December Bandsters!! How Ya Feeling??

[kewlshort1 4]

I was banded December 19th, and it has been a breeze. I had major nausea post-op, even with the patch and maxed out on IV nausea meds, but only had it the day of surgery. I had very little gas pain, and none in my shoulder. It was just a pressure under my sternum, and passed after post op day one. My dr is less strict than many, so I have been eating regular food for almost a week now. I have no Fluid in my band yet, so I have had no problems eating anything. I mostly have head-hunger over real hunger though, so I'm constantly having to ask myself if I'm really hungry or just bored, etc. I won't get my first fill until the end of January, and I'm anxious for it to get here. I'm down about 20 lbs, but haven't lost anything over the past 5 days or so.

[Yankeechic 0]

I was banded with stomach plication (anyone else have this?) on the 27th. I had horrible nausea and dry-heaving the first two days which was extremely frightening and painful. Feeling much, much better now, but having a hard time deciphering what my body is trying to tell me when it comes to food. I'm only hungry first thing in the morning, but make myself eat every 4 hours (liquids only). I have strange sensations in my belly about 30 minutes after I eat, sometimes a little uncomfortable...what is that?? Also, unless I am sitting very straight and upright, I can feel a hardness near my sternum, which I'm assuming I my band. But I didn't think I should be able to feel it!!?? Maybe it's still from swelling?...

[1208 0]

Hellar...I was banded the 8th...so far lost about 26 pounds. Loosing the weight is great but the reason I did the procedure was to get me off all my meds. So tired of swallowing pills-injecting insulin-and wear the apnea mask. It got to the point where getting down 8 meds a night-shooting 55 units of insulin-and filling the machine up with Water so I can go to bed every night was so exhausting...life change for stress free peace at night. 28 days post op and I am down to 6 meds and 20 units of insulin...now that's what I am talking about

Question: My port area feels like its tugging sometimes...not bad but its a real feeling I am having. Some other posts said its because its connected to my muscle which makes sense now that I know that...bending down is very uncomfortable...if anyone has any helpful things to do or not to do please let me know. Thanks

Resting in bed...got stuck on the HSN channel...ordered me a very nice treadmill that will be here around the middle of January. Till then gotta walk walk walk...but my port area bothers me...just gotta work through it I guess....

[LittleGirlBlue 24]

I was banded on December 23rd- band and hiatal hernia repair. Have done relatively well until today. I started mushies last Friday. Today went out with my family and ordered mashed potatoes and gravy (that's a mushie right?). Had the worst experience ever and the most pain ever. I ate slowly about 3/4 a cup maybe less. Felt like my chest was closing in severe pain under my breastbone and left shoulder. Could barely breathe. BelchIng (not productive) and hiccups that hurt like never before. I could actually feel pain in my stomach as it contracted with each hiccup. It took nearly two hours to pass.

[workinprogress0180 9]

I was banded on December 23rd- band and hiatal hernia repair. Have done relatively well until today. I started mushies last Friday. Today went out with my family and ordered mashed potatoes and gravy (that's a mushie right?). Had the worst experience ever and the most pain ever. I ate slowly about 3/4 a cup maybe less. Felt like my chest was closing in severe pain under my breastbone and left shoulder. Could barely breathe. BelchIng (not productive) and hiccups that hurt like never before. I could actually feel pain in my stomach as it contracted with each hiccup. It took nearly two hours to pass.

Hey ,

to previous poster...I got banded on the 22nd of December, the day before you. They told me I couldnt do mushies for another week (2 weeks after surgery). You were allowed to start mushies already? Just curious because I am soooo ready for mushies but I dont want to rush things unnecessarily!

Crystal

[laddie1229 18]

Yankeechic my doc did the plication. I did experience nausea right after surgery. By the time I left the hospital that afternoon it had subsided. I will be on a full liquid diet until the 11th. I was banded 12/29. I am hungry first thing in the morning and then late evening. Hot Cereal or Soup usually takes care of it.

[laddie1229 18]

Xiolablue I was banded 12/29 and will be on full liquids till the 11th. I have noticed most start our mushies and solid food depending on what our surgeons want. My pouch will only hold 2 ounces in the beginning and perhaps you overate? Also maybe you are not completely healed. That is why I think a lot of us are on liquids for 2 weeks. Listen to your band and it will tell you enough. Mine is already. Good luck and congrats.

[haapae1976 1]

I was banded on the 7th of Dec, for the past 3 daysI feel like I have a lump in my throat when I swallow. My nutritionist says it is common and can last a couple wks, I see the dr on Jan 11 for y 1st fill. This upcomming wed. It is solid foods for me (yeah). Otherwise besides the annoying lump feeling when I swallow I am doing incredible, down 28lbs. Has anyone else experienced this?

[haapae1976 1]

Hey ,

to previous poster...I got banded on the 22nd of December, the day before you. They told me I couldnt do mushies for another week (2 weeks after surgery). You were allowed to start mushies already? Just curious because I am soooo ready for mushies but I dont want to rush things unnecessarily!

Crystal

[haapae1976 1]

I might have some insight. I was banded on the 7th. I was on Clear Liquids for 2 wks-it sucks,be creativeand follow the timeline. Wk 3-4 are purees, wk 5 start solid( I am not at week 5 yet), but when I started mooshie foods (mashedtaters shld b watered down. In fact everything shouid be applesauce consistancy). I felt the gas pains like, if I passed gas or burped I would feel better, that didn't work, I ws miserable, I couldn't go to the bathroom (took milk of mag per dr and felt huge relief). I did ask when I saw her on dec 28th y the timeline for clear liqs- purees - solid, she said it is allowing your stomach to heal because there has been trauma to the stomacg it is swollen and needs healing time. If you eat to soon purees the swelling and the stomach aren't really ready for it. I told her my family was going out to dinner tonight and she was adamant that I stick to purees, so we wete at a seafood resturant so I had a cup of clam chowder, my dr and I had discussed what I should order there. If you go out to eat before wk 5 my dr said to stick to Soup. Does this help?

[LittleGirlBlue 24]

Hey ,

to previous poster...I got banded on the 22nd of December, the day before you. They told me I couldnt do mushies for another week (2 weeks after surgery). You were allowed to start mushies already? Just curious because I am soooo ready for mushies but I dont want to rush things unnecessarily!

Crystal

[LittleGirlBlue 24]

I noticed that the surgeons were I was banded put the low bmi banders on mushies week two. Regular bmi bandsters don't go on mushies until week three. A little crazy because I'm not sure bmi has anything to so with the rate at which you heal. I'm going back to liquids a few days- at least until this lingering chest pain goes away:) thank you all- I'm thinking the mashed potato incident was a combination of both too much and consistency... Learning to listen, that is the challenge.

[jennilamb007 10]

I was banded on December 22nd and I have lost 22 pounds so far (12 pounds since surgery). I feel pretty good, just getting past the post-op healing process. I have some pain in my lower abdomen that I am pretty sure is a pulled abdominal muscle. There is a hard bulge on my left side in my ribs that feels a lot like a baby's foot stuck there (pregnancy memories). There is zero pain around my incision sites (5 of them). I haven't been hungry. In fact, I get full pretty quickly. I know a lot of people were on liquids for a while after the surgery. I was allowed to advance as tolerated and was able to eat mashed potatoes for Christmas (2 tablespoons though). I usually start my day with a Protein Shake because that is about all I want. No nausea, no vomiting at all. I can't wait to see what 2012 brings.

[sandybraman 18]

I had my surgery on 12/30 and still feel like I've been hit by a truck. The gas pain comes and goes, but the port site hurts (I'm carrying a small pillow around - really helps with burping and coughing) and I ache all over. I think a lot of it has to do with the anesthetic: I asked the anesthesiologist to lighten up on it a little bit because I'm way sensitive to it, but he didn't. Drinking Water and zero water, eating sugar free Jello and had a Protein Shake for Breakfast this morning. I think I drank it too fast - feel uncomfortably "full" right now. But I'm walking and I feel better than yesterday, so that's good - right?!!!!

[blondeblueeyes 3]

Had my surgery on the 29th, and truly the first four days have not been fun. From the gas pains, shoulder hurting, burping & a elephant sitting on my chest it's been a rough four days. Today I contacted my doctor because of the burping/chest tightness and was told that he needs to take alittle of the Fluid out. I'm going to tough it through until the mushies for the weight loss will surely slow down at that time. No way that I can go through soft/regular food with the band this tight if even liquids are giving me a hard time. Three weeks of liquid so I am getting quite use to Protein Drinks, low fat yogurt, Jello, Water, pudding, etc. I feel full all the time but I still will drink my fluids so that I do not become weak or sick from lack of fluids. Have taken a week off from work, & have lost 8.5lbs from day of surgery. Remember we can & will win this battle! Peace out.