anewbear

Hello, Just thought I would introduce myself here - I am now one week post-op (single incision LAP-BAND® on 17/09/09 in London, UK) through the Healthier Weight clinic. I've got two more weeks of liquids, then a couple of weeks of puréed food until I get to take the pouch for a run on the real stuff. Mercifully, I haven't experienced any complications or difficulties thus far, aside from 'head hunger' and not being a fan of soups/ shakes. I hope this forum will be a source of support and inspiration as I work through this - it's great to find a place with so many other people sharing their own experiences. Kim

I know - love the internets! Nope, no narcotics. The Voltarol is a prescription anti-inflammatory, I think, and that was the strongest thing I had aside from my anesthetic (which I suspect kept me semi-sedated for several hours after I woke). There have been moments of mild discomfort - I don't like my stomach growling because it feels a bit 'strainy' and weird, burping is a bit uncomfortable, but other than that, it's mostly being careful of the wound... Just as well I had no narcotics, really - I had wireless internet in my room and was sending e-mails shortly after I woke to people to say I was okay of which I have NO recollection. Reading some of the ones I discovered in my sent folder from that night have been mildly entertaining.

My surgery was supposed to happen at 8:30 am., but ended up being delayed until 8:30 pm. as my surgeon had an emergency in the morning - which meant I ended up staying in the hospital 2 nights, rather than one, which was expected. Initially, I experienced three types of pain: an aching in my shoulder that's associated with the procedure which made it a bit difficult to get comfortable to sleep at times, a 'inside' pain due to inflammation around the organs that were disrupted during the procedure, and pain at the wound site which made me acutely conscious that I had to be careful bending over or trying to get out of bed (roll out of bed, bend one knee to pick stuff up). While I was in hospital, the pain was managed very well (the highest I ever scored pain was a 4/10, and that was when I was due to be dosed up) with IV paracetamol and a dissolvable anti-inflammatory called Voltarol. With those in my system, I was actually quite comfortable while resting and only experienced some pain when trying to move around in the bed or reach something. During my medicated periods, I used to self-score the pain at about a 2/10 - aware of some discomfort, but not unable to settle as a result of it. When I left the hospital, I switched to chewable paracetamol (I couldn't do the dissolvable one) for two days and took the anti-inflammatory for one more day (it was really vile and I couldn't wait to be clear of it), but really haven't needed anything since then. Since day 4, the only discomfort I have at the wound site - I occasionally have a 'pulling' sensation and it's a bit sore generally, worse when I laugh or sit the wrong way. Nothing that's needed any meds, though. Right now, more than pain, I find myself tired and feeling like a nap in the afternoon - my surgeon said that it can sometimes take 2 - 3 weeks for energy to return to pre-surgery levels. Sorry to go on, but I thought maybe a bit of detail would be helpful. One thing that has struck me continually as interesting is how I am noticeably more comfortable each day. K.

That's great, coverage-wise! My memory is still quite fresh, so feel free to ask anything you might want to, if questions come up as I've just recently come out the other side...looks as if there's a wealth of experience on here.

Thanks, Dave Due to timing, and my desire to go through the Healthier Weight clinic, my surgery was self-funded (visions of a new car have faded into obscurity for a bit) rather than through the NHS. Also, I'm originally from Canada and recently married (to a Brit) so we weren't sure how hard it would be to register with a doctor and immediately request funding (I'm guessing at least a bit difficult). I'm not sure how it works in the US - can you get insurance to cover your procedure? Personally, I found the pre-operative bit worse than anything else so far (because of nerves). Now that I'm done and dusted, I'm really psyched up for what comes next - it's making the Soup bearable! Kim

I have found a nice cookbook with simple recipes that should be available in bookstores or on Amazon: Eating Well after Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray. There are some nice ideas in there for nights when you want to cook, are low-fat and high-Protein, and the book gives serving information specific to LapBand patients.

Hi, I am now one week post-op, and I too was hungry very early on. My surgeon explained to me that it's really important to stay on fluids, since scar tissue has to form on the stomach where the band was placed, to keep it where it needs to be when you start eating real food again. Eating real food right now can cause your stomach to move, and there is a risk the band will move too. If the band is in the wrong place, it's either not going to work properly and you won't lose weight, or it will be up too high and you might not be able to eat anything at all. The liquid phase can be unpleasant - I hate soups and shakes - but in the long run it will be worth it. Hang in there!