POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am having a very sharp pain on my left side. (My port is on my right side.) This happened the other day, but wasn't so severe. It also didn't last that long. It hurts more when I move or breath, but it never goes away completely. This has been for like 30 minutes straight so far, and it kind of takes my breath. I have taken two Gas-X strips just in case it is gas, but so far no relief. Has anyone experienced anything similar?

So I read mixed things about swallowing pills. In the pre op literature it says nothing larger than an aspirin. However, the discharge instructions don't mention it, in fact a few of the perscriptions he gave me are LARGE pills! One is a large capsule of antibiotic! What have you been doing? P.s-I'm 9 days post op

I have extreme pain above my iv site. They did it on my inside forearm. I have a HUGE bruise as I don't take needs well. Anyways the pain I have is closer to my elbow up halfway to my underarm. It feels swollen and very sore. Did anyone else have this and what was your remedy?

I was banded Tuesday, November 3rd, and so far my recovery has been pretty good. Like most folks I was pretty busted up the first couple days but after that, I was only getting better each day. My menu was pretty much like everyone else’s: clear fluids the first couple days and then “thick liquids” for the next two weeks. However since my recovery had been going so well, I started to “unconsciously” push the limits. Nothing horrible, but I have been eating some soups with a lot of thick noodles, and some “stewy like meats”, etc. My friend who had the LB a couple years ago warned me that you can “slip” the band easily in the first month (before the first fill). I guess…

What are your top three "gems" of knowledge to pass on to others after sleeve surgery?

If so, how? The past couple of days, I've had two weddings and my husband took us out to Breakfast after church. I'm on purees, so I can have mashed potatoes, steamed carrots (could be smashed with a fork, so the nurse said it was okay). I've had these foods at the weddings, some small ravioli, rice and when we went out to breakfast today, I ordered 2 scrambled egg beaters with potatoes and was sure to eat half the eggs, a couple of forks of potatoes (after I mashed them with a fork), and one piece of wheat toast and took the rest home for dinner. My question is--NOTHING is bothering me, I don't have to chew anything to the point of it being pulvarized (LOL), but I als…

I was banded on 11-11. I was to stay on full liquids for 7 days but it also said in my notes that I could progress to mushies if I'm not feeling full. I am definitely feeling full (barely eating at all) just bored and I DO NOT want anymore of those horrible shakes. Yesterday I had some SF pudding and today I had some broccoli cheese Soup (blended up really well). I tolerated it just fine. Do you think it's ok for me to move to mushies now? I would like to have some egg and cottage cheese to get some Protein into me.

I grazed from the moment I got up this morning and am still thinking about what else I can eat. I have had 1 fill and have a little restriction. I was home not feeling great with a good head cold, so I know it was boredom. But now I actually am hungry. How can I combat this head hunger?

So I am attending a class where they provide meals and I of course didn't tell anyone about being banded, so I don't have my measuring cup with me. For lunch, they served sandwiches of course, but I just pulled the turkey out and had that (and stayed away from the chips and cookie, thank you!). My question is for something like turkey, am I going by 8 ounce weight or actual cup? Sorry for all the questions but I'm paranoid about stretching my pouch. I am stopping myself when I think I"ve hit my max allowance and I don't know what feeling full is like since I am pre-fill. Help!

Blush. I am soooo paranoid right now!! Sorry!

Friday the 13th was my one year anniversary. And...I finally broke down and went shopping for some new clothes. I had no non-work clothes at all to wear and wanted to wear something for a night out with friends. All of my work clothes are hand me downs from another friend of mine losing weight. I decided to skip trying on the size 16s. Even though I thought there was no way I was fitting in the 14s. they looked so small. I have been wearing 16's but they were all light weight "stretcy pants" --and we all know jeans are different! But even though they are all getting big, I was shocked to fit in a size 14. I fit in every pair I tried on and actually got to decide which pai…

I had lapband surgery on November 13th. My question is for the next 21 days I'm supposed to be on liquids. But how much do you have for each "meal"? How many oz? I know what to eat, I just don't know how much? Please help!:biggrin::confused::tt2: Also when you start eating solids how many oz do you eat then??

Okay I am bad at this- I am attending a class where they provide lunch. So of course they had sanswiches today, so I just pulled out the turkey and ate it. Only thing is I don't carry a cup or scale with me. Also with a solid like turkey, do I measure 8 oz or 1 cup? Sorry for all these questions but I am so paranoid about stretching my band :-(

So I've been doing well on day 3 of this stage, down 11lbs since surgery (12 days ago). So why did my doc tell me not thave any potatos for 3-6 months post op? Strictly for their carb value? and he also said no tomato based anything for 6 months. Acidic maybe? I'm just jealous of reading ppl on mushy stage eating mashed potatos :biggrin:

Hi - If you're from ND, or around the tri-state area, and want to chat about where you had your surgery done, by whicj Dr, and want to discuss the good, the bad and the frustrations, as well as the victories , sign up so we can chat !! Thanks !

So besides my mother and brother, I told a few of friends about the surgery. One friend was really great and supportive. Another told me about how she wished she could have the surgery (she's like a size 6 and clearly has no idea what goes into the surgery and how lucky she is NOT to need it). Another friend said to me, "lazy...have you been going to the gym?". oh yes, that's what she said to me. that is the last person i tell!

I just have a question... how long will it hurt when you need to burp? I feel good other then the sorness in the tummy. It is just the burping thing it sure hurts I know it has to heal but was not sure how long it could take. If anyone could help me with this that would be great.

hi - i have been reading all of the posts on the "post- bandster" site and have really gotten alot of great tips on life after banding ..but i have a question that doesn't seem to come up ... Do you ever get past the "i want to eat because i am bored " stage -- or am i just feeling this way because i am only on protien shakes right now ? Being around food does not bother me - actually i have done alot of cooking the last several days , as it keeps me busy -- i have no desire to have anything i have cooked because it wouldn't be worth it . I have also given myself alot of projects to do and have gone through at least 50% of them .. but i am chilling right now and am…

Anybody have any good mushy recipes they would like to share .. I am sooo excited, I had oatmeal this week.. OMG --a little cinnamon a little skim milk.. YUM!!! I did run the dry oatmeal thru the food processor before I cooked it .:thumbup:

I'm about 4 1/2 months post op, and I find that I'm tired all the time. I thought that it was because of the stress of my life: husband, two kids, full-time job, full-time Ph.D. student. However, I've noticed that even when I do manage to get 8 hours of sleep, I'm still tired all the time. Someone suggested B-12. I'm also cold all the time. Someone told me it could be because I'm drinking so much Water. Anyone else dealing with these issues? Should I be thinking that they're related to LB surgery and weight loss?

First fill scheduled for tomorrow - I am a little nervous. and wondering how I will feel after. I am down 22 lb since surgery 5 weeks ago - and still dont have much of an appetite at all. This weekend i felt like i was a tad hungrier than i have been, but i think it was the rainy dreary days and being bored. so what can i expect tomorrow.. do fills hurt?

I had my band done on Sept. 18. I had a 2 cc fill 2 weeks ago and another 2 cc fill last Thurs. I still can eat like I used to, I don't feel any restrictions at all. I want chocolate cake, ice cream and all the other junk food that I used to eat, but I won't buy it and won't allow it in the house. I haven't eaten at a restaraunt since the band because I don't want the temtation of the good but very fattening foods and desserts. This is not what I expected with the band, I thought I would not have these urges and hunger anymore. I am losing weight but only because I am watching everything I eat. I do the liquids for two days after the fill and then 2 days of sof…

Hi all! My name is Marnie and I was banded on 11/10. I am glad to finally have gotten the surgery but I would love to pick your brains if you don't mind! SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE THE SHOULDER PAIN GO AWAY!!! LOL I thought I was going to die yesterday, begging my husband to get me to a hospital. I didn't go, but for hours I cried in pain. I know this is normal. And I know everyone says to walk, which I have been doing. And drinking, and Gas X strips, and following the diet. But this is nuts!! It is a little better today, but still there and still painful, to the point I really feel like I can't use my arm. When will this stop? Any miracle cures? I have to go back …

I was banded on 11/3. My first bowel movement was on 11/9. Since then, I have been having bowel movements a couple time a day (even when I really don't want to - or - especially when I don't want to) and it is 95% liquid. Anyone else dealing with this? Do you take anything for it. I finally took an Imodium this morning. I go to the doc this morning for my post op check up and will ask what to do then. Just wondering if this is normal.

I have a tickle in my throat that keeps making me cough:cursing: . The thing is I had my surgery on the 12th. And when I cough it feels like my tummy is going to fall out!! Any one else have this problem? 5'2" 49 years young starting weight- 213 pre-op weight 206 post-op weight 201 current weight 199 goal weight 130

:thumbup: Why is everyones diet different. Liquids for 3 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks? I haven't lost a pound since I was banded and I tried to tell my doc that I think my body is in starvation mode and I need to up my intake, and he gives me this spiel about torn stitches and whatnot. Mean while another doc has their patient eating on a totaly different progression. While I know it takes time for my tummy to heal, Exactly how long does it take? Why does one doc do one thing and another do differently. It is very frustrating to me. I lost 30 lbs on my pre-op doing high protein low carb and here it is the beginning of week 3 and I am consuming around 400 calories a day and haven…

Hi, I have never used a forum before so I hope this is ok. I live in the North of England, and I had my VSG op last wednesday,everything seems to be going well, wounds are healing well, and I am managing to eat & drink ok, and that it what is worring me, I seem to be able to manage everything too easily, already today for breakfast I had 150ml of runny oatmeal, mid morning I had about the same amount of fat free yoghurt, and for lunch I had 2tbls of liquidised fish with parsley sauce with 1tbls mashed potato. None of these foods gave me any problems, does this sound ok for 1 week out of surgery ?:001_tongue:

So, I'm just under 2 weeks post-op, I'm down 21 lbs and 10 inches as of today. I'm getting a little stressed because my weight hasn't moved since last week. I have lost 3 more inches this week, though. Is this common? Am I doing something wrong? I haven't been getting exactly the right amount of Protein (but close), probably am not as hydrated as I need to be, but working on it, and I'm exercising. I'm starting to get paranoid that the sleeve is not going to work for me :scared0:. A little encouragement/advice would be great. :biggrin0: -Ruby

Hey! I got banded last tues... (11/10/09) I did good on the next day. But then yesterday I felt awful! nauseous, & stuck. This morning I felt a bit better, but then when I started to drink down the liquids, I started to feel the same way as I did yesterday- stuck. Felt like there was no air in my stomach, it made me nauseous & dizzy! I called my nurse, she kept saying keep drinking - you need 64 oz of liquids a day... I cant keep drinking if I feel like throwing up did you go through this in ur first week? what do you suggest? thanks!

Okay, so I'm dreaming of the day when I'll be off mushies... Anyway, I go to soft next Wednesday (progress, I'll take it) and my friend and I are going to see New Moon on Friday night. Would it kill me to have some popcorn at the movies? I know they say corn can be an issue even when you're on solid food, but I wanted to know if anyone has tried it. I'm not looking to house a large popcorn or anything like that and hate butter, but just wanted to get the thoughts of you guys since this board knows all!!! Thanks!

I had my first fill last Wednesday, was on liquids for 48 hours and now can't keep any food down. My doctor told me I had 2cc's and he added 3 cc's more. Also, I've found that when I drink my protein shakes cold I get a terrible pain in my chest. Is this normal?:wink2:

Will there come a day when I wake up and am completely pain/discomfort free? I mean, will I be able to "feel' the band for the rest of my life? Just curious...

I am 5 weeks post-op and have lost 20 pounds. A couple of days ago, I began to notice that when I bend down and come back up, I can feel something moving in my belly. It kinda feels like maybe the tube that goes from the band to the port. It is not painful, just a funny feeling. I have also noticed that since I have lost a little weight, I can feel my port more. Has anyone had a similar experience?

My surgery was last Monday, November 9. I have had no complications, but I feel so weak. I'm in the mushy stage and I just don't want to eat too much. But I can't be getting in more than 400 calories a day. This is making me edgy and uncomfortable. What I would give for a slice of pizza! Is this normal (the no energy part, not the pizza part)? Soft solids seem like an eternity away!

Has anyone tried or had luck using some of the scar creams that are out on the market? I picked up a tube and was going to try it out, but wanted to see if anyone here has seen any improvement (mainly on the larger scar), the others are tiny.

hi all I got banded on Oct 2nd 2009. I am doing Very good loosing weight like crazy. And yesterday I was weighed at my first fill the 6 week markand.... I finally saw the 2 in front of my weight not that ugly 3... I was 296 lbs. the first time I broke the 300 mark in over 3 years!!!! It brought a tear to my eyes when i was on the scale... all it takes is a moment like that to get me ultra motivated and thinking that it all was worth it.....

I am 17 days out of surgery and I noticed I can eat anything. I am supposed to be on clear liquid diet for one month but last night I was so hungry and I took a very little piece of bread with white cheese on top. it went down really great. only I burp afterwards. also today I ate JELLO and it did not cause any problem except the burping all the time. I am not hungry but I am not full at the same time. when did u start sensing this full stomach feeling? I just stopped cuz I am afraid to complicate my surgery and rupture the staple line. when do u guys start eating solid food? I lost so far 22 pounds in these 17 days. I am happy about it. but shirts are getting loose. m…

Finally broke 4wk plateau. woo hoo. I've been working out like crazy but, the scale wasn't moving. It is now!!

I was banded October 29th and I feel great. I am in the mushie stage and I'm doing well sticking to Soups, mashed potatoes, eggs, cottage cheese, ect. I had my two week check up and my doctor told me to stick with 1/2 cup a food per meal or I could stretch out my band. She said I will feel hungry until my first fill but trust them It will get better. I do well except I went out to eat the other night and I have a dinner for work on Tuesday. I don't want to sit there and measure our my meal in public so I take an educated guess. However what if I do eat to much? How would I know that it's streched? Also as a side note has anyone had a milkshake or a smoothie whil…

Well I have been having this pain that is lower than my port and my port area for a couple of days now, but I think it's because I have some cold or something. I am almost 5 weeks post op now and didn't have this pain until a few days ago. Can someone please help me? I don't know what to do about it!!!

I have been banded since one year and a half, and never had this experience before! I had a fill like 2 weeks ago, he gave me 1CC Extra (i dont know whats my total but maybe 8 or 9) but it was too tight for me, then i had an unfiill to half a CC. He pushed my port a bit to see if i was in pain and all was normal. Since then, whenever i slept, either on my back, on my belly, or my shoulder, i keep coughing, and then BAM involuntarily puking my saliva. I havent had a good sleep in 2 weeks and its killing me, i cough as if i have the cold or something! I hate my doctor, thats why i do not see him only for fills, he is materialistic and his checkups costs a lot and …

I had surgery 9 months ago and everything went great. Since then I have had limited weight loss and hardly any restriction. Yesterday I recieved a fill bringing my band to 5.5cc's. Today I began having difficulty breathing. No pain, it just feels like I'm laboring to catch my breath. I have experienced anxiety attacks in the past and the feeling is similar. I called my Dr's office to be sure that it is not related to the band. The nurse said the Dr. was unavailable and that I should go to the ER and have the band deflated as a precautionary measure. It has taken me 9 months to get to 5.5 cc's, I don't want to start over. Has anyone had a similar experience? I'm no…

I had my third fill two weeks ago I now have 8.5cc in a 10 inch band and the 21st will be 3 months since surgery. They were aggressive because I'm self pay and only have 3 months free fills and I was fine with that. The first week after the last fill I could eat almost anything but only a small portion. Although I managed to gain almost five pounds.... (damn halloween candy) Then all the sudden I can't eat anything without throwing it up. I've lost 8 pounds in the last week. I'm doing just Protein shakes and liquids now. I called to get in for a slight unfill but I'm scared it will take the restriction I need away. If it's too full why could I eat fine the first week a…

Hi everyone. I was banded three weeks ago... I just started noticing some bruises on my body. Yesterday, I had an itch on my thigh, and today it has a huge bruise larger than your fist. I noticed I was itching my thigh but never thought I would get a bruise from it. I am not eating much, well let me say I havent been eating much at all maybe 300-500 calories a day with the exception of the last 2 days ... I think I am starting to get into bandster hell... so I am trying to use my head to stop me from eating much ! lol Just wondering if anyone else has noticed that they seem to be bruising very easily. I have never had this happen... Thanks! :thumbup:

Hey everyone! I am now 30 days post-op and I was wondering when/IF I can drink any carbonation...? Thanks for your help!

Hi guys, I am 4.5 months after lab-band surgery, I have lost about 57 lbs since my surgery, but what I want to know is that, What is the best time to eat Breakfast for optimum weight loss and what is quick and easy for that??? I wake up at 7 am to feed my q yr old twins their bottle, get my 10 yr old ready for school and his breakfast and stuff, babies take their nap and I make their babyfood. I don't eat anything until 12:00 pm since I wake up. Is this good or not? Please let me know, does the motabolism stuff matter after LAP-BAND® surgery or not?

Has anyone had or heard of having a kinked tube? My doctor thinks I might have one. During my last fill, he was able to put liquid in, but not take any out. He said this could become a problem. I figure if the tube is kinked it will have to be replaced. Has anyone had tubing replaced? If so, how was recovery and hospital stay? Thanks, Deb

I had my surgery Sept. 8th. I have lost 18 lbs. My physian started filling my band 6 weeks after surgery and I am up to 6 cc's as of Thursday. I did great Thursday no issues I was on liquids. Yesterday I did great had a piece of ham and baked potato chips. When down great. Then supper hit me. I had been craving a hamburger. I have not attempted this. Did not have the bread, just the fixings. Took a bite and I thought I felt strange in my stomach. Took a couple of more bites and the pain hit. I managed to get something up, but it was not the meat. Could not drink anything. So I went to bed and thought it would go down during the night. Woke up and did breakfast…

There's lots of stuff here about food getting stuck and causing pain in the chest, and about first bite syndrome, but does anyone else feel it in their throat? When I ate, I would start to get discomfort in my throat, and it got a little worse with each bite, or sometimes it took several bites before it started. Sometimes it would get really bad, and sometimes it didn't resolve until the food came up. It has lots of similarities to getting stuck that way. It happened mostly after the surgery (mild then), just after my first fill and since my second fill. My nurse and surgeons at the clinic I go to seem to find that I felt it in my throat to be a little odd. Anyway this…

Does anyone go to support meetings? Do you really feel that they work? I don't go but I am thinking about going but curious if anyone feels that they have helped or haven't had any effect.