and talked to several people who have done it they are so happy and wish they would have done it sooner. I did this because food was out of control for me and I want to live a healthier life. This is the hard part right now we can make it through this. Take a walk and make sure your taking a Vitamin. There is so much support here on this sight. I'm sure others will tell you the same. Cheer up We can do this.

Shantel

Grats Shantel!! Welcome to Bandland!

It will take some time to figure out what real hunger is now. If youre anything like me, I never allowed myself to feel real hunger because I was always stuffing food into my pie hole. *snickers*

Sip on your Water and Protein shakes whenever you get hungry. And it is normal to be hungry more often when you are on liquids. Don't worry about how much you're eating/drinking right now. Chances are, you aren't getting anywhere near 800 calories yet. So drink when you need to and focus on healing. You've gotten some good advice so far.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. And remember not to over-do it, which is easy to do when you feel so good but you must allow those stitches to heal and your band to get settled in before you do too much.

I'm pre-op but I wanted to say something about the post-op depression. I can tell you from reading hours and hours on the subject of surgery, it is normal to feel a sense of despair and depression. It can be a combination chemical balances out of whack from the anesthesia, plus the nutritional changes PLUS the fact that you have just undergone a huge transition! Seriously, you are not alone, I've read so many posts saying what you've said only to read the same people being overjoyed a few weeks later.

Sip sip sip. Make sure you don't take liquids down too fast. It probably is gas as well. You should know the difference between gas and hunger pains. Good luck.

Hi Everyone,

My date is August 8th, I am so glad it is in site. I go to the support groups and read these posts also, it seemed like it would never come. do you need to do the liquid thing for weeks prior to it? I have not had the boot camp yet.

I will probably be some what depressed not being able to eat what I want, but damm thats what got me here in the first place. I have quit drinking and smoking 25 years ago because it was hurting my life. I wanted it for a little while but never now. The saame will be about food. Just another addiction. Sure I'll cry & jump around in my playpen for a while then the rewards will come. good health. looking and feeling better. that's what I read on here. So when I feel bad I will be on here looking for help. and giving it when I feel better. Thanks, Patti

Hi Everyone, Well, I too was banded on the 20th Mine did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. If you're reading this and haven't had surgery yet, PLEASE EITHER STOP HERE, OR LOOK AT MY EXPERIENCE AS SOMETHING THAT VERY RARELY EVER HAPPENS.

The initial surgery seemed to go exactly as planned. Was done laproscopically, everything looking good. While I was in recovery, my blood pressure starting dropping and was headed for the basement. I was rushed back into surgery and 4 units of blood and a little over three hours later, I was back in recovery. Another unit of blood was given to me later up in ICU. I give all the credit to god and my surgeons and the anesthiesioligists for pulling me through. I finally came home today. I'm feeling pretty good, considering. I too had the strange tummy rumbling noises and soon learned not to ignore them for too long. Who knew you could still have BM's ( liquid slimey kind) almost a week of not eating anything!! Anyway, I had nights when I layed there in the hospital and second guessed myself and wondered if I had done the right thing. NO ONE could have predicted what happened to me. I am just thankful I'm home now and on the road to a new and healthier life. I haven't really missed any specific food so far, in fact I pretty much have to make myself eat and drink. So, that's my story so far. I'm not sorry I did it. I may

grimace with pain when I get the bill, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I have good insurance, so it shouldn't hurt too much. sorry for the bad writing and spelling..... my computer doesn't recognise this spell check program.................

I was just banded on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 and am feeling so depressed about it. I can't believe that I did something so drastic and feel like a failure for doing this.

I too am on a liquid diet and feel so weak. A close friend said the depression is probably related to lack of nutrition, going into ketosis before the surgery, and the anesthetic.

Has anyone else had these depressed feelings post op?

Thanks,

Kathi D

I'm 9 days pre-op and have been on liquid since last Wednesday. I've cried every other day for one reason or another. My friend is a social worker and she says that I'm probably going through a greiving process - grieving the loss of food, the loss of my "crutch" and way of life. You could be going through that, too. I think she's right on with me and my situation. Know that you're not alone in this decision...that's what helps me.

I was banded on the 20th of June as well.....and I did experience a day of depression, but mine was related I think to going thru the surgery alone and going home alone afterward.

I was on liquids for the first day and then onto cream Soups till today. Today my list includes mushies and I bought a couple of these great mashed frozen tater things, that are supposed to be like baked potatoes lol

I got one in sweet potato and I was in heaven. I tried to have some applesauce with it and felt full really quickly.

I got the same gasy grumbly things after surgery but know the diffrence between hunger and that because I am not usually in pain if hungry lol

I'm still swollen though, and I think I look like I swallowed a watermelon. My co-worker who was banded a month before me says I look fine, but then I've always been my own worst critic :confused:

I've walked around my apartment since I got home on Wed of this week, and today ventured for a two block walk to the store and back. I was pretty tired when I got done.

Still having some gas problems and taking the gas X strips for that. Hoping that will end soon.

I do find that when I eat the childrens Vitamins they make me a bit queasy, perhaps the sugar? I don't normally use sugar as I'm diabetic so I haven't' had anything else with sugar, gonna ask my Dr about that on Monday. Anyone else having problems with their vitamins making them queasy.

I found a great whey protien 24 grams per scoop, and I make a double scoop with milk or Water for Breakfast, and have a 3rd scoop in some cream of wheat for either lunch or dinner. Yay mushies.:clap2:

I don't regret my decision to have this band, I was scared to death to have surgery, as I'd never had sugery in my life before. But I can see how it's affecting me and it's all positive.

Head Hunger - Oh my you betcha, I hate to smell beef searing on the grill cuz I WANT IT NOW lol even when I know I'm not hungry, but I just walk away. The thought of PBing keeps me away from things I shouldn't be having lol

I'm excited that I have a tool to help me beat my last addiction....

Good luck to all the new bandsters and future bandsters :hippie: