3 wks post op - questions about port pain, exercise, and weight loss

[wurly 0]

I had lapband surgery 3 weeks ago on Feb. 20. I have three questions!

1. Sometimes, mostly when I am sitting down, I feel like the port apparatus (I assume that is what I am feeling) is kind of pushing up into my ribcage, and it is uncomfortable. normal? does this go away? the muscles around the port are really sore still too.

2. did anyone happen to ask their doctor how soon they could start spinning (group cycle)? I asked my surgeon the day of my surgery, and he said "in two weeks" The materials I was given say no abdominal work for six weeks, but that I could go swimming in two weeks. spinning includes quite a bit of ab strength. I know wonder whether he thought I asked him about "swimming," not "spinning." I went to spinning on Saturday and it hurt too much to do anything but sit and pedal. We do a lot of jumping up and down, pushups on the handlebars, stuff like that. anyone happen to know about how soon they could spin?

3. I lost 12 pounds my first week post-surgery. Since then, I've only lost two. *cries* How can this be the case, I'm eating 600 calories a day and exercising (albeit, not every day). Super frustrating. Did anyone have a similar thing happen?

Thank you!

[amhancock 0]

My doctor told me no restrictions on working out. He said of course, your not going to feel like working out the first week, but he required I walk 45 minutes per day the first week. Its been 8 days since I was banded and the soreness is easing tremendously. I do not have pain near the rib cage or anything like that. You may just want to give your doctor a call and explain the pain your having just to be on the safe side. I think you would be ok on the spinning after checking with your doc. on the pain. Just dont over do it on the working out. I know my doc. says no restrictions but he doesnt really want us lifting weights until were healed. I hope this info. helps a bit, and good luck on your weight loss.

[citygirl4616 2]

1 - The pain you are feeling is pretty common. You just had major abdominal surgery. Give your body some time to heal. It took a good 6-7 weeks before I felt that all of the soreness and tenderness went away.

2 - I was told I could do any exercise at 2 weeks post-op as long as I didn't feel like I was straining myself (but no abdominal exercises). I have been taking spinning on and off for years, and there is no way I could have taken a spin class before the 6 week post-op mark. Spinning is way to strenuous on your core muscles to try while still recuperating. I was able to walk and do yoga. Don't push yourself right now.

3 - Congratulations on your weight loss! Most people experience a slow down in weight loss in the weeks immediately after surgery. This is a time for your body to be healing, not necessarily losing weight. I know you don't want to hear that now, but almost everyone goes through it until they reach the proper fill level in the band. I lost 17 pounds after surgery, then gained 2 pounds back before my first adjustment! Once I got my adjustment (I was lucky, and got good restriction after just one fill), I started losing again...slowly, but I'm not in a rush. Be patient. The weight will start dropping again. Good luck!

[zetajenn5 0]

My port area is sore too. I feel it mostly at night when I'm in bed and flip over on that side of my body. It feels bruised and I've been banded over a month. I hope it goes away! It's very uncomfortable at night!

[mnn2501 0]

He may not know what spinning is -- I sure don't.:drool:

[betrthnever 107]

My Dr said no intense exercise for 6 to 8 weeks. Can't even bicycle for 8 weeks! But I feel comfortable with that. Been walking a lot. Right now I have some pain in my port area after having none since the first week.

[TRENYA07 0]

Hi all, I lost 12 lbs the first 1 1/2 wk after surgery, I have gained 2lbs in the past 2 days...I eat approx. 700 calories/day, but I admit I'm not drinking enough.

I also have pain... on the left side under my ribs (mainly after eating, after being up several hours and at times when I take a deep breath) my doc says it's "postop" pain and should go away over the next few weeks but to call him if it gets worst.

I was told to start walking immediately after banding but wait 4 wks before going "full-force" except weight-lifting (6wks for that). I no problems walking but I get that ache in my left side if I try and cycle.

[labec1130 0]

I just read in another thread about the same problems with weight loss. It was stressed there that if you are eating too little calories that your body could go into starvation mode and reserve all your calories thus little to no weight loss. 600 calories a day with such vigorous exercise seems like too little to me but I may be wrong. Ask your Dr. of course and dont get discouraged. It will come to you. You seem to be quite dedicated so I know you will experience incredible results. It does however require something I know I dont have much of...and that of course is patience:)

[amhancock 0]

I am in the same boat. I havent had any port pain besides soreness until this morning. I am afraid I may have done something to the port or is it normal to all the sudden get port pain when you really havent had any?

[mediummike 0]

Regarding the weight loss - remember you lost a lot of weight very quickly - a lot of that is Water weight. The fact that you are maintaining (or even up a few) is normal after that. As long as you are eating right (600 calories sounds too low) and exercising, you should continue to lose a couple of punds per week once you pass this plateau. I lost 30 pounds in the first two weeks, then it took two more weeks to lose 5. Overall, 35 in one month which I am very happy with. Regarding the types of exercise, listen to your doctor, and more importantly, listen to your body.

[bfh5417 0]

I had the same thing with my weight lose, lost 18 pounds the first week and for the last 3 weeks nothing....I have been told this is bandster hell,

but not to give up and I probably wont lose till I get a fill which is today I think?! my banding was feb 12

[StLouisGal 1]

I had lapband surgery 3 weeks ago on Feb. 20. I have three questions!

2. did anyone happen to ask their doctor how soon they could start spinning (group cycle)? I asked my surgeon the day of my surgery, and he said "in two weeks" The materials I was given say no abdominal work for six weeks, but that I could go swimming in two weeks. spinning includes quite a bit of ab strength. I know wonder whether he thought I asked him about "swimming," not "spinning." I went to spinning on Saturday and it hurt too much to do anything but sit and pedal. We do a lot of jumping up and down, pushups on the handlebars, stuff like that. anyone happen to know about how soon they could spin?

3. I lost 12 pounds my first week post-surgery. Since then, I've only lost two. *cries* How can this be the case, I'm eating 600 calories a day and exercising (albeit, not every day). Super frustrating. Did anyone have a similar thing happen?

Thank you!

I can't speak to the port pain issue because I haven't had any but as far as the spinning goes, I would call the doctors office and ask again, explaining exactly what you are doing. My doc had no restrictions after two weeks but what you are describing seems pretty extreme, You might want to stick to sitting and pedaling for a while. A good rule of thumb is if it hurts don't do it. (at least until you are fully healed.)

I lost 14 pounds the first week and lost 2 in the next two weeks, it is frustrating. I am eating between 700 and 900 calories and burning nearly that many on my workouts (Curves workout and walking 45 minutes a day) It seems like I should be losing more but I can tell my body is changing, My pre-op pants are a joke now. they pretty much fall down so I've had to move to two sizes smaller so I look at least presentable for work. Everyone tells me that I am melting away. Try not to dwell on the scales (I know how hard that is, too) I am going to try to get in a few more calories when I can start meats tomorrow. I hope that pumping it up to 1000-1200 calories will kickstart the losing again.

Hang in there. Once your are healed and get some fills you will be losing plenty.