POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was wondering if anyone was smoking after being banded, and if so are there any side effects? The doctors keep telling me not to do it and stressing how I NEED to quit but are they just being doctors or is there really a reason to quit (besides the normals reasons)?

Hello :biggrin: I am three weeks post-op and my post-op eating plan allows for soft foods starting this past week. I got stuck on a small piece of poached egg..OUCH!! I also got stuck on a piece of chicken breast tonight, not pleasant. I have not yet had a fill :biggrin: Could it be swelling still? I go back on liquids for a day after i get stuck cause I am scared to eat again. Anyone else??

How long do i have to wait until i can use my hot tub? My surgery (lap band) was 9/22. My steri strips are still on (i swear, they used super glue), and everything looks to be healing well. I just got the hot tub, and only was able to use it about a week before my surgery. I have arthritis, and I'm dying to get in there! Any thoughts?

I'll be okay wearing pajama pants the day of surgery and the following 3 days, but after that I'll probably need to wear some regular pants. How much of the swelling will still be there on day 4 post op? What kind of pants could you wear? The incisions are above the navel, right? Do you think I'll be able to wear pants that fit loosely and comfortably now at four days post op? TIA!

Can anyone tell me why after 9 months of being banded I am stuck and not losing any more weight? In the 9 months of banding I lost 51 lbs. and have been up and down with my weight ever since. I eat a normal diet, oatmeal Breakfast, salads lunch, and usually fish (broiled or baked, chicken, etc. for dinners. I just went on vacation to Disney World, walked the entire park 2 days, and came home to see I've gained 2 lbs. I'm pissed! My friends say its muscle gain, but I've discussed this with the RN at my Bariatric center and she has no explanation why I'm gaining. They say stay around 1000 -1200 cal. per day to lose weight, but I'm hungry and that is not enough cal. to keep …

OK, I'm basically two weeks after my surgery. The first week was basically Water and crystal light. Last week and this was/is EAS Advantage shakes three times a day. That's what I was supposed to be doing. However, I had family here last week and I ended up having to go out to eat with them throughout the week (a personal form of hell). Not only did I not want to look at food, I didn't want to smell food, but I couldn't avoid it because I had to be a good host. I ultimately, ended up having some Soup without anything in it throughout the week (a broth here, a cream of soup there), but I did relatively ok. There were a few times that I know I accidentally ate something w…

Okay, I have a question, in my mushies stage, which thankfully I am out of, my nutritionist said to add cheese in things to increase the protein content of food, I have read many of your daily food logs that include cheese, and yet, I have a paper here, that the bariatric coordinator at the hospital gave to me, that says, "Cheese is nothing but glorified fat, stay away from cheese" has anyone else had this mentioned to them, i thought cheese was good... and what about fat free cheese?

I had my surgery on Sept 5th. So far its been hard on this liquid diet. The only thing that keeps me going is the 20lbs I have lost. For the last 3 days i have not lost anymore weight. I am very frusterated and still have 9 days to go on liquids. Why have a completely stopped losing when I am hungry all the time? Has this happened to anyone else???:thumbup:

Hi, Has anyone felt hunger their first week????

So yesterday AM, as is my normal, I get my glass of milk and all of my supplements ready to go. I don't even get a 1/3 of my milk down when my throat starts closing up! WTH??? Of course I stop immediately but it's not going away anytime soon. It took probably an hour before it settled down and I could then drink my plum juice. I tossed the milk down the drain. I've been banded 5 weeks and this hasn't happened before. My throat has felt funny before this, both before and after surgery but it's never done it to this extent. If I drink a lot of milk, my throat will also feel funny and I'll get a little heartburn (which also happened yesterday AM). I did drink …

I am in deep depression. The first few days were fine... But for the past two days I want this thing out of me. I know I sound crazy. But something tells me now its not for me. I know this sounds crazy. But is there anyone out there who has thougth this? :bolt:

today at work i was really hungry so i got a peice of trident sugar free to chew. later on i was speaking on the phone and without realizing it. swallowed it!! I feel something stuck in the bottom of my throat and I started doing dry heaves at work so i left. im awaiting the call from my docs office and i still feel something down there... not sure what else i can do. ive been drinking warm liquids. I am so scared my band will be screwed up I love it so much!!!!

Anyone notice not losing weight around their period time? I have weighed myself nad lost nothing last two days, but know im getting close. via cramps, crappy mood etc lol.. Im wondering if i shouldnt weigh myself until after my period ends? What does everyone else do during this time?

So I am 3 days away from being banded and I was just Curious???? How long before everyone went back to work and what type of work do you do???? :thumbup: Thanks

I wanted to get feel from those of you who have been banded on how you are handling the whole not eating and drinking at the same time thing. I know this is something we have to do:thumbdown: (I'm not yet banded, waiting for a date:thumbup:) but I'm having a real hard time with this one. I am trying my best to make changes now to better prepare myself...I'm more conscious of my chewing, taking smaller bites and slowing down, but when it comes to drinking and eating, UGGGHHHHHHHH! I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE drinker with meals, always have been! Can anyone feel my pain? How are you coping? Does it get easier? Please say that it does...okay, don't lie, that won't help me:…

So i had my surgery on the 18th of september 2008. I weighed myself today and i didnt lose any weight, actually i think i gained like 2 pounds. How long before you notice any weight loss after surgery? And is weight gaining normal right after suregery? And yes i am following the diet correctly.

Hi, I am 3 weeks post-op and the last two days I notice I am dizzy at times. When I lay down to sleep, I get the spins or after exercising. Has anyone else had this? I do not have high blood pressure and stopped taking my metaformin, since I barely eat any carbs now. So I don't think it's low blood sugar. I have never had this happen before! Thanks for any help!:cursing:

Today was a very good day for me, for exercising anyways. My son left his snack here at the house this morning so I ended up having to take it to him. The is a walking track just across the road from the school house so I thought, "what the heck, I'll go for a little walk before going back home." I drove my car over to the parking lot, got my MP4 out and turned on NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK. LMAO, yeah you read it right, I have NKOTB and only them on my MP4. Before I knew it, I had walked the whole track (1 mile in length) and wasn't even out of breath. I wasn't wanting to overdue it, so I went ahead and got in the car. I was well on my way home when I thoug…

I just had my first fill last Thursday. I did my liquid for 2 day's then pureed for 2 days (did not cheat cause I am scarred to death my band will slip) just started solid food today. My question is I am so hungry today. I ate about 1/4 of a Breakfast burrito this morning but felt like I could have eaten the whole thing. I just want food. I am PMS'ing so thought maybe that is it but shouldn't I be eating less and filling full sooner then before the fill. What is going on? I have lost 31lbs since being banded on 8/18/08 and was doing great until today. Has anyone else felt hungry after fill or is it just PMS? I could eat all day long if I allowed myself to today but so far…

Hi, I am one week into surgery, on full liquids. Can anyone give me some tips on eating on the go like, running errands or something to take to eat in the car. Thanks!

I am two weeks post op. I lost 40 lbs in the 2week pre diet and first week post op, but since then I think I have gained weight. I am doing 30 minutes of hard cardio a day, and weights. My diet consists of slimfast and soup. WHy am I gaining weight. I have not had a fill yet, and I feel no restriction, I hope it gets better.:thumbup:

Well, ladies and gents. I got my band yesterday, I was just released from the hosptial a couple of hours ago. and I feel SORE, Weak, no energy and I can only take a couple sips of tea, and protein shakes and make a small amount of a frozen pops. I feel gassy, at times I walk a little bent over. because I am sore. I just don't feel normal. Have I mad a mistake or will this pass????:drool::thumbup: Tomorrow I will have to remove the bandages and I am not looking forward to that.... I am wondering if I made a mistake doing this. Anyone feeling like this. I need some help... Thanks All.

I was banded on the 23rd september, so its been one week. I feel great no pain almost feel back to normal. Im still on liquids and my on a fact sheet i recieved from my doctor it says i shouldnt drink alcohol for one month after surgery. Im wondering does anyone know what will happen if i do a have a few drinks? Is this the same information that everyone else has recieved? any insight will be great!!! thanks

Sometimes I feel like I can eat and eat and eat. Other times food gets stuck and I have to throw it up. I have 7.5cc in a 10cc band. Is there a way to test my band and make sure it has not slipped or that I have not stretched the stomach pouch too much? I have had good success but I just want to make sure. Any advice would be great.

Hi all, I was banded yesterday and I have been trowing up uncontrollably. I cant even keep my saliva down. Had an upper GI done today and there is swelling on my stomach at the band site. Anyone have this happen. I am scared because they say to keep hydrated. Help.

