POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Thats right.... i was banded on may 21st 2008 and i have no fill... and i cant keep myself from over eating. And sometimes im even eating bad foods. I dont wanna keep going this way but i dont know what to do. I still take my walks at lest 5 days a week... but i just dont know when to stop eating until its too late. Will this change once i get my fill on july 3rd? anyone else ever been here before? Im worried im streaching my new stomach too much. help! ~~jessica :tt2:

Hey June 16th Bandsters, I was reading a lot of posts today and notice quite a few were done on the 16th or 17th of June. It's interesting the differences in weight loss, water retention and post op diet. I guess we should form a little sub-group and talk together cuz we are all at the same point and it might be a little more pertinent than talking to those 1 or 2 years out plus we are in a hard phase I think,,,,STARVATION!!! LOL!! Get the point? I don't have any idea how to start a group for just us, anyone else know? Thanks, Bluefish62 Darie Banded 6/16 San Antonio, Texas

Hi Everyone, I was banded June 23 and am now 4 days post-op. I have been doing pretty good but notice that my stomach is gurgling a lot and I feel like a have to burp but can't. I can't inhale because it hurts my stomach and shoulder so bad. I suspect that is gas. I have been taking the gas x and drinking herbal tea. Also I have had some diarrhea Is all this normal.? I have been following my diet and just drinking my Protein drinks, broth, Jello, and the sugar free popsicles and Water. However, I did want something different today and made myself some cream of potato Soup and blended my portion in my magic bullet it was delicious. I was getting worried that I hadn'…

Hi All, Just so you know that I am between a rock and a very fat place! Is there any support groups that meet in either Central London or Hertfordshire area that I could speak to people, face to face (me technophobe). I know I want a lap band fitted, but not sure which surgeon,what package - does it include include aftercare and are the fills included in this and what country to have it done in! Then just to throw a spanner in the works I get a call from India, Forerunners Healthcare to say that they have an all inclusive pack for 6300 US Dollars and my partner can stay in my room with me whilst I am recovering - 4/5 days after surgery. Please, those of you who ha…

I know I have a few weeks until real food but what is the percentages for the diet I know right now I have to eat a minimum of 50 grams of Protein and on mushies I am getting about 70 but: what is the recommendations for fats and carbs? I haven't been told calories needed yet either but from other who go where I do it sounds like 1000 to 1200 cals. I am not doing that on mushies, I get close to 1000 Any help would be good or should I just wait until I see my nut?

My partner was banded this past Monday, June 23, and she has developed a low-grade fever since this afternoon. I was a bit concerned, but since we had seen the doctor this morning and her exam and blood tests were fine, I wasn't too worried. I got on the LBT site, looked up "fever" and presto! I got the information I needed. So, we're going to keep an eye on it, and unless it goes to 101 or 101.5, we know it's normal. It is so great to have this resource available to us! She's doing really well, by the way, and has been absolutely on with her pre- and post-op diets. She was back to non-Clear liquids today, and she really enjoyed her Soup and Protein shakes. Thanks …

Im going on week 3 post surgery. Today, I ate, I didnt feel bad, I had for lunch 2 pieces of pizza, yeah I know, Im going to hurt myself. I knew this, but I didnt hurt, and I was satisfied. However, pizza isnt appealing to me anymore. It doesnt taste the same. Then tonight, I went to on the border, had half a chimichanga couldnt eat much more, and was stuffed. Today, I wanted to splurge, I have been eating semi solids, for a week now. And are still losing weight. Today, was a different day for me. I have decided to make a pact with myself, Once a month I will treat myself. Once a month. But with care. However, I feel guilty. I feel like I NEED to get back on track. I fee…

this may sound like a silly question but ill ask anyway. if you are hungry but your band or your stomach feels tight should you eat anyway? sometimes i feel really tight but my stomach feels hungry so i eat something. im wondering if i should eat something light or just drink something. for example tonight i felt tight but ate 1 1/2 bowls of popcorn. i probably shouldnt have. maybe i should be listening to how i feel as far as the tight part and eat something very light so i wont hurt myself. any thoughts andrea ps sometimes i think i eat for comfort or habit

Hi, everybody! One of my wounds (the largest, port wound) is not healing well. I had my surgery June 5. About a week post op it started draining alot. I had bruised badly, so my surgeon just said the bruise was breaking up and draining. It looked bad...like the incision was open, and there was this white stuff in the middle. (sorry if I'm grossing anyone out). He said that white stuff was fiborous tissue my body was making to seal the wound. Well, after a round of antibiotics, and another week (at my 2 week follow up), the Dr decided to cut the white stuff away, which aparently left a hole in my abdomen about an inch deep, and to have me pack the wound with gauze. Thank g…

Does anyone have any good advice on healing? What was the most important things you have done instructed by your dr to make sure you and the band healed in the right place without any complications? Im just looking for good information to make sure I dont goof up my healing process.

Hey I am a new band person. I have not had a fill but will next week. My question is this: I live 5 hrs from the Doctor. How long does it take after a fill to know if the restriction is too much? I am so worried about getting a fill, going home and not being able to swallow. Any info would be appreciated.

I am really stumped on this one! I have had frozen yogurt for the 2 months since I've been banded and I have never seen anything written on the subject - I even googled it! an someone please explain this to me? She was saying the coldness can freeze the silicone in the band! HUH? Frozen yogurt was my angel in disguise instead of ice cream!!! What about all cold food- ice Water? what else?:Angel_anim:

I had my 3rd fill about three weeks ago and finally began to feel some restriction. Then I went for my 4th fill a couple fo days ago and am having a lot of different pains when I eat. Is it normal to have pain in your shoulder while you're eating? I'm taking as small of bites as I can and it seems it still had trouble going down. Is this just new to the recent fill I had and will dwindle as time goes by, or should I expect this EVERY time?

The last few days I have been having back pain. It is usually right after I eat. I feel like I am chewing my food well, but maybe this is a side effect of not chewing well or eating too fast. Anyone else have this problem? I also woke up last night in the middle of the night with the same pain. I am not usually a middle of the night eater, but my stomach felt like I was hungry so I went and ate 3 of my daughters animal Cookies. After I ate, the pain went away. Again, does anyone have the problem of back pain when you get hungry?

I have been getting a feeling of acid in my throat and im wondering what it is from. I was banded may 21st 2007 and i have not had a fill yet. Is it form me eating too much? too fast? wrong food? I try to combat it with some skin milk which helps for a little. I notice it more with food thats like with a red sauce of some type, but thats not always the case. I tried to contact my dietitian but she has yet to return my call. ~~jessica:confused:

I was banded April 23, 2008. I haven't lost or gained anything since. I lost 24 lbs the weeks prior to surgery during prep time but nothing since. My doc said I may not lose during the healing period, and I might even gain after starting to eat again. I haven't been exercising very much. I have reactive arthritis and am having alot of foot and ankle pain. But I also don't eat very much at all. Ive thought that maybe Im not eating enough? What do you think? Is it common not to lose before your first fill. My first fill is tomorrow.

I have several problems I wanted to ask you all about. I am 3 weeks post-op and have been given the go-ahead with the mushy diet. On my list of mushy foods I am allowed to have is grilled fish...I tried it last night. Very small amount, chewed, chewed and took my time. A short time later I had pain or more like discomfort in my chest and back. It seems like when I eat I end up having a lot of upper back pain later, the chest pain only once in a while and this was mild but still bothersome. So what went wrong? Is it too soon for the fish? I will also admit to eating 2 bites of pizza 6 days ago. Now that pain was HORRIBLE. In my chest again, back, and throwing up…

So, I'm almost 3 weeks post-op and I'm on a soft foods diet, but my doctor said I could eat just about anything (except the big no-no's) as long as I eat slow and chew well. I get my first fill on July 2nd, but as of now I can eat about 8 oz or 1 cup of food or drink at a time. Feeling mostly full, but not uncomfortably full. I was wondering if that's on track. How much can/could the rest of you eat pre and post fill? About how much are you eating if you're at good restriction?

