POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi All I have a questions regarding how much care I'm going to need post op. My mother was supposed to come to NY for my surgery (I live here and she doesn't) but my grandfather has been ill and she's been in the hospital with him and cannot miss more work to come here for me. I was planning on going back to my apartment after my surgery but I will be there alone all day and can't figure out if that's a stupid idea. My roommate will be home in the evening and will help me with anything I need but I don't know if that's enough. I do have the option of moving in with a family friend in the suburbs but really would prefer to recover in my own home and in my own bed. Any tho…

I am not sure where to put this question, but I was hoping for some suggestions on products that will help cooking be easier and healthier. I prefer products that can be used in the microwave or on the counter- not stove- and are easy to clean. I am looking for your opinion on steamers, George Forman products, things that travel well, anything that has made your life easier and more healthy. I am almost 7 weeks post op and doing well. I love my new healthy eating style (love steamed veggies and seafood) and want to keep going. Help a gal out? You know what would be great? To have a section on product suggestions and reviews that are band friendly.

hello all! I am 2 days post-op. Thurs and Fri were really tough days- i was in alot of pain. I still feel very stomach heavy whenever I stand up. I am also very Hungry- I have had my 2 protein shakes today. Does anyone have any suggestions what else I can drink or snack on to make the hunger pains go away. I am a teacher and I am planing on going back to work on Monday. I teach 3rd grade. I think that I will be fine.

I am 3 days post-op and learned the hard way that I really have to sip slowly. The first day I was taking pretty normal sized drinks of liquid and would find that I had these bouts of pain in my chest. It was sort of like heartburn without the burn. The best way I could describe it was it felt as though my esophagus was being wrung out like a towel. Anyway, I figured out that it was probably due to drinking too fast. So I have started doing these baby sips, probably a teaspoon at a time and seems to have gotten much better. My question is, will drinking always be this way? I can’t imagine being really thirsty after a workout and drinking one teaspoon at a time u…

I just want to know how to get back on track. I've been banded for about 1 year and have only lost 30 pounds. I don't know what to eat when. I've had 3 fills and I still can't get on board. Any help anyone can give me I'm open to about anything. I made an appt with a nutic. but she can't see me for 2 months. I'd like to get back on track before then. My Dr. who performed my surgery has retired so i have no one. My new dr. tell me to get going and get back on track i just don't know how??:tt2::confused:

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea almost two years ago and for those of you unfamiliar with what apnea does, I will give just a brief bit of information. When a person is not sleeping as they should, your body goes into survival mode. It thinks it's being compromised therefore it starts to hoard it's reserves. There are two main hormones that control metaoblism and those two go into virtual hibernation to slow the metabolism to nothing. Unexplained weight gain is one of the reasons my doctor suspected apnea since she knows I eat a low-fat diet. I was attending a seminar and one of the speakers was a surgeon discussing bypass options. One of the things he mentione…

Hi everyone My surgery isn't until April :lol:but I am wondering about fills. I have an appointment for my first fill 6 weeks post op. I see that some of you post your fill dates...it seems that there are quite a few. Is this just typical of the first year (or so) or do you require frequent fills for life? I hear some people post about their "sweet spot" is this just a matter of toying around with fills until you start losing more? Not sure. :frown: THanks for any input! D :cursing:

I am 1 1/2 years out from banding, and haven't lose any weight in the last year (not the band's fault)! As ashamed as I am to say this - I don't want to give up, as having WLS is a drastic measure. I don't have a problem with portion control - my band controls that; however, I have a REAL problem with unhealthy choices and lack of protein. Because of this, I am wondering if any bandster has tried the new alli since surgery? I don't know if it's okay to take with the band. I do have an appointment for a fill next Friday - I'll ask my nurse (because I haven't seen my doctor since he discharged me the day after surgery) about alli. Just curious to see if anyone out the…

I've been banded for almost 2 years. I recently had just .5 cc's removed (was pb-ing and getting stuck daily for 8 months...didn't know how good life could be with the band after taking out just .5 cc's). Ever since, I've had a REALLY bad stomach ache (pain and nausea at the same time) about an hour to hour and 1/2 after I eat ANYTHING...even an apple. I also get extreme bloating, like I have a basketball in my stomach and extreme gas. Maybe it's coincidence and has nothing to do with the band, but has anyone else experienced this? It is constant, but seems to worsen after eating. Blood tests reveal no H. pylori bacteria...only slightly elevated white blood cells. A…

On my ten day visit, I had lost 15 pounds. I haven't lost anything this week and actually, 1-2 pounds came back on. I know I shouldn't be discouraged because most of that 15 had to have been Water but it's a little disheartening when I'm not eating much. I'm assuming that it will start falling off again soon - someone tell me their story and make me feel better. Good heavens, I miss salads of all things!

I was banded in October and last night I was up ALL night with the flu. I did not go to the ER and have my saline removed (maybe I should have and fortunately I didn't do any damage) but I'm curious if anyone else has gotten sick and what they did?

Laugh if you want...but I was banded on Monday and have been patiently waiting for a BM. This morning I flew, yes, I think I flew because I was moving that fast, to the toilet and sat with a big grin on my face. :tt2: My grin was still there while cleaning the bowl because I made so much of a mess! :thumbup: Oh, the love of poo:biggrin: I wasn't worried because I know anethesia does this to your body, but it sure felt good! Starting weight 254 Current weight 240 Goal weight 145

I am tow days post banding. I have NO energy at all today. Yesterday was fine until I got home from the hospital. Slept from 5 PM to 7 AM. Got up and tried to take a walk but could not do it. All I wanted to do is sleep. Came home and slept another 5 hours. Now, an hour later I can barely keep my eyes open. What the heck is going one? Anyone else had this problem!!!!!!!

i was just banded on 2/17 and I didn't realize how much pain I would be in. I have such and ache in my chest when I take a deep breath, my surgeon says it is just the band b/c it is tight right now, but I am in so much pain I don't know what to do.....Does anyone else have this pain I am having a hard timne tolerating this and am having some regrets...Please help!!!

I just got banded this morning and have been home for a few hrs now, and I'm curious, did everyone have this uncomfortable bloated gas feeling in the belly? If so, how long does it last, not to be crude, but man I wish I could just rip a few good ones to relieve the pressure..lol I've been gettin up and walking around every 10-15 mins and it doesn't help.

I'll let you know tonight how the first fill goes at THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY:thumbup:

i was banded 4 days ago and i'm curious when i should start putting vitamin e oil on them. i don't want to do it do soon. they're hard and obviously not healed yet so i'll wait a while before treating them. when did start treating them (vitamin e, mederma, other scar fading tricks)?

I just had my blood work done to check my cholesterol levels. They have gone up since a year ago.My current cholesterol is 239 and a year ago it was 191. My Ldl currently is 157 and a year ago it was 119. I have lost 53lbs in the last year and exercise regularly and feel that I eat healthy. I don't eat much red meat. I don't understand this. Has this happened to anyone else? Not sure if this could be a genetic thing or age factor? I am 46.

I was doing an ab workout today on a pilates ball and felt a sharp pain when I did a sit up. The first thing I thought was " I hope that wasn't a anchor coming loose. (I have a realize band) Anyways, I'm still sore but not really hurting. I assume I'm sore because it's a new workout and those muscles aren't used to being used. Would I be able to feel or tell if my port flipped? I would think I would be in more pain.

Just a question I just had a fill last wednesday and I've been noticing ever since I've been getting the munchies.I do have some restriction not as good as the first 2 months and I will feel it if I overdue it.But if I'm at proper restriction should I still find myself wanting to munch??Or even with proper restriction do we still have to battle urges like this,like before surgery??:cursing:Any advice.......feeling a little frustrated!! BTW I just started back on birth control this month so I dont know if that could have anything to do with these "new" cravings?

Hi All, I am three weeks post-op as of yesterday. I have lost 23 lbs since surgery for a total of 38 including pre-op. My doctor has me on mushies. I have noticed the last few days, I don't feel restriction and I'm starving very soon after eating. My next appointment is 3/2. I think I've read enough posts to understand where I'm at right now but I just need a little encouragement to get me through the next week or so. My doctors guidelines are three, four ounce meals (3oz protien, 1oz carb.) NO Snacks. I'm using Isopure (YUCK!) in between to sustain me, although it isn't working. I'm feeling confident I will stick with it but just need a little support... Thanks!

I have never had any complications. If something tugs or pulls, it usually goes away pretty quickly. Now, it seems for the last week, my port has been hurting me. Either a tugging sensation, or just a sharp pain. Any ideas on what's causing this or more importantly - how do I made it stop? Thanks for your help.

Hey guys It is two days since surgery. I am feeling pretty darn good considering. There really is not much pain at all (and I am not taking any pain meds now) but I am not hungry. Yesterday I had some Water, tea and a popsicle and then felt very nauseated last night. Hubby made me eat some chicken broth and that helped me feel a little better. Now I am having the liquid in liquid out thing. I tried some beef broth for Breakfast and got about a quarter cup down. Since then I have felt fairly uncomfortable, like I have to burp or something but nothing will happen. I have no desire to try and "eat" more broth for lunch but I did manage to get 8 oz of water down. …

For HeatherO and the poster who gave me that great list what being too restricted causes and the bulleted list of reflux symptoms (thank you): He didn't want to do an unfill because he said the second fill should not cause liquid to come up in my throat at 5:30 AM -that all food/liquid should be in the stomach,not the pouch. So he is ordering an endoscopy. He knows I don't want to mess with esophageal problems. My beloved husband died 3 years ago from esophageal cancer after a lifetime of heartburn/reflux. Esophageal cancer is deadly. You don't survive it. He said if I want to be successful I have to learn that food can't be that important and to just eat the protei…

we are trying to figure out my husband's schedule, along with care for our 2 little ones while i'm recovering. My Dr. told me i could pick up the baby, but not the 2 year old. To be safe, i would rather not have to pick up either until i'm sure i'm healed. (he weighs about 19-20 pounds) my question is, how long should i have help with the little ones? they will go to my mom's the first week, but i know i'll be crazy with them being gone that long (she lives 2 1/2 hours away and she can't stay here that long. she has other commitments too.) how long will i be tired or need medicine that would make it hard to care for them? should i prepare for help for a w…

I am three weeks post op and have not yet had a fill, but after eating i am experiencing some chest pain. It last for an extended period of time. JUst wondering if anyone else has felt anything similar.

While I am raving I have no appetite, these last few days I have been dealing with nausea on and off. I don't think I am getting enough water and protein in, am on mushy stage and still sticking with soups and yogurt (although I did try a bit of a potato last night). Last night in particular, I had the shakes and shivers like I had the flu or something. Am noticing too a little discomfort in my lower stomach....my doc won't be in until tomorrow but wondering if anyone has had similar experiences at this stage post op? My DH thinks the nausea is because I am not getting enough nutrition. Honestly, I felt better last week than I do this week.

It doesn't do squat for me. It takes a little edge off the pain but that is it. I feel like I would be doing just as well taking liquid Tylenol. I am a bit ouchy, nothing crazy but it would be nice to be able to relax a bit. Did any of you get something different to take post op? I have been having a little nausea and they wouldn't give me anything to take home for that. I had hubby pick up some ginger tea so I could self medicate the nausea. I guess it is a little normal to feel woozy until the anesthesia is out of my system?

Ok, so I have this wicked cold, and now on the downside of it getting lots of sinus drainage, cold drainage. I think it is filling up my pouch, causing me not to eat as much at one sitting. So, when I eat, it is 3 bites, and I feel whatever it is getting stuck. But, then I am not full after 30 minutes. Has anyone else had this problem? I thought about trying mucinex, or a decongestant, but that leads to coughing... which makes me nervous on slippage. Any ideas? I had my first fill on 1/19, and next one is due on 3/2. I have lost 25 pounds so far.

Hi fellow banders: I have been exercising for the last 9 days and have gained 4 pounds. At first I started out and could only do 20 minutes of cardio...by the third day I pushed it up to 40 minutes with the last 3 days at 45 minutes. I'm eating healthy; following the rules! :eek: I was banded in Oct. 08. I have lost 41 pounds and this is my first time really exercising since surgery. Can anyone share their trials of just starting out exercising and did this happen to you? How long did you exercise and what types of things did you do? Do you think it is ok to do cardio everyday? In desperate need of motivation!!

I had my surgery on June 16, 2008. I'm getting really discouraged I've only lost 34 lbs. What am I doing wrong??? I eat good, excercise and things just aren't happening. Any suggestions? Please help. I have 3.5 cc in a 14cc band. Do I just need more fill? Because I do get hungry and sometimes eat too much. All advice is welcomed.

I have had the lap band done since 8/08. I have developed pretty bad pain by the left bottom rib area. My doctor tells me that it's common with the lap band since the stomach lies on the left side. Does anyone else have this and any suggestions how to deal with it?

Today was my 5 week appointment and I didnt need a fill :blushing: I was down 30 pounds and my nurse was really great! She said she could really tell a difference in my size and that I was doing well. I am in the "green zone". I am hungy other than my meal times and I am eating less than a cup at a time :cursing: So, I have another appointment in 4 weeks. I wonder if I will need a fill then. I'm still not sure how big my band is or how much saline I have in it now, there was some placed in the band when it was inserted. I have a 2 hour drive each way. After the appointment I stopped at chilis and had salmon and broccolli. That was my day today :tongue2:…

I was banded on January 16th and have lost a total of 18 pounds from pre-op up until today:thumbup:. My question is I am at a stand still with my weight. I lost the 17-18 and can't seem to budge from there. I go to the YMCA 3 times a week, just cardio until my first check up and then on to weights. I started soft solid food about a week ago and can't keep chicken down at all:ohmy:! I can eat steak, chopped steak, toppings off of pizza, all kinds of fish, you name and it stays, but not chicken, does anyone else have this problem????

for those of you who get your protein from the foods you eat, could you list some for me. I want an idea of things that i can eat with high protein instead of relying on powders and supplements. I cannot have any artificial sugars. I cannot even have steva (sp?) or splenda. They all give me terrible migraines. I have gotten reccomendations of a protein bar and egg white supplement that seem both to be safe from the sugars i need to avoid, but i would rather stick to my food getting the protein i need... any suggestions?

Hi Everyone, I am officially a bandster now. Surgery went well, doctor even fixed some type of hernia that I didn't know i had. I would just like to again thank all of you for your support and your continued support through this journey. *surgery date was 2/17/09

Hello out there, I'm new to this site. My husband had surgery yesterday. He only sucked on ice chips after he got home. He tried a couple of bites of jello but said it hurt when he swallowed. I thought this might be because of the breathing tube. Today his voice sounded better and he said his throat doesn't hurt anymore, but his stomach is hurting when he swallows. He tried plain yogurt today. So he hasn't really eaten in two days! I'm a little worried....is this normal?????

Just wondering if anyone else was starving on the liquid postop stage. I'm on full liquids and am 5 days postop. I had absolutely no appetite at all for the first few days and no suddenly I'm ravenous. I'm so hungry. I keep reading threads about new postops not being hungry and I'm just wondering if I'm the only one that is. I can't wait until I can eat again. I mean my stomach is growling. I have 3 cc's in a 14 cc band that was put in at the time of surgery. Will this get better once I get some solids or not until I get proper restriction?

I know that a lot of other bandsters have lost much more than this -- and I aspire to join them soon. However, as of today, I am down 25 pounds!!! AND, I'm 4.8 to ONEDERLAND. I feel totally freaking fantastic about this, and thought I'd share that amazingly positive feeling with my fellow band-its!!! This thing works. I've now officially lost more than I ever lost on a diet -- and I've also stuck with this lifestyle change for longer than I've ever stuck with a diet -- and yet I am not tired of doing this and I feel like it's sustainable indefinitely. That's all! Just wanted to share this feeling with people who can understand where I'm coming from! Cath…

I know I know there are like a zillion posts on here about alcohol and how bad the calories are and everything. But I have to go to my friends 21st birthday party next week and I was wondering, how long did everyone wait until after surgery to drink alcohol? I am not planning on taking shots or drinking in excess, but it would be nice to have a glass of wine with everyone. I handle my liquor really well, and I am very cautious not to overdo things even when I was in college. So please, be honest and let me know how long you waited.. no judgments here... Thanks!

hi all, I just signed up today, I had my band put in about 2 weeks ago now. they told me to move to pureed or mushy food, so today I had a little cottage cheese and all of a sudden I feel like Im chocking on the food, I started to cough to get it out and out came big amounts of what looked like spit??? is this normal this soon with no fill??? one thing i should mention I chewed it very well, so much my jaw is starting to hurt. after I coffed/heaved it up the what felt like a blockage went away and I had some Water instead.

I have been at goal now for months, but getting sweet cravings, and yep is that time of month. A friend told me with lapband it is common to have sweet cravings when you get to goal, and you can take some type of vitamin for it, is it allowed? i am not taking any vitamins at all, and had blood test the other day, and everything is great.:blushing:

I am 6 days post op and I am nervous. I am starving. Half the time it is head hunger and half the time it isn't. It sucks. I hope that eventually I will have restriction, but if it takes a good 5 fills thats still another 6 months which means that yet again I am on a crappy diet that will fail. I have never managed to use will power for 6 months to lose weight. I am scared that if I can't the the full feeling I am going to eat whatever, whenever. The first 3 days were AMAZING! I was way tight. It took me over an hour to drink an 8 oz Carnation Instant Breakfast. I assume the sweeling around my stomach went down, and now this is how it will be for a while. Am I th…

Did anyone else have problems urinating after surgery:scared2:. It took me 9 1/2 hours before I could pee!!!!!!!! Didn't feel the urge to:ohmy:.

I am 1 week post op today, and I have some questions. At first I was amazingly restricted and it took quite some time to get anything. I'm not so lucky now. As I have posted in another thread I think that I am losing some of that swelling around my stomach, and therefore not feeling as tight. My question is how much should I be consuming at one setting? I am on full liquids which include cream Soups, skim milk, SF FF pudding, and anything that was on my clear liquid list. Should I be limiting myself to 1/2 c at a time? Honestly I could likely eat a lot more, but haven't ever pushed myself to do so. Also, how many times a day should I be eating? I am only having some…

My surgery is in 2 days. I am wondering what everyone's recovery time was like. I work a desk job so I figure I will be back at work on Monday. Is this a reasonable goal?

I have this aching pain on the left side of my back Does anyone have this? It's directly where my port is in the front but my middle left back has this ache {does that make sence..} It comes and goes....idk I'm 4 weeks post op....... just wondering if its normal......

What did you have to eat for valentine Day ? Ok today was the first day of soft foods for me (no more Soup yeahhh ) Breakfast - 4 spoonfulls of milky porridge (no sugar) 2 hours before lunch i had a small glass of red wine Lunch - A very small omlette (could only eat about 5 bites, 1 egg, little semi skimmed milk, mushrooms,peppers & onion dinner - Tiny bit of salmon, mashed potato mixed with gravy & mashed swede Happy Valentine Day Everyone :thumbup:

Just had my third fill yesterday, and noticed a little pain when drinking. I have had zero restriction up until now, and to drink liquids I need to go very slow. I was up most the night with tightness and gas moving around my band...But I've also had a bronchitis for the past week. What do you think? Taking the two hour voyage back to the hospital to get unfilled, or wait to see if it evens out? I have 5cc in my 10cc band, and I'm self pay which means I have one more free fill until I have to start paying for them.

Hello: This is a new one for me! I have never blogged before, and I sure don't know what a "thread" is. Three days post op and I so wish I hadn't had this done. For some reason, I again think I could have done it on my own, even though I failed hundreds of times. I really didn't expect to feel this badly. I am trying desperately not to hate these beautifully colored Isopure protein drinks as I know I have to drink them. My doctor said I wouldn't want to eat - he was soooo wrong. Glad I took 8 days off work as I think I will need every day to recover. I'm weepy and feeling sorry for myself. I wish I knew someone that had had this done, but I don't. Well, on to reading what…