POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Wow, the gas pain is amazing. And the constipation...wow! I am suprised that I have not blown a whole open. Anyone else with this problem? I have felt guilty about having the band...that I could not do all of this on my own...crazy. Anyway, I'm glad I found your site and I look forard to meeting others like myself. I keep having this belching problem and I feel it all the way down to the bottom of my stomach when I burp...it still hurts. I also have that feeling of fullness in the back of my throat...can't wait till that goes away. I look forward to the day that I'm glad that I did this. Thanks for any input. E.:party:

Hi All - I had my band put in on Tuesday around noon. I have to say, I am certainly not feeling as good as I would like. It feels like there is a constant knot in my stomach. Is this hunger or am I still swollen. Yesterday my stomach felt misearable although the incisions only have mild tenderness surrounding them, I am really suprised by how crappy my stomach feels. I have been walking around the house to make sure I move around and then I sit or lie down to watch tv. Does anyone have suggestions or imput. HELP

Wondering if anyone has tried it and if it made the gas any worse? I am currently making a pot of it with the hope it will satisfy me due to it's high protein and high fiber content. I am concerned that it will make the gas worse, although I don't know how it can get much worse! The upper GI gas is the major problem for me-when it gets lower I can move it out but the upper distress is killing me. I can't tell if I am gassing up due to lack of food/hunger or because of it! I am only 'eating' jello,egg drop soup and tea/juice etc... I just tried some of a yogurt drink and it seems to calm me down for a bit...ugh!

This is actually quite comical. Since I am eating no junk food it is sticking around a lot longer. My husband and daughter were having cheetos last night and brought them back into the kitchen complaining that they were stale. Hahahahaha....never would have had stale cheetos before!! So there you have it my first NSV is having the ability to keep cheetos in my house long enough to have to throw them out!

I was banded four days ago. Seems that everyday I have :frown: diarrhea at least 4-5 times per day and at night, when lying down, get reflux coming up my throat into the mouth. Is this normal ? Drinking decaf tea, water, bullion, and sugar free jello.

Hi, I was banded just about two years ago - due to complications, I had to have the band repositioned about a nine monthes ago - every since then I have been on a major plato - I know it is my fault. I am in the "green zone" as far as my fills are conserned - I just can't seem to get it together. How do I get my self back on track without beeting my self up every step of the way - I should be at goal by now :party: and I know it, I guess that is the hardest part - Any advise, support, guidance, words of wisdom, you name it is appreciated.

Hi all, I'm less than a week away from my date, scared as hell, but excited too. I'll be flying to Mexico alone for my surgery and have a few questions about the post-op stay and the travel home. First, should I pack pajamas, or will I be wearing a hospital gown? Stange question, I know, but at home I sleep in the buff and will need to buy PJ's to bring, if needed. Second, just how uncomfortable is that plane ride going to be?! I mean, I'm not planning on wearing tight jeans for the ride home, but should I pack a mumu? Any input will be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Robin

God please tell me...i was banded on 4.23.08 i was fine during the day but tonite for the past 2 hrs or so i have been experiencing "Panic attacks" ...please reach out to me anyone and tell me if this is normal and has anyone experienced this before and if so what did u do to make it better i am am mess right now i am suddenly feeling i want my band REMOVED....just not to feel what i am feeling now this panic!! Please anyone who can tell me if you have experienced and what should i do to make it better!! Never in my life have i had panic attacks please help me i feel like i wanna die. :smile2:

I went to have my first fill yesterday at the hospital. My doctor usually does the first fill using the x-ray while you swallow that white chalky substance to see how much of a restriction you currently have. As he watched the fluid go down to my pouch he said that I did not need a fill because the fluid was not flowing through the band quickly. That may have been true, but I still feel like I can comsume too many calories during the course of the day and I am still looking for food to eat. Should I have insisted on the fill? I would like to get your opinions. Thanks!

Easter morning feast was the first day I felt only a little restriction, I ate mostly stuff that had gone into a food processor at one point and a nice smooth calorie laden dessert. Its been down hill since then. I can eat rice, cold cuts, burger patties, pork (the moist fatty cuts) and many other things even pizza! Within the span of 3-4 days I went from "not even hungry" to "Sure, I'll eat that horse, thank you". I will even drink to get more in without "damaging the band" as my stupid reasoning tells me. I've lost over 21 lbs since the Feb 28 surgery, the band must need the adjustment and in my defense, the after-band binges are smaller than my pre-band snacks so I kno…

I am 3 weeks out... the band is 11cc and right now I have a 4cc fill. Should I be loosing faster than I am? I've only lost 10lbs since day of surgery and that was all in the first week post op. I'm still not on full foods either, I start on Monday. I'm eating things like fish, chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, sandwiches, ect... Sorry, I'm just frustrated!!!

I am scheduled to have lapband surgery on May 20th. I love onions and I was wondering if the band will tolerate onions. I have one of those onion shaped cooker and I use it to cook vidalia onions in the microwave. I usually add a little chicken broth, butter and seasoning and cook about five minutes. The onion is fat free and low in calories. Has anyone had problems with cooked onions? :confused2:

This Saturday May 3 will be two weeks since I was banded. I have really been feeling great, losing weight very easily and keeping liquids down with no problem. Today I had severe left shoulder pain, :wub: which has not happened after the first 4 days or so. I ended up taking a cup of coffee, adding frozen yogurt, protein powder and ice, mixing it up in the blender and drinking about 4 ounces of it, it totally helped me to pass the gas and go to the restroom. :thumbup: Is this normal? Has anyone else had this much gas at 2 weeks past surgery day? My stomach is sore at the port area as well. Is this normal? Other than that I truly feel great! I am happy to have had this sur…

I was just banded on April 28 and will see the nutritionist in about a week but I was wondering... are bandsters allowed to eat corn on the cob? Even if it's just a little, I'd be happy.

Went to my post op follow up appointment today. It went great. The nurse told me that I could start my mushy stage today and that in its self made me happy. I have lost 14lbs since last Thursday so that makes me feel real good. I am glad I am off the liquid diet for now.

Had surgery 3 days ago. Experiencing cramping in my chest along with a "lump" feeling in my throat. Anyone out there experience the same?

I keep asking myself why are some people on pre op diets, me and 4 other friends have all had done in australia and were on no liquid diet before, and were all on a liquid and mushy foods straight after the op for 1 month.Yet i have another friend who consulted a surgeon to get it done, no pre op diet, and she will be on 6 weeks liquid and 3 weeks mushies after that. this puzzels me. Well my surgeon must of told me something which agreed with my weightloss 67lb since sep 2007,very minimual excercise -- but feel so much better going to tackel the excercise.

I'm hoping someone here can help me as my dr. will not give me a straight answer to save his life. What i need to know is how long will I have to have my mom here to help take care of me more impotantly my 4 kids (ages 11,3,1,9 months) Shes coming from out of town, and she needs some idea of how long she'll be here. How long is recovery?, when can I lift my 20lb baby?-when can I drive?, how long should I need painpills? I'm 31 and my BMI is 41.8-should that matter?-Thanx in advance for anyone who can share their experience

i got banded 4/2 and I've lost 16 lbs. lately I've really felt more hungry and have transitioned to solid foods. I really think I'm needing my first fill because i'm feeling more hungry. my activity level is through the roof and so is my appetite. did anyone else feel like this before your first fill? i was doing so good, but lately it seems like lack of restriction may be surfacing.

I am ashamed to even write this. Today is my 7th day out and this morning I was able to eat a McDonalds breakfast burrito. I left this morning without eating breakfast and I was hungry. I have healed really well and feel great and I decided to test it. I am sorry to say that it went fine. I only ate one. I pulled off most of the extra bread, I ate really slow and chewed really thoroughly and it was fine. I didn't have any problems at all. I realize that I don't have any restriction at this point and that should change after my first fill, but I am disspointed in myself for even feeling the need to test the process, particularly this early after surgery. I also do…

How are you April 28th bandsters doing? This is our 4th day. I'm feeling pretty good but I get this pain in my chest especially when I sit up. When can you start eating mushies?

OK ,I now have my date for my lap band 05/08 ...Can anyone give me any suggestions and helpful hints to help me thru the first stages of this journey???? I am very excited and nervous at the same time lots of stuff going thru my mind! :cool2:

Hi all! My name is Kelly and I am a new bander. I received my Lap Band on March 28th of this year.... so it's been a little over 4 weeks. I was/am a self-pay patient and I have to say, my overall experience has been ok. I guess I had some "excess bleeding" with surgery that required a transfusion (ack!) and 3 days after surgery I was diagnosed with Phnemonia. Yeah... coughing after abdominal surgery = NO FUN AT ALL!!!!! But all of the negative aside, I am doing great. But I do have a few questions. Question #1: I'm assuming that it's my port incision (the largest incision I have) is still sorta "hard" and I still have a blackish-brownish bruise surrounding it. …

Is the part about not being able to have sugar after your surgery a diet thing or will it affect your band and give you problems. I am asking because I went to the grocery store and bought what i thought was splenda. Come to find out it is a plenda blend. It has splenda and sugar in it. Can I use it? I do not want to go all the way back to the grocery store.

Hi All - Just wondering if anyone out there felt bloated or swollen and for how long after surgery. I am 2 days out and I feel like I want to burb, but nothing comes out. I am feeling uch much better today though.

This website is moving really slow. Does anyone know who to contact? I think his name is Alex. Thanks!

It's just at night and it's a really sharp pain in my side when I'm sitting up. When I lay down it goes away, but boy does it sting when I sit he wrong way. Anything serious?

Where is the port actually located on you? Above the big incision, below it, beside it? It looks like I have a dip in my stomach where the big incision is or maybe the port is above it and it's just swollen. I cant feel it (port) but maybe I'm not feeling in the right direction. Also, for those of you who had staples.. does it hurt having them taken out? I have a total of 15 and as much as I'm ready for them to be removed, I'm kind of dreading it.

I've had walking pneumonia and a bit frustrated because for about a week I've been fluctuating in total weight loss from 38 to 40 lbs. I want to lose more and know lack of physical activity have had to make a difference. I'm just frustrated about it. I get my first fill next Friday, so I'm hoping that will help as well.

I had my one week follow up today and it went well. He asked if I was hungry and I said "Yeah, getting there" and he said "Okay, eat". Hmmm. That was easy I guess. He gave me a list with soft and tender meats(not beef), seafood, soft cooked veggies etc. Tonight I had very soft chicken breast sauteed in a brown sauce with mushroom, broccoli and carrots. I ate leass than 1/2 cup but it was DELICIOUS!!! The chicken was super tender and pretty much fell apart in my mouth. That was about 3 1/2 hours ago and I'm still feeling great.

Help! I am two weeks post op today. I have been eating liquids the last two weeks and lots of soup. I had some mashed potatoes today...I guess I am going crazy because I am not due for a fill until May 30th and I know I am hungry and scared I am going to do something wrong before my fill! Even though I talked to people and understood I would not be restricted right after...I guess I thought I would feel different after surgery..Am I going crazy? Will it feel different when I have my first fill. I am starting mushed or soft food but I am scared to eat and stretch everything...should I just stay on soup and liquid. Please tell me your post op expirence..is it normal that I …

I was banded on 3/21/07. My pre surgery weight was 242 and I m now 206. I am not losing weight regularly. I work out 6 days a week (2 days with a trainer) I think im eating what im suppose to. Yet im not losing regularly. I keep reading all these blogs that people are losing regularly. I go to my dr once a month and my weight just stays the same. Is anybody out there going through the same thing. Or can anyone give me some tips on eating. PLEASE HELP :blushing: Kristie:wub:

Hi there, my husband had his surgery 3 days ago and has been home since yesterday. He is managing small amounts of chicken broth and V8 juice/water. However he is feeling quite nauseous especially after eating. Is this normal and if so how long does it tend to last? I am a little worried as he had no nausea in the hospital and was taking fluids there. Thanks.... Lisa :smile:

I had my band placed on the 24th. I have been sitting around here for 2 days watching my family eat and woundering if I will be able to eat normal meals with them again. I am living on liquid right now and I hate every minute of it. I was just woundering how much you are able to eat and when can you start eating some of the same things that you use to eat. Just not as much.

My doctor says I'm going to be on 1 week liquid, 1 week full liquid, then 2 weeks pureee. I was just curious on what everyone else had for a schedule. The gal I talked to kept confusing me with the bypass patients and their diet so I'm going to confirm with them tomorrow.

Hello All! I need some help! I was banded on 4/21 and have dropped close to 20 pounds (with the help of my son's nasty stomach bug). To my horror, I got on the scale this morning and had gained 3 pounds! I am currently at the mushie stage and I'm eating what I was told and in the amounts I was told, so I don't understand the weight gain. Has anyone else experienced weight gain in the beginning stages?

