POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was banded on 6/22 and I've had two fills since then. I feel very little restriction! I've lost a total of 7 pounds. I'm going in next week for another fill. I'm just so frusterated with my lack of progress. I'm doing boot camp 3-4 days a week and trying to eat less. Sometimes I feel my body is full but my head is hungry. Does everyone feel like this at the beginning? I'm thinking why did I spend $15,000 on this and it's seems to be all will power!!

I was banded on 8/26 and still having pain on my left side. I am very uncomfortable and feel like my stomach is bloated all the time. I thought maybe it was gas pains so I have been taking Gas X then I called the nurse and she suggested Mylanta so I started taking it. Neither one seemed to help or make a difference. Eating or not eating makes no difference so I don't think there is an issue there. I have no trouble keeping food or liquids down. This afternoon I called my dr's office and spoke with another gastric dr. (mine is in Europe on vacation). He said I should start taking the pain medication again and if it doesnt get any better to go to the Emergen…

I had my surger on 4/30. I lost 17 lbs prior to the surgery. In total I've lost 30 lbs. At 2 lbs per week I should have lost 51 lbs by now. I've had 4 fills. At first I felt no restriction. The last two fills I have begun feeling the restriction, but I've come to discover that if I stop eating for a few minutes the food becomes "unstuck" and then I feel no restriction. Mentally I have not been helping myself out. A lot of times it doesn't matter if my stomach is growling or not, mentally I want to eat. The cravings are just as bad as before surgery. I was going to the gym religiously for awhile but I wasn't losing. I'm so frustrated. I feel like I just wasted …

So I wanted to know how you knew you were at the right fill amount. What were you able to eat? How much made you satisfied? I am trying to find out if I am good right now or if I should get some taken out. I would appreciate any feedback!

I am 6 days post operation and noticed a very yellow and blue bruise on my lower left side approximately 6 inches below any of my incisions. The bruise is approximately 4 inches in diameter. The bruise is not tender to the touch. I really do not have any bruising around any of my incisions which I am thankful of. However, it makes me more concerned about why I have this bruise. Should I be concerned about this? I do not go into see the doctor till Thursday afternoon, is this something that can wait till then?:frown:

Hi Guys, I am into my 5th week post op and on solids. I will not see doc for first time since op until 28th Sep. I just cant stop being anxious. I'm not sure if I am eating too much. I dont eat huge portions but I def eat more than a cup full which is the volume most people are told to eat. I have 3 meals daily and no snacking. I am also managing to eat any foods that I try without problems. Should I be able to eat bread, crunchy peppers, mushrooms, chicken & rice?? I do chew my food well and i take 20-30 mins to finish. Does this sound normal or am I at risk of damaging my band?? Now that I am on solids can I try any solids?? I feel ok, no problems. Any advise would …

I am 6 weeks post op. I had a few complications after surgery with swelling and a prefilled band, so my doctor had to pull all fluid out for a while. I just got my first fill yesterday. I have only 2 cc's in a 10cc band (he did very little because I seem to be sensitive to fills). Anyways, I am on regular food diet but since yesterday, when I attempt to eat anything, it seems to hurt going down. Even soft foods. Plus, the burping...OMG, the burping is horrible. Not sliming, just belching up a storm. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Are you guys actually able to eat real food without it hurting? Do you all have the belching thing? I'm freaking out thinking so…

Hi all, I was wondering if it is possible to only be overfilled by a little bit.....I got my fill about 3 weeks ago and haven't been able to eat solid foods for 2 of them, I keep sliming and throwing them up. Even protein shakes/yogurt won't go down. I emailed my surgeon's office to ask them and got a semi-scathing reply that it was obviously something i was doing - not chewing well, taking too big bites etc. I figured they were right but i just can't get back on solids without throwing up. I figured I needed to go completely back on liquids for a couple days just to be sure but I just had to go throw up my protein shake. I'm afraid I'm going to get a slip if this k…

I'm looking at the requirements for Clear liquids phase, first 10 days post op. Dr. Aceves' instructions say "nothing other than clear liquids and a Protein supplement such as Isopure or whey protein . Is Jay Robb chocolate Protein powder mixed with milk acceptable, or does it have to be mixed with Water? It is certainly not "clear" even mixed with water. I don't like the taste unless mixed with milk. Or is isopure a "clear" Protein Drink? If required, I will drink anything in order to follow the requirements, but if Jay Robb mixed with milk meets the requirements, I'd be more happy. Anybody know? Thanks

is there a reason why they don't want you drinking 30 min before or after you eat?

I can't help it. . I love hearing about everyone's NSVs (non-scale victories). They are just plain inspiring. If you have some to share, please post away! :sad: Here are a few recent ones I have had: - Being able to shop in the regular department and finding out that I am finally back in a size 12 (OMG!!!); - I can wear heels all day without my feet killing me; - I can run without my compartmental syndrome (a co-morbidity) cutting off my circulation and pinching my nerves! In fact, I am going to run the Komen Race for The Cure in September! I could go on, but I really want to hear other people's! Catherine

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the bodybugg or Gowear fit calorie monitor/fitness arm bands? I am thinking about getting one....but was wondering if they are worth the investment? They look like great products and have been getting good reviews....you might have seen them on the biggest looser. Let me know what you guys think!!

Hey guys...I was banded Aug 25th so I am only 1 week post-op. I felt discomfort only for the first three days. My surgery was on tues and I was back to work on Fri. Burping was horrible for the firt couple of days, tit felt like I had a brick sitting on my chest. Most of the gas was gone by the end of the weekend. I am not feeling any pain at the incision sites except fot he occasional side twist. I did have an episode on sat night, I was feeling a lot of cramping in my ribs after shopping all day and it did hurt to breath. I was fine after sitting for a couple of minutes. My appetite has been surpressed a little. I don't get hungry as often and when I do a simple ice pop…

Tonight while once I got home from school, I was cleaning the kitchen, putting away the meal my family ate earlier. I was not the least bit hungry as I had my dinner at work before I left for my class. Yet, as I was putting the food away just the aroma made me want to take a bite of what they had. It took everything in me to NOT take just one little nibble. It was at that very moment that I realized that is what I used to do. I would take bites here and there resulting in MANY bites here and there. I ate just to eat, not because I was hungry, but simply because I wanted to eat. Since I have had the band placed, I noticed I have completely changed my eating ha…

I am going to get my first fill Tuesday and I have really been paying attention this week to my eating to see if I need one. I am not full with a cup of food. I try to stop but could eat more. I am getting hungry about 2 hours after I eat, however when I eat I keep getting that stuck feeling in my chest and this foamy stuff comes up in my throat. Is this sliming? The food hasn't come back up and it passes after a few minutes. So do I need a fill or not? I havn't lost any weight in a couple of weeks. I want a fill so I am not eating as much and feel full but I don't want to start throwing up and have problems either. Am I just eating too fast and not chewing well …

So I'm a little over 3 months out and have had one fill. I was scheduled for another Sept.16 but just cancelled it. I'm loosing weight (average of 8lbs a month). I do NOT have restriction yet. But I'm getting there. I work out for about 90 mins. a day (cardio and weights,some water aerobics) 5 days a week. I'm sure the bulk of my loss is from that. Was I stupid for cancelling my fill? I guess I want to 'save' the fill for when I stop loosing. But if I miss one day in the gym the scale jumps up that week by like 4 lbs..and i'm done yo yoing! I'm not sure if I should ride this out or get a fill..ugh! My dr. thinks i'm in my green zone because of my weight loss...but i can e…

I was banded July 7, 09. My first and only fill so far was Aug 4. That day I felt restriction and by the next day had lost 2 pounds. But that same day I also lost the feeling of restriction. I was hungry in between meals and felt like I could eat more than I should. A couple of times I did eat more than I should have. Now I'm experiencing an awful sensation when I eat. At times it seems that what I am eating is getting suck in my esophagus. This doen't happen all the time, but it is happening frequestly enough. How can it be that 1. I feel hungry in between meals, 2. can eat large portions 3. Yet have food struck in the esophagus I thought and checked about th…

This morning at work I ate my normal, a hard boiled egg. By mid morning I was starving and craving pizza SO bad. I must have convinced myself and unconvinced myself ten times about getting it or not. I always rationalize in my head.. "well if I just get the 9" with cheese thin crust it it won't be too bad" or "I'll just have low fat Soup for dinner". Well I ate a sugar free Jello and that helped curb the hunger and 'pizza thoughts' some. I'm happy to announce that I just at my low fat high Protein chicken that I brought in for lunch. For me it's not one day at a time, I have to fight this one meal at a time. I had never realized how 'out of hand' I had gotten with m…

is there anyone out there who followed a liquid 2 week pre-op diet to the tee, had surgery, and is 2 weeks post -op and is not losing? how can this be? i'm discouraged!!!!! i'm still on this protein shake diet for almost a month and am ticked off that a person can not eat normal food for a month almost and not lose weight. i did not cheat, followed my surgeon's orders, out of fear i would harm myself, and now i'm dissapointed. did this happen to anyone? i really need encouragement!!!! lisa6:confused:

My kids have friends over, and they want pizza. I'm sure I could eat pizza, but I don't WANT to eat pizza. I'm sick of grilled chicken. Any ideas for DH and me?

This might seem like a dumb question, but here I go... Im not sure why we have to have several fills....does the Fluid in our band leak somehow and cause us to have less restriction? Does it stretch? I had my first fill a few months ago and have a lot of restriction still, however, when I was talking to my fill doctor she said she would probably expect me back for a second fill around September/October...Yet, I don't feel any change since I saw her last, so Im curious as to what would cause me to need another fill. Thanks in advance for your answers!

i dont know if this has happend to anyone else but i am so ichy. i know it is not my soap. it just started like a day ago, it started off slow and kept building. i took benedryl and it did nothing. i know not being able to sleep happens to a lot of people but i have only heard of one other person having an ichy. does anyone remember what he possible reasons were for it??

Last night I woke up and was amazed at the loud gurgling noises my stomach was making. It was so loud I swear my neighbours could have heard it and I live on 5 acres so they are quite a distance away! Its definitely in the lower part of my stomach and doesn't really seem to be causing any problems.I don't have reflux or anything like that. I assume that its just because my stomach is empty and objecting to the fact. Good job my husband is a heavy sleeper!

Have you lost a significant amount of weight (say 100lbs or more) and do NOT need plastic surgery because your skin has bounced back?

Hey every1! 10 months ago I made a video called "Haitian Big Girl 4 Bow Wow". I made it for this "Big Girls contest" that my fav rapper (Bow Wow) was throwing. And ofcourse, I won it! :biggrin: I recieved a spa treatment courtesy of Bow and I used that on my birthday. So far I have 10 thousand views! In general dats not alot but its alot to me. Because I was banded on July 17, I will be able to do my "Haitian Big Girl loses weight" video lol. I hope to finish that by May 2010! So if anybody has a chance, please check out my current video. Feel free to rate and comment and pass it around to your friends. Thanks and good luck on your weight loss journey Link below

I want to know if anyone else has had this issue and what you have done, besides getting an unfill... I have not been able to eat and can barely keep my liquids down for the last 5 days...regardless of the time of day, what Im eating or drinking (besides hot tea...that goes down ok)...nothings really working. I have to sip on my Water...1/2 a tsp at a time and wait otherwise its stuck. Tried mushies, sat on one TINY bite for over an hour...didn't stay down... I have not had a fill recently and prior to this last week my restriction has been perfect, I only have 2.6 cc's in a 10ml band. I tried calling my doctor, who wasn't in, but spoke to his assistant and she be…

I would like to get together at least on line with any Sac people who recently got banded or are getting banded soon. Any takers? I was banded at Richmond Kaiser on August 24th.

Anyone else feel like they did pre-band ? I've had one fill and still nothing. I eat healthy (but I can eat everything). Can I really hurt the band when I have no restriction yet ? Thanks ! :frown:

Okay so I have been banded since the 29th of October of 2008. I have lost 50 or more pounds since then. I am sooooooo down on myself lately. I have had a lot of stress since the begining of August. I like so many other people, have lost my job. This was an added stress on top of all the other things going on. I had surgery for a deviated septum got back to work and was told that my position was done away with. I went for a adjustment on the 19th of August. I was too tight but tried to work with it. In the meantime I got a sinus infection. I finally had enough when I was trying to get my antibiotic down and puked it up. I called and got an appointment a week lat…

Hi Everyone! How is everyone getting on? I just found out that my 1st appointment with doc since op is being delayed until end of this month, which is 4 weeks later than it should of been!! I just know I will put any weight lost back on by then. I was so looking forward to this appointment and having the opportunity to ask directly some questions etc. Just starting solids. Any advice and tips on eating/recipes/food quantities etc would be much appreciated. I so dont want to put weight back on in the meantime. Hope everyone is doing good. :-)

:biggrin: Had my first fill yesterday and NOT what I expected- I could feel it all tight and he would have me drink and then adjust the flood and then drink and adjust the fluid and then drink and so on so forth... we ended up settling that a good fit was 2.5 cc's. It literally felt like he put a blood pressure cuff around my tummy and pumped it up. Really strange feeling though when I drink a little burping with each drink- back on liquids for two days and feeling quite satisfied. The Doc emphasized exercising and wants to see me back in a month and if I haven't lost 10 pounds he wants to adjust me again??? Well I will really be trying to get the 10 pounds off!!

I was banded on July 14th. I have lost only 32 pounds since one week before surgery. I'm scared that I made the wrong choice and should have had gastric bypass. I eat right and excercise. I go for another fill on Sept 9th. Anyone have any suggestions.:blushing:

Well I have been waiting to feel "restriction" like a lot of others have been. I was banded on June 11th and thus far have lost 48 pounds. I have a 14cc band and after my fourth fill I am at 9cc as of last Monday. Well let me tell you....Yesterday I was questioning how this was going to be since I had such a hard time getting food down. What I mean by that is I was taking smaller bites (but not that small) and it was hurting. After I was done eating lunch yesterday I felt like I was going to vomit, but talked myself down from that episode. Well today I decided to go really slow and listen to all the previous advice out there and take SMALL BITES. I was able to eat …

Hi, I probably should've posted this in the exercise forum but wasn't sure. Anyway, I wanted to ask what exercises have worked for you in relation to tummy sag? I've lost 50 pounds now and my tummy is really saggy. Just trying to figure out if there's anything I can do besides plastic surgery--my insurance won't pay for that :biggrin: Any suggestions? Thanks!

:crying:I get the feeling that there is something rotting down in my pouch........a little better now that I handled the post nasal drip (sinus bath and benadryl) and nightime reflux (maalox) but there is something nasty down there...... any comments?

OMG....had my band on 8-28 and have felt good. There r some days that I feel bad and good. It's funny because for some reason or other I feel this urge to eat normal food. Since i'm still on liquids (uuugggg) I have gotten a nugget from my daughters plate....chewed it really well....then spit it out. I know this sounds very gross but it's some kind of satifaction to my brain. I am very guilty today....had a small piece of hersheys in my mouth. I waited for it to all melt and then swolled it....crazy stuff man... well hope you all are recovering fast.... cindy:thumbup:

If you drink too much, and you need to throw up, what happens? Does it move through the band and come up or just stew in the stomach? Has anyone had this experience? What about stomach flu too?

Hi I am having my band fitted in October and have been able to arrange only 4 days off work following surgery.........I will organise a quiet week following surgery (I am a teacher so no heavy lifting etc) am interested in how quick people have managed to get back to work..........and any suggestions would be wonderful. Sooooo Excited xxx :frown:

Hey everyone, I was banded Wednesday, July 15th! Everything went very well and on schedule. I wanted to compare my experience with you all to see if this is normal. The morning of the surgery I weighed 230.8 and the next morning I weighed 234.8. Today I am 233.6. I find this really strange. Could I just be hanging on to every single bit of fluids I am taking in? I had 2 bags of Fluid at the hospital and 55oz of fluid yesterday. Today I am at the halfway mark for the day. Using the bathroom about every 3-4 hours regulary. I don't feel bloated or like I am retaining Water either. I don't feel restriction persay, but I wouldn't say I am hungery either. I don't notice m…

this is just a curious question question is: is there a such thing as being alergic to the band? thanks

My surgery is scheduled for September 24th and was curious about what to expect the second week after surgery. My surgeon said that you won't feel like eating the 1st week of liquid diet, but what about the second week after surgery when you are the thicker liquid diet? Will you start to feel hungry?

Oh guys I am having a bad time with night reflux. Or at least I think it is reflux. I wake up coughing and feeling like something is stuck in my throat. Not the "stuck" from food feeling but like a tickle making me cough. I try to take sips of Water but it does not help. My doctor has me on Prilosec twice a day. Once in morning and once at night. To be honest I am kind of scared to bring it up to my "team" member. I know this person does not like me (they have told me). I doubt it will get much attention. Should I run through it the first several weeks and see if it goes away? Should I ask for a strong acid reducer? Did you have reflux at night? Does it sound like ref…

I just got banded on Monday, and I am hoping I am doing everything right. I am really sore where the five incisions were made, but am doing pretty well. I have gone walking several times each day, today for about a fourth of a mile. I have had a little bit of bloody seepage from the port site, but everything feels right (just very sore). I am not really hungry at all, but I am burping a lot. I am drinking my 2 ounces of shake every three hours, and I have gotten in about forty ounces of water throughout the day today. I just seem to be burping like crazy. Is this normal? I want to do this right, and I am planning on going back to work on Tuesday, so I want …

:ohmy: Hi everyone! My name is Steve and I am 4 1/2 weeks post-op VSG. I have lost (as of Monday) 36.5 lbs and for the most part am doing well. Here is my story: I have been having problems with, what I like to call, "Cappuccino foam" and acid. I was progressing well, and had ever started exploring some soft, but more solid foods last weekend with terrible results. Nausea and vomiting. After a couple attempts, I backed off back to puree, but am still having problems with the foam issue. Let me back up a second as well. My doctor prescribed me liquid Zantac for the acid, but my problem was that late in the day and early morning I was having huge acid explosions a…

I just want to be able to have a great big deep belly burp just once to release some indigestion! That would feel so good!!!

Since my surgery I have this feeling that a pil is stuck in my throat (deep within) does not feel like stomach. Is this the restriction that everyone is talking about. I am concerned.

Surgery on 8/11/09. To date, I have lost 26.1 pounds! I, never in my life, no matter what diet I was on, lost this much weight in such a short period of time. I know I will reach times that I don't lose on a regular basis but it is sweet now and I'm enjoying it.:thumbup:

I have lost about 35 lbs so far. I haven't lost much in the past 2 months but I think that is mostly my fault. I just had my 4th fill about 2 weeks ago. I think I'm somewhere around 5-6cc in a 10cc band. I haven't had much restriction until now, but some other things have changed too. I do get stuck slightly more often which I think is due to me still eating too fast. But lately certain foods have been painful to eat. I don't know how to describe it, but it seems like when the food hits my stomach, a razor is cutting me from the inside. I'm wondering if I should get another fill (have an appt in 3 weeks). I would actually like to get fuller faster but this p…

hi everyone! so i have been banded for 2 whole days now! i still dont have much of an appetite, so i am still trying to make sure i get enough hydration and Protein in... is anyone else having this problem? also, does anyone have any Protein Drink suggetions? i cant find the one they gave me i the hospital... if anybody has any other suggestions to help fight gas, id love to hear it! gas-x strips and warm Soup have really been saving my life...

Hi all, I'm just about 3 weeks post op and haven't exercised at all. I know that I can't do the "hard" exercising until 6 weeks, but does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do until then? You all are doing so great! I feel really confident asking you guys! Thank you in advance!