DeniseC

Hi Everyone! I was banded 4 weeks ago and my port is just to the right of the middle of my tummy. All of the port incision pain is gone but I have some discomfort in my right side and sometimes in the very lower right quadrant area of my abdomen. It feels like something is poking me, or like the kind of side cramp I used to get when I swam. Mostly it's mild discomfort but I can definitely feel like there's something in there. At other times, it takes my breath away. Does this pain/discomfort eventually go away???

I had EXACTLY the same thing when I was first banded and even now (2 months later), sometimes I get referred pain in my lower right hand abdomen. My surgeon says it has to do with the muscle that the port is sown into. He told me to take a few Advil when it happens and that helps a lot. Take care, Denise

I've had them and thought they were really good---very fruity! Denise

I paid upfront two days before the surgery. The funny thing was, when I gave them a check, no one seemed to know what to do with it!!! Denise

My doc had me on Protein shakes, sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles and sugar free fudgesicles. You may want to follow up with your surgeon to see if it's only clear liquids or also what I mentioned above. Good luck! Denise

I had my surgery on November 2nd and my doc was adament that I needed a fill at the 6 week mark. It was already scheduled for me. Their reasoning is that they want their patients to be able to use their new tool to its fullest. Good luck! Denise

Hi Pbandit, My doctor recommended Isopure, which you can get at GNC. They have 40 grams of Protein in a 20 oz bottle and are pretty tasty. I am having a problem getting in enough protein (still on mushies and 3+ weeks away from my first fill) and they seem to do the trick. Good luck! Denise

That's awesome!!! Good for you!!!!! Denise

Hi Everyone, I had my first NSV---I am now wearing size 14W jeans!!! Haven't worn this size in 10 years. I had basically given up on jeans because I hated how they felt. Now I'm really comfortable in them. Denise

Awesome, Julie!!! I'm sure there will be more where that comes from!!! Denise

Same here, Edie. I've been on Effexor XR for about 5 years and am actually 50 lbs lighter than when I started. Are you on the XR (timed release) or the other one? Denise

Thanks for your replies---it really helps a lot to know that I'm not "alone!" I had my first check up this past Friday and they were a little concerned about my nausea and were afraid that I was getting dehydrated. They STRONGLY suggested that I get some Isopure , which I did. Still no real appetite and still pretty sore but getting around much better. I do know I tend to get nauseous with anesthesia but they gave me something in the IV for that. Anyway, at least I'm off the nausea meds now and am going back to work on Monday. Thanks again for all your help. I love this board!!! Denise

Hi Everyone, I had my surgery last thursday, 11/2. Since then, I've had all the expected pain around incisions and LOTS of gas and pain from that, but I have been unable to really get down much of the prescribed liquids on the 2 week post-op diet. I've probably had 1 mug of strained Soup, a few SF popsicles and half a Protein shake. Forget about trying to get to 70 grams of protein per day. The thought of food just turns my stomach. Did you all experience the same thing? I'm a little worried because I know this is not sustainable and there could be adverse affects of this. How long did it take your appetite to come back? I never thought in a million years that the thought of food would actually be a turn off! Denise

I had my surgery last Thursday 11/2 and took this whole week off. It's a good thing I did because I ended up with a lot of nausea and the meds they gave me for that knocked me out! I'll be back to work on Monday though. Everyone is different so just be prepared with a Plan B. Good luck! Denise

