POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I'm hoping that those of you who have been there, done that can help me out. I haven't drank milk since I was in 1st grade. I don't like it. I'll drink hot chocolate, but not any type of cold milk. Surgery is scheduled for Thursday, December 17. One of my post-op "can haves" is skim milk. Ugh. Do you think it's okay if I make a sgar free or low calorie (25 calories or less) of hot chocolate instead? It would be thinner than paint, which is my criteria for the first 5 days after surgery. Or does anyone have suggestions on how to drink milk? Normally I'd say I'd make a shake out of it by blending it with ice and some vanilla extract, but that would be too thick…

So I'm at work, I did something terrible! I ate some nachos! I ate probably about a cup 1/2 worth! I feel so terrible. I'm getting my band filled hopefully tomorrow(2nd doc visit, and they said it would be a possibility) and I was just kinda saying "ah what the hell" . I have not been feeling much restriction at all. I'm just addicted to junk food. This is so harD!:thumbup:

I have some questions. I am so excited i made it through the surgery, but I am wondering if anyone else shares the experiences I am having. The pain is pretty bad. I am doing the walking, but the gas doesn't want to come out (either end), I know it sounds gross, but it feels like knives in my chest, shoulders and tummy. I use a heating pad as well, but it still hurts. I may be acting like a big baby too, but the soreness is pretty intense as well. How long after surgery did everyone feel better? How many days until I feel like I can stand straight up instead of favoring my tummy and leaning over while walking? I am on liquid Lortab and it helps with the soreness, but …

:sad:Sooooo... I'm all for getting smaller but my boobs are shrinking and there is no advice or anything that will fix this. I would cry but that seems shallow... so I'll just .... SIGH loudly

So I'm 4 weeks post op. I'm here at work and went down to the cafeteria cause I left my food at home and had some nachos! about a cup 1/2. OMG! I feel so guity I just have such an addition to junk food. I'm been pretty good otherwise. Tomorrow I'm getting my first fill. I have not been feeling any restriction at all. This is so frustrating. !:thumbup:

I'm new here as of today and I posted some cool pics up in an album. I'm still trying to figure out my way around here. Where do you post your before and after pics? LAP-BAND

ive fallen of the horse and i cant get back on...omg its so hard once you get off track, i really hate myself..ever since my nausea started easing up (i still get it but not as bad) ive been able to eat and i havent been eating the right things, i feel so ASHAMED...i need to really push myself but i feel so lazy, the only time i really get exercise is during gym class every other day and my job which is a cleaning job twice a week...i want to do more but i just dont seem like its happening, i want to i really do, but when i come to do it, i come with excuses..i hate myself for that and i made a meal plan but i only had one thing off the whole thing grrrr!. i think if i ha…

Most of you will probably have no idea who I am. That's ok, I have never posted much here. I had my lap band surgery June of 2007. I was certain this was it, this was the tool that was going to help me find success in this life long battle against obesity. Well, it was for a while. I got to 100 pounds lost. Then something happened. Not sure what really, I just stopped doing anything right. I am currently down a little over 30 pounds, so I've gained back 70 pounds. I've seen a counselor, a pyschologist, they have put me on all kinds of strange meds to deal with my depression, etc. All for not. My lap band doc was at a loss for words the last time he saw me for a fill …

Hello everyone, I love my salads, all kinds, even when I was overeating daily, I always had a salad! LOL Anyway, I know this kind of ruffage can be hard on our new sleeves and I was wondering if anyone eats them now and how often and how long after surgery they were able to? Happy Monday!

Ok.. I'm almost 4 weeks out.. amazing that I'm saying that.. tomorrow I do my week 4 weigh in.. I have lost 27.. hopefully more and I'm not complaining by any means but did any of you remember feeling mushy or flabby?? I'm going to add weight lifting in this coming week but am surprised at how "soft" I feel suddenly.... fat was firm.. if that makes sense... feedback? Thanks, ~Chandra/shutterbug

I was banded on Friday, 12/11. The vicodin made me extremely nauseated and as I'm not supposed to vomit, I didn't take it. The gas pain in my shoulder was bad but it is tolerable. The worst is the pain in my right side. It feels like my guts are being ripped out (sorry if that's too graphic.) I also had trouble breathing but that is getting better. I am coughing all the time though and when I cough it kills me - on the right side. I can't bend over to pick anything up. Also, I couldn't tell if I was hungry or full but now I'm starving! I'm afraid to eat too much as I don't want to get sick. I was on clear liquids but today was supposed to start full liquids. My…

Hi everyone I am scheduled to be banded on Jan 12th 2010 and I was just wondering how much everyones food consumption changed their budgets. I know I will be eating less, but I will be eating more fresh produce and everybody knows healthy food costs more. So in general I just want to know if people are spending more then they used to, the same, or less? Thanks ahead of time.

So today is the first day of my pre-op diet. I'm allowed 3 protein shakes/bars a day as well as 4 oz of lean meat, all the veggies I want, and 1 serving of starch. Unfortunately I've been so busy studying for finals I haven't had time to go out and buy veggies and chicken. Hopefully after my final tonight I'll have time to hit up the grocery store to grab some stuff. Can't believe it's only 2 weeks until my surgery!! Good luck to everyone else starting today!

Hi all I haven't been posting much on here, but I read the board daily. Everyone is doing so well, I didn't want to scare the newbies. I'm struggling. I only lose weight when I eat around 400 cal/day. I can do this because the sleeve keeps me from getting hungry, BUT I'm very worried that this isn't anywhere near enough food for proper nutrition. I sure don't get to eat vegetables at that amount. I feel way better if I eat 600..also if I have little Snacks during the day (which Dr. A disapproves of.) I'm not sure what my question is.. I guess, do I eat 400 and lose 1-2 lbs a week or 600 and not lose/gain? I'm behind everybody who had surgery when I did, …

I have some pain around my port, should I worry? :thumbup:

So I had LAP-BAND® on Tuesday 12/8/09. Speedy recovery except my right forearm. It is swollen, red, has fever in it and is sore. My temp is normal 98.7. I'm going to my doctor first thing tomorrow morning. IV was placed near thumb in right hand. Has anyone heard of this type of infection or had similar pain/redness/swelling in other parts of their body after LAP-BAND®? It's not a "surgical site" infection so I don't know what to think about it.

Have any of you suffered from bad chills since your surgery? I started having severe chills at night about two months ago. I have chills that run down my arms and legs and literally give me goose bumps. My hands and feet are freezing and even with an electric blanket, a feather down comforter, another blanket and another comforter.... it takes me about two hours to fall asleep because I am SO cold at night. I asked my surgeon about this two days ago and he said that he has heard of this before. He said that your body has to adjust to the weight loss and reestablish an equilibrium. He said it is like being comfortable under a 30 pound blanket and then all of a sudde…

I feel like 8.5 cc's is just REALLY tight compared to other people. Some people find their sweet spot at as low as 4ccs! I have been choking in the middle of the night ever since my previous fill to 8cc's. I thought maybe that was the sweet spot, but I was able to eat an entire meatball sub from subway. What gives? I got my .5 cc fill to 8.5 on Tuesday and it has been a nightmare ever since. I wake up choking on my spit in the middle of the night... I WOULD go in for an "unfill" - but that's really stupid that I can eat a full sandwich at 8cc's. When I went in for my fill, my doc put the needle in and said that my band was so full it pushed out some saline into th…

I have had the stomach flu two days and can not keep anything down. I am starting to get alittle dehydrated and the Urgent Care doctor said to drink some seven up to settle my stomach and he knows I have the band. Anyone drink carbination with the band when they were sick? All I want right now is some 7up to settle my stomach. Gatorade, water, pedilite, and apple juice all keep coming back up. No food either.

SOo i have been banded for 7 months.. down about 105. i have been doing yogurt or eggs for breakfast this whole time and i only eat protien fruit and veggies.. but i wanted to start adding something different once in a while.. and i wanted to try cereal. but i want a cereal thats good with vitamins.. low in calories. some protien. low in sugar. and tastes good. any suggestions???

I was just wondering for those of you who have been banded already, how long did you take off of work and how long did you need assistance at home? My husband is wondering how long he also needs to take off of work to help me. Any guidance would be helpful.

My BMI finally dropped below 40!!! I have a BMI of 39. I had surgery July 24th, my highest weight being 313, and that was right before surgery. Today I weight 252!!! I love my band!!!! Down from a size 26 to an 18 in most everything.... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!:willy_nilly:

Today makes 1 week since my surgery and everything had gotten better until yesterday when I rode to take my Mother back to the airport. Now I feel like day 3 all over again but with no pain meds. I only have one dose left of my pain meds and this pain woke me up last night. I couldnt move it hurt so bad. Is this a normal reaction when you over do it too soon. Has anyone had this happen? What should I do?:willy_nilly:

Hi, I'm carolyn and I was banded in July 2002. I am at my goal and have been for a couple of years. I am not having a problem with weight gain, but rather weight loss. I have to continuously eat in order to maintain my weight. Anyway, looking for fellow old-timers who may be experiencing the same swollen feeling in the mornings like I do. I am also here to help anybody who would like it, any advice I can give to any of you who are new to this. I was not one much for support groups, but have been thinking about it for a long time. So here I am.

i woke up this morning to the wonderful aroma of bacon, eggs and biscuits! even though i know that i cant possibly be actually hungry at this point, i still want some real food! im going to a christmas party tonight but have decided not to stay long so im not tempted to eat anything! i tried some cream of chicken soup last night for the first time and that was very satisfying! tuesday i can start mushies so i dont have too much longer!

I ate a piece of chicken tonight and it got stuck. I PB'd a few times and then the feeling of being stuck got worse. I don't think I actually have anything in there but it feels so swollen. I can't even swallow my spit. I keep throwing up and when I try to sleep it feels too uncomfortable to lie down. I will call my Dr in the morning but is there anything I should do tonight? I have tried to drink a little hot Water and I tried to crush an anti-inflamatory to try to reduce the swelling but I can't keep anything down. Help ( I swear I will never eat chicken again)

Hi everyone, I was sleeved about 7 weeks ago and from day 1 I have felt sick. Its nausea all the time. For the first 3 days after coming out of the hospital I was throwing up all day and now its just the nausea feeling I get every time I have to drink my Protein shake, I do 3 a day because thats what my doctor told me to and I am taking an army of pills, I take 2 Iron pills, 2 Vitamin D, 3 Multivitamins and 11 Calcium citrate pills a day! the doctor said I have to drink 3500 grams of it so that totals 11 pills, and on top of that I have to take 2 omeprazole for acid reflux as well! I just feel like its too many pills and I just cant get enough Water in me. Try as hard I o…

Just moaning a bit... I know what needs to be done....With all the crazy running and shopping have not been planning/shopping/eating as I should. On top of it all, the holiday goodies are appearing in the house as others attend parties and such. Been very weak in resistance. Need a major trip to supermarket to get right things in house and will re motivate this week. Hoping to at least hold steady til fill in January, if not lose a few. Hope everyone is hanging in there and enjoying the holidays despite the abundance of food forever flowing! LOL Tracy

I had my surgery Dec. 1, 2009 and am on stage 2 of the eating regiment (puree). Can I drink sugar free cocoa? Also, any suggestions for puree meals? Thanks!:thumbup:

I was banded on 9/18 and have been doing well and able to eat everything so far. I had a big fill last week and thought I was too tight when I PB'd for almost 1/2 hour after eating yogurt. Today I had yogurt for lunch and the PBing started almost 1/2 way through. I would think yogurt would be a slider food, how can it get stuck? Anyway, my other food that I can't eat is canned peas. I eat them and I get pain in my chest like they are stuck, no matter how slow or small amount I eat. I love canned peas! I can eat fresh or frozen peas without problem but not canned. What food causes you to get that stuck feeling?

ok for the past two days i have been having a stabbing pain by my port incision it is progressively getting worse - not to the point of calling the surgeon - because there is nothing they can do now - i will call tomorrow - but it feels like a sharp shooting pain every time i bend or twist or sit ---- i was wondering if this happens to any one else ? it feel like i have a hernia -- if i hold the area it feels better -- any suggestions ? i am 4 weeks post op

I was banded this Friday the 11th. I have had terrible pain in my chest, its like a tightness. It hurts mostly when I swallow, like it is my esophogus. Is this normal?

What do you do when your husband/wife/partner is trying to sabotage your weight loss? I mean, he brings me bowls full of cookie dough for christ's sake! I tell him not to, that i have no self control, but every time I look sad or upset, he brings me effing food. I am at my wits end!:thumbup:

What kind of things are you eating, or were eating, when you were on liquids and then mushies. And then once you started real food what were you eating? I am worried I won't lose weight. I don't know why I am thinking like this. I am eating right now things like liquid yogurt, cream Soups strained, sugar free popsicles, and lots of Water. I have not lost anything since my surgery Wed. In fact, I've gained five pounds! ACK! Maybe it's water weight gain from the IV fluids?? Anyone else gain weight right after surgery? Help with ideas please!

I have some kind of stomach thing going on..vomiting so hard by back & ribs hurt.. There is a stomach virus going around the area.. I am a 7 hours drive from my doctor .. Question: Will this vomiting screw up my band ???

My nutritionist told me I should have 3 smaller meals and a small snack each day. Can you all tell me what you eat for a snack or if you even eat a snack? I don't each dairy so I'm looking for ideas. Thanks!

Well, I got my first fill a week a a half ago and I have no restriction. I didn't really expect to, but it started out pretty good right after the fill. I can definitely eat more than my half a cup. I am going back in this coming Thursday, per doctor for another fill. I am still losing, but it has slowed way down. 3 pounds in about a week and a couple days. Has anyone else had to go back in this quick?

Okay, does the unjury mix cause foam? When I attempted to eat some of the chicken broth, I ended up throwing it back up...not sure it was a real throw up, but it was foamy...?

Ok, so my sister is a few months behind me with doing the lap-band. i am already banded as of 11/23, she will be banded in mid january. we saw the same nutritionist and my sister had her appt with nutritionist today. They got on the subject of me and the nutritionist was taken back at the fact i am eating mushies right now. she said i need to be on liquids for 6 weeks before mushie foods. But.. my surgeon, bariatric coordinator and everyone involved in the office all has me on mushie foods right away.. what is the reason for liquids for 6 weeks?? i dont want to be doing harm.. but i am also listening to my surgeon.. so i think i'm doing the right thing. I'm just curi…

So I was wondering if anyone has to pre-med before dental procedures? I had open heart surgery in 2001 and had my lapband surgery on Oct. 23rd, 2009. I haven't been to the dentist yet but will be soon. I have to take 4, 500mg capsules an hour before the procedure. Many people have said not to take all of your pills at the same time. To wait for an hour or so between pills. However that's not possible for me. I have to take the 500mgs an hour before surgery to prevent a blood infection from going to my heart. Can anyone enlighten me on this issue. Can I take 4 pills, one after the other? I don't really want to open them and take them that way. They taste really nasty.

Hi everyone! I was banded on December 3rd and I did a pre op diet for two weeks as well as a three day liquid pre op right before surgery. My doc didn't require the two week, but from what I read it seemed it would make it easier on my body. I lost about 10 lbs doing that and then I have lost another 15 since the day before I was banded. I am pretty stoked. However, I have read A LOT on here about how you shouldn't focus on weight loss in the beginning. I know that now is a time for healing. I have been taking it easy and following the diet regimen I was given. But I guess I am nervous. I have read that I should anticipate a gain when I am given the okay for more…

:thumbup: HELLO EVERY ONE I GOT MY SECOND FILL TODAY 2CC SO TOTAL 6 CC BUT STILL CONFUSED FIRST I GAIN A LB WHICH NOT A PROBLEM AT ALL TO ME I'M NOT PANICING SO MY APPT AT 10 I HAVE TO ATTEND A SUPPORT GROUP IF I WANT AN FILL ON SATURDAY WHICH FINE GREAT THE MA THAT GAVE THE SHOT SHE SAID A LB NOT PROBLEM I'M OAKY CONSIDERING I ONLY HAVE ONE FILL SO FAR ANY WAY MAKE THIS THREAD SHORT SORRY I GOT HOME AT 1 I ATE 3 PIECE OF BREAD WITH 1/2 CAN TUNA WITH LITTLE salad I WAS FULL UNTIL 5 THEN I WENT TO MY SISTER BIRTHDAY I ATE PIECE OF CAKE AND LIKE TWO PICES OF chips AND I FEEL SICK I FELT I WANT TO BRING IT BACK UP SO THANKFULLY I DIDNT SO I SAID OKY MY STOMACK NEED PROTIN …

Well, it has been 3 years since I have been banded. I have been throwing up for 6 months, even after unfill. There is pain at the port site and finally got seen by a new surgeon. He thinks the band has slipped and there is a hernia at the port site. I have maybe lost 35lbs in three years. This is just me though; I know many folks have been quite successful. My question is, should I have it removed or give it another chance and have it repaired. What can I do better this time in order to loose weight safely? :mad2::thumbup:

I read in some place that post sleeve we can consume only 500 calories a day and on other sites 600-800. I get about 700-800 calories most days. do I need to work more on reducing my calories? I am 40 days away from surgery and I lost 30 pounds. I need to speed up losing the weight but I don't know how. I try to walk daily for 30 minutes. I dream about losing 10 more pounds by new year's eve as I am invited to attend the wedding of a very close friend. wish me luck. Love you all.

You guys, i'm really need yur help i was banded in august i have lost 40 from then until now most of it was early on now the weight is really at a stand still im confused getting depressed not understanding what is wrong now im really trying to lose and nothing is happening. I have a 10cc band and righ tnow i have 5 1/2 cc in it. i can eat more than i feel i should be eatting. when i got my last fill which was on the 1st of dec the dr filled 1cc which gave me a total of 6cc and had me to drink sum water it seemed ok then it came back up, and so they took half a cc out. i think what sum of the issue with that is everytime i go they make me drink sum water laying down (whic…

Ok so I had my surgery on tuesday (12/8) I was fine in the hospital but I got home and was in a crap load of pain!!!! I know its a lot of gas pain but I thought it was going away, but its 4 days later and im still in the same ammount of pain! Most people feel better in 1 or 2 but not me. I feel so much pressure in my stomach, right in the middle and it hurts really bad when I stand up to walk. I can barley take in my fluids because my stomach hurts so much and when I do put fluids into it, it hurts even more. can someone tell me if this is normal? and if im supposed to be in the same pain I was in when I got home from the hospital??:rolleyes2:

Hi everyone! So I just visited with my former boss who had gastric bypass six years ago. She told me about this website that sells Protein powders and ready-to-drink Protein shakes of all different flavors. Protein drinks and others!! Yay! We dont have to drink the same old crap from Walmart. This thread sounds like spam or some sort of advertisement, sorry for that. I just know that I have become so SICK of my same old Protein powder that I have to GAG down these days. I am THRILLED to have some variety and feel like I will stick with this protein thing much better if I have some options. Hope you enjoy!!

Hi All... Just wondering if anyone has used a compression garment during weight loss? I"m wondering if it might aid in minimizing loose skin during the process. I go to my MD on the 22nd and with his blessing plan to wear one during the entire wl process. Maybe no miracles, just hoping it will help. Besides, many of them make your clothes fit better and you look much slimmer too, The boost in self confidence and appearance cant hurt! All my life Ive worn a bra even to bed. I must say though Im a size 20, the girls have always looked great. No stretchmarks and still sittin pretty high! I wont be wearing the compression garment to bed tho :thumbup: Anyway let me know…

Well, I did it! I got banded yesterday. Doc found a hernia and fixed it too incidentally. I'm just wondering how many of you had a generally hard time with pain and difficulty breathing after the surgery. I have to sleep sitting up because I can barely breathe lying down...it's pressure or something and the shoulder gas pains are ridiculous. I took gas x but it doesn't seem to work too well. I take demerol which takes the edge off for awhile between doses, but the pain always mounts. I've spent a lot of time pacing since the surgery. For those of you who had surprise hernia repair, difficulty breathing and insane shoulder pain...how long did it last? As incohere…

Hi eeveryone, I ws banded 2 weeks ago and I am supposd to be on mushies. I had 2 bites of chicken noodle soup with a piece of chicken in it and I felt major pain! I felt like I couldn't swallow and it even hurt into my back! Is this normal? I tried to take a drink but that only made it worse! I had to throw up the liquid...now I am afraid to eat anything. What should I do?:thumbup: