mbranham0306

My surgery was on 7/10 and yes my port site still hurts-- quiet a bit at times. If I do anything that pulls at it or strains it, it hurts really bad. Whats wierd is that the incision site for my port has mostly healed up but the other ones hasn't. I had to take my steri-strips off 2 days after my surgery because my pain pump was causing me to bleed and since I had the one big clear bandage over the pain pump site and the incision site, I had to remove the steri strips. Like I said, it's healed okay. My problem is that when I try to do something at the kitchen counter and lean against it, the port site rubs the counter and it hurts pretty bad. I have to be very careful about that. The other thing is that I still can't sleep on that side. If I turn over on that side and I'm asleep the pain wakes me up. I'm hopeful that this does go away with more time. (Pleaseeeeeee! LOL) I guess we just need to hang in there.

I think it just depends on the person, I've only lost 12 pounds since my surgery on 7/10. I do wish it was more but I'm feeling good and I know that it'll come in time. We just have to have patience (sigh.... not very patient). But hey, I knew it was going to be slow going.

Where I work there's only 2 of us that work there and I've worked there for 6 years, so me and the other lady that work there are pretty close--I thought. We go to lunch and talk on the phone on the weekends and stuff. She didn't seem too happy when I told her my date had been set. Oh she was fine and excited when I first said I was having it but when I started my low carb diet a month before my surgery she was not encouraging. She kept bringing cake and candy to work and asking if I wanted any of it. (hello! low carb people!) She is overweight too but she acts like she's not! She had seen about having the surgery and wouldn't do it because her insurance company wanted the 6 month weight loss try with the doctor first. When I kept bringing my "diet" food to work she kept saying she'd just eat what she wanted too, not that stuff. Very encouraging huh? :juggle: Then when I told her I'd be off a couple of weeks she had a fit. But the boss told me to take off until the first of August, which I have done. She told me there was no reason I couldn't come back to work on the Monday after my surgery. She's really not a very understanding person and is really hating me for having to type all the dictation while I'm off. She hasn't called to check on me one time. That's just the way some people are. If they truly are your friend they will support you. If not, as bad as it is to say, we're better off without them.

Hi, I just made this recipe today and it turned out awesome. I made it up myself and just put in stuff we can have. It has plenty of veggies because I always sneak them into any casserole that I can. Shhhh, don't tell the hubby :juggle: I put ketchup on top of mine but it'd be good with chicken gravy too I think. I also divided mine up into 4 containers and froze 3 of them. 1.5 pound ground chicken 1/2 large green pepper (chopped in food processor) 1/2 large onion (food processor) 2 small carrots (food processor) 1 tbs. worchestershire sauce 2 tbs. splenda brown sugar blend 2 eggs 1 cup of panko bread crumbs 1/2 cup fat free half & half 1 tsp. black pepper salt 1 tbs. garlic powder 2-3 tbs. ketchup (for top of meatloaf) Chop green pepper, onion and carrot in food processor. In large bowl add all ingredients except ketchup, put as much salt as you like, I can't use salt. Combine together. Spray a baking dish (I used a pie pan) with non stick cooking spray. Add meat mixture. Put ketchup on top and bake at 375 for 30 - 45 minutes. Calories 180, Carb 11.1, Protein 12.8 I thought it was a really good way to use ground chicken--I can't have hamburger yet.

I am just now getting a good routine down, I was only banded on 7/10. Of course that'll change when I go back to work next week! I get up at 5am with my hubby and fix his lunch and breakfast. I have a s.f. strawberry carnation instant breakfast. I've found this helps me get ready for food better than anything else I could do. Everyone is different. I take my hubby to work (he can't drive--legally blind) and when I get back about 7 am, I fix this egg recipe I found online. It's what I've ate since I could eat. It's just an egg with a splash of milk, some cheese and a few bacon bits on top baked in the oven. Its really good and filling. Sometimes I'll eat a piece of light wheat toast with it. Then I'll take my medicine about a 1/2 hour later. I have quiet a few pills so I have to take my time with it. Of course I drink between my meals. By about 1:00 I have lunch. I've had tuna salad or egg salad on a bed of lettuce with cantaloupe. Then I go back to drinking an hour later. Usually about 4:00 I'll have a protein bar. Then I usually fix supper about 6:00. I've discovered that if I want to go to bed by 10:00 I have to eat early! I still have problems laying down unless it's been at least 3 hours since I've eaten. Its just me and my hubby and we never ate the same things anyway. He's very very picky. He usually has spaghetti, spaghetti o's, cheese pizza, macaroni salad, ham or something similar. I usually fix some kind of veggie, pasta, rice or tuna. I get to have chicken tomorrow though--thank goodness!!!! YIPEE!!! So then I'll be having chicken for supper of some sort. I take my evening medicine about an hour after I eat supper then thats all for the night. That's about it. It's really interesting that everyone has their own way of making the band work for them. I think that is the key, everyone has to find what works for them and just stick to it. :thumbup:

Hi! I am itching too death. I can't get all that sticky tape residue off my tummy and it is driving me mad. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

It's okay, you're definetely not alone. I had my surgery on 7/10 and am just now starting to feel like myself. The bubble you're referring to is the gas from the surgery. My gas was terrible for the first 7 days. I agree with the other poster above, find the Gas X strips. The work even better if you can walk some. I walked back and forth through the house for at least 10 minutes everytime I took the gas x and it helped me. I was in the recliner for the first 10 days after my surgery. I finally made it to bed, but the recliner worked best for me at first. I would also call my doctor. Have you taken this particular pain medicine before? If not, I'd tell the doctor that I just can't take it and get him to prescribe me something else. You just need to give yourself time. I found myself asking why I'd had the band too at first but now I'm getting better and it's okay. You'll feel alot better in a weeks time. It's normal to feel odd about the band I think. Hang in there and I hope you feel better soon. :thumbup:

When I first started my lap band journey, I had to go see a dietician before my insurance would even consider my request. She had alot of ideas and one of them was using a 3 oz. bathroom cup to measure things in. So when I first had my surgery I would pour my Protein shakes in them and drink 3 oz. every 30 minutes. I ended up getting 60 grams of protein in 7 hours so it worked out good for that. Now I use them to measure foods in. Its very handy, I leave a stack sitting on my kitchen counter at all times. I also use them to put my medicine in and it works out well. Hope this helps.

You're the only one who can decide if you're not ready to go back to work. Listen to your body and just do what you really think you need to do. I had my surgery on the 10th and have been off work since. I plan on going back for half days only this coming week. I just still feel tired and drained and am just now sleeping well. If you can take the extra time off, I don't think you'll regret it at all. Take your time to heal. :biggrin:

Does anyone have any good salmon recipes? I can now have fish, tuna and stuff but I really hate regular fish! I ate a little piece today and was just so sick--yuck. I do like salmon though, just need a good recipe I can eat. Thanks!

I haven't gotten my first fill yet but I'm excited about what will happen from here. I have lost 36 pounds since I started this journey so I'd have to say I love the band. Now when I first got out of surgery, I might not have said love was a word I'd use. LOL I know it'll be hard but it'll be well worth it in the long run when I feel better and can do things I haven't been able to in such a long time. It'll be hard but it'll be wonderful too! Just think of how much better you'll feel and don't be nervous. :cool2:

My friend got her first fill last week and it was a nightmare too. She has a different doctor, we're in Kentucky but it was awful. She had bruises and everything. I'm kinda dreading my fill now.

We all need food. Its not easy being on a liquid or mushy diet but that's what we have to do. I don't want to sound preachy, but I'm sure you were aware going into this surgery that you'd have to stick to this diet. This is very saddening to me. The doctors know what they are doing. You're not the first person to have to suffer through this. Take it easy and really think about what you're doing to yourself by eating that chicken strip. You have to be careful or that band might have been for nothing.

This recipe does sound awesome. I loveeeee cheeseburgers so this will be a great substitute! 2% cheese is what I use. I've used it for years and love it.

This was a good question. I have this problem also. I know we can't chew gum so I guess breath mints will have to work.

Yipee! I get to start "normal" foods instead of mushies today. I just have a question. How do I know when I'm ready to eat a meal instead of just one thing? I don't want to eat too much but then I want to eat the right things too. I'm kinda confused about when I should start eating more than just one thing like I have been until now. For lunch I'm planning a piece of baked fish but somehow I don't think that'll be enough for me to eat. Does anyone else have or had this problem questioning your food? Thanks for any help!

For me it took about a week but I had the hernia repair also. Gas X strips is what I used also but you should be able to take the gas x small gels also. They're the same size as my smallest medications I can take without splitting. Good luck and it will get better soon!

UPDATE! Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I used baby oil and it worked fairly well for me. I feel alot better now--no itching!

I got banded on 7/10 and yesterday was the first time I had been able to sleep in the bed. I took a nap yesterday and then last night as well. Both times, I had to get back up because I got so sick and just knew I was going to throw up. Is this normal? How long will it last? I went to bed with my husband at 9pm and had to get back up and didn't go back to bed until midnight. I slept a little better then but still felt sick when I got up this morning. I don't know if it matters, but I had the hiatal hernia surgery also. Oh I hate being sick at my stomach! :thumbup::thumbup:

Hi. I had my surgery on 7/10 with Dr. Weiss at Hazard. It was an okay experience. I really like Dr. Weiss very much. I had a hiatal hernia repair with my surgery so it was a little different. I've had quiet a bit of pain with it and major amounts of gas. I've been told this is normal with the hernia repair. Dr. Weiss and Anita were great at the hospital. They really took good care of me and I can't complain about the care at all. Good luck with your surgery!

I had eaten about 2 hours prior to laying down

I had my surgery on 7/10 and also had to have the hernia repair at the same time. I didn't know about it either until he found it during surgery. They never mentioned anything about it when I left the hospital, just gave me pain meds--thank goodness!! They didn't help a whole lot but at least when I took them they knocked me out for awhile. I had terrible pain also. My chest area and all the gas was horrible! I have the three little tiny incisions and one on the left bottom side is about 5" long. It is very painful still and hasn't healed up. They gave me the incentive spirometer (can't spell!) to use and it was hard to do with the pain. I've slept in the recliner since my surgery and only slept in the bed for the first time yesterday and I had to sleep in the bed because my tail bone is so sore ( I had a cyst on my tailbone years ago) I can't use the recliner anymore! I only managed to sleep a few hours in the bed because I was getting very sick at my stomach and trying to throw up. I hope this gets better. Don't worry though, the gas does get lots better. I still have it a little and of course certain foods can make it worse but it is tremendously better. I agree with Emmy Lou, I was having the same regrets about the surgery. We just need to hang in there, I'm sure it'll all be worth it in the end. For the ones that are having surgery, I'm sorry if we're scaring you but maybe you'll be better prepared for the pain. No one told me anything and I wish someone would have so I'd have known what to expect. Maybe it'll be better for y'all.

Hi! My name is Missy and I'm from Eastern Kentucky. I was banded on July 10th. It took me over a year to get this surgery approved with my insurance so I was so excited that my time had finally came. It wasn't as bad as my hysterectomy but it wasn't "nothing" as I've read about either. This is a major change and one that is ongoing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sorry at all that I had this surgery, I just wasn't prepared for how long I'd feel bad. It's finally starting to feel better so I'm in a better mood! The only problem I really had was the gas pains! OMG! That was bad! Thank god that is better for the most part now. Is anyone else having problems getting all their protein in? Theres no way I can drink that many shakes a day--not and eat too. I'm on the soft foods part now. I ordered the tasteless protein to add to my eggs and mashed potatoes. I'll feel better when I can do that I'm sure. Good luck to everyone and I'm glad I found this website. :crying:

Hi, I'm Missy I was banded on July 10. I feel remarkably better than I did. I had a little extra pain because of a hiatal hernia that was repaired during surgery. The one big thing with me is that I still can't sleep in my bed. The recliner is driving me nuts! It just feels like the port is pulling out and is uncomfortable when I lay in the bed. Hopefully I can sleep in the bed soon. Is anyone else having problems getting their protein in? Today I am trying something new. I am using 3 oz. cups to manage my protein drinks. I'm trying for 3 oz. every half hour. I am on soft foods so don't really get hungry unless I wait too long to eat. Any suggestions on the protein? The worst part ---the gas pains-- seems to finally be over--thank god! Hope everyone else is doing good.