Have been reading this web site for the last few days, it has been helpful and interesting to hear everyone's comments and feelings. I had my lap banding on Thursday, so I am 5 days out. I actually felt better on the second day than I do now. Sounds like depending who and where you had your procedure done, post-op instructions for diets are somewhat different. Even when you research the web, different diets come up. I am on full liquids and anticipate that I will be on that for 2 weeks. I will see the physician on Monday for my follow-up. Although I have talked with my physician via phone with the following questions, I thought I would ask all of you, since you have actually been through this and are experiencing or have experienced some of the symptoms I am still having.

1) Did you still feel bloated and distended at 5 days post procedure?

2) It seems like every ounce I drink fills me up quickly and it is had to get that 64 oz and all that protein in.

3) Having a hard time lying on the left side, forget the right.

4) Have bowel movements been an issue for anyone at day 5?

5) When did you start back to work.

I know these sound like such intimate questions but I am really looking forward to your experiences. Thank you, Karen from Idaho.

Its now March and I was wondering how you were doing. I am set for my lap band on April 16, 2008. Any advice?

Jennifer

It is 3/31 and I am now "5 days out" so I was drawn to your questions. I am having every problem you had, except I can lay on my right side. Hope you are doing well and healthy and trimmer.

I am one week and one day out. I feel bloated. I can lie on my stomach, don't know if I should or not but I do. I can also lie on either side. I have not gotten to anywhere near 64 oz. of water. I have been drinking 16 oz of milk with 1 scoop of Unjury. No, I cannot finish that in one sitting. Because I have added Unjury and orange juice to my diet I have reached 800 and 900 calories within a day. Before that I was teetering around 378 calories a day. I am sick of burping all the time. I am sick of gas sneaking up on me and I am certainly tired of pooping liquid. I am especially tired of thinking I have to pass gas and finding that its much bigger than that. However, I am 10 lbs down. I cannot complain. My belly itches, so I wipe it down with alcohol wipes. I still have all but one of my steri-strips. That's probably because I am terrified to "wash" my stomach. I do not want an infection. Since I am using 70% alcohol wipes I know that my stomach is clean - Of course I bathe (shower) the rest of me. I am back at work today. Earlier I was suffering, but I took a dose of liquid Tylenol and I am back to "normal."

I'm on day 4 post op. I haven't had any nausea, but thank God for the pain meds at first. I can finally get up and down our of bed or chair without a struggle. And all I do is drink stuff - either crystal light or Unjury, but I can keep up with 64 oz pretty well.

I thought it was interesting that my worst pain was in my upper arms and legs! It was the worst on day 2 and all gone now. I suspect it was the gas. But that's the only "gassy" experience I had - I think. No burping! And my belly feels pretty good - not too swollen! All in all, it was more painful than I expected, but not as bad as I read on here from some people.

Back to work tomorrow - I think - unless something unexpected comes up!