voodoo

I felt mine after the surgery for a couple for weeks...especially when I would move. It was weird and I didn't like it. But now I don't feel it at all. My port is a little sore once in awhile, but that's it. I've read that once it scars in place you stop feeling it.

Sounds like you are not getting enough Water. This will help a lot with the deflated look. Are you drinking caffenated drinks? They are dehydrating. Also...smoking dulls the skin. Sounds like you could use a mild peel to help bring that "glow" back to the face. If you aren't exfoliating then you will get dead skin build up...this will dull the skin quickly. pumpkin or lactic peels are good for this. You can do an at home peel and mask for cheap and it's fantastic for the skin. Ingredients 1/2 avocado 1/4 banana 2-3 TBs full fat plain yogurt 1-2 TBs Honey Avocado has so many awesome qualities for the skin. It nourishes it and moisturizes like crazy. Banana is healing and moisturizing. The lactic acid in yogurt will "eat" away the dead stuff. Expect it to tingle. Honey is humectant which means it draws moisture to itself from the air. Mix them thoroughly and slather on clean face (neck and chest if you have enough). It will feel funny and it kinda looks like someone puked on you...but its worth it. Leave on 15-20 minutes. Rinse off. (BTW...I'm an aesthetician.)

After I read that one of the causes of RLS was Iron defeciency I went and bought SLOW FE (gentle iron) and THAT night my legs were fine. I haven't had an episode since getting the iron. If others have RLS and it doesn't relate to iron issues, there is a great natural oil made for RLS and it works. I have 2 friends who have it and this stuff helps. You rub in on at night...no RLS. NIGHT TIME LEG CALM for Restless Leg Syndrome

For scars and stretch marks... Rosehip seed oil works wonders. To tighten skin...you can add any (or all) of the following active ingredients to a regular lotion (cetafil or jergens, whatever - nothing with AHAs) they will assisit in keeping the skin tight. But remember, you are still dealing with genetics. Centella Asiatica (firms and tightens, produces collagen) L-Carnitine (increases skin elasticity) Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP): increases elasticity, stimulates collagen synthesis The site where you you can get this will also teach you how to use it. It's not tough. If you can make a cake, you can do this. The high end (and very expensive) products use these actives in their mixes and charge out the wa-zoo. Of the actives above, MAP is the most expensive and it's only $11.50. Fast Shopping Staying hydrated will help a lot as well. There is also Thermage. The results are awesome. NATURAL SKIN RENEWAL MEANS NATURAL LOOKING RESULTS I will be doing this if my skin sags. Good luck.

I had considered that, but I have been working out. Plus this only happens at night when I go to bed. I just did some research and it appears that Iron deficiency is one of the causes of RLS. However, if that's my problem, wouldn't more people have reported it here? :biggrin: I'm confused! I hope you are right about the anesthesia. That means there's an end in sight. EDIT: I just spoke with the nurse and she said anesthesia would NOT have that side effect. She agreed (based on my pre-surgery lab work) that I may need some iron. I was already on the low end to begin with. So now...I don't feel so crazy.