I am still pre-surgery but thought I should start hunting for something before I start since I have a bit of low back pain now and a very active job. Does anyone have a suggestion on really good girdle like underwear that will help hold my pannus in closer to my body until I get to have a tummy tuck? I know it is a while down the road but I know this will really be painful for my sciatica. I have a job that requires me to be on my feet the whole day and I already suffer some numbness in my left leg when I wear loose jeans instead of tight ones. Any suggestions of brands or what works best?

Does anyone else have problems eating leftovers?? I have problems with leftover meats. chicken, beef, pork, etc. I can eat it fresh without any problems and regardless of how I reheat it I can not get it down and PB. Just a question, any thoughts...

I know the first few weeks post band are for healing. I was just wondering on average how much weight.. if any were people losing?

I was banded in August 2007. It feels like something is stuck and I need to burp. But I can still eat and drink and burping doesn't help. It started last night. Not sure if this is normal. Went in for a fill today, doctor didn't seem to worried about it since i could still eat and drink. But it is very uncomfortable. Has this happened to anyone else???

I was banded on 4/7 and all is well. I have some business trips coming up at conferences all of which have been notoriously bad with food options. Any ideas? I can’t bring shakes and things on the plane (the flights are 6-7 hours) because they no longer allow liquids. (over 3oz anyway) Anyone delt with this or have ideas? There will likely only be fast food choices at the conference… not sure how to stay on track.

Had surgery about 36 hrs ago. This morning was the worst. If I have an urge to belch I get a hard cramping pain in my chest. Anyone else out there experience the same?

:huh2: Once I drop this weight. No one will be able to stop me from wearing high heals... OMG I was just looking on a few sights and they have some really sexy strappy heals... and i was like wow... I would have hoped that i could have rocked them this year, but that's ok.. I am going to do all the work this year so I can strut my stuff next year.. and when i do baby watch out.... I hope you all can see the shoe.... If there is a better way to add the shoe so it will show up in the post plz let me know.. but I think that would be hott. for everyone to post a pair of the sexiest pair of heal would like to wear once you reach your goal... Wouldn't you love to dance all …

I'm still on thick liquids but I notice after eating only about a cup or so I feel really bad, almost lightheaded and nauseous. I notice that I stop then because I'm so turned off to whatever is was I was drinking, and it lasts for about an hour or so. Then I'm hungry again :blushing: Is that the banded me feeling full? Or is that just my body still healing and trying to accept liquids? I guess what I'm really wondering, did you feel "different" being full post-band than before? And is restriction even possible after banding and without a fill?

Hi everyone: I am very surprised at the cost of adjustments in the offices around my home! I got banded in Mexico by a wonderful Dr. However, due to the new "problems" with the new requirements for US re-entry, I cannot go to my doctor for adjustments anymore. I started looking for a doctor that would do adjustments here in the Los Angeles California area and ohhhhhh my GOSH!!! The first few places that I called, would not even look at me since I got banded in Mexico. But the others that would look at me charge average of $400.00 to $500.00 dollars for the consultation alone and then in addition the cost of the adjustment which ranges between $900.00 and $1,000…

Anyone drink this? What is it like? Where do you get it?

Yea or nay? I have cream soups on my list for tomorrow..but I am a bit nervous to have them. I am, however craving them, so..any tips? Do I have to strain/dilute them? I know I have to take the chunks out..

I have been reading a lot of threads... what is pb'ing???... is it common? dangerous?..... Thanks!

Hi there, I had my band fitted 9 months to go, i have lost slowly throughout, -45lbs, another 30 to go. I seem to have hit a plateau and can't get the scale to move anymore, its been over a month, I am very discouraged and don't know what to do. I have increased my Protein intake, I have gone on liquids for a few days, all this try and shake-up my system......but it's not working. I don't know what to do. Please help me to get my scale moving again!!! :biggrin: Thanks

My surgery went ok, some problems with my insulin pump and being left in recovery for 10 hours on a gerney!!! My back was KILLING ME!!! Tomorrow I get to start my mush:) I am ok if I am not around food but the second I smell it I FEEL LIKE I COULD EAT LIKE A HORSE!!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY FIRST FILL. I feel great other than my port sight being a little sore.