RestlessMonkey

I left the same day, although my doc usually keeps his patients overnight. I felt great and like most, sleep better at home etc. Three nights is WAY WAY WAY too long unless you have a medical need; you won't sleep as well (hospitals are noisy, even overnight) and many of us would be bored to tears. I'd honestly agitate for a refund. That's assinine.

Counter pressure (like using a pillow to brace your torso) is often recommended post abdominal surgery, c-sections, etc because it helps brace the sutures and stabilize the area! So yes, that's a great idea, slpcat!

Free fills? Then GO GO GO! Seriously. You MIGHT have an issue that requires medical attention, but you might need medical attention even without the band. So call them and tell them to shake a leg!

It's normal for the port site to hurt the most/take the longest to heal; partly because your muscle is ticked off. The port is generally clamped (realize band) or sewn (lap band) into your abdominal wall and that takes a while to heal. Probably your laughing (which is GOOD for you!) just agitated it! Just take some tylenol. If it hurts worse or lingers, you can call your doc to be sure.

Start with your insurance. Find out if they cover the surgery and if so, what their prereqs are. Then (assuming insurance will cover) get a list of surgeons in your area who perform lap band and Weight loss surgeries. Call around, go to a seminar (or two, or more) Pick a surgeon you like...take it from there! Good luck!

Until/unless you are very restricted, fluids (like water) go through the band just fine. So no, you won't stretch your pouch drinking Water or non-carbonated beverages. I believe the "straw" issue is for swallowed air and not because you can drink too much at once. At least that is what I've always been told and heard. And yes you have to have a pattern of overeating to stretch out your pouch; the odds of that happening before you're restricted are REALLY slim because while you gave a band, it isn't tightened and so not restricting your stomach much. I'm just guessing but the doc thought the OP's pouch might be stretched and he was going to check her out; he thought that because of her sore throat? If you don't have issues and don't consistently overeat, or you aren't restricted yet, you don't need to worry overmuch about stretching your pouch. It is important to eat healthy, to not binge, to eat until "not hungry" rather than full, but for most of us there's a learning curve for this. Unless your doc fills you a good bit during surgery, you and your body have a little time (while the band heals into place) for you all to get used to each other. Then as you are restricted, eating properly becomes more important. Again, though, unless you chug liquid or are full and then drink a lot of liquid, the odds of a beverage, especially a non-carbonated one, stretching your pouch are very VERY slim. So drink up. The restriction on Fluid post op, I was told, was mostly for people who are swollen and for whom liquids may cause nausea, because to vomit too soon post op can be problematic before the band heals into place. NOT because you're going to stretch your pouch by drinking. Of course confirm with your doc but logically, again, liquids go through fine. You have to overeat in a pattern to stretch your pouch. And..sometimes bad things happen even if you follow all the rules, but we have to live with, not for, the band.

I was told average is 1-2 pounds a week. I was also told the shakes should be a meal replacement, not a supplement. Are you drinking them in addition to eating? If so, did your doc tell you to? It may be too much "nutrition", your body just waiting for that rather than pulling from it's own stores (fat) between meals.

If you scroll down in the forums you'll find "life after lap band" and "lap band complications"

Yes. From what I've read on here they don't "fail" so much as are required to do some sessions with therapist before they are cleared. The band isn't for everyone; I've also read on here of people who get it and then freak out and want it removed immediately. (which isn't the only reason the band isn't right for someone, just an example) I guess some therapy sessions would be better than flipping out about the band post op, or turning to something like alcohol, shopping, sex, gambling to replace the food.

I think to not be hungry one day is no big deal, any more than being hungrier than usual one day is no big deal. We're human, our hormones fluctuate, etc. If you consistently aren't hungry then I'd say you have a problem. My appetite varies from day to day but I always eat or have a protein shake regardless.

I agree with Mimilou. It's highway robbery. Check around. And call your ins; see what their take is on it.

The seminar is informative, the process here was very smooth. Call Tricare and take it from there. I am Tricare standard and it was very fast and easy

Your digestive system is configured differently. You will probably always burp more than you're used to, but it can slack off a bit. I burp more when I eat too fast or overeat, but still burp more than I used to. It's not as bad as it used to be, though, and I know it's coming and can cover my mouth and excuse myself. It's better than being fat.

I feel for you but realize the band is useless unless you have follow up care (fills)... I really don't want to be the messenger that you want to shoot! But without the fills the band won't help you much.

I know when I went to my seminar my surgeon presented various surgeries. One biggie he said about lap band was that snackers/grazers tend to fail because the point of the band is portion control, and snacking negates that. I'll admit I do snack, but I'm an evening snacker only. I can be home on the weekends, all day, whatever and no snacking until after dinner. I don't snack on trips. I never snacked at work. Just the evening. So I went for it. And admittedly I struggle with that still. I am going to a therapist and hope I'm learning new better habits. I know life holds no guarantees, but I can't just post "OH you'll be fine it's normal to be scared" because I understand and can just tell you it's going to be a battle and you have to be willing to fight it.

I do low carb often because I like it. But when I'm going for sweets, I go for "real" sugar. When I go for fat I go for the real stuff. I think it's personal choice.

Good for you! It's a learning curve for sure!

Sorry! Nada! BUT you are smart, going to the ER, having your surgeon involved. Hopefully it's just something odd that will resolve as you do the liquids and things settle down. And YAY the band isn't slipped! :tongue2: So hang in there and I'll cross my fingers for you!

Where did you get your medical degree? Where did you serve your internship, get your training?

Since you were banded almost 4 months ago, ucdep99, you're in a very different stage of healing from that of the original post. AND many docs say no carbonation! It's great that you know what you're supposed to do and do it, and that you get guidance from your doc. But it's not good for anyone, especially a new bandster who is learning the ropes, to disregard his or her surgeon's advice, especially for "evidence" from we pros here on LBT. :wink: Not posting this to be a horse's batootie; just to point out we all need to remember we're different, with different docs. When in doubt, we need to let the medical professional advise us. Since the OP was still in pain, that's a little worrisome. I wish she'd post and let us know if she's still feeling poorly or if she's feeling better now!

Motrin doesn't give people ulcers, or at least not everyone...but it is VERY hard on the stomach. All NSAIDS are. Even for non-banders. So it's best to avoid them altogether until/unless your doc gives you the green light to take them. Not all docs ban them forever, so do as your doc suggests.

As I understand it, it usually churns anything you need to chew. Even chewing gum can trigger peristalsis. Normally by Puree time it isn't as important BUT...1. the OP is still having pain and that's not good and 2. For many, the first 2 weeks are liquids only. And the OP ate the food 2 1/2 days before her post, meaning she was still in liquids when she ate the solids. Regardless of where she is NOW, then she was on liquids and ate solid food. (understand I mean this to explain, not fuss. We're all human.) For many, a major cause of slips is eating the wrong foods too soon and tuna, eggs, mayo and Pasta, besides the fact that she ate it too early, is harder to digest than some mashed potatoes. So; too soon, and the wrong food, and continued pain several days later means she needs to have it checked out. :wink: My surgeon said from his experience and research the hands down number one cause of slips is advancing the post op diet too soon. So it's best just to stick to the plan your doc gives you. If you're like me, pre-band "cheating" on a diet was almost a way of life as I batttled my weight for years. They should call the post op diet something else like "plan for healing" because if ever you stick to a diet, the pre and post op ones are the ones you should commit to. But many of us don't realize that and unfortunately, sometimes we get caught and the consequences are not too happy.

Yes you can damage your band at any time but odds are one stuck episode won't do it. I have no idea why you have pain but it's possible the agitation in your stomach agitated your diaphragm and THAT agitated your phrenic nerve and THAT is translating as left shoulder pain. That's why many bandsters have left shoulder pain post op. However left shoulder pain can also be a sign of a heart attack. I don't know your age/status etc and wouldn't presume to diagnose over the 'net (or at any time actually! not a doc, just a brand new nurse! no diagnosis here, just some advice! ) but you know yourself best. It's probably the irritated diaphragm. As to the other, buy papaya enzyme. It is chewable and works better than your home remedies! :wink: I've read that once you have a bad episode you should go to liquids for 24-48 hours, then mushies, etc (much like a fill, or like an accellerated post op diet) This allows your traumatized and angry stomach and esophagus to settle back down. Eating regular foods too early can re-irritate some. If you stay on liquids till Monday and still feel unsettled, call your doc. You MAY have slipped your band but I don't mean to imply that. It can happen and does happen in singular freak accidents, but usually one bad PB episode won't cause a slip unless it was already "in trouble" from earlier episodes etc. So odds are good you're just irritated (or rather your upper digestive tract is!)

I was told no nsaids (like motrin) because they can cause stomach trouble. It's possible you're ill and it has nothing to do with the band. Just make sure you get Water down so you'll stay hydrated, and/or other liquids per the diet your doc gave you. You can go without nutrition for a few days but not without hydration. If you don't feel better by Monday, or if your symptoms worsen, then either call the answering service back or go to the emergency dept. They do make adult liquid tylenol; you might try that unless you have liver issues.

If you're sick it makes surgery WAY more risky, partly because your body is already compromised fighting off the infection and partly because if you're congested it makes anesthesia really dicey. Safer to have it postponed a little than to risk your life.