POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am still on full liquids but I don't like drinking the protein. I got unflavored hoping to mix it with better tasting juices as I am extremly lactose intolerant, but its not working. I get nauseous just thinking about drinking it...are there other alternatives to get the 60grams of protein without drinking? like a chewable? please let me know.

So i was banded 4-23, and have had zero compl. I had a fill June 19, and that also went off without a hitch. Felt pretty good restriction, and have had no problems, the only thing I've not been doing is chewing well, but haven't had anything get stuck. Well, I went back Thurs. for a second fill, and he ended up saying no, b/c i had lost 4lbs. since June 19, and thought I was doing great, and didn't wanna overfill. Ok no biggie, I'll wait. So Friday night I wake up to aweful reflux, and this is like stabbing pain reflux, which i have had before banding, but I haven't had it at all since being banded. It lasted a few hours, which it never has before...so I'm getting a…

Looking forward to it! I am a little nervous though Hopefully this will be the kick I need to get that scale moving!!!!

So it may be becasue I am in Bandster Hell and eating what I want and not seeing the end of the tunnel. I sit here and think how do these people lose the weight, if all it takes is the will power to eat right and eat the right foods then why couldn't this be done pre-surgery?!?!?!?!?!?!?! So then I think ok the band must really help alot, but what if you are a picky eater like I am, will I fail because I can't eat the "right" things. Or is the band really going to crack down on the portion control. Being in bandster hell has really got me depressed thinking this cannot work for me in in turn making feel like maybe I made a bad decision for myself. I go for my FIRST fill n…

Just curious if anyone has been feeling "anxious" shortly after surgery? I'm 2 weeks post op and have had this intense anxious feeling that comes and goes throughout the day - it's horrible. Makes my heart race and a nervousness goes through my entire body. I've been talking with my sister and she had an idea that perhaps because I can no longer "medicate" myself with food - I'm feeling anxious about not having that "tool" any longer. I haven't had any situations where I felt that I needed to gorge myself to feel better as I had in the past - but, perhaps she's right...just knowing that when that situation does come up - how will I now deal with it? Has anyone else…

Okay i went to my 1 mth checkup and i have lsot 21 lbs. But because i lost 21 lbs my surgeon will not do a fill. He scheduled me back Sept 22nd for a 3 mth checkup. I kinda think i eat to much. I had my surgery done in frankfurt germany and he just kept saying to watch my portions. My question is will i know if im hurting my band? Like say stretching my pouch? or a slip? Has anyone had these things and noticed them? i figure i can eat about 2 cups of food, i think i should just eat 1 so im trying to limit myself because i don't want no problems. I have some restriction because i sure could eat alot more before band, but have not had an actual fill and like i sai…

Hello all...I need some advise. I just had my surgery on 7/31, and I am not feeling really great. I feel light headed, and little bit sick to my stomache, and I can't get a DEEP breath because it feels like I have a huge lb weight just under my boobs. Did anyone else feel like this? Does it go away? I am not sleeping because it is not comfortable, and so I am feeling kind of pathetic. help? Carey

Hi, I was banded on Friday and I still have no hunger at all. I am still waiting for any gas to pass, no burps no nothing. My port site pulls when I get up, but other than the pain in my shoulder, I don't have much. Today I had 3 oz of Protein drink, 3 tsp yogurt, 1/2 popcycle and then another 3 oz of Protein Drink. I know this is not enough. I don't drink anything before I eat and I wait 1/2 hour after. It takes me almost 1 - 2 hours to drink the protein. Any suggestions on getting me moving? I know I should appreciate not being hungry right now, but the gas is awful. Thanks, Gilta

I am one week post-op and still having problems taking meds....most I crush in water but I take cymbalta and there is no other form says the pharmacist than the time release capsules.I empty the little beads on a spoon then put them on the back of my tongue and wash them down. I dread doing this every night and I keep wondering if this is even safe for me to take them that way. The pharmacist hemmed & hahed about how if I should be doing this that way but the doc said so....!!! Anyone else have probs with taking cymbalta? Help?:biggrin:

I had my 2nd fill a couple weeks ago and have been getting alot of food stuck recently, almost everything I try gets stuck, except salad and ramen noodles. I don't think I have too much fill because I still have an appetite and when food do go down I can eat quite a bit. Are there certain foods that I should stay away from or that will almost assuredly get stuck?:confused2: Thanks

One thing that disappointed me after banding is the huge amount of swelling in my belly. I mean, I look pregnant - I'm beginning teaching in the new school year in two weeks and the kids are definitely going to think I'm pregnant. How long did it take your swelling to go away? Did you use Spanx or something to minimize the look of it?

so I'm having a frosted flakes craving acutally any cereal LOL so wondering if it could be a mushy or is cereal one of those things that gets stuck... I'd rather ask than be my own guinea pig

:teeth_smile: I have been so horribly bad the last few days on what I have been eating! I still can't eat as much as I did before banding, but I feel as though I am headed in the wrong direction. Yesterday I ate approximately 4 meals, and they were all frozen meals, nothing good for me! I just can't believe I am doing this to myself... right after I had the surgery I so desperately wanted and paid for just a lil over a month ago! I need support, and I know I can get it on here, but my husband is a stringbean garbage disposal, so he eats junk all day long, it just makes it so much harder. So today, I'm trying to get back on track... I'm going back to work my first time si…

Hi, I hope to be banded late August or early September. How long did the doctor tell you to wait before you could drive again? Thanks!

HI, I just got my surgery on July 30 (Wed) and on Friday, I got out of bed the wrong way and did something to my stomach. I now feel like I have a burning sensation where my port is. Is this normal or did I pull some stitches? It's making me nervous because I thought I was moving right along with my healing until this happened. I also can't get rid of the gas and burping. I am starting to get depressed. My stomach says no to food but my mind is craving pizza and hamburgers. Can anyone help? Or at least comiserate?

I had my lapband surgery done in Feb. of this year. Everything has gone great, however this past week I have been uncomfortable. I used to be able to distinctly feel my port under one of my scars, but now i dont feel it anymore. My left ribs have been feeling like something is rubbing on them and my left side has felt irritated. Has anyone heard of their port moving?? Is it possible? I've been doing more exercise this week such as baseball which has involved more of my stomach muscles and twisting... I called my on-call doctor but no return call yet..

I am two days post op, I felt hungry so i had a little cream of chicken soup. Only about 1/2 cup. I have a pain in my chest now. I just wonder when this will go away. I don't understand, i feel like i am hungry so i eat something(liquid) and when i do i get this pain. This feels pretty bad. Anybody have the same experience? But the weird thing is i don't feel full i just get this pain. Help

Hey everyone! I just wanted to say I made it to ONEderland today Im so happy, I was getting so discouraged because my weightloss has been so much slower than my moms but it finally as of this morning showed me under 200. Wont be too much longer till I can make my ex-husbands gf (the one he left me for with in 5weeks of having our son) jealous. I'm wicked excited!!!

I've only been banded since Jun 13, 2008 and I'm down 22lbs. I know that it doesnt' sound like a lot, but I have noticed a difference in my clothes and how they fit as well as how I feel. My husband was banded on June 6, 2008 and he's down almost 40lbs. He's not even working out, just going to work. I've noticed that when I hug him, we are so much closer together and his head has gotten smaller ! Seriously, he used to have a big head! I feel happier, maybe it's because the sex seems soo much better (I know TMI! I have so much more energy while I am at work, and when I'm at home playing with the kids. I want to play with them, not just send them to the game room to watch t…

Hello everybody! I have a crazy question. Are blood clots common/probable after this surgery? I was just banded on 7/24/08, and was feeling fine for the most part. Then last night I had a short, slight cramping in my left calf, that went away after a few seconds. My legs and feet have also been swollen off and on (but not really today), which I was attributing to the high sodium in the chicken broth. But lying in bed last night it was scaring me to think about a clot going to my heart! I had the surgery in Mexico (self-pay) and do not have health coverage here right now. I didn't want to just go to a Dr. for 1 cramp, then have to pay a big bill for nothing, but I …

After my 4th fill I was at 7.1cc and waaay too tight. I threw up everything I ate. They had to take out .5, after they took it out, I felt like I had NO restriction. My dr. said it was due to the swelling as well as having some removed. After three weeks, they added back .25, but I still feel like there is no restriciton. The x-ray showed it easily flowing through. They girl who did the fill said that every three weeks I can come back for just tiny fills, to get it to where I need it. I am so frustrated. I haven't lost in almost a month and I still have very little restriciton. It is so hard since I still have the fat mentality. Humphhhhhh:(

How are people dealing with taking medications after the lapband. I was told I could not swallow anything larger than an aspirin. I have found ways to cut pills, and some can be prescribed as liquid. I have one large capsule that I take for leg cramps, it is quinine (extremely nasty tasting) and it does not desolve in liquid, I really can not see me having to get this down, even for the next few days. Does anyone else have a similiar situation, and what do you do. I am desperate to resolve this. I was banded 8 days ago, am 65 years old, and so far, so good. HELP!!! norad10 you can answer me at norab4avon@aol.com:confused2:

Can you get too much protein in?

I am still down about how high my port sticks out - has gone down some but it is noticeable through my shirts - looks like I have an egg under the left side of my shirt - anyone else? Thanks.

I suppose I will call the md today, just curious if anyone has had a very intense sharp pain when getting up or laying down, it is in the largest of the incisions and feels like I ripped something. Great. Very painful for a few seconds, then goes away.

Yeah! I finally broke a milestone for me. I have been strugilng since surgury in May to loose 20 lbs. I have finally done it! I feel so much better. I was starting to get despondant. It was just comming off so slowly. I know everyone looses differently, but my word I was slow! LOL. I have kept a food diary..ect... I would come here and read daily and be thrilled for other people all the while thinking what the heck am I doing wrong? I guess I am just going to loose sloooowly. Have a good day eveyone!:wink2:

Yesterday I had some tuna for lunch and ever since, I have had pain after swallowing in my chest and back especially when I swallow liquids. It almost feels like it spasms. Does any of this sound like I could have got some of the tuna stuck? If so what do I do? I have gone to a clear liquid diet, but like I said it really hurts after I swallow, so I have just been sipping little little bits at a time. I also seem to have some gas with this now, which hurts when I burp. I am 1 mo. post op and haven't had a fill yet. I had been eating soft foods since week 2. Guess I'm not really sure what's going on, any ideas?

Hey all I was banded 7/25 about a week ago and my doctor progressed me early to mushies because I lost 11lbs in 1 week.. (I am breastfeeding my baby too!) so I was wondering if anyone could give me some suggestions on what to try... I am acutally scared to death to try anything for fear of throwing up.. but I have to start getting some more nutrients. (canned blended soup is not doing the trick) I tried baked beans a little bit ago and had one scrambled egg for breakfast today. and I had a tbs of cottage cheese yesterday. help! :wink2:

Im 2 weeks post op and am having extreme sharp pain in between my breasts in my chest. It's pretty continuous. Im not taking big bites or eating too fast. Sometimes it makes me nauseous. Anyone else having this? Any suggestions on what to do about it? Is it normal?

Well yesterday was my new birthday. I finally did it. The surgery went well. I am a little bruised and in a little of pain, but it sure isn't as bad as i had thought it would be. What a great feeling that i am finally on my way DOWN. Good luck to all that will be banded shortly.

I'm still trying to find out when it's time to have my first fill. I'm going Monday to have it done. I've lost approximately 41 lbs. in 8 weeks, but I've really slowed down on the weight loss. I had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and brown gravy for dinner tonight and it was way too easy to eat, so I'm figuring it's time. I certainly don't want to quit losing weight. I have a goal to lose at least 101 lbs. and I still have 60 to go to reach that point. If I'm not happy with myself then, I'll try to keep losing. Has anyone reached their goal weight and if so, what all did you have you have to do it and what do you have to do to keep it off?

I am sure this question has been asked a million times before. I tried doing a search for other posts on the subject. I am 5-6 days post op and I have some pretty severe left shoulder pain. I am assuming this is from the gas but I dont know.. I am a little ticked because I have walked soooo much and taken every gas medicine there is, not laid flat and now I have this! is it normal? has anyone asked a doc about this?.. I vauguely remember while still druged the doc saying something about left shoulder pain.. but hello... I was drugged.. anyone have suggestions on how to make it stop? Help!

Hi Everyone- Once again I have a question! haha But this is the BEST place to ask it :biggrin: I"m 2 weeks post op today (weeee :biggrin:) and wondering what everyone was doing in terms of exercise? I am walking 30 minutes a day on the treadmill at a small incline. Is this OK? What do you guys to? Especially about a few weeks post-op? My doc didnt really give specific instructions other than no swimming and no intense work outs until I'm cleared. Whattya think?

Ok, so it's been 48 hours since my banding..today, I graduated to Tomato soup and I was so excited...but right now, my stomach is growling and I feel like I have something stuck in my chest...Can I already be feeling restriction with liquids? Do you think the Tomato soup is too thick? How do I get rid of the feeling? I feel the gas pains all over and have taken Mylanta but if the tomato soup isn't going down how is anything else? Am I gonna have to vomit to get it up or will everything eventually go down? I'm miserable...please help!

My surgery was yesterday, and I'm kind of surprised that I weigh more now than I did pre-op, like seven pounds more. Did any of you have the same experience?

I had my surgery 4/15/08. I have lost close to 40 lbs. My ankle is NOW deciding to swell daily. When I wake up in the mornings, the swelling has gone down, BUT both feet are both so stiff that I can barely walk. I image its how a body stiffens up after death, to give an example. My heels and toes actually all of it is immobile. Has anyone else ever had this problem? The only time I ever had them swell even at 250 lbs was during 6 plus hour drives in the car. I ended up making an appt with a podiatrist on friday. (I have even taken a dieretic (sp) to see if that would help to no avail. And my choice of tennis shoes vs. flops makes no difference either.

I get between 700-800 3.5 weeks post op....this includes 30 carbs, 70 protein and 30 fat...but my carbs and fat are usually slacking a little....I am not really losing any weight and my nutritionist is not too concerned, but wants me to watch it for the next couple weeks since I am not eating that many cals....Do you think if I increased my caloric intake I would lose more weight? I am going in for my 1st fill on Monday, which she does not think will make a great difference since I am not eating alot...any help is appreciated!! I am very strict will logging on daily plate too...so I know my cals are accurate!!!! Again any insight is greatly appreciated!:biggrin:

I was wondering if anyone knows if we can have throat lozenges I was banded yesterday and my throat hurts when I swallow...

I got my forth fill yesterday and there is a huge difference. Last night I could not even eat cottage cheese which has been good for me in the past. I am trying to drink a protein shake this morning and I need to drink it very slowly. (have a sip and put it down wait 30 sec and have another) Any thoughts? Is this to much restriction? I know the band usually settles down in a few days. Every time I have a sip of something I get that minor heart burn feeling.

what's with the scale obsession people? We've all dieted before and know weight fluctuates from day to day, hour to hour... Most people here believe the lap band is a tool and it's only here to help...ok so why do those same people ( just a few) freak out when the scale hasn't moved in 3 days?!?!? What diet have people ever been on That makes them think they should lose a pound a day, and that somethings wrong if it hasn't moved... I like to over think things I'm like is it the excitement of the first week that tricks people into expecting those same results forever... Eh just my rant sorry I tried to use very few if any definitive words, it's just a very general post th…

I am hoping that someone can can help me. I was rushing to get out of the house this morning and gulped down a bite of chicken. I ate it too fast and did not chew well and was rewarded with a sharp pain in my chest/stomach. Well that was about two hours ago and I just tried to have some eggs. Uh oh! Same pain, also radiating out to my back and I really thought I was going to be sick. I wonder if the chicken is stuck? Is it something else? What do I do? :biggrin:

When did people start to notice your weight loss? I can tell a difference in my clothes...but I want to know when it will be apparent to others Not that I did this for anyone but myself...just wondering Thanks!

I had my first fill yesterday and while they were placing the needle in the port and she had it on the x-ray everything looked good! Then she tried putting in saline, it went in fairly well (she had some difficulty) but couldn't retract any of the saline at all. I guess that is normal procedure to see if they have to take some out they can. So the x-ray tech followed my tubing on the x-ray and my tubing is kinked (Like a garden hose can get kinked). :confused2: So she stood me up on the table and was able to complete the fill that way. She noted in my records I would have to be stood up at all times for fills. And said if it ever becomes a problem they will have to go …

I am having some back pain in my upper right side. Is anyone else experiencing this? It really hurts and I am unable to sleep or get comfortable at night.

So i have been doing pretty well with weight loss so far. I stay on track for the most part and im happy. But now... i have gained back about 2lbs in 2 days? How?? Im working out more then ever this week... Im still watching what i eat also. Could this be due from an on coming " once a month friend" ? Im about to freak out. This is the only reason i can think this is happening to me. I hope someone out there knows some helpful info on this so i can go to my doc if i need to. ~~jessica :biggrin:

I have never really had "issues" with my cycle until after i got banded. I am being told by doctor's it is from the fast weight loss - explained as "when fat is removed by the body, which is where most estrogen is stored, the estrogen is released into your body elsewhere signaling your uterus to bleed" ... are there any medically knowledged people out there or anyone else who has experienced this.. i feel like there is no end in sight and i cannot function normally at home or work most days because of it .. bleh!!

Hi all, I was just banded on 7/24/08. My Dr. used the regular 4cc Lap Band. Is this going to be enough (VS 10cc) room for restriction?? Can anyone that has that size tell me please? Thanks

Hi Everyone! I've gotten some great feedback on mushie recipes. So far here is my favorite: Refried Beans, salsa, sour cream, and cheese! Sounds yummy!:biggrin: Please share some of your recipes with us! Any good recipes that get veggies AND Protein in? I know we're all in the same boat and compiling some winning recipes will definitely make the mushie phase go by much quicker :biggrin: Thanks everyone!:biggrin2: Let me know some great ideas!

..and I have made an appt. for Monday, but was wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this.. I had my surgery about 8 months ago.. I'm fairly restricted.. Well, on Sunday I got stuck really bad... threw up pretty violently.. I haven't felt 100% since then.. I'm going thru extremes.. that Monday I was able to eat a good dinner. .had a pork chop and green beans then the very next night I ate the same green beans and they nearly got stuck!! I have PB'd several times since that incident.. Well, Wed. morning I woke up and I felt horrible.. I wasn't really in a ton of pain, just uncomfortable... It feels like I have a lot of gas build up for some reason...can NOT get ri…

Both me and my husband are getting banded Monday July 28, 2008... It's my birthday present to me:drool: