I was banded on Friday - not nearly as bad as I had anticipated but having a few problems today. I have a lot of neck pain - like a very stiff neck - some folks says it's the gas. I thought I escaped the gas problem in the shoulders but ended up getting it higher. It was really bad on Saturday and minor today. I also experienced pain after taking a 1/3 of a pill - like I was stopped up. Again folks said it is just that full feeling. It went away in about 20 minutes. I guess this is normal?

I'm fighting congestion - not using my machine enough so my bad. I am going to start trying to walk more today. The only time I can sleep is after taking the liquid vicodin. I took a shower today and haven't put the corset back on - not sure if it helps or not, but it's not as itchy without it. I guess I should put it off if I do any walking?

My PA said the opening is only 1.2 CM or 1/2 inch which is alot smaller than I thought it would be without any fills - I can't imagine how small it will be with fills. I feel right now like I am 20 lbs heavier because of all the bloating but my weight only went up 2 lbs and that's without taking a Water pills.

Any suggestions or confirmations would be appreciated. I'm pretty excited but scared at the same time. I'm currently taking 8 pills a day and hoping to drop them as soon as I can - which my GP says is definitely going to happen. I noticed that after 2 weeks off of my anti-inflamitory I am doing ok in that area - which really surprises me. Unless it gets bad I'm not going back on that one because of the damage it causes.

Woohoo! The beginning of the rest of my life which hopefully will be longer than it would have been prior to Friday! Good luck to all of the other August All-Stars!

Congrats! I am one month ahead of you, being banded on July 22. The past month has been a time of learning and waiting and some hurting but it is all worth it. My recommendations are: follow doctors orders, listen to your body both in terms of eating and moving, and be patient. It took until the end of last week for me to feel normal again. The weight goes up and down during this time as your body gets used to less and different foods.

Good luck.

Hi, I was banded on the 22nd also! Glad you are doing pretty good. I am doing fine. Last night I was able to sleep on my side so I got a pretty good nights sleep. So far my gas problems have not been painful but I definitely have gas escaping! I have used the gasx strips. Not sure if they help but as long as I have no pain it is okay. I do not have much pain. Liquid Tylenol takes care of it. I do have however a swollen gland in the right side of my neck. I will call the doctor about that tomorrow. All in all doing well and glad you are too!

I too was banded on the 22nd. I"m hanging in here. I think I Have more pain because of the hernea I had. I hope this time next week I'll be feeling better.

Sounds like your post op directions are much more different than mine. I don't have a breathing thing or a corset. I just have to remember to take deep breaths. I still have lots of gas pain off and on. Mainly radiates through my chest my left shoulder area and my tummy. I have started having Esophagus spasms yesterday and that really hurts. I hope goes away very soon.

You hang in there and know you're not alone and I enjoy hearing everyone's different experiences and such.

To all those banded on 8/22/08....how y'all doing? That was my day, too. I still have the left neck pain at times. It was severe first night after surgery. I still take the Lortab for it occasionally. I was supposed to be done outpatient but ended up with some bleeding, respiratory depression, and a uti, so spent 2 nights in the hospital. All is well now. I sure will be glad to get off full liquids---boring! Two more wks for me to go! How's everyone else doing?

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To all those banded on 8/22/08....how y'all doing? That was my day, too. I still have the left neck pain at times. It was severe first night after surgery. I still take the Lortab for it occasionally. I was supposed to be done outpatient but ended up with some bleeding, respiratory depression, and a uti, so spent 2 nights in the hospital. All is well now. I sure will be glad to get off full liquids---boring! Two more wks for me to go! How's everyone else doing?

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Yiya ( grandma in greek??) Sorry to hear you had some problems. Are you felling better? I am doing great with very little pain. I am having trouble getting in all my liquids which is why I think I have no energy. I move to mushies 9/2. I am not really hungry but I am hoping real food will take away the tiredness.

Hi all you Aug 22nd'ers! How is everyone doing. Today is our 1 week anniversary to the start of our new life? I ended up taking the entire week off - getting lazy and I always push myself too hard so decided I earned it. I've lost 6 lbs this week. I know I am not getting enough liquids but it's been hard. The only pain I have now is the one incision where the port is. The corset they gave me helps give my stomach support but it itches after awhile (which reminds me I'm not wearing it now - oops).

I had a gross-out last night in that my tongue was caked in white. I think it's all the CIB and Boost - was gross. I also am not sure how much is from the post-nasal drip that I've developed and it is horrible in gagging me. (sorry to gross you all out).

It will be nice to have 4 days before I have to start working - mushies start tomorrow - woohoo! I can't wait for a scrambled or poached egg!

Let us know how each of you are doing - hang in there - each day gets better and better!

August 22nd was my day too! I went to the doctor on Thursday 6 days after and lost 18 pds. But after the doctor I had diahrea until last night. I had my first tomato soup and today I had cream of Broc drained. It was so good. I don't have any crazy things either. I have to go back to work Tuesday. I hope I can do it. I get so tired. I have my first fill Sept 15th if I'm healed.

HI all I too was banded on Aug 22, The first week I was very sore and had the left shoulder pain, and still have some discomfort at my port incision. I wasn't hunger the first week, and did well on the liquids stage. This week, I started the mushies stage, and have been hungry with the stomach growling. Im trying real hard to get my water in between, my meals, waiting an hour after eating. I go back Tues Sept. 9 for my first post op appt. I also had an ulcer on my stomach that I didnt know I had and my Dr. repaired that while she was doing my lap band. Im going to ask her about that when I go in to see her. I hope I can get a fill soon so I wont be so hungry all the time. I started my walking a couple days ago and trying to walk 30 mins a day now......I feel pretty good now, and so happy I have the surgery behind me now. Hope you all are doing great and so glad you all posted, I love reading all your post.....

Things are going good for me. I have my first fill on the 22nd. I can't imagine how much I'll be able to eat after my fill since i can't eat that much now. lol

I can't believe it's been just over 2 weeks so far. Everyone keep up the good work :thumbup:

Glad to hear all the "22nders" are doing good. My shoulder pain is finally gone and I'm on mushies. My weight hasn't budged in FOUR days which is very annoying, but I'll hang in there. What I wouldn't give for some taco chips and a loaded pizza. My first fill is 9/25...can't wait! Good luck to all!

yiya (not greek grandma---just my childhood nickname)

7 weeks out - how are all the Aug 22nd folks doing? I got my first fill last Thursday - 3cc and have great restriction. It was a piece of cake - the doctor got the numbing done with one shot and one poke for the saline. 3-4 oz of chicken breast is max - I'm never hungry.:biggrin:

Hope everyone is doing well - post here and let us know how you are doing.