POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

OK, I have those weird clear plastic bandages over my cuts (tagaderm, second skin, whatever they're called). I'm supposed to remove them today, but I'm waiting until tmw because I don't want to have to trek to the emergency room if there is a problem today when I can go to the doctor's office tmw. Anyway, do they hurt to remove? Or is this more like how a regular band-aid feels? One of them is itching like mad and it's driving me crazy.

I am wanting to start exercising to "Sweating to the oldies" with Richard Simmons. I know I can go online and buy the DVDs but to tell you the truth we are really tight with cash right now. I am not able to work and my husband is out of sick leave and has been for a couple months now (his back). I was wondering, does anyone have a copy they may be able to burn onto the computer and send to me? I have tried d/l the video but I can't seem to find it on any downloading site. No, downloading videos is not against the law unless you burn and sell them. I just want to use them in my home.

Hello posters. I've been travelling here for a few months reading and learning all i could before going through with this. I was banded at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, by Dr. Naim, who has been utterly exceptional to work with. Sadly I am a smoker, and it was suggested I quit smoking at least 2 weeks prior, but I have even less willpower there...and even trying to use the patch didn't work. Because of this, my oxygen level was not able to stay high enough post-surgery so I stayed overnight. I came home today, and relaxed. Sipping on apple juice and Optisource, a nice strawberry flavored Protein drink. I was drinking 30 mL per hour the first day, but after midnight…

Hi, I'm still on Clear liquids. I think my codiene elixir has constipated me, because Im having painful cramps in my stomache and intestine. Meanwhile, I am experiencing no pain and very little discomfort from the lapband and incisions. I've been taking gas-x for gas pain. but not convince that it is helping. My lapband clinic is closed for the weekend, and I'm hoping to avoid theirs emergency service. Am I experiencing something that is common enough? Can any provide me with some advice? Thanks Tyler

Anybody else have a hernia repair at the same time as getting their lap band put in? I didn't know I needed it, but woke up to find out I did and that my doc fixed it. Did this affect your recovery time/pain, etc.?

Hi, I was banded on August 25th and was feeling great up until about 2 weeks ago. I started being able to eat and drink less and less. I just thought maybe I iritated my stomach (which I still think I did) then the acid reflux started and I couldn't sleep without throwing up it was awful. Finally I went to get some of the Fluid taken out of my band. I had 2 CC in a 4 CC band. My Dr. took out 1 CC and I felt instantly better. I am not sure why it did this, maybe because ate something to iritate my stomach and therefore my band but basically nothing was getting through. I hope I still continue to lose weight even with 1cc taken out. If not I will rest my stomach for the …

I was banded on Oct. 8th this year, and things have been wonderful...until this morning. I had a carnation instant Breakfast, and within minutes I had severe stomach pain. I thought maybe I was becomming lactose intolerant because occasionally milk does make me sick. Well, around lunch time I grabbed a few grapes, which also brought on the pain. Then just Water, and that brought it on too. :cursing: I need to drink, but it hurst so much I can't bring myself to do it. I have not had a fill at all yet, and my band is totally empty now. I've been going to the bathroom all day, so I know I'm not blocked. The pain is most severe immediately after trying to eat or dr…

I had my surgery on the 2 days ago on the 29th. Has anybody else had diarrea? That is my biggest problem since surgery. My stomach is still swollen from the gas and I guess the trauma from surgery. But all in all I'm doing OK, nothing I didn't expect with exception of the diarrea. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Maggies:shades_smile:

Hi. Do you always feel the restriction of a fill right away?? I got my first fill one week ago today and don't feel any restriction - does this mean that I won't? Thanks in advance for your replies. Becky :smile2:

I had my second fill about 2 weeks ago, and am still not feeling any restriction. I know lots of people do not feel restriction until their third fill...however that third fill is different levels depending on the Dr. I asked my Dr. what I was filled to, and he said a 6 (I dont know if that is .6 or 6) But that seems somewhat aggressive compared to what others say they have gotten on their second fill. I am worried that I still feel nothing...am I worrying for nothing? Is this common to be at this level, and not feeling restriction? They never tell you it could be months before you get restriction from the surgery. Thanks so much- Targa

I don't understand the sudden necessity of protein post surgery. I honestly am not a huge protein eater and doubt I ever consumed more than 30 grams of protein a day prior to surgery. Now I am really struggling to get enough. What is up with protein?

my question is how hard is it to stretch your pouch? I have no fill at all in my band, as well as feel no restriction or anything. But is it easy to stretch the pouch with no fill? or is it hard? I don't think i have stretched the pouch...i haven't eaten enough.. does it require many times of over eating? or just once or twice?

I was banded on 10.16.08 and until the other night, things were going just fine. I was banded with a 4cc band and they left a fill of .8cc when they placed the band. I have been feeling a good deal of restriction and had just recently been able to finally drink Water without it taking 2 hours to finish a glass. Anyway, I decided that I just HAD TO try a chicken wing (I know....really stupid!!!) at dinner the other night. Well, at first it was going well. I chewed and chewed and chewed, but it would never completely turn to mush and I swallowed. I was fine at first and instantly felt full, so I didn't even eat another one or anything else for that matter. Then...…

I have been reading about everyone using the protein bullet substitutes. However, we were told by the bariatric dietitian not to use them because they have collagen in them and that somehow does not make them appropriate protein supplements. I have not read about anyone else who was told not to take them, so I am trying to see if I am the only one. I don't want to take anything I am told is not good but they seem so easy...

Hi guys, My surgery is in a few weeks and I'm still very excited about it. I'm not nervous at all. My question for those of you that have had the procedure already is how long did it take for you to feel well enough to return to work again? I have an office job, so I won't have to do prepare for lifting or anything like that. I ask because I've scheduled a week off for recovery time and I'm wondering if I'm being too confident about my recuperation time? I've read from a lot of folks here that they felt normal after about 5 days or so and based taking a week off post-op on that. I should also add that I'm going into this surgery in great health (no co-morbidities at a…

Hi- I'm barely 36 hours post-op and already concerned about constipation. I'm usually very regular but I know that's connected to a diet high in fibers. I don't think I'll be having fibers for a while... I'd appreciate any tips you guys can share. I've never used a laxtive and know nothing about them. Phil:frown:

Hello everyone, I am just curious when you are in the hospital, do you have to wear the hospital gown after surgery or can you wear your own? Thanks.

I am supposed to eat soft foods for another week but i have tried crackers and it didnt bother me. Is it bad to be trying that?

I had my placement on Oct 22, at Kaiser, it seems from reading others their progarm is a little different, They do not want you dinking protien shakes. Stage 1 is clear liquids 1-3 days, then Full liquids, pudding, ceam of wheat, strained soup etc, 2-3 weeks, then you start pureed protien, 2-3 weeks, then soft food, then regular diet, 5 stages. I am on stage 2. I have lost 15 pounds so far. Today was the first day I had not lost 1-2 pounds. I am feeling good been walking up to 2 miles at a time. Played 18 holes of golf yesterday, got a little tired but felt ok this morning. My problem has been 1-4 diarrhea events a day. Anyone else having problems with diarrhea?

Hi all, I have lost 29lbs. It has been 2 weeks since I lost anything, the good news is I have not gained anything. I am however experiencing a strange feeling. When I lay down or relax it feels like a have a rock at the base of my esophogus and sometimes it feels weird when I swallow (like air is trapped). I do not drink carbonated drinks and have tried to slow down my eating. I am a talker and probably take in more air then I should. Has anyone else experienced this feeling, and if so what did you do about it? :w00t:

Hi guys, So its been three months since being banded and i am starting to worry. According to my doc i have 7.5 in a 10 band but i can still eat more than a half a cup of food. I have been eating Soup alot and i know that isnt as filling but even when i eat solid food (like a salad) i get hungry shortly after i dont want to get too tight to fast becouse i have only lost 30 pounds (give or take) and want to lose more weight before getting tighter but maybe thats the wrong way to look at it. Should i go up to 8cc now? and when did you guys reach your sweet spot? Thanks Justice

I was banded in mid August and I've lost 16 pounds. I have 7 cc. I am counting everything I eat in Weight Watcher points and usually eating 5-10 points under what I am alloted. I've been working out on a bike 4-5 days a week. I'm very down about this. Three weeks ago I lost four pounds in a week. The next week I gained two pounds. Last week I lost one. It seems like every where I look on the site people are loosing so much more. Any advice? Thank you.

Hi there, I was banded October 16th and yesterday I started feeling some discomfort in the port area, like the stiches were being stretched or something. I was just wondering if I could of hurt or stretched myself by getting on the treadmill. I have been walking and even tried jogging for about 30 minutes a night. Anyone else experience anything like this?:w00t: Also - Other October Bandsters........how are you doing in your progress? I quickly lost 11 pounds:thumbup: and now since being on "mushies" I have gained a little back, :sad_smile:Is this pretty normal? Thanks! Jeni

So I was talking to my mom (on the phone long distance) the other day and she and my dad both agree that I sound like my old self. Weird to think that this little surgery can make that much of a difference in my mood. It's like, before surgery, not so happy, but after surgery, apparently happy enough that others notice through the phone. Anyone else have this experience?

Was just banded 10-16 got home 10-23 and haven't felt like posting till now:frown:. My surgery uncovered a heart condition that took me an additional 5 days to get out of the hospital because of but I am lucky they found it because apparentally it was about to kill me:ohmy:. My wounds all look good and I have kost 20 lbs already in (13 days). The doctor had to go "open" with me due to the adhesions I talked about him seeing the last time they attempted the surgery, so I'm alot more sore than I should be but I will make it I suppose:thumbup:. Looking forward now to going back to work but I have a few weeks yet. I will go in on 11-20 for my first fill but to be honest I hav…

I'm such a panicker when it comes to thinking about this. I have a really bad cold right now, and tonight I coughed so hard that I started throwing up. So my question is, is how easy is it to have the band/port to slip? Do I have anything to worry about? That's the one thing I didn't think I'd worry about so much with this, but I just worry so much about it slipping.

What is it like? tell me what they do?.... does it hurt? what do they give you to kill the pain? Do they knock you out? How long does it take?

Hi - Had my surgery 10/21 - am feeling great with the exception of my port. It is very sensitive and seems swollen...is this normal? Anyone else have this feeling??? I am paranoid about something going wrong...I am very active with two kids under two and try to watch myself but it is tough. TIA

Hey I'm 4 weeks out today and I'm having some pain at the port sight. It doesn't look infected, and it's mostly closed up. Any idea what the pain could be?

What happens if you've had your fills and you get the stomach flu and you have to throw up - how does it come up through the band? Because the flu will be in the lower stomach (and probably pouch, too). Has this happened to anyone? :biggrin:

I had my surgery 8 days ago. My incisions are healing nicely, the gas pains are gone, and I am generally doing ok. My problem is that I am soooo hungry! I had heard that you shouldn't feel hungry for the first couple of weeks, until you have your first fill. But the hunger pains are really bad. To the point of pain. Any advice?:w00t:

Hi, I was wondering if there is a mushy thread somewhere. I couldn't find one in the nutrition area. I want some variety and I know many of you have great ideas. Can someone give me some recipes or point me to the place to find the mushy ones?

:wink_smile:Hey all my cinco demayo fellow bandsters. Looking for an update good or bad on everyones progress. Personally I lost 60lbs so far and feel really good. The last two months hit a little road bump where i lost only 10lbs. Don't know the reason, im certainly not eating more? Started weight lifting and feel that may have something to do with it? Lets hear everyones progress!!

Hi All, I was just banded on 10/13 my doc placed the port in the center right below my breast line. Today it is very uncomfortable it feels as if it has moved. I noticed my wired bra tends lay on that area when I am sitting down. I started back to work on 10/20 and am sitting about 8+ hours a day and it about drove me crazy today. Has any one else had this problem? :grouphug:

I was banded on 10/17/08. The doc said everything went well. He said there are 2 sizes of bands and he put the larger one on me. But ever since I woke up from surgery I have bad pain either in my shoulder and now my stomach. I have had upper GI studies, a CT scan and xrays to make sure everything is in place. Went back to the doc on Friday and he said it was still gas and that there was a lot of swelling in there. I have not been able to eat anything since Sunday. Everytime I eat something my stomach kills me. I don't know what to do!!! I am miserable. Does anyone have any suggestions or help? I am eating gas x chewables and drinking milk of mag. Sharty

Just asking for some crossed fingers today... Was banded on 10/20 and the doc has had me on Clear liquids since 2 days before....needless to say my love for crystal light has now turned to enraged hate! LOL! But today at 2pm I go back to the dr to find out if I can move it on to my pureed stage... I got the magic bullet already out on the counter ( for those that don't have one its the best investment I ever made in my life... mini blender thats great for bandster portion with a lotta power!) the baby food is all kinds of stocked up in the cabinets and I may as well own stock in Campbells! I AM READY!!!! I didn't start getting hungry till late saturday...but the thought …

It's been one week today since I was banded. Chewed a gum ball b/c my mouth is dry and I feel and though my breath stinks!!! Guess what??? I swallowed it without thinking and I am scared to death.... I have no restriction yet so do you think it will pass???? What should I do? I am freaking out!!!

Had surgery on Friday afternoon. The incisions are no longer sore. It's the gas. I am having really BAD back pains and sharp gas pains. I have been walking and taking the gas X strips to help alleviate the pains. I am miserable. I know it will be worth it soon, but these sharp shooting pains are knocking me to my knees. Any tips, or words of encouragement?

Oh my! I just finished vacuuming for the past hour. The first half or so was just dusting, and I have central vacuum so I'm not lugging around a vacuum cleaner, just the hose. But the second half hour was all carpets, bending, all kinds of stuff. I'm six days post-op. My incisions seem to be okay from the workout, but I'm really tired! Did I start housework too soon? I thought some activity might help ease the gas pain in my shoulder that is really almost gone now, and vacuuming without lugging a vac cleaner shouldn't be that stressful, right? Did your doctors give you any idea about how long you should wait to vacuum and do housework? My husband would have actually been …

I am 5 days post op and id LOVE to be able to go to the yogart shop and get the sugar free flavor of the day. My dr allows all the liquids including strainded cream soups and protein drinks, sf popcicles, jellow with sf whipped topping...do you guys think it would hurt to have a little sf yogart from the yogart shop? Just wondering?:biggrin:

how long do you cook pastina to make it mushy?

I was wondering what people out there are doing for vitamins and calcium? I have tried a liquid centrum and it tastes HORRIBLE! Any suggestions? Any things you have tried that work or taste better? Please let me know. :biggrin: Was banded 8/20/08 and am starting to feel worried about my choice. Bottom line, are most of you out there happy with your lapband choice? The future looks a little scary.

I have a strange question to ask, which leads into a delicate question. How well do you know your surgeons, and how easy is it for you to call them and ask questions after surgery? I have only actually seen my surgeon once in person, and that was at my consultation on September 18. I actually haven't seen him since, even though he did the surgery on Monday, October 20. He had car trouble and was late coming to the hospital. The hospital staff had another patient and I ready for surgery since we had been waiting for probably 2.5 to 3 hours for him to get there. Before I knew it, I was being whisked into the OR for surgery. I saw the anesthesiologist from a distance, and in…

About 1 month after surgery, and before my first fill, I developed an extremely itchy rash over my port incision. I showed it to my dr. , and he didnt think it was a big deal, and prescibed a steroid cream. It helped with the itching, but the rash has not gone away. Now my best friend, who had her surgery 2 weeks after me has developed the same rash...port incision only. There has to be something to this...even though my dr blew it off, I would like to know what is causing this. I have not done anything different to that incision to cause a rash there...why have we both gotten rashes in one place only? Has anyone else experienced this, and have you gotten any answers fr…

i was banded on june 9th and have lost only 13 lbs. and gained back 4. i just got my second fill yesterday and cant stick with liquids because i am so hungry i feel sick. i feel like a failure everyone is constantly asking how much i lost and telling me success stories of their friends. my boyfriend is thin and eats whatever and whenever he wants and i am depressed and miserable to the point that it is controlling everything. i have no energy and just feel like i am on another horrible diet. have been trying to make the best choices and stay on track and exercise but i am frustrated beyond belief!

After 2 1/2 months of not smoking, I have fallen off the wagon. I have been going through alot lately including no weight loss at all. I wasn't gaining but still I wasn't losing either. With personal and family problems, I went back to smoking. :-( Now, I am starting to have problems. I have only been smoking again for a week and for the past 2 days, anything I try to eat, gets stuck. No matter what it is froms eggs, to gravy, to turkey with gravy, it is getting stuck. EVERYTIME!! Could this be due to my starting smoking again?

Is popcorn a no no now? My dr. said i am ready to eat whatever...although i was wondering if popcorn is a really bad thing.

How do yall count a Protein drink...is it considered a meal replacment, where it counts as Breakfast or lunch? Or is it considered part of the liquid requirement for the day. Right now I'm having one as breakfast. And, I'm having a hard time getting in all of my protein right now.

What happens if you've had your fills and you get the stomach flu and you have to throw up - how does it come up through the band? Because the flu will be in the lower stomach (and probably pouch, too). Has this happened to anyone? :biggrin:

I was banded July 14. I have had 4 fills so far and have 7.5cc in a 14cc band. This is the first time I have REALLY felt restriction. After this last fill I have noticed that after just taking a couple bites, I get this THICK film in the back of my throat making me cough and stuff like that. Anyone else experience this? What is it? Does it mean anything? BTW I have never vomited, pb'd or slimed with the band, I have come very close to vomiting though.