POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi all, this isn't the most pleasant thing to talk about....but....I've been doing pretty good since my surgery on Tuesday. But today around 11am I started having diarrhea and it hasn't stopped. I have literally went over 10 times since it started. Has anyone else experienced this? :rolleyes2:

For those of you that use them, where did you get them? I didn't want Pocahontis, cars, or Mickey Mouse plastic handles, so I bought a sterling plate gift box set from an engraving store. They are great but cost $30 for the 3 pieces & the box. I am hoping to find something cheaper, preferably in multiples, so my honey doesn't have to was my tiny dishes every time I eat. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi, Has anybody out there had a lap band after having an RNY? I had the gastric bypass in 2000 and did very well (130 lbs. lost) for five years. Then, the pouch stretches over time, so my weight started to come back. This, unfortunately, is a common occurrence with gastric bypass. I am considering a lap band as you can adjust it as your stomach stretches. I have heard of people getting the lap band after the RNY (AL ROKER from Good Morning America did it) but would love to talk to someone who has done it. Please can you respond if you have done this. Thanks, Zena

Hi everyone well i had my surgery today and everything went well except for the MACK truck that hit me in the operating room. :cry Right in the gut!!! What im wondering is i have bad pain right at the bottom of my sternum. Feels like i need to burp really bad but i cant seem to. Feels like i have walked a mile but no luck on easing the pain. I have drank Water, had a little broth so i could take my pain medicine but that is all i have had. Could someone tell me what i may be able to do to ease the pain. I have also taken gas-x dissolve strips Thanks

:cursing:Hi! I was banded on June 11 2008 so 8 days ago!! WOOO!! Do you think it would be OK for me to eat a super small serving of refried Beans? Like half a cup or less. I did have some ramen noodles in my broth yesterday and those seemed to go ok. I chewed them ahaha!! I have been on this liquid diet since May 28th and I need some flavor and something with a different consistencey besides juice BOOST Protein shakes and yopliat light yogurt. Oh and low sodium chicken broth!! I can't imagine a few spoon full of refried bensa would hurt if I eat it slowly and pay attention to what my body is telling me. What do you think?

I am on day 12 following banding. Things have gone very well thus far and pretty much according to what I would say is 'routine' from everything I have read on the site. I have remained loyal to my doctor's orders of liquids only for the first two weeks (he wants me to do 3). Last night I 'experimented' a little and had a small little ice cream bar with a thin chocolate coating. Well, ever since that time (it is now morning) I have the feeling back in my chest again that the band is tight (it had been going away and non-existent). Even thought it is half a day later, I can't help but think I have injured myself or heaven forbid...that I will need to eat liquids for t…

Hi! Could someone tell me the percentage % of Lap-banders without a fill? Thank You. George

I need to make some lap band friends and.... I have stayed in close touch with my Weight Loss Center and they are well aware of my pain. They did have my doc's collegue see me yesterday but he isn't a primary WL surgeon, he's a general surgeon. (My doc is away in India to be w/ his father, he returns Wed and I have an appt with him that day) The pain is to the left and up of the umbilicus so this allows me to think it's the port as I have read here of pain in the port. (as opposed to pain in the arse) The pain really began on Saturday am && I called off work today b/c the pain was soo overwhelming and I am walking like a little old lady, all scooped over. The pa…

I was banded on Monday June 16th. Doing pretty good on clear fluids. I was got up and went to work today was a little overwhelemed after a couple of hours so I came home and laid down. I felt a kicking/popping sensation in my left side that is now soar if I sit up. Anyone else had this? Im afraid my band opened or my port moved? Or could it just be the gas? Please advise

Hey everyone! :biggrin: I start mushies on Friday and I can't wait!! :cursing: What's your FAVORITE :drool: mushy recipe! :tongue:I'm ready to try 'em all!!!

Has anyone asked if it is okay to use a tanning bed? Ready to get started on my tan but was wonder if it is okay. Thanks

I have seen this term several times....it is usually mentioned along with "sliming" so I assume it is not pleasant. Could someone please explain?

Just curious if anyone else was banded there. What did you think of Doctors and facility. I was banded 3/3/08 by Dr. Pennings.

I was banded 7 weeks ago. 3 weeks after surgery I found out I was pregnant. It was my first pregnancy. I went to get my first fill a week later and the Doctor refused to do it, he said he couldn't induce weight loss during pregnancy. When I weighed in that day I had gained 10 lbs back from my first post-op appointment. I credited that to the pregnancy and the fact that I had little restriction right after surgery. Being pregnant, I was starving all the time (it could have been that I'm overweight and love to eat too), and I was too tired to do any exercise. A week after that appointment I ended up having a miscarriage and am waited for an appointment for my first filli…

I bounce back and forth so much I'm making my self dizzy. Do I have the surgery or dont I? I'm at my last step. I saw the dietitian 3 weeks ago, she put me on a 1500 cal diet. I asked her if I came back and lost the 10 that I needed to lose would I be sent for approval. She said yes. Now heres the thing. I did realy good on this diet and I think to my self," I can do this on my own!", then I think "no I cant!" I know my self well enough to know that I could do realy well for 3,4,8 weeks then throw it all out the window. Every side efect, every negative out come is running threw my head. I want so much to "do it" on my own but just know I cant. Have any of you gone threw t…

I am 19 months post op. It hurts like heck I paid cash for my surgery with absolutely no support from the drs. I paid for an american surgery instead of going to mexico I want it removed they are not even telling me if they will and how much more they are going to charge for it. Does anyone know where I can get this done? I would prefer to go to mexico as I have already spent more money than I should have. I am down 13lbs in 19 months 325 to 312 as of this morning Please help if I can keep one person from making the mistake I made please let me know I will gladly give you all details. If you must do it at least go to mexico and save 10 grand.

What is y'all's recommended portion size for your post-op liquid and mushies diet? Mine is only 2oz! Seems sorta small.....:biggrin:

I had my banding June 10th and all has gone well except nausea. Sometimes it is overwhelming. It zaps my energy and I have to go back to work Monday. I have tried Ginger tea which did nothing. I still get hungry and do eat my 3 small protein pureed meals. I actually make myself eat as that is all I get for the day and I dont want to get weak from not eating. I never vomit just have this constant feeling of nausea. Sometimes it comes in waves and it mostly affects me in the morning hours. I am despert for suggestions or someone to say this too shall pass! Any help out there?:biggrin:

I had my operation on 6/10 and I followed the clear liquids but yesterday I had tomato soup and and today I had a piece of cheese. What will happen to my band now? I have a week to go on clear liquids and I'm having a very hard time. Any advice Thanks

This week will be 4 weeks since I had my surgery. At my 2 week post op visit, the doctor told me to go ahead and make my first fill appointment, which would be at 6 weeks post op. Since the day of my surgery, I have lost 16 pounds. I am also only able to eat 4-5 ounces of food at a time, which my doctor told me was acceptable. So my question, do I really need a fill? I feel like I am in a good place and am thinking a fill would mess that up. One more thing and don't shoot me for asking. I have noticed that I am really thirsty at night. Sometimes I have a hard time waiting my 30 minutes after dinner to drink anything. This doesn't seem to bother me except make me…

I was banded last July, 24, 07 and have lost over 41 pounds. The first 30 were pretty fast. I've had 4 fills and felt that was about what I needed. However, the weight is not dropping as fast as I want it to. I'm pretty good about my diet but I do have the occasional burger or a few slices of pizza and a beer. I've also scared myself a few times when the food got stuck. yeck! I've always been one to drink something (usually water) when i eat. I know this washes some of the food past the pouch but this is even a tougher habit to change than the eating part. Any suggestions or comments? I really want to get to my goal weight of 185 (I started at 265 when I was banded). I'm …

I make it last between 20-30 min if its Soup it's less curious what everyone else is like

Today on MSNBC I read an article about medical litter or UDF's, "unretrieved device fragments". The title of the article is Medical litter: Device debris poses serious risk. I have lost over 130 lbs with my wonderful band and I am enjoying greater health now than I ever have before in my adult life and I will not remove my band as long as I have no complications. I do know however that there are three ''O" rings or grommits left in my chest cavity following my procedure. I have had cat scans and x-rays that show them. They are clearly visible. I was told by someone in the medical field that everyone that has laproscopic procedures end up with these as they are part of …

I had a fill last Monday and havent been able to eat hardly anything since then. About 4 or 5 bites of food and I have to throw up. Nothing seems to be okay except soup, liquids. I had 5.5cc in 10cc band. Can 1/2 cc make that much of a difference? Do you think my band could be slipped? I have vomited several times a day for the last 1-1/2 weeks.

I was wondering if anyone out there has had a flipped port? I have felt "pulling" sensation with some tenderness at my port recently. I contacted the nurse at my SWL center and she suggests I make an appt to see the surgeon because that my port may be flipped. Has this been your experience if you have had one? How is it repaired? Does it require another surgery? (yikes!) thank you everyone! 252/208/150 Dr. Wheeler Kentucky :tongue:

anyone have a bubbling or moving feeling inside the tummy close to the port area? for the last three days i have had moving inside like a balloon with water shaking as i get up and down and move a certain way! i have an appt for a second fill tomm..i'm scared either my port is moving or something is floating..i'm also not feeling restricted and well as feeling sickly anyone feel moving around feelings? could my port be lose or the band have come off? PLEASE REPLY!

I have had my ups in having a band fitted, I lost nearly 3 stone and then my band became too tight! I had to have it losened to the point I had nothing stopping me from over eating. I have had this happen twice now within the year time scale! Which is very bad luck! I have no willpower what so ever and had tried every diet known to man and woman! I thought that getting a band fitted it would help me in wanting to lose the weight, and help me overcome my lack of willpower! I knew it was going to be a tough ride but thought that through support and help from the company I went with I would be able to do it! But unfortunatly I have not! I have put on weight due to the ban…

ok people for the love of god can someone please help. i had my surgery june 9th and the allowed me to start whole foods today early was supposed to wait till fri. and am still so hungry and have been since the day of operation. i am frustrated and confused and eating all the right stuff and my water. anyone else go through this?:cursing:

Had my band on Monday the 16th. Doin' ok i guess. The pain in my shoulders and neck can be unbearable at times and I can't really explain the belly pain, it kinda feels like my belly drops when i stand up. it's strange. Not to mention i feel everything i swallow--is there anything that helps this feeling??? any suggestions would be great. Good luck to all you june bandsters out there. Leah

I work in a professianl setting and all my clothes are fitting tight right now. What did you were back to work a week after surgery? I am trying to avoid going out to buy more clothes after surgery. Did tight fitting clothes irritate your incisions?

Greetings All: I am new to the group. I was banded 3yrs ago in Toronto Canada where I was living at the time. I live in Lewiston, NY which is very close to the border & I just go over whenever a fill is needed. I will be moving from NY to MO very soon & I was wondering where could I get a fill. I checked with a Dr.Christopher Edwrds in Sprinfield, MO, however, he's only does his patients. I was also wondering what is the cost of having a fill? All fills are FREE in Canada after the surgery,however, I have been reading that they are charging for them in the states. All answers will be appreciated!!! Thanks Again HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!! :--)

I was just banded April 24th, and everything is great except about a week ago, I started getting pains in my abdomen. You know how when you run, walk, run, walk, etc (when I was able!) you get that pain in your side sometimes? We always called it a "stitch." Anyway, that is what it feels like and it is right by my pelvic bone and switches sides. It happens several times a day, and only when I'm standing upright. I'm wondering if this is maybe just some healing/nerve pain from the surgery, even though it is much lower than my incisions. I have read a lot about strange pains on this forum. Or (note my age) perhaps my ovaries are freaking out?!! I haven't had the pain…

After my surgery, they made all of my post-op appointments for me. I am 8 days post-op and they called me the day before yesterday and reminded me of my appointment for the next day at 1:15. So i went to my appointment, i got weighed, (lost 19 lbs btw) and saw the doctor. He looked at my incisions, told me i could peel the steri strips off, and told me i could start mushie foods. At the end of his whole speech (i didnt wanna cut him off and be rude) I was like, "i thought i dont start mushie food until 2 weeks out?" and he looked at my file and said "They have got you for your 2 week appointment today, if you wouldnt have said something, then you could hurt yourself by pe…

I made it 3 and a half hours before I got sick, one, I just stood up no gas pains nothing, and had diarrhea all over myself, like I said no gas no nothing, I was so afraid to tell my boss that I had to go home to clean up, but he let me go, but my stomach is in knots and I feel it could happen again. I was banded on Monday. I should be able to work right? Did I over do it? :tongue:

I was just banded on Thursday 5/22/08 and this has been harder than I thought. I have been doing the liquid diet since Thursday, but today has been VERY hard for me. Especially when all I can think about is FOOD!!!!! I am a very emotional eater, and have been pretty depressed since the surgery. I just now got out of the house this morning (too sore to leave before today) and actually had an adult conversation with my Mother (my dog doesn’t speak good English..lol). All I have been doing is lying down and watching movies since I got home Thursday afternoon. OK........I want something to EAT!!!!! I am soooo sick of shakes, pudding, Jell-O & the worst thing chi…

Hello, ok im 6 days out, feeling fine just sore still. Im so confused whether im hungry or what? I can eat and then fill hungry like two hours later. It might be that im not eating meats, and mostly liquids! I feel discouraged because im not feelin as full as i hoped too. Maybe i will with my first fill?? Any help?? *Elizabeth*

Hello All! I'm feeling discouraged. I'm 10 days post-op. I've lost 9-10lbs on the clear liquid phase but now that I'm in the thicken liquid/mushie phase, I'm starting to gain the weight back (gained 3lbs over the weekend). I've been keeping my calorie intake to under 1000 but still gained weight? Any suggestions?

It seems like all or most of you are getting to go on full liquids after about a week or so. Some even after a few days. Am I the only one on Clear Liquids for a full 14 days? I'm a total rule follower and I won't go against my doctor's advice at all . . . but honestly . . . I'm going stark raving mad. Maybe he's just ultra-ultra conservative post-op. :shrug:

at my last doctor's appointment i was told that i should be starting a full soft diet (3 soft meals daily) and my calorie intake should be between 1200-1400 calories a day. i was just wondering how everyone is getting that many calories daily? i usually get between 700-800 calories daily. anyone have any suggestions?

I live about 1 1/2 hours from the surgery center. Should I plan on staying in a hotel after the surgery or should I go ahead and come home? I do have someone to drive me but I had originally planned to stay in a hotel that night. I'm being banded on Wednesday 6/18. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'm newly banded and am on the liquid diet until 5/20/08. I have very little energy at times. Does this happen to everyone? I have lost 12 lbs since 5/6/08.

I am 4 days post op and in the worst pain, it seems like its getting worse than better, my muscles are hurting so bad on my right side. I have no appetite whatsoever im having a hard time getting my shakes down because im not hungry at all. Im afraid i will never feel normal again. I want to be hungry. I never knew how much i thought about food until this surgery. Last night i went to a car race and everyone was eating...even though i wasnt hungry, i wanted to eat so bad, i alsmost cried. Anyways, im hurting, and i just want to feel normal......is it normal to feel like its not worth it and i was happier when i could eat and i wasnt dying of pain?

Today is my one month anniversary with my lap-band. Hooray! So far I lost 21 pounds since the surgery; I will be getting my first fill in two weeks. One of the reasons I became over weight is because I loved dining out and ordering take-out. So I decided I should really learn how to cook and prepare healthly meals. My new obsession now, I love watching cooking shows. I really like “The Dan Ho Show” from FitTv but I love watching also “Down Home with the Neelys” and “Paula Deen” from the food Network. . For some reason I feel really satisfied by watching other people eat stuff I really can’t now. I think really miss my social life before the lap-band bec…

Hello all!! Please help me! I dont want to lose my hair or my nails!! I dont want to fail at this!! i was banded on June 12th! four days post opp!! i started my full liquids today and started added my protein supplements!! yuck!:sad: AWFUL!! i dont know what to do!! i have got to have 60 grams a day!! any suggestions?? Please help! Im in need of support!!

Hi everyone! I just got my surgery date. July 16. Yeah! I have a 16 month old son who weighs about 25 pounds. Can anyone give any advise as to after the surgery. How soon would you think I can carry him. The reason I ask is I am a stay at home mom and wondering how long I will need someone here to help me out. Any advise appreciated! Lisa

I am tired of this liquid stuff I can't find anything that taste good everything is starting to taste the same please help me with ideas I have a recipe book, but it is smoothie this smoothie that I am hungry and evil right now I am almost about to cry why did I do this Iam trying hard.:sad:

I need to compare diets with some other post ops. I figure I am getting under 600 calories a day. I am feeling faint when I go outside. I freeze and then burn up, I don't have a fever though. I have even gotten out the electric blanket. I feel horrible. Am I getting enough calories? Anyone else experience these feelings? :biggrin:

Every once in a while i will get a hiccup that is a kind of hiccup and they hurt so bad! I can feel it coming on and im like "oh no!!" and sometimes they come two to three and a time and ugh, pain; then its over. Also, i have a forever air pocket when that happens. Any advice to get rid of these "kind-of" hiccups?

I go in for my pre-op testing tomorrow morning and my doctor has all the tests scheduled for one day. Thats nice to be able to get it all done at one time but I am getting a little scared since I know that in a month or so I will be getting my Lap-Band. I am looking forward to it but still I am a little scared. I have read everything I can on this site and know just what to expect, but when I read of people that it did not work for it really bothers me. I want this to work for me so bad. I will make every effort to make it a success, but after trying so many other things I still get depressed. I hope I can make my wife proud of me in a year or so and hopefully live just a…

I am feeling so sick. I had my first fill on Friday. It has not done one thing for me. I am feeling so bad for myself and I ate 2 sandwiches with chips two candy bars and a huge piece of cake. I feel so sick now I can't tell you. Has anyone else done this? Do you think I did huge damage to my band. I really feel ill. Thanks for any help