POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I have a cold, and a slight cough and am scheduled to be banded on Monday. No fever, and have started antibiotics and cold medicine... anyone's surgeon say no because of this?

Ok, so this is sort of embarrasing. I had surgery on June 17th, I have uncontrollable gas most of the time. It wasn't this bad before I had surgery, but now it is like all the time. I have tried a few things to try and detour having gas, but nothing is working. Does someone have some suggestions or things I can do?

Been banded for 2 years and still can eat what ever and as much as I want. Lost 40 pounds after surgery and have kept that off, But stuck at current weight. I eat and it just goes thru. I have been to the doctor and there is just a small amount left to fill. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED. its not easy when you never feel full WHAT CAN I DO? Its been two years and this sucks.

everything went well the doc said and I feel a lil sore. I have so many meds to take and that is scaring me a bit. Im scared one will get stuck. I havent went #2 yet is this normal? I took stool softner yesturday and today. So about all the meds. They prescribed none that are liqued and the biggest one is the size of a m&m is that too big? It just seems big to me. They said that they all are fine. I dont get it

Hi, all. Well I am at the 3-4 week stall. The scale hasn't moved in 7 days. It weighs to the ounce and it hasn't moved up or down even one ounce. I had my husband come and stand on it just to see if it was "stuck". lol So, glad to read so many others report this otherwise I would be VERY discouraged. Also, forgive me for TMI but I've only been to the bathroom once in the last 10 days. I've taken Miralax for 3 days now and I'm getting in about 70 oz of Water. Anyone else having this trouble? As for food, eggs won't go down but egg beaters do. I've tried to eat some type of fish 3 times and have thrown up each time. I thought that was suppose to be one of the easy foods…

I'm about 3 weeks out of surgery and I've been doing well. Last night I had some chicken and rice.......and I must have either eaten too much or something got caught because PAIN LIKE NO OTHER. It is just a constant pain in my midsection and its been about 16 hours. I drank some Water and threw it back up. I've since had some tea and that went down fine. Has anyone overeaten and had this kind of reaction? How long did it last for you? Ow :thumbup:

I am only 5 days out of surgery and yesturday I laughed so hard (belly laughing) and I was in terrible pain after that. Today my port site hurts and is a bit swollen. Could I have the port? and is it noraml to have pain and be a bit swollen there?

I stopped taking my birth control a month before surgery and haven't needed to restart it. However, my period has been really heavy and I am thinking about going back on it. Has been on the pill affected your weight loss at all? I know it can sometimes cause weight gain.

I am only 3 1/2 weeks post op and I have NO restriction at all. I am afraid I am eating to much. What is the "Normal" amount that you should be able to eat before your first fill. I just do not want any slippage or streching. PLEASE HELP!!!! :laugh:

i haven't been banded yet but soon. is it true that you have to crush your pills , you can't take them whole?

Hi guys, I am having an issue with my hair thinning. Now I know that its from lack of protein (because I don't take a protein supplement or shakes like I should be) I didn't think it was a big deal, until slowly I started noticing my hair thinning. I had the surgery last august and have lost about 80lbs. I am wondering if I start making sure I am getting my 50g of protein daily, will this help my hair grow back? I know either way I need to be making that 50g of protein mark, and I am going to really try to do it. Its just something I haven't really given much thought about. Does anyone have any suggestions of how to stop it from getting worse, and how to help get my hair…

Hi - I am 1 week post op, and have lost 14 lbs. I have so much energy right now that I have insomnia....has anyone else experienced this? If so, what are your remedies/changes in your eating schedule worked for you? I knew I would have more energy, but didn't think it would be this soon...don't get me wrong, it is great, but not at 2am. :biggrin: Thanks- G VSG 09-09-09 - Dr. Cirangle San Francisco 237/223/137

I know that caffeine drinks do not count towards your daily intake of liquids...but how about decaffinated? I finally found a decaf tea that is very good and with the cool weather coming I usually drink more hot liquids than cold.

What can I do to get more energy? I'm four weeks tomorrow. I'm so drained I don't care that I've lost 24 pounds.

i'm pms'ing this morning....lol...but i must get this off my chest...let me start off by saying this...i LOVE to c success with the band...LOVE IT and i hope all those banded and getting banded r successful on their weight loss journey...i also love to look at photos..but aaaaa and i won't mention names and i have looked in2 what i'm about to say its not out of jealousy but i feel like credit is being taken from those of us who have the band and work hard with this tool...there r some "people" posting pix that have NEVER had the lap-band or any other type of weight loss surgery...i don't get what the point of coming on here and posing as some1 that had surgery is...if u w…

Has anyone else ever experienced bleeding after a fill? I had my first fill today. A few seconds after he removed the needle, blood began gushing. :thumbup: I asked if this was normal & they said no but gave no reason that it would have happened to me. While he was injecting the Fluid he mumbled something about it going in slow. Then after there was the bleeding...now I'm all freaked out. Someone please tell me if this has ever happened to them before or if anyone knows why it might. Help me please! Thanks! Kim

Just wanted to share the news. 52 pounds and 26 inches. It's been a couple of rough months with some highs mixed in. In April, my oldest brother was diagnoised with lung cancer, 9 to 12 months to live with treatment. On Easter Sunday, my first grandchild was born, a girl: Skylir. She is beautiful. Slowly the weight comes off, some weeks it goes back on, and I don't let it worry me. I keep looking to the future and know, there will be ups and downs. 5 months later, my grandchild is thriving. Growing like a weed and when she smiles, my heart does flips. But on a sad note, 5 months later, my brother died. This past Sunday. We wake him tonight and bury him tomorrow. …

So I've constantly had the "pretty face" and just thought I'd share this little message I just received on a different website from a complete stranger and why it will be amazing when I don't have to deal with this stupidity and ignorance ever again. "oh my god.. another girl thats hot minus the bakery in the jeans ... how come all you hot girls are fat on this website??" I think I'll print it out and put it on my fridge

do you sometimes wish you did not have a band instead you had a sleeve?? I was reading on the sleeve website how easier it is than the band! What do you think? I mean, i love my band, been banded for a year now, but it gets painful at times when you PB or slime or just cannot eat that yummy food because you are afraid that you might throw up! Also, i have been reading the complications here and it got me worried! What are your thoughts on this? :blushing:

I went through pre-op yesterday and the only thing that concerns me is that my doctor requires that he remove the intibation tube after you are awake and alert. I have had the tube before but it was always removed before I woke up. Did anyone else have it taken out while you are awake? If so did it suck as bad as I think it will? Greg

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I am getting my first fill tomorrow and I am a little nervous. I am in the military and I was posted for 3 months out of country and it was very difficult to maintain the diet as I had very little control over what was served. I am really excited to finally get on track! I am down 30 pounds from my pre-op weight and ready to kick it into hyperdrive!

Why Lap Band vs. RNY?:tt1: I have until January to decide and my surgeon said he would perform either one. I need to lose about 85 lbs. I am second guessing my lap band decision. It seems like the weight comes off so much easier with RNY. My issue with head hunger is also a concern for me. Thanks for your input Dawn

I was banded in April and I was doing really well, going to curves, really watching, etc... Lately I have been doing so much overtime at work and I have just been putting everything on the back burner. I have not gained any of my weight back but I have not beed losning any more either. I am so disgusted with myself I could kick my ass.:smile: I am going to get in the groove again, but was wondering, how many others have fallen off the wagon this soon? Am i a failure? :tt1: I am discouraged. Any suggestions?????:thumbup:

Okay, I was banded yesterday and today has been horrible. Starting about 8am this morning, I started having strong dry heaves. These are body racking dry heaves, not just a little gag. The dr is calling me in some phenegran supositorises, and said no liquids tonight. He said that if it doesn't ease off, then I will need to be admitted back into the hospital tomorrow for iv fluids and meds. WHen I heave nothing but foamy stuff comes up. I have a sharp pain all over my belly when it happens, but that goes away as soon as I stop heaving. Has anyone else dealt with this experience??

Hi, everyone - I'm pretty new here and have a real concern. I was banded on 3/5 and have actually done pretty well in the past week (except for some shoulder/neck pain which is now subsiding a bit). However, in the past 2-3 days, my stomach as broken out with itchy red bumps - looks like hives or somethings. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't know if I have an allergy to the pain med or what.....help!

Got banded yesterday, and have just had my first post op meal. 2 tablespoons of white fish liquidised, along with 2 tablespoons of boiled potato liquidised. I feel like I have just finished a banquet at a chinese restaurant. Even though I took it easy, I feel like I have eaten way too much. I have no fill yet, and my doctor told me today before I left the hospital that the restriction I may feel will be caused by the swelling, and once this goes down I will feel no restriction at all until I get a fill in 6 weeks. There is so much to learn with this banding lark. I hope the restriction I feel after I recieve my fills will be the same as I am feeling today. The ha…

I had my surgery on Mon the 31st and I am still in this hospital. I was so excited, I did not have a hard going to sleep or anything, I walked in like owner the joint. Anyway, I had do stay in recover for 2 hours because When I came out of oi, I had a JP drain, an IV. Then after no being able move, when they told everything went just expected. So of course not there was a leak and so we we are going to have to try and clear that all out other, This is also after them telling me, "Clear diet starts today". So off to surgery and out of that surgery recovery time was about. I know have NG tube that runs into my stomach, I have 2 JP tubes on each side and main line …

I had a CT Scan, so I did that last night and a stomach surgeon came in to talk to me about a stent. He will have to put be under, but I do not have surgery. Then they say we go through a series of exams and then when I start, to eat we can see from there. Has anyone heard off this?

So I got back from the hospital today had my vsg done yesterday, had some complications due to a hiatal hernia that was found during my initial preop endoscopy testing... I seem to be ok I guess. Im experiencing some tightness in abdomen which im hoping is normal. Im sipping on my Water...having my occasion 4oz of apple juice and 4 oz of chicken broth but I have to say the gas is killing me after drinking anything I get these gurgles its really bad. My stomach makes all these weird noises but I cant burp. Is that normal? How long would you say it takes to get back to feeling halfway normal? Im doing pretty good otherwize have only been nauseaous once or twice reall…

Short and to the point... I haven't lost any weight in about 3-4 months now. I was banded on 10-17-08, and have since lost about 45-50 lbs. I exercise 4-5 times a week, running. I don't eat bad, but do cheat every once in a while. My restriction is good. I'm at a loss and don't want to fail this thing. Any advice or suggestions?? Help me out. I honestly thought I would be near my goal weight, which would be another 40-50 lbs, by my anniversary, but obviously I'm not going to make it. I'm starting to stress out over this. I bounce between 198-204. If I could just see 197 on the scales I would be so excited! Anyone else felt this way?

I was just wondering what the purpose of everything being sugar free was? I've been drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes and I don't think it's the sugar free kind so is this going to be some sort of detriment to my weight loss etc? I mean I understand if you were to overdo it on the sugar and eat pies etc all day but what exactly is the point of avoiding all sugar with the band??

I am struggling with squeezing in 70 grams of protein in a day. I have been only able to choke down 1 protein shake a day thats only 30 grams of protein. On my best day maybe I can get in another 25 grams. I am usually full from just trying to keep myself hydrated. Has anyone tried the isopure? What could i do to up my grams?

I've been banded now since december 2008 - and the last two months I have not gain but I have not lost anything, I have noticed that I'm able to eat more than normal, and I'm also able to drink while I'm eating? (I know where not suppose to but I'm able to now) My concern is could I be stretched? and if so how would you tell? by just testing or something?

Hey Everyone, I am going on a trip to Univeral Studios Island Of Adventures this weekend and I am wondering if anyone has gone on extreme up-side-down rollercoasters with their bands?

Is it bad to eat slider foods? I'm 3 months out and still have egg drop soup for lunch with cottage cheese.

I had my surgery in April and I have only lost around 17 pounds. I don't feel like I know what to eat and I am scared to death that I am going to be the only person to not lose weight with this surgery. If anyone has any words of encouragement or food ideas, I would love it. I am a mom, teacher and wife and I am terrified of failing. :smile2:

Hi Everyone.. I got banded yesterday morning. Yesterday I could tolerate ice chips with no problem. Today I was told to move more towards Clear liquids..(between 4-6oz every hour...but can't do it). My problem is whenever I drink anything (no matter how small) I feel like I have to burp, and get pressure in the middle of my chest until I burp. This happens with the tiniest sips. I took the liquid Vicodin, but now whenever I take small sips I feel naseous and feel like I want to vomit (but I haven't). Has this happened to anyone? Is this normal?

I woke up yesterday morning with pain in my band.. It hurts everytime I burp all through my chest. My bestrfriend has lapband and has had it for 2 years and said that means something is stuck.. her suggestion is to drink alot of water.. and I do already. Anyone else know any hints?

Hi all, I was banded on 07/07/2009. So, I am 9 weeks out from surgery. I have had 3 fills. The first one was 3 cc. No restriction. No weight loss since the week after surgery. Last week I FINALLY lost 2 pounds and so, far it seems I have lost 2 pounds for this week, but I fluctuate 3 pounds each day. My 2nd fill was .5 cc. I went last week to have my third fill under fluoro and it was another .5 cc, which brings me up to 4 cc in my Realize band. I really had hopes for this fill, as we watched the Fluid go through. I have noticed if I don't chew well, I will get things stuck, not to the point where I slim, but if I burp it will come up some. It is a bit uncom…

I had my surgery on Friday morning and was released Saturday afternoon. Saturday was a miserable day - I could not tolerate anything. I took tiny sips of everything I tried - tea, water, warm water, cold tea, ice chips, etc. I have been lurking on forums so I know to take tiny sips and slow - slow slow but it isn't working for me. I finally managed to get half a cherry popsicle down and in a half hour - up it came. I am trying to stay hydrated but what is going on? I am walking - trying to do every single thing correctly. I am on 10 mg of Reglan ever six hours and one Prevacid daily. For pain, I was given hydrocodone/apap (generic for Lortab) 10 - 20 mils by mouth…

I should ask my doctor, but has anybody heard of complications past 8 wk?

Since I had the band surgery, so many people are watching me and asking "how much have you lost now". They are thinking that the weight is going to just fall off me fast, fast. I get so tired of explaining that this is a band NOT a bypass. It's a tool to help me lose...not a magic wand. I would not have told some of these people that I had the band but my dear 89 yr old mother told everyone b/c she was so worried about me and wanted them to pray for me. I love prayers and believe in them but you don't always have to tell it all...... I feel like a zoo exhibit or something.:tongue2:

After losing 40 lbs, I finally got a compliment from someone who doesn't know I had surgery. She said it looks like I lost alot of weight. I told her I've working out alot, which is true. I've always thought 40 lbs was the magic number. Whenever I've lost weight in the past, I had to lose 40lbs before anyone ever noticed.

Hello, all! The other day I ran into someone with a stomach bug. I've been worried ever since. I had a case of the sit n spins about 2 years ago, and the memory still haunts me. But now that I have the lap band, I'm even more worried about throwing up. I know that too much throwing up can cause slipping and rupturing. Does anyone have any tips, tricks, or any sort of knowledge about this? If I end up with a stomach bug, I'm going to go to my surgeon, but I don't know if I could get there in time. I'm just sort of nervous :S

I called the docs and they think my pouch is stretched. I don't get it though, I've followed the rules

I notice that I can make my band feel instantly tight by drinking ice Water or very cold beverage. I've asked this question of my doctor's office but never really got an answer as to why this happens. I know many people have problems with cold liquids or foods. Any of the nurses out there or experienced bandsters have an answer? Is it a stomach or esophageal spasm or something else? I can drink it cold, but have to do so very slowly. So how about it? Or just provide your theory...

So I just got banded two weeks ago, quick recap: Surgery on the 25th of Aug, everything was going great. I went home that same day, slept a lot and started the clear liquid diet. On the 27th of august, having taken full sized pills on both the previous days, I tried to take a Vicodin for some discomfort and it got stuck. :thumbup: Now, I've passed four kidney stones in the last two years and each one was an epic tale of pain and suffering but they didn't hold a candle to this. After the pill got stuck and I was rolling in pain for about two hours, I emailed my doctor who quickly got back to me stating "it will dissolve, just keep drinking warm liquid". Fine, sta…

If the purpose of the band is to get foods to "sit" in the upper pouch for as long as possible, then why do I feel the food going through immediately? I mean, if I don't chew things well enough, I know it because it gets stuck. But, why do I feel it right away? Shouldn't it take a while for it to start to move through? The obvious answer might be that I don't have enough restriction yet because I haven't had a fill, but if I don't chew extremely well, food gets stuck. So, I am sure I already have a bit of restriction. Oh, gees. I sound like I am talking in circles. I'll stop typing now. :mad2:

Hi! I got banded on 9-4-09, and this has been a bit harder than I anticipated. Emotionally, I'm up and down, and I just feel like I can't get my emotions under control. I think initially, I was feeling really overwhelmed with this decision, but when I decided to go ahead with the surgery, I felt like I understood the commitment. Now that I'm banded, I realize how much harder the lifestyle changes are than what I anticipated. I am following the plan (or at least I think I am). But, if I mess up and eat too big of a portion, I just feel so guilty and get upset at myself. Or other things like that. I understand that this is a huge learning process, and I'm not goi…