POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

My sister's best friend had the band done only a few days ago. She's always been a very big girl and has a serious sweet tooth. I"ve seen her polish off a half gallon of ice cream in 1 sitting multiple occasions. And that's not being snarky or judgemental cuz i've mindlessly polised off half a bag of chips more times than i can count. I actually tried to get her to consider bypass as opposed to band due to the sweet tooth. Well she calls me today to say she feels really sick. Well the 1st thing i told her was to call her doc ASAP. then i ask, what have you been eating. Then she proceeds to tell me that for starters she drove her kids to McDonalds and ate fries and ha…

Okay, so I am five months post op. Lost 62 pounds as of today. Yay! Right? Well, yea, but, sigh..... My friggin PCM orders some labs done. Check. She calls me telling me my liver enzymes are abnormal. Says, "go have a liver ultrasound." Sigh. Okay, I go. She then calls me, asks if I am having pain. NOPE. Well, she says, "you have an abnormal test result." What is wrong, I ask. She won't tell me, only says we will discuss it at my next appt in FIVE FRIGGIN weeks!!! Yea, need I mention I hate this witch? Panic sets in. :thumbup: So the next day I have an appt with my bariatric surgeon, standard fill check. I go in, tell him the story, he can't believe she called me and wo…

Does anyone know if watermelon should be treated as a regualr food with no drinking 30 minutes before or after or can it be consumed as a liquid since it mostly is? Thanks for your help! Kim Banded on August 13th by Dr. Trevedi (New Jersey) Starting weight 305 Current weight 287

I know there was a thread about this before, but I forgot...it's day 10 and I started the full liquids 3 days ago. Basically with my doctor that only meant adding the flavored/thicker protein drinks. It's taking me over an hour to drink one and then I feel like I constantly have to burp for another hour. Ouch! I've tried thinning it out with water. Any other suggestions? Still not really feeling hungry but the smell of food is really getting to me. Four more days to mushies. I can't wait to eat a scrammbled egg!

I had surgery on June 4th. I just had my 2nd fill and nothing has changed. I still can eat a normal size meal- anything I want. I'm still going on will power.........and like usual some days are better than others. I'm hungry all the time and feel like I'm just on another diet. Does it really get better after you feel restriction??? I don't even have to chew anything...I try sometimes for practice.......but I know I don't have to- and sometimes don't. I walk everyday. I have lost 25 lbs since surgery..........I should be happy- but I just think of how far I have to go. Just getting frustrated I guess............how many fill and how did it change after the band …

how long after your surgery were you able to drive? Thanks Kim surgery 9/15

I had my third fill last week and since then have felt less full. Does anyone have this problem. Will the fluid settle and be more full?

Got a quick question. Hopefully they answer can be answered fairly fast. I was just wondering, if I do my crunches on my water bed, will it be as effective as if I did them on the floor or on a bench?

Got banded on Friday. I've been using Unjury's Protein powder, blended with 8oz of skim milk, per the dieticians instructions to drink three 8oz servings a day. However, after I run it through the blender, the final product is well more than 8oz due to it getting "fluffed up" in the blender. My question is this: So should I be drinking the entire amount I'm mixing, or only 8oz of the final fluffed up product?

I feel tired most of the time, I take my vitamins and protein, and I know my prob, I can't get to bed at a normal time and I usually wake up 3-4 hours later and it takes a little while to go back to bed then I get up at 9-10 then I'm up for the rest of the day. Could it be part of the anxiety/stress is there anything I could do to relax me? Wish I could take a bath but I don't know when I could have those, wish my bed was as comfy as it was when I got a new mattress (: I could possibly need fluffier pillows, what makes you relax and sleep through the whole night?

Ok I know i am not supposed to have coffee fro a very long time after this.. but I need it.. so i made a cup of decaf and diluted it.. it's not good... when can i have me beloved coffee back???? yes, I know i am only 4 days post-op, but man i don't want to eat.... just give me coffee.....

I've been banded for 5 months now. I like to think I have band experience, but some days I still feel like I have no idea what this thing is doing in my body. I understand how easy it is to fail ourselves with the band, because it is still a lot of hard work. I haven't worked out in weeks, and I don't want to work out. I feel so lazy... maybe I'm depressed? I eat whatever is readily available and will go down easy. On Thursday, I had a really bad stuck episode that kept me heaving in the back parking lot at work well beyond my lunch break. It was meet the teacher day for my boys, so I was in a big hurry to get them fed during my lunch hour. In my haste, I scarfed down my …

I'm 3 weeks and 2 days post op. I don't know why but it kind of hurts. On Friday I ate something wrong and was sick all day yesturday I have that weird feeling in my throat. Yesturday I felt like vomitting but nothing came up, I think I had to do a pb and I don't know how, I have that feeling my throat again I want it out it's probably mucus/that slime stuff. My stomach just feels like someone punched me, all around where the band is, on my sides and in the middle of my belly. I really don't know what do but I want to get checked make sure nothing is wrong, it seems like I'll never get back to myself I was before surgery, I never been like this my whole life I'm starting …

Just wondering if there is some point when you can be pretty sure that the danger of a leak has passed?

Ive had my 2nd fill on aug. 21st...im getting the stuck feeling for everything i eat (especially bread), i take lil bits and chew very well..am i too full or at my sweet spot...i did get to eat like 2 oz of fish and about 5 tbls of spinach wo getting stuck last night but im just not sure..im staying full just wondering what others have to say..oh i have 10cc band and i have 6cc in it now..2cc at surgery, 2cc july 24th, 2cc aug. 21st.

hey! everyone, i just got banded 4 days ago and have alot of pain at port site. it is also indented, i was told they attach the port to a muscle wall. evidently my muscle was buried under 2 inches of chub! so my port incision is indented in. anyone have this? also, i was not filled at surgery but i am not hungry and have not eaten for 6 days, only gatorade and apple juice and water.tomorrow, even if i'm not hungry, i will try some protein shake. i have kept on my oxycodone, as pain at port is to much to go alone. would love feedback!lisa6:confused:

1. The incissions will they always be noticable? Will they fade? How long does it take for them to fully heal? 2. I have this weird feeling in my throat I think it's like mucus or that slime stuff, how do I get it out? 3. It slightly hurts around where the band is on my right side, could I have used my abs too much when I get up or stretch? 4. I saw someones pic when they got to their goal and the band stuck out, does any body elses stick out? 5. Sometimes when I get up out of bed I get dizzy well I think it was cause I only had chicken broth, yogurt, and mashed potato, so why? 6. There's this guy I know and we finally got together but he doesn't know about me having…

Hello, I am 3 days post-op and had a terrible night! PROFOUND headache and nausea - It took everything I had not to vomit. I think I have turned a corner but any suggestions? Did this happen to you? When will I start feeling good again? Thanks I'm probably just being a baby!

...a little TOO fine. Going down easy, through the band no problem and RIGHT out the back door!!! Sorry, TMI! I am going strictly by the book, have no pain and I am close to home so it's not a big deal but.......HOLY CRAP. no pun intended.

OK, those who are a lot farther out than I am: I am still unbelievably tired. I am 11 days out from surgery, but today I got up at 7, napped from 8-11, napped again from 2:15 until 4, and could still just go and curl up and sleep more. Is this normal? If so, how long will it last? I even went for a 1.5 mile 30 minute walk this evening and was yawning on the way home! I so hope this will pass soon.

I am beginning my third week and just starting pureed foods. How will I know if I tolerate them or not. Will I get sick, will I have pain, I'm unsure as to what the signs of intolerance are.....

Can i move on to phase 4 solid foods when i have 3 weeks till my first fill?

I had surgery on 14 Aug. I am looking for the best/best tasting chewable Vitamins and Calcium. What do you like? and where do you get it? TIA Amber

What is the best way to get a fill? The last couple I've had haven't helped that much.

Just curious. How often are you hungry? Or are there moments when you're not even hungry at all? About how much food can you eat at a sitting? Are you snacking? I am wondering because I have 7.5cc in a 10cc band and I still feel hungry. The nurse told me the other day that I should be close to the green zone. Um, I am still hungry and still can eat quite a bit, less, but still more then I'd like. Thanks, Andrea

I am 2 weeks out and so tired sleeping on my back, it is sometimes sore in the morning. I usually sleep back, side, back, other side, etc. (toss and turn) Last night, I went to bed on my back and woke myself up this morning when I turned onto my side. I woke up feeling like my innards were on fire, like all that 'stuff' in there was being pushed to the side. Did I damage something? Do you sleep on your side? Is it OK to sleep on your side? Is it too soon to sleep on my side???

am 5 days post op and have had no issues - I have travelled 3 hours as a passenger in a car and ALL day I have felt like there is something stuck in my throat . WHY

A little while ago I felt so sick to my stomach and I don't know why I went #2 twice and I think that's what I have...the poos and my whole tummy hurts especially my right side and I was cold now I'm really hot well not really hot just hot and it's midnight hope it goes away ):

Help! I dont understand what im doing wrong. Am I failing my band or is my band failing me. I had my surgery July 13, 2009. Pre surgery Lost:thumbup: 15 lbs. Post surgery Ive:thumbup: lost 15 lbs. I dont get my first fill until September 18 because the the doctors office is so backed up. Any how I was doing really great at first, wasnt hungry at all. Didnt really have an appetite. Following the diet was great as far as the liquids phase goes. Then as soon as I started to eat regular food. I lost one pound one week and the next week I :scared2: gained 4 pounds and havent been able to get it off. What am I doing wrong? I Know I seem to be having a small issue with dri…

I've heard it talked about before, and i knew what it was, but i guess not going through it I was never really sure... the "sweet spot" that is. Last friday i go to the doctor for another check up, and maybe another fill, the doctor asks me if the band is starting to work for me yet.... i say yeah sure, I can only eat two slices of thin crust pizza, a year ago i could have eaten 5 or 6 slices easy...... so i think yeah must be the sweet spot, now an hour later, i could have eaten maybe another slice, i just usually didn't. Doctor Mike say's,.... I think you need a fill? so Wow all those months i thought i was at my "sweet spot" I was wrong!!!! I think i am at a …

I had an issue with the "runs" All through my liquid diet and even a few days after surgery. Im on full liquids now..I can eat oatmeal (THIN) and soups (blended) so that basically still ALL liquids.. but now I can't poop! Sorry to be so direct.. but dang.. wahts going on?!

I got banded on August 11 and everything is going great band wise. I feel a little silly asking this, but how did you guys get the glue from the band aids off? It hurts to scrub, so does anyone have any ideas?

I'm four days after my first fill, 3 ccs in the band. Not much restriction. So I had a piece of halibut, an ear of corn, some pieces of cucumber, and about half a plum at dinner. Three hours later I'm really hungry. So I had a teaspoon of peanut butter. The halibut was half a lb. before cooking. Was this a good day or did I eat too much?

HI, MY NAME IS SUSAN I WAS BANDED ON 07/29//09. I HAVE NOT LOST A POUND SINCE BEING BANDED.(I WENT FROM 257 POST OP TO 230 SURGERY DAY) I DONT KNOW WHAT I AM DOING WRONG. I DONT GET MY 1ST FILL TILL 09/17/09.I HAVE NO RESTRICTION AND CAN EAT WHATEVER I WANT TO. BUT I TRY TO STICK TO AT LEAST 80 MG OF PROTINE AND LESS THAN 25G OF CARBS A DAY. i TRY TO STAY UNDER 1000 CAL. OR AS CLOSE TO THAT AS I CAN.I HAVE 2 TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENTS BUT DO WALK IN MY POOL FOR 30 MIN. A DAY. CAN ANYONE GIVE ME ANY ADVISE.:cursing::thumbup:

I'm 12 days post surgery and am still sore. I was on the liquid only for two weeks and have started pureed foods; mashed potatoes, applesauce, cottage cheese. I find I am still sore and wonder if that's normal. Mostly when I roll over in bed or bend over.

These are my biggest challenges when it comes to eating right. I'm a single mom of two active boys who are both in school. Getting them to school, daycare, sports, birthday parties, etc., keeps me very busy so I often don't have enough time to make meals that are both healthy and band-friendly. Additionally, I've taken a paycut recently, so the food budget is pretty small. Does anyone have ideas for quick, healthy meals that are also economical? Or am I shooting for the moon here? I'm getting a little burned out on cheese and lunch meat.

Before I begin, I am sharing this because if there is one person going through this like I was do NOT just tell yourself to tough it out. I am glad I didn't. I write this to share and to help as I am not loking for sympathy. I was banded 8/12/09 and the surgery was textbook. I did have a bad day dealing with vomiting the day of surgery, but that was not unusual as it was a result of the anesthesia. What was unusual is about two days afer I came home I started getting extremely nauseous and would vomit at least 3 times in a day. I am on the clear liquid diet, so my intake amounts were very small. I was in communication with my doctor daily for three days. We tried anti-…

Im so nervous already from everything that could go wrong and then my buddy mentioned MRSA (Staph) Am I at risk for this? Do people get this infection often? What can I do to protect myself?

For dinner, almost anything goes. It starts over every day. I know some of it has to do with sinus drainage but what explains the rest?

When I ever I do something that makes me sweat I get these tiny red bumps looks like a rash but it use to be veryyy itchy! And I only get it on my stomach, small parts on my chest, my upper arms that cannect to my chest, and now I'm starting to get it on my arms, but that's the only time I get it is when I sweat, it's so weird! And it's not itchy anymore! I never experiance this before surgery, ever!

I was banded on Monday, Aug 17 and am still trying to figure things out. The more I read, the more I get confused, but I have figured out a few things. 1) pill splitters only go so far in crushing meds. After I use a pill splitter, I put the halfs in a large chinese Soup spoon (I have a bunch). Then I take another chinese soup spoon (smaller) and use the two spoons to crush the pills. Very quick and easy. 2) before my surgery (and unrelated) I used extra brewed coffee and made them into coffee ice cubes for ice coffee. Still confused about being able to have decaf or any coffee, but it is my understanding the amount in an ice cube is small enough to not worry. S…

http://www.thebodyimagecenter.com/uploads/Bariatric_surgery_food_cravings.pdf It's worth the read, especially the 2nd page, third paragraph from the bottom.:smile1:

doesn't make it right...I'm in no way condoning it, and it's not in me to do it.....but I SWEAR, a wonton spoke to me tonight when I had a little broth. It opened it's salty little doughy lips and called to me! And, no...I've been off the percs for a day. I admit to chuckling when someone mentioned licking garlic bread last week....well I'd liked to have licked the inside of that wonton. Ah well....next month I'll actually be able to eat a bit of that inside meat if I must. What food spoke to you towards the end of your clear or full liquid stage? I dont mean did you cheat either....no offense but I dont care to hear those stories!

I haven't had good restriction since I'd say January due to port issues. So, got my fill yesterday and I'm on liquids for a few days. Just started drinking my morning shake and took my pills with it. Only had about 1/4 cup of it and then it all came up! Guess I've got some good restriction going on! I need to get back into the mindset of drinking slowly again and probably cut my pills a little smaller!

So, after about six months of little or no progress, a flipped port, a port revision, and my first fill post-op, I am finally regaining some hope that I had lost! When I first had my Lap Band put in, I did very well and then it stalled and I haven't lost anything in months. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't following a strict diet and part of that was due to depression about the band not working, so I do admit my part in this. However, I got my fill today and am back on track! The doc even said that he would give me another 6 months of free fills since I am self pay since he said that it was his fault that I couldn't get the fills. I am very excited to get back on track and …

I have to fly down the week surrounding Labor Day (visit my dad who's in the hospital), and wondered if anyone has ideas for places I can walk, or a pool I might swim in? Are there good restaurants for bandsters in the area?? I also have to try to plan what I can take on the plane...anyone with advice? I am assuming Protein drinks are a no-no because of the 3 oz thing?? Thank you! Nancy

Hi I was banded July 7 and the first fill was Aug 4. THe day of my fill, I felt restriction and was happy to feel it and feel full. The next day I felt no restriction, got hungry between meals and ate more than should have, portion-wize. I feel as though I have more food capacity than I should feel. Could this be a stretched pouch and how can it be checked? Worried, Mari

Hi, I have a question. Ever since my surgery, I have not felt the urge to urinate. Before, in the mornings, I'd always have that pushing feeling on my bladder that told me, "uh-oh I've got to pee." But since my sleeve, I have not once had that feeling. Maybe I'm not drinking enough, but I do drink right before bed, and after 6 - 8 hours of sleep, I feel like I should FEEL like I need to pee, but don't. I guess you could say I just KNOW when to pee, but never get that push on my bladder. Is this normal?

Post-Op.. Okay, so I woke up in the recovery area with a 20 pound english bulldog on my chest - and he kept jumping up and down with his huge feet and digging his claws into my stomach. I lay there for a few minutes to try and orient myself when this nurse comes over and offers me ice chips. I take a big spoonful - because my mouth is sooooo dry - and promptly start puking. Note to self - suffer with the dry mouth - do not take the ice. After a few dry heaves - I fall back asleep and the next thing I know - they wheel me and the bulldog into my private room. I'm in pain, I feel like I can't breath - and I'm very nauseous. The pain is not horrible - but it starts…

Has anyone had their first fill done at the hospital or with fluoroscopy? I'm having my first done on Wednesday and wondered if they make you drink nasty Barium instead of water when they do this. Thanks!