POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi experienced Banded people, I have a question as to what is the average amount of fills it takes to get that loss of appetite back as I had during the 2-3 weeks post op. It was great I was super consciencious of what I ate and how I ate it and I got that full signal quickly and regularly and was losing weight consistently but as per usual the 6 week mark is up and I am back to my old ways prior to getting this band. I worked so hard with ins companies and doctors and eventually paying out of pocket with money I shouldn't have spent to only lose 5 lbs. I am 49 and lower BMI so have my challenges. Feeling discouraged and just want to bitch. thanks for listenin…

hi,im 2 days post op and noone told me it would hurt this much.i cant walk up straight because my port hurts so much,and if i take pain relievers,it feels like it gets stuck in my throat somewhere. it hurts to burp,it hurts to yawn,it hurts to walk and i have bad diarreaha,but hopefully it gets better. did this happen to anyone else? cindie

I was banded on jan 23rd 09 ..and the last few days I have been starving...protein shakes don't do anything for me. I tried eating regular food and I have no problem eating that ..seems all I want to do is eat.. is this normal? I obvoisly have no restriction what so ever ...I have healed really well..no real discomfort at all. What do you guys think ?

I was banded two weeks ago. I felt like crap days 2-3. I was sick to my stomach and finally slept for almost 24 hours straight. Went to work one day too early, finally left and went back to bed. I woke up day six feeling like my old self again! But...Im hungry! The soft foods are going down fine, choosing only healthy ones! I have been eating 3-4 hours, waiting two, then drinking water. I have had zero problems with the food and can easily eat a cup of food -- No pressure or pain. Is this normal? I see my Dr. tomorrow. i have lost 17 lbs so far - 11 lbs pre surgery. My weight has been at a stand still last couple of days. Just want it to fall off! I'm eatin…

I have a nerve or something at least 5 inches from any incision, that if I bend or move the wrong way, feels like someone is holding a candle flame to my stomach!!! OUCH! It's hard to pick things up off the floor or move the wrong way. I was gonna mention it to the doc at 2 weeks post op, but it seemed to be calming down, but now it's HOT again! Any similar stories or pain. I am three weeks post op.:w00t:

Hello everyone, I just got banded on the 21st of May @ 11:00 a.m. I stayed overnight in the hospital. I am feeling good just a little sore but nothing I can't handle. I just what to thank all of you on LBT for all of positive talk you have giving me. thanks again.

Hi everybody, I was just wondering if anybody had any good questions that I might not know that I could ask the doctor. I have a few questions already, but I have come to an end. Thank you Kayla

Hi everyone. I was banded a week ago and am drinking decaff teas like peppermint and fruit teas, I was told to avoid black tea and caffeine. But I would really like a cup of coffee. Are we allowed to have decaff coffee? I can't remember what my doctor said. Any advice welcome!:thumbup:

I was just curious if anyone got weighed yet. My scale needs a battery and my hubby wouldn't get a new one! He said I didn't want to get on the scale now. My post-op is on Friday so I guess they will weigh me there. :w00t:

I am 3 weeks out of surgery and 2 days into regular food (aka Lap Band Hell!!). I have gained 4 pounds (still down 25) and am extremely hungry all the time. I am a little scared of eating lots of regular food so I am sticking to mushies mostly - but maybe this food is just sliding through. My first fill is next Monday. So my question for you is what foods make/keep you full? Thanks for your suggestions!

My question is for when we are on full solids. I am there but I have not had a fill yet, so I don't know the feeling of being full with small amounts right now. So I can't tell if Cereal with milk is ok. Does the milk make it slip right through the band, and act like we are drinking while eating? I am not talking about 1 cup of milk, I am talking 1/4 cup milk with 1/2 cup cereal. Tell me what you think. Thanks!

I'm so frustrated right now. I was given a list of fill doctors in the North FL/South Georgia area before I went to Mexico for my lapband surgery and there appeared to be several within reasonable driving distance. Of course, now that I've called 6 of the names/centers closest to me, NONE of them will take on patients that were banded in Mexico. Does anyone know of a reasonable fill doctor near Tallahassee, FL? By near, I mean I'm willing to drive 2 or 3 hours if need be. Please help! I need a fill now. :tongue: If you have a suggestion, can you also share with me the costs? Thanks!

I was banded in Mexico on October 7, 2008. I have had my band filled up to 9 ccs (10 cc band). I am VERY frustrated as I have not lost any weight, had very little restriction (only when I eat breads) and am wondering why I had this surgery and spent the money at all in the first place. The band is almost all the way filled and nothing happening! (and I mean, I haven't even lost 5 lbs) Anyone else have this experience? Any advice, sharing, stories would be helpful.

Hi Everyone I need a massive butt kick or some advice on how to get moving. I seem to have many constant excuses. I started off doing a bit of a circuit daily at home: 45 mins on treadmill, bike and stepper. This lasted a week and then I ended up back in hospital and bed rest for a week. Since then I haven't done a thing. I was banded 8th Dec and weight loss was steadily dropping off. The last couple of weeks, however, things have come to a standstill. I have had 1 fill but I know I have to exercise. Now I'm using the excuse that its just too hot. Any advice? How did you start your exercise routine? Please help

:thumbup:I just wanted to remind you all how much I love my band. It's the best invention ever. I haven't regretted one second of this. God bless the band and everyone here trying hard to lose the weight and get healthy.

I got banded on January 14th. I lost 20 lbs in my pre op diet 2 weeks before surgery. I lost 8 lbs in the 9 days following surgery, but since then, I have stalled. I'm not eating anything but Clear liquids and sugar free carnation instant Breakfast 3 times a day (as instructed by my dr). I haven't gained any weight, but i haven't lost any in 4 days. Which i now find unusual. Is this normal? Does it change after a fill? Kind of frustrating that it was dropping soooo fast and now nothing. My dr is expecting me to lose 15-20 lbs in the next 4 weeks.... and I have no idea how to get there. Any help/insight would be appreciated. I can't use my eliptical yet to help th…

Well, I'm thrilled. I just got on the scale and I've lost 13 pounds since my surgery on 1/14. I'm now at 269....do you know how long it has been since I have seen the 260's range??!!??! My highest was 294 before I began my pre-op diet. 25 pounds!! Woo-Hoo! Now, I'm not under any illusions because I know that this weight loss will slow down, but I'm enjoying this while it lasts. I do wonder though...how long until the post op swelling goes down enough to know how much, if any restriction, is the band and not the swelling. The doctor said my band is really snug and I'm feeling restriction, but I don't know if it is the band or just the swelling or a little of both. …

I was banded almost four weeks ago and for the past almost 2 wks I haven't lost a single pound. Did anyone else experience this in the beginning? I am consuming between 400 and 600 calories a day. Any advice or encouragement is appreciated.

I was banded on Jan 8. I had my post-op appointment with doctor on the 21st. He suggested first fill for Feb 4. I am happy with my surgery, and the healing since. Yesterday evening I started experiencing very sharp pains in my chest and upper back. I am not sure what the pain is from... and I have not had any pain since about 4 days post op. Has anyone experienced this? Any thoughts on what this might be? Thanks! Cate

Right before the surgery and for a short period of time, I was drinking a lot of the EAS shakes but got so sick of them and I wasn't fond of the taste. I do miss the weight loss that came with drinking them though. Do you guys have suggestions on what you like as far as Protein drinks ? That actually taste decent . Thanks!

Okay, I need some positive talk here. Why is so hard to put myself first. My health, my well being , is all being challenged by those around me. Sometimes I don't feel strong enough to put myself and my health first. Sometimes it's my own mind that won't let me be first. Help!!!!

I have had the band for more than 12 months and done pretty well but over the last couple of months beginning to experience what seems like heartburn, only lasts for a few minutes at most but the area it covers (around the breast bone) is gradully increasing. It started at about the size of the width of a pencil. It happens at any time, while eating or not. I had a hiatus heria fixed at the time of the op. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Carm

I live in So Cal and I see these Lap Band Billboards ALL over the place that say, "Want to lose 50 pounds or more? Get the band!" It's SO cheesy and cheap looking! It makes the band look like this stupid thin-quick scheme. The Lap Band website obviously says, "for people who want to lose 100+ lbs." I can't believe this!

I STOPPED BITING MY NAILS!!! I have no idea why but since I have been banded I have not bitten my nails or my cuticles. I have always bitten my nails for as long as I can remember, I mean super bad, made them bleed on occasion, bad. Now, 5 weeks post-op, my nails are long enough to actually get a manicure. hehe :thumbup: The only thing I can think of is that I am so conscious of everything that goes in my mouth it just doesn't happen anymore. Anybody else?

I had the bland placed on the 29th. I feel pretty good and have been following the liquid diet. They suggested Slim Fast low carb which is pretty good and well tolirated. Has anybody watered down cream of chicken soup? If so how did you do?

What kind of Milk to you like? Today I found this Over the Moon Fat Free Chocalate milk and it was sooooo gooood. Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms | Products - Over the Moon Fat Free Milk Little high on sugar, but pretty good on Protein too. What kind do you like?

Let me start off by saying how frustrated I am. Today is my one month bandaversary, and so far I have lost 30 lbs. This is great- I know, and I am very excited about it. However, I have been dieting. I am very careful about what I eat, and for the most part, am not starving (much) anymore. I consume 800-1100 cals a day (I change it up to keep the body guessing- thanks Bam) and for the two weeks have been on a rollercoaster. Down 29, up 1, up 2, up 3, down 1, up 1, down 2, same, same, down one, same, same, up, down, you get the picture. I am working my ASS off, and my question is, how am I going to lose weight with my fills if I am eating the same now as I will then…

Let's see...I was banded on Jan. 27th...so I am 5 days out. I am not hungry at all...but from reading other threads...it might be coming! I miss food though. It might sound weird, but my boyfriend thinks he is in seventh heaven bc I have been cooking for him like crazy! I wake up and cook him Breakfast. I breakfast I would love. I cook him dinner, with all the fixins. It doesnt make me hungry though. It's almost like some preverse sense of being connected with the food. I cant eat it but I can create it! haha...whatever...it helps. I am supposed to be on my clear liquid diet but all I can seem to manage is 2 Protein shakes a day and some Water. So, I am get…

I'm 3 weeks post op...Feel great. I saw my doc this week. Worked out today...Felt good. But I am hungry and everthing goes down just fine. So, I am sticking to soft foods, like soft fish, pasta, cottage cheese, eggs, etc. But I can eat bread and chunky soup....Is that normal? Am I just a fast healer or am I messing things up???? Let me know??:redface:

So, I was on the phone with the doctor's office today trying to get a release to go back to work on Monday. Apparently since I've taken 5 sick days in a row, I need a doctor's release to go back to work. It seemed the doctor's office thought that a release to work was the strangest thing. Needless to say, I was still talking to someone at 5 p.m. trying to get this. I had to turn crazy lady to finally get some reaction. However, it's not over. I got the release sent via e-mail, but my manager said it won't due. First, the date of my surgery is wrong on the letter and they didn't say whether or not I had restrictions. Since it was after 5, the office closed. I have to tr…

I had my surgery Friday, April 11th and I am hungrey. I am having my liquids as instructed by my doctor but I am hungry. My stomach is growling and the hunger is not all in my head. Help.....

I know that with this thread, I will be told what I already know, this is the time for my band to heal. Well, my question is, after all I have done, can I reverse it somehow? Possibly go on liquids, again, then work back up to mushies? It started, about a week ago when I was allowed to eat Mushies. Now, I feel it could be out of control. I eat soft Pasta, I still have my Protein shakes, but, I do sneak in icecream, fried chicken, mind you once. Problem is, YES I have hurt myself, cause, now, Im suffering from gerd. I was doing so well, but I got right back into the eating habit. I havent gained, but I dont care to be honest, I just dont want to hurt my band. I want to sta…

I think I need an emergency unfill. I pb'd badly on Saturday and since then I keep pb'ing. The problems is, when I have a bad episode it always seems to have a snowball effect in that I get progressively worse days on. My stomach is sensitive and swells easily. I can get fluids in now but it takes hours for them to go down. I can not have anything thicker than Clear liquids today (pb'd slimfast) but I am worried that by tomorrow, perhaps I won't be able to do liquids at all. This has happened to me twice before since I became pregnant but this is the first time that getting to my fill doctor will be so difficult. My fill doctor however is 4 hours away and the …

I am four days post op and I have tightness around my port incision and in my chest is this normal? I am also stopped up haven't had a b.m. since the night before surgery. If anyone can offer insight it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I had surgery a week ago and am feeling a ton better, but last night into today I've developed a nagging, itchy cough. It could be allergies, but it hurts a ton to cough. My Mom thinks I shouldn't take any cough meds, but I think that it is worse to cough so hard and possibly disrupt something inside. Any thoughts? Or cough meds suggestions that are good post lap band?

I'm curious how much of a scar do you have from this surgery if it was done laparoscopically. How big is it and where is is located? Did it diminish over time?

Went to the Dr. on Monday thinking I would be getting my first fill . Nope it did not happen I lost another 10lbs since my surgery which was on 12/30/08 a total of 31lbs . Has anyone else not been given a fill due to losing weight ? I go back in another month and the doctor will decide if I get my first fill. I geuss i was looking forward to getting a fill but I must be doing something right. I was excited that since starting this process I have lost a total of 41lb since 7/7/08 (my first visit to start the lap band process.) :bored:

Why cant we drink from them??

:redface: I think I might be going crazy. Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this. I was banded on 11/12/08. I had my first fill under flouroscope on 12/12/08. During my first fill I found out I had 3 cc in a 10 cc band already. The fill doctor added 1 cc for a total of 4. The area around the port was a little sore after the first fill. I had my second fill this week 1/27/09. The area around the port is really sore now and seems to hurt more right after I eat. The needle going in on the second fill was really painful. During my fill the doctor said I was the only one who thought the fill hurt. I would describe the pain as tenderness around the por…

I had my surgery 12 days ago and am starting to be hungry. I also have a new pain around my port. Anyone know if these two things are normal?? Thanks for your help!

I get to eat solids on Mon. I am soo happy yet a little nervous too. Anybody have suggetions in what to eat?

I have been banded 8 weeks now, and absolutely love my band. Though I do have a question. About 6 months before I was banded I got a bad stomach virus, I could not keep anything down. What happens when you get a stomach bug when you have lapband? Has anyone experienced this? I have not thrown up since being banded so I have no idea what would happen if I got a virus.

I have type II diabetes and was banded on Oct. 7th. I was able to go off of all of my diabetes medicines about 1/2 week into the pre-op liquid diet and am now a little over two weeks post-op and my blood sugars are rising. 145 this morning and 215 about 2 hours after breakfast. I think I am going to have to go back on some medicines, but hate to do it cause they promote weight gain. I was hoping that I could stay off of the meds altogether, I see my physician next Tuesday 10/28 and am afraid she will put me back on all of them again! Anyone else have the same problem?

I was banded on the 22nd and really need to increase my protein. I tried New Whey mixed in crystal light and it made me nauseous. How are you getting your protein in? I am willing to give anything a try. What proteins do you like that don't make you nauseous?

Hi! I had surgery on 1/16/09 and am on the mushy stage but I'm finding myself getting bored. What are you eating? I'm having a little bit of a hard time getting my protein in because, frankly, I can't imagine eating pureed meat.:eek: Help! I've already lost 20lbs and I don't want to stop there!! Thank you so much!! :bored:

I HATE PMS lol. About a week before I start ,I typically gain about 4 pounds and don't lose it again until about a day after I start ,I hate it and on top of that I crave salty stuff. Ugh. Do any of you have suggestions on how you deal with the pms weight gain and cravings? Thank you !

Hi everyone. I am currently on the waiting list for gastric bypass but I'm switching to the lap band. I have no medical problem beside being obese. I feel as though getting the gastric bypass would be more for my vanity then anything else. The lap band makes me feel more comfortable like it's going to help me control my eating. And I was wanting to hear from people who have had it. What is it like? Can you feel your port? Does it hurt when they fill the port every month or how ever often they fill it??? Can your husband fill your port? How much weight are people loosing? And how fast are you loosing it? Any complications people have suffered?? I know it's quite a few qu…

I made it to Onederland! I stepped on the scale this morning and it read 199.2! OMG I haven't been under 200 in years and years. I have had a lot of health problems lately that have really brought me down, but at least for today I can Celebrate something!! Yay me!!!!!!:cursing:

Last night, I was sitting on the couch and bent over at the waist to pick something up off the floor and felt a pop and then a pain in my abdomen. Specifically about 4 inches to the left of my belly button. This sensation was inside of me. I have already decided to call my doctor but may not get much success as Dallas has just had an ice storm. What could be in that location. I thought that maybe one of the sutures holding the bottom part of my stomach may have popped but I don't have a clue. I am 2 weeks post-op and have been doing great. Right now I don't have any pain, just a warm sensation there inside. Any advice or opinion is appreciated.

OK, its right at 11 p.m. and i am so sick @ my stomach right now i feel like putting a figure down my throat just to get rid of this feeling. My mom made banana pudding tonight and i had a few tablespoons of it and about 2 hours after eating it, I starting feeling sick at my stomach and I feel like I am about to have the back yard runs but nothing is happening. Do we as lapband patients have the dumping thing happen if we eat something to sweet like those who have had the bypass and is this what I am going through right now?