Buckru

I have owned and ridden horses all my life and I'm concerned about my ability to mount & dismount (I hop down from the saddle - short legs). I'm concerned about the jarring effective on the band and the stretching effect on the port. I haven't found a thread on this, so thought I'd ask. I don't want to sell my horse - its my favorite (and almost only) form of exercise. I mount with a mounting blocking - will have some, but minimal pull. The horse is smooth gaited. I'm most concerned about getting off. My port in not on the side, but nearer to the front. Anyone dealing with this......pls?:help:

Dear Diary: Tomorrow is a week since my banding. This past week has been most interesting because I was so limited in action and movement. I have found 6 different spots where I can lay, temporarily, that ease the gas and the soreness of the port - four of these spots, I've never even sat in....but now part of getting some rest. I have terrible thoughts - like the port is falling out, that it is infected and will need to be reopened, and, greatest fear....because the port is more in the front on the left side of my body.....I'm afraid it will prohibit me from riding my horses. The ride is not the problem, it is getting off. I have short legs and "hop" down from the saddle to the ground. The way I do it now would scrape the port everytime. My Doc has never banded a horsewomen. Then I think about how big I've gotten, which makes it harder to ride and harder on the horse. This has to work for me and my boys (horses). One day at a time and the answers will come to me. Good Night my Diary!:eek::kiss:rolleyes:girl_hug::amen::welcomeB::mad:

Dr Shayani also did my surgery on 9-17-07 through DayOneHealth. Weight loss is steady and I'm doing well. I'm going for my first fill in two weeks. Have you had your fills done in Oak Brook? Have they gone well for you? Its been suggested I get the fills downtown - but a long drive since I'm so close to Oakbrook. I'd appreciate your feedback. Thx

HI again - we messaged on another site - I am from the western suburbs of Chicago too. My doc is Dr Shayani - his Oakbrook office. He's been great. I was banded 1 week ago - follow up appt tomorrow. My port seems to be getting sorer! Nice to hear from someone in the area. Hang in there! Buckru

Hi Lessnless: I can't believe you are riding 3 weeks after banding - you are my hero! I believe I will try your idea - sliding down the right rib side. My gelding will hold still for that as long as I don't get jittery about it. Great looking dressage horse! You must be so proud of him! Thanks for the help and responding to me. I'm just a week after banding, port soreness seems to be increasing. Happy Trails! Buckru

Thanks for the reply, Jennypoo...my doctor has never banded someone who rides before, so he wasn't alot of help. I was banded a week ago and the port is sore, body is stiff and I have trouble bending down at all. I see my doc tomorrow for my first follow up. I'm 56 years old, so may take me more time to heal - I will ride...sometime. I'm not worried about the ride, just the darn dismount! Happy trails!

Thanks for the reply, Darr. He will stand, no problem. Lowering myself tho, my mid-section will definitely rest on my saddle fender. I'm concerned about the port being pulled as I go down. I also thought about riding him up next to the mounting block and trying to ease down with my right foot to rest on the block. This might work, but my legs are really short (27 inch inseam) so even my 3 step block might be too short. I won't be able to ride for at least a month or so, so I guess I have plenty of time to figure it out - My horse had a massage today......I really think I want one too! Being banded a week ago, I know I'm holding my body stiff. Thanks again, and Happy trails!

Dear Diary: Tomorrow is a week since my banding. This past week has been most interesting because I was so limited in action and movement. I have found 6 different spots where I can lay, temporarily, that ease the gas and the soreness of the port - four of these spots, I've never even sat in....but now part of getting some rest. I have terrible thoughts - like the port is falling out, that it is infected and will need to be reopened, and, greatest fear....because the port is more in the front on the left side of my body.....I'm afraid it will prohibit me from riding my horses. The ride is not the problem, it is getting off. I have short legs and "hop" down from the saddle to the ground. The way I do it now would scrape the port everytime. My Doc has never banded a horsewomen. Then I think about how big I've gotten, which makes it harder to ride and harder on the horse. This has to work for me and my boys (horses). One day at a time and the answers will come to me. Good Night my Diary!:scared::mad::kiss:rolleyes:girl_hug::amen::welcomeB::car:

Hi 2firefrtrs Mom (did I get that right?) I was banded on 9-17-07, almost a week and I am still sore. Actually the port site seems very sore to me (but it is my first day with NO painkiller). Also, under the clear adhesive big "bandaid" and gauze covering the port, it is red. I'd love to remove it and put some trisporin or neosporin ointment on it, but I know better. I see my surgeon for a f/u on Wed. but I might see my PCP before and have her "look" at the redness and see if I'm OK. Actually its only red at the bottom of the bandage, but now I am focused on it and in MY MIND it is huge (well, not as huge as the tummy it is on! LOL Maybe its time to go back to the drugs! Where is your soreness and can you reach your surgeon? Have you laid on your p ort alot? I think that might be part of my problem, I flip over on my stomach at night. Hope your feel better and your doc can help you. Thanks for sharing and listening!

Add me to the List! Buckru - 09-17-07!

I have been in and out of OA over the past 25 years. It is a wonderful approach to looking at ourselves and WHY we have the urge to overeat. The meetings are all a bit different and they are all over, so a good thing is, you can always changes meetings. The 12 & 12 is the basis for the program everywhere. You have to be ready to take the first step "I am powerless over food and my life has become unmanagable". Even if you aren't really "there" yet, the program works wonders if we are honest with ourselves. I am a compulsive overeater, that's my reality. OA, like the LB is a tool/resource to help me deal with why I (want to) eat. As for disclosing the LB, the program USED to be VERY rigid about diets, etc. That has changed. To me, the LB is my business. If I want to share it someday at a meeting, I will. Here's to your health and happiness -Just like the LB, OA works if you work it.

I hopy your surgery goes well - expect gas pain up your shoulder and neck, expect the chest cuts to be sensitive and you will want to burb, but can't. Figure out the best place and way to lay with your port supported. Don't be nervous! It moves quickly and easily, and you are on your way to being a new you!

Hi Chilipepper - I had my surgery 9-17-07. The gas gets much better, I promise. I had it up the left side of the neck bad, with a migraine headache. But today I'm able to sleep w/o drugs and no migraine/very little gas pain. I'm ready for regular liquids tomorrow. Can't wait!! Been having Apple Juice, Boost (lite), chicken broth, water and Crystal lite. You'll feel so much better in a day or two!