POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I had surgery on 3/23 and have some numbness in my stomach just to the left of my belly button. Has anyone else experienced this?

I've only had 1 fill but even before that I felt restriction. My meals since solids have always been 4 ounces or less. Since my first fill I've felt tighter, then some relief and now I'm tighter again. I'm loosing with little to no exercise, but I wonder how little is to little. My dr says maybe 2 bites maybe 20 bites. Most meals are pretty slim and the only time I feel I get hungry is late at night like 6 hours after dinner which seems normal. I just want to make sure since I'm eating so little that I concentrate on protein first as my dr suggests. Honestly the only time I get anything else is maybe one cooked mini carrot or when I do corn flakes for breakfast. I…

OMG, I am so petrified. My kid has the stomach flu, and I was just banded on the 11th. I am so scared that I might get it. I did call my doc's office, and the little gal there said I should keep the anti-nausea medicine handy. I just wonder, how strong is this medicine? Will it be enough? I am just petrified that I am going to get this, and my husband doesn't understand the importance of him being the one to sanitize the areas where there's been vomit. I am staying on liquids until I am sure the danger has passed, but I am so scared....

I was banded 01/23 and had my first fill 3/9 (currently down 34 lbs) I can still eat fairly large portions (which scares me!!) and find I'm getting hungry pretty often. Is this normal? I currently have 3cc in my band. I'm supposed to go back in 4 weeks for an adjustment. How many fills before you get to the right level? Thanks!

I had my surgery on 3/23 and the Dr. everything went fine. I haven't been hungry much at all. Today I had a Carbmaster Vanilla Yogurt, about 1/4 cup tomoto/basil soup, a chocolate protein shake and a Creamy Chicken soup at hand. Just wondering if this sounds like about the right intake for a new bandster? I'm still having some pain in my shoulder and also some pain when I take deep breaths.

Hi All I had surgery on Monday (today is Thursday) and I'm feeling really constipated. I'm wondering if anyone has any tricks to help go to the bathroom? I've been drinking as much as I can (low cal vitamin water) with two protein shakes and some broth a day for hunger. Any advice?

Hello friends...I am concerned for my band and I havent posted anything on it yet so I am asking for you feedback. I've lost a total of 46 lbs and I've only been banded since dec 11th 2008. Last fill I was filled at 8cc. Now two questions? When i was first filled up to 5cc two weeks later my doctor pulled the saline out and said I was 3cc...how do you lose fluid like that? AND SECOND TOO MY MOST IMPORTANT. I have a 10 cc band and last time i checked i was at 8cc. now you would think my restriction would be amazing but its not. the first like two weeks i felt like i was tight and it was great. Now i feel like i can eat more then i should be for simply being banded. I'm…

Hi, I know this may be insensitive talking about food because I know many of us are still only a few days post op, but I can't help it :thumbup:... I am 10 days post-op and I swear I can think of nothing else but this great falafel sandwich, or grilled cheese sanswich, or turkey sub that I would love to be eating right now.. Does this get better once I go into the soft food stage (only taking liquids).. Will this go away once I start to eat again? I find it hard to concentrate sometimes because I'm thinking about what I would like to eat... Maybe cuz I'm HUNGAAARY, and I'm sick of drinking? :thumbup: Advice?

I was banded on 3/19 and while I am not on foods yet I have read a few posts about food getting stuck. This was breifly mentioned in my class as well. My questions are how can you tell? and what happends to you? :huh2:

Hello all!!! Well its been a whole week since my banding. I'm doing much better. I still have the gas pains, but not as much as in the beginning. I walk around my apartment constantly. I'm counting down to when i can be on the pureed diet. Before my procedure i did 2 weeks of liquid and now for two weeks after i'm on liquid. what i wouldnt give to have one noodle in my broth. i know i have to let my stomach heal but my god i cant wait to chew food.

Hello everybody, I just got banded March 24,2009, I have a lot of gas, and I do not feel hungry at all, I have walked, and walked what else should I do?:cursing:

hey does anyone experience any oddities that signal they are full? I used to hiccup but now i sneeze when i am full? Tell me someone else has some goofiness going on with being full......

Hi there, band fitted in Jan 09, surgeon put in 3ml at opperation then after 6 weeks I had my first infill and the doc put in another 3ml, so im now up to 6ml in a 10ml band, is this alot to have put in, in such a short time ????, im feeling ok, have restriction, but some days i coould eat everything, I dont though im very good:tongue_smilie:, one day I can eat then the next day im not hungry atall, is this right ??. I go away in 3 weeks long haul to the states so they wont give me a fill untill I come back, im loosing 1-2lb a week still so I dont think I need a fill just yet, but want to loose this weight so badly, so far lost 28lbs in 7 weeks and need to loose another 2…

Hey ladies! Just wondering how signficantly your body shape has changed after losing weight with the band? I've been fat pretty much the majority of my life and don't really know what kind of body shape would exist without my weight. I.e pear shape, hourglass etc. At the moment, it seems like I have no shape. Hardly any hips. I carry my weight mostly on my stomach and shoulders but don't really have big boobs or a huge bum. I feel like I'm going to end up looking like a straight brick with man shoulders! Have any of you been surprised to find how different your body turns out without excess weight or does it stay the same shape but just a smaller version (I hope that ma…

I hope this is helpfull.Recovery Here are some key points for your recovery in the first few days and weeks. First Days You can expect some soreness, especially where the access port is, but it should subside (Please call your surgeon if the pain persists after a few days). To prevent infection, your surgeon may tell you not to shower for a day or so after surgery. Try to walk as much as you can comfortably, so that you'll regain strength and prevent blood clots, but take it slowly. [*]First Week(s) During the first week after surgery, allow yourself to recover and get plenty of rest. In about a week, you should be able to return to work, provided it's …

Has anyone had to have all the fluid taken out of their band? I had to a week ago because I couldn't keep anything down ended up in the emergency room. Seeing the Dr. next week and hopefully having a fill done. I am so hungry and not feeling any restriction at all and have gained 3 lbs back. So discouraged but I have lost 45 lbs since August so I am happy about that. Any replies would be appreciated!:cursing:

Hello! I had my lapband put on on March 20th. I have experienced a few problems..I have had diarrhea for 3 days. All I read about in my literature is constipation. Has anyone experience my problem? Can we take the pink stuff? :tt1:

Sorry for the abundance of info here but I figured some of you might be able to answer. After surgery, when I would go to the bathroom, I would have a little bit of blood in my urine. I asked my nurse if this was normal and she said yes, it can be. I don't normally have periods so I was concerned. That has stopped now that I'm a few days post-op, but... Now I have blood in my nose. Not nose bleeds. But when I go to blow my nose, there is a little bit of blood. I assume this is also normal, as I had a good amount of blood thinners and my body is on the rebound from surgery, but I wanted to see if anyone else had this happen? I don't mind calling the doctor's office…

I have had these Peanut Butter and pretzel nugget thingys before, but today they did not agree with me. I pbed my brains out this afternoon over 5 of them and that was enough that I will never eat them again! Now, 3 hours later I am attempting to drink something and it goes down with much gurgling...and I feel "bruised" I am too traumatized to eat real food and will be sticking to mushies tonight for dinner. I know if I slipped, nothing would go down...I am not in pain, just feel this feeling - any one know what this is?

Hi, I had my surgery on 10/10, weighing in at a tipping 385 pounds. In the first month, I did not see anything out of normal, however the past 3 weeks I had a crazy amount of hair loss. I also hit a platu, and have not loss any weight these past 3 weeks. I am stuck at 335. Today a chunk of hair came out as I brushed it. I am totally freeking out. Bloodwork gets done every 6 months, so that would be done at my next visit on 4/15/09. I take my chewables every day, and have increased my protein in per my dr. at my last visit, being I lost only 3 pounds from Jan to feb. Is anyone haveing hair issues?

Yesterday I had my surgery and I have been straight liquids for the past 3 days.......In a lotta pain and I GAINED 5lbs....What the #%@*. I am unsure of how many calories or protein I should have.....HELP has this happen to any of you

Hi All, I was in a car accident in December and haven't lost any weight since then. I had injuries from the accident and I am still being treated for my injuries. I am really discouraged that I haven't lost any weight but I guess it's understandable since I am not really doing any exercise except for physical therapy. My question is: I am thinking about getting another fill, but am hesitant because I am dealing with a lot of medical issues & pain from the accident. I've gained about 2-3 lbs and am afraid I will start gaining my weight back if I don't get it under control now. I don't want to get into my old eating habits. What are your thoughts on this? Fill or not t…

Any banders from this area who would be interested in getting together for new friends, support, excercising??? :cursing:

Hello all any sugeestions on making a fruity protein drink?I have a blender in i want to make something good so that i can start getting my protein in..

i got my band 2 years ago and 2 days ago i went for a fil as i was putting weight on again its day 2 now and i cant even keep fluids down is it too tight? or will this pass in the next few days? im glad that i cant eat put its fustrating that i cant even drink

I am 5 days post-op and am down 17lbs. I went for my follow up today and the doctor was looking at me like I was crazy, like I did something wrong. Did anyone else drop this much weight this fast? Personally, I am happy about it :thumbup:. However, I do know that the weight loss will slow once I introduce more food. Right now I am having all liquids, creamy soup, and oat meal.

Is it possible to do this? I mean I know over time you can but I just worry because I am still able to eat bread etc. not that I eat alot of it but I can still eat well. I am at 6cc and I worry that I have stretched out my new pouch already? I was banded on 12/30- PLease tell me I am over reacting - I have only lost 40 pounds total and everyone says I should have lost more by now--:tt1:

Hi, I was banded on the 13, and I've got no energy. Did a load of wash, and ironed 3 blouses..... I barely made it up the basement steps. I'm exhausted. I started back to work last Thursday so this week it's 5 full day.... How am I going to make it through the week? Anyone else experiencing this exhaustion? If so, what are you doing to get your stamina back.. Michele

I wondered if anyone else had trouble taking pain medication since being banded? I know we aren't supposed to use motrin, and I don't. But even things like tylenol, liquid tylenol, or something like midol really messes me up for a week or so after taking just one or 2 pills or doses. I have had numerous tests, upper GI, endoscopy and theres nothing wrong in my stomach except a minor irritation near the bottom of the stomach. I was taking 40 mg of protonyx for GERD and reflux, and now am on 60 mg of a new stomach med called Kapidex, a slow release med for reflux. It helps a little but not enough. Last week after taking 2 midols, with food already in, I had throwing…

Hello, I was banded March 15, and something funny happened last night 6 days post op!. I was doing fine all day with my clear liqauids, then at night I had some chamomile tea and went in to my son's room and bent over to tuck him in, when I stood staight again, I felt that nasty feeling in my mouth (the one you get when you KNOW you will vomit) and then I vomitted pure liquid! Why does that happen? I have been fine all week. I thought liquid just rolls through the band?? :smile:. WHat happenes when I start drinking thicker shakes?? Also, back to the tile of the thread. I have a formal dinner to go to on thursday, and was wondering if any of you gals wore spanx/body sha…

I realize that I am only three weeks post surgery but the location of my port is a large bulge (fills my palm). It was not this big or I don't remember being this large before last night. Almost all pain is gone and it is not red which is all my Dr. office told me to watch for (pain and redness). Have you-all experenced this same issue??? Diet seems to be going great having lost 45lbs since starting liquid diet at pre-opt. Spend a lot of time hungry but want to loose the weight. Could the port just be showing more because of the weight loss or am I just not healed enough to have all the swelling go down??? Should see my Dr. again on 7 April for a fill.

I'm almost 2 weeks post op and I realize things are probably still in the healing phase, but I have a terrible pain when I bend forward. It almost feels like something is pinching with a slight burning sensation inside and it's located on my left side. I really don't want to push the panic button or anything, but it's starting to annoy the heck out of me. Does anyone here know what this could be? I know I should call my doc but thought I'd ask on here first.

Hi everyone, I'm 5-days post op and wondering about the best way to take pills? My doctor says I will never be able to swallow pills whole again, and that they must be crushed. Even after 5 days it's becoming a hassle, and no matter what I take the crushed pills with (juice, applesauce), I still have that bitter taste in my mouth! Anyone else have this issue, or have any suggestions on how ot make this process not so irritating?

Hi folks, I just got banded on Friday, Feb 29, 2008. I have been in clear fluids since and I've gotten rid of gas pain with gas-X. Same experience with you guys, I feel a little sore in the port area. Since, I had only been taking clear fluids a day before surgery and after, I've lost 10 lbs and I haven't had the feel of hunger yet. Tomorrow, I will be sipping my first 2 ounces of slim-fast or ensure. I feel great. The only thing is that I have some pain in my nape area. Sort of feels like a stiff neck pain. Is this normal?

I got my answer. Thank you.

Hi, I was banded on 03/09/2009. So I am now 2 weeks and 2 days post op. Starting from this week, I began to eat soft food - including fish, eggs, fat free cottage cheese, well-cooked non-stringy vege and tofu. I haven't had a fill yet so I don't know where my port is. I could not feel it on my left as well. I have a realize band. Sometimes I feel the muscle being pulled and tightened to the left of my bellybutton. Tonight after dinner that area (under the left breast to the left of the bellybutton) felt sore again. Could this area be where my port was placed? Is it normal to have this kind of soreness? Has anyone else experienced it? Thanks.

Well almost. Lately all I have had is cottage cheese with canned peaches. Soup, not chunky stuff. Refried Beans thinned out with milk. Mashed potatoes...... Hmm, that's about it. It's getting old fast! Does anyone have any ideas of some foods to try that I won't puke up??? :huh2: I was banded on June 17, 2008. I have 8cc in a 14cc band. Thought I had a leak, b/c between my last 2 fills I was down 3.5 cc's. But they tested it & couldn't find one.

Ok I guess I am doing well. I was banded 1/27/09 and have lost 30 pounds but I swear I don't notice a difference since having a band. I COULD eat about as much as I did before but I just hold back. Somedays are really hard because I feel like I'm starving. I've had one fill so far. I think I'm losing as much as I have because I exercise 4-5 days a week. Has anyone else had this problem? Is this because I need another fill?

I am a Bandster who has posted a lot here before. But I am using a new ID for this one post. I just had a horrible experience in Tiajuana and was told by my doctor and coordinator to never talk about it. That isn't right. People need to know. I was banded last autum by a good Lapband surgeon in Tiajuana. I just went for a fill and was told it was safe enough even though I read all the stories of murders, drug problems, and more in the newspaper almost every day here. My husband and I were mugged in broad daylight one half block from Angeles hospital on the way for a band fill. 2 men with guns knocked us down, took our jewelry cash and wallets with licenses and ID's …

I had surgery May 27th, 2008. I've had 6 fills. Before each fill, my doctor retracts the Fluid from the band and every time it is only holding 2.5cc's. Even though I've had fills as high as 6cc's. Yes, I had the leak test done and it was negative. My doctor believes it could be leaking from the silicone port but thinks it will fix itself because it has for other patients. I will have restriction for about 10 days and loose 5-7lbs. However, once I stop the 48hr liquid phase after each fill, and put any solid food in my mouth... the weight loss stops and I gain back almost all of what I just lost. So, for the rest of the month I drink Protein shakes and eat 2 ounces of food…

I mostly drink decaf now, but sometimes the coffee houses don't make decaf past noon. Can I have a cup of caffeinated coffee around once a week? What about caffeine is bad for the band? Thanks!

Hi, I almost to the mushy stage, wondering what kind of foods you ate during this time? The only things on the list from my doc are soft eggs and cottage cheese - did anyone try mashed potato or mac and cheese or is that too much for this stage?? Thanks for the help! Looking forward to scrambled eggs...

