POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was banded 1-10-2008 and since April 4th I have had intermittent severe nausea and for the past 7 days I have been nauseated constantly. I wake up and go to sleep feeling extremely nauseated. I have had dry heaves several times a day. I can't eat until afternoon and only a small amount because I am not hungry. I eat to try to help with the nausea. I have taken the best meds for nausea with minimal results. I haven't called my MD yet but will on Monday. I do not have burning and can tolerate food if I chew thoroughly and eat later in the day. Do you have any idea what is the problem? I would appreciate any suggestions or comments. Thanks

I am feeling great. My doc said it was okay to exercise, just wanted to know if anyone else's doctor says the same. Thanks for your input.

I was banded on Monday. When I went in to be banded I was fighting a cold but was not running a fever so we went ahead with the surgery. I am home now and recovering feeling pretty good but my question is that I am coughing....can this cause hurt the band...make it slip or the port flip anything...do I think this band is just too fragile...I am just trying to do things right and this is kind of freaking me out.......thanks for your help.

So each day here seems to be improving. My headaches have subsided--yeah! And not much more vomiting....weird last night in the middle of the night i felt the slime and had the urge to throw up, but when I got to the bathroom and just spit up the saliva it passed--i know it sounds gross, but i am sure you all can relate. What I need is suggestions!!! I am on liquids and I am siping water...sugar free drinks don't taste right to me right now. I am also doing sugar free ice pops and fudge pops! But that is not much of a variety...any suggestions?

Maybe I'm weird, but . . . I have had a number of surgeries in the past and, for me, the most uncomfortable part right out of surgery is the sore throat from being intubated! Does anyone know if it's okay to take sore throat spray or something with you for the recovery room? It doesn't really end up in your stomach . . . just numbs your throat a bit.

:wink2:i am attempting soups tonight. how much are we talking..i am thinking a 1/4 cup..

Okay guys, I am only 7 days post op and I've got so much information floating around my brain that I'm confusing myself. Now, I understand that I shouldn't drink during meals, and a certain time period before and after. My question is...since I am on full liquids, does this rule still apply? The reason I'm asking is that I have found myself becoming more ravenous as the days pass. I don't have a problem not drinking Water while I'm "drinking my meal", but since I have started to develop this constant hunger, I'd like to be able to sip on water when the stomach starts to growl. Often that is 10-15 minutes after a bowl of Soup, Protein shake, or yogurt. I'm assuming t…

Ok, I am soooo confused! This story is a bit complicated but I will try to get it across! I was banded in Jan 06, I started having severe heartburn in May 06, has cont up until today. I lost 80 lbs in the first year, have stayed at that since (so lost nothing for 1 yr) I am totally not at goal. I went on a mission trup last month so I had all my fluid removed, I went today to get a fill and told them about my severe indigestion continuing. They did a barrium swallow, said I had a medium slipage and I needed to be rebanded within the next 2 weeks. I asked him if we could try to leave the fluid out and he said it will not correct itself. The problem I see here is this dr is…

Okay so I previously posted about going to Vegas soon. I called my doctors office and he said that when you fly the liquid in the band may expand some and that i might have a little more tightness during and shortly after flying. I was told to eat very light and a least an hour before my flight. Then sip Water throughout the flight unless I get too tight then wait until I land and usually within an hour it should be back to normal. I just wanted to pass this information on to you all.

When I return to work, how can I ease out of eating lunch with the office or explaining pulling out my little blender to make sift foods at work?

I had surgery on Thursday. My doctor made us do no more that 1oz. in 15 minutes the day of, but know I dont know how much I can drink. I feel kinda full, but I think it may be gas. I am just soooo afraid to vomit, I dont want to overdo it. But I also frrl like I am going to get dehydrated if I dont get something in me. So, my question is, After two days, how much could you drink at one time? Could you handle thin grits or mashed potatos? Someone please help!! Its Saturday so there is nobody at my Dr.s office!! Thanks!!:thumbup:

When that needle POPS! into your port when you're getting a fill, it is so cool! Then I felt the saliene going throught the hose and that was pretty cool, too. I am the biggest needle baby, and this needle wasn't even as bad as taking blood. The worst part was waiting for the needle. It's a big bastard! Anyway, for those who are post-surgery, pre-fill, don't worry about the fill, it's kind of fun.

Hi All - I was wondering what everyone is doing with their incisions. Are you applying any kind of cream or ointment to help with the scaring?? At this point I am 2 weeks out and I want to use something to help them heal better, they are looking good, but I figured i should do something. What have you all done? I am looking for suggestions. THANKS

here is a couple of tips for people have post-op gas pains in their shoulders. My dr told me to lay on the floor or my bed with my feet proped upon the wall. This helps move the gas around some how. What I found out that helps in my shouldres is rolling my shoulders one at a time for a few seconds. that has helped a lot. Plus don't forget to WALK! good luck eeryone

I can feel my port and it's RIGHT underneath the incision. Not under or over. Im concerned about this only because I form keloids, and having the scar tissue RIGHT over my port seems like it will cause problems down the road. Is everyone's like this? I'm a nurse and used to dealing with chest wall ports, and those are almost always below the insertion site. :confused2:

Hello everyone!!! I am having my band filled on the 20th and I am wondering if it hurts when they access your port with the needle..I am a big wuss!! What is the process like? Please do share!! Thanks!! Melissa:unsure:

Hello all, My surgery is scheduled for May 27th and it seems I will need to travel for work on June 4th (that is one week after surgery!) I will be traveling to the west coast for about a week. I want to hear from you all, experienced bandsters, if you think this is doable or not. Please share your thoughts. Thanks a lot!!

I am 12 days post op. Prior to being banded, I lost almost 25lbs on the 3-1 mostly liquid diet. In the days right after surgery, I lost an additional 11lbs. I felt well enough as of last Wednesday to start doing some light excercise and have made it to the gym everyday since. During that time, I briskly walk one mile and bike one mile. I do this at a good pace and according to my stats on the machines, I am burning about 200 calories per visit and keeping my heart rate in the 120s. I am on soft foods and have occassionally hungry bouts but HAVE NOT CHEATED. Not even once. I am getting in all of my Water and am consuming about 45 grams of Protein a day. Here's the…

I just wondered if it would be possible to create a sticky for this forum so that people could post their reports about their surgery day.

I'm scheduled to be banded 2 weeks from today and it's a roller coaster. One minute I'm excited and the next, I'm wondering if I'm crazy. I'd like to get some feedback from those of you who are on the other side of the procedure. Do you have any regrets? Would you make the same decision again? Thanks for your help!

Okay this is the first time I have ever wrote on here, but I've been reading for months. Last night I was laying in bed and this question came to mind so any help would be awesome. I gave up pop as soon as I decided I was going to have the lap band surgery done. I was banded on April 24th. My question is if the band goes around the outside of the stomach, how does drinking pop/beer make the band erode if the pop/beer is going through our stomach not around the outside of the our stomachs. Thanks for anything you can give.:confused2:

Hi, I had my surgery on November 19, 2007 and have lost about 50 pounds. Recently I've noticed that the inside edge of my belly button is bright red. I have an inner belly button. It kind of looks like a rash and a bad odor is coming out of it. Has anyone experienced this or might know what this is about? I was thinking that maybe since the fat around my stomach has reduced it has exposed the belly button a bit more. Any ideas or suggestions?

Hi everyone, I've read many posts about gas pains and I thoughtI was ready. Well, last night I was in so much pain, I had to call my mom, husband, and best friend to save me. I thought I was dying. I don't know if I have a combination of trapped gas and indigestion or just trapped gas. But, I have constant pain and pressure in my chest and sharp pains that travel throughout my abdomen. I have done some walking, it hasn't helped. I have been popping Prilosec and GasX strips like tic tacs, with little relief. I will try lying on my left when I get home. I'll keep you all updated. Just wanted to whine! If anyone discovers a magic potion, please share! Thanks!

Hi All, I did it.. I am now a fully bandster.... Woo hoo~! Here are the Recap of yesterday: - Got to the Hospital at 8AM, the surgery is schedule for 10 AM. - Nurse was having a heck of a time trying to find my vain. She said i'm probably one of the hardest people that she ever worked on. For a good 1/2 hour, I turned into a human pin-cushions...She gave up and said she will have the anethesiologist deal with my vain problem. - 10:15 AM, the wheeled me into the surgery room. After about 10 breaths of the sweet-anethesia, I was out... - 12:30 woke up in recovery room. My throat was so dry...After a bit of head shaking and drumming my finger on the …

I m very excited to be getting banded on Thursday, may 15. My big fear is that awful feeling right as you wake up after surgery. What were your experiences like? would it be silly to tell dr. about this fear?

hey all...i was banded monday and am getting soooo depressed! I called my doctor to report the nauseau and headaches and I know I need to drink more Water which I am going to try today. I just anticipated someting totally different. I want the headaches to stop!!!! Anyone have second thoughts in the beginning stages? How long untill it gets better?? :thumbdown:

I am having severe pain on my left side. In three different spots. I had my surgery done 19 days ago and I started to have pain in my stomach about 4 inches to the left of my belly button last night. Right now, I am having a severe sharp pain on the left side of my stomach about half way down. And every now and then today, I have got the same kind of pain in my left colar bone area. Any ideas what this might be. I called my doctor and they scheduled me for a upper GI tomorrow morning. But if this pain gets any worse, I might be at the emergency room tonight.

I lost eight (in the liquid stage) then gained six back when I was told to eat real food. My doctor does not put any Fluid in the band when it is placed. Is that why I am not losing? I am trying to watch what I eat. I started excercising 30-45 min on the treadmill. He will not put any fluid in until I am four weeks post op. Is that normal? He is a very conservative doctor. Is there anything else I can try?

Well I am a bandster now. I had surgery yesterday and I so happy to be home. The gas pains are not as bad as I expected but I am very sore. I hope things start getting better tomorrow. I am sipping on broth right now and hopefully can move to some better tasting things tomorrow. Thank you to all of you that have answered my questions along the way. To all the others that were banded yesterday....congrats....I know May 12th will be GREAT!!!!!

Say you do not have insurance, how much would a fill cost? Very general question.

This is my 15th Day with the Lap Band & allowed Mushies as of today :thumbup: Have had a small amount of scrambled egg & some cottage cheese and a small yoghurt - Can anyone suggest more mushie food ideas for the next 3 weeks? As a bit clueless i'm afraid....:confused2: Lost 20lbs so far - Love my band :eek: Gingercat

I was banded on the 29th. Everything seems to be going well. My major issue at the moment is horrible reflux. I called my dr's office and they said a possible reason could be I wasn't getting enough in my stomach. I've upped my liquids intake and am taking antacids but to no avail. Is this normal? It's happening during the day, at night, sitting up, lying down, whenever it wants to strike. Anybody have any advice?

:tt2:Hey everyone I got banded on March 13 07 and have lost about 92 pounds. Went and got third fill done 2 weeks ago and found out last week I finally am pregnant. This is a wonderful thing since due to my weight I had polysistic ovarie and was unable to concieve children so yes there is hpe. But how long should I wait has anyone else gone through this?? How long do you have to wait after having the baby before you can get your band tightened again??

Should I be concerned? 1st fill was 1 week ago exactly. These sensations are new. During eating, have the feeling like I have to burp and usually takes me a few minutes for it to come out. Sometimes I will ask someone to pat my back to help it come out. Is that being stuck? Because there is no pain at all. It certainly isn't a pb, because there is no saliva. :confused2:

Hi, Just thought I would share a thought. I am 3 weeks out, feeling preety good and am in love with SF Grape Koolaide:tt1:. I have no problems getting in the required fluids. My concern is that I should be preparing my self to not drink before, during and just after meals. How??:thumbup: I have been tring and I still reach for a sip. Has the drinking during a meal or even before or immediatly afterward impact your full feeling. I know it is just a knew habit I need to form, I just was wondering if the full feeling was really "washed" away with every sip. Enjoy the Day.

OMG!! I was banded on May 12th and I can keep nothing down two days out. Lots of gas pain, but it is subsiding. But everything is making me vomit, from shakes to Jello. How long before the anthesthia wears off, because I am soooo tired. I feel like all I want to do is sleep. My stomach is doing flip flops. I am in need of some tips.:thumbup:

I am curious what pain meds your doctors prescribed. Since it will be in liquid form, I am wondering what is commonly used, particularly if you are allergic to codeine. Thanks for sharing your experience in this area!

I have an appointment the day after my surgery at the dermatologist. It takes 6 months to get in, so I hate to change it. My husband could drive me and my 2 preschoolers (and wait - not fun) OR I could drive myself, leaving them home...do you think that is possible? Thanks

I'm 3 wks post op and my Dr. has me starting my Vitamins. I'm on a chewable children's multi, Calcium, Vit. B-12, Vit D. The B-12 & D are not chewable so I have to crush them. Any one else having to crush their vitamins? How are you getting them down so it doesn't taste so bad? Any ideas/suggestions welcome!!!:thumbup: By the way, check out Puritanspride.com for vitamins! They're increadibly cheap and fast shipping! P.S.--FYI--I'm also on Biotin which is supposed to be great for hair & nails, my nurse suggested it.

I know that its early for me, but its late and I cant sleep. Im having one of those......oh no!! I cant eat that anymore moment and I just thought I would ask. Is anyone able to eat sushi?? Just the cooked rolls, such as the california roll?? I dont do the raw stuff! lol

Does anyone know if you can get chewable vitamins down right after surgery or do you need to wait until the mushy stage or later? I'm debating buying liquid vitamins, but don't want them if I don't need them. Thanks! Stephanie

I'm really starting to get down. I know that you're not supposed to compare yourself to others..but, i've only lost 10lbs since surgery on march 19th. got my first fill April 21. started with 4cc, he gave 1cc at my first fill. Had really rough couple of weeks after the fill but now have the hang of it. I weighed 200 the day of my surgery. I'm not eating much at all. Definitely less than a cup per meal. Why am I not losing? Others that had their surgery around the time of mine have lost 20 to 40. I definitely have restriction and i've got 5cc in a 10cc band. Help!

Hello Everyone, I am six days post op and can't keep anything inside me. Is diarrhea to be expected post surgery?

I was banded on April 16th. Surgery went well. I was so excited. I was taken to my room for my overnight stay... Thru out the night I got up, did my walking but noticed I was having a lot of pain, not port pain as most describe but pain on my right side. I tried to get up again to walk at 5:00 a.m. but my ears were ringing so bad I was soooo dizzy - I went back to lay down. Another hour had gone by and the pressure on my right side was horrible, I was having trouble breathing. Then all of a sudden my monitors started going off and my blood pressure dropped to 50/45 - It felt as though I was having spasms on my right side. My doctor had JUST come in to check on his surgery…

I’ve thought I would post a before and after shot of me to show you the difference in my face from pre-banding to now. The pre-shot was taken on the morning of my surgery day…driving to get banded! The current shot was taken a few days ago. I can definitely notice a difference in my chin. Click on the shots to see them in full size! Pre Banding [ame=http://www.flickr.com/photos/brende/2313248626/]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2313248626_615be980b8_m.jpg[/iM"]Flickr: Page Not Found[/ame] Post Banding (down 25 lbs) [ame=http://www.flickr.com/photos/brende/2428507174/]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2428507174_d974b26d60_m.jpg[/iM"]Flickr: Page Not Fou…

Hi everyone..I am a kindergarten teacher. I can take as much time as I need off...I told them 2-3 weeks...only because my kiddos like to run and hug and it can get a bit physical. Anyway...this is week 2. Only Monday, I know...I slept a lot today..had a fairly busy weekend and felt exhausted. Feeling much better now... Anyway....if I want to take next week I should let them know by mid week... any thoughts for those of you who returned to work too soon? Cindi

OK, I had a fill (2nd) 4 days ago. At first I couldn't eat anything and you very helpful people told me about swelling (thank you!). Now, I can eat, but after just one or two bites I feel TOO FULL. It is like the sensation you have (before banding) when you really overeat and you feel like it is all the way up in your chest. I feel like I really need to burp, but I can't. Also, I can barely drink. Only a sip at a time and it seems like even a tiny sip "blows" my stomach up (or so it feels). So...is this what it feels like to have proper restriction or am I too tight?

How much should I be able to drink at 4 days post op?? I feel full all the time, I guess from swelling. But I know I need to be drinking a lot. How much could you guys do?

It has been 2 months today since I was banded.. I have lost approx 30-32 pounds so far.. I am now into an XL or 1X depending on brand.. I finally went and bought some clothes this weekend as my clothes are so big on me.. Today for the first time a coworker walked up to me and asked me if I was on Weight Watchers and said that she could tell Ive lost weight.. Especially in my face.. There have been several others such as family and one of my friends that has said the same thing but to have someone come up to me and ask that had no idea I was banded and ask this same question is such a wonderful feeling! I go for my 2nd fill on Wednesday.. Im so looking fo…

is that normal? i went into the hospital at 348lbs. after surgery, and the IV's, i was up to 353. this morning i weighed in at 328. I know that at least 5lbs of that is Water weight from the IV's...but is that normal? i don't feel run down. i've been pretty good with my Protein drinks (at least 1 a day - i hate the things). other than that - days 2-5 were broth, water, Jello and protein. days 6 and 7 i introduced cottage cheese and yogurt and iced tea. i have my post opp meeting in two days, i'll ask them then. just kinda concerned that my body is eating muscle as well as fat. any thoughts?