I need help!

[VQ Motors 0]

Hey everybody, I recently got Banded on 7/23. The next day I felt like crying because I felt like I made a terrible decision. The pain is a major reason I feel like this, I cant do much. The pain around the port is horrible, the other two incisions are fine. I walk frequently to get rid of the gas pain but it still exists. But what i need is your opinions, your stories etc. How did u feel after? I'm so worried that I made a terrible decision. Im not missing food, i can swallow liquids fine. I just cant sleep in a bed, lie down, shower by myself. Im so worried now that I've been online reading these lapband horror stories. About the erosion, rejection, slipping, etc. I dont think I could deal with the pain from the surgery again. Please, reply and let me know what you think.:biggrin:

[bashful1269 5]

I was banded on Wednesday, I've actually had a really easy time of it. Except for a few spells. I feel like I did two thousand sit ups and then just to torture myself more I did another two thousand.... stomach is very sore.

I think it's normal to have the thoughts of OMG what have I done. It really changes things when you CAN"T eat uncontrollably. We have to redefine the role food plays in our life...NOT EASY that's for sure.

I haven't slept much since Wednesday either I've been having to sleep in a recliner because I couldn't lie down in bed. You might try that with a heating pad. I used a heating pad on my back and neck to help with the gas pains.

I think you're doing fine just remember to walk walk walk and walk some more and get all of your Protein.

As far as the pain I would call the surgeon and ask just to be on the safe side.

Good luck!

Stacy

[VQ Motors 0]

^thanks.

to the other members who've had the band longer, is the soreness always there? does it go away fully? or do u always feel it?

[UpperWestSide 3]

I was really sore for about a week but now, a month out I don't have any pain at all. Take it easy and let yourself heal. It will get better.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

You are very young and oddly, it seems, younger people generally have more pain post op. (I hate to generalize and don't want to offend a soul, but it's just something I have observed) It WILL get better. I am almost 1 year post op and have no pain. Honestly, though, I came to in recovery hungry and feeling fine and have pretty much felt that way ever since.

You may be suffering 2 kinds of gas....the kind they pumped in to you won't be helped by any drugs but will abate over time. The kind we "make" can be alleviated by something like Gas-X so if you don't have any, get some.

Use a pillow to brace your surgical sites. It will help.

I slept in my bed from the first night because I didn't want to get stiff. I slept on my tummy from night 2 because that's my normal MO. Try sleeping in bed and using a pillow to kind of cushion and protect your abdomen. You may be a little stiff when you wake up but that's expected. Do you have someone to help you sit up? Remember to put a pillow over your abdomen and hold it. It helps your sore muscles.

So...there is light at the end of the tunnel. I don't have a slip, I don't have erosion, I can eat white bread, I have good restriction, I don't choke on my pills or own spit, life is good. It will be good for you, too. Just hang in there.

[VQ Motors 0]

You are very young and oddly, it seems, younger people generally have more pain post op. (I hate to generalize and don't want to offend a soul, but it's just something I have observed) It WILL get better. I am almost 1 year post op and have no pain. Honestly, though, I came to in recovery hungry and feeling fine and have pretty much felt that way ever since.

You may be suffering 2 kinds of gas....the kind they pumped in to you won't be helped by any drugs but will abate over time. The kind we "make" can be alleviated by something like Gas-X so if you don't have any, get some.

Use a pillow to brace your surgical sites. It will help.

I slept in my bed from the first night because I didn't want to get stiff. I slept on my tummy from night 2 because that's my normal MO. Try sleeping in bed and using a pillow to kind of cushion and protect your abdomen. You may be a little stiff when you wake up but that's expected. Do you have someone to help you sit up? Remember to put a pillow over your abdomen and hold it. It helps your sore muscles.

So...there is light at the end of the tunnel. I don't have a slip, I don't have erosion, I can eat white bread, I have good restriction, I don't choke on my pills or own spit, life is good. It will be good for you, too. Just hang in there.

Thank you so much.

[kossde 6]

You will be fine :thumbup: I was gassy and generally 'bleh' feeling for about a week or two after the surgery. Luckily, I didnt have any significant incision or port pain, but the gassy feeling was enough to slow me down a bit. It went away completely within a few weeks and hasnt come back since. Don't stress, though. You had surgery! Surgery sucks.

[VQ Motors 0]

thanks for the responses

[RestlessMonkey 7]

VQ do you feel any better today?

[Vicki J 0]

Make sure your pants aren't irritating your port area. I wear jeans and my port is near the band on the jeans. Now 1.5 years later I don't notice it but it caused some pain back then. I had quite a bit of pain the day after. It felt like they put a mason jar lid in there instead of a band. They kept me over night again just to give me the good pain meds.

If they gave you pain meds, take them as prescribed. Don't try to hero it out. If they didn't give you any, try liquid Tylenol. It helped a lot.

You haven't slipped, erroded or any of that other stuff. You had surgery. Stop reading about all the complications. You'll drive yourself nuts. This will pass and trust me there will be other things to keep your mind active. Like all the things you'll be able to do when you're skinny! sleep in a recliner or with a pillow supporting your tummy. Again, you just had surgery on your stomach and sometimes the weight we bear in that area causes us to have more pain when laying down. Learn how to get up using your arms because it will help for a while. No it will not be permanent. Sometimes just using the pillow to put a small amount of pressure on your stomach helps.

Gas X and hot pads are essential at this time. Put the hot pad on your shoulder for the gas. Baby yourself right now and there will come a day when the sun will be shining for you again.

[jgurl 0]

You will be fine. I had surgery on 7/22 and have similar issues which are to be expected. I was feeling great after surgery, but after taking the On-Q out, the gas and soreness started. You didn't make a mistake, it's all a process and every step takes time. Exercise is key. Even though I'm sore, I walk 20 minutes each morning and I think that is helping. Don't rush things. Take it easy and follow your surgeons instructions and you will be fine. Good luck!

Edited July 27, 2009 by jgurl

[RestlessMonkey 7]

jgurl I HATED that on-Q thing! My husband removed it about 5 minutes after we got home the day of my surgery! I thought it was vile! :crying: It bothered me way more than any post op pain (I didn't have much) funny how different we all are, isn't it?

[VQ Motors 0]

VQ do you feel any better today?

As a matter of fact I do, thanks for asking. Now im taking it day by day, i get up every hour to walk around. i sleep in a recliner. each day the pain gets less so hopefully in another few days it'll be gone?