POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Sometimes I feel so STUPID!!!! I have been on full liquids now since Friday (yeaterday) my docs instructions say to AVOID: soups, yogurts, oatmeal, grits, etc. (I have pureed some soup and eaten Cream of Wheat) OK, now what can I have besides protein drinks? Can I get some soft food and puree it?? I start soft foods on the 17th. Thanks for everyones help!!

I am in graduate school, and I am scheduled to do a 40 minute presentation on the Saturday after my surgery on a Tuesday. I could reschedule the presentation for two weeks later, but I have two one-hour presentations that week! My professor will allow me to sit during my presentation. Do you think I'll be able to do it? I will have to make my decision by class on Saturday so that I can trade dates with someone else if I do decide to reschedule.

I had my surgery yesterday, and I've been having an uncomfortable muscle twitch or spasm in my abs, near my port, since sometime overnight. It comes and goes, and it's not terribly painful, but I'm just wondering if anyone else had/has this? Thanks!

I'm at 7.5 and I think this is the best fill I have ever had. weight's just falling off, which is nice. What are you at and is it working?

Hi all, First let me say that I know I'm going to get "whipping" posts, but I just had to ask. Can I be the only one who is OK with slow weight loss and a band that is unfilled or only partially filled? I had an issue where the Dr & I decided to completely unfill my band back in May. Since then, I've been able to eat any food I choose (mostly all good choices) and not have to worry about PB'ing, sliming or chewing each bite 40 times. We went on vacation to Disney World for 2 weeks, and I had no issue with the flight, ate what I chose (did have some "no no" items) and still worked out almost every day and watched my portions. When we got back from vacation,…

I am 4 weeks post op and i am currently trying to take the Bariatric Fusion vitamins chewable. I absolutely cant stand the taste (I take 3 throughout the day) and I wondered if anyone had any suggestions about the vitamins they take.

I was banded on the 6th of June, and doing the liquid diet....................:thumbdown: I want to eat reall fooooooooooooooooood :laugh: how are you doing in this stage? what are you drinking?

I was banded on June 11, 2009. I was under the assumption that by now (day 3) I would be feeling much better than I am. In fact, I feel worse today than I did yesterday. I am so bloated, I cannot wear any of my pants! It even is uncomfortable for me to put on a bra. The less restrictive the clothing, the better. Anyway, my concerns are that something may be wrong, or maybe I just need desperately to have a bowel movement. I haven't had one in close to a week, and taking the pain reliever liquid my doc prescribed is only making it worse. I've tried using Gas-X strips...but to no relief. I have some Murilax stool softner, but am wondering if it will really help, or just mak…

I just got this idea if you were banded between 1 june and 10 june, we would like to start a weekly weight check. Every friday we weigh ourselves and see who will be the biggest loser :drool: just a way to keep us running and help each other if you like it please lets start from here ......

I am 3 days post op and am finding it really hard not lifting as I have a 2 year old. When can I lift again? Also, I really want to start exercising. Is walking for half hour OK? How long before I can do more intense exercise?

I'll start since it was my idea My number is 31 That would be the number of pounds I've lost the next poster will type the number of pounds they've lost and then add the them together. and so on :confused: Pounds only, lets not muddy the Water with that silly metric system--Online Conversion - Common Weight and Mass Conversions You can convert on that web site Now GO!

So, last night around 3 am, I woke up nausiated, burping and vomiting. I called the docs office and they saw me at 1 pm. Turns out when they put in the band they fill it to make sure there are no leaks. Well, they left in 1 cc. Between the swelling and the 1 cc fill, it basically blocked my stomach. The nurse practioner had to rough up my port incision to be able to hit the port w/o going through the incision site. Can I just say OUCH?!? On top of it all, I started running a faver. 101.6 when I realized something was wrong. I took some loritab, which has tylenol in it. Fever seems to be going down. I am just so frustrated. I know once this is all over (healing) I…

My surgery was 06/03 and the first couple of days i didn’t have much of an appetite but as the week progressed i acquired the want for mashed potatoes (which my nutrients said was fine) than it grew to wanted some cheese in them.. Which I THOUGHT was also fine. I really wish that was the worst part, 2 days ago i grew weak an went to chickfila I ate 5 chicken nuggets and a couple of fries.. of course i felt full very quickly as well as a lil ill, do you think i messed up anything internally? I have been slightly constipated since, but i took some benefiber (which was suggested by my doctor for the 2nd week of the liquid diet) and i feel fine. My stomach is a lil swollen, …

I have a 10cc band and currently have 6cc in the band and I have NO restriction :laugh:. Has anyone else experienced this? :thumbdown:

I was banded on June 9th. and started my full liquids today. Here are some of my questions. First I am really tired, sleepy tired not physically tired (does that make sense)? I started on a one a day chewable vitamin yesterday. Gas pains worse today then yesterday. Walking as much as possible. But probably not enough. Now this is an embarrasing question. What about having bowl movements? I have not had one since the morning of my surgery. I am in no discomfort but wondered if that was because of the clear liquid diet. I have always been very regular and surely don't want this to become a problem. Thanks a bunch!!

Anyone have this? It seems like when I get full I get an extreme amount of drool. Nothing foamy or anything but it almost is my alert that I am full.

This probably should be a poll, but I just wanted to know what people thought about posting pictures. Is it more motivational to sign in and see: 1. A picture of you at your highest weight? 2. A picture of yourself now (in my case I've only dropped 33 lbs). 3. A picture that is dated (in my case six years ago), but in which you are at/near goal weight? I know that it is personal opinion, but before, I post my picture, I want to hear from other's experiences as to what they find most motivational.

Ok, I have had this large, thick, piece of mucous stuck in the back of my throat since I had surgery. The nurse said it would eventually come up, but it wont. It comes up to the top of my throat and that's as far as it will go. I can't get it out of there and it's driving me insane. I gag on it, I have made my throat sore trying to cough it out (and i'm about done with that too because i'm afraid i'm going to hurt the band), and I have used an expectorant all day. Gargling doesnt work either. This this is nasty. Any ideas?

Hi! I was banded on june 4th and I was wondering when should I start taking Multivitamin??? My Dr suggested the Bariatric Advantage Vitaband...does anyone know that brand? By the way anyone comes from Montreal? I was banded by Dr Miller (self pay) in a private clinic. It was absolutely wonderful, great team and it was like a 5 stars hotel!!!:cursing: before/current/goal 254/230.5/130

:eek:Looks like I gained back 2.3 lbs. overnight!!! Guess I over did it yesterday!! I am going to be extra careful today!! Did this happen to anyone else when you went from clear liquids to full liquids?? Thanks

Hello everyone! Just had a question about a stuck episode I had this morning. I knew better, but I was eating a sausage biscuit on the drive to work this morning. After 3 bites, it got stuck. :redface:OMG, it hurt. :ihih: When it came back up, there was quite a bit of blood with it. :eek: Is this normal? I feel fine now, except I know I'm swollen. I can just barely get water down, so I'm drinking warm coffee that seems to be soothing. Has anyone else experienced this? I have only been banded since April 8th, so I'm still fairly new at this.:unsure:Thanks in advance for any input and advice. Donna:smile:

Hi All, just wondering if anyone knows which is better? or if it doesn't matter? i tried googling and all i can find are bodybuilding forums.

I was banded 6/10 and i was wondering if i can tolerate is it safe to sleep on your stomach with the lap band?? I just don't want it to slip. Thanks

When did you start noticing weight loss via the mirror and not the scale? I was banded 4/10 and I walk past reflective glass everyday at work and I still look the same :confused: haven't noticed much roominess in clothes either..... I'm 5'7'', 324 at surgery, now 295.

feeling so sick. im so sorry i did this. wishing the nausea would subside.:confused:

I was banded on May 20th and every thing seams to be going well. I am now down 15 lbs since the surgery. I am on the mushy stage of foods. I am going to a family wedding this weekend. I haven't told any family members of the surgery. How do I get a way with not eating at the reception without anyone taking notice? The wedding is in the afternoon so I will eat something before I go but it will be a long night with tons of food around. Any suggestions?:thumbdown:

I just want to thank everyone for posting on here, it has helped me tremendously! I was just banded yesterday, June 11th and I'm doing good. The whole experience went great. My surgery was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. yesterday and I was in surgery until 10:30 a.m. I was home by 2:30 in the afternoon. I had to have a hiatial hernia repair so that is why it took longer. Also I remember someone saying that it was hard to "intibate her" and I'm assuming they were talking about me, but I'll ask the doctor when I go back to have the staples removed next week. I got home yesterday and was sipping Water throughout the day. I was on the liquid diet for two weeks prior to t…

Hi everyone, Was banded yesterday, Tuesday, June the 9th. I must say I was in some pain yesterday. Mostly from the gas that settled in my lower neck and across my shoulders and the site where the port is, is tender. I am going to try to post a picture of me from this morning. I was going to get a pre-op picture but forgot. So we will start from day 1 post op. Since January 21st., 2009 I have lost 16 pounds!! I know that is not a whole bunch but I am looking at them as 16 pounds that I will not gain back!!!! Thank you all for this GREAT support group!!!

the gas pain finally went away yesterday, but i have been nauseous all nite last nite and all day today. i havent been able to drink too much. Water is all i can really take. i tried some broth, but was only able to get a few teaspoons in. Last nite i threw up, dry heaves really, since there was nothing in my stomach but a little water. Today i just threw up again, but this time it was bile that came out. I do feel a little bit better afterwards. Am i nauseous and throwing up because i have nothing in my stomach? i spoke to my surgeon this morning and he said to not take any Protein Drinks yet, since im feeling nauseous, and if i still feel this way tomorrow, …

Okay, this might be a weird question. But then again, it may be a common question. I suppose I should have done a forum search, but I'm lazy. I've been discussing this procedure with my husband. We are making all sorts of preparations for me to do this. I am going to have to go self-pay, though, because my insurance policy doesn't cover bariatric surgery at all. My question is this: What affect, if any, have you noticed on your food budget since being banded? It doesn' t really matter, since I'm doing this regardless, but it would be nice to have a legitimate bonus to this besides weight loss! :cursing:

Every morning for breakfast I either have oatmeal or grits. Everyone once in a while, I will have 1 scrambled egg with a side of toast and a couple pieces of bacon. Anyone have any egg reciepes or anything else to suggest I try for breakfast?

I am on day 2 of puree/mushie stage and I am having a very difficult time. The biggest being I am not eating or drinking enough. For each of my meals and I am only eating half or less. I am scared of eating too fast, too much, etc. As for the liquid/water intake I am taking too much time to eat and know that I cannot drink thirty minutes before of after a meal... So I am not getting in my required amount of liquid. I dunno if I am being too careful or if it is something that will get easier... Somebody please help :ihih: !!!!

i was banded 6/10 and and the past couple nights i've been sleeping on my back because of the band. Could sleeping on your side or stomach hurt the band or cause it to slip? Also is it normal when you sip fluids the first couple days that it hurts going down where the band is?

Hi Everyone, Today I had to get all my Fluid taken out of my band because of a very stupid mistake and may have to have surgery again! :smile2: My story. One that I hope you learn from. Last June I got my third fill which put me at 6.8 cc. For several months everything went great. Then about 6 months ago I woke up in the middle of the night with horrible acid reflux and in a lot of pain. The next day, I called my doctor to come in. The acid reflux basically went away and I canceled the appointment (the beginning of my stupid mistake). Over the next several month (leading up to today) I had consistent acid reflux, stomach problem and food always getting stuck. …

I was operated on yesterday with only 1 incision. Right by my belly button. Anyone else? If so, how was the recovery?

Ok...after jumping threw 6mo's of BS hoops. I finally get my band done. My Dr. and every person in Westchester Medical Center RULE!! This was a amazingly great experience, staff was great, couldent ask for more.......left the hospital w/ almost zero pain. Went home drank some water and was PUMPED up for my new life !!! Well the first 3-5 days were great. I was pretty much able to eat soft stuff after a few days (mushy eggs, cream of wheat etc.etc ). Regular food a few days later..I called my Dr. and he said it was fine. I saw my Dr's asst 2 weeks later and I was down about 14lbs...NICE!!! Well now is where I get BUMMED!!! All of a sudden I have like ZERO restriction!!!! I…

I would love feed back on this. Typically with diets that are kind of drastic - you tend to see hair loss - it might be temporary - but have any of you noticed this? Or is there something special we should make sure we have to make sure we have enough nutrients to minimize this? I know in the past when ive dieted, ive seen stands of hair come out..and while that is normal to an extent...i would like to do everything i can to minimize this. Thanks for your insight!

And proud of it. Thought I would let everyone know, i have joined the losers bench. 6/9/09 was my new birthday, i am down 10 lbs since my pre-op 2 week liquid diet started, and on my way to recovery. Spent 2 nights in the hospital, laproscopic lap band, and have started my walking. Gas isn't bad yet, taking my meds, doc gave me hydroconone for pain and nexium for antacid, so that I don't develop ulcers. I make 24oz of protein shakes the night before, and sip it all day, I love the GNC Banana Creme. I also make my bottle of sugar free hawaiian punch with 1/2 a New Whey. i am for sure if nothing else going to be sure to get all my protein. I walk 3 times a day out…

I have a really silly question....my stomach is growling but the sound is different then prior to my banding. Is that normal? It has kinda a hollow sound!! I feel just a tad bit hungry. This is my third day post op clear liquids only. But counting my three days pre-op that is 6 days on clear liquid! Never in a million years did I think I could do somethig like that!! Anyway, the 2nd thing is what "exactly" can you have on full liquids?? I know I can have the protein drinks and everyting I had on the clear liquid but can I add sugar free puddings, V-8 juice?? I feel like a real dope not knowing what is considered full liquids. My doctor does not want us to do soups and y…

Ok my name is Lisa, I have had my band since 12/31/2003. I lost 101 bls. Then got bad sick and couldn't keep anything down, so they loosened me up, well I gained back 40bls. I then went back and had it tightened after I got my body healthy again. Well, I haven't lost anything since the tightening. Ok, thing that gets me is that some days I can eat anything that isn't in someone elses mouth already. Other days like yesterday, I threw up. What is up with that?? Some days I can eat and some I can't. What would anyone advise me to do? I hate being this size again. Just the 40 bls has really knocked me back to that insecure person I has at 300 bls. I am just holding at 220 rig…

I was banded on Monday this week (8th June 09) and from the minute I came back from sugery to now, my throat is incredibly sore... which I expected from being intubated... However, the dangly thing in my throat is completely white now, as is my tongue, and I have the most awful taste in my mouth all day. Have I got some secondary infection perhaps? Other than that, my banding was all a very positive experience, apart from the nausea and wooziness from the anesthetic, I've been fine, and coping great on mushy food. I went onto mushy from liquisised after 2 days cos I was permenantly starving. Now I am full after my 5 spoon fulls of mushy food.:smile2:

Had surgery May 26th , went to see my doctor today for post-op follow up (was supposed to go last wk but cancelled), and he schedule my first fill for next wk. That will be 3 wks post up, but he said I will be getting only .5cc because I already have 3cc in my band (I guess he put in 3 cc during the surgery) I don't think the .5 cc will make any difference and I told him so.

I told my older brother about wanting to get banded. I thought he would be supportive, as he has always had a weight problem and just recently had a mild heart attack! Well, surprise, he was very negative!! He kept saying "Why would you want to put something foreign in your body like that?" I thought long and hard and this is what I asked him " If I needed a hip replacement, would you question that? How about if I needed to have my shoulder worked on and had to have pins implanted? Would that upset you? Better yet, what about the ear tubes I had put in? These are all medical tools used to improve my quality of life. Yet, the lapband is upsetting to you? I have been…

Reading the many posts by all of you on this forum has been enormously helpful for me in terms of both gaining knowledge and being encouraged. But, I've noticed that it seems doctors are all over the place in what they allow their patients to eat pre/post op. This is particularly frustrating to me - I get jealous, dang it! Why do I have to be on mushies for 3 weeks after 2 weeks of liquids when some others get to move to real food in their 4th week or earlier? (I also know I have it better then some as well). So I started wondering: Do doctors with stricter diets care more about their patients than doctors with lesser restrictions? Or are the doctors with th…

I was hoping to be back at work monday. I do not have a physically-demanding job. But surgeon can't see me for a couple more weeks fro my post op. Basically 3 weeks after the surgery for the 'one-week eval'! GRRRR .... In order to go back to work, I need a note from him saying I am capable of working. I can't afford to loose 3 weeks of pay, I don't have vacation pay or sick days. I'm stressed over the bills that won't be paid if I loose 3 weeks of work .... I have an apt with my PMC on tuesday the 16th. Hope he'll give me a note, but he may don't want to step on the surgeons toes. On top of it all, I have fibromyalgia. All I know is that my fibro decided to go in…

I looked at GNC and my head was SPINNING!:thumbup: So many options, flavors, sizes and prices. Who knew they sold them in 64 gallon drums? But I was reading the labels and had no idea what I was looking for. Calories, fat, carbs, Protein, whey protein, soy protein, mix with Water, mix with milk, mix with juice. I was so overwhelmed! I have read lots of threads on the tastes, and different recipes etc... But what should I be looking for as far as the calories, carbs and protein content? Do I want Whey Protein? For instance, just looking at the products by EAS there was Myoplex Myoplex lite EAS Advant-edge EAS 100% Whey Protein and then some of them com…

I have lost about 50 pounds since January 1. I am proud of myself but have hit a plateau (I lost much weight quickly). I have not been exercising due to family issues then laziness kicked in. My questions are: How do you know you are full? Or How do you control your portions? Do you find that exercise really benefits your weight loss?

Is anyone out there experiencing IBS systems? It's been 10 years since I dealt with this and I'm wondering if I'm all alone?

I was told for pills if their smaller than a pea they are okay for us to swallow has anyone else been told this or have been swallowing pills after surgery?

I'm a few days into the pureed/mushy food stage. My doctor has me in this stage for 2 weeks. His definition is anything I could eat if I didn't have teeth. Unfortunately, I don't like a lot of his suggestions -- oatmeal, grits, Cream of Wheat, pureed chicken or tuna salad, baby food, etc. So far the only thing I like is pureed egg salad and a few cream Soups that probably aren't the best choice. Oh, he also says no potatoes (my favorite). Any suggestions? I'm hoping there's something out there that I haven't thought of yet :cursing: