POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am on antibiotics due to one of my incisions being slightly infected. They are kind of large tablets, but I have been taking them with no problem. I forgot to take one this morning so I had my husband bring it to me at work. I had to wait at least one hour after my lunch to take it, since it needs to be taken with lots of Water. Now that I've taken it, I've got the hiccups! And they won't stop! I'm wondering if perhaps the pill is stuck in the pouch or opening and the hiccups is my body's way of helping get it through? Any advice or suggestions? Thanks!

I was wondering if the lap band surgery is an out patient surgery or do you have to be admitted to the hospital for a few days.

Hi Everyone, I was banded 12/4/09....this was my first surgery ever(I am only 23 years old) and I must have a very low pain tolerance because after surgery I was in alot of pain and didnt move around a whole lot. A week after my surgery, I began to have a very hard time breathing and the worst pain ever in my abdomen. I called the doctor and was sent to the ER. Come to find out, I had massive blood clots in my lungs (Pulmonary Embolisms or PEs) I was sent to the ICU, put on heparin, coumadin, and a BiPap breathing machine. I was at the hospital 8 days. Never thought this is how my story would go. I have been home for two weeks and still have trouble with my breathing, …

I had my band surgery over three years ago. I was completely fine and never experienced any kind of pain at all since the day it was installed! I wanted the band to be tightened all the time since I like sweets.. I was healthy and strong and everything... But my family didn't like it.. So I had to go to my doctor and he emptied the port completely 2 months ago! Since the last time I went there, I felt pain at the port site. I took antibiotics and anti-inflammatory.. now, the pain IS STILL THERE!!! And it doesn't matter whether I moved or not!!It's always there!! Sharp nagging pain that I can't sleep on my tummy anymore... When my baby accidentally brushes against it, …

I am about 19 days post-op, and I'm having A LOT of trouble getting my protein in. I am super picky first of all, and I have a horrible gag reflex to textures and tastes. I have found that I really enjoy the NAKED PROTEIN ZONE drinks; however, after I drink even half, my heart starts racing, and for about 4-6 hours I feel like complete poop!?! I feel nauseated and exhausted, etc. Anyone else have this problem? Anyone have anysuggestions? I don't feel like this any other time except after consuming a protein drink... Thanks

I get to start full liquids tomorrow so I am really trying to find a way to start getting in my protein. I bought an organic greek yogurt that has 22 grams of protein p cup BUT...I don;t love it. I took a tiny taste. Do any of you have a suggestion as to what I might mix with it to help the taste?

Hi, I was banded on the 12th Nov 2009. I lost about 7-8 kg on the pre-op diet. I got banded and I haven't lost anything. I am quite frustrated as I feel I eat less and I get the 'stuck' feeling....when do people generally get their first fill. I haven't had any fills yet. Any information appreciated. Kity1_cat

Im at the stage where I was told 2 eat egg mcmuffin for breakfast, 1/2 turkey sandwhicg 4 lunch with mayo lettuce cheese n tomatoe, dinner baked meat with brocolli or other veggies. U know we nt suppose 2 eat n drink at the same time 2 wait 30-40 mins b 4 u drink liquids if thats the case can I eat cereal??? isnt the skim milk pushing the cereal down making my band less full? help me im confused...

ALOHA EVERYONE!! Okay I was sleeved on October 8th 2009....I was losing weight on a steady pace....then once I hit a lost of about 30 pounds....it just STOPPED :huh0:. I know I have heard of the stall occuring for about 1-2 weeks....but 3 weeks now? Is this normal....I am hoping that I didn't have this surgery done to only lose 30 pounds....and on top of that I have gained about 2 pounds.....what is going on?? someone please help...I am getting so discouraged now

I was banded Tuesday, December 29, 2009. Now five days post, I am nervous that I've made a big mistake. I truly am starving to death. I am only able to sip one ounce at a time...still. I had no problem with the clear broth so on Thursday I started the Isopure protein shake. After taking only an ounce, again sipping it in, I had terrible pain in my chest and shoulders THIRTY MINUTES after ingesting it. It's taken me 4 days to finish 12 ounces and I suffer with every ounce. My paperwork suggests that I should be able to start thinned out solids...cream of wheat....watery potatos but I am too scared to attempt it. I can't imagine what life will be like when it's time …

For those who missed the Mile Matchers thread: If you feel you need some encouragement in your daily walking, please feel free to join our social/support group, Walking With Warriors at: LAP-BAND Today is Day One of 100, so if you want to start with us at the beginning, this is the day to do it! You are, of course, welcome to join at any time. We will be walking a minimum of 1 mile a day and logging our total miles in at the group, so we can keep a running, cumulative tab of the miles we've walked as a group. Exciting stuff! Hope to see you there!