I was banded in June 2008 and have only lost 35 pounds. I should have lost so much more by now. I cannot stop eating. I choose the wrong foods and have absolutely no energy to exercixe! I do not get full after 1 cup of food and my doctor won't give me another fill. I have 8cc in a 14cc band. He says that I have to decide which foods make me full and only eat those. Does anyone have any good suggestions to get motivated to excercise and eat differently? Or any suggestions on which foods work the best for you? Any help at all (even constructive criticism) would be appreciated! Thanks

He everyone, thanks for reading my question. I had a fill on March 2nd, and then within days had some crazy sinus infection that became bronchitis, and needless to say have been coughing, really, really hard, ever since. I am finally feeling a lot better, but I do not think I am feeling much restriction. Does coughing screw with your band? I haven't been eating too much, but it seems odd that I don't feel restriction and was just filled three weeks ago, and really haven't lost anything in a while. I am on a really tough plateau, and have changed up my fitness routine to try to trick the body into busting it. I am just worried that the violent coughing may have dislo…

Hello everyone! I was banded on 3/12/09 -- such an exciting day! When I first came home from the hospital I did feel a tightness in my stomach, I'm sure from the swelling. I didn't have much of an appetite and I definitely felt full while eating full liquids. Today I can move on to the pureed diet. I've been noticing the last few days that after I have new sensations. Instead of feeling full while I eat, the full liquids are still going down fine, I notice about a half our later that I feel a tightness in my back, just below my shoulder blades. It's not a fullness feeling like I expect in my stomach but a strange low grade discomfort in my back. Has anyone else ex…

Tomorrow will be my first day for pre op liquid diet. My surgery is on April 7th. :scared2: I am writing this because I want to do it right and be healthy like you guys. If you have any tips for newbie, please do share. For example, how many calories you guys eat during the day, do you follow any diet plan like WW, daily menus, activities, what to do or what not to do and etc. If this question has been asked before, please let me know where I can find it. Thank you so much for all of your help. :rolleyes2: Alisa

Do you know that if your fill is too tight, it creates a great chance for failure? I had my first fill in August. It was tight. I can barely get Soup in sometimes. At first I lost weight this way. But eventually, the drive to eat caused me to find ways around it. I have fallen into some very bad habits. Things that I can still eat are all very bad for me. chips, ice cream, cream Soups, chocolate! I have not lost weight in 4 months. I cannot eat veggies, or meat of any kind. eggs, and cheese are difficult. Bread is impossible. I find myself feeling like I don;t know how to eat anymore! I decided to go get some saline removed, only to learn that my port had …

Hi all! I just wanted to share another SUPER milestone in my lapband journey! I went shopping today and tried on my old size..WAY too big! I tried on 2 full sizes smaller and it FIT. I tried on over 20 things (tops, jeans, etc) and they all FIT comfortably. I cannot tell you how exciting that is. On top of that, I went to Lane Bryant and tried some things on. I tried on the 14/16's and they fit comfortably (in general) but nothing looked great. As I walked out of the store, I knew and vowed that I would NEVER STEP IN A LANE BRYANT again!! It was a moment I KNOW I will remember for a very long time, and I mean it. Let me tell you people, when I can fit into a siz…

Hi Girls! I am now 7 weeks post op and other than about a week of pain after my surgery, I have been doing fine. I got my first fill last week and am doing well with that too. No complaints, except that my bra reallty hurts! I have worn an underwire bra for years to support my rather large boobs, but since the surgery my bra pushes on the part of me with the band and caused pressure and pain (it feels like I ate way to much, but I didn't). Have any of you experienced this? Is it time to find a new bra that doesn't touch that area? Any suggestions. Would love to hear from others going through this. I find myself sitting at a meal tugging on the part of my bra betw…

I have been avoiding Chinese Buffets since surgery, so its been about 4 months. I ended up going there today. Overall, I did really well, but for me at a place like this I have to remember DON'T EAT TOO FAST. Normally I have my wife with me, who had the gastric bypass so we help each other. Today I was by myself so after a quick reminder from my stomach, I did pretty well. I was tempted to ask for the kids price since I have had surgery and have the card, but at this place, they found a way around that. :tt2: The kids price is 50 cents per year old. So the kids price for me would be $25 Well, I ate smart and still felt like I got a good meal for the $5.95 price. …