Jana Curtis

Thank you all for the support. I look forward to getting to know many of you over the coming months. This is the beginning of an incredible journey for me. I know I have many things to learn.

Merry Christmas to you all! My name is Jana and I am brand new here. I had my lap band done on 12/20/11 by a reputable surgeon, outpatient. I was a bit of a 'lightweight' for banding (starting at 5'2 and 196) but my co-morbidities were significant (high BP, cholesterol). I have had weight issues all my life. My highest weight was 225 and lowest 135 (for like, a day). I have been on as many diets as there are types of food, like all of you, have lost weight then regained plus more. My late Mom had the same issues as I did when she was my age and going thru menopause (high pressure, cholesterol) and couldn't get her weight under control. She subsequently required a triple bypass surgery and 2 years later a femoral bypass. The doctors think the all could have been averted if she had maintained a healthy body weight. So I decided after much thought that I would nip this in the bud and address it before it addressed me. I came through surgery wonderfully. No anesthesia complications. No nausea. Got home and rested (I have a 9 y/o girl, a 25 y/o stepson and a husband who are all very supportive) and I rested. Sore and gassy in my shoulders but nothing a half of Vicodin couldn't handle. 2nd day post op my belly started to swell and I noticed some bruising around the port site. By the evening it was significantly swollen like I was pregnant and the bruising was rampant, black all the way down to my waist on the right side. I was petrified and immediately returned to the surgeon who told me I had an abdominal "hematoma". I had a low grade temp and was put on antibiotics. I was told that this is an 'occassional' complication of any laproscopic proceedure and would re-absorb in a week or two and if not, I would have to be re-opened (!!!!) to have the blood drained. It is Christmas Day and I am feeling weak. I am able to sip fluids and am trying my best to take in my Protein shakes. My stomach feels like a ball, constant feeling of bubbling and pressure (is this normal?). I have lost 10 lbs. No bowel movement yet but didn't expect one. I was on another web site and the commentary about the lap bands was SO negative I actually started to cry. All these people talking about revisions to sleeve and the horrors of complications (eating thru the band, complications, etc.) Today I feel frightened and unsure that what I am feeling is normal (with the bubbly stomach that feels constant pressure) and the weakness. I am looking for anyone that can help me, encourage me and perhaps help me feel that I did not do something horrid that after so much thought and planning, I am going to regret anyway. I wasn't supposed to be this way. :-(