POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

How it feels when you eat too much. I don't have pain, but I do feel like things are backing up in my throat (if that makes any sense at all). Of course, today is the first day I can have pureed foods and I think I got carried away. So, with tonight's meal, which won't be for several hours thankfully, I'm going to be much more careful.

I'm two days post-op - finally to where I can shower and redress my wounds. I'm looking at these staples and they're creeping me out - I've made a follow-up appointment with the doctor to have them out. I'm thinking this is going to hurt seriously bad. Can anybody tell me what their experience was like? :confused2:

Hi all... I am sure you have heard this before. I was banded 4 weeks ago today. I am not eating dairy, I am still just having liquid, am loosing very rapidly, but my problem is the gas. Thank goodness I work for myself. I am passing gas, and I am not kidding here, every ten seconds!! Not small amounts either. I just can't imagine that this is the CO2 still. I am sure there is some in me, but from what I understand that is released through respiration. This gas is in my tummy, painful, and distending. I am afraid of two things: this will never go away, and the bloating will dislodge my band. Any info would be great. Other than that, I feel great.

I am 2 weeks post op, and am having a hard time just sipping my water! I've been so thirsty at times, that I just have been almost guzzling. I think it's because I'm not drinking enough water and causing myself to become dehydrated. Also, is anyone else having a hard time getting all of their protein in post-op? I know I'm not having nearly enough or eating nearly enough, but each day, I'm trying to do better. :seeya:

how long after the first fill can i get my second fill? the first fill did absolutely nothing for me and would love to have some restriction. my first fill was 3cc

Hello everyone first post i was banded 5 days ago started having back pains when im seating is this normal started full liquid today(doc said ok) after eating oatmeal felt like a not in chest did i eat to much or ...any info would be helpful thanks

hI EVERYONE I AM 10 DAYS POST OP AND FOR 2 DAYS NOW I HAVE BEEN EXSPERIENCING THIS TEARING OR RIPPING FEELING NEAR MY PORT AREA. iT WILL OCCURE WHEN I TWIST OR BEND AND FEELS LIKE I HAVE RIPPED SOMETHING INSIDE. i THINK I NOTICED IT WHEN I ALSO NOTICED THE SWELLING GONE DOWN IN MY PORT AREA CUZ MY INSIDES FELT LIKE THEY WERE UNPROTECTED AND BOUNCING AROUND MORE THAN BEFORE, WITHOUT THE SWELLING TO CUSHION THEM. ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS MIGHT BE? tHANK YOU <><

I'm 5 days post op and started having a pain on my left side 3 days ago. I think I pulled something when I tried getting out of bed the other morning. It now hurts when I walk or laugh but not when I sit or lay down. I find that I have to hold my stomach against me tightly to help with the pain when walking. Has anyone else had this pain? How long before it goes away?

So I am still supposed to be on full liquids until Saturday, but I have been having a really hard time with it. Not that I don't like it, but that I feel sick after every time I eat.:thumbup: I even felt sick after taking my chewable vitamins this morning, and my protein shake. So last night i was wondering if my body just needed something more solid, I figured that I would feel sick either way, so I had some very well cooked ramen noodles and broth. I felt SO much better!! :thumbup:My tummy stopped threatening to puke and my headaches went away. i am wondering if this is my body telling me that it is time to go to mushies. Anyone got advice??:confused2:

Is it that bad? Im really scared and nervous about the whole thing. My doc said its not different from getting an IV. And sometimes I cry with IVs. I need help. Advice.

Hi there, I was banded on Saturday for the first time and am suffering terrible shoulder pain in my left shoulder. Is this normal? Is there anything I can take for it this early on? Any answers much appreciated. thanks, Lesley

First let me say that I know everyone is different. Now, how many days do I need to have someone here to help me after surgery? My hubby saiys he would need a letter from the doctor to get time off from work. Do I really need to have him here or would my two 9 year old girls be able to help me enough? This is really a big issue for me since my hubby isn't a nuturing type of person (ok, he is an angry man waiting for an argument). I need some input on this from people that have been there. I would love for him to be here to help, but if he gets upset at anything he will blow very quickly. Any advice????

Ok- I'm sure you've all been there before, but any suggestions for a good salty liquid post-op? I'm still on my liquids for hte next 10 days and i am so sick of all the sweet drinks. I've had some broth and tomato Soup. Any ideas for something else?! Thanks!

I'm really annoyed. I'm almost 2 weeks post op. Still on an all liquid diet and I have stopped losing weight. What am I doing wrong. I've kept my calories under 1000, my carbs and fats are low too. It's not like I could possibly eat less. I'm so frustrated. What am I doing wrong?

Hi... I'm a newbie and curious, what do they consist of? Cardiology...dietary....and psychiatry??What do they need to ask? What other pre-op testing is involved? Thanks

I know everyone is different but here is a question maybe some of you can answer or relate to. Whenever I diet the pounds come off quite fast my problem has always been MAINTAINING the weight loss, I can never seem to KEEP off the weight. This is my main reason to get the band to take off the 100lbs I have put on and maintain it. Anyway, if I get approved for surgery and have this done will my weight come off fast like in the past? Anyone have similar experiences?:eek:

Hello, i was banded June 12th. The morning of surgery i weighed 254, i am only down to 248!! and it has been a month!! Whats wrong? Im excercising, and eating less!! Why am i not losing? Will this get better when i get a fill?? I hope so, i feel like im failing at this!! Everyone is like "how much weight have you lost?" and im so embarresed to say "6 pounds" What should i do??

Ok, so I had my surgery last March and I am very happy with my choice. I have lost 100lbs so far, and only have 45 more to go until I reach my goal. I got an adjustment on Wednesday and I am now having the WORST acid reflux I have ever had. It is waking me up in the middle of the night literally choking me. I know this is probably a symptom of being too full, but I really can not afford to go back to the doctor and have an unfill only to turn around a month later (gaining weight) to pay the $200 bucks again. Even if I do go back for an unfill, it can not be until Monday... Is there anything I can do until then for relief? My doctor wanted me to be on a liquid diet afte…

It's been quite a while since I've been here. But I need some advice. I was banded in November 2006 and I've lost 50 lbs. It's such a struggle though for me. I'm almost at my max for fills (I have 8cc) and it's probably a bit too much. I can't find very many foods that go down easily (especially protein). I can't eat chicken of any kind (too dry and gets stuck), steak I can have sometimes, fish sometimes. I can't even eat eggs anymore unless they're hard boiled with light mayo or Smart Balance. I'm still in the mindset that I can eat alot and I pay the price after. I still get depressed when I can't sit and eat a meal with everyone else and enjoy it. Forget BBQ's…

When I was told I'd plateau 4 times during my weight loss, I was fine with it, prepared if you will. But what about the complete opposite? My goal weight is 150. 3 weeks ago I was at 174, today I'm at 156. It's coming off WAY TOO FAST. I thought it took longer to take the weight off when approaching your goal weight? I'm uneasy about losing so fast. I'd like to put the brakes on. Anybody experience this? And how did you put the brakes on?

Has anyone every been accidentally pushed, kicked, etc in their port area? I was swimming with my 2 year old nephew who resisted my help in the pool and as he struggled away -- I got a heck of a kick right where my port is. That was Friday evening. Today, for the first time since I got banded 4-17-08 -- I threw up..it was gatorade but I feel uncomfortable. I'm calling the surgeon tomorrow but was just curious about anyone else's experiences. Thanks, Dolores 41 lbs lost

So not sure where to post this so posting in a couple of places, sorry if you see it more than once :seeya: Well, I have had my band over a year and am down a total of.......6 lbs. I fluctuate a bit, but have noticed that my fills are all over the place since the first one, one day there is no restriction and I could shove a house down there, the next I am fine, the day after that I can hardly swallow my own spit, and back and forth and back and forth and I have grown to despise the band as it hasnt functioned at all as the tool it should....most times I take one or 2 bites of any type of meat and my pouch fills up with goo quicker than you can say 'goo' :ihih: and I …

Hi, I'm new to the group. I am scheduled to be banded at the end of the month (july 31rst) and am curious that I am making the right choice. Can anyone tell me if and how it has changed your quality of life. How do you enjoy foods or dining out at restaurants? If you have kids, do they notice the amounts you eat or ask questions about your food intake? I am hesitent to be on supplements for the rest of my life but I am also tired of all of the symptoms of PCOS and eventually would like to have a child. Right now I am told that I am sterile but reducing my body weight (230lbs)by 5% will help. Does anyone have any helpful comments. Please let me know. By the way I…

I FEEL GREAT!!! :biggrin2: Wow, that's all I can say! I started pursuing the lapband journey last year and found out it was not covered by Tricare, and was THRILLED to find out it was covered in Feb of this year. That is when I started by making an appointment with my Dr and started on the road to Tricare approval. The things I worried about most were not ever being able to drink Diet Coke again and crushing up my meds. Well the worst part is actually crushing up my meds. YUCK!!! It's just nasty! But the best part is that I am 19 pounds lighter today than I was 2 weeks ago. The pounds are literally falling off and I can look in the mirror and see a difference. …

Hello everyone. I need some advice. My friend had lap band surgery a little over a year ago. She has lost about 80 pounds and looks great. However, I am extremely worried about her. She continually vomits after eating. She says that this is normal, and it is not affecting her health. I have told her that I worry about her being bulimic. She tells me that there is no stomach acid because of the lap band so that it is not dangerous to her health. I still worry though. The other night we went out to eat and she got up twice to vomit. When she returns, she continues to eat, and then vomits again. When she comes over to my house, she uses my bathroom to vomit somet…

Hi all I am 1 week post op & just have a couple of questions for the experienced bandsters out there! 1) When you go out for meals how do youcope with not eating & drinking at the same time... I like to have a glass of wine or 2 with my meal on special occassions.... (its ok at home but when out i imagine awkward). I know we dont do it to be fuller for longer but if we did would it be a problem on the odd occassion? 2) Will i ever be able to have a good drinking session with my girlie friends again?? Like a good few glasses of wine.. again i'm talking rarely but is it possible? 3) how soon after surgery did you dink alcohol? thankx

I'm so confused and frustrated! It has been almost 9 months since I was banded. I have 8cc's in a 10cc band. Surely!!!..I should feel restriction by now!! Each fill, I am so hopeful that "this one" will help and do what I "thought" the band was supposed to do. I tell myself each time that I feel a difference, but after a few days, it's obvious that..once again...no difference. I have lost about 70lbs. to date and I know that is GREAT, but I have done it with my own fortitude (I want to succeed!!!!), and the FEAR of hurting my band and screwing up my last chance to change my life. The last couple of months, I have lost and gained and lost and gained. The same as I have don…

Hi all! This site is great. I have question regarding restriction. I was banded on 6/30 and I've not had a fill yet. As the days and weeks go on I find that I have very little restriction with food. Why is this. Good or bad? My doctor moved me off of the mushy phase so that I can eat almost anything reasonable.

Ive been following the rules, and everything, Ive done great. But, Ive been having intestional pain, and burning for a few days now. Im not sure if it is gas, but I can tell you that I have had a lot of violent ones since this has started. Also, right around maybe just below my band, I have a pain, dull pain, I was thinking it could be my spleen, but I dont know. When I move a certain way it hurts. I have had a low grade fever on and off, but then again it could be hormones. I have no clue. I know I see my surgeon tomorrow, but, has anyone experienced this pain before. And any thoughts on what it could be would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

:confused:Hello everyone, I was banded on July 2nd but I do not see my Doctor for a follow up until 7/15. When I first left the hospital I drank very little in regard to full liquid diet I am on. Now I can drink about a cup of Water,Protein drink, broth or whatever in 30-45 mins. Is that bad? Is something wrong? Everything I have read said no more than 2 ounces at a time. Since I have not had any fills everthing still should just slide through right? I also don't think I am swollen anymore. I am just concerned I am messing something up and any help would be great. Oh and I do get the full feeling I am just concerned I am taking in to much liquid. Thanks for help with a…

I was banded on July 1st and had lost a total of 16lbs since surgery. However, this morning I weighed and had gained 2lbs back. I am still in the mushie stage and are following the Drs guidelines to the letter. I have been doing about 30 mins of exercise 3 days a week. My first followup appt is August 14th where I will hopfully get my first fill. I am really getting depressed because I thought that I would have lost more by this time. :biggrin: Has anyone else experience this sort of thing?

i had my surgery done on 04/21/08, 1st fill in May, 2nd fill in June. (my doctor is 4 hours away). after my 2nd fill i PB'd a lot... almost everything solid i ate. i thought of it as learning to deal with my band or maybe i need a little taken out? as of today, i've learned when to stop eating so that i don't PB but i don't think i eat nearly enough. here is my basic menu: 8:30am: slimfast 12:00pm: string cheese 3:30pm: slimfast 7:00pm: 3 ounces of chicken my nutritionist said i'm getting enough Protein so she's not too worried about the low calories. i'm not hungry and am satisfied with what i'm eating but now my weight loss has hit a plateau. i'm down …

I'm 5 days post op. Everything is going pretty good. I may have overdone it yesterday, and that could be the problem. Today, I feel really weak. I'm trying to choke down yogurt this am. (Absolutely HATE Yogurt!). Did I just overdo it, or do I need to progress to full liquids?:eek:

Hey there....Um, I've lost nearly a 100 pounds and still have some ways to go. I've noticed that I'm having some issues. Sex hurts now, now all the time, but the penetration isn't always as exquisite as it once was. If I angle myself differently, it isn't so bad or it goes away all together, but this is a problem I've never had before. :bored: Are any of you experiencing this or any other changed in your sex life? What about oral sex? Does...gosh, how do you say it without just saying it? Okay, is swallowing an issue? I mean you have to sip slowly right, but....:thumbup: Okay, maybe this is all a little TMI, but who else am I gonna ask? You guys are the ones living…

I feel great is the first thing I wanna say! I had surgery on friday (july 18). I was walking 2 hrs after I had surgery. The experience was wonderful. from the nurses to the hospital ,the accomidations . It was like Iwas in a hotel not a hospital. My surgery was done by Dr. Felix Speigel. The hospital was University General Hospital( best hospital ever).They never made u wait on anything . if i asked for something off the wall they made it happen . never told me no . did the best they could . I swear they went to the store to accomidate me ! LOL The experience alone at the hospital made it all worth the tiny bit of uncomfortableness from surgery. The kitchen folk…

Could someone please tell me why insurance companies require a medically supervised diet? What are they looking for? Isn't it enough that years of trying everything in the book to lose weight didn't help? Thanks for your replies:)

I am suppose to loose 5 lbs on my own before surg I have surg on July 28th and have not lost 1 lb ugh I hope this isnt the begining of a bad start!

It sounds brilliant I know but lol... I did 4 minutes on the slowest speed... it was all I could manage lol. Kills me because I used to be doing a mile a day before the op and at quite a pace. But I'm so determined to work at this., this is my chance and I'm going to grab it with both hands.

Help - was banded on Friday - now 4 days later and I have gained 4 pounds. My diet isn't as strict as some - can eat soups etc already - what if I have spent all of this money and this doesn't work????:biggrin:

I had my first fill on July 7th and ever since, I've been ridiculously hungry! My hunger has actually gotten worse since my fill. I think I should go back for an adjustment very soon cause I'm starving. I have been doing great but today at lunch, I overate. I have to admit, the familiar feeling of being "full" felt horrible so I'm not sure why I did it. I'm not full to the point of being sick-just uncomfortable. I feel bad because I had been doing so well. I'm going to try very hard to not let old habits creep back into my life. Just needed to vent as I feel so very guilty...

Hi! I am going to the dr on wed for my 1st visit since being banded. I am on liquids since the hospital and hope to move to the new phase of foods. Can anyone tell me what they were allowed to eat in the 2nd phase of foods or "pureed" as they call them. Thanks for your help...

Hello everyone! I am one week post opt. I am doing fine! I feel great and I am following my post opt instructions. Over the weekend, my boyfriend cooked meatloaf and mash potatoes. Surprisingly, I was able to eat it with no problems. I had a very small amount, but as I was reading my instructions,it says to stay away from caffeine. Now I had at least two small cups of ice tea. I have been drinking Water sooo much and it was so tempting!:crying: My question is why cant we have any caffeine and are their any side effects. I will greatly appreciate any advice, thanks.

Hi everyone, I had my surgery on May 12th, 3 weeks later I got my first fill. Last week (07/15) I went in for a 2nd fill. After the fill I was able to drink water, no problem. 2 days after the fill, food started to get stuck. Actually, Protein drinks started to get stuck (I used the Ready to Drink, so it's not like there's protein chunks in it). Puree food started getting stuck. I only had problem with food getting stuck in the morning and afternoon. Once it's dinner time, I'm fine. I usually get up around 6 AM, and had my dinner at around 7 pm. This past weekend I woke up a bit later (10 AM). At my usual dinner time, 7PM, I couldn't eat. Well I too…

Hi...... I am only just over a week post op, I have still not got my appetite back at all... this could be a good thing.. BUT my weight appears to have stopped going down and i think it may be because i'm not eating enough calories.......... has anyone else found this?? I've lost 12lb since surgery but the scales havent moved for the last 3 days... I just want to do well and I get so full from drinking Water I cn go all day without eating.....

:bored:can some help me to understand how to use this site to as a tool to help me i dont no how to put the ticker on or to reply back to anyone cause i new to this kind of stuff. i have question about my weight loss it has been 3 weeks and i have lost 9lbs since the week before ny surgery. doc sad i had no restriction on food so i have been eating same food as before surgery just less in one sitting but about every 3-4 hrs.

Okay, this may be a silly question, but how do you know when you are full? Does it feel different from pre-op? Before surgery, I would only feel full after eating a lot and it would feel like my lower belly was distended and I basically couldn't take one more bite. Now, I am 3 and 1/2 weeks post-surgery and after I eat I can't tell whether I am full or not. After eating a good portion (about 1 cup, max), I do feel some sort of tightness in my UPPER chest, and I feel satisfied, so I stop eating. But it is not coming from down there anymore. Am I abnormal or is this what feeling "full" will feel like from now on? Will it feel different after my band is filled?

Hi all! Saturday night I went to lie down on my bed and felt a strange hurtful pulling feeling on the left side of my stomach. I lay down and got comfortable and didn’t feel it anymore. The next morning I went to stretch and that same area hurt again (it felt like my muscles were being pulled apart). It hurts on and off depending on which way I move. I have discovered to the left side of my port about 1 inch below there is a knot about the size of a lemon. I can feel my port just fine. I automatically thought it was a hernia. The reason I thought that was because when my son was 5, he got into the tub and all the sudden right above his groin looked like a HUGE …

This fourm is great. I feel like it is better than a support group would be because I can ask what ever and get lots of input. I am waiting on insurance approval, but should come with in a few weeks and then my surgery will be in Oct. I am sure that I will have lot's of questions between now and then. Like did I really read no caffeine? Is that forever and why?

Was banded on April 28th and still experiencing pain in my left shoulder especially after I eat. Went to Surgeon today for 1st fill and he said I'm eating too much or too fast at meals. He said a nerve/muscle is located right at the banded area that affects the shoulder. Strange isn't it? I've lost a total of 22 lbs. 5 lbs before surgery and 17 lbs after

I got a fill on the 17th of July and on the 20th I went to a BBQ, I am not sure if I at too much, cause I cant eat a lot right now anyway, and i also had some alcohol. I woke up at 2 am with severe pain in the back and in the front like someone was kicking me constantly, it was very bad cramping, like I had to use the bathroom, but I didn't, I went to the Er and while I was there I swear I felt my stomach turn and the pain stopped and completely went away. I don't know what is going on. They gave me a shot for muscle contractions in my stomach and prescribed me muscle relaxer pills to take when needed. I am sitting here right now and my back is beginning to feel sore agai…