libriteen

So I was just wondering, out of curiosity, if your incisions left any visible scarring and if it had faded any. I was in the store yesterday and saw scar cream and wondered if it was worth using or not. I'm not personally all that concerned with the scarring aspect, as I just allowed myself to have a band placed in my stomach through my bellybutton (:biggrin:!) but I just wondered if anyone has had success with hiding the scar.

on Aug 11, I had to be in a 6am and left for home around 6pm. I didn't have to do a barium swallow then, but I had to do one a week before surgery. I do have to do another one at my first post-op appointment, next week.

Well my scar, from what I can see 5 days post-op (all the steri strips haven't fallen off yet, but I can see most of it) is a 1 1/2 - 2 inch semicircle that goes around the bottom half of my bellybutton in contour with the shape of my stomach (kind of looks like a smile). It's kind of hidden by being in where the bellybutton is. It the scar line that is forming looks like a normal scar. And it is not nice looking! I was never very concerned with scars but I figured why not try to make it disappear if there is a chance? There is, however, still bruising on the bottom part of my stomach where I assume the laprascope rested and was moved during surgery. It is just kind of black and blue--that's it. I think it has been healing extremely fast and I think it made surgery much easier on my body. Hopefully they continue to perfect this surgery so all of them are performed through single incision to cut down healing time and mobility and comfort issues afterwards. I have also heard about massaging helping scars a lot. There are also creams that are not available over the counter that can clear up scars. I'm sure they are pretty expensive and i'm not all that interested in going to a dr. to make my scar fade away, but I do think it is interesting. I'll definitely ask my doctor.

Thanks, and good luck to you as well! I think the single incision has a much quicker recovery time simply because there is only one small slit, almost 2 inches, the is on the bottom of my belly button and that is it. I couldn't believe they even got the band in such a tiny spot. When I first looked at it I was mortified, but because of how the incision looked, but I couldn't imagine doing surgery through such a small hole! Oh well, i wouldn't change a thing. Keep us updated! :thumbup:

Hey, well I was just banded yesterday morning at NYU Medical Center by Dr. Marina Kurian and I just have to say that I had such a wonderful experience and can't believe how amazing the surgeon as well as the hospital performed. I had SIL, or a single incision, and I was allowed to go home later the same day. Everyone at the hospital was so kind and friendly. They really took care of me. I would recommend them to anyone undergoing this surgery. It was absolutely hassle free, and fast! After a year of waiting, I can't believe I am here walking around with the band inside of me. I can only tell because of my incision site! Everyone on the forum said that the surgery wasn't very painful and they were correct. I was barely in any pain, only sore and uncomfortable at a few points. As I was taken into the operating room and laid on the table, I suddenly thought to myself "What the FUCK did you do/WHY did you want this?" and I have to say I was comforted by the fact that I knew so many of you have had the same surgery and were all doing fine. It is the only reason I was able to go through with it. So thank you to this community for helping me see that I did in fact make the right decision. Anyways, after waking up in recovery I only experienced tightness in my chest, mostly some residual gas, and soreness at the incision site. I don't have that much restriction at all though, as I can drink normally. This kind of worries me, but I am still healing and not rushing into anything as right now my body is still recovering. Although I am not in pain, my whole body is sore and tired like I ran a marathon! And my throat is a little irritated but I am happy with the results so far. Has anyone else had this experience with little restriction? I understand that I am only drinking liquids and they go right through the band, but I was given the impression that even liquids should move through slowly. Just wondering what everyone else has experienced. Thanks!

Congratulations to you as well! Yes, I was rather wiped out too. It took me a while to pee, too. I thought to myself, did I really drink THAT much? But I guess that happens when you only have liquids to feed off of. Hope your recovery goes well!

Hello all, I just wanted to let you know about my recent development. I had Single Incision procedure on Aug 11 and was discharged from the hospital the same day. My prescription pain killer was hydrocodone and loritab liquid. After leaving the hospital and going back to the hotel room, I took a 3 T dose of the medication. I had never had surgery before, nor have I taken any pain medications, so I was more nervous about HAVING pain than actually having pain. As I was just out of the hospital I took it because it seemed like I would sleep the night through and why take a chance. The next day I woke up and my legs, back, stomach, neck, and arms were sore. I thought this would be the after effects of surgery. It wasn't unbearable but I could still walk around and go out. Because of this weakness in my body, I continued to take the medication. I only became weaker and more tired. I was up all the second night going to the bathroom or just sitting there feeling horrible. I took more medication for my sore muscles instead of for my stomach! Needless to say, I had a HORRIBLE night. I was up "moaning" in my sleep, I could barely walk, and it was so hard for me to even move. I woke up the next day feeling beyond terrible. I was drowsy, nauseated, and truly felt like I had made the wrong decision. I couldn't walk, my calves hurt so badly, and to move my arms caused much pain. It was like I had been running a marathon. Totally weak. I was sweating constantly, without a temperature. Sometimes I felt cold or warm, when there was no change in the room temperatre. I was totally uncomfortable and disoriented. I stopped taking the medication and called the doctor. A side effect of the medication is extreme weakness, and sweating. I felt sick for the next 5 hours or so until I sweat out the rest of the medication. I was really upset and extremely irritable. I was miserable and really dizzy. The doctor said I could take tylenol if I had any discomfort and to discontinue the meds. After about 5 hours (3 days out after surgery), I was beginning to feel like myself again. My muscles were back and I was no longer weak. I ended up going to the movies the same day, feeling 100x better, and even went out to dinner (thin thin Soup, of course!) and felt completely normal. I just wanted this to serve as a warning to all those who have never really taken pain meds (or this strong) and haven't had surgery before. I was in little to no pain after surgery and I guess I thought it was because of the pain meds themselves. I would recommend NOT taking them until you absolutely have to because, in hindsight, I don't think I would have needed to take them at all. I was only scared of the possible pain and figured that I should take them because they were prescribed for me--to take. Hopefully none of you have that experience because it was scary and made me really rethink what I was doing here. I feel fine now, and wouldn't change a thing. Just one bad day that I never want to repeat again!

Yes. I completely agree with you. I hope I don't discourage anyone from taking their medications, that is far from the point that I wanted to make (!), I just wanted them to make sure that anyone was scared into taking them as was the case with me. I really didn't have any experience to rely on. And I didn't even know what I was really doing. Everyone is different and everyone will experience different pain.

My throat is a lot better. I feel fine now, I just seem to be swallowing sinus "stuff" still and have a horrible taste in my mouth. I think it is from all the medications etc. I haven't really been hungry but I have an appointment 4 weeks out too, and I'm scared that I will be. I guess we'll just have to take it a day at a time!

I traveled 2 days after surgery (Aug 11 surgery) but I had my mother with me. The only thing that you have to really worry about is your luggage. You cannot lift or carry anything heavier than 10 pounds. That was something I forgot about. Other than that, I was fine to fly, I took an aspirin for the blood (dr. recommended bc blood clots). On the plane, I felt a little pressure and discomfort with my band. It seemed like it was the change in air pressure. But it was totally fine and nothing to worry about at all. It only lasted a min or two while we were beginning to land. For me, I definitely needed someone there with me. It just made everything so much easier.

I was banded aug 11. Just wondering, are you taking anything for your pain? I, too, was feeling very tired and couldn't get a good nights rest, but it was because of my medication. I really don't have much gas, but the occasion that I do I know that it is very painful. I also had a hiatal hernia repair but I don't feel much discomfort. I think sometimes I feel the band in my chest, but it turns out to be gas. Burping has never been such a blessing. Keep walking around. I sleep on my back and sometimes I can get comfortable so I found a way to nudge myself in between 2 pillows almost to make it so I am half on my back half on my side. It has helped me sleep much better in terms of my pulling my insicion site. Hope you get better and know this will pass, and soon.

Congratulations!!! I had my surgery the day before so I know what you were going through!

After having the repair, I have had no difference in my diet because of the hitial hernia.

This might sound contradictory, but the moment my "pain" stopped was the moment I stopped taking my pain killer medication. It turned out that it was making me weak, to the point where I couldn't walk or sit up, and also gave me cold sweats as well as made me "moan" in my sleep. It was all very dramatic and as soon as I stopped taking it I was out of bed the same day and went to the movies. The pain in my stomach was just discomfort now and again, and it has gone away. I think I was more afraid of being in pain than anything else.Hope you get better. I thought the same thing, Why would you do this to yourself, when I was on those meds. Now that I am off, I am thinking, Why would I ever take those pain killers again? Hope you are well.

I'm sure you'll be fine. I don't see how that could cause you any serious problems at all.

Hey there. I, too, had some headaches on the pre-op diet. I took tylenol and they went away. Eventually they stopped for me as I got used to the diet. But in your case, I would have to agree about the caffein headaches. If you stopped cold turkey, I would think the best thing to do is to discontinue drinking anything with caffein. You've already started withdrawl so you might as well break your habit! Good luck to you, hope your headaches disappear soon.

Thanks!! Yeah, I really adore the NYU team. I really think the office is great. I've never had a single problem with them, and I am sure Dr. Ren is just as great!

If i could make it 2 weeks on liquids, you can do this!! You just have to make sure you are drinking enough. You may think you are, but make sure you drink enough besides shakes. Water and crystal lite were my savoirs. I made sure they were very cold and i always drank a little more than I thought that I needed. It helped me battle those starving cravings. You can do it if you decide to do this. You're the only one who can put food to your mouth, and know that this hunger DOES go away or at least lift. It will really help you do to this for your post-op, because you have no choice and will only be drinking for 10 days. Think of this as your time to get used to liquids, rather than something you have to do. I'm sure you'd rather get over the hard part before having surgery, instead of going through it all at the same time. Good luck. And you CAN accomplish this!

Thank you! Good luck to you as well. I am really happy with the single incision. It is right above my belly button and rather small in size. I couldn't believe it when I woke up. My throat irritated me more than my stomach! I mean it did hurt, but it wasn't unbearable! Just soreness really. I'm sure you will do fine. I have no regrets so far! Let me know how you do!

Hello. That was my pre-surgery diet as well, only it was 2 weeks long. You can do this! It's only 3 days. And it really helps you prepare for post-op when you can't have anything but liquids for 10 days ---without the possibility of cheating. So think of it that way. After the first day, you will stop being as hungry and be fine with liquids. As long as I stayed full on liquids, I was fine. But if I couldn't drink for some reason, I would get STARVING. I would just make sure that you drink plenty, even if you are peeing all the time!

hey there, I was banded yesterday as well. Congratulations! I am in a hotel, but i am feeling comfortable just a little sore all over. Even in my leg muscles. I am just trying to walk it out. The journey has begun!

Hello Katie, I felt the similar thing the first day I started my pre-op diet. I would look around or think about something and smell it and want it. It was tempting but I kept telling myself that I COULD eat them, and that I will be able to again soon, but not right now. I choose the band. Even though I have had a few close calls and mood swings, when I am tempted too far I come on here and read or try to fill myself up with cold Water to make me feel like I am full. This pre-op diet is HARD and I didn't think that I would be able to last a day, but somehow when I follow the instructions and have the Protein shakes and as a result I don't cheat, I don't find it all that difficult. At first I only missed eating...I didn't want to necessarily eat from hunger. After the first 2 days of not eating, you'll find that you can handle it. Just don't put yourself in a situation where people are eating food around you or where you can see/smell food. You can do this! If I can, then surely anyone can if they really want it. Don't psych yourself out just yet. Just give it try. :ohmy:

Hey there! I am a week into my 2 week pre-op and I have the same specifications as you do! What I did with my veggies was similar. First, I sautéed chopped/bruised lemongrass (not finely, only so the juices are exposed) in a small speck of olive oil (so small that is couldn't have mattered). Discard the lemongrass after. I then added sliced mushrooms, kept them on high heat to caramelize. I added some onions, too. Then added this to low sodium chicken stock and added a dashed of rice wine vinegar to continue the asian theme. I added other veggies, like chopped asparagus to cook in the boiling stock for about a minute or so. I have also added garlic and scallions to the mix, but I found I personally like lemongrass so much that I didn't need the other things. This was delicious and my entire house came running into the kitchen to try it. Other than that, i don't know what capsicum is, but I have been making cucumber salads with slice cucumbers, sliced red onions, and a tablespoon of low fat poppyseed dressing and it has been really refreshing. Other than that, I am extremely bored with veggies and I am trying to ween myself off so I can be prepared for post-op. Sometimes I think eating the makes me hungrier. Hope that helps! Good luck to you!

I was just wondering how the day after (and day of) surgery went. From the time you wake up in the hospital to to the time to go to bed. Are there certain things you found you couldn't do, ie. read because you were too tired? I'm just curious how painful it was and how hungry you were--because many people's answers vary. How did you stay occupied? How did you cope? And what would you recommend if doing it all over again?

I wonder how they repair it...and if it makes healing a little bit longer.