Hi Everyone, I had my surery this past Thursday and wanted to report to everyone (especially to those who have not yet been banded) what my experience was. I got to the hospital at 5:30 in the morning, met with everyone from the anesthesiologist to the OR nurses to my surgeon. The last thing I remember was being wheeled down the hall and passing my surgeon in his red surgical hat. Woke up in reovery and had to wait awhile before I could be taken to my room (at this hospital, lapband patients spend one night in the hospital). For the next couple of hours, I was on morphine but asked them to take me off of it by about 4pm and give me the Tylenol 3 they had prescribed (it appears I'm allergic to most of the standard pain meds---they make me itch!) I was sore but managed to get in about 4 walks around the hospital hallways to get rid of some of the gas. I was on IVs all day Thursday and until I left on Friday and my hands and wrists swelled up (I tend to retain a lot of water). In the middle of the night, they started me on an anti nausea drug (in the IV) and woke me up several time to give me the pain meds.On Friday morning, I saw the surgeon, the surgical fellow and the nurse practitioner and they told me I could go home anytime and I finally left around 12:30. I left with several prescriptions: Tylenol 3, Xantac (I don't have acid reflux but they have everyone take it as a precaution), Zofran for nauseau (have to take that for 2 days and then as needed). The Zofran knocks me out for several hours at a time, so I've gotten a LOT of sleep. Today's the last day I have to take it regularly. I haven't had any pain meds today. I am sore but not in a lot of pain. I'm moving pretty slowly and haven't eaten anything. I did weigh myself this morning just to see hwat was going on and I am actually 2 lbs heavier than the day of my surgery---I"m certain it is because of all the IVs! I also have tremendous intestinal gas,which seems to have a mind of its own! LOL Anyway, it went really well and I'm pleased. Thanks to everyone on this board---I've been lurking a lot (and posting some) and you all give great advice!!! Denise

I'm paying a little over $17K in Richmond, VA. It includes 3 months of fills plus some aftercare. Denise

Hi Angela, My surgery is 2 weeks from today and I started my liquid diet this past Monday (Doc requires 2 weeks prior but I thought it would be easier to just start at the beginning of the week). Day 4 is better than days 2 and 3, which were tough. I've been traveling for business all week and my energy is a little low. I weighed myself last night and had lost 4 lbs in 3 days---feels like I should have lost a lot more!!! Denise

Has anyone started their pre-op diet yet? My doctor requires a liquid diet 2 weeks prior and then 2 weeks post surgery. My surgery is Nov 2nd and i started liquids yesterday. I've done it before but it's so hard the first couple of days!!~! Denise

HI, I'm having my surgery on November 2nd with Dr. Alfredo Carbonell at VCU/MCV in Richmond, VA. Denise

Suzanne, I went to Tickerfactory.com and set them up. Then I copied the URLs they gave into my signature. Had to try a couple of times because I didn't know which URLs to pick (they give you choices). Eventually I picked the right ones and it worked. Denise

I'm being banded on November 2nd and I'm looking forward to wearing tall boots as well! Also I want to be able to buy clothes in cute boutiques rather than the plus size section.

I know what you mean! My surgery is Nov 2nd and in the back of my mind, I'm wondering if this will work because nothing else has. But based on the all of the great stories I've seen on this board, I'm keeping the faith that getting banded WILL work and I WILL be successful! Keep the faith geralyng! Denise

I had my gall bladder removed this past June after a trip to the ER. The stuck gallstone was 30mm, which is pretty big, and as a result, my recovery was a bit longer than expected. I had the surgery on a Tuesday morning, spent the night in the hospital and was released late in the afternoon on Wednesday. Was in quite a bit of pain until about Monday (but my main incision was a lot bigger than normal due to the size of the stone) and was on some heavy duty painkillers. Finally got back to work (I work remotely at home---office is in CA) that next Wednesday. Then I couldn't lift more than 20 lbs for 6 weeks. The doc told me that everyone is different in their recovery. Good luck with yours and let us know how it turns out! Denise

Jackye, My surgery is on November 2nd. I'm having it done in Richmond, VA at the VCU/MCV obesity center. Dr. Alfredo Carbonell is my surgeon. Denise

I'm having surgery in November and will be self-pay. My insurance doesn't pay (although other plans thru my company do if the BMI is high enough and there are co-morbidities). I feel like I'm making an investment in myself. From what I understand, there are financing options---I believe Capital One has a plan. Denise