Just a little about myself:

I have been overweight most of my life and have tried diet after diet to little or no success. I found out that Tricare Prime finally decided to pay for LapBand Surgery. I immediately contacted my PCM for a referral which was granted before leaving his office. A weel later visited with the surgeon and was approved for surgery before I even got home for the visit. I followed the full liquid diet to the letter and lost 12 lbs. Tuesday June 24th was my surgery date. I was so scared going back and forth on if I had made the right decision for me. Of course once they started the IV it was a done deal. The surgery went fine even with finding a hiatel hernia that had to be repaired and am a little more sore than I thought I would be.

Now my problems. I have been nauseated for days (no vomiting, yet) and I'm not sure what is causing it. I just generally don't feel well.

I see other people on the forum that say they are up and around and feeling great just a couple of days after surgery. Everyone seems so chipper and has a positive outlook and excited. I don't feel any of those things.

I'm trying to remain positive, and keep trying to convince myself that this is only temporary, but go back to my original question, was this the right decision for me and is this how I will always feel?

I'm scheduled to go back to work Monday, but the way I feel now, I'm just not sure and I can't miss anymore work.

I can only hope that things get better from here.

Rhonda, it WILL get better. Each and every patient is different. This is the down side to this site because everyone compares themselves, and it's not an accurate measure. Sure, a good compass, but that's it. I was nauseated for five days, but it was the liquid pain med. Then, of course, your eating far less. I was weak and tired for well over a week, not to mention sore. I have a physically demanding job (Operating Room nurse) so my doc told me to take 2 weeks off. After that, no heavy lifting for the following 4 weeks. You'll discover, once you start feeling a bit better, that you'll be HUNGRY, HUNGRY in the next couple of weeks. I've had one fill, and I am still hungry, but I'm not worried. My doc says to be patient, I will get there. I haven't lost anymore, but I haven't gained anything back, so for that I'm thrilled. I was in the same place, "What in the H--- have I done to myself, IDIOT!" You'll be ok, really, ok and better! Write to me privately, if you'd like, and we can support one another. Don't get wrapped up in comparing yourself to too many people, ok? Good luck, girl! You're gonna be a knock out!

Rhonda, I just had my surgery the 25th, and I too felt much worse than I thought I would. I had a hiatel hernia as well. My doctor gave me a prescription for nausea which I only used once and haven't needed it since. My body seems to be healing quickly, but my feelings are still very hurt from my family's lack of concern and support. Seems like people think this surgery is a "piece of cake" since it is advertised as being so easy. I'm sure we will feel better in a couple of weeks and be in a more positive state of mind.

Me too...it was harder than I thought it would be. It is day 5 for me and I finally fell pretty good. I also had hiatal hernia and am experiencing the gas and shoulder pain. Today is my best day. I have not been nauseated though. Good luck to you.

Thanks everyone for your support. My pain is not bad enough to take the pain meds, but my Physician called me in some Phenergan this afternoon, so hopefully it will get better. I thought it might be gas that was causing the nausea, so I've been trying to walk more but nothing happens. I feel like I need to burp, but can't. Not quite sure what to do about that.

Thanks again

Hi I had my surgery on Tuesday, June 24th. I also had a hiatetal hernia. My biggest problem is the gas and the shoulder pain. I continuously take my pain med every 4-6 hours, walk around the house, and have had to chew some Gas X. But I think that I have made the right decision. My concern is that food is everywhere, tv, radio, books. I am concerned about all the temptation, but I am doing ok. Thus far. Good luck to all and feel free to write me at any time, I am here for as much support as I can get. WE can do this.

p1uddin - It is my5th day post op....gas in stomach is better but belching has begun. I find if I can belch quickly, the should pain doesn't come. If I don't, then the should pain starts. I think it is just part of the healing process when the stomach is able to push it up. I keep looking at how far we've come and keep thinking on the day I was looking at 4 days preop and then 2 weeks post op. I only have 9 days till I can eat...that's better than the beginning. Yes, we are all in this together. Hang in there, you have to do it...there's no going back...just forward. This time will pass and we'll forget all about the anxiety of not eating. Keep busy...

hey there...congrats on the surgery...i'm taking the plunge 7/8. one thing that was recommended to me by my doc was having pepcid around (take for 2 weeks post-op) as it will decrease the amount of stomach acid that is produced. that alone may help with some of the nausea. also, gas-x strips and tums were recommended as well. if you are already on some other type of medication for the reduction of stomach acid, then the pepcid should not be necessary. if the phenergan makes you super drowsy then zofran may be an alternative; also, it is good if you are having trouble keeping things down as zofran dose come in a dissolvable tablet form, should you be opposed to phenergan suppositories or you can't get ahold of the phenergan gel for topical application.

anyway, i hope you are feeling much better by the time you get this. take care and best of luck.

cheers,

d-

I haven't been able to burp at all. There are times that I wish I could, but just can't seem to do it.

My doctor called in some Phenergan syrup for me yesterday afternoon and I took that and I seem to feel a little better today, let's hope it stays that way.

I don't get to eat any solid food until August 1st, it's full liquids until that time with a few muschies in a couple of weeks.

Today is Day 6 of being banded. Yesterday I was not nauseated at all and today it's when I drink water. I have never been a big water drinker before, so I'm not sure what the problem is with that. I was suppose to go back to work today but decided to give it another day because I am feeling shaky and weak. Boy I wish I was bouncing back like everyone else seems to do as I can't afford to be down much longer. Not only do I need to go back to work, but my daughter is pregnant and although she is due on the 24th of July, she told me this morning that she is loosing her mucous plug. Of course it could be any minute to a week or so before she goes into labor.

I just want to feel half way normal again! I know that sounds stupid after wanting the lapband for so long, but it goes back to my original questions, is this how I will always feel?

Rhonda - Today is my day 8...I tried to go to work on Day 5 and after 2 hours I came home and couldn't even raise my arms. I was ill. I even ran a low grade temperature. I just couldn't do it. Today, I am back at work and feel wonderful...I'm still a little slower than normal but I am amazed what 3 days difference is like. On my day 6, I started burping when drinking water and the burping hurt my shoulder. I wasn't nauseated but my stomach was creating gas from anything coming into it. Today that is better. Hang in there...I finally feel alive. Rest when you can but walk as much as you can too. Today, I have a new outlook on this thing I have done to myself (ha). Good luck to your daughter.