POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

So I've just got home from my second fill appointment...apparently I have lost 3kgs since my first fill (YAY!)...so even though I have been eating more than I thought/think I should be, it has to still be better than what I was like pre-band. Anyway, he only filled me up .3!!! I was hoping for more but apparently I was only at 3.7 (not 4 as I thought) and my band had some air in it. So he withdrew the 3.7 and replaced it with an extra .3 which now brings me to the even 4 I thought I was. LOL...I am just hoping that that .3 will do something! (Has anyone else only been given a small fill (less than a mil) and actually noticed a difference?) Whilst I was there, he told …

Lower Left Shoulder Pain? Jachut or Wasabubblebut are you out there? Any suggestions on that? I am really hurting the last couple of days.

my surgeron said it was ok so im going to go swimming tomorrow, i wondering if anybody else went swimming at 1 and 1/2 weeks post op? and my surgeron said yes to all my questions which were 1. Is it okay to go to vermont and to their fair(rides) 2. is it okay to have tylenol pills for headaches 3. can i start exercising? 4. can i go swimming he said yes to all those so yay but just tell me if any of you went swimming this early thanks (:!

Okay I was banded 1 week tomorrow. I woke up this morning and have this pain under my right breast bone and has moved to my back a bit. when I am sitting here it does not hurt. When I stretch to the side or like do the taking the shirt off motion it feels really sore like bruised....should I call my doctor about this. I am afraid I did something bad. I also had my hernia repaired while there were in there.

When I take a deep breath or cough it hurts.. normal? Also Im feeling really tired..and when im tired i get aniexty for some reason. I cant shower til tomorrow which is WHAT usually starts my days!..sucks. Anyway, am I tired from being put under or am I tired from lack of nutrients? oh does anyone know if I can take vitamins? I was banded yesterday at about 8:30 AM.

I was banded 6/12/09 by dr. touliatos and I love him to death, but I'm not really seeing a difference. I have lost 25 lbs, including pre op diet and its been two mths today. I don't exercise regularly, but I am active. I am trying not to lose patience. I know that I have to get to my sweet spot but I have had 2 fills and at 4 cc's. I don't think the point of the band is to have it filled completely...i don't guess anyway. Please tell me this gets better....

Howdy, I was banded july 20th of this year. Had a hiatal hernia which was repaired. I'm still sore. when i eat at times it feels like its stuck at the bottom of my throat. Then at times.. i feel a sharp pain right beneath my breast bone area that i can feel to the back between my shoulder blade. It feels like its poking out. My BF has to pat my back hard for it to feel better.. It at time feels like i have a bruise back there. Just wondering if someone out there is having the same feelings? I'm afraid to eat.. cause it will end up hurting. I go to dr. tomorrow ... just wonder what i'm up against. thanks

This past Friday I had my third fill. My doc said this might be the last one. He had me drink Water while filling my band and the water felt like it was bubbling up into my esophagus. I was on liquids for 24 hours and then eased into food the next day, per my doc. Here's my issue, if I take too big of a bite or eat too fast I seem to feel it in my esophagus, but once I slowed down I am able to eat more than a cup. It's not that I can eat a lot, but it is more than I think I should at the "sweet spot". I have an appt with my doc next week to see if I am sufficiently "filled". While I don't feel like I have quite the "right" amount in my band (4.5 cc in a 10 cc band)…

I was banded early yesterday AM, over all I feel ok however Im fairly weak and the only pain I am having is where my port is. Is this normal?? Also has anyone tried Gas-X to help get rid of the excess gas in their tummy?? Im feeling really uncomfortable because of it, it hurts to sit up. I walked the mall today with my mother for over an hour, but I didnt feel any relief. Any ideas from anyone? Thanks so much!!

ok so i start mushies/pureed on friday (wish i could start it sooner) what i plan on having is scrabled egg for breakfast, sweet potato for lunch, and "pretend lazagna" for dinner. but i dont know what to have the next 2 weeks after that, so i can basically puree anything? vegetables? fruit? what should i avoid the most? thanks! i cant wait til i start this stage! oh, i went to the follow up today and it was his operating day so i didnt get to see him, i see him on wednesday next week, but when i got weighed it said i was 211! i GAINED 4 pounds, how?! is it cause i got my time of month or is it cause im actually having my full liquids or what??!

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice, ideas, anything! I had my third fill 5 weeks ago and am at 5.5 cc in a 10 cc band. I've always felt I was tighter at dinnertime than earlier in the day. I do drink something warm first thing in the morning (about 5 a.m.) and by 6:30 I'm usually having Breakfast with no problems: a small Protein bar and yogurt, most of a package of oatmeal, etc. My warm drink does make a difference as I noticed if I take my meds or Tylenol first thing in the morning before that hot drink I am tight and can feel it. lunch usually goes fine - about 1 cup of food at the most. But at dinner time for the last week or so, regardless of wha…

:scared2::thumbup: OK so I am stressed out at work to the max. I just need to get this out. I am still eating for emotional reasons. I tried very hard this morning not to do that but something just put me over the top. I sit at my desk all day and can't think of anything right now to distract myself from the yummies people brought for our potluck today. It just gets me mad! OK think I'm done ranting.

While I have perused "the other board" it has been mentioned a couple of times that some surgeons are "gentler" than others ...which may result in less post-op pain. Do you think there is much to this? Is there really that much difference in not necessarily "skill" but in how a person is "handled" surgically?

I woke up yesterday morning feeling very "tight" with my band. I can hardly eat anything and drinking and taking my pills is very difficult. It has been 5 weeks since my last fill and i see the dr next week. What is going on??? Please help. Thank you.

I want to know how many of you actually wait 3 minutes in between bites of food. I had my banding November 18, 2008 and am down 56 lbs. I think the reason I have not lost more is I am eating too fast. Would love to hear from those that do and those that dont wait the 3 minutes to see if there is a big difference in weight loss.:smile2:

I've been on weight watchers since May to get my head in the game and I'm used to tracking what I'm eating. I'm sure I'll be way under my points so I have to quit the weight watchers online program. Any suggestions for online calorie tracking sites?

Just got home, a little sore but I feel pretty good!

Hello, guys I posted on Monday of this week indicating that I had my 2nd fill and I defintely fill restriction. Been on liquids since then. But my question is when I drink something I have no problems swallowing, but I can feel it going down is that normal?? I can fill it going through stoma or esphogas or where ever it's going.. Is that normal? I'm just wondering because when I start eating again, if it's doing it with water / juice, I can't imagine with food. When my dr does his fills he makes u stay on liquids for a week, so I want be on mushies until next Tuesday... Can you all share with me your exeperience? This site really helps me a lot. Thank you.

I would appreciate any info on your banding experience with Dr. Nicholson. Thanks in advance!

Hi all, I have been banded for 3.5 wks now. I would like to start exercising but don't have any clear instructions. I will be seeing my surgeon in a week and will get clarification, but wanted to see what those who have actually been banded have to say... when did you start exercise and how intense? anything you wish you wouldn't have tried? what about sit-ups? any info you would like to share would be great. Thanks!

:eek:I am new to this group. My name is Beth and I have had my Lapband for 3 years now. I am concerned because last saturday night I ate dinner and ended up PBing some about 5 times in 15 minutes- not a lot.I have had this happen in the past with out any residual problem. I woke up Sunday morning feeling great but later in the day my stomach started to feel uncomfortable, not like I was going to throw-up just achy. But, I also am having a lot of sinus drainage since Saturday and that can bother my stomach at times too. I am scared that maybe my band has slipped. I am able to eat and drink just fine. I am just over worried(which I can be) or should I be concerned?? It is s…

i might be having a movie night of scary movies for Halloween, i was wondering what i could have for drinks and snacks? popcorn is a big thing and i hope i can have some, fruit punch, is that ok to have? my birthday, i wanted a small cake and i usually have pizza for dinner, could i eat pizza? my bday is Dec. 20th i also have no idea what to do for my bday christmas we has lazagna(however you spell that) i loooooove it how big of a piece should i be having? my graduation party, sometime next july, theres going to be tons of food, my aunt is making a fruit salad which i love, but i also love pasta salad and red hot dogs, could i have any of those then? just fo…

Do not think I have seen this... WHICH Over the Counter drugs are safe for the Sleeve and which ones should NOT be taken. Does anyone know? Thanks

I went for my first checkup today and didn't get a fill. I've been eating about every 4 hours and not getting hungry in between so I didn't get a fill! She told me that sometimes people just don't need a fill. There's a guy that had his surgery the same place I did that hadn't had a fill at all for 3 months. Then he finally needed one. I think that's cool and of course I read about it on this site! :thumbup: We also set my goal weight today to 180 instead of 145. Interesting. I feel great today! :wub:

hi everybody.. i was banded July 17th this year. i started off pretty good. i lost 6 pounds during the week pre-diet. and 24 pounds all together right now. so about 24 pounds in a month. but my problem is. after the very first week after surgery. i already started eating like i used to. :( i really know now that this whole thing is about breaking your own habits and changing your eating ways for good! i also stopped my Protein supplement after that first week. and i never really take my Vitamins either. i completely know i really fucked up. and NEED to start all over again. i just really wanted to know if anyone has had the same faults and experience as m…

I have bad breath and brushing my teeth and Tongue kind of helps but not for long breath mints don't last long, why do I have bad breath?

:eek: Ok...so I had my first case of sliming and PB'ing today..Now I understand! It scared the bejessssssus out of me. The liquid diet I was on for 14 days seems pretty good now if I don't have to look forward to that again!! I had a small cup of tomato Soup and 1-1/2 slices of deli roasted turkey. I thought I chewed everything to mush but I think one piece may have gotten down larger then it should have. I didn't see any large pieces during this episode but I don't know what else would have caused it. Any ideas?

Hello all. New to the banded world. I was banded on 7/20 and i am currently in the mushies stage. I also had a ventral hernia repair, so i still have pain, but from the hernia repair, not from the band. What i want to ask is this. How bad is it that i havnt taken my multi vitamin or calcium until today. Almost a month has gone by since my banding and today is the first day i've taken them..... :w00t:

hi everyone, finanally got banded yesterday (monday), everything went great, wasnt in much pain yesterday, feeling a bit unconfortable today but not that much, now it begins with the diet, my problem is knowing what to eat, i keep reading here to get alot of answers, stage 1 and stage 2 is confusing to me, but i will figure it out, thanks

Hi all, I'm almost one month post bad, first fill coming on Aug 28th. I'm down 27 lbs so I am thrilled but am wondering about returning to coffee with caffeine. I've been off caffeine for a month and don't drink soda for many reasons but was wondering if a cup of non-decaf coffee once a day would hurt. Thoughts? Thanks

My boyfriend and I broke up yesterday. He was mad that a guy came looking for a roofing job and I was talking to him on the front porch..omg are you serious! How many of you lost a relationship due to loosing so much weight and your other half could not handle the new attention you get? I am more hurt than anything. Its not like I was flirting with the guy or anything. I didn't even know him.

The dietician that is with the program I'm in told me to keep my calories around 1,000-1,200 a day. I am having a VERY difficult time doing so. I always fall short. I find that I am eating somewhere around 600-700 calories a day, yet I do not feel deprived. It doesn't matter what I try to eat, I cannot reach the recommended caloric amount. What happens is I plan my meals out each morning, then when the mealtime rolls around, I am not able to eat everything I had planned. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can raise my caloric intake, or is this something I shouldn't worry about? I'm still losing at a steady pace.

I have lots of success to report but also want to hear from those who have been banded for at least one year and feel that the surgery wasn't for them. All responses confidental. PS Hope this is the right place to post this. Thanks, Ellen

I think that just about sums up my question. I want to do what is right, but they didn't tell us this part. How many carbs are too many carbs a day?

I read that it could take several fills to feel restriction... wondering though...is it possible to feel restriction after the first fill?

Hi everyone... well I was banded on Friday and I am totally starving today! It's getting so bad... all I can think about is food. I am trying to keep my mind busy and not think about it but I am so hungry and liquoids just are not cutting it:frown: PLease help me stay focused!!!!

I got my second fill today, but it's too tight. I can't even swallow my own saliva. I know several of you have been in my position before. I am going to go back to the doctor tomorrow morning to have some of the fluid taken out. Right now I'm carrying around a "spit bottle" with me. Ew. Is there anything I can do to get a little bit of relief until tomorrow morning? I'll see the doctor at 10, but it's only 7 pm here right now and I'm driving myself crazy by counting the hours. I've been listening to my stomach gurgle incessantly for hours ,been spitting like an old tobacco chewing man, and feel really pinched and tight in my abdomen. Help?

Good morning fellow bandsters... I had my 2nd fill on yesterday, what and experience.. I guess everyone is different, a little sore this morning. But I'll survive.. But the scariest thing happened this morning, I went to take my vitamins as I always do, and OMG... one got stuck... I was panicing and I almost started crying because of the uncomfortable feeling.... LOL now that it is over.. I guess I'll be going back to chewables, it's not a hard pill it's a capsule but it's medium size.. I do realize that once I start back eating solid foods I will be chewing for long periods of time... because if a pill can get stuck... I don't even want to think of any food... I do no…

A bit of an embarrassing question but has anyone experienced low or no libido at all??? And will it pass??? Was banded on July 30th 2009. Thanks, anything would be appreciated.:confused:

I was banded 6/25/09, I had one fill - 3 cc's last week ( Dr put in 4 cc's but kept bubbling up in my throat so he removed 1 cc). Most of the time I measure out my 1/2 cup portion so I know I am eating the correct amount, unless I am in a resturant, but I never get that full feeling. My Nut said to listen to "my body" when I am full stop eating even if my portion isn't finished. I have yet to get that feeling where I have had enough. I am usually satisfied and can go 3 to 4 hrs in between meals, but some days I am hungry. Before my surgery I could eat incredibile amounts of food before I got that stuff to the point of not breathing feeling! Then 1/2 hour later I wa…

How soon did everyone go back to work after surgery? I know everyone heals differently, but I was feeling great--5 days post op when I went back to work today and it was awful. I did have a hernia fixed as well during the band procedure, but I was in pain today. I have a desk job, 8-5 and even went home for a nap at lunch, but it was a lot harder than I expected. I for sure have to go in tomorrow, so does anyone have any suggestions to help get through the day?

I have been banded for just over a year now. Two months ago I could proudly say that I had lost around 80 pounds. Things have changed so much since then. In July, my family went on a 2 week vacation. It was the best time ever. A day after we got home, I started getting sick. I won't go into the details of the illness. Now over a month later after loads of testing and biopsy, the doctors still have few answers about my illness and I am off track. I have gained 20 pounds back and am unable to exercise. I want to know if anyone else out there has been through some tough times and I want to know that it will get better. I want to know that I will stop gaining and s…

Hey guys just updating you guys, ok so I didn't take a nausea med since 8pm lAst night and I feel fine, full liquids are food I can go #2 without stool softer woohoo! I feel good I slept in my bed last night with a new body pillow which helped could sleep on my side tho I'm still tired lol but I feel good (: I see my dr tmro but best thing is I don't have to do the barium swallow since I already did it Friday (:

On Tuesday I had my 3rd fill (I was 3mos post-op). Until Tuesday, I was all but cursing the LapBand, wondering why I spent so much money when I was just using willpower anyway. I had only lost 4 lbs since surgery, and was VERY discouraged. But since my fill on Tuesday, I FINALLY feel relieved! THIS IS WHAT I WANTED! I now have a stopping point, no willpower needed! I'm not hungry! This is great! So those of you that are still on your first or second fills, hang in there, sooner or later, you'll get here! This all IS worth it!

Hi guys I'm 2 day post-op and confused as all can be. How much clear liquids am I supposed to be having at one time? I'm sipping my Isopure liquid as the day goes on. but how much is too much? I was able to do a whole cup of broth in 15 minutes am I damaging my new pouch Please help anyone.

Ok, I am STILL struggling with this one and need some help here. I am scheduled to go in for another flouro tomorrow and will go crazy if they refuse to give me a fill again. (flouro showed no signs of diliation last week) oh, by the way I eat healthy and am gaining, not losing. I also wait to eat and drink 30 min before and after meals, am eating Protein first and have been working out at least 3-4 days a week. I also do not drink empty calories. I do not understand what is going on with my body. i am seeing a nutritionist this week too Anyone have any advice?!?!?

Hello All, I was banded on June 3rd and have only lost 30lbs so far. I know that those 30 lbs are great and I would have never have lost that much before the surgery but I feel like I should be losing more. I know, know I have to work out more I want to start rollerblading.....Any advice on how I can get myslef motivated to just get off my butt and do it!!!! I want to lose some real weight , I want to get into a new size. Just looking for some support! Thanks all!:thumbup:

i had surgery in november 2007 and had a few fills i have a 4cc band and is filled to 2cc i still get food stuck once in a while but am thinking of getting another fill due to not losing much weight lately. i can eat just about anything most of the time execpt once in awhile things get stuck. i've lost 60 pounds in a year and a half and want to speed it up. i have to say that my diet isnt the best and i cheat alot( not gaining any though lucky)

I really felt completely at peace leading up to the surgery. I KNEW in my heart it was right for me at this point in time and life. Today I wonder...................DID I DO THE RIGHT THING?? I am less than 3 weeks out but have really been struggling the past few days with *did I do the right thing by having WLS?* I have only lost a total of 4 lbs so far. I am scared that I will be one of those people who will fail at this too. I wanted to eliminate future health issues. As although I am fairly healthy at this point, I am almost 60 and am at least 60+ pounds overweight. My knees hurt, my back hurts, I have high cholesterol. The handwriting is on the wall. But now I…

I was just wondering if there was anyone in Watauga county NC and if so, if they know of any support groups. Right now the only support group I know of is more than an hour from me.