3rd day post op with the band....

emily111 · July 18, 2008

OK so this is my third day with the band or really 2 1/2 day because my surgery was around 12 noon on wednesday. Anyways... This is what I am experiencing... Its hard to breath and I am doing the breathing excersize but then of course I cough and man it feels like my port will rip straight through my stomach. It HURTS. Also I have been sooo hungry. Before the surgery I did the 2 week liquids and I was not near as hungry as I am now lol. Of course I will not eat I like to follow my drs orders 100%. :thumbdown: So I know I am complaining but I really just want to hear what yall went through the first few days and encourage me pls lol

sisterc · July 18, 2008

All the same as you! I tried my best not to cough - the hospital given me a lapband pillow so I could hold my stomach when I was about to cough and it would help with the pain. I also used it to get up and down from bed or chair. Unfortunately, my bed is elevated so I would experience so much pain just to raise up and laydown. The hunger pains or gas pains stayed for about two weeks then it was okay. Hunger pains would come and go for me, but looking at food must made me made and wanted to eat everything in the house. BUT DIDN'T! It will pass you are doing really well - just get pass those first three weeks and its feels much better. Congrats!

U_go_gurl68 · July 18, 2008

Are you getting those Protein shakes in? Sometimes that will help keep that hunger away, or at least to a minimum. If you aren't, try drinking more of them and see if that helps.

As far as the coughing, that is what the breathing exercise are designed to do. They make you cough, so that you can keep your lungs clear and not develop pneumonia or a collapsed lung due to decreased activity. Walk as much as you can without overdoing it. This will help with the gas and with your breathing. It will pass, but I know while your experiencing it, it doesn't seem to pass soon enough.

Be sure to report to your doc if you have increased trouble breathing and/or develop fever. The cause of the fever is not always through incisional infection, sometimes it could be respiratory related.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

emily111 · July 18, 2008

im still on Clear Liquids so all I had 4 days now is Water and popscicles. Tomorrow I can have my Protein Drinks and I am really looking forward to it lol

aclubb · July 20, 2008

I had my surgery on the 16th also. I am also having trouble breathing - more when I lay down. On Friday morning I couldn't breath or swallow very well and when I drank Water I thought I would vomit. So I had to go in for an unfill already! My standard AP band holds 10 cc's and my doc had left in 3.4 during surgery and took it ALL out. But at this point I don't care - drinking is possible and breathing easier. I'm glad I'm not the only one having trouble breathing. Today I have really started to regret getting the band but I guess I'll reserve that for 2-3 weeks and see how I am doing then. But, you're right it doesn't seem soon enough.