Hi Everyone,

I had my surgery 12-17 and am now a BANSTER!! The whole surgery was more painful than I thought it would be. I did get up and walk at the hospital but not as much as I really could have. I just did not feel like it. It felt better to order pain releivers and lay it bed! Ha! I am exercising more now. All my incisions are OK, except my port incision is really sore. I am sure that it doesn't help much but I forget about it and seem to bump it often. It has a reddish circle around it, but I don't think it is infected. Did anyone else experience the red circle around your port incision? I'd really like to hear about this from several people. When I got home I took off the large band aid and there was tape on the incision holding it together. I felt compelled to take it off as it soaked in old dried blood. The incision did spread apart a little bit and this could be the reason for the red area around it, but that old dried blood looked so nasty and non clean I felt it was important to take it off. My lower back was killing me after surgery and it was not even bothering me prior to surgery. One of the surgery aides in the operating room told me that the operating table had a food rest on it and theat during surgery they stand you up at a 45 degree angle. I don't know if that could of caused it or not. Did anyone else have a hurting lower back afterwards?

I was surprised when my doctor told me to make an appoint for a month away. Is that the length of time form other doctors?

THE GOOD NEWS....I have lost 11 lbs. since surgery. I guess I am one of the lucky ones as I feel a great restriction and get full so easily. I can't imagine what a fill will feel like.

Looking forward to hearing all feedback!

Phyllis

Phllis, glad you're home and doing well. Do be careful with your incisions. Don't scrub on them or pick at them. Keep them clean and dry. You have no stitches to remove. Let the "surgi-strips" stay on until they come off on their own. As time goes on, you'll be aware of aches and pains in different parts of your body. Your body has been through a "little war". But it's temporary and each day will get better. Try to walk, walk, walk, and keep drinking that water. Unless you're having complications, there shouldn't be any rush to see the surgeon.

Congratulations Phyllis, enjoy your new journey with your band. As for the red incision, watch for any drainage. I wouldn't take a bath if it's still open, only showers, less chance for infection. I let my surgi strips fall off on their own, with a little help of clean soap and water. I was careful not to let my shampoo get on mine in the shower. Only a few more days to the mushy stage, yummmmm.

Definitely don't take steri-strips off before their time. If you have an opening in your wound, you can buy clean strips at the drugstore. That's all you have to hold the incisions together until they begin to close by themselves. Normally, the instruction is to let those come off on their own. Glad to hear you're doing well! You'll be posting your losses in no time!

Congratulations!!! wish you lots of good health and success!!!