POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi everyone, I was just banded on Thurday. On Friday I suffered with some serious gas pain, but felt better late last night. Today I tried to drink one of my Protein shakes according to my diet plan from the Surgeon. I got about 1/3 of it down and two hours later I am now nauseous and have also vomitted twice. Has anyone else experienced this? I feel horrible and I'm worried about hurting the band by vomiting. Thanks for any help, Alyson

Just want to make sure this is normal because I can't seem to get a grip on normalcy right now! lol... When drinking thin liquids like Water, tea, or broth, I swallow and then about 3-4 seconds later I hear a gurgling sound which tells me it is passing through the band. I know the gurgling sound is normal, but I am concerned about how long it's taking. Is that taking too long, or is that normal?

anyone get the hiccups when they eat?i get them i guess when i get full then i have the urge for it to come back up.is this normal ?

I have read a lot of posts over the last couple of days and I am just wondering if I am weird or something. For one thing, the day I got home from surgery, I didn't do anything but sleep and get up for maybe a few minutes, sip on a protein drink and then go back to sleep and start the whole cycle all over again. Soreness, has not really been too bad for me, but feeling just run down and getting major headaches and stomach growling non-stop has been my last few days. Am I doing something wrong?

I don't know if this is band related or not. I am 5 weeks post op and a couple of days ago my left shoulder has been killing me. I have not pulled any muscles or anything. It just started out of no where. The pain is from my collar bone to my shoulder. It hurts sometimes when I am breathing and swallowing. I have my 5 week appointment tomorrow, and I am just wondering if this is something that I mention to the surgeon, or if it is in no way related. I've even used a heating pad and no help. Thanks everyone!

So, I feel like I shouldn't be doing this well. I went to my doctor a week ago, he told me I could do soft Proteins since I was doing so well. I've been eating eggs, fat free hot dogs, and some other stuff. Actually, I can get down everything with no problems. The initial gas went away. I haven't thrown up. I have regular bowel movements. I've lost 27 pounds since Feb. 13th. I started the pre-op diet at 290. When I went into surgery, I was 277. Now I'm 263. I haven't stopped loosing at all. I'm not in bandster hell. And because of that, I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I mean, the first few days after surgery were terrible, but now, I feel amazing. Di…

I was banded on Dec 30- as some of you may remember and all went well. Have followed the diet well- I have lost about 40 pounds-- But here is my concern, I have had 3 fills- and up to 5 cc I beleive and I feel as if I can eatmore now then I could last month-- not that I am just shoveling food in my face but it seems to take more to make me full. Do you think I have already stretched the puch out? I have had a couple or so of meals that werent necessarly diet meal as I call them here and there but I just wondered if it is possible to have messed the pouch up? Or canyou get a leak in your band? I waited a month before goin back for a another fill to see how I do- I go in Mo…

I have a question about size and volume of the stomach pouch. I am now 10 days post-op and began eating mushy food a couple of days ago. My typical meal consists of about 1 cup worth of pureed consistencey food. Sometimes this might mean 1/2 cup of FF Yogurt and a 1/2 cup of pureed Banana as an example. Sometimes 1/3-1/2 cup mashed potato 1/4 cup Turkey and 1/4 cup apple sauce. I have had no problem at all keeping these meals down and no Nausea. One problem I do have is determining if I am "full" or not while eating. Hunger seems to come and go and has not been a big deal either. It seems like I went from being able to hold not even half of the amounts listed above for th…

Today is my 5th day post op. Even though I've been sleeping a lot, I still feel very tired and weak. I talked to the nurse earlier and she said that if I'm taking less than 30 gram of carbs I would feel weak. I went to check the protein shake I've been taking. Max-protein only has 2 gram of carb per serving and unjury only has 1 gram of carb. The diet guide denotes that we could also have sugar free jello. Hover, the sugar free jell-o only has 2 gram of carb as well. On the other hand, the sugar free pudding has 6 gram of carb, plus the carb from the skim-milk, I could increase my carb intake to the required amount. Since this is my day 5 post op, does anyone know if suga…

I am now 4 days post op and have noticed a distinct change in how food (liquids) taste, is this normal. I am thinking it is a reaction to the high protein foods or possibly the artificial sweeteners. Anyone have any insight?

Finally, I think I have my sweet spot!!! I got a fill on Wednesday and 8cc's in my 14cc band I can finally tell a big difference in the amount of food I can eat. I went off liquids yesterday and didn't notice much of a difference until today. I can only eat a 4 or 5 bites and I'm done. Also I had been able to eat bread but not today. I hope I can keep this restriction for a while and take off some pounds. Finally!!! I feel like my band is doing what it's suppose to do!!! My doctor was intially going to give me .5cc but I explained that I could eat a lot more than I should be able to and he gave me a 1cc. I am so glad he did!!!

So I am 4 months post-op and have lost about 40 lbs..but hardly anything for a month. I received a my 3rd fill 2 weeks ago but really didn't get too much restriction. As of yesterday I have been getting a tightness if my chest whenever I attempt to eat and sometimes I do that PBing or whatever it is called when I throw up my food with tons of salvia. I have only PBed a couple other times..but I have never had this tight chest..and I am discouraged I've haven't been losing much anymore. Please someone tell me what you think this might be...does it sound like a slippage? And if it is a slippage..how does this work? Does the surgeon operate right away or is it schedul…

I am about to be banded on the 27th and am wondering what type of mushies work well after surgery? The doctor gave me some ideas, but what is high protien low carb mushies & what worked best for you?

I am up and moving around after my trip to Denver to be banded. I felt just fine until the second half of the next day, and then it was only this queezy feeling and achy stomach. Honestly, my throat and back hurt more than my stomach did afterward. How are y'all doing after the ops? I am loving Campbell's Soup at Hand!

I haven't been online in a while. In fact, there is a little message at the top of my screen saying I haven't posted in several weeks, asking me if I am getting shy. I guess I just haven't wanted to see everyone else's success stories. I was banded 8-15. I have a 14cc AP band. I still dont have restriction, even after 2 fills. My 3rd fill is next Tuesday. Sometimes I will have a PB if I dont chew enough, but other than that, nothing. No food amount restrictions, no food type restrictions. I try hard to make good food choices. Not always successful at that. I sometimes forget not to eat and drink at the same time. Old habits are harder to break than I thought. I g…

Today I am exactly 2 weeks post op... Last night I went to visit my mom and she made brussel sprouts (which i'd never had before...) she knew I was on mushies and said I could eat these since I can eat mashed potatoes because they mashed easily with a fork. So I mashed one and noticed the outside leaves weren't mashing but the inside was. I had a bite of the inside, which truly was mashed up, and felt like it just didn't go down right. I of course didn't eat the rest of it. I went home, waited a half hour and began drinking some propel but it still felt weird, like there was something there. I drank a whole bottle of propel before going to bed. When I woke up, it st…

I'm a week and a half post-op and I'm on a soft, mushy food diet. I've been working on getting at least 50g of protein in a day but feel horrible that i'm able to eat about a cup to a cup and a half of food at a time, is that normal? My first fill is in 4 weeks and my main goal as of now is to not gain any of the 14 lbs I lost this past two weeks back. I'm just wondering how everyone got through this Post-Op, Pre-Fill time. I've stayed under 800 calories every day, Is a cup of healthy, protein filled food three times a day bad? I just need some back-up.

I was banded Feb 20, and at my one week check up I was doing so well they said I could advance to solids as long as it was chewed up to the consistency of applesauce. So I eat chicken, potatoes.. easily chewed foods. Nothing has given me any trouble.. I can eat about a cup or so of food at a time. Is this normal? I thought I was suppose to have trouble with solids, and not be able to eat much. Is it possible my band is messed up or is it just b/c there isn't much or anything in my band. Thanks!

I am on a daily antacid- but sometimes I forget. I have had bad heartburn all day. How bad is it for my band to get heartburn?

Ok...I will have been banded for a week tomorrow surgery was on the 4th. First few days were rough but now that Im on full liquids and the gas has moved on im much better. My concern is the amount of protein im not getting. The golden number is like 40g or so my doc told me, but my problem is that I can't eat more than 4oz at a time. So, if a whole protein shake is 17g in 8oz thats 2 meals for me...thats not enought protein right? I know the cream soups add very little and the soymilk and yougurt are about 6 grams but I can never seem to fit two items in one meal! Am I worried for nothing or is this normal? I can only have full liquids..matter of fact the nurse said if …

I am discouraged I was banded on 3-4 I have only lost 3 lbs and that was on liquid diet. I can now start soft foods. I am afraid I will gain weight now . Anyone else having this problem

Hey all, So I don't know if this happens to everyone, but I need a better deoderant. Armpit odor has changes, but Mitchem (sp) cause breakouts, so I can't use that. Any suggestions for a GOOD womans underarm deoderant?

Hi I am week 5 post op. I have one more week on the soft food diet but I am already at a loss for what to eat and what not to eat. Everywhere I go there seems to be no food for me. I am starting to become afraid to eat foods! Like when has anyone tried steak? Does anyone have a problem with shrimp? My friends want me to go and eat with them but i keep refusing because everything seems to be fried including the seafood. Plus I am getting totally freaked out about getting something stuck in there that has to be surgically removed. Please anyone have any advice? I never thought I would start having an aversion to food in general.

How did you do it? I am having my surgery soon. I have 100lbs to loose and I want to work hard enough to loose it within a year. I wanted to get advice from people who have actually done that. What should I do, what did you do? Any and all tips/info would be so appreciated!!!! Thanks in advance!

Had lapband on 2/19 and have been feeling great. Went in on last Friday for two week followup and doctor said everything looked great and to come back in a few weeks for first fill....yippee:thumbup:. THEN, two days later I came down with the worst stomach virus known to man. I dry heaved off and on for over 15 hours:drool:. After I recovered I thought I was ok and didn't think anymore about it. However, last night after eating dinner I got this extremely full feeling (just thinking maybe I ate too much), but when I woke up this morning I still had it. I am not in any pain just some discomfort. I am not sure if I am just sore from the extensive session of hurling o…

Hi, I was banded one week ago today and have been on the liquid diet, with one more week to go. This morning, my daughter (who is 5 and has been great during this post op period) announced she wanted rice and black Beans and rotisserie chicken for dinner. She hardly ever asks for something specific. Well, this is one of our favorite dinners, especially the chicken. It took all I had not to tear off a piece or more and stick it in my mouth and have a huge forkful of rice and beans. Instead, I had my broccoli Soup, 1 cup, even though I have gnawing hunger pains. So I am going to have a bottle of Fruit 20 and hope that holds me until I can have my last Protein shake at 8:30…

Hi, everyone. I'm new so I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but I'm kind of freaked out. Today I tried to eat a corn dog for the first time after my surgery. I had my surgery on Dec. 6, and I haven't had a fill for almost a month. (Band was too tight at that time). I've been eating fairly normally again, like almost normal amounts of solid foods, and was actually concerned that my band wasn't tight enough. Anyway, about the corn dog. I ate about 3/4 of a corn dog, chewing carefully, but I got very suddenly sick on my last bite. My stomach started hurting, and I thought I was going to throw up because I started this drooling thing. (Which is what I do before th…

:confused: Hello All! I'm almost 8 months post-op and one of my favorite things before banding , since of course everything used to center around food, was going out to eat and trying new restaurants wherever we went. Now I absolutely dread going out to eat because as I stare at the menu, even the kids portions or appetizers I know it is such a waste to order my own meal as i'm only going to eat a few bites and the things that looks so good in the pictures on the menu are usually not the healhiest. I know I could always take it home and have a couple of more meals out of it but it just doesn't taste the same and I end up throwing it out. My husband, daughter and I us…

I was just banded on March 8th and I am so worried that I am going to sip too much, sneeze, cough or hiccup and the band is going to move or slip. I have a pretty powerful sneeze and it just scares me a little. Is this something to be conscious of? I didn't get sick or vomit after surgery at all but I'm still freaking out a little. Do I have anything to worry about? I have a 9cc Realize Band and am still on clear liquids for 9 more days. Please help. Thanks.

but as of yesterday, I'm in ONEDERLAND!!! Woo-hoo!! I love love love my band! This is the 30 lb mark for me. I still have 45 lbs to go to my goal and I'm feeling just as motivated (if not more) than I did at any time through this whole process. I was frustrated with the slow loss for quite a while, but slow & steady sure does the trick! I'm averaging out at about 1 lb a week (er. .in part b/c I put back on a few pounds during Bandster Hell), but the weeks keep passing by and the weight keeps coming off! So, for all of the other bandsters who get frustrated by slow loss, hang in there! :wink2: I wonder how many of my friends can relate to me being thrilled…

I am now 8 days post op. Yesterday I had to get a fluid IV because I've had Diahreeah everyday since surgery :w00t:. And yes I'm wondering will it ever stop ? Anyway, I am now drinking as much fluid as possible. When I'm drinking I take small drinks and it seems that the liquid goies straight thru the stoma. Am I correct in assuming this? I have been drinking quite a bit. I don't want to overdo it and cause my band to slip but since it seems I have neverending diahreeah I have to stay hydrated. Example I drank a 32 oz. Power zero (SF poweraid) in about an hour. Is this ok? So far I have'nt had a whole lot of responses to my questions, I hope that like the Diahreeah w…

:w00t: Ok, I am 3 day's post-op, and I am having a hard time trying to figure out my abdoment. I know this sounds strange, but I can't decipher what is a hunger pain and what is gas! Seriously I am so full of abdominal gas it is really really bothering me. It's rather painful too....iv'e tried gas-x and that did nothing at all...I finally had my first BM today and thought that would help with the gas, but no such luck...I have had to talk my self out of vomiting like 2 times each day and wonder why this is not subsiding? My incisions are rather painful and I can not imagine having to actually throw-up. I still have that feeling that somebody kicked me in the chest too....…

Hey all! I just wanted to see after you guys have hit your Sweet Spot...what do you eat? How much? And also do you find that you need to plan ahead with your meals? Thanks guys! :mad2:

I just have to vent. I am sooo tired of liquids. I have been on liquids for 9 days and I know that some of you have been on for longer but I have to be on until next Tuesday. Friday will be ten days since I have been banded and I think I will try an egg or something on that day. I feel sick from only drinking liquids.

I went for my 4th fill- up to 6cc-2 days later I felt no restriction at all- I s/w the PA at my MD's office- she sied sometimes the saline disappears and I should come back for another fill- I am going on a cruise -and I can't get there sooner--I am really freaking out- Has this happened to anyone else? I will go back in to the doctors office in 3 weeks-for another fill- but am extremely upset- I can even drink water after eating-Not Happy!!!:w00t:

It must just be my day for frustration, but I've let it build up over the last couple of months blowing it off. I do everything i'm supposed to do to lead a healthier life. I've had good weight loss, eat healthier, exercise, and i'm happy. Seems as though some of my friends and family like to tell me i'm obsessed with losing weight. I am not obsessed, I am determined to live a healthier way of life. One of them being my best friend since we were 5 (30 years) she told me she wants me to still be me and is afraid I am turning into somebody I never was---THIN!!! Yes she said that to me! My aunt told me the other day that I need to slow down and actually said I was obsess…

I take this medication for Fibromyalgia. Prior to taking it, I had lost 65 pounds on my own. I started taking the medication and gained back 30. I wanted to keep taking Lyrica because it helps huge amounts with my pain. However, I have done a few experiments and if I don't take it one day, my hunger is in check but I feel terrible. I haven't taken it for two days after stalling at 15 pounds and guess what - 2 pounds came off. Just wondered if anyone else has been successful at losing weight while taking this medicine? Anyone know any other medications that can help as much as it did?

Hi Everyone. I have a question about fills and calorie consumption. I have read many posts where people say that their weight loss became greater and steadier once they find their sweet spot. My question is - is this the case because you are taking in less calories and less food? Because I have also heard that most people try to keep their calories between 800-1200 calories and that if you go too low on your calories it will slow your weight loss down as well. Hopefully I am clear enough with my question. I am due for my first fill in 2 weeks. Just curious about restriction and calories consumed.

I am 2 weeks postop surgery and I feel like something is wrong. When I get up or move in certain directions, the area just below the port becomes very painful with a sharp/shooting pain that stops me in my tracks. :laugh: I know that alot of people say the port area is sore and painful, but this is different than it was before. It feels like something is pulling and I can't palpate (feel) the port anymore, the area around it feels warm. Has anyone experienced this? I do have a call in to my doctor and hope they can see me soon. I am a bit scared, but trying not to worry. :tt2:

I'm loosing about 5-6lbs a month. I though it would be more...so I feel bummed and discouraged :thumbup:. I thought it would be 10+ How much do you loose each month?

I had surgery on 1/27/09. In the first 2.5 weeks, I lost 14lbs. Now nothing. I know I am losing inches because my clothes are looser. People tell me they can see it in my face. But what the :confused: I want to see it on the scale. I know I did the right thing having the surgery but I want to see something happen here. Yes, I am following the diet. Yes, I am exercising. I got to the Y 6 days a week. 3 of those days I take a deep Water workout class and the other 3 days I do treadmill and some strength training. Just getting frustrated and could use some encouragement. Nicole

(Put in both NYC and spelled it out for searching purposes.) I am scheduled for surgery December 29 in Juarez, Mexico with Dr. Jose Rodriguez. Provided my kidneys aren't taken and sold.... Who's out there from NYC? Have any of you had your surgery elsewhere and then had aftercare in NYC? Who did you use? Are there any doctors that offer a package for aftercare, or do you have to pay for each follow up visit / procedure / fill separately? I don't understand why I'm having trouble finding a package deal, when surgery is done like that and it'd give docs such a huge profit margin. I'd love to find a doc who uses the model I'm talking about. And I'd also just try to con…

Last month my doctor cut my blood pressure medicine in half, and yesterday he cut it in half again and gave me one month's worth of pills. He said when they are gone, you are done with it Just keep monitoring it and let him know if it spikes. I made my appointment with the sleep doctor for next week. I am going to wear the oxygen measuring clip on my finger over night and I expect it to say I'm greatly improved and hopefully cured of sleep apnea. My wife says I don't snore anymore and my breathing sounds better. In one month I may be cured of two life threatening conditions! The surgery will have definitely been worth it.

I don't think this post is a Q or an A but felt like posting anyway. I am now 8 days after-surgery. The only problematic thing I've got going on is Diahrea (scary I think I might actually know how to spell it right now). I went to the doctor yesterday and they gave me an IV of Fluids for rehydration, although I felt fine. They did blood tests which all seemed to be good except slightly low potassium levels. I was asked to provide a stool sample, but just could'nt do it "to order" so I am about to go make a delivery now (like you really cared or needed that info... sorry). Overall I have not had any of the "common" side effects such as, nausea, vomiting, cramps, etc. ju…

Hi, Okay so everything has been going pretty good for me since being banded. But now everymorning im waking up shaking and sick to my stomach, i think im having low blood sugar problems. Im wondering has anyone else had problems with their sugar since banding?? I am not really eating to much, i had some lab work done to check. Im trying to keep Snacks around but ohhhhh myyyy gosh the mornings are horrible. Let me know if you've been thru this, and what you did to correct it. Thanks.

Hello all- I was banded on 2/19 and since my banding I have only lost 3lbs. Some of you newly banded people have lsot a lot more. My band is empty right now, my first fill is not until 4/16. I am getting very frustrated. My calories are around 1500 a day. I just started working out again. What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions would be appreciated:crying:

I'm going to Jamaica at the end of the month for 7 days. I'm afarid of having something happen to my band & what the heck would I do there?!?!? I'm not planning on going crazy w/ food but what if I god for bid get sick & gotta throw up!??! What do you think? I'm not real tight now but not sure what to do. :thumbup:

I'm on day 2 of mushies and I am feeling so much better today (not perfect, but definitely better)... I am really feeling motivated and I want to get to the gym and get back into a routine. How long should I wait?

Hi All, I'm worried that my band may have slipped 1)I have felt sore at the port area. left side, but I'm hoping it's just muscle pain from exercise. 2) I feel fuller than usual with less food. I have not had a recent fill. I've been feeling these two things for the past couple of days. My surgeon is in another state, so I will see my primary care doc. I wanted to know if this is normal for other folks? Do you feel this and it goes away? I just want to get reassurance so I can stop worrying! Thanks!!

Ok, so I have a confession!! I'm struggling! I was doing soooo well! But then real food came along and so did my old habits! I wake up and think about foor 24/7!! I'm not sure if its because I am slightly 'hormonal' at the moment or what! I feel i have no restriction so I tend to be eating more and more frequently! So i need a good slapping!! Any offers??? PLEASE! I see the Psychologist next week hopefully he can help and hopefully get a fill too to get this party started! I've lost 17kg so far roughly but the last 2 weeks hardly anything so grumpy!!! I'm a cranky cactus! Ok i feel bettter now!! Now you all know my dirty little secret!!:thumbup: