DianaG

My incisions were glued together. When it started peeling off, the doc told me I could use vaseline to remove the rest. It worked.

Hey, just read a thread about abdominal pain upper left quadrant......you might want to check it out.

This "pulling pain" is what I have been dealing with also. The difference seems to be that I have had absolutely no port pain. Mine is also on the left side, but around my stomach area. It is gradually getting better....or at least it was...until I bent over yesterday to pick up something. Sore the rest of the day and last night... Hopefully it will go ahead and disappear soon. I have no where near the pain that I did after my surgery, and agree that you should really try again to get an answer from your surgeon.

I was banded on July 27 and I also have some pain in that area....sort of a sore,pulling, sometimes spasm like pain. I get it when I lay down, and when that happens, I put a pillow kinda under my tummy while I am on my side, that helps a lot. It is getting better, but yesterday, I bend over without thinking and felt that pulling sensation again. Was sore at bedtime, so I did the "pillow trick" and it helped. Don't know if this is what you are experiencing or not, but if it is really bothering you a lot, give your doc a call. I plan on asking mine about it. Hope this helps.

Good afternoon all! Thanks so much for taking the time to offer advise and encouragement. Linda, at least I know I am not the only one on earth with a large liver. Surely that gives us an advantage in someway! At least my surgeon didn't have to contend with an extra renal vein across my stomach..I'll have to tell him that he should be thankful for that:tongue2: Donna and Naughty, I appreciate your comments and am following your advise. One thing that has really helped is drinking more and making sure I get some good food in me. In fact, I have felt better today than at any time in this 3 week ordeal!! Thanks again.

I posted this in the 60's thread also, but decided to also post it here, so I could let more people know what happened. Hello all, Sorry that I haven't been back on this forum since I was banded on July 27th, but have had some recovery problems. To bring you up to date, I did the pre-surgery diet precisely as I didn't want my surgeon to see a fatty liver and pull out! Well, it turns out that he was able to see that I had absolutely no fat associated with the liver,but found out that I have a liver that is larger than most people. He briefly thought about pulling out, but he told me later, that no matter how long, or how much more dieting I did, that liver would not shrink any more.He decided to proceed with the band as he knew I really wanted it and needed it and that if he didn't do it then, I probably would not give him a second chance..... Unfortunately, the liver was so large that in getting it out of the way, it was lacerated twice and started oozing blood. That left me with a huge hematoma and a lot of pain. The surgery was on a Monday and he didn't let me go home from the hospital until Thursday. I have had a lot of gas pain, surgical pain, pain due to the bleeding, etc. My husband has been a marvelous caregiver. He even woke me up twice during the night to get me up and have me walk all over the house (using my walker). That did start to help the gas pains ( also took Gas-X). The gas pains are much better. I also have had pain around the liver, but that has cleared up. The main pain I have now,is that when I lay down, it hurts around my stomach for a while....feels like something pulling. I put a small pillow under my tummy, on one side and lay on the opposite side and that helps a lot. Anyone else have that problem around the stomach? I have had no port pain.....Thank Goodness. I know I haven't been getting enough to eat, just not hungry, and although I am loosing weight, I am also loosing strength and am fatigued. Yesterday, my husband got so worried about my lack of energy, he fixed me Peanut Butter and honey and for dinner a baked potato. I also was getting dehydrated, so I really made an effort to drink a lot. I feel better today. I have not been able to stand any of the Protein powers...but can drink ensure and instant Breakfast..Just no appetite. So that is my saga so far. Anyone else have any of these problems? I just hope that I can really start feeling better soon. Thanks for letting me ramble on. __________________

Hello all, Sorry that I haven't been back on this forum since I was banded on July 27th, but have had some recovery problems. To bring you up to date, I did the pre-surgery diet precisely as I didn't want my surgeon to see a fatty liver and pull out! Well, it turns out that he was able to see that I had absolutely no fat associated with the liver,but found out that I have a liver that is larger than most people. He briefly thought about pulling out, but he told me later, that no matter how long, or how much more dieting I did, that liver would not shrink any more.He decided to proceed with the band as he knew I really wanted it and needed it and that if he didn't do it then, I probably would not give him a second chance..... Unfortunately, the liver was so large that in getting it out of the way, it was lacerated twice and started oozing blood. That left me with a huge hematoma and a lot of pain. The surgery was on a Monday and he didn't let me go home from the hospital until Thursday. I have had a lot of gas pain, surgical pain, pain due to the bleeding, etc. My husband has been a marvelous caregiver. He even woke me up twice during the night to get me up and have me walk all over the house (using my walker). That did start to help the gas pains ( also took Gas-X). The gas pains are much better. I also have had pain around the liver, but that has cleared up. The main pain I have now,is that when I lay down, it hurts around my stomach for a while....feels like something pulling. I put a small pillow under my tummy, on one side and lay on the opposite side and that helps a lot. Anyone else have that problem around the stomach? I have had no port pain.....Thank Goodness. I know I haven't been getting enough to eat, just not hungry, and although I am loosing weight, I am also loosing strength and am fatigued. Yesterday, my husband got so worried about my lack of energy, he fixed me Peanut Butter and honey and for dinner a baked potato. I also was getting dehydrated, so I really made an effort to drink a lot. I feel better today. I have not been able to stand any of the Protein powers...but can drink ensure and instant Breakfast..Just no appetite. So that is my saga so far. Anyone else have any of these problems? I just hope that I can really start feeling better soon. Thanks for letting me ramble on.

Thanks for all the encouraging words and helpful advise. I greatly appreciate it! Violinist, I feel for you having to have your gall bladder out at such a young age and to be left with a major scar! So I am following ya'lls advice and am resting, drinking as much liquid as I can, making sure I am getting enough food, and generally letting my body heal and let me know when it feels better! I do feel better today than I have during this whole 3 week ordeal. So thanks again for everything, You have really helped me!

My surgeon told me that he was going to keep me overnight (I live 2 hrs from the hospital on a dirt road!). Good thing he had planned on it, because he ended up keeping me 3 nights due to some complications. I agree with others, if you can stay, do it!!!

Congrats Dyanna! Glad everything went well for you and that you are not in much pain. Way to go!:biggrin:

Hi Magnolia. I am on the 27th also! I have been on a liquid diet for 2 wks. and I am ready for the next step. Good luck to us all.

Hello all, Susan, I will be thinking of you tomorrow. I know things are going to be just fine. Bunz (and Susan) I am sorry you get so sick after the surgery. I have always had to throwup at least once before the nausea leaves..On Monday, I told the anesthesiologist about that and he said he would do everything in his power to prevent it this time. I sure hope he is able to do it! So, Debster & Amethyst....Monday will be here before we know it! I have to arrive at the hospital at 6:15am and since it is about a 2 hour drive up there, I would have to get up at 3:15 and leave home at 4:15:eek: Thus, my husband and I have decided to drive up on Sunday and get a motel room for the night!! I may not sleep very good in a strange bed, but probably wouldn't sleep well at home because of worrying about getting up on time!!!!! Anyway, good luck to us all!! Think good and positive thoughts:tongue2:

Well, I just tried to send you a message Dyanna,,,,,,but somehow it vanished into cyberspace! So, I will begin anew! Welcome to this place of wonderful new friends. Like others, I cannot imagine the pain you have gone through, but I admire the courage you have to step boldly into this next exciting and rewarding chapter of your life!! I know this surgery tomorrow will be a grand new beginning!! I have received a lot of inspiration by the posts on this thread and that was even before I actually started posting myself. Everyone here has been so supportive and helpful and I know they will continue to be. I start my new journey on Monday...so you will be a few steps down the road in front of me. That way I will have someone else to follow down this grand adventure!!! By the way, I like the way your name is spelled.....I guess it is pronounced like mine? Here's to much happiness in your future!!:thumbup:

Sammy, I too am claustrophobic and was afraid that I couldn't stand to use the CPAP because of it. Was I ever wrong! I have a CPAP from Respironics and the headgear is from ResMed and is called Swift. It is not a mask, but nasal pillows. There is nothing covering my face (like a mask) I can even wear my glasses with it on. That is a good thing, because I really like to read for a while before I fall asleep. Absolutely NO feeling of claustrophobia with it!!!:bored: Like others, sleep apnea was one of my co-morbities and helped me get approved for surgery. My surgery is Monday the 27th. I had my pre-surgery appointment yesterday and they told me to bring my CPAP with me to the hospital so I can use it after the surgery. Since I went on the CPAP and use it every time I sleep, I feel a lot better and have a lot more energy than I did before. There is a possibility that I won't have sleep apnea when I loose weight, but seriously it won't bother me if I have to keep using the CPAP. I fought it for a few nights,but kept on trying it and it didn't take too long to get really used to it......So, if you need it....give it a try. Good luck to you.

