I've been banded!!!

kacarter · July 4, 2008

Hello again! :cool2: I was just recently banded on June 30th! I have lost about 7lbs since monday :eek: and I am so excited....but still veryyyyy uncomfortable.

My surgeon was Dr. Christopher Edwards in Asheville, NC...and he used a new approach for my lap-band that only required two incisions and he used a large AP band. I was so nervous going into surgery and they said it would only be about an hour, but it really took over 2 hrs. I think it was the first time they've done the two incisions, so I guess they were taking their time. I wasn't very happy waking up. I didn't have my glasses so I couldn't see well, and was getting irritable with all of the blankets and not being able to move because my stomach was sore. The doc said things went well and I barely had any fat around my liver...so I'm still confused why it took so long. I had to stay overnight since my surgery was schedule around 3pm.

I am on my 5th post op day and still need to take my pain medication, but can see I am improving day by day. I had a bought of nausea the other day because the liquid pain meds make me sick...but I've always had problems taking liquid meds. I had to sleep proped up on pillows for the first 3 nights, but last night was able to finally lay on my side with the help of a body pillow. I think the gas is about gone, but still have pain in my right shoulder and right side under my ribs (where the port is). They hit a blood vessel that needed to be sutured under my ribs also, so I guess that is what is still hurting so bad. I have been told to just be on liquids for the next 4 weeks to let my stomach rest. And I won't get a fill until 6 weeks post op. I am sipping Water all day long and just tried a Protein drink this morning and think I sipped too quickly and could fill it rising in my esophagus...so I'm still learning.:thumbup:

I like reading other people's stories, so I hope mine helps someone, too. I am naturally a healthy person and almost never get "sick"...so I thought my recovery would be quick. I have found that to be the opposite...since I am still needing my pain meds. I have read that some people have had little or no pain and didn't need pain meds, so just know that it goes both ways and everyone reacts differently. Thanks for letting me rant, and have a peachy day!!! :mellow: