June 2007 Bandsters

[cbm818 0]

Nina, I definitely need to put away my scale for a while! You are doing fabulous, WTG on the exercise...that is amazing!

[cmp2007 0]

I am having trouble with the ticker. I thought I followed the advice, but it just shows the typing of the web site when I preview. Thanks for your help!

[captain danbo 0]

My doc told me I could drive the next day. He just said to watch out for the pain meds.

[Suzzzie. 3]

I am curious about what everyones doctor said about driving....when I left the hospital the nurse said "several weeks" which blew me away.

I emailed my drs. office but haven't heard back.

Faith said her dr. said until she stops taking the painkillers (which makes sense to me).

What did everyone else's dr. say?

I don't think I was ever told when I could drive... I waited about 4 days to drive, and it was (and still is) uncomfortable, but I'm making it.

[faithmd 14]

If I couldn't drive for weeks I'd be hosed. I have to drive myself to my one week post-op appointment next Thursday and my surgeon is well over an hour away.

[toniteach 0]

I feel like I'm back being newly banded being on full liquids today.....but hopefully it will encourage that scale to MOVE!

Faith...I have the small AP Band, too, and was the first to get one at my facility, Journey Lite. We're like sisters!!! Who else has the AP band?!?

Joeygirl...today I saw only the technician and the X-ray Tech. No Dr. for me for another week or so.....but you may have a different experience and actually get filled by your Dr.!!!

Danielle....so GREAT to see your post! Glad you called and got the instruction you needed and I'm relieved for you. BTW, I saw this today on Obesityhelp and thought of you:

"Is it possible to stretch out the small stomach, or "Pouch"?" The pouch seldom enlarges, because it is created in an area that is very resistent to enlargement. The esophagus above the pouch will usually stretch before the pouch itself does. That is almost always caused by repeatedly over-eating, AKA "Stuffing the pouch". Not very many people do this, but if they do, it can result in "Esophageal Dilatation" or stretching of the esophagus, which can be a very serious thing. The usual remedy for esophageal dilatation is to completely unfill the band for a period of time, in the hope that the esophagus will shrink back to it's original size. In some instances, where the patient refuses to stop "Stuffing The Pouch" band removal is necessary.

To answer your question, do you have the burp/hiccup sensations while you are eating? If so, it may be a signal that you are full! Also from OH:

Patients who are post-op report many different "Full Signals", some of which I have listed here:

A hiccup or hiccups.

Sneezing.

Stuffiness in the chest.

Watering eyes.

Coughing.

Burping.

Excessive saliva.

I hope you had a good first day at work!

Angeladarling----Best wishes on Thursday....you'll do GREAT

Nina.....Your exercise regimen is unreal! I feel like I climbed a mountain after just 30 minutes on the treadmill, then I look at what you're doing and I go, "Oh, yeah....treadmill....big whoop"!!!!:embarassed:

Hello to the rest of you!

Toni

[Pippz 0]

thank you so much for the hiccup note!! I've been getting them something fierce. Today I made a VERY thick Protein Shake (it was almost like pudding) and tried to drink it quickly (before it got warm). I had the hiccups for a full half hour and was petrified I was damaging my band!!

now I know I need to take it slower. Thanks!

[hottytoddy 0]

Hi all!

I'm starting to get used to those burpy, gasey, days! Some days all goes down just fine... can't really tell I'm banded. Some days (like today) I have the pain in my chest with everybite! It's scary cause you think it's food sitting in the pouch stretching it or putting pressure on the band... but then it happens... the massive burp... and the thought..."Ohhhhhh, that's what it was!" I chew a couple of gas x tabs and it gets better.

Just another day in Band-Land!

[stickwit 0]

Hello all June 2007 people. I am 10 days band post-op. I am wondering if anyone has a lump under an incision. I can feel the port over on the left side, fixed on the muscle (not too painful anymore). But this is underneath the incision that is a few inches above my belly button, about the size of a small egg. It is "mobile", i.e. moves around. Scar tissue?? Thanks for any input. My first dr. appt a week from today. Other than that I am feeling pretty good, back on the treadmill, need to get more Water and more protien down.

[Suzzzie. 3]

OK, I have a confession here... I am supposed to be on pureed foods until Friday - but today I had an ice cream bar.

The good news? Normally I would have had 2 or 3 of them, and I stopped at one. I was quite proud actually, but still feel like I cheated myself. Boo.

[FarmerE 0]

It's HERE! I'm getting ready to head to bed because I have to be at the hospital at 0600 tomorrow. YAY! I'm soooo excited. Thanks for everyone's advice/stories here. I feel like I'm ready for anything and I know I can do this.

Good luck tomorrow to everyone else being banded!

[toniteach 0]

OK, I have a confession here... I am supposed to be on pureed foods until Friday - but today I had an ice cream bar.

The good news? Normally I would have had 2 or 3 of them, and I stopped at one. I was quite proud actually, but still feel like I cheated myself. Boo.

I treat myself to them, too. And I don't feel guilty..there's only about 100 calories in one! Plus, you can't get more soft than ice cream, so you can't harm your band.

Good for you at having self-control and stopping at one!

Hugs,

Toni

[toniteach 0]

It's HERE! I'm getting ready to head to bed because I have to be at the hospital at 0600 tomorrow. YAY! I'm soooo excited. Thanks for everyone's advice/stories here. I feel like I'm ready for anything and I know I can do this.

Good luck tomorrow to everyone else being banded!

Sweet dreams and best wishes, Farmer! :notagree

Hugs,

Toni

[faithmd 14]

Hello all June 2007 people. I am 10 days band post-op. I am wondering if anyone has a lump under an incision. I can feel the port over on the left side, fixed on the muscle (not too painful anymore). But this is underneath the incision that is a few inches above my belly button, about the size of a small egg. It is "mobile", i.e. moves around. Scar tissue?? Thanks for any input. My first dr. appt a week from today. Other than that I am feeling pretty good, back on the treadmill, need to get more Water and more protien down.

It's probably a seroma (a mass or swelling caused by the localized accumulation of serum within a tissue or organ). It is usually Fluid or fat that has broken down and isn't reabsorbed yet by the body. My surgeon's info binder says about 40% of bariatric patients develop seromas, just apply warm soaks a few times a day. The important thing to watch is if it gets red and hot (indicating an infection). It may drain clear or straw or pink/peach fluid and that's okay as long as the fluid is CLEAR, not puss-appearing. The surgeon's binder also said the majority pop up around day four to six.

[faithmd 14]

It's HERE! I'm getting ready to head to bed because I have to be at the hospital at 0600 tomorrow. YAY! I'm soooo excited. Thanks for everyone's advice/stories here. I feel like I'm ready for anything and I know I can do this.

Good luck tomorrow to everyone else being banded!

Good luck to you, tomorrow! You'll do fine!