RODCAR48

Hi, I was banded in 2010, initially lost about 50 lbs. but constantly getting things, including liquids, stuck. It eventually caused dehydration which led to very low blood pressures to the point that I couldn't sit up in bed without passing out. I had the band deflated, and regained nearly all the weight back. I am scheduled for a single procedure on June 8th for revision to the sleeve. I would like to hear someone's day by day experiences / feelings over the first week post op.

I saw my doctor on Dec 29th and told him that I haven't had any type of restriction since the surgery. I have followed the diet and lost about 30 lbs. but feel hungry most of the time. He agreed to schedule me for a fill on 11 Jan. This will be my first. He uses a fluoroscope for the fills, so hopefully I will feel a restriction. Keep the faith!

Thanks for the advice Fran! I am doing a good job following my liquid diet...haven't cheated. I'm making sure I get the required fluids and am getting more than enough protein. I just didn't know if I should be filling any restriction at all with the band in place.

Hi everyone! I was banded on 12/16/10 after a 5 day liquid diet. Up until about two days ago, I was doing well and not really being bothered by hunger. Things are really changing! Now I am hungry most of the time. I feel absolutely no restriction. Should I? I haven't had a fill yet but should I be feeling some restriction just by virtue that the band is in place and a pouch created? I am also beginning to have problems with muscle cramping in my legs and abdomen, might this be a mineral or iron deficiency? If anyone has any comments or suggestions I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.

I can't find where to add my photo for my posts. Can someone help me out?

Day 2 post surgery, and all is well. Everything has gone very smoothly, very little pain, able to sleep on side and back and able to drink my liquids with no problems. I only took the pain meds three times and don't feel they are needed anymore. I am very happy with my decision so far.

Day 2 post surgery starting off good. I slept well last night! I was able to sleep on my side as well as my back so I went back and forth as normal. I awoke this morning with very little pain just a little "discomfort" around the main incision area so I won't be using any more pain meds. I only took it 3 times, twice at bedtime and once in the morning the day after surgery.. I crushed all my regular meds this morning and mixed them into applesauce to take them, chewed my gummy bear vitamins and my chewable calcium supplement. It's now around noon and I'm a little drowsy so I think I will take a little nap. Talk with you later....

I was banded yesterday 12/16/2010. Everything went great! Very little discomfort. I'm walking around quite a bit to relieve the gas and all is going well. 15 pound weight loss from 5 day pre-op liquid diet.

I would like to thank you all for your support and well wishes! I got my band yesterday and everything went great. I will post all the details and time frames of my experience so those of you following me can have an idea of how the day went. First off the scales! I started my pre-op liquid diet (only 5 days) weighing 323.6 lbs. yesterday morning my surgery weight was 308.6 lbs -- 15 lbs lost in 5 days!! Not shabby. We left home (in Mississippi) at 4:00 am and drove to USA Medical Center in Mobile Alabama. I arrived at the hospital admitting around 5:45 to check-in. They already had all the paperwork completed, I just needed to verify the info and sign the release. Around 6:30 they escorted me into the surgery prep area where I stripped and put on the gown. I met with the anesthesiologist, the O.R. nurse, and several others. At one point there was like 5 people in the small cubicle asking information, verifying medical history etc. They set my I.V. line. My doctor (Dr. William Richards) and his back up doctor came by to see me and see if I had any questions. Shortly they gave me a shot through my I.V. line and that's the last I remember. They took me into the surgery room around 7:30 and actually started the surgery at 8:00. The surgery finished up about 9:30. The doctor had also found a small hernia and repaired it during the surgery. They started waking me up in recovery about 10:30 and I had some ice chips. I wasn't feeling any pain or difficulty swallowing when I woke up. I would describe it as kinda of a burning sensation around the largest incision. I had a total of 5 incisions, 4 of them very small, probably 1/4 - 1/2 inch and 1 incision about 2 - 3". They also had me in a compression girdle which felt good holding everything snug. They asked me if I wanted pain medication but I declined, I really wasn't in pain just a little discomfort. Around 12 - 12:30 they moved me upstairs to a room and ordered me a clear liquid tray. They took all my vitals and again asked if I wanted anything for pain and I again declined. The food tray consisted of a grape Popsicle, a cup of unsweetened tea, some jello and two small cups of lemonade. I took it all down without any problem. I thought the nurse had said that physical therapy would be coming to get me up to walk, so I just laid there sipping water and watching T.V. When the nurse came back in the room I asked if I was still waiting for physical therapy and she said no so I got up and walked the hallways. The doctors came back in to check on me and told me that everything went well and that if I was able to urinate then I could go home. He advised me to continue the full liquid diet for ten days then progress to the pureed diet. I follow up with the doctor in two weeks and will get my first fill in 6 weeks. They gave me a prescription for liquid Lortab if needed for pain. We left the hospital at 4:00 for the trip back home. I must say that everyone at the hospital was very kind, friendly and helpful. We stopped and filled the prescription before leaving town. It is about 1 1/2 hour drive back home so we stopped halfway and let me walk around the vehicle. Walking will help you pass the gas. Yes, you will have gas! But the walking will help relieve it and help you from getting too sore. After arriving home, I sat in my recliner and watched tv. I was considering sleeping in the recliner since I had not yet laid down flat on my back, but I decided to give the bed a try. I did take some of the liquid lortab before going to bed. I actually slept pretty well, although I.m not really a back sleeper. I did sleep through the night but by 8:00 this morning I was ready to get out of bed! I was a little more stiff and sore this morning when I first got up and took another lortab dose. One I was up and moving I got rid of some of the gas and felt better. I am trying to stand and walk more throughout the day and I am feeling pretty good. I don't have any difficulty swallowing and do not have any "fullness" sensations, but I'm not really hungry either. I don't have any fluid in the band yet so no real restriction other than the pouch. So far it has been a good experience and I am not having any problems. I realize everyone's experiences are different but if you have been contemplating the surgery or worrying about it, I really don't think you need to worry so much. I will try to keep this updated to share with you my experiences. Best wishes and good thoughts to all!!! It's time for my little friend --- the protein shake.