merlina

I am curious...I am just wondering how many incision sites everyone had after surgery? How long before the port site incision stops hurting? How bad are the scars? I was just banded last week. I have four incisions and the only one that bothers me still is the port site.

I was just banded on July 12th. The pain was the worst the first few days. Each day the pain got sooo much better though. The first and second day were by far the toughest. There was incision pain and gas pain. However...now I am only feeling incision pain where the port is and it is not so bad. I am a teacher and chose to stay home for the summer this year but if I had to go back to work I would have been able to do so yesterday (Monday)...a week after the surgery. In comparsion to the other surgeries I have had this has been the easiest and quickest recovery. Best of luck!

I am down about 15 pounds. I was banded on 7/12 and did not have to do a pre-op diet but did a modified version of one and lost 7 pounds pre-op. I have lost 8 pounds in the last week (since surgery). Sounds like you are all doing great! Keep it up!

I was banded on Tuesday. Is anyone else experiencing diaphragm pain? I have this intense pressure right at my diaphragm and it hurts to breathe. Is it gas? Or is this something I should be worried about?

MustangMama...I hear you! I am trying so hard not to complain to the friends and family around me (I was banded on July 12th). However, I know I have gotten significantly better since Tuesday. I am forcing myself to walk a lot and to drink fluids as much as possible. I am finding it really hard to watch tv...I never realized how much food and eating is incorporated into tv shows! Someone on here recommended a recliner chair and it has been my saving grace. I have been sleeping it in at night and it is amazing. I have been using lots of ice packs...I have four in the freezer. My doctor told me to not use a heating pad but rather stick to the ice packs. I picked up a box of herbal teas and have enjoyed trying the different flavors...even though I can only try a few sips. I am still happy that I chose to do this. I feel like right now I am going through withdrawal like a heroin addict...cept for me its food. I need to do this...I want a life again! Thinking positive thoughts for those of you getting banded soon!

Hi All, Just dropping by quickly to say that I am finally in Bandland! I was banded on the 12th. It has been a rough couple of days but BOY does each day get better! I am on full liquids as of noon today and was only able to drink a few sips of a creamy soup. I did try to drink some protein shake as well. I am feeling really naseusous a lot though. I don't think I am over the gas pains yet. I am also not sure if what I am feeling is hunger or pain. It feels like hunger but I am not sure. I will write more when I am more with it. I am really enjoying reading everything you all write! Good luck to those of you being banded soon! p.s. I have lost 11 pounds in a week! I lost a few before the surgery (no pre-op diet required except the day before but I did a few days of protein shakes only) and I have lost a few pounds since the surgery. Yay! ~karen

I had a hard time figuring out which shakes to try too. I am being banded next week and have finally found two that I do like. I went to Vitalady.com and ordered a bunch of samples (they weren't free...like 1.99 each). It helped me figure out what I liked. There are a variety of places that offer samples too...search for samples on here and you will find lots of information. Good luck!

Thanks Lifeisjustbeginning and Highland for the information about the medications. You have eased my mind a lot!

I only needed the nutrition and psch eval, a blood test and an endoscopy. At the surgery center I am going to, additional tests are required if there are pre-existing conditions. It seems like each surgeon requires different things. They will probably provide you with a list of required tests closer to the surgery. I think its good that you are thinking about these things...it is better to be prepared and not worry. If you think calling the office will make you feel better than you should do that

Happy Fourth of July All! My surgery is coming up in 8 days! I was at the pharmacy the other day to pick up a prescription (not related to the surgery) and asked him about liquid meds. He said that I should call the surgeon and ask him what meds I will be taking so he can pre-order them so that they are ready for after the surgery. I called the surgery center and spoke with the nurse. She said that they don't give liquid meds. She said most people are fine with regular pills. My question...for those of you recently banded...are any of you taking pills? Do you think I will be able to? I do take some meds that are in pill form that do not come in liquid form already so I guess I am going to have to try. It just looks like most of you are taking liquids and I am a bit concerned that the pills will get stuck. Any thoughts? I am also getting quite nervous. Just within the last few days I have developed a real fear of having the band inside my body...like I am going to want to pull it out (weird I know). I have had a spinal fusion and an ankle fusion and sometimes I have a panic attack because of the titanium implants. I get the idea in my head that the metal doesn't belong in my body. Last time I had a cast on my ankle I went completely nuts, went to the ER and made them take the cast off. I think I have some kind of weird phobia. I just don't want to experience the panic attacks after the surgery. Ugh! I am so happy to read all of the stories you have all written. It is helping me in so many ways. Thanks for all of the interesting posts!

Congrats all! I am happy to hear that your experiences have been so positive! Kay, you and I are scheduled to be banded on the same day We should keep in touch!

