Post-Op Roundup - how is everyone doing?

[sp70 193]

My surgery was the 6th, so I am 3 weeks out and doing pretty good.The soreness is all gone. Still having some troubles with Constipation, but we're working on that. I'm in the middle of my diet progression. I find myself eating the same thing every day because I feel unsure of what's ok or not based on my list. Today I felt like a newborn, starving every 2 hours! I see my doctor for my post op visit tomorrow, I was bumped twice last week due to him being stuck in surgery. I walk about an hour a day 5-6 days a week, just started doing some light arm weights.

Still lots to learn about living with the band! So far so good.

Sorry to hear about those whose surgeon did not talk to you or your family after surgery. That's not right! He answered my questions before hand and then told my mom how things went after and answered her questions.

[Mrs.Bales 31]

I had the lapband with plication and repaired a hiatal hernia repair done on the 24th of may first thing in the morning! I was nervous but more ready to get it over with! So much talking & worrying about $ (because I was self pay). I was just ready to get it over with. Got to the hospital at about 530 am & in my room by 6. Did a pee test & got in my sexy gown (lol). Started my iv & then the anesthesiologist came and talked to me. Then I was sent off to the back. My boyfriend of 3 years and my mother waited for me in my room. I was doped up a little & brought back to a big room and they moved me onto another table. All I remember after that was waking up in recovery in pain. I think the nurse got tired of telling me I was always on pain killers because I was whining so much, lol. I was kind of disappointed in the doctor & nurses because the doctor didnt come talk to me or my family before or after. The nurses didnt know what was going on at all... They were asking my family & me what my restrictions were.... Strange. I was just whisked away and went home. Only got a prescription for liquid loratab. Gross but it works I guess. Didn't get anti nausea drugs or anything for the gas... I have been conflicted if I had a weird experience or if I was just expecting too much. Oh well.

I have been religiously taking my medicine every 4 hours. Been in bed most of the time until the last day or two. Been moving around a lot. Makes me feel better. I get a few hiccups now and then but it hurts and goes away quickly. Been drinking a lot of water! I'm not in too much bad pain anymore but only when I bend or twist or exert myself too much. I am going back to work tomorrow and I will see how that goes. I'm thinking its going to turn into a half day but whatever! Ill keep you updated! Anyone else having any of the same problems??

Hey Jayden we were banded the same day and had a hernia repaired! and I also paid out of pocket! Canada eh!

Feeling a lot better today - the first few days were full of gas and pains in my left shoulder and felt like I couldn't take a deep enough breath. I was going to be back to work today but decided to push it off until Monday.

Burping hurts right now, sort of like your hiccups.

Down about 12 lbs since starting the pre-surgery diet and feeling I made the right decision.

[Jayden9119 15]

That's funny! Glad you're feeling better... I have been at work 2 1/2 days now and I will admit, I do get tired a little but not too bad. I didn't have the left shoulder pain like everyone else seems to have but it was hard to take a deep breath for a few days. The hiccups have gotten fewer and farther between but when I do get them they still hurt haha! And we are right along the same weight loss, as of yesterday after work I was right at 12.5 lbs lost. Good luck! keep in touch!

[Billijean266 2]

Hello all... It's official, I am banded. Surgery was on Tuesday. I truly love this forum because I could not have been better prepared. Everything you all have posted has been true. Pain.. Oh my goodness..... Gas..... Worse than the pain.... Nausea.... Just down right terrible.

My question for today is, how is everyone doing? I am having serious issues as I have not lost but two pounds. Yep, two pounds with pre op diet and post op. My scale is new and I hate it already. I have been on cleat liquids since sunday without any success. Please fellow bandsters, I need some serious advice/ help.

[Lizzytish11 25]

Banded on the 20th. I went back to work today. 11 hours!!!! I'm sore and exhausted. The only problem I'm having is dehydration. I'm drinking 2 shakes and at least 3-4 bottles of Water. That's where more than I drank before surgery. I'm only peeing like three times a day. I feel like I'm drinking all day and I'm still thirsty. My mouth feels dry and tastes bad. I'm having terrible headaches at night which I'm attributing to the possible dehydration. Does anyone else have this problem?

[Creekwood 702]

Surgery was on May 6th. Lost 20 on my own before pre-op, 16 on pre-op and 10 since surgery! For almost two weeks now I have been at the same weight. I wake up early and walk/jog 1-2 (usually 2) miles 6 days a week. Tomorrow morning I'm walking 3.1. I'm training for my first 5K which is on June 8th. I feel great!! I have very few food limitations right now, per my nutritionist. My first fill is Monday. I know that it takes a few fills to feel restriction for most but man I feel like I'm hungry 2 hours after I eat, just about every time! So I'm hoping for a miracle in the restriction department The weight loss post-op is a little slower than I would like but I know this time is for healing. 8 of the ten pounds was the first week. Then 2 pounds in following two weeks. But, the scale will catch up with my hard work! Overall I feel great! No problems to speak of. Incisions are healing nicely. No pain/discomfort, no nausea (except when I take my Vitamins, they kind of gross me out Lol), looking forward to being cleared for more exercise on Monday. I have already had my blood pressure dosage cut in half, and hope to be completely taken off on Monday! Good luck to everyone and I wish you all the success in the world!

P.S. sorry that I haven't posted much lately. I have been very busy, summer semester started and tomorrow's my son's last day of school. I also am back at work, which I have had 0 issues with!

[drehn88 251]

Hey everyone! My surgery was May 6. I feel AWESOME!! I guess LB surgery is like childbirth because I can't even remember how miserable I felt that first week. I had to cancel my fill appt last week and now have to wait another week. I'm certain I need a fill. I'm trying to eat small bites, but bigger bites have NO problem going down. I got off track with my Protein last weekend and the cravings for bad stuff are back. I must focus and get back on the wagon.

I developed a terrible rash about 10 days post op from the strips on my incisions. I thought for certain it would never go away! I think today I am finally on the mend. So, if anyone gets that horrible rash, it will take at least 2 weeks to start getting better.

School is wrapping up for the year and that means summer vacation for me. I have big plans to be in "one"derland by the time school starts again (middle of August). This will take a lot of dedication with diet and exercise. I'm remaining positive that this time I will actually follow through with my goal.

[lolarose13 147]

Hello friends! I'm 3 weeks post-op from may 10th and I'm starting to have normal food. I'm stuck in my weight and I ate more than usual tonight because we ate out and I feel that discomfort I'm my chest . That's my sign to know I ate a little more so I can not eat more than 1/2 cup of food. I went out tonight to a sushi place and I ate some tuna and a couple of mini mini rolls and I wanted to die! But beside this onetime episode, I'm feeling great and super active! I really want to go exercise but I have my doc app on June 7th and my fist fill that day, so only a week to go I'm glad everybody is doing good, you all my may banders are really special to me

[cat whisperer 127]

It's so great to hear how everyone is doing. A lot of people mentioned feeling like their weight loss was stuck, but things will get back on track and your scale WILL catch up with you. Several years back I lost a lot of weight on my own (unfortunately it came back due to stress etc.) and I remember that I wouldn't lose for a week or more then all of a sudden there would be a drop. Especially when exercizing... your body is making new muscles and you may actually gain weight while getting slimmer inches-wise. I did my first 5K during that period, and I want to work up to one too but giving myself LOTS of time as I am a bit older now.

YAY, Creekwood, that's great that you are doing your 5K so soon!! Good to hear from you - I figured you were probably very busy. I'm a student as well (but taking the summer off) so I know how occupied that can keep you, esp. when you have kids to work around as well.

drehn, glad you will have some time off - me too - and I plan to devote a lot of time to fitness etc. as well as I, also like you, hope to be in onederland by September when I go back to classes and my practicum. We can do this!!

Lolarose, I hear you on wanting some more normal food. I have had a couple of (very well-chewed) bites of my family's dinners. Right now I am pretty much able to eat whatever I want as I have no Fluid in my band at all - I don't ever feel too full- but I go for my fill in early June - I think I need it as I am finally starting to feel hungry. Hang in there!!

[cat whisperer 127]

Banded on the 20th. I went back to work today. 11 hours!!!! I'm sore and exhausted. The only problem I'm having is dehydration. I'm drinking 2 shakes and at least 3-4 bottles of Water. That's where more than I drank before surgery. I'm only peeing like three times a day. I feel like I'm drinking all day and I'm still thirsty. My mouth feels dry and tastes bad. I'm having terrible headaches at night which I'm attributing to the possible dehydration. Does anyone else have this problem?

I definitely think it sounds like dehydration... but you seem to be drinking lots - if worse comes to worse, I would maybe check with your doc? Hope you feel better soon.

[cat whisperer 127]

Hello all... It's official, I am banded. Surgery was on Tuesday. I truly love this forum because I could not have been better prepared. Everything you all have posted has been true. Pain.. Oh my goodness..... Gas..... Worse than the pain.... Nausea.... Just down right terrible.

My question for today is, how is everyone doing? I am having serious issues as I have not lost but two pounds. Yep, two pounds with pre op diet and post op. My scale is new and I hate it already. I have been on cleat liquids since sunday without any success. Please fellow bandsters, I need some serious advice/ help.

I know, those first few days can be a real rough go... I was surprised how rough they were for me, but towards the end of the week I was feeling much better. Please try not to worry too much about the loss right now - your body is probably hanging on to lots of Fluid as it is desperately trying to heal you. I'm sure once things regulate you will start to see some progress... I know it is frustrating!! Hope your recovery is speedy

[Billijean266 2]

Thanks cat, I have decided not to weigh myself at all. My post op visit is on the 20th so I will just wait and see them. How are things going with you?

[cat whisperer 127]

Yeah, I have decided not to weigh myself - I had been doing it every day which maybe was appropriate during the fast lost of the pre-op, but of course way too often for "normal" time! Things are going pretty well with me, thanks for asking! Still a small amount of pain, esp. on the port side - at my check up they said that it was quite usual to feel some pain there for up to 8 weeks!! I'm getting anxious to start exercising in earnest... another couple of weeks.

[Lizzytish11 25]

Banded on the 20th and yesterday it started to feel like my stomach was in a vice grip. It's been fine and I've had no complications. It hurts to take a deep breath. Any suggestions??

[Mandi1441 23]

I was banded on the 24th. Things have gotten back to normal except I am still on my two week post op liquid diet. I am getting more hungry ready for some real food but at the same time I am ready to get some Fluid in my band and get the ball rolling. The weight loss has come to a stall since my appetite has come back. I can complain because I loss 20 lbs in 3 weeks, but now it has made me a scale monster. I weight myself every morning and get disappointed now. How soon is everyone getting their first fill? I go for my post 2 week appointment the 11th. You think I might get one then?