AnnieMae

I had been suffering with what I swore was left kidney pain which started immediately after surgery. I was sure the doctor had nicked my kidney. Well, I had an X-ray and a CT of my abdomen and pelvis and all was okay. My PCP thinks the pain could be from the position I was in lying on the operating room table. At any rate, it's not my kidney, there are no instruments left inside me, and finally the pain is rearing its head less and less often now. Finally!

Hi. I am nearly 2 weeks post op. I have been having intermittent pain in a very specific area around my left kidney. Pressing this area also causes discomfort. I do not see any bruising or abrasions. Does anyone know what this pain might be. It was pretty bad the first few days, went away for a while, and is now back again. I don't know what a "bruised kidney" feels like but this is kind of what I think it is??? Can this be???

I took 2 weeks off. There was no way I could return to work only a few days post op. I couldn't even put my jeans on for a few weeks after surgery. My stomach was so bloated! My port site incision is still a bit sore (though it has healed great). Bending from the waist is way way better than the first few weeks but I can still get a twinge of discomfort now and then when I bend. I guess everyone is different and has different needs but I was fortunate to have the vacation/sick time available to me to take the time off that I needed.

Well, it's now been about 33 days since my surgery. I had an X-ray and a CT with contrast of the abdomen and pelvis. No problems were found. Of course, for the last 2 days I have barely had the pain at all so I guess the problem was a muscle after all. I have never felt muscle pain like this pain but what do I know? :thumbup: At least I know my kidney is okay!

I had asked my doctor that very question when I was 10 days post op. He had cleared me to return to exercising (except for working on my abs) and I told him that when I am doing aerobics I can gulp down a lot of water in a very short time, usually finishing 32 ounces within the hour long class. He told me that for now that was fine but in the future I should hydrate before beginning to exercise. When I see him again next week (hopefully for my first fill) I am going to let him know that I am not thirsty BEFORE I exercise but am extremely thirsty while I am exercising. Since water is supposed to go right through the pouch, I don't see how it can be stretched. I don't know what I'll do if I can't drink a lot of water when I am at aerobics class.

I don't think you are crazy at all! In fact, I am hoping for some sort of sign that I have a band in place. I should be having my first fill Nov 10th and I hope and pray that I have some sort of sign that there is indeed a band inside me! LOL. Anne in RI

Vballmom, I also have the Realize band but have not yet had a fill. (I was banded on 9/30/08). It has been 4 weeks and I can eat absolutely anything even though I shouldn't. I have lost 12 pounds since surgery but I attribute most of that to the liquid diet. WHen were you banded? How much have you lost? Did you have any restriction before your first fill? The second?.. I have so many questions! Thank you for putting up with me! anne in RI

I was banded Sept 30th. I am now 18 days post op and "supposed" to be on a pureed diet. I have lost 10 pounds so far but 7 of them were the first week after being banded. Today I had some sweet and sour chicken and fried rice for lunch (mooched from co-workers Chinese take out) and 4 Fig Newtons. I'm hungry, I am gagging on Jello, and I am afraid I am going to fail or damage my band as I am supposed to still be on purees until 6 weeks post op. Also, I saw my regular PCP Wednesday because of pain in the area of my left kidney. After testing my urine for various things (all negative) she thinks its muscular related since it started after surgery. While it is not constant, when its active it freakin hurts! I wonder if something is inside me or if my kidney was "knicked" during surgery as this does not feel like muscular pain. I was scheduled to see my surgeon for my 1st fill on Nov 3 but because I am working that day I had to r/s to Nov 10th :smile: I have the Realize lap band and I wonder if I should ask him to give me good amount of saline with my first fill. Does anyone have any advice for me?? HELP!!!

Stephyd, I did not have to do a pre op diet. I would like to know why we have to limit our portions to just 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food per meal when we have no restriction. I can see why for the first few days (I really couldn't eat much right after surgery) when we are swollen and sore but 3 weeks out???

Why are we limited to 1/2 cup of food when we have no restriction? The point of the band is to help with hunger. If there is no restriction how can I be expected to eat just 1/2 cup of food and not be hungry??

It's day 21 now. I am supposed to be on liquified purees for a week and in 1/2 cup increments? Why??? I am so hungry I get nauseous at times. Why only 1/2 cup if my band has no Fluid in it yet? Why chew to the point of liquidification but not drink while eating?? I can, and do, eat a full packet of oatmeal? How can 1/2 cup of food 3 x a day keep me full if I have not even had a fill yet??? My "kidney" pain comes and goes. I saw my PCP and also called the nurse practicioner in my surgeon's office as the surgeon is on vaca. The NP said maybe it is referred pain from my surgery but I really don't think so. OMG. I am so afraid of failing.

Gas X strips did not help me either. In desperation one night I chewed about 6 Rolaids but they were of no help either. It's been 2 weeks today that I was banded and while 90% of the gas is now gone, I do get some gas pain in my chest area occasionally.

I had a complete melt down yesterday and even walked into my mom's practically in hysterics. I was banded Sept 30. I think we are dealing with a lot of changes all at once. Today I felt much better. You will too I bet! :thumbup:

Relief at last! I'm now 10 days post op and can finally say I have very very little gas now! Yay!!!

HI. I was banded Sept 30. I also get my full liquids down easily but it seems like whenever I swallow something it stirs up the air in my esophagus. I get the feeling of a ball of pressure and try to burp it out. The burping is painful. I saw my doc today for my first post op and he did not seem particularly concerned about this. There seems to be a lot of messages on the boards about gas and gas pain. I wonder if it will ever go away???

I was banded September 30, 2008. I'm still pretty bloated and wearing sweats all the time. I would like to put my jeans on but I don't want to do any damage to my incisions. I should be taking my measurements too but I don't want to know what size my belly is right now! I guess I'll wait 2 weeks and then start my measurements to get a more accurate result???

Remember the band is a tool, it is not the complete package. YOU make the band work. Resolve to start fresh RIGHT NOW and stay away from the fast food places. Cheap and easy has a price, a big price. GOod luck. You can do it!

I was banded Tuesday Sept 30 (6 days ago) and am still suffering from gas pain. I did use the Gas x strips but so far no help. I woke up this morning with zero pain anywhere but as soon as I started taking in fluids the gas returned. I can make myself burp to relieve it but I am afraid that if I do it too often I might cause a problem with my band slipping. Is this a possibility?? My gas pain is directly in the middle of my chest and occurs immediately after swallowing anything. I have not had a gall bladder in nearly 20 years.

I was banded Sept 30. The morning after surgery I had chest pain so bad that an EKG and cardiac enzyme testings was ordered. While the dr. was pretty sure the pain was from gas he had to make sure I was not having a heart attack. I'm glad he took me seriously. It was NOT a heart attack thank goodness and I still have some pressure in the mid chest area as well as a feeling of having to burp. I'm going to get some gas x strips today and walk a bit.

Any tricks, secrets, advice for me????

Why are you so anti-Realize band??

My date will be Tuesday Sept 30th. You managed to go through the process very quickly. It took me nearly 5 months to get to this point. WTG!

Thank goodness my dr does not require a pre op diet. The nutritionist recommended that I start chewing my food more thoroughly and increasing my Protein intake now to start getting used to the changes that will happen after banding. Besides, if I could stick to a diet I wouldn't need the band :biggrin: annie

I saw my surgeon for the initial evaluation on June 2. I called his office yesterday as I had heard nothing from him. His secretary put me on hold and then came back and said my blue cross had approved the surgery. I asked her what was the next step and she said to wait for my "packet" to come in the mail. She was very abrubt with me and I was too timid to ask what the heck was in the packet. I did ask her how long to wait for it until I should call the office and she basically said don't call the office, just wait for the packet. I am assuming this "packet" contains my pre op visits/ appointments? I really don't know. Does anyone have a clue? (I had attended the information seminar in May but no mention was made of a packet). Thank you to anyone who can help! Anne in RI

Well, the packet finally arrived and only two of the appointments were made for me (that's more like 20% not 95% as I was told) and I had to reschedule them both anyway. However, I have already had my nutritionist consult and am having my sleep study eval and upper GI next week. My psych eval is August 18 and after that I should be ready to make the appt to see the dr to schedule my surgery! I am scared but so excited too!