Good luck to those of you being banded today! Looking forward to hearing more from you all! Happy you got a date Shauna! We will be doing the preop diet at the same time. Happy to know that I won't be alone.

Congrats! Thanks for the info! Good to hear that it wasn't so bad. Your husband sounds like a gem! Lucky you!

Thanks Shauna for the article link about H Pylori. I really don't like thinking that I have this stuff in my stomach! Yuck! I will look for the Mio drink...thanks Lizzy2150 and MassMommyRebecca. I thought I was the only one that couldn't stand aspartame. Also...good to know that omeprazole can be cut in half. I have ordered chewable Celebrate vitamins because the vitamins I take now are horse pills. It was the gastroenterologist (sp?) that treated me that way...not my surgeon (thankfully). QUESTION: I realize I shouldn't be asking about fills yet but it is bothering me. I have read a lot about them on here. Has anyone's surgeon talked about when you would get your first fill? I know it varies based on weight loss and sensation. I just wondering if anyone was told when they would get a fill already.

That sounds like a horrible experience! Stay strong in New Orleans. You have done great so far!

Hi again all, First of all...good luck to those of you being banded this week! I have a little less than two weeks left. I am eating terribly! Like some others have mentioned...I am finding myself thinking "I should eat this now because I won't be able to soon." I am so aware of the fact that my eating is much more mental than physical. My doc doesnt require a preop diet except the day before. I am going to start next Tuesday though just because I want to. I am reading "Bandwagon: Strategies for Success With the Adjustable Gastric Band" by Jean McMillan. I ordered it on Amazon. It is an excellent book. It has helped me understand some of my choices better, has made me laugh, and has helped me understand what to expect after surgery. It is written by a bandster and she has kept the weight off and is an inspiration. I really recommend the book! I haven't finished it yet but it is so far a very quick and enjoyable read. Has anyone else been given medications before the surgery date? My doctor didn't mention that as an option but it makes sense. Also, I just found out that I have H Pylori...found out from the endoscopy. Gastro dr is putting me on two antibiotics and omeprazole (sp?). He kinda made me feel like there was something wrong with me for having it. He whipped out a picture of this terrifying bug and said "this is what you have in you". He then asked if I was stationed in a third world country. I am a teacher...not in the military. When I explained that I have only visited some places but never stayed long he said (rudely) "I have no idea how you got it but you have it" and he handed me some prescriptions. I asked him if it was contagious because I am concerned about my son. He said flat out no. I looked it up online and apparently it is contagious. I dont know! At least I know that I have it and can treat it. My only concern is that is the prescriptions are for 14 days and my surgery is in 13 and I won't be able to take large antibiotics.e I have to take the omeprazole for several months so I am hoping that I will be able to swallow that. Another thing...I have gone nuts and have ordered so many samples of protein drinks that I think I have enough for a month! So far the Unjury chocolate is my favorite. Has anyone tried the crystal light pure? It doesn't have aspartame which I cant stand. Apparently it is made with a natural sweetner. Just wondering if anyone has tried it and if its okay. Hmmm...I really went on and on....sorry! Good luck tomorrow Nechama!

Hi All, I am so happy that a friend told me about this site! I have been reading it lots but haven't posted yet. I am scheduled to be banded on July 12th. I only need to do one day of a liquid diet pre-op which seems very different than most. I am going to try to do one week though. I have already ordered sample packets from various sites that have been mentioned on here. Unfortunately, I haven't been eating well at all lately. I have put on 10 pounds since I started the process in April. I know its not healthy! My doctor is aware of the weight gain though. I guess I am having my last meals many times over. Ugh! Anyhow, I am very excited about the process and gaining control of myself. I know that the surgery won't cure my eating problems but I am hoping that it will help me put my mind in the right place to make better decisions. Looking forward to chatting with you all! How do I get one of those trackers on the bottom of my messages?

JohnnyBoy, Your blog made me laugh until I cried! It is great that you have such a sense of humor and honesty about this journey. Kevin M, It is difficult! But we chose to do this for a reason. You can do it!!!

Hi Again All, I am getting so excited! I just ordered some more samples online and added a ticker to my posts. I love reading all of the encouraging words and about the experiences you are all going through. I am so happy that I found this site! I have about two weeks and two days left before I am banded! Woohoo!

Thanks for the great list! I placed some orders and wrote some emails. I hope I can find something I like! Thanks to those you that updated the info as well.

Hi All, I am being banded on July 12th. I am so glad that I found this site! It looks like there will others for me to share my journey with. My doctor only wants me to drink the Protein shakes for one day before the surgery. Seems very different than others. I am considering doing it for a week before the surgery just to start the process. Best of luck to all!