POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

i went out to dinner with my son and his auntie saturday night and fainted...when i felt a little better i went home...i called the hospital and talked to the nurse to tell her what had happened...i took my blood pressure when i got home...my mom has high blood pressure and constantly has to take her blood pressure...it was 102/54...the nurse told me that was normal for my weight and height....and not to come in if i felt fine....yesterday i was still really dizzy...my mom said my blood sugar was probably low...so i drank a cup of orange juice and it went up to 126-74...2day i'm at work but still feeling really dizzy and out of it...i'm going to try and c my doctor 2-day.…

Sooo happy! Talked to my doctor today. I am 1 week post-op and he moved me up to puree stuff today! And right in time to puree up a litle turkey with gravy! Makin sure I get the protein in also. Havent been hungry at all even with the liquids but the tastes were gettin pretty boring. Never been so excited to taste cottage cheese, refried beans, pureed veggies and all that good stuff... Still havent weighed myself and not goin to til my 2 week MD check up. I really can feel more room in my clothes tho... This year im thankful for alot but especillay for my lapband which will help me be healthier for years to come.. Hope everyone has an awesome holiday!!:ohmy:

Ok, i swallowed a piece of gum. am i in big trouble i'm not feeling alot of pain, but just a little tightness. anybody else do this???? Am i going to be ok.

I just had my surgery October 28. Since my surgery date I had lost 19 pounds. Over the weekend, I increased my calorie intake (from under 600 cal./day) to between 700-900. I haven't had a fill yet but since yesterday I've gained 1 pound. I'm devastated. I don't understand how this could have happened! Anyone with an comments or thoughts please?

I am new to this forum, but wanted to join one that was just for banded patients. What is the typical weight loss and how fast is everyone else losing. I lost 13 preop and have lost 9 since surgery. I had my surgery on November 11, 2009.

30 days out and total loss are 22 pounds I lost them all in the first two weeks then stalling since then and even gained 4 pounds. I lost 26 pounds but not after this 4 pounds gain, total loss is 22 lbs. it is impossible that these 4 pounds are FAT! they must be water. I lost my appetite again and I don't feel that hungry. I really eat very little. since two days I was very hungry at dinner, I ate tuna tiny pieces in a small plate then I vomitted all. simply I can't eat much. I try to get my calories from protein. I am sure I am not getting enough but that is the best I can do. I thank god I can tolerate soft poached eggs very well and I love yoghurt. it passes very …

Today I'm one week post-op and feel almost back to normal. The hospital experience was not bad. My pain level was pretty low (0 - 1). My main complaint was I just could not get comfortable. I also experienced nausea before and after the leak test. I would have to say that was the worse. Didn't loose it, but felt close. After I was off the IV and on oral pain meds, I felt so much better. I was home in my own bed the evening after surgery. The week has been pretty smooth. I'm on full liquids, so I'm living on mashed up cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, applesauce and tomato Soup, Water and herbal tea. I think I may go out and look for a clear Protein drink. I'm not tolerating…

I was so worried about not having the right sized liver and not have the surgery. I told my husband that I hoped I would know when I woke up if I had it. And boy did I. Was very soar the day of surgery from recovery and also today. I have had no problem with my two tablespoons of chicken broth or drinking my crystal light. I have been walking as much as possible and that helps a bunch. good luck to all of the other Nov sleevers. I am still excited about what I have done and know it will be great in a few weeks.

I just had my appointment with my surgeon and he basically left it up to me whether I want Lapband or Realize band- he believes they are equal and more an issue of support post-op. Hoping all of you may have an opinion you'd like to share. Thank you!

So on Friday night, I did go to the movie and didn't have the popcorn! I did however have a Subway 6" Turkey/Cheese sub on wheat! The thing is, I am worried that it was too much! I mean, it filled me up, but I don't want to stretch my pouch. I have looked all over the internet to see how much the sandwich physically weighs, but of course I've had no luck :biggrin:. When I went home to read over my post-op nutritional info for the millionth time, it said do not eat over 6 ounces of food at once. The new stomach is like an egg, blah blah blah and I shouldn't exceed 6 ounces. That was the first time I ever saw that, since all the dieticians were talking about living…

Hi guys! I was banded on November 19th and since then I've been having nothing but issues. I think if it was just pain from the sites I would be okay, but it feels a bit more internal than that. I feel tight on the inside (I don't believe there was a fill during surgery, but I will ask tomorrow) and I'm starving yet I can't seem to eat anything as I'm nauseus. I thought I would be able to do the full liquids but the idea of soup has me leaning over my vomit container. I haven't actually threw up but I have to stop periodically and stand really still and I have this sensation of something "passing" even though I haven't recently eaten anything or I may have just stood up. …

Was just banded yesterday and am sipping my first protein shake as I type. I feel rather good. A little tight in the abdomen but not a lot of pain. Alot of the gas it gone, slept pretty good, and had no problem putting on socks and getting dresses. I had a great surgical team in Dr. Johnson in John's creek GA and at Emory John's Creek. All of the team was GREAT. I had lost 20 pounds preop and looking to move the scale a lot in the coming weeks. Thanks to all on this site. You provide such great information that nothing that has happened so far was a surprise. TJ

Hi all, My surgery is scheduled for Wed. Dec. 9, 2009. I am supposed to be on clear liquids for 2 days after the surgery, (I can do that), then 2 weeks of a liquid diet. Like Opti-fast shakes, 3 x per day. That's only 600 calories!! Help! I have a really hard time sticking with Jenny Craig's high protein, 1200 calories per day! (That is my pre-op diet). Did anyone else worry about this? What did you do? I"m afraid i'll cheat and mess up my surgery! Any helpful tips or info would GREATLY appreciated! Thank you, Michelle

Hi, my name is Kristen, and I got the surgery on September 28th. SInce then, all I have lost is 10 pounds- and all of that was in the first 2 weeks. I haven't lost anything since then! Before my first fill I had to come in because I was throwing up (I'm pretty sure it was just the stomach flu) and they removed all the liquid from my band- 3.5 cc's. This was the remainder from the surgery. I stopped losing weight after this (of course), and got my first "official" fill 2 weeks ago- I am at a total of 2 cc's. Not very much I know, but they were concerned. I still haven't lost any more weight, and now I have permanent acid reflux! Granted it started about a week after t…

I'm new to this forum and find it to be very helpful. I was sleeved on 11/18/09. The surgery went VERY WELL and I am so pleased. I hardly had any pain by Thursday, just a bit of discomfort in the chest and nausea. I was released from the hospital on Friday and feeling GOOD. By Saturday, I begin felling like myself again - I quess the drugs in my system were wearing off. I love the feeling of normalcy. I've been on Clear liquids since my VSG, I have been walking - as ordered by the Dr. Yet, I must admit, during that nausea phase while in the hospital all I could tell myself was - I could have been home not dealing with this and losing the weight on my on- because I did no…

I'm 11 days post-op and have absolutely no energy! I used to drink 1 or 2 cups of coffee and maybe an iced tea throughout the day but was told to not drink any caffinated drinks post-op. Is it the lack of caffine or the lack of food that is causing this? I'm in the mushie stage.

Ok.. I'm officially a week from surgery tomorrow and tonight when my family ate dinner I noticed that I really missed the food.. I really wanted to just have one noodle and one bite of ham... is this normal? The urge wasn't like it used to be but suddenly these liquid are really bland. I'm concerned that it will be super hard to stay on full liquids but know I have to.. how do you cope? suggestions... ~Chandra

So.... after taking 10 days off of work I finally went back tonight.:Yawn: I work night shift doing 12 hour shifts. I was ok when I got there. I was confident I would make it cause I even went to the gym yesterday and walked for a half hour on the treadmill. I work as a unit secretary in labor and delivery at the hospital. So I sit a lot. I thought that would be easy. Boy was I wrong.:eek:s Just sitting upright in a chair like that squeezes my incision since I got the SILS(single incision lapband surgery) and my incision is 2 inches in the bellybutton. I guess all those rolls of fat sitting upright causes it to hurt. :woot::cursing: So I took some Tylenol and thought …

I'm trying to figure out if I've met my sweet spot. I have lost 58 lbs since I had my surgery on April 03, 09. 20 lbs came from the pre-diet. I think I have about 5cc in a 10 cc band. Most of my appetite is in the p.m. hours. I drink 2 cups of coffee in the morning and can go without breakfast. If I have breakfast I have to really take it slow and do not eat very much. I have lunch at 1:00 and It doesn't take much for me to fill full but by dinner time I seem to be starving and can tolerate almost any type of food. My last fill was Oct 22 and my next one is Nov 30. I've probaly lost 5 lbs this month. I have cheated by snacking later in the day. I've had 4 episodes of pb a…

just to keep you all updated, I realized my hunger was in my head only cuz I was staying at home all the time with nothing to do except obsessing about food. now that I try to go to work and read and study. it took a big part of my interest and I am simple not hungry. also I believe I was trying to test the operation and try as many food items as possible. it is head games more not true hunger. I dont want to sabotage anyone. this is simply what I have been going through. since the surgery, I don't feel weak, never had a headache except once and it went away with one spoon of paramol for kids. I feel lighter. I was very emtional in the beginning but it is getting much m…

Ok... sponge bathing is getting old.. when can I get in the shower? the tub? Would love to stand under the hot water..have been chilled alot since surgery. ~Chandra

My family is visiting from Canada and we had a great dinner of steak and ceaser salad. I ate with very small bites and chewed very carefully and the meat was very tender. I PBd everything and was throwing up for a good 30 minutes. I am pretty sure I am at my sweet spot and am losing at a great pace however these moments are so frustrating.

I had a small fill on 11/17/09, of .4cc. This has caused me to be only able to eat 2 spoons of anything. I have been on liquids for 6 days now. I tried eating meat or soft veggies and it was very hard to get down and keep it down. The sliming starts and then I start vomiting. This happens at least 2 or 3 times a day since the fill. AM I OVER FILLED?

I'm so mad at myself! Something happened this morning to really disappoint me. Basically my husband and I agreed that it would make more sense not to celebrate Christmas together - no tree, no decorations, no gifts in order to buy for others and not go broke in the process. I guess part of me was disappointed that this will be the 2nd year in a row there will be no festivities in our house and rather than speak up because 1. I didn't want to sound selfish and 2. I really don't feel like going broke. I resorted to my old ways and tried to eat my pain away. I haven't had my first fill yet so I was able to really pack it in. I ate so much my ribs hurt! When am I going to lea…

I had restriction through my 3rd week and now NONE!! What do I do? I am hungry within 30 min - 1 hour after I eat. My next appointment is Dec. 7th. I wonder if he would consider a fill then. I thought the whole point of the surgery was not to feel hungry!! Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Ashley

My name is Melissa and I am getting my band on the 6th Jan 2010, not to long to go. I am also on a 3 week pre opt diet just at the time of Christmas, not going to be easy. Before I start the pre op diet I am going to have a farewell party to say goodbye to the old me and then the new me begins. What does everyone else think? Anyone do the same thing?

I was banded on Nov. 9th and felt perfectly fine within about 2 days - except for the hunger pains. I am back to full exercise. I feel zero restriction and I haven't lost any weight because my poor stomach thinks I am cruelly starving it 24 hours a day. My doctor told me I wouldn't feel much hunger during this time - not true at all. If it were for my almost healed scars, I would almost question if anything had even happened. I meet with my doctor on Monday but just curious if anyone else has experienced this too.

When I reach my goal my biggest debate is whether I will get any plastic surgery work done. In my doctors office they also do plastics so I wont be worried about who I am getting it done by but whether it is worth it or not. I lost a lot of weight a few years ago and wanted a tummy tuck ( my stomach wasnt THAT bad but who doesnt want perfection). Anyways now I am wondering if a tummy tuck would even be worth it if a few years down the road I have kids. I want kids sooner rather then later but wont have any, any time soon as my life style ( single female traveling the world etc) just wouldnt work with kids. My pets are close enough as kids for now ( but always wish fo…

Does anyone else notice pain when you sit in a twisted position. I'm only 5'2". My port is to the right of my midline and on my waistline. If I sit facing the left a liitle I have this pulling or tugging feeling and it's pretty uncomfortable. I'm a hygienist so I am continually twisting at the waist. I'm 2 months out and wonder if it will get better? Anyone else experiencing this?:thumbup:

Can u share with me which liquids n protein shakes worked best 4 u? Im so excited n I dnt want 2 mess up. I will be a newbie on the 24th so I really dnt know what is good n what works

I think I have found the first food that makes me ill after eating it... so far i have had no issues with anything, including bread - but tonight i had a small salad with cucumbers .... i am in agony right now :thumbup: no more cukes for me.

Hi, I was banded last July, and I had lost 60 then gained it all back with a bad fill. I went nearly completely vegetarian (only fish and occasionally chicken) and that helped me lost 21 pounds, which is so f**king depressing. Is there anything, other than complete starvation, that I can do that has helped? I work out everyday for twenty minutes: one mile walk I only eat when I'm hungry or faint, and it's often two times a day with the normal full feeling after it hits the band. I'm stressing out too because my body has shifted, I've gained a roll, and I still have lost two sizes. I was much sexier at the larger weight, shape-wise. Can't afford the reconstructive su…

ok, i was just wondering if i had finally hit my sweet spot. so what i do is in the morning as always i cant eat. lunch time i can eat sometime a bit or two and dinner most days i can eat somethings like chicken breast salad green beans. things like that. i can also eat dinner rolls. i dont eat pasta, or regular sandwich bread. its funny one day its good then one day like yesturday i could not eat anything till around ten pm.

I have a question about pills, I know everyone says to crush them. I take metformin and you can't crush them and lipitor also. The Metformen isn't so big but the lipitor is. I was just band on nov. 12th so I havent had no fills or anything. I'm so scared to try to take them because I don't want them to get stuck. If anyone can help that would be great thanks.

I am 1 year out from surgery and only 11.5 lbs from my goal weight -- I've lost a total of 75+lbs since I've started on this trip......but I'm having recurring issues that I need to know if anyone else has experienced. #1 prior to having lapband surgery, I has about 8-10" of my colon removed due to diverticulitis which almost perforated my colong. #2 4 months later I had lapband and have been doing wonderul until about 8 weeks ago -- when I started having issues of feeling "full" all the time -- not being able to take in liquids 30 min after eating without losing what I had eaten. We thought my band had slipped and the doc took out all the Fluid -- which gave me rel…

Hey all. I have a friend here at work who is looking to get the lap band procedure in Mexico, as she is not covered here. I don't really know anything about that. I had my done here in the states. Anyone have any info that I can pass on to her- I would appreciate it. Thanks

:biggrin: Got banded on the 13th and had to stay in the hospital overnight. I have been having pain like I've never felt before. It's not gas pain it's pain on my left side of my stomach. I thin that's the port area? But gawd! I'm on two different pain medications and I'm just tolerating it. How long till it goes away? :tt2:

How long after surgery can we consider our stomachs healed - where we don't have to worry about leaks or bumping into something? Where we can lift anything or do any kind of exercise? Where if we eat something bad it is because it just didnt agree with us, not because it is going to damage anything?

To those of you out there that have had there band for awhile, do you ever get use to feeling the port? Especially when I move around in bed. I afraid that I am going to dislodge it.

HI THERE! so I had my second fill on thursday (it is now monday). on saturday night i had a gluten free wrap as a pizza base with avocado, tuna, taziki and cheese (IT WENT DOWN FINE) I thought I was still hungry so I had a small bowl of cerial. down it went fine. the next morning had maybe two cups of cerial with banana to top it off. OH and i snuck in plenty (toooo many) dark chocolate covered sultanas! and it all went down fine. THEN. it started. a small piece of shaved ham got stuck, pb. sushi stuck. pb. had frozen yoghurt went down fine! then vitawheat snack biscuts, pb. a few pieces of bbq chicken, pb. Soup, pb. Optifast (to take my normal tablets with) pb. DEAT…

Hey all!...I was just banded on the 18th of November and since surgery I have been FREEZING!!!...I was always hot prior!!...Also feel completely zapped of energy...feels like lifting an arm takes everything I have...anyone else experience this??:biggrin:

I noticed somewhere on the forum that people were talking about having been given special cards identifying them as a stomach surgery patient who could only eat small amounts, the idea being that the restaurant might give them a break on price, charge them the children's rate etc. Does anyone know anything about this? My husband also thought that I should be carrying a card saying I had had the surgery in case of medical emergancies, like the ones I carry saying that I have had cataract surgery. I'm in Canada and the clinic I'm going to has an escellent reputation, as well as, experienced lap band surgeons, but they have only been performing the surgery since Se…

I am on my 4th day out. I had my surgery at Royal Jubilee in Victoria, BC by Dr. Bradley Amson. I have to comment that the staff were AMAZING. All the nurses were so kind and genuinely concerned with any little complaint I made about pain. They were so accomodating with my family visiting as well. I was sleeved on Wed. Nov. 18th. Left the hospital Thursday morning. I am still taking T3's for the abdomin discomfort. I was seriously asking myself why?why?why? Wednesday night. The pain was unbearable. But now I think I am at the stage where I am feeling myself again (in a good way). I am happy that my wait is over and I had no complications. I am finally on the…

Thanks everyone for all your amazing advice so far. The next question bothering me is could someone expailn what usually happens after the operation in terms of food/ quantities/ types how you feel in the first few weeks etc. Im a bit confused (actually im always a bit confused so i cant blame the operation) When can you start to eat again. And finally I know its a personal thing and i dont really want to think about it but can someone tell me in terms of 1-10 whats the pain like. Thanks again everyone. Dalite

What are the warning signs of leakage? How far along after your surgery dose the posibility of leakage subside? 　 What are these & what are warning signs of these if any: Stricture's Hematoma? Stent? UTI? TPN? JP drains? Fluid pockets/abscesses? Also, do the issues that happen after the VSG seem to be higher with those who have had prior Lap Bands?

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I had somethig that didn't agree with me last night (Onion Soup) and ended up throwing up fairly violently (Much worse than the times I've had something stuck) Today I have some pain where I suspect my band is so I've stayed with liquids and mushies today to see if that helps. Is this normal? and will it subside or could my band have slipped? (Is that what the pain is?) I'll probably call the Dr in the am. Just wanted to check on here first. Thanks.

I have been burping more then ever since a few days after surgery what's up wit that?

I have been out of hosptal for three days and carefully following the surgeons liquid only instructions. I have a little pain but it is quite bareable and not such a big deal. Its the nausea that is driving me crazy and making me feel like i cant be myself. It comes and goes and i am taking the anti nausea meds but they dont seem to be stopping me from feeling ill. I cant burp and so am full of gas and feeling terrible, wish i could make that go away. If anyone has some suggestions or some words of comfort i would really appreciate any help at all. I know i made the right decision but its hard to focus on the future when i feel so ill.

I was just wondering if anyone has experience lactose intolerance since they have had the surgery? I am almost 4 months out from my surgery, and feel fine for the most part, however, I have noticed after I have lunch, which usuallly consists of string cheese, and cottage cheese, my stomach begins to rumble shortly after, and I am VERY gassy. Actually this just started probably last week, and it's after I have eaten any type of dairy products, so I'm thinking it does have something to do with lactose. If this is lactose intolerance is this something that needs to be taken care of by my php or do I address this with the surgeon? Also, I am about 3 pounds from ent…