POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi, I am getting discouraged and would like to hear from some other people with low starting BMIs and read about their progression. I was banded 2 weeks ago. I did pre-op diet for 1 week, losing 6 lbs. Now at 2 weeks out, I have only lost another 2 lbs. I know this is the "time for healing" etc, but reading all these posts about people losing giant amounts of weight post-op is discouraging me. I don't think I am eating too much. I just started mushies. I am hungry but finding things "on plan" that I can eat. I haven't been counting calories, as I know I am not consuming many. Thanks....

ok im not sure what PB'ing is can someone explain it to me. Is it when your band is to tight and you vomit. :cursing:

Hi All - wondering if anyone else has had this problem and how they have overcome it. I had a lap band in Nov07 after a stapling 20 yrs prior. I have lost 2 kg since the banding. I have been back to the surgeon 5 times since then for top ups - today will be number 6. Last time he went pat his comfort level on the fill and I could barely get fluid down for 3 days (lost 3 kg in those 3 days and put them back on when i started on small amounts of solids in the next 2 days) but by 2 weeks post fill I am back to eating nearly a full meal. I have virtually no restrictions. The surgeon last time withdrew all the fluid at my insistance to see if I had a leak and he was able to…

Does anyone know if carbonated soft drinks can cause a problem to our band? I've read in another forum that the gas they have stretches the pouch and might make the band to slip. Others say that they there's no problem. I've already drunk 2 diet cokes and had no problem, I just had a feeling of "fullness", but I'm still scared. I'm sorry for my bad english,but I'm from Greece.

I posted earlier today about problems I've been having with feeling full, nausea, etc. So yesterday, I could drink about 2 oz's and I felt SO FULL, but today, I can drink an entire 11 oz. Protein drink, and I'm just barely full. I know that each day will be a little different, but is that normal to be such a BIG difference is just one day?? I almost feel like I don't have the band at all today. Anyone else had this experience?? So I have a question for all bandsters, how much can you drink/eat at once until you're full and how long have you been banded??

I'm 6 weeks post op, and not due for my fill until the 19th, I was chewing REALLY well in the weeks post op, but as things got looser and food went down fine, I know I don't chew as much as I should and my bites are big....is the chewing for when you have a fill and so things don't get stuck?

I was banded last Wednesday, May 28th, almost been a week now. The first few days I was doing great, I was able to get my liquids in, sipped slowly, I got full very quickly. I would wait until the fullness feeling went away, and I'd start sipping slowly again. I could only drink about 1 to 2 oz. in the beginning before I felt full. Well, about 2 days ago, I started having very sharp pains in my side, felt like a knife digging in to me, about every 2 or 3 seconds. I wasn't able to get in as much liquid, because everytime I drank anything I felt nauseated. Then yesterday, the same thing, pain in my side, and I had to force myself to drink drink drink. The entire time I w…

I am embarrassed but have to ask. Has anyone been experiencing the gas down under? I'm not talking about the gas right after surgery either. I don't think it's what I'm eating and obviously real concerned and embarrassed about this. Someone told me that she's heard this with gastric bypass patients, and that people take something that really helps control the gas. Anyone there who can help. Thanks

Hi...I was banded April 11th and havent had a fill yet...I've only lost 18 lbs and have plateau'ed....When I get my first fill will I lose a lot more? Will the band feel different? Will I be able to tolerate everything as I do now? What all will change??? So confused...help?

Hey Everybody, I went for my two week post op appointment and I lost 20 pounds.... I can't believe it, I am so excited.

Hi everyone, I know this may be strange... but has anyone ever experienced this???? I eat a meal, I don't feel one bit of fullness, but I do stop myself from over eating. I do not drink 1/2 hr before or after. 1 1/2 hrs to 2 hrs later.... I get this full, golf ball feelin in my stomach. I don't understand why I'm not feeling this while I'm eating... and why it's taking this long to get that feeling. I'm getting nervous here. I did speak to the nurse last week, but she didn't have an answer for me. I have an apt. w/ the Dr. on Thursday to see if he has an answer.... Hopefully someone here has experienced what I'm feeling, and knows whats going on...

OK, so while I have no reason to think anything is wrong with my band(I'm a week out of surgery, I'm following my Doctor's orders and I feel great) I'm paranoid that my band will slip. So, what are the symptoms of slippage? I know major slippage, you can't keep anything down, acid reflux, etc. But what about a minor slippage? Can moving around a lot soon after surgery cause slippage? Thanks for helping with my irrational fears :thumbup:

Your band has flipped? My port is still very sore, which is to be expected from what I hear (I was banded on Thursday 5/22/08). But my stomach is having strange feelings (not hunger pains either). It’s hard to explain how I feel really. But it feels like (but I know its not) that my stomach and around the port area is filled with gas. I have been having BM daily, sometime twice a day. So I know it’s not gas... Just curious for those out there where their band flipped how they knew and what it felt like???? Or, has anyone has this feeling before? Your replies are much appreciated! :thumbup:

Hi, went to a bar last night with some friends, everything was really loud. After talking (yelling) with my friends for awhile, I got a feeling that I couldn't breathe. I had eaten 1/2 a chick breast and had a small cocktail, so it wasn't the food, I sucked on some ice and that seemed to help, but I almost panicked, my chest was tight and it felt band-related (I only have 1.5cc in a 10cc band) Has anyone ever had this happen?

I was banded on 5.15.08 and I have had some dehydration issues since the surgery. I am not thirsty and as much as I try to drink liquids, I am not getting my 64 oz in at all. I struggle to get 40 oz. I have tried everything and i know this is affecting my progress or it will eventually. I also am having a hard time getting my Protein and caloric intake daily. I am not physically hungry, but my head hunger is there. I try to do a good job of picking the right foods, (still on soft foods) but, am in need of some good ideas of foods to eat or drinks to try. Has anyone else had this issue? I won't get a fill for another 3 weeks, but I can feel that some of my old habits…

Ok I will be honest I feel GREAT! Doctor said he will write me off for 2 weeks but TONS of people at work have taken 4 weeks (after going back for the 2 week check and saying they need more time) and I want to too I won't lie. I have never called in sick so I figured I am owed it :w00t: Right? (looking for an excuse to take the time off) LOL I work at a call center and I will literally have to sit at a desk tied to a headset for 7 hours out of the 8 hour day. How long did YOU take off work and did you really need it????? Lets all be honest now............ :wink2: Anyone get 4 weeks out of Dr. Teel? :thumbup:

I am 2 weeks out of being banded. I continually have bad breath. I brush, floss & mouthwash but fairly soon after-wow. I wonder if it's the protein drinks. I know we are not supposed to chew gum. Any suggestions?

I just started eating mushies this past weekend. I am having a problem with being full. I stop eating when I feel full, but am hungry again about an hour later. Does this mean that I am not eating enough? My doctor tells me that I should only be eating 3 meals a day.

Hello all. I am wanting to get a Trykke. How do you all like it and do you think they are worth the price? Also any serious injuries? My kids and sister seem to think I will kill myself on it! I used to skateboard some when I was young. Nothing fancy but....I did'nt kill myself then!

Well I was banded on the 14th... I arrived at day surgery at 5:45am..IV by 6:50am...rolled to surgery at 8:40am...was in surgery for over 6 hrs...previous abdominal surgeries caused complications... Woke up to completely numb arms and hands...kinda scared me. Not to bad on pain...really was suprised about that. I too had trouble sleeping the first 3 nights as I've never slept on my back. Five days in and I can finally feel my arms and hands but still my thumbs feel like their asleep. Dr says its because of the position i was in for so long in surgery. No pain, only took 3 or 4 pain pills post op. Just a uncomfortable "twinge" at the port site when I lay down or g…

Ok, I had another fill last week. I had originally had one a month ago and was too tight so had .75 removed from the original 1 cc that was put in. I was having minor heartburn. Had a gastric swallow and all is fine. I still felt like I could eat more than I should so went back last week and had .25 put back in. Now, starting to get very slight heartburn again. Also can only eat about 3 to 4 bites and start feeling full. I thought that was a good sign to be at the "sweet spot" but not sure with the heartburn. Anybody else have this issue? I have a 11 cc band and am at almost 9 cc's now. I feel if I take out the .25 then I will be at the same point again, feel…

I really REALLY try very hard to make an effort to slow down when eating, and I do pretty good when I'm alone and milk it out to 25-30 min. as I obsessively watch the clock. The problem I have been experiencing is eating socially with friends and family. Everyone seems to eat so darn fast and I feel kinda weird still eating and chewing knowing I have about 20 more mintues to go. Now, knock on wood nothing has happened pb-wise. But am I harming anything? And how do y'all handle this situation? I don't want to annouce to everyone I have lap band and I need to take my time and not being social is not an answer. HELP!!

Are you guys counting calories, just trying to eat healthy and stop when full, doing low carb, etc. I don't know what to do? I had surgery 6 weeks ago and my first fill was last week. I've only been eating when I'm hungry and I'm logging every bite into Sparkpeople and I'm averaging about 500-700 calories a day. I feel like I should have more to be healthy but I'm not hungry. I am getting in about 50-60 grams of Protein in to. I was just wondering what others do? Some of you have had such wonderful result I want advice from the pros.

This is most likely gonna be a retarded question I know the answer too but gotta get some opinions, as I am on the fence about giving this a go or not. Here goes: Ok, so my lawn needs to be mowed. I am sitting on about 1/2 acre (give or take, but I think its between 1/4 and 1/2 honestly) I am one month post op, doc has me on light work outs etc. Now living on a military base it HAS to be done, or we get written up for it. I can't afford that with the hubby gone right now. So, think at one month out (and feeling great I might add) I could get away with it? Or should I just bug the guys my hubby works with (back here) and guilt them into coming out to help 'poor…

So I was just walking by the vending machine as I passed through the breakroom and noticed my reflection. I have to say, for being 284, I look pretty good. I've always weighed heavy (drat!), but I don't look my actual weight (thank God). That isn't to say that I don't look overweight (cause I really do), but you know what I mean. Anyway, I had in my head that I wanted to weight 170 and I still do, however I got to thinking just now about the last time I lost weight. About 10 years ago I lost 100 pounds - I got down to 210 pounds and I looked smokin' hot. I felt great, I was running, I was wearing a Misses size 12/14 and I was happy. Why in the world am I now push…

I was told I have an AB Standard Band--(may be an AP Standard Band). Could someone tell me how many cc this will hold and is it used often? I mean't to ask about my band type before surgery and forgot. Thanks

I am two year post op with my band as of 5/8 and love it, love it, love it, have had very few problems. I have lost 62 pounds with a goal of 86 pounds. Anyway, I thought I wasn't feeling restriction as much and I had been gaining weight (8 pounds). Its been 9 months since I had a fill, and I had a fill on Monday, of 1/4cc. I experienced a lot of resistance right away with my band. The day of the fill, I was fine, the day after I was fine, today I have a lot of burping going on. I also have Bronchitis and am having a hard time getting my protein drink down, however I am drinking water just fine. (Have a lot of congestion and coughing up gunk due to bronchitis). AF…

Did anyone have a change up with their monthly after surgery? I know that Im not pregnant. Already tested myself b4 surgery and after. My husband got scared when he saw all the tests. We have two little ones already. Also what is a realize band that I keep reading about?

I get up at 5:00am I am at curves buy 6:15 before I go I have a bannana, around 10:00am I have some hommus with zuchinni and mushrooms, at about 3:00pm I have a chicken salad or shrimp salad and a piece of bread (65 cal) I do have a jello pudding for a snack (60cal) and light whippo, and sometimes I sneak in a jellow with whippo the jiggly kind (5cal) I also sometime during the day for a snack will grab a piece of ham or a beef slice. I have not been lossing say for good month and a half but have in inches, and my clothes are definetly bagger, I actually down another pant size, but I am wondering if i am getting enough protien, what is everyone esle doing? Also I know we …

I promised people I'd post on here every time I post a new YouTube video. My second one is now up! Go to my blog called Bandster Heaven: Bandster Heaven The direct link to my youtube channel is: YouTube - bandstergal's Channel It's about my LapBand journey. I have two videos up now and some fun photos (like the inside of my belly) up on my blog. Thanks!!

How many of you had a catheter placed before the surgery? It hadn't occurred to me that one would be needed but I am reading the day of surgery stories and it seems several people did have catheters. Thanks!

Just need to know if this is normal. I am 4 weeks 2 days postop and the area where my port is is giving me pain today. Could I possibly have done too much at the gym or is it part of the normal healing process. I am hoping it goes away as I leave in 2 days for an 8 day business trip across country. :cool2:

Hi everyone, I finally did it. May 29th was the big day. Everything went smooth, except for a little nausea but I survived it. But for the last 3 days I keep having what i think are muscle spasms on the left side of my belly button. It feels like a baby in my stomach flipping around but it is very hard and it hurts. Just wondering if anyone else out there experienced the same thing. I was just trying to get through it because i didn't want to call the doctor over the weekend. I keep wondering if something is wrong but if this is common then i will feel much better. Please give me your input before i call the doctor tomorrow. Stephanie :confused2:

I'm hoping to have Lap Band surgery sometime this summer and I'm wondering what I will be able to eat out after surgery. After reading your experience Bob, now I'm really concerned. I go to several conferences each year where we are at a location not close to anything and you must eat what they offer. Will I need to take protein shakes with me for the whole weekend? Thanks for any info.

I am 4 weeks post-op and last Thursday I noticed a slight tenderness near the incision of the port area. It was a dull feeling on the left side and then on Friday the tenderness went to the right side, then subsided. And now it hurts so much more back on the left side that when I woke up this morning I could not sit up and had to take small baby breaths. I called my husband into the bedroom and told him to call the center for the doc on call. The doc called and spoke to my husband who then asked if I had any swelling, which I don't; if I had any redness in the area where the pain is, and I don't. But when I push down slightly on the left side and pain is excruciating …

Personally I don't, I was reading a magazine the other day and there was a thing about a woman how she'd struggled all her life with her weight and she was shopping one day when the woman next to her asked what the diet bar she had in her hand tasted like and also went on to say " I havent been able to eat anything like that since my weight loss surgery" Needless to say this woman looked it up and quoted from her own words "was booked into surgery a month later" I absolutely hate these stories, I don't think that any one no matter what should gain money from there weight loss surgery in the form of a story like that it just makes it come across as if the surgery was som…

Since being on the clear liquid diet I am experiencing headaches, fatigue and napping alot. Is this normal? My energy level is very low.Any suggestions? Thanks:ohmy:

I looked all over the forum for an answer to this question. Plus I really didn't know where to post this question. It's not really a pos op or a pre op question...I've read this term in many posts and I am very curious about what it means. So my question is what is meant by "onederland!":confused2: Totally curious!!!

what does it feel like if u the band slipped? how do u know if it happened?

I really want to have the lapband surgery. I have my surgery scheduled on June 16th. I have the loan ready to go since my insurance wont pay for it. NOW all the sudden my mom and husband are second guessing my decision and wondering if it is a waste of money. My husband is a coke a holic and is having a hard time with that and us going out to the bars. Can you drink? If so what can you drink? Anyone have second thoughts or regrets? I think this is my only tool that is going to help me get back to me.

I was banded on 05/29 and i feel like i am going to blow up.Does anyone have any answers for me.I am miserable ,i took 2 gas x but they have not helped so i walked a half mile that did not help.

I was banded 5/5/08. I've done exceedingly well with the surgery and healing. YAY! I began doing aqua class and swimming laps [30 mins each] 2/3 days per week on 5/19/08. I recently began tracking my caloric intake on Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate because I haven't lost ONE OUNCE in 3 weeks. [i haven't gained either... which is okay by me!] Hear me. I'm NOT complaining, I'm questioning. I have noticed my clothing is looser and I'm feeling wonderful, full of pep and whatnot. I am in the transition diet phase -- I eat 3 small meals per day. Get in all my liquids. I make sure that Protein is the first in -- and…

My mother had the surgery last October and seemed to be doing fine. In the past three months, she's been in and out of six hospitals, with fluid around heart and lungs, rapid/irregular heart rate, enlarged lymph nodes. No one knows what the problem is. Anyone else heard of these kinds of problems after LB surgery?:thumbup:

So I'm not banded at the moment but I read about things like people have to eat the protein first, that's fine I mean I know some protein foods but I was wondering what a good like overall gram of protein would be good? I recently had a chocolate breaka (choc milk) and yes I know your not supposed to drink calories or whatever but I was reading the side of it and it said it was 8g of protein so I thought ok I wonder if that's a good amount? Then yesterday I had an Easy Mac for lunch (best thing ever lol) and it also said it was 9g of protein. So just wondering what would be the best percentage? Anything over 6g per item? Or what? Thanks

I had my surgery 1 week ago today and everything has been fine except I am waking up in the middle of the night about 2 am STARVING. It is the worst pains. It feels like spasms. I mentioned it to the nurse and she said it is probably my blood sugar dropping around that time and it is waking me up. She said to try eating something before I go to bed. I have tried that, but it is still happening. I haven't slept a full night since the surgery because of having to get up and eat. Has anyone else had this happen? I don't know how much longer I can take it.

I am only a week and a day post op. And i'm on full liquids right now. My will power has been faltering. Yesterday i gave in an had a scrambled egg, which i'm not supposed to do til next week. And tonight i had a small piece of a chicken and cheese hot sandwhich on a tortilla bread. I've had no ill effects either time. I'm trying my hardest but i'm only human. Does anyone know how bad it is for my stomache that i caved in an ate such things? am i really hurting myself even though i feel fine? Has anyone "cheated" like i have? or am i the only one with crappy willpower.

So my doctor's written post-op instructions state that "you may begin moderate exercise 7-10 days after surgery". What do you think is "moderate"? I've been walking on my treadmill -- not real fast, and not for more than 15-20 minutes at a time so far. I should mention that I need a hip replacement and I have pain in my hip that makes it challenging for me to walk for very long. The hip surgeon doesn't want to do surgery until I lose some weight. So anyway..... I'm trying to start out fairly slow in hopes that I don't wake up one of these days to find that I over-did it and the hip pain is so bad that I can't exercise at all. So last week I got a Wii Fit. Wow I love t…

I seem to need water constantly. I was banded Wednesday. Is this normal to need water all the time? I'm on full liquids, thank God. I didn't know how I would have handled clear liquids only. I'm getting my protein in, no problem, and I'm not drinking water while I eat. Just seems like I'm always sipping water. Thanks - Brenda

Just curious...I was banded on the 13th, have gone from 233 to 220.5, but my stomach area is still really swolen, especially (I suspect, don't know) where my port is. When does the swelling start to got down? I'll be out of town for my first post-op support group, so won't be able to ask... Thanks:lol:

I am not going to drink one now.. only two weeks out from my banding.. but just wondering as I am going on vacation on June 28th. and my friends love wine and I know that I might want a glass or two with them on vacation.. other than that I dont drink much... Thanks..