justwant2lose

I was banded 6 days ago and I have a 3 year old daughter. I told her that I would not be able to pick her up because my "tummy" is sick. She wanted to see my tummy, so I showed her the incisions. Now she is fascinated and asks me every morning if my tummy is feeling better. She asks to see my tummy everyday. Of course, there are times that I absolutely HAVE to pick her up to put her somewhere, but I try to squat instead of bend over. She is a daddy's girl and daddy loves it, but she has been great about not having me to do certain things that I usually do.

I was looking for a new soup recipe and I found a delicious one. I made it today. It's Peanut Soup. All you need is one peeled sweet potato, 32 ounces of chicken broth, 1/2 of an onion, 1 grated carrot, minced ginger, and a dab of creamy Peanut Butter. You puree all of the veggies in a food processor, then in a little olive oil heat the veggies and the ginger until transparent. Add the chicken broth, bring to a low boil and cover. Let it simmer for 20 minutes. Add a teaspoon of peanut butter and then blend the soup in a blender. Return to heat, and heat it through. I've been craving Thai soup and this comes close.

I am 5 days post op, and can totally relate to how you are feeling. I hurt in my chest and back the first few days, and now it's subsided and I feel like myself again. It was rough. I also do not have any craving for food right now and I had the same doubts, even some depression, if you can believe that. I have lost 9 pounds since the surgery, 16 since I started my pre op diet. I know I will be able to eat normal food again, just not right now while I am healing, and that's okay.:car: I wish you the best of luck!

I am also 4 days Post-op and was having the same problem. It was in my back too. I took Gas X, walked, pain medicine, everything they said to do and I still had it. I made sure that when I was tired I rested. I found that my biggest mistake was sipping water too quickly and now that I am on full liquids and thin soups, I have to make myself remember to take in in very very slowly. You will lose that tightness. Keep doing what your doctor recommends. I remember telling my husband, I just need to burp!!! My chest is still a little tight every now and then, but I know it is just gas from the surgery. The important thing is to listen to your body and contact your doctor if it gets worse.

Has anyone else had discomfort in the upper back and also in the chest after surgery? This, along with the port being sensitive are the only problems I am experiencing thus far.

justwant2lose - Banded on September 19, 2007

I had to take my pain medication every 4 hours and Gas X (the package says no more than 4 tablets in 24 hours - but my doctor said no more than 7 in one day) I finally was able to sleep around midnight. When I woke up the next morning I felt better. Now, I am having "twinges", mostly in my left shoulder. I find that using the Spirometer helps. I stopped taking the pain medication yesterday and instead take Tylenol and woke up with a raging headache this morning. Recovering is a lot rougher than I thought it was going to be.:cry

Hi Everyone! I was banded yesterday (September 19th). It went very well. I did have a problem with upper back pain and chest pain, which they attributed to gas. Last night was rough, but with pain medication, gas x and some sleep I woke up feeling a lot better. I still feel kind of weak today, but I am resting when needed and get up when I can and move around. I am sipping a protein shake right and have hiccups! This is going to be a very interesting journey for me and for all of us. I am definitely up to the Biggest Loser challenge next month. Count me in!

Whew! I am glad I am not the only one! This was one problem I do not recall hearing about. I heard about the shoulder & chest pain that can occur, but not the back pain. I feel much better this morning, thank goodness. Surprisingly, I got a decent night's sleep and woke up feeling good. I did take Lortab every 4 hours yesterday up until about midnight, then woke up about 6am. I don't really hurt at all except the discomfort at the port sight and a little discomfort from the other incisions. I am going to hold off on the Lortab until I need it. Thanks for all of your help with this, everyone. I love this website. I know I will find the answers I need right here from the best sources.:clap2:

Good luck to you too, Poohlvr! Let us know how it goes!

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My surgery is only two days away...I am so happy and yet so nervous. Does anyone have any advice or tips to getting through the hospital stay?:help:

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of your feedback, and I promise to post as soon as I can.

September 19th here!:whoo:

I had a sleep study, and evidently it turned out okay or else they would have made me have another, but I am worried because I know I jolt myself out of a dead sleep several times a night like I am scared. They told me that if I had sleep apnea I would have to wear a cpap machine during the surgery because if I stop breathing under general anesthesia, it is possible I will not be able to start again unless I have the cpap. I find that I jolt awake mostly when I am just drifting off to sleep. Has anyone else had this problem or concern?:phanvan

Wow. I never would have thought of that! I will definitely try that. Thanks for your feedback!:speechles

Unfortunately, yes. I started my pre-op diet today, and I am starving! Plus the Optifast is okay but I am already sick of drinking it. :faint:

When I went to the required seminar with my surgeon, he said that just as many people are having the band now that are having the gastric bypass. He supported both methods of wls, and he is a national proctor for the lap band. Ultimately it is your decision. If I were you, I would look for a surgeon outside of your area. One that is affiliated with a group surgeons, perhaps. I personally know someone whose BMI was WAY over 50, he had the lap band and since January 2006 has lost almost 200 pounds. I've read that with the lap band, you must be more disciplined and patient with a slower weight loss. From all the threads I've read here, I'd say that the vast majority of bandsters are very happy with their decision. Good luck.

Poohlvr - I know what you mean about the $$$. They are very upfront about that! Please let me know when you find out the time. Maybe we could compare notes, etc. - you know, "buddy up"!

Thanks Poohlvr! I am gonna give it everything I've got. Good luck to you too. Mine is scheduled for 8am, how about you?

It's September 19th for me!!! Doing the Pre-op diet starting September 5th.

Everyone, thanks so much for your input. I definitely feel better about it now. Your advice was very reassuring to me. I had an outpatient procedure done in March and was under but I don't think it was actually general anesthesia. My doctor told me that if I had trouble breathing they would put a tube down my throat. It did seem like I closed my eyes and two seconds later they were waking me up. I guess I am just nervous. Thanks again!

September 19th! Excited and scared.:whoo:

LOL. No, already have my guy. Just need my band!!!:biggrin1:

I personally can't wait to get mine, but I am curious to see how many of you are glad you were banded.