Hi! Maybe some of you can help me. I got the lap band on 12/12 and have been off coffee for a while. My doc said I could have coffee after four weeks. I'm just curious- what are the rest of you doing about this? I'm dragging in the a.m. I also really enjoyed my morning coffee- not to excess but just in a.m. Any help out there? I noticed we all have different post op instructions... Thanks so much!:whoo: Oh- also, can anyone else feel their port still in their stomach? Mine is still swollen (that area of the abdomen) and feels like there will be a lump there forever? Will I be misshapen all my life now?

Banded 12/12/07

246/216/140

BMI 40

38 y.o. School Counselor

Kim

My doc okayed coffee but I don't tend to drink it as much as I used to. I used to be addicted to lattes but don't want all those calories. I've switched instead to steamers. I use low fat milk and sf syrup. It gives me the hot and some Protein that I wouldn't get in the mornings without it. The warmth is what I used to drink the coffee for anyways so it's all a fair trade.

As far as the port site. I was told it was scar tissue, not necessarily swelling. I guess it will be better as time goes on. The scarring will be less. At least that's what I've been hearing. I think it will go away. If it doesn't, the bump will be a small price to pay for the weight loss. But looking at the after pics on the main board, I'd say we don't have anything to worry about.

Good luck,

Steph

Hi, we were banded the same day....I too, was highly addicted to latte's before my surgery. I would have sometimes 2-3 a day.

But, my dr doesnt allow any caffeine at all, so ive been forced to forego it. It was hard the first 2 weeks..but now, i dont crave them as much. I usually just do some decaf tea.

Good luck to you...

:girl_hug:Well, caffeine wasn't totally restricted after 1 week. I was amazed. I figured I would have to do without. But, I have 1 cup in the morning - no other caffeine. What I miss is my Half and Half. Can't have that now and the Fat Free stuff doesn't cut it. But, I guess I eventually learn to love it.

My abdomen is still swollen. I sticks out in my tops.

I was banded on 12/12 also.

Be blessed to day,

C.N.

My abdomen is dented ... looks really weird, almost like a shallow second belly button. I'm REALLY hoping that it's swelling and will go down!

I'm not caffeine restricted, but I am carbonated beverage restricted. Hard to believe it's been almost two weeks since I've had a diet coke!! I'm drinking a lot of iced tea though. :eek: It's a decent substitute.

Thanks! I'm okay without the soda, but the coffee is quite another issue. Of course the wierd thing is that I can cup my port under the lump in my abdomen! Feels really wierd!

ok, speaking of the 'dent' and port placement...? Where is yours? I thought it was going to be more toward the left, but mine is more centralized! Just curious...

My port site is right center of my breast and down about 2 inches and it is still really swollen I feel. I was banded 12/19. I just drint decaf coffee, but that is what I have also drank and dr. said ff french villinia was fine.So that is what I am drinking now.

My dent is pretty much right in the middle of my stomach. Still looks weird.

Hi everyone I am new to this site. I was banded 12/13 and was wondering if anyone was experiencing left shoulder pain and having a hard time taking a deep breath it's been this way since my surgery.

Yes, I have the left shoulder pain. I was banded 12/12.

It isn't intense but it wears on me.

A heating does help.

C.N.

I was banded on the 26th, two days ago, and have no idea where my port is other than it's the largest scar. The surgeon said it's right where that scar is but it doesn't feel any differant than any of my other incisions (5 in all). It pretty much in the lower center of my stomach.

Jenn

Oh, I meant to add about the shoulder pain. I experienced some mild shoulder pain the day of my surgery and a little bit yesterday. I have been using a heatin pad and I think that's been really helping. Not to be gross but I have been also passing a lot of gas which I'm sure helps ease the pressure. Try a heating pad if you can.

Jenn

Thanks apparently the shoulder pain is common. Trust me the passing gas part is not gross they use gas in during the surgery to distend your abdomen so the faster it breaks down and dispels the better off you are. I'm 19 days post op and have little to no pain on my incision sites, the port site did take the longest to heal and every once in awhile I can move the wrong way and tell something is in there but according to everyone I've talked to that will never go away. A small price to pay in my book for my new body that will soon emerge.:clap2:

Take some Gas-X strips.

Also, those stick on heating pad things are really helpful, too. Therma-something... Believe me, they help

I switched to full liquids as planned this week and am consuming approx. 550 calories and am walking a mile and a half a day I'm now at a stand still I started at 283 the morning of my surgery and 18 days post I'm at 265 I don't know if I'm eating too many calories or not drinking enough water. Does anyone know what the recommended calorie intake is at this point I don't see the dietician until the 15th.