POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Will I be able to take Advil again? I have a lot of back problems and that is the only thing that really helps. I know that since I'm only 4 weeks post op I can only take Tylenol, but will I be able to take my friend again?

I have a question. I was banded on 10/28 and I have not yet felt full. If it weren't for a little will power, I would be eating like normal. I fell like I could eat and eat, just like i did before. I have been pacing myself and only eating the 3 recommended meals but it's starting to worry me. Anyone else experience this?

I am switching yo soft foods this saturday and from my list all it really looks like is you keep the same foods as mushy and add in fruit. Does this sound right?

:laugh: I'm not really mad but my weight loss slowed so I started doing the eliptical at work for 25-30 mins, 2x a week for the last month and even went hiking at Natural Bridge over the weekend..I gained 2 lbs...ugg. I was losing rapidly and I've only had 1 fill since my surgery on July 25th...I think part of it is my fault, I have been eating regular foods and my portions have gotten slightly larger but not out of control...I just started back on some of the foods I ate during the mushie stage hoping to kick it back in gear...I was down 61 lbs but gained 2 back...hoping this is just a normal stage and I will start losing again...thoughts? Did this happen to you and what…

I'm almost 4 weeks postop with no fill yet and after I ate egg salad yesterday I got this wierd uncomfortable feeling I guess it's in my esophagus I have not bped and I can still get other food down. It's just a bad feeling. Did I break something and should I hot back to liquids?

Hello Everybody, I am wondering. Is anybody having problems breathing deeply. Lately, I have been experiencing this problem. I try to take a deep breath and it's like I can't. I try not to go into panic mode and then really fall out. :eek:After about 2 or 3 tries, then my diaphram opens up. :huh2:What is this all about? I haven't had any fills.

Has ANYONE else found that medications they were on was partly to blame for their slow weight loss? I am 18 mos out from banding and have only lost 12-15 pounds - and that was during the pre-op diet - haven't gained or lost since surgery. This is VERY frustrating to me. No, I am not a perfect eater, and no, I don't exercise religiously. I'm also not blaming my slow weight loss entirely on medications. However, I do take Paxil and birth control daily. Are these making it more difficult to lose the weight, than if I weren't on them? I know there is documented proof that weight gain is a side effect of birth control; however, that is not a side effect listed on my inf…

I've read a few books (Successful Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Clients/ Life after the Gastic Lap-Band/ Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies/ Before and After) and I noticed one really interesting fact. As weight loss patients, we have this amazing window of opportunity that ranges between 7 and 10 months for us to maximize our weight loss goals! The books say that after that, the chance of meaningful weight loss like that experienced just after the surgery is greatly diminished. That information is all I need to keep my butt in gear! I actually can't wait until Monday, so I can finally get back on the recumbent exercise bike :thumbup: Good luck to everyone on your am…

i feel hungry in the evenings ive been banded now for 7 days.i just started eating soft food tuna and eggs .is this a normal feeling to be hungry in the evening?:eek:

I got banded on Nov 6 these past two days I havent felt full like everyone else has with Water, I am not restricted yet but I am getting worried am I supposed to be getting extra full or is it normal? I am sticking by doctors orders and i am on soft mushies now , i think i have been reading to many bad lapband experience's and being to much of a worry wart

:eek: I have been getting "stuck" a lot this week. My last fill was a lil over a month ago. I can still eat and still drink fine... most of the time! but like I said, I have gotten stuck like 5 or 6 times this week. I guess I'm just wondering if I am getting too comfy with my band and I need to slow down?? If I eat super extra slow I don't have any issues, but it also seems like I have been eating and chewing the same way I always have since I have had my band (but I guess you never really realize what your doing until it's done). I'm just freaking out that I'm messing up my band-- I definitely don't want that to happen!!! Also I was wondering if maybe I'm just a lil too…

does anyone here know of a non surgical way of decreasing alittle excess belly fat (lotion creams skin brushing etc) that actually work ive lost alot weight and i have this little apron here any info would be greatly appreciated

Are there any avid golfers out there? My husband and I play two rounds of 18 holes both on Saturday and Sundays during the summer months -- will I still be able to do this after Lap band surgery? ( surgery scheduled 11/18/2008) :eek:

Hey guys, I was just wondering if any of you who are "newly" banded have flown on a plane yet? I was banded on July 22nd, and my family and I are going to Disneyworld next month, so I just wondered how it affected you on a plane?

I know were not suppose to. But....... I have a night planned the 2nd week going downtown to do a little xmas shopping and having a night without kids. Staying at a nice hotel. Never get to do this. Go figure it happens right after surgery. Me and my DH never go out. Anyone had a drink on week 2? Will I really damage my band? We are also going with my sister and brother in law who I have not told about the surgery and do not want to. They will know something is up if I don't have a drink. Any suggestions? Anyone have a drink on week 2? Sorry for the sp should be mushies not muchies.

I have lost 133# since June 2006 and am in size 8 jean and large tops and am at 28 BMI. At my waist from my belly button to my left side I have a fat bulge. The right side is indented as it should be. The Dr. did a CT SCAN for hernia or muscle displacement and found it is a fat bulge at my waist. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how did you get rid of it. My Dr. referred me to a Dr. for a tummy tuck but insurance doesn't cover it. This uglyness on my left side of my waist is driving me crazy. Everything else went down in proportion. I need to see in anyone else has this problem.

I just went to the Dr. yesterday for a fill and they did a barium swallow because I've only lost 7lbs since Jan. Come to find out I have a diated esophogas! I feel like such a loser. I obviously have been overeating and I also drink water really fast which I guess is a no, no. So now they have taken fluid out so my esophogas will heal. In the mean time I am eating soft foods and really trying to listen to my stomach signals so I'll know when I'm actually hungry. I'm frustrated because I don't think I know when I'm hungry. Does this make any since? Help!!

I had my surgery July 7, 08, and have been doing well losing almost 50 lbs, 2 fills since and another due in a week. BUT, I am losing my hair as well....is it not enough protein, or what? Thanks for any suggestions. MarilynHS

Hi, Need some feedback from anyone that had heart surgery and were taking asprin. My cardio Dr says that because I had a valve repaired I need to be on asprin every day. My Lapband Dr says he won't do the surgery if I can't get off asprin. I have called my Cardio dr and told the nurse the problem and she says he will get back to me. Has anyone been on asprin from heart surgery and been turned down for lapband or were you able to get cardio dr to say OK. I think that the benefits from weight loss would outweigh the risks without asprin. I am scheduled for surgery on Dec 18th with Dr Ponce in Chattanooga.

Hi everyone, This Monday was my one month surgery anniversary and I'm still nursing my bruises. How long did it take most of you for the bruises to finally go away? I can't wait for them to be gone:tt2:

Hey Everyone! I'm new here but I signed up a while back when I was planning my surgery. I was banded on July 14th, 2008 and since then, I've lost 85lbs. My pre-op weight was 348 and now I am down to 265. I'm still losing though I've not been able to exercise as much because of financial reasons (gym membership). My question is this -- shortly after I was banded, I ended up quitting my job and losing my insurance, and then moved out of state. So I have yet to have a fill. I wanted to get one but because my insurance has changed, it hasn't happened yet. But I've gotten a new job and insurance kicks in the first of December. I've been noticing lately that I am able…

My hubby was banded about one hour ago. Dr said he did well. He was on the liquid diet since last Tues. When he weighed last monday he was 419 today he is 397. However, we had a scare - hospital wanted to cancel his surgery because of his insurance (medicaid). Our dr went to bat and pleaded with them to let him continue since my husband had done everything that was needed. The admin board agreed to continue on this one case. I am ever soooo thankful for our dr and the board. Looking forward to seeing all the new changes.

Hi guys, As you know i'm newly banded (on November 3rd). I noticed something today and that is ,I think i'm dehydrated because I don't feel the need to go pee at all and when I do it's very little. I'm not sure what do at this point,It seems like i'm drinking Water off and on all day but why would this happen all of a sudden? I have this fear though that if I drink too much water at a time,that will be bad so I guess i'm at fault for being dehydrated. Any suggestions? Thank you all!!

Hello everyone. I am writing because I am very frustrated. Not for me, but for my girlfriend. She had the lap band procedure done two years before I met her, which would be 2003. She told me she lost 55 pounds has since regained some of it and stabilized. Problem is, she never went back for any adjustments. She says she is embarrassed to go now because it has been so long and she has not been so successful. I even found her a lap band support group in our area of NY and accompanied her to a meeting, to no avail. How can I get her back to the doctor? She is always "getting stuck" and having to go into the bathroom to throw up. That can't be good for her. I feel very bad fo…

Hi Everyone! I just had my lap band surgery yesterday, and I am so excited to get started with my weight loss journey. I just have wondered, I am having only clear liquids this week, can I have too many liquids? too much broth? Thank you.

ok so i went to dr on oct 21st he didnt give me a fill said i was restricted lost 4 pounds since then but gained it back i dont know what to do im hungry all the time and if i dont eat im even hungrier what should i do

Okay so I am having trouble adjusting to the idea that I'll never be able to have bread, pasta, tortillas or rice ever again. I'm armenian and my husband is Mexican so tortillas are big in his culture and rice and pita bread are big in mine...am I ever going to be able to have pilaf or sarma (stuffed grape leaves) again? I've only had one fill because since then I have been too afraid to go back since my first one wasn't a good experience and because it's an hour and ten minute drive one way!!! I cry all the time and I hate my body almost as much as I did before the surgery...I don't know. Maybe I'm just being a baby...any tips or anything? Thanks in advance!!!

My friend and I were banded in Feb. 2008. I have lost 54lbs and she has lost 72 lbs and she is already at goal. I guess what I am trying to say here is that she started taking Xenadrine 7 wks ago and has lost 13 lbs since she started it. Is it safe to take these kinds of pills after being banded? We have both gotten the same amount of fills and we both have the same amount of restriction, yet she started taking these to reach her goal weight faster. My thought on this, is that she should not be taking these, but she swears by them and that they ultimately got her to her goal faster. Any ideas out there about this?

I was banded on 9/22 and will go for my first fill tomorrow (couldn't go last week - I was working) and since I haven't had any restriction and am hungry all the time - I haven't lost weight. My last visit and weight was coming off 4 weeks of liquid only diet. Now I've been on pretty much the 6 month pre-op diet (maybe less food) - protein, veggie, fruit. I have actually been losing weight for 3 years (2 years before I started this banding odessey) and am down about 60 pounds. I am happy with this. But my doctor said at the last visit that he wanted me to lose 10-15 lbs. in 3 weeks. I am about 185 lbs. Not only is 10-15 lbs. in 3 weeks unreasonable for any diet, bu…

Hi- was justed Banded 11-5-08- having a lot of trouble getting the protein shakes down -I drink a few sips and then feel so bloated its uncomfortable- do you really get to eat reg food soon? this 3 wks on liquid is starting to get me down quite a bit and am starting to think I made the wrong decision. when are you able to eat again and can you eat things like salad ?I felt this was my last chance and I think I am failing at it-any advice?:eek:

I had Lap band 1/5/08. The day of surgery i weighed in at 367lbs. As of this morning i am weighing in at 239lbs. Lost 130lbs so far and still losing. I am concerned with a few things though. One i have never gavr up my habit of drinking. I drink about a half gallon of Whiskey every week. I know many of you will say i have a problem but i dont i just like to drink. I drink about a 5th every Friday and another 5th on Saturday. Im only 23 so cut me some slack. The other problem is that i have recently been taking Adderall during the day for school and at night i take about 2mg Xanax to calm down after i work out. I dont mix pills with alcohol either. I am wonderin…

Hi Everyone, I live near Lowell, MA and am attending the seminar at Lahey on Dec. 8th. If anyone has had theirs done there do you think you might be able to tell me about your experience? What has your success been like? Thank you so much! Breanne

Hey Everyone, Okay I do not mean to sound like a "Debbie Downer" but I was banded on August 8, 2008. I have experienced some weightloss which is good, but I have had some issues with my band. I have had a total of 4 fills.. BUT had to have some taken out because I couldn't keep anything down. So it's been a lil over a month since I had to have some removed. Anyways.. with my first few fills I didn't have issues with eating etc. NOW I am having issues... first is in the morning when I drink anything.. omg I have major pains.. like traped gas and its seriously painful when it goes down.. And yesterday I had two bites of pizza (I know.. my own fault..) and OMG I was in s…

My instructions from the nutritionist say "anything that can be sipped through a straw" but it also says "thin liquids" Are soups ok? It a low fat thin tomato that I LOVE. I want a core group of foods for when I get out that I will find comforting and almost any trader joes soup is in that category.

Hey there. Was banded Nov 5, so today is day 5. Well, technically, day 6 now. Since Oct 20 I've been on a liquid diet (pre-op for 14 days) and since surgery I've been sipping broth and other liquids. During the last few days, I've also had broccoli Soup, which is really pureed broccoli and other veggies. Things went down fine, even though the soup itself was much thicker than just broth. When I came home, today, I was starved. I didn't have anything easy to eat, so I went and got myself a can of pea soup and a can of chef boyardee macaroni. I mixed half a can of each, and blendered it. Now before you think this is gross, let me just say that is kind of is. But a …

Hello all. I was banded 1/15/08 I have lost about 130lbs and some abnormal things have been happening. My rib cage tends to hurt sometimes and my sturnum continues to pop like your nuckles. That happens about 2 a day. Also starting to have some heatburn nothing horribke just havent had it since the surgery. Should i be concerned. Also be getting headaches but i take the liquid tylenal for it is ok right? I continue to burp even today i have never done this. Never PBed or Slimed either. Can anyone having similiar problems help?

Hey, everybody I was banded in August 21, 2008 and was just wondering what you guys were eating. I'm starting to get a little bored with the same 'ol same. What are some meal ideas??

so i know i am newly banded, but i was cleared to eat anything. SO...i had been eating healthy, no snacking and guess what i gained back all my weight...so i ate poorly and i lost it all...???? HOW IS THIS? So i can eat icecream and loose weight..but i eat 5 baby carrots, 1 piece of chicken, peas, soup for lunch, and yet i gain. BUT i eat candy, chips, icecream...and i loose? (of course healthy things too...like all the protein and stuff)

Hello All! Can someone please help!! I am 6 months post op, and I was doing really well, I started at 340lbs, and am currently bouncing between 275-280lbs. My problem is, that it seems all I want to do is eat everything that is bad for me recently. Cookies, ice cream, chocolate. . . ARRRGGGHHHH! Is this something normal that everyone banded goes through? Is it like the 6 month itch or something? Everyday I tell myself that I am going to get back on track, that I'm only going to eat my Proteins, and well balanced meals, in the portions I am supposed to be eating. But then I see something and just crave it, and eventually end up having it. Also, the last t…

tomorrow will be my 5 month mark and so far i have lost 60 lbs... yay me!!! i have not had any problems so far but this morning i made me a couple of eggs with a little bit of ketchup and i am now having a little bit of indigestion... is this normal? i thought i read somewhere that this could be a sign of errosion? someone please help!!! Bohica

just shouting from the rooftops that i lost 100 lbs since may 15 thorough november 8 yea me

I'm getting ready to start "real" food and I'm wondering where vegetables fit in. I've read a lot of what you bandsters eat and I don't see a lot of veggies in people's diets. Do you just get your vitamins from pills? Or am I missing something? I know protein is of most importance, just trying to figure out how to do all of this!

Other then the scares on my stomach I really can not tell that I have a band. I have had two fills. my first brought me to 2.6 cc and my second brough me to 3.6 cc in a 10cc band. I can eat anything i want. I can still eat a whole bagel. a whole slice of pizza, a bowl of pasta, a whole sandwich. I have never thrown up from eating to much, and I have never had slimming. I never had PB, I wonder could i just need more fills, or does anyone think that my pouch has streched? I though that this was finally going to be my answer and i would finally get this weight off, but now i am starting to worry that nothing will work for me. HELP. :rolleyes2:

I'm wondering if there is a correlation between how much restriction you have post-op and how many fills it takes to get restriction. I had a lot of restriction the first two weeks and wondering if that will mean I will get good restriction from my first fill or if that has nothing to do with it...

I am having trouble some days getting all of my protein. Can I make up for the missed protein by having more the next day?l I am trying hard not to do the shakes just because I would rather eat my calories than drink them, but I do drink three to four glasses of milk a day that gives me 36-48g of protein. Some days I miss a glass or two and am just wondering if I can drink extra the next day will it all average out? Thanks for any advice.......

I am a little discouraged this morning. I was supposed to go and get my first fill! I have already lost 25 pounds since my surgery October 8, 2008. Then disaster seemed to ruin my morning. The doctor had problems filling the port. He tried for about 15 minutes to find the proper place in the port to fill but had no luck. He is optimistic that it may just be the scar tissue around the port and wants to try one more time next Monday. Has anyone here had that problem? And if you had to replace your port what was the downtime? I really can't take off any more work so I am really upset by this. HELP!

Hello post-op people. I'm due to have surgery in a week and at my final pre-op class they told me that my surgeon uses staples instead of glue and not the kind that dissolve! Yikes! I thought w/such small incisions that surely I'd get the glue and steri strips -- anyone out there in the health professions know why a surgeon would use staples instead of glue? Just curious. I'm sure he has a good reason, I know my surgeon kind of leads towards the very conservative method of everything. He's really obsessed w/everything healing 100% before we attempt working on weight loss. Just one more thing for me to get nervous about pre-surgery! :-)

Hello, Im am presently 4 days out from lap band surgery. I have horrible gas. I had to go back to the hospital the evening i was released because it was so unberrible and made my blood pressure go sky high. I spent the night and after the dr drained the gas and air off my lower stomach with a nasal tube i felt much better. I was allowed to come home yesterday and felt pretty good on the way home. Later in the day and evening the gas pains were back. How long does this last or will they ever go away. Im afraid to even sip on my water they are so bad. When does it stop or what can i do to help with it.

I am 5 days post banded. I had my first protein shake and it gave me awful diarrhea. Is this normal? I am afraid to have another one tomorrow. My stomach got all bloated and sore. Advice?

I had my surgery 11/5 and had some sinus congestion afterward, which caused some coughing episodes. I am a little concerned about band slippage. It seems to be doing well but I wondered if you can tell when one has slipped. Is there increased pain, or more restriction? I have my first Doc. appointment on the 20th seems like they would insure that the band is where it is suppose to be before then, or am I just worrying for nothing. I really like this forum and have gotten some good information, Thanks to All.:rolleyes2: