POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I have never in my 30 years of being on this earth had a problem with gas until I got my band in August of 08. Now, it's every single day, from morning to night. Is anyone else having this problem?

Pre band I occasionally enjoyed a massage at our local spa. I had read some where to avoid these after banding but was not sure for how long. Any input appreciated:smile:

I am doing better, but it's SO hard waiting at least 1 hour to drink..Today I got stuck not once but twice..Second time I sipped some warm tea to help it pass, it worked too..But I must be thirsty by nature or something because I find it so hard to wait..I have been, but so hard..I mean right down to the second, I am waiting for that first drink..Some days I'd rather just drink than eat..I also am so afraid of getting stuck again..

HI! I'm having issues with my lap band. I get hiccups with every meal. I PB after just a few bites of food. I initially lost 50#s but the scale hasn't moved in 2 months. (Just got my second fill.) I have gotten back into eating sugary things but know I need to stop that as it's not helping! I am almost afraid to eat anymore because of the pain of getting something "stuck"! Bread is absolutely out - it's an ouchy! Has anyone else out there had this experience? I've gained 5 lbs. I know it will come back off once I straighten this all out. There was so much I wasn't told about before getting the band. I'm seeing a counselor because of the depression. Anybody el…

I was banded in October, and post op weight loss has been verrry slow... and 100% MY FAULT, not my bands. I did the exact opposite of what I was supposed i.e. ate plenty of ice cream amongst other things. I was very frustrated with myself, but came to realize that I love having my band. Absolutely love it. It motivated me to get back on track quicker, and drag my ass to the gym. I like having it there as a (sometimes annoying) reminder that I chose this to help me. So now I am doing everything right, and have been for a few weeks and haven't lost any weight, but that's ok, I will. How can I not? I'll just keep at it, and I know it will come off. This is just for people s…

daily intake since last fill wake up at 11am 11am - coffee and water till 12 12pm - protein shake with extra calcium 1-4pm - water 4pm - one or two bites of a fruit, veggie, or meat. 5-7pm - still feel full but able to drink some water 7pm - dinner - a few tiny bites of chicken or maybe 2-3 bites of salad or a bite of each which is what i have been doing. 8-11pm water 11pm - 2 bites of something that looks good(sometime fro-yo which i can still only have 2 bites of even though its ice cream) but mostly healthy stuff. rest of night i drink water. i prob total 50oz of water daily it has been a week since my fill. i am going to give it a few more days…

I had surgery yesterday and stepped on the scale and I am up 10 pounds from yesterday morning. I assume this is bc I am swollen? Did anyone else experierence this?

Today is my first day on mushies and i'm having a hard time coming up with mushies ideas. For my liquid stage I was allowed to have creamy soups and smoothies. I already know about oatmeal, but what else can I eat?

Ok, so maybe I'm dense, but what does this mean? PB? I read about it. I know it's gross. I know it's not fun. I doubt I've ever done it. But I keep reading about it and no one ever seems to say exactly what it is. Sorry for the newbie question, but someone has to ask. .... and please... no "You'll know it if you do it." comment. Thanks all

I usually drink a Protein shake for Breakfast but it seems as though it only fills me up for a couple of hours. Just wondering how long others feel about Protein drinks and how long you stay full. Thanks.

Hi I'm Betz, I'm new, waiting for Surgery date and I just found this great list shows foods and protein, fats, etc. check it out. Calorie Chart - Foods Sorted Alphabetically hope this helps. I am doing a lot of reading, I want to be so ready when my date arrives. I'm hoping for April. I have to play this game with the insurance company first. Gotta love it. bb:tongue2:

Hi everyone, I was banded on Sunday 25th January and stayed in hospital overnight. My incision and gas pains I can cope with and they are decreasing daily but I have another pain that is getting worse daily. It is a sharp knife like pain slightly above and to the left of my naval below all my incisions. It is also hot to the touch. The pain increases to a stabbing pain when I get in or out of bed, sit up or sit down, go to the toilet, bend over etc. I'm in agony. Is this normal? What is it, does anybody know? I am taking liquid Tylenol (childrens) 15ml 4 times a day and it is not touching it. Please help!

This makes no sense to me. I was given sheets and told what I could eat 6 weeks out. Finally some real solid food. I start full solids the day of my first fill. Ironically I will have to do start the process over to protect my swollen stomach- what are they playing at? 6 weeks till solids my ass!!!!

Anyone from Melbourne Florida??? I think I meed a mentor???