I'm 19 months out with no problems what so ever. until last month. I started throwing up this brownish slimy stuff. I will feel very restricted and then get a slight heartburn feeling, then start salivating like crazy. I end up throwing up this brownish slime. its happened like 6 times in a 2 months. If anyone has any advice or experiences to share I would really appreciate it. I am down 153 lbs. banded Feb. 07

Hi everyone, I've been in here reading all I can about the surgery. I'm scheduled for the day after tomorrow and up until yesterday I was so anxious to have it done. Now I'm starting to be very nervous. is this normal? Did anyone else get frightened right before? I know I'm doing the right thing, but cant seem to shake the worry now. Any help would be sooooooo much appreciated:unsure: Cindy

Hi everyone- ive been banded for about 5 weeks now. and to be honest, i dont feel any different!!! i feel as though im eating more than i should, or thought i would. i lost 18 pounds the first 2 weeks, including the pre-op diet. but now im afraid ive gained a few pounds back. i havent had my first fill yet.. i get that october 8th! my mom has been banded for several months now and she tells me that after i start getting my fills the weight will start coming off, that this is normal. she also said that things i can eat now i may not be able to after i start getting fills. my question is: anybody else going through this?? and is there light at the end of the tunnel or is al…

I understand why the shoulder pain happens... but how long before it stops? Does Gas X actually help the pain? If not, what does?

I'm feeling like a little kid again! I've got my super snazzy baby spoons (they make it too fun to eat, actually) and I burp after every meal and every time I drink "large" amounts. Am I eating too fast? Am I supposed to be burping every time? And what is the burping cue? Again, am I supposed to feel this pressure or does the pressure mean I've gone too far? I'm feeling okay otherwise. I'm 8 days post-op and haven't vommitted, PB'ed or had anything to complain about accept my massive, deep throated monster burps and a little soreness around my port incision. I guess this is a good thing. :confused:

Im finally exercising and losing weight. I was banded of course in June, and have lost a total of 44lbs with no effort to exercise, so now, I have it stuck in my head that I need to exercise, I need to get out and do something and I am. And last night was the first night back to the gym. My best friend went with me, and was my perfect motivation. I done only 20 mins walking, and worked out on some weights. Not a lot of weights. Does anyone know what restrictions we have when doing weights what we can and can not do? I just had my gallbladder taken out. I have now 7 holes in my tummy. Knowing I will have to have plastic surgery to have them removed. Anyway, just wanted to …

Hi everyone! Well, I did it and I am one day post-up. Surgery went well. I have some pain around the large incision site (where I think the port is). Other than that, I have TERRIBLE gas pains.:biggrin: I've been using the gasX strips but they don't seem to help. I've also been walking a lot in hopes of some relief. Nothing...anyone have any other suggestions for the gas pains? I will do anything for some relief. Thx!:dita:

Just got my band on the 24th. My understanding is that a year or so down the road things get better, the more I read the more unsure I get do you ever get used to it??!!

its been almost 8 weeks since my surgery. I'm really craving coffee. And no, decaf will not cut it. my dr says no caffeine for the first three months. Please remind me why I cant have it. I quite frankly dont rember why. Anyone else out there able to drink coffee after the surgery?

I finally received the scale I had ordered a few weeks ago. Of course when I opened the package there wasn't an owners manual or instructions.:cool2: Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the manual. Or if you know how to program it would even work. I have tried Conair's website, their toll free phone number, weight watchers site, even did a search on the internet but no luck. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Have you ever felt like you must be the only one in the whole entire world that is going through this? Have you ever felt like nobody really cares? Have you ever felt nobody could honestly know how you are feeling or what it's like to be going through this, one of the biggest changes in your adult life? That's how I am feeling right now. I'm pissed off at the world including myself. I feel that my band isn't working anymore and that this is going to be one of those crazy things I tried, it took a little bit of weight off and now it's done. I feel I just wasted my time doing all of this. My husband sits on the bed eating a jelly filled something or other watchin…

I am currently filled to 7cc in a 14cc band. I went to a support group meeting a couple of weeks ago and asked how do you know if you are ready for another fill or if you have stretched your "new" stomach. The nurse proceeded to tell me how NOT to make that happen, but never clarified how you can tell. I had a fill about a month ago and did pretty good for a while. But the last couple of weeks I've pretty much been able to eat anything I want. I'm scared that I have stretched out my pouch. I go for another fill this Wednesday, hopefully that will put me back on the right track. I'm so affraid of sliding backwards and doing all of this for nothing. Can anybody relat…

I was banded 9/26...started feeling sort of down yesterday...for the first time today felt some hunger and really tired of clear liquids....and have clear liquids until 10/8. I'll make it, because I want this really bad....I guess I just need some cheering up or something. I am still in some pain from surgery too...is that normal? I read so many posts about people having very little pain...can anyone relate? And I am so tired...normal? Good thing is...although they didnt weigh me on the day of surgery...I believe I am down about 15 pounds...so that is good.

I am still so confused about whether or not to get a fill - I got one two weeks ago was too tight had a little taken out - tight at first then too loose then today tight again - why does it fluctuate so much - it makes it very hard to know whether or not the fill is too tight or not tight enough. I was able to eat steak over the weekend no problem but on Sunday tried to eat a little beef brisket and it got stuck. I am not eating much food and frankly thought I would be way down by now - was banded June 27th and only down 10 lbs. If I had known it would come off this slowly even with eating such small amounts of food daily I would not have let them cut on my stomach an…

I am looking for information from anyone taking EffexorXR 150mg capsules. Are you able to take the caps as directed or do you have to open them and take them in applesauce? If you have to open them, do they work the same? I am getting banded Oct 7th and don't know what to expect and would appreciate any feedback. My doctor said I could try them unopened but I would like to know what others have experienced. Thanks in advance, Mimi

After my second fill (5 ccs in a 10 cc band), I started getting what my fill doc said is probably "first bite syndrome." I had read about that on the threads here, so I later searched for it and only found a few threads about it. Most people say to drink a warm liquid first (which my doc also suggetested), but I find that's not a guaranteed fix. I also know that Jack the Super Moderator said (here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f13/does-any-one-have-problem-74494/) that he learned how to deal with and it eventually (after many months) went away. But I searched the forums and didn't find as many notes as I thought (hoped?) I might. So, I was wondering, how many of you …

Has anyone tried the Viactiv calcium chews vs. calcium tablets??:thumbup:

I'm pre op. Whenever I don't eat much or skip a meal I get a serious headache that usually doesn't go away until I eat, take some meds, AND take a nap. Will this continue post op? I'm not sure if this happens because my brain is hungry or because my stomach is hungry.

Hello all, I am more then a year out. I had my surgery in Mexico, where I live. It was not until today that I ever thought to google anything about the Lapband. 4 days ago I began having a problem. I THOUGHT it was my first one until I cam here. Over the last 4 days I have not been able to hold ANYTHING down. Not any food or liquids. I have not had a fill for 6 mo so that is not the problem. I googled and found this site, The more I read the more I fill I am in BIG TROUBLE You all seem to know much more about all of this then me. I had the surgery and went home. I throw up 2-3 times during every meal. Let;s face it, Most of us had the surgery because we have an ad…

ok ... this is urgent and please dont be amused .. i am ordering this really expensive protein supplement right now .. will be my half months pay so help me ... anyone tasted pure whey ... how is it ... please answer quickly .... will be around only for half an hour

hi im denise i am 3 weeks post op and my incision where port is .. is still bleeding, no pain or discomfort, but i have been told it takes upto 3 months to heal properly as port is attached to a muscle.. has this happened to anyone else. msg me. thanks denise..x:confused:

hi everyone :cool2: claire here in the uk !! just had my very first fill at 8 weeks :thumbup:just wanted to let people who are still waiting for their first or are pre-op know that it went absolutely fine :laugh:like other people waiting for it ,i was looking forward to it but quite nervous well i lay on the surgery table and was told to raise my feet an inch to tense up my stomach muscles . wendy [the nurse ] found my port straight away and said the dreaded words "u'll just feel a small scratch " then before i knew it she was in !!! :thumbup: i can honestly say i didn't feel it - 2.5 in no probs !! xxx hope this helps anyone who is feeling a little scared - have been o…

Hey guys and gals. I am 1 month and 11 days post op. I have only lost 17 pounds. I lost 16 pounds the first 2 weeks after having the band put in while I was on the clear liquid diet. Since then, I have only lost 1 pound. Is or has anyone else had this problem? I am really getting frustrated and starting to wonder if the band has stopped working for me. Although I dont, I could still eat just as I did before being banded. It's like I'm not even getting full. What's going on with my band? I have already had 2 fills and have a total of 5cc in a 9cc band? My last fill was on the 25 of this month.

ok my 1st fill i was filled to 4.2 (10cc band) and i lost 13.5 lbs...ok 2nd fill to 5.2 and OMG i've gained 7 almost 8 lbs...WHAT HAPPENED, that fill was 3 weeks ago, (i go for fill number 3 thursday) i was fine, i wasn't feeling hungry, i could go from 6 am to 9 pm and never eat, ( i did eat!) but i never felt hungry, i had lost about 7 1/2 pounds, and now i've gained that back, so now i weigh more than i did then when i went for the fill!!! i'm so embarrassed, like i don't wanna go for my fill, its so frustrating, i mean i know where i messed up i guess...i was going to the gym 5-6 days a week, and i cut down to 3-4, and now this past week i've been REALLY hungry, i m…

My hubby is my support person (my doc requires his patients to have a designated support person). I'm making a list of things I want to make sure he knows so he can reinforce the "rules", watch out for potentially negative behaviors, know the signs/symptoms of serious problems, etc. Anyone have any advice on things to include? I've already got the basics.... how I'm supposed to eat, what I'm supposed to avoid eating, exercise regimen, food journaling, etc....