Well, yesterday I had the band installed, and came home this morning. I am feeling pretty good. The only problems seem to be the gas pains, dry mouth, and a slight amount of pain around where the port was installed. I think the worst is the pain in my left shoulder caused by the gas. The nurse told me to lay on the side that hurts, as the gas tends to rise. I said, that's great. We'll just move the pain around a little. She also said to put a heating pad on the affected area. This seems to help quite a bit. I've also had my first two "meals?".....the first an 8 ounce chocolate protein (whey) drink, and the second, 8 ounces of chicken broth. Yum, Yum!! Also worth noting is that I put on 5 pound of what I am sure is IV fluid weight. I am sure this will come off as soon as I get regulated, and start exercising a little more. I walked around the hospital quite a bit, and just back from a short walk tonight. Again, the gas pains seem to cause the most distress when walking. I've also found that sitting in a chair isn't bad at all, but sitting in the recliner, and then getting up, really causes distress. I am looking forward to getting into a routine, start losing more weight, and most of all, get my health back.

hi lapbandade,

which hospital were you in. I had mine at st. als. I am glad that dr. Cahn let's us go home if we are doing good on the day of surgery. it has been 12 days and I still have gas pains in the left shoulder. hoping that will be gone soon.

welcome to the losing side of things

Congrats on entering bandland!

The first day of surgery, the gas pains hurt more when walking than when I was sitting or laying down (it also caused some nausea and the hiccups!), but by the next day I was able to walk around without discomfort.. and then the more I walkedd the better I felt!

I also noticed the same pain you described when i'd get up out of a recliner. I was okay standing/walking or sitting.. but getting up out of chairs - ouch!! Anything that uses the ab muscles really hurt. It will get easier everyday though!

I must have been different....my gas moved around as I walked. Every time I walked I started farting and burping and I could feel that gas moving around inside and trying to get out. From then on, every time I started having a bout of gas in my shoulder I would get up and start hiking around the house and it did wonders!!!! It was when I stayed in one place that it got bad.

Welcome to bandland! Walking helped me more than anything else, along with sipping lots of water!

:clap2::tea:Welcome to the site!! You will find lots of support here. Best of luck. Donna :)

gweniper,

I, too, was at St. Al's. The staff there is very good, and helpful. I would recommend any locals contemplating this surgery to go there.

Mary,

The gas pains are not quite as bad today, but still there. Walking helps, and now I just don't recline the recliner, and it seems to be better. I've noticed the ab muscles are a little touchy, also. My gas in that area feels just like a side ache.

kacee,

The only time I feel my gas moving around was when I first got up this morning. No pain at all until I started moving around, and then the shoulder started in again. It's been there ever since, but not as bad a yesterday. I kind of wonder why it doesn't stay where it was last night when it didn't bother me at all.

Iluvharleys,

Thanks for the welcome to bandland. I am looking forward to getting the program going. I've been good about my walks. This morning I was able to do a 3774 step walk, and then went to the store, and put in another few hundred steps. I try for 7000+ steps a day. The doc wants at least 5000 per day. I do sip all day, and also suck on ice chips. Just discovered the sugar free (15 calorie) popscicles. What a find!!

DonHoll1,

Thanks for the welcome. I am already finding lots of support, and I am thankful for it. I am sure all of us that have suffered through weight problems for years can appreciate any support available. I used to have doctors, and others, say, "you need to lose weight." It's easy to say, but, as we all know, not easy to do. Maybe I should have just waved my magic wand. That's how easy some people make it sound. Again, thanks for the encouragement.