75Cowgirl

Hey JoiaRox! I just wanted you to know that I feel the exact same way. I go for my second fill tomorrow and I sure hope that I will have some restriction. I am very frustrated right now. So pretty much everything you are feeling, I am right there with you. Hang in there, though, it has to get better. By the way, I checked out your blog and I really enjoyed reading about your journey. Keep it up, you are inspiration! Celia

Hey Cherielyn, I had my first fill yesterday and I am glad to know that someone else out there fills like I do about it. I feel no different, other than I had to be on liquids for the rest of yesterday, all is back to normal today. However, my doctor starts of the first fill by you going and having an ultrasound to see exactly where the port is and how deep it is, X marks the spot. Then his nurse sprays this stuff on your skin, and it burns for a second, then they gave me a shot of novacane. After that he comes in and does the fill and you go out and drink a bottle of water and it is over. I did have to do a crunch when he was feeling around for the right spot with the needle, but I could not feel it. I go back on March 4 for my second fill. I am down 22 since I started this in mid-November. So congrats on the weight loss! Celia

I did not have stitches on the outside, I guess I am glued shut, but my doctor said that the strip of tape would fall off in 7 to 14 days and that nothing else had to be done. I think that you will be fine. I hope this helps, however, I know that we are all having different experiences and every doctor is different. Call the doctor if you are not sure! Also, check your discharge papers for any instructions on this.

I totally agree! My husband has been trying to do the no drinking with me, which is really sweet, but he can't do it. I hate that it means no spicy-spicy food, but it will all be worth it! Celia

Congrats Jennifer! I am so glad that your surgery went good. I hope that your day goes good with teaching your class. Take it slow and you will be back to yourself in no time!:thumbup: Celia

Oh my! I never thought about stitches. I guess that I am glued together. Isn't funny how doctors performing the same procedure do things so totally different. Anyway, my places are healing nicely although I do have some skin irritation on one, I guess from the tape, but it is not on the other 4. As far as Protein drinks, the only thing that I found that I could remotely stand is Isopure. It is okay, but still not wonderful. Someone should really make something that taste good, or atleast less medicinal!

I had surgery on January 4. My shoulder pain lasted for I know the first week and then I remember a couple of days the second week that my shoulder would hurt only when I laid down. I hope this helps, and I am curious to see what everyone else had! Celia:rolleyes2:

Congrats on making it to mushies! As far as I know, my Lap-Band is not filled. I do have some restriction, but I am looking forward to my first fill on February 3! Celia:thumbup:

Congrats on the surgery! I know that you are excited and I am so glad to hear that all went well. The pain gets better, I promise, just move around and take your meds. I had surgery on the 4th and I still can't believe that it is done. It is amazing! Good luck on the rest of your journey, wish I could help on the liquid thing, but my doctor only required it for 5 to 8 days, that time flew by. Celia:thumbup:

Hey Mary! Congrats on the band. I am glad to hear that you are feeling good. I drank Protein shakes for some of my calories and all of my protein. Fortunately, my doctor only had me on clear liquids the day of surgery, then we go to full liquids. Then, depending on how you feel, sometime between days 4-7 you get to do one day of mussies, then move to regular food. I wish you a lot of luck! The shoulder pain will get better in time! Celia

Hi! My shoulders bothered me because of gas. I took gas-x strips and got up and walked as much as possible. But I did hurt for almost a week. Also, I found a heating pad to be very comforting. Hope this helps! Celia

I really hope that all goes well for you! I had surgery on the 4th and my doctor fixed my hernia. He said that it was very large and put the band on. All is great now, however I think that it make the recovery a little bit more painful. Wishing you all the best! Celia:thumbup:

Lisa, I am so excited for you! I know that everything will be okay. I was nervous up until the time I was put to sleep, which I think is totally normal. Good luck and I will be thinking of you tomorrow! Celia

Hey, Claricey! I just wanted you to know that I felt alot of the same feelings and sinsations. I tried a heating pad on the lower part of my abdomen, I was scared to put it over the incisions, but I think that it helped out tremindously. Hope you get to feeling better soon! Celia

Another thing you should think about is do you have a hiatal hernia that will need to be repaired. I did have a large hernia that was fixed and I imagine that is probably where the pain and soreness is coming from, other than the port site. But my doctor did not know how large my hernia would be until he saw it. Good luck!

Oh, my! I had surgery on Monday, January 4. There is no way that I could stand to go to a concert tonight (2days later). I am still uncomfortable and I just don't think I would take the chance in something happening. Good luck on your decision! Celia

Hey Mandy! Thanks! The only other thing that I can really think of is pillows. Right now I am sleeping with 4. I have always slept with 2, one under my head and one behind it, but now I am sleeping on my right side with one pillow infront of me and one pillow behind me. Sometimes it also helps to hold a pillow on your stomach, for some reason the little bit of pressure makes it feel better. My stomach is still a little swollen, but it does feel a little better today. Don't forget other stuff like chap stick and lotion. You will be dried out after surgery. Good luck! Celia:thumbup:

Hi! My name is Celia and I was banded yesterday, 1/4/10. I hope that you do not mind me joining in your group. I have been lurking around for a few weeks and I have decided to speak up. My surgery was done out patient, although I was there from very early in the morning til almost dark. I had a large hernia that my doctor repaired and I believe that is where most of my pain is coming from. Gas is also another problem, so please make sure that you have some Gas-X strips. They are wonderful. My doctor put me on a diet 2 weeks prior to surgery that was low carb. No more than 15 grams of carbs per meal. Then 48 hours before surgery, I had to do clear liquids. Surgery day was clear liquids and today was full liquids. Around day 4 to 7 I can start on soft foods. I have pretty much been able to get up and do as I needed to at home with little help, but I have napped a good bit today. I think that being banded is the greatest way to strat off the new year and I am so looking forward to this time next year to see how far we have all come. Good luck to all!