Brand New Me Starts This Week! Had Lap Band Surgery Monday

[Venicegurl79 1]

Hello! I'm Nicole and I have been following these posts all week while laying here in bed and they are so inspirational! I had my band put on this past Monday, 12/12/11. I had checked in at 7am, sent into the OR at around 8:15 and out into recovery around 10:30, well at least that's when I came to. When I woke up I had the worst pain ever, for me, worse than childbirth! My chest was on fire, felt like a knife was shoved up under my breastbone and was never coming out. They were giving me drug after drug and nothing was helping. Once my Dr. came to check on me, he said that he had to fix a hernia he found. Well I guess that was part of the pain. I took my first walk, barely making it back to my chair before I had the urge to throw up. I never did, just (sorry for the grossness!) spitting a lot. I was able to leave just before 12pm and when I got home, the pain did not get any better. I was not comfortable sitting, standing, lying down, nothing! I couldn't believe the amount of pain I was in. I barely slept for the first 24 hours. But thankfully by Tuesday morning I was feeling better. I could get up and walk around the house without major issue. No hunger at all! It was such a nice feeling to not have a gnawing feeling going on. I'm now on day 4, well night 4 and I'm feeling pretty ok. I have the pain a little more in my chest again, but I think it's from drinking too fast. I've been walking and running light errands, just every once in a while I get that weird feeling like I had to burp, but the pain is intense and almost takes me to my knees. Hopefully this gets better!

Sorry for the short novel! I'm looking forward to getting to know a lot of you and continue to be inspired and motivated.

Thank you!!

Nicole

[KhadijahRose 66]

Wow, sounds intense! I haven't been banded yet but I enjoy reading peoples first experience with the band. I hope you get better soon and good luck on your journey

[brendap 2]

Hi Nicole! I was banded on Dec 7th ( my new birthday). Although I was VERY lucky, I had hardly ANY pain, just alot of soreness in my stomach area. I have seen many posts about the pain in the chest and nausea. I know I was very blessed and lucky to be spared. Our whole way of thinking when it comes to eating and drinking has changed. My nurse told me " you have to take small sips or swallows and breathe in between each one to let it go down. and when you eat, take very small bites, like 1/2 tsp full and wait for it to go down so it doesnt back up in your throat." I have been following her instructions. I can only eat about 1/4 of mushies and I feel full. Im losing about a pound a day a total of 13 pounds since surgery. I feel better, I am extremely happy and everyone around me can tell. We have made a great decision getting the lap band, one that will be greatly rewarding in the future. Good luck in your weightloss adventure and keep us posted on how you are doing! Welcome to the other side!!

[kath109 1]

Hi Nicole,

Sounds like a rough start but sure that with every day you will feel better. I was banded on 12/5 with a hernia repair too but I was more fortunate with my recovery -- somehow I escaped the nausea and the pain was manageable with the meds but I agree with above post -- we HAVE made a great decision. I feel so different, like I have a new found motivation and determnation that I never had when I was dieting. It really is a new life. I lost 13 pounds the week prior to surgery (liquids) and another 5 pounds 1 week post op (total of 24 lbs if I include the few lbs I lost from my highest weight this summer!). I am only weighing myself weekly so will know monday how much I have lost this past week but I can tell I am losing because my cllothes are already feeeling looser, Love the feeling!!! Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Kath

[Asherscrashers 43]

Hi nicole! It gets better and easier I promise ... U soon will love your band.. I had a ton of pain too I slept in the recliner for.2 weeks lol! But now I am 8 months out and lost 82lbs so far and lost 3 almost 4 pants sizes... Just follow your drs plan and you will do great!

[LB4Me 35]

First, I think some doctors release you from the hospital too soon. An hour and 1/2 in recovery after full anestsia is just not enough. If you are not already using it, try GasX strips for the gas pain.

As the others said, it does get better and soon you will be wondering why you didn't do it sooner. I had my 2nd fill today and I love my band.

All the best!

[Venicegurl79 1]

Thank you for all the replies! I feel so much better today, just a little sore around the incisions, but that's it. Still not hungry which is so nice! I have become a tea junkie and constantly looking for new exciting ones. So far its vanilla Chai, Coconut Vanilla and Gingerbread. So those and Miso Soup are my staples.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

[SkinnyMiniMe 63]

Happy Band-Day to us! I had my band put I'm12/12. Yes I experienced discomfort some pain but I am completely off all pain meds and no hunger! So far the most difficult part was making it to that OR table. Very emotional time for me and mostly because I can't believe that I had become powerless against food. Now my future seems so bright and i am so thrilled for myself and all of bandsters that we have taken control. It feels so empowering. I love myself for getting the band, I love my band and I love everyone that supported me along the way.

Good luck to all of us!