Questions about surgery

[klk18 2]

I have my surgery on October 20th and I have a few questions.

1) How long is surgery?

2) Is there a chance of having excess skin after surgery and losing weight?

3) Do the fills and adjustments hurt?

Thanks in advanced!

[labwalker 1,177]

1: Lap Band surgery should take about one hour... you will be rolled into surgery, and then the next thing you know you'll pop awake in recovery wondering if the surgery was done You won't even realize that the time has past.

2: It depends on how much weight you have to lose, and I suspect as we get older our skin becomes less elastic. Some folks feel losing more slowly (1 or 2 pounds a week) helps. Others say that exercise helps.

3: You will be sore after surgery, especially around the port area. And since they inject gas for any of these surgeries, you will be bloated and uncomfortable until the gas is absorbed by the body and passed. You will be gassy for a day or two!

Fills are like a bee sting. You feel the pinch, but since the needle is going through skin and into the port it isn't as bad as your imagine it might be. They have you lay flat, and then the APRN will find the port, between his thumb and index fingers, and insert the needle into the center. It only takes around five or six seconds.

[pink dahlia 2,513]

If this is any help, I was close to your height and weight when I got banded, and although I don't think I can lose the last 20 lbs I had hoped for, I have no loose skin at all. I was 53 when I was banded, the Dr. told me the tummy was where the very last of my extra weight would come off, and it would be the hardest to get off. Oh, how true ! So yes, I do a a small tummy roll, but I really dont care ! Im in a happy, healthy size 10 body, faaaarrrr better than my before body that was overweight and unhealthy. So I'll never have a flat tummy again ? Oh well !!!

[klk18 2]

Thank you!! Im only 19 so I'm kinda self conscious and don't want extra skin.

[Bandista 7,466]

Congratulations on getting your surgery date! I hardly feel the "pinch" when I get a fill -- doesn't hurt at all. I remember how nervous I was for the first one and then the surgeon gave me an arm to sit up. "It's over?" I hadn't even noticed!

Best thing I did prior to surgery was up my exercise -- didn't want to but so glad I did. The walking post-op was so good for kicking my body into healing mode and starting off this new chapter in my life. As I've lost weight the exercise has helped me tone up. I am also 53 and may have a little paunch but agree with Pink Dahlia that if that's the case at this point I don't really care. Happy not to look like Mrs. Winne-the-Pooh anymore!

[labwalker 1,177]

I'm not an expert, but your weight is not as bad as others, and you are young. i suspect you skin will be much more elastic than someone who is much older and who has suffered with gains and loses over a few decades. I suspect your young age may be to your advantage as far as excess skin is concerned.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Just chiming in to wish you the best with your surgery!

[klk18 2]

Thank you everyone!

[Bandedboomer 7]

I would answer questions 1 and 2 like Labwalker. However, I have only had one fill hurt and that was by a nurse who had only done a couple of fills! However, after having ten fills I don't feel they hurt as much as a bee sting. My fill nurse also has me lift my legs right before she gives the shot and it somehow makes the port easier to fill and it doesn't hurt half as much as much as a flu shot. Congratulations on getting surgery. You are so young I am sure you won't have lots of extra skin.

However, if you do, I have a couple of friends whose excess skin caused a rash at the fold so their insurance paid for a tummy tuck! Now they look fantastic!

[oui1213 29]

I was in the hospital surgical dept about 8 hrs. From pre op to discharge. Had a little hard time waking up from nausea med. At discharge i just sat right up jumped in the wheelchair. Got up in our truck with no pain. I was thinking how easy it felt until....... The next morning. Ouchhhhh. It all hit me then bad pain right under diaphragm. Its normal. Went away after a couple days and then..... Ouchhhhh from port site. Lasted about 2 weeks. Now 3 weeks out feeling almost 100%. Good luck

[nickybad 16]

Banding in less than a week... how long do you continue liquids? Did anyone stay overnight in the hospital?

[klk18 2]

I got banded Monday. I did not stay over night. I'm on liquids hopefully only a week.

[nickybad 16]

Thanks klk18

[nickybad 16]

How are you feeling klk

[klk18 2]

Pretty good. I haven't had to take my pain meds at all. I'm a little sore, but that's expected.