POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I'm not happy about this by any stretch, but it's finally proof that my band is in fact in there LOL! I was eating a few home made meatballs last night (yum) and I chew the way I always have (I haven't really paid attention to my chewing and still eat pretty quick), but for some reason, the unbelieveable pain started, followed by the sliming, then bam everything just came up. Question is (since this has never happened to me before and again, I've not eaten any different since I've been back on solids) --is this a sign of restriction or perhaps the specific food? I am sooo trying to hang in there until my fill on 1/14 and I am noticing that I am not as ravenous a…

Is there such thing as "stretching your band"? Is it adjustable without surgery (by going back to something like small portions of mushy foods or liquids) for a few days? After being down about 65Lbs since late August, I have gained about 3-4 LBS since Dec 25th (I didnt need surgery because I was loaded with discipline.( A few times while trying to swallow, I was in pain followed by sliming and PBs. Not a habit I want to get into but am not going to beat myself up as long as the damage wasnt permanent. Input would be appreciated.

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Does anyone have this terrible pain in their left shoulder? I was bannded on mon Dec 14th and can't take the pain. Does it ever go away

Hello! I am getting banded on January 8th! I am also hoping to go to Disney World Jan 17-22. At that point I will be on the second week of my post op liquid diet. Is this a crazy idea? Also I would be going with my best friend who does not know about the surgery and I am not planning on telling him. Does that make it even crazier? I don't know what to do!? Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Thanks in advance!!

My Doc gave me the okay to progress to soft foods, after a few days of pureed. There is no way! I hurt soooo bad, what does gas feel like? My stocmach gets hard no matter what I eat, I can feel it. Past 3 days I've eaten very little, less than 2 oz of malt o meal, or 2 oz of yogurt and it just HURTS. I stand in the hot shower and I can feel my stomach slowly relax. What are the stomach spasms? I burp and it seems to relieve a little but my ribs hurt and all the down, like I can feel it in my intestines?? surly not! I can drink fine, which is what I've been doing to keep hydrated-Water water water, but add any food and the pain starts. Last week I had mashed pot…

Does anyone else ever do a 1 day fast on a regular basis? Years ago, when I was 'dieting' successfully, I found that one little trick was to do a 1 day fast every week. It cleaned out my system (and my palate), jump started my weight loss and prevented stalls and helped prevent me from sliding off the side with "just a bit of this and a bit of that" cheating. I haven't done a regular fast for years but am thinking I may have to start again even though I'm not dieting. This last week I feel as if I'm not being quite as good as I could be even though I'm still making good choices and controlling my portions for the most part, so I decided to do my fast today since I'…

Finally! I have made it to onederland.....it took what seems like FOREVER! YAHOO! I just had to share my news, I have not weighed this low since college! WAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like such a failure at this point. I have gained 6 pounds in 2 weeks. All of the candies and people bringing in wonderful foods for the Christmas holiday. I am so weak. My restriction is not yet where I need it to be. Only had my first fill on Dec 17th. I can eat and only feel uncomfortable, not yet been sick. Oh I am so bad. Please tell me I can get through Christmas and move on back to my weight loss as usual. I vowed today to do better and to not eat the sweets. Only to eat what makes me feel satisfied even if it does not seem like enough food. My head is not listening to my tummy. I am still working out every other day or two. I am still ki…

On Thanksgiving our family drew names for which adult was going to buy a gift for which adult. We had to make a list of 3 things we would like. At that time I was fitting into my 18Ws only with my spanx, and was praying to be able to wear a 16W by Valentines, so I did put a pair of 16W jeans and size L tops on my list. Today I opened my gift, and there they were, 16W jeans and 2 size L tank tops. I waited until we got back to the house to try them on, just so I could see how much more I am going to have to lose to wear them. OMG... I put them on, zipped them up, and have a little bit of room. And that was without the spanx. I am so excited. I have not been a 16W in 1…

Hi, had my first fill on the 17th nov. I did not feel any real diffference either. At first I did like when I left the office. But the next day could not tell. On Saturday the area where my 3 incisions on the left of my body were felt different. Kinda like a pulled muscle or area and just sore. It was different, do not know if that was because of the fill or what. Anyone else have any advice on what to expect or if I am not doing something right?

good morning all, I was wondering if anyone else is having pain at the post site, more when you touch it but still there a little even when not being touched? I was banded july 24th and off and on have pain at the site, wondering if something is wrong or if this is just how it is going to be. Any imput would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I had a fill on the 21st n i thought i had restriction for a couple of days. I thought everything was fine. Now i where is the restriction? My weight is like a yoyo up n down back n forth! Why is this happening 2 me? Why is this so complicated? Im watching what i eat then when i eat what im suppose 2 no weight loss but when i bend n try a little something 1-3 lbs come off. :-( now 2day i weigh myself n the weight went up. Im so freaking frustrated with the choices im making n i dnt know what 2 do. Did i make the wrong decision getting this band? Is there anyone out there that can help me? I dnt need any smart ass comments help n encouragement is what i need...

Hello Everyone, What I need help with is knowing how you felt the day you left the Hospital. I am scheduled to have surgery 01-25-10 with Dr. Aceves and trying to decide if I should fly or drive. It is a 1500 mile trip one way from my home. If I fly I will go alone due to the extra cost for airfare. If we drive we can make the trip for the cost of one person flying. I have not asked the Dr. office yet, just wanted to get feed back from some of you. Thanks for any help you can provide.

The good news is that all of my 3 month labs are NORMAL. I was very surprised and thrilled. It surprised me because although I do eat some fruit 2-3 times a week, I'm not really getting in any veggies...no room for them after getting in the required protein! I think that the Vitamin Water I'm sipping on all day helps a lot. The bad news is, the upper GI xray showed that I now have a small traction epiphrenic diverticulum. Bummed. I never knew that the esophagus could have a diverticulum so have been reading research online to learn about it. Luckily I'm not having any symptoms so it's probably going to be just "watch it" scenario. I'll see my gastroenterologist a…

Well with the holidays I found I CAN eat non pureed food. So why do we have to do the pureed stage? Any ideas would be appreciated!

I'm supposed to get together with friends this afternoon and one said her 2 year old son is sick with a fever. I'm 10 days post op. Should I go or stay home?

I had my Lap Band surgery on 10/24/2009. I was doing great until the holidays hit. I have cooked and fixed all the old favorites and done really good, until I realized I could not eat anything. Then the worst part. My family had had pizza and cheesesticks on christmas Eve my whole life!! I tried to eat 1/2 a piece and I thought I was going to die. I was praying to God to help me. I am a little depressed about this. I am staying on goal, but I really thought every now and then I could have a little something. Is anyone else feeling this way. I could use someone out there to talk to that feels the same way.

After a 7 month long journey I am finally having my surgery on Tuesday @ St. Josephs in Burbank, CA and I am SO excited. Any advice that any has to offer would be greatly appreciated! Thank you <3 Angelina

I went to my first post-op follow up at the surgeon's office. Since Monday 12/28 will be two weeks since the surgery, the nurse practitioner gave me the green light to start "mushies" on Monday. When I asked her about the two-weeks time frame to move on from full-liquids (they origionally said 4 weeks from the surgery before moving onto pureed food), she said "oh, well nobody EVER sticks to that, so it's fine to start pureed at two weeks". (????) ... So I asked her, "well WHY do you tell people to be on liquids for the first four weeks then?" ... "Is it better to be on the liquids for a longer time?" ... she said yes, it is better for healing, but it is okay to start m…

I was banded Dec, 8th 2009. I am have been on solid foods for a couple weeks or so..I get my first fill on the 6th of January. My question is I am able to eat more than I am allowed, and I still don't feel full....I figured that the band is not tight around the part of the stomach where the is nerve that tells u your full. So my ? is after my first fill should I fill fuller? and be able to eat less... I have lost 15 pounds, which is good. But anyway anybody with experience with this problem please respond. I am just concerned !:smile: Thank U Devin Inglet

O.K I have done really well until the last couple of day this holiday season. Don't get me wrong, I am still eating a tremendous amount less than what I used to. I haven't felt sick the couple of times I overate, but I had some pain and discomfort. Is this normal? Also, I am 6.5 weeks post op and everytime I lay on my left side I feel like I am lying on a lump of something. I never had this feeling before. Does anyone else feel this when they are lying on their left side? Hope everyone had a great Christmas and hope everyone has a safe New Year.

I went through the cupboards & fridge yesterday and got rid of all the unhealthy stuff. Friends had brought over ice cream, full fat egg nogg, breads, dips, cookies and other stuff for our dinner and left them. I hesitated tossing good food out but after having the second slice of crusty bread with brie I knew I had to. I've always considered my relationship to food much like that of an alcoholic and an alcoholic would not try to live with unopened bottles of booze. Plus I live alone so I can have more control over my space. I did feel guilty and thought I could wait until Monday and perhaps give it to someone but when I started reaching for the ice cream I did wha…

I was banded 9 days ago and although the aches are mostly gone I still feel so weak. I take a shower and I'm ready for a nap. How am I ever gonna exercise if I can't even fold my clothes without feeling like I need to lie down afterwards? Tell me it passes pretty soon. Ugh... I am now allowed to add creamy Soups and my Vitamins to my diet, but that hasn't given me the boost I thought it would. When does the light begin to shine?

I was band on feb 26 and made it to my half way point about a week ago. I have about 50 more pounds to lose. Everyone keeps telling me that the next fifty will be a lot harder. Just wondering for those banded and in the home stretch is it really harder.

Tomorrow will start six weeks for me. I am back on track with my 21 pound weight loss. I have parythroid surgery in the morning at 6:00 quit nervous. I don't think I will be very hungry after that for the next week and my first fill is the next week. I just hope I have more restriction with my first fill. I wanted to thnik all of you who gave me a pep talk over christmas I really nedded it.

OMG!! I had more food today than ever. I am in week 5 and today had food all day long. U name it I had it. I have lost 21 pounds in 5 weeks have no clue what I will weigh in the morning. I had brownies three brownies sometime today. For breakfast two eggs. Lunch plate one scoop tablesppon of each dressing, green beans, mac cheese, one slice honey ham, baked beans, hash brown casoreole, broccli cassrole.another slice ham I had this for supper. Had cookie later. Can not belive i ate all that today and did not feel full or sick. I usally have two eggs for breakfast and cup of food for lunch and super. anyone else make bad choices over the holiday?:sad:

Good Morning-Question for you experienced banders--I had surgery on 12/16/09 and as of 12/23/09 lost 19lbs!. I was doing so well they only had me on full liquids for 2 days then to purees (which i am on now). Since then I have gained 2 lbs! :smile: I am not overly concerned about the 2 lbs, but is this normal??? Will the weight gain stop? I am following how much they tell me to eat (even though I know I could eat more I am not!). Like I said 2lbs I am not gonna lose alot of sleep over, but I want it to stop! I am doing what I am supposed to be!

I've managed to get down a few ounces over the last 4 days but nothing more. Food(or should i say protein shakes and broth) isnt appealing and the smell of any food makes me want to get sick. When I breathe in every once in awhile I'm sore-is that normal?? So I've been in bed and on my pain meds for 4 days..I just want to cry!:smile:

I was just curious what everyone's experience has been since their first fill. I haven't lost any weight (nor gained) since my first fill a few weeks ago. I barely have any restriction and PB only when I don't chew enough. I've been doing the treadmill 4 times a week so I think that has helped me not gain anything but I am no where close to the restriction I had post surgery. I have 6.4cc right now, rcvd 3cc on the first fill, plus what was in the band at surgery, and am hoping to see more restriction after my next fill coming up next week. What was your experience like between the first and second fill?

Merry Christmas all! So, here I sit 11 days out, and I watched the family inhale warm, hot, fresh tamales last night all covered in cheese and with all the other garnishes. I swear I had a real pity party for myself. But, I survived. I know I made this choice for all the right reasons, and I know I will be able to have my favorites again someday in small portions. Funny, I baked all day, and that didn't bother me at all. But, then again, sweets have never been my weakness. Bring on the cheese and grease, and you will find my front and center. My world has changed, and I must find the courage and strength to make this all work for me. I CAN AND WILL DO THIS! …

I live in a small town. I was recently banded, and part of what I thought I was getting was long-term follow-up care. That is proving not to be the case. The medical office had two surgeons. One of them left indefinitely. The remaining surgeon still takes on new surgical patients, so the waiting list to see him is long. Thus, each time I need follow-up treatment (like for reflux and abdominal pains) all I get is an inexperienced nurse who does not know what to do so he just orders up more diagnostic tests and continues to deflate the band. The closest center with actual qualified doctors is nearly 100 miles away. I am totally regretting this decision. Is anyone else…

I just wanted to wish you all the absolute very, very best for 2010! I was banded in September 2008 and have lost 103 pounds (47 kgs) so far... I am well on my way but still on the 'journey'. I hope all of your journeys continue to be successful ones and as the weight falls off your lives are even happier and healthier.

Okay so this evening I was chewing some gum and then for no reason I swallowed my piece of gum!!! Clearly I wasn't thinking but can I do serious damage to my band?? I am 2 weeks post-op to the day and I would hate to hurt myself or my band. Suggestions? Similar experiences?

There have been a number of posts from people wondering when they'll reach restriction and how will they know. The clinic told me that I have restriction as long as I'm not hungry. Well, I don't get hungry so that doesn't help. I never ate because I was hungry. I ate because I could and my body didn't seem to have an off switch like normal people. If you are PBing or sliming...you have restriction. Now, it may not be your optimum restriction because you may just be taking too big of bites or not chewing enough. If you are taking small bites, chewing thoroughly and taking 20-30 minutes to eat about a cup of food and you're satisfied for about 4 hours after a meal.…

Today was by far the hardest day of my post-op phase in regards to the diet. I have started to get physically hungry but that's not really a huge problem...it's easily satisfied. But the head hunger is KILLING me. I decided to go the movies with a friend today and that was possibly too difficult a challenge at this stage. I'm so used to eating at the movies and this time I couldn't. Meanwhile, my thin friend is eating a philly cheesesteak and a side of fries next to me while the entire theatre smells like popcorn and hot dogs. I have to confess that I broke down and had a few plain M&Ms. Not wise at this stage, I know!!! I made sure they were truly melted before I swa…

I had 2 fills to this point and my 3rd is Tuesday. My question is this. I have only had them done under flouroscope and I am getting this one the old fashion way. How do they know when they put enough in? Do they just put a little in and hope? just hard for me to visualize. Under Flouro you can see how much will go through. I have some restriction and feel as though I am close, but not just there yet. Greg /n

Ok, ladies, I've been on Depo provera and have not had a period in 3 years. I am 6 days post op and started my period last night. This is very strange for me and was wondering if anyone else experienced this. Is this a coinsidence or did surgery/drugs "knock out" my Depo Shot? I was spoiled for 3 years not having one and this is definately not a time I would want it.

Well I made it thru the Thanksgiving and Christmas foods w/o gaining any weight! Hooray for me. I have continued to lose regularly and am so thankful for every ounce. I would never have done that in the past. I am fast beginning to realize that food isn't that important to me. I think my New Year's resolution is going to be "I'll eat to live...not live to eat.":smile2: Does anyone else feel successful about the holidays?

R there any chicago bandsters who would like 2 start a workout session so we can drop these pounds? If so please let me know asap! I need some Motivation ...

So as a tradition each year, I bake a ton of different kinds of Cookies for Christmas and make platters to give away to people. This year I cut back slightly but still ended up making 8 different kinds. This year I nibbled here and tasted this and that. On Christmas day I probably had about 2 cookies total, plus the traditional Christmas dinner I cooked. I spent yesterday feeling guilty and worried that I had sabotaged myself because I ate more then I have since surgery. That's a normal feeling for me. Whenever I eat until I feel stuffed, I spend the next couple hours feeling guilty. But I wasn't even thinking about how it takes a lot less to feel stuffed now. I really …

So I had my second fill a week ago, and I'm still not feeling any restriction. What did start to happen is stuff has started to get stuck. It was totally my fault: I was eating and somebody asked me a question so I instinctively swallowed to answer and ! Stuck. The piece was bigger than I should have swallowed. So is there a grey zone between the point where stuff starts getting stuck and starting to feel restriction? Does this mean I may start to feel restriction with the next fill?

Merry Christmas everyone, I have got a dilemma my way if someone could give me some advice on how to get back on track. I had my surgery 3/4/09 and have lost 70lbs. In the last month I have moved from Virginia Beach va to Blue Hill Maine. Its such a stressful time because I have lived in Virginia for 26 yrs and the military moved us to Maine. Anyways financially I dont have the money to buy the healthy food I need and the stress and boredom has led me to eat the wrong things. What do I do? I'm homesick, dont feel like doing too much I guess in a depressed state. Never been like this before. Please someone give me some advice to get back exercising and eating right. …

Ok so I had surgery on 12/8. Im really confused about a lot of things, maybe someone can help. 1) Im in the mushy stage, how much can you eat? I find that i can eat a lot right now, im not full after 1 cup not even close....not good. I don't get my first fill till 1/20, I feel like I can move to soft foods, ill haveto ask my doctor, but if I do what can it do? can it damage my band or make it slip??? What if i eat solids?? 2) I know they say no alcohol for a year, but will it hurt to have a little glass of vodka and cranberry on new years?? just wondering. What could that do?? 3) and the bread thing....verry confusing!!! I have heard like 5 different things, and i…

Today I am 15 days post op and going into my second week of full liquids. I have not had one complication and to date have lost 20 pounds. I do feel hungry ALOT but I read that is pretty normal. However, as of a few days ago I feel like I am running on empty. MY energy level is getting to be a big fat ZERO. By 6pm I feel like I have to either lie down or fall down. I am getting plenty of water and protein, taking multi-vitamins but my body feels like it is screaming for nutrition. Someone please tell me this is temporary and in my soft food stage it will get better!

I was banded on 11/10 and have been on solid food since about a week out. Yes, that is what my doctor wanted. 1-2 liquid, 3-7 mushie, and then solids. Anyway, I have absoulutly no restriction and can eat as much as I use to and I hate it. I have stopped loosing weight and I am frustrated. The only difference in before surgery is that I stay full longer than I use to, but having no restriction and having to eat a lot to get full is really aggervating. I need a fill really soon. First fill not scheduled until next Tue, the 15th.

Hello All, I had my surgery Thursday morning and was released home from the hospital Sunday night. The doctors say the surgery was great and the nursing staff say everything looked fine. I did suffer from some anxiety at night after the surgery from the chest pressure so they prescribed me some medication for that. Now that I am home, I am finding myself even more out of sorts and anxious. I am having difficulty drinking enough fluids and cannot seem to sleep more than 2 hours at a time even though I am on sleeping pills. My bowels came back to life last night so some of the chest/gas pain has subsided but I am still concerned. I have emptied my drainage bulb twice…

I just came home today, and have been pretty much been just on the verge of nausea all day today. My nose is dryer than the sahara desert. I have no desire to eat or drink anything, but am sipping on broth and Water. I feel like my guts are revolting on me. Did anyone feel like "ohmygosh what have I done?" Maybe I'm just emotional, I haven't really slept since surgery and came home to a sick husband to top it all off. Please tell me this gets better :smile2:

So this morning I went for my post op visit as I am 9 days out. Everything went great and I'm doing well. The doc said I could move forward to mushies then real food as I felt I could handle it. SWEEEETTTT! I went straight home and made 3ozs of best of the egg with 1 laughing cow wedge all scrambled up. I had actually been dreaming about this for the last week. You would have thought I was having filet mignon. I'm just so excited I'm at this stage. Another bonus for me is that my taste buds have completely changed. I tried a SF vanilla pudding and after two tiny bites decided it was 'too sweet' for me. Oh please let that stick!!

Hey there.. I am currently 4 days post op lap band and I have been experiencing a lot of diarrhea. The third day I went a couple of times, but yesterday was the worse. I have very painful cramps and really felt sick. Is this normal? Is it from all the drugs in my system...or could I be developing lactose intolerance? Has this happend to anyone? Thanks and Merry Christmas