POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi all, Im 6 weeks post op. I had my first fill 3 days ago. Tonight, I ate a little bit of chili and it came with a steamed pita. I had about two bites of the pita and got stuck. It took forever to come up. Finally did and I thought that was that. Unfortunately, I tried a little tiny bit of chili after about 30 minutes. Came right back up. Waited a half hour. Tried again. Came back up after much agonizing pain. Now, a small sip of Water hurts even. Is something still stuck? Am I swollen from the three consecutive PBs? This afternoon, I had a small chicken greek salad with no problem at all. I dont think this is from the fill. I think its from the pita getting stuck…

I have seen this term used several times in different threads, but what does it mean??? There is probaby a million threads answering this question but I don't feel like searching...

I will get my first fill on wednesday, the 20th. I am not sure what size my band is and I am not sure if that makes a difference, but what is the most has anyone has been filled the first time, and do you get much restriction????

Hello! I was banded a couple of days ago and I have instructions to drink 8oz of protien drink in the morning and 8oz at night. I am only getting down 2oz at a time. Is this normal because of swelling or should I be concerned about it? Also the gas is painful.....any suggestions?

I can remember a lot of weight loss tips from before my surgery and I'd have to say now that adding them up, most are pretty good ones. The one that sticks out in my mind that is wrong (for me) is to not weigh yourself every day. I definitely weigh myself every day and once in awhile, I may gain a pound or two for no reason, and I can accept that. I just buckle down for a couple of days to get it back. I've taken up to a week to just get back the 1-2 pounds I may gain, but at least I'm conscious of it. I fear if I only weighed myself once a week, I might not notice and gain more. So how often do you weigh yourself? Once I hit my goal weight I might think about only we…

i just came back from the doctor's office from where I had the 3cc's that were put in my band at the time of surgery removed. Last night was a nightmare. I had regurgitation all night and couldnt even keep Water down. I will admit that I did try to eat a piece soft turkey meat and I believe it got stuck. So this morning I had to get the band emptitied and immediately I was okay. before the incident I did notice that i would burp after each sip of my Protein shakes and sometimes my Jello would even get stuck so maybe this was the best for me at the moment. I go back in 3 weeks for a fill and so we will try this again but I did loose 9 lbs this week...YEAH

Is that possible!? I do not feel as if my lap-band has worked...EVER! I am almost 9 months post-op and have never once vomited, gotten food stuck or even felt any type of restriction. I lost 40 lbs from pre-op liquid diet through 3 months post-op and have put 20 lbs back on. All as a result of the prescribed diet, not because I ever really felt full or over-full. My band has 9cc's in it now and I can eat a large, pre-op-type meal. I have spoken with my doctor and he doesn't seem to get it. I don't understand how this is possible. Anybody ever hear of this or know what could be wrong? I am afraid of being that girl who had weight-loss surgery and is still fat!

I'm 2 and a half weeks post-op and started solids a couple of days ago. I've been eating a lot less than I used to. I have not yet felt uncomfortable with the amount I've eaten. Today I went to see the dietician for the first time and she told me to stop eating when I am no longer hungry. Today I followed her instructions and discovered that technically, it only takes me probably 6 or so small bites to no longer be hungry! I had been eating more than that before I went to see her, but like I said, never to the point of feeling fullness or uncomfortableness. Even though I'm not hungry after 6 or so small bites, I could keep going, without exceeding a fullness sensation…

I finally asked Dr. Scott about other incisionless surgeries. Someone posted about an article in their newspaper about the first one in Kentucky or somewhere. Here's what he told me. The first incisionless one was in Mexico and the first one in the US was in St. Louis (Washington University). He says there are others that are working on an incisionless procedure too so there may be other reports of this in the US. His procedure is in the FDA trials and should be the first one to be approved. (Wish I had been able to buy stock in that company). I think it's fascinating.

I was banded on 3/12 and have lost a total of 27 pounds since I began my pre-op diet on 2/23. I had my first fill of 3cc on 4/13 and lost a few pounds that first week but I’ve lost nothing since then. I definitely feel like I have some restriction with some foods but not as much with others. For instance I struggle to get grilled chicken down (and some of it often comes back up) but I can eat an entire taco salad with no problems! Although reluctant, I started tracking my calories on thedailyplate.com and I am averaging 1,500 calories per day (I am male, 6’2” 270 pounds) which includes roughly 100 grams of daily protein. I engage in moderate exercise (I chase two kid…

Hi everyone! I'm new but I have been reading a lot of blogs on this site that have been very helpful. I hope to hear from Aetna soon,it's been almost 2 weeks. I am trying to keep positive about geting approval. I have heard Aetna is picky? But all is well, I have actually gained 9 pounds during the dietician visits which was 3 months long. I know once I get the band I wont be able to eat like this anymore. So I am enjoying this time, but at the same time ready to get seriouse because being fat aint cute. So thanks for reading, hope to get some knowledge here.

Hello everyone, this is a difficult post for me to write because I have fallen off the wagon. And not just stumbled off but fell out completely. I was banded in December and dropped my first 20 or so pounds very quickly. I got a fill in January and things seemed to be moving along. I thought I had a handle on my emotional eating but in the last two months I eat everything in sight. The problem is that I am able to eat a lot and I could not figure out what was wrong but then thought my emotions are so out of wack because I was facing a layoff and then got through that, then my mom is very sick and dealing with that plus I am working on my doctorate degree and that is be…

I'm so worried that I have made my band slip/stretch because of my "vomiting actions" in the first 5 days of having it in....I didn't actually vomit - nothing came up but a bit of clear liquid (water?)...but I keep reading that if you vomit you can make u'r band slip... I have been sticking to my post-op diet...only on nutritional fluids and it only happened like once every day. Last night/yesterday was the first day/night that it didn't happen - so I'm excited about that and think I am over the hard part now....I have also been feeling good today - no nausea or anything *fingers crossed* yet. I still feel full all the time and still only having 1/2cup of liquid at a…

Not drinking during meals and waiting an hour after eating , seems to be one of the hardest things that I am experiencing. Also trying for find different things to drink. I am bored with water and the mix-ins. I really want a soda but I know I can't have that. Any suggestions?

How do I begin to remove the "top" tape from my incisions? I had surgery 8 days ago and they are getting very itchy but I am still sore and do not wish any more pain

How do you really feel? I am just curious of how much the eating thing changes after a year or longer. Do things still get stuck as easily? What are the biggest changes you notice from the beginning of the journey and a year or more later. Not having a band yet (but will on June 18th!) It seems like there is so much thought about what you eat. Does it get easier? Do you get a rountine down and just eat the same thing all the time out of ease or fear? I would like to hear some opionions from some lap band pros! Thanks :crying:

PB???? I see a lot of people referring to it on here, but I have no idea what it means...can someone fill me in plz?? :thumbup:

I am struggling a LOT trying to get more than 600mls of water/tea/juice etc down between meals...it's so hard!!! I can't tell if I'm too full, I don't want to overstretch my band by drinking more fluids than it can handle. I have been trying to have a sip here and there every 10 mins or so, but that in itself is a mission because I keep forgetting!! How are you all drinking the 2ltrs of water/liquid that we are supposed to be drinking in between the nutritional fluid meals (or any other food for that matter)?!! Before the op I could quite easily go through 2ltrs of water a day!! :thumbup:

does anyone know why this is happeneing?

good morning!!!!!!!!! before i start this thread....u all are looking sooooooooooooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!! i'm seeing more and more loss everyday on here!!!!!!!!!!!! u all are amazing!!!!!!!!!! so here it goes....i have completely changed the way i eat....don't get me wrong i enjoy what i eat....but its a complete change...no bread...no pasta...no fast food...(i do treat myself to el pollo loco every friday...1 chicken breast...1 side of small pinto beans...and sometimes i go all out to my favorite mexican food restaurant and eat a WHOLE TABLESPOON OF GUACAMOLE....lol...thats my cake...chocolate ....cookie) other then my occasional treats...i eat very healthy...my best frie…

I have had my band just over a year and in the last few days I have had a dull pain near my port site. has anyone else experienced this pain. It almost feels like a gas pain?

I am at almost 1 mo post op and allowed mushies - so this is basically what I am doing: Two scrambled eggs in the morning Grilled chicken Breat or Salmon Filet for lunch with maybe a little Tuna salad or straight Tuna Fish (not much four or five fork fulls) dinner I do a fish of sorts (Salmon, Tuna, Tilapia) and maybe a couple fork fulls of mashed pototoes. It looks like my calories are anywhere from 800-1400 depending on the day.... Does this sound okay? Anything stick out at you? I am going under the premise that anything can be made "mushy" if I chew it 934 times prior to swallowing and I have not had the first hint of PB'ing or getting anything stuck. Tha…

Has anyone's doc or nutritionist ok'd these products? I am on mostly soft food and can eat chicken and fish too. I'm just getting a little tired of them all the time and found some Morningstar black bean burgers in my freezer. One has 11g of protein. I'm going to predict they are probably ok b/c I'm sure there are some vegetarian banders out there ..but wanted to get thoughts.

I'll first say I am very proud of my 34 lb. loss, I would never have done it without the band,, at least not this soon, or been able to keep it off.. I just wondering if I am truly at my potential for weight loss. I have had my second fill on 4/27 which I am still getting used to and have been slightly uncomfortable this past week and need to adjust my eating again. I'm not hungry at all which is great, but still feel I am eating too much at a time sometimes. I can't eat any bread and found a certain salad mix that agrees with me and use that as my base for about anything but Soup. I'm not craving carbs very often either which is a whole new thing for me. I'm even eating …

Please can anyone let me know the signs of a band over fill? I had on 48 hours ago and am struggling. I've had 5 fills before but this seems especially tight.

i have had band for 5 weeks ,the food portions i eat are 1/3 of what i ate before the band ,with pre op diet i lost 17 lbs and have shook 10 or so more since. i always ate good foods not pizza and sweets but i ate tons.now i eat normal,feel great and every week i loose 2 or 3 lbs,i have never been stuck as they say and eat grilled asparagus and chicken breast,all the things that people say they have trouble with.and i feel restriction and full after a normal plate. the question is do you have to get a fill?if its all working why take the chance of having things get stuck? also the doctor said with the rapid weight loss i may loose my gallbladder ! i would rather go slowe…

hi everyone, about 3 days ago i started to get dizzy if i bend down, looked down, or layed down. anyone else have that or any ideas? thanks

Is there anyone that can tell me where and what the pain is when you are too tight? Lately I have been having pains after I eat. They start around my lower left back and wraps part way around to the front. It doesn't matter what or when I eat. It has gotten worse over time. Shortly after eating it starts and hurts like HELL:scared2:. If I can make it come back up then I am fine. Last night I wasn't even able to eat yogurt. I have been to my primary doc and have had several tests done but they find nothing, and say the band is in good position.

i have been doing so well, since my banding in march, not feeling hungry, making wise choices, wellllll...today , that went out the window, i ate 12 samoa girl scout cookies without one bit of resistance......kentucky fried chicken,...and searching for chocolate tonite, it was as if there were no band in place, and i have been feeling resistance even tho i havent had a fill yet, anyone else get like this from time to time, i am hoping for a better day tomorrow

Could I have aggrevated my esophogas and stomach from my pbing yesterday? I cannot tell if I actually have post nasal drip or am just feeling this way from the pb. Anyhow, managed to drink 18 oz. of tea this morning sipping from 7:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. wasn't hungry until about 12:00 p.m. and tried one spoonful of yogurt that caused major gurgling, so I waited until 2:00 p.m. to have the broth from wonton Soup and just the broth, which I could only take in 1/2 cup without feeling intense gurgling. I have tried sipping on some green ice tea over the past hour and recently it just all came up. Just pure liquid... I am worried about dehydration even though I feel fine…

i was band Oct 08. my experience has been a learn as i go process; i did not attend an extensive educational class prior to surgery. Since Oct i've lost 25 pounds. i am proud of this accomplishment (started at 200 pounds) but as i read many of your stories, i think this is nothing and prehaps i should be farther along. The fact is, my journey has not been all peaches and cream. maybe this is the result of not having gone through an extensive education process, maybe not. this is what i want to know from you. i love my lap band, but it is not the quick fix i'd imagined it to be. i have to work at losing every pound and inch! i have 5 cc's. daily exercise and good nutrition…

I was banded on 4/27,and I know it is almost time for my cycle,but I wanted something sweet so bad yesterday..ate 1/4 cup of lowfat ice cream,and then after 3 soft scrambled eggs this morning I feel like i haven't eaten ANYTHING!! I have also gained 2 lbs. Does anyone have a sample diet plan that works for them? I see the nurse on the 18th...worried and it's hard enough keeping my head up with hubby in Iraq:confused:.

I was banded 11/08 and to date have lost approx. 25 lbs including the weight loss before the actual surgery. I have to admit I am discouraged, I thought I would have lost more weight by now but alas I have not. I'm going to the gym 3-4 x week and workout for about an hour to an hour in half and my food intake is minimal because cooked food makes me nauseous...anyone else feel that way? I live off of fiber crackers and Special K cereal. Any suggestions and or advise is appreciated.:mad2:

So has anyone had the band on over 5 yrs? How long is to long? How long before you HAVE to have it removed? Do they last forever? Just wondering and appreciate all honest answers. Thanks

I have 5ccs on an 11cc band. I have high restriction for Breakfast and lunch. At dinner time, I can eat whatever I want until bedtime. I do mean anything - bread, etc. My problem has always been dinner time on. Do I keep getting fills until dinner is also restricted? Trying to be good - the Lyrica is also killing me giving me major cravings. I might as well be smoking pot but let's not get on that subject again:rolleyes2:

I am new to this site. I was banded on May 5, 2008 4 days so far on clear liquid diet 10 pounds lost. I am feeling hungry not eating anything just doing Clear liquids. Any advice on what else I can have besides Jello, broth crystal light and Water. Weight date of surgery 260 current weight 250 goal weight 145

Well I did it today, I went out and bought 3 pair of pants and shirts. I have went from 3X or 4X just 10 months ago to buying size 38 pants today whoooohooooo! and Im wearing a lg shirt, not XL not 2X not 3x but lg....im so excited! just wanted to share the info.....thanx:thumbup:

I just had a fill yesterday (8cc in 10cc band). I am post-op 6 months and have had some restriction but nothing extreme until my last fill in April. The fill yesterday has brought a good deal of restriction. Today I was able to eat: a packet of GoLean Oatmeal with a few berries, a 3oz can of tuna with lf mayo and about 2.5oz of meat (cut up way small) and a tb or two of mashed potatoes and mushy eggplant. I was uncomfortable after dinner but no real pb. I can hear gurgling after I eat or drink. Do you think I am too restricted? Do you think I should wait it out? Is this what restriction means and it just took me this long?

Hello, I got banded on 4/28 and I have some concerns. I also feel I could use some online support, maybe a banding buddy. lol Thanks for looking. Sammi

I had surgery on 4/3/09 and my first fill on 5/05/09. I have lost 33 lbs. After having my first fill I haven't felt much change. The only problem is after I eat my port side feels like it is protruding out. I can feel a knot around one of my scar areas then after a while it is gone. Does anyone else have this problem and is it a sign of overeating. I'm probably eating 3/4 cup of food besides 1/2 cup. I have not been sick but I burp alot after eating but nothing comes up . Is the burping a sign of eating too much?

I'm finding it extremely hard to take deep breaths-especially when I first wake up, yawn or cough- and when I manage to do it, I end up dry reaching (sorry prob too much info). Had an awful time last night with it....its like I'm vomiting but nothing actually comes out....sometimes it will just happen to me at any given time - I went to the shops the other day and had to stand still for 5 mins to stop myself from vomiting...i felt very dizzy and nauseas.... Has anyone experienced this?? Is it normal?? I really hope it go's away soon - it's horrible!! Oh, and I'm still only only nutritional fluids (custard, yoghurt, sustagen, Optifast etc)...so it can't be the food can…

I am familiar with medifast, but haven't heard of Optifast before. Where do you get their shakes? What kind of Protein shakes do people reccommend? I also posted this link in the pre-op section as I haven't had surgery yet (May 18th!), but I want to stock up on something ahead of time so I am prepared. Thanks!

Last night like at 2:30 am I woke up extremely nauseated and with a little diarrhea. I felt like I was going to throw up but tried very hard not to... I finally gave up after 30 min of holding it in and let go- But nothing came out- I had like dry heaves and burps of air- nothing came up- I woke up feeling fine and after this happened did take a phenergan in case it happened again- I fear vomiting now but was feeling so bad I didnt know what to do- I have been on foods for 10 days and the last 5 we were out of town so my "schedule" and routing were off kilter- I have not eaten anything bad; stayed healthy- but it was weird.... I dont know if I ate too much or too fast a…

So im getting mixed information and i do not know which to believe. It seems as if low calorie intake is what causes weight loss, and this isn't reduced calorie intake but like i said LOW calorie consumption. However, i have also been told that a low calorie diet can kill ones metabolism especially for us that need or have had this surgery. Both of these ideas contradict each other and im officially confused. Many of us banders can't consume any more than 700-1000 calories which is what causes them to loose weight (purpose of lap band). So heres the question> Can we have a slow metabolism and still lose at a rapid rate like i see most do who eat no more than 1000 calor…

I was banded on 2.19.09 and i've only lost 17lbs. and that was in the beginning.. the last couple of fills I have been up and down.. I am not eating as much (not even close) to what I ate prior. I am more active and I am working out. Now I admit I am not working out like I should, but shouldn't I still be losing? I am not snacking like i used to; though I am a stress eater so that is now affecting me. I am up to 8cc in my band and not feeling the restrictions or other items people had told me about. I am just frustrated that I am over looking what I need to do or not doing what I should because I am FRUSTRATED......

Hi all. Well I am 10 days post op. Have lost 12 lbs after first 4 days than holding now inching UP! two or three lbs. Did clear liquids 6 days than started full liquids, making protene shake smoothies, with milk and fruit. Also soup Egg Drop, Tomtao, Worried about getting in the protene etc, calories around 1100. Possibly getting too much salt? Have some hunger but not too much but feeling I could eat anything and their is no restriction anymore. I have my post op visit tomarrow. How much should I be worried about weight loss this first few weeks. How soon can I get a fill? Fell like I need to just eat some high protene to get the weight loss, Actually ground s…

I am 4 days post-op and for the most part (other than hunger!) I feel pretty dang good. My stomach feels almost back to normal, the gas pain is gone, etc. I am still taking it easy, I'm not bending over, not lifting heavy things, etc. Now. Having said that. Last night I reached over kind of sideways to pick up something off of my night stand and I had this TERRIBLE shooting pain in my stomach, right near the large incision (port). Kind of below it, actually. I freaked out and sat down right away. It didn't come back. Just a little bit ago, I did another half-way lean (in the other direction this time! I swear I didn't think it was going to hurt!) and OW OW OW …

Hello All, I was wondering...If you eat and feel full but still continue to eat, will that cause slipage of the band? I caught myself overeating the other day, I felt full but kept eating cuz it was so gooood. But when I think about it being able to fit into a size 12 will be much better than anything that I can ever eat! Sorry for rambling on and on, just typing out loud! :thumbup:

do u think the physical or mental changes of losing ur weight have been harder.... and why???????? the mental changes of my weight loss have been so much more difficult than the physical....which i thought would b the complete opposite....i would love to hear what some of u r going through.....

Today for the first time since March 6, I questioned my decision to get the band. On previous occasions, I've felt a few hiccups with a little slime in the back of my throat. "O I've had too much to eat, I thought." Sometimes it was accompanied by a little pain in the chest that would pass in a few minutes. Today, Mother's Day, of course, I found myself really wanting to go out to eat. I'm a single mom, and my children (8 & 5) are too young to have the kinda cash it takes to take mom out to dinner. "No problem - I'll take them out! We'll spend some quality time together!" See, today has been the worst Mother's Day I can remember. My sewer line is backed up, so w…