POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi everyone I am all over this board reading stories, and getting as much info as possible. Wondering how soon you returned to work after being banded? Is it wrong for me to assume if I have it done on say a Thurs/Fri I would be okay for work Monday morning? Also, anyone else have a wild toddler as I do? How did it go? :blushing:

how long does it usually take a banded person to eat 1 cup of food?

just had to post about this. i went out with my girlfriends this weekend and i just got a chance to look at some of the pictures. i almost didnt recognize myself in them. if i werent the only redhead id have sworn it wasnt me! (i put 1 up in my album for anyone who wants to look.) then i look at some pics i took in jamaica in november. what a major difference. i was so heavy, not to mention miserable. those were almost the only pics i took on vacation cuz i felt so fat. i almost cant imagine how hot ill be when i get to goal. lol i just had to post on here. some things only my band friends understand. i am so much happier than i've been in years. i am really getting bac…

So I had an appointment with the surgeon yesterday, along with getting another small fill he informed me that my scars have formed keloids. Very unusual for someone with as fair of a complexion as mine, he joked that I must be "black irish" :thumbup: So has anyone else developed keloids,and what if anything have you done to treat them. I am going to see if I can get in with a Derm maybe I can get some kenalog injections. But in case that doesn't fly with my MD what else can I do?

FOr those that have been banded, a question please: How much info regarding the whole process did your doctor give you prior to being banded? I don't need all the particulars, but I am curious as to whether you felt it was adequate for what you experienced. I ask this because I often see a lot of folks posting to the site and their questions seem like those that should have been covered by their medical staff. Like - How do I get rid of the gas? What can I eat in the first week? Why does my left, right, middle incision hurt? What is a fill? etc. I am not saying that this forum isn't a great place to get information, because it is. And I understand that every doc…

Today is my one year Bandiversary :biggrin: I am down 72 pounds. I so wanted to be down 75 by today, but I am happy with the 72. I still have a long way to go, and wish I was one of those people who could say I've lost 100 something in a year... but I will just have to work harder to get there. Looking back on this year.... When I get down about my (in my mind) not fast enough weight loss I sometimes wish I had gone another route (bypass)..... but even while I have these thoughts, I know the band was the right choice for me. Do I regret being banded... never!!!! Any advice to newbies?? E-X-E-R-C-I-S-E I do regret I did not exercise at the beginning. I had so…

I'm excited today. . . I bought a pair of size 16 black pants on-line from The Gap and. . . they fit! I'm wearing them to work today. I haven't been in a regular 16 for quite some time! Woo-hoo! It's so nice to be able to buy misses sizes instead of plus once again (and to be out of that weird no man's range between 1X and 16 misses)! Catherine

I went to Florida last weekend and we were a little late for the flight because the lines were so long. I bought something to eat before I got on the plane. I thought that I was eating slowly enough, then they called us for the flight and I threw the rest of the food away. I get in line, and get that lovely pain in my chest from being stuck. I get through the line, but then there is another line in the hall to get into the plane. At this point I am sweating and in a ton of pain. So, I ended up having to push past about 20 people to get to the lavatory, had to tell the flight attendant that I needed to vomit and ran in there! When I came out I felt like a fool and the flig…

hi everyone, i posted yesterday and today about restriction and tightness. well, just got back from doctors and had to be unfilled completely..........only had 1 fill. why you ask....i had a spinach salad wednesday for lunch...after lunch i felt fine. went to eat dinner, could keep anyhing down not even liquids, this happen till today. well i actually had a piece of spinach stuck in my pouch and it looked like it had made its on pouch, hence why nothing would go down. doctor said only second time he has seen something like that. first time was a woman shallowed a whole grape and it got suck. anyway i am now completely unfilled for 1 month. bummer! oh y…

Hello Ladies.... I have a question... I currently take the Depo shot for birth control and was told by my doctor that the birth control makes it hard to lose weight.. No that I am getting the Lap band I was wondering if some of you ladies have used this method and lose weight with the Lap band. I just dont want to end up Prego and just lost this weight....No way!!!:thumbup:

I've been reading a lot lately and it looks like some bands have a few cc's in them when they get put in and some are emtpy. Does it just depend on the doctor? I would love it if I had something in my band after surgery!

