POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi everyone I would be very interested to know what people have in their lap band packages, as Private paying patients ? Examples How many fills do you expect in the package? Do you have any professional on hand when you have a problem? Do you have a dietitian to help you? We have packages that vary so much and I have a package BUT still do not know what it consists of ! So difficult to tie anyone down with any answers!! So much so, that, I have become totally demoralized by this!:biggrin: I would appreciate your input, Thanks so much.

I was banded on Tues July 28th. Everything seemed to go perfectly smoothly. Waking up in recovery was a very painful experience, and my tummy still hurts. I am hoping the pain will subside soon. My big question is this: I have huge bruises all over my stomach were my incisions are. there at least a 4 inch radius of a circle, if not bigger. On my side by my hip I have a HUGE 6 inch long by 3-4 inch wide bruise. This is just a random weird spot for bruising I would think... unless the doc during surgery threw a breif case at me. Is bruising this much normal.., when my DH saw the bruise on my hip he flipped. Has anyone else had this experience?

Can someone please tell me what the port feels like after surgery? does it hurt can you tell it's there later on after surgery ? inquiring minds wants to know. :cool: Yvonne

Hi - I have had lap band surgery twice. 2005 and a revision and hieatal hernia repair in 2008. I always seem to form a pouch so I can eat as much as I want without any restriction. Then I go get an adjustment and the pouch dissolves, does anyone else have this problem. I use to be able to eat and then stop when I felt restriction, not any longer

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone else has been having any problems with having trapped gas? I had my surgery on 07/07 and for the past 2-1/2 weeks or so I have been having recurrent trapped gas on my left side. It started out as middle left side gas pains and it seems to have moved to up under my rib cage. It has gotten so bad at times I have almost gone to the ER. WAlking Does NOT help, in fact it makes it worse and I feel like I can't breathe when it gets that bad and trying to walk around. Lying down on my left side seems to help it somewhat. I bought some of those charcocaps last night and it made a world of difference, but it keeps coming back! Everytime I e…

Yesterday my family and I went to an amusement park. I got one one of the rides and the bar was pressed against my stomach. The operator of the ride was pressing the bar down, I finally told him to unlock the ride and let me adjust my seating. After that the bar was fine. My question is from the operator pushing and trying to slide the bar down along my stomach could that cause any damage to the port? I have heard of ports flipping. How would I know if my port flipped. Also how would I know if my band slipped? I probably don't have anything to worry about, but last night all of a sudden that thought had popped into my mind.

I was banded on August 6th. I had a horrible case of nausea last night and actually had some dry heaving. Could this have caused my band to slip and if it did would I know it?

I dont drink a lot but Im young so I still enjoy going out from time to time on the weekends. I know its empty calories! But is anyone drinking? Have you been able to drink beer?

Hi! I am new here and I am sure that this has been answered many times, but please, bear with me. :thumbup: Okay, so I told my Mom that I had looked into LapBand and was going through the approval process for the surgery. At first she was supportive, but as time went on, she became angry at my decision to "take the easy road." Whatever...one of her main concerns that triggered a concern in my mind, is loose skin. I was just wondering how many of you have had problems with loose skin, or with your skin not being so resilient. I was told that because of my age, as long as I work out, my skin SHOULD bounce back.....just wanted to hear everyone elses experience on the…

I was wondering what everyone munches on when the go to the movie theater. I love going to the movies and I used to eat popcorn, soft pretzels, and candy. Popcorn is totally off my list according to the doc. And I had my surgery on July 27th and I am already on normal food. Hopefully someone has some creative ideas cause I don't have any!

Has anyone heard of someone being banded, having restriction and not needing fills to succeed? I was banded 3 weeks ago and do not feel hungry at all. Just toying with wishful thinking and pretending I won the lap band lottery;) I know logically I may still have some swelling etc...but just wondering if anyone has heard of this?

Help! I am 4 days post-op and overall I think I'm doing well. However, I have this constant (and oh so PAINFUL) pressure and feel the need to burp. I just can't no matter how hard I try. I'm walking a lot and taking Gas-X as described, but to no avail. I can feel the gas moving but it goes nowhere. I'm sleeping on my left side at night, but that only helps a small bit. By the midafternoon, I am so bloated with gas that I look like I did when I was pregnant with my twins. Please tell me there is something I can do to relieve this pain. I never thought I'd want to burp like a trucker. :thumbup:

Hey everyone I was banded July 29th and (knock on wood) things are going just great! My surgery was a breeze and I have experienced very little pain. The gas has been minimal, and I am peeing all the time! My question is... when will I have a BM? My Dr did not give me a stool softener but his nurse did ask me if he had. Why on earth would I need a stool softener when all I am consuming is liquid? My DH said why would you go if you haven't eaten anything but we all know & have probably been there. You still go.... it's just liquid! (TMI right! ) So... when did you all have your first BM post op? It's not out of fear or pain that I don't go either (like after y…

I felt nauseated ever since surgery, I don't feel like myself, I feel like I can't eat anything without being nauseated, I feel like I got to vomit a lot, I wish I didn't get this done, is it possible to get de-banded this early? I want it out I feel horrible and miserable ))):::

VSG Surgery is on August 10th with Dr. Aceves. Is ANYONE else going down that next week?:ohmy:

Hello,I was banded on 6-17-09 and when I sleep on my stomach I have a burning feeling by my port.It hurts really bad.I have asked my doctor about this at my 1st fill and he said it would get better. Does anyone else get this burning feeling?

My mom had gastric bypass a few years ago and when she came home she had medical plastic bags that collected fluids from her open surgery scars. I am considering getting a lap band and was wondering if these bags/ pouches were attached after surgery? Thanks

Hey all, i start pureed foods on Tuesday, should i stop drinking a half hour before i have the pureed food and wait a hour after. I know you do this when you start eating, I am not sure if this rule applys to pureed foods, as it is close to liquid and probally goes right down. I just have the band, nothing in it yet, two weeks out? Also any ideas on what is best to puree would be great. Thank you all.

I have a question for those of you that have had the band. Did anyone cheat a little on the pre-op diet and their liver was good? not good? I am currently on the pre-op diet and have slipped a couple of times on the diet. My doctor required 2 shakes, a lean cuisine (300-400 calories), and lots of Water. I have been drinking Special K20 water for the extra Protein. In the beginning I was starving and a small piece of boneless skinless chicken with mustard would satisfy me (about 2 ounces). I also have the occaisional cucumber cut up with salt and pepper. Sometimes a bite of low fat cottage cheese here and there (maybe a quarter cup). I did have 2 days of a big…

I've read some posts on here about the threat of Pneumonia after surgery and having to cough a lot to get rid of all the congestion. Where is the congestion coming from - how is it caused by the surgery? Any info welcome. Thanks

Just curious

Hi all, I'm relatively new to all this and am still trying to work out what is "normal" for me in relation to how my body works now when I swallow food. I had my second fill (total in band now 2mL) on Thursday just gone, and on the nurses advice I am supposed to go back on soft foods for two days after my fill. Here I am now 4 days since the fill and have moved back to solid food (although I still keep it on the softer side), I still find that 3 or 4 bites of food is causing pain in my back. Last night I didn't recognise it for what it was (first time I experienced it) and had about an hour of bringing up very frothy saliva. The saliva only stopped when the pain …

My stomach keeps growling it's not head hunger I'm actually starting to get hungry now but idk what to have

Hi Guys, How can you tell if you stretched your stomach pouch? Also once it is stretched, is there away to shrink it without surgery? Thanks guys!!

I am about 4 weeks post-op and feeling great! But, is it possible that my stomach is still swollen from surgery? Right where my big incision was, I can feel a big "lump" under the skin. It's there all the time, but it is a little more prominent after I eat. I'm wondering if this is scar tissue or swelling or just my stomach. I just can't imagine that I can actually feel my stomach or my pouch - I still have a very healthy layer of padding! Although for the first time in years, I didn't need a seat belt extender on my recent business trip to Washington, DC :thumbup: !!

Ok my 1st. year banded is over and I have stared all over like it is the 1st. day post-op. I changed my ticker to show That I am just starting over. I have 50 more lbs to lose and I gained 9 lbs this last month. It seemed like I was most focused at the begining of this journey so I am starting over day 1. Has anyone else tried this? I really need to be as focused and as desperate as I was when I was 386 lbs. I need to get my edge back. eat like day 1, workout like day 1, need like day 1.

i am scheduled for bypass aug 10, but i think i am changing my mind to the band, how much weight can you lose in the first year following the band? my doctors says about 40 lbs in a year, does this sound right? i need to lose 75 lbs to be at goal weight and i think this is acheivable with the band, and not doing bypass. i am so mixed up right now, i want o work out and lift weights and i heard thet lifting weights might pull the band or cause damage, is this true, what are some of your weight loss amounts sofar? and doe the band actually make you think you are full? my problem is i am always hungry, thanks

Just wanted to see how long it took your doctor to do the lap band procedure...? Thanks all!

I was banded on 7/9/09 and have already had 1 fill. Now on an average how long between meals is normal just about 4wks out with 1 fill already. I have a new job that has a no tolerace policy for being absent so I have put off my next fill until NOV as it will be then that I have a day off during the week. Right now I can go about 4 hrs without my tummy telling me I am hungry, how does that sound? At the office I seemed to have managed to get my meals in about the same time daily. I would very much appreciate any input you might have on the time frame in which you can go between meals. Thanks Michele

Ok, I know there is a similar thread posted, and I've read all that and will continue to, but my question is a bit different. I am starting my 3rd week, and this whole time all I can think about is eating Mexican tacos, enchiladas, Beans, and mostly SALSA! and chips! If I'm not thinking about that, I 'm thinking about hot and sour Soup, eggrolls,etc... SPICEY! boohoo..what can I eat and WHEN? ..and will the spicey foods make me sick???

I heard about this on CNN this morning and also posted it on the exercise & fitness forum, too. It's an interesting read. Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin - Yahoo! News

I saw my doctor today for my 1 week post op visit and he was entirely okay with my beginning to try solid foods. He was clear that I needed to be smart about it and only try a small amount of things to see how I tolerated it and to chew well. Other than that he gave me the thumbs up to start trying it out. My band is still open and I don't get my first fill until 8/31, so he cautioned me about that, in terms of gaining weight during this time. There is so much talk about not eating anything other than liquids these first couple of weeks and all the dangers of not following that advice, I was just curious if there is anyone else out there who was given this go ahead by the…

hi i had surgery on wednesday august the 5th today is saturday and i get to have full liquids. i can not tolerate yoguart so i am mainly just eating jello, pudding, protein powder an myoplex shakes. i guess i am just afraid of failure. i have 19 more days of the full liquid and i am afraid that i will get bored with this stuff and screw up. help

I can't believe myself! I ate a hot fudge sundae. third week post op and still can't hold much with out discomfort- on mushie soft foods and most days, I have a soft scrambled egg, mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt (and tried cottage cheese, but it was too lumpy) maybe one ounce at a time. (can't tolerate Protein drinks) Everyday I have at least two 'spells' after eating, even when I take small bites and chew well. I have to take lots of (halved) pills throughout the day and that hurts most of the time, too. My daughter is eating healthy for medical reasons, and we discuss her menus of fruits, whole grains and other nutritious meals. I want to lose weight healthil…

Hi. I was banded this past June. I had my first fill almost 2 weeks ago. So far, I've had just minimum restriction. I just had an experience and I wanted to ask if anyone else has experienced something similar: This evening I made broiled salmon fillets. They were probably between 8-9 oz. each. When I had it for dinner, when it was piping hot, I was able to finish the whole fillet. It was a very moist piece of salmon, it fell apart when you put the fork in. Just now, I had a little more however it had been refrigerated since dinner. I got that kind of "full" feeling after just 4 ounces (half the fillet). I'm assuming this is because the salmon was a little less moist si…

Cause I didn't cough that crap that's on my chest flem or whatever, I dry heaved like 5 times ):

i'm going to vermont on august 29th, i'm going shopping and then to the fair, i dont live too too far away just take the farie over. i was wondering if i should be fine by then? ive been waiting to go there since last year! i wish someone knew if i would be ok to go over there, the car is going to be full but just want to know, thanks (:

What do you do if you put on that extra 1 or 2 kg, excercise more? make notes of what you eat? What weigh daily?

Alright, this is getting ridiculous. Tell me I'm not alone in this, please! Banded 12/30 Period 01/06 gone 01/10 Period 01/15 Still What gives?! A coworker said it happens to her every time she has any type of abdominal surgery. But I'm on the b/c implant, Implanon, and haven't had a TOM since March 2008 when I spotted for 21 days!

Ok, I just tried split pea soup with bacon. YUM~:tt1: I just had surgery on the 5th, and I needed SOMETHING to satisfy my feeling of wanting "real food". The taste of bacon in it helped so much. It was also thick enough after straining it that it still coated my stomach. Give it a try, you may like it too!:scared2:

So I tried the blueberry pomegranant gatorade g2 and it's good I was like mmm that's better than the red one, ok is it ok to take flinstones vitamins will it be better for my stomach since I have a weaker stomach I have chewable calcium too it's chocolate flavoured, will that be ok got those at walmart and I'm getting some sugar free fat free yogurt, I feel so much better today I'm on full liquids today yogurt is my first choice, what's the bet soup?

The new nausea med? Do I need something in there for it to work? How do I get something in, will yogurt help it? It's working a lil but not like it's supposed to, it's a stronger nausea med

So I just finished three weeks - and I am excited to say I am eating out.... This past week I have had to eat out for work and I am so happy to report - it was awesome: Romano's macaroni Grill - thought it would be torture - NOPE chicken Toscana Soup - 1 cup 220 calories - 13g of Protein ! DELISH! Baja Fresh - Cup of Tortilla Soup - 300 calories - 11g of protein - awesome! Soup Plantation - Vegetarian Chili - perfect! And I'm still losing weight without being a social pariah. If you have favorite dishes at some restaurants - please post them here - my boyfriend is a 6 foot tall marathon runner who weighs 150 and loves to eat out - I am so glad to know - I d…

I got banded on the 27th of july. The doctor put the band on but didn't fill it he won't for at least a month. Anyhow my problem is I wonder how big around the band is without any restriction? My biggest fear is that I am eatting too much. I don't have anything coming back up and I don't feel stuffed. So I am somewhat scared. Did the food go through really easy for the rest of you in the beginning? Now I am counting my calories and watching what I eat and eatting the things on my doc's list. Did everyone else in the beginning do the one tablespoon of food?(even when you can eat more) I am nervous I am doing this wrong and I am going to screw this up! I am doing …

Hi all, I had my second fill two days ago and have definitely felt different since it. I now have 2mL in my band. I felt a little nauseous after my fill and I put it down to the nurse hitting the side of the port before eventually finding the middle. I followed advice and kept on soft foods until dinner tonight. I had a small scoops of mashed vege, some soft broccoli and one lamb cutlet (no crumbs) for dinner. This was such a tiny meal in comparison to my pre-band days. Anyway, about half way through eating I felt a bit of pain in my back, but stupidly ignored it. Then did I pay for the next hour!!! My backpain has only just left me, but I can assu…

Hi everyone Well, Its all done now, had my band fitted on Wednesday the 5th August 2009.:scared2: Toaday is day 2 post op, I have to say I feel pretty good, I was discharged from hospital less than 24hrs after my op. I have been moving around most of the day and yesterday even took my 2 little dogs for a walk yesterday, (think I went a bit too far as i felt quite dizzy when i got back) Now i have been eating the prescribled CLEAR liquid diet only, and am wondering if any one has found any supermarket veggie Soups that they would recommend?? I started at 101kg and today am down to 97.5kg, i suspect its only Fluid, but i still feel great about it, ( can anyone tel…

Banded 5/11, I feel like I can eat anything. Dr. spoke about 2 cc's, but I'm not sure. Questions I will ask my surgeon:(expected answers) What size Band do I have (10cc) When will I get the next fill (1 month if I need it) Is 2 cc's enough to restrict me (That's all we can do now) How will i know that it's time for a fill You're hungrey between meals) WHAT ELSE????? :rolleyes2: Help me be prepared.

I wake up every morning (8+ hours of sleep) and I am very groggy. I feel like I am in a fog most of the day. today it finally began feeling better around 4:00 pm (US-Central time zone). Have any of you had a similar experience?

can anyone relate to this? intense stitch like pain left of stomach, debilitating if i try to carry on

I am 3 weeks post op and I am suppose to be getting on to soft foods now. I am having a lot of trouble with getting foods down.In fact I am having food and liquid intolerances. I definetly can't drink any protein shakes yet. I am still mashing up all of my food or I am trying to eat very soft food.I am still experiencing nausea and sometimes vomiting. Today in fact I was sick twice and also yesterday once in the car. Also 2 of my incisions are infected. Even the day of surgery I was very sick and in a lot of pain. The Dr had to see me in his office that night to remove some of the saline that was placed in my band during surgery.He said I would feel a lot better,but as so…