I was banded 11/19/09. I have been so hungry for the last several weeks. Is this normal? I am suppossed to have my first band fill on 1/6/10. Do people noticed a change in hunger right away?

i'M HALFWAY THERE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE!!! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

I mean this quite literally. How long did it take you to stop picturing yourself very fat in your dreams? I keep having these dreams that I m thin and healthy. I am wearing cute little jeans or high heals. About every 4th dream I am more obese that I ever was. Last night I was hiding behind my beautiful friends for a picture because I was SO ashamed of how big I was. I wonder what this says about my self image. Is anyone else's mind playing tricks on them?

I have never suffered from heartburn! I got banded a little over a week ago. yesterday, I started transitioning to mushie foods, I had a very soft egg for dinner. Today I had the same type egg. Got heart burn! then lunch I had some mashed potato and gravy. Go heart burn! Then just now I had very thin Soup hoping to avoid the heart burn. It didn't work! why? Please help! I'm so worried I caused a slip or something.

So I have an 11cc band with 7cc in it total. I am going to the doctors again in a few days for a check up and maybe a fill. The problem is I cant decide whether I need a fill or not. See I can also eat anything with very little trouble. I eat when I am "hungry" or so I thought. Recently I went on a backpacking trip and since there weren't many choices for eating I didnt eat much ( didnt pass many restaurants or places to eat lots of bus train etc traveling.) and I wasnt really hungry. Whenever I ate it was because my friends were dying of hunger but I didnt really feel the need to eat but I would anyways ( simply because places to eat were few and far in between). I on…

I had my surgery on September 4, 2009. I have had two fills with a total of 4.7cc in a 10cc band. After my second fill I was very restricted for about a week. After that, nothing.... It has been 6 weeks and I have gained 3lbs... My Dr. thinks its my food choices and wants me to see a dietican.. I know some of its my choice in foods but I think if I was restricted enough, I couldnt eat breads and LARGE PORTIONS... Does this mean I need another fill??:smile2:

I was wondering if anyone here has been banded in Miami, Fl, and if so who was your surgeon. I would appreciate is you would share your experience.

I keep on going back and forth about whether or not to get the surgery. I have had so many failed attempts to lose weight, and I am still young, I don't want to spend the rest of my life over weight. Every time I read the complications of the lap band surgery, it makes me so scared. I am so afraid of the surgery it self. I am scared of the anesthesia, I am scared of getting a blood clot, I am scared of everything associated with the surgery. I have two small children, and I am afraid that something will happen to me, but on the flip side I know it will feel so good once I lose the weight. Has anyone else had these feeling?

Anyone have their surgery done with MAC anesthesia? I was wondering if this is possible. Terrified of general anesthesia.

I am a little confused and don't want to call the doctor for something so minor. I had one person tell me at the hospital that I could take off the Steri-strips in 2 weeks--and one person tell me to leave them alone they will fall off! Neither of these people was the sugeon--he told me nothing lol. What do you think I should do?? It's been 2 1/2 weeks and they are still pretty stuck on there. Should I take them off?? Won't they rip off the scabs??

I had my lap band 2 weeks ago Friday and my blood glucose numbers have gone up since my surgery in the high 200's. At first I thought it could be from the stress of the surgery the first week but shouldn't they be coming down by now I mean I haven't had any sugar or very little in 2 weeks and is there anyone out there whose numbers didn't come down and they had to stay on insulin???

For the past 2 days I have been experiencing some pretty bad stomach pain....it ranges inbetween my navel and right under my breasts. It gets worse when I lay on my left side or back....does this sound like gas/constipation or something worse (band slippage?) ? I am kind of paranoid right now..

I was scraping of the last of a tiny scab on one of my incisions when I figured out what I was scratching at wasn't a scab after all! It's the end of an internal stitch! I guess I'll have to call the surgeon on Monday and see if there is anything I need to do about it.

hi i am 34 years old and was banded on 12/28/09. my first few days out were great and now i am having symptoms of low blood sugar throughout the day and wake up several times in the night with night sweats and symptoms of low blood sugar. i have checked my sugars and they are normal. has anyone experienced anything like this? could this be my body adjusting or anxiety?

I got instructions to not drink before OR after my meals for 30 minutes. The 30/30 rule. Can anyone explain why? Did anyone's surgeon tell them this same thing? Will it be bad, or is it just so we feel full and get nutrients instead of flushing them? I just can't remember and was wondering if anyone had an explanation for me for now? Thanks!

Now that we are talking about odd things after surgery...At about the one month mark my hair started falling out in handfuls! I have waist length thick curly hair and was mortified. My surgeon laughed and said that was how he knew I was losing weight but it freaked me out. He gave me vitamin injections for one week then I had to cut it into a bob. After that I was put on low estrogen and it has seemed to stop and is growing back. I just hadn't heard anyone talk about this is all.

Okay - I had my surgery on July 8, 2009, since then, I have lost a total of 20 lbs. Most of that was in the very beginning. I work out AT LEAST 3 times a week, usually 5 times a week. The only benefits from the band so far is that my back will hurt if I don't chew well enough or if I eat too fast, and I also don't go back for seconds. I am not restricted in the amount of food I eat. I am making better choices then in the past. I am exercising more then I did in the past, and yet I am only able to maintain my weight right now. I know that the band is only a tool, and I am completely willing to work for the weight loss. I am not sure if I was expecting too much from…

I know thats the feeling they want us to have, satiety. However, I feel like mine is the extreme. I had my first fill last Tuesday but seriously.......I just feel no need to eat. Now mind you, thats my bad habits in the past. I could on my own go for long periods w/ out eating, and then over do it once I do eat. I guess making up for the lack of eating all day. I know its a bad habit, but even today...I had a bowl of Cereal, which in a way I had to force myself to eat because I literally do not feel hungry. I kind of feel like I could not eat for awhile and know I could. Yesterday I only ate twice, a late lunch (like 2:30pm) and something for dinner around 8pm. …

I am going into my 5th week and I have gone thorugh many different stages in this. But I am on a diet at this point where I can have fish, pork, chicken etc as long as it is moist and cut up very small. NOTHING tastes good to me at all. I used to enjoy all of those foods and its just not the taste I enjoyed before. Is anyone experiencing this same problem? I know it is probably a good thing because it makes me stay within my portion but the foods are just not tasting good to me.

Okay, so Ashley was having some difficulty getting motivated to lose weight while her hubby is overseas, and she needed some help. As a thank you to her husband, some of us have decided to match every mile that Ashley walks between now and the time her honey comes home in April. It's a great way to thank a soldier, help a sister bander, AND get the exercise that we ourselves need. A win-win! Anyone is welcome to join. And if you have a spouse overseas, and you want someone to walk with you, let us know and someone will adopt you, LOL! Our soldiers have trudged so many long, lonely miles through the desert, surely we can walk a single mile a day for them and their f…

Several of us have used Dr. Nick here in Dallas, and he doesn't do a leak test the following day. I guess I never really thought to ask him why he doesn't. I'm 17 days out tomorrow, and these are the things that are entering my mind now. I am just starting to exercise again per PA release, and I'm having mushy food and introducing soft foods as well. I had a really mushed up chicken tender tonight watered down further with a little gravy. Not the healthiest choice, and certainly not a regular meal at my house, but even that guilt got me all freaked. I'm like the poster child for worriers.

Just recently I started having this sort of "side stitch" pain. It is not super painful, I don't have a fever etc. But when I sit up, bend over, or use my tummy muscles, it hurts, almost like an internal bruise. It kind of reminds me of a side stitch you would get when you run? Has anyone experienced this, is it something to be alarmed about? Or is this normal internal healing? It is on my right hand side literally between my front and back, and just doesn't seem to go away. It is a new pain, or at least since I have been healing I have noticed it more in the last few days. Let me know if anyone else has experienced anything like this, this far out from surgery. …

I have been wondering something for a while now. Any time I go to see my Doctor, I forget to ask so I am going to ask all of you. Maybe someone out here in band land will know the answer. So here goes. Why is it since I got my band if I attempt to eat anything even slightly spicey it gets stuck and right back up it comes? For instance, I went to McDonalds earlier and got a McRib. I only wanted a couple bites then was going to give it to my hubby. I took 1 SMALL bite and within seconds I was bent over the toliet throwing up that small bite? What is it with the band that makes it to where we can't handle spicey food anymore? I'm not talking just a McRib, I mean bla…

I was banded in March, and have lost 65 pounds, gone from a tight 28/30 to a 18/20, and from a 48DDD to a 44DDD, I am doing good.....BUT....for the last 2 months I have been craving sweets like there is no tomorrow! I can't get over how bad it is. I have tried fresh fruit, but that does not help. I excerise, and I am getting enuough protien, but my problem has been quality NOT quanity. Any one else go through this??? If so what did you do?

Hi I was banded 11/25/09 and also had a ventral hernia surgery at same time, everything has been great but now one of the larger incisions, maybe my port if they put it on the right side is red and oozing, could be from the tummy band i have to wear because of the hernia surgery. i am using warm compresses, and neosporin any ideas? I tried to call my doctor but the machine says call 911, not quite what i had in mind. Thanks for reading this any help would be appreciated.

So i needed to get an unfill. I was having some chest pain and the doctor thinks i may have torn or irritated something when i had 1!!! minor PB gosh! anyhoot i wasnt tight at all. So she takes 1 cc out,in hopes that will facilitae the healing? and OMG! first i tested what I can eat at this level.Hmm what can I eat?? I promised i'd stay strong and eat healthy. Initialy it was hard very hard but then I just started to pig out. Here I am thinking well Illl get a fill abck and then its over... or "I couldnt eat bread for 6 months whats a little peanut butter and jelly sandwhich". Ive been on a 3 week party boat.. and i promise you as much fun as this sounds to each and every…

Oh my gosh..!!!! I am 3 days post op and I want saltine crackers sooooo badly!!! I haven't eaten any, and I know I can't. I just need some motivation or ideas to get this craving out of me!

WOW. I feel so, so SOOOO, much better today. Got up this morning and was rearing to go! (I still could burp or toot a sailor under the table, but could laugh about it today!) Yesterday, it was hard to see the roses, so much better today! I went to bed about 7 and I think the rest was a gift. I guess after all the abdominal anesthetic and the better pain-killers from the hospital dissipate, the real "ouch" sets in. I am glad I stayed in Dallas for those couple of days. I stopped every 45 mins. on the drive home today and am now ready for a nap. I look about 3 months prego today. Thanks for all of your support through the rough time. I did it! YEAH! What a great start for 2…

I get my first fill on 1/22 (5 weeks after surgery). After this fill, its my choice as to when I want to schedule additional fills (as long as they are not closer than 2 weeks apart). My surgeon's office is pretty busy, though, so do you think I should go ahead and schedule the second fill (for 2 weeks out) when I am there to get my first fill? It seems like most people loosen up within the first 1-2 weeks after a fill and need more than one fill. So, I would think this would be a safe bet that I would want another fill sooner rather than later. But, I'd love some opinions from people who have actually had more than one fill. Would you have wanted your additional f…

I am hoping I can get some clarification about post surgery antacid administration. When I left the hospital my surgeon wrote a few scripts for me to have filled and told me to use Pepcid AC daily or as needed. I just went ahead and took the pepcid however the first time I got a taste of reflux, clearly the pepcid ac was not enough. At my next follow up visit I asked my surgeon if he would give me multiple prescriptions for different brand PPIs. I filled the prilosec and took one to two a day depending on need and found that I had an awful dryness of mouth, and tongue during sleeping hours. I contacted the doc and asked him if it was necessary for me to take a PPI da…

I had surgery on Dec 29th and my Dr. required me to stay 1 night in the hosp. I didn't want to at first because other Dr's don't make you stay. But I am SO grateful for it now. I don't know how people go home the same day. I was in a good amount of pain and the pain meds were awesome! lol. They were also Giving me blood thinners every 8 hours and checking my vitals and had those things on my legs...kinda like massagers to prevent blood clots. I had an awesome surgeon and I was at a center of excellence hospital. I know all this was just a precaution but I felt so much better knowing I was in good hands in the event that something did go wrong. Now i'm feeling much b…

I am banded and at home, oh how good that feels. I was banded on Monday (Dec 28th) and was supposed to come home the same day, but ended up staying overnight, I arrived home Tuesday afternoon, very tied, as I did not get any sleep in hospital and only got 3 hours the night before. I slept so soundly last night, I took the pain med prescription the Dr. gave me just before going to bed and it just knocked me out - wonderful! I’d like to document my experience, in case it helps others who have not been banded and this may prompt questions for you ask your surgeon, the nurses etc. I’ll start with my last day of regular eating (Saturday 26 Dec). I cooked our …

I was banded 12/23 and so far so good until this morning. I was getting ready for work (first day back) and I got choked on some phlegm/slime stuff (sorry, tmi). I just coughed very hard and gagged, never threw up, nothing to throw up probably cause I am still on liquid phase. I am nervous about damage, slipping to the band. I feel like I have a precious, delicate implant and am now nervous to cough/gag.

Hey everyone! I was banded on Wednesday, so today I am 3 days post op. Since the surgery, I have had a constant tightness in my chest and back, and if I walk for too long, I end up having to take a painkiller. I keep telling myself it's just gas, but my surgeon said that should have stopped by day two. If that's the case, what the heck is this horrible "tight" feeling? Another problem I am having is I don't know when I am full. I am on a full liquid diet, and it seems like I can drink and drink and drink, and never get that full feeling. I am drinking soups, yogurts, jellos etc, shouldn't that be filling me up? Ok one more question! My surgeon told me he fixed my hiat…

Im at the stage where I was told 2 eat egg mcmuffin for breakfast, 1/2 turkey sandwhicg 4 lunch with mayo lettuce cheese n tomatoe, dinner baked meat with brocolli or other veggies. U know we nt suppose 2 eat n drink at the same time 2 wait 30-40 mins b 4 u drink liquids if thats the case can I eat cereal??? isnt the skim milk pushing the cereal down making my band less full? help me im confused...

ok so this happens to me a lot...Ill take a bite of anything usualy band friendly and ill feel so tight. then i sit and wonder hmm ok ill take an even smaller bite.. and still ill feel super tight and get very frustrated especially if im sitting with people. after about 15 or 20 min of "struggeling" i can eat no problem! i can pick on ppls leftovers because everyone is doen by the time i can actualy eat.. im not too tight because I can eat.. but only after i play this very difficult test of my patience game! whats this about? does anyone know why this happens? shouldn't i feel tight or "full" only after I eat? let me know if anyone can help.. ive had my band for just…

So heres the story, yesterday I was in a plus size chat room and a woman said she was getting the bypass surgery. Another woman was bitching at her (even tho she was fat as well) saying how she didn't even look big enough to have the surgery. So I was talking to the woman who was getting bypass and I said to her I had the band and she said that her surgeon told her bypass was the better option because the lapband was being phased out as there werent alot of success stories. So naturally I defended lapband because I dunno about her surgeon but really who gives misinformed information like that? It's wrong and unethical. With each surgery there are success stories and f…

A while back I posted a blog asking if smoking could make it to where you band was tighter than normal. As a new year resolution I have decided to stop smoking. I have realized today since I have only had 6 ciggs today. I have been able to eat better and not have the feeling of things getting stuck. I do believe that smoking has an effect on the band. All another reason for me to quit smoking.

My wife is scheduled for the lapband surgery. She is on this website a lot and talks about how great the information and support is. I guess I just have a general question...I want to know how i can make this easier for her. She is so excited to start this process and I AM happy for her. But being the husband, I am concerned for her health...it is surgery afterall, I am concerned that there will be problems later on down the road, and I am concerned that it will be just like the last times. ( she loses and then she gains) I am also overweight so I totally understand the rollercoaster she is dealing with. That said, I want to be able to support her in this. So, my question…