One Week Post-Op

[lkcanfield 1]

Well I have made it through one week and one day since my LapBand. I feel great. I had some pain the first 4-5 days but after that I was up and doing my normal routine. I also had a hernia repair done at the same time.

My husband has been so wonderful and supportive. He has stuck with me all the way through the pre-op diet and he has actually lost 20 lbs by just being on the low carb diet with me. At this point I have lost 45 lbs !!! My surgeon put 1.5cc of fill in during the procedure. I have an appointment next week for my first check up. We'll see if I get more fill. Have I been eating solid foods for several days and I have had no problems.

Good luck to those of you on this same journey

[Joyweb 2]

Congrats!!!

[cyn2011 32]

Congrats! Keep up the great work!

[amica813 28]

Hurray for you!

I'm at one week today and have lost 11.5 pounds. I know it's mainly Water weight and will level off; I'm even expecting to gain a little once I go on solid foods but I'm still happy as can be! My doctor did a 2cc fill at the time of surgery and I have had very little appetite, but also no reflux or any other problems. YAY for balance!

My pain was gone within 3 days but starting last night, the area around one of my incision sites is tender. I also have some hard lumpy spots below the incision. I'm not panicking yet, but anyone else have the same?

And this is my first post!!!

Edited January 16, 2012 by Mimi Layton

[laddie1229 18]

Yes Mimi, I am 2 1/2 wks post-op. Last week 2 of my incisions became tender, lumpy and red. Went to see my surgeon today and they are infected. Call your doctor. Good luck, Waynette

[Iryshgreene 2]

Wow! I had my surgery 6 days ago and the doc won't fill my band for at least 3 more weeks. I am surprised your docs filled yours right away! Just being icky feeling post surgery and having liquids only, I have lost 8 lbs since the surgery, plus the 8 lbs they put on me in the hospital with IVs! My incisions are a little lumpy, but they aren't ***** or irritated. I don't think that lumpy is a concern, but tender and red/warm to the touch are indications of infections. Here's to us ladies just starting this journey!!

[blue_morpho 0]

I'm almost 1 week post-op. I went back to work today without pain meds. The incisions are a little tender, but I've had my gall bladder out, and that was a lot worse.

I had banded plication. I do not get my first fill until Feb. 2nd. I have my first post-op appointment this Friday.

I was on a liquid diet one week prior to the surgery, and at the day of the surgery, I had lost almost 20 pounds. Haven't weighed in since the surgery, but I'm sure I've lost more, since my appetite has been significantly decreased since the surgery (which I totally expected while recovering).

The worst part of the first few days was the gas pains in my neck, back, and chest from the carbon dioxide (that they inflate your stomach with during surgery) trying to escape. Since it has nowhere to go, it is very uncomfortable. I followed my doctor's orders and started walking the day of the surgery. This helped tremendously. Even though it wasn't very far the first few days, moving around helped. Once the carbon dioxide worked its way out (or resorbed), I had gas pains in my stomach / middle of my chest in the gastro tract. This was helped with chewable Gas-X Extra Strength.

Even though I haven't had much of an appetite, I've been SO thirsty. I've been staying hydrated with Water, and Crystal Light. In the mornings, as directed by my doctor, I have a cup of decaffeinated, herbal tea to help wash the mucus from my esophagus. Some doctors say NOT to use a straw, but my doctor recommended it so that I take small sips and not big gulps. Some doctors ALSO say that carbonated beverages are ok in moderation, but my doctor insists I avoid them forever. I think it's a good idea to do that, since I know that once you get a taste of that soda/beer/champagne, you'll want more. And that only stretches your pouch.

So far, I feel surprisingly well. Aside from the annoying stomach gas and wound tenderness while I'm healing, I feel pretty good. Of course, I'll be ecstatic when I can get back to 100% solid foods (right now it's just Protein shakes, mashed potatoes, creamy Soups, cream of wheat, etc) and when I'm completely healed.

I keep thinking - every day I'll feel better than I did the day before!