SarahRN482

I had my first post op appointment today; 6 days out and feeling pretty good! My surgeon told me that my procedure went a lot better than he anticipated due to the fact that my BMI was over 60, and he had no issues at all. He did say that my port is about 4 inches deep in my gut (probably why it's still sore and everything else is healed!), and that he may have trouble doing fills in the office the first couple times, but that he was confident that he could get it given his track record. If not, I will have to schedule with IR (interventional radiology) at the hospital and have it done under fluroscopy so they can visualize the port itself. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I lose enough weight between now and my first fill that it can be done in the office, which is a lot easier (and a hell of a lot cheaper! lol). I'm scheduled for the 21st of October, so...3 weeks!!

Welcome home Amy! Try not to overdo it over the next few days, that was the hardest part for me to deal with. Try to walk around as often as you can, it really does help with the gas pains.

Today is post op day 4, and I've noticed over the past couple days, my urine output has dropped off dramatically. It honestly has since I had my surgery on Tuesday. Prior to my surgery, I was peeing continuously on the liquid diet. I know I haven't been drinking as much Fluid as I was pre op, but I swear I only peed twice all day yesterday and maybe 3 times today, and I've drank over a liter of Water today, plus other stuff! Anybody else notice this issue too??

I remember thinking that my stomach felt like that after I had both my kids. It just felt...weird!

Personally speaking, I know I was up 5 whole pounds after I came home from surgery. I weighed myself the next day, and I couldn't believe a 5lb GAIN. I didn't start losing some of that until yesterday, my third day post op, and even then, it was only a little over a pound. I'm still above my pre op weight at 4 days post op. Now, as a nurse, I know they pumped at least 3 liters of IV fluids in me, that I saw. Who knows how much the anesthesiologist gave me during my surgery on top of that. Pair the extra Fluid with swelling/bloating from the surgery (hello gas!) and it's not surprising. Don't get discouraged! We all knew going into this that it's a slow process and we wouldn't drop weight like the GB folks. Keep your eye on the prize my dear!

Today is 4 days post op for me, and I too started to feel hungry. My stomach was growling/hurting so bad that it actually woke me up at 5am this morning making noises I have NEVER heard from my body before. I got up and drank a protein shake, and then went back to bed. I've noticed all day today that about every 3-4 hours, I've been hungry. It's been better tonight, and I've been trying to drink lots of water. I go for my first post op visit on Monday, so hopefully they will schedule me for my first fill then.

For many years I've been on medications for high BP, allergies, GERD, and high cholesterol. I'm hopeful that eventually I won't need to be on a lot of these medications, but for now, I'm still on them. The issue I'm having is that they are AWFUL to crush. Holy cow, the taste is just totally TERRIBLE, it literally makes me shiver anytime I crush them and take them, even in applesauce. My question for ya'll is this: Can I take my pills whole, or do I need to continue to crush them? And if I need to keep crushing them, what should I mix them in to cover up the taste even more? Maybe yogurt??

What a difference a day makes...literally! I was finally able to sleep comfortably last night for the first time since I had my surgery. I don't think I moved all night; from exhaustion or fear of pain, I'm not sure, but it was definitely nice to get some good, quality sleep! I woke up this morning with very little pain/soreness and so far *fingerscrossed* the gas pains haven't started up too bad yet this morning. Today will be my first day home by myself since my surgery, as my hubby had to return to work today, and the kids will be in school. I have a tendency to want to clean like a mad woman when I'm here alone, but I know I still need to take it somewhat easy and NO LIFTING. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself all day, but I do know I'm definitely going for a walk at some point this afternoon/evening!

I've had the same issue (along with a sore, scratchy throat) since I had my procedure, and it's most definitely from the ET tube as B-52 said. I'm an RN in a cardiac ICU and many of our patients are intubated at some point, some of them long term. Once we finally get them off they ventilator and extubated, they often can't talk normally for several days. Throat lozenges like Cepacol are good, as well as those OTC throat sprays like Chloraseptic, which help numb your throat. Hope this helps!

Just reading through the recently banded members' post op diets are mind blowing to me! I can't believe the drastic difference from Doctor to Doctor. But I shouldn't really be surprised, especially since I work in healthcare and know how things usually go. lol Heck, even the information I received from the dietician differs from the information they sent me home from the hospital with. The dietician said I would be on clears for the first day, then full liquids for two weeks, then soft foods, then regular foods at one month post op. When they sent me home from the hospital, they told me to stay on clears for two days, and then eat a soft diet until I follow up with the surgeon next week. At day two post op, I've mostly done clears with a couple full liquid items like pudding and yogurt. I really honestly have no appetite at all due to the severe gas pains I'm having. I feel like I need to let out the biggest burp of my life, and it just won't come out!

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah, I'm 31 years old, and I was just banded two days ago, on Sept. 24th. I live in central Illinois with my husband and two kids, and I work full time as a Registered Nurse on a cardiac intensive care unit. I look forward to forging this journey with you all!

Try to walk as much as you can. I know it's uncomfortable, especially that first day, but it does help. Did they send you home with any medication to help with nausea?

Congratulations! We're definitely in the same boat, and I have to say, it's nice to have someone there with me who gets it.

Hi everyone. I've been somewhat of a "lurker" on this site since I started my Lap Band journey several months ago. I had my surgery on Tuesday, Sept. 24th. I've had mild incisional pain, but the biggest issue has definitely been the bloated/gassy feeling. I have such awful pain in my shoulder blades and under my ribs, I feel like I've had the crap beat out of me! My surgeon told my husband I would feel like I was in a fight, and man was he right. I can't take a deep breath, and if I try to lie flat, I feel short of breath. I have been unable to sleep in my bed because I am SO not a back sleeper and it hurts too much to sleep on my side/stomach. Of course, I started weighing myself day one post op, and I noted then that I was up at 5lbs from my pre op weight. Today I was still up the 5lbs. I definitely feel bloated/swollen in my abdomen, and I know they pumped me full of IV fluids during/after my procedure. I'm sure all of the things I'm feeling are totally normal, but it's always nice to have this site as a reference and reassurance that I'm not losing my mind!

Hi everyone! I'm new to the site, but I'm also in the liquid pre op diet phase of my journey. I'm on day 4 and I'm miserable. Like many of you have said, the protein shakes have not been holding me long at all. I don't know if its because of my size or what, but I can't stop thinking about eating. Today I went to The Vitamin Shoppe (retail store) and talked with their staff. They were so helpful, and I decided to buy samples of the Syntrax Nectar brand of protein. They are isoproteins, so they mix easy. Zero carbs and 23g of protein per scoop, also only 100 calories. And honestly, the one I've tried so far (vanilla) tastes pretty good. Better than the Designer Whey and Atkins products I've tried so far! I will admit that last night I gave in to my urges and ate a couple pieces of pizza that the rest of my family were eating. It was NOT worth the instant gratification that I got when I woke up this morning with a horrid stomach ache. I will not be doing that again! I did decide tonight that I need at least one food item I can physically eat everyday, so I allowed myself one string cheese stick with my dinner time shake. It's been almost four hours and I'm still feeling full. I'm hopeful the Syntrax shakes are the one!