POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I need some advice from banders that have been around the block a few times. I am 9 months out and have reached what I believe to be my sweet spot a couple of months back. When everything is good I eat just the right amount and can tell when I should stop. These days are great. But then about every three days or so I experience stuck food. I know I am causing it by maybe eating somthing that gets suck easily like bread or by not chewing my food well enough so I don't really need to know what to do to stop it from happening. I guess I just want to know if I am alone? Are most of you experiencing food getting stuck at least once a week on average?

I was admitted to my local hospital over the weekend - ER doc thought it might be my appendix. So, of course, the doc put me on a diabetic diet (I am). I tried to order according to how we are supposed to eat but they wouldn't let me get enough protein. First day, nurse told them to let me get whatever I want but by the second day it was a nightmare. New doc put me on 60 grams protein per day - sounds great, right? Wrong - they treated it as a protein restriction and luckily I left that day. Breakfast is usually easiest for protein so I wanted an egg with cheese - no, can't have cheese. It was a constant struggle because the person that answered the phone said I co…

O.K. I am 2 weeks and 1 day post op and today my surgistrips FINALLY came off of my port site.......And there is was it looks like a but crack just above my belly button.......I noticed that it seems to crease there when it was stapled and surgi-striped but man it ain't 2 pretty.....Sonebody tell me this will go away......EWE I have enough belly rolls without having a small but crack added......????:thumbdown::eek::confused::eek::sneaky:

A very good friend of mine who had the lap band many years ago gave me some advice and said to me- You have to buy a Magic Bullet (blender) for after your surgery- It is the best thing ever and I use it every day- Well I bought it before my surgery and used it for the 1st time yesterday to make a "smoothie" and let me tell you- I used it again this am and cannot imagine not having it now- It literally took 3 minutes to make this- 1/2 banana, 1/2 boost vanilla drink ice and a few strawberries for sweetness... TO DIE FOR!!!!!! They also have a recipe book for various things from appetizers to creating meals in literally minutes- The infomercial is quite hilarious but ser…

I woke up 4 nights ago with a stabbing pain when I rolled over on my left side during my sleep. Left upper abdoman. Talked to the Dr on Monday, he thinks I have just pulled a muscle since I do yoga and exercise alot. Can't lie on my left side at all, very painfull. I am just wondering if anyone has had any issues like this. Wrong side for my Gall bladder. Port doesn't hurt. Pain seems to be deeper inside. He is gonna do the FLouro on Monday. we'll go from there. I wonder if it is possible if the band can come "Unclipped". Maybe it is just apulled muscle. I am still able to walk about 6 miles per day. Any thoughts?:thumbdown:

Hi everyone, I had my second fill almost 3 weeks ago . I'm only down 3 pounds since then and on top of that ,when I eat ,it feels difficult at time(uncomfortable). Is this what they mean by bandster hell ? Is this normal ? How can I get back to my faster weight loss? Any suggestions would be great. I'm pretty bummed out about it. I've lost 60 pounds in a years time but only 30 since the banding back in November. Have any of you experianced this ? Should I go back to a more liquid diet?

Hi everyone I am 6 days Post-op...Im doing fine no pain or whatever...Just everytime I attempt to eat, I get sick to my stomach...No vomitting, b/c i was never the type to vomit except when I get those mean stomach viruses...But this is starting to concern me, and definitly discourage me...I keep hearing people saying "OH I DID GREAT NO COMPLICATIONS" and I feel like im the only one who has this issue. :thumbdown: The doc gave me anti-nausea meds that seem to knock me out, so I am trying to avoid that, all I want is to get better...

I am covered through my employer with BCBS. I have been shopping for health insurance for the rest of my family. My employer has agreed to take me off their group insurance and pay for a policy for me, my husband, and son because the cost is very close to what they were paying just for me on the group policy. The problem is that when BCBS found out that I had had the lap-band surgery they would not cover me at all, excluded me completely! Humana did the same thing. Has anyone had this trouble and does anyone know of an insurance company that will cover you (not under a group policy) knowing that you've had this surgery?

Now granted I live in New England and this winter has not been kind to us this year. But my problem is that I'm always cold even when others are not, and I don't know why. I notice is more at night. So I went to my regular Dr and she ran blood tests twice to see if I was anemic and the test came back saying I'm not. A few of my friends have said that it could be due to my weight loss of 100 pounds in the last year and I don't have all the padding I use to. But I was just wondering if anyone else has gone through this or am I just crazy? Any insight I can get would be great. Thanks Heather

Has anyone ever had band slippage from PBing????

Did your dr give you liquid painkillers or just tell you to cut up the pills? what kind? The only type that usually works for me after a surgery is lortab. I know every dr is different, so I was just curious as to others experiences. I will hopefully be banded in June:)

the only thing I found that gives me relief when I am stuck is a yoga pose (can't remember the name of it - downward dog maybe?). You stand, bend at the waist and put your hands on the floor (so your upper body is upside down). If you can't go all the way to the floor, use a stool or a chair. Stay in that position as long as you can or until you feel "unstuck". If you need to stand up and then do it again that helps too. It has worked for me EVERY time. I learned it on here, but figured I would re-post with a title that would be easy to find. Also, just eat SLOW and CHEW and you can avoid that stuck feeling. I had surgery Nov 17, 2008. I am down 60 pounds (267 to 207, …

I am going to call doctor in the morning but today is my third day post op and i just started to notice a lil blood in my urine..I read up on it and it said some causes can be from certain medications like blood thinners, aspirin and penicilin...They did give me blood thinners twice while in the hospital but has anyone else experience this..thanks

Hi all, I know my band is working because, according to my home scale I've lost two more pounds. I'm learning to recognize when I'm full; had Cereal about three hours ago, and still am not hungry. I'm exercising and drinking water--I probably could drink a little more, but I'm doing all right. The problem is when I'm lying in certain positions the scar on my left hurts. I guess it's more like a sting. Sometimes I'm afraid that it's a pulling sensation. It's hard when I touch it, so maybe that's keloids? It's above my port, and that's not giving me any trouble. I'm scheduled for another fill on April 23, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced an…

I was banded 3/19/09. Everything has gone pretty smoothly. But a couple of days ago I noticed a feeling in my upper stomach that doesn't feel right. When I take a deep breath it feels as if something hits the back of my rib, in the center of my chest. Its like something popping. Has anyone had this happen to them? I am afraid my band has come loose.

Hello fellow Bandsters, I have about a week and half till I get to start the Mushies... and I am SOO looking forward to it, (never thought I would) well, I know a lot of new bandsters are like really groosed out, and clueless on ideas on what to mix to be yummy. So can we start a thread of some of your favorite recipes? Breakfast Mushies? lunch Mushies? dinner Mushies?? Seafood? meats? Thanks!!!!

Does anyone know what the pressure in my chest is from and is it normal?..Thanks!!

I had my band done in Oct last year and starting in Nov, began having these horrible pains once or twice a month that would last anywhere 4rom 15 min to 12 hrs. I thought maybe I was getting food stuck but I find out 5 months later that it's been gallbladder attacks. I ended up having 2 b admitted a week after I was diagnosed with gallstones in the ER due 2 the fact that I had another attack that weekend at which time 5 stones had passed through and became stuck in my common bile duct. ouch !!!! :eek: I had my band unfilled so they could do an endoscopic procedure 2 remove the stones, then 2 days later had the gallbladder removed. I was in the hospital 4 a total of 4 days…

The closest that I live to a support group is over 100 miles away. There is nobody around where I live (that I know of) that has had the lapband. There are days where I wish I had someone to talk to, someone that knows exactly what I am going through and will go through in the months and years ahead. I have my parents, my friends (most of which have no weight problems what so ever), and my husband that have been there for me since I had my band placed, but as much as they try, they just don't understand the things I am going through. So, I was thinking. Most people that own a cell have to watch to make sure they don't go over their minutes but have free text. I am …

What the heck!?! So yesterday I had this weird burning sensation coming directly from where my port is. I don't know if it is because I had gone on a 3 mile hike that morning and my abs were sore OR if there is something wrong with me! Anyone else ever feel this? It only lasted for like 10 minutes but holy cow it hurt! I have a DR. appt Monday so I'll mention it to them! I just wanted your thoughts in the meantime! :eek: Thanks

I am so much happier now - slow but sure, the weight is coming off. I love my band. Happy anniversary, Lap Band.

I'm just curious about this because I had my last fill the first of January and I'm beginning to think its time for another one. I've never gone more than a month without needing a fill and am wondering if its normal to go 3 months, or longer, between fills and still be losing weight. Thanks for your input!!

I have been going to the gym for the past 4 months trying atleast to go 3 days a week. Some weeks I meet the 3 days other weeks, I don't. My husbands pay was cut back and so was his hours recently resulting in us not having the money for my membership to the gym for now. I have a few DVDs of Pilates and just finished doing one of them called 8 min abs. While the exercises aren't that hard to do, I have found out that Pilates have got to be for the skinny folks. I managed to finish the whole thing but I don't think that I did the exericses exactly the way I was suppose to seeing as how I still have to much in the middle and wasn't able to actually touch my elbow to …

I got my surgery two days ago and I have been sleeping on my back. After while that starts to get uncomfortable because I am not use to sleeping that way the whole nite. Does any one now if its alright to sleep on my side only being two days post op? Thanks!!

OK, i was banded on march 19th. I was doing really good with the post op liquids....UNTIL---my first puree'd meal. they say I should be able to eat about 3/4 c of food....and i am finding myself eating well over 1/5c and hungry 2 hours later. CAN SOMEONE HELP?? First fill isnt until end of april.

I just got my band on Saturday, so I don't have to worry about a fill for 4 weeks. Right now what I'm wondering is how much will the doctor fill the band to start? Some people say the first fill is too tight or not tight enough. Is there a basic starting amount of fluid? How many CCs would be normal? Or does it just depend on the person and the doctor?

I'm a little over 3 weeks post op as I was banded on 3/12. I have followed my doctor's orders to the letter regarding my diet. I'm on the soft food diet as of now. Prior to the surgery, I was on the pre op diet where I lost 11 lbs. in 2 weeks. I've lost a total of 18 lbs. now. Yes, that's a lot of weight, but I haven't lost anything since the first week post op. Since I started soft/mushy foods, I've not lost. In fact, I've gained. I don't get my first fill for another 3-5 weeks. Here's what my typical diet is: Breakfast-Protein shake 1/2 Apple juice (TMI-To help with constipation) Lunch-3 oz. Turkey lunch meat 1 oz. of cheese 3 …

Hi all--I'm 17 days post op and totally exhausted. If I am still and quiet for 5 minutes I'm out! I'm taking chewable vitamins tailored to bariatric patients. Anyone else feel this way? Any tips?

Has anyone felt the sensation of something in their throat when they swallow even if they have not ate anything (like a small ball). I had my surgery done just a little over a week ago and this started about three days ago. I also am suffering from decent gas (have to burp constantly) and occassional indigestion. I have tried the gas-x (not much help). Also, I am literally able to eat only teaspoons of food at each meal. Is that normal. I called my doctor and his nurse said "yes." I bet I am only consuming about 400 calories if that a day. Any thoughts??????

Hi everyone.. i was banded about a week and a half ago... just checking in to see how others banded that same week are doing... hope everyone is well and feeling that their surgery was a success! i am doing so well, and i cannot wait to move onto the next food phase. Soups are starting to get a little boring, but i am trucking on! i am feeling great and so happy with my decision! i cant believe that i actually enjoy stepping on the scale in the am! lol :smile2:

For those not telling, how did you hide or explain the pre-op & post op liquid diet? I don't want to tell my co-workers I'm having the lap band. I'm worried all their questions will make me more nervous and freak me out. Any suggestions or tips on how to explain the liquid diet? I'm afraid someone will figure out my secret. :thumbup:

Hi all, I was banded January 20, and in St. Louis for the women's final four (any banders out here with good suggestions for places to eat that have mostly good choices/size portions?). I was good to go while delayed in the airport and flying, and yesterday in the arena (I'd brought Protein drink, atkins Protein Bar and a Crystal Lite packet), but after all day standing in lines, I went to try to find a store to buy large women's jeans, and lo and behold saw a Red Lobster (ugh, temptation!). I did get an appetiser (grilled scallops) and a lobster tail only and felt ok, but this morning, the tempting waffle house called my name and now I feel over full and decided I'd co…

I am 9 days post-op and my incisions are still sore to the touch. My question is, how long do they stay sore?

Hello everyone. I'm hoping someone can provide an answer. My girlfriend has had lap band surgery. Today, she has had a problem and I'm worried about her. She ate 2 pieces of lumpia and a half bag of kettle corn today, and now her stomach feels like it's going to explode, and when she attempts to eradicate her body of the food, only water is coming out. She told me a problem could be in regards to 'blockage of the band'. Is that possible? What are the symptoms of blockage of the band? I'm really worried. She doesn't want to go to the emergency room, yet, but that may be coming pretty soon here. She has been feeling this pain for about 3 hours, after eating the lu…

Hi everyone, my first post. i was banded on the 26th, was told it was "textbook" discharged on the 27th, came home, started running temp of 101. Back to hospital overnite, had antibiotics. home today, but, still do not feel good. I have so much gas!!! i am walking around, sipping fluids slowly, but still have awful painful gas. Also, loose stools, probably from the meds. I really want to cry and cry. I am so scared I did the wrong thing!!! Did anyone else feel this way at first????

I keep reading everyone's stories on here and how they've lost so much weight and the band is working great for them. I feel like such a failure. I paid all this money for the band, and have only lost 35 lbs in 9 months. Why can't I do as well as everyone else?! I'm about ready to just give up!:tt1: Good luck everyone with your future weight loss!

I was banded on March 30th and have been nauseous everday. I did vomit (if you can even call it that). The nausea medicine they gave me makes things worse. I have been scared to eat or drink ever since because it was very painful. According to my nutrition info they gave me I should be taking in alot more and should start purees tomorrow but I don't want to vomit. I am also scared of becoming malnurished and dehydrated. Never in a million years did I ever think I would be afraid of eating! Drinking water is all im comfortable with right now but I know thats not enough. What should I be drinking, eating? All advice is greatly appreciated!

When I went to my appointment with the nutritionist, she gave me a booklet put together by my Dr that has been like a bible to me. It has my diet schedule for pre-op, example- Day 1-8, Clear Liquids...and a list of food I can have, and so on til I'm six weeks post-op and into my maintenance plan. I have been following it per Dr's instructions. At my 2 week follow-up appt. they gave me the literature that came with the band, along with some other stuff and the diet the Dr gave me is verbatim of the literature. My question is... the Dr's, I am assuming, are all trained to put the band in the same way at the same place, but why are the diets so different? I have read o…

First off I wanted to ask a question. My Dr told me my band is empty and they dont fill it until 6 weeks post op. I just started mushies but feel like I can eat like I did before the banding:eek: I have no restriction. Is this normal???

Hey Guys, I finally got banned 4/2! I woke up from the hospital in moderate pain but most of it was half pain and half of discomfort. Well, I have a few concerns now and I need your guys opinions who have been banned already. At first, I need ALOT of gas and unfortunately I wasn't passing them so that didn't help, I got home 2 days after and was up till 4 am because I felt like I needed to throw up. I had diarrhea and felt nausea due to having so much gas and not being able to pass it. I had eaten at the hospital (liquids, Jello) and felt ok. Thank God that 2 days later I was passing them and was able to feel a bit better. But now I have this tightness that extends …

I got banded yesterday at Hizmet Hastanesi in Istanbul. The whole thing took about 25 minutes and I got home this afternoon. I'm really, really sore, but hopefully some of the pain will fade in a couple of days. I read where you are all on liquids for the first couple of weeks, first clear and then full, and then you move onto mushy foods. My doctor told me I could have things like yogurt or soupy, pureed things as well. In fact, what he ordered for me to eat today was tea, a small piece of beyaz peynir (soft sheep's milk cheese) and some tea biscuits. I dunked the biscuits into the tea so they disintegrated in my mouth. I had some gelatin earlier today and am …

Hey all- Like I've said in a previous post, I am newly banded 3/30/09. I am still on the "full liquid" phase of my diet. I am worried about Easter coming up. I will be on "pureed" by that date. Any tips on what's decent to puree for Easter dinner? Anybody anybody? Thanks!

I am SO thrilled..I was banded dec 18th 2008 and to date have lost 45 pounds, I am proud to say I'm finally back under 200...My 25th anniversary is this month and gonna have pictures taken(I have always hated to have them taken) and I can't wait to see them.I am by no means "thin" yet but I'm getting there...I had to share..I wish everyone great successes too!!

however you spell it. I sipped on a slim fast low carb only about 4 sips and now i feel gross. i had a very small watery bm, but i feel as though i can barf. Did anyone else feel like this early on? im only doing clear liquids after i get over this, even though my doc said i didnt have to. please offer some advice, i hate that its the weekend or else id be blowing up his office phone.

I'm a bit concerned... I've lost 13lbs in 9 days after surgery. That can't be good for me. I feel like I'm wasting away. Last night I was dead set on getting in some substantial calories and carbs. I took matters into my own hands and had about 3/4 cup of mac and cheese. No problems at all...of course I did take my sweet time. Probably over an hour to eat it all...but my surgeon says no Pasta until week 5. I've had it with liquids! Anyone else fast forward to the soft foods stage?

I keep seeing that acronym, can someone tell me what is stands for? Also NSV? I think it has something to do with vomiting, but I am not sure. thanks, Mary banded 3/5/09 242/227/213/140-150 highest, day of surgery, now, goal

Ok So i had surgery on Tuesday:) Well, whenever i take the narcotic it was making me super dizzy and nautious so now im trying to just do tylenol and its doing the same. My forehead is even tingly... I feel like i cant concentrate.. and just really weired. Is that normal? I am super weak, but I think that has to do with no food really... Yesterday my deit changed to the thicker liquids and i ate : B 1/4 c cream of wheat L 1/4 c Broccoli V8 Soup D 1/4 c Potato soup Today I have had B 1/4 c Grits (those are actually tasty) My hubby thinks the food intake is why ifeel so light headed.. and dizzy.. Well this is my menu for the next 2 weeks. Did anyone else…

Hi everyone, I am 5 days post op and on the thick liquid diet. I have IBS and usually too much liquid in my diet causes dirarrhea. Sure enough, that is what is happening. On Sunday, I transition to blended diet. Is it okay to start incorporating more solid foods now? My plan was to keep it minimal and not overeat. My other problem is an elevated heart rate that also came on today. I feel like I'm on speed. I don't drink caffeine, but feel like I'm jazzed up on it. I did my first work out today and the fitness guy noticed it, but didn't seem all that concern. One other time I felt this way related to diet, was when I did a low-carb diet and about 6 days into it…

Okay so I have heard that after band I can't take headache meds b/c it messes up the band! My problem is that I get headaches very often, so what am I supposed to take to get rid of the pain if I can't take asprin? Has anyone been told similar info? What kind of meds do you take? i don't know I'm just curious, but I guess the best thing to do would be to talk to my doc. (which I will, but I just wanted to see what everyone would say first).

What the heck? Although how they fit has changed, I am still wearing pants I wore before surgery. I am down 50 and should be in a smaller size. My question to you gals, this is kind of personal, but I am 5'4 and 245 wearing size 20. For those with similar dementions, about what weight were you when you got into an 18, 16, 14, and 12? My curves are everywhere by the way, hourglass shape.