Hi , Everyone, I'm a newbie

Sparkey1955 · May 29, 2006

Hello everyone. Just call me Sparkey. I'm about 4 weeks from getting my surgery. I'm a 50 year old female, getting ready to embark on the biggest challenge of my life. I love food!!! Taste, texture , smell, everything. Will power? I got tons of the stuff. I proved that every time I starved myself for months on end. After spending the morning reading postings on this site, I don't know if I have the courage you folks do.

My Doctors name is Dr. Gazayerli, and the surgery will be done at St Joe's hospital in Pontiac Michigan. I'm also having hernia surgery done at the same time, so I don't know how much of a shock I'm in for yet. If anyone out there has had both proceedures done at the same time, please inform me. Thanks, and wish me luck

leatha_g · May 29, 2006

Hiatal hernia?? I had mine repaired during my second banding. I couldn't really tell anything different, compared to being banded the first time. Maybe my diaphragm was slightly more agitated for a slightly longer period. Hard to tell. No significant 'extra' pain to speak of.

Umbilical hernia - had that repaired at the same time. Yowchy! Nothing unbearable, but it hurt much worse than the banding altogether.

I wish you much luck and great success with your band! Welcome to LBT!

Sparkey1955 · May 29, 2006

Thanks Leatha. I really apprieciate your input. I'm a little scared, but, know I'm in good hands. Dr. said there wouldn't be additional problems, but I might have to stay off solid food for a while longer. I'm just having the nervous twitters, because it's such a lifestyle change.

AndreaE · May 29, 2006

Hi. I had hiatal hernia repaired at same time as the band. Im not sure if that is contributing to the soreness or not. the only thing that is bothering me is the port incision soreness and tenderness. I still need my trusty pillow to hold when i walk, or even just press my hand there. Try not to worry.... my doc told me that repairing the hernia helps prevent the band from slipping. Hope that helps.

PhotoNut · May 29, 2006

Welcome to LBT, Sparkey! You've found a great site for support and information!

I had a ventral hernia repaired when I was banded. That's located between the belly button and breast plate. They did the band first, then the hernia. The first few days after surgery, my port area was the most sore of all the incisions. However, it took longer for the hernia repair to reach complete healing around the mesh that was used.

Everyone is a bit scared of the unknown. Having been madly in love with food all of my life, I know exactly what you mean about your fears of losing that love. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much your desires will change after your surgery. It isn't so much that you won't be able or allowed to have those things you love anymore, but rather you might not even desire them at all. It is a remarkable process that affects both the body and the mind, typically with wonderful resluts. I wish you the best in your journey.

Sparkey1955 · May 29, 2006

Thanks Photonut. Your message was VERY encouraging. I guess most people go through the nervous jitters before this procedure. I'm getting a lot of negitive vibes from some of my friends and loved ones,and that doesn't make it any better, but I've made up my mind that this is my course of action, so I'll just take a xanax and proceed.

Iluvharleys · May 30, 2006

I had one too, and it was repaired during surgery too. I didn't have any problems, didn't have to stay off solids or anything. Good luck, and let us know how you did when you get out of surgery.:biggrin1: