POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi, I am new to this site, I have some questions and do not really want to talk to the doctor where I got my band done, I'm feeling more like a number than an actual patient. The last couple of days I have been noticing a pain in my belly, it is not where the band would be, it is kinda close to where the port is, but I still can't feel the port. I am 8 weeks out from surgery. Anyway, when I twist or lift (or even twice, just walk) it feels like I am being sliced with a knife from the inside. My large incision IS red and irritated, but the doctors that I have talked to about that don't seem to think that is anything to worry about. So, does anyone have any input as to why …

Hey everyone I really really want to lose 15 more pounds by Christmas Eve. I just wanna look great when I go back home to California. Do you guys think this is a realistic goal or am I setting my self up for failure??

Oh my, I am 3 1/2 months out and this morning was the first time I ever got anything stuck. I always feel tighter in am and pm, but in middle of day I feel like I'm starving. I had a scrambled egg this morning and all of a sudden my shoulder and chest started hurting so bad I couldn't hardly breathe. I walked around, drank water and nothing. I finally made myself throw up and hardly anything came up.. I don't get it. I have been sore all day and what's ironic is I'm suppose to have a fill this afternoon. Life with a band! But don't regret it. I have lost 39 pounds, but in last month have only lost 2, but I am losing inches. I feel like I have plateaued with the …

hi every body,i was banded 3rd sept with 10cc,and first fill was 11th nov with 5cc.my weight was 213 pound and now 198 pound. i was size 18 to 20 now i am 16.with in two 3months i am going again for 2nd fill 27th oct.the problem is i am doing full time work, i dont have time for exercise when after work i came back i dont have energy for exersice.so in this period i did,nt do any exersice.before op i was not found of sweetdish , but now i am .i want to eat some sweet (no add sweet in tea and coffee) after dinner.any body tell me why i need suger boost now? and is it good weight lost in this period?

ok so i have been having trouble for six weeks now. i have been unable to eat w/o pain and the doctors couldnt tell me y until this week. i have an endoscopy done monday and they found and puss filled knot in my stomach and it would leak puss into my stomach. when u touch it, it would bleed. my esophagus is suppose to be 12mm wide but it is 6mm wide. that is why it hurts terribly. i went back to my surgeon and said i had 2 options...remove the band or go on antibotics and hope it heals the infection. he said that he has never seen an infection like this and didnt really think that the antibotics would help but wouldnt hurt to try them. if they dont work i have to take the…

Hello all, I was banded 10/29/08 and keep bouncing from losing 14 pounds to 11.5 pounds - which really ticks me off! It is close to aunt flo.....so...as to be expected. I have this pair of jean capri's that fit snug this summer...and now they are actually comfy. I put them on today to lounge around the house in and found very quickly that I can't stand to wear them! I haven't put on a pair of jeans since my surgery because I was afraid my port incision would be aggravated by the jean material. So, I have been wearing track suits. So, I put these on today (and remember,they are not tight, but I have this lovely "roll" that I have been blessed with for so many year…

Hi Everyone, I have not lost 40 pounds since my surgery on November 3rd. The weight loss ticker was meant to measure my weight loss before I had the surgery as well. I had actually lost 30 pounds prior to the surgery and 10 pounds lost since the surgery . I update my weight loss to show what I have lost since the surgery only : ). Sorry for the confusion,I do however wish I had lost 40 pounds since the 3rd but I suspect that would not be good lol.

Hi, Does anyone have the trouble where they cannot keep anything down some days...even liquids? If so...is there a way to stop it.

I had my Lab Band done May 2008. I have lost approximately 40 pounds which includes the 13 lost prior to surgery. I have had 2 adjustments since surgery, but still get hungry. What happens if the pouch is stretched out?

I'm on Day 13 post-op and I get to start my Mushies phase on Thursday! I lost 8lbs within the first 5 days post-op, and nothing since. And I've been on full liquids! I'm scared that when I start the Mushies phase I'm going to gain it all back and then some. So I'm determined to make healthy choices! The only thing I ever hear about is mashed potatoes, refried Beans with salsa and sour cream, and that no-noodle lasagna thing, which is just Pasta sauce, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, and mozzarella shreds. I was wondering if anyone had a list of healthy mushies?

:cool: I had my lapband fitted march 2006,I have had two fills I cannot eat lots of solid foods so I eat sweet deserts all the time,please could someone out there help me as I am getting really down as I feel I am going to put all the four stone I lost back on .any advise would be most wellcome Thankyou

I was banded 11/18. I felt great after surgery and all this morning. Then out of no were, started feeling crappy. I have not thrown up. Just dont feel good at all. I having shoulder pain, and a small amount of tighness around my port. The shoulder pain is much worse. I am on clear liq, no problems so far. I guess i am just going through is this worth it. I know it will be, but it is hard to see right now.

Hi all. I have a question. I'm one week out, has any else been told that there port incision is going to leak as part of the healing process? I don't think I have read that anywhere on here but this is what I'm being told. Anyone else? Thanks

ok everyone, I'm a week out today. My incision where the port was placed, which is my biggest incision looks like half the size of a tennis ball.it shows through shirts and all. It looks like a big lump on my stomach. Should this be? Should it be this big in the first place? If so, should it have went down by now. Another reason for me to panic!:thumbup:

I had my band placed Friday 11/14 and am still having horrible pain on my left side. I had quit taking the Lortab they gave me and started taking Tylenol, but had to go back to Lortab. The pain in only in one spot on my left side, and I go back for my post-op tomorrow morning, but I was just wondering if anyone else had pain this long. Thanx, Sam

Ok, I keep pretending I know what this means, but what is a DH? I'm assuming it means husband or something along those lines, but I can't take the suspense anymore! hehe

I just had my surgery on Nov. 3 rd. I lost some weight the first week or so, but since I have gained 2 pounds. I dont know what is wrong. I can eat any kind of food and it takes me almost the same amount to get full as before the surgery. I called my Docs. office to tell them what was going on but his nurse told me to stop eating so much! I mean if it were that easyl I would not have gotten the surgery. I am working the best I can ( I am still alittle sore) so I should be dropping something. I am so stressed this almost seems worthless. The nurse also said that I haven't gotten a fill so that is why I am eating as much. Gosh I dont know if I might be one of that percent t…

I think I am nuts! I am afraid to get on the scales. I was banded 9/23 and my last visit to the doctor was 11/5. I had lost 25 pounds. Walking up to the scales was a nightmare because I was so sure I had gained. I lost. Now I have taken the scales out of the house because I am doing the same thing ... I am so sure I am gaining weight. Don't have reason to believe that I am. I am eating pretty good (yeah, I eat more than a cup now and then but it is the good stuff, not junk). I love brussel sprouts and I eat more of them than I should but I don't think that is too bad. I just have this fear that for some reason, even though I am doing all the right things, (okay…

When the doctor fills the band he has me sit up and drink water and see if it is tight enough or too tight. I have a hard time being sure with this test! So I left the office and proceeded to have vomiting issues once a week or more for many weeks. I just told myself I was not chewing well. And thought it was my fault, my punishment if you will. But the incidence of food getting stuck was too often and at all the wrong times, (ie social situations)! When I returned I had to have it completely un-filled because the Dr said the band might have slipped with all the vomiting. I am supposed to go back, but will have to pay another 300.00 dollars. Each visit is 300.00 dollars, …

Hi! I'm thinking of having the surgery in March but I would like to ask people that have had the surgery a few questions: How many fills do you get in a year? Is there more in the first year then other years? Do you find the fills painful at all? Do you have to get a fill after every like 10 pounds or something? Thanks so much for your help! :rolleyes2:

Hi guys, My first op appt went great. I'm officially on Stage III diet which i'm so thankful for lol. My scars are healing fine and I feel more and more like myself (not as emotional etc). I had a long talk with the dietician and she says i'm doing great. I have lost 10 pounds since being banded on November 3rd and I lost 30 pounds since April ,so with that ,i'm very pleased. I don't have my first fill until the 2nd of January and the dietician said that even if I don't lose any more weight until January and I don't gain any weight ,then i'm still doing a good job which is great and all lol but once I start losing weight ,I tend to get a little obsessive with the scale. …

What I mean is does the tight feeling you get in your chest that signifies you are full feel like it does when you first know that you are stuck? I've only been banded for 2 months and I'm still struggling with the signals although I'm just beginning to listen to my body a tiny bit...just not there 100% yet. Thank you!

Hi all, Been banded 19 months and still haven't found restriction - briefly experienced it after a large fill but it went when the swelling went down. I'm at 8.9ml in a 10ml band - was too tight before at 9ml and had to have some out - the fill provider said some fill is lost at every fill so the 8.9 amount might not be accurate. Now my surgeon thinks I've got restriction and just eating around it - I can't eat certain foods like Pasta and other things get stuck but I can still eat bread and large portions - I feel like having the whole fill out and going on a diet again - the only weight I lost was when dieting in the first six months and I've just been maintaining…

Hi all. I am having my surgery this Friday. I hear a lot of people talking about getting Gas-X strips etc. and I have to admit, this makes no sense to me, as the gas that comes after surgery is not in the digestive system. Did you use Gas-X and did it help you? I am trying to decide whether to buy any or not.

Hi! Thanks for reading my thread! I'm thinking of getting the surgery but I still have some questions. I've read that the lap-band surgery creates a "fullness" feeling. I was wondering what does this mean? Do you guys feel full like all the time? Is it a fullness like after you've had a huge Thanksgiving dinner? Or it's more of a not hungry feeling? Do you feel it all the time or just after you've eaten? Do you find it's reduced your snacking? I have a big problem of eating when I'm bored, does anyone have or had that??? Thanks soooooooo much! :tongue2:) Cammy :rolleyes2:

Howdy everyone! I'm due to be banded tomorrow (wed nov. 19th) at 7:30am and guess what --- I'm starting to get a slight cold (or maybe allergies). I don't have a fever. Just a little stuffy and itchy face (that's why I'm thinking seasonal allergies). No coughing, no clogged chest -- just runny eyes and a stuffy nose. I'm hoping they don't postpone my surgery -- has anyone else had this happen. I'm sure anxiousness about the surgery has contributed to this.

Hubby had his surgery last Tuesday (11/11), yesterday his main wound started to seep clear liquids. Nothing discolored and wound is not red and hot. Has anyone had this happen to them and what did you do? I have cleaned with hydrogen proxide. He is nervous about it and probably will go to the local clinic. (dr is 2 hours away) Any suggestions?

How big are the pills that we can swallow? I bought some Tylenol easy somethings. Do I need to cut them in half? Thanks.

I got the band put in yesterday! 18/11/08 I am extremely excited, but didn't expect to be in so much pain as what I'm in! :rolleyes2: YAY! XO

Hello everyone, I am due to have surgery at the first of the year. I really want the lap band, however after talking to my doctors they both say thet I should go woth the bypass cause I need to lose about 100lbs and with the lap band you only lost about 50% of your extra weight. I am scared as hell of the bypass :smile2: but I need to drop the weight. :thumbup: How much did you lose and how long did it take. I have pressure in my spine that is causing pressure in brain due to being to big so the weight needs to leave like asap. So can anyone let me know if I should stick with the lap band? Thanks a lot :crying: 5'3 258 lbs

When I get hungry with the lap band it feels like a sort of chest tightening, plus the normal hunger pangs. Is this normal? Has something gone wrong? Also, my port makes a weird pinching feeling sometimes when i move a certain way. What's going on??

I was banded on 11/7 and am just starting to eat soft foods. I am very scared about getting food stuck and am eating very, very slowly. How long after you take a bite do you know if what you are eating won’t work with your band?

Hey fellow Bandsters....I have a quick question for you fine folks. In my discharge paperwork it states that my steri strips need to be on for 2 weeks and when the two weeks arrive I can remove them. So now here is my question, how many people just let them fall off naturally versus who took them off at the two week point. I'll be two weeks post-op tomorrow and I have no plan to remove them unless there is a chance of the incisions getting infected. I fiddle with the ends and trim them as they release, but other than that, I don't mess with them. You thoughts? G

OK I am scheduled to have surgery on Friday 11/21 and I had a week moment on Saturday now I am scared that I have sabotaged my 2 week post op diet! Please anyone else I need your thoughts!

I am at day 12, and I feel like screaming out my door, NO MORE DAMN SOUP!!! I go to the next phase on Friday, I don't want to cheat but I am scared that I won't make it. Please help

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone has any remedies to dislodge food when it becomes stuck. I was told by my doc to use soda Water. I have something stuck in my stomach and Soda water is not working....any ideas? I had my surgery in jan of this year and have so far lost 40kgs and have 6.8mls in my band. Best thing i EVER did.

Hi, I am a week out and just had to sneeze for the first time. I could barely get the sneeze out because my chest is still so heavy. Did anyone else have this experience?

I'm sure you can feel the port from the outside but I'm wondering can you feel anything inside of you. Do you feel it in there? When you sit, stand, walk, lay down, work out? Or do you feel normal as if it wasn't there at all? Just wondering to expect.

ok I go tommorrow for my 6th fill and today I am sore when I eat I have had trouble here lately I got my 5th fill about 4 wks ago and only lost 1 lb bc I did not fill restriction and could eat alot and now I feel more restriction and this is a little personal but I have had trouble going to the bathroom so took some pills and still not working how can you tell if it has slipped and what will work for my other problems thanks.

I hate waiting!! I am waiting to find out if I am going to be approved through insurance. I had all the tests/eval, etc... I have a bad feeling no bc I am 5'3, 205 with a bmi of 35 but no real health problems except high cholestrol. Anyone btdt at my size or so? were you approved - wabt the surgery but can not afford. I sah with a 2yo. Any idea how long until I will find out? I have BCBS btw.

I recieved my band on August 18 of this year. I have finally started losing weight like I should, just for the past 3 weeks, I dropped a total of 10 pounds. Wish I could have lost like this in the beginning then I'd be alot closer to my goal weight, but I'm losing now, so I am happy. Anyways, I am having severe gas pains about 3 days a week. I have tried things over the counter but nothing seems to be working. When I say severe, I mean, I can't walk upright cause it is so bad and I find myself in the fetal position while having them. I have never had this problem before, just since I got my band placed. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what did you find…

Hello there, I am very interested in the Lap Band procedure. I have contacted a local surgeon to take part in a seminar or whatever it is that they want you to go to first. I have a few questions I was hoping that people could help me with. 1. I am 5'1" and 197 lbswith a BMI of 37. The Lap band website states you should have a BMI of 40 or higher and have over 100 lbs to lose. Well I dont have either of those. ANy idea of this will eliminate me from possible having this surgery? 2. Has anyone actually had their insurance pay for this? and if so how difficult of a process was it? 3. I am sure this varies from state to sate, I am in Philadelphia PA. But what is a p…

4th Day post Surgery...Its weird and exciting at the same time...any advise? Feeling a little hungry at times, tired and lazy of course....some cramping after I drink. shortness of breath other than that I cant complain! Please somebody school me on whats to come in the first stages.. :smile2:

I was banded Oct 3 and had no problems at all..now I have (always had it but not this badly) major acid reflux that is causing nausea 24/7. I've started taking two nexium daily and will be able to see my doctor tomorrow afternoon. I know he will want to do an unfill but then I will have no restriction at all since my band is brand new. Can someone explain how this works...how long will he unfill for, is the reflux going to get better and go away or will it always come back if I try to get a fill? I've done great so far, losing 43 lbs in 5 weeks and I hate to go back to being able to eat anything I want. :laugh:

I had surgery 3 weeks ago. Since i have started soft foods i am not having much restriction on how much food i can eat. Is this normal? I will have my first fill on Dec. 4th.

Less than 1 week ago, I had my first fill. Now it feels like there is absolutely no band on at all. Even if I take a big bite, I do not feel the food passing down past the band. I can sit down and have a regular meal without a problem at all. I was given a 4cc fill in a size 9 band. I just do not know what is wrong with me. I am so depressed because I have stopped losing weight. I have only lost about 10-15 pounds since surgery way back in October. I am so frustrated with myself that I allow myself to overeat, but it is a problem that I have had my entire life and the reason why I had the band put on in the first place. Has this feeling happened to anyone else ou…

I was banded on April 29th, and everything went fine. I haven't really lost a ton of weight or anything, but for about the last 3 months a friend of mine and I have been walking every day for an hour at lunch..... well, until about two months ago, I had been getting Aunt Flo around the same time every month for about a week (whereas pre-op I'd been getting it anywhere from two weeks to two months), well anyways....... So now for the last two months I haven't been getting it at all.... Is this something that I should be concerned about? is it because I've been walking? Anyone else have this happen? Thanks!

I was banded last year on July 3, 2007. In 15 months I have only lost 15 lbs. What am I doing wrong? Why is my weight not coming off? I know of other banded folks that were banded near the same time I was and they have lost 60 lbs. Please e-mail me your suggestions. Thank you.

How soon can you resume taking your medications after lapband im on pain meds diabetic medicine and bloodpressure do i have to crush my meds or what?

Can someone describe what they feel when the band FEELS tight ? I hear people all the time say they feel tight in the morning but sometimes I have a weird sensation at night. I don't know how to explain it. Ok ,this will sound stupid so pardon me lol but ,do you know how it feels when you have bad heartburn or you feel like you have to burp but you can't?? That's what it feels like. My other question is ,can someone please describe to me what they feel when they can tell they have had enough to eat. I know this sounds like a crazy question but sometimes I have a hard time telling when i'm full and other times it almost feels like a tightening in my chest ? Is this typic…