Tightness normal?

[turquoisekaty 23]

I got my Lap-Band on Tuesday, so it's been 3-ish days now.

I don't have any pain at all (thought I'm still taking Tylenol as recommended), I do have some discomfort around the incisions but it's not painful at all.

Sorry if this is a dumb question... but right where I perceive my band to be it feels really really tight. Basically like something is squeezing my stomach.... (which it is.) Does this tightness go away after a few more days, or is this super tight feeling what the band is always going to feel like?

I'm done my 24hrs of clear fluids and am on to full liquids, but I'm having trouble with anything thicker than water/tea. I have no problem with water/tea/juice, I can take good sized sips and everything, but Soup or thinned yogurt I can only take a bite or two of and then it feels really tight again. And I get really burpy in between bites/sips of anything.

Any advice on the tightness? Thanks!

[rosieposie88 16]

Hi, I got my band yesterday, im feeling tightness too. I've only manged Water, tea, a very runny yoghurt and some fruit puree. Might try some Soup shortly. I'm really struggling with the gas pain, my belly feels soo bloated and sore. Urgh! I'm looking forward to getting past the healing stage. Xxx

[MandaMom23 684]

I'm sure it's just swelling from surgery, and will go away. Make sure you're taking your time when trying to eat or drink...very small bites/sips and waiting in between. I know for me, it took over a week before I could finish half a yogurt. Of course, if you're concerned, you can always call and discuss it with your surgeon.

Congrats on your surgery, and good luck on your new journey!

[lisacaron 5,075]

Welcome to the banded side of life!

The tightness that you are feeling physically is more then likely the muscle tissue healing from where your incisions are and where your port is attached.

You should not be feeling your band physically at all. You may feel a sense of tightness when you are drinking and that is totally normal. Taking small sips from a medicine dose type cup is the way to go. You don't want to take large sips or gulp anything right after surgery.

Even though you are now off Clear Liquids if those are working for you please keep them going so you are sure to get your liquids in. You don't want to dehydrate. Warm Decaf tea is a great way to help soothe and relax the esophagus and stoma to allow Protein shakes to pass through more smoothly.

To get extra fluids in and help with internal swelling frozen sugar free ice pops are great!

If your doctor has advised that you can move to pureed foods then you may do so. My doctor had advised me to be on 1-2 weeks of liquids and then 1-2 weeks of pureed foods and then 1-2 weeks of soft foods like eggs etc. then moving on to more solid foods as tolerated in the first few weeks after surgery.

Above all follow your doctors advice.

Edited January 17, 2014 by lisacaron

[Lady VS 1,147]

Ditto what Lisa said and welcome to banderland.

[kll724 3,055]

I am not sure, probably the swelling is a problem. Most of us, that I have come into contact with, have 1 week clear and 1 week full. If you surgeon's office has said one day, then follow their directions. Make sure to check in with them for advice of the tightness you mention. Karen..aka..kll724

[turquoisekaty 23]

Thanks everyone for the input.

I had some lump-less Soup tonight and it went down pretty well, so I'm just going to keep up the Clear Liquids and the other liquids that go down well.

My surgeon did only have me on 24 hours of clear fluids and then move to full fluids, but the papers I have from him also say to eat what's tolerated, call if there's a problem, and otherwise, enjoy getting to know my new band So for now, Tomato Soup and Decaf tea are my friends

[2muchfun 8,927]

Many bandster's underestimate the trauma done to our bodies during surgery.

So I'm sorry to be too graphic here but remember, someone filled your body cavity full of gas, they pumped fluids, medications, antibiotics and anesthesia into your body. They punched 5 holes in your abdomen, moved all your inner body parts around, shoved a tube down your throat, took an electric scalpel and burned away excess fat and tissue wrapped around your upper stomach, the surgeon then wrapped a plastic strap around your stomach just below the lower esophogeal sphincter, stitched it in place with 5-6 sutures bringing your lower stomach up and over the band suturing the band in place and then snaked a tube out of your body and then sewed another plastic piece to the muscle tissue on your rib cage

I know we were all told this was a minimal invasive surgery, but it's still very traumatic to a group of organs that have lived the good life for years and years.

tmf

[SpartanPrincess 82]

I was banded on 1/15 and feel a similar tightness. I met with my dr today and he said this is because of the swelling. Should go down soon.

[shanatx 33]

2muchfun: THANK YOU for the graphic! I have had moments where it felt like my ribs on my left hurt and/or all of a sudden someone punched me in the lungs. Those feelings have begun to subside some but now it makes sense as to why my ribs feel sore!

[Bandista 7,466]

My post-op protocol was one day clear then on to full. I loved the tightness and the lack of appetite. Just a bit of something like potato leek Soup was plenty for me. I had lots of tea, chicken broth, Popsicles, watered down juice, etc. Could not tolerate a Protein Shake. Later for mushies I really enjoyed homemade applesauce, cottage cheese, etc. My tastes were different from what I thought they'd be. Good luck to you -- it sounds like you're doing great!