POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Wondering if anyone has had or is having the same problem I am. I had my surgery on 11/3 and did extremely well postop. Yesterday, keeping in mind I'm almost 6 weeks postop, I was pulling a book out of a box of books on a shelf over my head and tilted the box a bit too far. The whole thing did a gradual slide off the shelf into my arms causing me to take on about 50 pounds. I felt the stress in my port area as the muscles bunched and could do little more than turn with the box in my arms and drop it onto the roller table. Since then though, the soreness around my port area has been getting worse. Today, any movement involving those muscles is a bit painful...sit…

I was banded on October 29th and I've only lost 13 pounds. I can eat anything and I'm always hungry. I'll admit I've not done a great job of measuring out every meal but I have cut back significantly from what I could eat before. But I'm still very hungry. I had one fill a week ago of 3.5cc's. My doctor won't give me another one until early January. I'm worried I'm messing this up.

I was sitting here in my dining room looking out across the snow covered fields and watching the snow gusting wildly across the open expanse. For some reason, a stray thought occurred that our bodies were designed to store calories because they needed them to stay warm through the winter, particularly when food was a bit scarcer. Now that we live in a society where we have excellent heating in our homes and food is plentiful even in winter, our bodies are kind of working against us. So...and this was my wild thought as someone who detests exercising but wouldn't mind burning some calories faster... How many calories could I burn in say 10 minutes if I went out ont…

I've been a very very bad girl. Late last night I got up and ate a whole stuffed pepper and the leftover mashed potatoes...enough for two people. I topped it off with a cup of sugar free hot chocolate with a splash of whipped cream on top. My father-in-law died the day before Thanksgiving and I thought I was dealing well with it. Then two days ago, a very young (too young - 21) woman that I know, with a very promising future, was killed in a car crash on her way to work. It just stunned me because it all seemed so pointless and all I've wanted to do since that time is stick my head under a pillow and cry. I guess it all came crashing down on me yesterday because…

Okay, the main reason I went with the group I did, was because they did lap band and because they took my insurance. After care has been atrocious and I should have realized I was going to have problems because they kept screwing up my billing. It's taken 5 fills to get to enough restriction and I have spent the last 6 months frustrated. Last fill was the final straw, the tech said, "Oh, I haven't been given you much in the way of a fill because we thought you weren't eating enough protein". Well, I really think the real reason is to get more money out of my insurance company. Oh, and when I went to support group and whined about not losing weight, they told me…

So, I finally got an appointment for my first fill. Unfortunately, with the holidays the first available appointment is January 14 :-(!! My insurance, Keystone Health Plan East (PA), covered my surgery. I wanted to check with those of you that had fills, did your insurance cover them? I called my insurance company with the procedure codes to find out if it is covered, but the surgeon needs to call (and they will in a couple weeks to confirm). Just wondering how many people have had fills that were in fact covered by insurance. Thanks!

I went in two days ago to get a small fill because I wasn't feeling much restriction. My surgeon doesn't want to fill me too fast, so he suggested adding .5-1 cc at a time. I now have a total of around 5 ccs. After my fill I was able to drink fine and even had a slice of deli chicken that went down slowly, but fine. However, I haven't been able to eat (or barely drink) anything since then. I realize I am probably having a swelling response. I am afraid to go and get an un-fill only to have no restriction again. Ugh. I just don't know what to do! How long should I wait to see if the swelling goes down? Any personal experiences are greatly appreciated. THANK…

I will get back soon to let you know how surgery goes. Thank you all for support and prayers!!

Had my first fill last week.. The anticipation was 1000 worse than the actual fill.. Nothing to it .. I am sooo relieved . I hate being back on the liquids, but this to will end soon. Since being banded , I notice that I must be sitting staight up when I am eating . If I don't I have INTENSE pain.. Grandma always told me to sit like I had a broom handle stuck in the back of my shirt.. I guess she knew what she was talking about .

