Band out yesterday, sleeve in two weeks. Weird symptoms

anonynurse · June 2, 2011

Hi all. I had my lap band removed yesterday for the first part of my revision. I get sleeved on the 16th, after the inflammation has a chance to go down.

I am in a LOT more pain than I remember having when the band was put in. I wonder why that is? He didn't mention me having any scar tissue or having trouble wrestling the port out or anything like that, but I am bruised and sore up along my ribcage under my arms even and I find myself struggling to make myself stand up straight because it hurts worse for a bit when I stretch those muscles. I am finding I itch like crazy all over. I can take showers and I am going to try one tonight and see if that helps. Yesterday I thought it was the itchy side effect from morphine in the recovery unit, but it has been well over 24 hours now, so it can't be that. I just itch itch itch all over.

I expected to be ravenous after it came out but so far today I hardly have any appetite. I made myself a nourishing "let's feel better" broth with ginger, garlic, carrots, orange juice, chicken broth etc and that tasted really good, but one bowl was plenty. Of the foods I do eat, everything tastes funny and "off" I am wondering if this is psychsomatic on my part. It is weird..

I am walking a lot and not letting my husband do too much for me so that I stay active. So that is good. The gas pains have been minimal, though I have started having a twinge of it in my shoulder this evening for the first time. My scale says I gained 11 lbs between yesterday and today. :eek: I have to assume that is front inflammation and will go back down. I start my pre-op diet for the sleeve tomorrow. Right now it sounds like way too much to get in - five shakes or bars a day and one meal consisting of 5 oz of lean Protein and 2 cups of nonstarchy veggies. Seeing that number on the scale, which I have not seen in over three years, has me kind of bummed out.

So. Two weeks from tomorrow I get to go through this all again, probably right as I am starting to feel better. Ah well. I chose this. Just feeling whiny, tired and vulnerable tonight. My husand is sweet and helpful but it wears on him when I have a problem he can't fix and it makes him pretty grumpy, though he tries to hide it.

Gloucester · June 2, 2011

I'm sorry you're feeling so much pain! My doc did both removal and sleeve in one shot, so I'm not sure how I'd handle 2 surgeries back to back like that. Good luck with your pre-op and you sleeve surgery!

Jax · June 2, 2011

I am having my band out/revision to sleeve on the 17...day after you. I hope you feel better way before than! Why did your doc choose to do 2 separate operations? How long was your band in? Mine is only 15 months old so maybe its a scar tissue thing if yours was in longer? In any event, you are 1/2 way home! Go you!

Rev Me Up! · June 2, 2011

I have heard that some people have itching from the surgical glue or tape on top of the incisions - make sure to call the doc and make sure that's all it is. Maybe they will clear you for some Benadryl for relief.

Not sure what to say about your experience because I had the band out and sleeve in on the same day. The stomach is so battered after the lap band comes out - I would'nt be surprised that you are not hungry yet. I found the recovery with the band revision to sleeve to be MUCH harder than my lap band recovery. The other side of that is that sleeve really works :-) The recovery really sucks, but you eill have very consistent restriction from day 1.

Hang in there and call the doctor about your concerns - never assume anything is "normal". Better to get some feedback from them and make sure all is well.

Take care-

anonynurse · June 2, 2011

I am having my band out/revision to sleeve on the 17...day after you. I hope you feel better way before than! Why did your doc choose to do 2 separate operations? How long was your band in? Mine is only 15 months old so maybe its a scar tissue thing if yours was in longer? In any event, you are 1/2 way home! Go you!

My doctor always does revisions in two separate surgeries. Taking the band out causes inflammation of the stomach wall. There is a higher incidence of leaks in people who have it all done in one surgery because when the inflammation goes down, stitching that seemed well approximated and solid actually can have gaps that weren't there when the swelling was present.

I have had my band since November of 2008, so for a few years. I do note, even with the pain, there is something healthier feeling internally having that thing out. I hope the sleeve gets the rest of my excess weight off.

Started my two week pre-op diet today and am already rememering how much I dislike Protein shakes. Bleh! lol

gloinva · June 6, 2011

Hope your feeling better today, I'll be having the band out and sleeve in on the 20th in one shot. Hope there will be no leaks in my future. I am always itchy it seems after pain meds, sometimes that can last a little longer than 24 hours for me. I start my liver shrinking diet tomorrow. Here's to looking forward to the other side.

Gloria