I just got my first fill yesterday, I was banded on 4/23/2008. They only filled me to 4 cc's and I am still not feeling any restriction. I keep reading people say that I shouldn't feel restriction or see weight loss until my second fill. That is not until July 21, 2008. My doc said to come back in if I don't feel restriction but is it just me or do they need to make it tighter? My mom said something to me that I have to keep reminding my self of " It didn't take you over night to get this big, it's not going to take you over night to get skinny." But I want to be skinny NOW! Does anyone else feel like it's taking too long? I've lost 17 lbs and I know more is to come, b…

What then? Do you still get fills? Do you get some of the fill taken out? Obviously you'd still be making healthy concious decisions on foods and exercise, but is it necessary to stay filled for the rest of your life?

Hi: My name is Wanda, I was banded June 5. I have been taking coumadin ever since I had surgery. When I went in for surgery I was given a shot of heparin. All this to keep me from having a clot. But guess what? I got one anyway. So if any of you experience any of the following after surgery: Swelling Redness Painful area GET TO YOUR DOCTOR!!!! I woke up at 1 am with my left calf throbbing, there was no redness or swelling. I had a feeling it was a clot. I waited until 4am to tell my husband I was going to call me doctor. Dr. said to go to the ER and have a leg scan, I thought man this is gonna be bad if it's nothing, I live an 1 1/2 hours away from the ho…

Just curious, as your body has gotten smaller, has your shoe size changed, too?

Can someone tell me the importance of getting the protein shake in everyday? What if you miss a few shakes? Does it stop your weight loss?

My fisrt one was yesterday, Im now, 2 and a half weeks out, and 26 lbs down. Im so proud of myself, and my doc is so happy. Especially with the way the wounds healed. They are almost invisible. Kinda like it didnt happen. He wants me to walk more, 40 mins a day, I guess I have to find the time in the day to do so. Right after work seems to be the best time, but that means I cant go pick up my daughter from daycare. But thats ok, I have people to help me with that. I guess its just the motivation I need. How do you guys get past all this? DO you just push yourselves to get up and out? How do you do it? I know I can drop more weight if Im very consistant with my exercise ro…

I just wanted to update on how I'm doing since my December 18th surgery. I'm off all pain meds (for over a week now) and have really no more pain, just slight discomfort in the port area when I walk for awhile. I'm sleeping on either side with no trouble, even on my belly sometimes though I'm not really a belly-sleeper. My scars are very minimal and healed up really nicely. I drink 16 oz of Water in the morning, then have a small Breakfast of a Protein shake or scrambled egg. I eat slow and chew well, swallowing tiny bites at a time. I then wait 2 hours before I have another 16 oz of water and have some lunch- usually about about a cups worth of creamy Soup or 1/2 cup …

Hello there! I'm currently in bandster hell and waiting for my first fill (mid July). My problem is that I cannot keep an accurate count of my calorie intake. I'm Asian and the foods that I eat is not listed anywhere on the web so that makes it very hard to know who much calories I'm taking in daily. Somedays I'll lose 2 lbs then the next gain 3 lbs:cursing: So I've just been eating sensible and limiting my food intake...using sheer will power. Some days though I feel that I'm not getting in enough calories. Anyone have this problem? Any advice?

HI guys Well i had my surgery last Thursday (Its Sunday now) so thats 3.5 days.. Im ok, just a little sore at the port site and get sore standing up for long periods... Things im not sure about are - Im not really drinking much as im not thirsty. I had a milk drink tonight and could only drink about 100mls before i was uncomfortable!! It takes me an hour to drink a small V8 box. Is this normal? I try to sip Powerade all day to keep me hydrated. I havent tried anything but, powerade, up and go drinks, and V8. Im scared to drink to much - is this normal? My Dr has instructed 4 weeks clear, 4 weeks mushy... AGH!!! Nic

First, in your day to day life do you feel tightness in your midsection? Like does your stomach feel any different? Do you walk around feeling restricted? Second, are there foods that are basically not allowed at all after being banded? It looks like a lot of folks have trouble eating bread and certain foods trigger heart burn or reflux. If I'm banded and I want to splurge on say Thanksgiving... NOT overeat.. just eat bad stuff, what would I have trouble eating?

Hello, I am due to be banded on Friday...yup the day after tomorrow, and I am scared to death! I am the mother of 4 and am 250lbs. I made the decision to be banded for health reasons...see I have lost 5 family members to diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. One was my sister at age 36 from child onset diabetes which caused her to have 9 heart attacks before she died. According to my pre op doctor visits I am healthy and I would like to stay that way. However I don't know if I have it in me to follow the rules of the band. I have barley stayed on the liquid diet. I consider myself one of those people who loves to eat food. Don't really like sweets. Love Meat! I can do …

Could someone please explain to me what sliming is?? sorry so gross just curiuos?

hi there, i scheduled my first fill yesterday - it's for my 5th week after surgery. i'm just over 2 weeks out now. since i haven't had a fill, i'm wondering if they hurt. i know, i'm a chicken. my surgeon does the first one then after that, the physicians assistant does it. thanks!

How long after surgery did you get your first fill?

Was banded April 28th down about 35 lbs. Had my first fill May 23rd. Not unhappy with the weight loss but only lost 5 lbs since my fill May 23rd. Seems like I plateaued. My appetite seems to be some what back as well. Scheduled for another fill July 18th. I guess my question is will I experience a difference with future fills? Will my weight loss continue?:confused2:

IM GONNA BE ON MUSHIE STAGE TOMORROW:lol:...DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW MANY CALORIES ARE WE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A DAY? AND I AM A BIG FAN OF AVACADOS CAN THAT BE INCLUDED IN MY MUSHIE STAGE? AND IF UR ABLE CAN U POST ANY MUSHIE RECIPES U HAVE. THANKS! I LOVE TIS SITE I AM SO ADDICTED. YOU GET SO MUCH INFORMATION JUST LOVE IT.:sad_smile: BANDED: JUNE 12, 2008

Thank God the gs pains are starting to go away!!!! I am on day 7 and the gas pains are reduced a lot! Still right under my left rib only, so standing straight sometimes doesn't happen. I walk around all day long and still it lingers. How long can I expect this annoying pain in my tummy to last?

I would like to draw on everyone's experience. Overall I am feeling great and things are going well. With one exception, despite following my doctor's orders to a tee on liquids and mushies, I am experiencing what I can only describe as a constant feeling of tightness in the area where I think the band is located (in my mind?). Up until about 4 days ago, this didn't exist and so I went to the doctor to have it checked out as I was paranoid in thinking the band had moved. We did an xray and I swallowed some stuff where we could watch in real time that it flowed right into my stomach and that the band was in the right place. So no problems there. It is not really pain, ju…

Hi, I was getting nowhere with my first surgeon. He wasn't responding to phone calls or to the insurance inquiries. Last night I went to a seminar in San Bernardino, CA. I really liked the seminar and they offer much more than the first doctor. The doctor's name is Douglas Krahn. Has anyone used him, and if so, did you like him and your lap band experience? Thanks! Lisa :tt1:

Can anyone please describe the feeling you get when you have a band slippage or even band erosion? i have been having a pain just below / around my diaphragm and I am unsure if it's due to slippage or possible erosion, or it could be totally unrelated to my band. Any help would be great! Thank you in advance!

I had my surgery June 17th. My surgeon used dermabond to seal the incisions. I noticed around day 3 that one of the incisions had what looked like a big dried blood bubble around it. I didn't think much of it. Last night I dropped some stuff and after I picked it up I noticed that blood was draining out of that same incision. Not a lot, but enough to make me uncomfortable! So I just laid down and haven't been up much since. There was some blood on the sheets since, but not a lot. Has this happened to anyone else? Should I call my surgeon? I hate being that patient that calls on the weekends or nights!!

My doc has set me loose on "soft foods" and I'm at a loss. I've searched the forum, but have had trouble finding what I'm looking for. I'm getting mighty sick of eggs. I don't think about it until I get hungry and then it's too late to do any shopping or preparation of anything other than a small omelette. So I eat that and then forget about it until I get hungry again and then realize, "Oh yeah, all I have that I know for sure I can eat is eggs. Blech." And the pattern repeats. Does anyone have any recipe ideas for this stage or is there a post already covering this someone can refer me to? Thanks!

I had my lap band surgery on June 13 and it went amazingly well. When I woke up in the PACU I thought for some reason they hadn't been able to place the band because nothing hurt! Anywhere! I started feeling around for bandages and the nurse saw me and asked what was wrong and laughed when I told her, and she confirmed that I had gotten a band. An hour later after I got to my room I asked to get up and pee, so the nurse unhooked me, and since I was up already I went ahead and started walking laps. Then I went back to bed and slept some. I had to go to Xray to get the swallowing test, and I wanted to walk back to my room. The assistant that was with me tried to say, "no, …

I saw this thread awhile ago and loved it and have started a list of my own. Things I won't miss about being fat. 1. Never finding a towel big enough to go all the way around me and tuck in the front. It always looks so cute when my skinny friends do it! 2. Constantly pulling down my shirt to try and hide my big, low-riding tummy. Who do I think I'm fooling? 3. Cringing or running everytime someone pulls out a camera. 4. Always checking the room to confirm my worst nightmare...I'm the fattest one in the room. 5. All the junk food wrappers in my bedside table! What things won't you miss about being fat? Wendy ps I'm getting banded in Mexico in 5 mor…

i had another .5cc put into my 4cc band today which i now have a total of 2cc. i lost 4lbs since april 15(my last fill) not much. i am really hoping this fill will do it for me. i have to say that for the past 8 days i havent been that hungry. so maybe its starting to work. my surgeon said that i am pretty tight and that i should notice quite a bit restriction. how soon should i feel this? i had a cheeseburger tonight and ate it fine. i am getting alot of pressure from my doctor for this to work. she says that my band is tight and that it should be working more than it is. i am more determined now than ever to lose at least another 10 pounds before my next fill which isnt…

I was banded on 6/11. For the past two days I have been having odd heart palpitations that mainly seem to stay in my throat. Today they have been quite often- every 10-15 minutes even if I'm just sitting relaxing. I can say that I am having a very hard time getting my Protein and fluids in. Especially the fluids. Can the heart palpitations be from possibly dehydration? How many calories should we be aiming for in a day. I have been only getting three very small meals in (maybe 5-6 tablespoon of soup) and can't seem to get the three protein Snacks in. Perhaps I'm just malnutritioned from it all although I don't feel real bad. Just the heart palpitations with a…

Hey Looking for updates from the Cinco De Mayo Bandsters, Going for my first fill tommorrow, and man do I need it. I feel like I can eat anything? Lost 26 pounds so far? Good, Bad? I feel like i should have lost more, but inches feel like they are coming off. Looking to hear how the rest of you are doing pre first fill? Good Luck:thumbup:

HI!! i was banded June 12th and had no complications. The only problem is i feel no restriction and i have no self control. Im not regretting the band at all, but i have already taken it upon my self to eat whole foods, chewing until liquifief of course, but still why did i do this when my doc said liquids only. Did i already screw myself over? Someone please yell at me and tell me how dangeous it is to eat that food now! Im stubborn and need someone to tell me no!!! other than my mom and boyfriend! Please help me stop!!

Ok Im stuck in limbo, with 311lbs at this point, and have been for a week. Although, I havent had the energy as I should to go to the gym every day, but I do make it to the gym at least 3 times a week. I dont do much when I go, maybe a mile on the treadmill. But, thats about it. My diet, is mixed with liquids, and for dinner, a healthy, mushy. But, I do notice, Im not getting as full as I once did about a week ago, Im 2 weeks and a day post op. And today I see the doc. I wonder if I can convince him to do my first fill today. LOL. I doubt that. Im hoping it wont be that bad cause right at the port area, I cant feel a thing. Its like my nerves were severed or something. An…

I just ate lunch, and i had some tuna with 3 whole weat ritz crackers. (i actually put 4 crackers on my plate) I ate maybe 2/3 of what i put on my plate, and im trying to get used to being full by eating so little, and i havnt even had my fill yet! I dont know how little im going to eat after i get my fill....kinda scary that i can eat so little and get full!!

Ok i went to river yesterday with some friends, we rode around on the boat for a while and it was kinda rough because of the waves and all. Today i am etremely sore in my port area? Could this be because of all the movement yesterday? Could i have done some serious damage? What should i do?

Hi i am having the lapband surgery on July 28th i am excited but a little nervest as well. Not knowing what to exspect. I went to all the meeting required befor surgery. But i am not sure i have it all down yet. Guess you learn as you go. Thanks Dottie:ohmy: