catho72

I was wondering if the recovery from lap-band surgery is similar as recovering from a c-section? I've had 3 c-sections (the last one was in 2003) and am having my lap-band surgery on 1/27. Has anyone had both surgeries? Are there any comparisons in terms of recovery? Which one had an easier recovery? Is the pain similar? Thanks!

Original poster here....my surgery was about 6 1/2 weeks ago. The recovery was MUCH harder with WLS than with a c-section. The smell of toast made me gag. I was so weak from not being able to eat (and not wanting to eat, either), sore, gassy, etc. I really had buyers remorse for the first couple of weeks. I had difficulty walking, sleeping, eating, driving. Starting around week three, I felt better. I would have the WLS again but the recovery was awful!

Congrats! It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it? I went to Old Navy and tried on a pair of size 20 pants....they fell off me. I tried an 18 and those were loose in the waist but fit me nicely everywhere else. A size 16 fit in the waist but was a little tight in the legs. This was two weeks ago. The size 16 I bought now fit! I also tried on a coat at the Gap in a size XL and it FIT! Woo hoo! I haven't been able to shop outside the plus sizes in 12 years. I love my new size!

My doctor doesn't allow alcohol for one year after surgery. Too many empty calories.....

I lost 14 lbs in 2 weeks. The pre-op diet is a piece of cake compared to the post op! You are also feeling better (excited about your "new" life, etc) pre-op than post-op (sore, tired, weak, etc). Good luck!

I had my first fill yesterday...4cc in a 10cc band. After the adjustment, I felt queasy and very gassy. I was only able to finish 1/3 of a protein shake for dinner. Today, I'm still feeling slightly nauseous. I'm wondering if this is normal? Has anyone else felt this way?

I had that gas pain for a whole week. It never traveled to my shoulder, though. I was able to expel the gas (both ends) and it didn't relieve the gas very much. Gas X helped but I think time is the only thing that helps. I'm impressed you are on the computer already! I love my computer and spend a lot of time on it daily but I didn't feel well enough to go on it for 5-6 days post surgery. I also didn't have the attention span to pay attention to what I read....

I was really surprised how long it took me to recover. I was banded three weeks ago and I'm still not at 100%. After having three c-sections, I thought I would be feeling better within a few days. I was still a mess a week after surgery. Lack of energy, sleeping problems, pooping issues, incision discomfort are some of the problems I encountered. Everything is much better now but I still get tired and dizzy easily. Take as much time off as your work will allow. Good luck with your surgery!

I was banded 2 1/2 weeks ago. Every time I bend over or if I'm squating and I come up to a standing position, I get dizzy. Is this normal? I am eating 1.5 oz of protein three times a day and taking my vitamins. Does anyone else have this problem?

I am still chuckling from your comment! Thanks for the good laugh but now my port site hurts...ouch! Oh well, it's worth it. :biggrin:

Way to go! I hear you about finally feeling back to normal. I, too, was banded on 1/27 and am finally feeling back to normal. I'm still not able to walk very fast and I get dizzy if I bend over. Congrats on destroying the cookie! :crying:

Every day is getting easier. pureed Protein is disgusting. On Monday, I switch to 1.5 oz solid protein 3 times a day. I worry with that, things will get stuck. I had a very unpleasant encounter with a scrambled egg that I'm not looking forward to repeating. Cottage cheese is the only thing that feels OK going down besides shakes/liquids. Not to gross anyone out but I can't trust my farts, either! I'm still gassier than I would like to be. Hope everyone is doing better since the 27th! Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement. We can do this!

I was banded on 1/27 and I'm down 10 lbs from surgery. I lost 14 lbs on the pre-op diet and lost 16 from September thru early January. I can't believe I've lost 24 lbs in 3 weeks! Way to go everyone! Woo hoo! :tongue:

Hi everyone, I was banded on the 27th also. I am so relieved to hear that others aren't feeling so great. Never did I anticipate this much discomfort! After having three c-sections, I thought this surgery would be much easier. It hurts when I burp, I almost passed out after my shower this afternoon from low blood sugar, the smell of food makes me throw-up and I am as weak as can be. Each day has gotten a little better. I can eat pureed Protein for my mushies . It looks disgusting. Cottage cheese is the only thing that doesn't need to get pureed. I have a horrible taste in my mouth, also. I keep telling myself that this will be worth it in the long run but now, I am totally second-guessing myself. Thanks for listening to my rant!

Thank you for your post! I'm being banded tomorrow and am very nervous. Your post made me laugh out loud...what you said is everything I'm looking forward to!

Hi all, I have been preparing for this surgery since August and now that it's the day after tomorrow, I'm getting extremely nervous. I keep thinking the result (losing and keeping off the weight) will be worth it. Please tell me I'm not the only one who is nervous!

Thanks for the replies! I am on a 2 week pre-op diet that is all liquid except I can have 4 oz protein and 1/2 non-starchy veggie. I am down 13 lbs since I started it. Following it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would. :confused: Good luck to all the people getting banded this week! I'm glad I'm not the only one excited and nervous.

It sounds to me like you are allergic to something. Take Benadryl or call your doctor and see what he wants you to do.

My BMI is 36 right now, 11 days into the pre-op diet. My highest BMI was 40.7 with no co-morbidities. My dr. told me on Wednesday that if I blow my diet for even one day between then and surgery (Tues 1/27), the surgery wouldn't happen. I have a very conservative dr. I'm surprising myself by saying this but I don't mind the pre-op diet. I'm down 11.5 lbs so that's 11.5 lbs the band doesn't have to help me lose. :scared2:

OP here...I'm on Day 10 and have lost 11 lbs so far. I'm down 27 lbs since I started my pre-approval diet. My pre-op diet consists of 2 Atkins shakes, 4 oz Protein, 1/2 non starchy veggie and 2 servings each of sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicle and broth. I don't eat all of the jello or broth each day, nor is a popsicle appetizing when it's below 32 degrees outside (I haven't had any yet). I'm also drinking lots of Water and doing 20-30 min of cardio a day. Thanks for all the replies! Good luck if you are still on your pre-op diet!

I used to wear a size 10M before I had kids. By the time I was done having kids 4 years later, I went up to an 11W. Is there a chance my foot will get smaller as I get smaller? Did anyone's shoe size change after having surgery?

Awesome! I can't tell you how hard it is to find shoes in an 11W...I either need to go cheap (Payless) or expensive (Nordstrom). I can't walk into a normal shoe or department store and buy shoes. I'm hoping my feet do get smaller!

Congrats! I am hoping for the same kind of results. Only time will tell.....

My shakes have 15g of protein and I'm taking 6-7 fiber capsules per day. I see the surgeon on Wednesday so I'll ask him then if this is normal. For a heavy person, I always had lots of stamina which is why this is so abnormal. I'm down 8 lbs so something positive is happening! :wink2: Thanks for the replies!

I am on Day 7 of the pre-op diet. My diet consists of two Atkins shakes, 4 oz protein and 1/2 cup non-starchy veggies as well as two servings each of broth, sugar-free jello and sugar-free popsicles. I've adhered strictly to the diet but haven't had any popsicles and not a lot of broth. My arms and legs are feeling weak. Before I started the diet, I would be able to walk and jog on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Today, I had to walk on a significantly slower speed and had to push myself to do 20 minutes. Has anyone else experienced this kind of weakness?