Jenn1214

1. Don't underestimate the shoulder pain! It was by far the worst pain I had after surgery (including the bruise the size of Christmas on my lower abdomen from the blood thinners). Walking and deep breathing can help. 2. I suffered from some post op depression. I was very weepy for a few weeks after, wondering what I had just done to myself. My attachment to food ran deeper than I could have ever anticipated. 3. Menstrual cycle wackiness after the surgery scared me at first, but my GYN said it's totally normal. 4. No NSAIDs! 5. The weight doesn't fly off in the beginning. I'm trying to be patient and just focus on healing but I have to start wedding dress shopping soon! 6. SILS, at least for me, did not consist of a single incision. I had three. 7. There is a definite social aspect to eating that I feel deprived of now. I know it will get better, I just didn't expect it. 8. 64 oz of Water per day is nowhere near enough for me. I wake up every morning feeling dehydrated. 9. I'm still not sure how "full" feels after surgery. I eat the portions recommended by my nutritionist and my stomach stops growling for a while. I guess that's it. 10. pineapple juice/papaya extract is good to have around in case you get stuck. I learned that here! 11. There is almost always gas coming out of one or both ends. 12. My port is fun to poke!

I considered that but it's a brand new scale.

I was diagnosed with PCOS very recently, about two years ago. I have lost about 20 pounds in three weeks between the pre op diet and during recovery, but I was concerned because my cycle had become very irregular. I had a sonogram last week and my ovaries were totally normal. I find it hard to believe such a small weight loss could make a difference, but I guess it did for me!

I would have liked to have known more about the recovery period in the first few weeks after surgery. I wasn't expecting the shoulder pain and the random gurgling, plus not feeling hungry for a few days afterward was a little unsettling. I also didn't expect the emotional recovery to be as difficult as it was. I always like to hear "tips and tricks" from people who have been through the process and what helped them when they were having problems (i.e. stand up and walk for 10 minutes when you have gas pain, etc).

The nutritionist I met with in the hospital said it should take 30 minutes to finish a full liquid meal. That turned out to be a perfect pace for me. See if it works for you.

Most if not all anesthesiologists will ask you if you have anything loose or removable in your mouth, so I assume they would make you take the tongue ring out.

I know it's probably still too soon, but when is it safe to drink alcohol again? I know I have to limit my intake but a glass of wine when I go out would be nice on occasion.

I am so furious right now. I had a hard time getting approved for Lap Band because my insurance company just felt like dragging their feet, but I confirmed that I WAS approved for the surgery before I went under the knife. I just got a letter in the mail stating that my claim was denied because the surgery was not approved beforehand. WTF?

I had one tiny (and I do mean tiny) taste of my fiance's slice and I was fine. I was never planning on having a whole slice anyway. The band is something I have to live with forever, and I can't see myself never eating cake or "junk" again. I will never, however, eat it in the portions I used to. The band is teaching me moderation, something I was never able to learn in 27 years. Thanks everyone for your advice!

My fiance's birthday is this Saturday and I was wondering if I would be able to have any cake while I'm in the soft foods phase? My guess would be no but I want to see what you guys think. Thanks!

I have used Nuvaring for over a year now and I've never had any problems with breakthrough bleeding. About a week or so after the surgery I started bleeding like a regular period with small clots which I NEVER have. It's been over a week and I am really freaking out. Is this normal? I'm going to the GYN tomorrow just to make sure everything is ok.

Saw the GYN today, she did an exam and sono and everything's fine. She said it could be from the antibiotics, the trauma of surgery, or a combination of the two. I'm so relieved!

Keep up with your surgeon's office and your insurance company and make sure everything is going along according to plan. I had a problem with getting approved in a timely manner because things were missing or not being sent out on time. I actually got my approval letter AFTER my surgery (although I did call the insurance company to make sure I was covered first). It took over two months for my insurance company to approve me. Hopefully you'll have an easier time than I did!

I was very concerned because I couldn't feel my port after surgery. Today I was feeling around in my belly button and I felt something that I'm pretty sure is my port. Has anyone else had their port placed in this region?

So inspirational! Just what I needed today :-) Congratulations on your wonderful accomplishment!

I have a long history of depression and have been medicated on and off since the age of 14. I'm not on medication now and definitely noticed my depression rearing its ugly head after the surgery. I just chalk it up to tons of life changes at once, including losing my job, getting engaged (which is a good thing of course) and having my main source of comfort (food) taken away. I just take it a day at a time and see a therapist once a week.

I named mine Bandy. Not very original I know but it works for me

I'm the opposite. I used to be a huge belcher but I rarely do anymore. I usually hiccup when I'm finishing up my meal, but sometimes it just happens randomly for no reason. Weird.

You should be able to move on from clear liquids after a couple days. What were your surgeon's instructions?

I'm two weeks out. My surgeon said I can do cardio for now, nothing too strenuous and no lifting until my next appointment in 4 weeks.

It's only natural to be nervous before any kind of surgery, especially something as life changing as the lap band! I had my surgery fairly recently on March 14th and I had a lot of the same fears as you do. I knew mostly what to expect because I'm a surgical technologist and I've assisted on a couple of these procedures, and also because my surgeon and support team had done a good job of going over everything. Still, you always fear the unknown. I woke up from surgery in the recovery room with some pain in my incision (I had the SILS procedure) and was given pain medications right away. I never had any incisional pain since. I had a lot of shoulder pain from the gas, but moving around as much as possible helps. I felt very sleepy on and off for a few days because of the anesthesia, so I slept when I felt like it and walked when I felt up to it. It took me about a week and a half to really start feeling like myself again, but that's just me. Everyone reacts to anesthesia differently. A big fear of mine, like you, is worrying if I would ever enjoy food again. I'm only on soft foods right now but I find that I appreciate food much more after being on liquids for so long. Having to chew everything to death lets you really slow down and taste your food, something I never did before. We'll see how it goes with solids, but I have a feeling it will be a similar experience. You may not feel like it right after the surgery, but you are doing the right thing. I'm feeling more and more like this is the best decision I ever made. You will too. Best of luck to you!

I was banded on March 14th. I never felt hunger until almost a good week after the surgery...I think my stomach must have been really swollen. The incisions never gave me trouble, the worst two pains I had were the shoulder pain and the humongous bruise I got on my lower abdomen from the Lovenox. I definitely recommend walking around as much as you can (but don't overdo it) and hydrate as much as you can. Being dehydrated always makes you feel crummy. Rest as much as you can too, it gives your body a chance to heal. The liquid diet was hard for me mentally because I was so used to eating what I wanted, when I wanted. It gets easier every day. Now I'm on soft foods and I just chew everything to death to make sure there are no problems. I've lost about 20 lbs since starting my pre op diet and that's enough encouragement for me! (most days anyway). Good luck in your recovery!

That's a very good question! Everyone keeps telling me how much thinner my face looks, but I don't know how much weight you can carry in your face...it might just be retained water or something.

Today I had my 2 week post op appointment. I was given the all clear to start soft foods (yay!) and was told my incisions look "fantastic". I can also start exercising a little now too. My first soft meal consisted of crackers, feta cheese and hummus. Boy is chewing a strange sensation after not doing it for almost a month! I'm just happy things are moving along and I'm healing well. To all you bandsters still in your liquid diet phase...there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

I guess every surgeon is different. Mine made me have every test under the sun...I have never been so well acquainted with my insides! Honestly, if you are really concerned with the way the surgeon is handling things, go somewhere else. You are the master of your own health and if you aren't comfortable, shop around until you are. This is a big step in your life and you should feel confident that your surgeon and the rest of the team will do everything in their power to help you through. I'm not sure what area you are in but if you are in the Long Island area my surgeon was Dr. Geiss and I've been pretty happy with him and his team so far. Otherwise contact your insurance company to see what other surgeons are covered and make an appointment. Good luck!