Alana

Aw, thank you, Jenn! I hope these pains go away - they're literally becoming a pain.

thanks, Denise - me, too!

Ever since surgery, I will get sharp back pains up near my ribs. I do not believe it is gas pain as I didn't really have a problem with that. It feels like someone has put a giant rubber band around my chest and back and it's squeezing me. It's not constant, but it's often enough to bother me. I don't know if it's the physical trauma of the actual surgery or what. Has anyone else experienced non-gas related back pains?

I watched last night's episode, too, and my impression was that they really didn't believe the band was the right choice for her paticular situation. I didn't think they were coming down on the band itself, but on the effects the band would have for her. She had a massive hernia that needed repair very soon and the rate of weight loss with the band for her wouldn't allow that to happen as quickly as having gastric. While the statistic they gave might be skewed, for someone like her, it might be accurate. We all know that people with the band can lose much more than 40% of their extra weight, but everyone gets their stats from different research studies. All in all, it's an inspirational show. I hope that one they featured with the hernia gets the help she needs. And kudos to all the people on the show that are making the decision to change their lives!

Hi Mary, I am also 22 years old and have yo yo dieted since I was young. I started researching the LapBand last July after meeting someone who was very successful with it. She's lost 112 lbs. I finally did as much research as I could and finally decided on Dr. Ortiz in February. I was banded on May 9th (last Friday!!) and I'm happy with my decision. I've lost about 21 lbs (7 pre-op, the rest post-op) and while this past week has been rough, I'm doing alright and I don't regret anything. I've just been a little run down, gassy, and a little uncomfortable. These first 3 weeks are rough, so be aware of that. My main reason for choosing this is because I am young. I'm not married and I don't have any kids. I've been lucky enough to avoid any obesity-related diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure and I wanted to do this to PREVENT them. I want to have a happy and full life and now was the best time for me. Make sure it's the best time for you. This is just a tool to help you succeed - it is not a cure. We have to do our part to work with our bands to achieve our goals. I think you'll do just fine. Let me know if you have any questions. I can be reached through here or at apk726@hotmail.com.

My card reads I have a 10.0cm band. They told my mother that was the smaller of the two, because my torso isn't very long. Hope this helps!

Does anyone experience a certain time of day where you just feel crappier than usual? I normally feel great in the morning and then after lunch, it's all downhill. After lunch, I feel nauseous, my stomach is tender, and I get a bad headache. I had some potato soup (maybe 4-5 spoonfulls, tops, no chunks) and a about 1/4 of a smoothie and I feel awful. I thought this was supposed to get better with time... Alana --------- Starting Weight: 240 Surgery Weight: 233 Current Weight: 219 (as of 5/15/08)

YAY! Congratulations! I'm so proud of you. Hopefully I'll get to where you are, too! Starting Weight: 240 Surgery Weight: 233 Today's Weight: 219 5/15/08

I was banded last Friday (the 9th) and our floor was having heavy remodeling/construction done to it. I never saw any evidence outside of that, but inside, it was dusty and LOUD. thankfully, they stopped pretty early, but during the day, it was quite the commotion. I don't know how many floors were having this done, but half of the 4th floor was being remodeled. That is probably what they were referring to. and it smelled in the tower, too - just kinda of musty.

No one has any answers?

One of the smaller incisions opened up when I accidentally scratched too close. The skin around it was itching and I scratched through my shirt and pulled the scab off. It just had a small spot of blood. I put a bandaid over it - should I use Neosporin or anything?

Every Wednesday at my work we have "bagel day" and a local bakery supplies the most delicious bagels. The whole office smells of baked bread. Of course I couldn't have any even if I wanted to since I'm only 6 days post op, but I ignored them and drank my gatorade and sipped on half a slim fast. Plus, I went home during lunch and weighed myself and I've lost 21 lbs since starting this journey!

Thanks, Darlene!! >

I'm feeling about 1000% better today, compared to the last 2 days. I guess taking that extra day off really helped. I'm not too sore, not too gassy - back at work and feeling good. Good thing, since I have an interview today at 1:00pm EST. Cross your fingers, bandsters - I really want this job! Hope everyone who wasn't feeling great is on their road to recovery as well..

I am 5 days post op and feel really yucky, too. I get nauseous on and off. I don't know how much I'm supposed to be eating/drinking. I can incorporate yogurt now, but do I eat 1 yogurt or 5? 2 popsicles or 12? they didn't tell you these things! I also have diahrrea, so I don't want to get dehydrated. I'm sipping water and juice, but it doesn't seem to help much. help!

thanks for the reply - that definitely put me a little more at ease. I guess I assumed that because I felt so great after the surgery that it would keep on, but I need to realize that I did just have SURGERY and I need to give it time.

I'm sorry to hear that, Val - I took today off from work, but I may take tomorrow off, too, if I keep feeling this way. I haven't felt any pain on my left side until today, so I have no idea what I did to make it happen.

I was feeling great all day until I took a nap. Now I'm nauseous and have some pretty sharp pain on my left side...did anyone else experience this?

Tell me about it, Dontondan - I was feeling great earlier, went on a walk, took a nap, and now I feel like crap. Really nauseous and some sharp pain on my left side. Anyone else feel this?

Hey Lauren! I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to you, too! I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I have been able to burp, but it's pretty painful. Are you drinking enough water? Definitely call the clinic and see what they recommend. I'm not 100% sure I'll be coming back for my fill. I would like to, but it's a really long trip from Florida, not to mention expensive. I'd have to take off more from work. If I can make it work, I'd love to coordinate with you guys! My email is apk726@hotmail.com - email me anytime!! **Thanks for the all the welcoming comments, everyone!

It was great to see you, too, Evette! I was so excited to see someone I recognized from the forum. You look great!

Well, I'm back home (finally!) from being banded. I got in pretty late last night, but it was so wonderful to be in my own bed. The flight over from Florida was pretty miserable. After fasting for so long, I became extremely nauseous on the plane, all the smells and people really got to me. I had a headache like you wouldn't believe! We met Fransisco pretty quickly at the gate, but ended up waiting at least another 35 minutes for another couple that was late. We were just driving around, which didn't help my disposition. We finally ended up transferring vans and driving into Mexico with another driver. He got us into TJ pretty quickly and to the center, which is gorgeous. Unfortunately, I felt the wait time for my blood tests was abnormally long, we were waiting at least another hour and a half and by the time they finally got us back to the hotel, I was light headed and sick. It didn't seem to matter how many times I mentioned to Claudia that I was feeling ill, my blood tests were always "just another few minutes". I guess that would be my main complaint for the trip. Back at the hotel, my mom and I went downstairs and had dinner with Charlotte and her fiancee, Mark. They were both very nice people, we enjoyed spending time with them. I had my "final" meal at the hotel restaraunt and it was pretty good. Our waiter, Pedro, was very nice and he was banded 12 years ago and said it changed his life. He looked great! The next morning, we were picked up about 45 mins later than they told us to be in the lobby (seems like a trend!). After getting to the center, I had my breathing and heart test, which both checked out great. I got called back by Dr. Romero pretty quickly after that and he was incredibly nice. Made my mom and I feel very much at ease. The hospital room was gorgeous, comfortable, and very accomodating. My mom got pictures with me and all the doctors. Dr. Ortiz came in and spoke with us and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I did not enjoy speaking to him as much as I thought I would. Maybe I was just too nervous, but he was extremely intimidating. After leaving, I relaxed and watched "The Holiday" with my mom until they called me in. It went so quickly! The next thing I knew, I was laying on the operating table, breathing into the mask and talking to the anesthesiologist. He must have sensed I was nervous and he kept talking to me about my beautiful blue eyes. Then I was suddenly back in my room! My mom says I slept for about 20 minutes and then I was up and walking the halls. I cannot stress enough how much better I felt when I was walking around than laying in bed. I was very surprised at how little the other patients walked around, but I guess they didn't feel great. I was up every chance I could and I think that's why I feel as good as I do. We stayed an extra night at the hotel, which I was thankful for as it made the long trip home just a bit easier. They took us to the airport at 7am for an 11:40 flight, which I thought was odd. It was a little miserable waiting in the airport for that long. I got nauseous again on the flight every time we took off or landed. The gas is pretty painful, haven't felt it too much in my shoulder, thankfully. I only feel it when I need to burp and that can be difficult and painful. Thankfully, I've had a few bowel movements, so I'm ok in that department. Today is day 4 so I can incorporate some yogurt, which I'm sure will help. I don't feel hungry, but I have to remind myself to drink. I'm fine with the sipping and haven't had any bad experiences with that. My incisions look great, the iodine is almost all gone, yet my stomach is still sticky even after showering each day. All in all, I'm glad I did it. It has been a surreal experience. I started researching the Lap Band back in July of last year and now I'm banded! For those who didn't see the post about naming your band, I've decided to name mine Chuck Norris, since it will be the enforcer. I hope everyone I shared this experience with is home and doing well. Hopefully they'll all post their own experiences as well!

Had my surgery a little while ago and I'm feeling pretty good. A little sore in the chest area, but that's about it. The doctors and staff here are wonderful. The room is beautiful and comfortable. I have a constant feeling of wanting to burp, but it doesn't come out too easily. I'm sure over time it will. Can't wait to get back home! I'll blog later.

I just read up on it and saw all the other benefits. Thanks, trulytangledgrl! I think I will be looking for the capsules, though - these vitamin-style ones are just too yucky.

I understand how you feel! I scheduled my surgery for May 9th back in February - I never thought this day would come and now it's only 2 days away! You'll make it, I promise!