MizDiz

Thought I'd post a quick hello from a newbie. I met with my surgeon on 7/13 and have just started the three-month diet/exercise program required for insurance. The family is on board and DH is going to join me in the diet program (although he won't be giving up caffeine, the old coot!). Does anyone out there have any specific iPhone apps that they use to help keep track of diet and/or exercise? Can't wait to meet others here! Sherry

I'm not sure how common this is, but I thought I'd share my story in case it happens to someone else. I had my band surgery on December 22, 2010. I went in for my first fill three weeks after that. The doctor had a difficult time getting the needle to go in the port, which is located just above my belly button. He told me to come back in three more weeks because it could be swelling interfering and not to worry about it too much. In the back of my mind, I thought that it must be flipped. There had been one evening when I was exercising and after a vigorous run, I felt my port "move" (I don't know how else to describe it). Well, over the course of the next three weeks I noticed that the port had begun to stick out; in fact, my esthetician said that it looked like I had two belly buttons - an innie and an outie. The port had also started causing me some discomfort (not really pain, but it was bothersome). At this point, I knew it was flipped. When I went back to the doctor he confirmed this. I had my port fixed this past Friday. It was an out-patient procedure done in the same hospital where my band was placed. They treated it as any other surgery and knocked me completely out. The procedure itself didn't take long. I arrived at the hospital at 8:00am and was discharged at 11:00am. The doctor actually replaced my port with a smaller one and did a 4cc fill while he was in there. The incision is about 3' long and required seven staples. Since I live 2.5 hours away, he sent me home with my very own staple remover and I was able to remove the staples at home Saturday evening (quite an interesting experience). I'm supposed to call in each Friday with a report and a weigh-in. As far as pain goes, I would say that it isn't too bad. The incision itself is sore and my stomach feels like I've done a few too many crunches. It's not nearly as painful as the actual band surgery. I did have quite a bit of abdominal gas the first 24 hours - GasX to the rescue! I'll definitely be wearing my binder when I'm working out, as well as watching more closely what I do until I'm completely healed. I know that I rushed it before and I won't make the same mistake twice. So, there's my flipped port story. Any questions? Ask away!

Glad your port is fixed and good luck with your first fill! I'm sure everything will be fine, but like you, I'm nervous about my port now. Keep me posted on how your first fill goes!

Think of a binder as a huge Ace bandage that goes around your mid-section. It keeps everything snug.

I also had a hernia repaired - one I didn't know I even had! It took me a bit longer to recover (maybe an extra day or two) but other than that, it didn't bother me. From what I've read on the boards, it is quite common.

Well, guess who had a flipped port? ME! Got it fixed on 2/18 and got my first fill then, too. Now maybe I can finally see some weight drop off!

Just above the belly button for me, too!

I ditto LiveStrong. Everyone in my family has it. It's on my iPhone, iPad, laptop, desktop... It's my accountability counter!

I had back pain for about 10 days and then it just went away. I heard varying excuses from trapped gas to the back compensatig for weakened stomach muscles. Since it did go away, I didn't worry about it. Hang in there! It *does* get better!

That's awesome on your weight loss! I am four weeks out tomorrow and am down 13. Loving it!

Had my first follow up today. Doc was impressed and said everything looked good. Then he went to do the fill and nada. The port would not cooperate. Now I have to go back in three weeks to see if it's just swelling or if the stinking thing flipped on me. So, right now I have mixed emotions. I'm happy that I'm doing well but disappointed by the lack of a fil (especially since it is a five hour round trip drive)l. Blah humbug!

I am 15 days post op. Taught on Monday and Tuesday, was too wiped to work Wednesday, pulled 1/2 day of teaching today and am taking off the rest oftoday and tomorrow n I'm still very sore and tired. I thought I'd be able to be back to normal by now and I feel like a wuss for having to ditch my students. How long was it before you felt like yourself again?

I'm making sure I'm getting all my Protein plus my Vitamins. I've been walking some - about 1.5 miles each day since Saturday. I did get a Rx from the doc to help me sleep. I'm hoping to be back to work full time by Monday. Just glad to know that three weeks is more reasonable than two.

Ditto on the bak pain! Mine is in my lower thoracic area (think bra line). It's painful and annoying. My doc said to try Tylenol. Been there, don't that. My only hope is that because it is lower thoracic, if I complain enough I can get an insurance covered breast reduction.

Started back to teaching on Monday and had to take today off. Working with 100+ hormonally challenged teens is stressful enough, much less when my body isn't at 100%! I'm doing well otherwise. Getting in all my protein and sticking to mushies, exercising some each day (although I'm not to the 45 minutes a day that Dr Warnock wants me at), and most of the pain is gone. Cleaned out my closet and got rid of all but 5 pair of pants, an even those are loose. My promise to myself is that I'm not buying any clothes until I can buy them from a non-plus size section of a store. That will be a huge victory!

I can't speak for others but I felt like I had done about 100 stomach crunches too many right after my surgery. I'm just over a week out and I still have moments of soreness every once in a while. Right now I'm fighting the constipation/diarrhea battle, but that will pass (no pun intended). Hope you feel better soon!

Oh, I'm so glad you asked this question! My girls are way too big at DD (I'm only 5' 1"). My doctor and I have already discussed that some surgery will be necessary at a later date. I figure I'll have to have a reduction and a lift, and my goal is to get down to a C whether through weight loss, surgery, or both.

Hi, Lora! I got my band on 12/22, and it looks like we have some similar stats. I haven't been out and about yet, but I have done some walking on the treadmill. I've gone my first 24 hours without anything at all for pain (yeah) and I'm excited to see the weight coming off. This group and this board have been invaluable to me. Don't hesitate to ask questions!

Way to go Vicky!!!! That's awesome!!!

I had my band surgery on 12/22, so it hasn't even been a week yet. I'm feeling pretty good - even cooked Christmas dinner. I was doing 45 minutes of cardio prior to surgery, and I don't mind doing it again, I just don't want to push it too soon or wait too late to start. Make sense?

Thanks for posting this question! I was wondering the same thing. I may get on the elliptical for a moderate amount of walking but wait to hit it in full-force next week. My doctor said to exercise 45 minutes a day with a heart rate of 120, but he didn't say when to start and I forgot to ask!

Question: when did the early December bandsters start exercising? My doc wants me to exercise 45 minutes a day at a heart rate of 120, but he didn't say when to start that and I was too ready to be out of the hospital to ask. I have an elliptical machine but don't know when I should hit it at a full pace. What did y'all do?

That's awesome! Congratulations!!! Our stats are similar. I can't wait to go shopping in the "regular" section of stores and not have to go to specialty stores. In fact, I'm just belting my clothes until I can do just that. No buying new clothes until they are a 16 or below!