Hi all, Debster you are the first person that I have seen being banded the same day as me!!! Hooray for July 27th:smile:. I will think of you early that morning.....I have to be at the hospital at 6:15:eek:!! Let me know how it goes for you. Deb I know it was disappointing to have the date changed, especially if you had to do another day of liquid diet... Just wanted to wish you all the best..keep us posted. Amy, I don't know how I missed it before, but I just noticed that you are from Arkansas. Me too. I live in the northwest part of the state near Harrison! I will be thinking of you tomorrow and look forward to hearing from you. I just read your last post, and know what you mean about second guessing and then realizing that all those diets before have failed. Guess we all know we are doing what we have to do to be healthy for the rest of our lives, but that doesn't keep the last minute jitters away. I am sure we will all be just fine and so glad we chose this route to a better future. Good luck to us all:thumbup:

Thanks again Phyl, I'm glad you will take time out to think of me on Monday! That is a wonderful offering of friendship. I am sure you and your friends will enjoy a vacation together and make lots of new memories! Travel safe! We will all be thinking of you too.

Hey, Amy that is great news! Don't worry about your gall bladder, I had mine removed several years ago and have been doing great. Just concentrate on the lap band and how happy you are going to be! I had my pre-op tests today (ekg & blood work). All set to get my band next Monday..so let me know how it goes for you this week. Good luck!:smile:

Phyl, Does Hallmark make Bandiversary cards? If they do, I'll run out and get you one, but if they don't, you will just have to settle for my sincere best wishes and an "ATTA GIRL":wink2:

Doddie That Is Truly Wonderful News!!!!!:crying: Aren't you happy you got the lap band!?!?!! My daughter in law is diabetic and has been gaining weight....so in the future, this may be a good option for her also! Thanks for the good wishes and I will definately let you knonw how I do with the surgery on Monday! The encouragement is most gratefully received! Now, have you called all of your friends, relatives, aquaintences, and total strangers of your good news? If not, what are you waiting for?

Doddie you are right.....if we use it we loose it, so it all equals out:biggrin:! and thanks for the info about the smilies. I had just been sending a quick reply and not "advanced", no wonder I couldn't find them! Karen, I lived in Indiana from 1990 until 1993. My husband was a ranger with the National Park Service and we moved around a lot. Left Indiana for an assignment in Alaska and retired to the Ozarks. Phyll, you and Doddie are on to something with the WII exercise. Several people in my support group have them. My grandson has one but he inconsiderately moved away from here so I can't borrow his!:crying: I may have to get one of my own. I sure hope your knee surgery goes well, I have several friends who have had one or both replaced and they are doing well. Just got back from the hospital and had all the tests to prepare me for surgery next Monday! Only 6 more days on the Optifast!

Doddie and Karen.....edited my last message. Meant to say "loose as much weight" not "use as much weight". If I knew how to put in an embarrasses "smiley" I would put it here!!:wink2:

Hey, my mom's name was Agnes!! Beautiful name.

Doddie & Karen, I thank you both for your good advise and encouragement! I too am having sort of last minute jitters ( a week early!!) and it is good to know that a lot more people have had them also...it keeps me thinking that I can do this too. I live out in the country on a gravel road that has several hills, and have bought me some hiking boots for ankle and foot support so that I can start taking some slow walks after the recovery period from surgery. I am attending a support group in Springfield MO. Right now we are meeting in a room at the hospital re-hab center. I know they have a pool with underwater exercise equipment and wish I lived closer (I am 80 miles away). I may check into going there once a month after the support group meeting. Wish it was closer!!! I know the Water exercise would help a lot because of my foot and back (had it fused). The other night at the meeting, someone mentioned that the WII was helping them. I may have to check that out, as I would then be able to sit inside in the air conditioning and still exercise!!! It would really be nice if I can loose as much weight as ya'll! Karen, where do you live in Indiana? I lived there for a while in the early 90's, down in the southern part near Santa Claus. Thanks again ladies and if you think of more "stuff" I will be grateful!

Hi, Tomorrow is the day that I get my pre-surgical testing at the hospital. If all goes well, I will have my surgery the next Monday ( July 27 ). Anyone else getting banded on that date? I have been reading a lot on this site and have picked up some valuable hints! Thanks Everyone!!!!!!

Hi Doddie, Thanks for the encouragement. I need all I can get!!! I will take your advice and start to chart my weight and what I am eating. I can see where that would be a great help. I hope to have the success that you have had. I can't walk very far anymore, because of having crushed all the arch bones in my foot, but I am using the "resistance bands" and feel that they are already helping me gain strength. Any other suggestions? Again thanks for the "words of wisdom"!!!!!!