a2m2p4

Hi everyone. I had my surgery on 2/25 and for the first 8-9 days I lost 20 lbs. However, since then I haven't lost anything. I know this is normal but how long will it take? I am only eating 1/2 C of food at each sitting and I feel like I have given up so much and have nothing to show for it. Any words of encouragment would be great!!!

I have the same thing. My port incision is still a little red and it is numb above it (I had my surgery on 2/25). I was told that it is normal and over time should get back to normal. Since I have never had surgery before I definitely hate to think my stomach will have this numb feeling forever. I have a different issue with my port incision not sure if anyone else experienced this as well. The incision is not flush and actually dents in. It's more prominent when i am standing and I am hoping I will not have this dent always... any one else experience this?

Thanks for the support!!! I don't know how people could only stay out of work that short amount of time. I guess I am just a big baby because I know for a fact after 4 days I would have lost my job instead of going back. I don't have any sick time left after taking my two weeks so I would need the doctors note to stay out legally. I am actually staying within the same company just going to a different position but the work is going to be a lot different. I know this is healing time and I keep trying to tell myself this but of course it's easier said then done. I have to be on a puree/soft diet for 8 weeks total and it has only been a little over a week so far. I hope I can make it that long becuase the thought of messing up my band right now takes over my wanting to eat anything not listed on my diet... but I am not sure how I will feel in a few weeks. The hunger might take over and we all know how that is!!!

I had lap band surgery and my gallbladder taken out at the same time. I am not sure if the two are causing me these issues but I don't know what to do. I went in weighing 235 and this morning I weighed 222. From what it seems that is too much weight too fast but I am having a problem on the liquids. I can't take drinking the sweet stuff anymore, between the sugar free pudding and protein powder I have had it. I am trying to drink some chicken broth right now but it is making me feel light headed and hot (may not be the broth)?? I definitely don't think I am getting in enough protein or fluid... but when i drink i get a sharp pain in my chest. The doctors office told me to try some mylanta and i did take it about an hour ago. I guess i don't really have a question but more of did anyone else go through this or can someone give me some advise??

I am doing much better... but still second guessing my decision. I still have pain at the port site but my surgeon is making me go back to work tomorrow. I wanted to stay out one extra week due to starting a new job and having new responsibilities but they wouldn't let me. I have lost 20 pounds but that was during the first 8 days... since then I haven't lost any. Which is really discouraging since I eat 1/4 of what I used to eat and have been walking on the treadmill. I know this is normal I just wish I would start to lose some soon so I don't keep thinking I did this for nothing. I have not cheated once which is really good for me so I am proud of that!!

I have not checked my glucose levels... don't have anything to do it with. I would definitely be interested to see where they are. I should probably also mention that I have had diarrhea since the second day of surgery and all day long not to be gross but it's basically water... I am not sure if that is ok. I am really scared I am not getting enough fluids but even before surgery I was never a big drinker and it doesn't help that every time I drink it hurts. I also feel like I have to burp but I can't and instead I have a sharper pain from trying! I have my one week follow up appointment on Tuesday but I don't know if I can make it!!! I ordered a tasteless protein powder on 2/18 but unfortunately something went wrong with the mail and I have still not gotten it. I am just so ready to be over all of this and second guessing myself for even doing it to being with!!! Thanks for all of the responses... it helps.

Hi everyone, I just wanted some advise about my surgery for tomorrow. I started getting a chest cold on Friday and I am not sure if I should go through with it or if they will even let me. Any advise?

My mom had lap band surgery on 1/29. She has not gotten out of bed or had any liquids since. My dad said she feels warm... and I told him to take her temperature right away!! Is all of this normal or should she be feeling a little better by now?? I am also scheduled for surgery and just want to be sure I am aware of any abnormalities. Should I be worried???

My mom has been up and around and drinking. She says she feels like she has been punched in the stomach and is not sure if it's the gas that is making her feel ill. I told her that I read on here that some people would take gas x strips and would feel better. Is this something that we should check with our surgeon first (I would like to know as well so I can have them before the surgery) or is it safe to say you can take them? I also just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their responses. I was real worried about her for the first few days. She is sounding better and I am going to see her today to check on her myself!!

She actually talked to me today and said she just didn't feel like talking since her throat hurt so much. She said she didn't feel warm anymore but hasn't been drinking a whole lot. Just being able to talk to her made me feel better. Thanks for all of the responses!!

Thanks! My dad just told me that she has a temperature of 100.4. My mom has had several other surgeries in the past and usually is lethargic after(I don't think she has a high tolerance for pain). However, I don't want my dad to mistake a symptom that could be a sign of something worse.

Hi Eveyone, great site!! I just got my surgery date for 2/25 and I am scared out of my mind. Not only does the lap band scare me but I have never had surgery before so that makes it 100 times worse. I know this is the best thing for me but... I don't know I can't be completely sure. I'm so confused!!

I have not been banded yet but I have had that same pain. I was in and out of the hospital and they ran all of the tests for gallstones but found nothing. However, when I finally had an appointment with a surgeon he mentioned that it sounded like my ejection fraction (contraction of the gallbladder) was low. I had a Hepatobiliary (HIDA) scan which confirmed the same. This problem does not show up on the CAT scans or ultrasounds! Hope this helps!

The funny thing is once I started to be happy with my decision and felt I could do it even though there may be complications you start to deal with people who think you are just being lazy!! I don't want many people to know about my surgery because even though I hate to admit this I care way too much what people think! I knew if there was any thing said negatively I would second guess my decision... and guess what it's already happening. I am dealing with people saying if you would exercise more... did you really try hard to lose weight... etc. etc. The sad thing is I don't think I ever really tried hard. Sure I would diet for a small amount of time and exercise here and there, but can I honestly say I tried real hard?? Ughhh just when I think I am at a cetain point I bring myself right back down!!

Thanks for the information... the threads on soda were very interesting. Also thanks for the idea on the cola icee... I never thought of that and it sounds like it might curb the craving. I will definitely try the K20 Water but my problem with diet drinks is that they are way too sweet and I always end up back to water (which is boring over time). When I do use the cystal light packets I usually only put a tiny amount just to add a little flavor and so I don't taste the extreme sweetness. All toghether I know I am not going into this thinking I will abuse my new tool but I also know that I am human and have cravings and to avoid those cravings could be worse then giving in to them in moderation. It is very helpful to hear from those who have already dealt with these hurdles and to know I am not alone!!

Thanks again everyone... and good luck to everyone that has had the surgery and those waiting like me!! I just wanted to pose one other question for those that have had the surgery. I was told you are not supposed to drink coke after the surgery. Now I'm not the type to drink it all day everyday but once in a while after drinking only water I crave it and will drink a glass here and there to satisfy it. What am I going to do once I have the surgery... is this something that over time in small amounts can be tolerated or is it a no no forever?? Thanks again everyone I am so glad I found this site!!!

Thanks everyone for the words of support... it really helps. Especially from people that have been there and those who are in the same position as I am. How does eveyone deal with the fact that this decision is for the rest of your life and can we mentally and physically keep on track for the long haul? That was also a big quesiton for me since I will be living with this for quite some time!