POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I would like to know if you can feel your band. I don't mean the tight feeling that you have after a fill. I'm wondering if you actually feel it in place immediately after surgery. Does it cause any discomfort? I am being banded on Oct.5. I have suffered from anxiety attacks for many years, where I feel as if I can not breath. I am fearful that I will be able to feel the band and that it will feel constricting. Has anyone experienced this?

Hey everyone! I was just wondering if anyone's Dr used a sealant type liquid over their staple line rather than just the stapling itself? Did it help with the drainage of the wound or were you able to have the drainage sack taken out quicker? :biggrin0:

I feel like I have been doing terribly lately but I don't know how to get out of my old ways. I am just over three months out and I am only down 40lbs. I talked to someone I know who is down 100lbs and they are only 7 months out. I am just afraid I am never going to hit that point and that the lack of motivation and terrible diet I have been eating will stick. I had complications twice and had to have a second surgery at one point but I don't think these things have affected it. Any tips/help/advice??

There can always be complications in what ever you do unfortunatley my port had to be removed...I ended up with an infection. My band is still on but my port is missing my Dr. said as soon as I'm feeling better they'll put it back! Absess is no fun! Signs of infection.... fever, chills no energy just feeling crappy stomach pain rash on stomach these are a few signs somethings not right. Also rapid weight:wub: loss. If you have to bug your Dr. it's o.k. don't wait!!!!!:w00t: Banded July 7th 2009 weight loss as of Sept. 10th 50 lbs

hey everybody...long time no post. :001_tongue: i am doing good overall. i have a question, though. i am three months out from the surgery and i have noticed that my ability to eat / appetite seems to have increased. i am able to eat more than i have been. is this normal? i am soo scared of stretching out my stomach! i fear that i am eating too much. is it to be expected that i will be able to eat more than previously without feeling the crazy full feeling like i did before? i was able to eat a pita sandwich over the weekend---the WHOLE THING! that is a first for me since the surgery. am i being paranoid about this? any advice or words would be greatly appreci…

I woke up from surgery with 7 cuts.Isnt that 2 too many LOL I forgot to ask the doc if anything happened. Has this ever happened to anyone before?

Hey, has anyone noticed other "problems" they had before surgery have now gone away? I was in physical therapy for 2 and a half months or so for an aching arm that seemed to stem for extremely tight back and shoulder muscles. I noticed in the hospital that my arm didn't hurt any more and it still doesn't now, going on two weeks later. I'm guessing in this case the pain killers also acted as a muscle relaxer and got the last of the nasty kinks out. Yes, no, maybe??? And then there's my allergies and snoring. I know I should have less snoring as I lose weight, but I haven't lost enough yet to make that a viable thing. My allergies manifest as a post nasal drip COUGH tha…

What are you all doing about taking Omega 3 or any other Essential fatty acids? They are usually large pills and Iknow i can bite them but not loving the fishiness.

So Im 11 days post op and it was my 11 year old twins B day today and I did awesome just a bite of ice cream. well tonight I talked myself into having a small piece of Jello cake ( poke cake with whip cream on top) Now Im so mad at myself.Not because of the calories but because Im not on mushys for another 4 days. It was very mushy but I just dont want anything to go wrong!

Okay guys- i am postop day 3. i had my surgery on wednesday. i do find that the more i walk the better i feel but there still seems to be a pain the creeps up the middle of my stomach that freezes me in my tracks! I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced this and for how long. and two more things- what is the most comfortable sleeping position and how can i get in 64 oz of water and protein without overdoing it becuase it's hard for me to get down 16 oz without feeling full. HELP!!

Hello Everyone, I am getting banded on Oct 7th and I have my pre op on Sept 30th so I have not even talked to the doctor yet about anything. I work as the only pharmacy tech in a day surgery center and was curious as to what I can and can not do post op. I am not telling my work I having the procedure because my boss would not allow me off from work (she is lazy and does not like to work by herself) so I took a week of PTO. I know with HIPPA that my doctor can write me off from certain activies without spilling the Beans. But to get back to my question, what can I expect. I have been paying attention to my everyday activities latley wondering can I do this post op?…

What foods have you either been told by your doctor to avoid or have had problems with? Just curious. thanks. _Summer_

I was hoping to start a thread with those banded in December, since many of us are at the same stage. I know I am in Bandster Hell. Let's get a thread going to support and encourage each other through this time. Any takers?

ONDERLAND!!!! I can't believe it...it's been sooooo long since i've seen it. I do believe I like and will stay awhile!

I got banded on 9/14. A month before the surgery, my surgeon's nurse put me on the pre-op diet (before I even had a surgery date). I took a week off the diet, then was on it again for another two weeks. So for a total of three weeks before surgery, I subsisted on two Protein shakes a day, with a small protein and veggie meal for dinner. I was ok with that. It is now 11 days after surgery, and I just cannot bring myself to drink these things anymore. I don't start pureed foods until Monday, and I am freaking out because I have no variety in what I eat. I want something with some texture! The only foods I get with any calories are cream Soups, pudding, and Protein …

Hello! i psted this on the post op board because i figured more people who have had the procedure would check this board. 1)Sooo...Im saving to get the procedure done and was wondering two things: is anyone willing to show what the scars look like? or can you describe how large they are? 2)also, how is your quality of life...its great that after the three meals per day you feel full quicker...however, do u find yourself fighting hunger in between meals? socially, is life more difficult when it comes to the enjoyment you used to get from eating? are you able to go out to eat with friends/ go to starbucks etc without feeling deprived? I cant stop wondering what i will …

I recently had a VSG done (getting close to the month), and so far I'm very happy with the results. Well, I'm mostly happy. I'm not a huge fan of my current liquid intake situation and I was wondering if some of you who had the surgery done a long time ago could help me out. The main thing that is pissing me off currently is my complete inability to drink more than a few ounces of liquid before I feel like I'm going to burst. Before I had my surgery done I was the type of person that used to drink a full glass of Water in one go, and now I need 5 or so minutes to fully drink the same glass of water, and this is bugging me to no end because I don't like being restricted …

Not shower for cleanliness, mine said the next day, but I mean submerse yourself in the garden tub and soak. I would kill for a hot bath right now! I have looked through my literature and he doesn't say and I googled and it said 3 weeks which seems a little long. Thanks!

I had my first fill a week ago and I'm still hungry and feel like I haven't got much of a restriction if any at all. I'm not sure how much they put it, but has anyone ever had to go back in for more before their next appointment? Any suggestions?

OK peeps here is the sitch. Surgery was 7/29/09 I had my 1st fill almost exactly 4 weeks later. I have a 14cc band and he gave me 5cc...nothin. I was still eating way too much and I knew it. I went back 2 weeks later and Doc gave me 3cc more. Still nothin... well maybe I was full a little sooner but ANYTHING went down with out a problem. So this last Tues I went in for yet another fill. He gave me 1cc more. Now I can barely get anything down! Such a shock! Did liquids the first day and even got a little parched and drank too much at one time because after I took like 3 big drinks I had to throw that up! So second day I move on to mushies and I am really concentrating on c…

Hello. I love this site. I was wondering if anyone out there was banded on or around 8/26/09. I am realllllllyyyyy having a hard time with this. I was down 20lbs, now i have put 5 back on. am getting my 1st fill October 1st and i cant wait, because i feel like this was a waste of time and am always hungry and never feel full. Please tell me if anyone is feeling like this.

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Is there a standard message about no nsg tubes that goes on a medic alert tag? What is the best way to word it?

I am surprised how stress can throw me out of whack, my body revvs up, and I have to totally force it to slow down. I've been much tighter for longer in the day when I am under a lot of stress, and try relaxation techniques, but they don't always help. I've just kept more protein shakes on hand...but wondered if everyone has this? (I had to fly to FL to be with my dad, who was in ICU for more than a week, then flying back my big program deadline is hitting today...so it's hard to take care of onesself even with swimming and exercising.) I am just trying to breathe, in...out...in...

I am only one week post op, but I wore an underwire bra the other day and it hurt so bad after being at work like a couple hours. In a sports bra I'm fine. I didn't realize that it would push down on my sternum like that and I also didn't know that my band is that high up and is more centered. I am bigger chested, so I am sure that makes a difference too. I guess my question is...did those who have larger chests have a problem going back to an underwire bra? I SO hope not, I can't imagine not wearing an underwire. Boo

Has anyone tried the biggest loser protein drinks? What does everyone think about them? Safe??

Hello all, well here is my current big problem: Dehydration. :glare: Now, it is exceptionally strange here in the foothills of Los Angeles with everything burning like crazy and waking up to ash falling like snow in 105-degree, 0-humidity heat, but I cannot seem to stay hydrated, even though I am always with Water or some sort of water/drink packet (a'la Crystal Light, etc) combo. Last Saturday was the worst, I felt really sick, I was aching all over, constipated (hey, we're all adults here) and feeling crummy altogether. So I get home thinking I am coming down with the flu or a cold - or maybe just over the whole "fire-and-ash" thing. So, since I haven't been sleepi…

OK first let me start with saying I had a fill yesterday. and no i dont have any special diet after a fill. I have not had restrictions. before this fill except in the morning time. So its been along week with working interviews, packing, and moving. So I got my kids donuts for a quick breAKfast from the local donut shop. well temptation got the best of me and I ate one later on in the afternoon. OMG how it hurt. I had never had anything come back up or been in this pain before... It felt like i swallowed a watermelon in the middle of my chest and then it came up. It was very quick but I dont every want to do that again.. I am gonna take it this fill must have did the tri…

We all need good news and need to share it when we can! Yesterday I went to Old Navy and tried on XXL pants and they fell off....I went down a size and even those are pretty big!

Hello all I was banded yesterday and feel like I have been hit by a mack truck! Or that I have the flu, which I am sure is not the case. It is just that every muscle or joint in my body hurts. Which, I am sure is the gas that they pumped into my body. Apparently my liver was REALLY fatty. Which makes me feel awful, cuz I cheated twice on the pre-op, once for pizza and then had a cheeseburger for my "last meal" the day before surgery. But I still managed to lose 14 lbs. I dunno what to feel. I think I am going to hit the sack tonight, cuz all I am doing is sleeping on the couch, and then start tomorrow as a new day. The first day of the rest of my life! So far,…

My first blog entry.....New to this whole environement....I know this is still early however, a slight bit of panic is setting in. Question: Can I chew a tums to get rid of this burning in my lower breast bone area?

I am two months post op. Doing great until today. Hubby purchased some trail mix with raisins, M&M's and an assortment of nuts. Well I have gotten into them I must have ate 2-3 cups before I said STOP and dumped the whole container down the toilet. Why would someone do this after going thur the surgery and two months of behaving. I did eat this morning. Had Ham and a protein shake. THen it began had 1/c cup special K withskim milk then that trail mix. I hope I get sick so I never do this again!! So the trail mix has been drowned and I admit it I did IT!!

I was banded June 5th by Dr. Hollis in Houston and it has been nothing but a life saver! I started out at 301, in a 44 waist jeans moving to at 46 and looking for velcro shoes! As of today, i have had 3 fills. I started out with 4cc in a 10cc band and now at 6.7cc. The only thing's that give me issues are bread and dry meat... anything else goes done. How I got so lucky and have had no issue with eating food or things i don't know, but this thing works. I am now at 238 and 38 jeans. Dr. Hollis is a life saver!

Hello I had my Lap Band 09/21/09 and I have the worst left shoulder/back/breast pain ever!!! Is this really from GAS?:mad:

Hi All I am 4 days post op and really could care less about eating or drinking. I know I have to take in my fluids- my Dr wants me to have 48-60 oz of clear liquids. He said 40 gm of protein would be nice but not to worry about it much during the first week- mainly focus on getting the overall amounts of fluids. Well it sounds sooo easy in your head ....but ... it reality I am struggling. I try and sip sip sip but then I just get this fullness feeling and just the thought of drinking anything makes me cringe. Any advice? I don't want to get dehydrated but I am struggling to get just 40 oz of fluids in. I am thinking if I can just get through the first week of clears thin…

My husband is about 3 and a half weeks out now from surgery and doing well. Has successfully started soft solids this week and is tolerating them well. He is a bit discouraged tonight because he feels like he is frequently hungry. He was hoping to have the appetite diminish more than this. Small amounts do satisfy him...temporarily...then he finds himself hungry and able to eat more. I know some have said they were barely hungry at all.:crying:What do you think? Was anyone else this hungry? Will the ghrelin levels go down more?

Okay, this might be kinda gross and personal, but I gotta figure out what's goin' on, if it was my bad hygeine or what. I was one of those folks who did not take well to surgery. I was miserable. Surgery was on a Monday, I didn't shower until Fri. afternoon. I also wasn't wearing a bra and no undies, just elastic waisted sweat shorts. Over that first weekend I started experiencing some abdominal itching and thought it was the incisions healing. But then when I went for shower #2 on Sunday, hubby noticed that I had a rash under my breasts and under the tummy roll. I have been putting Gold Bond Medicated powder on it and that helps, but there a couple of spots that jus…

What ones are we aloud to have for fruits and veggies. I know I can't have celary and citrus I don't know if I can have.maybe I can I think I have to take the membranes off. So what fruits and veggies are okay to eat? I really love pineapple, oranges, apples, pears, grapes, and strawberries. Oh I also don't think I can have bananas I don't know. I hope I can have salads again hmm so yeah

Hi all, I am so glad that I have this board! Since my surgery 9-15-09, I have been so emotional, its sad. One minute im happy as can be, next minute im frustrated, irritable, etc. But it has nothing to do with the fact that I cant eat, yes, food still looks and smells good but im not bothered by it like that. My fiance has been so supportive during all this and I have been getting really agitated with him over the smallest things (and im normally a very easy going, happy person). Thank GOD that he is very easy going himself, he hasnt complained much. I was on the phone with my father today and I was almost in tears, why I dont know, the conversation was not even sad!…

Who suffers from dizziness, mostly after standing after bending down or sitting, and what do you do to alleviate it? Does frequent hydration help or is it more to do with sugars/carbs etc.?

Is it normal for me to be able to drink 1 cup of soup 4 days post op? I dont have any fill in my band yet and I do feel full after drinking it (and wouldnt have in my prior life) but just wanted to make sure that was normal?

Hope everyone is doing great. This is really a learning process, but it was worth it. Down 28 in 38 days. I had a fill on 3/9 but having a little trouble swallowing since fill, scheduled for follow up on 3/19 .

Today starts my 4th day post op. Im worried im not taking in enough calories i get tired easy and i do walk every few hours. I havnt been nausous and only felt the super bloat for the first 2 days. Each day seems to be better then the last.

Hello, I would love some meal ideas for Breakfast, lunch or dinner. I need to start working on increasing my calorie count while getting in the Protein. So would I would love to here what works for others. Looking forward to hearing about some great ideas. Thanks

Any ideas how to get re-motivated? I haven't lost anything this month and having trouble staying focused on eating right. It's starting to get me down. I understand the band is only a tool but, I didn't anticipate having to rely so much on willpower. Obiviously, I don't have much otherwise I wouldn't have been overweight to begin with. Any tips?

I don't know what to do. I got a really bad cold last week. I have been misrable all weekend- barely able to eat anything... I called my dr and going in for flouro tomorrow which means I am in their hands for unfill- but worried if I get an unfill and my post nasal drip stops- I will be ravishing in a couple days. That also means paying $100 to get my fill back I have been doing the neti pot, taking claritin and even cough medicine to thin mucus and expecorant. All I have been able to get down today is tea and 1 small bowl of Soup.

I was sleeved Sept 15th. in Colombia. I have had an amazing recovery no constipation, no vomiting, incisions healed great, physically I seem to be perfect. My problems seem to be more mental. Before my surgery I was concerned about the fact that I didnt have any counseling and now Im scared that I may have needed to speak to someone professionally. The day before my surgery I went to the mall and went to the food court with my mom cause she was hungry and I had some kind of anxiety attack the smells...the people around me eating... kfc...mcdonalds....the fact that i was not sleeved and starving from the liquid diet made me sweat and panick I even started to cry we got m…

I know I can have mashed potatos and egg salad and stuff like that but was wondering if hamburg gravy would be OK and what about very soft meatloaf?

I see "PB" often on the board. I was hoping someone could tell me what it means. Thanks!

Hi everyone I was banded in April 09 and I have been having a wonderful time losing weight feeling fantastic about myself and having so much more energy. But last night I felt that my port was a bit sore - a bruised feeling and then I felt it and it seems like it has moved from where it was, ie above the scar instead of below. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this bruised feeling or the port moving this far into the banding? Should I go and see my doctor - there is an appointment booked for 4 weeks time, but just thought I would put it out there to see if this is a common thing or not. Thanks - love reading about how everyone is going. Well done everyone! Lo…