POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

does anyone know how long after surgery you can drink alcohol? i am on a full fluids stage at the moment. i have never been told that i can not drink in this stage, nor when i can resume drinking post-op. anyone have any idea?

Hello I had surgery 5/6. Doing great and love my band even without a fill it is working. I listen and when I feel satisfied I quit eating.. I've been on vactation and at first was a little afraid that I would be my old self. Eating being the first and second things to do on vacation. Someone on the forum--and I don't know who you are right now--ends each of their posts with FAILING IS NOT AN OPTION!!! Amen to this. Although, I haven't needed help, before I even think food I quote this saying. THANK YOU so much for this quote

Is it normal to be able to drink alot at one time? I am two weeks out and feel like I can gulp water and it does not bother me.

I know u were scheduled to be banded on the 21st of May, and i wanted to know how everything went, how u are feeling all of the above.... plz give me an update....

I am still awaiting my surgery date, but I had a question. My DH and I have a trip to Florida planned in the Fall. I am hoping to get a surgery date asap, but if they offer me something in the 6 weeks prior to the vacation, do you recommend declining it and waiting until after the vacation? We are going to be at Disney for a day or two and I don't want to be in too much pain walking around and going on rides. How long did it take you to feel "okay" enough that you would have been comfortable going on a vacation with lots of activity? Thanks :sad:

Hi, I was banded 2/27/08 and I have several issues. I feel like crying...I don't think I made the right decision. It doesn't appear to be working for me. I had my first fill 3 weeks ago. Here are my problems: (1) little weight loss. I've lost a total of 18 pounds but 15 of it was during the liquid/mushy stage. I am losing very little now. Even after a fill I can eat a pretty large portion of food. Plus the band doesn't keep you away from bad food. I have made little progress on weight loss in the past month (down and up the same 3 pounds). (2) of most concern are these spasms I started getting this morning (before I even woke up), in my stomach area. It d…

Ok, so I'm 6 days post-op and it's been pretty easy so far. I haven't taken any pain meds in a few days, the discomfort from the gas (that sucked) is pretty much gone, the diet has been easy to stick to because I don't feel like eating (though everytime I smell hot food my stomach growls), now tonight something not so pleasant. My surgeon said I could try cream of wheat pretty diluted, I took one bite and got massive pain in my stomach. It felt like I had been stabbed in the gut, I ended up coughing up some clearish liquid and my stomach pain has subsided a bit but, OWWWW! What the heck happened and why?

I was just wondering about the kinds of mushie food that people eat when there at that stage. I was thinking about stuff like possibly mashed pumpkin, potato, sweet potato, possibly with some gravy but there the only things I can think of, I don't particularly like the idea of blending any meat and making it mushy so does anyone have any ideas or tips that they used and were easy to digest? Thanks

Hi everyine, I have been away for a few months. I was banded on 03/06/07. I have had several fills, a total of 3.0 cc's. My doctor gives 2 to 4 cc's at at time. My last fill was first week of April. I am having a difficult time this last week keeping several different foods down. I started at 272 and I am down to 219. I am able to drink plenty of liquids. Is this normal what i am going through. do you think it is just a poor choice in foods. I take a bite of something and i actually wait about 15 to 20 minutes before i take another. I have not lost anything since my last fill, I have actually gained 2 lbs. I beleive I get tire of throwing up so I eat something soft that…

Hello everyone, I haven't been on here in a couple of weeks... But tonight I feel the need to vent and maybe to feel a little sorry for myself. Yesterday my dog passed away. My little beagle, 14 years old, died in my arms. I've had her since I was 16.. and well tonight... I feel as if I lost my very best friend. It happened yesterday morning. She was sick and I was holding her in the car on the way to the emergency clinic. I was singing to her and she looked at me and then passed away. I didn't eat yesterday and then ate all day today. My first test of not eating my way to comfort and I failed. And as always, no comfort. I feel sick and horrible ... and in a very em…

I'm wondering what kind of multivit do people take postop?Are there any that taste better than others.There are so many shakes on the market out there.I was wondering which ones are better or higher in protein? Slimfast has a High protein shake but not low carb it has 190cal.I'm just curious what everyone is drinking. Thanks.

Hi Everyone, I know we are supposed to be sipping Water all day but I'm a little confused. Do we have to stop sipping 30 minutes before eating food? Also is swallowing pills considered gulping? -Lisa

I had surgery on May 19. I keep having rumblings in my stomach and I am having a hard time figuring out if it is from hunger or gas. It is happenening a lot. I know I am taking in less, but these happen a lot and I kind of have a hunger feeling. Anyone know what I am talking about?

I had my surgery on May 1st. Over the last few days, I have been experiencing a cramping feeling on my left side. I know that it isn't my port or my lap band. It is a cramp that is on the upper right front side of my abdomen. I will see the doctor tomorrow for a fill, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this kind of cramping.....

I was banded on April 21st and although I'm doing well I have noticed that from time to time I get stomach pain. Not port pain - but a pain in my stomach. It's kind of hard to explain, but it's almost like when I have to burp and swallow "air", I get a jab of pain in my belly. Again, I know I'm not explaining this well but it's hard to describe. It comes in waves (not constant) and although not terribly painful, it is a bit of a concern, which I will contact my doctor about. Just wondering if anyone else may be experiencing this and what it might be? Thanks.

I was banded on 5/6. When I bend over to pick up laundry or when I'm cleaning it almost feels like my band feels like it pops. It doesn't particularly hurt but it is a very weird feeling. I also feel port pain for a second when I get out of bed in the morning. This also leaves after a few seconds of walking. I'm just wondering if anyone else is experiencing these weird feeling.

I am now almost 7 days post-op and am having terrible gassy, crampy diarreah-like pains. I sometimes pass the gas and I am having really soft bowel movements, but for the most part, it's just the pain. I am on full liquids until June 6th. Today, I mashed some white navy Beans and mixed it with the broth and a little rice from chicken and rice Soup. It was yummy but soon after, I got the pains again and my stomach still hurts 7 hours later. :sad: The same thing happened yesterday when I pureed vegatable beef soup for dinner. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be concerned? I read that Immodium AD would help or yogurt. Any advice is appreciated!

Hello All I have a few questions 1. how long did it take before you returned to eating normal food 2. are there some foods you still can not eat??? 3. did you really give up diet pop??? 4. how long did it take you to learn to chew your food??? 5. is vomitting a part of your new life?? 6. how long after surgery did you return to work?? sorry for all the questions I just about to decide yes to teh procedure I just have these few questions THANKS Tammy

Sitting here sobbing over the season finale of greys anatomy. How ridiculous. I am just feeling all this stuff I haven't felt in a while...probably cause I can stuff them with food..or at least I did in the past. Today was my first day back at school.I brought my Breakfast but never made tome to eat it so I had egg salad for lunch and then when I got home at 5 I was Starving! well, okay..hungry. And I ended up overeating. Ihad about 500 cal of some junk...nothing to get stuck but still..calories that were empty ones. At least I had the intelligence to stop at 500 cal and not 5000 as I would have had in the past..so I will give myself a bit of credit. But I need to al…

I have been asking myself that question a lot since I was banded on May 22nd. It has been 4 days, I am still in a fair amount of pain and on pain meds. Today is really the first day I have been hungry, but I am so thirsty for Water. I want to drink a huge glass of it, but know I can't. To make matters worse, my 18 month daughter has come down with a stomach bug and I haven't been able to see her since the day before surgery. Mentally I am crushed because she wants me and I can't be with her. I just need reassurance that things do get better.

Dr. Eric Pinnar performed my surgery on April 18, 2008. I've had two post-op visits with him so far and all is going very well. He asked me to pass along my personal experience with post-op pain because he feels that is a question lots of potential patients have. I'm glad to help. My veins are hard to find so I had the IV in the back of my hand. That was unpleasant, but not bad. More annoying than painful. When I woke up after the surgery I guess I was on pain medication because I really didn't feel much. Because I wear CPAP due to sleep apnea I had to stay overnight in the hospital. As the day wore on my stomach started to feel like I'd done too many situps. …

I had my band done on May 13th (Love it) In years past, I was successful on ww, I also thought it was very healthy (just had trouble sticking with it,,,hence the band) Does anyone use ww with their band? It is so much easier for my brain to think points instead of calories. Also, as far as carbs go,,I know we are supposed to avoid them, but is it because theyare bad for our band or are they just too high in calories? If so, what about the whole wheat pasta, and whole grain bread?? Thanks so much for the advice!!

Ok.......I just went and picked up my drugs for after surgery on Wednesday and I thought everything would be liquid and the pain med is but the nausea is pill form and the drug store said the Promethazine doesn't "really" come in liquid. I made them look again at the script and he said the doctor wrote it for tablets. Anyone have this is liquid????????? I can't belive the doctor would write it for tablets if it comes in liquid.

Hello everyone I had the lapband done in April and I keep reading that some people are eatting certain amount of calaries a day. Like 1400 to 1600 or etc...Anyway, My question is, Are we suppose to eat so many calaries in a day for use to have the weight lost?? My Dr never told me anything like that. Any help would be great..Thanks!! I only eat until I am full like my Dr told me to..Is that why I am having a slow weight loss right now. I don't have my first fill which it will be wenesday. I can't wait...Thanks for any help any body can give me.. Thanks Kristy

I'm 2 weeks post-op and i have a rash spreading all over my body. Has this happen to anyboby else?

Hi All: Is been ~24 hours since being banded. Overall OK nesides the usual gas. Question: I have the biggest bruise around the area of my access port. Did anyone else expierence this? Thanks!

I was wondering if anyone is able to take difflican after Lapband? It is a holiday, and I know it would be near impossible to get in contact with my doctors office. Thanks!!

I need some help......I had my surgery on 3/31/2008. I won't have my first fill until 5/30/2008, right now I can eat a lot more than a small amount of food. I just eat two enchalida's, chips, and dip. I was told since my stomach has healed until my first fill, food will basically go through until than. Can anyone give me information on their own first experiences. Thanks in advance!!!:thumbup::cursing:

I have been burping alot ( which offers some dicomfort ) and farting now and its 4 days after my band. does the gas-x strips help? and are they okay to use?

I just had my first fill last week and have some restriction. I was just wondering how many calories you are eating daily? Today I have eaten less than 1000 calories today and while I am thrilled that I am not hungry, I am also worried that I am not eating enough. My trainer wants me eating 1200 calories/day and I am not even close.

Had a bad day woke up from a nap covered in diarrahea, then pb juice on the cat. Any advice?

Ok I searched the forum.... called a friend who had the lap band a month before me and she didnt gain weight... So here I am asking away... Ok liquid Protein shakes sat sun mon and tues.... then nothing after 9pm on tuesday....Surgery on wednesday around noon... Since then I have had ice chips and Water.... I have had 2 shakes since I returned home today (thurs) and I just for the heck of it weighed myself.... AND I am up 10 pounds from Wednesday morning...How does that happen... And how ticked off do you think I am about it Arghhhh! Anyone else experience this....? And if you did when did that come back off... I am assuming it is water and swelling.... All commen…

OMG!!!!!! I have itched my stomach in places that has made me raw. I was banded on May 12th and my steri strips have not fallen off yet. Has anyone else had a lot of itching on their stomach? If so, what can you do. Thanks,

I am being banded on June 4th. I started my pre-op diet on Friday, May 23rd. My starting weight is 200# and my BMI is 35. Can someone who started at about the same place tell me about what they lost each month for the first few months? I'm hoping to be down 25 or 30 pounds in 3 months but I don't know if that is realistic since my total to loose is 75#. I really want to set some goals. I want goals that are achieveable and will require exercise and effort for me to achieve. I just don't want to set my goals so high that I can't reach them and feel like a failure. In the same thought, I want my goal to motivate me to stay on track. Does this sound okay...... May 23…

i was wondering if anyone else had a problem with their pouch being way too tight somedays? i've noticed that it happens most frequently when i sleep in, which is super depressing since i am a big fan of sleeping in on the weekends. it gets so bad that i can't eat anything all day. i was wondering if anyone else has this problem and if they had any suggestions on what to do. i've tried drinking lots of fluids and smoothies and what not, but it doesn't seem to do much...it's starting to drive me crazy...HELP!

I had my first fill today after 6 weeks, and I feel as though it is too tight. The doc put in 6ml, but I couldn't even take 3 sips of water without pain, so he took some of that 6ml back out again, however I am still very tight. I'm wondering if I need this much fill? Since I got home today at 2pm (it's now after 9pm), I have choked down a half cup of milk (at about 4pm), a few sips (literally) of tomato soup (at 7pm, when I was *hungry*) and just now half a frozen fruitjuice stick, and I feel like I have a golf ball in the back of my throat and another one sitting on my diaphragm. Did anyone else experience this after their first fill? I am inches away from calling …

Hello - I was banded on May 13th at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. I had a great pre-op experience. The nurses were great. The surgery was in the morning, around 10:45 am or so and I was in my hospital room (for a one night overnight) by 2:30 pm or so. I can't remember exact times - some stuff is still a blur. They gave me Jell-O and broth with sips of Water. I had some Oxy as a pain medication (.5 ounce at a time (a total of 3 in the course of 20 hours). I was released the next day around 1pm. I could have gone sooner, but they were trying to get my prescriptions written for liquid doses instead of tablet. My pharmacy didn't carry the liquid Oxy so …

I Am On Mushy Food Now.....and I Dont Get Full. I Am Scared To Death Of Gaining My Pre Op Weight Loss. Will I Not Feel Full Until My 1st Fill? I Am Scared I Wont Last The Three Weeks Until My Fill!!!!! Should I Go Back To My Liquid Diet??? My Doc And Pa Are Gone Until Tuesday...please If Anyone Has Experienced This Please Share!!!!!!!! Thanks

Hi All, My surgery was last week - Tuesday, May 13 - I just weight myself and I lost 10 pounds already. I'm happy but is it too fast? I have been having a Optifast drink (Protein 14g) in the mornings (around 10 - 11am) and chicken broth for dinner (7pm). I been having sugar free jello's and Popsicles for Snacks plus Water. I know I should be drinking more protein but I just too full. I'm finishing up my last few optifast drinks and will be get my Protein Isolate powder tomorrow. Are there any side effects since I haven't been taking less protein? -Lisa

Had my first fill on 5/15 and to tell you the truth, I have not felt anything different! I am watching what I'm eating, and still loosing, but I never get that full feeling. (I just stop when I mentally think I had enough) I have a 4CC band, and my fill was 2.5. What am I suppose to be feeling????? Even drinking fluids all day doesn't fill me.... Is this normal??? I was expecting this instant full feeling and I got NOTHING....?? Should I be concerned?:woot:

Hello All, I was just banded on May 21, Wednesday. I have been experiencing tightness in my chest. I could think of several reasons why but I want to know what have your past experiences been? I think I could have pulled a muscle. I also think it could be gas. Someone said my body is getting used to the "new " stomach. I need to know how to stop it. Any suggestions? I hurts to the point where I can't wear a bra because it is cause shortness of breath and pain. Any suggestions? Also, I have no preexisting chest/heart issues. More detail: The pain is mostly between my breast. It is usually triggered by movement or deep breathing. It's more like soreness or tighteness …

I am just about 4 days pos-op and still have an enormous amount of gas pain. I have an overfull feeling in my stomach and feel discomfort when I take deep breaths. Help??!:cursing:

I am 4 days post-op and feeling like I'm recovering. I looked down at my hand and there was a lump.. it's not a bite, it's the opposite hand that my IV was in and it's not even red... just a lump. It actually feels like a cyst because it's kinda hard. I know there are things called Ganglion Cysts and this seems to fit all the symptoms. It makes sense that I would have one-has this happened to anyone else? Ganglion Cyst This is the description given at WebMD...

Hi everyone I was banded on May 22 and I f feel better than I thought I might ;but Iam having trouble with the pains meds that they sent me home with. I get really bad headaches. Did any body else get bad headaches from the post op meds Thanks, Nancy

OK I"m freaking out that my band has slipped. I don't even know if it's possible to have a slip this early and w/out a fill. Everything has been FINE up til now. Since yesterday, I feel very AWARE of my stomach. It came on all of a sudden. I'm getting full really quickly, feel very bloated after I eat, almost painful bloating. I know I'm not eating too much, and if I was eating too fast, I would think I might be in some discomfort but it wouldn't last this long????? And I feel like something is squeezing down on my stomach and it's creating a lump in my throat, I can drink water and liquids fine, but as it goes down, it makes me really bloated after only a few sips. I can…

Has anyone not told thier kids about their lapband surgery? I'd like to not tell my kids. I don't want them to think they could eat anything they want and think they could just get surgery when they grow up.

Had my post-op visit today, 8 days after surgery. It really went fine, but: Instead of losing any weight since surgery, I gained 1.5 lbs. I had a feeling I didn't lose any weight, despite nothing but liquids... I just didn't "feel" lighter. That doesn't really bother me, because I knew the weight I had to lose right before surgery wasn't "real" weight, it was just to shrink the liver, and it was the kind of weight that would easily be re-gained. But I didn't think I'd actually go up 1.5 pounds. I'm not discouraged or anything. I'm just reporting the facts. The port pain I'm having is normal, but the huge black and blue bruising that covers the whole area, isn't necess…

:thumbup:I would like an update from everyone that was banded on May 11th, 12th, 13th, & 14th. How did every thing go. Please give details... Thanks...

I was banned about 2yrs ago in the US which shortly after recovering from surgury I moved to China for work. Since surgery I have not really lost any major lbs. Maybe a total of 15lbs. I started at over 300lbs. Following surgery I did everything correct saw my DR for fills which I had three I think. I have never really felt that I was restricted on my intake. Anyway, two years later I need someone's advice. Did it not work? Did it slip? Do I just need to get more fills? In the morning if I eat to fast food will get stuck and it will come back up. When I belch it sounds like its coming from the bottom of some cave!! Anyway, if anyone knows of a Dr either in mainland China …

I was wondering what preferences were to ice vs. heat post op. I am addicted to my heating pads and have a hard time putting ice on places of pain. Is ice good for the first few days and then move to heat or what? Wondering if I need to get a few hot/ cold packs in the freezer before I have surgery.