6 days post surgery

skinnyjeans · February 22, 2007

Hello -I'm Tiffany,

I was banded 2/16/07, in Hurst TX. By Dr. Marsden

I am having a lot of difficulty with pains in the middle of my chest. I can only drink about 3 oz. without the pain coming on. I'm in liquid stage having some applesauce and pudding (2oz). I'm only getting about 12 oz of liquids each day. Doesn't seem right.

Sometimes, it hurts just to breathe. I've wondered if I made the right decision. I really thought I would feel better by now and back at work. The incisions are not hurting just the middle of chest.

I have lost 10 lbs, but just feel like crying today. :think I try to keep telling myself it will pass, this is the worst stage, but just feel helpless today.

Any suggestions? Word of encouragement.

HelenC · February 22, 2007

I bet you're drinking too fast. Try taking little sips and little bites of your food.

I've been having to learn this as well.

halloween2124 · February 22, 2007

Hey Tiffany! I was also banded 02/16 in Richardson, tx, so I'm not too far away from you. I haven't had the pain you are experiencing...although last night I ate some pudding and it had that feeling like it was going down the wrong tube for a little while, but it wasn't unconfortable. I've been having problems with a LOT of back pain. when I called my Dr, they told me what when they do surgery they have to basically 'air you up' a bit so they can see and the gas can get trapped and cause pains. they told me it could last up to 4 weeks. Maybe you have gas trapped. You're right you should be drinking more, i was told to drink 64 oz the day of and after surgery to make sure I was hydradted. What are you drinking? I would call your dr if you are in that much pain and ask them if it's normal. I was feeling a lot like you are on Tuesday, I was hungry, hurting, and I've lost 12 pounds but that was all on the liquid diet, and I was thinking the same thing, did I make a mistake? I know that once we get through this "transitional phase" we'll start feeling a lot better, but yeah, call your dr and make sure this is ok. I've learned from reading over everyone's posts on here, no body really has the same experience, but keep your chin up. It will get better.

day3447 · February 22, 2007

Hello ladies,

I have my preop appointment monday.. Any suggestions to mentally prepare myself?

day3447 · February 22, 2007

Hey Tiffany,

Hang in there, you can make this work. I know it is much easier said than done and although we can sit here and encourage you NO ONE is in your shoes at this moment. One day at a time one hour at a time. It will all be worth it for ALL of us. The pain you are feeling now is better than the long term affects of obesity.

girlinnyc · February 22, 2007

Hello -I'm Tiffany,
I was banded 2/16/07, in Hurst TX. By Dr. Marsden

I am having a lot of difficulty with pains in the middle of my chest. I can only drink about 3 oz. without the pain coming on. I'm in liquid stage having some applesauce and pudding (2oz). I'm only getting about 12 oz of liquids each day. Doesn't seem right.

Sometimes, it hurts just to breathe. I've wondered if I made the right decision. I really thought I would feel better by now and back at work. The incisions are not hurting just the middle of chest.

I have lost 10 lbs, but just feel like crying today. :think I try to keep telling myself it will pass, this is the worst stage, but just feel helpless today.

Any suggestions? Word of encouragement.

Tiffany,

Did you have the esophogram yet? where they do an xray while you are drinking to check the placement of the band?

And, are you taking your pain medication? I'm a big believer in that--i didn't give it up until i REALLY was out of pain--I took plenty of painkiller and it helped me through. Are you drinking Protein shakes? slowly? and keeping very hydrated?

Have you called the dr? or gone in to see him/her? sometimes it makes you feel better if you know that things are looking good, in the dr's viewpoint.

and, finally, you're not even a week out--it should turn around for you by next week--you'll be feeling so much better--really soon! hang in there. soon, you'll be very happy with your band!

good luck,

girlin

nyc

conroe · February 22, 2007

Hi,Tiffany,

I to had my surgery the 16th in Conroe Texas. There was 3 of us done Friday and we all met at the Dr's. Office today. What you are describing is the same that the 3 of us talked about today. Some is gas and some is the swelling around your band.. They say it will get better. I've found that a heating pad is wounderful for this, I seem to get it for some reason in the afternoons worse that in the mornings. Hang in there your not alone

Conroe

DooneyJC · February 22, 2007

Hello,

Im now postop 2 and Im only allowed to have clear liquid stuff like broth not pudding or apple sauce, maybe these are too thick for you to handle right now. Did your dr recommend these items?

Hello -I'm Tiffany,
I was banded 2/16/07, in Hurst TX. By Dr. Marsden

I am having a lot of difficulty with pains in the middle of my chest. I can only drink about 3 oz. without the pain coming on. I'm in liquid stage having some applesauce and pudding (2oz). I'm only getting about 12 oz of liquids each day. Doesn't seem right.

Sometimes, it hurts just to breathe. I've wondered if I made the right decision. I really thought I would feel better by now and back at work. The incisions are not hurting just the middle of chest.

I have lost 10 lbs, but just feel like crying today. :think I try to keep telling myself it will pass, this is the worst stage, but just feel helpless today.

Any suggestions? Word of encouragement.

skinnyjeans · February 22, 2007

Thanks for all the replies,

I'm sipping Water and it takes me about 1 hr to get down 4 oz. I have managed to get only 4 oz of Protein down a day. I'm taking pain meds every 4-6 hour.

They did an esophogram before relieving me from the surgery center. Called the dr. waiting for them to call me back.

The pain does seem to worsen in the afternoon. I'll try the heating pad. I've been eating sf popsicles to help with swelling. When I eat applesauce it's with a baby spoon and very little. I'm following the dr diet, just not able to drink enough. I can't wait for the hour that I feel good.

Nice to know I'm not alone and others have similar problems.

maya94115 · March 8, 2007

Hello I am 7 days postop. I have been drinking and recovering well. I have this drink that is 42 grams of Protein and I make sure I drink two a day at least. Great tasting called whey 42.

huskerbander · March 8, 2007

I Had Gas Pains soooo bad it really hurt in my Chest and Shoulder quite a but until about 2-3 months after surgery. It really felt like I was having a heart attack. My dr. said that walking would make the pain go away and it did! Chew Chew Chew is the only solution on the food though. If you overfill above the band it will really hurt. You will get into the new lifestyle soon and you will know what to do and when to do it. A hot cup of tea in the morning when you are first starting out will help so that you can slowly transition yourself into eating the way that the band will let you eat. GOOD LUCK!

STACEYLYNN76 · March 9, 2007

Hi skinnyjeans, I'm going for surgery on april 12 th, do you still regret getting this done

skinnyjeans · March 9, 2007

Hi skinnyjeans, I'm going for surgery on april 12 th, do you still regret getting this done

Hi staceylynn76,

No regrets. 21 days now and have lost 16lbs. Had my followup visit today and all is going well. For me the first 12 days were rough. THe support on this site really helped. PM me anytime you want to talk.

skinnyjeans · March 9, 2007

Hi skinnyjeans, I'm going for surgery on april 12 th, do you still regret getting this done

Hi staceylynn76,

No regrets. 21 days now and have lost 16lbs. Had my followup visit today and all is going well. For me the first 12 days were rough. THe support on this site really helped. PM me anytime you want to talk.

STACEYLYNN76 · March 9, 2007

awesome!! I'm glad your doing great! So all the things you were feeling were just normal then? We have to drive from Canada because I didn't get my passport in time, so I have a really long drive I hope I'm not too uncomfortable. We are the same weight and I hope to be 125 by next year.