New Bander losing my mind

chicadoodle · April 28, 2008

Hi all! My name is Kelly and I am a new bander. I received my Lap Band on March 28th of this year.... so it's been a little over 4 weeks. I was/am a self-pay patient and I have to say, my overall experience has been ok. I guess I had some "excess bleeding" with surgery that required a transfusion (ack!) and 3 days after surgery I was diagnosed with Phnemonia. Yeah... coughing after abdominal surgery = NO FUN AT ALL!!!!! But all of the negative aside, I am doing great.

But I do have a few questions.

Question #1: I'm assuming that it's my port incision (the largest incision I have) is still sorta "hard" and I still have a blackish-brownish bruise surrounding it. Is this the port that I am feeling that is making it hard to the touch? Why hasn't the bruising gone away yet? Any ideas?

Question #2: I am going in for my first fill on Friday. I have heard and read numerous stories with all sorts of outcomes. But is your first fill more difficult than the rest? What should I expect? I was told at my consultation that they will use a ultrasound machine to assist with the fill, but besides the pain of the needle, is there other pain that goes along with the fill?

According to the time that I started this journey, I had lost 23 pounds at my 1 week post-op visit:thumbup:.... so about 6 weeks time. I know this month I probably haven't lost any... more than likely, gained. I have absolutely NO restriction. Augh.

Thank you for any answers you can give me. And Happy Losing to all of you!!:wink2:

Kelly

Melanie1 · April 28, 2008

You wont have any restriction in your band because there is no fill in it as yet. Those that have restriction in this early stage, only have restriction due to swelling. The port is easily found by the fill doctor, and probably wont need an ultrasound, I have never heard of a doc needing an ultrasound to find a port...since it is only an inch or so below the skin surface.

You will feel a bit of pain with the pushing and prodding, and the needle of course. Afterwards you might feel a bit of a tightened up feeling in your tum. remember to eat very carefully, and slowly after any fill, and give yourself some time for the adjustment.

It sounds like the bruising is a heomatoma, a pocket of blood under the surface of the skin, it will go away by itself, it may be a little sore until then.

good luck!

NeNe967 · April 28, 2008

Hi all! My name is Kelly and I am a new bander. I received my Lap Band on March 28th of this year.... so it's been a little over 4 weeks. I was/am a self-pay patient and I have to say, my overall experience has been ok. I guess I had some "excess bleeding" with surgery that required a transfusion (ack!) and 3 days after surgery I was diagnosed with Phnemonia. Yeah... coughing after abdominal surgery = NO FUN AT ALL!!!!! But all of the negative aside, I am doing great.

But I do have a few questions.

Question #1: I'm assuming that it's my port incision (the largest incision I have) is still sorta "hard" and I still have a blackish-brownish bruise surrounding it. Is this the port that I am feeling that is making it hard to the touch? Why hasn't the bruising gone away yet? Any ideas?

Question #2: I am going in for my first fill on Friday. I have heard and read numerous stories with all sorts of outcomes. But is your first fill more difficult than the rest? What should I expect? I was told at my consultation that they will use a ultrasound machine to assist with the fill, but besides the pain of the needle, is there other pain that goes along with the fill?

According to the time that I started this journey, I had lost 23 pounds at my 1 week post-op visit:thumbup:.... so about 6 weeks time. I know this month I probably haven't lost any... more than likely, gained. I have absolutely NO restriction. Augh.

Thank you for any answers you can give me. And Happy Losing to all of you!!:wink2:

Kelly

I had the same type of issue you had after surgery, except I did not have pneumonia, but I did have to go back to surgery so they could stop the bleeding and they had to give me 2.5 pints of blood.

I am doing great now.

erikadawn · April 28, 2008

For me getting a fill was painless, I read other posts on it being soooo painful and got myself all worked up.My doc was finished so fast I was like is that it? Somethings are just your personal experience, But mines didnt hurt at all.

donnabarney · May 1, 2008

I had a fill 3 weeks ago, and didn't feel a thing.

it does not hurt (for me) and I'm a baby.

fireatak · May 1, 2008

My first fill took 3 seconds, 4 cc in a 14 cc band.

Did not feel a thing

all is good!

SpecialK · May 1, 2008

Our doctors and the fill nurse do the first fill with fluroscopy and I think it gives us a sense of peace about them finding the port as quickly and painlessly as they can on the first time. About them not needing fluroscopy/ultrasound to find a port due to it being an inch below the skin....well some of us have more fat than others, and they do have trouble finding some ports because they are deeper below the skin than maybe someone with less fat in the abdominal area. Can't wait until I can poke around on my own belly and feel my port but for now, I cannot feel it.

On bruising, I have heard some people just take longer for bruising to go way. I wouldn't worry about that one.

NukeChik · May 2, 2008

The worst part of your first fill is your nerves! You will still be nervous no matter how many of us tell you its a breeze, but anyway, its a breeze. Try not to worry about it, it will be over before you know it. It doesn't hurt when my doc finds my port. The needle is a very small stick. Let us know how it goes!