Just Banded on 8/27/07

[Hannah212 0]

I finally had my life altering surgery yesterday. I'm home now feeling kind of sore in the incision spots. I didn't take the band aids off yet. I think I'm kind of scared as to what I'll see under them. I had my surgery done at Lenox Hill Hospital with Dr. Shah. The medical staff there was so attentive and supportive. I'll definitely be back to show them my new body as they requested. I had the clear liquid diet in the hospital today and when I came home I had half of a Protein Shake. I don't know what "full" feels like yet, but I I kinda felt like I had to belch so I stopped drinking. I felt really tired today so i took two naps, is this normal? I'm also checking my temperature twice a day and using that breathing pump thing to exercise my lungs to prevent phlegm build up. I'll welcome any suggestions and advice.

[brwneydgrl75 0]

Hi Hannah~

Welcome to the group! I was pretty tired the day after as well. Honestly, it was the worst day. Everything after day 2 was pretty much downhill.

[Hannah212 0]

Ok so I want to be official, I already have one set up I just need help in putting on my profile, please help

[LadyBugRed 2]

Hi,

I was banded yesterday as well. The gas is killing me. I try to walk a lot. I am in pain but trying to cope. Any advice??

Jody from Jersey

[hf2havefun 0]

Congrats to both of you (Hannah and Jody)!

Hannah, the easiest way to get your ticker in your signature is open both the ticker page and your edit signature from the Quick Links above. Then go back to the ticker page, right click on your ticker, and click copy. Then go back to the window you have open for this site with your edit signature and paste it where you want in the edit box. If you scroll to the bottom on that page you can preview your new signature. To add the CRAZY ATES logo for the August Group just right click on mine and copy and paste it into your edit signature page.

It is normal to take naps. :notagree Take full advantage of it. It helps in the healing process. I'm 7 days out and I took a nap today. :notagree Just take it one day at a time, follow your doc's orders, and you'll be fine.

Jody, Gas-Ex helps too. The chewable ones. And of course, continuing to walk more will help the gas move out. It took me a few days. I had a couple of bubbles that just didn't want to budge. Sometimes you just have to let it take it's course. Hang in there.

[BandZski 1]

It wasn't a bad procedure. I'm feeling pretty good except for the gas. Walking and Malox helps. I hear that each day gets better, so I can't wait until tomorrow! I too was very tired. I chalked that up to only getting 3 hours of sleep the night before surgery and the fact that sleeping in a hospital is impossible! My roommates IV kept beeping! I'm glad to be home in my own bed with no interruptions.

I couldn't get myself to watch the live gastric band videos before surgery, but I've watched them since I got home. Pretty neat. My 8 y.o. son came in and asked what I was watching. He said, "Ewww gross!"....but then proceeded to sit down and watch the whole thing with me. Boys... you gotta love 'em! :heh:

[Band Chick 3]

:whoo: Congratulations on your band!!! :clap2:

It sounds like you're doing all the right things. It will get better each day. I'm one week out and still get tired easily (Hi, hf2havefun, my band twin!). A friend of mine was banded in June and says it took her 2 weeks to really feel ready to deal with work and 4 weeks until she felt normal again.

I read a post a while back that swinging your arms while you walk also helps with the gas pains. Mostly just walk, walk, walk.

Hang in there. We're all in this together!

[JudiM 1]

Congrats to you! Yes, it's true.....it gets better with each day. I know that's hard to believe at the moment.....I felt the same way! The gas was probably what lingered most. Those bubbles of air get trapped in your shoulder and mid chest. It's pretty painful.....to say the least. I walked, used a heating pad and took Gas X. Those things gave me relief. But, I think that it just takes time. I'm 2.5 weeks out and still feel a bit tired. But, then again, we aren't eating much! So, maybe it takes our bodies awhile to adjust to having a lower energy supply! But, then again, I was TIRED all the time from carrying all this extra weight around (before the surgery). I hope to get back to work next week. Best wishes!!! You really did a wonderful thing! Welcome to BANDLAND!!!

Judi

[Iluvharleys 15]

Welcome to bandland! You really are supposed to let the strips fall off by themselves. Walking is the best thing for the gas, and sipping Water. Good Luck to you!

[pammycakes 1]

I dont know what Hannah has but I had bandaids over my steri strips which I was instructed to take off the following day after my surgery. This is probably what she was talking about.

[LadyBugRed 2]

Thanks for all the support and advice. I need to learn how to use this site better!

I hope everyone is feeling better each day. Tonight the gas has actually given me a break! I hope it doesn't return tomorrow!!

Jody from Jersey