I had my lapband on April 22nd - 7 days ago. I've been doing ok - but still sore at 2 of the incisions and still not able to sleep comfortably cuz I usually sleep on my side or stomach and move around a bit at night.

I'm getting a little concerned, cuz one of the incisions that hurts the most has some black and blue under it and I feel like in that area is a bulge? Does that happen to anyone? I'm having no trouble drinking liquids and having smooth Soup or lite yogurt. I get nervous that the bulge shouldn't be there ... then I calm myself down, saying its probably still some swelling... then I"m worried something moved... HELP!! Can some of the banders with more experience tell me if I should call or go see my dr? My post-op visit is 5/6. I would say that I have some pain, but its not terrible. I still feel like the stiches pull on that incision the most. (especially when I pull myself to a standing position after lying in bed ... ouch! )

Please someone calm me down about my bulge and the fact that i'm still swollen after 7 days?

I don't have problems with hunger at all - one day i totally forgot to eat and just had Water and one shake and then realized it was 8 pm! I'm really trying to get in a few shakes a day plus one yogurt and maybe one or a half can of soup.

This board is a blessing when I have questions ... sometimes I can get answer from reading previous of others, but this time I guess I need to hear some opinions. Thanks! ! !

I got banded on April 21st and today was the first day where I actually could tell that I'm getting better. It still hurts when I get out of bed and even when I stand up after sitting for awhile. I too have bruising by one of my incision but I think that is where they gave me the blood thinner, it also happens to be the biggest incision and where I believe my port is. There is quite a bulge as well so my stomach appears alittle lopsided so I guess maybe its normal. I wouldn't worry unless the incision is red and pussy but if you want piece of mind theres no harm in calling the Dr's office and talking to the bariatric nurse there thats what they're there for.

Call your doc! That's what he's there for!

Ladyjp...you are fine! You are normal! :-) I had my surgery 4/16 and I'm STILL showing a little bruising...and it's starting to go away. In fact, the bruise was so big, it looked like I got booted in the stomach! The bump near the large incision is your port! I can feel mine too. My incisions are not sore anymore, but I can still feel a little tension (in the muscle area where the port is attached) when I'm getting out of bed. Everything you're experiencing is totally normal. The only thing I would worry about is if the incision areas get red and hot which could be a sign of infection...but that doesn't happen often either. Relax, have fun and enjoy this journey! It's so exciting, isn't it?

Oh, and make sure you're doing the following DAILY:

60 minutes of walking (break it up as many times as you need). It will help with gas pains and swelling and will help you lose weight~

60 oz of Water daily...or crystal light...no exceptions

60-100 g of Protein daily...this is critical for energy and muscle restoration

It took a month for ALL my bruising to go away. And if the area where you are experiencing a little bulge is near your port incision, that's pretty typical.

hey ladyjp.i'm 8 days post-op..i can tell u it is definitely normal..if u actually feel under all ur incisions u may feel some tightness..REMEMBER just because we are healing on the outside does not mean the swelling on the inside has gone down...and the port is somewhere on u girl!!! lol..stay calm..i'm moving around SOOO much and need to remember i had major surgery 8 days ago!! lol..

thanks so much for responding everyone... turns out that by today, I really started feeling better and less bruised and bulgy... but the posts really comforted me in the meantime. I slept better last night too.

I'm loving this band - makes me feel so good about what is to come!!