Hi! I underwent Lap Band surgery on 4-22-08. The surgery went well and I'm recovering nicely at home. I've heard that some people return to work amost immediately after surgery, but they must be alot younger and heartier than I! Anyway, I'm hoping to hear from others about their banding experience, tips, suggestions, etc. I'm especially interested in how much weight you've lost in what period of time and how many fills everyone has had. Thanks for sharing!

Hi

I too had the lapband surgery on 4-22-08. I have gotten along pretty well. I must say the first 2 nights were not fun at all. I ended up sleeping in the recliner because I couldn't lie flat. The Vicodin was nice but I am not taking that anymore. At least with it I could sleep. Today was interesting though. I am constipated and feel like I have a gas ball inside me. I have felt very hungry today and have had lots of rumbling going on. Not pleasant. I at least am not nauseated or throwing up. Sounds like your surgery went well. I would like to lose about 100 pounds. I am 49 years old and a nurse by trade. I have five kids, the oldest being 30 and the youngest being 9. I lost about 10 pounds on the pre-op diet, how did you do? Hope to hear back. mama59

Hi,

I was banded on 4-23-08 and things are going pretty well. I am feeling more gas discomfort now more than anything. Today was also the first day I felt serious hunger but I think its because the gas is starting to move around. I am looking forward to Sunday when my doctor said I can start the full liquid diet with protein shakes and thinned out oatmeal. I think that will help eliminate the bloated feeling. I didnt take any vicodin today but will probably take some tonight to help me get comfortable enough to go to sleep. I still cant believe I finally got banded!

Hi! I was thrilled to hear from mama59 and phwmn who both were banded on or near my same surgery date! We can go this thing together, huh? I, too, had trouble sleeping the first night, but mostly because the nurses were constantly waking me to check vitals, get me up walking, go to the bathroom,etc.:rolleyes2: I'm a 'tummy sleeper' so having to sleep on my back because I'm too tender to even turn on my side is quite a challenge. I have taken the Vicoden at night at 1/2 the dose to help me get to sleep. I truly have not had what I would call 'pain' as such. It is more like just an uncomfortable feeling you have when you've pulled or have sore muscles in your abdominal area. I've been pretty lucky with the gas. Before surgery I hardly every experienced gas or constipation :blushing:, and so far I've not had much gas and no constipation (but no bm, either):confused2:... I have had a couple of instances of discomfort in my shoulder, but I've read that this sensation is associated with the gas from the surgery. I've definitely had that 'rumbling' like mama59 mentioned and the hunger pains, as well. But sometimes with all that going on inside, I have trouble deciding what is what! Anyway, I have a great protein powder (nutritionally speaking) and it doesn't taste awful, either. I took my first shower since surgery this morning and took the patches off. The incisions are still covered by the steri-strips. I go for my 1 week post-op follow up on Tuesday. I didn't have the 2 week pre-op liquid diet thing because my surgery was scheduled kind of last minute, so I only had 2 days on clear liquids. But, from the time of all the blood tests, ekg and echo, I lost about 12 lbs. I had surgery at 225. I'm anxious to see what the doc's scales say on Tuesday! By the way, I'm 39, about 5'4", mother of 2 (18 & 6) and an office manager. My goal is to lose 100 lbs, however, I'll re-evaluate that based on how I look and feel when I'm down 80 or 90 lbs!:biggrin: Looking forward to hearing about your progress!

Today is a better day for me. I called the doctor yesterday because I was miserable with gas pain and couldn't "poop" lol!!!!!! I was told by the surgeon to do a fleets enema. Being a nurse I have given alot of enemas but never have given myself one! It actually wasn't too bad....I know that sounds weird. So today things are better and my family laughed at me because I came out of the bathroom doing the "oh yea I Pooped" dance. Small strides. I actually went to the grocery store and did a little housework. I go back to the doctor on Tuesday also. I agree that it is hard to know if it is hunger or just lots of rumbling. Although I woke at 4:30 A.M. with extreme hunger. I drank a little crystal lite and went back to sleep until 8:30. It is also hard I noticed to cook for the family and not nibble while I do so. It is just bad habit I guess. Glad to be sisters in surgery. mama59

How funny:biggrin2:! This afternoon was my first 'bathroom victory' since surgery. too. My husband laughed at me because I called him on his cell phone to tell him! What all have you tried (other than the norm in clear liquids)? I had cream of potato soup today and I did ok with that.

Congratulations sisters in surgery! I plan on going back to work on Monday. I am feeling much better and have driven quite a bit. I live in Los Angeles and commute around 20 miles to work each way! Needless to say, I plan on leaving super early so I dont have to sit and traffic and risk getting super tired. I should be fine since I am off the vicodin except at night. I agree with the other posts that its hard to pinpoint the weird rumblings, discomfort etc I am feeling every once and a while. I havent gone #2 but I think its because there is virtually nothing in my intestines. Tomorrow I get to eat more like thinned out oatmeal, cream of wheat, yogurt and pudding. I think that will get my bowels back on track. I have lost 12 lbs since my April 10 pre-op appt 17 lbs since my first consultation in March. phwmn

I had cream of wheat for breakfast with milk and splenda, coffee, crystal lite, sugar free popscicles, blended some split pea soup (that was kind of bad), high protein jello with sf cool whip, and for supper some chili blended. I also like a cup of sf vanilla chai. I spread all this out over the whole day. sounds like alot I guess. mama59

scratch the chili. It scared me so I didn't have it. why am I so dang hungry? mama59