Erika41910

Thank you Band_Groupie. I am trying drinking my coffee first. Another question: Is it normal to have pain with the first couple bites of food during most meals? I chew chew chew, and as soon as the food gets into the pouch, it hurts. It could be soft food, but its like I have to plug it up (sorry, not able to describe it with a better term) before I can continue eating. Once the pain subsides, I can usually eat approximately a cup of food, and then I feel full. I hope i'm not sounding crazy, but I would appreciate any feedback. :thumbup:

That freaked me out to read that the pouch can be stretched out. :thumbup: I feel discomfort when i'm getting full. Would we feel more discomfort if it is stretching?

Since my last fill, I experience similar events. When I wake up in the mornings, I feel like it's really tight. I can barely get anything down for the first hour, but by the end of the day, I feel like I have a lot less restriction. Is this normal?

I feel the same way. It seems like I can eat almost anything (not that I do, but I've realized that I can). I feel like the food goes right through when I chew it up well, but if I don't chew it up until it's a puree, it hurts. I I don't need a fill because a day after my last one 2 weeks ago (.9cc), it closed, and my doctor had to remove .5cc so I could get liquid down. I don't understand what's going on sometimes.

Did you already have an IV in your hand/arm? The anesthesiologists usually give something just to relax you as they are preparing to take you to the O.R. Sometimes that medication will knock-out a person.

I was feeling like that after each fill. I would feel restriction immediately, then it seemed like after about a week, I wouldn't feel much restriction at all. Today I had my 3rd fill, and I feel a lot of restriction now. I have my fingers crossed that this is the fill that will do it.

When I got my last fill, I thought it was too tight, but i'm feeling hungry all the time, and i can get in a lot of food it seems (I chew it up well). Am I chewing too much? What types of foods are typical at this point?

I was banded 6 weeks ago, and was having pains at the port site. The pain got so irritating that I went to see my doctor. He told me the fascia (abdominal lining) is very sensitive for some people. He injected lidocaine in a few areas surrounding the port. Amazing!! Instant relief! That was 10 days ago. Even though he offered to inject more lidocaine if I needed it, I spent about 7 days really being careful; not bending over too far without supporting my port area with my hand, not lifting, etc. I went to get my 2nd fill today, and was so happy to report that the pain is about 80% better. Hope this was helpful!:Dancing_biggrin:

It is definitely something that can be done, but the question is are you considering the Lap Band to be healthier, or as a quick fix. If a quick fix, you probably won't be successfull because it is a huge committment. If I were going to travel, I would turn it into a learning experience, and see how strong my willpower was. Hope you find the answer you're looking for. Good Luck!

I'm looking for the same answer. I had my first fill a couple weeks ago, and I have days where I feel like I could eat a horse (seems like I have the room for it too). I think i'm confused because if I chew my food up 40 times, I feel like it goes right through. I find if I don't chew it up well, I feel full for a while. I get another fill this Thursday. I really hope this does the trick. :thumbup:

I can feel my port. I'm not bothered by it, but does anyone else have pain or tenderness when you put any pressure on it? I am 4 weeks post-op, and it feels soooo tender in that area.

Congratulations! If you don't inspire all the pre-surgery people, I don't know what will! :laugh: I'm happy and proud of you!

Dear Alliebear, I'm sorry you had an experience like that. Hang in there; you WILL feel better. I had the gas pains too, and they got a little better each day. Even though the doctor said a heating pad probably wouldn't help it, I put one on my left shoulder whenever I could. It may be in my head, but I think it helped me. About a week and a half later, I didn't feel the gas pains anymore. I am 3 weeks post op as of tomorrow, and I am still tender (not painful) near the incision where my port is, but all the rest are fine. it will get better.

The nurse told me they probably would put in a catheter, but my surgeon would skip it if I peed right before I went in to surgery. I took my butt down to the restroom so fast and peed, and they didn't put a catheter in. I remember waking up about 6 hours later feeling the urge to pee, so the nurse helped me walk over to the restroom (I stayed one night). I'm sure it can be avoided, but I would ask your surgeon.

I was banded 2 weeks ago. I was feeling great, and the last few days have been miserable. I feel sooo weak and all I want to do is sleep. I'm meeting my Protein requirements, and getting all my Vitamins & supplements. Is this normal, and when will it go away?

Hi Chocolatedream, I was just banded 10 days ago. I wouldn't stress yourself out. Hundreds and thousands of people are getting the bands for the same reasons, and it's so common now that the surgeons, and anesthesiologists are very prepared for patients like us. While I was in the pre-op area getting ready to go into surgery, the anesthesiologist came to speak to me personally. He asked me everything about my history from allergies, previous anesthesia, breathing issues, etc. They can anticipate what might come up, if anything, and be prepared. The good thing is that it is a fairly quick surgery, so you will only be under anesthesia for about 60-90 minutes. My experience was awesome. While in recovery, they were very attentive, and were constantly checking my vitals, pain level, and labs. May I ask where in California you are? I am in Southern California. Erika

Hi Everyone, I am new also to this process (forum). This is my very first post. I am 5 days post-op, and I have to say, I thought it was going to be much worse. I do have some abdominal pain (expected) that goes away quickly with vicodin. Even though I knew I wanted the band, I had a little voice inside telling me that I will still be hungry, and what are you gonna do when you are starving, and can only have a crumb compared to your usual meals. Well, I have a lot of confidence in myself knowing I got through the full week of liquid. I never thought that would be possible. It is!!! I am here because I know I need support, and I want to learn from others who have been through it, and support other people that are just starting. Good luck to everyone, Erika