Hi everyone I find forums like this so hepful, but to be honest I usually try to stay away from posting on them as I know that posts like the one I am about to write can lead to a torrent of critisism. I am going to be very honest in this post as I want help not judgement. For several years I have had a serious addiction to food. I eat to the point that I can barely move and feel reall sick. As soon as this feeing SLIGHTLY subsides and I feel as if I can sqeeze in another morsel of food to top myself up again, thats exactly what i do. If I make myself 6 rounds of toast, as soon as I start to eat the second sice, I begain to panic that this will not be enough to satisfy…

I'm three weeks post op and everything about the surgery is great except for the fact I constantly feel the port. It seems like it might be on a muscle. When I exercise it gives me a feeling of cramping on my right side.(thats the side the port is on). I'm also a belly sleeper and every morning when I wake up there is pressure there and the port is very pronounced. Am I worried for nothing because it's only been three weeks? I see my dr and get my first fill two weeks from today.

I had my surgery on June 12, so I am currently 13 days post-op. For the first 10 days, I was on liquids only and did fine. I developed a seroma, which is putting pressure on my port incision. On 10 days post-op, I had a check-up appointment with my doctor and dietitian. I told them I hadn't really been hungry since surgery, and dietitian thought maybe the swelling from surgery and the seroma was making me tighter than usual. Her recommendation was to start mushies slowly with applesauce-consistency foods, 1/8 cup at a time. I followed those instructions for about a day and a half, and then I started to have reflux after eating. Called the doctor's office, and the …

Hi All I am needing a little help here I am not losing weight only inches. I am two months post op and I have lost over 10" total and 14-15lbs. I am making sure I stick between 1200-1500 calories granted some weekend I have had some alcoholic beverages. I am exercising at least 4days/wk cardio for one hour and some weight training. This week I have started a food journal but I need some encouragement? how did you get past plateaus?. Also I have 4cc in my band got a second fill last week Thank you

I am trying to detemine if this is related to the band or another issue. Recently, I have started to experience bad back pain, towars the top middle part of my back. The pain is very sharp as to where I can't sleep or even get comforatable. I notice this flares up after I have attempted to eat. Is this familiar to anyone?:bored:

I got my lapband about 3 years ago and lost 70 pounds the 1st year. I was still overweight about 60 pounds but I was happy with myself after the 70 pound weight loss and have been maintaining the same weight for the last 2 years with no band complications what so ever. Now, I want to start losing weight again but I don't know where to start. I thought about a fill but I really don't think I need one. Where do I start. If anyone has any information or advice I would appreciate the help.

Okay so I need some help! I still can't take in much liquids (Renee has tried to get me to go in for IV Fluids but I don't think I am that far gone yet) I am on full fluids and can't seem to find anything really I can take! I need advice on what works best! I have tried tomato soup, different kinds of smoothies, stew and bean and bacon soup blended up, Atkins shakes, and whey protein shakes. I can't take more then 3-4 sips and sometimes that makes me feel ill!!! The only thing I have been able to get down..about (2 oz or so) was the carnation instant mix I made for my kids and that is not really ideal... Please let me know if you found anything especially good that …

Just wanting to know if anybody had/has a port that flipped and how did you know? I'm having some port pain and it feels a little different but not sure don't have an appointment for 3 more weeks, not in a hurry to go because I think I'm at my sweet spot.

I was banded on 3/31 of this year and I had my first fill 5/11. I did well with my first fill...I lost 8lbs in 4 weeks. My second fill was on 6/9 and I was only given .5cc because of being on the 'high end' of losing the weight. When I went for my second fill, I had lost a total of 33lbs since my pre-op. Since my second fill, it seems as though I want more to eat and actually can eat more than before :thumbup:. I'm not scheduled for my third fill until after the 4th of July. I think I have lost 2lbs since my fill. Has anyone else had this problem with having a small fill and still being hungry and able to eat more. I can't eat near as much as I did before the band, but so…

I want to update my scale on my signature but I'm doing something wrong! Help! I want to post my success!!! :bored:

I have read that some of you were hungry. at your band I am not I have no feeling when I am or when I have to go to the batroom.To do anything I am also very winded I am so out of breath. I have little pain and a lot of gas. (TMI) I also have very watery bm.I have been walking but, I get so tired.Oh I forgot I had my surgery on June19th at 11:00am. I just wanted to know if any one else was having or had these symptons?

3 weeks post-op....I went to the gym last night and did the ellipticle (spelling) for 30 minutes. 10 minutes forward, 10 backward, 10 forward. When going from backward to forward - my stomach starting hurting. I wanted to get to 30 minutes so I kept going. When I got home - it seemed my stomach was a bit swollen and it hurt where the port is. Today - I am a still uncomfortable. Has this happened to anyone....do you think I may have messed something up inside? I am one of those people who don't lose unless they go to the gym.

Hello I just started out on the mushy stage. My question is when i started out on full liquids i would feel restricited because i would get pain usually when i drank to fast. now towards the end of full liquid a mushy i need to drink or eat quite a bit to feel this. Could this be from a stretched pouch? i do not yet have a fill.Thanks

July 8th here! ..heading to Mexico with Dr. Ortiz!! (self pay) I am not fat enough (the irony):thumbup: for my insurance to cover me... I am at 31.4 BMI (I am only 5'1 and was horrified to see that I am technically 'obese')..esp when i was a SIZE 4 on my wedding day... I am VERY excited:thumbup:, but still have SOOO many questions running through my head...esp after reading different threads on this site and others...:biggrin: Some say they are so many weeks, even months post op and havent seen much success...that's tad scary to me! I have done EVERYTHING to lose the weight that i regained and nothing ...thats when i decided to research Lapband... I know it'll be …

For those who didn't tell their co-workers, friends, family, whoever they got the band, what do tell them when you PB or slime???

Has anyone felt this? I am going through a bad head cold/ sinus infection. I have lost my sense of smell, and it seems with it most of taste. But I also seem to have lost my sense of restriction. I hope it comes back when I get better. (I am about 6 months out, and have been at my "sweet spot" for a month or so now) Sound familiar to anyone?

would peanut butter be considered mushy?

Maybe I don't really want to know!!!! But I can't figure out what "PBing" or "sliming" means!!

Just thought you guys would like to hear about this. OK, I weighed myself Monday morning. I had posted a few days ago about being in a rut and not losing anything for the past few weeks. I got my hair cut off yesterday evening (man, I tell you, I haven't had it this short since I was in high school). I get up this morning and the thought run through my mind wondering if I had lost anything since I got my hair cut. So, I step back on the scales and believe it or not, I had lost 2 1/2 pounds. I couldnt do anything but laugh about that. I don't know, to me I found it a little bit funny. Wouldn't it be nice if losing weight was as simple as having your hair cut off? …

How long are you supposed to leave the tape over your incisions. I know some take them off soon after surgery; however, I haven't removed any of them. One this morning was hanging by a thread so I did remove it; however the others seem fairly secure and in no danger of coming off anytime soon. Am I suppose to leave them on and let them come of as they are ready or take them off at a certain time. I know Nina's mom (WHAT THE HECK IS HER NAME, I CAN'T RECALL) said to keep the incision where the drain was covered for 15 days. Wondering if that is the same for the others. I put a bandaid over the one that came off this morning- wondering if that is necessary.

So we're told that we have to drink, drink, drink. So I am drinking, drinking, drinking. BUT, not to give too much TMI Fluid in is not equaling fluid out. I'm swollen like a tick. I even ate some watermelon last night as that ususally pushes right through, but it isn't happening. Now what?

here is the deal I got my first fill on june 2 2009 and i was given 2cc because i already had 2ccin the band which mean i have 4 cc total. i am still very hungry at time i am not getting full at all. is that the total amount that everyone gets or can i ask for more like 6 cc.i lostmore weight on the pre op diet then i did with my first fill.

Since this morning, I've been having pain at the suture/port site on my abdomen. Somtimes it's if I move a certain way, and sometimes it just randomly hurts. I was banded 18 days ago. Has anyone else had this happen? What did you do? Thanks!

Hey I was just wondering if oatmeal was considered a pureed food? Any ideas?

Can someone please tell me what they mean when they say a food gets stuck... how stuck? How does it come loose? What does it feel like? How do you know a food is stuck? Thank you for your help and insight!!

Okay people I'm STARVING!!! I have 5 days left until I can go to the mushies but I'm going to lose it if I have another shake. Does everyone wait for 2 weeks before mushies? And what were your mushies? Thanks!

I just got banded on May 1st and things have been going good, but Im soooo sick and tired of people watching me like a hawk everytime I eat something and making comments like are you suppose to be eating that? are you suppose to be drinking that? have you lost any weight yet? I mean it is driving me NUTS!! And then I have a friend who I talk too a couple times a week and she's asking me how much weight have you lost? have you lost anymore? how much do they think your going to lose? I mean it's not going to happen overnight give me a freakin break!! I feel like Im under a microscope now and they expect some kind of transformation overnight! I dont know if anyone else ha…

I'm about 3 1/2 weeks post op and have slowly started introducing soft foods back into my diet the past few days. Is it normal to actually gain weight during this period? I've gained 3 pounds in about 4 days since introducing more food. Does this eventually even out? Just want to hear from others who may have experienced this. I was doing so well with the weight loss (43 pounds in 2 months) but it has completly stopped now. I admit I could be walking more and definetly drinking more water.

Hi! I'm being patient to see how this goes, but I need some input. I was banded 2/14/09 - I've lost 20 lbs! Yippee! This represents about 1/3 of my final goal. However, the last 2 months have seen only a 3 lb loss. : ( I've had one fill. If I'm reading my card thingy right, my band is 4 cc capacity and on 4/09 I had 1.8cc put in. Here's my confusion. Sometimes, after just 3 bites - I "choke" and wish I could just spit it right out. I'm pretty vigilant about chew-chew-chewing, so I'm not sure this is the cause. Yet other times, I can eat a full serving (3 cups). Literally - I can eat 3 bites of a sub sandwich and choke or I am practically able to finsih the whole thing. W…

Hi all. I was banded 10/1/09. On Feb 16th I had to have the port out because of infection. (Also had my gallbladder removed at the same time). On April 16th they replaced the port at a different location. On May 29th they had to remove it again because of infection. It is a common staff infection, but I got very sick. Has this happened to anyone else? Are you still losing weight? I still have the band and do have some restriction. I hope I can end up at least keeping the band. Kathy:cursing:

Hi everyone -- I was just banded yesterday and am doing okay. The pain is completely manageable. I was actually wondering if anyone here was banded with the Realize band? I didn't know that my surgeon was going to use Realize band, but I found out after surgery. I actually wanted the Realize band (I like the 'claws' in the port that hook onto the fascia, and I like the low profile port) but for some reason I remember talking about it with him and deciding on the Lap Band. Anyways, I am not unhappy with the Realize band and I just wanted to see if anyone else was banded with Realize. Im so excited to start this new phase of my life!

:confused:I got my band in August of last year. I have been on steroids since about three weeks ago. I have actually gained about 30lbs since I first got my band and just finally lost 10lbs this past month. It doesn't matter if I drink or eat it feels like everything gets stuck in my chest. This starting to stress me what do I do now?

I am 4 years post-op and have started having issues with vomiting in my sleep through my nose. It is not just liquid. It is really disgusting and I can't seem to figure out why this is happening. I have had no problems with my band but I also haven't lost my weight. I had 75 pounds lost and got pregnant. My band was not adjusted b/c I had very little saline sol. inside and was able to eat good. Now I am having alot of problems. My baby is only two months old and I get up more with vomit on my pillow than with her crying in the night. This is getting really frustrating!!!

Hi, I've had the lap band for almost 2 years and my weight loss has been pretty slow. I started at 350 and am down to 270. I lost weight easier in the beginning but after I broke the 300 mark I had to fight to get off every pound. I am desperately looking for a reason and a way to help me get the weight off. I am very active and work out vigorously at least 5 days a week and on days that my band does not rebel I consume 600-900 calories. On bad days I get 300 or less. I drink lots of water. I don't know what I am doing wrong it doesn't make sense that I am not losing weight and some weeks I gain a few pounds. Is starvation mode a real thing? If anyone has any tips or has …

Okay - everytime I try to lay down - even with 2 pillows, I start getting a tickle right at the top of my esphogus to the point it throws me into a coughing spell and then I start gagging on phlem ... last night I slept practically setting up and that helped a little, but I felt even less rested then morning that all the others since I've been home because I'm only able to sleep at max 2 hours at a time. It just happened again and it was a bad bout this time because I started gagging really bad and nearly threw-up ...has/is anyone else experience(d) this and, if so, what did you do about it ... It doesn't seem to happen if I am sitting or standing, just when I try to…

Has anyone here had a leak that was 2 - 3cm long? How long was your recovery? My surgeon warned me I would have a higher chance of a leak than most because I previously had a lap band and a TON of scar tissue around my esophegus and stomach. I developed a leak instantly (had surgery June 2nd) and went in for a repair surgery June 3rd. The repair wouldnt hold because my stomach was so chewed up. They did a 3rd surgery on June 4th to put in an extra drain and a feeding tube. I have to be on a feeding tube for at LEAST another month (nothing but small amounts of Water by mouth) and that's if things heal up quickly. I am very discouraged by this and I really hope a …

hi all, I was banded on 6/19 and have been dealing with a significant amount of gas. Today was the first day I was feeling relief HOWEVER....out of the blue I have this intense stabbing pain in my left shoulder tip. Is this the last of the gas trying to get out??? OMG this is worse then all the gas pains combined

i was banded 6/17/09 and its been really painful with all the gas. my back and my shoulders and chest hurt so bad. I have been walking and doing my breathing exerscises . can anyone please give me some advice to help me out. :blushing:

Hi there...I was put on a Sterroid pack yesterday, as I had a Photosensitivity to the sunlight due to my current meds. It has my entire face rashed and very itchy...the sterroids are helping with the problem, but at the same time they are tearing my tiny stomach up!! I am so totally bloated and full of tummy aches!! Anyone else had problems from taking sterroids post-op? Thanks so much for the help. Crystal