Question for older banders...50+

[kandiceb 0]

I've not checked to see if there are any of you as old as I am in the November gang. I am curious why I am not healing as quickly as I think I should. I am really hurting. I wore I tighter bra yesterday at work and was in pain in what I thought was my band area but was probably a bruised rib as it was right at the center where the ribs join. I have an incision there where they moved back the liver. I changed to my jammies when I got home and most of the pain left. I've lost 22 pounds since two weeks before the surgery and the gas has gone leaving a shrinking stomach and lots of areas where I hurt. I thought I would get better quicker.

I didn't think I was such a whimp but I get very tired easily and just sort of drag. I take the Vitamins. I eat a packet of cream of wheat at Breakfast, a cup of cream of chicken Soup at lunch and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese at dinner. I have one or maybe two 60 calorie sf/ff deserts. I drink Protein Drinks so I must be getting at least 50 grams per day. I'm just NOT hungry and I just hurt. Maybe I'm not giving myself a break. 12 days post op and I'm not exactly a spring chicken though I don't consider 57 THAT old. Sigh.

At least I'm 30 pounds down from my highest at my birthday when I got the LapBand surgery as a birthday present. That's definitely positive.

Thanks for listening to me whine.

[Mom of Chuy 0]

Hi Kandi,

Well, I am in your age category, I'm 54. I was banded on Nov 1 and I am doing great! I was tired for the first few days but after that I have been getting stronger every day. Just give yourself a little more time and don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone heals at a different rate. Good luck!!

Bobbi

[Longhorn 1]

I think Bobbi's right. I feel so much better than I did a week ago. I can bend over now and it doesn't hurt at all. In fact, I don't have any soreness at all any more but I was still sore a week ago.

Also, I think there are other variables involved besides age, such as how we respond to anesthesia, pain thresholds, etc. I had an infected incision that has been clearing up this week. There are certainly days that I couldn't wait to get home and go to bed!

You might try to get in a little more Protein. My doctor told me 70 grams per day!

Take care!

[Kristin1031 0]

Well I am not 50 yet but I am close....... I am still really sore at the end of the day. I make myself get up and do things all day long. I got so tired of sitting and that was making me more sore I realized.

I am glad to be going back to work tomorrow. I need the activity. I get so sore at then end of the day that sitting is very painful. Lying down takes it away and when I get back up in the morning I have no pain when I intially get up in the morning.

I think we all have different pain tolerances as well as healing times. You cannot compare yourself to another on those issues. Alot goes into it. I am still not getting 60 grams of Protein in yet. I hope that will change tomorrow when I can finally eat some food instead of liquids.

I think that getting the Protein and the Water in are the most important parts of this whole process, I have been told both by my DR and by my nurse and dietician that you have to get all of what they recommend in otherwise your body will shut down and you won't lose.

I think getting back in the gym will also be wonderful it will help to burn up some fat, and that always always gave me energy before surgery.

Hope that helps some, just do not be so hard on yourself, I think you are doing just fine, and by this time next month you will be a whole different person.

[DonHoll1 0]

Hi! I am 54 and i feel great. Really great. It gets so much better. I go to the gym a lot and stay pretty active. The more i lose the better i feel. Donna

[kandiceb 0]

Thanks for all your responses. I am much, much better today. I slept most of Saturday and am trying to clean for holiday guests today...though very slowly. Maybe this is the lucky day 13 and it is all downhill from here. I'll make that my plan. Anyway, not 100% but so much better. Still NOT hungry though I guess I shouldn't complain. I just equate getting better with getting hungry. I know I don't have much restriction and at this point, I'm not interested in eating more than I do now which isn't much. I'm going for QUALITY.

Take care.

[bebers 0]

I would say make sure you eat right. Enough Protein like the others said. Maybe you should add some Protein Shakes. Also wear comfortable clothes. No wire or tight bras for a while. I'm wearing a cami with a shelf bra under my garments and no tight waist bands.

[kandiceb 0]

I would say make sure you eat right. Enough Protein like the others said. Maybe you should add some Protein shakes. Also wear comfortable clothes. No wire or tight bras for a while. I'm wearing a cami with a shelf bra under my garments and no tight waist bands.

I'm definitely now watching what clothes I wear as anything binding really hurts. I'll increase my Protein drinks.

Good ideas. Thanks.

[DLW 0]

Hi everyone. I was banded November 5th. It's my first day back to work today. I'm 50. I had a bit of a tough time getting well. The doctor "nicked" my spleen during surgery. It had to be stitched up. He said that there was a bit of a bleeding issue during the surgery. I was in the hospital for 4 days. Got hives from the pain meds and had to take double doses of benedrill for a little over a week. I quit taking it because it made me so very tired. The hives have pretty much cleared up though my butt hurts from being on it so much and the hives liking it there. *sigh* Kandi, hang in there. It is a slow go for me too. I'm not wearing a bra to work because it also rubs wear the port is located just below my left breast almost right in between the two. I'm hoping that when the scar tissue covers the port this will pass. I don't like the idea of going braless for the rest of my life. lol

I don't have any restriction yet. My first fill will be on Dec. 12th. I have been eating all the "normal" foods I ate before just a smaller amount. I do get hungry about every 3 hours though. The nutricionist told me this was normal and to drink fluids at this time to eliaviate the hunger. I gained like 15 pounds while in the hospital. From the IV's. As of yesterday, I've lost the 15 pounds of Fluid plus 5, so that is good. Every day does get easier. I remember when I was able to sleep in my bed for the first time after the surgery. I think I was sitting up for like the first 5 nights. It was heaven to lay in my own bed!! Turning over was a bit of a chore though. Certainly woke me up out of a sound sleep that's for sure. haha. It's getting easier though and I can't wait for my first fill.

Blessings,