POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I had my first "stuck" experience last night. Have 5 cc's in a 10 cc band. Was eating some baked fish....took too big of a bite too fast and didn't chew. Stupid. It can back up after 2-3 minutes. Then, woke up at 2am unable to go back to sleep because of how sore my whole stomach area felt sore, and don't know what is going on. I feel so sore that I am scared...I took some Tylenol, but that didn't seem to help much. It feels similar to what it used to feel like after the flu and vommiting a lot. Is feeling sore after getting stuck normal? Help! I'm feeling kinda scared!

A couple days ago I went in for my 1st fill.Before this I could eat a cup of food .the doc put 3ccs in and the water sat in my chest...too tight so he took out 1cc and water went down.I felt pukey but that went away. I was on liquids for 2 days after and starved. well today I ate breakfast about half a cup and I am starving again. I dont get it. If 3ccs were too much and he took out only 1cc why am I hungry? What will the fill be next time?

I have been banded for about 17 weeks. I have lost around 17 pounds. I'm really struggling - eating the right foods, not having any support. My Dr and his staff are really of no use. I can't seem to find the time to go to support groups in my area - they're usually around dinner time and after work I'm tired, hungry, and just ready to go home! I'm getting better about consistently exercising - but I'm really having trouble believing that this was the right choice for me. Like everyone else, I researched it and was ready to go - but so many things in my life have changed as a result of the surgery, and just in the last 6 months in general, that I just don't know what I was…

i made it!!!!!!!!!! i did it!!!!!!!!!!!! i lost 141 pounds in a year!!!!!!!!!! starting weight 296...current weight 158.4...size 6.....i lost tons and gained so much mentally and physically!!!!!!!!!! i'm no different then any of u!!!!!!!! it feels sooooooooooooo good ...words can't even explain...if i could put u in my body for 2 minutes to let u feel this natural high ...i would...but i would take it right back...lol...my advice...start immediately!!!!!!!!! do this...go big and get it done!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so on Oct 2 I had a fill. It was not my surgeon that did it, but one of the fellow's that are employed at the Cleveland Clinic where I had my surgery. WELL... My band was empty upon surgery 6/9 7/27 had my first fill, doc said 4.25cc 8/28 2nd fill, was told 2.5 cc which would now have me at 6.75cc. 10/2 3rd fill, was told not only was my port tilted which is why the fellow could not access it as easy as the last 2 fills, but also said he could only retrieve 4cc no where near 6.75 that I was supposed to have in there, AND he was seriously doubting me on my amount I could eat, the amount in my and, and my weight loss. I really did not like this guy. To date at thi…

This is my first post and I'm not really familiar with these types of things... but here goes... I had my lap band put on last Thursday, 10/8/09 and it still hurts on the side where the port is when standing up or sitting down or leaning over. Is this normal? Also, still feeling a little queasy...

Hello all, I was banded on sept 18. I had 2 weeks of liquid before and 2 weeks after. I started mushies about a week ago. I lost 20 pounds on the liquid diet, but am stuck on 20. I know I shouldnt be in a rush, but I was really hoping to keep losing. I dont know what the deal is. I do have to admit that I havent been on complete mushies and have cheated a little. I get hungrier than I expected to get. My MD doesnt put any fill in for 2 months after the surgery so I wont have my first fill until Nov 30. I am hoping that will help. anyone have experience with this?? any advice??? I also know that I need to start exercising more. I plan on joining the gym this week. I …

i had lap band surgery on september 23rd. I can eat anything i want with no restriction. I dont even feel as if I have had surgery except for the 5 scars on my stomach. Did I go through this long process for nothing? I get my first fill on october 30th. Will this help? I havent thrown up or had gas or any side effects that I have seen others say they have had. I am so worried that this will not work for me. :thumbup:

I got banded about 2 1/2 years ago - self pay. I was about 266 at my highest and this morning I weigh 224. I have gained about 24 lbs in 2 months. My lowest was 198 lbs about 6 months ago. I know I am over stressed, working too much, etc. and I know the food choices I am making are not good ones - and I am feeling sad and depressed. That is why I have gained the weight back. I had to get an slight defill in July and since then I have been able to eat anything. I had a barium swallow and the band is fine and they are leary of giving me any more fills as I had to get defilled. I thought the band would be the answer for me. I researched, I studied, I read case studi…

I guess I was not that prepared before I went into the surgery. Don't laugh everyone but I thought once you got the lap band you were going to lose weight. Now that I read all the posts, I have come to the realization that this is not the case for everyone and people gain it back. I was banded on 9-29-2009 and am freaked out. I did not go through this to gain it back in two years. I also am reading about getting stuck lap band problems etc. I try to focus on all the positive posts but the other posts scare me. I have lost 20 pounds but that is from sheer starvation liquids only. I went out with my sister and her friend to the mall today and they had lunch at islands whil…

I thought I would get your attention with an alliteration!! Tonight I went for a fab sushi dinner the #1 rated restaurant in Colorado...and the seaweed paper got stuck....as I ran to the restroom I was holding my hand over my mouth. Just wanted to give people a heads up...it was my first serious stuck experience...

I am a little upset. I really think the fill before last I was at my "sweet" spot (only 3rd fill) so the dr gave me a little extra..well fastforward to today and I feel like I can eat more than normal. I have gained 2 lbs back and am feeling disappointed in myself. is there a way to get back to your sweet spot? :sneaky::thumbup:

its been a month since my surgery and all my cuts are healed shut except one smaller one.Its not infected but its open (not gaping but the edges arent touching.Should I put neosporin on it or something?

I was a diabetic who was on insulin for awhile and then I some lost weight and did not have to use it anymore. I maintained my blood sugar by diet for about two years. I had the lap band about 2 months ago and I am doing really well. The past week or so I have felt crappy. I checked my blood sugar and it is really low. I can drink some juice or milk to get it to spike up, but it doesn't last very long, and I crash again. I am getting lots of protein, but not sure if there is anything else I can do. Anyone else have the same problem? or similar? Thanks for your help.

(after reading the 'pissed' thread and a quite a few other threads)... If I'm still going to have to diet...and still going to be hungry while doing so...what is the point of getting the lap band?? I *assumed* based on the research I've done for the past several years that the lap band would create a smaller 'stomach' allowing me to eat less and have a feeling of fullness and without the hunger that I get now when I eat less. Did I get it wrong? .

I'd really like to hear from other diabetics who've had the LBS. How long have you had your Lap Band? Were you taking insulin prior to the Lap Band and are you now? If you aren't, how long did it take to see enough of a change in your readings that you were able to discontinue the insulin?

I'm posting for my friend. 10 days into surgery...doc asked him to be on liquid diet for 2 weeks and then mashed food diet until 4 weeks. Is there any recommended quantity of intake? what is mashed food? Boil chicken, vegetables and grind/mash it up? Please let me know your experience. Thanks in advance.

I keep reading different things regarding the loose skin issue. First I read that loose skin is an issue for most people...hince the body tucks, tummy tucks, etc. Then I read that you lose weight so slowly with LAP-BAND® that it's not an issue. Then the nurse says that I will only lose 4-6 pounds a week so loose skin will not be an issue. But from what I've read people loose weight faster than that. I'm a little confused.

Went to the Doctor today and was released from Mushies and on to real food. I have lost 12 pounds since Surgery on the 23rd and 27 pounds since the 9th of September. I am stoked. I had stayed at about 23 pound for about a week that is after a 2 pound gain after the first week of mushies. I cut my carbs and lost 4 pounds in 4 days. I get my first fill on the 29th of October. This will be under Flouroscope. I am glad the mushies are done. I still don't get to eat much but I can start to see the light at the end of the bandster hell tunnel. Greg

I had my surgery last Thursday and I still have quite a bit of pain especially where I assume my port is. Its feels like it's burning and pulling. Did anyone else have this? How long did it take for your incisions to feel just a little sore?

Does anyone else have a port that protrudes so it actually leaves a lump under the skin?

I'm wondering if the people out there that are actually losing weight after the lap band (I'm not one of them) could right down what the eat in a day. I'm not at my "sweet spot" after 5 months, but hoping to be there soon. I would just like to know how much you are eating to lose weight. Thank you so much. I think this will really help me.

Is anyone else NOT weighing themselves? I was banded on 9-4-09 and had my first fill last week. After surviving Bandster Hell (and thinking I'm still in it somewhat due to hunger and little restriction), I have decided NOT to weigh myself at this point. My reasoning... Because there are so many lifestyle changes I'm trying to make (i.e. eating protein, going to the gym, chewing, eating slow, having a positive attitude), that the possibiliy that I'm not losing weight like I'd hoped seems to difficult to deal with. I feel overwhelmed with learning the whole band thing that I don't feel ready to deal with the disappointment and feeling like a failure this early on. …

Not to gross anyone out, but when we are talking about eating 1/2 -1 cup of food, are we talking pre or post chewed?

Hello, It has been just over 3 months since my band was put in...i started at 305lbs (the day before surgery) and now I am at about 260lbs. I have had 2 fills so far, first was 4.0cc's and my second was another 1.0cc. I had restriction for a couple weeks after second fill, but now I am starting to not feel the restriction as much...is that normal? Before I could eat a few bites of food, and then be full, but now i can keep going. The fullness is now lower in my belly than more upper part, almost feeling like in my bottom of my throat. Any advice? Do I need another fill? is it normal to feel restriction, and then end up not feeling the restriction? Thanks in …

Hi I was banded last February. I have been having dizzy spells in the past couple of months. I get numbness in my lips and tingling all over. It even happens when I am driving and it is scary. I am going to get seen by a doctor about it but I was curious if anyone else has felt this way. Could it be related to my nutrition or lack there of?

Went for my 1st fill on 10/8. After having been told pre-op my band would be installed empty, I was surprised to find that they had in fact put 2 cc(s) in at the time of surgery. Maybe that explains why I don't believe I experienced bandster hell. I got 1 cc so now have 3cc(s) in a 10cc band. Not really noticing a major difference yet as far as restriction. I bounced between 180 & 182 pounds for about 2 weeks prior to my fill. Since my fill I am bouncing between 178 & 179. I think it is time to start incorporating some exercise. Had dh dig my elliptical out of my mom's garage and bring it home this weekend. Now I just have to motivate myself to start using the dar…

i have lost 8 lbs in one week, so i just want to get an idea!

I HAVE RUN INTO THE END OF THE ROAD. I AM POST SURGERY 4 YEARS THIS MONTH. I DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE FOR THE SURGERY. I BORROWED AND RECEIVED LOANS TO GET THE LAPBAND SURGERY DONE. I STARTED TO HAVE COMPLICATIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SURGERY. 4 YEARS LATER, I HAVE SPENT OVER 6000.00 MORE THAN THE INITIAL 16000.00 SURGERY ONLY TO FIND OUT, IT MAY HAVE BEEN TOO SMALL OF A BAND PLACED ON MY STOMACH. I AM REDUCED TO DRINKING LIQUID DIET ONLY OR I THROW UP. MY LIQUID DIET CONSIST OF ALOT OF SHAKES, ICE CREAM AND JUICES. I HAVE NO FILL AND GAINED BACK MOST ALL OF THE WEIGHT I LOST. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A DOCTOR THAT THEY NEED TO DO A SCOPE WHICH WOULD COST ME ANOTHER 1…

My doctor doesn't think I am losing fast enough, and he may be right. I have a lot of head hunger. Last week my *experiement* with *good* carbs was a disaster, it lead to eating ice cream, chocolate, bread..and no wt loss, gain 1 lbs. I am back to basis now, protein, protein, veggies, water..but I am really pressed to lose another 10 lbs before 10/31. I am seeing my doctor then and what if I went to one of those wt loss clinics and got an Rx for phentermine, just for the next 3 weeks, and just see if I can live off Unjury and salads? I so want to lose this wt, tired of the head games I play with myself.

So, I am very discouraged and upset about this whole lap band process. I had surgery 9 weeks ago and have not lost anything. I went 2 weeks ago for my first fill and the doctor flipped out on me. He told me that he has never seen a patient not lose weight after surgery. I was so upset, he made me feel like a total jackass. I was doing what I needed to be doing, but I was HUNGRY. There was nothing in my band before my first fill. So... I got my fill 2 weeks ago. I have 3.5cc in the band and NO RESTRICTION! Ahhh it's really bringing me down. I am trying to force myself to avoid the hunger. Been trying to not eat more then 1200 calories a day, which really is too much t…

Hello all just wanted to drop a note and let you all know that i am finally sleeved. Yay. . Its the best thing ever and dont regret it. I love my sleeve.

We all know that Protein is a must with the lapband and in helping cope with hunger. And, we all know pretty much know what protein is. But, I was wondering what people's personal protein suggestions are. Are there things that you eat that help you stay full longer? A particular kind of protein (or combonation) that tastes really good? I am running out of ideas about what to eat that is protein dense, but tastes good and keeps me full. What works for you guys??

I posted a thread yesterday about how many carbs people are eating daily and what the correct allotment is-- my dietician at my surgeo’s office answered my email today and below is the answer: The minimum amount of carbohydrates that is recommended is approximately 130 mg. So for me personally, I am eating within my limits. (yeah)

Hello! I was just wondering if I will ever see the skinnier me or will I always see myself as fat. I know that I am losing weight because I am down 3 sizes and have lost 50+ pounds. People give me compliments all the time of how great I look and that they can really see a difference in my size. But, when I look into the mirror I don't see such a big difference. I am also having a mindblock when it comes to shopping for new clothes. I've had to exchange several articles of clothing b/c I bought too big of a size. When I hold up a size 22, I say to myself that there is no way that I can fit into this (I used to be a tight size 28) and buy a size 24 instead. For my birthday …

I've been sick with flu and horrible cough....seems like forever. My diaphragm hurts from the constant constant awful gut wrenchin coughing. The meds are barely surpressing it. I'm having a ton of gas (I'm starting Probiotics now) and a lot of left shoulder pain. Anyone else having band issues because of illness and any suggestions beyone the hot pack and ibiprofen? Thanks,

Does anyone have this? Are the recipes good/simple?

Hey everyone so two days ago I got the lapband surgery and went home the next day. Today 2 days later I went back to work. I work as a teacher and dont have to move much the whole day. While sitting in one of my classes my belly button ( which has stitches going up it on the inside of it on either side of it, if that makes sense) felt a little pain. After class I looked and there was some blood on my bandage and I think i broke a stitch. An hour later after sitting down again I looked it again without taking the band aid off and all of the sudden there was a dark reddish area about half the size of of a dollar bill under my belly button. It doesn't hurt and it doesnt look…

deleted...got all the input I need for now. Thanks to EVERYONE that responded!

Hi everyone! I have been reading through the most recent posts, and the issue of hunger comes up a lot. I was just wondering what everyone's doctor have said about why hunger is worse after being banded. I asked my ARNP who does my fills when I got my first fill last Friday about why the hunger had been so much more painful after the band, and why it was harder to control. I told her that in my experience, I had not really ever been hungry before the band, but afterwards, it was TERRIBLE. She didn't ever really give me a reason? Has anyone heard from their doctor why we bandsters struggle so much with hunger post-band??? Just curious...

First I should say I was banded on 10/18. I still have the shoulder "gas" pain occasionally, maybe once a day. For about 4 days now I have had a strange feeling in my upper abdomen and throat. It is very hard to describe, not a pressure, but not comfortable. I started having some minor discomfort (not intolerable pain) in the area right below my breasts in the center. I of course thought heart, but my pressure is normal and pulse is at 70 and I feel fine other than this. The feeling has traveled up to my neck area but is still in the center chest area too. It feels like something is stuck and not moving but I am eating fine and no problems keeping food do…

I am too tired to read through all the previous post. I am 4 days post op and I have been walking around my block twice a day but I still have this strange pressure in my chest ever so often that almost takes my breath away. My incision sites are pain free except port site that one still gets me if i cough or strain. Does anyone have an Idea what the pressure is? I have taken gas x with no relief.

I mean this post op diet is ridiculous. I am on the soft food stage and do not see the doctor for a fill for another 2 weeks. The diet they have me on means for a meal I can have say 2 tablespoons of a soft meat/fish and 2 tablespoons of a vegtable and maybe a small potato. Really? I am 20 stone for christ sake, and am used to having very large meals so am struggling big time with this. I calculate that I am eating 600 -800 cals a day in total. All the medical advice on the internet says it is not safe to drop below 1200 cals a day. The first 2 weeks after surgery was fine, the swelling meant I had no hunger, but now the hunger is on my mind 24/7. I woke this morning at…

Hi, I'm Denise and I'm new here. I went in last Monday to be banded at 8 am. I went back to my room and began to vomit which lasted 6 straight days. I couldn't even hold down ice chips. All I had to eat was what was in my IV drip. :confused:On Wed I was crying for them to take it out. They wanted me to wait for 4 more days which I did. They told me the band they used was too small and they replaced it with the larger one. So far so good but at the risk of sounding like a drama queen, I'm traumatized! I can't even think about getting a fill or moving on yet. Has anybody else experienced anything like this? Probably not, my Dr said it was a first for him.

I was banded 1 1/2 years ago. My traditional port now sticks out and I am having a revision and getting a new flat port. Has anyone had a revision and gotten the new flat port? If so can you tell me about it? Is there much of a difference from the traditional port?

I know that I should be eating close to (at most) 1/2 cup of food, but I'm eating way more than that just to feel satisfied and I know that can't be right :sad: I don't even feel like I have a band in my stomach at all. I have not had my first fill but will have it on the 23rd. I'm on canned foods this week, but I did cheat and have normal food and ate A LOT of it. I don't get it! Shouldn't I feel satisfied sooner?? :sad:

I'm 4 weeks post op and have realized I can pretty much eat anything with no problem and can definitely eat more than the recommended 1/2 cup. I was told to try to keep my calories around 800 which sounds really low to me so it has been hard. I have been journaling my food and keeping up with calories and doing pretty well until the past couple of days. My sister's birthday was this weekend so we went out to eat and I ate more than I should have and had birthday cake. Now I've eaten the left over birthday cake for 3 days in a row!!! I feel guilty everytime after I eat it yet that doesn't stop me from doing it again the next day! UGHHH! I'm so mad at myself and discouraged…

Ok, I am 9 months post op and I am stuck...do you here me STUCK at 30 pounds. My doctor stated that I should lose 50 pounds by the end of the year. Hopefully, I reach my goal. I lose 2 pounds then I gain it back. I lose three pounds then it comes right back. I have been going around in circles for a few months now. I hear everyone talking about a sweet spot. What is that exactly? Also, what are some tips for getting over the hump?

So, just thought I'd post my "adventure" for the night....all off which revolved around my lapband surgery. I do NOT want to buy more clothes right now, as I will be losing weight in the next few months. So, in order to leek out another few months of the same dress clothes, I decided I would just dye my faded black business casual pants back to pure black. I thought that having the shiny and black again would make them look "new". I do not have a big enough pot to dye them on the stove, and I just bought a new washer and dryer, so I didn't want to dye them in there, for fear of turning the inside black. So, I thought the next best thing would be to run a scali…

Hey sistas! A bunch of us should start full liquids tomorrow. I thought I'd just check that these are ok: What're you all having? :confused1: yoghurt watermelon (ooh) canteloup applesauce pudding (sf) fancy Jello almond, rice, hemp milk (lactose intolerant) fruit smoothies I'm craving fruit can you tell? :w00t: Ivy