libriteen

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.

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.

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:

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!

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.

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!

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.