Wheetsin

My PB was beyond burp, but definitely not vomit. It hurt like hell for about 15 - 20 minutes before anything came up - in the sides of my waist, and mostly in my back between my shoulderblades. Just pain, no nausea like when you vomit. My body tried to burp a few times but it couldn't get out. Each time I would try to burp, I could feel something coming up just a little, but never all the way. When the food finally came up I knew it was happening and made it to the sink, but it wasn't the same feeling as right before you vomit, though I did salivate excessively (no slime though). When it comes up, it's not nearly as bad as vomit because there's no acid involved, just whatever got stuck, anything you put down afterwards, and saliva. Now - my husband thought I was vomiting because I still made the same wretching sounds, and it's still as spasmic, but it's not the same as true vomiting. Trust me -- I've puked twice in the last 10 or 12 years, I hate it that much I fight it with every means possible. I feared PB more than anything, more than the surgery, more than the post-op pain, etc. But I promise you -- if all PBs hurt as much as mine did, you won't mind the "unsticking" because it means the pain stops.

...banded, and done with my first surgery. It went very well. The nurses in the recovery room told me I hold the new record for fastest waking up & being ready to go. No nauseau, and no gas! But I burped a lot in the recovery room. Surgery started around 11 and I was on my way home around 2. Pain has been minimal, and is only when I move or walk around. When I'm reclined, I hardly feel anything and have gotten some good rest. I was able to weewee yesterday so no problems there, either. So - all in all I'd have to say it went well. No appetite yet. Yesterday I ate about an oz of Jello, and drank about 8 oz Water. Today about 4 oz jello and another 10 or so oz of water. I just don't feel hungry, but I know my body needs *something* so I will aim for another 10 or so oz of water and some both before the day is over. This was also my first surgery, and an interesting experience. I hope to start up a detailed journal soon, to help alleviate others' concerns and since I knew what questions I had coming into this (as a surgery virgin), maybe be able to answer questions others might have. Cheers!

I never thought to ask my surgeon pre-op where he would place the port. I wanted to ask him which incision my port was post-op, but of course I never saw him post-op. I will see him Wednesday. I assumed it would be on the side, where I had always read it is placed. I just learned today from someone else banded by my surgeon that she had to request her port be placed on the side, that he told her he normally puts them in the middle (or something like that), and that her largest incision is where her port is. My largest incision is pretty much centered on my belly, about 1 or 2 inches below the bottom of my bra. This is also the only incision bothering me (another indicator that this is where my port is). Apparently he puts them here on people with higher BMI (40+) to make sure he can find it, because when it's on the fattier side, they can be tricky to find. I will verify he did this with me when I see him Wed. Anyone have their port in this location? Where is your port?

Warning - this may become a bit graphic. Oh my. That was certainly no fun. I hope it was on the "bad" side, as PBs go, because I certainly can't see going through that as casually as some of you guys seem to go through yours. So I was banded Wednesday, and I'm still on liquids, watery cream Soups, and yogurt. DH was home from work and DYING to do something to help me out, so I told him there was some cream of broccoli Soup in the counter, and he could make it for me... I told him to "make it the way I like it" (a.k.a. bandster style - strained to remove pieces, and watered down to regular soup consistency). I've learned not to assume DH knows what I mean in this new eating lifestyle. He brings me my soup, I start eating 'cause I was starving. I've had (or so I thought) no restriction, and have been using regular spoons to eat - no prob. About 4 bites in a take a spoonful and feel weird chunks in it, but before I can catch or cough them up, they slip on down my throat. Almost immediately I had what I can best describe as tummy cramps, but that's not an accurate description. Within a half a minute I had pain on my sides (like where I would put my hands if placing my hands on my hips), and an INTENSE pain in my back/spine, between my shoulder blades. Thanks to you all here I had a really good idea of what was happening, so I did all the things I've read about for months and months... walked around, put my arms up in the air, tried taking a few jumps, tiny sip of Water, etc. Nothing helped. So the PAIN goes on, for five... ten... fifteen... twenty minutes. I have a high pain tolerance, but we're talking "Great googley moogley, make this spine-wrenching pain END and I will sacrifice my first born to the great god of PB!" kind of pain. I'm pacing the kitchen and nothing is helping, and at this point I'd do anything that would stop the pain. I start - not sliming - but excessive salivating, so I used paper towels to "soak" it up. Which in and of itself makes me gap. I had to burp a few times, but it couldn't get out. Then... PB. My husband was upstairs and came running down, he swore I was puking b/c, well... that's exactly what it sounded like, but it was just saliva & a chunk of CHEDDAR cheese. Remember when I said not to assume DH knows my new eating lifestyle, and that my strained cream soup had some kind of weird chunks in it? This is what I mean. Normally I like my cream of broccoli with melty chunks of sharp cheddar in it. He meant well... He came down on turned on the water at the sink and rubbed my back. When he saw the cheese he started tearing, b/c he knew he had put it in the soup, but meant well. Poor guy. Well, so PBd, then dry heaved three or four times, felt some instant relief in the pain, so I went to sit down but as soon as I sat the pain started back up. Less intense, but still there. I tried sitting down, reclining, sitting down... reclining... D is rubbing my shoulder blades where the "spine" pain is, and was fretting because he knew I was hurting... I tried walking a bit, but again nothing helped... Another 10 minutes in and the salivating starts, then like the pain wasn't enough - I get struck with hiccups (keep in mind my ncisions are still sensitive and hiccups are living agony). I cried out a few times, and my poor DH was out of his mind with worry and a feeling of helplessness... so I'm in pain just waiting to PB again, my spine feels like someone is trying to pull it out, my hips feel like they're going out of socket, and my DH is on my tail asking what he can do, is there anything that will help, do I need him to call 911... I'm trying to deal with the pain and get him to understand there's nothing he can do, and the best thing is just stay out of my way while I pace and wait for it to come up... he's tearing up again, flipping out because he can't help, and because he put the cheese in the soup, I'm pacing... and PB strikes again. Much less this time. Once productive, one dry heave, and yep! There's that second chunk of cheese that slid down my throat. DH is standing right behind me, rubbing my back, telling me he's so sorry, he should have known better than to put the cheese in, how could I everforgive him for causing this much pain, etc. The poor guy. So, my first PB. MUCH sooner than I would have ever expected it. I know one food I'm never eating again... I guess I'm back to broth for a few days, but I do have to ask... is this "average" for a PB, or does it sound like a bad episode?

Have you talked with your doctor about meds for your anxiety if they're so severe that they qualify as a disability? There are some out there that do wonders for people, honestly. And lots of jobs don't even require a lot of public contact. I think you'll be able to find something that fits you. Do talk with your doctor though. I can't state this for a fact, but I don't think a social anxiety disorder w/o medical treatment (and probably with, since it's the most common anxiety disorder around) counts as a full-fledged disability. Have you worked before, either through an external employer or for yourself through a sole proprietorship or LLC?

That is true! I learned that the hard way the first time I went to the grocery store by myself. I wasn't even thinking. I've been thinking about this, and another part may be the schedule of eating throughout the day. I don't know about all of Scandinavia, but in Sweden there is "fika" through the day that usually involves coffee or tea and some type of snack - often knackerbrod (similar to Wasa crackers). Helps keep the metabolism up, is a healthy snack, and helps you eat a smaller dinner/lunch.

Positioning is really a matter of doctor's preference. Search for a thread titled "where is your port". I posted that a few days ago after b eing surprised that my port is centered versus on my side, and I was surprised at how many different locations people have. The incision just under my bra is at least 2" long.

Where do you live? Bandsters are in every state. Perhaps someone could put you in touch with some hiring employers, or even local job search sites. I know it can be uncomfortable to work when you're 300#, but lots of people do it every day.

BTW - of the Scandinavian countries, Denmark is the fattest. It's not too far behind America. It's also the one IMO with the most American culture/influence, esp. in restaurants and lifestyle.

My husband is from Sweden, and I've spent a total of about 2 years there, as well as having visited most of the Scandinavian countries. Here are some different diet/lifestyle factors I have seen or observed: 1. They don't eat out frequently. In Scandinavia, restaurants - even fast food - are seen mostly as something you do on special occasions, not daily or even weekly. 2. It's not rare that someone has no car since the public transportation system is so much more developed. Most transportation is done on the public system, but there's usually a good distance between where you are/live and the local tram pickup. Between the local tram stop and my DH's apartment, we had about a half-mile walk and 214 stairs. And when they're not on the tram, they're riding bikes, walking, etc. Their lifestyles are simply more active. 3. Grocery stores are not nearly as large as ours and do not carry as much variety. What they do carry is usually very healthy. Their meals are heathier, too. meats and dairies are usually more fresh and natural. 4. Foods are much more expensive there, incomes are much lower, and people often need to make their food go farther. There are other factors, but those are the most evident. My husband moved here in late 97 and has put on weight since then - I'd guess about 50 lbs. At first it was because the portions were so much larger, and things like being able to buy a 2 liter of Coke for under $1 instead of $6 made it easier to go through it faster. Then it was a matter of sedintary lifestyle - people make an *event* of going for a walk, it's something you *do*, and not something that's a part of what has to happen during the day.

Is it possible he has to sell is car to make it, financially? $13/hour is not a lot... is he still making the house payment, etc.? Sorry, don't know anything about your situation.

I'm too soon in to my band to give a worthwhile answer, but I know two sisters who were banded about 5 years ago, they were pioneer patients who travelled from MO to MN to be part of the release studies. Since we don't have a lot of long-term bandsters here, I thought this info might help. Sister 1: about 5'1, 380# pre-op. Currently 86 pounds, wearing a baggy size 0. Her band has been slipped for over a year, which is what has caused the extreme weight loss an inability to swallow much more than her own saliva, she knows this, knows she should go to the doctor (and has, once), but refuses to let them remove or repair the band because she's afraid of gaining the weight back. She admits her complications are largely self-caused. I asked her the week before I got banded if she would do it again and she said, "Without a doubt, I wouldn't think twice. Even though I'm having problems, it can be undone. Problems with other surgeries cannot." Sister 2: about 5'2, 370 ore-op. She has had not had complications with her band. She crrently weighs 120 and wears a sz 8 comfortably, She has gained about 10# from her lowest weight because (per her own admission) she has slacked off and let more sweets into her diet, and has not been keeping up with her exervise as much as she should. I did not talk to her before my banding, but my mother spoke with her 3 days after my operation. She did not know I was getting banded. Her first comment was, "Oh my god, I'm so excited for her. I hope she doesn't regret doing it, I know i don't!" FWIW.

I don't see a poll...

Hi, and welcome to the board. If possible, ask where their statistics came from. The last time I saw statistics like that, they were from over 3 years ago. A lot of changes have been made since then, and a lot more people have gotten the procedure - meaning a lot more chance for success. There's no biological/physical reason why someone wouldn't lose all their excess weight as long as they're maintaing good calorie intake to calorie expenditure ratios. As for which procedure to get - that has to be your choice. I initially debated RNY nearly 5 years ago, but never felt good about the decision to have my anatomy permanently changed. I just couldn't comprehend that as an option, even though I'd seen co-workers get RNY and lose all their excess weight before their 1 yr anniversary. Best of luck with your decision!

Thanks for all the support guys! I was determined to be one of the ones who 6 mos out hadn't PBed. Go figure. DH is taking it really hard, he's so sensitive, and can't stand to see me in distress. He won't even look at my staples because he can't stand to think that I'm hurt, or someone cut me. He had a huge flower arrangement delivered to me this morning, apologizing for "making me get sick". I got him a copy of my post-op diet that details when to add in what. That way, if he's going to help get me something to eat, he'll have a way to feel confident that he's giving me the right things instead of trying to "interpret" what I say/mean. In a way I'm glad I've already been throught his, because I know what happens, what it's like, and got a VERY early, VERY big dose of behavior modification up front (like - I'm afraid to go beyond Water today!). Hopefully it will only help me going forward. On the brighter side, I can now walk & go up/down stairs w/o pain today, and my staples come out tomorrow! :clap2:

Maybe try laying on the ground (hard surface) and see if it does the same thing. If it does, it will be a good indicator that it has to do with the port and the way it pushes against whatever it's pushing against when you're flat. When you lay in your bed, you're not truly flat.

I'm a newbie bandster, so forgive me if this is stupid, but the description of the location sounds like where your port might be. Is it?

Oh, I'll also add - the reason why I was thinking it might be worse than normal is because of what I PBed. The cheese was melty (aka sticky), hadn't even been chewed because it literally slid down my throat before I knew it was there, and also because there were two chunks at once. I was thinking (hoping) that with something softer, chewed, etc. - the pain might be less. Again, proving that after all my years of debating this decision, all the months I spent here researching, etc. - I still know nothing. :phanvan

This has been over for about an hour and a half now, and he's still constantly trying to rub my shoulders, stroke my hair, and tell me he should have known better than to put the cheese in, and that he feels horrible for doing it. I felt bad for him, but I really just wanted him out of my way. He was such a sweetheart. Wow, if that's an average PB - my goodness. That's the most pain I've felt in a long time. I HATE puking, and that was THE BEST part (because it stopped the pain). I can't imagine doing this very often. No golfball feeling, either - just my back between my shoulderblades (also where I feel "brain freeze") and waist area.

The day after surgery I was still somewhat sleepy, and my abdomen hurt far too much for much walking. Getting in and out of the recliner, hiccups, coughs, sneezes, etc. were agony. My back hurt because my tendency was to walk stopped over like an old lady to keep my staples from pulling. If you're thinking about planning a vacation the day after surgery, my advice would be to postpone it. I think you'll be glad you did. I did not have any gas, nausea, etc. but a LOT of people do and simply hurt too much to leave their house.

I started protein drinks on day 4. Can't post the details of my menu, they're copyrighted, but I can summarize later when I have it in front of me.

I was banded Wednesday and have been using Isopure Zero Carb powder mix in Dutch chocolate. It's not bad tasting, but will leave an aftertaste. I mix 3 scoops (about 75gm protein) in a 16.9 oz bottle of Water and refrigerate overnight. In my short experience, it's better really, really cold or heated, like hot chocolate. Tastes close to chocolate milk, but not exact. They had several fruit flavors, vanilla, etc. I didn't realize how much cheaper it was online, and paid almost $55 for it. Lesson learned. :eek:

My first day home fromt he hospital I thought I felt something under the incision, but since I "knew" my port was somewhere else, I figured it was just swelling and DH agreed. Now I can't feel anything. But this incision is still sore, even though the other incisions are pretty much forgotten. I've tried putting pressure on it and don't feel anything n the upper side of the incision, and on the lower side it's still too tender for much pressure, but as far as I can feel, I don't feel anything. Maybe I will be able to feel more when the staples are out. Wed I'm going to verify this is where the port is... it makes sense, now that I think about it.

K@t, I don't see this in your post though you may have said it - but how is the medical system in Portugal? Would you trust your life with it? If so, you might want to consider waiting. We too had the $ to pay out of pocket, but why when you don't have to? :eek: It'll give you that much more $ toward and PS you may need. On the flip side, if it is questionable care, then I wouldn't think twice about going elsewhere. Something else you may have said but I missed - will doctors in your country take on your aftercare? That's important, too. A lot of doctors in my area will not do aftercare for MX bandsters. If you have to go out of the country every time you need a fill, have an issue, etc. - your $ will run out quickly. Any chance your DH will see this as your choice? I asked DH his opinion, and he was "your choice" all the way. The only input, and only "no" he had, was to RNY.

Welcome! You were banded one day after me. :eek: