POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

well here goes, i was 16 days post op and doing i guess ok, and then wham, wednesday night it hit me so bad, i had soooo much abdomal pain like twisting, cutting etc, i first thought it was something i ate, or i got the flu, but the pain never went away, then i thought my band slipped, or port twisted, finally enough was enough and i went to emergency room, they diidnt know what it was, i was put in a room with fluids and pain meds for a day and a half and when i told doctor about foul odor and direaha, he said sounds like i had a infection from the antibotics they gave me on surgery day and it was right in the right time frame, so they gave mw more antibotics, i am home…

Any advice on how long the gas will last or what to do for it?

I was banded now 2 days ago and I'm feeling very nervous about my diet. I did put a call in to the nutritionist (before anybody responds with that) and I'm waiting for a callback. I bought a bottle of Water just to see how much I would go through, I've made it through half of it in two days. I've had the odd cup of thin broth, and I'm virtually living off of these Protein shakes (although these are not sugarfree so I shouldn't be drinking them). I don't feel hungry but I know I am barely eating anything at all. I am supposed to have 60-80 grams of Protein a day and I'm not sure how I can fit that much in my daily diet with the amount I am actually capable of eating.…

I am 10 days post banding and I still have pain (especially at the port site) and a lot of bruising at all of the incisions. How much longer will this last?

Hello All, I am planning to go for a fill this Tuesday... last one didn't do any good. I couldn't hold what he tried to input, so it wasn't really a fill and by the next week - I was eating whatever I wanted again. Anyway, I'd like to get back on the right path. So, send me your breakfast ideas (easy ones - to eat at my desk). Thanks!

Hello, all! I feel like I know you all...I read all the posts everyday! Tomorrow will be my 2 week "bandiversary". My 2 weeks has gone fairly well, considering what a lot of you have been through! I am still hurting in the port area and that one incision, but I understand that's normal. I go out about every other day, that seems to kick my butt for the next day - Is that normal? How long before I can get over the oh-so-tired feeling? A couple other questions I have, are generated from reading other posts... My doctor skips the mushies stage, and moves from 1 1/2 weeks of CLEAR liquids (no protien shakes or anything else during this time, ONLY clear liquids), th…

Hi All - I'm 12 days post-op today, and I woke up with a strange sensation in the bottom of my throat; it feels "tight" or as if something is there. The only way I can think to describe it is to compare it to swallowing a pill that you can still feel for hours later (like it never quite went all the way down and you can feel it in your esophagus). Also, I'm not sure if it's related, but I constantly feel like I need to burp, but can't...almost turns into a hiccup. I'm not in pain, but the feeling is giving me a bit of anxiety. Could I simply be swollen and tight after surgery, and feeling it even when I'm not eating? Is this a symptom of being tight, or does it sound l…

I am 2 weeks post op and I have yet to feel hungry. I eat a little here and there just because I have not ate much at all. They say I need 1000 calories a day and I barely got 400 yesterday. Is this normal for week 2? I am trying to get all the feelings so I know what to look forward too. :w00t:

I seem to be able to really eat in the middle of the day. I usually have to start off with a liquid in the morning and have soup at night if I don't then I am slimming while I am trying to fall asleep and lately I have been throwing back up my medication I take at night. I always break it in half but Have stated to have problems keeping it down. Is it possible to go from being o.k. to being to tight with out a fill? Also is it O.K. to get protein in liquid form such as a shake in the mornings? Will the shake keep me full? Thanks for any help or suggestions. :wub:

I was banded on friday the 28th of August. I have to see I feel pretty good except for gas. How long does it last normally? I went to a buskerfest yesterday as I was told moving around was the best thing for getting rid of the gas. I wasn't feeling to good after that but took a 4 1/2 hour nap it was better. I feel it mostly in my chest and shoulders any other suggestions for moving it. Otherwise all seems really good so far,:wub:

what kinds of cheese did you eat in the mushy stage? my list says soft low fat cheeses. I don't like cottage cheese. Other than that, cream cheese, I guess? any other ideas? TIA

I see my dr and I can't wait!! Hopefully he finds out what's wrong. I hate when you have plans, you feel fine and up to it then at the last minute you have to cancel it. Had plans to go to the movies yesturday, planned for a month then I didn't feel I could make it, I feel horrible cause I couldn't get ahold of my friend ): then today I was going to go to Albany, woke up with nausea and I couldn't make it that far (about 3 hours away) I went shopping online, atleast I got the things I wanted, usually the store doesn't. Anyways it's been a week being sick I went from being 212 to 202 since last Saturday! I have a feeling once I start feeling better and eating mushies again…

Was banded 8-25 doing very good. Very little gas. I am getting hungry so I must not have swelled up very much. Go see the DR. on Monday.:frown:

Okay so I had my 5th fill last monday. I had trouble getting my protein down that night, never feeling that much restriction before. I got over that and thought that the trouble might get better. I got sick with a sinus infection in the meantime and I thought that might have something to do with not being able to eat, because of all of the mucus. I have been getting stuck on nearly everything. I am having trouble getting broccoli cheese soup, extremely watered down, down. I have no idea if I am too tight or not. I have all ideas that I am. I just didn't know if I should go with the tightness or if I should get a slight unfill. I tried to eat a few bites of chili …

I am three days post operation. I have had a little pain (gas) and if I sip liquid too fast. Other than that I am not having too much pain anymore. I am eating a diet of sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, slim fast low carb shakes, and nonfat yogurt per my doctor's instructions. How long should I be on this before I move to puree food? Also, does anyone have any good recipes/reccomendations for puree food? I am not to good in the kitchen, more of a convenience food girl.

I want to express my appreciation to everyone here on this forum for the support I found after joining and reading about everyone else's experiences. It has been very comforting and reassuring. After trying too many different "diets" that would initially work and I would drop the weight I wanted to get rid of... I would gain it all back and then some. The yoyo dieting took its toll on my health and heart. While I knew about the band I thought it was too drastic and that I should be able to just lose the weight like I've been programmed to by all the radio ads and television ads. With many fears I called and made an appointment to meet Dr Powell. I had a list of ques…

Seems like most of you have the 10 or 14 cc band "installed". Im looking for others who have a 4cc, like myself. Let's talk. Make yourselves known! :-)

I use Beneprotein powder for my Protein supplement - It is pretty good and can be mixed with just about anything. If you go to Nestl they are offering $15. 00 of your purchase just pay shipping. Thought this might help - those protein mixes can get expensive!!

Hi all, I was banded July 15th and suppose to go for first fill next week. I have noticed in the past 2 weeks or so, that I can only eat a little at a time, but get hungry shortly there-after. Seems like before that I could almost eat as before..is that normal to seem to have more restriction as time goes on? When I eat meat and some other foods, I get that lump in the throat feeling even though I am taking small bites and chewing really good. I almost at this point feel like I dont need a fill. I have lost about 20 pounds in all. Just wondering if this is normal. As far as I know, I didnt get any fill during surgery. Thanks!

I'm sooooo excited this evening. I went to walmart this evening and tried on clothes (this was the first time in a long time for me--usually order online). I tried on a pair of jeans---and guess what?? THEY FIT!!!! It's been over 15 years since I had a pair of jeans! I almost did the happy dance in the middle of the store! :w00t::w00t: I feel so awesome and I'm so happy that I had the band done! I also got a shirt and a bra! (on a side note--has anyone lost a lot of inches in their boobs? 5 inches here :w00t::w00t:).

Hello! My name is Jennifer and I'm new to the site. I am 7 days post op. I know this sounds a little weird, but everyday since the surgery I've had dreams of myself eating something wrong. In my dreams, I forget I've had the surgery until after I've eaten. I think this is a combination of my fears of failing, and my past dieting mentalities. Either way, it scares me! I am also struggling with keeping to my liquid diet while my family and friends are eating normally around me. I have prepared my self for smaller portions and smarter choices but the depression that comes along with a liquid diet totally blind sighted me! Does anyone have any advice for me??

I've been on solids for a little over a week now (I'm 6 weeks post op). Almost every time I eat I get the stuck feeling...unless I'm eating something mushie, then I do okay. Last night I had my first episode of throwing up. :confused1: I tried to eat a bite of a chicken finger (I peeled the outside breading off) and a bit of a potato wedge. Well, it didn't go down well & I was in the bathroom getting rid of it. I know I'm now chewing as well as I should be & I'm eating too fast. I feel like this is my biggest problem, not simply eating too much. The thing is, I keep doing it! I am scared that I'm going to cause a leak. After I threw up last night, that…

I just started law school and I have a backpack that is pretty heavy. I just had surgery 3 1/2 weeks ago. I got a rolling backpack as to not lift much weight. However there are stairs that unavoidably I have to lift my backpack up. I have been trying my best to roll my backpack up the stairs without straining too much. The other day while doing this I felt fine, but the next day I had a small lump under my port. I was concerned so I called my patient facilitator and she told me not to worry that as long as my incisions weren't red or leaking and I wasn't spiking a fever not to worry about it. Well, I had to do this again today and now that I am home the lump under …

Try to make this as short as possible. My last fill was just too much and I was throwing up every day and miserable so after two weeks (waited to see if it would loosen up a little) I started calling my doctor's office. After two more weeks, it finally came to the point that I had to go to the ER and that was also a HUGE fiasco with the staff of my dr's office. Because of their final mistake (not faxing orders for an upper GI and closing down the office for the day), my doctor came to see me in radiology when they called him and he removed 2ccs of my fill. I thought that would be the end of the story but NOOOOOO. My doc ended up doing a scope because of some pain and…

IDK if this is what others experience, but since surgery I have had the shortest anger fuse ever! I used to be very laid back, easy going, not much rattled my cage, but after the surgery - wow, I'm ready to take anyone/everyone's head off with one bite! There was an incident in the grocery store where this guy in line behind me was standing too close and crowding me for no reason. It was all I could do to keep from turning around and telling him to BACK THE F off!! That's how reactionary I've become. At first I thought maybe it was hormones, and maybe it is, but I have zero patience with people these days which makes me almost leery of going out in public. My nice-attude …

I returned home from the hospital today. I'm a little sore, and in a little pain. Although I have many stories and experiences to share, I must share this one first....It had NOTHING to do with my surgery at all. After getting my xray this am and getting moved from recovery to a regular room, I arrived at my new room, and realized that I had a roommate. No big deal. What happened next was one of the most emotional experiences of my life. He had told the nurse that everything was OK in the bathroom, whatever that meant, and he finished his IV Nexium. (a drug used for GERD, or acid reflux) A girl, no older than 35, and a man walked in. My bed was closest to the …

I posted this on the April 09 board too. Just posting here to seek additional advice!!!!! Just wondering if anyone else is feeling the same. Thanks! I was banded on April 7th. I have had 4 fills and am just now starting to feel restriction. I haven't lost any weight yet, other than about 10 pounds at the beginning, which I have managed to keep off. But.....for the longest time I was able to eat pretty much anything and did get stuck once in a while, but never got full on less than what I thought I should have. Now after the 4th fill, I am starting to notice a difference. I had noticed a difference at the last 2 fills, but the restriction seemed to go away. My doctor's e…

I was banded Monday, Aug 10th:thumbup:. I'm sore still, most of my discomfort appears to be from the hiatel hernia repair; a little discomfort near the incisions. My biggest complaint is that I'm so very tired. I'm walking around the yard and the house to keep gas at bay - I'm just extremely fatigued and worry if this will pass in the next week as I'm scheduled to return to work on the 24th. I'll bring this up with the dr Thursday when I return for my follow up appt. By the way, I can't wait to get a good nights sleep; sleeping with 3 pillows bracing me doesn't make for comfortable sleep.

What I mean is phlegm. I don't know if it was cause I was sick out not (had it since Saturday) I'm pretty sure it's phlegm, I can't get it out and it's annoying. Also, can it make you nauseated? Cause I feel a little nauseated

:wink2: I got my lapband surgery in Oct 2008. My last tightening was in April. Ever since then Its been hard to take a deep breath. I have to try a few times to get a good one in. This happens off and on. 3 times its gotten to the point that my arms go numb and my hands tingle. i know that with this surgery your breathing isnt going to be the same espically since te band is right under your diaphram. Ive gone to see several doctors & hospitals. My overall health is fine. I dont know if the breathing/ fainting problem is being caused by somethng getting stuck in my band, drinking wine or what? people keep telling me its anexity but I never ever had it before the tight…

Hello all, I am new to the boards and have been looking for a place to get some mutual support. I have a bit of an issue/concern. The other day following a meal I noticed some pain in my port area and at that point I rubbed my stomach touching the band/port. I noticed then that the port moves up and down. I have never noticed this movement before and consulted with my doctor who said that it may be from losing weight. I am down 69 pounds in 6-7 months. Has anyone else experianced this where you can move the port up and down. My Dr. said that its fine but I just worry alot. Thanks so much Martin

How do you know if your band or port is leaking? I've seen a couple of folks reference this on the board and honestly I'm concerned that something might not be right with my band. I have had very large fills and not had good restriction. The weight-loss has been very slow as a result. In fact I've been stalled at the same point for about two months even with the fill. My Dr has never showed any concern but I'm curious if there are any other symptoms I should look out for? How can the DR test to make sure everything is as it should be? And the right amount is in the band? Melis

I've read several posts where you all mention greek yogurt. Can someone give us the skinny on greek yogurt and why it is better than regular yogurt?

I have been banded over a year - I have not had a fill in a few months because I finally got the right level of restriction. My question has to do with a few nights ago I guess I didn't chew my food enough and I had to make it come back up. The next day my stomach was very sore - I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow that was already scheduled a month ago so I will ask him to check it out but wondered if it is normal for the area where my stomach is to be sore - I have lost food like that before but didn't have the soreness and slight pain that I had this last time - I don't think my band slipped because I think I would have not been able to eat anything today a…

Wanted to know if anyone else experienced this. I got my first fill yesterday....and today I am starving. I had a yogurt for breakfast and now having some coffee and that would usually last me for a while....now 2 hours later and my stomach will not stop grumbling.

Last month when I went in for my one year post-op checkup my doctor was out of town so I saw another doctor who works out of the same office. She put me under the x-ray machine and said that my pouch was stretched - I was very upset and said really? I have never had any problem and she said yes it looks stretched - it is bigger than it should be - then she looked at my file and said "oh no your pouch isn't stretched that is how it has always been, every person is different." Ever since then I have worried about my pouch being too big and that is why I am losing weight so slow because it holds too much food. She said that a normal meal with the band is only a half of a …

Okay, so I need some insight for those of you who have fills and are at restriction. I was banded with the Realize band on 07/07/2009. I went for my first fill on Monday, August 24, and had 3 cc placed. I just had more solid food tonight about 3 hours ago. I tried to evaluate how I was feeling while eating and noticed after finishing my portion that I "could" eat more, but I wasn't ravishening hungry. It is now 3 hours after I have eaten and I don't feel hungry. Is this the feeling I am looking for? Or am I looking to feel really full on just a few bites? This is what I had for dinner. I had less than 1/4 cup of Hamburger helper, 2 teaspoons corn and less than a …

I was banded 1 week ago today and starting to eat mushy/soft food. So even though there is no fill in the band there is still a smaller open area? I may/should feel a bit of resistance with some foods? If I decided to eat a spoonful of Peanut Butter (won't but lets just say) then it would probably cause a problem? I'm confused obviously! :thumbup:

Is anything wrong? Should I go to the DR or should I just brave it out? I spent the night at the hospital for monitoring 9standard for my DR). It varies between 99.9° and 100.5°. Also, why can't i stay awake for more than 5-10 minutes at a time? The anesthesia?

Hi everyone out there. I was wondering if anyone has an IUD form of birth control. I have now had it for 1yr now and has gained weight like 30lbs almost. I have an appointment to set my surgery date for the band and I want to have this IUD removed before getting the band. I feel that this IUD will slow down my weight loss. I have read posts with people that have the IUD and most of them has gained weight from it and a lot has gotten it removed. Anyone out here who have the IUD and the band is your weight loss slower any feeback is helpful to me thanks.

I start stage 3 tomorrow (mushy) and my doctor has low fat crackers on the list. Does this make sense?and is anyone else allowed crackers in the mushy stage? TIA

For those of you who have done this- Would you do it this way again - now that you know what you were in for? What pros & cons did you experience as a result of having surgery together? Do you have young children - if so how did you manage with them? We have a 9yo DD. Hubby and I are trying to decide if we should have the surgery on the same day. Our surgeon said he would do this if we wanted. TIA for your input.

I finally got around to posting some on here and also on my blog. Take a look if you're interested. What an adventure looking through those pictures. A 5 year journey I would do over and over again. LapBand was the best thing that ever entered my life. I love it! Flab2fabdiva's Blog

Don't you hate when the people who kno about ur surgury are watchin what u eat? Its so annoying! I never asked anyone 2 b my doctor! They dont need to tell me what to eat! I feel like im in jail! They all act like I cant eat ANYTHING! Just cuz I had 2 do the stupid liquid diet for 4 weeks, they think I have to be on that for the rest of my life! Like give me a freakin break! I move on to soft foods and they acting like I cant do that. And solids are like Im disobeying my diet to them..Im 1 month post op if I want a small portion of rice let me freakin have it! Im human just like everybody else and it makes me mad when people look at me like Im some alien just because im e…

I need some ideas for protein shakes. I'm not sure if i can use stuff like peanut butter to mix in with my protein powder and milk? or does it all have to be clear liquids for the first week out of surgery. I need some recipe ideas please! I can't stand just milk and vanilla protein powder which is what I have. Anyone have any ideas please!!!

Hi all, I tried WW in the past before banding and liked the points system to help keep me on track. So, I was wondering since we consume considerably less food after getting fills (mine is scheduled for tomorrow, yayyyy!!). Is tracking the points any different than before being banded? Thank you!

Ok so I was banded on May 20, 2009 and to date I have lost 51 pounds which I am very happy with. However, I feel like I am doing this all on my own without any help from the band at this point. I had my 3rd fill last Thursday and the surgeon was even hesitant to do it because I've been losing so well. But he put in .5 cc. The problem is, I feel like I have no restriction whatsoever. I could probably eat about 2 times more than what the band allows. I am hungry all day and nothing really seems to fill me up. I've explained this to the surgeon, but he won't do anything again until my next appointment which is in the end of October. I am so frustrated and depressed about thi…

Hi I am wondering if anyone has suggestions on toning hard places? Or good tips for toning... I have lost weight and now have flabby arms and loose skin in the neck area. Thanks:wink2:

I was banded Feb.18 2008 I have lost 94 pounds I am 7 poundsfrom goal.Has anybody flown since banded?

while they DO make me full, they also have a lot of sugar and carbs. just wondering if there is a healthier alternative out there. when i have to be someplace after work, i get these bars for dinner and feel like they might not be what i should be eating...... thanks!