POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am about 5 months out post band...and ever since I was banded I have been having HORRIBLE menstrual cramps and MISERABLE nausea during my period:bored: I never had this before!!!! And it just started right after surgery..... Did this happen to anyone else? Does anybody have any ideas why in the world this is happening??????:thumbup::skep:

My surgeon said I needed to wait 6 weeks before incorporating aerobic exercise and weights back into my routine. I am supposed to be walking 2 miles or 40 minutes per day at this time instead. My question is do you think riding my bike--it's just a beach cruiser with no gears--would be okay? Did anyone else ride there bike 1.5 to 2 weeks post-op? I don't think it's much more strain on my body than walking, but I don't want to set myself back any. I can call the doctor's office on Monday, but this weekend is only supposed to be in the 80's and low 90's, so it would be perfect. The more I think about it, I should probably just wait until I speak with the doctor, but…

I am worried I may eat too much. I can eat more than I should and do not feel full. I have been keeping track of my Protein, Calories and Carbs. I am doing well but do not really know how many carbs or calories we should limit it too. I am almost 2 week Post OP.

I just got home today. I had surgery on Wed. (Aug. 12, 09). For me it was a breeze. I did have a little pain in my chest that moved to my shoulder. I got out of bed last night and walked the hallways at the hospital and it helped a lot. I am glad that part is over. Im looking forward to my success. To think, I was about to cancel because I was so scared and unsur of myself:thumbup:.

Sorry this is long...but I do need your input... How do you know the difference between being "full" and the possibilty of eating the wrong food? I FINALLY got to eat Mexican today. It was wonderful...all the flavors and spices! Spicey foods never made me ill before, but I did have a hernia repaired. My surgery was 3 and 1/2 weeks ago. I ate the shredded chicken from a chicken enchilada, refried Beans, and tortilla Soup -minus the cheese and tortillas. I had some hot sauce, no seeds just the juice, and did eat a total of maybe two chips dipped in the salsa. I took newborn baby bites and waited a good while in between. But, after I ate, I didn't feel very good. I h…

When I get up from a sitting position or staighten up after bending over I get shooting pains in my port area. I also have a funny feeling about 4 inches below the port that feels like something moving and it sometimes tickles. The week before I worked at a car wash fundraiser and lifted buckets of water, I am two months post op. Has anyone else experienced this? Could I have dislodged the port or have a twisted tube?

I can seenm to eat anything. Yes, I have lost 15 lbs so far but I am surprised how much I can eat. Will this change when I get my 1st adjustment?:biggrin:

my weight loss has been on the slow side. up until last week I had lost approximately 23 pounds since march 25th. WELL, I just had my fourth fill on Monday and as of today have lost 7 pounds (in five days) Im not complaining about the weight loss but Im worried about it being healthy

PB or sliming episode? I am currently on on my post op diet (full liquids) and I am so scared to eat b/c I dont want to PB or slime. When did everyone experience thier first? Was it on real foods or mushies, or even liquids? Thanks for the input! Meredith

Hello! I was just banded a few days ago and am already having trouble coming up with menu's. I'm still on the "liquid stage". Does anyone have any suggestions. So far it seems all I'm eating/ drinking is pudding, yogurt, and Carnation Instant Breakfast. Any suggestions would help me alot! Thank you!:biggrin:

anyone recently banded and the band was not able to be tacked to the stomach... any problems... please respond if you have answers

Ok here goes...............I am hungry morning, noon, and night!!! No it is not head hunger.......Stomach growls, headache, etc! I was banded April 20th was hungry by the second day.........had a fill in June, was still hungry, went back 2 weeks later because something got suck, and had to be completely unfilled for 6 weeks. Just got filled again 3 weeks ago. I have no restriction, can eat everything. This is a nightmare, all I am doing is dieting, not losing any weight either. I hurt my foot and shoulder do to a fall, so I can not exercise for at a month doctor said. Not do for another fill till September. I know this is just a aid, but it is not aiding me at al…

Like anything to everything can I have some tips too? Thanks (:

Anyone else had less than 1 ml fill and noticed a difference?? I only got .3 put in yesterday for my second fill and I'm not noticing anything So I'm now at an even 4mls in a 10ml band. Was hoping for some good restriction this time...my doc said I would feel it...does it gradually happen or do you immediately feel a difference once filled? Anyone??!! :confused: Feeling a little down today.

I can seenm to eat anything. Yes, I have lost 15 lbs so far but I am surprised how much I can eat. Will this change when I get my 1st adjustment?:biggrin:

:thumbdown:How long will this last?I just feel like I have absolutely no energy. Ive never been put under until this surgery so I dont know if its normal so be tired days after or what? Then of course I physc myself out and keep giving myself unnecessary aniexty. I have bad aniexty as it is..ugh! so far I dislike lapband!

So I do my best thinking in the shower. As I was getting ready to pack my things for a afternoon and evening at the beach and desperately trying to find clothes that fit me since most are all now huge on me, I thought I can't be the only one going through this. Wouldn't it be nice if we could start a clothing exchange system where we send a particular size clothing to somebody in need of that size. There are still many details that would need to be ironed out but I thought perhaps this is doable. Feedback (without rudeness) is greatly appreciated. Donna

I forgot to ask the surgeon when I met with her, and the patient intake lady didn't know... How do they choose which size band to put in you? I know my clinic uses both the small and the large Allergen bands, and I just wondered what were the determining factors? Stomach size? Amount of weight you need to lose? From the pictures it looks like the small size gets more restriction overall, even though it actually holds less Fluid. Inquiring minds want to know!

I am looking for a buddy that might in the same area as I am. Or maybe someone who used Dr Spivak. Also support groups in my area

I was banded on 7/31/09 and am doing well except for the on and off shoulder pain. One minute I feel fine and the next I am ready to rip my arm off! My shoulder hurts more than my surgery site. Any suggestions? How long does this last? Thanks!

Hey Everyone, I just want to put out there that I was banded 3 August, if there is anyone else out there wanting to keep in touch about how we are doing please, "write on!"

u guys all i have been thinking is what have i done to myself i was banned on 8/11 and things just haven't been right since then ihave been in pain and hunger since the pain is getting a lil better but the hunger will not go away does this get better can i look foward to the day where ican eat normal again without eatting like a bird

Hey, well I was just banded yesterday morning at NYU Medical Center by Dr. Marina Kurian and I just have to say that I had such a wonderful experience and can't believe how amazing the surgeon as well as the hospital performed. I had SIL, or a single incision, and I was allowed to go home later the same day. Everyone at the hospital was so kind and friendly. They really took care of me. I would recommend them to anyone undergoing this surgery. It was absolutely hassle free, and fast! After a year of waiting, I can't believe I am here walking around with the band inside of me. I can only tell because of my incision site! Everyone on the forum said that the surgery wasn't…

a little history - i was banded april 14, 2009. i never felt any kind of fullness or restriction until after my 2nd fill - july 9th. since then i've had to vomit daily after eating. not big portions, but some things just won't go down. i know i don't always eat the "right" things or the healthiest things but the quantity is cut tremendously from my "norm". here's my biggest dilemma...I'M NOT LOSING WEIGHT! i just don't understand it. i can barely get food down throughout the day and i'm still not losing??? what is going on? i've only lost about 35 lbs and some of that is pre-surgery! i'm so discouraged and so regretful for even having the surgery at this point.…

Hi!! I hope you guys can help me I had a hiatal hernia repair and the Lap Band at the same time. I have read lots of people have the same thing done. Were your diets any different post op because of the hernia repair? Were you on liquids longer because of the hernia repair? Thank you so much for all your help!!

to lose 23 pounds by september 8th or by september 18th, eat 3 meals a day (i start mushies tomorrow), 9, 12, and 5 and have my water and gatorade in between and my protein twice a day. what are some good exercises besides walking? exercises that you did at 2 weeks post op? theres exercises in seventeen mag that i would like to do but im not sure i can cause you need to use your abs, what did you do? how about DDR or Wii Fit? ahhh!!

Hello all, I just wanted to let you know about my recent development. I had Single Incision procedure on Aug 11 and was discharged from the hospital the same day. My prescription pain killer was hydrocodone and loritab liquid. After leaving the hospital and going back to the hotel room, I took a 3 T dose of the medication. I had never had surgery before, nor have I taken any pain medications, so I was more nervous about HAVING pain than actually having pain. As I was just out of the hospital I took it because it seemed like I would sleep the night through and why take a chance. The next day I woke up and my legs, back, stomach, neck, and a…

I'm driving from St. Louis to Kansas City for the surgery. It's scheduled for a friday. My Mom lives in KC so we're staying with her and can stay all weekend if needed, however, my husband really wants to get back Saturday night for a very close friends 40th b-day party. He understands that if I'm not up to we won't make the 4 hour drive back just yet though. How did you guys feel? Do you think it will be ok to drive back the day after? We have a mini van so I'll have plenty of room? TIA

I want some fun exercises that work the whole body, I need to get going it's wicked hot hot high in the 80s and it's going to be like that all week, I went for a walk this morning and it was soo hot and barely any shade, really wish I could go swimming my surgeron said I could but I'll wait, I have DDR and wii fit like I said in other posts but I want actual exercises, what did you guys do? I really need to get going!

I start a new job on Monday (which I am super excited about, but that is a different story). I had to turn in my name tag and a sheet signed off by a bunch of different departments to HR. They are on the first floor and I was told they could take my nametag. The girl (I say girl because she couldn't have been over 20) looked me up and down and said I needed to take it up to the 4th floor and since I would need the elevator she would escort me with the key. What the heck? I have lost over 80lbs and feel great. 4 flights of stairs doesn't even wind me anymore. I made it up and down without a hair out of place. She looked shocked. What a dork!

I am 8 days post-op and I am just now having trouble breathing while I am seated. The discomfort is only in the area where my port is. This is only a recent thing, and would have told my doc but I have already gone for my post-op appointment. Any recommendations?

So, I had my band surgery on 6/9, had my first fill of 4.25cc on 7/27. I called and scheduled my next fill for 8/28. Hoping to get some restriction this time, as right now, am able to eat up to 2 cups of food and am hungry again a couple hours later. Nothing like the 4 hours apart that the doc said to look for. I do not own a scale so can only weigh at the docs office, I am taking measurements weekly though. I am down a total of 3 inches in my breast, 4 in my waist and 5 in my hips. And as of last doc appt on 7/27 I was down 20 lbs also. YAHOOO, but I really need to get some restriction, the hunger hurts cause I then want to snack. I drink another bottle of crystal lit…

would it be ok you think? did anyone do it a day early? i had something mushy that my brother made, had to water it down cause it was too thick but after that went down ok and i had half a cup didnt even finish half a cup i think 1/4 or whatever cup after that will be enough, i still feel full which is good and i feel fine, so do you think a day early would hurt? not literally but its just a day before and im more satisfied when i ate that, what do you think? i dont want to have to call my surgeon again! ugh i need to start counting my cals again oh and the greek yogurt is actually good, i didnt think it would be haha

was anyone given morphine pump for pain in hospital stay and oxycodone at home? i'm banded in 5 days and am not one for meds that make me loopy! never had these drugs and wonder if i'll be stoned, and also get easily nauses from over the counter meds. but also do not want to feel pain if i don't have to.

Good Morning All, Just some background info. I was banded on 3/30/09. I've had 3 fills; 2 unfills. I've lost 44 lbs so far. It's been a hard road lately. My third fill (2 cc's) was way to tight. I went back and pull out .8 cc's. Still to tight, went back and they pulled 1 cc out. So now, I have 6.5 cc's in my band. Now, it's not tight enough. I can eat just about anything. Dangerous road for me! My next fill is scheduled for 9/16. I am working out six days a week. Now, I am back up 2 lbs. I seem to sabatoge myself. For some weird reason, I am tighter at night instead of in the morning. I end up eating too much in the morning. I just need to get my head on st…

After two weeks on my liquid diet, and one week post-op, I am down 34 pounds. Blood pressure was 119/67 so my doc took me off my hypertension med, Benicar. Slight problem with lower intestinal gas, but Gas X eliminated it. I have had no acid problems, no reflux, and no pain. I am truly blessed and wanted to share the good news. On another note...has anyone heard from Ange from down under? Her surgery was earlier this week but have not heard a peep.

I was banded on 11/20/08 in Columbia, SC. I have now moved to Atlanta, GA. I am having a hard time finding a surgeon who is taking transfer patients. The few that I have found want me to pay way too much $$$$. Can any one help me??????:thumbup:

I'm gonna play some DDR today and of course without jump mode and I'm gonna see what my wii fit scale says lol anybody else play these games?

So I was wondering what size is the large band? I asked my doc what size band he put on I THOUGH he would have said whatever cc but he said large was just wondering is that 14cc size band?

Hey guys and gals, I have totally fell off the wagon. I had to have a complete unfill last month because my band was so tight for so long and my stomach become very irritated. It was nobodys fault but my own, I should have contacted my doctor as soon as I figured out I was too tight, but I didnt. Since I have had my unfill I have gained 4 pounds back of what I had lost. I have totally stopped any kind of exercise and am constantly feeling hungry. I often give into the hunger feeling even when I know that it is head hunger. I see other people in the house eating and I want to eat with them, so I end up doing it. I don't have an appointment until the 19th of this …

I was banded on 12-31-08 have lost maybe 50 and feeling like a complete failur with it all.. To top it off- My insurance comapnay had come back and said they recooped all their money becasue it wasnt a covered procudure! This is after I got an approval letter and they even gave a per cert number the day before. They paid for it in March and ow took all their money back and say I owe the 35000.00! now- I cant afford it even if I sold everything in my house- What can I do- How am I going to pay this- If they garnish my checks I wont have enough to support my famly etc.. Can they do this? Can any one help me- I dont have the money for an attorney to fight them.... :drool:

Would you please call Michelle O?

I just had my 4th (or 5th) fill this past Tuesday, they did this one under fluro and the doctor said I have about 1/2 to 1cc left to fill and then it's full. She noticed that my pouch was small, so thats good news. Seeing the Barium go down fairly easily after the fill made me feel both good and bad. Good that we could to see the small pouch and bad because there was not much restriction (I know it was just fluid) I'm on mushy/easy foods for today, so we'll see how full I feel this weekend with real food. Anyone near the top end of what their band will hold with not much restriction at all?? I haven't had anything get stuck, nothing has come back up either. I am ver…

Hi everyone. This is my first time visiting this site. It appears to be a great resource. Since my surgery, I've been able to eat pretty much anything I want, just alot less of everything. I have lost 35 pounds since my surgery on April 20, even without a fill. I feel very blessed. I have stalled in the last month, so I got my first fill yesterday. I am extremely nervous! I keep hearing about getting "stuck". I am wandering when I will know that there is a problem? Will I know as soon as I attempt to swallow something that it is not working, or will I seem to be eating just fine and then have pain and/or vomitting later? If so, how much later? At what point can I relax an…

Today at lunch, I was eating some gumbo (no rice, and just eating the meat) and I found out quickly that sausage does not like my band. After some awful sliming and PBing, I decided not to go for the gumbo anymore (though I was at a work luncheon and gumbo was my best option). However, when I got home tonight, I made a turkey/cheese roll for dinner, and it got STUCK. I thought someone had put an ice pick in my chest right below my breastbone. I have not had such pain in a long time. I wonder if maybe getting stuck had to do with my PBing at lunch? Finally, I remembered that my nurse prac. told me that warm Water will often flush out stuck foods. I tried that and…

We used to do these on the WW boards. First list what stage you are in (liquids, Mushies, Regular Food) and then list what you have ate for the day. We can use mine as a sample. Liquids B--whey Protein shake w/skim milk 8 oz. L--Cream of chicken Soup (1/2 cup) D--Isopure Protein Shake (and it was good!) 40 grams protein This helped us a lot with seeing what others are eating to give everyone ideas.

Okay, I watch a lot of lap band patients on youtube and most of them seem to have an accountability partner. So how many of you here have an accountability partner and if you do, how does he/she help to keep you on track? I have been struggling for 5 days now and have gained some weight (not a lot though), but weight gain is not part of this journey.

Hi all! I was just banded on 8/3 and even though I spent 2 years studying and going to support groups and learning everything I could learn I still have questions that I feel I should already know the answers to Here are some figures: Starting weight Nov '07: 333 Pre-Surgery Weight: 292 Banded on 8/3/09 Current Weight: 281.5 My concerns now are that since it seems I'm done loosing Water weight, I need to enter into a more aggressive stage of calorie restriction which is proving to be very difficult as my Protein shakes are on the high end (200) calories per serving and yet I am still missing my protein requirements by ablt 10 grams. I am already in the…

I am wondering how concerned I should be about getting flouro- it's an x -ray! I have never been told to wear a protective vest or anything.

Ok, I realize this is probably a stupid question/concern, but here it is. I am two weeks post op today. I had my stitch out Monday. Today, I am noticing that my port seems to be moving about. I had to have my band defilled 2 days post op due to excessive swelling. Today, my port is not where they stuck the needle to defill me. It is only moving around an area of about 3-5 inches, but it is definitely moving. At least that is my perception. Has this happened to anyone else? Is this a problem? Please let me know. Thanx so much.