question w/ port and compliments?

my first question is, port/incision pain???  Okay this is weird, I have some pain but its not over my port although its on the same side, but its more like over the incision area?  I'm about 5 weeks out.  Anyone else have this issue?? 

I have issues with compliments.  I get, "hey you look great"--"wow you look fantastic"--"your face is really thinning out"  and the ever famous, "how much weight have you lost?"  I'm only down 32 lbs..  Believe me when I say this, I like hearing it, but HOW do I take them?  I don't know how?  I am not used to it.  I just smile and say thank you.  Its almost like I'm embarassed that they are noticing my weight loss.  How weird is that? 

It can be important, but it is probably nothing.  If it's not red or oozing or showing other signs of infection, it's probably still just healing.

thank you!  I thought the same thing, but I thought I would ask!  Thank you for your response!!

Is the pain constant or is increased with a change in activity?  If you had to rate your pain on a 0-10 scale with 10 the worst pain ever, where would you rate your pain?
It can be tender for quite awhile, but I never experienced pain, other than post op.  Have you done any new activity? 
And you wrote "ONLY down 32 pounds"   That is a lot of weight if you had to lift something up that weighed that much. Celebrate every pound! 

As far as compliments, saying thanks is the best.  You are working hard and you will be hearing compliments until the weight loss slows down and when you get to goal.  It's not weird that you feel embarrassed with the attention, being obese can be like we were invisible.  I encourage you to tell yourself positives everyday.  Celebrate behavior related goals, the scale doesn't always show the hard work.

Hey Tetra!!!  pain is only about 3 and sometimes i hve it when I'm laying down or sitting at my desk.  sometimes its almost like a stabbing or burning.  Its not an everyday thing, but its just weird.  I didn't mean "ONLY 32 lbs" in a bad way, I guess I just ment I didn't expect compliments that soon.  I would have thought it would have been 50+ lbs...I'm very proud of the 32 lbs..Of course 102 lbs would be great, but I will get there!!!  LOL....

Yes, your right, I did feel invisible.  I feel that people are looking at me differently...I have to wonder, what the hell did they think of me 32 lbs ago??  Was I some fat blob that wasn't worth there time??  Boy that ****** me right off!!

You could mention the port area pain to your surgeon the next time you see them.  As long as there isn't redness, warmth, swelling or drainage I wouldn't worry. 

I understand what you are saying about the compliments coming at 32 pounds.  I lost a lot of weight on WW years ago and it always took about 50 pounds before people thought I had changed my hair, and then it was my face looked thinner etc.

I have learned that people comment on weight loss as a form of encouragement and I have learned not to let it bother me.  Some may have been concerned about how my health would get as I got heavier and heavier before the band.  We may look differently as we lose, and I think we do change also in how we react to life.  Some may have more confidence, willing to try new things, willing to work on our health etc etc.

This journey is so much more than losing weight, it's about getting healthier and making the most of what we are given.  It's hard work but it's so worth it and it's exciting to achieve goals.

Sorry I'm rambling on.  I wish you the best on your journey!  Believe in yourself and take it one step at a time.

Kristi

I become uncomfortable with all the questions about "oh how much weight have you lost?" too. I have finally gotten to where my answer is simply I have lost enough that I feel so much better! This seems to make them stop and think, and leaves me feeling less vunerable about their then to follow comments of " oh thats alot, or wow, is that all?
Invisible is the way many of us have made it in the world we live in, and it is sometimes difficult to notice the way coworkers and people we know treat us differently. We are still the same, loosing the weight did not overnight change who we are inside!
Off the soapbox now...
Congrats on the weight loss.
The pain near the port could be the area where it was sewed to the muscles. Sometimes mine will ache, and it is usually after I have picked up something, or played a really active game on the wii. Also even 19 months out I get port discomfort when it is almost time for my period.

Just say, "Thank you for noticing...I feel even better than I look!" :)

I'm almost 4 weeks post op and still experience port discomfort as well.  Somtimes it aches, burns, itches (sign of healing), or just plain hurts.  Remember we heal from the inside out.  I went to the doctor the other day for my first post-op visit and he commented how swollen the area still is around the port.  He said it's not unusual, so not to be worried.  When I first get out of bed in the morning that area is especially uncomfortable.  I actually feel a sharp pain in the port area, but within a minute or so it goes away.  Maybe it's how I sleep at night, who knows.

As for the compliments, it can be difficult.  It's a shame how society discriminates because of people's weight, as if we have no feelings.  I have pictures of myself at work from years and years ago in which i was thinner, and people actually say, "Oh wow, you look so pretty.  What happened?"  And over the years, my coworkers have seen me gain and lose weight, so I'm used to the questions.  Sometimes it feels good to receive a compliment, sometimes its not (depends on who its coming from, whether they're being sincere, etc).  I think people want to fish for info to see how you lost it.  Some will come right out and ask how you did it.  I personally wish to keep my WLS a secret.  A good part of society feel it's an easy way out when indeed it is not.  It is surgery!!!! 

Losing 32 pounds in 5 weeks is awesome..........congrats to you!!!!!!!!!!!