POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I'm five days post-surgery this morning, and while I don't ache at my incision sites anymore, I still feel pretty week. Is it just that I haven't gotten all the anesthetic out of my system yet? Is it ongoing caffeine withdrawal? I've had 45 - 50 g of protein each of the last two days so that's probably not it, but I'm wondering when I'll feel normal again.

Hi everyone, When I went to my first post appt ,I ended up getting 2 different answers about when I can stop crushing my pills and take them regularly. The nurse I can start at 2 week post op ,the dietician says about 4-6 weeks . What did your providers say ? Thanks!

Hello, my name is Christy. I had the Lap Band sugery 04/30/2008 and have been going through the "routine" ever since. My first fill was 2 cc, then 1 cc, then another 1 cc. So after my 4th cc, I went back a month later to get another 1cc injected. At that appointment, things didn't seem to go right. The Nurse Practitioner seemed to have difficulty accessing my port. The site she entered was totally off from where it was done previously. So, I left the office thinking I have 5 cc's. So, I go to my appointment in Oct. thinking I'm doing ok but my weight stayed the same. So, she wants to inject another cc. When she withdraws the Fluid already in plus the one she's gonna give …

I was banded on Wednesday (11-12) and I'm still in a lot of pain. I've been trying to back off the pain meds, and it's not working well for me. I've never doubted my decision to do the lapband, until now. I HURT. To top off the pain in my abs, I have a terrible headache. It's probably from lack of caffeine -before the surgery I've lived on Mt. Dew.... This forum has been very helpful and supportive. Please let me know this will all go away soon, and this will be the best decision I've made. Thanks in advance. You guys are great! Sincerely, Gonnaloseitall

I posted a thread a week or so ago about getting worried about the symptoms I was having. I was finally able to get into to see my surgeon and she did an "unfill." Here's the basics...I have a 4cc band and on October 14, 2008, I had my 5th fill, putting me at 2.5ccs. Since then, I have been really sick with vomiting (not that often, but more often than before) stomach pain (like a stabbing pain), nausea, heartburn/acid reflux and port pain. My "unfill" brought me down to 2.25ccs and my surgeon told me that if I wasn't feeling better by Friday, then I needed to come back and get more out (this was yesterday). I've never had an "unfill" before and I am just wonderin…

I hope this isn't an embarassing or dumb question, but I haven't had surgery yet and I have been reading posts regarding PB and sliming after meals. What is this????? I thought I was well informed about banding but boy, after reading posts on this site, there is alot I don't know! Thanks for any responses.

After 3 weeks should my stomach (abdominals) still be so sore? It still hurts to get up from chair, roll over or get out of bed, etc. I'm not doing any heavy work, but have been walking a couple of miles a day or more. I was very bruised (entire stomach) after surgery, can this possibly be the cause. Any info is appreciated.

Hubby is wondering what you have had for your liquid diets during the first two weeks. He has been drinking slimfast, SF carnation breakfast, (I've added sf ice cream to this). Also, water of course...juices he has drank. Anything else?

I use the Daily plate for my food diary and I love it except for the fact that after 7pm if you add any food it is already on the next day. Almost every day I have to go back and switch the food that I add back to the current day, which it is now saying is yesterday if that makes any sense! Does anyone know how to change this?

I had surgery 2 1/2 years ago. Lately it seems I could eat a house if I let myself. There are other times that I take one bite and have to vomit. Any one out there experiencing the same?

I was banded on october 1st and have lost 25ish pounds since surgery. Sometimes when I see peoples tickers that say they were banded after me and have lost like 60 or 80 pounds it makes me feel like a failure. I was just wondering if this is usually weight that they started losing before or if that's all post op. Thanks Everyone

Hi guys...Im 3 weeks post op and we are supposed to go camping on the beach tonight. I was wondering if it would do any harm to have a couple mild drinks, besides the extra calories.? Im not much of a drinker at all but once in a while i enjoy a glass of wine or something. Any advice is welcome. :Dancing_sorry:

I had my first fill 3 days ago and I still have discomfort after I swallow; is this normal? I have a band that holds 11cc and the Dr put in 3 cc for my fill. Will this discomfort go away shortly?

My hubby was banded on Tuesday. He did great until last night. He was up most of the night with the dry he vies. He said he was feeling nausea. The doctor ordered two different meds for him. he is doing better tonight. How many of you dealt with the gas build up like this. He also has been taking tums (except for the last day) for 8 days.

I was banded 11/3. I'm on mushies and I feel like I can eat as much as I want. I'm not feeling full, I can eat like a cup of food. Is this normal soon after being banded? I definitely don't force food down but don't feel full after most meals. I'm worried I'm eating too much but don't feel sick or have any other symptoms. Worried, help?

Help, Today marks the end of my second week being banded and I was planning on starting soft foods tomorrow, but I don't feel like I have lost any weight yet. I am down about 6 pounds from the surgery. I have been eating nothing, only drinking shakes and 1/2 cup soups once a day. I am reluctant to start eating if this is all I am losing with not eating. Is this normal?

I am just in the beginning stages of getting approved, I am reading all these posts and find my self wondering if it will still be hard to lose weight after being banded? I am scared that I will fail again....but I am thinking that if so many other obese people have lost so much weight then the band must make it easier...no? Please any thoughts on this would be helpful. Thanks!

Hi everyone, The slightest foul smell and I vomit, I have always been that way. Sooo, I ate a scrambled egg, 10 minutes later and I am making salmon cakes for my family's dinner - I have always gagged when making them....but I was to the point I was dry heaving very hard. I was thinking, Oh great, I am going to throw up my egg. Well...nothing came out. I was wretching very very hard and nothing. I was not in pain and I tried to gain control of myself...but ever since my stomach has been making the weirdest creepiest sounds. Have I done something to the band? Is throwing up different with the band?

I am 5 days post op and i felt my port move a little.Is this normal??:cool:

I am 4 days post off, and wonder if I did not make a mistake. the pain is not bad, however the diet at this point is harder than i thought, some one please tell me it will get better soon.:Dancing_sorry:

I am nervous about Thanksgiving coming in a couple of weeks...just thinking about some of that food is making my stomach hurt! It is awkward to be at a table when everyone around me is eating different kinds of food, that are not necessarily "easy" on my stomach. Does anyone have any tricks for making Thanksgiving easier on your small stomach?

Okay so I can't help but wonder if I made a mistake.... I am 1 day out after being post op and i am in pain... cant really lay down or sit for long periods of time. And all I can think about and smell is the food that my mom is cooking... ahh.. lol maybe I should have just hit the gym harder... what is everyone else's thoughts? Are these thoughts normal?

Ok I totally overate at dinner tonight, which was a very yummy lean chicken dish. What quick tips do you guys have that will help alleviate this awful feeling in my expanded tummy? Should I drink some Water so it passes? Go for a walk? Fellow bandsters please help out an overstuffed gal with some healthy (ie no puking) ideas :thumbdown:

Ok, so I was banded yesterdy, the 13th. I just got home about an hour ago and I am very uncomfortable. From reading other posts, I am assuming this is something normal? I feel like I need to burp and mostly having no luck at all. I ate some baked potato soup from Panara Bread and after I ate, I thought I was going to vomit it back up. I went to the bathroom and ended up burping the worst burp that I have ever done. I just want to know and make sure that this is a normal experience and that I should not be concerned. Someone please help!!:Dancing_sorry:

I ordered the sample pack of Protein shake mixes for Optimum Nutrition from Netrition and tried them all to figure out which one I'd like to have on hand for when I can't get in all of my protein from food. Well... I have one I really wanted to order and they don't have that one flavor for individual purchase! Now I have to try to find it somewhere and hope it's the same one.... sorry, just had to vent a little. What are some other online shopping cites for ordering Protein powder? I'm looking for the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% whey in Extreme Milk chocolate... Any ideas? I'm so new to this online shopping thing for supplements and I'd appreciate any he…

I'm Leighanne. I was banded on Oct. 17, 2007. I have lost right around 50 lbs. My doctor was very conservative with fills and it was frustrating. I moved to a different city and found a dr. to take over my care and he was more aggressive. That's when I started losing some weight. I've been pretty good about following my doc's instructions. Still need more Protein but I'm doing fairly well with keeping my portions down and such. Still, I am not where I wanted to be a year later. I need to get off my arse and exercise!

I just had my 2nd fill on Monday, and it's weird because now I don't feel like there's any restrictions at all. After the first fill I immediately knew when my Dr. filled it too full and I couldn't get water down, so he then removed 1 cc and I was able to eat and drink but only slowly with a lot of thought given to chewing throughly. After this last fill it's like there's no restictions, I've purposely eaten large chunks of meat and they go down fine without any pain or regurgitation. What could be wrong?

Hi Everyone, I have had hunger pains in the middle of the night twice now. Basically, I am woken up by my stomach growling and hunger pains. I hate it because I have to get up to eat something for it to go away. Water doesn't help. Last night I had a jello before bed but that didn't help. Tonight I think I will have a protein drink to see if that works. Anyone else have this and have any ideas. Thanks, Stephanie

Just wanted to let you everyone know that I was banded yesterday in San Antonio with Dr. Patel. He ended having to repair a hugh hiatal hernia (which I had no idea about). So I am in a lot of discomfort... Right about 4 am I was wondering what in the H&%$ I did this to myself for!! My throat hurts, my chest hurts so bad I can hardly breath and of course my stomach hurts so much I can't even stand up straight! Then I am hungry too!! His post op diet is three solid weeks of clear liquids... So I know I am whining, but those of you that have been here, done that, let me hear from you. I would appreciate it! I have school on Monday, so how can I get through the weeken…

I had surgery almost a month ago now and i have acutually gained two pounds. I seriously havn't cheated one time and have followed every rule. Can anyone relate or know what could be the problem??

:sad:Hi everyone I haven't posted in a long time. Partly because I just didnt know what to say. I am a little backwards when it comes to things. But I am am feeling blue and I could use a little encouragement. I was banded on Sept 18th and have lost 21 lbs which I am saying I have maintained.I havent had a fill yet because........ I had a little trouble with my incision opening partly aftter the steri stips were removed after surgery. I have been doing daily dressing changes and thankfully it is healing nicely and hasnt gotten infected. It was only a small opening. I also developed a seroma and was very sore for a few weeks around my incision. But one day doing my dressi…

I had my surgery this last Monday, Nov. 10th. There is an indent in my stomach where one of the incisions are. When I questioned the nurses they said they have never seen this happen and never heard of it neither. I asked my doctor and he said it is normal and it will grow back the way it should. He said that is where the camera and lap band were inserted and there is a stich there. I am still worried about it, because it is causing me tons of pain. If this happened to you or you know anything of the sort, then please please let me know about it. I need some piece of mind...even if it isn't good news.

Hello! So I am wondering if anyone can help shed some light on what I am experiencing. Back in June I was getting really bad acid reflux at night and stomach pains. I had all the fluid taken out of my band which helped with the reflux but my stomach still hurt especially after I ate. I had all the symptoms of an ulcer and I went to my PCP and he diagnosed it from my symptoms as an ulcer and put me on nexium. That helped my symptoms but after 2 months of being on it my symptoms were still there. I went back to my PCP last month and he said that it should have all cleared up by then so he sent me to have an endoscopy done which showed everything was normal in my stomach and…

This is my first banded Thanksgiving. This year, I'm cooking dinner for my sister, a close friend and my little nephew, which should be a lot of fun. I'll finally be on real food (4+ weeks post-op!) by Thanksgiving, so I'm planning to have a little bit of everything & am hoping that will work out with my band. My first fill is 2 weeks later. What is everyone else doing about food this Thanksgiving? Other than gobble-gobbling, of course! :thumbdown: Catherine Banded: 10/23/08 225.7/217/155 Blog: Chronicles from Band Land

Hello everyone: Just a quick update; I was banded on 11/11/08 of this week and everything went very well. Dr. Kim from Alta Bates performed the procedure and she had Dr. Uphday with her as well as proctors from Lap Band. I have a 10cc new generation badn which Dr. Kim pre-filled with 3cc. There was some bleeding with my spleen during surgery, but I am well. I ended up staying at the hospital an extra day, because the pain meds were making very sick to my stomache. I have issuee with RX pain meds. Anyway, gas pain was hurtful, but was releived with walking and pain meds. I passed the swallow test at the hospital and I am now on liquids. I am thankful I took two w…

HELLO ALL, I JUST HAD MY LAPBAND YESTERDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH. i'M HAVING WHAT I BELIEVE IS HEART BURN BUT i DIDN'T HAVE HEART BURN BEFORE SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT REALLY FEELS LIKE. bUT WHAT i'M EXPERIENCING NOW IS A BAD BURNING FEELING IN MY UPPER CHEST AND IT KINDA OF FEELS LIKE MY HEART IS BEATING HARD. iT LAST FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS AT A TIME THEN FADES AWAY. bUT IT REALLY HURTS. IS IT GAS? i'VE READ MOST PEOPLE HAVE GAS IN THERE SHOULDERS THOUGH. I'VE BEEN TAKING ROLAIDS BUT ITS NOT HELPING. HELP PLEASE.:thumbdown:

Hello, I was banded Oct 29 and have lost 11.5 to 12 pounds since then. I feel wonderful...but am ready to move on to mushies this Friday. My list from the dietician is very short and I am sure these are just examples and not "just" what I am supposed to eat. I think I am confused as to what is consider mushies. About how thick are mushies? I cannot imagine eating greenbeans out of the blender....but is this what ya do? I really don't think I will be eating blenderized meat...I just don't think I could. eggs aren't on my list either but I know of some mushie-stage people that have eggs on their list...so scramble them? Can I add anything to them to make an omlet.…

Good morning....I am 7 days post-op and I woke up this morning with bad, bad, BAD:crying: sharp pain in my right side rib area. :laugh: I have not had any of the gas pains that people talk about, so I am not sure if that is what it is or what it may be. Anybody out there have similiar experiences?????? Thanks, G

As my surgery nears (next Wednesday!) I realize I need to upgrade my blender from the $10 Wallgreens special!:thumbdown: Has anyone used the Magic Bullet -- it looks like it would be good for a variety of post-lap band surgery uses. But it's like $60 so I wanted to throw the question out to the board before I bought it.

Hello again!! I just thought of this. My understanding and what I have read about the lap band is that it only will hold 3-4 oz. of food at a time and is about the size of an egg. That must be one big-ass egg. Doesn't that sound contradictory to yall? Besides, I personally was told to eat a cup of food per meal and from what I read in this forum, thats approximately what y'all are eating as well. I'm sorry to be splitting hairs here, but I always forget to ask these types of questions when I'm with my doctor. Just wondering what y'all think. Mary

I'm 5 weeks out from surgery and 1 week out from first fill. Definitely feel more restriction and have begun losing weight again. Problem though, after one or two bites I throw up cups of saliva/mucous. I call it the SLIME. Doesn't happen every meal or every day - but pretty often. Asked my aftercare specialist and she though it might be related to sinus drainage/allergies. Anybody else have this reaction? Any suggestions?? Thanks!

These topics were posted in the fill section, but it doesn't seem like many people post there and I would greatly appreciate any help answering these questions. Does it seem unusual to already have 7.6cc's in a 10cc band after 2 fills? #1. My doc is pretty aggressive, or at least he said my fills have been aggressive. I had my first fill 1 month after surgery and he put in 5.6cc, then I went today after 3 weeks of starving and he put in another 1cc. he said my 10cc band had a "prime" in it at surgery of 1cc, so that would make a total of 7.6cc. Will the fills be incrementally smaller from now on? I'm concerned that I only technically have room for 2.4cc before I'm t…

How do you insert a tickerfactory? I went to the site and made one...now what?

i got my band nov.5 but today after drinking coffe a hour later i cant swallow.:tongue2: pleses help

This is by far the most common query that newbie bandsters have. I had it and didn't know the answer at the time. I've spent a lot of time thinking about it and asked my doctor about it, and I think this is a sound explanation for what is going on inside of you. Don't let it get to you - it IS temporary! Most of all, don't let it cause you to give up!! ****************************************** It is highly likely that you will hit a plateau or regain a few pounds in in the weeks after the op. My theory on this is: * In the pre-op weeks, we saw big numbers as weight loss because we had switched from a solid to a liquid diet and most of the loss was not fat but simply…

So I'm more than likely putting this in the wrong part but oh well, so my question is, what is the sweet spot? I've been on here for ages and read some bits about it but don't know for sure what it exactly is. Any help would be great

Hubby has two questions....1. Can he lay on his side? Of Course not the side that the port is on. Do any of you sleep on your side? 2. He feels fine, other than the left side. This is where the port is....did you feel tight all on that side?

I had Lap Band surgery in December 2007. Everything went great for the first three months. I lost about 32 lbs. And then nothing... I don't know if this is unusual or what. I do know that I changed NOTHING about my diet. I was eating exactly the same as after the surgery, between 800 and 1200 calories a day. I had the surgery in Tijuana from a very reputable doctor at a modern, high-tech facility. I didn't get fills every month. I think my first fill was something like $400. The next three fills were $165. I got the first fill a couple of months after the surgery, just as soon as I was allowed to get them. I got the next fill the next month. I was still only losing 1-2 lb…

the scale!! I know that I'm only supposed to weigh myself once a week. Have been told this my shrink, the nutritionist, etc. However, when I'm in my bathroom it calls my name and I think, well, who knows? Maybe I've lost some more! When I was losing a ton after surgery this was fine, but now it is maddening! I think I might put the scale away and just take it out once a week!

I am 4lbs. away from getting my date and have been doing some soul searching about expectations. . . . and how my life will change for both the good as well as the bad. I was hoping that some of the veterans on this site can enlighten me on things they didn't expect or didn't know would change? Both physically and mentally/emotionally? Thank you so much.