Hello All,

I had my surgery on Sunday, Aug. 7. I had complications...:ermm and had to be sliced down the middle. I know that my case was special because my husband had the operation at the same time, is fully functional and is feeling great. My question is,....has anyone else had this occur to them?...Please let me know that I'm not the lone stranger. I got really depressed today because I am not further along in my recuperation. I scared because I am scheduled to go back to work day after tomorrow and don't feel I am "all day" functional.

What do you think?............Talk to me, please!

you Inamed friend, Cyndi

Hi Cyndi,

It's very unusual, in fact, for band operations to be done "open." The band was designed to be installed laparoscopically. What kind of complications did you have that necessitated an open procedure?

Your recovery will indeed be slower, but it will progress and you'll be fine. It will take patience and caution. You may not want to go back to work when you originally planned, and that's totally understandable. Be good to yourself and give it the time you will need to recover.

Welcome to bandland, however you got here!!

Well, I didn't have to be "opened" for the band--but I did have an emergency C-section 20 years ago and it did take awhile to recover from. My best advice is to walk as much as possible--about 20 minutes after taking pain meds. I don't know how similar the wounds are, but just walking around the house in circles seems to be good for circulation and healing for most abdominal surgeries.

...and try not to do anything that will make you sneeze!

You should take a few more days or even another week off work if you can. You don't need to over do yourself to much and you will if you return to early. take it easy and slow you will be better off if you do. Congrats to the both of you on getting banded and I wish you both lots of success.

((sigh)) someone explain the TMI and fish connection.... I am sitting here puzzled.

gutted?? as in 'like a fish'???

Is there any way you can go back to work for just for a few hours, maybe work half a day for a week or so?

It might help you get into a routine that you can increase as you feel better. I know for myself getting back to work ASAP was a huge help in healing and it was a nice distraction from the aches, pains, gasses, etc. Maybe it will work for you too.

Thanks for everyone's reply....The answer is yes, as in "gutted like a fish". Everytime I look in the mirror, that's what I look like!

Also, it's been a few days after the original posting and am feeling much better. Went to work yesterday and was really pooped last night but seemed to be okay.

Again, thanks for your ear!.........Cyndi

OOoooooohhhhh! Guttted! Like a fish!!!! I get it!!!

Sorry, that took me a minute, huh? So glad you are felling better. I think you hare the first person I have run into that had to go to the open method like that. What kind of coomplications did you have that required it? I worried about that before my own surgery but it almost never happens so I'm wondering what would make it necessary.

Anyhow, how's you hubby coming along, too? I'll go look for an intro for you. We are nosey here so we want all the scoop on your doc, how much weight you want to lose, and, of course, how's it going. So glad you are on the mend!!!

I was banded 'open' this past Monday (8/15) as I had a tumor on my liver that prevented me from having it laproscopically. Tumor is benign and all is fine. As a matter of fact, I still have it. Dr. Felix Spiegel in Houston did my surgery and had previously discussed with the liver specialist. Anyway, long story short. I was in the hospital for 3 days and now home and moving around. I tire easily, but stop to rest when needed. I thing there must have been a staple factory in the surgery room. I've never seen so many staples in my life (and I've had several other surgeries).

I will be off for approximately 6 weeks. I'm hoping I'll look quite different when I return to work.

I realize that I'm very fortunate to have a job that allows me the recovery time.

Just remember to take enough time for yourself....you've come too far!

Hang in there! Feel better soon!

bbgal