Okay, I got the surgery, yea! I wish to look as good as all of you bandsters who posted your pictures! I have a list of things going on with me...and I am wondering if you could tell me if they are normal, or not. This will help me greatly. Here goes:

1. Well, the clear liquid diet going okay. But, I have been noticing my BM's are liquidy too. Like, watered down. Is that normal?

2. My left side (where the port is) feels weird, like if I laugh too hard the port will pop out! Is that normal?

3. With my flu, when I cough, I feel like I could move my band. Is that even possible or just paranoid on my part?

I have been sick with the flu-since the day after my surgery. So, I have a symptom double wammy. I even had to go back to the hospital for dehydration. The band and everything are okay. I am just trying to sip my fluids, and the pain from the incisions gets better every day.

Keepin' on keepin' on,

Joan

1. Well, the clear liquid diet going okay. But, I have been noticing my BM's are liquidy too. Like, watered down. Is that normal?

Yes indeed, perfectly normal. Liquid in, liquid out--not so surprising when you think about it. You'll find that things normalize when you're on thick liquids and mushies (possibly too much in the other direction due to lack of fiber).

2. My left side (where the port is) feels weird, like if I laugh too hard the port will pop out! Is that normal?

You've been banded, what, three days? Of course it's normal to feel a little weird about the changes in your body!! It's not likely at all that you could damage your port stitches by laughing, but you do want to be careful about lifting, stretching, or anything else that's strenuous for a good three or four weeks. Which brings us to...

3. With my flu, when I cough, I feel like I could move my band. Is that even possible or just paranoid on my part?

Your band is stitched in place but it is still healing. I imagine it all depends on the severity of your cough. A friend of mine once had a cough that was so bad she actually broke a rib! A cough like that might be troublesome, so if you think it's getting to that degree please call your doctor. Normal coughing and movement should present no problem.

What a drag to have the flu while you're healing from surgery! You have TWO reasons to be extra good to yourself. I hope you're staying home tomorrow with several good books. Take care!!

Joan, how rotten to have coughing and the flu on top of recovery! Glad you got rehydrated! You're definitely earning your stripes right now. But it really will get better. I bet foods are the furthest thing from your mind. (((Hugs)))