POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi all, I am almost 2 weeks postop and am in bandster hell! lol. I have to admit when I was on the preop diet for 10 days, this wasn't so bad and I wasn't allowed as much as I am now! I think reason being is I had a little sample menu thing I went off of. I am also disappointed (and I know this is the time for healing), but on my 10-day preop diet I lost 9 pounds. I was banded on 07/07 and have been fluctuating from 241 to 244. I was 248.8 when I had surgery. So, I am getting frustrated that I have not at least gotten down to 239. I want to be in the 230s so badly!! So, I don't know why I am not losing anything and fluctuating between 2 and 3 pounds for the…

Ok this week was the week that i went out and bought the new bike, now the problems start. I can usually ride my stationary bike for atleast 10 miles. Today i rode my real bike for just 3.5 miles and my butt hurt so much, my hands got numb and It was so much more harder to ride the bike on the road. Is this normal? should it be that much harder?

Is anyone struggling with family members. I am struggling with family watching me eat and making comments. Saying things like: "Should you be eating that?", "Aren't you supposed to eat the protein first?", "Wow can you have that?", "That is just a poor choice.", and my personal favorite, "If you eat like that you will gain 10 pounds before your first fill!" I was banded on 6/19. I lost 30# pre-op and 15# post. I have lost 8.5 inches post-op. I am supposed to have my first fill next week. I know that my family loves me, but how do you get them to realize you are the one in control. In a nice way. I wouldn't hurt them for the world and I know that they are just…

Hi! I had my surgery on December 31,2009. I lost about 11lbs right after surgery. Gained all 11lbs back. I have went for 4 fills now and finally have good restriction. I was hoping to be down 60lbs by now. Has anyone else experienced anything kinda like this. :cursing::confused::confused:

I just realized that I used to eat all the time, hungry or not. It is very different to know what hungry feels like. I eat when I'm hungry now and stick to the suggested portion sizes and surprisingly I am feeling pretty satisfied. I feel like I am being freed from the prison of food. I can love and enjoy food without being overindulgent and abusing it. Just wanted to share my little moment I was having.:scared2:

I know that everyone (dr's etc. ) mention that you should chew, chew, chew your food, and eat very slowly, etc. However, I'm just wondering, do you need to do this even before you really feel restriction? I try to chew, chew, just to get into the habit, but I don't feel that I MUST in order for my food to pass through the band. I've only had one fill, so I'm wondering if that is why, or if I missed something here? Will chewing become more and more natural/required for me? I also try to eat slowly, but don't really feel like it makes much difference if I eat slowly or moderately. . . Please advise- thanks!

I have the strangest problem with my band. I am one of those people who when I have a cold or my allergies are acting up my drainage goes down my throat. I do everything I can to keep this from happening but it does. Then when I eat I throw up like crazy. It is usually just the drainage but sometimes it is everything in my stomach. Is this common? Any advice?

Hi all, Just been to the fill Doc as I have been being sick for the past few months..not every time I eat but most times. I had a check up under a fluoroscope and x ray and she said I have an inflamed esophagus.She decided to remove 6cc leaving hardly any in. This will give my esophagus time to heal as the port and band looked OK. She has sent a report to my Doc and has informed me I may not be suited to the band after 2 yrs of struggling....(only lost 8lb so I'm a slow loser). Anyone with similar probs and what was your outcome.? Jeannie

Hi everyone. I had my surgery on 2/25 and for the first 8-9 days I lost 20 lbs. However, since then I haven't lost anything. I know this is normal but how long will it take? I am only eating 1/2 C of food at each sitting and I feel like I have given up so much and have nothing to show for it. Any words of encouragment would be great!!!

I am almost 4 weeks post op and having serious issues with my Vitamins. They are so gross and the texture makes me gag. Does anybody know how long I will be on the chewables? When can I swollow a whole Vitamin or will that never be able to happen? Thank you,

I am at my marriage weight (179)..that means 7 pounds since my surgery on the 10th!?!? Am I not eating enough? I finally got some sf popsicles yesterday. Been doing mostly K2O protein water all day and broth for meals..albeit 1/8 cup of broth....

Banded 6/26 with no fill and starving. I started testing the waters and found I had no consequences (nausea, vomiting) or even feeling full. WARNING - do not start eating. Most of us were banded because we can't stop. Get my first fill on Monday, hope that will work. Don't tell me to go to my doctor. Very non supportive and uninformed staff. I am happy I have this group to go to. I'll keep you updated!!!

Did you all have any guidelines for your post-op diet? How many calories you should try to stick to? I am on clear liquids for 4 more days. I am wondering am I getting enough calories. I only had about 300 yesterday. Should i try to aim for more? What have you all been doing?

Well, I had my third fill on the 8th...I calculated that I was up to 3.0 cc's and going to 4.5. Imagine my suprise when my surgeon said I was up to 5.5cc's! He said I had been at 5 and at this point he only gives .5cc fills because ppl with my size band generally reach the green zone between 4.5 and 6.5. Now, how do I know if I'm in the green zone? I'm still a little hungry between meals but everything I eat seems to hurt going down. Now, I am freely admitting that I don't have the small bites and chew chew chew down yet...but should *everything* feel like it's clawing its way down my throat? I can't imagine getting an unfill because 5.0 was definately nowhere near …

ANYONE WANT TO DISCUSS, HELP, SUPPORT, CHAT ABOUT SURGERY 1ST WEEK OF JULY I GOT :cursing:BANDED FOR LIFE ON JULT 1ST

hi guys, just wondering if anyone knows if you have to have an unfill if you have surgery? my fill nurse says yes but I'd really rather not and just wondering if this is the hospitals rules or rules of the band? can anyone help?

Do you have any secret for releiving gas (aside from farting?):scared2: I didnt know if beano worked or papaya or anything.... It doesnt matter what I eat or when- I have terrible gas (farting and shortly after burping) all the time.... NEVER had this problem pre-band...

Ok....im probably not alone, but help please! I was banded on 7/7. On my pre op i lost 18lbs. So far, one week post op i'm down another 6lb. So the pre op and post op diets have been good for me. I'm looking forward to being off soup at some point..but....I am thinking ahead and i'm so afraid to start eating and having to make choices again! How do you forgo the protein drinks and eat normally and still lose weight??? This is so foreign to me! I'm so afraid that when i'm no longer restricted with my meals, that I will go b ack to chosing the wrong things and then will gain. Its been nice seeing the scale go down a little each day----it will flip me out to see a…

Hey Friends....I am really stressed at the moment. I went to get my staples out yesterday and to my suprise the nurse told me that I was to be on another FREAKN week of clear liquids. I thought I was going to pass out. I was thinking that I could begin full liquids today where I could at least drink my slimfast to get some good protein(not a whole lot of sodium). My stomach is now beginning to growl...I did not expect this. Not this early. I am going to order some isopure but any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to you all!!:sad::sad:

Hi everyone! I was banded on 6/30 and I cant for the life of me find my port. Just wondering if I should be able to feel it of not?

So I went in for my first fill yesterday and it went horribly. The surgeon stuck the needle in me about ten times with no luck trying to find the soft spot on the port. Finally he said for me to come back on monday and he would do it under an xray so he could find the center spot. As I sat up, I asked him if it was normal to have some shoulder pain. Well, twenty minutes later I was rushed to the emergency room because of the amount of air the doctor inadvertently injected under my right diaphragm. I ended up being admitted to the hospital and held over night so they could do xrays, give me IV fluids, and some crazy pain meds. The surgeon is now afraid my port may be flipp…

i have always been a shallow breather... and every once in a while i need to just spontaneously give a quick, deep, breath...almost like a "got-to-catch-my-breath" kind of thng. i also have apnea.. and this happens several times a night actually waking me up. the problem is, since i had my surgery monday morning...these deep breaths really hurt. initially i assumed this is normal... but it almost feels like my port is stuck tight to my diaphragm or something.. it's like a painful squeeze whenever i breathe deeply. has anyone else experienced this? will this heal/go away with a little more time?

Hi I had a fill on Tuesday (two day ago) and I am not sure if it is to tight. I am able to keep liquids down but I can only take small sips. Otherwise I have a pain in my chest. I can't even think of starting soft foods soon. Should I call the doctor or will this pass a few more days out from the fill? Any suggestions on what to do would be appriated. I am starting to think should I have really done this, was I being to drastic. Mat be I should just have the band unfilled. Please give me some advise. Thanks:unsure:

I have been banded almost 3 months, had another fill yesterday taking me to 5ccs. I have been on liquids since but I have trouble keeping anything down, including water. From getting sick I have a nasty headache and cut Tylenol in quarters, but that came up along with the water, so I crushed some. I called the Dr office this AM and the receptionist told me to stay on liquids for an other day and see how it goes, and if I am still having trouble to call again the following morning. I guess my question is, is the band too tight? or is this normal "restriction" that will lessen in a day or so? Also I have this gurgling that will just not go away, it is driving me crazy, and …

I am just wandering is anyone else gets the dapo birth control shot the one you get every 3 months, I am considering getting the shot only problem is that my obgyn says weight gain is a side effect.

Does it hurt when you go in for a fill. I had surgery June 16 of this year. One month anniversery today and down 13 pounds so far. That's the only thing I am worried about. I go in for my first fill on July 27.

I had 3cc of Fluid removed from my band yesterday and after 24 hours of a liquid diet I got to eat a little bit of Breakfast this morning. After 3 months not hardly being able to eat and when I was able to eat, throwing it up, I was still worried about how I would do eating. I took it slow with small bites. By the time I was finished, I had ate 5 small pieces of Turkey Bacon and 1 fried eggs that was fried with non stick cooking spray. that added up to 195 calories for breakfast. I gave it a while to see what would happen and what do you know. I got it down just fine and it never has come up. I am so happy. I can finally eat and have no problems.

Hey everyone I am 6 days post op and I just wonder how do you all manage without drinking while you eat? For me this might be the hardest thing to overcome. It is my understanding that 30 minutes before and at least 1hr after is not permitted. Feedback is appreciated and thanks! M

As many of you may already know, I was banded on June 24 and was doing fine until that weekend. My stomach started bloating, became distended and filled with gas. I was also in a great deal of pain and was admitted into the hospital that Monday after surgery. After various bariatric tests, and about 4 days in the hospital, the doctors declared: Diabetic stomach. This is where the nerve endings in the stomach aren't working properly and the stomach can't release its gas or other contents easily. They gave me some meds to help do that and sent me home. Four days later I was back in the hospital, still with an even larger distended stomach and now non-stop pain beh…

Can someone please tell me how they can get 64 oz of Water a day? When and how do you do that? I take a few sips and then I feel full or I feel it start to come up....what about using a straw? Or a water bottle and sip it? doesn't that cause air in the stomach?? Desperate to get 64 oz of water a day in....so far I'm lucky if I get 12 oz....Advice please!! Eating times? Does anyone have scheduled eating and drinking times....anything? Please help!!

Hello All: I posted a message a couple of days ago in the complications section, but I figured I post it here also. I have had my band in Aug, 08 with no complications (so far) and am down 62 pounds. Starting about 3 weeks ago, I experienced occasional acid reflux at night (the worst after meat with dinner got stuck). I called my doctor to get an unfill, but I cannot get in until the end of July. I was told to do liquids for the next couple of days and see if that helps. I haven't noticed any "acid" the past couple of nights, but still wake up with the heartburn chest feeling. After I wake up, I go into panic mode in the middle of the night which I know the stress d…

I posted this in pre-op section and then thought, jee I'm stupid, I posted that in the wrong area... Must be the brain fog from the clear liquid diet.. So I was wondering if getting the hiatal hernia repaired while getting banded cause additional discomfort after surgery? I have a small impacted one, whatever that means... Secondly, I also was diagnosed with under active thyroid but my surgeon doesnt want me on meds to see if weight loss will kick it back in gear. My number was 16.48, so its really not functioning at all. I was wondering how this affected weight loss even with the band? Thanks!!!!

I am 35 days post op and up until now have only been able to consume 4-6 oz at a time and have felt comfortable with that amount. Well, that feeling has now gone away and has been replaced with hunger and the feeling of not being satisfied. I have been following all the rules about eating and drinking (or not drinking at the case may be), getting Protein in first, etc. I have even tried to attribute the feeling to "head hunger" and have stepped up my exercise routine (walking). All to no avail. I have a doctor's appointment on July 24th and I hope they will do a fill. I have lost the password to the ticker, so I can't update my status, but I now weight 257.5, so I h…

Did you all have any guidelines for your post-op diet? How many calories you should try to stick to? I am on clear liquids for 4 more days. I am wondering am I getting enough calories. I only had about 300 yesterday. Should i try to aim for more? What have you all been doing?

Having this Lapband was one of the BEST decisions i ever made. I am feeling great. and losing weight, I've dropped about 58 lbs to date. Haven't had any issues at all. sometimes if i eat too fast, i do get "stuck", i've even slimed for a few minutes. But it is teaching me to be more careful. i don't spend much time on the website anymore, and actually I don't spend much time on the Internet, I am too busy going to the gym, hiking in the woods, laughing and playing...... I am in the proccess of getting my body in enough shape so that next year at this time, i will be able to ride a bike to and from work (30 miles round trip) a few days a week. i am in NO hurry to l…

Whats up with the chat room it will not laod for me for some reason it says done but it dose not load for me is it something on my end or what

ok a friend of mine works at vit. world and told me about these protein shot. she says they have 49 grams of protein. she said i didn't have to drink it all at once. but it comes in fruity flavors. I wanted to know if anyone has tried these. I am having trouble getting in the protein. i can not stand the protein shakes. I have tried several different ones and nope don't like. I think they taste like water down milk . And i cant stand milk. My mom says even as a baby she could not get me to drink it. "" i don't like it, i don't want it" is what she say I have always said or done and yes as a adult i am still the same way. I am a very picky eater. I would rather stave then …

I am In my third week post op so I can eat pretty much anything. I haven't had a fill yet and I can't control myself from eating everything. Anybody else having this same issue? Any clues on what I can do to help manage this. :thumbup:

Doing good, everything went well! Had a fever and had to stay a little longer than usual. Can not do Ensure at all!!!!!!!!!! I do well with the carnation instant breakfast no sugar added and skim milk. Once I go to see my surgeon next week I want to use the silk milk unsweetened, instead of skim milk. That will give me more protein. I'm tired just took my vitamines and cacium. All I seem to want to do is sleep! But, I'm making myself walk, and writing my post. May Father GOD Bless you always.

I seem to be having a very hard time with phlem and trying to get it up and out it is so painful and I am sure not good for me. I am 2days banded and it concerns me. I have never read on here that anyone else had this problem. Has anyone had this issue? Input is great and appreciated and oh my gosh and sneezing is bad bad bad..lol Thanks Michele

This is just a quick update on my unfill. I made a post a few nights ago stating that my band was to tight and I had to go in for a slight unfill. I was put under the fluro and had a drink some of that delicious liquid barium. It showed the barium going down and right when it hit the part where my band is, it shot right back up, not in one but two different parts with a small band like thingy holding the parts together. He knew right them, my band was way to tight. He took out 3cc and had me doing the liquid barium swallowing test again and it went through just fine. I believe I now only have about 3 or 4cc in my band at the moment. I have an appointment for Aug…

hey guys my birthday is july 3rd. i've set myself a goal to be 175 by then. anyone with a birthday or goal for around the same time wanna pair up? or any one ele who just wants to help make me accountable and give me that much needed kick in the pants when needed? any help would be really appreciated

i'm a thread posting fool 2day...lol...i have gone from over-eating to shopping!!!!!shopping!!!!shopping!!!! and exercising!!!exercising!!!!exercising!!!! i could careless about food at this point...don't get me wrong i do eat...but i would rather have a new dress or work-out for 3 hours than a plate of food!!!!!!!!!!! give me a dress instead of a taco!!!!!!!!!!...lol...my friend (the same friend i posted a thread about earlier) is having sex with everyone under the sun...lol...hope i didnt offend anyone...weight loss is such a mental change...a total over-haul...not only of the body...but the mind too...

Why did I just eat 5 Oreo cookies? I hate myself right now. I just couldn't say no. I've been so good, but right now I feel so discouraged. Will I be strong enough to make this lifestyle change permanent? :thumbdown:

Ok, I've lost all hope. I went for my 3rd fill today [3rd, if you count the last time I had to go back because I got so sick] and once again, not feeling well AT ALL. When the Dr. sends me out to the waiting room to sip Water, I feel some kind of resistance no matter what. Its always a struggle to get the water down, whether I'm filled comfortably or really uncomfortably.. so I honestly have no idea if I'm supposed to suck it up or go back in to get some taken out.... or just wait it out? Last time, I lost nearly 7 pounds in 3 days because I couldn't eat or drink and I had to wait to get an appointment. [i think it was because of the weekend?]. I lost all that weight…

Hi all, It's been awhile since I've been on the boards, mostly due to travel and work, but other reasons as well. I would LOVE to hear ANY and ALL comments; here goes! I was banded Jan 19th, 2009 and have lost 40 lbs (plus or minus depending on the day) and feel FABULOUS!!! That said, here is one of my dilemmas. Basically, since surgery I have had restriction. I had 2 fills, which went relatively without incident (some PB'ing and sliming, but nothing crazy). I lost a decent amount of weight (2lbs a week) and everything was fine. THEN, on my 3rd fill I had RESTRICTION OVERLOAD!! Literally, I couldn't eat ANYTHING without feeling like it was getting stuck and t…

Hi All, I am going for my first fill on wed 15th July, I am not sure what to expect, will it hurt? will it make me eat less food than i am already eating? How often do you need to have the fills? :frown: Thanks Gillian

I just uploaded a few photos from a wedding I attended over the weekend. I know I have lost weight since my surgery last Sept but not really noticed. After uploading I was looking at my picture the day before my surgery. I see how unhappy I looked and my size. Now I see a confident woman who looks pretty good. I am not trying to be cocky so please don't take it that way. I have lost almost 50lbs and still have a ways to go. I suddenly see the changes by uploading a few photos. Everyone should have photos every couple of weeks/months. What a difference 10months can make. Wow.

Its 7 weeks Post Op for me. I have to admit that I am officially struggling with my emotional side of eating. :mad2: Even though I have read, been told by the staff and know inside personally that the band is a "tool" to weight loss, I somehow thought it would be alittle easier with eating side. Maybe I am jumping the gun alittle. (my 1st fill is this Friday ) But my old habits are trying soo hard to break me. :sad: I am good all day. I stay focused and eat my Proteins, etc do what I am supposed to do, BUT when night time comes, my emotional demon comes out!:mad: Out of boredom, & habit, I want to graze which I admit I do. Feeling disappointed in myself for let…

:thumbup: Ok, so I got the band on 12.30.08 and continually losing weight SLOWLY shall I say, but now that I'm six months into it, I'm glad it's slow, no complaints on that anymore! BUT, I have not lost one ounce, NOT one in the past 4 weeks. So I called the doctor’s office and I didn't get an adjustment 4 weeks ago when I was there, so they said I might need an adjustment. IS THIS NORMAL, I mean HELLO this can kill an ego when trying so hard.