mcgroc

You know what I think it might be? I ended up in urgent care a few weeks ago with a tremendous pain, a pain that had slightly shifted along my diaphram. It turned out that I was "backed up." I wonder if the severe constipation irritated the xyphoid process, and if it is still a factor. I'm going to keep pushing the water and take Milk of Magnesia/Citracel until this clears up. It was impossible to sleep on my left side last night, and the pain is continually there yet. I will give it a few more days, then see a doctor again if it doesn't go away. This kind of pain is NOT normal! It gives me a new appreciation for breathing normally, though!! I won't take that for granted again........ Michele

Hi, Everyone! I am wondering about the same kind of pain. I went in for my first fill yesterday, and the PA told me the pain was due to an irritated/bruised xyphoid process---the cartilidge right under the sternum. He said it was probably irrritated during surgery, as the band is right behind it and there's an entry incision right near it. I can feel it, too---it feels like a little hard ball there. It's causing serious pain when I breathe, cough, etc., and it's hard to sleep at night. It's weird because I have not felt this much pain the whole time since surgery, and I haven't thrown up except for the day of my surgery (barium---yuck! smelling warm chicken and ranch dressing on a McD's salad---double yuck!). I'm on a full liquid diet now for a few days due to my fill, so that'll hopefully help the irritation. Have any of you experienced this same type of pain? How long does it last? Michele

Hi, Roni! I'm kind of new to this site, and I'm also a brand new bandster--just banded on Friday, March 10th. I also have some claustrophobia issues. I, too, felt like I wanted to yank out some dental work a few times, although it was a bridge/cap not braces! Here are a few suggestions I have that have helped me so far (experienced person that I am--LOL) In the hospital, when you have to remain still for awhile and you have all of this stuff connected to you (I had an IV, leg massagers and needed help to go to the bathroom even because of the big honking bed), PRAY. I prayed and sang to myself and talked to God whenever I was awake. BREATHE. Deep, calming breaths help. TAKE THE PAIN MEDS as they help you sleep off any anxiety. SLEEP. In almost no time at all, you'll be able to move around at will. As far as the band itself goes, I am working hard to EMBRACE it and thank God that such a device exists to help me help myself get healthy! Some people name their band; I haven't gotten that far yet, but I am really trying to embrace it and welcome it to my body. I am still sore (I'm online at 4:30 am waiting for a tylenol 3 to take effect), but that'll pass. I am trying to get in enough fluids and protein (which are both hard for me right now) and all along EMBRACING this band. If you made it with braces, you'll come out just fine with the band. It'll remind you it's there, but it's not like you'll be seeing it every time you look in the mirror or feel it in your mouth. You'll be just fine! From one claustrophobic to another--- Michele

Donna-- I feel your pain! I went through a day or two of headaches; I figured it was because I was saying "bye" to chocolate/carbs; tylenol (lots) seemed to help---and sleep. My surgery date is this Friday, March 10, and I'm frustrated,too. I do okay during the day at work, etc. I have a Magic Bullet that's made it convenient to make the shakes. It's coming home that has been really hard on me. I've eaten meat a few times and feel prettty guilty about it. I called my dr. office and they said I could eat blended soups. My advice is to stay away from anything too salty, though---I had bean soup and loved it, but it made me thirsty; I was way more tempted to eat the wrong stuff after that! I also retained Water. I have to try to get in about 80 g of Protein each day this week, so I'll be mixing a lot of shakes! There are some that have 20 grams of protein in them (I'm using one from Eniva--home of VIBE liquid vitamins---which is pretty good. I even mix it with chocolate milk sometimes for a different texture.) As far as I've been able to understand, there are various reasons why the pre-op diet is important to some surgeons (not every surgeon requires it). They are: 1. It cleanses the liver; the first place in our organs where we lose the fat is there. This makes performing the surgery easier, and will up our chances of less complications during surgery. 2. The high protein required helps in preparing our bodies to heal properly, and protein also keeps us "fuller." 3. Some surgeons, mine included, feel that following the pre-op plan shows a commitment to compliance with the restrictions on our eating following the band placement. #3 is where I'm faltering. I'm really playing a mind game with myself! Because I've faltered a little, will I fail at one more diet attempt--this one being the last chance I feel I have to get healthy? Am I doomed to failure? I need some encouragment in this myself from people who have been there and gone through the same thing. Let's support each other and seek out help from the "been-there, done-that's"! Thanks for opening up this thread---I'm fairly new to this support site, and hadn't posted yet. Help, everyone!! Michele March 10th date in MN