POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

My Daughter needs Lap Band surgery she is 16.5 years old and is 170 pound overweight. We have spent thousands of dollars on personal trainers and dietians and nothing has worked. If any one has a similar situation with names of doctors in the St. Louis Missouri area. It would be greatly appreciated for a referral from some one that has went through this procedure.

I went to my primary care DR. on Monday and was diagnosed with asthma. While I was there he inquired how I was feeling after my surgery, and I told him good other than feeling very run down and that I wasn't sure if it was because of the lack of nutritious food that I had been on or if it was the illness and he suggested a B12 shot. OMG....that stuff has done wonders for my energy level. Has anyone else ever had one or know anything about them?

Banded on 11-25-08 did great the 1st 2 weeks. Then I went on more solid food and the weight loss slowed down. I survived the Christmas Holiday week and gained only 1 or maybe 2 pounds. The problem now is that about an hour or two after eating I am hungry and want to snack, or even eat another meal. I've done pretty good at watching my food intake during meals but I want to eat another meal shortly afterwards. Anybody having simular problems, or care to comment.

My doctor said restriction goes away as the fat around my stomach shrinks but there has got to be another explanation. Between my second and third fill (1 month) I only lost 4 lbs and yet I lost restriction after the first week. My stomach couldn't have shrunk that much after one week to make a difference. Does anyone out there have another explanation that makes more sense? I could see losing restriction if I had a 10lb plus weight loss but 4 lbs....just doesn't seem possible. Has anyone else lost restriction with only a few pound weight loss? And he checks my volume each time before a fill so its not a leak or anything like that.

has anyone experienced vague pains and aches in abdomen specially near rib cage unrelated to eating and burning sensation near the port ? and does the band get tight with change in seasons ? ever since winters have set in i feel some tightness in my upper abdomen near rib cage in morning which goes when i have soem hot tea

I really need help. I tried searching for this but did not find an answer. I was banded on Dec 4 and caught a really really bad cold around the 22nd and thought I was going to not be coughing since I had all the other stuff. Well on Friday, I started coughing and got some cough syrup and that has calmed it down but now my stomach is so sore. It feels like I pulled a muscle. I plan to call my doctor but wanted to find out if anyone had ever experienced this and what you did. Thanks in advance for all the responses. Its only been a little over three weeks for me and I am not sure if I have messed up something.

Hey all, Just wondering for those of you who have lost the weight what type of meal plans do you try to follow?Do you eat 3 meals no Snacks or 3 meals/2 snacks? Do you measure your food or just try to listen to your body's signals? I'm almost 7 weeks out and still trying to figure it out.I have had only one fill of .5cc.Sometimes I feel restriction and sometimes I dont.It's hard to balance being patient between trying not to overeat and yet feeling satisfied?Hope this makes sense.I gather from what I've read on here that this is a learning process and no two journeys are the same.But some advice from those who have gone on before would help? Thanks!!:tongue2:

I had my surgery on Dec 22 and this afternoon I had the worst migrane of my life? Is this a common thing for people with migranes after the surgery or maybe unrelated? I did not vomit after the surgery, but had the dry heaves tonight, could I have messed up the band? Sorry this is a gross question.

I was banded over a year ago. I've had illnesses, a move, a complete unfill and various good excuses but ultimately if I'm honest I have chosen to gradually cheat here and there, eat around my band and never started an exercise routine. I was hoping to maybe find a buddy who is also struggling. We can hold each other accountable and get back on track.

Just curious, i know what the Dr.'s tell you about alcohol consumption and I know about not drinking beer because it's carbonated. What about Wine? My friends mom is a year out and can drink wine like crazy... in fact she drinks wine almost every night with dinner. Anyone else have any input on whether or not you consume wine post op? I'm not talking weeks out or anything, but after a couple months or even a bit longer, have you given wine a shot?

still sore...and very prominent? i was just curious do you feel your port? mine feels huge...there is a big lump under my skin, but i feel something hard but its really big, and its still sore....2 months today since surgery...is it supposed to be big? i thought it was kinda small from what i saw before surgery... and my port is high up on the right side...right under where if you wear a underwire it presses the fat down on the big plastic feeling lump, causing it to be sore...does this ever heal enough to go away or is the placement just wrong and i need to ask for port revision?

What is First Bite Syndrome and what can be done about it?:thumbup:

I was banded nov 24th. Have had no problems up until last night. I believe I have the flu. I have body aches and diarrhea and vomiting. I feel miserable and I am concerned because I having trouble keeping fluids down. A few sips of light gatorade and some ice chips . Now my head is pounding. I really don't think this is band related because of the symptoms. I just don't want to cause any damage because of the vomiting . Anyone out there experience this and what did you do. I'd appreciate any advice.... Thanks Bill:cry_smile:

Happy Holidays to everyone! My Dear friends I need some help here. I was banded Oct 28/08 loose 15 pounds before my 1st fill. On Dec 7 I got my first fill 1.4cc and I have not loose on once!! what I'm doing wrong??? I know my BMI was not to high but I'm so discorage..I want to cry!!:laugh::hurray:

I was wondering if anyone has had a full bypass surgery after a lap-band removal? Thanks penny:confused:

I don't know about anyone else but I'm thankful Christmas is over for the very reason why I why I write into this web site. There is just too much temptation. I was banded 2 days before Thanksgiving, and that was hard enough but I couldn't eat any of the good stuff even if I wanted to. However Christmas was a whole new ball game, I cheated left and right. On a postive note I kept the quanities to a very minimum. So if I gained anything this week the damage should be minimal. Tomorrow I will get serious about following the doctors orders, and try to put this last week behind me. By the way, as I am glad Christmas is over due to the food issues, I sorry to see it …

So I've been banded for exactly two weeks today and I have a confession... Well, both my husband and I got banded two weeks ago. The first week we stayed on Clear liquids, and actually moved into full liquids about two days early. Then we went to mushies early. Now we just said screw it and we're pretty much eating WHATEVER WE WANT!!! I mean, there's very little restriction too. We just take little bites and chew well....but seriously I am worried that this isn't going to work because I can eat just like I did before...I mean, maybe a little slower, and maybe a little less food in general...but all in all I am wondering what the heck? Also, should I be worried? …

I had lap band surgery a week ago yesterday, 12/20/08 and would like to know when I can have some real food like eggs, instead of just water and sugar free pudding?

Hi - I was banded on st the 20th. my pre op diet was 5 days from the 15th-20th. I started my pre op at 304.5 lbs and lost 6lbs in the pre op. Its now been one week since surgery and im down to 284. which is 24lbs gone in 13 days!!!! obviously thats very quick and will slow down a lot but its a great start. (my target weight is 200 as im a 6 foot male- which is 10 lbs over "ideal") now for the problems gas pain - my chest and stomach feel tight and sore - sometimes looking quite bloated. I am takeing some tums but not pain meds - which i think ill go back on. yesterday was the first day i took of the dressing and put new ones on - the scars look small and cl…

:cursing:I was banded 8 days ago and am feeling great. Thats the good part. But now I feel like I have no restiction at all and can eat whatever I want. I'm not eating whatever I want, but I can put down two cans of Campbells soup. Is that normal? I do get pretty full after, but two cans to fill me up seems like alot. I know I am not eating as much as I did before but I have only lost 10 pounds where as my sister has lost 20 in the same amount of time. ( we banded the same day) Anyway, do people get to a point of eating regular food before a fill? I am still eating mushy foods but I can take a bite of a cookie with no problems. Is that normal? I told my husband I dont thi…

I was banded on 12/23. I have not had a BM since however I am passing gas. All the paperwork my dr gave me has nothing on constipation. I know it's normal since I am not taking in any "real" food but for 4 days? Again, I'm not in any pain. Also, I feel very nauseated during the day. Before surgery when I wouldn't eat I would feel the same way and I feel the same way now so I am wondering if there are any tips/tricks anyone can give to me to ease the nausea. It's hard to take care of a 3 year old and trying to recover. I also still have pain where the port is, about 3 inches above, to the right, of my belly button. Does anyone else have their port placed here? I am not get…

Lovely topic I know!! I was banded on 12/18, all went great. Aside from the port site I have no pain anymore. However....I have not had a BM since the day before my surgery. I feel fine, not distented or in any discomfort. I know it's from low intake obviously, but I'm just wondering how long it was for you all? I bought some Milk Of Mag tonite and will take some at bedtime. And I see the dr on Monday for my post op check and I know the subject will come up. Just curious....thanks!

Hearing the horror stories of tearing and such...Okay, now I am scared. I was banded on 12/2. I lost 10 pounds in the first week and a half. Then here comes the holidays, I felt okay to eat more and more variety. Now I can eat about 3/4 of what I was able to eat before surgery and I haven't lost anymore weight. In fact, I think that I have gained weight. I am so ashamed because I eat and then 15 minutes later, I am in pain because I have eaten too much. It has been so hard with all of this holiday food! How do I know if I damaged myself! What do I do?:hurray:

My doctors said that there is a relatively new technology that allows them to add heat and moisture to the gas before using it to inflate your stomach. Supposedly, this helps to minimize the pain caused from the gas after surgery because it doesn't irritate your insides as much. Anyone have their doctor use this technique and did it help? I'm worried about the gas pain because I had that when I had a C-section and I just remember the shoulder and back pain from the gas pain was worse than the incisions and Gas-X didn't touch it! Thanks,

It all started with a spell of hiccups, then a yawn. I found that during abnormal breathing I had this pain in my lower right abdomen. I went to see my surgeon. He pushed around a bit, asked a few questions, and said he wasn't quite sure, not typical signs of gall bladder problems. He ordered an Ultrasound, X-Ray and Blood Test. Results came back Friday morning, all negative. By Saturday afternoon, the pain was pretty much gone! However....Saturday night at work it only got worse. The pain began at 11:30pm, with a sharp, constant stabbing in my upper right abdomen. It continued until 2:00am....constant! There was nothing I could do to relieve it, not sitting, …

i am about to go in for my 6th fill today! YAY!! I am 6 months post op and have lost 32 pounds. i am asking this questions because i want to reach that magical mark..."the sweet spot". The last fill (my 5th) was the best one yet! i "think" i felt good restriction for like 10 days, but after that nothing!! I have only lost 4 lbs in the last 6 weeks. I am getting VERY discouraged...and just want this to really start working!! How will i know when i have the right restriction? Will i feel full all the time?? Im so sick of feeling hungary. Ive never thrown up from eating, i have had to "spit" a lot from either eating to fast , or taking to big of bites......…

Hi all! So I´ve been on full liquids for a few days. I´ve had cream of wheat made with nonfat milk, sugar free pudding and Soup. Any other ideas? My book talks about sugar free yogurts, but I have not been able to find those anywhere. Doesn´t all yogurt contain sugar? Maybe they mean plain, fat free yogurt? I was banded on 12/18/08 and I´ve had this wierd feeling in my chest and throat. It´s hard to describe but it feel tight, almost like it´s a gas bubble. I started to worry since I just started full liquids, but they are liquids, so how could that be the cause? I am really careful to sip and stop when I feel full. I thought you couldn´t get blocked at the l…

It has been a looooong time since I've posted. I don't know many of you on here but I was helping that somebody could help me. I have been plateuing for about 2-3 months!!! How can I break this....I was banded 8/07 and would like to lose about 15-20 pounds more.....Please help?!?!??? :thumbup:

Okay I had my surgury on 12/11/08, and have only lost 12 pounds. I am frusterated because I guess I was thinking I would have lost more than that, but I know it has also will barely be two weeks on xmas day. So my question is, is 12 good or bad? And when can I start or should start to exercise, because I want to get this weight off. :thumbup: I currently started out at 240 on surgury day and now 228.

Day 6, after having pain with hiccups and coughs, i have repressing sneezes since surgery. I couldn't hold one back today. It wasn' too bad. Minimal pain.

Hi! Had surgery on December 11th.. (16 days ago). Nothing really remarkable has happened. But today any time I "eat" (mushies and right now pureed french onion soup) I get this tingly feeling between my shoulderblades. Anyone else get this? It's kinda weird. It's mostly right inside my left shoulderblade.

Hello, Can I use any kind of Birth Control or do i need a specific one.

I was banded on June 27, 2008. I had my 4th fill last week and I am finally getting restriction *yay*!! I lost 24 lbs in the whole preop liquid diet phase but since then it has been up and down 3 lbs!!! Is the weight going to come off faster now that I have restriction? Some of my firends that had the surgery told me they didnt start losing weight considerably until their 6th fill. I would love to hear experienced bandsters tell me when their weight began to fall off. Thanks!

I was banded on 12/23/08- so I am 3 days post op. I am glad that I found this forum because it has answered so many questions that I had. Thanks to all for sharing their experiences. I have not had too much pain, just some soreness which seems to get better with each passing day. I am glad that I can rest for the next week before I have to go back to work. Started to feel a little bit hungry today. I am nervous that it will get worse before I can progress to the next stage of mushy food. Right now I am just on liquids, sf Jello and carnation instant Breakfast with skim milk. 3 more days to go. I went from eating whatever I wanted to nothing- It's like going th…

OK, I've had a Realize Band since July 2008. I'm not happy. I initially lost about 15 pounds just from post-surgery, but once the swelling went down, I never felt restriction. I'm at 7 cc's in a 10 cc band, and I don't feel the level of restriction I imagined based on what I heard from others. I don't have any problems with anything going down. I can't eat multiple plates of food as I did in the past, but still I can eat a huge amount of food. I don't have a leak in my band (my dr. checked last time). My doctor (Dr. David Geller of Norton Suburban Hospital in Louisville, KY) will only see me every 6-8 weeks so I have plenty of time to forget I even have a band while waiti…

Okay, during my surgury (done on 12/11/08), they ended up finding two large hernias, and repaired them. But my stomach has been hurting a little bit here the past few days, and my top portion of my stomach looks more poked out than before. Has anyone had hernias, and had any problems?? Could my hernias have come back maybe?????

I was just banded on 12/22. Any suggestions or tips on how to get through the first couple of weeks? I am supposed to be on liquids the first 10 days and really want to stick with it but could use some tips on what other people have done. It is nice having a forum to go to to talk to others who have gone through this!:tongue2:

Last night I opened a piece of mail from the hospital where I had my gastric banding procedure performed. The notice stated it was not an invoice, but just a statement of charges. OMG, the total charges were $82,000 billed to my insurance company. Okay, I did have a little issue with my spleen bleeding during the surgery, so I stayed in the hospital for 2.5 days, but OMG, $82,000. I thought self-pay banders were paying around $20K in the USA and around $8K in Mexico. The implant device was $11K and the OR was $20K and the recovery room was $6K and the semi-private room was $9.5K and the list of charges keeps on going. :sad: Thank goodness for my insurance.:thumbup:

Well I am one week post op and feeling really good except for minor soreness. I am down about 20 lbs from 2 days before surgery which is good. I got up this morning and had put 4 back on I am wondering if Its because of the fact that I ate potato soup broth last night...made with skim..but it had butter in it :thumbup: I am worried that when I start eating solids again and the more that I work my way back into real food I am going to stop loosing and gain! What in the world!!!! And how do i get all this water in.... holy stink! I just dont want to be one of the post ops who looses 20 pounds and thats it! Anybody else have this freak out! Is it legit?!

Okay question, some people say you cant stretch your pouch on the lap band but on gastric you can, so which is it. If you eat alot of food, but obviously not enough to vommit, which from what I understand, vommiting is what is more likely to cause a band to slip, right??? I ate alot, well not no where like I used to, during xmas eve and xmas day, but man I was so full I was hurting afterwards, like miserable. But never once did I vommit. So could I have stretched my pouch or be worried about slippage???? I really dont have much restriction at all yet, but I cant have my first fill till about 2 weeks from now.

Anyone have symptoms of diverticulitis right after surgery? I have burning pain in lower left abdomen-getting worse. I am planning on calling doctor tomorrow but can't do anything today. Any advice?

I was wondering how long you guys who have been banded were on your pain meds. I thought I'd be able to switch to liquid tylenol by now but find myself still using the oxycodone. It's day 6 and I'm still experiencing what I would call a considerable amount of pain - especially around the port site. I'm up and around, showering, even went to a play yesterday afternoon. I should mention that while my surgeon was in - he found a hiatel hernia and fixed that as well. Perhaps that is contributing? How long does the pain last?

I am 5 days out. I had surgery on the 19th. I am wondering if anyone else has had pain below sutures. I have a burning pain 4-5 inches below port. It hurts a lot when I first stand or bend over. I want to know if this is common-my doctor said most people return to work in 2 days. I never would have been able to do this.

I know this sounds like a silly question, but please bear with us. My girlfriend, who doesn't like computers, has asked me to post this question on her behalf. She has only had one adjustment, and it seems to be doing a little for her, but only a very little, in terms of keeping her full longer *when she eats per the prescribed procedure*, i.e. Proteins first, no liquids, etc. Here's the problem. She fully and freely acknowledges that she is absolutely not "working the band", i.e. she's not sticking to the diet. She's eating the unadvisable foods, she's eating "too much" of them, she's having liquids with her meals, and so on. Now, we *know* this is not the advi…

Merry Xmas everyone! I was cooking breakfast for my family this morning, and wondering if I will EVER be able to have bacon again some day. Even half a piece would be heaven. I don't want to find out what I shouldn't eat the hard and painful way. Can I learn from some of your experiences? Share please:drool:

I saw my doctor on the 22nd and I was put on the 4 week puree/mushy stage of eating. My next appointment is scheduled for January 19th. I was under the assumption that is when I would be getting my first fill to begin restricting. He told me that two days before I come, to start eating normal food that is not mushed or pureed. He said he needs to see how much food it does take to keep me satisfied and not hungry. I asked him if I would be getting my first fill? He said sometimes people don't need one at that stage. Correct me if I am wrong but does that not defeat the purpose of getting the band. I mean with no restriction your stomach is the same as it was before and wan…

Okay, I am really scared because I have been so good on my diet since being banded 3 months ago. But all these holiday goodies is too much temptation. In the last 8 days I have eaten 3 cookies and 6 pieces of candy. I know that before the band I would have eaten that, and more, in one day but I am afraid I am reverting back to my old ways. Is anyone else cheating now that the holidays are here? Everyday someone is bringing in another plate of cookies, a plate of fudge, box of chocolates, etc. here at work. And the darn things are sitting right in front of me. I admit it, I am still weak when it comes to saying no to this stuff. At home I just got all of it out of …

How do you face down the food demons and old, bad habits while shopping? I was recently banded (12/11/08) and am finding shopping a real challenge. All the sweets and salty treats I used to eat (and eat and eat and eat) are such a temptation. As I wander through the grocery store or Target I keep reminding myself of my journey and my destination. But, it is difficult to 'turn off' the old me, the old me who always bought candy bars and snack foods. What tricks or suggestions do you have for adjusting to new habits? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Hi, I am 1-2 days out and can't take vicodin or codine, and the darvocet has to be crushed, which tastes so bad it makes me gag- so I can't take that either. Docs are out on holiday break- what else can I take? I need to at least get some sleep...

Have any of you ever experienced any bloating after surgery? I'm 16 days post-op and I am visibly swollen and it feels like fluid. My fingers, abdomen, and face is swollen. Now, I did start my peroid a few days ago but this seems like much more than that. What chu think?