POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi, quickie ? yesterday i was eating some pork and after two bites it felt like it was just stuck in my throat sorta like a clogged tube , nothing going down nothing coming up. Is this what stuck feels like?

Has anyone here put through a claim for short-term disability through Metlife? My surgeon gave me approval to be out of work for 6 weeks. Metlife just called to ask some questions and by the questions they were asking, since my job is a desk job and I don't do heavy lifting, they're going to assume I can just work from home or work part-time or something. Well, I want the 6 weeks off! At the moment I cannot sit in a 90-degree angle for very long, and laying down in bed is not conducive to using a lap top. Not to mention the pain, diarrhea, and the drowsiness the pain meds cause. Has anyone else put through a claim?

I was banded 08-30-07. I have ALWAYS had this pain in my shoulder. I can not figure out if it is when I get full (which is when I feel it the most) or then some days I wake up with this pain. I do not ever throw up unless I eat something that just gets stuck. Instead I feel this shoulder pain all the time. I am not sure that this is normal. It prevents me from wanting to get a fill because I think that I am not ready for one ( I have not had one since Sept), but I still have the major tightness in my left shoulder. Does anyone else have this problem? :thumbup:

i LOVE LOVE my job and my boss!!!!!!!!! I work in the h.r. dept for aerospace...never ONCE did anyone complain about what i wore when i was over-weight...i wore dressy flip-flops everday for the 1st year i worked here...i dressed business casaual which is our dress code and considered myself to dress stylish even when i had my weight on....i was told i'm no longer allowed to wear flip-flops due to my co-workers constantly complaining...understandable...not appropiate for the workplace...but y was it okay when i was over-weight...my shorts r too short...my shorts r at my knee cap...too short???? my boss comes to me with a different complaint about what i have on at least o…

how many fills did it take u before u had good restriction n the weight started coming off? I had my 1st fill dec 21st n it has been very confusing. right after the fill i felt restricted but as the days went bk the restriction was less n less. usually n the morning im full n tight nt hungry but at nite it feel like my band is wide open n the restriction is on vacation. What should I do? Has anyone else experienced this?

I have not been passing very much gas but I am still very swollen....when will this come??? I am very uncomfortable!Thanks to seasoned bandits for all the good info!

I am not a sneezer. I don't have allergies. Unless I directly breath in dust or something...I do not sneeze. But since the surgery I sneeze often. Is this a weird side effect or something? Thank goodness my incisions don't hurt anymore because it was like a punch in the gut when I'd sneeze.

Wow....I ate a few fingers of mashed potatoes while cooking dinner for the kids today. Now I feel like there is a huge boulder on my chest! I may never try anything but liquids after this. I could not even walk down the stairs...LOL! Thought for sure I could handle a little but maybe it was the butter in them that fought me and won. Now I am just praying for this to pass ASAP! I have been trying to drink to help it move through. Anybody else run into this? How long did the pain last??? BTW, I am 15 days out.

So I have to see my doctor on Jan 16, and I was told that I "may or may not" get my first fill, depending on how well I'm doing. After reading some of the threads here, I have to tell you, I'm more than a little nervous. I have something just short of an actual phobia about regurgitating, but it seems like after a fill, the majority of bands are unhappy with their hosts for a few days. Questions: Does this nausea/queasiness/vomiting/pbing/sliming/what-have-you usually happen the same day as a fill? Within 24 hours? 48 hours? And how long does it normally last? I ask because my local ER is completely inept (truly), and my doctor is 2 hours away. If I can expect …

I was wondering if after losing the weight, is the port visible? Is it possible to wear a bikini without seeing the port, and can you feel the port.

1) How do you know if you have stretched your pouch? 2) If you have stretched it some, would going on liquids for a few days help it?

I was abnded 11/12. Had a rough couple of weeks but presently I just received first fill on 12/23. I feel restriction, eat under a cup of food at meals but they are only lasting 3 hours instead of 4hours. Anyway...how can many people report that they have no restriction BUT they get stuck, PB, and slime? Some even state they vomit. How could this be happening if they don't have restriction? I have not had any of the above (yet) and just want to prepare myself. I have had what I describe as a hard swallow in the last few days, but everything stayed down.

I had my surgery on 12/22. I have my post-op appt next Thursday. I've been doing my best to just drink the small amounts prescribed, but I have yet to experience any kind of satisfied feeling - I'm always hungry. And really thirsty. I've been sipping Water all day but I have to fight a constant urge to just guzzle it. So I guess my question is, am I just going to always be hungry, yet eating small amounts for fear of stretching my stomach? How do I know when my stomach pouch is full? This morning, I had 2 oz of yogurt and was still so hungry. I went ahead and finished the 4 oz container. I still felt hungry. I waited about 10 minutes before having some sha…

Hi all, I am through with the surgery and in the hotel. Sweet hotel and excellent room! I will take pics. I am doing excellent. The hospital staff said I was their best patient all year long (LOL); The doctor said that everything went off without a hitch AND they are even going to give me a DVD of my surgery... Ugh and cool at the same time. I have a checkup on Wednesday to get the drain out and to double check the stiches. Overall, I think it was a relatively easy recovery for me, so far. I don't have international cell phone access just yet, but am working with my cousin to get a cell phone with international calls available. For now, if anyone wants to g…

So here's the deal...I know when I did my consultation for the lap band they weighed me, that was in September. That technically was my highest weight ever. However, two months later once I had my surgery...I had lost 5lbs. So what weight do I use as my starting weight? I only ask because I noticed when I went to get my fill at the doctors, they were going off my surgery weight and subtracting. I kind of want to be on the same track as them. So what weight? Basically for me its a 5 pound difference. And I'm pretty sure that I lost those 5 pounds from the 2 week pre-op diet. Thoughts? Thanks.

I am 2 days post op. I'm feeling pretty good, still have some gas pains and a little bit of soreness. My question is...is it normal that I can eat a whole cop of jello? Like the little plastic cups they come in. I make sure to make it real liquidy in my mouth before I swallow. I just thought with my stomach being swollen I wouldn't be able to eat it all?

Has anyone tried a cleanse while banded? I am thinking a Slimquick cleanse

What are some good choices to eat day 6 post op

I am 2 days post-op and burping like crazy to get rid of the gas in my stomach.... Please tell me it gets better and the burping eventually goes away....

this is six weeks for me first feel next week. I had parathroid surgery on monday and have gained 10 pounds and I sure hope its water weight. not only do i feel like my head is going to pop off cause its so swollen but i hurt and feel depressed.

Well girls and guys I'm done! I'm a sleeve sister . Why didn't someone say how incredible this surgery hurts! The JP drain is a killer, the gas is a killer, the doctor was nice enough to put a mirocaine ball to help with the other cuts. . this hurts about if not more than my c/sections. . . . but I'm done and Im on the loser side now and I'm one my journay. . . . I'm walking ALOT! can't tolerate water though, they gave me some broth, jello, and a popsicle, the only thing that tasted good was the popsicle (I didn't even like popsicle in my old life, sure do now) but could only "eat" the tip, gas pains got me, had to go walk. . . am burping somewhat, past one good gas dow…

Well I keep stepping on the scale, and no change in weight. I'm breastfeeding my 3 month old full time. That doesn't seem to affect anything. I feel no restriction in the band at this point. I get my first fill in 2 weeks. I've started walking and doing the Wii fit thing. Haven't had a chance to get to the gym yet. I'm getting discouraged. Any suggestions?

I'm curious because I see people talking about eating things that I have been forbidden to eat...ever (rice, bread, Pasta, etc. - foods that might clump) Plus I wanted to see how much food one takes in on a typical day...the routine, the amount. I don't plan on being a measure freak, but I want to gauge what it's like. Thanks!

I had a half of a piece of pizza yesterday. I haven't eaten ANY bread since June....none of any sort whatsoever. It went down well and was beyond yummy, but after I ate half I felt soooooo guilty I stopped. It's the first time I cheated. It was New Year's eve and pizza was what we had with the kids. I don't think I'll cheat again, and maybe that one time was all I needed...at least I hope so! I just feel awful today still that I cheated. I feel like I let myself down in a way.

hello all my july bandsters! We don't seem to congregate in the monthly forum so i thought i'd post here... How is everyone doing? How is the loss going? I'm at a standstill and in SERIOUSL need of a fill...which i'm getting next wednesday! YAY!!!!! It's been 2 months since my last one and so far that is WAY too long for me to go...so fingers crossed that this fill will kick my butt in gear for 2010! I'm SO excited to start the year off with really really good restriction... How did you all do for the holiday's???

Hi all - I got my band 12/16 - about 2 weeks ago. (and I've already lost 4 pounds!) I am back to work and feeling better, but I still have a LOT of soreness around my stomach (for what it's worth - my surgeon went in through my bellybutton). For those of you who have been banded - how long until this went away? When did you feel 100% again?

I weighed myself this morning and, Holy Cow, I am a third of the way to my goal of losing 100 pounds!!:biggrin::w00t::tongue2: I haven't been banded yet but that should happen later this month. I lost the 33 pounds since my initial consultation. I was required to do a 3 month medically supervised diet by my insurance company. I was disappointed at first because I wanted to move forward NOW. However, I am glad to have had the time to learn the bandster rules of eating through this forum and my supervised diet. I didn't think the supervised diet would be effective but I was wrong. It helped me to think about, and visualize what being banded is all about. They had me practic…

Well, I am on the other side. I had a really rough night. I have a lot of nausia (sp) and am hte queen of burping - it is so lovely. I felt better at the hospital, but I thhink part ofit is I am off the Morphine drip - I miss that little fellow. My tummy is really swolen - looks like about 5-6 mos. prego. I will post a bit later, feeling puny, but I know I will be a bit stronger tomorrow. I did't feel up to driving to ausitn, so I am still in Dallas, but am hoping to head home tomorrow. Thanks so much for th e well wishes - YOu are the best. Talk tp you soon.

I know we will be taking home some Nexium mups, and some of the sublingual pain medication. Has anyone else gotten other meds from Dr. Aceves? I am thinking of asking for a prescription for Ativan to help with the post op stress. Thoughts?

Have had the band - and love it - since April. I always get pretty tight after a fill for a day or so. Yesterday had a fill of .4 at 11am. Had Soup at 1pm. At about 5pm got bad heartburn. 6pm tried a Protein shake and it wouldn't go down. Up all night - no sleep - with foaming and PBing saliva. I sipped VERY slowly coffee this AM and got a couple sips down. Tried some liquid Motrin and that came back up a few minutes ago. I realize I am just swollen from the fill - do I stick it out until the swelling goes down or do I do the ER thing since I know the doc is not in until Monday?? Thanks in advance for your opinion. Steve

and too blasted much to drink! Argh! Is anyone else having difficulty drinking their 64 oz of Water? I used to drink almost a gallon of water a day and now I'm having difficulty getting in 64 oz! I can't drink 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after a meal or with a meal and I 'forget' at other times. I've tried just about everything to remind myself, but other than the hot cup of tea I drink first thing in the morning, and *maybe* 16 oz of water in the evening, I'm not drinking all day. Any hints, tips or tricks for how to remember? .

That was just for men who get squeamish about such things. :biggrin: Let me start by saying that I am not a sweet eater or junk food eater as a general rule. I'm not an emotional eater. I just eat to excess. First bite in my mouth at a meal and I can't stop until my belly feels 'full'. However, for the last week, I've had several Cookies a day which I put down to the holidays which I associate with 'food'. Twice, it was more than a few cookies with last night being the worst. Especially when I calculated the calories of those particularly rich homemade cookies this morning. :tongue2: Each cookie was about 400 calories!!! Good grief...no wonder I haven't lost a…

I at first posted this in the pre-banded area... If I get approved for surgery then it will be at St. Marys and Elizabeth hospital. How late in the day was your surgery? Anyone who was the last one of the day? Also, I'm in college and have some very HEAVY books. I will have a roller bag but I live on the second floor with only a flight of stairs to get up and down. How soon were you able to lift heavy things like a heavy book bag (also in and out of the car)? Thanks, Sandy

Happy New Year! I was banded 12/04/09 and I think I am doing fine. I have yet to have a fill (scheduled 1/18). I lost 18 lbs. during the first 2 weeks and have only lost 2 lbs since - I am hoping once I get my fill I will progess. Anyway, my question to you all is about stomach hardness. My stomach - in the area where the band and new pouch should be is hard all the time like it is full or something. It doesn't hurt but it is just hard. IS THIS NORMAL? :biggrin:

Going back, I was at the point of having 2 fills and no weight loss....I'm a solid person and size (16/18) to start. I called the nurse coordinator at my doc office and she said I need to see the nutritionist each time I come in and because no weight loss she wanted me to see the nutritionist. She repeatedly stressed that I needed to keep a food log and be honest, as if I would lie. She spoke to me like a child. I honestly feel it's a racket as my insurance doesn't require it. I heard she pushes this every visit...mind you it's an additional charge to see her (the nutritionist). I told her I was choosing not to see her but was told it was non negotiable. Whatever. I go to…

Yes, I love making New Years' Resolutions every year and it's New Years Eve, so I need to start thinking about my commitments. My thoughts include committing to: 1. Some type of cardio/strength training 5X per week. 2. Drinking 64 oz of Water. 3. Taking my Vitamins (vitaband) every day 4. Limit my favorite slider foods (ice cream, candy, cookies) to one day per week only. So...what are your commitments on this journey to good health in 2010?

A friend of mine who had the lapband done earlier this year received a card that basically says she's had a surgery done and that it's medically impossible for her to have large amounts of food. Therefore restaurants are to allow her to order off the child menu, buffets charge the child price etc... I asked about this and people looked at me like I was crazy... Does anyone else have one of these and if so how/where did you get it?

Hi I just had my surgery done on the 28th of December and for the most part things went well. I was able to walk around and have managed to stay away from taking pain medicine all day today. But I've been having some pain when I have air/burp comes up is that normal it is discomforting for a few seconds. I been taking Gas X to see if it would help. I hope this will soon go away any advice on what's going on would be very helpful....Thank you in advance for helping me out

Wishing everyone a Happy New Years, and hoping that you all spent your night with the ones you love. With the blue moon occuring tonight, on the cusp of a new year and a new decade it made me wonder what it might mean:huh2::tongue2:, so i did a little bit of research. "The blue moon is not only a metaphor for something that occurs rarely, but it also has a history of portending luck, though without the pleasant and easy bifurcation between that of good and bad varieties. Superstition only has that the occurrence of a blue moon is the perfect time to plant the seeds of long-term goals that will blossom in the sun of a future day. This idea has to do with the superstitio…

How long does the gas pain last?

Has anyone heard from these two recently? I know their surgeries were Tuesday.

Hey, Ive only been banded for 2 1/2 weeks and Im worried about hair loss. My hair has thinned out on top a lot and dont really want to lose any more. Can I hear from those NOT losing hair and what theyve done?

I made it through surgery!! My surgery was scheduled for 1:00, everything went great. I do have some pain around my incisions but other than that I feel good. I did laps around the floor I was on once I was able to get up. I am feeling good - all in all. I will say I have had 2 c sections & my gallbladder out & I feel better right now than I did with either of these. Now the fun part begins!

Did this happen to anyone? I have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. Ive tried putting pillows around me and everything..the best sleep I get is in th garden tub,,and thats 2 hrs top....Then another question I have is when I sleep on my back its like I have to catch my breathor something like that it just happens once when I barely roll over....any suggestions as to why I can't sleep or my breathing pattern messes up? P.S. It doesnt help that my tummy rumbles allll night!

Hi all I was banded on 12 28 09 and am doing great...on the liquid diet however i find gum chewing satifying is it okay?

I was banded 11/30/09 and have not lost a single pound. I'm still 220. My bmi is a little lower... 33 at 5'8". I'm worried b/c i read posts by people who also started w/ a lower bmi and most have lost around 20 lbs by now. Aren't the first months supposed to be when you lose the most??? I know I'm healing, but I can eat quite a bit more than I thought I would be able to. I thought the purpose of the surgery was to limit how much you can eat, or make you feel full faster. What are all of you who are successful eating? Any advice please!

I went in yesterday 12/30 for my second fill. I got 1.5cc's added to me. I originally started this journey in August weighing 478 pounds. I weights 452 on Surgery day of 10/15. Post surgery I weighed 437 Then for my first fill weighed 432 11/18. Now 6 weeks later, and getting my second fill I now weigh 410!!!! 68 pounds I've lost. Honestly, I haven't weight that little since 2004. It's just utterly mindblowing... I lifted a 70 pound bag of Ice Melt last night, and just walked around with it. I am just amazed with my success, and just an in utter awe.. Thank you everyone for your support, and I hope as this new year comes in we all continue to see great su…

So I eneded up getting a nasty stomach flu Dec 4th and had to be totally defilled due to not being able to get fluids down for 2 days. Not good. Of course this would happen to me before the holidays- and sadly I did not have the self control with an empty band to behave:( Gained about 10 pounds!!! Yikes! Just now started to get some restriction after 3 fills. I feel SO off track now, it's hard to get the weight loss mentality back. Has this happened to anyone else? How did you get back in the game?

I have been doing well since first fill. Surgery on 11/12 and first fill 12/23. I have been pleasantly surprised with the restriction I am getting. Well...I experienced my first bottomless pit day yesterday! I woke up starving! I ate healthy allday. My stomach was growling all day in between my "every 2 hour meals." I woke up today and I am back to normal! Is this normal? Is this pre-period hormonal stuff? Can I expect this on a regular basis? I thought about fastfood and pizza soooo many times yesterday, but didn't eat them. I had to eat every 2 hours in order to not be starving and im OK with that if it wouldn't have been such a surprise!

Is anyone doing a Christmas Weightloss Challenge? If not, who wants to join me? I really need to get myself in gear and try to get 20 more pounds off before christmas and you guys are just the encouragement I need to get it done. We have 47 days, lets see what we can do!!! Name......................Starting....Current....To Go FluffyJen....................172..........172.........20