POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was banded yesterday 10/10/09 and have had consistent pain in the abdomen at the incisions and, of course, primarily at the port incision. Just returned home this afternoon and it has been difficult getting in and out of bed without stretching at least some (which is painful). Does anyone know if it is bad to stretch and what can I do to minimize this? I don't want to have to sleep in a chair.:laugh:

Hello, I got banded 9-9-09. I feel great but when I walk I feel like my muscles in my legs are sore. Has anyone else had this issue? I don't know if it's from the Heprin or what. It's not a bad pain it's just like I lifted weights. It's not from walking because I walk miles all the time. I walk 9 miles the day before my surgery. I have no swelling or fever so I don't think it's a clot and it's in both lower legs. Any ideas? Thanks, Gary

Hi Everyone! I was banded two weeks ago, and I have just come back from you nutritionist. I now can have meats, green Beans, carrots, zucchini, squash, eggs, and cheese. I need to eat 5 small meals a day. I have to get in at least 64 ounces of Water, 70 grams of Protein, and very few carbs. My doctor is adamant about carbs. I think he feels that no carb is a good carb. My question is whether or not you keep a daily log or somehow keep up with how much you have gotten in? I know it will be a pain (kind of like the two years on Weight Watchers) to write down everything, but I don't know how else to keep up with it. Any ideas?:laugh:

Just wondering? So many doctors have so many different pre op diets to reduce the size of the liver. Low carb/ Low cal/ All liquid/ Some liquid some solid....1 day all liquid....3 weeks all liquid....no pre op diet at all....my guess is that they just must not know works best, if they did it wouldn't be so all over the board. My question is were any of you closed up at surgery due to a fatty liver and if so can you tell me what your pre op diet was? Thanks so much!

I am 4 days post-op. I'm definitely excited about this journey athough a bit fearfull dietwise. My lap band surgery was performed in Mexico & I was told to carry out a clear liquids diet, which.....is really difficult. I truly am starving. I've seen that US surgeons or dietitians recommend certain protein supplements, which in my opinion, is most adecuate. Considering the very low calorie intake I have at this point, I'm going to lose muscle mass!! I don't want that to happen. I don't want to overstress my band, and I'm willing to do everything in order to assure the placement of my band. Can someone give me some advice on how to take care of my band while still makin…

Well my throats been hurting and I thought it was my pouch. My pcp called with my blood results and said my thyroid was off, so now I'm wondering if my thyroid is enlarged and its not my pouch. Anyone else experience this?

I have my surgery on Sept 23rd and I am really worried about chewing after surgery... I am a fast eater and don't chew well I know I will be on soft food for about 2 or more weeks, but I have been trying to chew my food really well as practice and I can't seem to get it right...I still feel like I have larger pieces that I am swallowing Help...any tips??

Hello all, this week was my first week on solids and I must say, I'm tired of broccoli, green Beans, and cauliflower as my side items... I need a better variety of veggie ideas, this low carb thing is kicking my butt! Like tonight I want to do baked pork chops, but I've had broccoli and green beans all week and I want to do something different. Is there anywhere online that has good 'bariatric' recipes/meal ideas? HELP! :laugh:

Has anyone had either good or bad experiences with popcorn? I am flirting with the idea of trying to have popcorn sometime in the next few weeks, but I am nervous! I would love to hear your story! THANKS!:thumbup:

I am so frustrated! I am having to use so much self control to NOT overeat because I have absolutely NO restriction. I am 3-weeks post-op, and have already begun eating regular foods because I get so hungry. That was my surgeons solution before getting my first fill at 6-weeks. I'm taking it slow with soft foods first and make sure that I can handle each food before moving on to the next one. I don't over-do it - I've lost 20 pounds since my surgery - but I KNOW I could eat more if I wanted to. I am basically eating high protein/low carb. I get 60-80 gram of Protein per day. I hope this gets better, otherwise I am going to question why I even bothered with the surgery …

Hello everyone I would like to know what it feels like to have a slipped band. I do not have any excessive heartburn, burping, and I have never had an issue with food backing up or anything like that. I just have this weird kind of feeling right in the center of my chest. It is not hard to breathe or anything like that either. You know sometimes when you drink something and it feels as if it went down the wrong way and that hurt you feel, that is what it kind of feels like. Maybe I am being a bit paranoid but I have been concerned about this. Since my surgery 7/9/09 I have had no issues at all and have lost 27lbs with little restriction only had one fill. The …

I was banded on Aug 17 and am on my last week of mushies and purees. Next week I graduate to soft foods, and the following week anything goes. BUT, I've been cheating slightly, to no detriment, except for Wednesday. Wednesday I "splurged" on a Thai dish -- salmon and veggies (not too spicy). I was craving veggies. I didn't eat a large portion (only 1/4 - 1/3 of the dish). Boy did I pay for it today. Very uncomfortable. Which leads me to a question -- how have you been able to get vegetables in during mushies and soft food? I feel like all I'm eating is Protein, dairy, and more protein. Also, I'm not really feeling restriction except for the stitches. I've…

Hi all!! I have the larger 14 CC band just wondering when everyone else hit there sweet spot? I just got filled today and up to 7 cc!

Is anyone else on aldactone/spironolact (I'm on it for PCOS)? Mine has a "minty" taste. I'm not yet allowed to swallow pills, so need to crush everything. I've yet to find something to mix it with that doesn't taste awful.

I was banded on Thursday August 20, 2009. I keep belching and belching and it is painful. I assume this is normal as the nurse knew about it and just said go ahead and belch. Is there anything that will help this. Has anyone else had this problem? When will I feel good again?

hi, lost 30 pounds and have only gone done 1 size in top and bottom............thought it would be more. how is everyone else doing in this department? THANKS!

girdles!!!!!!!!!!!!i am finally free of having to wear a girdle and it feels so good...i was a constant girdle wearer...lol...always looking for my darn girdle....wouldn't leave home without it....well no more!!!!!!!!! its not needed...even after my tuck it was hard for me to brake the habit of not wearing a girdle.. ...i realize now...i don't need it...i look the same in clothes with or without it!!!!!!!!! :sneaky::crying::thumbup::thumbup:

What recommendations do any of you have to help with the hair loss? I know I am losing more hair than I should on a daily basis, but not losing it in clumps. I would like to take something to help with this. Any suggestions?

Hello All... I was just wondering....post op...and after the liquid diet... when you are able to begin eating regular food...how much should you be able to consume? Thank you for your help:wub:

OK so I was banded 08/31 and I am feeling pretty good. This morning I felt good so I figured I would start back on the wii active and could not even go 6 minutes! I used to do the 30 minute workout before surgery! I felt weak and sore! When did everyone get their energy/stamina back after surgery? I know I am still healing but it made me cry that I could not even do today what I used to do before surgery. Am I just limited to only walking at this stage? Any advise would be great. Would love to know when veryone got their energy back and was able to excercise fully. Thanks :w00t:

Hey guys, Im new to this board. And I just wanted to introduce myself. I was sleeved on 9.1.09. Looking forward to getting to know you guys. Katie K.

Hey everyone...I was banded last Friday....was a little unsure that morning whether I should go through with it....and now I am REALLY second guessing myself. I am sooo miserable. I havent been able to get a lot of fluids down. The dr did find a hernia that he repaired as well, so I have 2 incisions but Im just hurting SO bad. I have a lot of pain in my shoulder too...gas? And also, I keep waking up with a horrible headache. the only meds I got is something for nausea, which I took last night and then a nasal spray Stadol...which I dont think really helps with the pain.....just makes me SUPER sleepy. any thoughts??

I'd feel 100 times better if i didnt have this gas pain. its right in the neck/upper shoulder area, and it seems like it just came on today.....i'm doing laps around my living room trying to get rid of it. Is this common? How can i get rid of it...... respond to givempills@aol.com......so i can see it from my Blackberry in bed Thanks, Bill

:w00t:Hey everybody, I am from Whidbey Island, WA and am looking for a support group or some people that can keep me motivated and I can help them. I feel like I am the only one from this area that has had this procedure done. The hardest part is getting started and I would love if we could get started, I know I'd never stop. Anyway, just let me know and we can get in touch. Thanks.

I was banded on Aug. 18th (22 days ago) and have not had any problems except this nagging pain I have. It's located below my port incision and over to my left side. Also, the incision to the left of my port incision feels hard. When I questioned the Dr. about this he said it was the tubing from the port that I was feeling. It looks like I have a tumor there and I'm not happy about. Has anyone else had these problems. Thanks!

I am 10 days post op and I am having bad pains in my left, should/neck area. It started yesterday and I have taken Gas-x strips. Does this go away when I am able to eat solids? I have been on mushes for a few days and my stomach hurts from gas and when I eat, well it does not last long lol. Please let me know! Thanks!

ok. I was banded on 9-4. Talk about pain..still...and now I am wondering something. After all the reading I have done, I am reading that people suffer from the "liquid in-liquid out" syndrom. I have plenty of liquids going in, but NOTHING is coming out. I urinate just fine, 3-4 times a day, but that is all. I started back on the Protein shakes yesterday, so maybe that will move things along, but should I be concerned at this point and start taking something?

I am sorry if this is too much information, but I am curious as to whether or not anyone else has experienced this. Since losing weight, I have had the usual problems with rashes from the hanging skin. However, over the past week or two, I have a new problem. My belly button seems to be infected and oozing yellow goo. (too much information, I know, I know, so sorry :crying:). It looks like it may be from my excess tummy skin and it hanging lower now, that it is not getting any air or something and getting infected. Am I a complete weirdo on this, or has anyone else had this happen?

I am currently looking for the right protien shake for me..... I have only tired one and it was TERRIBLE. So I thought I would ask you guys what you have found. I like the sweet stuff that makes me think Im drinking a milkshake. Im not much for choking down something that is nasty. Right now I am drinking slim fast and I love them but they only have 10 grams of protien rather than the 25 or so you get from a protien shake. What have you guys found? Banded Sept 2, 2009

Hello! I saw the doc for my post op visit yesterday and complained about being so very tired. Well, the answer to my problem appears to be Protein. Seems protein is the answer to everything. Not only does protein prevent hair loss, and the drawn look people get from weight loss - it also helps increase energy. I've been informed to increase my protein from 60g per day to 80-100g per day to increase my energy level. By the way, I wanted to share a tip that the nutritionist shared with me - I hate the chemical/weird smell of protein powders; well, the nutritionist suggested that I add extract to the shakes. I add 1 teaspoon to each drink and that has actually gotten …

Hi all, I was banded last Thursday, 9/3. My surgeon instructs all patients to follow a bowl regiment the day before surgery so all day I went to the bathroom. Problem now is that I haven't had a bowel movement since last Wednesday. How long is normal? My visiting nurse wants me to take a stool softener but I am hesistant to do so. I would like to know other people's experiences in this matter please.

Has anyone experience this?? I got banded in April 09 I got my third fill Aug 06 (4 1/2 cc), just this week it has been really hard for me to get any food down, even eggs I struggle with. Anything other than liquid texture I can not keep down. Now this was not like this when I got the fill it just started 3 weeks after the fill. Now I have a tightness in my throat and it seems really sore, tight, and tender.. Has anyone experiennce this or know why the change..

I am going to sleep at night almost sitting straight up, yet occasionally I'll awake an hour or so after falling asleep with the feeling of food backing up in my throat. When I had this before my dr. took the fill level down but then of course I wasn't restricted enough. I now feel as if the restrictio is right and both he and I think I could up even more; I'm now at 2.6 cc and have been banded for 2 years. Would appreciate hearing from any of you who have had this problem and come up with solutions. I'm not eating after 8 pm except for a cup of herbal tea. ALL ADVICE APPRECIATED. Thanks.

Can you please tell me how much weight you lost during the high protein pre-op diet and how long you did it? Thanks so much! Oops, I spelled Aceves wrong in the title, you think I would not miss a key as many times as I have typed it.

Just wondering if anyone knows if it matters what size port you have?? Also, I was informed today that my port would be attached with surgical mesh?? She said this method seems to keep the port in place better and less tenderness in the port area. Thanks for your help! Sherry

I have surgery planned for Sept 21 and my DH found out today he has to be out of town on the day I come home from the hospital. I will get a girlfriend to bring me home. How much help do you need when you get home? Can you stay by yourself? What do you need help doing? Thanks for you help

I saw a thread that had the cutest graphic and now I can't find it. It showed a fat lady that would change to a skinny lady. A moving graphic. Does anyone know where this one came from? I just love it and want to use it too.:thumbup:

how can you tell when your eating when something gets stuck?

I have an ob/gyn appointmnet in a few weeks but wondered if anyone else was encountering odd cycles? Mine seem longer and heavier, with more spotting. Anyone else bring this up to their doctor?

I was wondering if gaining back a couple pounds is an indication that I may need an adjustment. My last adjustment was in July, I went in August but the doctor didn't give me a fill. I am scheduled for another fill on the 25th of this month. Over this Labor Day weekend I did eat differently than I normally eat. Aside from my normal Breakfast and lunch the following is what I had for supper. For example; I went to a friends house on Saturday for dinner. She served Vietmanese food. Spicy shrimp with rice and Pho (a Soup mainly made out of chicken broth, bean sprouts, and rice noodles) a bite of eggplant and literally a bite of an ice cream pie. (I might mention no…

I had surgery on thursday, and am confused about how my band is supposed to be feeling. My stomach is full, and that honestly is the only way I know that the surgery really happened. (well, besides the 3 days I spent in the hospital and waking up in recovery.) I have not been hungry once in three days. I have eaten 4 oz. of soup a couple of times, but I dont feel any different than before I ate. So I just have this feeling of satisfaction constantly. I'm not hungry, and I'm not full. I drink the water that I am supposed to drink all day, but I am just confused by not feeling anything. Is this normal, or do I need to call the dr.?

I've been having a sore throat for the past 2 weeks, could that be the result of something with the band?

Hello - Does anybody want to share a one year anniversary story with us? How much weight have you lost and what did you do on your one year anniversary day.

I assume it is ok, but wondered if flu shots and the H1N1 vaccine were ok with the band? I figured it was, but just wondered?

I think I Have been reading way too many books, and have scared myself. I have read that the port can actually flip and then it is unable to get a fill or access at all, then you have to have another surgery to correct it. How do you know if this happens? Also today i was watching a movie and laying on my back and looked down and saw a large bump on my stomach, at the port site. I have never seen this before, why is it sticking out so much and it is a huge bump. When I sit down or stand up it is not there. Anyone else have any of these issues? I am scared. I was banded on the 24th of July and first fill is 9/10. THank you.

hi everyone today i found out i have a leak somwhere in the system. the contrast medium did not show the leak. it seems the leak is too small to show like that. now an op is suggested to find it and fix it. now i'm completely unblocked. i'm hungery all the time...havn't lost any weight ...worse i gaint some. going through it all again? can't belive it is happening to me. anyone any experience with this? off cause i have to pay again. depending if they have to change the port or the complete system it will cost between 2.000 and 7.000 dollars. how does one cope with that only 5 weeks after the first op? :mad: thanks

I was just wondering if anyone had experienced a little bit of restriction but felt like it was not enough, on the way to the 'sweet spot'? I definitely feel some restriction, but I don't think that it is enough (I can definitely eat more than a cup and I get hungry sometimes in less than 4 hours). I have had 2 fills so far, and am at 7ccs in my Realize Band. I'm really anxious to get to the right restriction, but this doesn't feel like its it. I'm trying not to get down about it Any help or experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Hello bandsters. I have found out I have gallstones. I had been having this terrible pain, unexplainable pain in my upper part of my stomach, radiating for like an 1hr to 2. I finally had, had enough and went to the ER.. I called my surgeon and he advised that I go. I didn't want to think it was anythign related to the band, and thankfully it wasn't. I had an x ray done of the abdomen and the dr said everything looked good with the band and port and all. Thank GOD. He then ordered an ultrasound of the gallbladder and there they found gallstones... I have been advised that I will have to have my gallbladder taken out.. Not to thrilled about having another surgery.. but I h…

I just had my 3rd fill also last Tue 9/1. At 7.4 cc now. This fill has been the first restriction I have had since surgery on 6/19. Just wondering, I have never been "stuck" but i can feel every peice of food I swallow go down my throat and it usually is an uncomfortable feeling (maybe this IS stuck). Not severe pain but painful enough where it makes my meal times uncomfortable. I have tightness in the morning and have definatley cut my intake in half from the week before until now. I have never thrown up or had any PB'ing. Im happy now because I have only lost 7 lbs since June and now I feel like I can finally get the ball rolling but is this what restriction feels like?…

Hello everyone, I was banded on Tues. I feel pretty good. I was able to take a walk on Wed. and stopped taking pain meds on yesterday. This morning I went for a walk medium speed for 15min. I am in some pain, but mostly soreness at the port site and that gassy pain in my left shoulder and upper chest. I am trying to master my dietary requirements... I was told to first think of hydration and then my goal is 90grams of protien a day. well here is my question- How many calories a day and total amount of carbs per day? If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated :smile2: