POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

i am 6th day post operative I am on clear liquid diet. yesterday I took one small tea spoon full of honey. it tasted soooooo goood. what do u think? does high sugar stuff tend to impair the healing process? plz let me know if it is a correct or wrong what I did? I had all night epigastric pain after this spoon of honey. thanks

I just got my band and I haven't gotten stuck yet (and don't plan on it) but I am wondering what you do if you do get stuck? I was thinking about it this morning and wondered if some apple cider (or any flavor) vinegar would help since it is so acidic and breaks down organic matter. Has anyone tried it or is there something better?

Hi, I am 16 days post op and feeling a whole bunch better than i did a week ago. It's true that you really start to feel better everyday!! I started mushies yesterday and it is unexpectedly painful to eat. About 30 seconds after i swallow i feel a niggling pain in my tummy and then about 15 mins of sharp pains in my shoulder. I am not sure if there is something wrong or if it is just a part of healing. The pain is bearable so if its normal, then i wont be concerned. If this sounds like something is wrong or if you can offer me any information or experiences i would really really appreciate any help i can get. Thanks to anyone who helps, :w00t:

I'm a newbie still and have so many questions! I go to a seminar next week. I am 5'2 and currently weigh 184 lbs. and this puts me on the borderline BMI-wise for this surgery. My target weight is 110. What happens if you lose more than you should? Do they just not fill you or decrease your fills? I can lose between 10-20 lbs. on my own, but it doesn't stay off which is why I want this surgery. I'm hoping to be able to plead my case to a surgeon soon.... Thanks and blessings, Michelle

I've been reading post after post about post-op diets etc.. My doctor never went too much into detail about the do's and don'ts post-surgery. In the last few of days I have been eating 6 small meals per day. But my concern is what I am eating. I was given yogurt in the hospital after my surgery. I was never told to eat liquids only...just soft stuff (cottage cheese, yogurt, skim milk, soft boiled egg whites, broiled mushy fish) Today I even had a little blended up chilli for dinner. I never eat more than 1/2 cup of food at a time. But it seems like a totally skipped a stage! I haven't had any problems as of yet. I drink plenty of water, have bowel movements once a…

I had my second fill today. 2 CC's so now I have a total of 7.2 CC's in a 9CC band. What is a little scary is that I now only have 1.8cc's left. Hopefully this will produce restriction. Are their others that are very close to the 9 cc's? I know there are no leaks. Did it under flouro. Just a little nerve racking to think I have so little left after only 2 fills. Greg

LAP-BAND: Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery Nutrition Guidelines I found this site and it really details a diet plan and explains the why's of it. I hope this helps some other bandsters. :tongue2:

ok..heres my story NOW....I was banded 7/7. I did very well from the start losing at the highest - about 39 lbs (sooo wanting to get to the 40 mark!). Then I started yoyoing....I never had a fill that stayed restricted! When i got my last fill, 6 weeks ago, I really felt restriction...i thought "ah ha - this is it!" Well, in typical fashion, it lasted a little over a couple of weeks. I had scheduled my appt for 6 weeks in between this time...instead of 4. So today..i go in, determined to ask the doctor why my restriction is again gone. Thanksgiving? We made turkey enchiladas..i had 2..plus rice...plus Beans. Doesnt that seem like alot???? I didnt fuss too much cuz i fi…

Today I went for my 2nd fill since surgery and I was in tears by the time it was over. My first fill caused me to get very sick to my stomach and I don't know if it was from the solution I had to drink or if it was nerves because he had difficulty hitting my port. I really can't figure out why such a problem because I am under an exray machine. Today, I was nervous about being sick of my stomach but that was the least of my problems. It was his assistant doing the procedure and she first stuck me and the needle was to short, so inserted a longer needle which required a second stick. This was painful but she didn't hit center of the port and restuck me again. After…

I'm a newbie here and am still in the research stage. Is there a lot of vomiting involved post op? I haven't thrown up any food since I was 12 and would like to keep it that way. I'm a vomit-phobe/emetophobe. So how much does this interfere with post op functioning? Blessings, Michelle

I just pasted my one year mark in Nov. Which I still can't believe. Okay don't get me wrong I am super happy with how things have went, I think without the band I would have just kept gaining. But the last few months have been been hard. first I stopped losing and even gained a some (10-14) lbs. I am scared this is it what if i cant get any lower. I was going to the gym 3-5 days a week now i can't seem to go back. I feel like i am slipping back into my old habits. I am not eating crazy or anything but i cant' get back into exercising. I want to but get over this standstill. Am i just a loser and can't motivate myself. Oh i guess it would help to tell you a little back …

I got banded 2 months ago, had my first fill on Oct 4 and second fill this morning. Weight loss has been going great, no pain from the band or port, and really excited to losing more and beginning my new life. However, slimming has become more of an issue, happened twice today (after getting my fill). I have read that it is a sign of not chewing food properly, which when I look back at my day is a possibility. So, I am going to try my hardest to ensure I chew well so that I don't slime anymore. But, the question I have is, IF I get that "stuck" painful feeling and feel like I am slimming (which I usually can feel because of a lack of being able to PB and a slimy feeling i…

Hi, I'm 9 months post-op and am having horrible pain in my middle back after eating . . . any suggestions? This hits after only a couple of bites, especially in the evening.

Ok so I know I saw information on what everyone is eating but I can't find it so thought I would ask again. I had a complete unfill today due to not being able to eat and bad left side pain after eating small amounts, kind of like gallbladder pain (but had gallbladder removed 9/14/09) So doc did an x-ray to check for slippage as I only had 2 cc's and will call with results tommorrow, but says he thinks it is me and the way I eat. I struggle with eating I have this whole time I have had the band! And I am actually regreting getting the band, I am 10 pounds away from goal and want to reach it so bad!! So what are you eating on a daily basis, are you counting calories, how l…

I have had the surgery for a few months & am scheduled for my 3rd fill (already 6 cc), is it possible I might not be catching my food still? I can eat, but I am waiting for that 3-4 bites of protein & being stuffed.

I am 3 weeks post op and I have started noticing this strange new issue at night. Dry mouth...oh and I don?t mean, "I drank too many beers last night cotton mouth"! I mean like it feels like my mouth is cracking open from the extreme dryness...I keep a bottle of water next to my bed, but I don?t understand WHY it keeps happening!!? Should I talk to my Dr? Has this happened to anyone else? Ps. an even stranger question...has anyone heard of developing a blood clot after surgery?? I'm a young fairly healthy (once you get past the whole weight thing) guy so I was a bit surprised to learn that I developed one... THANKS

I am soooo confused. Since the fill I had in early October I have felt that I was at my "sweet spot". I was supposed to return for a doc visit just for a check up in early November but, since I didn't think I needed a fill (and since my doc moved to Beverly Hills the parking is RIDICULOUSLY expensive and impossible to find on the street - yuck), I opted not to return for a while. Well, now I can't decide if I need a fill or not. My weight loss is pretty slow but steady and in the right direction -- down. Lately though, I have been feeling hungry -- like right now -- AND, I know longer feel as tight in the morning and at lunch as I did a month or so ago. I had schedul…

I have this weird problem. I had my cute little baby boy about five weeks ago. During my pregnancy I was unfilled and gained about 45 pounds! I'm trying to take it off now, but I was filled back up to a 1.5 (I was around 3 before) and now food constantly gets stuck! I don't understand, because I can actually eat quite a bit, it just seems like no matter how small the bite, food gets stuck. Any ideas on what might be going on?

I am one week out today and feeling a bit down. I came home from MX with a cold/sinus thing. On top of that, I have an infection in one of my incisions. Plus just trying to heal up from surgery. I have a low grade fever off and on. It's just really hard to know if my fever is from the cold, from my infection or if I am suffering a leak. I keep freaking out there I'm going to rip my stomach open. The cold is causing me to sneeze and although it doesn't really hurt to do so, it scares me to death. How long until I no longer have to worry about my stomach leaking? I know I'd be feeling so much better about everything if I didn't have all these other things going on at the sa…

Hey there! I am having my 1st fill in the morning & I'm wondering a few things. I had surgery 9/21 & have lost around 40lbs since the pre-op diet phase. The weightloss is definitely nothing to sneeze at (especially w/o a fill), but it has slowed down significantly!!!! Plus, I am getting hungry sooner & can eat larger amounts if I choose to. Will the weightloss pick back up after the fill? If so, what should I expect (how much? how fast?)? Will I feel restriction after just one fill, or will it take several before I actually experience the restriction? Thanks so much for your advice & encouragement!!!

I had my first follow up with surgeon since surgery 3 weeks and 1day. I have olst 30 pounds total-17 since surgery. He gave me my first fill of 2 cc's. Will I notice this small of a fill and how long will it last? He told me to schedule 4-5 weeks out from today, but if I needed more to call sooner.

I am 1 week post op today and still on liquids only. I am starting to crave something mushie, a scrambled egg, soup thats not clear like tomato or some creamed chicken. HOWEVER I still have 1 more full week on liquids before my mushie stage begins .... so just wondering what others have done?

I know this sounds like a silly question, but I am really looking to figure out WTH is going on with me. So, restriction...is it something you all feel in your stomach or is it higher, like in your chest? I recall someone at support group mentioning that full feels different to her now, but I have no clue what that means LOL. I am in the final days of the soft stage and moving onto lifetime on Wednesday (day 43--wow! never thought I'd see the day!) Ever since Thursday, I have been getting a very weird feeling. It's not pain, it is uncomfortable, and it comes and goes. Nothing in particular triggers it, it can be an hour after I've eaten, when I'm eating, just any o…

someone wrote it before and i cant find, i would like to try it, plus im making like a meal plan so i can stick to it and everything is picked out and has the protein and cals counted up so i know im getting my protein and not going over my cal limit. good idea to me (: and i cant think of anything else to put under the lunch section (need something for thurs through sunday, for mon i have turkey sandwich(bread is toasted), tues czar salad, + weds protein smoothie) i have no fills by the way and lost around 33 pounds in 4 months, its ok, could be better but im happy for myself (: im also making an exercise chart woot but yeah i would like the recipie to the prote…

Im going for my 4th fill today and Im very frustrated because I dont ever feek any different after them. When I do my drink test after should the water go down smooth or sit in my chest for a second? I dont understand how I should feel. as of now I can drink a cup of water in seconds. Should I still be able to do that with restriction?

I had my first bowel movement almost a week after surgery. I am now a month out and have bowel movements every couple of days but the gas I have is CRAZY!! Is this normal? Can I take anything to reduce it? It almost seems constant. Luckily I have not had any embarassing moments yet but if this continues - I know it is coming!! What should I do?

Hi everyone..I had my surgery on 11/20/2009. I'm feeling great besides my port site being very sore..Bleh! I have a situation at home that I just can't explain to my husband without almost getting into an argument. My hubby has been so supportive throughout this whole procedure, but there's just a couple problems. My brother in law and my husband eat really horribly. My brother in law buys my husband all this horrible food. However, I feel like they are not helping me by bringing home Sonic, Burger king and McDonald's. Today I asked my husband to tell his brother to please not bring that type of food around the house anymore. I do not want to be selfish but, I just don'…

I was just wondering at what pace everyone else is losing. I am 3 weeks out today and have lost 30 pounds. 17 of this is since surgery. I feel great about this, but my doc said his goal is 1-2 pounds a week. I have exceeded that and I fear he won't give me a fill when I follow up with him. I am getting more hungry, but I am just trying really hard not to overeat. Amy advice?

I had surgery on june 30th and haven't lost a pound even after 4 fills. I went to see my OBGYN other day who also had lapband and lost 75 lbs initially then gained back 40 pounds. This time she told me that she went on a physician supported liquid diet while being banded for 6months and lost 75 lbs again!!!! I am very discouraged with my situation and her story motivates me to go on a liquid diet. I am desperate to lose 75 pounds myself. Have any of you heard anything like this? What is your opinion and should I go on a liquid diet or not? Input is appreciated a lot.

So, I've done pretty well today. Had my oatmeal this morning, some almonds and apricots for a snack, some grilled chicken for lunch (LONG day at the airport with layovers and major delays--was in the air/airports ALL day). It's now 7 pm and I'm freaking starving. Right now I have 680 calories in and have been moved to 800 to 1,000. I am ordering me some room service. I stayed away from the burger and rigatoni primavera that was calling my name and am going for the tomato bisque soup and club sandwich (minus the bread). I deserve it, right? Saw the nutritionist on Monday and she can't seem to figure out why I stopped losing except that I'm good and ready for my firs…

Well I had my first fill today, 3 cc in a 12 cc band and have to say I don't feel any different. Then again, I only get liquids for the next 24 hours so the test will be when I start eating solids again. After getting the fill, however, it's hard to understand how the medical personnel could possibly miss the fact that they didn't get the saline into the port (as one poster said). My doc pressed on the port until he had the little center nub between two fingers and then had to push down hard enough on the needle to get it through the plastic or whatever this thing is made out of. You'd definitely know if you missed it. I have an appointment for a month but with in…

I am two weeks post-op today. Although my weight is not moving as fast as I would have hoped, it is moving down (always a good sign). Today was my first day on mushies. For lunch I ate one of those individual cans of premade tuna salad. It tasted so good to be chewing food! However, I think I ate a little too fast. I wasn't quite full, and decided to eat a SF pudding. Mistake. I wasn't hurting, but could feel that it was too much. Next time I will eat the tuna slowly, and skip the pudding. Hugs, JoAnne

Hi All, I am having my surgery on Wed. 12/9/09. And I have been doing Jenny Craig for the past month. I've only lost about 4 lbs., but hey, I could have easily gained 15 in the past month, so I'll take it! Anyway, I am just wondering what food plan, if any, people are doing after their 14 days of liquids after surgery? I feel I need a plan to keep me on track. I tend to eat too much when left to my own devices. I'm wondering if anyone is doing WW or jenny craig, etc. Any input or recommendations would be great! Thank you very much! Michelle

Hi everyone, This is the place where I can always find an answers to my questions. So, here is a strange one... Has anyone ever heard of a person being allergic to the lapband? Here's my situation: I have had a rash since my surgery. It started two days after my surgery and has slowly increased so that I am now fully consumed in an all over body rash. The only places on my body that don't have a rash are my face and tops of my feet. Otherwise, I am covered in a rash and have open sores from itching my skin. I must tell you all that I itch SO bad and have woken up at night itching and bloody from cutting my skin open. I have seen two skin docs and they don't know…

*I posted this this morning on my blog, so forgive the double posting...but I thought it might be nice to share. I havent posted on here in awhile and thought what the heck!! Can you weigh your worth? No. But we do don't we? Every time we step on the scale we wait...to see what we weigh...and to see what we are worth. It doesn't sound right to type that or read it does it? We know better. Right? Are value, are life, how much we give, how much we love, can't be measured on our scale. But yet the damn thing, and those 3 numbers that pop up, can beat us down or lift us up. That is a lot of power we give away...in this race of ours. And what exactly are we racing for? …

I got a fill 12 days ago and now I can't hardly eat a thing.I don't like the feeling of being uncomfortable when I eat. I can't eat a cup of food at all. Chicken gets stuck. I called the doctor about getting a little unfill tomorrow. I also have gotten sick 4 times in the last week:( I have lost 7lbs in 12 days. Which is ok with me. Is this what your sweet spot feels like?

I searched LBT for this left shoulder pain and thought I would put my "new info" in a post. I started with my left shoulder pain on my 3rd day after surgery. Everything I read said it was gas. It was not gas. This felt like a nerve kind of pain. It was down deep in the center of my left collar/shoulder area. After about the 2nd week of surgery it would come and go. I thought it was after I ate...but after reading the old posts on this subject I thought it was time for me to listen to my body. Well...this is what i found: If I have not eaten enough and I am still hungry the pain in my shoulder is so intense I can't even concentrate at work or to do anything else. If I h…

Is this real, or just in my head??? Just had my 3rd fill yesterday....I'm at 7.5cc's in a 10cc band. She tried to bring me up to 8 cc's, but the water wouldn't go down, so she took out .5cc's to bring me back to 7.5cc's. I am really worried right now because I feel so different than before. I feel TIGHT (except, I don't really know what that's suppsed to feel like). I am having a hard time keeping food down....and when I eat, I am really uncomfrotable. I am scared that I might be too tight, but I also am thinking that thist just might be the first time that I've been really forced to SLOW down and CHEW. Well, I have been working hard to go slow and chew everything…

On Nov. 17, 09, I had my 3rd fill. I was a little tight for a few days, which I expected to be. I couldn't get anything to stay down. I stayed on liquids for 6 days. Things started to get better, but now I'm back vomiting. Certain things I can eat well, but my problem foods are chicken, fish and shrimp. I was seen today and the doctor totally unfilled me. Stated that I have to stay on liquids for 2 weeks and hopefully I didn't slip my band. If everything goes well the next 2 weeks he will start over from the beginning with my fills. I was at 4.4CC in my band. This is such a BUMMER. I'm relieved to not be vomiting, but dreading heading back to BANDSTER HELL.

banded on the 13th of nov so it has been about 18 days. i am able to eat soft foods now. any good ideas to eat that is good for you? i went to taco bell with my family and just had rice, cheese, and a little bit of sour cream. i cant eat refried beans. think thats ok? i guess the question that i have, is does anyone have good recipes or ideas to eat better? i feel like i can just keep eating and eating and i dont like that! i hope i am not stretching out my stomach or anything. :tongue2:

I was banded 08-30-07. I initially lost alot of weight. I started at 282 and now currently am down to 232. So I have lost 50lbs. I believe that I have a 4cc band. I am pretty sure that I am at 3.2cc currently. My doctor has a hard time accessing my port everytime, he says that there is too much scar tissue on top of the port. Just about everytime I go in he can't find it, so I have to go to the surgery center and get it filled under fluro. I have gotten frusterated the last couple of times because I am self pay. A office visit with my doctor whether he fills or not plus the hospital fee is $220 each time. I have gotten to where I dread going in for a fill because I know t…

Did anyone start the mushy phase earlier? I had my surgery on 9-23. I am supposed to wait 3wks to introduce mushy foods, which is still 1 more week out. I feel so hungry now. I would love to slowly start the mushy phase, but i am scared? Any input?

A week ago I was banded n all the gas n pain is gone except for on my left side where the port is. It feels like its just laying on my ribs ouch-!!! how much longer is this pain going 2 last?

So. I have a question for those have gotten to or gotten close to their goal weight... I know there's always an issue with a people having saggy skin and possibly getting plastic surgery, but what about saggy boobs? Have you guys had it so bad that you wanted to or have had a breast lift? I have 42 DD cup size and I know that those are the first things to go when you lose weight and I just want to know what everyone else has gone through. My boobs sag right now which is sad since I"m 25 years old, and I don't even want to know what they look like when I lose 100 pounds.:thumbup:

I feel like I'm on here asking a million questions per day LOL! So, ever since Thanksgiving (when I think I may have taken one bite too many causing that God awful pain), I have had this intermittent chest pain on my left side. I'm not sure if it's related to this incident or it's something else, but could this be gas too? I take a deep breath every now and then to see if it's gone away and sure enough it's still there (doesn't affect my ability to breathe in deep, but it's how I can tell whether or not it's gone). Is anyone familiar with this one? Definitely a new pain for me.... Thanks!

Have any of you had your surgery without general anesthesia? I've never been put under, but because of family history they're concerned about putting me under fully, and are discussing my being awake but drugged during the surgery. Have any of you had your surgery done this way?

Hi ALL, I have heard a lot about purchasing heating pads for the procedure. What type of pads did you purchase and what did you use them for? Your Stomach, Shoulder, Back?

So I always thought I didn't know my band size but when I went in today the nurse asked my bariatric nurse "Whats the most that can go in" And my bn said oh about 12 - Which makes sense to me because I'm almost at restriction (well I think anyway) So I got .5cc put in and I'm just wondering for those with a 12cc band what amount in your band has you at restriction? Thanks

Hello fellow bandsters, I was banded on 7/16 and I am wondering how everyone's progress has been. My surgery went really well. My only complaint was the severe gas pains but after the 5th day it subsided tremendously. I do have slight discomfort around my port but I know that is to be expected. Currently, I am still on full liquids and I am sooo hungry. I do understand the reason for the transitional diets so I intend on sticking with it. Enough about me...how are you doing? Are you excercising? How much have you lost so far? Are you happy you went through with the surgery? Keep positive people in your circle and you will reach your goals!!!:smile2:

Has anyone ever had this happen to them???? If I stand, I can eat 2 slices of pizza!! If I am seated, I cannot eat anything. It just will not go down and I am forced to vomit. Nobody seems to have ever heard of this, I cannot be the only one that this has happened to?? I need it fixed so I can be normal. I have only lost 25 pounds one year post op!!!