POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

There is a pain that only comes when I breathe because when there is pressure applied there. It feels as if my port is rubbing on my ribs....Is this normal? Is it from swelling? It is worst then yestereday...I told the doctor about the pressure and he said that is becuase i haven't had a bm, but today it feels as if something is rubbing there....anyone else experience this?

I have had nausea all day. Since my afternoon shake anyway. I wonder if I did something wrong? It was thicker than I thought it should be so I added more soy milk to it. The doctor was supposed to have someone on call, but when i call the office the phones aren't forwarded! Any good quick cures for nausea? I don't feel like puking-- just have a heavy, yuck feeling in my stomach. Thanks!

I think I have food stuck. I ate some beef jerky bits earlier this afternoon. I was traveling and it was all I could find that was somewhat healthy. Well, apparently, I did not chew well enough. I tried to drink water and that just came back up. At 9:30pm I tried to eat some Lean Cuisine macaroni and cheese and barely got 3 spoonfuls in. It feels awful, like a big rock between my breast bone. I know I've read about pineapple juice, but the stores are closed. Will it eventually stop? After a good night's sleep? I'm so miserable. Hungry, uncomfortable and miserable. Help?

Ok so I had my post-op check up yesterday. I'm actually only 3 weeks out from surgery...I've lost 20 lbs (including my 3 days pre-op liquid diet). And I think the biggest improvement...which I reallllly wasn't expecting.. My blood pressure:) Before surgery I was always around 120/90 yesterday I was at 102/66:) amazing! And finally, had my first fill. AGH! Don't think I'll ever learn to love those lol. And anyone else get a weird bubbly feeling when they inject saline? After the nurse trying to find my port for about 20 min. digging around in scar tissue...she brings the doc in...who finds it...but jabs the needle in. Oh well it's done and I'm excited to be continuing o…

:confused2:Today was my first day of mushy foods and things have not gone well. I get this feeling about 2 1/2 hours after I eat that something is stuckk or I get real clammy and then have diarrhea, sorry:( Has anyone felt like this? Then when I get the feeling something is stuck, I start coughing and feel like I am going to vomit and my food is stuck in the middle of my throat. Please HELP! Anyone else feel this way? I was banded last thursday, 8/14/08. The acid that comes up when I am coughing burns my throat!!!!

I have heard people talk about shoulder pain but I thought it was right after surgery. I am 2 weeks post band and now have p:confused::confused:ain in my left shoulder. What gives?

Hey all! I am 12 days out from surgery and am still having quit a bit of pain at my incisions and in my back and left shoulder sometimes. I am still having to take pain meds every 10-12 hours or I can't move!! I went to my post op appointment last Wednesday and the doctor said it was unusual to have so much pain still, and to call him if it got worse. I also seem to have a lot of swelling(edema) in fingers and legs that I thought would go down by now. I am getting all my Water in and am still on the *damn* liquid diet!! Monday I get to start mushies, woo hooooo!!! I was a bit let down at the postop nutrition meeting, as most of the group are bypass and had lost in the d…

Hi I ws banded on Friday the 15th, one week ago today. I had the gas pain in my shoulder very bad for the whole week. It has started to go away, but everytime I feel like I have to burp it hurts really bad coming up. Has anyone had this problem or should I call my surgeon? Thanks

Ok I had my lapband done on the 18th and I am going CRAZY!!! My diet consists of G2, bottled water, sugar free Jello, sugar free popscicles, and broths. I'm about tired of it. You wanna know whats worse though. The commericals on TV. I keep seeing commercials with these huge beautiful juicy hot bacon cheeseburgers with tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. (I hate onions, but at this point if you'd hand me one I'd eat it) I called the Doctors office today to see if maybe I could eat some cream of chicken ( i love cream of chicken) and of course, NO was the answer. I have to stay on clear liquids only. Someone answer this for me. Why the clear liquids? I know Phase 2…

Ok So I posted a thread this morning tell everyone how well my surgery went, and it did. But today I started getting really bad gas pain in my neck and shoulder (actually I woke up that way and thought it was a stiff neck). I have been walking all day today and even went to the store to get some gas x strips that dissolve on your tongue. Nothing has helped and now I am in SO MUCH PAIN. I don't know what else to do. There is only so much walking I can do!!!! The pain medicine doesn't even help it. I have a heating pad on the area now, thought that might help-wrong! I am seriously desperate to get this gas moving, does anyone know something else to do to help this go away? …

Hi I was banded on 7/25 almost a month ago and I have been on the progression diet.. I have been on mushy food for the last 3 weeks and have 2 more weeks to go on mushies.. however.. I have no fill in my band and yet I am very restricted.. I eat only the amount that they told me to and I am not hungry.. I have no appetite and I have to force myself to eat at times because i am breastfeeding and I know I need it.. I believe I am already around 20lbs down although I havent had the official weigh in.. I am susposed to get my first fill in a week and this bothers me for 2 reasons.. 1 I got the band so that when I was preg I could have the band opened up with no restriction…

I am on day 3 since the surgery. I am feeling great (up and about) and overall the pain is really diminished. I gained weight at the hospital (despite only taking in about 4 oz of Protein shake for the day and 1/2 I was there.) I know it was Water weight from the IV. but now I am home and actually am hungry! I had 2 shakes today and about 29 grams of protein in one (including the soy milk) and 20 grams in another shake (including the soy milk.) I know I need a bit more protein for one dya, but I also don't think I should be hungry. Do I just make another shake, or do I just suffer with some mild hunger? I am drinking water and crystal light. I have only had abo…

So today is 4 days since banding and I actually feel functional. I was supposed to return to work for 1/2 day today but had to call last night and back out. Had a rough day yesterday with shoulder and port pain. Well, last night I got hubby to go get me Gas-X, something recommended on this board. I took two before bed and was able to sleep all night! I have no pain in my shoulder this morning and I am only feeling "burning" around my port, especially if I move the wrong way. I am planning on trying to get out for a bit today and see how I do. I have a wedding to go to Sunday and back to work for 2-13 hour days Mon and Tues so hopefully this feel-good pace will keep…

How long did your port pain last after surgery? I had my surgery on Tuesday Aug 19th and it is still very sore today Aug 22nd. I'M starting to get discouraged and depressed.

I have talked to a few people and we all agree that it would be a good idea to start a little chat room and invite everyone who was banded on 08/18. Why only those banded on 8/18? Because we all are basically going through the same things at the same times. I (along with a few other people) think it would be a good support group, maybe be able to vent and listen to people vent, share our stories, our worries and other things. So, if you were banded on August 18 and would like to join this chat room please click on the link below and it will take you directly to the chatroom. I hope that whoever reads this will click this link. If you do and nobody is there at the ti…

Hi Guys, I was banded on 8/5/08 and it ended up being open surgery rather than laposcopy. I was wondering if anyone knows how long the recovery might be and when you think that I might be able to return to work. It's already been over two weeks and I am still very sore. I haven't been able to do much, even sitting here at my computer is painful. Also, does anyone know what I can put on my scar so that it will heal. I'm still bleeding a little from it. Thanks for any and all advise.

been banded for almost 3 weeks now and i have had about 4 bowel movements anyone else like to talk about their irregularity and what you do about it ty

I had my band on 11th August and I was doing great until yesterday when I developed a constant nagging pain under my skin all around the front of my waist above one of my Incisions. It's not really tender to the touch but feels like pulled muscles. I went back to work this week and have been doing all the usual stuff I did before the op so maybe Ive just over done it or maybe there is something wrong. Has anyone else had this or similar? Should i ride it out Or Contact my consultant? Advice please

I'm sure this has been posted already a ton of times... but, I am seriously in trouble when it comes to shakes. I can't have whey so I am stuck with soy Protein. I need 60 grams per day. I found a really healthy shake but it tastes like chalk. I tried an egg-white based shake but it is so frothy I am afraid I will get gas. So now I'm drinking the lactose free slim fast, because that's what I could find. It has tons of carbs. My doc said double the protein to carbs. I'm drinking this one, as I need SOMETHING but know it won't be any good long term. I am hungry and don't know what to do. I already drove to the GNC closest to my house and they had nothing that seem…

Hey everyone! I just got my first fill of 4 cc's in my 14 cc band on Tuesday. I don't feel any different than before! I get full a LITTLE sooner than I did before, but I thought that I would feel drastic restriction differences! Is this normal? I'm wondering if there's a leak in my tubing or somthing!

:confused2:I am one week post op and today started to feel a pinching sensation in the middle of my belly. Not sure if that is the dissolvable stitches healing or dissolving or what it could be. Anyone feel this before being post-op? I get nervous each time I feel this, hopefully nothing is wrong. Also, I get nervous each time I cough, I am scared that when I cough or sneeze it might bust one of the stitches inside. Any advise or is this normal?

I know everyone is supposed to drink 8 glasses of water a day but I am bad about drinking water - does anyone know really how important it is to losing weight to drink that much or more water - I only get in 1 or 2 glasses a day but drink ice tea the rest of the day - is that the same thing? I hear it is and I hear it isn't - does anyone really know and does anyone think that is why I am losing so slow - Thanks!

I was banded 03/06/07. I have lost 58 lbs. My last fill was 07/01/08. I was fine or I thought I was fine. I began to throw up, called doctor. They told me that my stomach was irritated. So i was on liquids for 2 days 1 day soft foods, then regular foods. It stopped for about a 8 days started again. Went to doctor, he took out 2cc's of my 3.1 cc's on Tuesday. I felt better once this was done. Then I began to have what i was thinking real bad indigestion. Pain was horrible. I was taking mylanta but it was not working the pain persisted. Went back to doctor today, he took the rest of the fills out. I had to go get an xray, drink the barrium. Doctor says could be some…

Hi Everyone, I went in last Thursday for a fill and after 7 bent (extra long) needles, pokes and stabbing, dr.said I would have to have a fill under fluoro. I am going in 2 days. I am a little nervous. My first fill he did in less than 2 minutes, no pain or bruises. Hopefully he will be able to zoom right in and give me a nice fill. (And no bruises) However, this will be a new experience. I know it is a real time x-ray and I will have to drink some barium. I have had a week to ponder why he couldn't find my port. Could it be flipped? Did it move? Any of you have a fluoro fill? What was it like? Where oh where did my little port go? :confused2: Stacey

I am into the second week of my liquids and I am having server cotton mouth.. makes it hard to sallow.. is this normal?

Has anyone heard of this and is it recommended for lap band patients? Has anyone done it? Let me know, if you dont know what it is look it up. My co worker is doing the diet, and has lost from it,. It is of course a liquid diet, so, not sure if we are allowed to do it or not.

I had my surgery on Thursday, August 14th. I'm going to work on Monday, August 18th. I'm a teacher and that is the day that our Staff Development days start. The kids don't actually come back until the 25th. Did you feel you were ready to go back or did you feel like you had to?

Hello all! I was banded on Monday August 18th and had a few questions. I am supposed to be on Clear liquids for a week and have only had a couple popsicles and a couple servings of Jello since surgery on Monday. I have also had gatorade and watered down apple juice. I dont know if what I am feeling is severe hunger pains but it feels like a heavy rock in my stomach. When can you start adding Protein shakes or milk? I really hate the broth so I have not had any of that yet. I have been getting so dizzy and I am sure it is because I am not eating much of anything at all. Another question that may sound silly...How do you get that sticky stuff off of you that the ba…

My weight loss has stalled. I had my last fill 4 weeks ago and I have only lost 3.5 pounds since than and have remained the same for two weeks. I am already up to 7ccs and my max is 10cc...............I am worried because I still have almost 100 pounds to lose. The restriction is up and down. Certain foods I can only eat a little bit and other (i.e. cheese) I can eat with reckless abandonment. I am trying to get motivated to exercise and relax with certain foods like cheese and hummus. I might even go on Optifast for two weeks to jump start my weight loss.

Is anyone else having difficulties removing all of the tape residue from the bandages on surgery day? I was banded August 5th, removed my bandages the next day and I was COVERED in leftover tape residue. I used the lotion they gave me to remove everything, and while it removed the iodine stains, it did nothing for the tape residue. I have been trying every day since to remove it. It's coming off little by little, but I still have a significant amount left and it's (or my removal attempts) are starting to irritate my skin. :confused2: Here's what I've tried so far: 1) Warm and/or Cold water used with a wash cloth, or paper towels. 2) Lotion 3) Soap and water 4) N…

Well everyone, I am now banded. I had my surgery on the 18th (AUG), stayed overnight and come back home on the 19th. I have to tell you the truth though, on the way to the hospital up until they gave me some happy juice on the way to the OR, I was about to back out of having it done. Yeah, my nerves got the best of me. Thank goodness for the happy juice. I am home recovering pretty well. I am still a little bit swollen, I am still in alot of pain, (my hubby says that where the pain is, is where the port is). It hurts to get up, it hurts to sit down, it hurts to move. He says that I have to move around or it wont get any better. So can someone please tell me how l…

I had my surgery yesterday I went in at 6:30am my surgery was scheduled for 8 I was the first surgery of the day. They took me in, got me into a surgery gown and went over a bunch of paperwork. Then my family was allowed to come in and wait with me. The anestesiologist did my IV and heperin shot in the stomach, which you couldn't feel a bit believe it or not. Then we just waited a little bit, the surgeon came in and we went over the last few details of the surgery. The anestesiologist came in about 5 min after that, gave me some happy drugs and wheeled me off to the OR. They put the mask on my told me to take deep breaths, next thing I knew I was waking up in the OR as th…

Hello all - there's probably no one way to answer this question but I need to get it out.... Yesterday was my 2 week post-op follow-up. The nurse said everything looked good/was healing well, and that all restrictions were now lifted. I had already been doing some gardening around the house the past couple days (with the help of my husband and his mom who was visiting us), but today (since restrictions were lifted) I decided to go ahead and try to finish planting the few flowers on my own. I watered all the plants in the front and back yard, then began digging holes in the ground for the remaining three. I finished the first hole, which was a little strenous because…

OK, so I have noticed that since I got banded on Aug 18th, my skin has been really really oily. I don't have oily skin either. I have been washing my face like crazy cause of this and even been using daily oil control stuff from pro-active but it's not working. It's 3:15 in the morning and I just got up to use the bathroom, rubbed my forehead and it was like rubbing your hand across silk, it was that oily. Is anyone else going through this or is it just me and can anyone give me some advice about it?

I am one week post op and still on the full liquid diet. I was having some lobster bisque that had been "strained" of lobster. I was having no problems until I took one swallow that had a piece of lobster in it. I felt it right as I was swallowing. Everything seemed OK though until 2-3 hours later and now I have an uncomfortable feeling in my diaphram area. It doesn't really hurt it just feels like pressure. Liquids can go down ok. So now I have some questions...first can this hurt me or my band? Is there anything I should do? Is this going to rip the sutures around my band?

I don't know how much longer I can go on this liquid diet. I get SO hungry. I am drinking everything that I'm supposed to and I do get full, but then about 30 min. later I'm starving again. I wake up at night wiht stomach pains because I'm so hungry. Yesterday, my doctor said I can start thick liquids on Friday for 1 week, then mushies for 1 week. I don't know if I can make it. Please help?!

Hello, I've been banded for over a week now and I pretty much have no incision pains, but I do have a lot of gas pains. At first they were in my back and now they have moved to my left side. The left side gas pains started Monday night and it was soo bad that I almost shedded some tears. I had to leave work early Tuesday because I could barely stand up straight. I've took the gas-x strips and they really didn’t help. I'm now taking Mylanta and its ok but i can still feel the pains trying to start. Are there any other gas meds that you guys have used for relief? What did y'all do to get through the gas pains. I don't think my poor left side can’t take anymore shooting…

I was banded on August 1st and have lost almost 13 lbs. The 1st week, which was full liquids, I dropped weight like crazy. I started mushies this past Monday and the scale hasn't moved since. I'm following my doctor's diet/advice to a tee AND I'm walking briskly on my treadmill every other night. The scales still isn't moving. Is this normal?? I'm so disappointed. :thumbup:

I am three weeks post-op and my doctor has told me that I can take pills now because I keep getting sick from chewables. Has anyone else started taking pills in place of Multivitamins, Calcium, pain relievers? I just want to make sure this is really okay. Multivitamins are rather large and I am afraid it will get stuck.

Again, I am unable to tell when a band is too tight or if I am just not chewing my food. But since my 2nd fill 3 weeks ago (now at 4cc) solids and I just don't agree. I think there was one day I was able to eat a pizza but that was the only time, and it wasnt until the past couple of days I have experienced Pb'ing and am afraid to eat anything. Anyway, so my dilemma here is that I am finding it discouraging to make family dinners because I feel like the odd ball unable to eat what they can it. chicken dinners are out the window for me because it hurts going down. Crab is no problem and salmon, but normal meals I just feel left out. I try so hard to keep the family meals n…

Hi - My husband and I read this article on MSNBC today concerning bariatric surgery. I was really bothered by the very negative tone of the article. It discusses the downside of both bypass and lapband surgery. Which it is true that there are risks and complications, AND it is true that someone who does this without making the proper life changes will not have success, it seemed that the article was surprisingly one sided and negative. It did not mention one success story. I understand trying to show the truth (risks and big lifestyle changes) as opposed to painting the surgery as a miracle cure but this seemed excessive to me. Given that this is a 3 page article o…

I am having aweful pain in my shoulders. Has anyone else had this? It is worse than the stomach pain. The nurse said it was from the gas but OMG, it is bad!!! I put a call into the doctor but have not heard back. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

Hi, I am getting ready to start my pre-op diet day after tomorrow. I've been told, and read, that I will be having 2 Protein shakes a day and one meal of meat and vegetables. What else can I have during the day and night? sugar free non carbonated drinks? Sugar free popsicles? Fruit? I saw somewhere on here where someone had made a simple chart/paragraph with the nutritional value of the different brands of Protein Shakes. Does anyone know where I can find that? Last question - any advice on the best multi-purpose Vitamin to take after surgery and forever more? I'm so excited and so glad to have found this site. My procedure will be on September 12, 2008. …

Hello All, I was banded on July 30th and now that I'm all healed I'm starting to feel like I can eat normally again. I have still been eating less than 1000 calories a day (sometimes about 800) but it still feels like I'm eating too much. The first week I visibly lost weight and I'm terrified that because I'm eating a little more normally now that I will gain it back plus some before I get a chance to get my first fill. I basically have no restriction at this point and I feel like I could eat anything if I wanted to. I've been to afraid to weigh myself up to this point but I go for my first post op appointment tommorow. Hopefully I can get some encouragement if I hav…

Well, after having to postpone my surgery back in May because my liver was too big and they couldn't get around it to do the surgery, I did my low-carb diet for six weeks and tried again. Honestly, the diet sucked. I stuck to it, but I really wasn't happy. I got so damned tired of eating tuna fish and cottage cheese! During the last week of my diet, I found that a deli in my building where I worked sold these organic bagels that were *just* low enough in carbs (30g each) that I could have a bagel for breakfast if I didn't eat any other carbs at all for the rest of the day. Let me tell you, that is the only thing that got me through, I swear, I was missing bread so bad…

This is what I can't understand is if AFTER you get the band and your one lucky one that does not need fills and just knowing you have the band makes you eat right and some how find the strength and WILLPOWER to change your eating habits then why go through the surgery, don't get me wrong I praise those of you that can and are able to lose the weight without fills but I guess I am confused as to what does the surgery do to really make you change just knowing you have the band in place???? I know it's a tool and not a miracle, but I find it hard to eat right after being able to eat anyway I wanted for 38 years what makes one WAKE up and eat right after surgery if it can b…

Okay...now 9 days post op and I have something stuck. You know those two bones that stick out at the base of your throat ( i know that sounds weird) anyway if I stick my finger right in between there that's where I feel something everytime I swallow. I can still eat and drink, but it's been there for 2 days now. Ever since then when I lay down my back starts killing me. Anyone else experience this....anyone??! I tried to research ways to help food and many sites said to take a big gulp of a carbonated soda. You don't have to tell me twice to sip a diet coke (since that's a no no now) but it didn't work....urg...this is driving me crazy:cursing:

Well, I had it done. Monday was the big day! As you all know, my hubby did finally decide to take me. I made sure to tell him all day how much it meant to me that he was there even though he did not agree with it. They did find a hernia that needed repair and the surgery went well. I was supposed to be there overnight but was able to walk without problems and got them to let me go home so I got out about 9pm. Had a rough first night sleeping, could not get comfortable as I am not a back sleeper. I have been eating little bits of liquids broth, jello, etc. I feel really full after a couple bites of jello, this is great! My biggest problem is shoulder pain. I hav…

Ok, I'm about 5 days postop and my belly looks like it's about 8 months pregnant.... still. I drink water and walk every day. I've tooted appropriately and BMd more than I thought necessary. I'm tired of this. Has this happened to anyone else and when did it go away? I don't see my surgeon till Wednesday. Any thoughts? Advice?:biggrin:

I am going to be banded on Sept 12 at Great Lakes Weight Loss in Detroit, MI. I was wondering if anyone knows what the typical work/lifting restrictions are? I work at a chemical company in Michigan and have a very physically demanding job, typically lifting 50lbs repeatedly everyday, on/off forktrucks, lots of stairs, bending and twisting. I also have a 33lbs 2 year old that I'm kind of leary about how I'm going to deal with him post op also. Any suggestions or help would be great! I'm getting very excited....