POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I had my surgery Sept 18th...I have had NO problems eating or drinking. I was in the hospital for 2 nights, and was able to eat all my Jello, broth and popcicles. I got home yesterday, and was told to be on full liquids ( 3 shakes a day and 1 liquid, like pudding or yogurt) but I am finding myself hungry. I have been adding about 5 saltine crackers with my shake because the shakes are not filling...I am using unjury fro my shakes and I drink 8 oz in about 20 minutes, but I am forcing myself to drink them slow. My question is, what did you guys do during this stage to fight the hunger? I notice that I cant eat as much, but there has been nothing I cant eat so far. …

Ok everyone i need help! I was banded 9/8 and the doctor moved me to soft food which is great..my problem i feel like i can eat more than im supposed 2! I havent been filled yet not until 10/24 which sux so my band is empty....today i was doin so good til lunch time before i knew it i ate a whole can of tuna (light mayo) no bread or cheese or anything else just a whole can of tuna..im guessing that is real bad!! Im wonderin how much am i supposed to eat at every meal id rather ask all of u than call my NUT!! Please help me:mad2:

I'm so excited, I had my first dr visit since surgery on 9/12 and I've lost 17 lbs!! I got the go ahead to start on level 2 foods. I can have eggs, low fat cheese, yogurt and peanut butter and couscous. He said I could also start using the elliptical. I've been walking a lot; but I believe you get a better workout on the elliptical. The future is looking brighter already!!!!:crying:

Go for my first fill Oct 3rd. Banded 7 weeks ago Tuesday. Down 17 lbs. I am nervous now I never feel full.....I did about four days ago but now I don't . I know I ate more then my 1 cup 1/2 (for each meal) and I am nervous I did something wrong. Did I make the band slip? Could I have made the band slip after eating a little more then normal one time. I have one week to go...my doctor on vacation or I would have been filled this week. I feel like I don't have the band inside me anymore. I mean I can still feel the port....but it's my hunger, it feels like I felt before. I'm hoping this means I am ready for my fill. I know I gain now that I am eating regula…

Ok well i am 3 months tomorrow post op and i am 50 lbs down. Things have been going really well except got the last month. I am wondering is anyone else is having this problem.I have never been a regualr person when coming to using the bathroom # 2 and since this surg.. i go only about 2 times a week. I am wondering if anyone else is having this problem. I got very constipated and created a fisser ( if thats how u spell it) And well i am having surg on wednesday for that. SOOOOOOOOOOO ... It hasntbeen the greatest of months and i am not looking forward to that but i have been in so much pain and i am glad i am getting it fixed. So i guess i am asking with not being able t…

I had my second fill on Sept. 16 and it seems since then I have been having some hair loss. I noticed this the day after I had the fill. When I wash my hair in the morning, seems like I have a lot of hair on my hands. I am getting a little concerned. I'm wondering if this is from the fill or just coincidental? Has this happened to anyone else?

I've seen some youtube videos where the person went in for their first fill and the doc said there was some fluid in the band already. How does this happen? What is the fluid? Body fluids? How often does this happen?

Hi All, My surgery was 9/11, so I'm two weeks post op. I am absolutely starving today! I'm on "normal" food, which my MD approved. I don't have my first fill until 10/6, and I don't want to gain back the 12 pounds I lost during my pre-op diet. Any suggestions?

I am 2 days post op and supposed to start on full liquids. I am to drink my protein shakes and I tried to drink one today. It was awful. Waaay to sweet. I just can't stomach the idea of drinking another one! Did anyone else have this issue? I know I have to get the protein in. Any suggestions?

I had my surgery on August 15, 2008. At first I did well, losing 26 pounds, but now I have gained 3 pounds in the last week. I feel like I spent $7,000 dollars and endured pain to put on weight! I could have done that myself and enjoyed it a lot more! I am scheduled for a fill tomorrow, but am not sure that it is going to help. I just feel like crying! What have I done????

Can anyone tell me what causes a flipped port, and also what causes a slipped port, what is the difference, my port moves about 2 inches to different place, possible slip or fliP? going to ask my doc, but anyone know? i am concerned re moving port.Thanx.

Well I dont know if im setting myself up to just get knocked down but im 33yrs and I have been over weight all my life my bmi is 36.8 and I have Gerd,High Trigyecerides,Edema,Artheritis,and severe backpain.I have Cigna OAP INS. My question is do you think I have enough co-morbid conditions to be approved or do I have to have a BMI of 40 or more? Any info would be great.

Hi! Well I am almost 50 pounds down since surgery on June 11th!!! So I am literally melting!! All my pants are 2-3 sizes too big and my tops are just as bad!! I cannot keep wearing these things to work or to interviews. Does anyone have any jeans, khaki's, tops they could donate?? Im a size 22 maybe a 20 in a couple weeks at this rate after my first fill last week the pounds are sliding right off of me. I am in desperate need of clothing and I simply cannot afford to go out and buy any and the thrift stores in my area are not plus size friendly I have literally gone to 10!! I don't have much money So if you are willing to donate something, anything I would reall…

Hi everyone! I was banded yesterday and thought those who are waiting to be banded would like to know how it went for me. I truly went very smoothly. I was admitted at 8am, they had me take a pregnancy test, and put on a HUGE gown with compression stockings and booties. Then the nurse put an IV into my left hand. The anesthesiologist came in to go over my allergies. I told him that I get extremely nauseous with certain meds and any movement. So he gave me something for nausea with my anesthesia. I met with my doctor. He asked me what where going to do today (poking fun of course) so I poked back and said, well I'm here for a boob job of course! I was wheeled back, move…

OMG, I had my first (true) clumping experience a while ago. For those of you who are lucky enough to not have experienced this yet. Let me tell you. I was eating a piece of baked Chicken, and within just a couple of seconds after eating it, I was out on the front porch on my knees. I had so much pressure in my chest it was unreal. I couldn't belch and I couldn't throw it up. It was there, stuck, and I couldnt do anything about it. I think I either ate my chicken to fast, or I had to big of a bite, maybe even both. All I know is that from now I, this girl is going to eat slow and small small bites.:rolleyes2:

Hi, I just found out that my port is leaking, although I have suspected it for some time. I was hoping to hear from those of you who have had your port replaced, or know someone who did. What was the replacement like? I was told I can choose to be awake or asleep. How was your recovery compared to the initial surgery? Did you have lifting restrictions? Did the manufacturer cover the cost since the port was faulty? Did anyone choose to sue the manufacturer? Thank you for any information. Heather

I have a question for 40+ gals who have lost most /all of their excess weight... If you had incontinence problems when you were overweight, did it reduce or go away after losing the weight? I just have it when I cough or sneeze right now.. that's bad enough... :girl_hug: I know it is linked to being obese, so I was curious if it goes away after the weight loss...

Just wanted to know when you got your band how long did you stay out of work? On my job i have the option to take a LOA or some vacation time. I really wanted to just to a couple of days off because no one knows at my job im doing this, but i really dont know how i would feel after surgery. :drool: And the funny thing is if i take a LAO ill be out for about 3weeks :laugh:can you imangine leavin work at one size and then returnin two sizes smaller..LMAO Any way if some one can give me some advisethat would be SUPER:wub: I sit all day so there's not that much movement, i dont see me hurtin my port. Well my paper work will go in next week some time after the doctor finishes…

I pbed on Sunday .. have already posted about that ... went on for liquids and then mushy food . Have had tea , water , milk , soft boiled eggs , tomato soup with cheese and some rice after that . Have not pbed .. but have this pin and prick sensation in my chest area and also some heart burn .. There is no pain or no discomfort ... can i still be having a slip .. I am very scared and dont know what to do as the doctor I see is also not available .... one more question ... if one has a slip then if a resurgery is required then is it necessary to replace the band also ... please help me ....

Hi all, my surgery is scheduled for Sept 17, 2008, how long was it before you went back to work after surgery? Thanks, in advance!!!

Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place but...I know most surgeons will let you choose which kind of band they put in but can we also have a say in how big of a band ( cc size) we can have and is there a difference in weight loss as far as that goes? I read most people have 10cc bands but I have read that a few people have 14cc bands. Does anyone know why there would be different sizes? I'm guessing a 14 cc band would allow for more fills so I figure that means that the weight loss might not slow as quickly as it would with a 10 cc band? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I know hardly anything about this stuff. Thanks in advance!:girl_hug:

I was banded in January 2008. I had my 4th fill in July and it is at the correct tightness. The problem that I am having is REFLUX! Never felt heartburn before, but wow now I know why it is called that! Burns from the Uvula on down and all I can do is regurgitate hot saliva:thumbdown: very painful and PeptoBismol and Tums do not help at all. Asked my Dr. to write me a prescription for Protonix today. Hope this helps. Does anyone else experience this same problem?:girl_hug:

Hey All! 1. I went in for my 4th fill yesterday and thought I was going to pass out. Fills 2 and 3 were quick and easy. Yesterday, my surgeon could not get the needle to pierce the port. I made him stop and try again from a different angle, so to speak. He still could not get it. At this point, I am woozy, clammy, and shaky. Normally I can grin and bear it, but the pain was unusually intense this time. I finally told him to stop and that I would come back another day. It was horrible. Now he wants to do the fill at the hospital under the flouroscope. Has anyone had a fill experience like this? Any advice would be great! 2. Also, one odd quirk I am experien…

I've been reading lot and lots of good information, but now that I'm on the other side of the "band" wagon I'm confused, scared, worried and not sure if I should have done this!!:rolleyes2::wink: Okay, last thing I remember from surgery was.."are you ready..?" I said yes, then I woke up at 11:30 am feeling pretty good. I walked around 10 mins every hour, I had a little sips of water but gosh I was so thirsty I wanted to gulp it in, but of course I couldn't. I was discharged, that afternoon, next day i went to my daughters soccer game, sunday relaxed a little also monday, so far so good. Not hungry at all, just thirsty! Today i went to work and I started feeling pain no…

Ok so I read about a lady who had similar story and she died so...I might just be freaking myself out but....I have light cramping around my port area/stomach. It isn't constant. Just very light spasms but it's just worrying me. My stomach is still a little swollen as I am only one week post-op. Anyone have anything similar happen?

Hi all - I am feeling really depressed & demotivated... I really need some help! I have been banded for just over 7 weeks now... I lost 14lbs in my first week and in the remaining 6 weeks I have only lost 3lbs... I had 5cc in my 10cc band during surgery, and have since had a 2cc fill so have 7cc now in total. I am restricted but can still eat too much. I am trying to eat healthy & manage my own portion sizes more than the band does. I am booked for another fill the 9th Sept... I just want the scales to move!! Can anyne who is loosing weight give me an idea of what they eat each day... I would have lost at least 1lb a week before I had it done if i'…

I am soooooooooo depressed today I got on the scale and it said I gained 5lbs. I am so mad at my self. I am only 3 months out and I have not lost any weight and then I gain????? I don't even want to go to my fill this thursday scared of what the doctor will think of me. FAILURE is the only thing I can think of!!! All I do all day is think of what I am going to eat, how much is too much, and if it will make me full so I won't struggle with that hunger feeling. I'ts like I ask how do you all do it, go from eating what you want, then have the band and all of a SUDDEN YOU CAN push yourself from the table and have that WILL POWER?!?!?!??!?! I can't do it. I have ZERO restric…

:smile:Just thought I would report in I had surgery on thursday surgery at 730 and home by 1130am. i did well. Saturday was my worst day yet /of course i am sore, and ran fever on Sat but the soreness is getting better by the day. So heres looking at a new me. Renea

Hi Everybody. Hope all newly banded people are doing well and good luck to those being banded today and in the future. I am having a hard time figuring out portions, calories, protein etc. I am only on the clear liquid stage of my post-op diet, but I read receipes and what I am supposed to eat when I get to solids and I'm not sure what is considered a serving. Would like to try and not just eat till I'm full. Does anyone who has been eating regular food have suggestions/menu?? I still have a few weeks until I get to solids, so I will do more research. I have my doctors plan, but it is not done by calories. I would love it if people could share what they are eating…

Quick few questions, surgery date was 9/2. As of this morning I am down 29LBS. Is that normal? Am I losing too fast? Also is it normal to still feel restriction as this point? Still on mushies and I limit my self to 1/2 cup at a meal which is more than enough, however when eating Soup I feel I could eat more? One last question, all liquids seem to go down well with the exception of skim milk, if I drink more that 4 ounces in 30 minutes I feel uncomfortable. Thanks in advance for you responses.

Hi, I was banded 091908, I really don't have a lot of pain just at the port. Hear comes the Butt my real problem is im on the clear liquid diet now for two weeks, Im really having problems with loose stools actually not stools just water. I feel and hear the gas but when I actually try to go it backs up,:rolleyes2: and nothing happens without really trying to force it. Any ideas thanks.

Hi! I have been reading the threads but cannot find an awswer to what I am experiencing. I starting feeling pain in my chest last night after eating popcorn(!) which i do all the time since it is one of the things that goes down. (banded one year ago) I am now hearing that is a no-no. Well when I woke up this morning after finally falling asleep last night the pain was still there! It is sharp pains in my chest, right between my breasts and has been going on all day. I went to Urgent Care and they ruled out any heart problems then I went to my Lap Band doctor and he took all the fluid out. The pain went away for a couple of hours but is now back. I am so frustrate…

Hello, Starting at 256 lbs, I was banded 2/26/08. I have lost 48 lbs and gained back anolther 11 lbs w/i 7 wks. I slowly reverted to my old way of snacking on carbs and Snacks high in sugar. Ive only had 2 fills which was only a few cc's at a time, and there is no retriction. Im embarrassed when I bump into those that knew I had the surgery because of little diffrence in appearance. Im also too embarrassed to go and get a fill. When my doctor sees the small amount of progress since the month of May I know they'll be dissappointed. I have the desire and the mind to eat healthy and go back to the gym like I previously did -but, when I'm faced with the temptation I get wea…

Hi All. I am home safe and I will write you all tomorrow. But.. I needed to share this with you. I don't want to get too personal... or give you TMI about my life but.....I was very constipated... before and after my surgery. I went to the hippie store (Whole Foods) and found a tea called "get it going". I'm not even kidding. It comes in tea bags and isn't too bad with Splenda. I drank two cups and...... got it going!! It was not too expensive $10.99 for 36 bags. It comes in a greenish round can. It has no caffine and didn't cause any cramping or diarrhea. May not work for everyone, but it sure did work for me. Becky

ok, so i thought i was going to be in the cool elite group of those who have never PB'ed or had any sliming...ahhh...almost 8 weeks post op...PB, :rolleyes2: ok so i had food in my mouth chewing when things felt bad...did i spit it out, heck no i swallowed the food like a champion eater! lmao! 0.0005 seconds later...OUCH!!! then me running to the bathroom chew chew chew <~ is that what yall ment? i can't keep taking giant bites! it all makes sense now...well duh if you wanted me to chew more than three times you shoulda wrote: chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew ch…

Hey all! I am due to have my 2nd adjustment Thursday. I was just wondering, I already have 3 1/2cc (from 1st fill), should I have any restriction with my 2nd fill. With what I have now, I still feel no restriction at all. I can eat just like I did before the band (although I don't), but I am still hungry within a couple hours. I have been trying this K2O water but it doesn't feel like it is working cause its not taking the edge off my hunger feeling. Please tell me good news and I will be able to feel the restriction with my 2nd fill

So last night I ate some thai food left overs. Pad Thai Woonseen to be exact but the noodles are small and clear. Anyway I took a bite and I felt a bit of pressure so i slowed down took another bite when it felt ok. let me tell you it was not OK by any means. I started to slime and could not stop spitting. I was literally tapping on my chest and back like I was burping myself. It hurt so bad I was hoping it would work itself out, but ti didn't finally I started to slime like a darn faucet and next thing i new I could not even make it to the lav I tossed right in my kitchen sink. It was just a little amount. I felt some relief, but still pressure. Oh no here c…

I had my 1st fill last wednesday and since then sometimes I get a sharp pain like a needle stick around the area where the port is. It wasn't really that bad except for last night I woke up in the middle of the night (baby was crying) and I went to sit up and had the worst pain ever, it felt like a knife stabbing me in the stomach. anytime I moved it hurt like I was being cut. I am going to the doctor tomorrow so I will ask him but I am just wondering if anyone else has ever had this kind of pain.

I went for my third fill yesterday and my Dr. could not do it. He said my port had flipped and the back of it was facing front. Now I have to go back to the hospital and have it repositioned. I have no idea what caused the port to do this. He asked if I had lifted anything heavy, but I can't remember doing anything like that. I do remember when I first started riding my stationary bike, I could feel the port but it never hurt or felt like it was tearing. I waited until he said I could do it to start riding. Maybe, it just was not supposed to be there. My first two fills were very easy and no problem. I was just wondering if anyone had this problem and did you ever find…

I was banded on 5/20/08 I have lost about 40 pnds so far but in the last 6 weeks I have been really hungry. I can eat about almost anything I dont think my dr tightened my band enough last time,or Iam afraid that there might be a problem I do get sick on some things but not often. Its hard for me because I dont have a support system where I live. I live 1hr and 1/2 from my surgeon.My dr has a great bedside manner but he really dosent explain alot. He just tells me I am doing find . I dont think I have been really productive with my weight loss this time I gained 2 pnds and lost it . I hope my Dr dosent give me a problem on Tuesday when I see him.…

I had my band placed three days ago and have a massive bruise over the port site, has this happened to anyone else?

Hey I am about a month post surgery and have been told to crush my meds for 3 months!!! :thumbs_down:They are very difficult to get down and upset my stomach for hours after I take them.....has anyone just scored theirs into small pieces to get them down instead of crushing them????:smile:

Ok, FREAKING out here, I am 5 months post op. Everything going smoothly. Not really losing, but its my fault I have been eating fast food etc. I know how to get back on track, that is not what this post is about. This is hard to explain but, I am having a twitching either at the top of my stomach muscle or bottom of my chest?????? Its like when your eye twitches involuntary. There's no time or situation that it happens, empty or full, morning or nite, just a lot lately. At first it scared me like maybe a heart murmur or something, but I dont think that is it. Theres no pain involved. Anyone EVER heard of such a thing????? suggestions????

I've been reading about PB and stuff. It seems to be similar (but way worse) to some of the experiences I've had after eating like taco bell or something equally terrible. It's like my mouth produces a ton of saliva, I get a stribg pain between my breasts, and I feel like I can't eat, sometimes even after only the first bite or two. This happened today when I was eating a bean burrito and it reminded me of PB/sliming. Is this a downscale version of what it's like?

you must have already read my earlier stupid threads about pb . so new questions ... I havent had a fill ... can I still have slippage ... and people usually go for a unfill to cure slippage ... waht does a person like me do who hasnt had a fill ... really confused

Hello all! I was banded today! finally...:redface: I am not doing to bad, I am just sore and swollen. The only issue that I have is I am able to drink more than what I thought I could! I am able to drink 4-5 oz. Is that normal? Oh and I am walking. I don't let myself sit or lay for very long!

Hi. Just got my band Friday and I am feeling great. Not gassy, no pain meds, ......but... I can't sleep. I've tried the bed, the couch, the chair... nothing is comfortable. I'm still in this hotel in Houston. I am going back to Albuquerque on Tuesday and I'm sure it will be better once I get home. I miss my Lazy Girl!!!! Any suggestions??? Becky (1:10am)

Hi Everyone. I am exactly two weeks postop and was having a lot of trouble last week with dizziness and nausea. At first I thought I was pushing myself too hard...going back to work in a week, etc. I live in NYC and walk a lot so I thought I was just doing too much. Then my mom pointed out that a few years back I had a mild soy allergy show up on allergy testing. So I stopped the protein powder for a day and felt great. So since Saturday, I have been drinking a juice based one that I bought online and I haven't had any nausea or dizziness. I am going for my 2 week floow up tomorrow and then on to mushies but I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion on high protei…

Hiya!! This past Saturday I thought I needed to be put of of my misery. :redface: The only thing I think it could be was a gall bladder attack. It was on the right side of my chest and went through to my back I am wondering if anyone else has exprienced the pain and can you describe it? I wanted to go to the ER, but since we are dealing with the after effects of Hurricane IKE I didn't want to be a nuisance if it was nothing. The pain lasted about 2 hours and the following day I was a little sore. Thanks a bunch!! JJ

I'm really sorry guys, I hope these Q's are not too dumb...:redface: 1. Can anyone please tell me what PB means??? 2. Can anyone tell me how I will know if the band has slipped? 3. Can anyone tell me how I will know if something is stuck?:smile2: 4. Can anyone tell me if all of this burping and hiccups is normal?:thumbup: Thanks Jenean:thumbup: Banded 6/30/08 Mercy Hospital Dr. Lufti 339/313.2/160