POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

At little confused. I am starting to get compliments.. Wow Maranda, your looking good. Today my mom said to me Maranda you are getting skinny. Now I still have a long way to go. But Here is where I am confused. I am still in the same size clothes. So how can people say this to me and I believe them. Someone reading this I know is ready to type : Why would your mom say that to you and you not believe her. I know I ask myself this as well. Then there are people like my neighbor.. He was telling a story about older women playing softball, he is an EMT. He said to me.."Maranda, they make you look skinny." How do people think that is nice, polite or even a compliment. I tol…

Im in 3 days post op when should i start exersic,i have plan to joining curve you think it's a good idea?

I'm terrified that I'm going to eat to much and I really don't want that to happen. I would love it if we had a gauge we could look at to see how full we are (because I can't feel it - I feel full all the time- I haven't been hungry yet)...I'm sticking to the 6 servings of 110mls of nutritional fluids (thin custard, yoghurt, sustagen etc) but I'm still nervous that I'm going to stretch it. Is anyone else scared of stretching or having their band slip?

For about a two weeks I have been experiencing some mild heart burn. I do struggle to eat slow and I can eat a thigh and leg in one meal. Could I have caused my band to slip. Am I consuming to much food in one setting? I don't get stuck or vomit. I have been having great weightloss since increasing my food intake. In short, could my band have slipped and do I need to change anything?

Hello, I was banded on April 28 and wondered if anyone else was. I still have some of the gas pains, but otherwise not doing too bad. I am having trouble getting all of the food in that I am supposed to.

Anyone else going tomorrow? I'm excited, nervous and hungry! ...any last minute advice??

If you're a stay-at-home-parent, or were when you had your surgery, how long did you recover before returning to "work"? My partner will be able to take a medical leave for my post-op recovery, but I have no idea how long it should be. I have one child -- a very active two year old, 33 pounds -- and it will be very hard to get through the day without lifting him if I'm the only one home. How long was it before you could lift your kids? I know I'm going to need help after the surgery, but for how long? Thanks! Caroline

is drinking through a straw really bad for the band or is it okay once in a while? cuz i like to get iced coffees in the morning and its just not the same without a straw? can anyone shed some light?

I was banded on April 9th. At first I was lucky to eat 1/4 cup if mushies, I know that it was due to the swelling of my stomach due to the surgery. In the first two weeks following surgery I lost 20 ponds. Now it seems that I can eat alot most times, though not as much as before my surgery I don't think. There has been some days that I can't eat much but overall I feel as if I am letting myself down.:mad: I do not go for a fill until the 20th of this month and the PA said that they will probaly put 3cc's in my band. He was not quite sure what size the surgeon put in because when I went for my 2 week post op the PA said that he did not read the report, but it was probaly …

I've finally made it!!! I'm not a poet but I've tried to express how I'm feeling by writing something down. Enjoy!!! It’s a Onederful Day !!! This is not the first time I’ve seen it’s shores. I’ve been here before. The first time just passing through, not stopping to enjoy. Too many years ago, I cannot count I was young and naïve. Thought I could come and go as I pleased. The second stay was too brief and so sweet And gave me a taste of that joyful seat I learned you had to earn your way In this far off world so difficult to reach. Again, I did not appreciate the joy it gave. I thought it would be easy to stay. But life had other plans and …

i have a question regarding eating and drinking at the same time...im a week post op and still in the liquid diet phase so i guess this week, it doesnt matter whether im doign them together since its all liquids going down...but starting the mushy phase soon. my question is this: is the only reason to not eat and drink together to avoid nausea and vomiting or will it slow down the weight loss? cuz ive heard of people that dont throw up after and can tolerate it...is it damaging to the band or what? im just confused what the real reason is for not doing them together? can anyone please shed some light? thanks.

Happy Mother's Day Hot Mammas!!!:tt2:

My abdomen is still a little bloated and swollen at 19 days Post-Op. Is that normal? I have lost 21 lbs in those 19 days, but my gosh.... I can see less of my umm.... feet..... when I look down now than prior to surgery. hahaha. :tt2: So, is the swelling normal still you think?

don't u wish we could choose the body parts we still want to lose weight from...and stop losing from others!!!!!!!!!!!! okay... band my face and chest are small enuff...now go attack my arms...thighs...and lower stomach....lol....i have lost a lot of weight on top...but still got some work to do on the bottom (by the way i know its work i have to do...i was joking about the band doing it...)....which is crazy because when it comes to exercise...i only work the bottom half of my body...but i'm losing from up top...maybe if i work on the top...i'll lose on the bottom...lol...on the morning of my surgery i asked for a band around my thighs...arms... and back flabs.....as wel…

I was banded 3-20-09 and today I have met my first goal. I am down 40lbs since my surgery. Wooohoo!!:glare: A co-worker yesterday said my stomach has really went down. I am so excited. However, I remember a few years ago when I was at this weight and I wore a smaller size. Funny. I wish everyone luck on their journey.

I was banded last week, and obviously don't have a fill yet. I don't seem to have any restriction, but then again I haven't tested the boundary either. I'm wondering though if it's ok to still have bread/rice/pasta and drink while eating until I have a fill? I know after the fill I'll have to see how everything goes, but did anyone have any issues before their fill? So far I haven't had any problem keeping food down or anything. Thanks!

I was told that Lap Band patients may start to lose hair starting at 3 months post op. Well, I am now 3 months post op and am loosing handfuls of hair daily. There is a noticeable difference in the amount of hair that is still on my head. I am taking my daily Vitamins twice a day that are prescribed by the doctor. I also added Biotin twice a day. I need some fellow bander's firsthand experience.....how long does it last? How much hair did you loose? How long did it take to get back to "normal" amounts of hair again? Help! This is one side effect I HATE! Did I mention I'm quite vain?

I was banded on 8/8/08 and have lost 25+ lbs since. I've also taken my one Celebrex every day since. If I don't I can actually hear my knee click when I walk -- it is bone on bone. On another list I read that Celebrex was a no-no. How do you folks feel about it? Judiostudio:embaressed_smile:

Hi, i swallowed a piece of hard candy i was sucking on. It was still pretty good circle size. It feels kind of stuck. I have no fill at the moment in my badn (thank god) But should i be worrying?? Will it eventually go thru? Or should i be contacting someone??

I've had the surgery over a year ago and i was banded with a 4cc band. Here I am a year later with excellent results but my band is almost filled to capacity ( i have .4cc's to play around with), but my question is what happens when the band is filled to capacity and I no longer feel restricted? What happens at that point?

I got my first fill on Monday, I already had 1cc from the surgery and got an additional 3cc which puts me at a total of 4cc. Since my fill, I am finding that food is not going down very well. I get this pain in my throat and chest and then feel very nausea! Am I eating too fast or taking too big of bites? For the last three meals I have thrown up. I am not eating anything bad or tough. Any advice is very much appreciated. Thank you, Teresa

I'm finally ready to get rid of some of my bigger (size 20, 14W, 1X) clothes and am not sure what the best thing to do with them is. Has anyone sold clothing on eBay or gone to a clothing swap? I've sold other things on eBay, but am not sure how the swap works. Catherine

I had my band on 4/3 and my first fill on 5/05. I have lost 30 lbs. About 15 on the pre-op diet and 15 after being banded. I was just wandering what other people have lost. I can't seem to tell much about the fill yet.

I had 3 melba crackers 1/4 c egg salad and watermelon on my plate. I had 2 crackers with some egg salad on top.. and i got this HUGE KNOT right below my throat. I had to get up cause it felt like someone punched me, and i walked outside. I thought for sure it was coming back. But i heard a gurgle and the pain subsided. Was that stuck??? too fast??? I havent had this issue at all. In fact i could eat anything I wanted........ yesterday i got my first 2ml fill.

Been banded about 1.5yr. Having pain trying to come out my belly button. Can't see doc, was let go from job, no insurance. I'm VERY careful about what I put in. Haven't had a fill in over a year. 3.75cc already in. Need suggestions from anyone. It's almost like gas pains, but it won't go away, I can't burp or fart.:glare:

Ok so obviously if you drink it must be in moderation, and the tolerance for it goes way down after surgery. I also know about empty calories and that alcohol should be avoided if possible for this and many other health related reasons. I know all of this. My question is specifically, after lap-band surgery, are there any harms that come from drinking alcohol that you wouldn't have had before hand (besides lower tolerance)? Such as "LB does such and such and therefore the liver blah blah". Any good medical reasons are what I'm looking for. I don't plan to have any yet, I'm really just curious. TIA!!!

I have lost about 24lbs. since my surgery 36 days ago. I'm happy that the numbers on the scale are going down, but my clothing size has not changed Last year I lost about 15lbs., was about 270 and I could definately tell a difference in my clothes. I weigh less than that now, why no change? Anyone had this issue before? Thanks for reading

I am getting my third fill on Monday around 1pm. Can I eat a normal Breakfast or do I have to be on liquids that morning? Has anyone had a problem with this? Please advise! Thanks!

I know we are all different,but I thought my stomach would not still be so bloated looking. How soon do you start to do situps or ab lounger? Banded on the 27th of April, w/ 12lbs lost. Thanks

Does anybody has any ideas on how to get rid of the gas pain in my left shoulder? I can handle the tenderness around my port incision, but this shoulder pain is tough. I've used heating pads, Gas-X chewables, Motrin, walking, and sleeping on my left side to get rid of the pain, but it really isn't getting much better. Any other ideas?

I was just pondering this yesterday...it would be interesting to see the results of a study done on if there is a difference in the success rates of self-pay vs. insurance-pay. On one hand, people with insurance have a longer wait, are often required to prove they can stick to it with the pre-diet, and probably have better support from their medical team. But then on the other hand, spending out a big chunk of change can also be a motivator. Just pondering...

I've been having pain around my port area since my surgery- almost 3 months ago. It feels internal and its not directly above my port. Its sore all the time and I sleep on my sides, I just don't know why I still have this pain and my incision is very sensitive when brushed with fabric or my hand. Anyone else have this going on?

Dormant she lay, longing for a way to make it her day and be on her way. To drag herself out of the turmoil and doubt, to her demons, she'd shout "I want to come out!" From this stifling shell: self imposed Hell. Though unwilling to tell, Her emotions would swell. One day, to lift her shame, a stranger came: Hands skilled, heart tame. She knew only his name. Delivering her gift, in fashion swift. When the canopy did lift... 'Twas I.

I am not banded yet, but my mind is racing with the usual ?s about life after "the band". For those that were habitual stomach sleepers prior to surgery, after your recovery time are you now able to still sleep on your stomach or does the port interfere? I'm trying to get an idea if I need to start practicing different sleeping positions.

I keep running into posts from ppl who are a week or 2 after banding and have lost 30-40 lbs. I'm 2 weeks post-op today and have lost little to no weight after surgery - 1 think maybe 5 lbs. Am I doing something wrong or is this just a matter of 'everyone is different'?

I feel like I am off the wagon. I have been eating way too much. And I am getting hungry too often. I tried to fix it yesterday. I had a shake for breakfast and salad with chicken for lunch (with a big pack of reg ranch dressing:thumbdown:) and a shake for snack. I was so hungry when I got home I had two pieces of pizza and 4(very small) breadsticks, all dipped in more ranch dressing!!! Granted, it took me about 3-4 hours to eat it, and I went to be stuffed. Please be honest, I need tough love. Give it to me!!

Hello - I need some help and I cant get in to see the doc. I had surgery 6 weeks ago (no fill yet). I'm having problems with pain around my port area. I still cant sleep on my side or tummy yet and any pressure on my port area really hurts. After I eat my 1/2 cup of food It feels like my port is pushing up against my skin and ready to pop out of me at any minute and it really hurts. I tried eating slow or not eating as much at one time. But still the same problem with my port pushing up against my skin. Has this happened to anyone else? Is this normal in the beginning with some people? I know everyone's different but it hurts. OUCH! I had gas pains in the beginnin…

I got banded today and I'm feeling great!!! I have the notorious gas pain everybody talks about, but I can handle it so far... Does it tend to get worse before better? Because if this is it, that's AWESOME!!!!

Hi Guys! I just got approved for my surgery yesterday after 5 weeks of waiting. The date is set for next Friday, May 15th. I am so happy and excited but I have one small problem. The timing is absolutely terrible. My boyfriend's sister is graduating from college the week after my banding. We are all going to make the 4 hour drive to San Diego and then the 2 hour drive to LA for a 3 day stay at Disneyland. My surgery scheduler said that I shouldn't be in the car for long periods of time. So, I guess my question is regarding whether or not I will be ok to attend the festivities. I know everyone feels differently after surgery. But, if I take it easy and avoid the rides, w…

What Pain reliever would you recommend for after surgery?

My surgery is tomorrow, yea! So my question is, do most people have gas pain that is severe enough to need to take an OTC medicine? I've never had to before, but I want to know if I should go buy some if it's something that most Lapband pts go through. Thanks.

I have been banded for about 6 weeks. I have been suffering from acid reflu since I started on solid foods about 3 weeks ago. I did have acid reflux over 3 years ago when I was pregnant, never had it again, until recently. I posted a thread last week about having a complete unfill and the PA I saw mentioning band slippage. For about 5 days after the unfill the reflux did go away, then all of a sudden it came right back full force after I drank a small cup of milk. I've emailed with my surgeon, he doesn't seem to concerned that my band has slipped because I have no other symptoms. Is it possible that this is just a part of being of banded for me? Is there any way…

Hi all, Would really appreciate some feedback or others who might be going through what I am. To synopsize - first two fills did NOTHING, lost 28 lbs. without restriction. Had third fill, was a charm. I think I have 4.5 cc's in a 10 cc band. Experienced restriction for first time. Lost an additional 10 lbs over the last two months, but am at a standstill for about a month now. Trying to come to terms with the fact that I may be too tight, but waited so long for restriction, I'm hesitant to have some removed. Here's what's happening: I am having A LOT of trouble eating most foods without throwing up. It seems the healthier the food (chicken, veggies, salad, etc.) the …

My doctor took me off of Lasix & said not to take it any longer after I had the lapband surgery. I am wondering if anyone knows why?? I retain water easily & am retaining way too much water again...I have already put a call into my doctor to ask if I can start taking lasix again, but thought I would ask on here while I wait...I drink alot of water all day & only go to the restroom 2x a day!! Thank you for your help. :thumbsup:

does anyone ever eat a piece of pizza or a small serving of Pasta, when they are able to eat regular food. thanks

Please can anybody help me. My port site is quite painful. I was banded 2 weeks ago. The port site is still quite swollen too. Is this normal?:thumbdown:

I am having a band teaching class in the begining of June right before my surgery, I am assuming at that time they will tell me what kind of things not to eat, but as of right now they haven't told me. I was hoping you all could help me out. I've heard pasta, rice, and bread. However, I also know that some of you will say it varies from person to person. I would love to know by your experience what you would suggest NOT top eat! Thanks everyone! oh yea, what about corn?

I have been trying to figure out my "new stomach" since my last fill, but I can't understand it. I don't know how much was in my band the day of surgery, but last month they put in .6cc's. Depending on what kind of food it is, like Soup, I get full quick. But on other food's like sandwich's or pizza (I caved this week for pizza :thumbsup: ), I can eat.....forever, until I stop myself. But I just won't feel full. I thought to myself that it should be opposite. Like soup would kind of just go right through, while carbs would take a while to travel through the band. Is anybody else feeling the same way? Or is there anybody that might possibly be able to explain…

I never fluctuate in weight, so for me to gain a half a pound worries me. However, I got on the scale this morning after being on liquids for 2 days now after my 2nd fill on Tuesday to find that I had gained 2 pounds! How could this be? All I had yesterday and the day before was 2 protien shakes & chicken broth with pureed chicken! I am frustrated for the first time in the process and just cant understand how this is possible. Has this happened to anyone else?

I don't know if I am confused - but should the band stop all my hunger completely? Or should I still want a few meals a day? I had the impression that when filled correctly at the "Sweet Spot" I would have no hunger at all - like I was for my 2 weeks post op.? HELP!