kacarter

I got my band on 6/30/08 and am having problems with my port as well. I can look down at my stomach and see an bump where my port is. I had a newer procedure where they used only 2 incisions (one in the belly button and the other just under my ribs on my right side). The port has also "relocated" itself. It was just under the incision in the beginning and the doc said he sutured the band with mesh to the muscles in my stomach...but it is now pushing into my belly button and every time my kids bump into me or I bump it, it feels very tender and sometimes very painful. My doc makes a weird face and a comment every time I go for a fill about how he's concerned for it moving but really hasn't mentioned any immediate concerns for repositioning the port anytime soon. I go again this Tuesday for my 3rd fill....and hope it'll be my last fill.....

Hello again! :cool2: I was just recently banded on June 30th! I have lost about 7lbs since monday :eek: and I am so excited....but still veryyyyy uncomfortable. My surgeon was Dr. Christopher Edwards in Asheville, NC...and he used a new approach for my lap-band that only required two incisions and he used a large AP band. I was so nervous going into surgery and they said it would only be about an hour, but it really took over 2 hrs. I think it was the first time they've done the two incisions, so I guess they were taking their time. I wasn't very happy waking up. I didn't have my glasses so I couldn't see well, and was getting irritable with all of the blankets and not being able to move because my stomach was sore. The doc said things went well and I barely had any fat around my liver...so I'm still confused why it took so long. I had to stay overnight since my surgery was schedule around 3pm. I am on my 5th post op day and still need to take my pain medication, but can see I am improving day by day. I had a bought of nausea the other day because the liquid pain meds make me sick...but I've always had problems taking liquid meds. I had to sleep proped up on pillows for the first 3 nights, but last night was able to finally lay on my side with the help of a body pillow. I think the gas is about gone, but still have pain in my right shoulder and right side under my ribs (where the port is). They hit a blood vessel that needed to be sutured under my ribs also, so I guess that is what is still hurting so bad. I have been told to just be on liquids for the next 4 weeks to let my stomach rest. And I won't get a fill until 6 weeks post op. I am sipping Water all day long and just tried a Protein drink this morning and think I sipped too quickly and could fill it rising in my esophagus...so I'm still learning.:thumbup: I like reading other people's stories, so I hope mine helps someone, too. I am naturally a healthy person and almost never get "sick"...so I thought my recovery would be quick. I have found that to be the opposite...since I am still needing my pain meds. I have read that some people have had little or no pain and didn't need pain meds, so just know that it goes both ways and everyone reacts differently. Thanks for letting me rant, and have a peachy day!!!

I am sooo nervous. My surgery date has been set for June 30...and my liquid pre-op diet begins on monday. Did I mention I am nervous? I've never tried a diet like that before and I am worried on how well I will do on it. I just hope I can be strong. I work from home with my kids and temptation will be there. But I know that I want this surgery so bad and really need to lose weight for medical reasons and to feel better about myself. My children are 4 yrs and 21 mths old so I will still have to pick up my little boy and don't know for sure yet on how much help I'll have after surgery. I am a person that doesn't get sick very often, so I feel like I'll recover faster than most people so I hope that it all works out. Now I'm just ranting! :tongue2:~ But I am just so nervous! Pep talks are sooo welcome.....

Hello... I have been working on getting banded since February, and just got approved by insurance a few weeks ago. I have also gone through all pre-op testing and will go to the pre-op doctor appt. next week to plan a surgery date. I am planning two family vacations in the next two months and not sure when I'll be able to fit surgery into my schedule. My question to those who have been banded is this: How long was it before you felt you could go on vacation? I plan on going to the beach and wonder how long after surgery it should be before I can go swimming or riding a roller coaster. I will also be asking the doctor this next week, but right now I am just trying to see what others have experienced. Should I wait two more months until my vacations are over? I am really excited for this change and waiting is so hard...and I can't change my vacation dates since all dates are already taken for this summer and trips are already planned. Thanks for any advice:)