POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I'm getting banded in August and have a rather odd question.....please bare with me Due to my long term weight problem I have been somewhat of a withrawn hermit an have not been in an intimate relationship for many years. When you have the band and have a partner.....is there a chance of causing problems/complications during rigorous sex? (ie. band slippage, flipped port, etc.) I would expect that you need to recover for a few months and whatnot, but I'm wondering if your intimate life goes back to normal.....maybe even gets better, or are there sore spots like your port site that now make this fun activity not so enjoyable. I would love to know how the surgery has …

hello my girl friend just got home from the hospital to day and she is in pain and keeps saying what did i do what did i do . she is complaining of back pain . we just got in about 2hr ago and she is sleeping now just would like to know what peoples first day home was like and does the pain stop soon i do not like to see her in pain. she means the world to me. she seem fine at the hospital i was with her all nite long just had truble geting out of bed.

I hate showers and was told to take them for 2 wks after surgery. Do you think it would be really bad if I took a bath?

I'm 2 days post op, and I just had a couple ounces of Apple Juice! Good grief it tasted GOOD! Better than when I craved it during pregnancy! I imagine every new drink and food will be like having it for the first time, and I can't wait! Although I'm not hungry at all, I am excited to be able to eat actual soups, and make a smoothie after tomorrow!! So glad to have made this decision! I think it will be one of the best decisions I've ever made!:thumbs_down:

I practiced lap band eating for several months before I actually got mine. Not the amounts, but the actual act of eating. This was a decision I made after watching the pain one of my banded friends went through when she forgot to eat slowly enough. I consciously thought about how completely chewed my food was...and resisted swallowing and gulping it down before it was thoroughly mushified. Sounds simple, but when you try it, it's surprising how difficult it is. I paid attention to the rate at which I shoveled it in. It never dawned on me before, but I have always been scooping up the next bite before the last one is swallowed....like it's some kind of emergenc…

Well not sure where to start with this. I had my surgery on May 8th and I just had my second fill on Friday of 1cc. The doc said that I seem to be in a good tight place with my band. I am losing about 2 lbs a week. At least this past month anyway. Now I have tried things like soda which I cant drink anymore and I tried Pasta which I DEFINITELY cant eat anymore. I took a few bites and I was hurting so I stopped eating it. Now there has only been a few times where I have felt pain after eating and it's only been about 3 times. Not extreme pain just extremely uncomfortable, but I have a few burps and I'm better. :party: Now the whole point of this post is to find out if any…

Hi Everyone- I have ben reading all these posts and I see those ticker-trackers. How do I get one and where do I go? Thanks.

I was banded on May 13th. I finally get my 1st fill tomorrow. I would of had it 2 weeks ago but there was a mix up @ the dr.s office. I am so nervous. I don't like needles, but had excepted the fact that this is my new life style. What scares me is how big is the needle? Do I just need to keep my eyes closed or is it normal size?

It's been three weeks since I was banded. I've noticed I get exhausted after eating my meals. I am following the diet progression very carefully and am eating portion sizes that my nutritionist set for me. Why do I get so tired after eating? Anyone else experience this?

My doctor told me not to start solids until 4 weeks post-op. My friend had lap band surgery 1 week after I did, and her doctor told her she could start solids after 3 weeks. I see a lot of different things on here; that some can start at 3 weeks and some have to wait until 6 weeks. I am still in the "mushy" stage, but I am starving all the time. I know that my swelling has gone down because I can eat a lot before I actually get full. Anybody else start solids sooner than 4 weeks? Does anyone know why so many doctors give different instructions?

Ok, I am only 5 days post op...but when I drink the protein shakes I feel so nauseous....I never felt like this pre op from them. Am I drinking them too fast? I am trying to sip slowly and do not drink the whole thing at one sitting, I try to do 1/2and 1/2...is anyone else having this problem? It is really bothering me and has happened 3 times since Wednesday....any ideas?

Sorry about the T.M.I., but I just need to know! I went 3 days without having a BM after surgery,and now all of a sudden today I have horrible,constant diarrhea. I was wondering if this is normal. I'm also concerned that the strain will slip my band! Is that possible? How sensitive is the band to this sort of thing!?!?!

I hope somone out there can offer some info/encouragement. Ok...so I go for a fill today and I find out that my band has slipped...I think. My pouch above my band is really big. Which explains why I have never really had much restriction. I was given a couple of options...1. take all of the saline out. Go on liquids for 1 week (to allow the size my pouch to shrink and hopefully slip back through below the band). Then, she would put the saline back in and I would have the restriction that I should have. 2. Over the next month, committ to eating ONLY 1 cup of food three times a day with the hopes of the same effect (shrink the size of the pouch and have it go down below the…

I keep getting a feeling in my chest like a squeeze then I usually burp. I'm so scared I'm doing something wrong to my band. It feels like a big gas bubble is coming up in the middle of my chest but it only results in a small burp if any at all. It usually starts on the right side of my body and moves to the middle of my chest. I am sipping but and it's not only happening when I drink. Is this just gas or is something worng? I've been banded since wednesday.

Hello everyone! My lapband surgery is scheduled for 7/21. I am getting a little nervous about whats to come and the diet part. I know I can make it the 3 weeks liquid part. I am nervous about the food part and will I be getting enough proteins and vitamins. Does everyone feel the same in the beginning? I thought long and hard about this and I know its the right thing to do for myself. I need to get healthier and to be able to do for myself without depending on my kids to help with the laundry and house cleaning. I hate exercise but know I have to start somewhere so I will start walking on my lunchtime. Wish me luck.:biggrin2:

Hey everyone! I am now 4 days post-op, and am super hungry! I'm still on a full liquid diet for another week and 3 days (But who's counting?!), and I know I should feel SOME kind of restriction from band placement, but I don't! Did anyone else experience this?! I am also almost pain-free at this point, with the exception of my port incision. However, I do feel a lot of pressure on the left side of my abdomen , right where I believe my liver is located, and there is no incision there. Should I be concerned about damage to my body from the surgery? There is a small incision to the right of the pain. What do you think? I'm probably just being paranoid, I hope!

Hi! I just got banded on Wednesday and everything seems to be going ok as for as recovering. But, I'm coughing up a little blood this evening and was wondering if this has happened to anyone else and should I be alarmed at all? Thanks for any advice:huh2:

I am 2 days post op and every time I eat or drink something my stomach is making all these funny noises? Has anyone experienced this? It doesn't hurt though.

I'll preface this post by saying that, in my decision to get banded, I've researched every last thing about it (it's my nature) but have yet to come across the kind of honest answers that only internet anonymity can provide. What don't they tell you about living as a banded person and recovering fatty? Such as, after eating, do you actually feel full, or does it feel like a hotdog is stuck in your esophagus? What happens when your friends find out you can't eat out for a full meal, or even drink beer? Were you ever shameful about telling somebody, or, in place of that, lying about eating healthy and exercise and all that jazz? There have got to be a hundred thin…

What I am noticing is that I can eat pretty much whatever I want (low fat foods) but nothing gets stuck going down and I can swallow my large vitamin pills - I do get full way faster than I used to - I eat less than half of what I used to at each meal but is it because my band is the Realize Band and is a larger band therefore there is more room for food to go to the bigger stomach? I am so confused about this. I have only felt like something is stuck in my esophagus a couple of times and that was right after surgery. I have not had a fill yet - not until early August so am looking forward to it so I can eat less than I can now.

I am finally starting to feel better, lapband wise. I had 9 incisions, and each one of them got terribly inflamed. The intense itching is not quite as bad. I am still having quite a lot of port pain (which I understand is normal) I am still having the gas (or, according to my doctor, not gas) pain...though nowhere nearly as bad. I also had an extensive hernia repair at the same time as my band. My newest thing, though, is I have something called a seroma. It is down right above my belly button (the only place on my entire abdomen that does not have an incision) A seroma is a pocket of Fluid under the skin. It is quite swollen and painful. This was from the hernia r…

I was banded on Wednesday, the 9th. So far everything is going well, except for taking my meds. In the morning I have 3 pills (not including the vitamin) that I take and at night there are 4. I am crushing the ones that have to be crushed and opening the ones that I can open. So far I've taken the meds in Yogurt (really, really nasty) and in some applesauce (this was a little better). Is anyone doing this any differently? Any suggestions? I know they don't want me to get sick, and I can't guarantee that it's not going to come back on me at some point (that's how nasty it is). Any ides would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hey everyone! I am finally proud to be on here as an official bandster as of Wednesday! I got home last night, and I am having some serious back pain, and also (sorry) a lot of gas! Are these things normal? What is the back pain from? I am taking the percocet my Dr. send me home with, along with chewable gas-ex. Any input would be BEYOND appreciated!

I just wanted to thank the posters who recommended protein shots, and MyPlate. I've been struggling to get enough protein each day. I don't care for the shakes, and I've been taking in only about 800 calories a day. None of it solid yet! I was starting to feel a little listless, and worrying that my hair might fall out. (I'm more afraid of that than starvation! Vanity!) I got the protein shots, and after just one day of ingesting enough protein, I feel better! So thank you!!! And I love thedailyplate! What a cool site!!! For those of you who don't know, thedailyplate.com is a food journal, which calculates your calories, and keeps track of how many grams of…

Can someone please tell me how much and how often I should drink some fluids after getting banded? I was banded day before yesterday and I'm on full fluids only. It says 2 to 3 oz. Does that mean Water also? If I'm having a high Protein shake do I only dring 2 to 3 oz and wait awhile before I can have water or anything else? Thank You, Waynette

Hi All! I'm 5 days post-op and wondering when people were able to sleep on their side or tummy? I'm having trouble getting a good nights sleep only being able to sleep on my back because I usually sleep on my side and then tummy. Lisa :tt1:

Hi Everyone! I had my surgery July 2nd and everything is going great. I have lost a total of 35 pounds since the beginning of this adventure and am very grateful for the band. I am preparing to transition from liquids to mushies and am really racking my brain for food I can eat. Can I have some ideas of your favorite things you ate during the mushy stage? So far what I have come up with is: turkey and green beans - blended together in a blender chili (mild!!) - blended together in a blender ....any other ideas? THank you!!

Never have I been so glad to throw up in my life. For more than one reason actually. I feel like I've finally got the band. I haven't had any sliming issues or PBs or stuck food or anything. I ate something I shouldn't have and it got stuck. It hurt like hell, but i figured it would go down after a bit. No such luck. I coughed and there you have it. Thankfully I was near a trash can! But I just have to say that I'm so glad that this happened, just so I know what to expect and I feel like I'm actually experiencing it and it's going to start working. I go back for another fill on Tuesday. I went today and after having waited for over an hour in the waiting roo…

I believe mine is 4cc....how big is yours?

OK, having emotional hunger right now. It's past suppertime, and right now, I feel absolutely no 'physical' hunger. I KNOW that I am satisfied, however, I feel like I need to eat! I KNOW it's an emotional thing....How do you get past this emotional hunger??:cool:

Hi! I am new to this forum and I just got my band 2 1/2 weeks ago. Everything went great except I have had a lot of pain in my port area. It feels like it is burning with pinching and pulling. I am comfortable when I am lying down but walking and turning or bending can be excruciating. If I put pressure on it it's better but just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I went for my post op appt. last week and then went in again 2 days ago to see about it but the surgeon felt around, said my port was perfectly in place and that this was normal, some people just have more pain than others. I just want to know anyone else who might have experienced this and ca…

Hello, I am 3 1/2 weeks post-op & having lots of pain after eating. Also it feels like it is swollen or something, I was thinking originally that it is the scar tissue but it goes from large to small & back again throughout the week. It is weird, I didn't expect it. I don't have ANY restriction, but Dr. said that is normal. I go in for 1st fill on the 21st (can't wait). Has anyone else experienced this?

hey there everyone, got banded on 6/26/08. got REALLY sick. my bowels backed up inside and caused an infection. saw dr. this last mon (7th) and she sent me for emergency cat-scan to see if i had an abcess, no abcess but huge pocket of air caught in my back and still LOTS of pain in my abdomin. lost 10 lbs in 12 days. has anyone else experienced as much pain as i have gone through. no fill for me until 6-8 weeks. i have also had the FULL feeling but just because i ate and drank together but i was also super dehydrated. just wondered how quickly others got well, or if anyone got sick like i did. i hope this pain goes away soon, almost 4 weeks out from surgery and s…

Hi there~~~ I was wondering ~ I was told to take 1500 mg of calcium every day and was wondering if tums counts? Also, does anyone here use wii fit as part of their exercise routine? Thanks for any advice.

I am 2 days post op and I cannot tell if I'm hungry or not hungry. I'm trying to stay on a schedule but I cannot seem to get all 3 liquid meals in along with the 50mg of Protein and 64oz of Water. Do I need to set a timer to say it's time to do XYZ???:thumbup:

Hi everyone! I am 24 days post op and was wondering why I'm not losing weight as fast as others!! I'm a bit frustrated to tell you the truth! I'm down about 10 lbs and I read others that are down like 20 by now!! I have done well on the diet, liquids for two weeks and last week only creamy Soups and this week barely starting solids, so what is up!!! I know I can't be eating more than 1000 or so calories a day, so why am I not losing? Yea yea yea, I know that everyone is different, but it just makes no sense. I haven't been able to really exercise yet, and seem to be retaining a lot of Fluid, as I can't even wear my rings and my watch is tight. Should I try a diuretic to…

I went to my six week post-op appt yesterday and got my first fill. I got 2ccs in a 10cc band. restriction is very good. I also got weighed and I am down 40 pounds...:thumbup: I am so happy!! The lapband is the best!!!!!!

What are some proteins that I can eat during the mushy stage...except for eggs and cottage cheese?

I am trying to use the daily plate, i really like it. But all of sudden it keeps blanking on my food i try to put in. like i put in tomato soup and it wouldn't put it on my food list for today, its driving me nuts. its done this to me a few times. also i created menu and when i click on the food in the menu and try to add it to the day again it doesn't do it. im so frustrated. i need a good calorie counter, and i don't like caloriecount.com. I really like the idea of the daily plate just hate the glitches. sooooooo anyone else have this problem with daily plate or suggestions for a different counter? Thanks i appreciate it.:thumbup:

Ok, so I'm 5 weeks post op, i had my first fill yesterday. All went well. I'm down 30lbs in 5 weeks. YAAY! :thumbup: I have this horrible feeling though, as if there is a golfball sitting in my throat. It's not food stuck, as i'm on a liquid diet for 2 days (Post fill) and all i've had is Soup, Water, Protein shake. I've had this feeling for 2 days now and it's more annoying than anything, but it also makes me worry quite a bit. I've read before where this has happend to other people, but they thought food might be stuck?? I dont think that's what i'm experiencing at all, again, since i haven't eaten anything solid in 2 days. Has anyone had this feeling before? If s…

Finally got my 2nd fill yesterday. I now have 6 1/2ccs in a 12 cc band. Doctor told me I could go back to solids today so at lunch I had grilled chicken breast skewers. I had about 2oz and couldn't eat another bite. I was elated, but 1 1/2-2 hours later I was hungry again so I had a slice of 1/2 cal. toast with a smear of peanut butter(something my doc recommends for protein) and I have that stuck feeling. How will I lose if I am still hungry between meals?

For those of you who read my previous posts, about cheaating, well I have been doing well, and I have lost all that I had gained and 2 lbs, along with that. Im so happy. Im taking about 100 grams of Protein a day. Maybe a little more, and eating lots of fruit, like cantaloupe, and watermelon. I also eat aprocots and plums. For a sweeter snack, have light ice cream, which is only 1/2 cup. Not every night, just when I have a sweet tooth. No more solids, I eat baked flaky fish. No chicken yet. I eat tuna. I have really been doing good. Only one problem, I have to find a great time to exercise. Im starting a part time job, and I have no clue as to when a good time would be to…

My surgery was June 16th and everything has gone just fine. Until this past -Monday when I started getting chest pain - not in my band area but actually between my breasts higher up. So after being stupid :thumbup:(we all do it) I waited until Tuesday to call my surgeons office, they immediately asked me to take a baby aspirin and get to the Emergency room asap. Well, off I went to the E.R. as requested, I was poked at, oxygen applied, hovered over, had an ekg done, etc etc:frown:. and finally was told that I was not having a heart attack (thank you higher being!):redface: However, I was told that I had "Costochondritis" which is a inflamation of the cartilage join t…

Im up to 100 grams a more a day, its not by choice, but its keeping me slimmer, and I drink water like mad. I was talking with a lady who just recoverd from cancer, she only has one kidney now, and she says that her doctor tells her to watch how much protein she consumes, well, she said the reason for that is the kidneys can start to fail with too much protein. But, I think the key is to flush it out. Is this true in our case? Even though the majority of us do have both kidneys, do we have to watch how much we consume, or does it really matter how much we have? And I am talking about good proteins. Need to know, very interesting subject.

I'm sure there's a post somewhere out there, but searching this forum can be difficult. My question is is that I still can't tell if I'm full. It's strange to not keep eating until I feel like I'm going to blow up. I also don't want to overeat since I'm in bandster hell right now. My first fill is 7/7 and I want to make sure that I keep going in the right direction with my behaviour and weight loss. I'm keeping my calories under 1500, but need to work on knowing when to put the fork down in preparation for my fill. I'm working on eating slowly and chewing it to mush. I've gotten to the point where my meals take anywhere from 1/2 hour to an hour. So maybe I'm do…

Tomorrow I will be 14 days post-op - my stomach is sticking out like I am pregnant -very distended and swollen - is this still fluid from the surgery or am I not drinking enough water? I feel so awful - my shirts are so tight across my stomach even more than before. I realize only 14 days have gone by but I thought I would be looker thinner not heavier by now. Any suggestions you can give me would be much appreciated. I am very down right now.

When I got home from the surgery center 14 days ago I could definitely feel restriction - could only sip broths, etc. Now after 14 days I can swallow my big vitamins, eat low-fat food I want as long as I chew properly - I mean for protein I have been eating boiled eggs a lot but do not feel that restriction I really liked feeling right after surgery - I have convinced myself that my band has slipped or pouch expanded or whatever even though the doctor says usually if it has slipped you can't swallow anything at all. Does anyone know why the band felt tighter right after surgery and not now - is there swelling involved right after that may not be there now? I also get th…

I am 2 days post op...and am feeling sick when I drink..I think it may be that I am sipping to quickly! Any pointers on how to sip slower??? I am also having issues getting my 70 grams of protein in, I just do not feel like drinking protein shakes at all!! Any pointers for that??? I tried to start my sips earlier today so hopefully I can make it today!! TIA :-)

Hi! This is my first post, so I apologize if it is confusing. I have not yet had surgery but I will at the end of this month. I was wondering what you guys take for lunch? I'll be in school full time and I was trying to think of things I could take with me to eat. Any ideas? Hard boiled eggs? slices of meat and veggies? thank for your help!! Allison

hi i am a little worried i had my surgery 23rd of june and have only lost four pounds i am a little dissapointed as so many people seem to lose quickly, my hunger has returned and dietician has advised me to eat solid foods but i'm just soooo hungry just like b4. i really dont want to fail and am trying to stick to 1200 cals a day, 1st fill in 5 weeks, anyone else had this problem??? i feel a failure already xxclairexx