POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

First one: After you reach your sweet spot are you physically unable to eat more than 1 or so cups of food? I ask this because I don't not feel like I have much restriction. This brings on my second question.. Is it normal to get a fill every 2 weeks. I had surgery July 28th and had to wait 6 weeks for my first fill. First fill was Sept. 9th and my second one was Sept 23rd. My third fill is scheduled for Oct. 7th. I have 5 cc's in a 10 cc band. My doc said "most" of his patients have to have 4-7 cc's to reach their sweet spot. Any help with these would be greatly appreciated..... Jennifer

OK. You may of seen my other thread "what does full feel like" well this is just the opposite, "what does hungry feel like?" I had never thought of this before until my wife, who has also been banded, asked me and our fill nurse this question. The nurse said in all her years, she had never been asked that question nor did she know how to respond. Now think really hard about this before you answer. What is real hunger. For me I said it was just a craving for food. I see it, I smell it, I want it. That's probably not a true signal that "I'm hungry." Because if I'm really busy, I don't eat much nor does my wife because our minds are busy. It was this way at pre band as …

Well, its been 5 months out and i have lost 47lbs. I am happy for the loss but have not lost any pound in Sept. I wish i had the bypass instead of the lapband. I work out 6 times a week and no loss in a month! i know there are some days that i have not stuck to the diet , but mostly i have been good. I am currently size 14 197-200 lbs. I got off my water pill (Maxide) and i am beging to think the only reason my scale went down once to 195 was due to the water pill. I go to get a another RX today and i bet i will be back to 195 by tomorrow if i take the 1/2 pill. I still look fat at 5.4 inches. I wish i did the bypass, i think i am one of those people who need the malabsor…

my mother suffered a mild stroke at 50 years old yesterday morning due to high blood pressure. she is obese and was warned that a stroke or heart attack may be the result if she didn't lose weight or exercise. not all over-weight people are unhealthy...but it does go to show that there r so many dangerous health risk that come along with being obese. when i 1st started my journey all i cared about was my apperance...until i started to become fit and healthy and realized how good it feels....

I'm 85 lbs down in the last year and it has been pretty much steady. Over the last several weeks, I am feeling like I'm out of control. My band was tighted about 3 weeks ago and I have adequate restriction. I find myself eating junk and then fasting the rest of the day---I know VERY BAD. This is what I did when i was fat. So i'm thinking about starting the 5 day pouch test to get myself back on tract and off of the junk!! Has anyone had success with this?

We have a wonderful support group in Ithaca, NY, with 2 weeks a month for lap-band support and 2 weeks a month for RNY. In the past 2 months we've noticed that more and more RNY folks are attending our lap-band meetings, which is fine when everyone needs support, but the topics and conversations are very different (esp. if new folks considering surgery are there). We see that many lap-band folks don't continue coming much longer than 4-6 mo. after surgery. If you have a successful group in your area, or if you don't and wish there were, and you are 6+ months out - what would keep you coming to the support group?? A few of us really want the meetings, and focused on ou…

My surgery was on the 24th and I am still having quite a bit of gas build up. I feel fine in the morning, but as soon as I drink my Protein shake or but broth in my mouth, I start with the gas build up. By evening time I feel horrible again. I chew Gas X but really concerned how long this will last. I go back to work on Monday, and this might be quite embarrassing. I start my thicker Soups tomorrow and yogurt shakes, will this help having little bit more solid food. Also, I used to love my coffee in the morning and now I can't even stomach but a couple of sips. I have no desire to drink it. Will this feeling will go away? You know i never realized how many …

I am a little over 5 months post op, had 4 fills. I started at around 245 and am currently 209 and haven't lost any weight in about 2 months. It is all my fault, as I had pretty good restriction with my last fill. I could probably go for one more fill but I'm holding off for now because of what is happening. I am very tight in the morning and afternoon. I usually eat 2 scrambled eggs in the morning and I can still get those down most of the time, but sometimes I have some pain (I think I'm eating too fast still). I was eating chicken or tuna for lunch and recently switched to Protein shakes because the solid Protein gets stuck more often and/or causes pain. The p…

I'm two and half weeks post op. Especially after I eat I get a great deal of gurling in my gut. Sometimes it's like I'm about to have the runs, but I don't. But when the air comes out, sometimes its rather explosively loud. Fortunately there's no aroma, and fortunately it so far has not happened in front of anyone except family. But I'm sure I'm on borrowed time and one day at work I'm going to be soooo embarrassed! Does this ever go away? Surely it's not from surgery still. I eat slowly. It takes me an hour and half or close to it to eat a 4 oz. can of Underwood chicken salad. Thanks in advance!

from coughing? I have been sick since Saturday, woke up w/a bad cough, was running a fever until yesterday (Tues) afternoon. I have been paranoid of slipping my band from coughing so much... does anyone know if it's possible to slip your band from coughing? I was banded on May 19, 2009. I am already scheduled to see my surgeon for a fill next week, but I have been really worried about this. Thanks for any insight.....

I have also had chills on and off, but have been taking my temp every so often and I don't have fever. I thought it might be surgery related (two weeks ago today). Now my sister just emailed me that my 6 year old nephew has Swine Flu. I kept him for several hours on Saturday. Now I am worried...ugh.

My nut said I should be eating 1000 calories a day and at least 60 grams of protein. Well I have been doing that from the beginning, and have been loosing up until 2 weeks ago. I have not lost anything! I haven't changed anything along with working out 4-5 times a week. Out of frustration, I looked online to see how many calories I should be eating a day to reach my goal weight. It stated I should be eating 1700 calories and 97 grams of protein with the amount of exercising I am doing. Also, that weight loss will happen in the beginning but then my body will eventually go into starvation mode and I will not loose anymore. Which I am wondering what is happening now? Is it…

Well went in after four weeks and lost another five pounds, so I finally hit the 50 pound mark! I was banded on June 11th and although there are times I get a bit discouraged if the scale doesn't move fast enough for me (I work out at the gym three to five days a week) I'm very pleased with this. I have a 14cc band and as of this afternoon now have 9.5 in the band. I'm at a very good restriction and the doctor even told me when I lose about another 50 pounds he will schedule me for surgery to get the extra skin removed from my stomach. I am 19 pounds away from Onederland and I can't wait!

I went to my Dr today and he told me I can skip the rest of the liquid diet and go to soft foods. I am so sick of shakes that I almost did a dance right there. I came home and boiled a boneless skinless chicken breast in water and some Mr's Dash and blended that in the food processor with two tablespoons of cottage cheese (I didn't have any low cal mayonaisse) It was yummy. Mostly it was yummy because it wasn't a shake although my sons said they couldn't watch me eat cat food. I even got permission to get a baked potato at the Main building at the Big E on Thursday. He said just mash it good and don't eat the skin. So I am going to have it with a tad of but…

If anyone has ever experienced a kidney stone I would love to know what the symptoms are. The reason I am asking is that this afternoon I got an excrutiating pain on my left lower side/back.Located somewhere around the kidney area(I think). It doesn't feel muscular and I don't have any other symptoms which would indicate a urinary tract infection or anything like that. I took some paracetomol and had to lie down for an hour.It seems to have eased off at the moment.I don't think that it is anything band related. Obviously if it recurs I will speak to my Dr.(Dumb thing is I was at my GP this morning for something else and no I'm not a hypochondriac) In my experience…

I was wondering if anyone else has problems with anxiety since surgery? I have been banded since Jan 12th and have lost 85 pounds. I have been having a lot of anxiety in the past few months and some weeks it is EVERY day! Today was one of the worst days in a long time. I was in Disneyland and all excited to get into the park and had a mental list of all the things to accomplish before going home at 2pm. Well, at 10am it started. We rode two rides and had to quit. I went full on attack at about 11 and it has been going on with little relief for almost 10 hours. The first 6 hours were MISERABLE. I have an appointment with my regular doctor and hope that he …

So now that you've been banded, what do you think full feels like? What is the trigger that says stop eating? I ask this because the other day when I had this discussion with the fill nurse, I said full to me is when I reach that point I feel some discomfort or pain. I was told that if I reach this point, I've eaten too much and that I needed to back off. This is difficult to judge because in the morning I'm very tight and can only eat about 2-3 oz of oatmeal and I may get this feeling only after a couple spoons full. By evening, it's just about perfect eating my 4-5 oz. Either way, I stop when I feel that discomfort. Also a lot depends on what I eat. I have found,…

Any advice on safely increasing the amount of Fluid intake? I am 6 days post op and find that I can swallow more than just a tiny sip at a time. I don't want to overload the sleeve, but am wondering if this progress is an indication that most people are able to drink 6 or so ounces per hour safely at about one week post op. Anyone know? Thanks for feedback.

Question all. It seems that my restriction varies from day to day. Some days, I can drink my Protein drink within an hour and other days it takes about 3-4 hours! That is amazing, I also find the restriction is greater in the morning, therefore, I really cant drink or eat hardly anything until lunch time. However, today was the tightest restriction, that Ive ever had. It wasnt a problem, I just noticied that I couldnt take in as much as I have on previous days--- I mean I drove all the way to the other side of town to get this Soup and all I could eat was about 4 tsps! I was so disappointed BUT so GLAD all at the same time. I will just sip on it for 2-3 days until im do…

Does anyone know if I should try to take something for my bowels at this point. I've not had a bowel movement since Sept 23 the day before my surgery. Is it too soon because I also had constaption problems and had to took stool softener that didn't work. I don't want to do anything too soon.:smile2:

I am losing faith in my band.............I had 3 fills with 8cc in 11cc band and I feel very mild restriction. I don't know if I am one of those for whom band doesn't work, but I am scared. I heard stories of people losing late but I am 3 months post op and have lost only 1/2 a pound. What should I do? PLEASE HELP ME.......................what if 3 more cc's won't make any change??????????? Sometimes I wish I had gone for gastric bypass but I chickened out. Is anyone else in the same boat as me?

Hello friends, today I am doing the walk of shame. I was banded on Sept l, 09 and am down l4 lbs. Today I dont know what happened, but I ate like there was no tomorrow. I had chowmein and orange chicken for lunch (ate the whole thing) and since I had already blown it for the day I went to Starbucks and had a iced caramal (non fat) machiatto with (wait im not done) a piece of coffee cake:eek:. I have been doing so good. I feel so ashamed. I dont get my first fill until Oct l6th. I have to admit that I am hungry every day and my weight loss has been pure will power. I am only 3 (4 by tomorrow) lbs to wonderland and was so excited to get there. Why did I do this to…

I have been banded for almost 2 months. (Aug 5) I lost 17 pounds on the "infamous" liquid diet right afterwards. That was great~ BUT thats where it ended. I have not lost nor gained any since then. I had my first fill a week and a half ago. (4 cc's in an 11 cc band) I still weigh the same. I dont get my second fill till the begining of November. I have to be careful, because I can eat a good amount, but don't feel that full feeling until about 20 minutes after im done eating. If I eat too much, then I feel yucky. Will that full feeling come sooner to me as I get more restriction with more fills? The nutritionist mentioned that usualy the weight comes off a lo…

I thought my incisions would have been lower than where my doctor went in. I have about 7 cuts and I have three across where my bra goes. How am I suppose to put a bra on? Luckily I'm off of work for a week, but I am rather large chested and my boob seems to be irritating one incision spot. Any suggestions?

My port incision hurts insanely a lot, to the point where I can't sit for more than 2 or 3 mins and I have to hold it if I'm walking around. I found that if I wrap my stomach, it helps a little, but should I be doing that? Is there anything to be done for the pain? I can feel my stitches pulling in the other cuts. When you guys were immediately post-op, how long would it take you to drink a glass of Water or any of the other liquids? I had 1/3 cup yogurt, watered down because I was so hungry this morning and now am worried that I shouldn't be eating yogurt so soon.

Hello all, its been awhile since I've been on here. I come back with a question... anyone ever have to change doctors after your surgery? Please excuse me while I vent and explain why.... My doctor more or less tortured me ...and found great pleasure in doing so! ha. He'd put too much in my band, to the point where swallowing saliva would set me off into vomitting every 10 minutes. I know I can't take more than .25 cc's at a time, but he INSISTED I was taking it slow because I just wanted to "sit on the couch and eat steak". Yes, he told me this. Why steak? I have no idea. I don't even like meat, with or without the band. ANYWAY, the last time this occured [this pa…

Ok, so I picked these up at Walmart a couple days ago, am going to go back and get more... Sam's Choice: Cream Cheese Bacon & Chive Stuffed Chicken Breast this was 6 ounces. Serving Size170 gServings Per Container2Amount Per Serving(+)Calories260Calories from Fat100% Daily Value* Total Fat 11g17%(-)Saturated Fat 6g30%(-)Trans Fat 0gCholesterol 100mg33%(-)Sodium 750mg31%(-)Potassium (-)(-)Total Carbohydrate 7g2%(-)Dietary Fiber 0g0(-)Sugars 3g(-)(-)Protein 34g(-)(-)Vitamin A15%(-)Vitamin C10%(-)Calcium4%(-)Iron8%(-)

My weight loss has slow down TREMENDOUSLY.. i started out at 296 almost 4 months ago (June 3) and now ive been sitting at 245 for awhile.. im really getting dwn i havent changed what i was eating much and i work out 4 times a week (although i did stop for 2 wks) I called my doctor and sch a fill, hope that works.. just venting.. =/

OMG! I have discovered a delicious (and nutritious) snack... Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds. I bought a large container (38oz) at Sam's Club for less that $10. Here is the nutritional info: 150calories/1oz serving, total carbs/6g, dietary fiber/3g, sugars/1g, protein/6g, and cholesterol/0g. If you are looking for something crunchy and chocolately that will NOT wreck your weightloss, TRY THESE NUTS!!! :seeya:

Opps, I screwed up. I am 5 wks out and can eat regular food now. I had a egg for breakast, a protein drink after my workout, then I went shopping and bought a small little pkg of trail mix, thinking is was 150 calories. I was so craving salty/sweet/crunchy. But it was 2.5 servings per little bag and I ate most of it before I realized that. What a bummer! I should know better. Now, I have already consumed 600 calories and it's only 2pm! Learn and live:svengo:

so, Im planning on getting my procedure during christmas holidays...how long do I need to do the pre-diet? either way, Im going to keep the date--but I was just wanting to get a realistic idea of my holidays may actually be like! thanks!

Today I went to Old Navy, and I went for the XXL pajamas as per usual and when I tried them on they fell off!!! I bought them in XL and they are even big...just wanted to share it was a fantastic experience. I also made an incredible dinner: I took my slow cooker and added: 2 chicken breasts 1 Can of Black Beans 2 cans no sodium crushed tomatoes 2 Tsp Cumin a couple dashes of hot sauce Chili powder I left it for the day and when I got home I shredded the chicken with a fork. It was a shredded chicken black bean chili. I sprinkled cheese on for the husband and put it on rice for him. For me it was just plan and it was very tasty!!

I could not be happier with my band, This whole process has been easy and we have support groups through our clinics and we have this groupl I got to my sweet spot quickly with two god fills and food no longer was a focus for me. Hunger comes but not usually when it;s supposed to be mealtime by some preset american guidelines. I try to focus on eating when I;m hungry, I am so happy to get full and stay full for a long time. I had started taking it for granted until I had a total unfill for surgery. I was amazed at how quickly the old appetite returned and the food I was able to consume! And when that hunger roars, it;s easy to fall right back into the old eating habits. I…

I am only 10 days post op and my son has the flu. Hes been couphing and puking all night. Im terrified Im going to catch it. What if I do?

okay, whatever i eat it doesnt taste the same like it did before surgery, it actually tastes gross...my tastebuds actually feel like they are raw or something...why?..does anybody have this problem or know what could be causing it?

I was doing really good until 3 weeks ago. My weight loss stalled and that was very discouraging for me. This week I have gained weight. I will get my first fill on Monday, and I am scared. I hope things turn out positve for me.

I had my sleeve surgery a week ago today, and I feel absolutely wonderful! I wasn't sure how I would do post op so I took 3 weeks off work- I am sure I will be going back to work next week. This week I am focussing on me. I am working out at the gym, going for walks in the neighbourhood and enjoying watching the scale move downwards. Just wanted to share how great I feel!:blushing:

Just passed my third leak test with flying colors. Will be home by tomorrow night. Feeling good. Will write more later.

Ok, so, soup and pureed foods are completely making me sick. Just the thought of them make me sick. I don't know what to do. I have been eating small, soft items that I can chew to pureed consistancy. I don't know, I feel like I have completely fallen off the wagon and I am scared that I am going to stretch my pouch or cause my band to slip, but its like now that I have started eating again I can't stop myself. Its almost like I have lost interest in the band. Has anyone experienced this? I feel like such a failure.

:smile2: O.K. so here is my situation. I was banded back in March. I have been getting my fills and then had one that was way to tight. They have loosened it and I was going good for a couple of weeks. Well the last week or so I have started to have this hot feeling in the back of my throat. and I burp all the time. I also feel like someone is squeezing the inside of my chest. I read one post that some people feel their band get tighter when then are on there period. Don't know if that is true. Is it? I am worried to call the doctor because I am afraid the will want to take more out and then I won't be losing weight. Any suggestions on what to do or what mig…

I will hopefully be getting banded in a few months. Did you choose the outpatient option where you went home same day? or would you recommend inpatient and why??

Hello all, I was just banded on 9/24/09. I feel like I have heartburn after I drink. What kind of gas do they put inside of you? I feel huge. I lost 4 lbs. in 4 days. How dod I get that ticker thiingy?:smile2:

Yep, you read it right. I have done so good with not going overboard on the sweets and not eating to much. That is, until this past week. I have felt like I did when I was pregnant. You know how you always feel you are hungry and just can't get enough? I know I'm not pregnant cause it is not possible. So why is it that all I wanna do is eat eat and eat? I last weighed last Friday and had actually lost some more weight, but I am afraid to get back on the scales since this past weekend. I have had Ice Cream, candy bars, Cookies, and all kinds of goodies. I know it does no good to be mad at myself or to be down on myself. All I can do is what I just did about 15 …

:seeya: Seems like whatever could go wrong, did go wrong. I've had a pretty horrible experience with this lapband so far. And i can't help but wonder if I made the wrong decision at the start. I had my surgery on 10/24. I arrived at the surgery center, was hooked up to the IV's, and an antibiotic was given to me. I had an immediate and severe allergic reaction - vomiting, skin turning bright red, hives from head to toe - all within about 1.5 minutes of taking the antibiotic. I was lucky to be surrounded by nurses; they rushed me and put me on a new drip. I had hoped that was the end of my 'bad luck'. On Saturday, my stomach swelled up like a beach ball. It was horrib…

Can someone tell me how you get the ticker on your postings. I can't seem to figure it out. I've tried but nothing showing up. Am I suppose to cut and paste web page and to where does that go? :smile2:

I never thought to ask my doctor this question, after LapBand surgery does the doctor prescribe pain meds? I never really thought about it until after reading some of the boards...where people talk about the pain.

I had my surgery on Thursday, September 24th and it's really kicked my butt. I am still having gas pains but walking does help, but I am now fighting indigestion last night and today. Is this normal? I can't hardly drink any water because it makes me feel sick to my stomach. I can stomach the broth and can eat some of the jello, but this to can make me feel sick. I'm so afraid of dehyrdation. Is this a normal feeling after 3 days?

Since I got the band (8/26/09), I have been so proud of myself for making good food choices, eating slowly, chewing, drinking the Water, etc. etc. Following all the "rules" like a good lil bandster should. Well today after church we went to Red Lobster for lunch. Ugh!! I don't know what happened but I ate one of the cheddar bay biscuits...I was just going to have a small bite and the next thing I knew I ate the whole thing! Then I had a little bit of salad...with a little bit of dressing on the side...that was good. Then I ate an entire POUND of Snow Crab Legs...WITH butter! :seeya: I have felt so guilty ever since and really wanted to throw up so I would fe…

I was banded this last Wednesday, 23 September, and other than a little nausea that first day, it has not been a bad experience. I am still very sore and somewhat tired, but other than that, no big issues. However, I am having a hard time believing that I have a band inside of me. I can't see it and since I am so sore, I couldn't tell if it is the surgery or the band that is causing the discomfort. Believe me, I know that the doc put in the band, but my brain hasn't accepted it yet. When did you feel that "yep, it's there" feeling? I am so excited because I have been waiting for a while to get this done and I feel that I am finally at the point where the hard work c…

Any solutions to eating post-surgery on a budget? My biggest concern is lunch at the office. I generally work out of my home, so pulling together lunch is easy. But this week I have a last minute consulting gig. What are your favorite brown bag options? Thanks!