POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Basically im wanting to know how to tell if your band has slipped. More specifically how far below the gastresophageal junction is the band suppose to be???

Today is my 2 month anniversary of surgery. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone, especially since the weeks and months leading up to it seemed like they were going in slow motion. I have lost a total of 43.6 lbs since my surgery day, which I'm very pleased about. I took my measurements on surgery day and what's even more amazing to me is that I've lost TEN inches off my waist! That means I actually have a waist now! HAHA! I've lost a good amount of inches off hips, thighs, chest, and even calves! I went from squeezing into a size 18W (really more like a 20W if I was being honest) to wearing non-stretch, regular size 16 pants so that's a loss of 3 or 4 sizes s…

hello, I am still on liquids with about three weeks post surgery, I have from time to time " cream of mushroom, cream of broccli" which is a bit thicker than clear liquids. Even when I have clear liquids I hear or feel weird sounds in my stomach. I dont know the exact word to describe it but it's a sound of the stomach working and I can clearly hear it if I close my ears. Is this normal?

My sons are still in bed, my husband has just left for some final grocery shopping, my dog and cat are curled up under the dining table and my house is the 'still before the storm'. As soon as I finish this post, I'm headed to the kitchen to get ready for tonight's and tomorrow's festivities. I just wanted to take a moment to say Merry Christmas to all my lap band buddies since I may not be around too much today! You are my support system and I am blessed to have you all...even when we disagree . My Christmas wish for you is to be surrounded by your loving family and friends and that your holiday is full of joy and laughter! Merry Christmas! Melody .

I was banded on 12/11, and am doing well for the most part -- incisions all look good, no redness, etc. But for the last two or three days, I've had some pain at my port/incision sight. It's a sharp pain, like something is pulling. I did a lot of housework for the holidays, but I don't recall any one specific moment when I thought -- uh oh, I think I hurt myself. Should I be concerned about this? Is it normal to have port pain? And if so, how long can I expect this to last? Will it go away? Should I phone my doctor (not that anyone is in until Monday)?

7 weeks postop and I have restriction! I went in for my appointment yesterday afternoon and the tech took the Fluid out of my band because there was some question as to whether or not I really had 6 cc's in there. We find out there is but since I don't have any restriction at all, she decided to pop 2 more cc's into the band. I now have 8 cc and restriction! She did ask if that was ok since it might cause me to only be able to drink Protein shakes through Christmas if I had any swelling from the fill (which I haven't had on the previous 2 fills), but that's ok with me! Last night and this morning I can feel the restriction as I drink my shakes. I have to drink them sl…

I am curious if people here actually enjoy a drink or two post op? I have a christmas party tomorrow night and am wondering if I should sip on a drink or avoid it completely. Specifically, I'd love to know: 1) Do you get tipsy (or drunk!) really fast now or the opposite? 2) Do you enjoy the taste? I used to be a wine-o, but now the idea or smell isn't appealing at all. I'd be more inclined to sip a vodka drink or something... 3) Any other thoughts you'd like to share on the subject? I figure many people might like to know, considering 'tis the season! Thanks! :001_smile:

How long do I need to wait to drive myself after surgery? My surgery was Dec. 17th. I'm 6 days out. I'm not on any pain meds (haven't been for days). And I can't seem to remember what the doc said about it.

I am totally ignorant when it comes to protein. I am scheduled for surgery next Wednesday & I know protein is supposed to help you heal but I know NOTHING about protein. Which is best- powder, premade shakes, pills??? I am so confused! Anyone have any suggestions? Please help

Hi everyone, I have had my band for about a year and have lost 35 pounds. I have been at a plateau for at least 6 months. I have great restriction so that is not the problem. I only exercise 2 times per week but thought with limiting my food intake that I would be able to loose. Any words of encouragement or suggestions? Thanks.

im exactly one month post op today, yesterday i had a slice of pizza( yea, i know BAD!!!!!!!!!) but i was at a school gathering with my daughter and thts all they had and it smelled so good plus i knew i would be there for a while. Anyway i had a very small slice but today i feel like the worst person ever, i feel like such a screw up;0( and to top that off i feel choked up like somethings stuck in my throat, i think i need a fill ASAP can anyone advise me of this horrible feeling:bored:???

I have lost from 289lbs, to 214lbs. i am feeling pretty good. when i was healthy and active i use to weigh around 180 . but i was thinking if i get to 200 i will be happy. I am 6' tall and i guess a medium build. my hip bones are starting to show. but i still have some belly left to go. LOL. What are your goal weights. How long has it taken you to get there. I had surgery on august 10 2009.

My family keeps asking me what I want for Christmas. Yeah, it's 2 days until THE day, but I keep telling them that every thing I wanted has been put in place (12/15). They don't quite get what's happening. For the last 4,745 days I have thought about (in some negative way) my weight. Every...single...day...usually more than once. I can't think of one material thing that could raise my spirits more than having my life change forever for the better. Okay...the one thing I mentioned was a pair of Shape Ups by Skechers. Just another small tool to help with toning. Can't hurt, right? :biggrin: I hope everyone has a great holiday. :tongue:

Okay, it's my first day home after my surgery and my stomach is growling at me like it's hungry. I'm seriously upset. I thought everybody said you wouldn't be hungry after the surgery. What's going on?

I was banded 5 days ago and have had these spasms right around the band since I woke up from anesthesia. It feels kinda like when you take too big of a bite and don't chew it well, and it just slides down your esophagus nice and slow and painful. That is what this feels like. I have no nausea, no reflux, no burping or other gas. It doesn't have any particular trigger such as drinking, moving, talking, etc. It just comes on, lasts about a minute, making it hard to breathe or move, then goes away. They can be several times an hour to once every few hours. I went in to the doc and everything looks great. I have no pain from the incisions or anything. He thinks it i…

My fill hurted I guess i got a dull needle. rcv 8cc at first but the liquids wasnt going down. the doc took 2cc out felt much better n I have restriction with 6cc's. Its a start right?

I had my surgery Monday, December 21st and stayed overnight. I am to be on a clear liquid diet. Is there something else besides broth, water, tea, gatorade, apple juice that I can have? Seems I'm not getting enough nutrients starving this way! Oh, and the pain is something else! I need my husband to help me out of bed. I have heartburn (never have had this before in my life) & Pepcid seems to help. The doc did have to scrap away a lot of scar tissue from my gall bladder surgery I had a couple of years ago. He stated the scarring was pushing against my pancreas. That pain is gone now..woohoo. Anyways, I cannot get the doctor to call me back because I do not…

Hey all My surgery went great. Surgery at 7:30am in recovery by 8am. Awake drinking sitting up and walking around 10am or so. And released around noon. Pain hasn't been bad at all. My gas pains weren't bad either. They stayed around center chest and i had a huge release of the gas via a gag/cough. Since then the pressure has been gone. I've been getting up and walking and sleeping alot. No problems getting in and out of bed or my recliner. Get dressed easy. So all I'm all it's been perfect. No Complaints. only my abs feel like they had a workout and i'm just very thirsty all the time. I'd do this again in a heartbeat. Such a breeze for me. I hope all others are …

I had my second fill last Thursday(7 days ago). My 2 liquid days were fine and the next couple of days were fine, but now most things seem to have trouble going down. So much that I am drinking mostly protein drinks and stuff I know is fairly soft. On my first fill I had no problems. Is this normal? If it is soft I havel very little problem. I still get full fast, but at least it goes down. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

HI I am scheduled to have surgery on Dec 14th. My question is this - my husband and i are planning a trip to Thailand about 7 weeks after surgery. Assuming all is ok after my surgery and that everything is going according to schedule, is that too soon to take a big vacation, or should it be ok? We can't really push it off any later than that, so if we don't go then, we can't go at all this year. Those of you who are after surgery - what do you think? Thanks!

I expected the 5 little scars after the op, and hoped they would fade over the next few years. However, 4 months in and I still have 3 round red little scars above and below each of the 5 incision scars where the staples where. So each of my 5 scars now looks like this: . . . ---- . . . I have had general stitches for cuts in the past and they never left scaring. Any one else been left with this?

I just wanted to do a shout out to all the November sleevers and see how we all were holding up. My surgery was Nov. 19 and doing well. No problems with surgery and Dr. is very happy. I don't see him again for 4 months so I am kind of on my own for a while. I have been on a stall for over 2 weeks and I am trying not to get discouraged because I know I am losing weight. I am having problems getting enough food and protein down. I hate the protein shakes so that has become a huge problem. If I don't watch it i get dizzy and almost faint. But other than that I feel wonderful. Sooo much better. How about you guys?:thumbup1:

There seems to be a lot of discussion among bandsters about people who feel guilty about WHAT they eat and other people who are measuring out their food, people who are terrified of the holiday food temptations, etc. The reason lap band works is because it forces you to adhere to a portion control program that alleviates the need of having to rely solely on willpower. I was banded in March and I eat whatever I want, only much less. I have lost 37% of my total weight or 115 pounds and have exceeded my goal weight. In fact, I now have a problem I always dreamed of...how do I stop losing weight?! Since day one, I have not worried about what I eat and have tried to…

Two months and one week ago I made the decision to get the band. Self Pay, (actually, employer paid) so no Insurance nonsense to deal with or slow me down. I came to the decision after visiting my Endocrinologist and having seen my weight up, my AIC up, my BP up, my liver enzymes up and knowing I was heading down a bad road. Went to the seminar 2 months ago. I was banded 1 month ago (11/23). Today, I saw the Endo Dr. again. I am off ALL type II diabetes meds completely. I am off one BP med (out of 3) and take the other two only every other day. Off depression meds. Can sleep without the CPAP when I travel with no problems (still use it at home cause it is like an old …

Tomorrow I will be a full week post-op. Ive had ups and severe downs and today I feel better than I have been. Ive lost 32 lbs since 12/2/09 (which includes my preop diet) I feel great! But I do have some questions.... Is it normal to get to the point where youre like "just get this thing out of me!!!!" Im still having issues with gas....Im eating gasx strips like candy, basically....what do you guys prefer for constipation....todays been the first day I havent needed to take my Lortab...Ive been relying on Tylenol....which will help the constipation, but is there any other tips or tricks to get rid of gas/constipation? Ive been walking up and down my hall several …

For the past couple of weeks I have been very sore all around my port. Mine is on the muscle under my right breast. That muscle hurts when I reach for something in that direction, push a vacuum, etc. I also hurst to lie on my right side. My actual port isn't sore, but that whole muscle area is. I don't have any visible bruises, and I can't remember doing anything to it, so I don't think I've pulled a muscle or bruised it. Also, I haven't lost much at all this time (five pounds in seven weeks and almost all of that the first three weeks). Do you think there is something band-related wrong or just a coincidence? I go to the doctor Monday, so I don't think I need to go…

Omg is this normal? I went 2 the doctor 2day for my post op visit n i lost 14 pounds n 1 weak n he scheduled my 1st fill for the 21st of december. Is this a good thing? most 1st fills r 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Does this mean im making good progress or is something wrong?

Ok - I have not had the band, yet, but I thought I would ask this of people who have. I'm in the process of my consultation, etc. (Even switched insurances since one covers and the other didn't) I was wondering how bad the nausea/vomitting is? I hate to vomit. I will fight it with everything I have. I used to be a bulemic in high school and now 15+ years later, I hate it so bad. It just takes everything out of me. How bad is the nausea and vomitting? Does it just become a way of life? Or, as long as you follow your diet, etc., does it not happen? That is my biggest concern out of everything with this surgery. It's not the pre-op diet, it's not the surgery itself. It's…

Since my 1st fill on monday my 2days of liquids r over. I can eat now so they say. with this restriction after 2 or 3 bites I cant eat anymore. Im happy with that as long as the weight n inches come off. Santa brought me my present n its restriction. yeeeeah!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS wishing all of u success over the holidays

I am 5 weeks post op and i just got my second fill. This seems a little fast to me, but my doc said get you butt isn here if you can eat more than a cup and can not go 4 hours between meals. Well, I have wanted to eat everything in site and everything goes down just fine. So now I am up to 4 cc's. Just wondering how many cc's everyone else has and when they started to really feel restriciton. I h ave a 10 cc band. Have a great Christmas everyone.

We tried many over the last 6 months since hubby was banded, from the free one the hospital sent us home with, to the pricey one purchased at the surgeon's office, to many in between purchased at various pharmacies etc ... The best one we found is the GNC (General Nutrition Center) brand (the red and white one)! I bought it for $5.00 from GNC and it has a great splitter, crushes great too and even has a storage compartment. The best by far! Works great for me to split those huge white gall stone pills now too. I tried crushing them, but the taste was so bitter that I just couldn't cover it up in anything. Now I can split them into 4 pieces and since each is sma…

I am a week out and I had gotten my protein drinks from my Dr. I made a HUGE mistake by getting everything sweet! Fruit drinks, hot chocolate. ect....everything was sweet! I did manage to get through the whole week without choking on them but was seriously craving something savory. I was at the grocery store looking for something I could possibly use and my Dietitian called!!! She said I could progress to mushy. I was so thrilled so I went and got bean soup that had 12 gr protein and cottage cheese. I ate almost 1/3 cup of soup and a Tablespoon of cottage cheese. It was GREAT!

I am tight in the morning and pretty tight at lunch time, but by dinner I am able to eat more. I have read that other experience this too. I recently had a fill (12-16) and I am not very tight. Yesterday I had my usual Protein drink for Breakfast and for lunch I had my usual - Lean Cuisine - but, since my fill on 12-16 I have been unable to eat the whole thing (all 280 calories) ... this is new for me because usually I am able to eat the Lean Cuisine and I am satisfied. But this time, after a few bites I couldn't eat anymore, so I waited an hour and tried to eat another couple of bites, no luck. So I threw it away. I was famished when I got home from work. I heated…

As of today, the following names have been added to our spreadsheet. I need "surgery weights" from most of you since the data was added prior to surgery. If your name isn't on this list, but you would like to be included, reply to this post with: LBT NAME Height Surgery Date Starting Weight (preop diet) Surgery Weight Current Weight counselor - is - in ccweeks soexcited graciesmom happyhomecc soon2B2littleE Bundy MyQueen80 joysuz1498 timetobefree Kells0802 rollinmyway LaHarvey BarbaraWM MelHeath mom.on.the.go misswhitzel meldlc37 Moxi ccgp Muchinlove tankerjj Season4Change melloways sberrys TravelinTurnip Brigette 4x4 Moma NewKate …

So Kaiser gave us this binder of stuff we can eat during stage 2, but it didnt really go into much detail. Do you guys have any good recipes or food that worked out good for you?

Its been 4 weeks and lost 21 in two weeks. Since then I have went to solids and gained and lost the same 4 pounds over and over. Week five and just went back up to the 4. I am starting to get very frustrated. I am so tired of going to dinners and not having much to still be 4 pounds up. I don't get a fill till the 2 week of Jan. Any ideas would be great.:crying::crying::crying::crying:

Okay, I was able to walk around several times outside yesterday. And, while the left side and my back were tender when I would finish, I was able to do it. Today, I can't walk hardly anywhere without the really uncomfortable pulling and tugging on the left side, and my back starts almost cramping. Can anyone advise on what sort of pain or discomfort you experienced? I know my heaviest weight is carried in my belly, so I'm thinking that standing and walking puts so much more pressure on my incision. I may call the doctor today.

Hello: I was sleeved on November 6, since then I've doing OK, I have lost 30 pounds and I've been on stall for more than 2 weeks now!!!!!!! But let be honest with you: Since the third week I've eating solid food, sweets, chips, carbs, and alcohol :thumbup1:!!!!!!!! (small portions) I know, I know is horrible but you know is christmas time and everybody like to eat and drink in this time of the year. I feel so bad because it looks like everybody here is eating healthy food, Protein shakes:thumbdown: and Protein Bars, but I'm notttttt!!!!!! I'm afraid to fail....Please help guys.

Hi Everyone, I am 5 mos post op and I would like to change Drs. I feel like I'm stuck with my Dr and his staff and I'm not happy with the program there. If anyone knows a good Dr in NYC area please share. Not Columbia! They are overrated believe me. I need a place that has a weekly support group and a full staff on site. I don't want to be told "We only do fills on Fridays". Are you kidding. Has anyone changed Drs? I asked a few people and it seemed like the great taboo. Please advise. Thanks.

hEY IM JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT IF HOW IM FEELING OK, I STARTED HAVING DIAHRIA TODAY , ALSO STOMACH PAINS I CANT EXPLAIN IT COMES REAL QUICK AND LEAVES QUICK BUT ITS SO ANNOYING. WHAT CAN I DO?

I am 3 wks post-op and even though I am eating about 1/3 of what I used to eat I feel like I am eating too much! The only thing that is giving me problems is bread. I haven't ate any steak or anything like that. Just soft meat and mashed potatoes and things like that. Just wondering what everyone is eating 3 wks out. I am also at a stand still on the scale...its not going up but not going down either. I have lost 18 pounds so far, but it won't budge. My first fill is in a couple of weeks.

Hello all of you beautiful (and handsome) bandsters! Question for those of you who have a 10cc band. How many cc's did you have put in until you were at restriction...and not just a little restriction - but "wow - i now know what restriction really means" restriction? I just had my 3rd fill and am at 6.5cc's on my 10cc band and do not yet feel like I'm in the "green". I know everyone is different but just looking to get some feedback from others. Thanks in advance. Lise the Loser Lise The Loser’s Weblog

HELP! I'm starving! I was banded a week ago, and my surgeon says I have to do 10 days of post-op liquids (like the pre-op diet). I'm feeling great, I'm back to work, and I feel like I can tolerate at least a little pureed food. I've read in some placed that most surgeons only make their patients do 4-5 days of post-op liquids. I'm scared of band slippage if I eat mushy foods too soon, but 10 days is a LOT! Anyone else have to do 10 days? Anyone out there start the mushy diet before they were supposed to and have any feedback? Thanks!

What happens when u get 2 ur desired weight then what do u do? what happens when u cnt get anymore fills then what?

I was banded on Oct 27 and doing fairly well, having lost 26 pounds, and going for my 3rd fill on Monday. I am now at 4 cc's. Get hungry 2 hours after a meal. Still learning to eat correctly, (slow and thoroughly). I am on a cpap for sleep apnea and just had my pressure lowered from 14 to 12. Is it normal to swallow so much air at night while on lapband? I have so much abdominal gas that it is not funny. Also some during the day, so wonder if the lapband is any cause? I hope to ease off the cpap machine within another 20 or so pounds, but will see. Thanks in advance.

I just had my 2nd fill on Wed (surgery on Oct 1) and for the first time, I felt restriction. even when I swallowed the Water when he still had the needle stuck in, I felt it go down slower than usual. After dinner that nite, I felt really full, almost couldn't drink anythng the rest of the nite. Then, yesterday, the day after my fill, I'm back to normal, eating anything I want. I asked my doc abouit how many I might need and he said most people have good restriction by the 3rd fill. He scheduled me for another 6 weeks, but said if by 3 I wasn't losing, to call and come in for another. I really thought I'd had the restriction I hear so many people talk of. Could I have…

Being banded, losing weight. What has this done to your relationships with your friends and family? What about your significant others? How has it changed your relationship with yourself?

I don't want to sound mean or cold hearted... but I see people on here saying they can't be around people eating food , well this is life it is going to be here and you need to just get used to it. Just tell yourself NO !! I know it is very hard but you can do it , you did it at first and now you can keep doing it. Just belive in yourself . I have a long way to go myself, but I would never stop cooking for my husband or have him to eat in another room. That would be like putting on blinders for the rest of your life. That's life and we just have to adjust to it. We may lose 10 lbs and then gain 1 or 2 lbs back but just look ahead and Never look back. I am so sorry if I s…

I have had a tummy problem for almost 2 days now.. am over 4 weeks post op and have had had no problems like this... I am not sure if I caught a "bug" or if this is the sour stomach I hear about occasionally. Any food recommendations when your tummy just feels icky and like you have the beginning of the flu but it doesn't get worse.. just stays the same? Yesterday I got in one protein shake and some crackers but that was it.. previous to this I have been eating really well so am concerned... ~Chandra/shutterbug

I want to pose a true grit question here. Has anyone been hungry just a week and a half out after surgery? I was just sleeved last Monday and people all over the board have raved about their sleeves and the loss of hunger, and filling up on half a cup or less etc. I know head hunger is different than real hunger, but I am not sure what I am experiencing. I truly wasn't hungry the first 3-4 days since I was so many meds, and hurting, so it went by fast, but now, after 10 days, I am feeling hungrier. I can have my Protein shake, then Soup and a popsicle and still wish I could have a cracker or something. I am on the liquid post op diet for another week and wondering whe…