POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am 14 days post op. Meeting with Dr for the first time tomorrow and am going to advance to "mushy/puree" stage. On my list it says sugar free yogurt? Does that even exist? I heard the Greek Style is good but its def got carbs? Any suggestions? I'm sure there are some carb control ones out there but just not sure. Thanks in advance for help.

Ok, first fill last Thursday, 1 cc in my 12cc band bringing me to 3.5 total. Yes, I have restriction, I feel every bute as it goes down and certain things that were going down, now won't or are very rough. I emailed nutritionist and asked what should my calories look like for a day. I also fessed up to some high Protein snacking because while I feel full quickly, It does not last more than 2 hours. I am on early stages of solid food. I can not get chicken down too well, though it was great in mush early on. I can't even get mush down. Anyway.... the Nutritionist replied that I must stop snacking regardless of calories. (That was not my question) She said I must "l…

my son and i caught a 24 hour flu bug...i vomitted last night...this was not a slime episode...this was a sick to my stomach horrible odor vomit...2-day i'm extremely tight...do u get tighter after ur sick...i have not been sick since i've been banded...is there any connection or am i just having a tight day....

I was banded yesterday morning and per my doctor, we are allowed to start on full liquids today. According to him this is thin oatmeal, yogert, cream soup, SF pudding, ect. Anything that you can get through a straw (except dont drink it through the straw). Anyway, so I had some yogert cause my stomach felt hungry and I thought it would stop growling and make it feel better. But even after I had it, my stomach still has that hungry feeling. It also feels swollen and a little full feeling but hungry. I can't figure out if I need to eat more to make the uncomfortible feeling to go away, or if it is now full and uncomforitable, or if that is just the normal feeling one day fo…

HI My name is Janine and I am 39 years old and I am freaking out about surgery. I have a date for Jan 15th but I keep thinking maybe if I get a nutritionist or get hypnotised I culd do it my self. I keep hearing about people vomiting or food getting stuck and that scares me because I have always had severe anxiety about getting sick. Is there anyone out there that has had this problem and got surgery anyway. How are you dealing with it? Is there anyone also that never excercised before surgery and now after surgery excercises all the time. I don't excercise at all. Can you live a normal life after having surgery? go out for drinks, parties etc. How much can you real…

Prior to my lapband surgery (6-9-09) I was the Water drinking champ!! Since surgery, not so much. Are you experiencing the same? How much water are you supposed to drink everyday? How much do you drink per day? Any ideas or clues on how to get it all in? Do you think it helps with moving the weight loss along? How important do you think getting the water in is?

I love the idea of cooking a bunch of chicken breast on the grill and having them ready during the week, but what I find is when i re-heat them they are so dry. Chicken breast can be pretty dry to begin with but the re-heating thing is even worse. Anybody have any good tricks on keeping them on the moist side? Thanks! Danise

i am about four and a half months out and lossing hope. i could not get to gym for about 3 weeks because of sick kids. and i am up about 10 lbs up from my last fill. i have 7 in 11 in my band. i seem to be eating junk food when i am along at night. i also work 2nd shift.and crave candy.:tongue_smilie:

Today, again, I made a poor food choice, stopped at Panda Express, bought the fried rice, sweet/sour pork..even though I only ate about 1/2 cup total..and just the sticky sweet coating and some rice, it made me throw up..and my hiatal hernia hurt so bad I cried..this is the second time this happened with Chinese food. My body revolts with disgust but I cannot seem to get a grip on it. I have been so non-compliant since 3 mos out..because I can basically eat what I want, but I have been making bad choices..white bread, butter, jam, you name it..even though I can only eat up to 1/2 cup, my body revolts with stomach cramps..the hernia pain in my back..WTF!! I knew this wo…

Hello everyone! I am 3 weeks post-op today! Yeah, I think I am doing very well. However, I cheat on the post-op diet, daily! I just can't seem to get it together. I do not overeat! I eat an appropriate amount! It's just the choices of food. I sometimes do not feel any restriction. When I eat a tiny bit more than 1/4 or 1/2 a cup....I feel more satisfied. I keep getting hungary!!!! Should I be hungary??? Considering I have fill in my band? My surgeon put 4cc's into my 10cc band at the time of my surgery and I am not scheduled to recieve a fill for some time. I see him on Nov 23. For those who remember, how much had you lost at 3 weeks post-op??? I spoke to the dietici…