Mm-hm...and are these people doctors? Do these people know what damage co-morbidities can do to you? Sometimes other people's fears of things make them project negatively about the topic. Be careful not to let that get to you. It may their own fears talking. My favorite part of the surgery was when the doctor said, "We're gonna give you something to relax you." I was like, "Okay..." The next thing I knew (felt like a second later - really) the recovery nurses were yelling at me. (Jeez, they're like drill sergeants!) "Do this! Do that! You need to do this! Do feel nauseated?!" I was thinking, "Where the hell am I? Why can't I move my arms or open my eyes? Where's the ice cream? (lol-j/k)" It's a bizarre experience...new sensations aplenty. But it isn't bad...it's WEIRD. The team that was taking care of me covered ALL bases to make sure everything was in sync... like what my meds were, if I had allergies, if I or anyone in my family had a bad reaction to anesthesia, etc. I got asked five different times! They really work hard to make sure that the moment you are under their care, nothing bad happens to you. If you are having any discomfort or worries, tell somebody right away. You should never have to suffer. The surgery itself is fast! Like 45 minutes! I think a manicure takes longer. My doctor does about 6 of these a WEEK. He probably could do it with his eyes closed. You will be just fine, lady.:mad: And when you wake up, for a few minutes (to a few weeks), you will wonder what you've gotten yourself into. Not gonna sugar coat this part... because your body is a little shocked, but with even ONE support person at home with you and this board, you'll pass through that fog, no problem. This was my first surgery and everything went very well. In a few days, you'll be back on the boards asking all the same questions most of the baby banders do. Then you'll be a part of our "secret" club.:wink2: First you gotta learn the hand shake. Anyone remember what it is?

HA! I got all three!! First, the sneezing. Then it shifted to hiccups...now I just burp like a truck driver! (No offense to truck drivers:tongue2:)

Jeez! I didn't realize that the needle was the size of an ice pick! Thank God they numbed me first. And the nurse was pushing in DEEP. I'm like, "uh, no...that's my spine." It was very strange. Discovered that I already had 3cc's in the band. Doc and nurse were surprised. I told them that I didn't have any restriction since the swelling went down. "Normal" they said. So they added 1 cc giving me a total of 4 out of 10 cc's. But what the HELL is with the hiccups, folks?! I NEVER get hiccups and now after I eat, I burp (like a MAN!), and them BAM... hiccups like there's no tomorrow. Please tell me what's up with that? First it was the sneezing...now the hiccups. :thumbup:

It might be your gallbladder...which is tucked up under the liver. I notice gallbladder pain when I do one of two things... 1) Eat high fat junk food (which of course I don't do anymore) and 2) When I take certain meds on an empty stomach (usually darvocet) For me it feels like pain in that side that radiates to my back and shoulder. I have read that when the body is processing a lot of fat it can make the gallbladder unhappy. You are on just liquids now, right?

My surgery was on Dec. 15. Like they said, everyone is different, but if it is anything like mine then... Your abdomen will be sore and standing completely upright will be difficult. My abdomen was bloated and swollen so I hunched a little. The gas pains (it sits in the shoulder) can linger awhile...mine lasted a day and that's it. You don't realize how much you use your abdomen for everything! I would smile and be like, "Ow, my stomach!" Ok...it's not that bad:tongue2:, but much of our movement uses the tummy. And God forbid you're watching some funny movie and have to laugh! I still catch myself grabbing my stomach when I go to laugh, even though it's not required anymore. :thumbup: The worst part of it for me was the back pain. My back seized up because I was compensating for not using my abs. This made sleeping difficult. For the first week I slept poorly. Also I was constantly hungry. The crazy, hard rumbling hungry. I personally could not have gotten up and gone ANYWHERE in the first week. But that's me. You are much younger and might have quicker "bounce back" than many of us. Weakness hung out with me for about 3 weeks then suddenly cleared as soon as I started eating more Protein. You might start feeling sad about this because it feels like forever. But it DOES PASS. Don't let it bring you down. Again...I think your age will benefit you tremendously. This board was a sanity-saver for me, so I would recommend using it often. Just knowing that all the crazy-weird things that were happening to me were normal, made all the difference in how I felt about what was going on.

Yay! I'm so glad it was a good experience for you. It's nice to know what to expect now. Let the shrinking begin! :biggrin:

First fill was yesterday...on full liquids for 24 hours. So I'm at my desk drinking Water and whammo...major nausea. :thumbup: The kind that if you give into it at all you WILL hurl right there. Mouth full of saliva...ugh... I was able to talk myself out of it (I hate vomiting, even pre-band). I breathed slowly, sat there with my eyes shut... and the wave passed within a minute or two. Did this happen because I drank too much too fast? Because I drank my Carnation earlier without incident and I kinda threw a few gulps down on that one.

