Recent Posts
Hi! I think the binder is mainly to keep the swelling at bay. Also to give that extra support. I know those first couple of weeks, gravity was not my friend. I felt more soreness with the binder off. I also felt like it kept my incision together and kept those staples from pulling. At the same time, the rolling up at the bottom and the folding in places when sitting drove me absolutely nuts. It helped to wear a tank top underneath the binder and I would pull the tank down as much as possible. I just lived with the annoyance. For 5-6 weeks.
Honestly Dr. Nohr didn't say anything about a binder. I barely seen him at the hospital while I was there. But the nurses at the hospital did say to wear one. I wore one the entire time in the hospital. Nobody said how long to wear one. I think I read it on these forums mostly. Seems like most people wear them for awhile. As for when to stop wearing one, base it on how you feel. The topic of the swell hell that so many go through scared me enough to wear one for as long as I did. I ended up swelling very little. I would think some kind of shape wear would help as well. I just didn't want to wrestle getting into shape wear. The binder was just easier.
My RNY was done by lap. So I didn't think I needed a binder as I had no open incision. If I had it done open, I probably would have worn a binder. Dr. Nohr said nothing about a binder then. I didn't wear one in the hospital so I didn't bother.
Hope you are recovering well. It's a tough recovery, I know. A lot tougher then the RNY was. Drink lots of water, eat protein, and take a few little daily walks and try to straighten out. It took me 5 weeks to straighten.
Giselle
Hi! It is quite normal to feel scared. It's a big surgery and a life change for sure. Take this time to do lots of research. Peruse this forum and ask questions. Just to be clear, for the first year, you will lose weight rapidly. You will not be able to eat much. You will malabsorb lots of the nutrients you eat. BUT the further you are out from surgery, you will be able to eat more and you will absorb more nutrients again. Hopefully you will have learned better eating habits during the 1st year. Maintenance is a complete different story. People have gained all their weight back. It is possible. Due to eating too much, too often, the wrong things etc. It will become work again. But that first year is truly amazing. Also, don't count on dumping. Only 30% end up with dumping issues. I have never dumped and I can eat sugar with no problems.
So don't look at this surgery as a quick fix. It isn't. It might seem like it at first. It is a weight loss tool. Success is using the tool well and changing bad habits. You can eat around it.
Best of luck to you. I don't think you will regret making the decision to have surgery. I have never had any regrets.
Giselle
Hi. I found this site about a year ago and wanted to thank everyone for the great info I've gathered here. Because of it, I was able to secure an appointment with Dr. Nohr in Medicine Hat for Dec 2014. But using Miss Calla's suggestion, I called them immediately and put myself on the waiting list. Turns out there was a cancellation and I go for my consultation next Tuesday. They told me I'd find out that day whether I'm accepted and they said they're booking about 9 months out for surgery.
I'm more scared than excited. Is that normal? I don't truly know if gastric bypass surgery is for me. Did the rest of you feel that way when you started down this path? I've struggled with my weight since I was 10. I'm fit, but fat. Exercising and eating healthy isn't a problem for me. Portion control is.
Since I decided to explore WLS surgery a year ago, I've found it really plays on your mind. I'm considered a "light weight" and so couldn't go on any diet in case it jeopardized my chances of being accepted. I'm excited that next Tuesday I will know either way and I can get on with life one way or another. This holding pattern will be over.
Any advice you can offer is appreciated. I've read the Weight Loss Surgeries for Dummies book, scoured the internet and plan to go prepared with all my questions.
Thanks,
Karen
Hope everything is going well. You should be starting to feel normal again. :)
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; a optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty"- Winston Churchill
I am so glad everything went well for you! It looks great!
RNY 01/23/12, HW 265, CW 115, Height 5'6"
curious, about the binder, I had my surgery with Dr Nhor on monday and am having similiar recovery as yours. Dr Nhor when I asked how long i should wear the binder said it din't matter. That he doesn't think it makes a difference other than a personal experience for people feeling "held in" better, which is true. But like you said, can be irritating rolling up, pulling down... but i have read so many instructions that it is so important to recovery. We didn't need one after the rny. what did he tell you about wearing it?
Well... Over a week past the surgery and I am doing real well. Only have discomfort at night when I turn a certain way but that is easy to deal with.
thank you all for the posts and good thoughts!!
Hi Again,
So shall we look at meeting somewhere in Calgary?
How about Sunday April 27th? 11am at the Starbucks in Target at Chinook Mall?
I'm open to other suggestions - just thought I'd start the conversation.
:)
That's awesome! I can't wait :) the nurse said i have the nicest cleanest incision she has ever seen. So that is something! I'm very thankful to be a speedy healer.
Kathy S. · 0 replies · 1169 views
