POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hello everyone! I was banded Oct. 21st and am doing relatively well. I have only lost 20 lbs. but I am staying positive. However; the incision where my port is still has not healed. The other incisions have all healed nicely without any problems. The port incision is still "yucky". It is draining and there is a hole. I go to the doctor tomorrow, but I just wanted to know if anyone else had experienced this?:smile2:

Hey Last night I experienced pain on my left side where my port is for the first time. I tried to lay on that said, but could not and then it was hard to get out of bed and twist that way. I have not noticed it hurting til just now. Has anybody wlse experienced this? Thanks, Joan

I have several recipes that are healthy and taste great! The first one is your basic chili. I use ground turkey meat, but you can use regular. Ground turkey is better for you and doesn't taste that much different. 1 medium vidalla or sweet onion chopped 2 cans of red kidney beans - drained 1 lb of cooked ground turkey 1 T of chili powder - make it mild or hot - your choice 1 can of diced tomatoes - you can add pepper or chilis if you like 1 cup of water mix all together and top with some cheese. Great protein! ============================================ Tex Mex Meatloaf (again I use ground turkey, but you can make it beef) 1 1/2 lbs of ground turke…

Howdy everyone -- a question for the group. Was banded 2 weeks ago tomorrow -- everything went well. Feel great. Incisions healing nicely and get to start mushies tonight -- can anyone say mashed potatoes and soft baked fish! One minor concern. Right after being banded whenever I would hiccup or burb it would really hurt in my stomach, inside. Like it was a sharp jab. Trouble is -- it's still doing this and sometimes there is a just a vague general ache in my stomach. I have had zero problems eating. Everything goes down. I have not deviated from the diet even once since starting my pre-op diet. My friend (who was banded 6 months ago) asked if I thought it was my …

I got banded on nov 24th i hope i will go to mushie stage quick what are considerd mushie foods i can eat any ideas

Holy crap, I just got the hiccups, and it scared me like anything. My usual remedy is to drink down Water, but I can't do that now! Tell me I'm being paranoid, and that hiccups don't cause the band to slip or anything! I'm on day 7 post-op. -vangirl

today makes 1 week since i was banded. tonight i cheated and ate a bit of protein in my soup. i now feel nauseas and concerned that i messed something up. how are other people doing after your first week? are you still in pain? i am a bit around my stitches. i go back to work tomorrow and surprisingly i am excited because it will hopefully get food off my mind. wieght down is 10 pds..

Ok, just had my first non liquid meal in 4 weeks tonight!:wink2: I had 2 oz. of moist cooked flounder and 1/4C of mashed potatoes. I wanted some soft cooked veggies but my list says that's week 4. So my question to all the veterans out there -- how long would it take me to PB or vomit. I ate slow. Chewed well. Stopped when I was full. It's been about 15 minutes -- would I have gotten sick already? When that happens is it an immediate thing? I told you guys it was a silly question.:smile2:

I had surgery at 11:00 yesterday. Minimal gas (no shoulder or back pain, etc.), only two incisions, 1 hour in surgery. I am already up and around (more like, up, around for 5 minutes and lay down for 10). I had some percoset (sp?) for the first day and then one small one for a cab ride home. I am sore but ok. I am not hungry but don't feel much restriction. (I stocked up on amazing soups and was dying to have them last week and now I am not hungry!) I was given a bunch of saline and I hope that accounts for why I GAINED 6 pounds in the hospital! Ouch. (how dumb is that to check?) I am slowly sipping a wonderful, warm cafe con leche and have managed to finish may…

Hi all, I have a likely dumb question, but it is causing me some anxiety. I have had my second fill and am ready for a third. After the second fill I had restriction until about a week ago and then NOTHING....I don't feel any restriction at all. Is there something wrong with my band? Did I break it? Is this normal? I am feeling quite panicked. I had to have my last fill under ultrasound and the port was hard to find. I am feeling nervous about my the upcoming fill as I haven't lost any weight this month....sigh... Anyway if anyone could point me in the right direction about my restriction issue...thanks Chris:eek:

Met with my doctor's office to set my surgery date. My doctor does not want me to go back to work for two weeks after surgery. Due to the nature of my job, there is no way I can miss two weeks of work. Most of work involves sitting at my desk with leading meetings for two hours twice a week. How long did you all wait to get back to work? Please note, becuase circumstances at work, I CAN NOT TAKE 2 WEEKS OFF, so please do not tell me to just go ahead and take it off. I have already arranged to just work 2 days a week. That is all I could get. Thanks.

Hi All, I have not taken any otc meds for pain since before the surgery and right now i'm at work and I have the worst headache.ACK! I don't have my list of what are some approved OTC meds I could take for a headache. Can anyone help me ? Thank you !!!

Hi everyone, 10 days post-op and I am healing nicely. I am adjusting to what and how much to eat and am feeling great.....EXCEPT for the stupid ITCHING around my incisions. It is driving me crazy tryng not to scratch :biggrin:!!! I see my surgeon tomorrow for my post-op follow-up, and hopefully the last couple of steri strips will come off, and provide some itch relief. Anyway, I just needed to rant, and I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! Randy

I was banded last Thursday and everything has been tolerable except for this intense sharp pain on the top of my left shoulder and it gets worse after i've eaten. i've tried a heating pad and walking and walking and it keeps coming back and it seems worse every time, it's HORRIBLE and brings tears to my eyes. Does anyone have suggestions and could explain why gas is in my shoulder!?!?!?!??!?!?!:thumbup::scared2::ohmy:

Hi All, Well I weighed myself this morning and finally,I have lost one more pound . I know it's only one pound but I was excited. The only thing that I did different the last couple of days was increased my calories slightly. I've also decided to stay on mushies a little bit longer ,even if the dietician decides to progress me to the stage 4 diet this Friday when I go in for my one month post -op. Last Friday ,I had a tremendous amount of chest pain and I suspect part of my problem has been ,I tend to eat fast because i'm always on the go and I have to stop that because ,BOY OH BOY is it painful,my other issue is,in my opinion I think I probably should have stayed on liq…

Hey! o.k. so part of the reason why I wanted to get banded is because I was not (am not) producing any eggs and at 34yrs young I didnt want to miss my chances of ever conceiving.....my H2B and I would like to have a tatertot one day and well I was just wondering if there were women out there who because of their obesity experienced the no ovulating and now do because of the surgery and how long did it take for your body to function "normally." ......

Hello Folks....Just a relationship question.....How has having weight loss surgery changed the relationship you were or currently in?

I had my banding November 24th. I'm feeling good but just have some heartburn here and there. My problem is ever since I've been banded I've been noticing "bad breath" not to mention my wife has noticed it too. Is anyone else having the same problem? I'm still the liquid stage so can I chew gum or take mints? Thanks Bill:embaressed_smile:

I got my lap band done on nov24th 2008 i have been under the care of a pain management dr due to two herniated disc in my neck which no dr with operate on until i lose weight my lap band dr told me to stop taking my hydrcodone in pill form could this be because they gave me a prescription for liquid vicadian im not hurting my stomach by still taking my hydrocodone in pill form am i i live in pain everyday

See video, about half way through: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3tYliTpDiY]YouTube - Third Fill Appointment - Part C - Lap Band[/ame]

This is a note to tell the 'other side' of what can go wrong with a choice for surgery and lapbanding. I am a patient of Dr Leungs in Surrey, BC and I saw him last year in November 2007 to get 'listed' for surgery. Postponed twice in Fall of 09 the surgery was performed on October l7th as a day patient. First scheduled surgery at 9:30 out into recovery by 3:00 Asking for assistance with severe chest pain and the hospital performs an ecg and a xray. Nothing appears to be unusual and sent to daycare. Continuous complaints about severe chest pain the nurses call Leung to council. He tells the nurses to give me tylonel 3 with codene and to go home and 'stop complaining…

Ok I am really nervous I was banded in august and yesterday I had a virus which made me dry heave 3 times I tried everything I could not to throw up. Today I have a sharp pain in my stomach that really hurts right where the band would be. Does this mean I hurt the band or do you think it is just sore? I am really nervous please any help would be appreciated.

I am a few days shy of 4 weeks post op. I have healed well and am starting to eat more solid food now I am at the end of my mushie phase. I was told I would only be able to eat about half a cup of food at a time but I am eating more. Sometimes I can easily eat a full cup (measuring cup) before I feel full. I have had no fills yet. I always stop once I feel 'full' and have only overeaten on a few occasions (mainly at the start of the mushie phase when I sometimes ate too fast). I am worried as I have been the same weight for two weeks even though I am walking for 45min every second day. I am eating well and have only had a few 'naughty' foods since my op. By naughty I me…

Hey all, Looking for some support and answers. I was banded on 10/22, I have lost 31 lbs. I am now eating soft protien what Kaiser calls stage 4, deli meats, cheese, eggs, cooked veggies, etc. Since starting this I have not lost a pound in 11 days. I am measuring my food, exercising daily. What is going on? I have not been over eating although I feel like I could eat or drink anythng (I have not tested it). I never feel full... but I am not hungry after eating... Feeling pretty bummed right now.... :thumbup:

I went for my 1st follow up appt today, I was banded on the 18th. I thought i wouldnt get to have reg foods for 2 more weeks. My doctor told me stay on full liqs for a few more day, then I can start chicken and fish and veggie. HAPPY. He just said stay away from pizza and subs. I told him, right now baked chicken sound amazing. I have lost 25lbs, from my pre-op diet to now. another happy moment. I go back 1-5- 09 for my first fill. It went better than i thought today.

I had my surgery on Nov. 20th. So I'm what, 10 days post op? I haven't lost an ounce. How can I not lose weight when I'm consuming less than 800 calories a day? I'm on liquids still, and I'm doing everything they asked of me, yet today I get up and yet again I haven't lost anything. Did anyone not lose weight at first? I didn't gain any, not after surgery or since, but I'm not losing. I'm totally steady at the same weight. It's making me insane! I've done pretty well all over the map with this whole process, today I'm very discouraged, frustrated and disappointed. I feel like I should have at least dropped a couple of pounds. I go back for my 2 week on Thursday. I'm …

I am due for surgery for the Lap Band procedure in 2 days. My question for those who have going through this surgery is: 1. Did you or could you bring a pillow to the hospital for the (ugg) gurney? I don't like the thought of laying flat on my back for 2-3 hours waiting for surgery, or is the pre op bed more like a raised hospital bed? 2. Can I, did you bring my own little blanket...I know I'm a BIG baby! :-) 3. Was it okay to bring in a book to read in pre op? 4. How long did it take before you felt like you could go home? My surgeon said I could go home as soon as I felt up to it.

What do i expect?

What happens if you can tolerate solids without any problem and move a little faster on the post op diet....can that hurt the band?

Hi - I had my first fill exactly one week ago...I was able to eat a grilled cheese w/no problems. So today went to have a little more added and now it hurts to eat. I can drink very very slowly and it took me an hour to finish a yogurt. Is it common to be tighter right after a fill? I am just concerned since my dr.'s office will be closed Thursday and Friday. Any past experiences and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I havnt been following this rule....exactly and was wondering if this is why I am not feeling restricted...I havent had my first fill yet I was just banded on Nov 13th and well I havent done all that great as far as sticking to the post-op diets. At this point though I am able to eat pretty much anything and have. Outside of the TERRIBLE GAS I have experienced much else...no restrictions for me....oh except on Thanksgiving the Lasagna almost killed me...wont be doing that anymore... so should I be drinking 45mins b4 eating or vice versa or does it even matter?? :thumbup:

I am 25 days post-op. So, last night we got together with some friends and one of them wanted to feel my port. So I told her where to "push" and she did, though she pushed a little harder for my liking. Anyways, she felt it, and that was the end of that. So I was getting ready for bed last night, and I started to push on my port site to feel it - and I felt a pop. :cursing: It didn't hurt at all, but I felt a slight pop beneath my finger, and I definitely think I heard it pop too. It's been about 14hrs now and I've still not felt any pain at my port site. Could I have popped a stitch last night? I'm freaking out man! I plan to call my doctor first thing to…

I was just banded on 11/26/08 and I am currently on thin liquids for about 10 more days. This is difficult because even though I feel full I AM STILL HUNGRY!. Will I feel this way after my first fill or is this mind over matter I must battle with for now on?:thumbup: can't wait to move onto thicker liquids at least.

Well, thanksgiving was interesting. Mashed potatoes and stuffing went donw ok. THere was a mix of people who knew I was banded and didn't know., fun afternoon explaining it to many people. Interesting thing is that I found my self feeling that I had to explain that It was all the hard work I ws doing and not the band that was helping me lose 64lbs in 2.5months. That the band was just a tool. I guess I shouldn't care what they think. I really think people assume the band is a magic pill or something, or that it is cheating, anyway I am grateful for it and would reccomend it

ok so I was banded a little over 4 yeeks ago and on tuesday I got my first fill. But I am hungry and not loosing. I try and watch what I eat but I guess I dont feel restriction should I call and request my 2nd fill or give it more time???

I was banded 11/18, so 12 days post op. I am going to my docs monday, so i am going to ask him too. how many calories were your eating 2 weeks out. I am on full liq for 2 more weeks. I am not getting hungry. Any thought ...

im just curious as to what multi vitamins are the various drs recomending

I had my surgery this past Thu (11/20). I am suppose to be on thin liquids for 2 weeks, then thick liquids for 2 weeks, and THEN I get soft foods. So basically I'm a month away from any sort of food. I'm really thinking, hoping, whatever, that at my follow up appt. on Dec. 5th that he gives me to go ahead to move on to soft foods. I cannot lose weight like this. I'm not talking about anything more than yogurt, or eggs, or oatmeal. Just anything that will give me some calories. I also feel like this sets me up for failure. That's 5 weeks on liquids, it seems a bit extreme. I can swallow my regular meds with no problems, and I have flown through this thing without bre…

I was banded on November 3rd. I am not in the soft/pureed food stage. I eat pretty much anything besides red meats and Pasta. My dietician told me I need to eat meals between 1/2 cup and 3/4 cup three times a day. However, I never get full! I am not hungry afterwards but I never get my full. She told me it's normal the first six weeks. But, what do I do about cravings? I am constantly craving things (especially while I am PMSing!!) and I want to eat them and sometimes I do :thumbup: and I know I shouldn't. Any tips?

I was banded on 11-25-2008 and since then have recovered really well. I have followed the doctors orders about eating and walking, and have lost 10 pounds so far. However I have been experiencing some odd effects and was wondering if it is from the surgery or something else. For instance I'm now always cold, I need extra blankets at night to stop the shivering. I need to bundle up more before venturing outside. I realize this all could be a coincedence since it is Nov/Dec in Michigan, but I never suffered through the cold like I do now. Secondly I wake up after about 4 hours of sleep and can't go back to sleep. At this point I'm ready to begin my day, however it's only …

Hi, I had the band put on the 25th, and I have to say that today is the 1st day I have felt decent since, I know it is going to be worth it, but I swear for a few days there I thought a bullet would have done me more good, have other people here felt that way? I admit, I am starting to crave food and meat, but I have a lot of support from my husband and I hope it will be ok, I am drinking the proper amount of water and protein but am still light headed today, any thoughts? Well thanks for providing this place, it has been a blessing.

What is PBing? I see that referenced a lot but have no idea what it means. I am guessing it means vomiting but I just don't know for sure. Can someone please let me know what it means? Thanks. Tracie

My doctor never mentioned taking these but I see that others do. What is the purpose of these vitamins?

Hi Everyone! I had my surgery on October 16th and like many of you I fear that the band won't work for me. I weigh myself twice everyday (once in the morning and once in the afternoon). I have 6.5 cc's in my 14 cc band and I have restriction but I want more because I think it will work even better for me. I have my 3rd fill scheduled for Dec 12th and I think that one will hold me for a while. The point of this thread is to share with everyone what I am dealing with personally and some things I have come to realize. I have lost 44 pounds since I was banded. This weekend I had more energy than I have had in a long time. I am assuming its coming from th…

Ok... so I was banded on the 21st of November 2008. I thought I was prepared for the post surgery diet, but I've come to realize that I was so wrong. For the first 3 days, I did the clear liquid diet with no problems. For day 4 to 14, I was instructed to follow the full liquid diet program, and from week 2-4 I was to progress to soft/purees. On day 4, I was hungry and wanted something with substance. I had mushy Beans. I ate a very little bit and was full. I had no discomfort at all. That night, I drank the juice of a Soup. Since then, I've also had rice, bread, a very small amount of tender meat on Thanksgiving and Cereal. I had actually convinced myself that as long …

At my first fill a little over a week ago the doc had me sit up with needle still in my port and drink some water. He asked me if it felt like it was backing up in my throat or if it was kind of painful in my chest. At the point that there was a little backing up in my throat I told him so. However, now I'm wondering if I was being too cautious. Can anyone describe the feeling you have drinking the water when you have proper restriction?

I am 5 days post op and have moved from liquids to mushy foods. Every time I eat, I have a bowel movement, is this normal? I have lost 13 pounds in 5 days, which I am excited about. Also, I started my period today and noticed that it was much heavier then normal... ( I was very irregular, got my period 4-5 times a year), is this because of the weight loss?

Hello everyone: It is Thanksgiving Day, so what are you thankful for?? I will start by saying: My health, having health insurance, and being banded My family, they are always there for me My friends, give me strength and encouragement Being employed, when so many people are being layed off Having a home to live in, when so many are facing foreclosure

Ok, all you experienced banders. I am newly banded (just this last Monday). Today, both my kids have got the stomach flu and are throwing up. Obviously, I'm concerned that since I'm newly banded, should I catch it and have violent vomiting I will displace my band. Anyone have any experience with a stomach bug after being banded?

I was banded the day before Thanksgiving and both of my calves are pretty sore...the right is worse than the left. I contacted my doctor yesterday morning and after answering multiple questions, he stated that he wasnt worried and that it was probably due to the compression bands that I wore around my calves before, during, and after my surgery. They massaged my calves. Has anyone else experienced this? I also want to say that although this is my first post, I have been reading the forums since my surgery was scheduled. I would just like to thank everyone for giving of themselves and posting such great advice. Every question or concern has been answered by read…