I know what mean about courage. I didn't like my pic taken when I wasn't fat! You can totally see a difference and you look great. Lovely children, too! :thumbup:

LOL! I love that! That had to feel very, very good. I'm happy for you guys! :thumbup:

I guess I should admit that I have always burped like that. It's a skill I have mastered from a very young age. But the problem is that now it's all the time! It's to the point where my very tolerant husband goes, "Could you give a rest, sweetie? Tryin' to watch the game..." My fear is that I'll accidentally roar one out in public. :thumbup:

"OMG, I have my first fill tomorrow! Crap---it's the size of an ice pick? Did you feel how deep, really?" I didn't feel anything. It's just very strange to have someone "skewering" you like that. I am super fearful of needles... enough that I intensify the pain (in my head) with my anxiety. They numbed me and it was all just pressure after that. I didn't watch...no way. I also applied EMLA cream on the port site an hour before so I didn't even feel the numbing needle. Again...major chicken here. I'm sorry...I didn't mean to cause a freak out. If I can do it...anyone can. Trust me.

Funny because I just read another thread where someone said that drinking Water works for her. Mind you...she said sipping doesn't work. According to her you have to gulp it. It forces nausea and causes your stomach to pump it right back up. I haven't been filled yet so have yet to be a part of the stuck group. I'm nervous...

People talk about getting food stuck as it goes down, but I thought food is supposed to fill the pouch and make you full sooner. So how does it fill and make you full if the food is constantly slipping through to your "real" stomach?

"Let's just say that I'm now suffering from serious carb overload and I want to kill myself for being so stupid and weak." If you've gotten the lap band (and endured the minor miseries) then you are neither stupid nor weak. But I'm with you on the movie theater making me want to break good habits! Ack! And thanks to all for the clarifications. It's all about that "signal" to the brain. Now I get it.

"i woke up and my back was killing me." Ah, my favorite part (not). My back seized up, too and I had to sleep in a recliner for a few days until I couldn't stand not moving around. I moved to the bed and had to sleep on my right side for awhile. Then I bought a body pillow so that I could prop it between my legs and hang my arm over it...keeping that weight from pulling down on my abdomen. It helped a lot to suspend my limbs like that. I was weak for about 2 weeks. It made me sad and a little worried, but the ladies here put me straight. It passes...there is an end in sight.

Thank you. Though I get the stuck part, it's the whole "staying full" theory that gets me. Because if it's moving through the port then it ain't sitting in the pouch. Know what I mean? It obviously works for everybody, I just don't quite get it. :smile2:

I am not a sneezer. I don't have allergies. Unless I directly breath in dust or something...I do not sneeze. But since the surgery I sneeze often. Is this a weird side effect or something? Thank goodness my incisions don't hurt anymore because it was like a punch in the gut when I'd sneeze.

I'm curious because I see people talking about eating things that I have been forbidden to eat...ever (rice, bread, Pasta, etc. - foods that might clump) Plus I wanted to see how much food one takes in on a typical day...the routine, the amount. I don't plan on being a measure freak, but I want to gauge what it's like. Thanks!

Thank you for the replies. It's fascinating that you are able to eat as much as you do because I was told that the pouch is the size of the tip of my thumb. I assumed it was more like the size of a golf ball. I haven't had a fill yet and I find that I'm hungry more often now than I was pre surgery. Which bites! But I am excited that one can work outside the box (rules) of eating and still lose weight.

I was banded 9 days ago and although the aches are mostly gone I still feel so weak. I take a shower and I'm ready for a nap. How am I ever gonna exercise if I can't even fold my clothes without feeling like I need to lie down afterwards? Tell me it passes pretty soon. Ugh... I am now allowed to add creamy Soups and my Vitamins to my diet, but that hasn't given me the boost I thought it would. When does the light begin to shine?