POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was just wondering how the day after (and day of) surgery went. From the time you wake up in the hospital to to the time to go to bed. Are there certain things you found you couldn't do, ie. read because you were too tired? I'm just curious how painful it was and how hungry you were--because many people's answers vary. How did you stay occupied? How did you cope? And what would you recommend if doing it all over again?

Hi all - Being banding Aug 3 ( ! ) - and I would like to ask everyone who has been banded... "What do you wish you would have known about the surgery/first week (or beyond) of recovery that no one told you..." My clinic's nurse told me yesterday that after the surgery the air that is used to pump you up leaves your body after surgery...migrating up...so that is why people's shoulders hurt the few days after recovery. Now that is a useful piece of info! Any bits of wise wisdom out there for sharing? I have no idea how to do the ticker yet...but I've lost 12.7 pounds in 12 days pre-op diet...on my own, no medi-fast ((yuck)). Excited and nervous! ~Renee' D.

Had my first fill today! YEAH!! I was in major need! I went 6 weeks before I got one and had like no restriction. Ok so my doc was gonna do 4 cc but decided that was too much so I got 3 cc and Im doing good. My question is: He wants me on liquid for 2 weeks!!! Anyone else have to go on liquids that long after your first fill? Most people I thought was only liquid one day then mushies 1 day then all was well. Would love your feedback on how many CC's you got on your first fill and what your diet was after!

When I was little and we would eat at a smorgasboard (yesteryear's "all-you-can-eat"), my mother would always tell me to be careful that my eyes didn't get bigger than my stomach--meaning don't take more food than you can eat. My eyes are bigger than my stomach now! I'm a great cook and I love the food I make (even the lean, low-fat, "healthy" food). I have decent restriction with my second fill so far--yeah for that! BUT I always want to eat more than my new stomach can hold--it tastes so good! I'm not "head hungry" when I eat; I eat when I'm physically hungry. Funny thing is though, that I probably end up eating less than I could if I slowed down and took smaller bites-…

Hi everyone. Now that I'm a week post-op and feeling MUCH better...I am beginning to wonder. How am I going to tell my PCP that I had this operation, and in Mexico, no less. Understand, I love my PCP, but she is young, thin and believes you should just suck it up and eat right and excersize. I had asked her for some weight loss meds last year, just to "help," and she was totally against it. I chose the WLS because nothing else worked. You all understand. Now I'm wondering how to approach her. I really like her, otherwise I would change docs. Any thoughts? Thanks. And G_d bless Dr. A!!!

3 days post up feels like I need to burp or something

I am new at this forum thing. How do I post my ticker and progress reports? I live in Bakersfield. Dr. Naik is my surgeon. 2 weeks post op. Kinda discouraged about my weight loss so far.

Hi all, I promised myself before getting banded that I wasn't going to get upset and worked up if before getting fills I didn't have a significant weight loss. Well, I broke that promise! I just don't understand how in the world I can be having pureed foods at 4 ounces and 1/4 cups of food and exercise by walking everyday and NOT lose anything?! On my 10-day preop diet I lost 9 pounds. I have lost 9 pounds since surgery on 07/07. I go back and forth one pound and it's driving me insane! I really expected to have about 15 pounds gone by now Goodness!! I get soooooo hungry in between my meals. Has anyone else gone through this and please tell me it's temporary! I k…

I was in the hospital to 4:30am last night cause of it, I have nausea mess but I already took one at 5 and I can only take them every 6 hours how you get rid of that feeling? I'm 5 days post op now

I'm going to try it today, I haven't ate much of anything since day one hopefully it doesn't make me sick to my stomach :/

I totally barfed tonight for the first time since my surgery. It's the Multivitamin. The problem is you are supposed to take them with a meal, but if you can't DRINK with a meal, then how do you do that??? I'm still not eating enough, got a sinus thing going on, going back to work this week, and just feeling a little miserable. Not to mention this one incision of mine is totally OPEN and not healing. "whine"

No, I don't plan to drink one, but I used to be the biggest Mountain Dew drinker. Just wondering how bad a carbonated beverage goes down, does it hurt? Just a random question.

I am being banded on 9/1/09 and I have never had any type of surgery before and I am a nervous wreck about it. I am 26 yrs old and people tell me that I should have no worries or problems, so could anyone who has already been banded tell me what to expect after surgery, pain levels? depression? complications? just anything that could let me know what i am getting into! Thanks

My surgery was two weeks ago, and I'm feeling great. However, when I stand or sit, I can feel (with my hand) a large lump-like mass under my port scar. Since the port is not directly under the skin, what is this I am feeling? Is it normal? It is painless to the touch, by the way. Also, my stomach protrudes a bit in that area. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hello All, My surgery was 13 days ago, I had my first follow up appt. today & so far I've lost 20 lbs:smile: (which includes 1 week of pre-op liquid diet) I dont see any change anywhere yet but it will take time...I just hope the loss continues & doesnt slow up........ Good luck to everyone........

Hi my name is Heather I'm 19 years old and had my lapband procedure on May 4th of this year. It is now August and I have not lost anymore weight since having it placed. I lost about 23 pounds on my pre-opt diet and have kept it off to my first fill, however, after my first fill i gained four pounds!! I then had another fill where she added more to it i'm not sure how much but she said it was a rather large one since i had very little restriction after my first one. My fill was July 23rd and I have yet to feel any restriction still! I don't think there's anything wrong with the band because I can't eat very fast, and have trouble with breads and pastas and such. Can s…

Where you Tongue is like burnt out? And you can taste something weird? What will help my taste buds come back?

I am 8 days post-op and so far so good. One thing, however, is really troubling. Does anyone get hot flashes after surgery? I'm only 32, so I'm pretty sure it's not pre-menapause (and I never had it happen before surgery), but if I'm running around and maybe a bit stressed, once I stop, I start sweating buckets...I mean buckets. After I settle down, I go back to normal and sometimes even get cold, but the hot flash stage is really annoying and messes up my makeup!! Anyone else?

So I'm on mushies, and I went to get tuna salad for lunch at a local deli. I'd taken a few bites when I realized there was celery in it and celery is bad for the band. But the pieces of celery were very very small. Anyway, I chewed and chewed and chewed. Now, 15 minutes later, I'm feeling something in the back of my throat, almost like something is a little bit stuck, but nothing esophogeal is happening. I'm not inclined to hypochondria, so I'm a little worried and given that it's Friday afternoon, I doubt there's much I could get out of my dr's office. Any advice?

My surgeon uses the Realize Band - says it is less painful and faster to heal. Anyone have any experience positive or negative with the Realize. Scheduled for Surgery on 8/18

Hi, This question is for post-op patients. I know everyones different but I was hoping for a scenario of what your day is like with the band at any and all post op stage. Do you prepare all your meals before hand? Do you measure portions? Are your meals completely different from your families? I just want to have an idea of what to expect if there is anything I can do now to start preparing (even though my surgery wont be for a couple of months) for my NEW life. Thanks:smile2:

Can someone tell me about biotin for hairloss...what is it and where do you get it?

I was just wondering if everyone gets Lidocaine or some kind of numbing agent for their fills? My place does not do it?

For the past 5 weeks, I’ve been losing lots of hairs everyday, I am very concerned with it. The hair loss started in my 3rd month post-op. I don’t know what caused it. I haven’t had good restriction with my band even though I've had 6 fills. I eat almost 2 cups of food each meal and I consume around 100-120 grams of protein everyday together with plenty of vegetable. I take biotin 3 times per day, also drink benefiber so I wouldn’t have the constipation issue. I mean, I have been consuming more than enough nutrients everyday and my weight loss is kept at a slow pace (around 1-1.5 lbs each week), why am I losing so much hair? This is so scary! Another thing is I’ve…

Please tell me what I'm experiencing is "Bandster Hell?" I got my band two weeks ago and I feel great, like nothing ever changed. I can eat anything and don't feel that full after I eat. I lost 10lbs on the liquid diet for the first week after surgery now I've gained back 4!! Is this normal? Will it be like this after I get my first fill? I get my first fill on 9/27 thank god!! I appreciate your input!

Quick question for anyone out there... I just found out that I am going to have to be on the road for 3 weeks straight travelling to numerous conferences throughout the states. I'm not travelling with any one person but no one I will be meeting with is aware that I have a band. This past weekend I went camping and became quite sick and didn't really eat at all. I'm worried about this happening when I am travelling. Yes, I will admit that I have been stressed for the past few weeks (don't reno your kitchen when you have a band! ) and I was just getting to my fav time of the month but STILL! Grrrrr.... Does anyone think I should get a temporary unfill while I travel or …

I don't usually keep secrets, but after testing the waters at work and coming up with responses like "you should just exercise, go on a diet, less calories, ww" I decided to not tell anyone at work about my surgery. I'm not an idiot, most people don't lose weight quickly w/o surgery so I realize they are going to notice something. But, I had my surgery 6 days ago, and I'm planning on going back in 3 days. I've lost a few pounds, do you think they are going to notice? And if they do, (now or in the future) how do you respond? Any good responses would be appreciated!!! Thank you! btw- the names's Jane, nice to meet you, and THANK YOU for the site, awesome blogs …

So after the surgery I was careful and could figure out exactly how to eat without getting stuck. But I had my first fill last week and I just keep having trouble. I went through the 4 days post fill of moving from liquids and mushies to solid food. Yesterday was the first day of solid food and I made the mistake of having a bite of steak. That got throughly stuck and scared the hell out of me before it finally passed. Today, I ate a shake for Breakfast and cottage cheese for lunch. I had a sea bass filet for dinner and tired to chew carefully. But now I am sort of stuck. I already threw up once and really can't see myself eating anything for the rest of the night altho…

School starts in 4 weeks just had surgery in july 31st I should be fine right? Everything should be healed? What about gym, should I tell my gym teacher and school nurse that I had surgery? I hope I feel 100% better by time school gets here ugh how did you guys feel at 4 weeks post op? And also let me know how you guys felt at day 7 and 8 did any of you have nausea the first few days? How long?

I've been watching one of my incisions fairly closely since having my surgery on 7/22. The day after my surgery it was really red and a little warm to the touch. So, I called the surgeons office and talked to the nurse. She told me that as long as I wasn't running a fever and the incision wasn't hot to the touch I shouldn't worry. She advised not to put neosporin on it, so I didn't. It's been red and puffy and didn't close up like the rest have. It's not hot and I'm not running a fever. This morning, I noticed that it's oozing yellow stuff. Should I go ahead and put some neosporin on it and see if that helps and then call the doc tomorrow or should I use the hot …

PCOS stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome it is linked to an increase in the hormone gherlin that makes you still hungry after a meal... just wondering if anyone knows if they have it and how it works with the band- if you still struggle with hunger with it

I have read on several occasions that you can get Protein shots or something that you can add to pudding. I am really getting tired of the shakes. any suggestions? Thanks to all!!

I had my first fill today! DRs put in 4 cc's at first but when I tried to drink the Water it just kept bubbling up in my throat so he removed 1cc and all is well! On full liquids for 24 hrs, mushies for another 24 hours then pretty much anything I want as long as it's a smart choice! I am so excited! It's the moment I have been waiting for since I decided to have lap band surgery!!

I am going crazy with this lap band and I wish I could have it taken out. 2 weeks post op, had 2.5 cc's fill removed today, just stated mushie/soft foods, had mashed potatoes and pudding today, Still hurting. My head hurts, my chest hurts and throat up into my neck, like I am beging suffocated, my throat hurts, I am burping nonstop, every single day all day long I thought that when I finally got to eat something, that I would feel better, I feel like indigestion and suffering. So my question/statement: I want to eat like I did before, but just less, (like they told me the lap band would do)and feel that satisfied feeling from eating good food. I love mashed potatoes, I…

I was banded on June 1st, have lost 30 lbs since the process began. On average, I walk about 10 -15 miles a week. I've become obsessed with walking. But I feel like a serious failure because I'll get down in the dumps (aka something goes "disastrously" wrong) and eat EVERYTHING in sight, I do it consciously too - which is probably the worst parts of it. It's just like the "old times". :- Any suggestions on how I can avoid this?? Tips, tricks, ANYTHING? Thanks for any advice!

Who has had their band for the longest period of time on these forums? Please chime in for those with their original band. And also your results with how your are doing and maintaining. I am sure the information is out here somewhere; but, I have just been not been able to find it.

I just had my band replaced after nearly two years when it slipped. Im wondering who out there has had their band the longest. Just wondering if there is anyone who has had it for a long time with no problems. Who is the oldest bandster out there I wonder?

I've been banded for two years. In general, I feel it's been a good experience. Six months ago, I got a fill (2.5 ccs) that felt like I'd hit just the right restriction - my appetite was gone and I really had to think about the whole chewing, size, and consistency issues before swallowing. I was thrilled. But two days later, my throat started cramping up, and would stay closed (although I could still swallow). I immediately had the band emptied and my soreness disappeared. A month later I had another fill with 3/4 the amount - again, throat collapsed, only this time when I had it emptied, my throat was really bad for over a week. Not really sure where to go from he…

It's only day 3 went to see the doc to see if eberythin is ok cause I feel nauseated a lot so he said since I could get water down no vomitting and going to the bathroom I was alright he said many patieants get like that so he ask if I was geting the protein shakes in and I said no, so is that why I feel nauseated? How do u get it down??

How is everything for you? I was nauseated since surgerybut I'm kind of ok right now, getting a lil protein in here and there anyone in the sameboat?

I was banded on the 29th and have been doing really good. I haven't hardly taken any hydrocodone - just liquid tylenol. Well yesterday it happened for the first time but I was sitting at the computer and all of a sudden I had some really sharp pains under my right breast and everytime I would breath in it would just hurt and hurt. I laid down with heating pad and rested and it eased up. Well today I was going to my sisters house and driving down the road and all of a sudden I started having these pains and they felt like they were killing me. It felt like someone just kept stabing & stabing & stabing and I couldn't get it to quit. It has eased up some but …

I thought I'd put up this post to see what co-morbidities people have been relieved of since their surgery. As for me, I had compartmental syndrome (issue where my fascia on my calves would squish my muscle if I ran (b/c muscle would want to expand, but there wasn't enough room) such that my nerves would get pinched and my circulation would get cut off. Now that I'm 50+ pounds down, I don't have any problem with this at all. In fact, tonight, I ran 3 miles on the treadmill without stopping or slowing to a walk, and all was just fine! What a major NSV!! I had been worried that if someone was ever chasing me that I wouldn't be able to run to safety! But now, that …

How do you handle family and friends who are jealous of your weight loss? I had my band put on Jan. 16, 2009 and have lost over 40lbs. I had a cousin come up to me at a wedding yesterday and commented about my weight loss. She said "I heard you got the band". I don't see why you did that:cursing:!!! Look cuz I was 100lbs over weight!!!! Heading for Diabetis, and heart disease, no thank you!!! I told her how much less I was eating and she said well why couldn't you do that without the band? I had other people at the wedding tell me that I looked GREAT and that I was glowing:thumbup:!!!! I hope that my idot cuz heard the good comments! But, like I said, what is a good come/…

Does anyone else have a surgeon who is very conservative with fills? The office I go to does 1cc at a time. I, therefore, have 1cc in my 10cc band and no restriction whatsoever. An entire sandwich from Subway? Yes, please! I'm feeling a little frustrated because my weight is yo-yoing between the same three or four pounds and has been since I started solid foods three and a half weeks ago. I know that it's common for some people to get 3-4ccs on their first fill visit, and now I'm concerned that it's going to take me MONTHS (as the surgeon will do fills every 4 weeks) to feel any restriction at all. Anyone have reassurance? Similar stories? I'm feeling a little …

.. any suggestions with your story welcome. Thanks!

Hello! Im new to this site and hoping to meet fellow bandsters to chat with. I am 27 years old and had my surgery on July 13th. Im on the soft food phase right now and so bored with the foods!!! Im trying to put some variation on things but I just hit a block in my mind. Can't wait until next week when I start my regular diet. I havent had any complications trying anything new (knock on wood). Any suggestions out there for finishing out this phase and starting my regular diet. Also, was wondering what people are doing as far as excercise?? So far I have lost 20lbs post op and couldn't be happier :thumbdown: I lost 56lbs prior to surgery and this is just further…

I was banded at the end of May (so about 2 months ago) and on the day of my surgery I weighed 217, and then got down to 210 and hovered there for quite a while (about 2-3 weeks). I've gotten two fills in the past month (I had about 2cc in my band already from the surgery, so on my first fill they added another 2cc making the total 4cc, which after this I still didn't feel any restriction. I went in about 2 weeks later and got 3cc more put in for a total of about 7cc). I felt immediate restriction from this and started loosing about a pound a day from Wed to Sun, getting me down to my lowest (post surgery) at 203.5. In the days since I've been steady climbing back up to ab…

Hi all, I was banded July 15th and am really taking my time eating, chewing and picking the right foods. About an hour after I eat, I feel like I'm getting a cramp under my left ribs. Sort of feels like the gas pain from right after surgery. The port is ont he right side so I know that is not the issue. Is gas still common 2.5 weeks out? Thanks

I'm being banded on August 13th and was hoping I could get some good advice on protein drinks/shakes. I'm so confused and want something that will taste at least a little good. I know there are some good ones out there, but have no idea what they are. Any advice would be great!!!

So I'm in mushies, nearly two weeks post-op, and it's clear that a) I have no restriction whatever and :thumbdown: if I hold to the mushie diet I was given by the nutritionist, I am going to be living with painful hunger for another 17 days until I get my first fill. I haven't been eating anything sugary, cakey, or bready, and no dessert, so I still feel like I'm on a diet, but I feel like I just can't keep to the plan that I should act as though I have 4 ccs of saline in my band. Anyone btdt, or offer counsel?