POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am post op 7 weeks... lots of times I don't have time to fix a breakfast, and lately I have been craving cereal... Does anyone eat cereal now for breakfast, I miss the milk, and ready to move back on to getting my milk intake.

I became "banded" three days ago and am able to eat creamy soups (still liquid diet). But I can't tell when I am full and I don't want to risk stretching. Any advice?:crying:

On my 4th fill the band was obviously too tight and could not swallow water without trouble. After another adjustment (2 sticks in 1-hour :thumbup:) water could pass easily. Now I am very restricted in what I can eat now. Good thing is that I am losing weight much better, but also having to really watch the amount that I can eat. How do you really know when the band is too tight for food?:confused2:

I felt really sick yesterday. I could not stop the pain and forced myself to throw up maybe six times in an attempt to feel better. Today, I am having pain on my side. How do I know if my band has slipped. Does anyone know what it feels like? I'm a bit panicky now. It is not a bulimic thing. I ate a small amount of chicken but it just would not go down. Thanks for any advice.

Has anyone experienced frequent hick ups after thier surgery?

Hey everyone! I made it under the knife. I had Lap Band surgery on Thursday, 6/12/08. I felt like a big Mac truck rolled over me :scared2:on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I felt better on Monday, Tuesday and Today. I see the doctor at 1pm today. I don't know if I lost any weight. He said to walk but if was not possible for the first 3 days post op. I could only walk a little the past 2 days. I stuck to clear liquids and lots of water. I even took tylenol for pain. I am not a pain medicine person. They gave me Vicodin and I have not use one pill. I did eat baby food meat and apple sauce since the dietician told me to go to pureed foods after the surgery. Now …

Hi all...I'm due for my band on October 1st, 2008 and would like to ask a quick favor of all of you. Would you be kind enough to throw at least one (more would be great!) piece of advice out that you wished you had when you were newly banded. I've never heard about 'sliming' or meat tenderizer or pineapple juice or hot things to 'open up'...all these things are foreign to me. I'd like to compile a list and print it out as well as post it on other sites. Tricks of the trade? How to prevent getting things stuck (and what tends to get stuck) and things you wished you'd done differently? The REAL reason behind this is I'm deathly afraid of the symptoms and problems I've …

Ok so i was banded 9/8 and im goin thro the 3 week full liquid phase and my stomach is constantly growling what do i do??

Has anybody out there had an allergic reaction to their staples/stitches after surgery? I swear I am having one to my staples. My stomach is covered in hives as are the incision sites, which is driving me NUTS... I have tried antihistamine cream, but no relief. I plan on calling the doctor tomorrow morning because it's gotten to that point.

I had surgery 9/9. I took my baby home yesterday. She weighs 25lbs. Am I in for some trouble? I feel really good and didnt see the reason she should stay at the babysitter. Anyone else did this?

Hi I am moving to Vancouver, Washington the end of this month and was wondering if anyone could reocmend a doctor there to get fills? Thanks so much Penny

Hey ya'll. Got a slight problem here. I have been having some pretty bad abdominal pain for about a week now. It isn't constant and stays in 1 place when it comes. It is like below my bread basket and over to the right. I am thinking it is gas pain, but Gas-X isnt helping, walking doesn't help and I have even tried rocking from side to side and back and forth and this isn't working either. When I went for my fill today I spoke to the nurse about it and she (like me) thinks it is nothing more than gas. Any ideas of what I can do to pass this gas. I can't get it out and this pain is driving me nuts. Oh yeah, it hurts more when I get up or have to walk around, if I …

I know it is all psychological but I remember being devastated to reach 299 and 300 lbs. After reaching a high of almost 340, I feel so much thinner at 295 now than I did on the way up. I guess it is all in your perception. I know I am much healthier now than I was last time I was this weight. My Blood Sugars are under control, I'm excercising and feeling great! Getting under 300 lbs has been a huge personal goal for me for so long. I'm finally there!!! :tt2: Yeah!!! Just had to share.

Okay, So when you first started real food again, did you not lose weight that week or even gain a little? Thanks, J:unsure:

I was banded on 8/18/08 I was on liquid for 2 weeks then moved to puree for 2 weeks and now have started the mushie stage. I am having trouble determining what is consider mushie. I figure if it is soft and I can mush it, that would be a mushie food but I don't want to hurt the band. Today I had about a 1/2 cup of stir fry the veggies were cooked very tender and was soft and I chewed and chewed but then after reading some threads got to wondering is this a mushie or not? I had a small amount of pasta last night again is it mushie? I have not had any problems with the food going down or any pain after eating but would love some help on what is OK to eat and what isn't. Tha…

Does anyone find that when their pouch gets full they get stopped up in the nose. I find this very strange. As the pouch empties, my nose clears. I was wondering how these two things are coorelated. Thanks!

Hi everyone. I"m pretty new here and was banded on 9/11. I've been reading alot of posts and according to most people, I should be feeling pretty good by now, but I don't. My back hurts, my incisions hurt and itch, I am still having gas pains. I'm just all around feeling blah. I'm trying to stay off of my pain meds during the day (hydrocodone) because today my DH has duty so I'm home alone till the kids get home from school and tomorrow I have to go back to school myself. I'm a full time student. I just want to lie in bed and sleep for about a month. Anyone else feel this way a week postop? Maybe I am just a wuss.

Just wondering if anyone else had these pains I'm having? I have been feeling great, except for the past 3 days I'm having sharp pains in my upper chest area. (where my bra strap would be ladies,ha). It only happens at night and early morning, especially if I take a deep breath. I know it's not acid reflux or anything. But it feels like something is strained. Did anyone else have these pains post op? I know I'm still recovering. It only scared me because I had been feeling perfectly fine for the past 2 wks then all of a sudden this happened. Thanks for any info!

I had my first adjustment this Monday (the 15th). I don't feel any restriction yet? I am thinking I need to go back in for another adjustment. How long should I wait before I call to make an appointmet?

it started today afternoon . had lunch normally then while sleeping had reflux and woke up coughing . had something crispy baked snack in evening which went down with a bit of pain and then had a spasm in my ribcage area which made me double up and then in dinner I could eat more than what I normally can ... has my pouch stretched ??? I have had my surgery on 06/28/08 and still havent had a fill.:tongue2:

I'm 5 days out and I stay hungry most of the day. My doctor has his patients drink 2 oz. Optisource 4 times a day, plus water, tea, coffee, anything unsweetened. I've found that after drinking tea or cofee, my stomach is growling within 10 mins! I bought some sugar free popsicles today and am letting them melt slowly in my mouth. My doctor usually does the first fill 6 weeks out, so I should be getting my first the end of October. How long does this hunger last? One of the reasons I chose lapband, was because of the commercials saying that it took care of constant hunger!! Help, please!!!!

I know how my doc says it'll go.... but I want to hear it from people. How are the first 7 days of post op? I would really appreciate your help. I just want to know what to expect. You don't have to write a whole book about it, just something like "Afternoon/evening of surgery- absolute misery, pain, trapped gas, unable to swallow, etc... Day 2- a little better, not so much pain, able to walk around, able to eat, etc.... Day 3- able to carry my child, not taking pain meds/only tylenol, starting mushies, a lot more alert, etc... Day 4- almost normal, able to drive " I don't know if this is what it's actually like, I'm looking to get a good idea of what to expect. …

I had my band done July 31st. I have an appointment for my first fill today. The past couple of days i have been feeling very nauseous every time i eat something. I have been able to eat anything i want for a couple of weeks now. Nothing seems to be off limits to me. Is this a normal feeling? I don't feel stuffed after i eat so i don't think it is because i have eaten to much. Any comments would help. Thanks

Anyone notice any changes in mood since surgery? I had mine back in may 2008 and sometimes I can get... well cranky or even mean. Which is totally not me. And it kinda worries me a bit. Wanted to see if anyone else is feeling this way out there and maybe what others do to handle this issue. thanks ahead! ~~jessica

hi... so, i was banded 8/29. due to some serious issues with diarrhea, i have been eating mashed potatoes to try and bulk up my stools. anyhow, i have noticed in the past couple of days a feeling of pressure, or tightness, in my chest (between my breasts). i am wondering if perhaps i transitioned to the potatoes too early and have messed something up with healing. maybe i am just being paranoid? anyhow, i am wondering if other people feel this pressure at this stage of banding? also, i am wondering if eating mashed potatoes too early could cause a slippage? let me just state that when i eat them, i have with them Soup. that way, they end up watered down once …

I'm a long, long time lurker, love how you help each other and maybe me. I've had my band 4 years. Made my goal, and have lost 10 pounds more. Had a fill in Jan. 08, but by August saw my weight was starting to creep up (6 pounds) and had a fill (total of 5 in 4 years). Now I feel my band is perfect, except for one little problem. At night, after being asleep for 5 or 6 hours (around 3 AM usually after going to bed at 10 PM) I have stomach juice slipping up into my mouth, wakes me up, I cough, spit, go back to sleep and then a few hours later, do it again. I've tried not drinking fluids after 7, not eating after 7, drinking tea or hot water before bed, tums, and noth…

I sip 3-4 ounces every hour but I just can't get it all in. (broth and propel Water is all I can have) I'm suppose to have 32 ounces. At times I feel a slight pain and heaviness in chest so I'm wondering if that is a sign to stop sipping. Anyone else?

I first should start out by saying I have been very positive about this experience. BUT the heck with that right now. I'm complaining for the first time. I'm 6 days out and I'm tired, back hurting, pains in sternum area and just bascially a little bummed out. Back pain feels like a pulled muscle. Weak I'm sure from just have propel Water and broth for 9 days now. Dag gum stomach pains, etc. Would love to belch but that's not happening I can tell. I'm taking all my Vitamins and drinking Protein water. I can't even begin to think how I will eat mushies Thursday. It takes all I have to get 3 oz of water in a hour. (sometimes I don't) Anyways, this has got to…

Hi everyone, I made thru the surgery and am home. Surgery went well, I was home by 1:00. My journey to a healthier life has started. WOO HOO!! The pain is not too bad. I'm just glad that it is over. ________________ Gail

I need someone to give me some information about after surgery. How long does it take for someone to be able to lift 80 lbs after surgery. I would have to know for job purposes. Cheryl

OK, I had my first fill yesterday. I had 3 1/2cc put in. I was as hungry all day yesterday as I was before my fill. I didn't act on the feelings though. Today, I haven't been hungry at all, so I haven't had anything to eat and it is 1:10CST. Is the band suppose to make it feel like you are never hungry? I thought it was suppose to make you feel full faster and longer, but I didn't know about making you actually feel like you aren't hungry all the time.

I had surgery last Tuesday on the 9th, came home, rested, followed eating chart up to yesterday... Okay, I'm feeling GREAT! Soo much better than I thought I would've by reading other people's experiences with this. Yesterday I was feeling soo good, no pains meds needed for 3 days now, no pain at all except for soreness on my port incision....... I ATE GUMBO(with rice and sausage)AND A FRIED SHRIMP(both of my weaknesses!!). I chewed very well and everything was perfectly fine! No pain at all... the only outcome was that I felt fuller after maybe only 1/2 a bowl of food.BEFORE YOU ALL START YELLING AT ME..... lol I KNOW it was wrong and I shouldn't have done it and I sho…

I was just watching a youtube video and the girl said she had to give herself lovenox shots for 10-12 days post op. Why would this be done?

I am freaking out. I am 6 days post-op (9/10) and have been taking care of myself and wearing my binding. Well this morning I noticed 2 little drops of pus or blood on my binding. I have the liquid stitches so I can see my scars and am scared that it is the start of an infection at the port site. ARGH!! Nervous and super scared of corrosion. Have any of you used antibiotics or mercurochrome (Sp?). I have left a message to the P.A. and just waiting but I am wigging!!

I totally over ate today, but not compared to before. I ate 1428 calories. That's about double what I had been able to eat up until now. I think my hunger kicked in and my stomach must have stretched. I'm still eating small quantaties but more often. Now I know I will have to watch it. Before I was worried about NOT ENOUGH CALORIES, now I need to make sure I get in GOOD CALORIES! B- 1 turkey meatball (50 calories) S- baked pita chips 228 (NOT A GOOD CHOICE!) L- 2 chicken Satay (left over from a Thai restaurant) 270 calories w/ peanut sauce 80 calories S- candy pumpkins (why oh why did I buy those?) 150 calories D- mini tacos 200 calories S- more candy pump…

I am 16 years old, had my surgery in 07. and I am back up to probably 280, not good at all and I have lost alot of muscle because of my lack of Protein. I am really disappointed in myself and can't stand to think about it. I just scheduled for another fill, I have three fills since my surgery, in 07. Hopefully this will be the start to get back on track. I am not as big as I was when I got the surgery but no where i want to be. I am about to turn 17, and plan on seeing my family in ohio soon, but before that my main goal is to lose more weight and look better because I am ashamed to go up there looking like this because I know there going to say in their heads "what hap…

When I start to eat, I am experiencing sharp stabbing pain in my right, lower area, right next to or above my ovaries....I don't know how far the stomach goes down but I don't know if this is in the lower part of my stomach or intestines? It goes away after no eating...no pain at all when I woke up this morning or after I ate my eggs but after I ate a couple of strawberries, it's stabbing me... anyone experience this kind of pain or have any ideas... I thought maybe an ulcer? I don't think my band has slipped because I can eat and hold down food like normal....any ideas?

Haven't had any problems before this! First thought I needed to eat, so I had a protein shake, and took some meds the doc gave me - in case I felt this. Then felt the wave hit me again. Ran to the bathroom to fight it off, swallowed, rinsed my face and fought it down. I am so afraid to throw up! Why is it hitting me now? Thanks for any advice!:wink_smile:

Has anybody ever been told that the valve that they put in was wrong and that you were supposed to be able to put fluid both in and out....my doctor just told me that he thinks mine is now a in only valve and that would mean a replacement valve.... Is this common.

Hello everyone, I remember reading that so many people went back to work after three or four day's. I don't know what kind of people they can be. I could not go back after a week because of pain but as long as I took my pain meds I was fine. Today I decided that I would start to whin myself off of my pain meds from taking them every six hours. I took the meds about 10 this morning and I waited all day to take more and now it's 9:48 and I am really hurting at my port area and under the arm on the port side.:frown: Am I trying to whin myself too early? Has anyone experienced this before? How many days does most people take their pain meds? I don't see my doctor until…

I woke up this morning with the worst cramps I've had since a teenager, and I even have cramps in my back!!! HOLY COW!!! Did anyone else experience bad cycles after having lost some weight?

I got my first fill a week ago. I had lunch today which consisted of lettuce, raw zukenne and a 1/2 of turkey salad. I ate too fast and was disussing some irrating issues at work while I was doing it. I am dying, my chest hurts, my stomach hurts, I'm bleching but not throwing up. What can I do? My work place doesn't have anywhere I can go and get anything and it's two hours before I get to commute 1 hour home.:biggrin:

I am having trouble with my stomach but I am not sure if it from my lapband. 1st of all, I take an eighth of caynne pepper daily in 2 oz of OJ. It is a natural pain reliever and anti-inflamitory. I am about 3 months post op. I just started this regine again about 3 weeks ago. I am thinking that Sour Cream is something that I cannot handle any longer. I had a baked potato and put a little sour cream on it. This has happened to me twice. I ate it about 1.5 to two hours before going to bed. Well in the middle of the night I am waking up to my stomach ON FIRE!!! As if someone has dropped a match in my stomach and I cannot put it out. I have taken Pepto Bismol…

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone has had a baby or is pregnant now with the band. I am getting the band next month..and in about two years would like to start a family. My surgeon said it was fine but I was just curious of anyone's experiences. He said the band could be removed or I could have an unfill if necessary. Just wondering if anyone has had any complications? Thanks:biggrin:

My papers don't tell me how much to try the first time. Do I eat mushies once the first day or do you try to eat them three times a day. Any info is appreciate. I have left a message for my dr but I'm just curious what others did.

I just had my band on 9/12. I was having a hard time getting my fluids in. I had maybe 32 oz yesterday. i was trying to only drink fluids with protein (Isopure, special k protein water) I am also allowed cream soup and plain yogurt, but these aren't of interest to me either. Today I received a call from the nurse who said not to worry so much with the protein and try to get my fluids in. I started with plain cold bottled water and it went down soooo much easier. Follow your dr's instructions by all means, but this has probably saved me from dehydration.

Hi everyone. I had surgery 9/4 and I am doing good. No nausea or vomiting. The gas pains are more or less gone after day 6. I had my 1st followup last Friday and the doctor is allowing me to move up to soft foods. I was on a liquid diet day 1 to 5, the mushies for 2 weeks, then soft food for another 2 (I believe). Starting this Friday, I can eat anything. Has anyone been able to move on to regular foods this fast?

Ok everyone, I had my first fill today. I have not offically lost 16 pounds (GO ME). I have a 9cc realize band and now I have 3 1/2ccs in it. I was told to give it about a week and if I thought I needed more, to go ahead and call for an appointment. Just thought I'd let everyone know.

For Months I went in for a fill because I was able to eat anything. I would get a fill still was able to eat whatever but would get sick when I was sleeping then I would get sick at night but during the day I was find. On Thursday I had a scope and found that I have a slipped band downwards I feel like screaming my Band has been a great tool I have lost 100lbs and have maintained 90lbs off now I don't know what to do I am feeling very hopeless. Orange :cursing:

I'm so excited about attending the seminar on 9/17 so I told a couple of co-workers and wow, I wish I would have just kept it to myself. My good friend had bypass and is so happy, I want to be happy and healthy like her. My co-workers started on me how I could just do it on my own and one has known me for 6 years and knows I can't. I just let them talk and kept quiet. Then at lunch I went for 2nd's and there she went telling me how if I just didn't eat so much I could lose weight, again, I didn't say anything. Now I don't want to tell anyone else or my family. I don't want to hear neg remarks when I'm so happy to get started. I'm not even sure my insurance will ap…