isaviolinist

All those changes are great and will only help you along the way and especially after you get your band! Good luck!

I don't think you should return to work on Monday. I was up and walking around the day of surgery, and I even went for a 6 block walk the 2nd day after surgery, but I was SO tired afterwards. Its good to get up and move around as much as possible, but thats definitely different from actually going to work. I didn't bring my ipod or reading materials to the hospital (I also stayed overnight). I was fine with just watching tv and sleeping (a lot!). When I woke up I tried to get up and walk around a lot. I wore a sports bra out of the hospital the day after my surgery. While I was in the hospital of course, I didn't wear a bra, just the hospital gown and that was it. The band of the sports bra touched one of my smaller incisions (the small one right between the breasts) so I just put a small piece of gauze on the incision to cover it before I left the hospital. The incision itself didn't hurt at all, and it was covered by the strip my doc put on during surgery, but the gauze just made it so the actual bra didn't touch the incision. It wasn't a problem. Your best bet is to just call your surgeon and ask specifically about post-op diet. I was on clear liquid for 3 days after surgery. I didn't have any clear Protein drinks. It was basically just broth, Water, a little tiny bit of Jello, etc. After that I started on the regular Protein Drinks (I use unjury and put it in my Magic Bullet). Good luck!!

Congrats on your surgery! Sorry to hear there were some complications, but I'm glad they were resolved. Just take it easy while your healing and following your post-op instructions exactly to avoid any further complications and you will do great! And of course, call your surgeon's office for any questions or concerns you have. Don't hesitate to bother them, they work for you

I had my first adjustment this afternoon. I now have 5cc's in my Realize Band. My doc did it under fluoro and said that my opening to my stomach is now about the size of a nickel. I'm on only liquids for 2 days, then fuller liquids, mushies, etc. So my question is, what should I be expecting as far as liquid intake during these next few days? I had a lot of soup broth this evening (definitely 4 cups of broth at least). I felt full afterwards but thats a lot of liquid for anyone (banded or not). And I didn't feel like I needed to take very small sips. Generally, does liquid go down fairly easily? Should I be limiting my liquid (broth, etc.) intake? Is it possible to stretch my pouch by drinking too much liquid? Since this is my first fill, everything at this stage is very new to me. Just trying to figure out what I should expect (for the next few days and weeks). Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I was banded around the same time as you. I don't really have any tenderness at my port incision any more, but that incision definitely took the longest to heal. Actually, the other little incisions never really hurt at all, but the port incision (which is of course the biggest) took a little while to feel okay (maybe 2.5 or 3 weeks). Right now, two of my smaller incisions actually don't look totally great. They're not infected, but they're just opening slightly. I've just been using hydrogen peroxide and neosporin. Seems to help a bit.

I didn't get a call but my surgeon went over all the tests when I saw him (I saw him 3 times pre-op...first, for an initial consultation and to get started with all the pre-op tests, second, to finalize details, figure out an approximate surgery date, and go over my test results at which point he put me on a Vitamin D supplement, and third, about a week before surgery for one last checkup and to go over any post-op instructions). Your surgeon will probably go over all of your test results at your next appointment. If you don't have one, then you should probably try to schedule one for after you've finished all your testing.

I agree with writing everything down and making sure that they see. Many surgeons think they are too good to give patients the time of day. I never hesitate to let someone know that "I wouldn't want the issue to become a legal matter". That generally does the trick, but if not, I have had my lawyer send people "official" letters on his letterhead a couple of times. That always gets their attention (but usually just dropping the word "legal" does it). Give us an update on the situation when you feel up to it.

I am also concerned about my upper arms. I really hope the bat wings go away! I want to wear a sleeveless dress for my wedding so badly. I also never wear tank tops, and it would be nice to feel comfortable wearing them...

I had a program fee but it was only 300 dollars or so. It covered my group teaching class (it was like a more in depth seminar with the doctor, for those of us getting close to surgery time), psych eval., nutritionist, and group nutrition classes, and gives me access to all of the support groups for life. The office staff is really great and knowledgeable and very easy to contact for any issues (including insurance, billing issues, appointment times/changes, etc.). It was a low fee and I don't regret paying it. My doctor is really amazing. I emailed him last Saturday with a question and concern and he called me back 30 minutes after I sent the email. On a Saturday!! If some of the fee went to him, I think he deserves it so I'm okay with it. I actually bought him a present following my surgery. Because he's just that great haha. That type of care and concern is so unusual for doctors in big-city teaching hospitals. Anyways, I think if someone had said there was a 3500.00 program fee, or even 1000.00 program fee I would have run the other way.

I am more recently banded than you, but I have never had that feeling. It doesn't sound good, though. I'd be interested to know what it is, when you find out.

I have Realize Band and got my first fill today. My doc put in 5cc's. I am on liquids for 2 days, then thicker liquids for 2 days, then mushies, etc. I guess since I am on liquids I can't really tell a difference yet. But I had my first fill under fluoro, and my doctor said my opening is about the size of a nickel now. So I'm hoping once I start on soft foods in a few days, I'll notice a significant difference!

The 31st is my 27th birthday! :thumbup: I will make a birthday wish for all of you to have very easy and successful surgeries. Congrats everyone and good luck!

Hi - The tenderness around my port area started subsiding after about a week (I was banded June 18th) and I would say at about 2.5 weeks the pain was almost completely gone. I also had my first fill today but there was no tenderness and the fill needle was relatively painless. I had the fill under flouro which gave me piece of mind that everything was in the right place. It seems like its probably right to listen to your doctor, however to me, a month and 3 weeks seems like a long time to be having port tenderness. Prolonged tenderness could mean a lot of things (infection, erosion) or it could mean nothing. It is something that would need to be determined by your doctor. Also, was your procedure performed laparoscopically? What type of stitches did you have and why were they necessary? Mine were self-dissolving and underneath the skin (my incisions basically looked as though they were glued together....you couldn't see any sign of stitching). That seems to be the situation for most. How do your incisions look now? Basically, if you really trust and feel comfortable with your surgeon then just do what he tells you and go back in a week. However, if it were me, I may begin the process of seeking a second opinion. Maybe give it another week or so. Good luck.

I was also very gungho about getting surgery while I was going through all of the preop appointments. About a week before the surgery I started getting progressively more terrified. The morning of the surgery I was a nervous wreck! I just had my first fill this morning. Since my pre-op diet, I have lost a little over 38 pounds. I have to say, I am so happy with my decision so far! I am so glad to never see those pounds again!! Like the above poster said, do A LOT of research. My surgeon is so excellent - I had very little pain after surgery (and a little bit of gas pain only in my neck, which went away after one day). My fill this morning was quick and relatively painless (Ive heard of horror stories with fills...doctors poking 5-6 times before finding the port). I am so grateful for a really caring, competent surgeon. I think it really makes all the difference (so don't be afraid to comparison shop :biggrin:). Good luck!

This is probably a valid point, but what does it have to do with post-op Q&A? This belongs somewhere else.

I am having my first fill tomorrow morning. I am pretty damn nervous. I am also hoping that it will just take one or two fills to get to the right restriction. Im so nervous about the needle!

Congratulations! I am glad that you are feeling well and getting up and moving around with little pain! This website is a great resource! Anyways, welcome to the band wagon teehee! :thumbup:

Most doctor's have a pre-op diet. You should follow it very closely and you will be fine. Seems like you are already making great decisions for yourself! Good luck, I'm sure you will do great!

Hmm, thats a lot of questions. I'm not sure if its going to be flipped up side down. It will definitely be different. After you get your band adjusted, just take some time (by yourself, or with someone who supports you) to figure out what you can eat, practice chewing very well, etc. It is not normal to be throwing up all the time. I don't think people are going to be wondering why you're eating such a small amount. And if they are, you can tell them, or not worry about them. food is actually meant to be chewed well; people in general don't chew their food well enough. As far as thinking everything through, you should certainly get as much information as you can. Go to a seminar (Im assuming you did), talk to your doctor, dietician, psychologist etc. These boards are great for real life experiences from people. There is definitely a lot to think through, get as much information as you can so you can make an informed decision. Good luck!

Recently I have been just mixing my chocolate powder (unjury...I love it!) with a tablespoon of creamy Peanut Butter and super skim (or skim if I cant find super skim) milk. I haven't gotten tired of it yet. Once I mixed lite cocunut milk with vanilla Protein powder and milk. That was pretty good. Here is a thread with a lot of Protein shake recipes: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f82/200-protein-shake-recipes-49774/ Its really great, I can't wait to try the pumpkin one (the first one I think).

I'm going for my first fill on July 28th. I didn't really gain more than a pound or two when I started on full liquids, but I DEFINITELY stayed the same for over a week. I was eating hardly anything and was so bummed because I wasn't losing the way I was right after surgery (and during pre-op). However, after about a week and a half of that, I got on the scale and had actually dropped 2.5 pounds. I was so relieved! Anyways, I have been out of town for the past 2 weeks without a scale, but I'm hoping I'll have lost more when I get back (I've been doing 30 minutes of cardio a day for the past 2.5 weeks so I'm hoping to see some change). Anyways, this hard time will pass! I am also anxious to get my first fill!

I didn't find out my time to be in the hospital until around 5PM the night before. They have to do that, because the board (for scheduled surgeries), especially in bigger hospitals (but in normal or smaller ones also) is constantly changing.

Well, congratulations on your success with your regular port. However, you're certainly not "bursting my bubble" (or anyone else with a low profile port) as a result. I'm very confident that I will have equally excellent results with my low-profile port. Additionally, I'm less concerned with whether my port is showing during my weight loss (so if I lose 70 pounds and it doesn't show, its neither here nor there for me) and more concerned with it for when I get to goal, and especially if I decide or need to have a tummy tuck. I am concerned with something sticking out of my side when I get to goal, so I am happy with my low-profile port. No one is saying that a low-profile port ensures that it won't be seen or felt (that was never stated in any of the previous posts), but it certainly makes it more likely (and most physicians will tell you this).

Yes, for many people it is that important. I am very concerned about my health and am looking forward to becoming a healthy person with a normal BMI. But I am ALSO really looking forward to looking great in a bathing suit, wearing a beautiful (small) wedding dress when I get married, etc. If having a lower profile port can contribute to that, then I am all for it.

No one here can tell you what's wrong with your band. You really need to see a doctor ASAP, and get an xray and a consult. Aside from the weight gain, and more importantly than the weight gain, your problem could be something very serious (or life-threatening). No one here is able to tell you what the problem might be. Go to the doctor!