POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi everyone. I had my first fill last week, my shoulder pain returned and I'm having an almost constant pressure feeling in my stomach. I never really even felt the band before my fill. Also, I am having a lot of gas which I didn't have a problem with the first weeks after surgery. Anybody experience this?

OK, so I'm one month post-op, I think I have been doing good. Haven't had any real issues. During the solid stage I got stuck a couple of times and experienced my first PB and Sliming; once to the point where I threw up. Nothing violent, it just came up. I don't think I have any restriction yet but I definitely know there is something there sometimes. I've lost 14lbs this month due to the post-op diet. My first fill is June 4th and I don't know what to expect. Right now I can eat no problem. I'd like to hear from anyone else who is one month post-op or anyone really that can tell me if what I've been going through is what you've gone through. Good Luck To All, BD

I was banded just two days ago, May 28th. I'm able to keep everything down, but I'm noticing that after one or two tiny sips of my water or protein drinks, I full so full that I feel sick. About a minute goes by, and the sick feeling goes away and then I can drink another sip or two. It goes on this way no matter when or what I'm drinking. Is this normal?? I know the point of the band is to feel full and restricted, but I didn't think a few sips of liquid would do that. I was going to call my Dr's office, but they closed early today, and you guys here are so helpful!

Okay so my husband is taking me to Vegas in a week for vacation. I am a little nervous this is my first vacation since being banded in December. Also, I had a fill a week ago and am having a lot of restrictions. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas? I am ecstatic that I am skinnier then before and can wear a few dresses while there, but I am still nervous about what and how to eat while there.

This is my 6 week anniversary with the band. Initially my BMI was 33. I quickly lost 14lb. but since my 1st fill 2 weeks ago-no loss at all. I have kept my calorie intake at 1000 cal. and I excercise everyday for 45 min. I feel great and am not hungry Should I eat less or am I eating to little.

Hi everyone, It had been 16 days since my sugery (May 12th). Most of the pains are gone now. I guess lately i've been feeling the runner's stitch pain (?) on the left side of my stomach. I was wondering, since I have the band now. From now on would I have to find some sort of liquid medications for everything? Or could I still take regular meds (Let's say Tylenol), do I have to cut it up? How big is too big? I would hate to have medicine get stuck! Also, what kind of Vitamins are everyone taking? I've been taking the chewable type, it's not that bad, actually tastes a bit like candy...

I just had a quick question... I had my surgery on 5/21... and on sunday i had planned on takin my son to a swimmin party.. that would be about 10 days post op... do you think it is ok to get my scars wet yet? i know i have been gettin a lil wet in the shower but i have been tryin to keep them as dry as possible... my surgeon is closed on fridays..:thumbup: so i can't call him and i just remembered about it... any advise that yall have would be great! Thank so much!

Ok so I'm on my six day since surgery. All is well, but when is the gasy, acking felling in my left arm going to go away? I weight in on Friday 5/23/08 218lbs & Monday I was 212 so its working don’t feel too hungry YET! hahaha

Within days of having an adjustment, I became sick with the flu and apparently got sick one too many times that my band began to slip and my stomach pouch began to enlarge. The doc deflated my band for 2 months in hopes that the stomach would realign itself. It turns out that it didn't...and now I have to go in for another surgery (a revision), with a possible band replacement. :biggrin: I've been so devastated over all this, and I stuck so well to my diet, I exercised almost daily (I can now run over a mile on the treadmill!), and I feel like this has been a big let down. I was so diciplined while my band was deflated and was able to maintain all my weight loss...s…

Anyone know what will remove the ugly grayish-black residue left on my skin from the bandages that were over my incisions? At my post-op visit my doctor told me I could remove them in one week (i.e. today) if they hadn't already fallen off; and he told me what would help remove the residue and wouldn't you know, I can't remember what he said. I removed the bandages today and tried baby oil for the residue, with no luck. I am not inclined to be scrubbing with soap & water too hard right near the incisions just yet. Thanks!

I had my procedure done in Mexico.does anyone know a doc in So Cal that does fills for those of us that got banded down south?? Thanks

I was banded on 5/9/08 so I am 3 weeks post op today. For some reason I haven't been able to sleep the past 2 weeks. I toss and turn all night. I don't know if this is hormonal, more energy, lack of carbs or what. I also haven't lost any weight in the last week and a half. Anyone else experiencing this?

Went for my one week and lost 11 lbs. Dont get my fill until July 15th at 1:30.. My doctor will be on vacation at my 6 week and I will be the next week so that is why Iam scheduled that late.. I will have to stay really on top of what I eat so I dont gain weight.. one more week until mushies... yee haw. I do get yogart and cream of wheat now...:smile2:

I havent been scheduled a surgery date yet but my surgeon has told me that I'm currently category 2 which basically means surgery within 3-6 months which I'm absolutely fine with. The thing that has me worried and thinking alot about it the things after surgery, they sound kind of petty and stupid to me when I think about them but I'm so used to these things I wonder how I'll be once I've lost the weight and from there on. So I thought I would make a list of things that I'm going to miss or find annoying. My boobs - Lol I know this sounds sooooo strange but it's true, I am so used to having big boobs that I don't want to loose them, I hear alot of accounts of people s…

Good day all, yesterday i had my first fill with 3 cc ( 9cc band), i tried to sip Water i had this throat pain , but the Dr didn't seem to worry about it ! he asked me to come after 3 weeks to have another fill . i have a question concerning the diet after a fill, the dr did not mention anything about that , and i forgot to ask him, shall I be on a cerain type of diet , i mean liquid diet for 2 days , or shall i eat normally ? since yesterday i am on liquid diet , i feel myself still restricted though as i mentioned this my first fill. banded on April 10, lost till now : 24 lbs

I had a lap band surgery one month ago and I'd like to know how many fills/unfills can someone have in his life. Is there a limit? Because someone told me that you can do it only 8 times because this is how many times the band can stand. But is it true? 8 times for a whole lifetime?

Hey everyone -- I have a question -- I just got banded last Friday and was doing great -- already down 11 lbs in a week and feeling really good. I had moved to the full liquids portion of the diet and wasn't having any problems. Last night however I had some cream based Soup -- which was on my list of approved items. Anyways -- I think I may have started sliming but I'm not sure -- I have this heavy mucus feeling in the back of my throat but nothing is coming up and I have no urge to PB. I called my doctor this morning and he said it should pass in an hour or two -- said it was probably due to the soup. Anyway -- here I am a full day later and I still have the sens…

I found out a couple of days ago that my port has flipped...has anyone dealt with his/her flipped port without revision surgery? :thumbup: I haven't heard the full plan from my Dr's office yet. Just wondering how others have experienced the problem.

I was banded in Sept. 2007 and after my third fill still didnt loose any weight. My doctor told me at each fill that I was not allowed to eat carbs. I am so ashamed of my failure to give up carbs, I havnt gone back to the doctor since the third fill. Is it really me? If I had know that success depended on my ability to give up carbs, I would have just stuck with Atkins and saved alot of $$$. I am soooo discouraged. Am I the only person on the planet that cant loose with the band?

I really don't know why I've been putting this off but this forum was soooo helpful for me in the decision making process, the learning all of the ins and outs of the surgury and kind of knowing what to expect. With all of that info here who needs to hear my pearls, but I guess if everyone felt that way no one would be writing anything. All of my news is great. I am a 59 year old male, self pay that had my surgury on a Tuesday, 9 days ago. Surgeon Dr. Christopher Heart with True Results in Atlanta. He was great as was his staff, I recommend him highly! Yea I was hurting around my abdominal areal for 24 hours but that was really it. No nausea, and drove to the store the n…

I had my post-op doctor appointment this morning. The nurse used the regular cuff to take my blood pressure. My first reaction was to say, "Uhhh...you need to go get the BIG cuff. The small ones don't fit my arm." She replied, "No, no I don't. This cuff fits." I laughed out loud and said, "No way! Really?!" She just giggled and took my blood pressure. Over 20 years of the big cuff and today - the regular cuff! I am so excited!

Has this happened to anyone else? My surgery was last Thursday (5/22)....I am feeling pretty good, I've been taking care my two preschoolers, ok, the tv is helping take care of them too, but by afternoon I have very very uncomfortable pain. It seems to be in my chest, between the breasts. It comes and goes, tightens, gurgles, hurts etc. It is very weird because it has hit every afternoon at the same time - when I am supposed to be bringing the kids to swim lessons! Could it be gas pain this long out? Could it be hunger, because it also feels like that but eating doesn't help.... Thanks, Stephanie

I had my band put in on the 19th. Recovery in the hospital was MUCH worse than I expected - how does anyone do this as out-patient??? My main problem has been the very severe pain in my port area. It seems to have gotten worse and saw my Dr at my 1-week follow-up and my Dr said "it is what it is." I was relieved to hear that I didn't have a "problem" per se, but I am giving this pain an 8 on the pain scale over a week later. He gave me more pain meds and told me to come back in a week. I have had several other surgeries and birthed 2 kids so I am no stranger to pain, but when I move a certain way, I feel like I'm getting stabbed. I can't bend over at all, I can barely lif…

Today I went back to my dr. for my 10week check up and I knew that this would eventally happen but why today I gained 4 lbs and don't know what to do I don't know what I am doing anymore and my dr. does not take the time to sit down with you and explain stuff it is he is in and out in 2 mins. lately when I wake up when my husband comes in from work which is about 1:30 am I am very sick at my stomach and then all of a sudden I am starving like the kind of feeling I am going to get sick if I don't eat so I asked him what was wrong and he said that he didn't know that my body isn't suppose to be awake at that time of night and that i needed to sleep then walked out of the ro…

I had my band dond in Feb. I have lost only 21 lbs so far. My dr. says that is about average. The quetsion I have to you guys is after 3 fills, 5.5 ccs in a 10 cc band, I still don't feel full when I eat. I am wondering if I am mistaking some other sensation like a sight pain that i think is eating to quickly sometimes for being full. I am really getting confused and discouraged with my band. Can anyone help me figure this out? Thanks!!

I have yet to have my 1st fill, not until June 19, and can pretty much eat anything, and I feel like I'm getting lazy with my chewing, is this bad? I kow I should be in the habit now, b/c once a fill happens, I know I'll need to be chewing better and more. But I also feel like I'm eating too much, I"m still dropping weight slowly, but I know I'm eating too fast and then I get that OH CRAP! I'm too full, and wondered if it's bad b/c my pouch could stretch??? I don't wanna do any damage this early in the game, banded almost 5 weeks. I feel like a failure b/c I was doing so well, and my portions feel like they are out of control, but it's good food, not bad or fried. Is this…

I'm curious... I'm 5 weeks post-op and haven't had my first fill - I'm scheduled June 12th. I notice that I have zero or very little restriction - I mean I can chug Water and eat pretty much whatever I want (but I do chew the hell out of it before swallowing). Will this go away once I'm filled? I ask bc if I didn't have the incisions on my belly as proof - I wouldn't even know I had the surgery and this is a little bit upsetting - the whole purpose is to have restriction. Will this happen after I'm filled?

:w00t:Stop scale Obsession Do you weigh yourself every day? Do you worry about even the slightest change in your weight? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be obsessing over the scale — and if you're trying to maintain healthy habits, this behavior can actually be counterproductive. The truth is, your weight may change from day to day for many reasons. Fluid retention, hormonal fluctuations, constipation, and even the food you eat right before stepping on the scale can cause daily ups and downs. These variations can be misleading and worrisome if you don't understand them. For an accurate measurement of your weight, weigh yourself only once each …

I know what PB means, but i was wondering, does this affect the pouch the same way that a lot of vomiting will? today i pbed in the car, was really hungry and ate to fast and paid for it! had to explain to my son what was happening, and he said, "it came from your mouth right? so its vomit." thats when i started worrying that i could ruin my pouch by this. the only time i have problems is if i'm really hungry, haven't been able to eat at regular time or something and i start eating too fast. i'm trying to stick to my schedule so this doesnt happen, but days like today completely upset my schedule.

Hi, I was banded on May 22, 2008. I did two weeks of a protein shake diet before my surgery and only lost about 8lbs. I have lost about 5 more since the surgery. (13 in total). Since I was banded last week, I have been starving and not just in my mind, my stomach is constantly growling. I was told I would not be hungry the first week, but I feel extremely hungry. I also seem to get alot of heartburn, which I never had before. My doctor has a liquid diet for 21 days after surgery....I am sticking to it...but ready to knaw my arm off....anyone else going through this?

I had my first fill like 3 days ago, and there is no restriction, everything can goes in easily, i feel that i've started gaining weight i'm eating like before the lap !! even my first fill was 3cc ?!?!?!?!?!?! what shall I do ??? :biggrin:

Hello all! I have a question. I was told that having a lower BMI=34 you will lose weight slower than someone with a BMI of 45? Is true and what has been your experience?:scared2:

I was banded on May 15th - two weeks ago tomorrow. My doctor had me on liquids for the first week ("anything you can drink through a straw") and mushies from day 8 thru day 14, which means tomorrow is my last day of mushies. I'm determined I'm going to be a success story. I've been eating very healthy foods in small portions, even though I didn't think I was really feeling any restriction after the first few post-surgery days. Oh yeah, I'd reach a point where I'd think.... "hmmm, I might be feeling full (but not stuffed), I guess that means I should stop eating" which is such a foreign attitude for me (I'm sure a lot of you can relate). My brain was saying "No, this tas…

Hello! I have my dr consult next week and was just curious as to how many pounds you were able to loose that first 4 weeks after having the Lap-band procedure? And the next 4 weeks after that? I just want to keep my expectation realistic. Any response will be appreciated. :crying:

well, at today's first post op appointment my blood pressure was quite high, 161/92. they took it a few different times and it didn't go below 148/89. i've never had high blood pressure my entire life. sometimes it's slightly higher than normal at the doctors, but this just seems a bit too high. anyone have any similar problems post op?

So I was banded on May 13th and I just started my blended diet phase. Since I'm not allowed to eat meat yet I'm powering up on Protein shakes. Just now at work I was in the break room kitchen whipping up some Slim Fast Protein powder, 1% milk (I can't do skim - blech), ice and for added protein some organic, creamy Peanut Butter. Yummm! I brought in my all-in-one blender (it's small - you can drink from the container) and was just getting ready to add the peanut butter. Then all hell broke loose. :frown: I purchased the organic peanut butter at costco last night and honestly, I didn't see all the oils floating on the top. I even looked. I took off the cap and w…

Anybody out there ever have a problem with their band after flying on an airplane? I just came back from a trip with a 4 hour flight each way. I started having a problem on my trip after the first flight. I get almost everything caught in the band. The only relief is to lay down and the problem goes away quickly. (I can actually feel and hear the food move.) I figured it was because being out of my normal routine and comfort zone, I was really hungry and didn't pay attention to taking small bites and chewing fully. But, I'm starting to wonder.

Hi I am starting to get organized for my surgery on June 23. There was a list someone had posted, of things to have on hand for post op. I can't seem to find it. Does anyone know where it is? I remember they suggested gas-ex strips and that's where my memory stops! Can anyone help me? Thanks!

Hey everyone. Last night I tried one of those greek yogurts. While it was really flavorful, I think it is too thick for this stage. So, not to be gross, but no sooner did I finish it but I was in the bathroom with the poops all night. I could not even go to work today because I was in there every ten minutes. I feel like I have to yak, but can't and I can't get anything but Water down only to have it come out. I go for my first follow up tomorrow so I will mention it to my doc, but curious if this a result of the yogurt? I have done the Dannons (no sugar) ones and they went down okay...could this just be a stomach bug or did the yogurt do it to me?? I hope it ends soo…

Hi, I was just wondering, how long after your surgery do you have to wait before you can put lotion on? I had my surgery on 4/29, and my surgery area just feels raw, and I'd like to put lotion on it, but didn't know if there was a certain amount of time that you had to wait? Thanks!

Alright, I had my surgery 5/14/08, moved onto to the soft diet at day 7 post-op. With the exception of the morning, when I feel aware of the band, the rest of the day I'm hungry, and feel like I can just eat, eat, eat. I stick to my 1 cup of food per meal, but I'm still hungry. I'm noticing also, that there is no difference in the kind of food I eat, either. I can essentially eat normally. I had read someone's post, who appears to have been successful with an over 100lb loss, who told someone else not to worry about restriction or loss at this point, wait for the fills...... So, I guess I'd like to hear from all of you success stories out there and tell me how it went for…

I had my 2nd fill last week. i was overfilled and had to get an unfill 2 days after the fill. was feeling fine for a couple of days and now i am having pain in my right side. has anyone had this problem? also where i get my fills done is 4 hours away from my home. there is a dr here in my town that does the lapband and fills but will not see me because i went out of the country for my lapband. if i go to the emergency room does he have to see me? thanks

Hi everyone. I was banded on March 6th and had my first fill on the 6th of April. I didn't even feel a pinch. I was so happy since I was soooo nervous. I was supposed to get my second fill on the 6th of May but i was out of town so I just got it yesterday. Okay first of all i felt it a little bit and it took longer (dont' know why?) Since my first fill i had food get stuck like 5/6 times. Nothing that i couldn't handle. The hardest part was not drinking with food and waiting 30 minutes after eating. BUT yesterday he told me I HAVE TO WAIT 2 HOURS AFTER I EAT OR ELSE I WILL THROW UP. That doesn't sound right? anyone advice please? also i am afraid to eat because he gave m…

that I'll have gained weight. I've been able to eat soft/regular type food, and I'm sooo scared that I'll go in and find out that I gained ten or twenty pounds. Did anyone gain weight before their first fill? Don't get me wrong, I haven't been binging or anything like that. I eat nowhere even close to what I used to, it's just all different stuff not just liquid now. So now I'm scared. It's strange, I used to not care if I gained weight, now I'm crossing my fingers and toes that I don't!

Hi everyone. I was banded on 5/19 and so far am very happy with the band (17 pds lost in the last 3 weeks of liquid diet). However, I expected to be back on my feet right away and I am not. I constantly read posts about people being out and about a few days post op, and here i am, 1 week later, dreading working tomorrow. I decided to go to the mall for an hour today and felt really odd. I had tunnel vision, got really clammy, and very dizzy. I had to rush home and lay down. I'm guessing it is from the cut in calories, sugar, and caffeine. I have been getting my proteins, drinking my water, and taking my vitamins as well as eating sufficient calories (i think) but I just f…

I'm looking for a new scale and was just wondering, what types do you guys have? Do you have one that you really like? Also, another question that I had was, when weighing yourself, does it matter what type of flooring you weigh yourself on (ie carpet, tile, ect.)? Also, the flooring in my house is crooked due to the shifting of my house, and does it matter if the floor isn't completely flat? Thank you!

I know this is a stupid question, but something that I am worried about. I have really bad allergies. I was banded on 5/22 the last 2 days my allergies have been acting up. Everytime I sneeze, I feel it where my port is located. My question is, do you think it will affect my port since it is not yet settled? I am really worried about this.

I was banded May 23rd and have felt so many different emotions since the surgery. I never imagined that recovery would be slower than I thought. I was to return back to work today, I ended up taking today and tomorrow off. I miss eating, however, I think I would do about anything to have a few sips of Pepsi right now. I had only given pop up for about 2 weeks prior to surgery. I know it sounds stupid that I could cry for a pop. Thanks for listening. Angie

hey everyone!! i got banded may 22nd around 1pm...:cursing: the surgery went very well, and i wasnt in much pain dr artuso said i was fine, but thinks i should stay over night since my insurance approved it. and boy and im glad i did!! so far i havent had any gas pains, but i am incrediably sore... and the nurses i had at night were horrible. my machine kept going off, and it take them about 30mins just to answer!! anyways, im doing well, just very sore is there anything i can do to get rid of the soreness from my stomach? i'd love to hear what you all think... THANK YOU!

Hi all- My husband and I both have a lap band. (I am a MUCH more recent bandit than he is). Anyway, I went with him to a fill to see what it was like and the doctor who did it said that I should not do any abdominal crunches, etc. for six months after surgery. I was really surprised- I haven't read that anywhere or heard that before. Anyone else been told that? Any thoughts?