I`m just curious as which is used more for LB surgery, stitches or glue? I just read in another thread someone mention their surgery stitches. I just assumed that with the small incisions everyone has, they just would be glued closed. Even when I had my open heart surgery, they glued my incision (they stapled and stiched all the inside stuff). I have only had stitches when I had my kids and those I never saw :confused:, nor did they need removing, and the thought of stitches sort of freaks me a bit. Doesn't stitches feel uncomfortable with the swelling and bloating, not to mention the itchy feeling? Isn't it funny, I have no apprehention of a surgeon cutting me…

Lost restriction all of a sudden after all these months. Thought I was at my sweet spot but where did it go? Did this ever happen to anyone else? Did my band break/leak? Have an appointment Wednesday to see my fill doctor...

I am 8 days post-op. Ever since my surgery I have been in terrible pain under my left rib cage in my front and in my back. Have been to the emergency room - given heavy duty pain medication. Then saw my sugeon on day 5 and he took out the 3ccs of saline that was put in at surgery. No relief. I am supposed to be on soft Proteins and I have no desire to eat because I hurt worse afterwards. So...I go back to liquids... still in intense pain. Call the surgeon on day 7. He does not want to see me - thinks this is just post-operative pain. I have had several surgeries including a hysterectomy and a myomectomy. I know what post-surgical pain is - this pain is not that.…

Okay I live in hickville and the nearest gym is an hour away ( wouldnt know where to start if I had a gym to go to) As of now I walk a mile and 1/2 every day but thats about it. What can i do at home to work some muscle? If anything? If I did drive to a gym where should I start.?

Yea i've been released. I have been so frustrated lately. I was banded on Oct 1st. The first two weeks i dropped 15 lbs. Since then i have not lost any weight. I went in Nov 2nd and was only given 1cc fill.:smile2: i have no feeling of a restriction at all. So tonight i'm going back to the gym. Any suggestions one things to try since this is my first time in the gym after banding? I don't want to pull anything. lol

Today I had my first fill 1.5 cc. I was nervous about having it done from some of the stories I've heard! It was a breeze!! My dr. told me not to worry, it wouldn't hurt. He took a small needle and numbed the area, and them immediately stuck in the big need and did the feel. The only pain I felt was from the numbing meds. He said the port was in perfect position and he could easily fill it. I'm so relieved, now I'll not worry about future fills.:tongue2:

i dont like any protein drinks has or is anyone havint milk with fresh fruit put through the blender, your thoughts pros and cons please.

Hello everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Stacy and I'm from Tn. I received my band in August of 2008. I have since lost 92 pounds. I know that most of you have lost more than this, but all the same, I am very pleased with my weight loss. However, the following I am not so pleased with. I have been at a complete stand still for about a month now. I'm not losing nor am I gaining. The not gaining I can deal with, the not losing is what is driving me crazy. I know that I don't need an adjustment because I am still getting full pretty fast and staying full long enough not to want to snack during meals due to being hungry. I still have those cravi…

Getting banded on Nov 24, looking to see what did you eat the first days after. Thanks D

Man how I love potato chips! Sour Cream & Onion potato chips to be exact!!! But now, they really hurt me. Even if I only eat, say, 5 chips. What is with that!!?? Anyone else have this problem? I know, I'm not supposed to eat potato chips, but I figure, if I only eat a few, what could it hurt? But oh does it hurt! What do you guys think?

I know that smoking isn't good for you, but, I do it anyways. I want to quit and have tried to but with 3 other adults in the house with me smoking, it makes it very hard to do so. I have made up my mind that I am going to quit and plan on getting the patches or something to help me quit but I wont be able to do it until the beginning of next yr. Anyways, I was just wondering, does smoking affect the band by making it tighter than normal or does anyone know?

So I have 2 strange pains. I don't want to necessarily call the doctor's office on these, so I was wondering if anyone has experienced these. First, I keep getting a stabbing pain in left side, middle of my back. Just for a few seconds, but keeps coming back. I am assuming gas, but this is a new pain for the last 3 days. Second, I feel like I have something stuck in my throat now and then. Threre of course is nothing there, I don't feel sick, just almost feels like someone is grabbing my throat. I was thinking maybe blockage with food, but it doesn't matter if I am hungry or full, it just comes and goes. Is this normal? Has anyone had either of these? Do y…

So my surgery is tomorrow morning. Tonight at 5pm I was told to drink 1 bottle of magnesium citrate and start my shots of Lovanox (a blood thinner). Did anyone else have to do this, and what should I expect. I am really worried about the magnesium citrate and was wondering how bad it will be. Thanks!

Anyone doing Weight Watchers? I have been banded since June 5th. I have not reached my sweet spot, and not lost any weight. I am starting Weight Watchers and was wondering if any other banders were. Thank you.

I won't get my first fill until December and I'm worried that thanksgiving will ruin the progress I've already made.

Hi everyone, I was reading over some of the posts on this site and some bandsters have stated they lost a shoe size. What's that about?? Come on folks, here we are replacing our clothes and now shoes too? Does this happen to everyone? I tried looking this up on the internet and can't find a reason a person would lose a shoe size. Not that I am complaining...there's always a good excuse for a new pair of shoes, but I am really curious as to this phenomen. Since I have lost a lot of weight (61 pounds in 61 days) I am replacing some of my old clothes and can now wear heels for the first time in years! So, here I am happy as a clam buying some new heels and then I …

Hi there, I'm currently on pureed foods until 11/18 when I advance to soft. I wanted to get your thoughts on Peanut Butter. It's not on any of my sample diet plans/lists, but I had some mixed with a little jelly yesterday and it really filled me up. Nothing got stuck or disagreed with me, but I wanted to see if anyone was told that they should stay away from this until we advance further in our diets.

On October 29th, I went to the doctor for my first fill. I was a little scared, but not overly so. He wound up putting in 3 cc's, and I had a lot of trouble the first few days. Many of your comments helped me greatly. I called the doctor, and just went in this afternoon. Even though I had to wait a while because I was being worked in, I feel better now. He had to stick me several times to get the right spot, he withdrew one cc and I can finally eat something without having it come back up. That is such a relief! In the last week or ten days, I have slimed and spit back up almost every solid thing I have eaten. It seemed like I was never going to be able to eat again. Tha…

So, I have to share with you all, because I have done my fair share of complaining on this board about my struggles since being banded. Tonight, I went and participated in my first workout class. I think it was kickboxing cardio, or something like that, but....for the first time in my whole life, I was proud of myself about what I doing with my body!!! I even got a bit emotional and had to try not to cry during the middle of it because I couldn't believe that me, at 270 lbs, had overcome my fear and was working out in a class with other people, and skinny beautiful women at that!! Now, I sure didn't get hardly any of the steps right, and I sweated in places I didn…

HI EVERYONE IM NEW IN THIS FORUM , IM DUE FOR MY SURGERY AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, AND IM VERY SCARE OF IT, I JUST HAVE A QUESTION TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAD GONE TRUE THIS SURGERY ALREADY, DOES IT WORTH IT? WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN IF YOU NEW WHAT YOU KNOW NOW? I JUST DONT WANT TO REGREAT IT, MAYBE BE IS ME OR MY CONSCIUS, IM SCARE OF MAKING THE WRONG DECISION :smile2:

Pain may not be with right word, more of a mild ache, not deep but towards the outer layers of my skin, to the left side of the port area. If I touch my skin even lightly I feel it. Very weird I have been banded for 5 months with almost no pain or discomfort at all. This started over this weekend. The area is not red, swollen or warm. Any ideas?

According to my doc I should be on puree foods. Fine, I'm eating mashed taters and refried Beans and Soups and such. No matter what I drink or eat, there's a lot of gurgling and pressure. I am not eating much, even small amounts and liquids can cause this. Is this normal? Does it subside?

Everyone, I feel like I'm severely screwed up. I had my VSG 10/27 and when I checked out of the hospital and waited several hours at the airport, I ate (sucked on for it to dissolve) 2 inches of a Milky Way, ate 2 runts (candy) and ate 1 gummy fish. Yes, crazy! It is now 11/1 and since I've returned home on 10/30 I've been doing the liquid diet but also eating tiny bites of this or that --- it's crazy. I just ate 10 salsa verde doritos and 8 mini oreos this afternoon! I am not throwing anything up nor do I feel nausea to help provide some sort of physical block for me to continue. What the hell? Am I the only one insanely crazy? I am so angry with myself. Regr…

Hey Guys! I've been feeling a little down. I lost 20lbs. after my first 15 days, but I have almost 10 days that I have not lost 1 pound! :crying: What's going on? I guess it is since I started on mushies... But why? I'm not eating much. Probably all day it is around 1 cup of food. Not that many calories. I'm only drinking Water. One day I cheated and ate a very small piece of cake, but besides that nothing else... Help! :confused1:

What kind of exercises are you guys doing? I will be banded on December 7th and I want to know what you guys are doing so that I can go out there and do it as soon as I feel able!

I am having no problem drinking the required 64 oz of Water each day...I have been drinking a little more. My question is that it seems I am drinking ALL the time...every 5-10 mins so that I can get it all in. Is this ok? Can you stretch your pouch by drinking too much? BTW, Since last Wed I am doing great! My pain has gone away....just feel a bit tender by the port. I went in surgery at 312 and now weigh 302. (probably water) Thanks for your response.

I am curious if the way my doc has set up things after surgery as so to limit the time in bandster hell? I had no ccs in my band at surgery time then 4 weeks post op liquid diet then I go in for a fill and after 48 hours start mushies for 3 weeks in which case I can have another fill if needed. Seems that limits the time where I can eat anything because of no restriction? Anyhow anyone else have anything similar?

I have an appt. with my doctor for next week to discuss the possibility of him giving me a fill while I am on a blood thinner due to a blood clot in my jugular vein from a different surgery 3 months ago. I need a fill, I eat way too much with no discomfort. I am not convinced I have ever been at my "green spot" but my accident this summer stopped my visits to the band surgeon. Too many co-pays to be honest. Between the physical therapy twice a week, surgeon visits, regular doctor visits, the lapband surgery went on the back burner. But I just made my last car payment so I want to get back to him. Oh God, I am rambling, sorry. This is the deal. I was banded 9/08 an…

Hi all....I just had my surgery 3 days ago and so far, so good except for the gas...omg...the noises that come from my stomach! So, I've been told that I should eat until I feel full... Well, I don't get that feeling at all....I can eat quite a bit and still not feel full but I stop myself. Will this ever happen and how long before the gas goes away??? So far....6lbs lost...wooohoo!!:smile2:

I had my surgery on Nov. 5th. My surgery was at 7:00am and was home by 1:00pm. Surgery went very well. The first 2 days was really bad with pain. I was on tylenol 3 with codene for 2 days. I haven't taken anything for pain since. I am still having a lot of pain by my port but it is nothing I can't bare. I am getting stronger everyday and able to move more and more. It does still hurt to breath but overall I am doing well. I am so glad I did it!! I am on liquids for 2 weeks and doing well with them. I am able to take sips of water and I am finally getting some broth and a little cream soup down. Jello doesn't sit right. I am not throwing up or anything you can…

Hi everyone , had my third fill last thursday , but I seem to be having problems ( or I think ) Im now on fifth day since the fill but I cannot manage anything but fluids , perhaps half a pot of yoghurt or very watery Soup. Ive tried this evening with some baby spaghetti bolognese but only managing 2/3 tea spoonfulls and Im stuffed , burping , hiccupping to try and get it settled, the Im sliming a little and its taking about 15/20 mins to settle. Have I hit the magic spot everyone talking about do you think , or do you think perhaps too tight. The doctor did say to me last week to take it easy for a week on fluids for a couple of days and then soft mushies for the …

Today makes one week since my surgery and I've been doing very very well. Not only rebounding, but in attitude, lack of hunger, healing, etc. I've been content, for the most part, with drinking my Isopure shakes, but this afternoon I was feeling the need for a bit of something different so I opened up the book my clinic gave me and pulled up one of the shake recipes for 'full liquids'. Oh my my. Not something I'd do everyday (although I don't doubt you could) since I like to keep stuff like this as treats for when I feel 'deprived'. Definitely tastes like a banana split! 1/2 cup skim milk 3 frozen strawberries 1/2 banana 1/8 cup crushed pineapple in juice 1 sc…

I gave birth to my sweet little guy two weeks ago and tomorrow I'm scheduled to go in and have my band tightened again. I gained a lot more weight than I wanted to during the pregnancy (like 50 pounds), but had my band completely loosened. Here's my dilemma: I am already producing so little milk and have to supplement with formula. Do you think having my band tightened will affect my milk supply? I drink around 16 cups of water a day, but will the fewer calories further affect the milk supply?

Hi everyone! I have reading this board faithfully and it has helped me prepare for my new life. I was banded yesterday in NC by Dr. Enochs. I have some pain by my port site and had some nasty heartburn earlier today. I called the Dr. and he said it was ok to take Pepcid and that worked great! I had no nausea (I was so afraid of that) since they gave me that patch that goes behind your ear. I slept on a bed wedge to be on the safe side. I am getting all my fluids with no problem. I do have some throat pain like a sore throat..which is because they had some trouble getting that tube down my airway during surgery. I was up and walkin right away and it was so impor…

I inadvertently discovered that my Isopure Dutch chocolate powder does not mix with skim milk. It kind of clumped up and left chewy little clumps all through it. So I went out today and bought some EAS Chocolate whey Powder from Sam's Club. Half the price of the Isopure, although it is about 20 calories and 2 carbs higher and 2 grams Protein less than the Isopure...but the flavor is phenomenally richer. After a bout of shopping that left my mouth salivating, I decided to make a bit more substantial shake for lunch by using a scoop of EAS chocolate powder, 1 cup skim milk and half of a small banana. I think I may possibly have died and gone to heaven! .

So I'm having a really hard time with these things. I've never been really into "sweets" as it is, and now I feel like i"m in sweets overload. I'm only day 1 of full liquids, and it's been a real struggle to get down the few shakes I"ve had. I can't wait for pureed stage when everything doesn't have to be "chocalate" or "berry" Yuck!

I had my surgery on Oct.8, 2009. I have hardly had any good days since then. Right after my surgery my depression kicked in badly and have been battling that along with anxiety. I am scared to eat and just seem to be nervous about everything. I am not even close to the same person I was just before surgery. I am miserable right now. Getting ready to go xmas shopping and am excited to go, but almost don't feel like shopping or even thinking about xmas. This is not like me I am a purpose who loves to shop, loves life, and especially loves xmas. If anyone can give me some advice I would really appreciate it.

Somehow declaring this in writing helps resolve the overwhelming guilt I feel. Yesterday was not a bad day, however, I had no problem going off my post op diet. I have never cheated on my taxes, my husband or on my college exams; yet, it was without regard that I managed to shove a slice of spinach with feta cheese pizza into my mouth. In the end, who did I cheat? Myself!! This realization has made me think long and hard about how I view myself and this new life with the band. Please do not tell me that I am being hard on myself... this is therapeutic for me.. I need to realize that I need to put myself first... it is sometimes hard for me... as husband a…

I've been away from home for three days and have not gone...poo since. (sorry) I haven't been drinking much water. I went to Walmart and bought a stool softener, Dulcolax, but am now afriad to take it. It is liquid gels and the outside of the pill is firm. Does anyone have experince, or know of the possibility of these pills getting stuck in the band? I don't know if I need to soak it in water first, or if that would make it even more gummy. The pill won't open up (at least, I don't think so). My question is only about this gel tablet because I already bought it!!! Yikes! I know of course to up my water intake and all that. THANKS!!!!!!!

HI - i am patiently waiting for my surgical date - but i had a question for all of you bandsters... for anyone who had / has GERD .... and takes/took Nexium ... were you able to stop you medication after surgery ? My surgeon told me that i would not need it after surgery , but that scares me since i currently take it 2x's a day and if i were to stop now the vomiting would be horrible .... please let me know your experiences.....:thumbup: