POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was banded on 12/16/08 and had experienced some gas pains, mostly in the shoulders and neck which seemed to disapate fairly quickly. Today on my drive into work - I started to feel a great deal of discomfort, nausea, cramps and pain in my upper and lower back, rib cage area and abdomen. At first I thought I was having a heart attack but when I stopped the car and got out - I felt fine (so it's most likely gas, right?). Well now it's back with a vengence and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? I'm walking around now as much as possible but admit that in the beginning I did not walk as much as I should have. Thanks.

I can actually see my port bump a bit 5 days out, and I deninatley can feel it. In a way it gives my the heebie-jeebies-silly I know, but just feeling something foreign inside my belly. It's still a bit uncomfortable in that spot, hoping that passes soon?

Hi I am 5 days post op. About how long does this gas and bloated feeling last? My abdomen seems so puffy and full, not too painfull just annoyingly uncomfortable. I am chewing some Gas-ex tabs a few times a day, not sure they do much though. Thanks

Hi, I had my surgery on September 17. I've done really well and have had two fills; the last one 3 weeks ago. But in the last few days, I have had a lot of trouble eating. Most everything gets 'stuck'. I've even come close to vomiting a couple of times. I don't think my band is too full, because this didn't start until well after my last fill. I normally have this problem right before I start my period, but that doesn't apply right now. I'm not the best at taking tiny bites, but I'm definitely working on that. At this point, I'm ready to go back to soft foods and Protein shakes for a while. I'm also experiencing painful discomfort around my port over the last …

Hi. Just wanted to share my fill experiences with you. I have a 10 cc band. My surgeon put 2 cc's in at the time of my surgery. (Sept. 19, 2008) First fill was Oct. 24th. They took out 1.8 cc's to check (normal that it was a tiny bit less she said), put it back in, and added 1.5 cc's (total - 3.1 cc's) I felt NO restriction after this fill - not even RIGHT after. Second fill was Nov. 20th. They added 1.5 cc's. (total 4.6 cc's) Still felt NO restriction after this fill - not even right after. Felt a tiny bit after about 2 weeks, but not much. Could still eat anything I wanted... but didn't. Third fill was Dec. 18th. They added 1.3. (total 5.9 cc's) Oh boy is this …

:cursing:Hi eveyone I was banded 2 days ago and I am starving. Is this normal? If I didn't know any better, I would think the Dr didn't even band me. I am starving and feel no restriction at all. I am only doing liquids, but I thougth I would feel some kind of restriction. Has anyone else had this and how do you get though it? Because if I am going to be this hungry till my 1st fill, I am going to knaw off my own arm. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

I'm due to be banded Jan 22nd and I have a question for the veterans. How long do you go between meals? For example my wife and I generally eat dinner at 5:00 PM, by 8:30 to 9:00 PM (pre-band) I've starving and have found this to be a time when I'm in danger of "raiding the pantry". I'm hoping that with the band I will still feel full and not interested in getting more to eat. What time do you have breakfast so that you're not tempted to snack before lunch etc. I know everyone is different, however I am interested in some of the experiences out there. Additionally, what I have read about being banded has indicated that you shouldn't snack, i.e. 3 meals a day and tha…

I went to my last pre-op visit with my surgeon and they told us they will put an On-Q Pain Buster in one of our incisions. It is a small catheter that hooks up to a ball that is filled with pain meds that is slowly released into your abdomen for a day or two after surgery. I don't mind this at all, but what is freaking me out is that once the ball is empty, I'm supposed to pull the catheter out myself! They tell me that its not painful and it just feels really weird coming out, but I want first hand information! Anyone had this device and is it as good/easy as they claim? My surgery date has been scheduled for 1/14 :thumbup:

Hi Everyone! I was banded on Oct 16 and have 5.5 cc's in my 14 cc band. I keep a journal of every bite of food that goes into my mouth. For a while I was staying between 1000 and 1200 calories per day. The last 3 days I have been up to 1800 to 2000 calories per day. I have decided the Monday after Christmas I am going to go back on the Carnation diet for 3 days to detox myself. I was wondering how many calories you taken in each day? Thanks!!

My siter-in-law and I were banded the same day (12-16). I have had little problems and am feeling pretty good for a week out. My sister-in-law is having a real hard time recovering and is almost regreting the band. I feel so bad for her and want to help her. She says she just isn't feeling back to normal yet. She is having alot of gas pain all over. Constipation problems. And just an overall yucky feeling. How long does it take some people to get back to normal? how long can the gas stay in your body and cause pain? I want her to know she isn't alone and it will get better but I need facts. Any ideas? Thanks:frown:

Okay, I'm two weeks out today. I've been on liquids but I think it's time to go to softer foods. My Nutritionist had to cancel my appointment for tomorrow and my next appointment isn't unitl the 7th of January. I need to know what I can eat now. I've done well on the liquids but I need something else. Help me please.:smile:

I have been able to eat anything these past couple of weeks and haven't had any problems. I usually have to stop 10 minutes into a meal, wait about 5 minutes and then can go back to finishing it. Today - when I got home from work, I was hungry and ate something too fast - and finally felt that uncomfortable feeling everyone has been describing. I ended up dry heaving over my sink a couple of times and then was fine. I'm definitley taking it easy tonight.

I got banded two week ago, and I've been back on (mostly) solids for about a week now. I've been doing *fantastic* for the most part. I had a on incident where I thought I was hungry, but it was too soon to eat (I couldn't finish the apple I was eating, and felt a little icky) but for the most part I have it pretty down. The pouch takes some getting used to! Today, I had my first icky band problem. I had taken a nice long walk to the supermarket, and while there, I bought some of those pre-cooked chicken legs that they keep under warming lights (they're very yummy). I figured my grandmother and I could have them for lunch and dinner, so she didn't need to cook. Howev…

So this is my third day after the band and I'm still not hungry at all! If I even start to think about drinking broth or juice or jello I feel so sick! Did anyone else have this problem and how long does it last?!

Hi all - I was banded Friday am the 19th. So far so good, everyday seems to get better with how I feel. But I am hungry!?! Can I stretch the pouch with liquids bc I am hungry & I have been drinking a lot!! I am on full liquids. But I can drink a cup of broth in 5mins no problems & still be straving 30mins later:( Also do you know when this cling wrap stuff falls off? My port also seems like it's pulsing sometimes>? just wondering if it's all normal/safe? feeling loopy too from meds. But all in all I am so thrilled I have done this for myself & pray I keep feeling better & better. Any tips or suggestions would be super - thanks. I know I also have no res…

I would like to know if anyone out there has considered, researched, or had a "revision" from the lap-band to the gastric bypass. I have had VERY poor results with the band - AND YES I KNOW THE BAND IS ONLY A TOOL, AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO ALLOW IT TO WORK; but guess what? I don't think the band is/was for me. I truly think that I need something drastic to make me change. If I am given an inch, I WILL take a mile, no matter what I do. And, this is just what I've done since being banded. I have been banded for 19 months and haven't lost any weight to speak of. I have lost and gained the same 5 pounds since May of 2007. I know what I am supposed to …

my husband is in iraq and when he come back in april we will probably have alot of sex...lol.. sorry to be blunt if i offended anyone... does it effect anything... or do i have to wait for a certain amount of time;...:biggrin:

Has anyone been to Knott's Berry Farm or Greatest America? We are taking the kids and I want to go on the rides too! Are you allowed to go fast or be upside down? Strange I know but, better be safe then sorry. My surgeon is off for vacation so I can't ask. Anyone know?

I am curious if anyone has every had this happen, what you did, and what caused it? Also, if a stitch ripped or the band slipped, did you notice? Could you FEEL it?

I know why you are not supposed to, but has anyone tried it, and what happened?

OMG...that was horrible! I had just started eating my dinner tonight (curry beef stew), and bamm! I was stuck, real bad! I ran to the washroom, and then the slimming :drool:began, then I threw up! I couldn't believe it, I have been getting stuck all along, but I never threw up before. Now I'm wondering about my first fill. I am going into my 4th week, and not feeling much restriction anymore, I had great restriction untill last week, but I guess that was just from the intial swelling. I feel like I need a fill, because I could eat a horse, but will the stuck episodes get worse? :tounge_smile:

I was banded mid-November and had cardiology clearance before the procedure. Now that I am on the soft foods phase and have little/no restriction (meaning, I don't often feel "full"), I have noticed that I will start to have chest pain after a meal, most often dinner. It takes a while to subside - usually when I fall asleep. I have even had that pain in the a.m. sometimes, too (after meals). Anyone else have this? I have placed a call to my doctor's office and am playing phone tag w/ them....and at the same time experimenting w/ why this could be happening: 1. Perhaps I overate (and still don't have those "full" signals because I have little restriction - first fi…

:embaressed_smile:I know for sure that i want the band... but mom doesnt know if she is going to have time to ... but she is really unhealthy and needs the band... if anyone knows the answers to these questions please let me know... thanks.. everyone How long after the surgery can you go to work? How many times do you need to take time off to see the doctor before and after surgery? Does anyone have HCPN?

I was banded on 12/10 and I have transitioned from liquid post-op diet to mushie stage. Last night I started feeling pain in my left side (not the port pain) but further left of the port. This morning I have had terrible burning feeling in my stomach. It feels like it is on fire. Like terrible acid reflux, but is not coming up esophagus. Any one know what this is.

I am being banded January 22nd in Dallas and I travel quite a bit for my job (>75%). I will be off the road long enough to recover (approximately 4 weeks after surgery) but I will have to start back to travel eventually. I also entertain customers on the road and would be interested in tips and tricks that any of my fellow road warriors might have picked up on how to eat on the road.

Hey, what do you guys think of the t.v. show Big Medicine? It is about two doctors Father and Son who perform banding and bypass procedures on obese patients. You get two meet the patients, see their struggles, see their surgery, plus their aftercare. I love this show, because they keep it real. They show the good and the bad.:sad_smile:

Hi everyone When moving from liquid to mushies what was the first thing you ate?

Hi everyone I had my first fill on thursday and boy am I in pain. I can't bend and my side is sore it feels as if I was punched in the stomach!! Is this normal because it was the first time?:tongue_smilie:

I went in for my first fill December 1st and got 4cc's.... right off the bat. I had to go in two days later and get 1 taken out. However, last night I started sour stomach symptoms, throwing up, the "trots", and pain in my chest after probably overdoing it while cleaning the heck out of my house. I was worried my band had slipped because on another thread, my symptoms were that of slippage. So, I called the docs office but my surgeon wasn't on call. A co-worker of his was and told me to go to the ER to get an unfill... but I thought it would be better to totally unfill me, and let me recouperate. Nope. I got there, got stuck on fluids as I hadn't had anything stay …

Right when I woke from surgery I felt an ache in my left leg. I forgot all about it because of the pain meds, but the next moring it was like I just ran 10 miles. :tongue_smilie: It's still just as bad 4 days later? I don't know why this would happen? Anyone have this problem?

I am now 5 days post-op with out a bowel movement, I have been on liquid for a total of 11 days. Should I be worried? I am not uncomfortable and am passing gas. Don't go back to the Dr's for 5 more days. Any feedback would be appreciated:

Okay, I am going to be completely honest with you guys. I need help, bad. I got banded on last Thursday 12/11/08, today will be my one week. I followed the diet given by my Dr., in the beginning :huh2:, and two days ago, I was starving and had an emoitional break down and havent stopped since. On Tuesday, I started out with eating soup, campbells brocoli cheese soup, probably half a cup, then Yesterday, it was like I went all out and had shrimp, and even a few bites of my kids chicken nuggets. Had shrimp again today, and alot. I didnt vomitt or have any problems, I do feel a tiny bit full, but not really when I eat. I feel so ashamed, I know I messed up big time, and I we…

I was banded on 12/18 and am still having pain on my right side by the incision. I am assuming that this is my port. Does this go away soon? My doctor only prescribed percocet and I am trying to only take them at night. I am trying to get in all my liquids but it is hard because they give me gas and that causes all kinds of pain. I'm worried about being hungry. I have read that by day 10 you get really hungry and I am not looking forward to that at all!

Ok i was banded in september before my first fill in october i could clearly feel my port no problem but since then no matter how hard i try i cant find or feel it my last fill was a nightmare he spent bout 20mins trying to feel for it and im not convinced he did just wondering did anyone else have this or could there be a problem im just so worried

Along with all the other post op stuff I got a little laminated card to present in restaurants saying "bearer of this card has had abdominal surgery please allow them to order of senior citizen or childrens menu" anyone use these do restaurants accept without making a big deal ? wondering for a few months time only banded Mon so food is a while a way

I am 10 day post op and still on liquids and today I am starving so bad it is really causing physical pain. I decided to drink/eat the liquid part of french onion soup and did not measure it out, I probably ate about 2 cups of liquid in one sitting, now worried I could have damaged my pouch. Does anyone know are we supposed to be measuring how much liquid we take in at a time or since it is liquid it is just flushing straight thru?

You tell me... Twice now in the past week I have a strange pain. It starts in my back below the right shoulder blade. It's dull and slow. It moves across my back and then to where I assume the band is. Last time it lasted about an hour. No position gave me relief. The remaining pain meds gave no relief. Is this what being stuck feels like? Is it gas? It was so bad I was headed to the ER the other night, but it quit right before walking into the ER.

It will be 4 weeks on Tuesday since I was banded. Two days ago I started to have pain in my left shoulder and neck, hurts more when I take a deep breath. I have followed my Surgeons diet to a T and are starting solid foods....ground beef, chicken haven't tried salads yet or any starchy vegetables....... I am a little concerned and worried somehting may be wrong. I tried to look through past posts but keep getting kicked back to the home page. Thanks!

Well, it's been two weeks since my surgery, and I have updates. I lost 20 pounds on my 2 week pre-op diet, and since then I've lost 14 pounds more. I've been absolutely fanatical about following all the rules of each stage of the diet. I want to succeed, and I especially don't want complications (slips, erosions, etc.) I know sometimes that's unavoidable, but at least I won't have any guilt if it happens. liquid Phase: After reading on these boards that many people gain weight before their first fill, I was deeply concerned that I would lose my progress. So on my liquid phase, after the first few days where I could only get down broth and tea, I stuck pretty much …

I got banded 2 days ago and Im on Clear liquids still. The problem I'm facing though is trying to figure out whether I'm ungry or just gassy?! Im so confused and VERY uncomfortable, how can I tell the difference?

I was just wondering for everyone out there that has lost a good amount of weight and has been continuously losing or is at goal weight - how much did you exercise, what kind of exercise, and is there anyone out there that didn't exercise and still lost? I am just curious what everyone's experience has been. I was banded 11/17. I lost 14 lbs pre-op and 21 since. A week after surgery I started walking 20 minutes a day increasing a few minutes a day and have been doing 35 minutes since week 3. In another week I can start doing more than that.

I developed shoulder pain after my first fill on 11/11. On the same day. It feels much like the shoulder pain I had after surgery on 9/22 (which went away in a few weeks). I don't think it's a coincidence. Has this happened to anyone else? Also, I have not lost any weight since the 2 weeks post-op liquid phase of my diet. Here is my biggest fear - having all the worst aspects of the band (pain, pressure, not being able to eat many foods, etc..) without the one benefit I wanted when I got this band - controlling my hunger. I know one fill doesn't usually do it - but I've already had one bad episode at Thanksgiving. After two bites of food - one stuffing and the oth…

everytime i eat something... as soon as it hits my pouch it hurts really bad... almost like a burning... i have had a bad couple of weeks and have made an appointment to go in and get it checked up on and possibly get a fill... but this feeling is really worrying me... does anyone have any ideas as to what may be causing the pain????:laugh:

On Monday, I went to see a new surgeon that does lap band fills. He used to do gastric bypass surgeries, but quit doing them because of all the risks. Now, he is a general surgeon that is offering lap band fills. He is only 1 1/2 hours from my house - my surgeon's office is 3 hours, and I never got to see him anyway, just the fill nurse. So, I chose to transfer. I went to see the new doctor with 3.0 or 3.25 cc in my 4 cc band. I was used to getting fills that consisted of only 1/4 to 1/2 cc at a time. He gave me a 1 1/2 cc fill. I am assuming this has maxed out my band. I felt fine after the fill, and still do; however, I have lost all restriction that I had befo…

Hi there, I had my op in July and had my third band fill earlier this week. I had a little bit of cheese with some guacamole for lunch today and have been suffering with terrible vomiting for the last three or so hours and it shows no sign of subsiding. I have reactions like this but they only ever go on for ten or fifteen minutes. No idea what the problem is but I'm not feeling any better. Not really bringing up any food, just slime but it doesn't seem like it's going to stop! Any ideas much appreciated, thanks x

i had my lapband 10 months ago and i started having severe pain 2 weeks ago. Then it stoped and tonight is it back with green stool. it is in the pancreas area direct left side and sometime it spread to the kidney. I also have a odd taste in my mouth i cannot get rid of. I had all the standard test done and they came back okay. Can anyone help me this is effecting my life now.:laugh:

I was banded in June of this year and thus far have lost 40 lbs. My third fill was on November 20th. Throughout this whole process I have been bringing up slime. What actually is this stuff? It is very rare for me not to "slime" during a day. I am so thankful for the days that I don't. You may say you didn't chew enough, ate too fast, etc.. but I have been very careful. In fact, sometimes it is just on my very first bite of food that this happens. Othertimes during the day I have no problems eating anything. It has even happened on Soup already. Other than wanting to know what the "slime" actually is, what are the consequences of this constant vomit/burpin…

I was banded on 11/14/08 and have only lost 7 pounds. I hear is not bad but when I see all these other stories of people who have lost 30 pounds in a month is makes me sad. What am I doing wrong or what am I aupposed to do

Hi. I had my surgery 3 months ago (September 19th) and I feel great. I lost 16 pounds on my pre-op diet and I've lost 36 pounds since my surgery. I flew to Houston yesterday for my third fill. Didn't feel much restriction with the first two, but this one feels different. I am on liquids today, but I am not feeling hungry at all - didn't have this feeling with the first two. I am hoping I am getting closer to the place that is right for me. I have much more energy, wearing smaller clothes, and feel so much happier and healthier. Getting the band was the best thing I've ever done for myself. If you are reading this, I hope you are happy, healthy, and loving your ba…

Does anyone else ever experience the feeling of fullness yet your stomach is still growling like it's hungry?