POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hello Everyone, Making the decision to have surgery is a difficult one and weight loss surgery is no exception. There are so many questions and uncertaintanties. If you or know someone that is trying to make the decision about Lap-Band surgery, we would like to invite you to participate in a free online chat event with Dr. Daniel Jones, bariatric surgeon and Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. He is also an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. You can register for the event or sign in anonymously. This is a FREE online event. To sign up for an account, click “Edit Chat Account” on the right. To j…

I want to thank all of you for helping me through my pre-op jitters. I was freaking out beforehand, but I am pleased to report that I was banded yesterday and everything went well. I am on my clear liquid diet today, eating SF Jello and drinking the propel Water my doc and the hospital gave me. I feel like I've done a million situps today and the gas is making my shoulder a bit sore and a sharp pain in my back. I've posted my full surgery story on the Surgery Days Stories post area if you're interested in the details. :thumbup: I love this group and it has been SOOO helpful!

i already have anxiety issues to begin with...but the surgery itself was hellish because of those damn footpumps....you can't get any sleep...etc. anyway...i'm feeling much better...relaxing at home getting in my protein and water, but i have bad anxiety about this new journey i was wondering if anyone is experiencing something similar? don't get me wrong...i know i made the right decision ...but it kinda freaks me out a little.... thanks:biggrin:

I got banded last Friday, Everything has been pretty good except for the left shoulder pain. It's killing me I am going insane and going to sleep is a chore. I ride my recumbent bicycle for 30 minutes and then go to sleep wake up at like 5 or 6a.m ride the bicycle again and go back to sleep. That has been my routine for the past few days, but the sleeping part has been pretty weird I wake up thinking I have been awake the whole time just laying in bed but I know surely i must have slept because those 4 hours went by quickly. Anyways wish me luck I hope this pain goes away because i find it impossible to concentrate in my classes.

swelling - stomach how to get it to go down

Ok I know it sounds crazy but ever since I started using soy and whey protein I've been breaking out. Now growing up I never really had any problems with it. I'm breaking out now on my arms as well as the obvious, My face.:ohmy: This is Unusual for how my body normally is. Now I tried researching it and everybody who attempts to get the answer im looking for is always told its just body chemistry but i'm getting them on my forearms. Wierd? lol Since us bandsters use protein in everything i figured i could get my best answers here. :laugh:

I am really bummed. have had the band for a year and just found out today i have a hole somewhere. they said it is just something that happens, but i got to thinking. the person who usually does my fill always, always has trouble getting into my port because it is in crooked. is it possible that the tube was poked with the needle?

Two weeks after surgery I started to get a pain in my neck..I thought I slept on it wrong. Well 2 days later I am having pain on my right side as well..And taking a deep breath hurt as well as rolling over in bed..I was worried because although it wasn't getting any worse really, it wasn't getting any better either..So it's saturday night (jan 10th) I my hubby takes me to the ER..The doctor at first thought a blood clot, so I'm freaking out...Did some blood work and some urine, chest e-rays and drugged, thanks!! After about 3 1/2 hours was told oh, you have pleurisy. Well I had told them that it kinda felt like pleurisy because I have had it one other time, but it did fe…

All, I rarely post (and should do a better job) but thought I would get thoughts and advice from others who may have experienced distended esophagus and how to handle this issue. Background. Banded in March 2005 in Mexico (Dr. Sanchez). Pre-band 238, post (current) 157 (up a few pounds) a solid size six (with a size eight rear - lol!!!). I run three times a week and am very active. I am not disciplined about what I eat always. My main weakness is wine. Yesterday I went to see my fill nurse for an adjustment. I had not had an adjustment since 10/07 and realized I was eating quite a bit more food and without the full sensation. An Esophogram showed that my es…

Hey all After doing my research, I opted for the G-sleeve and Dr Pompa in Mexico. BEAUTIFUL clinic, very wonderful and caring staff - top notch facility. Patty had everything arranged wonderfully. I'm one day out and of course, sore. Where'd the horse go that kicked me in the guts??? Will keep ya'll informed... *S* Take care TheCloudPainter

Just wondering if anyone it monitoring your BF%, rather than focusing on the scale?

Had a fill last tuesday... 4.5 in 9.75 I really don't "feel" like I am that restricted-based on how long my hunger is subsided for- just depends on the kind of food and how slow I chew, etc. Every fill has been a new "experiement" and learning experience- some days I can eat chicken, some days I can't... anyways, this fill has made me pb more than any other and I notice that I have been sneezing before I do it- it's just one really big achoo WHAT's THAT ABOUT?

I was a total moron and thought we weren't allowed to lift anything over 10lbs for 14 days. (Apparently, it's six weeks!) I went back to work, where I am a pharmacy technician, and went about my usual business. I was so glad to be back, and my wallet was screaming with excitement. Around 3am that night, I awoke to horrible back pain. I had to take teeny, shallow breaths because, otherwise, my lungs would expand, pushing against the same muscles. My throat was more sore than surgery day, after the breathing tube was removed. At first thought, I figured I had contracted the flu. I hobbled downstairs ever so slowly and sat in front of the freezer, sucking on ice cubes to r…

:sneaky: hi guys havn't been on for a while just got banded yesterday doing ok the gas pain is the worsed part right now hope it will pass soon. glad to be back

Last night I went to bed, when I rubbed my incisions and what I thought was a little scab was actually my internal stitches coming through...And I was like it felt like that on the other side too, and sure enough the stitch had come through that incision too! I was told just to clip them off, but it's just weird to me....Was told that they would dissolve in about 3 months..It felt like fishing line to me..Was wondering if this happened to anyone else??!OH, had surgery dec 19th..:cursing:

Just started back to class and didn't realize I was in for hell, with respect to the larger of the LB incisions. It sits exactly level with the edge of every desk! Any suggestions? I'm gonna try to wedge a book btwn my tummy and the desk. Hope it fits.

http://www.mainehealth.org/workfiles/mmc_surgery/Bariatric_Preop_Diet_10.08.pdf

the first one is done in the radiology dept and they make you drink barium to see how tight your band is on your stomach already, to make sure it's healed in the right spot, to make sure fluid goes thru ok, to make sure after they tighten it that fluid still passes thru. So I drank the barium while they took xrays and everything looks perfect! Then the machine layed me down (it was like an amusement park ride) and the dr numbed my belly and he located the port near my belly button and added 4 cc of saline to my band. He told me that he puts 14 cc band in ALL of his patients so there are no questions to wether one patient has one thing or another. He said it offers more fl…

OK...my banding is scheduled for TOMORROW morning (Wednesday 1/14) and I'm getting a little nervous, so I thought I'd start this post to remind me why I'm doing this.... I want to... 1. play with my 6 year old daughter and not get tired. 2. take my daughter to amusement parks without fear that I can't go on rides with her because I can't fit. 3. be able to sleep at night because I don't have sleep apnea 4. shop in regular stores for regular clothes 5. not have to worry that people are only seeing my fat, not me. 6. be able to have relations with my husband again. 7. be able to bend over to release the emergency brake in my car. 8. shave my legs without doing …

Hello, my name is Sharon and I am new at this website. I had my lapband in '07. I lost weight in the beginning but I started eating sugar again. Most meats and food make me sick and I throw them up. I would like some input on support groups in my area. I had my operation in Orange, CA and it takes me 5 hours to drive there for my check ups. So needless to say I can't make the support group meetings. I live in the Central Coast of California and would love it if I could find a support group that talks about emotions around eating. Looking forward to hearing from some of you. Thanks and LOL.

Hey all! I was just wondering where was the weirdest place on your body where you noticed you had lost weight! For me it was the outside of my knees. I was sitting with my feet tucked up under me. I looked down and thought "OMG I don't have that bunch of fat there anymore!!" Sounds stupid but I was so excited!! Becky

I got filled on Friday and I've done 48 hours of liquids. It took me a long time to get my protein shake down this morning, but it was ok. Tried introducing some mushies today. Didn't go so well. I had five small bites of greek yogurt. All of the sudden, major slime, chest pain, then threw up the yogurt. Should I give it some time? Or get unfilled a little. Am definitely going to call the surgeon tomorrow, but thought I'd see if this is normal after a fill with good restriction.

I am able to eat tuna chicken veg now- week 3- but I have found I have gained 4 pounds back and I am still abe to eat more then the 1/2 cup total- is this normal? i dont feel any different now then before the surgery--does that make sense? thank you

Hello Everyone, Yesterday, I got a fill and was barely able to swallow Water and have a cup of food. Today, I feel less restriction and was able to eat a little more. Anybody else had this happen to them?

Hi, I am post op day 8. Feeling pretty good. Dr says I can start full liquids today. I can have Sugar Free Yogurt. What brands of yogurt are you guys eating? The ones I have looked at all say the have high fructose corn syrup etc.. in them. Thought I was suppose to stay away from that. SO CONFUSED!!! HELP!!!:thumbdown:

I was banded on 9/22 and had my first and only fill on 11/11. Today I went for my second fill and when the surgeon came in (I haven't lost any weight since the 2 weeks post op) he started lecturing me on "the band is only a tool, etc.." and I told him that when the amount of food that I need to eat to lose weight both satisfies me and controls my hunger - then I'll lose weight. Here are the reasons I don't think he gets it..then tell me what you think. 1) He is a general surgeon who has only done 23 bandings. 2) In the hospital when I complained about left shoulder pain after surgery, he said it is usually in the right (I have researched this - it is almost always the…

I have read through quite a few posts about the sliming and PBing. But I want to make sure I understand what is happening. When people are explaining the sliming, it sounds like mucus but for me, my mouth gets very watery like I want to throw up but it passes once the food passes and I just have to spit a few times. It is nothing really gross, just a lot of saliva. Is this the same thing? My second question is probably dumb but have to ask anyway, where exactly is stuff getting stuck. It seems to me that when I eat and that feeling is there of getting stuck, but I am trying to understand exactly where? Thanks for all the help in advance.

Hello I just had my lap band on 12/30 and as of 1/5 I lost a total of 20lbs with the combination of the pre-op diet and the liquid diet. I am feeling like I am just sitting back and watching and not sure how to feel. I have been dealing with weight issues all my life . I find it harder now to follow the post diet and I am still on mushy , cottage cheese textures for another 2 weeks . My first fill is scheduled for 1/26/09. I thought grits were a life saver just to have a different texture of food. Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with the urges of wanting to eat food again., I have been using sugar free gum to quench the desire and give my mind time to shut u…

Hi all, just wondering if anyone is on warfarin and doing the pre op diet. I started my diet today (Optislim) and green vegies only but I am concerned that too many green vegies will increase the affect of my Warfarin. I am due to have an INR test in couple of days and I see my hematologist next Monday but I am worried about the whole thing until then. I can't call my hematologist as he is still away until the day I see him next week. Any help. Kristiner:crying:

When could I start applying Mederma to my incisions? It's been about 12 days since surgery and they're healing nicely. Just a bit itchy. Has anyone tried Mederma before? Does it work?

So, I was invited to a dinner party at my friend's house tonight. She was nice enough to ask me what my restrictions are and what I can eat. She told me a menu that sounded good. I told her I don't eat many carbs and that I mostly protein and veggies. So, I get there and what has she made? Lasagna and garlic bread! I thought I had prepared well for the meal, but I guess I need to be more specific and clear. At least at a restaurant there are more options for me to pick from. I guess live and learn!

I think I got the stomach flu tonight and I threw up. Do you think I hurt my band?

I have noticed that my largest incision site is starting to get very hard as it heals. It feels that there is something underneath the skin (the port is in a different area, and I can feel it). My friend looked at it and said that it was probably a keloid scar forming. Does anyone know how to get rid of it, or to at least help make it less "hard"? I dont really mind since no one will probably ever see my stomach again, but I still would like to get rid of it.

I was banded in June. Since the beginning my loss has been rather slow but somewhat steady. About 3 months after surgery I took myself off my estrogen replacement therapy-premarin, because someone told me it would cause you to retain fluid. I dropped 10 pounds in 2 weeks. I lasted two months without the premarin but the hot flashes and lack of sleep were killing me. Now I am back on premarin and again the scale is not moving. Anyone have suggestions. I am going crazy.

I was just band on the 8th of this month. I am having these hunger pains (I think) and my belly is making a punch of nosies. How long does this last? I am hoping this will stop soon. Can someone tell me please.

I am so upset! and dont know if i was a good friend to my fellow bandsters this weekend. I went to my son's basketball tournment this weekend and was being a good bandster with my water w/crystal lite and many different good snacks that i could eat during the day. As the day went on there where a few people with donuts and other items that i was unable to have. A very nice lady offered me some great looking buckeye balls which are peanutbutter balls dipped in chocolate. My friend blocked me and said sorry he cant have them he had the same surgery that you had in March. Right than the lady said she had only lost a few lbs and wasnt sure why. I felt real bad because I …

I just wanted to ask if anyone had any complications from lifting weights after surgery? I am 7 weeks post op and have lost 40 pounds so far, but I know to keep losing I need to exercise more. I have been doing a few light weights...ab machines...leg press, etc....nothing too heavy along with aerobic activity. I did speak with a nurse at my doctor's office this morning and she stated that everything should be fine; however, I am self pay and certainly cannot afford any complications. I would appreciate any help! Thank you!

Hi everyone, I'm just wondering what is the best way to get my weight loss going again. I've been stuck at the same weight for slightly over 2 weeks even though I have pretty good restriction right now. My eating habits have not changed (I promise!), I eat somewhere between 900-1100 calories a day. I'm satisfied with small protions so thats not the problem right now.....I've just quit losing. Any help with getting through this plateau would be greatly appreciated.

Okay, so all of my incisions healed nicely..except for one. I am 3 weeks post op and have recently discovered why a small part of my incision where my band is placed is not healing. It has about 1/2 or less of "stiching" hanging out. It looks alot like fishing line. I tried to give it a little tug but it didnt budge. It doesnt hurt just scares me a little. I cant just run to my doctor cuz I'm in Texas and he's in Mexico. I guess I should try to find another obesity surgeon and see if he will see me.. They say thats not always easy, either. Please tell me someone else had this and what the end result was... I'm becoming a little "freaked" out. :tongue2:

Does anyone use the Body Bugg that the contestants wear on the Biggest Loser?? I went online to check them out and they are like $250.00-$300.00. Ouch:w00t:

Hello, i'm about 3 weeks pre-op and poking around I've seen a lot of people talking about sliming and "pb" and I can't figure out for the life of me what they mean by this. Could someone explain in detail what these actions are?

I was banded 12/1 and am doing really well. Lost 20 BUT am having a lot of problems with eating when I get stressed. I just had my first fill so I don't have a lot of restriction yet and am doing fine reducing portions and such but suddenly, I will get upset or overwhelmed and I eat. I have no problem working around the band for these episodes (slowly eat a bunch of cookies). Where should I start to change this? Books? Overeaters anon? I need to change this to get the band to work.

I am a little curious has anyone used,Dr.Goyal in nj?

Hello Fellow Banders, After looking for many months for a Banders Support group in New Mexico, several of us have decided to start our own. We have a Google Groups web connection as well as a local thread on this website. Google groups is New Mexico Banders 2009 | Google Groups. Come join us here in Albuquerque every month the second Sunday at 3:00pm. We will be at the Flying Star on Corrales Road. If you want/need fellowship, support, have questions, etc. We will be there for you. We hope to inspire more to join, and incorporate walking activities in it when the weather is warmer. Hope to see you! Cheryl

So, I went for my second fill today. After not being able to get it 2 weeks ago due to a stomach flu, I was ready! Last time it was painless, he did have to move the needle around to find the port, but it was no sweat. So, today I lie back, do my stomach contraction, then really sharp pain, then he moves around the needle. Can't find it. He pulls the needle out, goes and gets a pillow to put under my back, then I contract again. He digs around a while more, a lot more painful than last time. At this point I am getting a little panicky, did my port flip? Am I going to have to get surgery again? He finally finds it, but isn't able to get much saline out of it. He didn't say…

I'm sooo frusterated on not knowing when to quit eating after i eat im so enornousley full im discusted with myself and everything i ate i triied rice lastnight I WAS SOOO ILL i have gone through a whole bottle of pepto in a few days:confused_smile: PLEASE ANY ADVICE WILL HELP

Can anyone tell me if they woke up after surgery with an elastic band around their mid section. I had one on after my gall bladder surgery this past summer. I am getting banded January 16th, getting very nervous. The elastic band helped a great deal with pain etc. I may bring my old band to wear home which might help with the bumpy roads..........Jan

I know, I know, I will ask my docctor about this, but I wanted to know if anyone has had a similar experience. I am 1 year post op, at a comfortable level of fill, but occassionally get things stuck. Last night I was eating a boiled potato, and it must have been a potatoe skin that got stuck BIG TIME. I drooled and spit and then became very nauseous. I gagged a few things and then one time voilently and the skin dislogedge, but I had such a bad pain in the back of my head that I had to lay in the floor. It lasted about 15 mins before it calmed down. It was a horrible, tight pain. I was oriented, functional, etc the entire time, so I don't worry that I was having…

Hi everyone, I haven't been on here in sooooo very long but recently I found out that my band has slipped and i have to go back in to have it corrected on 1/28. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect. My Dr says it's basically the same procedure all over again, same surgery minus the port scar, same diet but she couldn't tell me about continued weight loss. I'm just wondering if anyone has continued to loose after revision surgery. I was banded on 12/21/06 and at my best had lost 80lbs but have since gained back about 15 due to poor eating habits due to the slippage. Any insight as to what I could expect would be greatly appreciated. I am alittle apprehensiv…

Hi Everyone! I am having a moment. It doesn't help that I am 3 days into TOM. I try so hard to be very positive. I understand my band is not magical but I am so frustrated. I was banded on 10/16/08 and have lost about 50 pounds. I made a committment to myself that I was going to get this right once and for all. I watch my calories and journal everything I eat, I have been walking 2 miles everyday through an in home audio program BUT the scales have not budged. I weigh the same as I did when I got my last fill about a month ago. I even changed the battery in my scale thinking it was old and may be incorrect. I just don't get it. Maybe when my TOM is over I will …