SoccerMomma73

I think most of us felt that way a few days after surgery and before we could have anything even semi-solid. Once you to to food that has a little more constancy to it it will get better, and (I'm hoping) will get better after your first fill (Mine's in 11 days so I'll let ya know!). Hang in there, you can do it!!!

Melissa, that's what we're here for! I am 2 weeks and 2 days post op so I'm still new to this. I had my surgery on a Wednesday and went home Thursday, took very little pain medication while in the hospital (I'd take a hit before I got up and walked). If I was laying in the bed I was fine, once I was up I was fine. It was the act of getting out of bed that hurt (not terribly but very similar to how you felt after your gallbladder surgery) then once I was up I was fine again. I was sleeping on my tummy by night three, at first with a pillow propped under 1 side to support some of the weight, now flat on my tummy. My surgeon apparently puts the port deeper than some others and I can't feel it at all when I'm laying down, I have to really search to find it at all actually. I did have 3-4 days of that "bloated pressury gassy feeling" but my docs nurse had told me to smuggle gas-x into the hospital and I lived off of it for about 4 days and I think it saved my life...that and move, walking, stretching, the more I did, the better I felt. I was back at work (tired) the following Monday. I haven't had any nausea at all. The first week I never felt hungry, then on day seven I woke up starving and stayed that way for a week THEN I got moved up to mushies and now I'm fine, I can get satisfied on the mushy stuff and stay that way for a couple hours. I can eat more than I am supposed to but much less than I would have previously and I can gulp water with no problem but I've continued to lose weight so that's all that matters! My first fill is on Jan. 12 so hopefully that'll reduce the amount I can eat a bit. Like I said I'm 16 days post op and can do pretty much anything I want. I have to remind myself I can't pick up my five year old because I actually forget I just had this done. I feel great, almost had a pair of pants fall off this week at work, and am slowly learning how to not think about food 24/7...that has been the weirdest part for me. I think I've spent my life planning what I would eat next. This morning I sat down to a breakfast 1/2 the size of what I would have normally ate and couldn't finish it...it's an amazing feeling. I have no regrets except wishing I'd done it 2 years ago! Take care and don't worry too much! And ask away! That's why we're here

I can't believe you only have 2 incisions, I have FIVE!!! I'm so jealous. Next summer you'll be a bikini model and I'll be all scarred up...Must go pout now.... I too had the pressure and felt the need to burp...eventually did burp and burp and burp and OHHH felt so much better, are you taking gas-x? It saved my life! Do your best to get the fluids in, it will make your entire recovery easier.

I'm a newbie. I'm 2 weeks post-op today, lost 12 pounds in the 2 week pre-op liquids and 12 pounds post op so far....Granted, that will slow down now that I'm actually "eating" (sort of). I'm not saying 140 pounds in a year isn't possible, but everyone varies (and as you've seen it can vary a lot) and I hate to see you on here a couple months post-op feeling frustrated because you haven't lost as much as you're hoping for. Again, good luck! (my doc recommends 1-2 pounds a week FYI)

Keep in mind it took you a while to get to 290...it'll take a while to get it off. The lap band will help but don't set yourself up for disappointment by expecting too much. Take care and good luck!

I am so happy for you and hope this is the beginning of a thinner, healthier (and eventually pregnant) future for you. Getting approval, pre-op diets...it all gets frustrating as all get out but (2 weeks out) I can say it is so worth it! Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

I'm fairly certain 4 weeks would kill me, seriously :Dancing_wub: I am incredibly proud of you for sticking with it, I broke down and started mushies a couple days early from my 2 weeks of liquids...and I will confess...am doing much better now, not starving all the time, although I'd love a slice of pizza! Go chocolate medi shake go!!!!! You can do it!!!!!

Congrats!! I"m so glad you were approved, now the waiting 'til surgery is torture!!!! (But it's worth it)

Sandy, I'm right there with you. Same surgery date, same starving. I do get a full feeling that I didn't get before but I can eat a significant amount (much more than 4 ounces) before I get it and it's gone quickly, definitely not lasting for 4 hours...I can chug water without a problem. I'm trying to just stay active and eat fairly healthy so at least I don't gain....I will DIE if I gain!!!! Protein does seem to keep me full longer but the protein shakes appear to be going straight through and don't last me any time at all. Don't get discouraged yet! Hopefully the fill will make all the difference in the world for both of us!!

Likely they filled you up with IV fluids while in the hospital, I had the same problem but after 3-4 days it disappeared plus a little extra went with it.

Relax and breathe, you'll be fine. And you've got a zillion people here to help. My doc gave me liquid pain medication but other than that I was back on pills by post-op day 2 with no problem. I was told if I had any issued to split them (as long as they aren't time release) but that hasn't been necessary. Yes, you should have stopped smoking a month ago but you didn't know so now is the time to do it. Breathing after the lap band is a bit of a challenge (for the first couple days) and you are going to need your lungs as healthy as possible. I know you're freaking out and probably wanting to smoke twice as much as usual but for your own good please don't! Again, every surgeon is different but it appears fairly common to have 2 weeks full liquids after the surgery (I had 24 hours clear liquids then full liquids after that). My surgeon requires you to drink 64 ounces of half juice (100% juice)/half Water a day. Everything else I was allowed to eat was essentially sugar free and I found if I didn't do the juice I got weak and shaky (the first week). With you being diabetic (I assume from the metformin) you're going to have a challenge keeping your sugar stable and you really do need advice from your doc. I highly highly HIGHLY recommend this surgery, but if you aren't comfortable doing it so soon and not having answers then by all means don't do it yet. Good luck! Fingers crossed for ya!

Hey everyone! New here and thought I'd say hello and introduce myself. I was banded on 12/16/09 and back to work on 12/21...by noon the first 2 days I was shaky in the knees and thought I'd die but things got easier on day three. The first week was fabulous with no desire to eat at all (which is a bizarre feeling for me!) but by week 2 I was starving to death on liquids so I cheated and moved to mushies....I'm doing okay but not as well as I'd like, not staying full long at all and taking much more to get full than I'd like. First fill on 1/12/10 and hopefully that wll all get a little bit easier! I am walking and hitting the Wii fit daily so, so far so good! I've loved reading your stories and feeling like there are other's out there with me on this journey. Good luck and keep up the good work!

Ahhh, y'all have made me feel almost normal, I'm so glad I found this thread!:biggrin:

I'm just shy of 2 weeks out and in a word...HUNGRY...my surgeon's instructions were full liquids x 2 weeks then start adding slowly. I did fine until day 7, no hunger at all and essentially had to make myself eat but on day 7 woke up at 4:00 a.m. hungry and full liquids just wouldn't do any more.... My energy level is fine but like others above if I do much my incisions get sore. I did manage to start wrestling (carefully) with my 5 year old son again today, it's been killing him not to be able to!