POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hello~ I was banded about 5 years ago and did really well the first 4 years. I now have all kinds of problems and I an wondering if anyone else has these issues. I can't lay down flat at night or I wake up choking from regurdgitation. I often feel like something is stuck in my throat and it sometimes can feel that way all day. I can eat something just fine one day and the next time I try it, i throw up several times after eating it. I also don't notice restriction after I get tightened anymore. I haven't been tightened in over a year and a half because I just don't feel a difference anymore. Anyone else???

I had lap band surgery 4 days ago. I feel really good except for one area...my left shoulder is in agony. In the recovery room I told them my collar bone and shoulder was hurting, they said this was from the gas. It has now been four days and it is still very painful in the left shoulder only. I spoke with the surgeon's office yesterday. The receptionist said they hear this complaint often, she said it is the anesthesia leaving the body. Anyone else have a similar experience? How long until it subsides? What is it from gas/anesthesia?

:tongue: sometimes it really bothers me not to be able and sit and eat like I used to. It is more difficult then I thought at times The only thing that makes me feel better is when I hop on the scale in the morning and see the numbers going down:thumbup:

The UN food officials define going hungry as those who consume fewer than 1800 calories a day. This comes as no surprise to those of us who have been on myriads of diets over the years with far fewer than 1800 calories. No wonder they fail time and time again. But the grim news from the UN was that 100 million more people were defined as going hungry this year compared to last year due to droughts, war, political instability, high food prices and poverty. Very sad.

I'm 5'8" and weigh 207lbs. I had my first appt yesterday to discuss getting the Lap Band. I have to lose 63lbs, I've been overweight my whole life and want to be done with it once and for all. Insurance won't cover it so I'm paying cash. I'm going to pre op support group on Saturday. I was wondering if anybody was in my position and how do you feel post op about your decision. How fast did the weight come off?

was your weight between 200lb - 210lb before the op?.... if so lets share weight lose success.... i was banded at on june 6, and my weight was 207.7lb... and now i am 200.2lb ))

Hi, My surgery date is Aug. 7; its coming up! I just want to double check; with the sleeve- no diet coke or carbonated drinks? No drinking with meals? What about ibuprofen or other head ache meds. I get head aches a lot and take ibuprofen. If its not allowed, what else can - take? Also, I'm hearing a lot about Nexium. What is it? Does Dr. Aceves provide it? Thanks, Rose

OKAY - so my fiance won't register here but wanted me to post the same question he posted on Dr. Aceves website ... so here goes .... "My fiancee is having her surgery on the 12th of this month. I am not worried about her having it, what I am concerned with is WHAT should be MY role in all this? What can I do? What can I expect? I just read that she will be 'leaking' (pads?) I can and will change that. What I would like to know from all of you is what will be the the best way I can help her through the initial three weeks and beyond? Thanks Please respond to me at my email, as I do not regularly visit these forums. You can email me at beardeditalian48@yahoo.com…

I am coming up on my one year anniversary of my surgery and have appt with my doctor to go over everything, lab work, etc. which is required at one year post-op. Anyway, back to my question. I think I am too tight but I don't want an unfill because then I am worried I will be too loose - I haven't lost any weight in two months even though I have had restriction so I am starting to wonder what is going on. In the morning I can barely get my protein shake down it sort of hurts going down by lunch I can only eat about a portion of chicken salad or something like that and then dinner I usually have a cup of hot tea and a lean cuisine - what do you think? Thanks.

I was banded June 3, and with the two week pre-op diet, then liquid stage, then soft foods stage - I thought surely I would have lost more than 8 lbs. I know it can be slow going for some of us but I was looking for a little more scale-reward after 4 weeks of "dieting." Does anyone have any advice/reassurance for me?

I had my first fill about a month ago. I received 3 cc in a 10 cc band. Sorry, I don't know the technical name for the bank I have, but I apparently have the larger of the two 10cc bands, if that makes any sense to anyone. When I first got the fill I was pretty satisfied with little food. Now, about 3 weeks later, I barely feel satisfied. I am astonished about what I can eat sometimes. Definitely not like it was preband, but more than a probably should. I have still lost some weight since last fill, maybe about 3-4 lbs. I will get another 1cc at the next fill. Just wondering if there is anyone went thru something similar.

Hello...I will be banded 1 week tomorrow! The week has brought me the ability to sleep on my side and clean the house. I got to thinking (after cleaning today).....is it possible I could slip the band or port by bending over a million times picking up the house and cleaning? It didnt hurt and I didnt think anything of it until after......EEK...what do you all think??? Thanks, Jill:crying:

I have a part time job as a server in the evening along with my real estate. When do you think I can go back to work comfortably if I dont have to carry any trays or anything heavy? What is the usual weight limits to lift? 10lbs? I cant remember. Thanks everyone!!!

I haven't been the model bandster lately and i have decided to clean my slate and start over fresh. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there who hasnt been doing as well as they would like with the diet over the last few months and would like to come here to encourage each other to get back on track. I haven't lost or gained any weight since mid-april....but i know i havent been on the strictest diet, and my exercise has been lacking. let me know if anyone else needs encouragement to get back on track and is ready to start losing again!

I have found this Greek Yogurt called Chobani. They are 6oz and have anywhere from 14 to 18 grams of Protein per every 6oz container. They taste good. the vanilla is great. The plain is ok but just sprinkle some cinnamon poweder on it and you are good to go. The carbs are low as well. The fruite ones have a higher sugar and carb count, but still have about 14 grams of protein. These have been a god send to me in getting all my protein in for the day as I was having a very hard time. They are a little expenisve at $1.59 each but you can get them on sale for about a $1.00 - A&P currently has them on sale this week. Stock up everyone and remember this i…

hi can fill kick in after 2 weeks? i think that is what is happening to me. can barely keep liquids down. going to doctor today for another fill, thought first one did not work. thanks

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and I thank God it is here. I was banded on 5-29-09. and it has been a roller coaster ride. My first 2 weeks I lost 18 pounds and was very excited! Then the third week I have gained 4 pounds back and I am scared to death that I have done something wrong. I have to admit that I am having a hard time making myself stop eating when I feel "satisfied". I am working on it but it is the hardest thing I have ever done. Also, the last couple of days I have had a lot of indigestion and not sure why. Another thing since my surgery I can not burp? What is up with that? Any words of encouragement would be helpful. Thanks:wink2:

Hello everyone, I had my first appointment today with my DR and he told me I am a great canidate for the LAPBAND. I am so relieved, excited, and nervous. Know I am curious to how long the process takes. I have heard from some people it can take as long as 6 months and others have said it has taken weeks. I am scheduled for blood work tomorrow and they said it will take about two weeks to get all the results back. The DR said I will then see his assistant and as long as the tests are okay we will schedule the operation...but I dont know if he was sugar coating everything. I did call my insurance and they said I would be approved for the operation.

I have been reading a great deal to get ready for the Banding on June 30th. Everyone here has been so helpful. Many of you have mentioned that Gas-x strips are helpful to get rid of the pain from the gas during surgery. I know that walking helps too. But when did you take the Gas-x? Did you bring it to the hospital and take it there. I always thought that the hospital was very strict about you taking only whet they give you. Also, for how long and how often did you have to take them? Any insight would be very helpful. liquid diet, here I come on Tuesday.

I have a few good ones, but I think the best one was being able to go shopping -- in normal sizes -- and feeling great about how I looked. It was the first time in many years that I was able to go shopping without being totally disgusted with myself about how I looked and how much weight I had let myself put on. I had another one this morning. . . my size 16 banana Republic pants (the ones that I just dreamed of getting into when I first got banded) are getting too big!! WOO-HOO! :wink2: Catherine

does anyone else take secret pleasure in being smaller than people who used to talk about how fat you were? i saw my daughters stepmother yesterday for the 1st time in a while. she used to constantly talk bad about me. called me fat to people behind my back all the time always tried to start drama anywhere she could.. well low and behold guess what shes bigger than i am now. she said i looked great only after my daughter pointed out all the weight i'd lost to her. well then to add insult to injury i told her i was cleaning out my closet and that she was more than welcome to my old fat clothes. she looked like she wanted to hit me. now it may have been juvenlle but …

I'm getting banded this Friday.. :blushing: and I JUST started a new job.. so I only requested Friday off hoping that by Monday morning I'll be ready to go. But I'm just hoping that I'm not getting in over my head by trying to go back in 3 days. It is an office job so it's nothing too strenuous but I don't want to make a bad impression. So how long did it take you guys to get back to semi normal.. or atleast functioning without too much pain?

It came as no surprise to me today that my most recent bone density test showed that I had osteoporosis because two years ago I had osteopenia. Mostly this is due to my breast cancer meds which are anti-estrogen and hard on the bones. My weight loss hasn't helped either. Has anyone gone on Boniva, Fosomax or Actenol? And if so, are the pills hard to tolerate with the band? I don't have very tight restriction and haven't had any problems with pills. I just joined a gym and started weight bearing exercises to add to my aerobic exercising. Hope that will help. Thanks.

My surgery was on 6/2. To date I have lost 20 pounds. After having my surgery I found out at my 1 week post-op visit that all of the reference materials/diet guidelines given to me were for bypass NOT the Lap Band. I was told they didn't have any materials yet, but are working on it. So frustrating. Everything I thought I knew may or may not apply to me now. The surgeon told me I can have soft foods. I've been living off of yogurt, cottage cheese, thinly sliced lunch meat and the occasional piece of fruit or cheese. My daily caloric intake is less than 500 calories. Each of my three meals weighs 2-3 oz. My 2 daily snacks are also 2-3oz each. Am I eating correc…

thats what my scale showed this am:thumbup: Im thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I stsrted at 211 and had surgery on 3/25/09

this has been a great day for me. for starters i got up this morning and im down to 177. only a few pounds short of my birthday goal! then even better. i have a pair of size 12 jeans that i bought from the GAP like 4 years ago that have never ever fit. well i put them on today and they fit perfect. no squeezing to get them zipped, no muffin top. and they're not stretch material either! im so proud of myself! i was so happy i almost cried. all i have to say is if you work with the band it really does work. so for anyone whos struggling. keep at it. the rewards are well worth the work you put in. nothing i've ever eaten ever made me feel as good as i did when i looked at …

How many of you are "food addicts"? I am definitely one of those. I have lost 62 pounds now gained back 2 of them. :thumbup: I am happy for my loss (probably life saving) but I am following old habits of eating when stressed or sad etc. For me it seems to be a battle of mind over stomach and this month the mind is winning. HOW DO YOU CHANGE YOUR MINDSET and make it permanent? :bored: HOW DO YOU GET OVER A FOOD ADDICTION? The band can't do it for me - I still have to control or alter or replace my cravings for emotional eating. I welcome any response. Can anybody relate? Has anybody found a good tool to use? I need help!:eek: Betsy - betsyw20@comcast.net

why after a fill do you need to be on liquids for 24 hours. I never asked?:wink:

I was banded 1 week ago today. I thought for sure that I would be feeling much better in my recovery than I am. I am experiencing shoulder pain, nausea (even with a patch on), a sharp pain just below my left breast (I suppose where my stomache is), and a pain in the left part of my chest. It's as if the pain in my stomache area radiates up to my chest. With every breath, the pain is there. I began yesterday evening, and I thought it came on because maybe I got up too quickly from a laying down position. If I attempt to take a large breath, it really hurts. When I get up to move around, I feel extra nauseated, shaky, and start to break out into a small sweat. I also still …

I was banded this Monday June 8th, 2009. I find myself having a hard time psychologically dealing with this new change. I know I did a good thing that is going to change my life but I can't help feeling down and questioning if I did the right thing. Has anyone felt the same way? I found myself crying last night and this morning and just feeling anxiety and fear, wondering if I can actually do this. Especially the 4 weeks of pureed and smashed food. I would love to talk to someone who may have had the same feelings and has had the band for a while and can tell me what to expect

Ok I had no idea where to put this...so please move if it's in the wrong place, but I have question that I have no one else to ask about lol...has anyone had a loss of libido since getting banded (just for the record I know its not caused by the band). Could it/would it be because of losing weight? I've heard some people on here say something about estrogen being stored in the fat...so when we lose the fat, could that be why??

Hi All: So I am going in for my surgery on Friday and then I am on a "thin liquid" diet for 10 days. I have also done 10 days of pre-op. My packet says "anything that is able to fit through a straw is fine" so my question is does this include different kinds of Soups? Also I have been having sugar free Jello-O on my pre-op, would I be able to continue with these and some puddings? I'd like to get some groceries before hand just not sure what else to buy besides for the Protein shakes? Help!

im worried about something. I know erosion is rare but in 5 10 or 20 years wouldnt it start to happen eventually. I just never hear about anyone having it on longer than 5 years

Okay ladies (and gentlemen), I need some assistance. I am dealing with the clear liquids okay. I can get through the next 5 day of that -- what I don't think I can get through even one more day of is crushing my medication and mixing it with water ... every time I do that gag and it's all I can do to keep myself from throwing up. Any suggestions on how to get through the clear and full liquid stage and still be able to take my medication? I have to take my BP medicine, my nexium and my effexor (2x a day since I had to switch from the XR to the regular)? I'm hoping once I'm on mushies I can mix them with a bit of yogurt or applesauce and get them down that…

Does anyone else do this? If I eat something and it is not too much that it comes back up but enough so that I get that wonderful pain saying you did not chew well enough, I yawn. Not just once, but a lot. Actually I yawn until it gets unstuck then the yawning stops. I tell ya', there really is alot of really weird little things that happen when you get the band. Oh well, at least we have this place to come and talk about things.

I'm not feeling like I'm losing any weight and its really starting to get me down. I've just had my first fill (last week) and at 4cc I really thought I would drop the weight faster than the first few weeks but it hasn't. I've been having a bit of trouble with PB'ing (I know its cause I've been eating too fast and not chewing enough) but because of it, I know that I haven't been eating that much as it puts me off. Could this be a reason why? How many calories are we supposed to have during a day to consistently lose weight. I haven't been doing too much excercise as such, but running around after a 4.5yr old and an 22 month old means I'm not sitting on my arse all day …

hi all, ok had my 1st fill june 5, and nothing could eat anything and not be bother. well, yesterday i went to lunch and had a salad - all was fine after i ate no problem at all (i do sometimes eat fast). last night went to have dinner a piece of chicken - and i got to the second bit and started to pbing, like it was awful, but the biggest thing is i was pbing my lunch. normal??? i pbed about 8 times in a row(never done that)! anyway just kept sipping Water was ok, went to bed. this mornng had to take my pills my big one fills like it is stuck!!! oh no. can drink and it is going down. finally question: could my fill be kicking in this late???? or am i …

I have just had my first fill (just over a week ago) and he did 4cc. It has definately given me restiction in how much food I can eat and how fast I get full, but I have also had an increase in PB'ing. It usually only happens when I eat bread. This afternoon for lunch I tried half a ham sandwhich (toasted) but it just came right back up. I've decided I will be avoiding any kind of bread from now on.This is normal though right? I was told that some people cannot handle bread - I guess I'm one of them.

I was banded 5/5 and got my first period since my banding. Its heavy and is not slowing down like it usually does. I've called my OB and he wants me to wait till Monday, but I am wondering if it is a coincidence and that it has nothing to do with the banding. Is anyone else having issues?

I am a bit over 3 weeks post op and I made a strange discovery today. One of my internal stitches is sticking out of my port incision about 1/8 of an inch. It appears that my incision is actually healing around it. I had not noticed this prior to today because I had scabbing and lots of skin glue. Now that most of the scabbing is gone and all of the skin glue has peeled off I realized it. I am calling the surgeons office in the morning to make them aware. Anyone have any thoughts as to what they will do about it or how big of a deal this is?

hello i got banded i got banded a week ago i do not have a fill in my question is sometimes after i drink liquids a little white later it really starts hurting in my chest esophagus area. Can liquids still get stuck even though i haven't had a fill? Thanks

How long after surgery can I expect to have a swollen stomach? I'm curious when my measurements will reflect the real me.

Hi everyone, I have a question about time off for the surgery. My surgeon's office filled out my paperwork and even though I told her in a phone message AND on the fax cover page that I need to be out as long as I am restricted from activities, she still put me back to work in 7 days. Basically, my company is self-insured so the rule is you have to be 'released back to work with no restrictions' So, if they write that I can't lift more than 10 lbs, I can't work. I am fine with this, I have plenty of sick time saved up to use. From my conversation with the exercise person, I will have a weight restriction until my 1 month post op so this is how long I assumed I would …

I didn't realize that most Dr's do not do it at each fill My dr has me drink the barium before, does the fill and then has me drink the soultion and i get to watch it go through. It's cool to see the band and everything.

I was banded on 04/23/09, and had one fill on 06/02/09 of 1 cc and went back in on 06/09/09 for a second 1cc. If I can get through a meal without pain, (i.e. getting stuck) i am exstatic. I'm not sure if I'm making just wrong choices, not chewing enough or if I'm too tight. For example tonight, I made a chicken cassarole planning only in eating the meat and veggies. I was starving, so I think I ate the meat too fast... I then spent the rest of dinner, pacing the hall and listening to my husband tell me that it was the wrong thing to eat. The chicken was breast meat, but it wasn't tough or dry. If I eat a meal where I don't get stuck, I am eating about 1 to 1 1/…

I was wondering if any one who has reached their sweet spot has gotten sick for whatever reason and was able to vomit. I woke up last night not feeling well and had to throw up but nothing would come up from the stomach. It wanted to but I am perfectly tight right now and I couldn't get anything out. What do you do if you get the flu? Do you get an unfill so you can puke? Just looking for clues.

hi- looking for suggestions for an website where you can record your daily food intake. Also- why do you think it is better to record on-line versus the old fashioned pen and paper?

I was wondering how do you know if you have restriction? how do you know if something gets stuck. Right now i feel like i could eat anything. I'm trying to be careful not to stretch my stomach pouch. but right now it feel like i can eat anything. what are someways to no increase the size of the stomach pouch? What are some things that could increase stomach pouch size?

For those of you that have been banded: Did you think that the weight would just fall off the minute the band was in place? Be honest now. Cuz I read so many posts on the list that go something like: I had my surgery 2 weeks ago and have only lost 15 pounds. What am I doing wrong? I am not banded yet, so maybe I will feel the same way, but I think that I understand that this is not going to be the magic pill that will cause me to be the slim, size 6 I know I am inside. Certainly not in the first couple of years. But, I just seem to see a lot of folks that get a little whiney when they haven't lost the 100 lbs they want to lose in the first few months. I am wond…

I had my first fill on June 8th. I went out to dinner last night and had my first experience of being stuck. I thought I was going to die. It passed w/in 5 minutes, I was lucky, but I never want to feel like that again. This just goes to reinforce what every person here and every Dr. has said....small bites and chew, chew, chew. I thought I did that, but obviously not enough. Lesson learned!