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New Bander losing my mind

chicadoodle

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chicadoodle    0

chicadoodle
Posted

Hi all! My name is Kelly and I am a new bander. I received my Lap Band on March 28th of this year.... so it's been a little over 4 weeks. I was/am a self-pay patient and I have to say, my overall experience has been ok. I guess I had some "excess bleeding" with surgery that required a transfusion (ack!) and 3 days after surgery I was diagnosed with Phnemonia. Yeah... coughing after abdominal surgery = NO FUN AT ALL!!!!! But all of the negative aside, I am doing great.

But I do have a few questions.

Question #1: I'm assuming that it's my port incision (the largest incision I have) is still sorta "hard" and I still have a blackish-brownish bruise surrounding it. Is this the port that I am feeling that is making it hard to the touch? Why hasn't the bruising gone away yet? Any ideas?

Question #2: I am going in for my first fill on Friday. I have heard and read numerous stories with all sorts of outcomes. But is your first fill more difficult than the rest? What should I expect? I was told at my consultation that they will use a ultrasound machine to assist with the fill, but besides the pain of the needle, is there other pain that goes along with the fill?

According to the time that I started this journey, I had lost 23 pounds at my 1 week post-op visit:thumbup:.... so about 6 weeks time. I know this month I probably haven't lost any... more than likely, gained. I have absolutely NO restriction. Augh. frown.gif

Thank you for any answers you can give me. And Happy Losing to all of you!!:wink2:

Kelly

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Melanie1    1

Melanie1
Posted

You wont have any restriction in your band because there is no fill in it as yet. Those that have restriction in this early stage, only have restriction due to swelling. The port is easily found by the fill doctor, and probably wont need an ultrasound, I have never heard of a doc needing an ultrasound to find a port...since it is only an inch or so below the skin surface.

You will feel a bit of pain with the pushing and prodding, and the needle of course. Afterwards you might feel a bit of a tightened up feeling in your tum. remember to eat very carefully, and slowly after any fill, and give yourself some time for the adjustment.

It sounds like the bruising is a heomatoma, a pocket of blood under the surface of the skin, it will go away by itself, it may be a little sore until then.

good luck!

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NeNe967    1

NeNe967
Posted

Hi all! My name is Kelly and I am a new bander. I received my Lap Band on March 28th of this year.... so it's been a little over 4 weeks. I was/am a self-pay patient and I have to say, my overall experience has been ok. I guess I had some "excess bleeding" with surgery that required a transfusion (ack!) and 3 days after surgery I was diagnosed with Phnemonia. Yeah... coughing after abdominal surgery = NO FUN AT ALL!!!!! But all of the negative aside, I am doing great.

But I do have a few questions.

Question #1: I'm assuming that it's my port incision (the largest incision I have) is still sorta "hard" and I still have a blackish-brownish bruise surrounding it. Is this the port that I am feeling that is making it hard to the touch? Why hasn't the bruising gone away yet? Any ideas?

Question #2: I am going in for my first fill on Friday. I have heard and read numerous stories with all sorts of outcomes. But is your first fill more difficult than the rest? What should I expect? I was told at my consultation that they will use a ultrasound machine to assist with the fill, but besides the pain of the needle, is there other pain that goes along with the fill?

According to the time that I started this journey, I had lost 23 pounds at my 1 week post-op visit:thumbup:.... so about 6 weeks time. I know this month I probably haven't lost any... more than likely, gained. I have absolutely NO restriction. Augh. frown.gif

Thank you for any answers you can give me. And Happy Losing to all of you!!:wink2:

Kelly

I had the same type of issue you had after surgery, except I did not have pneumonia, but I did have to go back to surgery so they could stop the bleeding and they had to give me 2.5 pints of blood.

I am doing great now.

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erikadawn    0

erikadawn
Posted

For me getting a fill was painless, I read other posts on it being soooo painful and got myself all worked up.My doc was finished so fast I was like is that it? Somethings are just your personal experience, But mines didnt hurt at all.

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SpecialK    22

SpecialK
Posted

Our doctors and the fill nurse do the first fill with fluroscopy and I think it gives us a sense of peace about them finding the port as quickly and painlessly as they can on the first time. About them not needing fluroscopy/ultrasound to find a port due to it being an inch below the skin....well some of us have more fat than others, and they do have trouble finding some ports because they are deeper below the skin than maybe someone with less fat in the abdominal area. Can't wait until I can poke around on my own belly and feel my port but for now, I cannot feel it.

On bruising, I have heard some people just take longer for bruising to go way. I wouldn't worry about that one.

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NukeChik    1

NukeChik
Posted

The worst part of your first fill is your nerves! You will still be nervous no matter how many of us tell you its a breeze, but anyway, its a breeze. Try not to worry about it, it will be over before you know it. It doesn't hurt when my doc finds my port. The needle is a very small stick. Let us know how it goes!

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Hastings    3

Hastings
Posted

Some people receive fills the day of surgery and do have restriction from the beginning.

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Go To Topic Listing POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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