POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am 3 weeks post-op. and my tummy right above my belly button is still so swollen and kinda hard. Today I was doing dishes and when my tummy pressed up against the counter it kinda hurt. Is this my band I'm feeling? anyone else feel this? it makes me think this is my band because its more noticeable after I eat.

So I finally had surgery yesterday! Everything is going well I have pain on my left side. I also have to becareful to swallow liquids slowly or I have the hiccups and those hurt my wounds. I'm down 12.5lbs so far on the pre-op I'll let you know my progress!

My clothes have been getting really baggy but I refuse to buy more until the dang things are falling off of me. I have so much weight to lose that if I bought every time I dropped one size I will go bankrupt. Life has been extremely hectic lately (I work full-time and have a side business and Christmas is one of our busiest times) so household chores are a little behind. Anyway, I pulled out a pair of jeans and put them on this am and was so upset because they fit exactly perfect. What the heck happened overnight. Friends and family have been making fun of my "clown pants" and now they are fitting just fine overnight? Big surprise! They were jeans that were in my d…

Hi everyone.... Well, yesterday I jumped on the band wagon! Everything went fine, in the OR at 8am and home in my bed at 1:30 :biggrin: I feel ok, just my belly is sore from the stitches and muscle manipulation. Other than that I really don't feel any different yet. I've been drinking the Special K protein H20 and eating SF jello cups, well ate 1 jello cup-took a while. Just finished some nice warm coffee. Planning a nap now after a dose of my liquid Lortab. Broth for lunch and dinner I guess. Take care,

Ok yesterday I went out to eat with my family, we only ordered appetizers but I ate so much, of course not more than what I use to eat but a lot compared to what I eat now. I din'y vomit I just felt uncomfortable. Today I had a TV dinner I mean everything I felt sick again. I s this normal to get this cravings, I been so good until now.

Hello everyone...i am in need of some recipes for deserts that are ok for me to have. I would like to make a sugar free triffle, well i am making that. BUT...what else can i make? Is there any low fat/low sugar cookies i can make? Please give recipes!! I am in dire need

I thought I knew sooo much about the Lap Band after all my research and waiting almost 2 years before finally getting it. I was banded this past Tuesday in LA by Dr. Carson Liu and now I have a million questions...Wednesday night I swallowed a pill and it got stuck (Dr's office did not tell me to crush the pills) about 3 hours after swallowing the pill, I wake up thinking I'm having a heart attack. Pain very high up in my chest area, collar bones, neck and upper back. I thought I'd need to go to the ER. sat upright for a couple of hours sipped diluted fruit juice and finally it subsided. Today my mouth is watering and I'm nauseous. Any suggestions for the nausea? I…

I went to get my second fill today, but since I've been nauseous the past 2 days and might be coming down with something, he wouldn't do it. I know it is for my own health, but it is going to make the holidays a TON harder. I've been able to eat a lot the past few weeks and was really looking forward to my fill. Oh well, I'll just have to work and work out that much harder!

I am really nauseous today. No pain anywhere, just the nausea. I see my doc tomorrow for my second fill. Any thoughts on if this could be a band problem? Or would I have pain or something with that? I am able to get food down and keep it down fine. No sliming of PBing. And, if it is a virus, should I cancel my fill?

I found out today that I need to pay my surgeon $1500 before I have my surgery. $500 must be paid at my appt on Tuesday and the rest must be paid by 3 days before surgery. I'm planning on having surgery in January. This is the out of pocket costs and deductible and program fee that I'm required to pay after insurance kicks in their part. I know there are companies out there that will provide financing for medical procedures, but I was wondering if anyone knows of a good reputable company that would give a loan to someone with not so great credit (I had a bankruptcy 7 years ago). Thanks for your help. Tina

Just a quick warning that this is an opinon piece, my opinon Is it just me, but why have people been telling me for years that just because you lose weight its not going to make you happy. Your still going to have the same problems weather you fat or thin, So i thought that makes sense. I prepared myself for this. It made sense. How could so many people be wrong. They were all wrong. I am so much happier and I don't have the same problems i had before. I can breath, I can play with my kids, my husband wants to sleep with me all time. I could go on and on about problems i had when I was fat that I dont now that i weight 165. Okay im by no means thin, but i am a lot healt…

I haven't even had my first fill yet and I have a hard time swallowing food and keeping it down. Any ideas?:shades_smile:

I just had my very first fill yesterday which took all of 5 minutes surprisingly. I didn't feel any different at the time except for temporary acid reflux. I did the clear liquid thing yesterday and today I'm doing my soft mushies. I ate a 1/2 cup of cream of wheat for breakfast and 2 hours later I was HUNGRY!! I tried to put it off until I couldn't take it anymore so I had a snack of a mushed up boiled egg (no mayo). That lasted about an hour. When I do eat the 1/2 cup and what not, I don't feel total restriction. Is there something wrong with me. I am now counting down the minutes to lunch and going crazy waiting. I don't want to push it and overeat but I hate this feel…

I was banded October 2007. No problems with the exception of not really losing weight until almost a year later. Have lost 52 pounds. 3 months ago I started waking up at night coughing and throwing up (sometimes 5 times a night). I went to a new doctor here in Southern California (I had my surgery in Mexico) and he removed all of my fill. He said to wait 8 weeks until getting a fill because I had severe acid reflux. I was also on prescription medication for this. Today I went for my fill under fluoroscopy and he said that I still have acid reflux and that my band was put in too high and that he not only cannot do a fill but that this could cause esophageul cancer. He su…

just got home from the hospital... drinking some broth, took my liquid tylenol, few sips of water... but am I supposed to feel full when drinking? Because I don't at all. I was told that i wouldn't be hungry for a few days on the liquids. Now does that mean that I wont get full off liquids, and I just need to keep sipping to stay hydrated, and that's not the hunger? I'm not hungry for food, but I would like some broth.... do i keep sipping? Can I be sipping too much? Is that confusing? Sorry. Someone help!!! :ohmy:

I was banded 11/10 and I had lost 12 ponds pre-op and six since surgery however scale hasnt moved in last two weeks. I had my first fill 12/12 and I think I am hungrier now after the fill. The doc wants me in on 12/18 for another fill. What do you think too soon or go for it?:thumbup::confused:

Well, I just got news this morning my wonderful mother inlaw is sending me some money for Christmas since I have lost enough weight to change pants and shirt sizes. So, While doing laundry today, I decided to go through my pants draw so see what all I needed. Little did I know, I was going to be making a trip to goodwill today. I had about 10 pairs of pants in my draw. They ranged from sizes 22 to 28. I knew right off the 28s would be to big but wasn't sure about the 24s. So, I try them on and they were too big, but they were my comfy pants last winter. Then I saw some 22s in the VERY bottom. I went ahead and tried them on, thought, well they wont fit but I will b…

Anyone here ever needed to have a hida scan done. I am having one tomorrow and am wondering what to expect.

Ok I know that there is a lot of different things out there on this some doctors say its ok others not at all. So my question is for those of you who ARE banded and have drank carbonated drinks, have you had any trouble? Have you had your band/pouch checked to see if there is any sign of it being damaged/stretched? Thanks for any help. Brandy

My wife and I both got banded on the 8th and so far at the beginning of my 5th day I've lost 12 pounds. My wife has lost 8. Her sister got banded about a year and a half ago and took off 120 lbs, but only 13 during the first month. Is it safe to assume that the vast majority of this is Water weight? Can I assume that the rapid loss will slow down once we move to the full liquids and then mushies?

I got banded on nov24 08 you think it would be okay to have a few beers at our company party

I was banded on 12/5/08. So far I have lost 21lbs. I am so tired. It seems like if i do something i just get tired. Just walking up the stairs makes me tired. I cooked some chicken in the crock pot to make it very moist, just to eat to get some protein in me thinking that would help, well i thought it helped. has anyone felt like this before?

I am 9 days post-op and I am really suffering for hunger. I have NO restriction at all and it really feels like touture. I have another 3 weeks on this liquid diet (for a total of 4 weeks) and it seems so hopeless. I have already cheated by taking a few chips out my sons plate today, just a couple but I still know its wrong. I have no restriction so it went down quite easy. I am constantly drinking like every 3hours and alot (Water and juice). Does anyone else feel this and if you do .....what did you do or eat for it? Any help will be appreciated! Thanks, Nic xx

HELLO,Has anyone had the band in takes lexapro anti-anxiety med..because i have gained alot of weight from this med in need to know will this effect the band..thanks

Hair loss, and lots of it. Im losing so much hair its unreal. I dont know what to do. Any suggestions????? PLEASE

I am a nutritionist, if anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

I just did two weeks ago today. I did not have my fill taken out, and learned later I should have. Anyways, I had a C-Section because baby was breech. Now, when I eat, it sorta hurts going down my throat. I don't know if this is associated with the band. I also can't feel my port anymore. I live 8 hours away from my band doctor, and I am not allowed to travel. I am sorta scared.

Ok to start I would like to say thank EVERYONE on this site because you all help me out so much. :smile2: Alright now for my question... I was banded on 12/11 and I seem to be healing and eating ok but I know when one is banded they expierence alot of gas discomfort and pain which I HAVE. Now I read that when you eat if you start burping it could be that you ate too much? I'm a little confused about that because I eat my suggested amount and I feel full but I do notice that I burp sometimes right after. Is there a reason or am I worried about nothing?

i think my doctor gets the band confused with his bypass patients...he tells me to take 5 minutes between bites, and never eat more than 4 oz, and eat only 3 meals a day...no pills for 2 months... and if i feel restriction then there is something wrong, that it's a myth about restriction... my friend in mississippi says that her doctor says eat within 20 minutes so you feel full...eat every 2 to 3 hours so you can stick to the 4 oz...she could have pills right after surgery if they were small...and that if restriction is a myth...why have the surgery? what is your opinions about these 2 totally different methods? does this sound like my doc is treating me like a bypas…

I can not stop the sugar, what is the deal? I can only eat a few ounces of protein (chicken, meat, fish) and then a few bites of some sides, then done. BUT, there is always room for dessert. Ice cream, cookies, cake, it goes down just fine. ??? It is like the healthy stuff is hard to eat and the sugar is easy. UGH- I have lost 22 in 4 months, but it would be 32 if I could get over the sugar problem...any advice?

OK! I had surgery here at The Cleveland Clinic on 10/29. I was on a liquid diet starting 10/15 leading up to my surgery. Then I followed the liquid, mushie - solid food deal. When I went in for post-op on 11/10 I had lost 22 lbs from 10/15. All of that was My doing. I went in on 12/1 for my first fill and was at the same loss. I do not know what kind of band I have - I guess I can just call them and ask? He put in 3cc's. I do not feel different. I understand it will take time. The problem is that I have been eating in the very small amount directive given in the book. I feel like in the last 2 days at lunch I can eat more than that - and have a lil. Also - at night someti…

Hi, I am newly banded and am looking for a good Protein supplement shake. Anyone have an suggestions for one that you love? Or like alot? Thanks for any and all suggestions!

I know this may make me sound like a lush, but what is the point of this "no alcohol for one year after banding rule" ? I truly don't drink often, or to excess (much to my dismay) but I do occasionally like a glass of wine with diner (or 30 mins before, 1 hr after, I get that part) or to be able to have a cocktail. I understand the bad calories. But if I can factor that into my diet, why no alcohol?

have a question for you that I never thought I would have to ask. Today (day 10 after my first fill) I added some meat to Breakfast and I found I didn't have to eat a second breakfast after all. Just eggs slip through to quickly. (Thanks for the advice.) So for lunch I had my chicken salad, actually maybe half of a serving and I thought I would try some slices of apple. I was curious if I would have any problem with the skin. It went down fine and tasted GREAT! I started to feel full and so instead of finishing what I usually ate I heard a voice in my head telling me to see how little I could get by on. If I was feeling full then I would stop. I didn't eat much. I never t…

Hi- I was wondering if any bandsters have had skin problems since surgery. I was banded in April & since my last fill in October I have had skin problems. If I get a cut on my legs it does not heal & scars. I have developed Rosacea on my face. I went to see a Dermatologist yesterday & he said I was dehydrated & need to drink more water immediately. Also I need to take my vitamins regularly. He thinks I might me vitamin deficient & said I should get a blood test. Funny at my last fill the doc gave me a script to get a blood test to check for vitamin deficencies. I guess I should follow up. :thumbup:

I went in for my second fill today. I had my first one (1.7 ccs in a 5 cc band) a week ago, and it didn't get me to good restriction -- it made a little tiny difference, but not a lot. So, I went in today & my doctor looked to see how much was in my band -- and she said that I only had .7 in it. I asked if that means I have a leak, and she said that I shouldn't worry at this point, and that it could mean that the band had low pressure (?) after surgery and that the extra 1 cc was left in the tube. Has anyone heard of this? We're going to monitor how the band is doing, but this makes me nervous. It's weird that a bunch of saline is missing. I just got banded…

I'm not very good at thinknig of questions and if I do think of a question I usually forget to ask haha so when I go to meet my surgeon I want to write down a list of questions. Could all please tell me what you think are questions I should be asking? THANK YOU!

My father died of metastatic lung cancer last Thursday and we burried him yesterday. I am so hurt right now. I just got banded in November and now I feel so selfish. Why should I care about myself? My dad just died. This is not making sense but it's how I feel. Man, I'm so hurt right now.

I was banded on Sept 17th and lost 70lbs so far(lots of cardio and weights) anyway, does anybody else have a problem itchy skin where there is stretch marks. I will scratch until I bleed. I am not sure if it is because of the skin trying to shrink, but it is driving me crazy. Am I the only one

i was banded on dec 3rd and so many people have asked me about how i was dealing with not being able to eat the foods that i loved so much. up until TODAY, i had not really had a problem with it. in my mind, i know that i was not going to be able to eat them for a while, if ever again. a co-worker brought a red velvet cake to work this morning and i cried because i knew that i could not have any. how many of you have dealt with this and how do you handle it? i feel so stupid for crying over food, but i can't help it.

Hello All I was banded June 2007. Have lost 108 lbs. Was doing great till I got a small fill .25cc 2 months ago. Since then I have no restriction. Went back to dr last month. He put in another 5cc. Still nothing. Think I may have a leak or has my band just stopped working. Have an appt Jan 20 for a floroscope, don't know what to expect. If I have to have the whole thing redone, so be it. I love this band, the only thing that has ever worked for me. But I am beginning to feel like I may be fat again, maybe I am doomed to be fat forever. Has anyone out there ever had this problem? Please reply I am scared to death. Charlotte :blushing:

:blink:seriously!!! i need some advice because i am going crazy! i am so very aggrivated right now. i was banded august 27th and have ONLY LOST 23 POUNDS! :thumbup: whats the freakin problem?? what am i doing wrong? i mean seriously... well- ok do i exercise?? to be honest no, but only b/c i get up at 6, leave house by 730 drive 45 minutes to work, get off btw 5 and 7 usually then drive home, but when i get home i have school work, a husband, and a child. so you tell me where im to fit in exercise??!!???!:eek: but i know that can not be the only reason why im not loosing weight. so what is the problem??? i have had 3 fills and i feel the same. i am still able to eat pret…

I had my surgery 12 days ago 3/12 and it went really well, everyone in the hospital commented how wonderful I was getting around so quickly. Aside from shoulder pain and wrist pain from the drip which only lasted 3 days I have had no pain in my stomach. Is this wrong?? On the way home from hospital I felt the urge to vomit, but it was like vomiting up big burps. Could the band have slipped? I am struggling to stick to the clear fluid diet, I have tried to stick to it but find myself eating thicker and thicker soups and pureeing foods I probably shouldnt be eating yet as Im hungry and the band doesnt even feel like its there. Whats wrong with me????

Ok so i had my 2nd fill on 12/5 i have a total of 3.5cc in my 10cc band....Lately ive been noticing that food gets stuck alot more now than my 1st fill (probably have more restriction) I throw up almost every other day or so i try not to (i need to slow down with eating)...well last night stupid me decided to try some of my sons soft pretzel and it got stuck...i threw up 3 times (of course not real throw up because it didnt make it below the band) well i started noticing later on that night that my throat was killing me (like a sore throat when ur gettin sick)...today it feels a little better (probably because i took tylenol) but im a little worried did i do something bad…

I drink my required 60+ ounces of water a day but I always feel thirsty. I mean REALLY thirsty. What gives? Does anyine else have this problem?

Hello everyone, not sure how to navigate around this site, but here goes. My surgery was on 4th Dec 08 and am getting really sick, tired and desperate to be off the liquid diet. I'm glad to read that I am not alone! Any tips to keep me focused???

Hi everyone, My big day is thursday....YAY! I have a three day prep to do nightly beginning tomorrow... 2 T Milk Of Magnesia-yuk Fleet enema-double yuk antibacterial shower The Milk of Mag I can do,but an enema-ew. I am doing just liquids the next couple of days, no more Medi-fast shakes.What can they possibly expect to get out of me! Anyone else have to do this? Thanks

I had lapband surgery in June, 2008, with no complications until yesterday. After eating I felt like something was stuck. I waited & waited but the pain is still there today--almost 24 hours later. It's intense pain in my upper back...any ideas? Have been throwing up also--even liquids.

I lost quite a bit pre and post op. But now that I'm on solids and have no fill, I've gained a few pounds back:frown: I'm trying hard to follow the rules about how much to eat. I'm learning to take small bites and eat protein first, etc. But darn it, I'm starving by the end of the day. I still have 3 weeks until a fill and am worried I'll gain the weight back. The doctor says don't worry about it, this isn't the time for losing, this is the time for healing and re-learning how to eat. But it bothers me. Should I just suck it up and go back to starving until my fill or not worry about it? Is this just me?

HOW WOULD ONE KNOW IF THE POUCH IS STRECHED. WOULD YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS. i'M DOWN 88 LBS. TO DATE AND IT SEEMS THAT I CAN EAT TWICE AS MUCH