POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hey everyone!!! I am now in my second week with my band and things are going well but ... I have bad breath!!! Is this due to the liquid diet or what? And how can I get rid of it???!!! Thanks all!

On two week post op liquids, can I drink when I 'eat?' For instance, I just had a bowl of soup, is it ok to drink with that? Or does that rule kick in mostly with mushies? I know this one is going to be a tough one for me since I drink a lot while eating. Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, new to this site and just wanted to say hi.I visit the other site offen(every day) but know i can learn here also.I am three weeks out,so far no ,problems having my first fill March 3. Nice to meet everyone:lol:

The last two days I've had on and off pain in what I think is my gall bladder. I was banded on 2/14, so I'm still on liquids and blended things. It woke me up last night - I sipped some Slimfast and it kinda went away. Maybe it's just extreme hunger?!? I "eat" about 3 shakes, 1 soup & 1 yogurt (about 1200 cal) a day. Is this not enough? What am I doing wrong? I thought the shoulder pain was bad. That passed and now this?? Ugh... having regrets...

I just had a fill, so I'm on liquids for 2 days (then mushies for 2). Yesterday, I decided to have a small "Carribean Dream" smoothie at Smoothie King to get in some good Vitamins. The ingredients are listed as just payaya, banana and strawberry, so it sounded band-appropriate. Was craving another one today, so I got one, but asked for the calorie info (then looked it up on-line). Turns out that the drink has honey and another sweetner in it and has a whopping 395 calories! YIKES! I won't be doing that again! Fortunately, I'm not getting so many calories while on liquids, so the scale was down this morning. I'm now at my all-time post-op low. . and just 3.2 lb…

:unsure:Tomorrow I will be exactly 1 week post op and I am starving! I am having my protein shake in the am, 1 shake at noon, 1 sf jello, 1 sf pudding, 1/2 cup low fat cream soup, and I yougrt before bed. I am so hungry! Am I not eating enough? I am following the guidelines the dietician gave me. Also, I have not lost any weight (other than water weight) since surgery day. Is this normal?

Sorry if this is TMI but I have to ask! I have PCOS and I'm on birth control so I only get a period 4 times a year. I also have endometriosis. I get hideous cramps to the point where I'm completely laid out. I double over in pain, etc. The only thing that took the edge off was a lot of NSAIDs, mainly diclofenac and 800mg of ibuprofen. Now that I'm banded I obviously can't take these medications and I'm scared of what the first period is going to bring. Tylenol, midol, and other products that aren't NSAID's do NOT touch the pain at all. For those of you who have PCOS and bad cramps and everything, what do you take for the pain now that you're banded?

:confused:I was banded 12/22/08 and things were going well. Have lost 30 #'s. I had my first fill 2/18/09 but really did not feel any physical changes. Last night I had a real scare. I found myself binge eating without any physical effects. I did not know with the band that I would be able to consume so much food. I couldn't stop and had no where to turn for help. I know I have to figure out what triggered it but what I need help with here is to know why I felt no restriction. Is it because the band is so new? Any Ideas? Please help. Thanks, Nancy

I had it from time to time but seldom often the first few months, but now, the last couple of months, I'm getting that terrrible pain in the left shoulder all the time. My surgeon isn't giving much support and I'm wondering if something wasn't right with my surgery or if it's just gas related and WHY? Anyone out there with same?

I got my fourth fill on Wednesday and I definately feel restriction. I may have to Fly to California at anytime due to a emergrncy and I am wondering how flying affects the band??? Thanks in advance for comments

I have been on NSIDS for years (all kinds for sure at different times but 800mg ibuprofen, 500mg naproxen, 2-3 aspirin all usually twice a day) since I started the liquid diet I have not taken any at all and have been getting overall muscle pains. I can exercise them out and work thru them but has anyone else had this problem. I have been not taking any of the NSIDA for better than two weeks now and today it tends to feel a little better than it has for a week. These were all for back pain thru the years. For now I am just releying in my lidocaine patches for my back pain. I hope it is just my body getting used to no pain pills at all and adjusting to that.

Yesterday evening I ate chicken for the second time, it was mixed in with chicken and dumplings, I ate slow and I chewed like crazy having learned how important the two were the first time I ate chicken. I knew I had gotten a couple small pieces of dumplings but I was sure they were chewed well as well. Well I didn't do something right. I discovered the efinition of PBing for myself. It wasn't what I'd read about, not only did it feel stuck but it hurt really bad like someone shoved a fist into my chest and to add to it I was sick for over 2 hours with very little luck on bringing much up. What I'd read previously was about the pain getting sick but I hadn't read abo…

My husband had the surgery on Friday and is having trouble now with back pain. Has anyone taken liquid ibprofen so soon after surgery? I have a call in to the dr but haven't heard back. He's about done with the Lortab Elixr and they told him he could take regular liquid Tylenol when it was gone but Tylenol doesn't ever work very well for the type of pain he has in his back. Please help. Thanks.

Just banded on Feb 20th and surgery went great. Now I'm home and I can't seem to get rid of the gas pain in my shoulders (if thats what it is). I have walked every day. Has anyone else had shoulder pain this long? It feels life someone sitting on my chest. It hurts to take deep breaths. Bingo-b

Today I had yogurt and fruit for breakfast at 8:30. I had an instance of pain while eating the fruit, but it went away and I felt fine (no stuck feeling or anything). About 40 minutes later, I started feeling sick, mouth watering, etc. I dry heaved about 8 times before some of breakfast came up. I was ok afterwards and was able to keep down lunch. I thought maybe PB, but almost an hour later? What happened?

I swore to myself I would only weigh once a week but there it is every morning calling to me. After two weeks, it finally says I lost .5 pounds which puts me at 15.5 and into a new ten - you know like from 240 to the 230s. However, I just know if I weigh tomorrow it will say I gained it back. How often do you guys weigh yourself? How do you stop the urge? I am definitely addicted to my scale! Did you measure everything before surgery? I wish my doctor's office would have done that for us. The only thing I measured was my waist. I had this big plan to measure everything and take pictures and then time got away from me and I figured - who cares - this is for me. …

Looking for ideas about where to go out to eat. What's your favorite restaurant (chain - so we can all enjoy) now? Do they let you order off of the kid's menu? What Entrees have you found that are good to eat? Do they offer nutrition info? I think Red Lobster would probably be my favorite - there's a lot of healthy options.

Hi can someone please explain what they do when you have a fill done under Xray? Do you get to see your port and your band? Thanks

My dr did another fill on me today. My last fill was last Monday, 2 cc. He did 2 cc today as well. They had me drink water before I left and I felt a difference, much tighter. He also had me drink another glass of water before I left the hospital (thats where his dr office is) to make sure the adjustment was ok. So I was eating dinner at my mother's tonight and I noticed that I was really full off my food (yay)! I didnt take much. But my question is, when I started eating, I was chewing really well (carrots that were mushy) and when they were going "down" I almost got like a "heart-burn" type feeling for a few mins while eating. Does this mean I am eating too fast? I did …

My band has always been fickle but now it totally seems to have a mind of its own. I'm 5 months post-op and have had 4 fills for a total of 8.6cc. My last fill was Jan 9 and was really tight for the first 3 weeks but I waited it out because it always loosens up quite a bit (sometimes too much so). Beginning the third week, I was quite comfortable with the restriction.....eating 1/2 cup and staying satisfied for 4-5 hours which was great and has lasted me this long. Now, for the past few days I've been feeling even tighter (struggling to eat the entire 1/2 cup) but then after a couple of hours I'm hungry again. So what I'm saying is the restriction/tightness seems more so …

Hello everyone, I have a dilemma. So I was banded 1/19 (LOVE IT) and immediately felt restriction. I healed very quickly and my post-op diet was altered. I was on liquids for 4 days, mushies for 7 days then on "normal" food on day 12 (no issues whatsoever and this was Dr. recommended, I did NOT choose this on my own). I have lost an average of 2 lbs per week since surgery and my Dr. believes I got restriction immediately (no fill in band at all). I told him that I do NOT want to feel how I felt immediately post-op, which was the swollen esophogas (sp?) and worried I couldn't eat. I have not every PB'd or slimed (knock on wood) or had anything stuck and DON'T WANT to…

So, i am planning on doing the lap band very soon..still in the beginning processed, but i was wondering..after the surgery, are you allowed to swallow any pills? i take birth control pills for my PCOS and they aren't very big, but wouldn't they get stuck? just curious..thanks!

Please help Feb 16,09 Yogurt Fruit20 Special Soup SF Jello SF pudding Protein shake Water 60oz Cals Fat Protein total 990 19.4 133 Feb 17, 09 decf coffee yogurt beef barley soup chicken noodle soup SF jello SF pudding water 64oz Cals Fat Protein total 1065 13 71 Feb18, 09 Yogurt dcf coffee fruit20 cyto protein soup SF jello water 48oz Cals Fat Protein total …

I have been a goal for 7 months now, i tend to go between 51.5 and 54 kg. do not weigh myself daily anymore, but think possibly a good idea again, nore do i write down food and calories for the day. Anyone have opinions on what i should do to keep maintaining???:w00t:

So I had my surgery yesterday and I'm having problems swallowing the smallest sips of water. I've talked to my doctor about it, he almost wanted to keep me overnight, but didn't. However, it hurts when the liquid hits the area of my band. He said it's just intense swelling in the area. Anyone else have this problem? What helped?

I have a big event coming up that I would love to send some lbs. on a vacation. Does anyone have any experience with these? I know they are not permanent and not something to take all the time. I just really need to get to the next level and push this pudge outta me! So, if you ever had any success, please tell me what brand you used. Also please tell me if you had same success with other diuretics like tea or food ones or if the pills are stronger p.s. I just bought the natural ones from whole foods and the pills were horse pills and I tired a pill splitter that didn't turn out so well- so I am returning them.

I don't want anyone at work to know I'm having surgery. I've heard them talk about another person that had lap band surgery. Sometimes it is not very nice. I've been leaving work early and using vacation day's to attend classes the last 6 months always saying I had dr appointments. I ran into the guy from work that had lap band surgery at one of the information sessions. I ask him not to tell anyone and last week he ask me right in front of another co-worker when my date was. So I had to tell her and also ask her not to tell anyone. I'm planning on telling everyone I had surgery for a hernia, and only tell the HR director the truth. I'm a receptionist at the fron…

Help! I have been banded since April 2008 and have lost 72 lbs. :w00t: I had my last fill of only 1/2 cc in December. I have a 14 cc band and a total of 11 cc in. Since then, I've had terrible heartburn! I was taking Zantac and Prilosec everyday, which was helping. When I didn't take it, the heartburn came back. I went in today for a follow up and told him what was going on. The hearburn is worse at night after dinner. I haven't thrown up, and no pain. He thinks I'm either to tight or have a slippage. How do you know you have a slippage? Vomiting? Pain? He unfilled me and I have to see him next week. I just don't know what to do, I've finally found something that is worki…

Hello everyone! I need your help. I already know what I'm suppose to do, yet I CANNOT DO IT! Every single day, at the same time, same way, I MUST weigh myself..UGH :tt1: Every night (I don't eat after 6:00pm) when I get hungry, I think, NO, the scale will reward me tomorrow. And only about every 3 days does the scale move. I KNOW I shouldn't weigh myself everyday, but I CAN'T HELP myself Please intervene and break me of this habit which I know can have a huge affect on my mental attitude. Worse still, it's a very expensive digital one that weighs partial ounces so I can count everything...

After looking closely at the label on the Centrum Silver Chewables there isn't any IRON in it! The only other source of Iron (at the moment) that I can find is in liquid form that he can take is the "Geritol Liquid". He's only taken one teaspoon so far, but is really freaking out because it does have some alcohol in it. I'm saying that with such a small dose (1 tsp.) that it isn't enough to matter as long as he is getting his iron. Am I wrong? My question is two fold I guess. #1. How much Iron should a grown man have per day? #2. How do you get your Iron? He had his band done yesterday.

I am really frustrated right now. I will be four weeks post-op on Wed. The first three weeks I lost 23lbs. This fourth week, NOTHING!!! During pre-op my doc told me that any weight lost during the recovery time is a bonus loss, especially after starting mushies. He said that some even gain a little weight during the return to solids (and before a fill.) I don't get evaluated for a fill until next Monday. I have been weighing all of my food and calculating calories, protein, fat, etc. (actually my scale tracks it all for me.) Working out everyday, too. Anyway, even though it makes complete sense to me, as explained by the Dr., I am still beating myself up for no l…

I had my surgery on 2.19.09. I am doing well and am just not sure when I know that I am full... The first 3 days; I didn't feel hungry at all, but just kept making sure I followed orders. via my doctor; I am to have at least 600 calories no more than 1000 calories... I was barely making 600... My question is: how do you know when ur full? THANKS :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

I have a question about losing more abdominal inches. Since November 25th I have lost 2 inches on my right arm, 5 inches on my chest, .5 inches on my waist, 7 inches on my hips, .5 inches on my thigh. abdominal lose was 1 inch only. Why is that? What exercises can I do to lose more weight in my abdominal area. I am walking and riding my stationary bike so that would exspain the hips and thighs losing so much. Im losing like crazy in my chest, but the stomach is just not getting any smaller. I think my total inches for that time was 15.8 inches which is great when you add all my other measurements. but again I am not happy with my stomach area. My weight lose has sl…

Hi everyone, I'm coming up on 4 weeks post op (as of Wednesday), and things are pretty much going great—weight is coming off, I'm feeling full on much less food, and seem to have a good handle on my "head hunger." I'm exercising 30 minutes a day, five days a week (stationary bike), and steadily getting 1000-1200 calories a day, 60+ grams of Protein (per my doctor's instruction). I'm drinking at least 64 oz of Water each day, getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night, taking a Multivitamin...in short, I'm doing everything I've been told to do! And yet— I am EXHAUSTED! Every day it seems I am nodding off at my desk (mornings and afternoons) and on the bus heading to and from…

I am a new lap band patient. Had surgery 2/2/09. Have not had first fill yet. I am able to eat what surgeon suggested at first office visit,after two weeks. I dont fill up fast and that scared me. I look forward to that first fill as I dont want to feel hungry. Any suggestions out there for a new starter?

For a while, I have had a Gerd issue. But, it seems to resolve itself when I dont eat or drink when I go to bed. But, Ive had it rough since this past Friday. Well it started, my intestines were burning all day, had dirreaha. Felt really fatigued. Saturday came, was worse, throwing up, and having dirreaha. Plus a low grade fever. Thought to myself, ok, I have a stomach virus. My back was hurting as well for the past 2 days. More than normal. Anyway, I stayed in bed all day, I didnt eat nor drink anything, cause I didnt feel like it. Plus anything I drank I threw up. Well, Sunday came, I felt ok. Better than Saturday, and the fever was gone. Sunday night, well it started a…

Hey everyone i was banded 2/11, and i have yet to have a bowel movement. i am on broth, jello an shakes. i just started a fiber pill. how long is it expected to take? when should i start to be concerned? sorry if tmi! thanks in advance

Ok so I did the whole process to get the lap band and finally had my surgery on 1/6/09. It is by far one the best things that I have done (besides having my kids), but this was totally for me. I am very happy and am losing nicely (for me). I have lost 35 pounds since banding. But I have one question/comment and am looking for others who may be going thru the same thing, or have a suggestion. I am clearly losing weight as evidence by my scale...but it seems that it is not everywhere. I am definately losing above the belly button (upper body). I can see lose in my face, hands, feet, and upper body, but I do not see or feel it in my lower body. I still have a very lar…

Today I'm wondering if anyone out there has PCOS and got lap band. I personally was diagnosed with PCOS about 2 years ago and was told that losing weight would be the only thing to get my hormones in check and eventually be able to concieve. I was banded 1/16/09 and have already seen some differences in my body. So, anyone out there? Do you have PCOS and have your symptoms gone away with weight loss? :frown: Thanks!

I am still in the liquids stage, will be able to move to mushies on Monday and I still can't seem to drink/eat slow enough. I figure it's tea or juice or water, why drink slow but then when I am finished I feel so full almost to the point of being nauseous. Is there some kind of trick I can do, like sing happy birthday inbetween sips or something that will help me slow my pace? Thanks in advance!

I am scheduled to have my band placed in 1 week. I have been and still am really excited about starting my new life and most especially seeing the results after using my new tool. However, now that I'm close enough to be counting down days, arranging for a substitute for my classroom, shopping for items I'll need pre and post surgery, I'm finding my nerves becoming more and more active. I have random moments of "what the hell am I about to do to myself" and have visions of getting the band and freaking out and wanting to claw it out. I really do know that I want this and I know I'm ready to do what it takes to work with the band. Anyone else go through this before th…

Is it just me or does anyone else find it irritating when others "assume" what you should or should not eat?? or like their watching every bite that goes in your mouth?? or stupid questions like"you can eat chocolate?" .Yes I can,I probably shouldn't but they didn't remove my stomach I just have a band on it!! Soooo irritating!! :rose: I know I shouldn't worry about others but I hate feeling like I'm being treated like a child or an invalid!!:thumbup:

Is it a bad idea to also do weight watchers while having the lap band? I have no restriction yet, not until after thanksgiving.....but i can eat anything. Could also combining weight watchers help?

I am scheduled to have surgery on March 4th getting a little nervous as the time gets closer. I have made the mistake of watching the operation on youtube. I know I really want this but am nervouse. I know it is common but still....I have had laprascopic surgery before and remember the gas pain. Just wondering if any one has tried gasx strips and if so did they help?

Hey kids, I am 6 days post-op. Things have been going really well. Until I woke up last night with horrible nausea! It hasn't subsided a bit today. I have been trying to eat, but it just makes it worse. I am starting to have trouble getting water down. The last thing I want to do is vomit! Anyone know what the heck is going on?? I can handle pain until the cows come home, but being nauseous I just can't deal with! Any suggestions would be fantastic! Hugs,

Hello, I am 5 weeks post op and have never had a fill. I have never had a problem feeling full either. I am wondering if my band slipped or something is wrong. Tonight I had a large slice of pizza and 30 minutes later I had another. I was thirsty right after the 2nd slice and over 5 minutes drank OZ ice tea. No problem. I defiantly don't want to eat anymore but I am certainly not sick or excruciatingly full. I actually feel quite normal. I had bronchitis right after surgery and already have a hernia by my port. I would guess from coughing. Is my sensation after 2 slices and a drink over 35 minutes normal with no fill or is something wrong and my band not working? -Melissa…

i'm a week post op, and so far so good. however, the last couple days i've had a horrendous sore throat and have been sneezing - i've coughed a couple times too, but i don't want to encourage it. i'm a bit worried that i'm getting sick. should i be worried? my band is so new that things i used to take in stride make me nervous now.

You guys might have already talked about this but I love to watch Caitlin Van Zandt on "Guiding Light". She had lap band in May of last year. She is exactly my height (but half my age) so I like to watch her progress. I'll take anything that keeps me going right now. I tend to be a little too hard on myself. There's online videos if anyone wants to search on her. I left a message for her on Facebook to see if she has a blog. I doubt I get an answer but you never know.

I have heard many success stories and some complications due to the being banded. My question is do any of you regret your decision and if so why? Thanks for sharing.

Is it common to have pressure/pain if I ate too much? I am on soft foods but think I may have had too much. I didn't realize I was having too much until after. I have a pressure in my stomach/ribs area that gets painful if I take a deep breath. I wanted to know if this is from eating to much or something more serious such as a band slip.