I was banded 10 months ago, and flew to Detroit to have it done..Good surgeon and care..I went at 285 lbs. and got myself down to 230 in around seven months..Felt great!..While in Detroit, the Dr. discovered a hiatal hernia, the second largest he had ever seen, and repaired it before doing the banding, something he would normally never do, 2 surgeries at once, but since I flew there, he did it..My fill Dr. hee in Pittsburgh told me the same thing about 2 surgeries at once. I am at the max fill, and went the other day because my pouch had enlargened since my last visit.. This time it was more enlarged, double the size, and he removed ALL of the saline..He said that he ho…

I was banded 6 days ago and I'm recovering slowly. I'm able to do more things like get out bed, walk around, and light cleaning. I'm managing the pain and gas as best I can, but there is this annoying pain I get and I wondering when it will go away. It happens sometimes when I burp (I'm burping a lot) or just because. The only way I can describe it is it's like I'm having indigestion without the acid. It's the sharp pain that develops right below my sternum and throbs for a couple of seconds. I have to grip something while it's occuring because it's terribly unpleasant. Sometimes I feel it lower. Does anyone know what this is? Gas, maybe? By the way...I never knew…

I had my operation yesterday and I am at about an eight on a pain scale of one to ten. Can anybody say the same and if so how long does this last? Thanks

So here i am post op and feeling full in my belly but mentally i am hungry today i ate sf ice pops to help and its still not helping i have my post op appt. 2moro w/ the dr. and i think i go one 2 proteins shakes i dont think that is gonna help either i think i wanna chew. however. after having the pops which did not make feel fuller just sick and gave me chest pain (is that normal ?) im on here looking for answers. Also today is probably the worst day in recovery my port site(i think it is anyway) is so soreeeee, actually painful i try not to take the narcs cuz when i do i get very sleepy is there anything else i can do to be a little more comfy??? guess im just feeling …

I was banded Jan 19th and get to start on mushies/pureed food tomorrow. My question is if I have say a soft scrambled egg, or cottage cheese, or refried beans, or ricotta cheese, do I need to put it in the blender and puree it or can I eat it as is? I am confused as to what is the difference between mushies and pureed? Thanks much for any clarifications.

Okay, I just returned home from my 2nd post op appt. ( banded Jan 12th) and I gained 2 lbs! How can this be when I'm eating next to nothing! My Dr. has his pt's on full liquids day 2 after surgery and then soft/mushy foods for the week after that. So last Wednesday I started mushy foods. I have a protein drink for breakfast, a 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of either tuna salad, chicken salad, or egg salad for lunch that I make with low fat hellmans mayo a little salt and pepper and a sprinkle of onion powder. I'd eat that around 12 or 12:30 and not be hungry until around 6pm. Then i'd have either another 1/2 c to 3/4 cup of cottage cheese w/ blended peaches or one of the salads…

I am 10 days from my surgery, and on my pre-op diet. My daughters, 2 preteens and one young teen, have already noticed Mommy is not eating ( I am on the liquid preop diet), and of course they are curious about what I am doing. They are regular girls, and completely inundated with the same media messages that we all see daily. They know about diets, they know how everyone treated Britney when she was a little curvy, and how she is "back on top" now that she is skinny again. They worry about what size jeans they are wearing, and if they look "fat" in their swimsuits. I have tried to always stress health over specific size or weight, but they hear what I say, and then of cou…

I am have my first fill tomorrow 1-26-09 and I was wondering if anybody had good restriction or any? I keep reading how people aren't getting restriction until 2nd and 3rd fill! I really need some restriction, I need some extra help. I was told about 4cc are gonna go in. I have a standard 10cc band. And I'm a bit nervous too, I have seen those needles, no numbing! I just want some good restriction..Willpower is not enough!

I have it and I have it bad. I have to go see my doc on Friday, but have any of you gone through this. If youre not familiar with Gerd, its when you have acid sitting in your throat, buring the crap out of your throat. Food is going down good. Very limited to what I can eat of course. But finding that grazing for now is taking the pain away. And I dont graze. Cant eat bread, of any sort, and are trying to stay away from trigger foods. If any of you are familiar with this, what do you do to get rid of it? It hurts. Im prescribed Previcid, but I have none left to refill, so I have to wait to see my doc on friday. UGGGGGGGH. Dont know if I can handle the acid anymore.

since my last fill ive pb'd four or five times my last pb i actually vomited thick mucus is this normal ive lost 9 pounds since my last fill which was dec 23rd

Hi can some one please help me, this might seem a very silly question, for the last few days i have been experiencing a cold, tingling,numbness sensation in my lips (face lips) it comes on like a wave, lasts for a few seconds but can repeats itself for minutes...whats causing it?...theyre not sore, theyre normal..not dry etc..just a bit annoyng when it happens..it happens a handful of times troughout the day... prob such an abnormal person..lol

HI ALL.... I WAS BANDED APRIL 30 2008. I STARTED OFF AT 256 AND BY BAND DATE I WAS DOWN TO 241. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS I WAS DOWN TO 230. I GOT DOWN TO 217 THE FIRST WEEK IN JULY AND HAVEN'T REALLY LOST A THING SINCE. I HAVE BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 213 AND 220 FOR ALMOST 5MONTHS NOW. I JUST WANT TO GIVE UP. I HAVE A 14 CC BAND...I HAVE 7.25 IN THE BAND NOW THE FIRST BEING 4CC...THEN 1CC... 1CC.... 0.75CC AND 0.50 CC SO 5 FILLS ALL TOGETHER I HAVE BEEN SO DISQUESTED I DIDN'T EVEN GO TO MY JAN 09 DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. I HAVE WEIGHED THE SAME FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS. ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE POINT. YOU KNOW WE ARE ALL TOLD NO SUGAR...NO BREAD...EXERCISE DAILY...…

1- I'm confused, most people here say that their post-op liquid diet is for only 2 weeks while others say its 6? I know it probably depends on the surgeon but I need a clear answer is it 6 or 2, and please don't tell me to follow my surgeon's orders because he gives the same diet protocol to everyone. My weight pre-op was 90KG and I'm 165m and now I'm 84KG 2 weeks after the operation. Should I just go for it and eat some fish at least. 2- When do I need the fill? and again consider my surgeon dead.

I have a question that I need answered. How long after surgery until I can drive?????

Serious question everyone. I am exhausted, and have been ever since I started this journey. I am taking everthing I am supposed to, eating lots of Protein, vitimans, Water, getting 1200 of calories, etc. I have a hard time getting up, and when I get home from work, I am so tired I have to fight not to pass out in my chair. I fight it, then when I lay down to go to bed, I can't sleep for some crazy reason. What is going on? This NEVER happened with ANY other diet I have been on- especially with high protein. AND... Can someone please tell my why the heck I am not supposed to have caffine? There better be a really good medical reason, cause I am suffering witho…

Do they hurt? My surgeon (I've heard) doesn't do local anesthetic or any numbing meds before he does the fills...how much is that going to hurt? When should I get my first fill if my surgery is scheduled for 3/8?

For me, it was this incredible feeling I got yesterday when I tried on a pair of black pants that I haven't fit into for more than 2 years and they fit!!! :thumbdown: There are a lot of other good things too, but right now, that one is putting me in the best mood! And I'm wearing them to a party tonight! Catherine

Hello everyone I'm 11 days post-op(banded 1/16/09). I just started mushies on this past sat 1/24/09. I've always drank coffee about 2 cups a day. I stopped smoking 4 months pre-op it then went up to about 5-6 cups a day. One month pre-op I just stopped. I had some light craving but I was watching everything my fats,carbs,no sugar and working out and everything was all good. During my 2 week pre-op liquid diet and 1 week post-op liquid diet still good. I had my first mushed egg sat morning and went out for my mile walk and every house I walked by I could smell coffee so I walked on and just thought is was funny. Later that day I went into the local 7-11 to pay for gas and …

Hello All, I am having my surgery at UCSF in San Francisco. My doctor is Dr. Rogers. I go in on Feb 4th to schedule my surgery. I just wanted to see if anyone else has had him as their surgeon, and if so how your experience was...? Or if anyone else has had their surgery done at this hospital, and how it went for you. Thanks!

So I accidentally got "No Added Sugar" popsicles instead of sugar free. They are the Edys fruit ones and have 2g of sugar is this going to be ok or should I go ahead and get a new box of popsicles?

can you tell me what hot drinks you were allowed on the post op fluid diet? I have 3 weeks left on it.. I cant drink tea, i have an allergy to it, im trying decaf coffee, but im struggling as i dont normally drink coffee either.. ive never been a hot drink person, but now im losing the weight im cold inside & just wondered if any type of other hot drinks are allowed?, I dont have sugar only semi-skimmed milk Im drinking the soups but would like more hot fluids..Any suggestions ?

Hello All: Whats the difference between the lap band and the realize band? I go in to see my doctor on Feb. 4th to set my surgery date. Im pretty sure I have my heart set on the lap band, I have done so much research on this procedure but then again havent done a whole lot of research on the realize band. Any thoughts or knowledge on this?

Okay, I've lost a lot of weight, and I went from a size 11 shoe to a 9. What the heck? Anyone else experience this? WHY?!?!? Did I lose feet fat?

I haven't lost any weight in 3 months. I remember looking at the adjustment chart in my DR's office and one sign that your band is too tight is that you stop losing weight. Why is that?

So surgery was thursday and all went well. I felt great in the hospital. I get home, and cant seem to get much in. I was told 60 grms of protein, yea thats not happeing. Even when I drink water I feel so bloated and uncomfortable, takes forever for that to pass. I have gas like crazy, and then the worst, the port pain. I am wondering what I did to myself. I bent down earlier and it hurt so bad it took my breath away, I almost passed out, it feels like fishing wire is ripping thu my stomach on the right side where the port is. When I turn, strech, bend, anything, I feel it pull, what is really going on in there? Did I make a mistake? :scared2:

so, I want to make sure I'm not missing out on anything here... I was banded on Fri 1.23 and feel great! I've been doing tons of h2o, Protein shakes (1 per day), broth, and sf pudding. I also have yogurt, cream Soups, and sf Jello and sf popsicles. Anything else I can add to the shopping list for variety? Thanks for any and all input!

Hi everyone. hope you're all feeling good! I was banded 1/20/08 and have a couple of questions. How long is it normal to feel pain at the port site at every move (sitting down, getting up, bending a bit...) and how long have you stayed on your pain meds? I find that 3 1/2 hours after my last pain medication I wake up feeling in pain (am i becoming an addict?) If I do take my prescribed oxycodone, it just puts me right to sleep and then I can't eat and drink like i should be and then i feel dizzy and weak. anybody out there - what are you doing. should i just get off any pain meds, should i try to space them more? generally i fell ok. i just keep wondering if there are …

Inspired from another thread relating to what you will miss least about being obese. I thought a new one would be what motivated you to get the band. My list (subject to grow) is below ~Wearing Tank Tops in summer ~Wearing a bathing suit and actually swimming ~Exuding confidence and pride in my appearance ~Having my son's friend tell them I'm hot ~Rewarding my husband with a sexy wife-replacing the fat one he would've loved the exact same ~Not being the fattest person wherever I go ~Being able to ski and run ~NOT shopping at Lane Bryant! ~Walking into 5-7-9 and being asked if I need help finding something :scared2: ~Wearing shorts instead of capris in 100 de…

Hi Everyone!!its been a LONG while since I have posted. I had surgury 3-7-08 coming up on my one year anniversary and I am down 149 pounds. I am now what my doctor calls the "maint. stage" mainly because I lost most of my weight in the first 7-8 months. I think the last 15 or so I can do with just working out. ANYWAY here is my question the last 2 or 3 fills I had alot of trouble. I was too tight got dehydrated and had to be admitted(Fluid removed) then next fill same thing..got sick once (fluid removed) my doctor and I decided that since my weight was satisfactory for me that we would not add any more fluid UNLESS I needed it....that was umm like 2-3 months ago. Now all …

What's the deal with straws?? Are we ever going to be able to drink with one ever again?? I know this isn't life altering or anything but I was just wondering??

Ok I got my first fill on Wed 1/14/09 I felt a little restriction which is good but today Mon 1/26/09 I feel it alot more, I had just a tiny bite to eat and I'm still full. Is this normal to feel the restriction weeks after.

I am experiencing really bad shoulder pain. I am using Gas X, heating pad and Tylenol and very little is working. The heating pad works as long as I keep it on for at least an hour or more. I had it on for 2 hours today and got up to go get something and the pain is back and worse than ever. I am trying upper body exercises. I can't walk too much because of a knee injury (supposed to keep it elevated). My son tried to massage it, but that didn't help. Everytime I eat or drink somthing I get the shoulder pain. I have my doctor appt on Monday. Was banded on the 1/14/09. Any suggestions are greatly apprecaited.

I had my procedure on Jan 23 2009..On the 25th a noticed a bruise right underneath my port..is this normal ? Also, can anyone tell me what " PBing" means and "sliming" mean ? I am still on clear liqiids..till Tuesday..does this mean I can't have Protein shakes till I'm on the Full Fliud phase( cream Soups and prorein shakes and yogurt ) ? Feeling great other than a bit of hunger now and then. Thanks

Do anyone have AV-MED(POS) wondering how much longer already did weigh-ins and letter of medical necessity.finally got the call to come for a consult with surgeon where I will get orders to see a nutritionist and psyc. How much longer HELP!

Hello all! My History: I was banded Oct 29, 2008. I have lost 22 pounds. I feel like this isn't enough and am getting ashamed to be seen by the people that know I have been banded. I have had 2 fills which brings me to 5 cc in my Realize band. I started exercising vigoriously 2 weeks ago at 1 hour a day x3 days - which is quite a turn around from what I had been doing...mostly sitting all day. In this 2 weeks I have only lost 4 pounds....which bums me out...but nevertheless...I am going to keep on doing it because I feel a difference even with the 4 pounds. My last fill was not quite a week ago - I am finding more foods are harder to tolerate - so I do feel a di…

I'm 4 weeks out from my surgery. I lost about 12 pounds the first couple of weeks and then started having low blood sugar issues, which have now seemed to resolve themselves. I'm still on mushy foods and I'm trying to be really careful about what I eat. (I had a little mishap with chicken so I've been sticking with soft foods). The last two weeks, my weight has stayed the same, not up ~ not down. What's up with that? Is that normal?