POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi all, I'm new and my surgery date is 08/14. I'm starting to wonder about excess skin after I lose this 100 pounds I'm working on. I've heard of people having a real problem with that, but I think most of them had the gastric bypass, rather than the lapband. Has anyone had any problems with excess skin? Have any of you heard about anything that could help with the skin other than surgery, maybe exercises or creams while I'm losing the weight? Any information you could give would be very appreciated. Or if most of you haven't had any problems, that would be great to hear also. Thanks for the info. Hopefultracy

Has anyone gotten instructions on how much protein, calories and fat is appropriate after the healing phase? I'm struggling to lose any weight at all - I've been trying to make healthier choices and increase my exercise but I can't seem to get anything moving and it is really making me upset. I'm even afraid to go in next week for my 2nd fill as I haven't lost a single pound and fear my dr. is going to be mad at me.

I am 9 days post-op and I had laproscopic lapband preformed. I had these round tape things covering my steri-strips and it took what I assumed was a layer of my skin with them when they were removed last Tuesday. On Friday when I went for my 1 week visit, the doctor took off the steri-strips and said my incisions looked great. Now last night I noticed I started itching. Everywhere that I had the round bandages I now have these tiny little Fluid filled bumps that itch like bad. Last night I put some hydro-cortisone anti-itch cream on them. I'm scared that perhaps I have an infection or something. Has anyone had a similar experience and if so, what did you do? I plan on …

Hello My Fellow Bandsters, I need some encouragement. I was banded June 10th and have lost 30 some pounds. I am very happy about that. However, I have not been losing like I feel I should be as I have a knee injury. I had it a few weeks before my LB and unfortunately it has not gotten better. Long story short, I have some damage to the medial meniscus and arthritis. It is very painful and had kept me inactive all summer. I do not have to have surgery on it thankfully, but it is incredibly painful. Walking, driving, swimming and basically any repetitive movement is agonizing. I am so mad and so depressed. All I can do is wait for it to heal. Of course I can't take any ant…

Does anyone on here dive? Where you able to dive to depths after the band? My doc says that the band should be ok with diving but I am wondering if anyone has already tried it. Thanks!

OK, I am following my post-op diet very well, but I'm growing a little concerned about my tendency to go overboard with dieting. On diets, I tend to grow more and more strict with myself as time passes until I'm eating only "perfect" foods ("perfect" defined as zero fat, very few calories, high nutritious content), and very little at that. Of course I want to be eating healthy foods, but my standards get so high that suddenly things that are probably reasonable don't seem good enough, and I burn out on healthy foods. It gets me in this cycle of deprivation that I eventually counter by overeating extremely unhealthy foods, even foods I don't like too much, yet I think I wa…

Hi All, Okay so I was banded yesterday... and i am in a little pain...mainly my left side of the stomach where the band was placed... my question is... how long does the swelling and pain usually last for? DId anyone have an issue layin sown in bed? Just wondering

I am almost 9 weeks post-op and have not yet had my first fill! The doctor who did my surgery moved out of state. The new doctor who came to take his place has not yet received his license to practice in our state and I have had 2 appointments cancelled already. I had lost 27 pounds before my first-fill appointment, but now I am hungry all the time and have gained 2 pounds back. I don't know what to do! Does anyone have any ideas or words of encouragement? I am extremely frustrated!!!!!

As I have posted before my port sticks way up where you can see it and that is the main thing I am unhappy about. Does anyone know what the procedure is to fix this problem, i.e., anesthesia or not, inpatient or outpatient, how long it takes, etc. I am telling my doctor tomorrow that whatever I need to do to have it pushed further down in my body that has got to happen.

Hi all. I had my band put in on Thursday and all things considered, I'm doing pretty well. I just had a couple of questions I thought someone may be able to answer or at least relate to. I have horrible diarrhea but I've read that that is normal so I'm hoping it will pass soon. The day of surgery I dry heaved pretty violently 4 times before I could get my anti-nausea meds. After surgery, when they did my barium swallow and x-ray, they showed me a huge gas bubble that was under my band. After the last dry heave, I burped a huge, long burp and up with it came the tiniest bit of bile. I'm thinking it may have been that gas bubble coming up. Could that dry heave have…

I get my first fill tomorrow - I know generally what you mean when you say sweet spot but my question (and it may be stupid) is do you define your sweet spot where you can't eat much at all and don't want to eat at all or do you mean you can eat a reasonable amount of food, enjoy it and get full faster. I just don't want to be too restricted so I literally can't eat anything because that isn't healthy either. I have had almost no restriction then the last couple of days (figures that it has happened right before my 6 week post-op checkup and first fill) I have had food getting stuck and not being able to swallow much at all. So, I want to make sure I even need a fill b…

Hi all... wondering.. what is the longest that anyone here has had the lap band? Does anyone know of statistics of success and/or complications over 10 years out? Thanks for your input!

Ok, so I live in the South and I'm missing my sweet tea. I did make some decaf tea with sweet and low while at home. I was at the ballpark with my kids every day this week and only been banded a week. Its been so humid and I am trying to sip like I was told but am sick of water and Crystal light already. Was wondering what do you drink? I mean, if you are out and want to stop and get a drink will it always have to be water? Not many places offer noncarbonated non caffeinated beverages. What is the deal with Sprite? I know it has carbonation but has no caffeine. Can we not have caffeine or carbonated drinks ever again or just post-op? Anyone know the reason? Diet Pills

Hi I am 6 days post op the pain has subsided a lot in the port area but the gas is really getting me down. I don't think its the gas from the surgery as I don't get it unless I drink. Still on fluids for another week, does any body know why I am getting trapped gas and burping after even one sip of Water. As the day goes on it gets worse and worse and more and more difficult to pass. Can any body help or tell me if this stops as I cannot go back to work in a week and keep burping out loud like a man. Any advise or same experience would be so good!! Carden

I know, such a lovely title to my post! I'm 4 days away from my banding (very very nervous!!) and I was just wondering about the percentage of folks who actually NEVER throw up after the operation. I am assuming that, more often than not, one would throw up at least once! I ask because, although I'm scared of the surgery, I'm ALMOST as scared of throwing up! (I have really only done it about 5 times in my life that I can remember!). I mean, I know everyone is different; and if I do go really, really slowly on the post-op diet, I am less likely to actually regurgitate. But just trying to prepare myself! Does it hurt? Does it come on quickly? What if I'm at work? Would love…

I had my surgery on June 27th and up until now everything was going well. Now I am having these sharp pains in my midsection like I have been wearing pants two sizes too small. I even have a line across my belly where I never had one before. I mean a deep indentation as if my belly had been constricted with a belt for days. Is this normal. I too notice I am completely swollen. I eat regular foods like berries and farina. Could this be the problem? I called the Doc and all he said was he'd see me in three weeks, five in total from the surgery. Thanks for letting me join your group. I know I will be posting a lot. Thanks Marylyn

I've had the band for 4 years. During the first 2-1/2 years I only lost 20 pounds. I had 2 fills, up to 1.5 cc but have never felt any restriction. After reading all the stories about PBing and reflux I was really afraid to get restriction and never went back for another fill. Through willpower and following WW, I've managed to lose 50 pounds. Now I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck and am thinking about having it removed during that procedure. I went for an unfill last week and the doctor said the band was wide open and asked how had I taken off the weight. He wondered if I had gotten fills somewhere else. He also said the band was perfectly positioned, as if it had been p…

Did anyone have Dr. Veninga as their surgeon? If so how is he?

i am having pain and i dont know if its gas or something serious... its a lot of pressure right under my brests.. when i breath in its a little painful.. i have been trying to force my self to burp.... anyone else have this issue after the surgery?

I was wondering if anyone has Pacificare, I have my last Dr. visit Monday and Tuesday I go to a seminar at the hospital but how long does it take after that?? If someone can help answer this for me I sure would appreciate it. Thanks

Hello Yall So i was banded at NYU by Dr. Kurian (awesome and very patient btw) and so far i have been chilling and taking it easy . Its weird It was as if i blinked and it was over. I dont remeber anyone counting down or anything. But everything went well and I couldnt be happier. I know im a newbie but nothing so far seems as bad as I thought. The scars arent bad, the liquid diet is ok (im loving Atkins) and I lost 15 lbs so far (thanks mostly to preop diet :eek:) but heres a question...right before you get a fill can you eat as much as you could preband? Im not plannig too but was curious :w00t: Thanks guys

Ok, I'm trying not to be upset or too hard on myself. I got banded on the 29th of July, I've been feeling pretty good. Trying very hard to be good on my diet, only eating what I'm supposed to. But yesterday my husband and son came home with cookie dough (raw) and sat and ate it like that, well, of course I just HAD to have it too. I only had a little and half expected to get sick from it, but no, nothing! I knew I wouldn't be dumping or anything, but I guess I was thinking I would throw it up. I don't know. I've been losing steadily. But I'm starting to get the cravings. I'm poring my heart out here in hopes that someone else out here has gone thru the same stuff and can …

okay..my surgery was this morning at 7:30 and I was home by 11:00. My doc said to only drink two ounces at a time which I understand, but my question is how often can i drink that two ounces? I'm sure this sounds silly but i really don't know. thanks!

I just had a fill yesterday and was eating dinner tonight I was not paying attention and I think I ate to much. I hurt so bad. Ifs there anything I can do to make it go away. I can't throw up and I don't want to make the band slip. ANy suggestions? I am so not going to do this anymore I am going to measure everything now:eek:

I had my surgery done out of town on July 31:eek:,,, on Wednesday I started feeling really bad... When I called the doctor on Tuesday they advised me to move to mushies..I had the shakes really really bad.. and all i did was belch. So I got up Wednesday and decided ok I can eat.. like the doctor said slow and easy... well I ate one bite of a scrambled egg as the dr ordered and i was gone.. i began pbing over and over and over and over..I called the surgeon and he told me to go to the nearest bariatric hospital I did... met up with a dr that never saw a lap band before.. He called my surgeon and they both decided I was dehydrated and that I needed to be admitted.. I was…

I will be flying the end of Sept and really dont want any hastles. Do I need anything official that says i have an implanted device? I have a dine out card as well as a physicians card about asparine etc. Just wondered? Thanks!

I had my surgery on 7/24. The first two days were okay besides the pain and gas, but the 3rd day, until now, I have been absolutely starving. My doctor has me on a calorie free, clear liquid diet (64 ounces a day) and allows 1/4 cup of calorie containing liquid such as juice, 4 times a day (approximately 50 calories. I am not allowed to take any Vitamins at this time either. I have been following the diet to a T and am probably drinking more than the 64 ounces of Fluid a day, but I am absolutely starving and have absolutely no energy due to not having any nutrition. I don't even know if I'm sore anymore because my stomach just keeps intensely growling continuously all day…

I was banded on 7/31. I finally made up my mind to get the lap band, and called up my surgeon and made the appointment for the surgery…two weeks. I pigged out for almost a week. Then in the last week before surgery, I lost 10 lbs. I am going on vacation in like 2 days, and everyone was trying to talk me out of the surgery because of vacation, but I knew that if I didn’t do it then, under pressure, I would never do it. I would never stick to the pre op diet. Well here I am banded one week (no I have not cheated! J) and I just feel like a fraud next to all of you. I mean, I read you guys *gasp* ate a regualar chocolate pudding instead of a sugar free on accident!…

Okay, I have been eating Cream of Wheat or Oatmeal or something soft and similar almost every night for dinner with no trouble at all - in fact, when I go out with my husband on Friday and Saturday nights to dinner have to watch it because very little restriction (5 weeks post - no fill yet). Tonight I made my cream of wheat as usual and when I tried to eat it it would not go down and I had to throw it back up. Why all this restriction all of a sudden. I have found that the band is not consistent - sometimes restriction sometimes not - no rhyme or reason to it but when something gets stuck and you feel like you can't breathe it is a horrible feeling. The good news is …

Hi everybody. :smile2:Well my last 48 hours have been worse than the surgery and the recovery. :sad:Last Wednesday was almost a solid week after my surgery and I felt like I had to go...you know. Well, I'm in there trying to push something out that clearly does not want to come out. The bad thing is that this went on about 5 or 6 more times thru out the day. Same problem that evening and the next day.:wink2: Finally I went to the drugstore and picked a laxative and took it at about 5:30 Thursday nite. The box said it could take between 6- 12 hours to work. Great that means more of the same BS. Well, about 5 hours later my stomach started to roll and cramp. So I happily…

Hello Again! Ok, so I am 8 days post op and have been having trouble staying full. **The first post I put up expressing my issue with hunger pains, I found out that my sugar intake would have alot to do with it...so I cut out the sugar..that worked for a day **The second post I put expressing my hunger issue again...I was advised to stick with the cream Soups and just drink more Water and other liquids. Did that and it worked for a day NOW...today, I felt like I was eating alllllll day!! By the time I would finish one thing..I would be good for an hour and then be starving again! So I looked through my Lap band paperwork and found my guide. It said Phase 1 will las…

Hi everyone- I am 3 weeks post op :tt2:, but having a little bit of port pain today. I walk for 30 minutes every day at the gym. Today it felt pretty tight (like it hurt to suck in my stomach). Is this pretty normal? I haven't had a fill yet or anything like that. Thanks for your help!

Ok I am like a week out from getting my first fill and as I expected I am still eating what I want and how I want although I try to eat right it never happens it's like walking again you have to learn. But with no restriction I am eating basically what I want. Well today I was being bad, ( I am about to have a visitor sorry tmi) and I wanted so bad a double decker taco from taco bell. I got one and ate it chewing very carefully (becasue I still try and practice that :thumbup:. Anyway I am feeling like it's stuck in my throat/chest and it's not painful just uncomfrotable and this is the first time I have felt this. Is that restriction?

Hi guys. This is probably the thousandth time you've been faced with this scenario, but here's my story (in brief). Visited for my first fill. The clinic was v. busy with fellow bandsters. I felt I was part of a production line actually. When I saw the doc, I felt it was all quite impersonal - a quick hello, how are you? Anyway, he muttered something about 1ml and then filled my band. Afterward I waited outside, drank some Fluid and felt fine. I was then sitting there like an idiot wondering what to do next. I spoke to a nurse and asked both what should I be feeling and what happens next. To cut a long story short, the doc came back, told me I had 6mls in my band,…

Ok so ive talked to many people some people follow directions to a T, but thats usually not my style! lol bad i know, but hey this is me and if im gonna do it, im gonna do it my way!! I still follow main rules dont worry!! But im on the pureed diet now!! Just wondering how many followed this really closely? I started eating solids before i was done with my liquid stage, taking it slow and chewing well!! I watch out for problem foods and eat slow, but i have not had any problems!! I get my first fill is July 25!! so excited!! i know i will be much more restricted then!! But just wanted to get some other's input!! Thanks so much!!

:ohmy:Hi all count down I have three more days so excited and yet so nervous, any suggesstions to calm my fears ? Good luck to you all.

So I'm not really hungry but I'm getting cravings. I was banded July 29th and the first week was great. Now I'm able to get more liquids down and I'm eating popsicles and fudgebars like 3 at a sitting....and I'm drinking tons of (sugar free) juice. I am eating mashed potatoes and gravy now that I'm in the pureed and full liquid stage. I did have a biscuit last night:( it was soft and I chewed well and moistened it.) It went down alright and I don't plan on having another for another week. I think i did it mainly because...I'm a lil "plugged" if you catch my drift. And I hate having to take pills for everything so I was just trying to see if it would work itself out. I'm…

I need someone....or everyone to please explain all the lap band slang, 'cause I'm just not getting it! What is SLIME? What is PB? Share any other slang words or acronyms you know! Thanks so much

OK SO IM PRETTY NEW ON HERE..I HAD MY BAND PUT IN ON JULY 17..SO 3 WEEKS POST OP...WHEN I WENT TO MY 2 WEEK CK UP I WAS DOWN 24 POUNDS...THATS GREAT...HE CLEARED ME FOR MUSHIES...AND NOW I GAINED LIKE 4 PDS..I ONLY EAT 2 TIMES A DAY AND ITS USUALLY EGGS OR SF PUDDING OR BEANS...WERE IS THE GAIN COMMING FROM..I DO DRINK LOTS OF WATER THOUGH... ON ANOTHER NOTE MY SURGURY AND POST OP HAS BEEN GREAT...NEVER NEEDED PAIN MEDS..HOWEVER I DO HAVE STRANGE FEELINGS THAT I DONT NO WHAT THEY ARE... HERE THEY ARE...I STILL HAVE TROUBLE BENDING ON RIGHT SIDE FEELS LIKE A BALLOON IS THERE..DOC SAID IT SHOULD GO AWAY AND THAT THE PORT IS THERE...DO U GUYS STILL FEEL YOURS...HE EVEN TOL…

I found this great, FREE site that I have been using and thought I would share it. You can enter your current weight and how many pounds per week you would like to lose and it calculates how many calories a day you can have. Then you can enter foods (nearly everything possible is there) and it breaks down the nutritional content.....even tracks exercise and gives you more calories for that! www.thedailyplate.com Good luck!

I was banded in June. I have noticed that I have been getting what looks like hives on my arms. Has anyone who has been banded have any input on this. I thought perhaps it was something that I'm eating or not eating- or even the protein drink (which I hope not as I LOVE my protein drink).

Well I finally made it. I was banded on July 31st and I'm just starting to get back to "normal". I think my biggest mistake was underestimating the amount of pain that is caused by the gas used during surgery. Luckily it was almost completely gone by the next day. For a few days I was in quite a bit of pain (at least more than I expected) but now it's mostly just a sort of muscle ache. So far I'm not really hungry but I am finding myself getting a little depressed at times when I see others eating. It's not so much missing food as it is missing that since or normancy. Hopefully I will be able to continue to find good advice through this forum.

I had surgery on tuesday, and was doing fine on the vicodin up until today. my tummy is finally starting to want more than clear liquids, and I just nearly threw up after taking the vicodin to keep the pain down. would it hurt to just let myself have a spoonfull of cottage cheese tonight to help my poor stomach handle the meds? I start on mushies in the morning tomorrow anyways.. and I'm so sore and really would like to avoid vomiting and tearing up my stomach... what to do?

Hello Fellow Banders! I was banded on the 31st of July and I have some questions. My Dr. told me to drink clear liquids for 2 days and then full liquids for one week. How much do you all drink? I was calculating my calories and it is under 500 a day. Does that seem normal for that first week? I am drinking either my Designer Whey protein drink, my optifast shake or yogurt or 1% milk. All of these he listed as approved on my discharge sheet. I also have s/f popsicle on occassion. I usually only have 3 meals/drinks a day since that is what is listed. So why I am REALLY asking? That dang scale is not going down. I lost 17 lbs before surgery during the same type of liquid d…

I knew this would come, but I'm just so hungry for real food again. Specifically, I'm missing my favorite foods, most of which I may never get to have again because they're "sticking" foods. Much of the time I'm fine, I don't think about food to this degree, but this afternoon I took a nap and instead of getting up when I woke up, I just sat awake and tried to remember how my favorite foods tasted. I think I'm obsessed with tasting food to the point where I've thought about trying a bite of something and spitting it out. This is where my addiction to food comes in, I know. There's nothing to be done, really, I just wanted to talk it. I decided to fight the feeling by e…

The paperwork from my doctor says that my post op diet will be clear liquids for a week, full liquids for a week, soft foods for a week, then adding regular foods as I tolerate them. I see others reporting that they have to do liquids for much longer and I'm wondering if my post op diet is progressing too fast. Any input from others who had a similar diet?

ok - so next week I start on soft foods. I need help and suggestions on what I can eat. All the info I have from the clinic just says soft foods like eggss and yellow veggies. I could call the dietitian but last time I talked to her, she was useless. I think the experts are you guys. thanks,

All, Today I had my first fill. The needle is so long but I had no pain. He was going to give me 3 cc but instead he gave me 2.5 cc in a 10cc band. He said since I had a vomiting epsiode with some chicken I ate he wanted to be a little cautious with this fill. I can have liquids this evening and go to soft food tomorrow but take it real slow and know more than 1/4 cup at a time within a 30 minute period.

:confused_smile:Newly banded. Was told 4 days clear liquids---day 5 start baby food consistency foods, however every time I put anything other than liquid (water, protein shake, popsicle) inside the new stomach (ex. 1 teaspoon applesauce) I become so bloated with gurgling gas and pressure that it takes up to 12 hours for this to receed. I can't lay, sit, or do anything to get comfortable. Will it be this way all the time? :confused2:

hello everyone. my name is della and i was just banded on monday the 4th. i am doing pretty good ,better than i thought,but i do notice a tight/pressure like feeling in my chest/upper stomach and was wondering if anyone else experienced that at all? also i weighed 286lbs day of and day after discharge i weighed 293?????? i had lost 13lbs on my pre op diet and after i have gained 7lbs!!! what is that about??? could it be the iv fluids? :thumbup: