One week later

[Juniper 0]

Okay, I'm about one week post-op now, and I thought it might be good to talk about the feelings (both physical and emotional) we've experienced.

Here's a few things that come to mind right away for me:

My left shoulder still hurts. It's getting better every day, but it's still enough to bother me.

I still can't sleep in my bed. I tried last night, with a ton of pillows, and I ended up looking like I was sleeping in one of those chairs by the pool - with the back completely up! I guess I'm moving back out to the recliner tonight.

When I eat or drink, I feel pressure. Even if I go very slowly, which I always do, I still feel some pressure. Sometimes I have to sort of catch my breath: stop, take a deep breath, and exhale. Which is fine, since I should be doing more deep breathing anyway.

It's very hard to get more than 600-700 calories in me in a day. I am not hungry pretty much all the time. I know this will probably change soon, so I'm trying to enjoy it for now. My energy has remained at a good level, though, and I am taking my Multi-Vitamin and B12.< /p>

My doctor already took me off my high blood pressure meds. Apparently, losing 20 lbs was all it took for my body to start responding, and my pressure has been good!

What about everyone else who's been banded? What are you experiencing?

[tessiekay 0]

Today is day 8 post surgery (7/1) and I have to say I'm doing great :drool:. I had a bit of problem with the shoulder/gas pain for a couple of days (and a headache to go with it), but that passed after a couple of days. I was able to sleep in my bed from the first night, though shifting position was a bit of a problem the first couple of nights. As of several nights ago I am able to sleep on either side (I rotate) and get up out of bed with very little discomfort at all.

I'm still on liquids for another few days, but have been able to consume pretty much anything (allowable) with no problems. I've been using a sippy cup to try to train myself to "drink small". I'm going to be ready for some mushies REAL SOON though...(where's that emoticon for STARVING?). I've been focusing on the Protein and doing well with that, but still having a problem getting more than 700-800 calories a day. The doc's ok with that as long as I'm getting sufficient Protein and Water though.

I lost a significant amount (28lbs) pre-op and when I went back to work at about 30 lbs down all of a sudden everyone seemed to notice that I had lost weight. No one there knows I had surgery, so I told them "the truth" that I had been working on my diet since about April and I guess I finally just hitted that point where the loss was noticable. It was very satisfying and encouraging though.

On a more intimate note...pending "issues" with the significant other have been successfully dealt with as well. (wink wink):thumbup:

My best wishes to all my other early July bandster buddies that your first week is going well.

[ocotillo 0]

Banded 7-2 and today I was sore. I guess I slept wrong because I had red spot on my tummy (not at the incisions) and it hurt. I put ice on it and sort of took it easy and now it seems all better. I've been healing nicely, in fact, some of the glue came off this evening (no I wasn't picking at it, it caught on my bra). Yippee....the pool for me next week. I'm still very bruised and yes, it still hurts, but I can finally sleep on my right side (maybe thats what caused the sore spot this morning). I usually sleep on my left, but I think that is a couple of weeks away yet.

I've noticed that I can drink more Water than before and I'm starting to get a little hungry. Not bad and nothing a few bites of yogurt or a V-8 doesn't handle, but before I felt like Juniper, not hungry and had a hard time actually eating. I am not keeping track of my calories now because I know they are low and what's the point. I'll have to keep track when I'm eating solid food in 2 weeks. I'm not drinking anything in great quantities and with a lot of fat or sugar.

Many noises out of body....lots of burping, but not too bad stuck gas yet. I wonder what it will be like when I start eating solid foods...I may be explosive or better still, I'll be able to compete with my brother in a belching contest. LOL

It's very hot here (106) and I have had to work outside the last couple of days. I try and do all my outside stuff in the morning because I don't want to be out in the afternoon. I shouldn't have to go out tomorrow.

Sure would like to hear from other that are about a week out too!

[mcb2009 0]

Hi all,

I'm probably posting a bit early here since my surgery was on Monday...but I thought I'd chime in with my experience to date.

I had my surgery first thing Monday morning and was home by 1:30pm. I've been able to sleep in my bed but until last night had a very restless sleep and had some difficulty turning around. Last night I slept so much better - much easier on my right side than my left. Getting up this morning was much easier too.

I've been on a clear liquid diet only this week and now I can honestly say that I'm very hungry. My stomach has started growling and I'm extremely anxious for my "full liquid" diet to start tomorrow. Then I get to have Soup...oh ya! I haven't bothered counting calories because they would be so low that I would be a bit scared.

I've had quite bad gas pains since Monday - very unpleasant and quite similar to what I experienced after I got my gall bladder out. It seems to be a bit better today but my left shoulder is still aching. Hopefully, it will be better tomorrow.

I hope everyone is doing OK...hang in there...this too shall pass!

Mary

Edited July 11, 2009 by mcb2009

[leshers2x2 1]

I was banded monday 7/6. I have not had any real pain at all. Tuesday was a bit of discomfort from the anethesia where I lungs ached. I am on full liquids until Monday and I am starving!!! Yesterday was the first day I really felt that way. I have doing Protein shakes like crazy but I still keep thinking about wanting to eat something!! Part of it for me is that I have never been a big sweets eater and on liquids sugar free sweets is most of your options, Jello, yogurt, Protein Shakes. I have already been planning what my entire menu will be on monday!! Today I am making my family chicken tortilla Soup so I can eat the broth from it. Yum!

Michelle

[Juniper 0]

i went to see my doc y'day, and he said everything looked good, and that i should be able to get in the pool the weekend after this! i'm so excited! my favorite thing about summer is swimming, and it's been hard having to stay out pretty much all summer so far cuz of the two surgeries.

i tried sleeping in my bed again last night, and i woke up really sore. i guess i'm just going to have a harder time with that than most, probably just because of my body size.

on another note, my doc let me move to "full liquids" as soon as i was ready, so i've been doing cream Soups for the whole week, so maybe that's one reason i wasn't as hungry. however, last night i noticed that all of a sudden, i could drink/eat about twice as much as before, so rather than 1 oz every 5 minutes, i was doing 2 oz. as long as i take it slowly, everything seems to go down quickly. i can see now why people would have so much trouble with "slider" foods. you could just eat and eat and eat.

1 more week of the full liquids, and i'm on to "soft" foods. can't wait to chew on some chicken. hehe

[chefla 0]

Hey everyone

I was banded on monday 7/6 havent really had any pain, just a little discomfort when I got home from the hospital and slept in a bed without rails to pull myself up. I was able to sleep on my side after 3 nights and I am grinding my teeth like crazy. Last night I needed to chew a piece of gum. Does anyone know why they say not to? I did and had no problem. It really helped me to relax, I was getting so stressed in my teeth. The person who said day 3 Clear Liquids was difficult was right. That seemed to be pretty tough. Oh and for the first few nights I was dreaming of food, it was so funny. And i'm having strange cravings, like corn meal. Anything with cornmeal. They're not really cravings they're more like memories. I don't feel so much hungry I'm just going through chewing withdrawals. I too have had gas issues like when I burp I get a kind of spasm in my stomach. Nothing too painful at all, I didn't once take pain medicine. Oh and I love when I feel hungry its joined with a feeling of being full. This was such a great invention the lap band. If I had been dieting without the band for the last few weeks I would have gone crazy by now eating till I gained back 20lbs (I've lost 11lbs since 1 week preop). Oh and one more thing I feel some discomfort to sit at the computer like my fat stomach is pushing up in to the band while the boobs push down. I don't sit too often.

[headin_to_mxico 0]

I was able to sleep on my side after 3 nights and I am grinding my teeth like crazy. Last night I needed to chew a piece of gum. Does anyone know why they say not to? IQUOTE]

I think because you swollow air when you chew gum and it can give your already gassy body even more air and gass to deal with. Thats what my banded friend told me anyways when I asked her. Im a gum addict. Thats gonna be a hard one to kick.

[idababy 0]

Well, my name is Michelle, and I was banded on Thurs. 7/09/09. Today is my 3rd day post-op and I feel like I am in the mullygrubs. I just feel down. I am still in a little pain (its tolerable), but I just keep wondering what have I done to myself. I have no regrets, maybe I'm just missing the comfort of food and not being very active. I don't know, but has anyone else had this problem of just feeling the blues????

[allycat9555 1]

Hi,

I'm also a July bander. I'm being banded July 16th so three days and counting. Thanks for everyone that post it give a good perspective on what to expect. Any advice for the first week? Something you would have done diffrent?

[chefla 0]

hey allycat

I wouldnt say I would not have done anything different. There's really nothing you can do. Everything is so much better than I expected. Oh there is one thing I would have done different, not waste so much time worrying. Tomorrow is my 1 week bandiversary i have gasssss like crazy and I am very hungry from 1st week of liquids. Adding more Protein powder to my Protein Drink helps to not feel so hungry but that may be whats giving me more gas. Good luck to you. Don't be worried!!!!!

[TracyChandler 0]

I was banded on 7-7 and have been on Soups, puddings, juices, and other sugar free liquids. I am doing great with no appetite or pain to speak of. I won't have any restriction until week 6 and am instructed to stay on liquids for 4 weeks with another 2 weeks of soupy solids. That seems a bit different than the rest of you but really is working for me and others that I've spoken with who were banded by my surgeon. I am sleeping well and off all pain meds. I can't wait till week 6 when I can get my first fill and start this process for real. I haven't weighed and don't plan to until my follow up appointment on the 23rd. I didn't have a pre-op diet so I'm curious if I've lost any weight. Since I'm eating 600 -700 cals a day and still moving around pretty good....I'll bet I have. I love reading about all the various experiences. I haven't felt so connected to other people since my pregnancy...lol.

[Juniper 0]

Well, my name is Michelle, and I was banded on Thurs. 7/09/09. Today is my 3rd day post-op and I feel like I am in the mullygrubs. I just feel down. I am still in a little pain (its tolerable), but I just keep wondering what have I done to myself. I have no regrets, maybe I'm just missing the comfort of food and not being very active. I don't know, but has anyone else had this problem of just feeling the blues????

Michelle, my 3rd and 4th day after surgery I was super emotional. It has gotten better, but I'm still feeling more emotional than I usually do. I kept thinking it was "that time", but it never happened, just the moodiness.

I've heard many times that women can get very moody as they lose weight because we release stored estrogen as we burn fat. So I've tried to prepare myself and my family for the potential roller coaster of emotions that may be ahead.

I wish you the best.

[melodicone 0]

Juniper that's an interesting theory!! I've been on the liquid diet for nearly 2 weeks and a few things have been crazy with getting my pre-op done. I'm healthy and never go to the doctor, I guess this is a bad bad thing since I don't have a regular doctor everything is a PITA to get done! But anyway, last week twice at the drop of a hat I just burst into tears and couldn't seem to control it! I was thinking "What the hell? It's not even that time of the month!"

Perhaps this is why! I just kinda shrugged it off as "I'm having no proper food don't piss me off!"

[jen_e 0]

I think because you swollow air when you chew gum and it can give your already gassy body even more air and gass to deal with. Thats what my banded friend told me anyways when I asked her. Im a gum addict. Thats gonna be a hard one to kick.

All my info says what you said. Im a gum addict too and have kept chewing..I burp more. I also swallow it. :eek:Told the Dr I'd have to remember not to any more. He said 'well it's not a good habit but probably small enough not to cause problems.' I have forgotten to spit it out and luckily it hasn't caused problems.