Hi, Does the Calcium supplement have to be chewable? I know my dietician said no more then 500 mg at a time, and wants me to take 1200-1500 a day. I have found small calcium pills in 500 mg and as small as a tylenol so I am sure I can swallow them. I just am so tired and hate taste of the chews. Also does anyone else take a bunch of meds and if so how long does it take. I have one med that was a horse pill and I used to take two, so instead I now take 6 small ones so that I can swallow them. I also until I loose enough wait take one diabetic pill, one cholestrol and one blood pressure. Yes you can imagine how long it is taking me to take these. Any ideas

Hello fellow bandsters I have been banded 2.5 months and I'm feeling FABULOUS! The weight has been coming off pretty consistently (except for a two week period where I plateau'ed, but then got a fill and started losing again). I went to go see my family doctor to get a prescription refill, and he had asked me if I know of any blood tests that I should be doing. At first I thought that was an odd question, since I would think I should be asking him that question. However, it made me think that maybe I should be. so, I called my surgeon the next day and asked him - he said that there aren't any tests we need to do, other than if we have some problems. Again, at first,…

I was banded yesterday and Im in alot of pain, I think its mostly gas, I ve been walking every 30 mins and talking mypills but nothing seems to feel better, and Im so short of breath is that normal.

Hi there... I haven't looked around to find this answer so I hope you can answer for me, if you don't mind :rolleyes2: What's the problem with rice? Does it get stuck or is it a slider? I had some last night and chewed it really well and had no problems. So that's when I started thinking, :w00t: that maybe it's a slider, not a sticker. :w00t:

I am thinking about having my husband, who is a doctor, learn how do perform the adjustments. But, I want to make sure I am using the right needle. Do you know? :rolleyes2:

What is biotin? Who sells it? I'm in Australia.

I'm only a few days past surgery and ever since, I've had these crazy pains in my chest area (not heart, don't worry!). It feels like a burp that's stuck inside. During my banding, they repaired a hernia... and post-surgery i did have a lot of trouble with gas pains. Is this GERD? Years ago I had a few bouts with heartburn but nothing like this. In fact it doesn't feel heart-burny at all -- it's more like trapped air??? My post-op appt is next week, I figure if it's still happening I will talk to my surgeon about it. Just curious if anyone had a similar experience or knew what it was. It happens at random times, too - when I walk/inhale, when I drink, when I…

Does any one else ever drink while they eat and what does it do? I had one bite of food yesterday that I didnt chew all the way and it got really stuck.....I took a drink of water and it hurt really bad for a second and then I could feel the food slip down......does this mean I am stretching my pouch? Sterski

Well, I am 8 days out and everyting about being sleeved is great-clear liquids are still going down fine, incisions look good, no head hunger, staying hydrated, and then the bottom falls out of my plans. My meniscus of right knee that I injured about a month ago decided to tear while I was going down the stairs today. :cursing: I can not put any weight on my right leg at all. I have a PCP appt on Monday that was supposed to be to check on my asthma but now looks like I will have to be seeing about scheduling surgery for knee repair. I am bummed because this will delay my getting back to the gym and might slow my weight loss. But, at least it waited till after I got ho…

At my last fill it was suggested that I suppliment my diet with glutamine, is anyone taking this and do you see a big difference? Apparently it helps repair muscles and rebuilds them.

For the past couple of weeks, I have noticed my hair thinning. I have thick hair to begin with, but I have noticed my hair is a lot thinner. I'm really freaking out, I had my surgery in September, and have only lost 15lbs and now I'm losing my hair! Anybody else have this problem? Anything I can do to stop this? Any help would be appreciated.

I know this is something I should "be able to do"....I was banded on November 18...and started out great....however almost 2 weeks after I started eating whatever I wanted...I have felt nausea a time or two, but otherwise...NOTHING...tonight...I ate 3 pieces of pizza...I just cant seem to get my mind on track... I am VERY concerned that I may have stretched out my pouch...or that maybe the lap band won't work for me.....I know it's only a TOOL and that I need to learn how to work with it.....this seems like any other "diet" I've tried and failed...I just want to cry!!.... Any help or encouragement would be wonderful!

was annoyed when the doctor refused to give me liquid penicillin. I know it exists. My kids take the liquid form when they are sick. I explained to the doctor that I had had the lapband procedure done and that if the pill was large, that I couldnt take it. He assured me that the pill was "medium" sized, no larger than an aspirin and that if I found the pill to be too large, to cut it up. When I got my prescription, I looked at the pills and they were pretty large. I had to cut them into quarters to swallow them......and it sucks that I had to swallow FOUR times as many pills with an extremely sore throat. I just wish that the doctor had respected my request and my …

My VSG was a one week ago, as of tomorrow. I spent 5 nights in the hospital due to uncontrolled vomiting. Surgeon says things went beautifully with no complications with the VSG. Vomiting has eased but CONSTANT nausea still persists. I have felt so bad I haven't had my laptop on since after surgery. Anyone else do this? Can you help?

I am in so much pain the day after surgery. They kept me over night and I really didnt feel anything because I was on morphine. Now it has went down hill. I am not sure if it is gas pains, hunger pains or incision pain. I just know it is PAIN. I pray tomorrow is better.

Hi Everyone, I have been feeling really down for the last couple of days nothing physically wrong but just feel miserable, I am 5 weeks post op and haven't really had any problems since my op, perhaps that is partly what is wrong now I am worried that eating is too easy, yesterday I had a very bad day and I ate 3 small bars or chocolate during the course of the day and it didn't make me feel ill at all, this just made me more down.I had hoped that being sleeved would make eating things like chocolate more difficult, but it doesn't have that affect on me. Does anyone else feel like this ? :lol0:

Long story short I had surgery in 2005 and was very successful for the first 2 years losing approx 85 lbs. About 3 years out my port was leaking slowly and fills were not working as well, some weight gain with that. I had surgery to change the port I thought this would solve the problem. It did not I have been getting fills every month and gaining approx 3-5 lbs a month. I am now 35lbs or so from my pre surgery weight and the rate I'm going I will be there again in a few months. I am an xray tech and brought in a film of me drinking barium and my doctor said I was too tight and took some out, why then am I gaining weight I asked? I went this last week and the PA refused…

Good Morning, For all of those with SIL, I have a few questions:' I had surgery 12 November. My port is just above my belly button is this normal? I feel absolutely no restriction from day one? I feel my port very, very well through the skin, Is this normal? I was able to drink 64 Water in one sitting on the same day right after surgery. I chose to sip it but still easily went down. I felt very little discomfort after procedure. Which I am happy about. I am just concerned! I will say that the tiny little incision is fierce!!! It is nearly invisible. I really love that. I will say Doc said that I probably had very little or no swelling. Brigette

Hello, I have my surgery on 12/4/09 and for the last three days I've been getting stomach pain around noon. Every morning I have a protein shake at 6:30 am and I'm fine. It feels like someone is twisting my stomach. The pain is at the top of my stomach. There is no pain at the incision sights. Please help. Thank you, Mike

I bought a case of them at the local health food store before my surgery (was banded yesterday) and they are pretty darn good. They have like 42 grams of Protein in each one. I drink half in the morning and half at lunch. I like the orange better than the fruit punch, fyi. The health food store let me put a variety of them in the box. Haven't tried the grape or berry ones yet but will let you know when I do. Even if they were nasty it's only 3.4 ounces in each one so I am shoot them back and hold my nose if the other flavors are icky.

well, the bloating/gas has deminished and i guess i am now able to feel what's happening in the ole' gut -- and i was surprised to find my stomach GROWLING -- twice today! i just finished my second Protein Shake of the day (muscle milk in the AM and Syntrax matrix chocolate (bleh!) just now... and i am still hungry. is this normal? is this in my head? i was contemplating having a V8 or something but i don't know if i'm allowed. any suggestions would be appreciated!

This is my first Christmas with the lapband, just had it done on dec 2nd, I want ideas for mushie foods so i could prepare them and sit at the table to eat with the fam....i want yummy and healthy ideas... please help! :thumbdown::eek:

Well after a few visits to the local ER, many tests and many pain meds I was finally able to get in to see my surgeon. He ordered a few more tests and finally found out why I have been hurting so damn bad. I DO NOT have a seroma, or hemotoma as diagonsed by the ER. I have a hernia. Right near my belly button incision and that is what is causing my distressing pain. I am scheduled for surgery on Monday, Decmeber 14th to fix this. My DR says I will feel much relief after this surgery. He says the most pain I will have after this will be the incision sites. After this hernia, I can handle the incision site pain. I am so looking forward to feeling good and being able to ex…

I've been doing fantastic since being banded. But something came over me this morning, and I got a Omellett and Hasbrowns. I ate it all.... Way more than a cups worth. It took me over an hour and a half to eat it, but I ate the whole thing.... I get my second fill on the 30th, and I'm kinda upset with myself for splurging like I did this morning.... I have been strong, and I cracked this morning.... Have I hurt myself, I feel fine, acutally I feel full. I guess I'm just mad at myself for letting an old habit take over.... Darnit....

I was just banded a few days ago and I, along with my family, am still getting used to the new life change. My husband is very supportive. My parents are too - in theory. But my dad just came in to my room (my folks live in our guest house out back) and asked, "so when can we all go out to dinner again?" "Not til I'm ready," I said, "and probably not until we can all agree to go for something healthy." "That's the wrong attitude," he insisted. "When I've been on diets, I didn't begrudge others from eating what they wanted." We started getting into a heated argument about it, and then he left. We are a family of over-eaters and until now, we'd eat many cal…

I had a private message this morning from someone who thought I was coming across as 'rude and self-righteous' and that several of my posts were 'controversial' and inferred (I think) that I did not respect other people's opinions. So, let me clear up any misconceptions. Perhaps it's years of writing clinical summaries on my patients but it's just the way I write. I go to great lengths not to be rude or insulting. I would suggest to that person, and to others, that they not second guess the author's emotions/intent. It's a pointless exercise when there is no body language to clue you in. However, as far as I know, I have not called anyone neurotic, a know it all or …

Hi, my name is Michelle and I was band in November 2007. When I went in weight 260 now i weigh 228. The doc told me to drink protein shake in the morning and eat snack mid morning then lunch and another snack in the after noon. I am not a snack eatter and I get sick when I drink the shake I am or was a soda drinker I exchange soda for tea with splenda. I go out to eat a lot like at Taco Bell, Sonic, Braums, Mackies, Mac Donalds, Wendy's, Chelino's and Chick flea oh also Long John's Slivers. These are the things that I dont' eat fried foods,fruit,pasta and breads. if you see somthig that i should be doing let me know because I am here for advice and i put it to good us…

I'm on puree food now, yes I am eating and drinking all my required proteins but I don't feel full with only 2-3oz of food anymore. Is it ok to eat a little more?? I also noticed I stopped losing weight, but the doctor told me this would be normal until I get my first fill in 4 more weeks. What can I do if I am not feeling full. Also I get hungry within 1.5 hours. HELP!!!

Hey everyone, So believe it or not I have not weighed myself since getting the surgery. People are noticing that I have lost weight and my husband says he definitely notices now and I think I do also. I am just afraid that I will get on the scale and see a number and it will be disappointing to me. So many people have such dramatic numbers in the beginning and I am pretty sure I wont lose that way. I know it is everyones individual journey and not to compare etc etc, but...such is life. We dont always think the way we want to think. So, do you think I should weigh at the end of the month? Maybe have a once a month weighing thing? Maybe every two weeks? Is there any r…

I had my surgery in 01-21-09. I have lost 80lbs to date and in the last three weeks continue to eat like a cow but i can never eat what i use to eat. I tried to get a fill in october but my stomach was way to sensitive so they had to take it out. i will go back in Jan10 and see how i do.. they told me to stay with the lowest fill possible. I notice when i over eat my left side hurts under my rib cage so i am trying to be extra carful at this point..listening to others on here made me think my band may be eroding. I PRAY TO GOD ITS NOT....I STILL HAVE 60LS MORE TO LOSE.

Went to the doc today to get the first fill and he said nope not this time.... amazingly he says my loss is good right now and that if I start feeling more hungry then when fill but not now.... arfff??? I thought I had to have a fill to have restriction does anybody not have any restriction and still done ok?

I've read a lot of different things and am a little confused! I have read things that say you should eat 3 oz of meat, then if you have room, some vegetables, and only if you STILL have room should you eat starch. I've also read that folks do Weight Watchers style diets. But in my opinion, if you're only able to eat 1/2 c at a time, a few times a day, why not eat WHATEVER you want? (within limits, of course...nobody should eat ice cream 3 times a day...) Whatever doesn't get you stuck, that is....Portion control, right? I understand that some folks need specialized diets for health reasons. But do others sort of "preach" the meat, veggies (starch) because it's hea…

Hi, I just got banded yesterday and came home this morning (had to stay overnight due to vomiting from being under). I sipped clear liquids all day when all of a sudden I was extremely hungry so I decided to try a half cup of low sodium chicken broth. I sipped at it and stopped after I had about 2/3 of what I had taken and about a half hour later I started feeling VERY full. Now its been a couple hours and it hasn't passed... Its like that feeling when you ate too much and could vomit. Did I just misjudge and overdo it or should I be worried? Also, if I do vomit will it make the band slip? I threw up 3 times yesterday from anesthesia (sp?) and my doc wasnt to worried ab…

Yes! Winter snow storm closed down the school district where the aerobics class is held so it was cancelled! I'm getting ready to go over my mil's for tea instead and for that my poor little blistered toes are bowing down in gratitude. The evil laugh (muahahaha) is because this was their last class until after Jan 1. Wonder if I can find those heelies before classes start again in January. :scared2: .

I went in for my first fill (4cc in 9cc band) and when my surgeon's assistant went to find the port, his reaction was, "woah...it's RIGHT there, huh?" He went on to say that he's never seen ports that close to the skin. I asked the surgeon about the placement of the port for my post-op appt. and he said that he put it down about 3-4 inches. When I told him that it felt like it was just under my skin, his response was, "that's not good...it better not be." So, now that the swelling is down...I can feel it more...in fact I can grab it over my skin. I thought that I heard that it is normally placed under the muscle??? Will it stick out when I lose weight? Where ar…

I am one of those complaining that I have been using willpower to lose and the band hasn't helped much. I have had a few fills and am starving all the time. I eat as much as my son's at dinner and only stop because I know I ate enough, not because I am full. Each fill was approx .2 cc. I complained to the Dr how I am starving and think about food all the time so this time they gave me 1cc. Had the liquid diet for 2 days, then mushie and had no problems. This morning I had yogurt for bfst and then made a cup of tea. I tried to drink it and wow, PB to the max. I have never had PB and didn't think it would happen with tea, or any liquid for that matter. Esp…

Hey all, so i was banded on 11/23. i've been on mushy foods since..of course. I have these bouts of anxiety every now and then.. sometimes i feel like i am backed in a corner with the band. don't get me wrong. i know this was the best decision i could make. But sometimes i feel like i will have to eat this mushy forever... then i need to remind myself that it is temporary. my question is... for the most part, can you eat normal? minus a few obvious things. i am really looking forward to eating like a normal person..normal portions.. but i don't want to feel like i am on a diet the rest of my life.. thanks!!

If drinks go through the band I dont understand why we cant drink right up untill the time we eat. I understand waiting 30-60 min after but why before?

Hi there - I'm newly banded and want to get an easy to use food journal... my doctor's office also says to get a nutritional guide... i think calorieking something? what do you use -- any suggestions for tools that will help me be successful?

I really would like to know what you are all blending up. Can you share your first foods and what you are blending up please! Also how long does your doc have you on mushies? I am in the mushie phase and could use some help. Thank you :thumbup:

I was sleeved yesterday morning by Dr. Alvarez in mexico. Everything is going great. Very minimal pain. Mostly just gas pains that hit but walking some is helping that. At first I really did not think my "tummy" felt any different until I had some ice chips. Then I knew something was definitely different. A little nervous about this process and praying I can get myself healthy and stay healthy with this sleeve!