POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Maybe I'm just being a baby here....but OMG I'm in pain. My stomach feels like it's going to stretch open every time I move. The doc's office said i should be up to 4 oz of fluids at a sitting today but there's no way....anything more than a sip or two of juice/water makes me want to throw up. Speaking of that....i'm "throwing up" air which are the strangest burps I've ever had. And if my sister tells me one more time that her sis-in-law was back to work, on her feet no less!, two days after she had her band...I will find the energy to kill her. (Ok, not really but that fab x-mas present I've already bought is sooooooo going back.) Can someone please tell me this t…

Hi. I was banded on November 4th and I haven't been following the post op diet. My MD had me on clears for 2 weeks now I'm on soft foods. Here's my problem, my father has just been diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer and was given a couple of months to live. He was diagnosed shortly after my surgery and now I'm eating out of stress. I really want this badly and now I'm afraid that I could hurt my band. I am a registered nurse and I know better. Please don't judge me. I will get back on track today, no more cheating. Any words of encouragement are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I had my first fill about a week ago and I feel I was more restricted before it! I definitely am not restricted right now and I am starting my snacking at night, which got me here in the first place! I suppose this is bandster hell! I can get another fill after 4 weeks, but as I'm sure we all do, I wish I could get one now!

I've looked back about 10 pages on the threads and didn't see anything like this...but I was just wondering...has anyone noticed specific situations or times when you feel more restriction? For example, obviously, I think most people feel more restriction in the morning. I actually can't usually eat lunch at my scheduled lunch time, but sometimes about an hour later or so, I'm fine. I usually can't eat a whole lot until dinner time...which is the WORST time to have a big meal...obviously!!!I also have felt more restriction when I went into higher altitude. I asked my doctor if the altitude was the reason I couldn't eat anything for three days and he said it was VER…

I can't have Splenda or Equal. Different nasty reactions to both. I can only tolerate Sweet & Low and have not found any sf drinks. I am hoping to get banded or bypassed in a couple months and not being able to have sf anything while going through the process worries me. Not able to have sugar is not fun either when there are no subsitutes that I can tolerate in sf yogurt, etc. Ideas folks? Anything would be appreciated. :thumbup:

Okay, I am 4 months post op......how much am I supposed to be eating???? I can go 4 or 5 hours without getting hungry (so thats great!) but when I do eat....for example this a.m. I had 2 scrambled eggs, one of those round sausage patties, and a piece of toast. Should I be eating all of this? Someone please tell me what you are eating..........give me some examples:smile2: Thanks to all!~~

I am scheduled for surgery on Mon. I have to stay overnight. I am in NYC so will take a cab home from the hospital either way but *I* would prefer to check out, get in a cab myself and my husband meets me at home. So, I need to bring my cell phone and debit card for cab. Did anyone bring pjs? I am just wearing comfy, easy to put on clothes. Anything else you were glad you brought? TIA!

I was banded by Dr. Hung at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Lincoln, NE on 11/24/08. I was planning on an overnight stay, but because of swelling around the band had to stay two nights. To be honest pain has been minimal, and once I left the hospital I only used one dose of the pain medication. I have some stiffness in my abdomen, but I expected that. The biggest problem I have faced was getting liquids to go through. The swelling around the band caused the opening to be very small, and even small sips of Water felt as if they were backing up into my throat. As the swelling has decreased this problem is decreasing, but the first few days had me second guessing my decision. …

Would it be Ok to have some pureed vegetables or scrambled eggs as I am so sick of the liquid diet?:thumbup:

Im only a week after surgery and ive been thinking about the foods im going to miss. Of course with it being Thanksgiving and all I get to see them on display everywhere I turn. Maybe its a withdrawl mental thing, i dont know. My will power is strong so I will be fine. My question is growing up in the south i have grown acustom to loving tortilla chips (nachos,dips,salsas,chalupas) what has been your experience with tortilla chips post surgery. Of course past the post op diets and phases. Once you're on full foods. Is it something that is done without all together? Is ok for the band if broken down enough? They are so delicious to me. Thanks

I didn't do as well as I would have liked today at Thanksgiving dinner, but DEFINITELY ate about 1/4 of what I would have eaten had I not gotten the band so I am happy with that. Also, I exercised before dinner and am planning a good workout tomorrow. I only brought home a little stuffing as a leftover so I won't continue to binge. I hope that the rest of your had good luck and did well!

I'm on Day 4, and while I've experienced the blessing of having little to no hunger, I'm worried that I'm not getting enough nutrients and Water. Is there a minimum amount of water we should be drinking post-op? And liquid intake? I've also been terribly constipated, which I'm sure is contributing to this horrid gas pain that many people seem to experience after the surgery. Has anyone had experience with benefibre? I'm afraid to take anything because the few times I overdid it on liquids, I experienced such pain in my chest that I thought I'd cause the band to slip.

First off, Happy Thanksgiving to all! I enjoyed my day in bed resting up, while trying to move as much as possible. I'm on day 4 (had surgery on monday) and still find it very hard to do much. I'm sticking to my strict full liquid diet. . . but when I get up and walk around I just feel like throwing up, the only thing that seems to make me feel "normal" is laying on my back, is that pretty standard? I dunno if the pain is gas related or what. It's certainly tolerable as long as I'm laying down, but the moment I get up to pee or stretch it becomes on the overkill side. Any advice/medicine recommendations (gas-x?) would be highly appreciated. Happy holidays! -B…

Hi everyone, I am almost 3 weeks post surgery and am starting to feel nauseous in the mornings especially after I eat. I watch my portions and eat slowly. Has anyone else experienced this?

I have about 6 pairs of size 16 jeans (some with tags still and the others barely worn) i think one may be corduroy and one khaki i think size 14. They are free so if you are from north jersey or willing to drive to north jersey they are yours!

I was out all day today and decided to stop for dinner and have a little Soup at the Olive Garden. I mistakingly bit a very small bit of a soup soaked bread and it got stuck. I waited for about 15 minutes and eventually, I burped and released about a cup full of saliva, the small piece of chewed bread, and some of the soup I had sipped. There wasn't any bile and it didn't necessarily feel as if I had truly vomited. Am I alright? Is it possible that I've harmed my band? What should I be concerned about? I've had some soup to eat in the last hour and I feel normal. My stomach feels like it normally does when I'm full with the band. If it were to "slip", what would I be …

I was out all day today and decided to stop for dinner and have a little Soup at the Olive Garden. I mistakingly bit a very small bit of a soup soaked bread and it got stuck. I waited for about 15 minutes and eventually, I burped and released about a cup full of saliva, the small piece of chewed bread, and some of the soup I had sipped. There wasn't any bile and it didn't necessarily feel as if I had truly vomited. Am I alright? Is it possible that I've harmed my band? What should I be concerned about? I've had some soup to eat in the last hour and I feel normal. My stomach feels like it normally does when I'm full with the band. If it were to "slip", what would I be …

Hey guys. Just signed up for Lapband. My surgery was Tuesday. The shoulder pain is killing me. I'm 21 years old and I have school monday. I hope that I will be able to move around to my classes. I'm really nervous about this whole thing. I find myself craving crackers and seafood. No clue why but I'm dying to eat some sushi. -Whitney

I was banded on 10/21. Today was my day to wake up and think "gosh, I feel pretty good". Anyway, I have a numbness on my right thigh on the outside. Runs from the knee up to about my butt. I spoke with the nurse on Friday as it had not got away. She said that it may have to do with how I was laying on the operating table............ Feels as if this area is asleep all the time Anyone else experience this or know what is going on?? Thanks in advance.

I was banded on 3-31-2008 and lost 42 lbs by 9-11-2008. Yet I noticed last month that I had gained some wait plus my port had came a loose and was giving my some problems. Now after my surgery on 11-21-2008 I looked like I haven't lost any weight. My question is.....Is this normal?

how long does the restriction last for after surgery?? i have a 10cc band with no fill but feel very restricted, i am 7 days post op

I am 4 weeks post op. A couple of days ago I started having a stabbing, almost a burning pain at my port site. It hurts most when I get up out of a chair, roll over in bed, bend over, or lift something. I'm also having pain across the middle of my back. I'm scared something is wrong. :grouphug: Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi. I hope you all are doing well and had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I have a question for those of you who have had fills. I often read about people who are very tight right after a fill and then their band gets looser. Is there anyone, besides me, who felt nothing right after a fill.... like for a week or two and THEN began to feel restriction. It seems kinda backwards... and I am a little bit strange... but... anyone know what I am talking about?? Becky

Okay since surgery on Nov 19 I have noticed that my stomach is swollen. Look at it this way if I am walking into a room my stomachs enters at least 3 seconds before the rest of me!!! When will this go down?? I have always carried alot of weight in my stomach it was not flat before surgery by no stretch of imagination!! Anyway how long does this take?

Anyone know why we aren't supposed to chew gum? No one tol me this until I read it on this. I have been chewing it without a problem.

I am really struggling right now and really realize what an addiction to food I have. I look at something and really am sad that I cannot eat the whole thing. Anyone else in that situation? Any advice?[

BEFORE Close to 300lbs Dec 07 AFTER Down 85lbs Thanksgiving 2008

I was banded with the Realize system on the 24th of November. They put the port right between my breasts, right on the breast bone .....ouch!!! This is the only place that hurts and stings sometimes. No gas no nothing....just that pain. I am not sure if it is because of the way they secured the port, location of the port with the lack of fat in the area, or something that is normal feeling with all ports that are new. Anyone else with their port located in the same location? How long did it take for the sensations to go away? I can't even wear a bra!

How long do u take to eat? We are suppose to eat slow, small bites at a time, are you able to do it? I don't feel like I am, I have struggle to take 20 min. to eat and Im suppose to take 30-40? am I the only one like this? do you weigh you food? do u mesure everything? if yes what is a normal portion for you? Im sure I eat to much. My weigh lost is not that good and Im a little down about all of this.... Thanks for you answer. Julie surgery 09-08-08 lost 25lb.

I had a fry because I could't resist, but I felt like I did't chew enough and I felt it got stuck. It went away after a few minutes of trying to burp. What do I do if this happens.

My 21 year old daughter was just banded yesterday. She came home last night, and actually felt fairly well this morning. BUT NOT NOW!! She is starting to experience the shoulder pain, the gas and everything else I have read about on here. She has not gotten on this website like I have advised her to read about all she is going through, so I was hoping to bring it to her. If someone, anyone could email her...new banders, old banders...and just reassure her that it will go away and that everyone else is going thru it to...and maybe someone could even talk her into signing up to use this wonderful website that would be awesome. Her name is Whitney and her email is NITW…

I had lapband done on nov 24 monday and for some reason my calf muscles are tight and sore like i walked a hundred miles get this be the gas everybody talks about in your system after surgery

Hello, I had surgery 10/15 and lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks. It's going to be 1 month since surgery and I haven't lost any weight. I am eating small portions excerising 4 to 5 times a week. I just want to know if it's normal? Will I begin losing weight again? I'm not even snacking. Any advice would be great. Thanks M:smile:

Maybe I just need another fill or I haven't found the so call "sweet spot"...I have been able to consume way more then 1 1/2 cups of food at a sitting...I have been forcing myself to stick to smaller portions but during that "time of the month" it's like I have a tapeworm or something....I do chew my food to death so maybe the food it going thru the band easily. I was just wondering if there are signs that you have over stretched your pouch... Would it create any type of infection or hang over the band? Has this happened to anyone? Just curious.

:tt2:I just had to share how wonderful the lap band has been for me. I was banded on sept17th, and with the 2week pre diet I am down 63 lbs. I am learning a ton. Most of all is that the key to losing weight does not change with the band, it comes down to watching what you eat and exercise(lots of it). before I started I wore a 20 or 22 inch neck on my shirt, Tonight I bought a 17.5. I was wearing a 44 pants size, just bought a 38. My bmi is below 40, and my drivers licence weight is actuall acurate. Yeah for the band. it is possible with the right amount of work and a great support system(New U in Idaho falls rocks) and a great family. Lets all keep pushing foward,

I was banded June 23, 2008. I had my 5th fill Monday Nov. 24th. I could immediately tell that I was finally restricted. The nurse said that my doc may have filled me too much because it took me a long time to drink the cup of water she gave me. My doctor had already left because he was called to an emergency. I have 4.5cc's in a 10cc band. I thought I should have 6cc's now but I think he must have missed the port the last 2 times. I know that I am still swollen from the fill but I am having a real hard time drinking liquids. I am on liquids for 2 days, mushies for 2 days then solids. On Monday I had 1 cup of coffee before my fill. After the fill I could only get …

Hi again, My question is this (and I seem to have several at once lol) but anyways,I had my surgery on 11-3-08. I've not had a fill yet but there are times when I eat that it's almost uncomfortable (pain in the chest area)and then there are times I can't feel anything. I posted this in one of my replies but I figured i'd post this thread by it's self. Can you all give me some idea what you were FEELING a few weeks after your surgery? I'd really appreciate it!!

Hi All, It's been 3 weeks since my surgery and i'm still at only a 10 pound weight loss. I don't get it. I'm eating well and exercising. I thought that this would be a plateau but wouldn't that have passed by now? Is this normal? Has anyone else experianced this? My fill is on January 8th and it can't come soon enough? Why do they wait so long to give me the fill? Any suggestions? Thank you! The dietician said that I may not lose much from that last appt and until January. Why is that ? If i'm exercising and eating healthy,why wouldn't I lose weight?

Hi everyone. I was banded 10/30/08 and have a post-op diet question. Without being told the dangers of not following the post-op diet, I was wondering if anyone ignored it and ate according to how they felt? Have you had any problems since doing it your own way? Thanks

i am 3 weeks post op tomorrow. Still have one week of mushies left. I tested eating a small piece of chicken (skinless) which i chewed to mush and it hurt. At which point after banding did you eat solids without pain?

I'm 2 days post op. The gas and shoulder pains are getting better. I'm taking the Lortab as directed. My problem is I've been having Headaches on and off since the surgery. The Lortab helps the stomach pain but doesn't touch the headaches. Anyone out there able to shed some light on this and a remedy?:grouphug: Thanks and Happy Thankgiving to all!! regards... Bill

i bought bariatric advantage sub lingual b12 and its taking forever for it to dissolve and its gross, any one else notice this?

Ok, For a while now, well let me start out saying I was banded June 9th Since then I've lost a pretty decent amount, now averaging about 7lbs a month. Anyway, I had only 2 fills. But, here lately, everything I eat Im throwing up. And there is this slime, that is so thick I never seen anything like it. I tell everyone I have medically induced blemia or however you spell it. Its not a funny matter, and in fact Im going a lot of days without eating. Not by choice of course. I dont want to get an unfill, however, my husband wants me to cause he cant stand to see me like this. My biggest problem is Im not exercising as much as I should be so this is really working for me. I do…

I am a little over 2 months into the band and everything has been going really well. I've lost about 35 lbs and will have my 2nd fill on Dec 10th. For the past 3 days I've had this pain on my left side only. Kinda feels like its under my rib cage and hurts when I take in deep breaths. Not sure if its my port its on the same side but lower. Has anyone experienced this? Didn't know if I should contact my doctor but its not getting better and hurts a little more each day. My drinking and eating is fine. Any ideas on what this could be is appreciated.

Does any take fish oil? I started taking it a few weeks before surgery. I stop day before surgery. I am planning to ask my doctor next week what he thinks. I just wondering, if anyone else took it. The pills are Huge. I am scare it wont go down. I dont want to start taking it now, but i was wondering if i would even be able to in a few months. I was banded on nov 18th.

Hi, I am 4 days post-op now, and moving from a clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet, and I am having some trouble understanding what my body is telling me. The biggest problem I have is trying to figure out if I am actually hungry, and I need to drink something, OR am I experiencing gas pain, and general surgery pain. There have been times now, when I decided I must be hungry, and go ahead and drink something. Which then makes me feel better. But then there have been a couple of times when I thought I was hungry, drank something, and it just sat there (I am guessing above the band) feeling like a ton of bricks. I am going to guess that over time, I will begin t…

I am 2 days post-op and i am starting to feel better. The port incision site is soar and stings. I am still not hungery. When does that start to return?

Hi, I just got my third fill about 2 weeks ago. Things were going pretty well, but I think I irritated my stomach by eatting red meat. After I had the meat, I noticed that I was starting to PB a lot. So I switch to eatting softer foods to ease the irritation. Well two nights ago I felt what can only be described as a warm Fluid sensation turning in my stomach and coming up my esophogus. I have never felt that before. It didnt hurt but in the morning I could feel my band (normally I cant even tell I have one). Today I woke up and I feel numbness in my esophagus and in the back of my throat. I switch to liquids. But every time I drink anything, I feel like someone has spr…

Hey folks, I'm due to get banded on 23 December and am extremely excited as I've had a weight problem all my life. I've never, ever, been in a healthy weight range and can't wait to see how my new body takes shape. I am a typical apple shape. I have no butt, a fat back, big belly and midriff with skinny legs, thighs and smallish boobs. My question is to those of you that were also apple shaped with small boobs before surgery. Did your boobs look in proportion after you lost the weight? I've always considered myself on the small side where my chest is concerned and would consider a boob job if they shrink too much. Hope this isn't too personal a question to ask. …

Hey guys I'm getting banding tomorrow morning!! Exciting, but I'm starting to have major doubts... but I think its just anxiety about having surgery.. I've never had any surgery or anasthesia before. Anyways, I'm really freaking out over eating habits. I'm worried that after this surgery I'm going to eat less, but still eat CRAP all the time. I'm a college student and I really don't know how to cook, but I am very aware of what is healthy and what is not. How do you guys get over cravings?? How do you cook at first? What do you puree thats healthy and won't sabatoge you in the mushy phase? How do you restrict your carbs?! I'm a complete carb addict and I'm worried t…