Hey all!

It's been about 8 months since I was banded. I've had 3 fills. To date I have lost around 75 pounds. I'm halfway to my goal weight. I started at a size 26/28 pants (and they were tight) and am now just starting to wear size 18 pants. The boobs are still big as ever (to my dismay), but I've gone from 4X shirts to 1X.

I have to drink Slimfast shakes for Breakfast most days, or I end up throwing up. I can eat a smallish lunch (a microwave meal cup, or some Soup. Sometimes a little more). I can eat a pretty good supper yet -- definitely less than in the past -- but I have to be careful about not eating too fast. And I have to avoid breads, potatoes and sometimes other foods (sometimes chicken).

I do get frequent left shoulder pain. I used to think it was eased by eating something Protein, but I really think it's gas. I've been trying Gas-X to treat it. I just started, so I don't know if this is the solution or not. I don't like the discomfort!

I excercise 3-5 times a week (well, it's been hard this past month, but snow shoveling is pretty good exercise!) I don't think I'll ever enjoy exercise, but I know how important it is. I just tried Zumba, and think it's pretty fun. Just need to get my work schedule and the Zumba schedule to not coincide!

Ok -- so now my question:

Tonight my port area is sore. It feels like it's bruised or something. Lately I have been able to actually feel my port too. Am I doing something wrong?

Any advice would be gratefully taken!

Thanks In Advance!

Bec:help:

I have lost enough that my port sticks out pretty good. I have to be careful to protect it now. Donna

I love feeling mine just under my skin, especially when I'm laying flat.......... makes me feel skinny! :eek:

I love feeling mine just under my skin, especially when I'm laying flat.......... makes me feel skinny! :eek:

Me too hehehe.

I haven't recently bumped my port, that I remember anyway. Is it normal for it to be a little sore sometimes? It doesn't feel sore today.

I guess I'm just a little weirded out being able to feel my port. It's bigger than I thought it would be.

Thanks for the replies!

Bec

Sometimes when I lean a certain way and my waistband pushes into it my port will get sore. I am not familiar with Zumba, from what I read on the internet it is like a latin dance exercise routein? Well if that has you holding your core muscles tight and twisting you could be making tiny tears in the muscles or tissue that the port is sewn into. Snow shoveling I would think would do that too, especially if you are twisting and throwing a shovel full of snow over your shoulder or to the side. Maybe the way you healed up at your port site is not used to all the twisting and turning and you are making small tears in the tissue. I would check with a doc and make sure your exercises are ok. Which they probably are, and you probably need to work the area out to get more flexibility. I would think it is like any other surgery. As far as working it out so the muscles don't lock up, if that makes any sense. If it is at all possible give your stomach a rest the day after a core workout and work your arms or legs. Then go back to the core area. I could just be talking out of my head because I am not expert but I wanted to try and help.

Sometimes when I lean a certain way and my waistband pushes into it my port will get sore. I am not familiar with Zumba, from what I read on the internet it is like a latin dance exercise routein? Well if that has you holding your core muscles tight and twisting you could be making tiny tears in the muscles or tissue that the port is sewn into. Snow shoveling I would think would do that too, especially if you are twisting and throwing a shovel full of snow over your shoulder or to the side. Maybe the way you healed up at your port site is not used to all the twisting and turning and you are making small tears in the tissue. I would check with a doc and make sure your exercises are ok. Which they probably are, and you probably need to work the area out to get more flexibility. I would think it is like any other surgery. As far as working it out so the muscles don't lock up, if that makes any sense. If it is at all possible give your stomach a rest the day after a core workout and work your arms or legs. Then go back to the core area. I could just be talking out of my head because I am not expert but I wanted to try and help.

This is very helpful! Thank you!

I've actually only done Zumba (you have it right, Latin dance exercise) once. Work and shoveling snow have made getting to classes very difficult. But, I think you are onto something with the snow shoveling. We got 7 more inches today and I noticed that while I shovel, my port area hurts a little. So now I have to get someone to help me shovel -- that's a good thing (although last month, with shoveling as my major form of exercise, I lost 8 pounds!)!

Bec

Glad I could help. Wow an 8lb loss shovelling snow, that is great. Although I don't think it is enjoyable for you. I might try the Zumba too, it looked kinda fun when I looked it up. I live in GA so snow is kinda foreign for me. Well, I've seen it here just not in depth, and it melts very quickly. When it snows hear all the kids freak out and go make snow men which look like orange (GA red clay)and white dirtballs. LOL. Oh, and the schools close, the grocery stores sell out of bread and milk, and everybody has major car accidents. All this for what looks like God to a giant salt shaker and sprinkled the ground with a dusting of salt. LOL. Home sweet home. I couldn't imagine living up north where there is so much snow you'd actually have to shovel it. You are braver than I! Anyways, I'd still run it by your doc, just to make sure everything is AOK, but I think you are fine. Hey what's the old saying, "no pain, no gain, er well in our case no loss." LOL. Stay warm!