POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

how did u feel when u sat comfortabley in a movie theatre seat!!!!!!!!!!! when u were driving and felt like u had a dress bunched up under u...and realized u had a tail bone!!!!!!!!!!! when u could lay out in the sun and not need an extra lounge chair on both sides of u 4 ur arms!!!!!!!!!!! the collar bones...the wrist bones...shoulder blades!!!!!!!!! i have shoulder blades???????....lol...getting irritated bcuz a size 14 is TOO BIG!!!!!!!!!!! i can laugh at it now...but at one time the weight was soooo painful and hurtful....but it is...soooooo lovely!!!!!!!!! keep pushing losers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew that of my past habits, that eating too fast was part of my problem. I am currently more than 3 weeks past banding and 6 weeks from my first fill. I was put last week on a pretty unrestrictive diet. I'm having very few problems. What I am finding though is that I am sitting down to eat, acting like my old self until the first or 2nd bite gets stuck. Wow is that painful and frequently leads to violent hiccups which are uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Its taking me a while to remember on my first bites to be a little more careful. If I do that, all is well. The only other problem I have had is taking too much to drink after a meal. I have always been a b…

Ok so I see a lot of people talk about sliming, and I honestly don't know what to think or have any ideas about what it is, but please someone spell it out for the blonde :smile: and what do you do about it, how do you handle it?

My biggest incision is infected. I'll spare you all most of the details, but on Sunday it started to 'ooze' a bit of fluid. I changed my bandages until I ran out. This morning I went to the doctor on campus and was told I had an infection. The nurse cleaned and re-bandaged it and the doctor put me on Augmentin. How common is this? I've seen posts regarding port infections, but my other incisions have healed nicely. In fact, they just look like cat scratches right now. I hope the antibiotics clear it up soon.

Hello All, I am due to have my surgery in 2 days!!! YAY I read a lot about people on here having 2 weeks of liquid diet before hand. But my doctor is only having me on liquids the day before. Is this weird or not normal? I thought you are supposed to be on the liquids for your liver to shrink or something....im just confused. It is kind of making me nervous. Any thoughts? Thank you!

Hello everyone. THIS IS MY FOURTH DAY ON MY LIQUID DIET, HAVE SURGERY ON THE 22ND. Is there any one else that is on the same diet that I am on? This is the one that my doctor put me on, and nothing else. Meal Plan for Liquid Diet: Breakfast: 1 Atkins Advantage Shake (160 Calories) Lunch: 1 Atkins Advantage Shake (160 Calories) 1 Cup of Cooked Green Veggies or 2 Cups of Raw Green Veggies (50 Calories) 1 Cup of Chicken Broth (10 Calories) Dinner 1 Atkins Advantage Shake (160 Calories) 1 Cup of Cooked Green Veggies or 2 Cups of Raw Green Veggies (50 Calories) 1 Cup of Beef Broth (10 Calories) Can anyone tell me what I can do to help the hunger.

Do any of you ever wake up in a scare that you have just consumed food that you shouldn't have? I am having them on a weekly basis! The most recent one was of comsuming an entired Dr. Pepper and I wok up and freaked out!! It is hilarious to think that food is my new nightmare!

I recently read a post, that I cannot find now, about how the first few bites she took got stuck and made her PB but then after that she was fine and could eat a lot.... Anyone know who that was or where I can read that post? That is my new issue. Not with everything but with lots of things. I take a few bites, get stuck, deal with it and then can eat. Whats up with that? P

good morning!!!!! i hope everyone had a happy holiday weekend!!!!!!! last week there was a thread on here..."did i make the right choice?"...it was basically a disscussion from a member wondering if she should've had the bypass...which kind of turned into a band vs. bypass vs. sleeve kind of discussion...lol...there was a post from a group member that basically said the band teaches you how to eat healthier and exercise...let me start out by saying i wanted the band up until i attended my 1st seminar...when i heard how much faster weight loss was with the bypass...i started to have 2nd thoughts and was leaning on bypass surgery...i met with my surgeon and he felt the band…

My co-workers have organized a power walk everyday around 1:00 PM. They would walk about 45 minutes - around 1.5 miles. I joined them today. I tried to catch up with them as they walked faster than I did (they are all taller and slimmer than I am). In the course of walking, I felt the area to the left of my incision / port (my port is located right above the big incision) sore. It was bearable soreness. I am just wondering if it is okay to continue walking with them even though I might feel a little soreness around my port area.

I hit a new low today as we are getting ready to head out on our cruise. I gained 13 pounds on our first cruise. Here is hoping I do better this time.

I had my surgery November 4th. I've had three fills, I might actually be too tight, but I'm not have an unfill. Meaning, I am limited on the type of food I eat(gets stuck), but I'm concerned about the quanity I can eat (sometimes up to 12 oz). I've lost about 42 lbs total. I've only lost 6lbs since January. So it came off very fast at first, then almost nothing. I exercise my booty off, 3-6 times a week! The dietician's only advise is to weigh my meals before I eat. Well, dietician, I would in a perfect world, but I work 60 hours a week and am a mom of two boys... 6 and 10...fun ages! Needless to say I eat out alot. I make good decisions, most often soups becaus…

how long after surgery did you wait before eating solid food? I was just banded on Friday but I can't wait till I can see something solid. There are way too many food commericals on TV!!!

I am a nurse, so I have an active, non desk job. I took two weeks off of work, is that long enough? What are your doctors recommending?

I was banded on March 30th, 2009. I did the 10 day liquid diet after the surgery and graduated to the pureed stage. My first day on the pureed stage, I ate a small piece of fish (I'm allowed flaky white fish) and pureed squash. It's been 4 days since I graduated, and I'm able to eat more solid foods. I haven't been trying to test the band, because I've never vomited or anything like that. I'm not eating anything crunchy, but for easter today, I had a small piece of meatloaf (about 3 inches worth), half of a tiny baked potato and some asparagus. I've also been working out everyday. I don't like the Protein drinks, so I've been making sure to get enough protein th…

Has any one else had this issue: My tongue is very white and filmy... I brush it and scrape it and it does not seem to change. It has a film on it that will not go away and nothing has any flavor anymore - Water and cranberry juice taste the same. Is this from... dehydration? post op? my diabetes - though it has never been this bad? meds? Any help would be appreciated. -BSG

I dont even know if I am posting this in the right area. I need some serious advice. I recieved an explination of benefits from my Carefirst BlueChoice about a week ago stating that my cost of surgery was $6152.56. I was shocked today when I recieved another explination of benefits stating that I owe $1026.00 for anesthesia. Here is word for word of the explination of why it was not covered: Under this members coverage, benefits for any services or supplies related to weight control, weight reduction or overweight conditions are excluded. Sicne it appears that these services relate to one or more of these exclusions, we are unable to provide benefits for these charges. …

hi I was banded Friday morning, home friday night. Sat was fine, even took the wife shopping, Sat night i realised i had not had 100 calories all day, so maybe i did too many liquids in too short of a time, got the hiccups. today i can keep no fluids in. never puke, just hiccup all the time and push out foam. I doubt i kept a half glass of fluids in me all day. Hiccups start for no reason. ie, they stop for a few hours, then I am sitting around not eating or drinking, and they start up. walked a half mile, did not help. after dozing a little, it is now midnight and i cannot sleep as i am hiccuping. ANY ADVICE PLEASE ? tia k

hello, wow i don't where to begin.

Let's hear some good quotes to keep us new banders motivated!!!!

How long after surgery does one have to wait before having a beer?:smile:

Hi I just had my surgery last Thursday. So far doing very well. I do have a question. I have pain in my neck along with pain between my colarbone and shoulder. My daughter had the surgery and also from reading know it usually happens. However, how long does this pain last? I realize everybody is different.

On Friday on my way to a meeting I experienced for the 2nd time a sudden pain in the area just under my center breastbone that had me feeling clammy and like I was going to throw up. The week before I had watched my grandbabbies and thought for a momment I had their flu. But it got worse and lasted about 30 minutes. A retired DR. took my pulse and said it was steady, and thought that since I hadn't eaten maybe that was it. You see early that morning I had taken my Boniva and you can't drink or eat for an hour afterward. It didn't feel stuck but like the pain was coming from the banding area. I had had this once in my Lap Band Dr.s office once when I hadn't eaten bec…

Have any of you suffered from bad constipation? I've talked to my dr about it and he suggested I take Mineral Oil and eat alot of Jello. I'm going on 5 days now and nothing yet. It's stuck and it don't want to come out. Saturday will be 4 weeks post op. HELP!

Had sugery on 3/19 and I am suprised that I am doing so well. I heard so may horror stories......... wasn't sure if i'd be one of them~ so far, it has been text book perfect. but then again i am listening to exactly what the doctor told me. I just started eating "normal" foods.. I haven't "tested" the band though. so i eat just until i start to feel a little pressure in my chest (not pain, just pressure). i can't start weight training with my trainer again until May 1st. But walking is allowed. I don't know what is going to happen down the road, but for now i will bask in the joy of working with my Lapband, as my Lapband is working with me. the year of preperat…

I'm not sure if this is band related or not but I figured I'd ask here and see if it happened to anyone else. I had my 2nd fill about a week and a half ago and everything has been great, still have little restriction. Over the last 2 days I've gotten stuck a few times because of my own stupidity in not chewing well enough but it passed right through after about 2 minutes with no problems. Yesterday and tonight I've had what feels like muscular pain in my chest. It's located right around my sternum. It hurts sometimes when I breathe in and when I move around and when I sneeze. I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else and could be band related or if I just pulled…

Hello I had my surgery on Monday the 6th of April and I was wondering about how long will it take for me to feel normal? It seems to me that I am recovering well, but I still don't feel "normal"! How long do the incisions take to heal? How long should I feel like just sitting around the house? So the main question is when does it stop hurting?? (not that I'm in extreme pain) it's just that I have school this coming monday and I'm wondering if I will feel like going?

I was banded on Friday the 10th. But I am feeling SO sick to my stomach/ I feel like I need to throw up. Also the gas pain is about to drive crazy!! I can feel it moving around and hurts like hell!:thumbdown:

Hello Fellow Banders. Because of my slow pre-op weight loss my doctor had my metabolism tested. It was about 30% below normal - apparently very common for those of us that have been on starvation-type diets in the past. Now that I'm post-surgery he wants to deal with the metabolism since, according to their tests, I'm loosing lean body mass vs. fat (yes I exercise...about 5 hours a week). He's prescribed ephedrine (primatene tablets are one source). I've done a search and haven't seen this mentioned before. Anyone out there have any experience with slow metabolism or ephedrine? I would love to hear your thoughts. thanks.

I have a two-part question: Part one: Monday will be my two week post surgery date and I feel as if I am healing and feeling well. I've always had a strong stomach so I've experienced no nausea or eating problems. I'm following the prescribed types of foods--liquids, blender, soft etc., but I wonder if I am eating too much? I am a teacher, and during my teaching day, I feel like I can't get enough to eat. I've been having oatmeal for Breakfast, yogurt for snack, cottage cheese and fruit cup for lunch and by the end of the school day, around 2:30, I'm starving. It all seems like too much eating to me. I noticed today, at home, I don't feel as hungry. It is at dinner …

when does the gas in your stomach leave post op..and when does the swelling go down post op

I have been using my CPAP machine for almost two years now, and it has made a big difference. I am usually totally compliant, but I have fallen asleep without it. My roommate says she used to be able to hear me when she was down stairs, but now I'm much quieter. I may never lose my CPAP, and that's fine with me. What I'd like to know is when you decided it was time for another titration? I'm not anxious to go through that, but if I can have the pressure lowered that would be great. I also don't want to keep the machine at this pressure if it would be harmful. It's only at 8 anyway, which isn't bad. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. …

I had my 4th fill, I have had a .06, .05.05. .04cc fill yesterday. I have the worst case of heart burn, I can eat warm soup but lost a glass of water today. am I too tight? its been 5 months since my last fill, and can't remember if it was this bad. any ideas?

So I am about 11 days post-op and I had a bad case of nausea that seemed to go away thank god. But now I have developed this nagging Right shoulder pain...I am getting a little worried, and thinking it could be my GallBladder...I wonder if anyone else has experienced this discomfort? I noticed that the Left shoulder seemed to be the culprit, but of course eveything is the opposite for me!

Hey Guys, I went to Wal-Mart a few days ago and found Kellogg's Special K Protein Water mix. It was in the Cereal isle and it's awesome! A packet mixes with a 16.9oz water! It has zero fat, 6 grams of carbs and 5 grams of protein. I thought I'd mention it. It's a great way to sneak in a little bit more protein and it tastes great! (I can only vouch for the pink lemonade though...) I'll be getting more of these for sure!

do you ever get tired of people/co-workers telling you ...your thin enuff...stop losing...all the comments negative and positive....i didnt tell a lot of my co-workers i was having weight loss surgery...i work 4 a huge company and didnt feel the need to go around and tell some 500 employees that i was having weight loss surgery....it amazes me how many people at work want 2 discuss my weight with me....its like u didnt want to discuss my weight when i was over-weight...y now????????i swear sometimes i feel like a circus freak...then i love my co-workers that do not have a weight issue...that tell me how to tone up...what to eat...how to exercise...that i'm too thin...that…

does anyone know the web site where u can put ur pic in and it will show a picture of what you might look like skinny?

Hey guys, I am posting this in Post Op since I have already had the surgery. When I went to the original seminar they said that any co payments that you were responsible for would be due at the time of surgery. My max out of pocket expence is 1500 (down from 3000 last year). So, I figured this would be my final cost since my insurance covers 80%. Well, when my surgeon sent my prior bill it was only $400.00. So, I am wondering...Is this all I am going to pay, or is someone going to bill me. If there is more to come, when should I expect it, and who will it come from??? Insurance, Surgeon, hospital??? My insurance is BC in California... Thanks guys!

Okay, so I love my Wii Fit. But I would like to get another fit game. I was looking at "My Fitness Coach." Anyone have this game? What do you think? Any other fit games you all like? I heard that there is another wii fit game coming out in May. Anyone know what it is? :thumbup: Thanks gang! Hugs,

Okay, I'm shocked and pretty much devastated when I got on my scale this morning and had gained 2 1/2 pounds. I'm moving beyond mushies into soft foods and am eating about 700 to 1000 calories per day, but am having trouble getting down all the liquid while planning arund the food. I had been down to 235.5 from a high of 265 at my sugical consult, but today I a back to 238. I know it seems a small amount in the big picture...but I just went through so much to get to this point in my lap band journey, it just pisses me off to see the scale going in the wrong direction!:cool2: Any words of wisdom from those of you who have been down this road and possibly experienced so…

so far i've had very bad luck eating chicken. i've tried cooking it different ways and using thighs instead of the breasts i used to use. but every time i end up puking and sliming after a few bites. is there anyone who tolerates chicken? if so how long did it take after banding to tolerate it. any ways to cook it that are more tolerable?

I am 6'3" tall and very wide in the chest and shoulders - well, and middle too, but not for long. Currently 308 lbs. If I stuck to the standard BMI chart then I would need to weigh under 200 pounds to break the magic 25 barrier. The best shape of my life I was 19 and 235 lbs and that was when I was in the Army - I was very lean and fairly ripped. When my doctor spoke to me about the BMI chart he immediately told me to not pay attention to them based upon my physical make up. He also told me that when Arnold Schwarzenegger won Mr. Universe his BMI was like 60. Even though he was in the best shape of his life - I know, extrememe example. Anyway, I wanted to know wha…

OMG I could kill for something soft and mushy right now. Thankfully I didnt have to do the 2 week pre-op liquid diet only 36 hours prior to surgery, but I am about over all of these shakes and such. I dont know how Im going to last another 2 weeks like this. Its only been 2 days since my surgery but Im hungry all the time and the taste of the liquids and sweetness of the Jello and pudding are starting to get to me already..... Any advice??

Well, I am finally banded. I was done on Thursday at 7:30 AM and was up walking by 11:30. I left the hoispital around 4:00 and I am having a good bit of pain at the port site. I know this is to be expected though and I just keeping thinking the worst is behind me and each day I will feel alittle better. No regrets at all !!!!!!! Will keep you posted on how I am doing and thanks for everyones encouragement.

Ok this is just annoying. What do I need to do to make this stop. I have had my band for 4 days and I cannot get any sleep because I drool constantly. I have taken to keeping a towel on my pillow and letting my mouth be open and let it soak into the towel. Gross! Is this just something that will go away, or is there a better way to deal with this issue? -BSG

If you are struggling or thinking of doing Weight Watchers with your Lapband. I just started a social group - JOIN THE GROUP!! Weight Watchers + Lap Band Friends :cool2: (alex the moderator suggested I post this on the forums - Not intended to be spamful, just helpful)

I had surgery on Jan 27th and have lose 55 lbs. I always had alot burping with gas pain but it has been more significatnt since I had the stomach flu last week (with vomiting). now I cant hold anything down except soft things like yogurt & icecream. I am so hungry, but get painfully sick when I eat solids. what's going on?:cool2:

Hello, I know i shouldnt dwell on it, because, i must consider the source, but is spoke to a neighbor today who i had not told about the surgery and he was 'chock' full of great information, such as, remember, you cant go back to your old ways, because you will gain the weight back, and 'you know, many people gain the weight back, you must be very careful". I guess it was the unsolicited advice that annoyed me the most and that it was coming from someone i didnt even tell!!! it just put me in a down mood for the rest of the day...i know i have to prepare myself for people to say unhelpful things,, but i just wasnt in the mood for it today!!

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good protein shake mix for the "liquids only days" after surgery? :smile2:

I am experience blurred vision and my pupils will not shrink when in the light. It's now night time and I am 3 days post op. Have any of you experienced this? Or does anyone know what this might be associated with? Thanks! Andrea