Is this normal?

[Hope]

Hi All,
I am definetly a newbie and am just learning how to navigate this forum. I was banded on 11-30-06 and spent one night in the hosp. I am still having a lot of pain in one of my incisions, the one that is aproximately 4 inches under by breasts. I think it is probably the one where the port is. It is making sleeping difficult because I can't sleep in any other position than on my back. Is this normal?? My next issue is a little gross, but here goes!! I haven't been able to poop since the day before my surg, thats going on 6 days!! I am still on clear liquids and drinking mostly Isopure, water and juices but is it normal not to poop for 5 days???
I am very excited as I begin my banded life but I am also a little neurotic and worry about all the possible complications! I have found this site to be a Godsend! Thanks to all and hopefully I will be able to help others as my jouney progresses. :mmph:

[JDru]

Hi Hope! Welcome to the board and to bandland. I also had a lot of pain in my port incision the first few days. I couldn't lay on my side until about 4 days out and I used a pillow to support my stomach. As for the constipation, it's normal since you're only "eating" liquids. Sounds like everything is going well for you. Each day will get a little better. Good luck!

[Stitchy]

My port was pretty tender for several days. I could sleep on one side but not the other. Can't remember which right now. Here a suggestion that might ease it at night for side sleeping. Put a pillow against your back (almost lay on it) and smaller pillow between your knees. This kind of eases the pressures and straightens out you body.

I didn't have a bm for several days and then eventually was pretty constipated. I took milk of magnesia and it took care of the problem. Now, I take two Benefibres every night before bed and I don't have problems anymore.

[Goannabanda]

Welcome to our family Hope!
Sounds like you're running the normal path. I couldn't do either of those things for several days. For sleeping, I found lying inclined for the first week or so was the most comfortable for me. No side sleeping in my case for about 10 days. As for the constapation, I agree with Stitchy that Benefibre works great. I have the powder blended into drinks / yoghurt. A little museli blended well into a smoothie also helps.
See you around the boards!

[Hope]

Hi All,
Thanks for all your suggestions and support. I am beginning to feel better but am taken back at the amount of pain I had. I guess I thougth because the procedure is laproscopic it wouldn't hurt!! I am still struggling to get comfortable sleeping on my back as side sleeping is still painful, but I am propping with pillows and it definetly helps. Today is 5 days post-op and my first steri-strip came off one of the incisions when I was in the shower, is it too early?? My doctor said I could shower and I have been daily but he didn't mention how long the steri-strips should remain in place.
I plan on calling him tomorrow with a few questions but was wondering what you all have experienced.

Thanks again,
Hope

PS: My scale says 21 lbs lost including the 10 lbs I lost on the pre-op diet. Yeeehaaa, I'm on my way!! I am very excited and happy!

[Jachut]

Oh, laproscopic surgery still hurts! They've done all the same things to you inside as they would do with open surgery, you just have smaller incisisions and therefore less scarring in the long run. You also get full of gas.

I had the opposite to constipation, lol, but either is normal.

Here's to a speedy recovery for you. My port continued to give me shock bolts of pain for weeks when I did something it didnt like.

[tattooedsuess]

Congrats on the great weightloss!!! I'm glad that you're starting to feel a little bit better now too.

I had a lot of gas and shoulder pain my first week out, so that is totally normal. My port incision was the worst too.

I think 5 days out is around the time my steri strips started coming off as well. I remember my surgeon telling me not to leave them on for too long, as they start getting dirty. She didn't want me using anything but water on them until they were completely closed. Every surgeon is different though, and it's probably wise to call and ask yours what they suggest.