I was banded on 10/28/09. I have had several previous surgeries and have come through them with no problems. So... I knew something was not right when the days following my surgety my DH was literally lowering and lifting me in/out of bed in order to go to the bathroom. At the most, I was getting down 2 Protein shakes a day and 1/2 bottle of Water. I was in extreme pain and felt like I had a lot of gas trapped under my left rib cage.

Saturday night I call the on-call nurse and she advised me to go to the emergency room. There they gave me Fluid for dehydration, stong pain meds, and a CT scan. The scan was normal so after getting hydrated, was sent home. Miserable all day Sunday and this morning.

Finally I call a co-worker who was banded in Feb. by a different surgeon. She told me that all the the pain I was in was abnormal. I mentioned that at surgery my surgeon puts in 3 ccs to start you out with. My co-worker flipped out when she heard this!! She told me that the reason I was so miserable is becaus I am too full. I got into the surgeon and the first thing he did was take the 3 ccs out.

I feel better but but am very wearly of this whole process. Could anyone give me some words of wisdom?

PS - now I can eat soft Proteins - any suggestions?

Lisa

I'm sure the reason you felt so miserable is from the 3cc in your band. I don't know why some surgeons do this. Not all do.

I'm glad you are feeling better. Restriction should come slowly so you have time to adjust.

Donna

My band had some fill when I left and most of the pain I felt was from the gas they blow your abdomen up with, I was def. getting lifted in and out of bed for a couple of days, but every day got a little better.

I am surrised with how different everyone's post op diet it. I was banded Oct 8... Thursday... I was on clear liquids until Tuesday and my main goal was to get in 30-40 oz... I did this with Water, G2, Jello and broth. When I finally moved to full liquids it took me an hour to drink a prepacked atkins drink.. the swelling in my stomach made it feel tighter. As the swelling went down the easier it was to drink. I'm 4 weeks out and I have some restriction, which is nice and as I move into "thicker" foods I am staying fuller longer.

I don't think a lot of people are prepared for the pain from the gas, that was pretty intense.

oh and I asked my doc about having any fill in the band... he said everyone is different and the band sizes differ and everyone's stomach is different... I think sometimes they put a little fill just to keep it in place. I couldn't walk upright for several days either, but I expected that, esp since they cut into your stomach...

this is nothing compared to the tummy tuck my mom got... they cut her from hip to hip she was out of work 8 weeks and couldn't stand up straight for most of that.

Thank you so much for all of your kind replies. The support REALLY helps. I feel better since the 3 ccs of saline were removed. Still in alot of pain from gas under my left rib cage. Any miracles for this problem?

Lisa

walking will help, i also used gas x strips and got back rubs from my girl friend..... soft protein: tuna, canned chicken, greek yogurt, refried beans, deviled ham, soft fish like tilapia