QUESTION about pain from port and hunger! Banded Oct. 31!

Mysticalks · November 4, 2007

Hey all!

I was banded October 31st and this is the 5th day of my recovery. Overall, I feel really energetic and back to normal. I can't even feel pain from the incisions on my belly. There's only one thing holding me back- where the port was sewed into my stomach muscles. Of course I don't expect there to be absolutely no pain so soon after surgery, but the pain is EXCRUCIATING. And I'm not exaggerating. I'm getting so frustrated bc I feel fantastic other than that. It makes it SO painful to even walk. I don't feel as if it's made any progress. My questions are:

For those of you who have completely healed, how long did it take for your port incision to feel OK? Did you experience the same amount of pain as I am (excruciating) after approximately the same amount of time post-op?

As for the pain meds, how often did you take them? Sometimes I get worried that if I DO take them every 4 hours as directed, they'll start to wear off and stop working so much eventually.

Also, I'm on the liquid diet and I'm finding that I get full very quickly at each meal that I don't eat that much, but I get hungry very fast after that (about an hour after). Do you have any suggestions on what to eat to help with that? I'm guessing it's normal since it IS liquid, but I'm double checking!

Thanks!

Love,

Kara

Shelby · November 6, 2007

Hi Kara,

Firstly, congratulations on your band! I'll answer your questions based on my own experience. I was banded Aug 28th and had alot of port pain as well. I didn't have pains with my other incisions just where my port was attached to the muscle. It took me 3 1/2 weeks before I had no pain. The only time I was not in pain was when I was laying down. I found if I was able to lay down for a couple of hours during the day I didn't have as much pain after. It gave my body a break. Whenever you can - lay down.

Keep taking your meds as directed. You want to stay ahead of your pain - you don't want to be chasing your pain. It doesn't feel good at all :-) I was prescriped liquid pain meds but at my 2 wk follow up appt my doc gave me something stronger. It was not liquid but I was able to cut the pill in half and had no problem with it. That's when I feel much better! What a relief different pain meds make. I was able to work a full day without crying driving home from the pain.

Re hunger. The first week after surgery I wasn't hungry at all. I did sip on alot of Soup mainly because warm Soup tasted better than a cold Protein drink (and I like Protein drinks). Have you tried egg drop soup? I still make if now. It's good and I'm not hungry for a few hours after a mug of that. Someone posted the recipe here - I forget who is was but thank you! Basically heat up chicken broth in a pan, add egg and mix while heating up, salt & pepper to taste. It's quick, easy, filling and warm.

I hope this has helped you. You are doing great! Your body needs to heal so don't rush it. Some of us have more pain than most - don't know why that happens but lucky us :-)

Keep posting - let us know how you are doing!

Mysticalks · November 6, 2007

Thanks for all of the advice that You have given me! It makes me a lot less frustrated to know that It's normal to have this terrible port pain. I'll ask my doctor about the meds- that's a great idea.

As for the hunger, thanks for the recipe! I'll definitely try it sometime. I just had egg drop Soup yesterday and I noticed that it was a lot more filling. I appreciate you giving me the recipe

Once again, thanks for all of your advice and info!! You've helped a lot.

Debbs27 · November 6, 2007

Hi Kara,

I was banded October 22 and I too had port pain. Sounds like yours was much worse then mine, anyway the nurse told me a heating pad would help - it did! Give it a try.

Debbie

AUNTTAH · July 23, 2008

I have the same pain, I am 1 week out from surgery, I have returned to work but can't bend and about 10am everyday I get very sore, I have started using liquid tylenol for the pain and it seems to help,I will be glad when it heals because this is the only pain I am experiencing.