POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

So I ordered some and it's so thick I have to add it to the gatorade do yo think it will give me the full 42grams even if mixed?

When I had my surgery my doc prescribed me zantac. I don't really take it anymore. But I know someone that had gastric bypass and has to take two pills daily to keep gas at bay. Does anyones else take it on a regular basis? If so do you think it helps with the gas?

Had my op on Wednesday and it is so painful I cannot lie down to sleep, I fear if I did I would never get back up again. The wound pain is horrendous. I'm guessing it's where the port is, that's the most painful one of all. It feels like a searing hot pain if I turn or get on and off the bed. Luckily I didn't have gas problems but this is so painful wondering when it will ease off and when I will be able to lie down to sleep because I am getting a sore patch at the base of my spine

Ok I am almost 3 weeks post op, I had the normal shoulder pain due to the gas the first couple days, then it went away and did not have any more issues with it. I am slowly adding some real food back in along with my mushies. I walk daily and am back at work (a desk job). Yesterday out of nowhere after lunch (mashed potatoes, gravy and small pieces of beef - chewed very well - about 4 oz total) I got the most severe pain in my left shoulder (scale of 1 to 10 it was an 8) that I had to leave work. I took pain medication at home and put a heating pad on it and stayed in my recliner and after a couple hours it died down to about a 2 on a 1 - 10 scale and finally went away la…

I was banded 6/24/08 in Monterrey Mexeico by Dr, Zapata. I started at 236 with a BMI of 39. So far I am down 14 lbs. Is that a normal amount of weight to lose the first 4 weeks? Can I expect to lose at that rate in the next months to come. Thanks for your help.

ok, i was banded 6/26/08 had complictions (bowels back up caused an infection was treated with IV anti-biotics, i had a ROUGH time to say the least it will be a month next week my Dr. is finally moving me to full solids on 7/26/08 but what I really wanna know is.....is ANYONE else still in pain? i just went back to work this week and by the end of the day i am in pain (abdomin and back pain) has anyone else felt the same way? how long before this abdomin pain subsides? anyone else got complication stories? would like to hear them.:ohmy: Lori

I know a lot of people on here have my same doctor, Dr. Lopez in TJ. I'll be there tomorrow... wondering if anybody here will be there tomorrow???

I had my first episode with PBing the other day. It was TERRIBLE!! I pray that I will be more careful and hope that will NEVER happen again. Every since that day, I have NO restriction. I am at 5cc's in a 10cc band. I can't even tell it's in there. Now I'm wondering if the band slipped. How would I know? What type scan do they perform to tell if it's slipped or not?

:thumbup: I had my surgery Friday the 18th (and being as I had my son c-section 11 yrs ago) I was thinking this should be a piece of cake...Man I feel like such a freaking baby for having to take my pain meds every 4 hours without fail or I am in soo much pain. Tell me I am not a total baby and this is normal???! :teeth_smile: I am wondring how long this will go on for me??

One of my closest friends was banded almost a year ago. She's been preparing me for certain things to expect. She told me that for her, it was difficult the first night to get on and off the toilet by herself. I haven't had the guts to ask her yet, so I'm going to do it here....what about wiping your butt? Is it that difficult after surgery? They say not to bend or twist. But don't most people bend and twist to clean themselves?:Banane03:

I was banded on april 24th, and have been doing fine until today. I got up this morning and my grandbaby wanted some biscuits and gravy from dairy queen. I ate about 1 bis w/gravy. Then about an hour later my stomache started hurting and swelled up. I'm having a little trouble taking deep breathes. I am hurting all over my stomache area.. I have took 2 gas x pills and it still hasn't gave me any relief yet.. It has been about 7 hours. I was wondering if it may be the biscuit stuck in my stoma or something else.please any info will help. tina

:confused:I am just miserable right now. I am 9 pounds from goal. My last fill was 5 weeks ago. Restriction was very good after last fill. HOWEVER, I've been feeling tighter and tighter over the past week. I ate last on Wednesday (3 days ago). I woke up Thursday morning and couldn't drink water. I paniced. The doctor says I probably ate something I shouldn't have. But, I don't recall eating anything out of my diet guidlines. Right now I am on strict clear liquids until Sunday (yeah, 5 days without eating), then call the doc on monday to tell her how I feel. It's Saturday night and I FEEL LIKE CRAP! This morning, I could not keep 2 oz of cranberry ju…

I'm scared to eat because I'm terrified that I will stretch my pouch and cause band slippage. It's a bit weired to be afraid to eat. Does anyone else have this fear?

wondering? mine is 2 weeks and I am really done with it at this point!!

I just had my lap band surgery yesterday. I am having pains in between my breasts, feels like in my sternum. Is this normal? How can this pain be alleviated? Also, how soon do most people go back to work? Stace

I thought it might be cool to have a thread going with those that were banded by Dr. Spivak. I'm new so there may already be one on this site which I haven't found already; if so, please let me know.

Ok, I am now back at work and this port pain is killing me! I have a desk job and sitting here at this computer stinks! Anyone have any suggestions????

I am 6 days post and hungry as heck and having serious headaches. Is anyone experiencing this?

A week ago today I was banded. I'm so discouraged and have no idea why. I want so much to be losing weight faster. I've only lost 6 lbs this week. ONLY. See what I mean? I'm crazy. 6 lbs is great! Why can't I feel like it's great? I feel like I'm not doing enought. I tried a gentle walk on the treadmill today but I got through 8 min and my port site hurt so I stopped. I feel like I'm eating too much even though I'm keeping it under 1000 cal and am always hungry. Anyone have any advice for me?

Greetings all, I'm a little over 3 weeks out. At my 2 week check up, my drs Phys Assistant told me I could have mushies and some solids with restraint... lean meats well chewed, etc. chicken with cooked veggies, no raw stuff. I have been following that being very careful to chew and go slowly. But the last couple of days, I would be eating something for a meal, and noticed that I had been mindlessly eating too quickly or taking bites that are too big. Overall, I've been keeping it at 1400 cal a day as I don't feel too much restriction so I'm just using old fashioned will power. So I woke up this morning with a feeling of pressure in the chest area... just a tiny bit of…

OK so this is my third day with the band or really 2 1/2 day because my surgery was around 12 noon on wednesday. Anyways... This is what I am experiencing... Its hard to breath and I am doing the breathing excersize but then of course I cough and man it feels like my port will rip straight through my stomach. It HURTS. Also I have been sooo hungry. Before the surgery I did the 2 week liquids and I was not near as hungry as I am now lol. Of course I will not eat I like to follow my drs orders 100%. :thumbdown: So I know I am complaining but I really just want to hear what yall went through the first few days and encourage me pls lol

I was just banded two days ago and I am afraid of dehydration because I cant seem to get enough liquids in. I am supposed to drink about 46 oz. the first few days and I am only able to get in about half so far. I have been trying to sip all day plus a few popcicles but it doesnt add up to much and I feel so full. I was also supposed to start my protein drinks today but I have only drank about 4oz. of that. I am worried. Please help. Thanks, Tottie

I have lost all the weight and then some, but i have allot of trouble keeping anything down, esp in the morning, when i drink water it comes up thick stuff? anyone else have trouble keeping food down?

sorry ive been seeing this word alot what is that?

Ok...So I JUST figured out that this thing aint just gonna work on its own. Very disappointing! I had my 2nd fill a week ago and am at 5 1/2 ccs....I am tighter at night than during the day so....I have to watch myself during the day....or I will eat every few hours. The lap band (for me) just makes it easier to diet..... Anyone else going through this? What have you all figured out? Anything similar?

Hi all What are your post op meals like? What are you able to eat say 4 months after the surgery?

I am wondering how my recovery might be. I have three c-sections and one tube removed. All of these surgerys were real easy to recover from and was wondering how recovery was for any other c-section moms or other abdominal surgery patient?

Hi again all. :thumbup: I was wondering once banded, how long do you have to wait until you can really start exercising? thank you

some days everything goes down others it is throwing up all day same with the wieght first it comes off then it stalls then it goes up does this make any sense?

I was banded on the 7/14. When I woke up from surgery I found an incision from just below my breast bone to my belly button. The doctor said because of the size of my liver they could not do the surgery laproscopically and had to do an open surgery. I was not expecting this, and will require much more recovery time, which I had not planned on and was expected to be back to work next week, but I doubt I'll be able to return. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

:thumbup:I had my first fill today, and I hope I am on my way to where i need to be. the doc was angry because i was drinking fluids with my food, but he never told me he filled me in the O.R. anyone have any similar experiences? thanx for any feedback:confused:

I had my surgery 3 days ago and am feeling a burning feeling when I take a deep breath. I know that a breathing tube was put down my throat while I was under and I also had a esophogus hernia repair. I'm wondering if it is normal to feel this type of pain? If so, how long before it goes away?

wohooo!! today i got to eat some actual food. mushy, easing into full solids in a few days. My doc was adament about 3 weeks liquids. first 7 clear other 2 full. Wasn't horrible because im a big fan of tomato soup but ohhh i am so thrilled to actually get to chew. I ate one of those sunkist tuna on the go kits. It was awesome and i couldn't even finish it all. Rock on to the band. And woohoooo go tuna!!:scared2:

Hello...I have decided I need to talk to people in my same situation....I had my surgery on May 7th and have lost 42 pounds - which I am excited about - no loss in the past 2 weeks though. Little nervous, feel like I can eat more than I should be. Looking forward to hearing from others.....

Does anyone see Dr Keirth as a public patient if so where?Is it at a hospital?or at one of his surgeries? How much do you have to pay as a public patient?For fills?

I am being banded on Aug 13. Then Sept 17 is our 20 Year Anniversary - am I crazy to think I could do an Alaska cruise by then??? :thumbdown::confused2:

Hey all...I've been banded now for about 7 weeks. Here is my problem. I had a slight acne problem years ago, mostly they were like heat bumps under my skin, and they itched a little.. I tried many things, and I found Proactiv to work wonders, and have been using it for about 5 years. My heat bumps/acne was finally under control (sounds so cliche' I know, lol, but it's true). My skin was so soft & bump free! Okay, so about a week or so after my surgery, I started getting a little bit of the heat bumps again on my face, around my forehead, around my jaw line, very mild. Well, as of today, it's really bad. They're really tiny bumps all over my face, and they itch too…

Hi starting today my wounds become red and itchy, 27 days after surgery ...up until now they were almost gone, I did go swimming this last weekend any thoughts? i waited the three weeks before a bath and swimming.

Hello all, I'm sceduled July 11 to be banded at Plano Baylor by Dr. Nicholson. Anyone in the Dallas area been banded by him? I'm getting anxious & nervous about the surgery. I hope I have as good a luck as the majority of people on this forum has had. Thanks, Waynette Stone

I was banded on May 29th and have had minimal weight loss which I attribute to the most painful gas you can ever imagine if I don't eat. I mean excruciating, knife piercing, take your breathe away, fall on the floor pain in my shoulder gas. It goes away once I eat something, and only after I eat, which makes me graze all day. It did go away a bit after about 5 weeks. I just got my first fill yesterday and low and behold, here comes the gas pain again! I broke down and had some watered down eggs just so I could stay upright - even though I am suppose to maintain a liquid diet. So far I have tried gasx, rolaids, tums, and a whole slew of other antiacids to no avail. …

i haven't had a fill because last week when I was supposed to get it, i told the dr that i feel like i have some restriction and can't eat over a certain amount etc. He said no fill til you feel you need it, it's your choice. So I came home everything was still fine. i watch what i eat I follow the rules for the most part. no this is not a I haven't lost 50 million pounds in 6 weeks rant! On Sat, I woke up had my Protein Shake for Breakfast, about an hour later, i got a horrible bout of heart burn and took zantac, I felt awful. a few minutes later i was dripping sweat and was really nauseas. I ended up vomiting a few times. 20 minutes later the pain was gone an…

Today I went to my post op appt and I got the go ahead to eat mushies. Can someone share a few a their meal ideas with me? :thumbdown: So far I know I can have: eggs cream of wheat oatmeal tuna salad chicken salad egg salad

After talking to a few girls im a little worried... they made it sound like they were really hungry the first few weeks after being banded??? How did you feel after you were banded??

I have been suffering with so much pain since my surgery last week.. and thought this stinging and very sore 'lump' on my chest just under my bra line was something wrong with the band or the tubing.. I went to the hospital today IT IS MY PORT AFTER ALL!.... I saw another surgeon today (mine is on vacation for a week).. and he checked the site and said it was the port.. Now, what I want to know is ' WHY THE BLOODY HELL DID THEY PUT IT RIGHT UNDER MY BOOB.. WHERE MY BRA WIRE SITS???".. I have HUGE boobs -38H- and my wire has been irritating it apparently... the surgeon today said "can you go without a bra for a few weeks?".. TYPICAL MAN!!!.. NO I CANNOT.. ' Can you get …

Does anyone take Alli with meals? Seems like it would help if anything with fat is eaten. Thanks.

I was banded on june 30th in Buffalo. ny and have been feeling pretty ok. Today I awoke with a tightness and discomfort that goes all the way around my midsection to my back. I notice it especially when I take a deep breath. It's ALMOST painful, but not quite there yet. I am concerned and freaking out. I was wondering if it was gas, but it doesn't feel anything like my previous bouts with gas. That was more like a sharp pain or jab...anyone else experience this? SHould I call my doc?

I am 6 days post op. and i noticed that i have very little air in me. I tried to yell yesterday and i had no air to do it. Has this happened to anyone else? As well twice now i am exsperiencing what seems like a blocked airway i am not sure what triggered it yesterday but today i niticed it happened after i sipped apple juice. anyone else exsperience this? thanks anyone!:cool2:

I am allegedly getting my Surgery date tomorrow but I will believe it when I see it. I know going in that I have a Hiatal Hernia that will be repaired and am curious about that part of the procedure. My question is does the addition of that repair procedure make the recovery much more painful or longer. Thanks

I moved this to the Fills section

:tt1: I am upset right now because I had really bad pain in my left shoulder and chest on last Saturday... and then I had some bad pains in the same areas just a couple times over the last couple days, but I feel better everyday! And also it was only happening if I stood or walked too long, as soon as I sat down--pain was gone! So I decided to have my patient facilitator get ahold of my doctor last night... and he says to do gaviscon and stay on liquids for another week!!!! I'm kinda freaking out!!!! does this mean that something is wrong? I just started mushies today!!! :tongue_smilie: and it feels fine when I eat! I read on this forum that this pain is kinda common. I d…