POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi All! I just wanted to check in and wish everyone all the best with their weight loss experiences and successes. I was banded on the 19th September last year and have lost 30kgs (about 65 pounds). I am so happy I had this procedure and really feel like I am on a 'new' track of life. Everyone's experience is unique and I have had my ups and downs, plateaus, vomitting, PBing, weight gain and all the 'normal' things along the way... but I am on my way as you all are or will be. Good luck to you all and here's to slimmer, healthier and happier us! Gabs x

Hey guys, I had neck and cheek lipo five days ago. The first two days I was ok, but as time goes on my stomach is killing me. I have mild to severe nausea at all times, I feel slightly dizzy sometimes, I'm eating just fine, as I normally do, BUT when I do eat, 30 min later I'm running to the toilet (and I'm not talking about throwing up). I usually have a cranky stomach for a few days after surgery, but this is way bad. Before I spend the money to go get flouro'ed, does this sound like a slip at all? Oh, and I did not have a defill before the surgery, I was pretty loose and due for a fill anyway. Could this all just be a delayed reaction to being knocked out? Oh, and I…

I called the dr's office today after lunch time since I knew on Friday's he only works 1/2 days and I didnt want to be SOL. So his assistant was like he wants you to come in immediaetly. So I took my lunch break at work and went in and I was his first patient (yay) so I was in and out in 5 mins. He put the syringe in my stomach and let it do the work and 1 cc came out, which is what he put in yesterday. He said bascially that tells him it was over filled. He said it is very dangerous to have it over filled. It can endanger me and my health and also cause harm to the band. So he took out .5 cc since he put in 1 cc yesterday. So I sat up and immediately I felt the differ…

Hello, I am a little curious, has anyone had gallstones problems only after lapband surgery? Is it normally to have problems after surgery if you never had problems before?

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Doc said L. shoulder pain normal for some hernia repairs. Mine is debilitating but comes in waves:crying:... got band and hernia repair May 29th. Did anyone experience this? How long did it last? Did you hear anything different than my explanation? Thanks...I'm miserable.

I think it is, but it's so hard to tell if I am just not chewing well enough. I had my 4th fill yesterday. He added 1 cc, so I am up to 9cc in a 14 cc band. I was ready for a fill becuase I was hungry after 2 hours and not eating like I should which was my sign I was ready. So, now, when I eat, I am in pain! Maybe I am not chewing well enough? I had turkey and cheese for dinner last night and did ok with that. But for breakfast I tried Special K cereal and couldnt get but a few bites down because I was uncomfortable (maybe the milk going down with the cereal)? Also, right now, I have been trying for a 1/2 hr to eat an apple for a morning snack and thats bothering me …

I've been having gall bladder issues for the past month off and on and i just had it taken out this past wednesday. For the past month, ive had no energy and no will power to do any exercise besides when im at work and walking around because ive just felt so blah. I go for my montly appt tomorrow and im scared i havent lost much and i feel bad because i havent done much and i dont know..i know everyone gets discouraged sometimes. I just dont want to fail this thing! :frown:

Hello... I was banded April 7th and in the two weeks after my surgery, I lost 15 pounds. I was thrilled and felt I finally was on my way to accomplishing something I haven't been able to do over the past 8 years: lose this excess weight! However, the weight loss stopped once I went back in solid foods. I have gone for 1 fill and they only put 1cc of fluid in the band, which doesn't seem like much at all. It didn't really do much for me and I feel like I can eat anything. I do notice there are certain foods that I have difficulty swallowing if I eat too fast or don't chew enough…..I get “stuck” and have to take deep breaths, stand up and walk around or sometimes it c…

I was banded last Sept and have lost 65 pounds so far. (Can't remember how to update my ticker !!!). Anyway, I had my 5th or 6th fill yesterday. With every other fill I faithfully did the fluids (1 day) and mushies (1 day) thing after the fill because I was supposed to, but I always felt that I could eat more if I wanted to. This time is definitely different. I am definitely tighter after this fill than I have been before, but I don't know if I am too tight. Also, I have been under stress for work and now I am stressed wondering if my band is too tight and stress just makes my band tighter. Ironically, I ate a bowl of Soup only for lunch an hour after my fill with…

Banded on 4/27 and my second fill on Monday,I still don't feel any restriction and b/c I am scared to over eat,I know I am not eating enough. I have looked all over the internet for an actual diet plan that is high protein,low fat,and has little carbs. I am starting to get discouraged and my husband being deployed to Iraq is making it worse. I just wanna get in bed and cry! According to the scales on Monday I have lost 10 lbs,and honestly I think I lost more in the same time frame when I did LA weight loss. I don't want anyone to sugarcoat this or feel sorry for me,I want to be successful at this and I am working out,but REALLY struggling with eating the way I should. I w…

can you drink too much liquids with the band. Im struggling becuase i know that im not drinking the 64 oz of water a day, I'm so tired of the protein shakes. i know that im not getting the 64 grams of proteins a day either. I start on mushy food today. When i try to drink a bottle of water it just seem like i can never finish it. Can i be drinking to fast? As anyone else experience this?:redface:

I was banded on 4/29/2009. I had my first fill last Thursday and ever since I have had a hard time eating anything besides soft foods. Yesterday, I had part of a granola bar, which I chewed up until it was pretty much liquid, but it got stuck. I have had things get a little uncomfortable a few times, but nothing like this. I couldn't even swallow my saliva! I ended up throwing everything up and ever since then my stomach is killing me. I was supposed to get my second fill tomorrow, but instead they will be making sure everything is still ok with my band. The pain is actually worse than the days following surgery. I am wondering if my band is too full?? Is it poss…

it has been a year and a half and I am not losing weight! The doctor will not adjust me anymore because I am having problems with certain foods. I am so overwhelmed with all of this! Is there anyone else out there that this has happened to? Please give me some advice!

I got my first fill yesterday and they gave me 4cc but after a hour of eating I was hungry again. is that normal because if its not i need to go back to the doctor,

I was banded on April 8th, and the first few weeks were ok, felt restriction and lost a total of 20 lbs. After the first few weeks I felt No restriction at all, and have felt like I was more hungry then before the surgery!!! Today I went back to my doc and they give me my first fill. I believe I was at 6cc and they added 1 cc. I was just wondering how everyones first experience was with there fill, how long after were you able to eat regular foods again, did it help with restriction, any advice will help! I dont feel too much of a difference, does it take time to feel it??? Thanks

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I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Lymphedema in my lower legs. My cankles (how I call them) were huge and my calves soon became extremely large- I saw the vascular surgeon and he referred me for therapy- I went EVERYDAY for 2 weeks for banding and then wore compression stockings every day- Once the compression stockings started getting stuck where my legs meet my foot they told me I needed something more at night- ( I was wearing my stockings from 7:30 am t0 7:30 pm) so I got these Reed sleeves- they are like boots for your calves and have pressure straps that go up mimicing the banding and stockings- They are very cumbersome and I hate them plus they fall off at like 2am…

:eek: I've screwed up. I should have talked to my PCP before the surgery about my blood pressure meds. The first days after the surgery I didn't take them in the hospital as my blood pressure was normal to a little under and I didn't want it to drop. Since I've been home I've dissolved the tablets and taken them. WRONG. My blood pressure is through the roof. It has never been this high. I went to the pharmacy and spoke to the pharmacist and she said I should never have dissolved them. This morning I just cut them in half and taken them. I'll see if that helps. She is not sure about it as it should be released slowly. Her suggestion is to monitor it the ne…

Banded 2 days ago and all this swelling and being bored to death makes me want some Jack Daniels. I live in Doha Qatar and the TV leaves much to be desired. And you cant walk outside the compound or a local will run you over with their landcruiser. Does anyone out there know if it will kill me to have a good tall drink very soon? I know it probably wont be with a soft drink, looks like water mix from here on out.

Just wondering...I'm at two weeks and of the five incisions, one incision, a mini one, has lost its steri strips. I have been covering the other incisions with big bandaids, but have gotten a rash from the bandaids, so I'm just gonna have to hope the steri strips are protection enough!

In case anyone is curious...I had my first fill yesterday. Yes, I'm 9 weeks post-op and should have had a fill 3 weeks ago, but had 4 solid weeks of business travel. 1) Laid down on the exam table, flat on my back. 2) The PA felt for my band. Located it no problem. 3) Gave me a shot of lidocaine. Couldn't feel the poke, but did feel the sting of the medicine...just a bit. 4) PA left the room for 2 minutes. 5) The PA came back and stuck me with the fill needle and dumped 3cc's in. I couldn't feel a thing...except a strange, painless "pop" sensation when the needle entered the port. No big deal whatsoever. Do you know some people decide to get the bypass surgery …

I had my surgery 5/1 and have lost 30 lbs in 30 days but I have NO appetite and no energy along with hot flashes, light headed and anxious. Has any one had these issues. I had my surgery in Mexico so I can't see my surgeon. My reg. doctor said she thinks I have depression and put me on meds but until it works I feel horrible. Has any one had any issues like this.

I had my banding on April 7 and have had two fills, but with almost no noticable result. I can still eat as much as I want, as long as I chew to a puree consistency. If I don't chew well enough, I have major pain from the food sticking and I get "the slimes." My question is this: How will I know when I hit the sweet spot? Will I get a normal sensation of being full, or will pain be the indicator because food just won't go down no matter how much I chew?

I was banded on May 26th and since my surgery I have lost 10lbs. I had lost 10lbs on my preop diet and so, in total I have lost 20lbs since I started this journey. I started my mushy food today, my doctor only required 1 week of liquid diet. well, everytime I eat (and i only eat really small quanitites about 1/4-1/2 cup) afterwards, I feel nauseated until i'm allowed to drink my water. Then after I drink water, I feel better.

Been banded for 9 months. 2 months into it i had to have a port revision...since then i have had nothing but problems. Fills...too full...take fluid out...not full enough...fill....throwing up constantly...fluid out. Now I have no fluid in my band..i still can't eat without getting sick feeling, and i have acid reflux. I have abdominal pain, chest pain,and back pain. Am weak feeling, and tired. No one seems to find anything wrong with me. Had an ultrasound to check out the organs and all checked out fine. Go to my regular Dr. tomorrow and going to ask for tests to make sure the chest pain isnt heart related...she doesn't seem to think it is...but i want to know. Sooooo...…

I was banded on 5/14/09 and have not had any digestive problems with anything, whatsoever. Other than the hunger, I feel the same as before. I was sooo hungry that I started eating soft foods (eggs, cottage cheese, and yogurt) last week. While I have not had any pain or nausea from this, could I still be doing harm to myself and just not know it by eating more solid foods earlier than my surgeon advised? I need advice from all of you more experienced bandsters!

Hi All: I have been banded since April 16th, never had any pain just sorness with the surgery. For the past few days i have been getting sharp pains in my left side, i think where the port may be. If the port was flipped would it be painful? I know i should call doc just wanted to see what you all thought. Thank you!

I am not yet banded but have been reading alot of the posts on the site and I have been asking myself - " Self, what are your expectations of the band?". Don't get me wrong, I know intellectually that this is just a tool and that I will have to really work hard at this, but I am wondering if many of us have this expectation that the band will save us and will make the pounds just fall off our bodies? I ask this because I see a lot of folks that will be upset because they "only" lost 25 pounds in 2 months and now it just doesn't seem to be working. Or, they see a lot come off at the beginning and then, it just seems to be creeping off. Are we being honest with ourselve…

Yay! Today is my 8 week surgi-versary. I got my first fill on 5/14/09, since then I've lost 7 more lbs. With the 12lbs lost during the 2 week pre-op diet, I have lost 29 lbs since my surgery on 4/3/09 for a total of 41 lbs lost!! I don't know if this is typical, above average, below average... I'm just excited, :smile: My clothes are starting to get big... I shall have to go buy new bras soon. :smile: All in all... a great day I think! Good luck to everyone out there have a lovely banded day!

I was looking for examples of foods that are eaten in a typical day. I found a day to day blog of someone that has lost 78 pounds in 6 months with a lap band. Incredible site! I tried the salmon recipe this weekend and it was great. The site is www.lapbandchic.com

Hello I was wondering if anyone knew if salt enlarges your liver? I'm currently on liquids is there anything i should be careful of drinking so my liver does not increase in size? thanks

I'm newly banded April 7th to be exact. Ive had my first fill 3cc and im about to have my second fill this week. What im curious about and have read about is "the sweet spot" and honestly I don't understand it or what it will feel like. I eat about 1/2 cup of food at each sitting and cant eat bread or the like. If I eat to fast or don't chew really little bits I will throw up. But ice cream and the like I have no problems with.. but i avoid. I've lost about 12 kilos or 22 pounds? But i don't have a loss every week. After my first fill was constantly throwing up. Do i need more fill?? Am i losing enough? I know it wont happen over night! ( took me 20 odd years to put it …

I didn't know how GOOD it would feel to be able to put the BIG weight down one level on the old fashioned scale in our gym... no longer on the 250...now on the 200!! I'd been flirting with it for about 1.5 months, and finally today it tipped!

Banded May 26. I know where my port is and there is some swelling in that area - about 2" above my belly button, and maybe an inch or two to the right. I have the larger incision there and then a smaller one right below and to the right. And there is a red circle mark kind of between the two. The entire area is still swollen. I kind of expected this so I'm not too concerned. But sometimes, when I'm standing up and take a deep breath, I'll get a really sharp pain just to the right of the port, kind of in the area where your appendix would be. It seems to be worst after I eat. Is this just gas?

I was banded in October 08 and am now gaining weight. I have lost all hope and have since let myself go as far as control over food. I never experienced good control after fills and never really lost weight after surgery. Has anyone else experienced this? Please don't suggest seeing my MD- it may sound silly but I am too embarassed to go having gained weight. Can anyone relate? I am so discouraged.

Hello! I'm having my surgery on May 26. I'm currently looking for a job and am wondering if anyone calls me for an interview (please, someone, call!), how long after surgery would I be back-to-normal enough to do well at an interview, like walking around and sitting/standing up without looking like I'm in pain? Thanks for any information or suggestions!

How important is drinking 64 ounces of water a day to losing weight - I am not losing at all but admit to not drinking water - almost never - drink unsweetened tea during the day but not water - is it that important to losing? Thanks.

HI all I was banded on the 19th of May. I have had 7 incisions due to some previous abdo surgery and seem to be in a fair amount of pain. But, i keep getting this pain, its almost like hunger pain?!?! Does anyone have anything similiar? Amy

I am a little over two weeks post-op and I have recently started on mushies. I have been following the diet pretty closely, eating mostly hummus, yogurt, cottage cheese, soup, and protein shakes. The last few days I was wondering if all my food was going bad because it seemed like everything I was eating had a bitter taste, but now I realize that the bitter taste is in my mouth, not my food. Has anyone else experienced this? Also, I know this is "bandster hell" time, and I don't have much if any restriction left, but I have not lost any weight in the last week in spite of the fact that I am eating much less than I used to and very little carbs. I quickly dropped abou…

I had my period the week prior to surgery. I'm on the birth control pill and have never had any problems. No co-morbidities, I'm the healthiest fat person you'll see. Anyhow, I wasn't allowed to take my bcp on the day of surgery but have been taking them ever since. But my period has started again, like a full blown period. Should I be concerned? I'm going to call my doc in the morning but just wanted to see if anyone else out there had this happen.

Well, I went for my first fill today after being banded 6 weeks ago, I lost 19 lbs and down 4.5 % on my BMI, WOOHOO!!:party: After my nut. found out I was able to eat anything she filled my AP Standard 10cc band with 5 cc's, I thought this might be too much but she seemed to think it would be fine, I drank some Water before I left and it did'nt seem to get stuck then when I got home I had a slim fast and now I'm full... Hopefully I will start losing a little bit each week without much hunger. Thanks to everyone for all their advice since I've been on here, it has really helped. Theresa

I have been reading weight loss surgery with the adjustable gastric band by Robert Sewell MD. I have enjoyed and found helpful advice in this book more than any other bandster book I have read. I did a lot of prep work prior to banding as so many of us do. I had my surgery on May 22nd and am just starting into my 2nd week postop. One helpful hint I read today that I really liked was that he suggested keeping one pre band outfit. When we hit a plateau, try it on and remember where we have come from and it will help us not be so frustrated by the plateau we are currently working through. I liked that. Blessings, Jenai

Went to Busch Gardens today with the family to Celebrate last day at home before travel starts pretty heavy again. Started out great. Cup of coffee with 27 Splendas and then about 1.5 scrambled eggs, yes Band gestapo... an hour later - NOT!!! (ok... 28 min later) Then for lunch, had like two ribs (pretty dry, not fun), a couple pulls off of wifey's chicken (like three or four fork fulls) and two wonderfully amazing cheese sticks smothered in a delightful marinara sauce. For an afternoon snack-a-roo, had half of the ice cream in a waffle cone and some hot fudge that happened to be hidden inside the waffle cone. Did not eat the waffle cone, although it was speaking t…

Hello I started my periop liquid diet and got told i could have low fat strained creamy soup can someone please give me and example that. thanks!

I was banded on 5/21 and will have my first fill in late June. How much weight did you all lose before the first fill and what was your average weight loss when the fills started? I am soooo ready to see the pounds falling off and the sizes going down.

and they fit! I have now found new jeans! they don't go up to my bra line and they don't have any spandex in them thank god and now you "Hot Damn This FITS!" moment:smile:

So I've read about taking papaya enzymes if your food gets stuck, does anyone know how many take take?:bananalama:

I go in tomorrow at 8:30am for my first fill...Any advise...Should I eat before? What does it feel like???

do any of my fellow bandsters have an under active thyroid???? i had blood work done again and found out yesterday that i have an under active thyroid...she prescribed thyroid medicine and said it should help me to lose more weight....