POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I didn't have staples or anything. And I think my stitches must have been internal because I didn't have any visible. I had glue over my incisions. Well, the glue has all come off now since it's been almost 3 weeks, but tonight I was putting some vitamin E on the one incision that still has scabs. Well, one came off and now I have a piece of stitching sticking out of my skin. It's like when you have a tag in a stuffed animal and you pull the tag off and there's still a little piece of plastic sticking out. Any suggestions beside calling my Dr since it's so late?

I belong to several groups. I found the following link and what to share with the rest of us. Just always remember to follow your Dr's nutrition guide lines and diet. You show this card to the wait staff and they will allow you to share the meal with someone or to order form the child's menu. I am also thinking that what is stopping you from showing it to the wait staff at the local restaurant in hopes they too will honour it. I put the names of the big restaurant food chains on the back of mine (need the reminder, LOL) but once they see who is accepting this, they may also allow it. Good luck! http://www.obesityhelp.com/magazine/RestaurantCard.html

I finally am below 200 lbs! I'm sooooo excited I couldn't contain it. :thumbup:

I was banded on Apr. 14th. I have been burping since the next day after surgery. These are SO painful! I get them the minute after I swallow a sip of anything. I asked the doc and he said that my band is not filled yet and there is plenty of room. He even did an x-ray. I'm convinced it's too tight. There is never a moment that I don't have pain inside of my chest. Swallowing is also painful 99% of the time- even with small sips. I have been starving every minute since last week. I'm getting upset because all I think about and deal with is pain and hunger. I start my shakes and soups today, but the doc told me that because my band is just "tighter" than others, I …

What am I supposed to do? Wear a sign letting everyone know I have a band? Make an announcement at the table? First, it was eating too much. Now, it's not eating enough. Why can't people mind their own business? Now, when I go into social situations I can see people whispering about me thinking I have an eating disorder. Has anyone else delt with this and if so, what did you do? It's like I need a shirt with a flashing arrow pointing to my stomach saying "lapband" and then I need to hand out information on it because then it monopolizes the entire conversation.

Hello All, Ok so this is week 3. I have been on blended food for a week now. As of last week I haven't lost anything. I feel like I could eat anything! I don't feel full when I am eating little. I feel like I could eat more then I am. However, I don't want to pig out. I am just wondering is this normal. I don't feel any restriction at all, as I did in the first 2 weeks. I'm a little discouraged! In the back of my mind, I feel that this has to be normal, but I still worry. Am I going to stop loosing until I get a fill? If that is the case, I don't go back to my DR. until four weeks and then he will tell me if I need a fill. But, I wont get it on that day, I will have to h…

Since my surgery, I've been craving ice cream so I was bad today and had some vanilla ice cream!! but now im scared out of my mind, what are the consequences of eating ice cream? Can my band slip? :tongue_smilie:

I realize band sizes vary, but please humor me. How many cc's were put in at you first fill and what was you level of restriction? :confused2:

has anyone had good luck with something to help me. i look like i am 9 month preg. very uncomfortable.

I was wondering if anyone has experienced any of this. Around my largest incision it is a little bit red. I am not sure if it is infected or not. There is no drainage and it dosen't really hurt I just noticed it the other day and was concerned. Also right above that incision when I scratch or something it feels like I am numb. Is there a possibility that a nerve was cut and I have numbness there? Has anyone experienced this and if so I would love feedback. Thank you so much.

I ate a big dinner tonight and I'm having gas pain in my shoulder just like right out of sugery. I don't know if it's because I had a big meal or what. I haven't had this happen before and I'm over six months out of surgery. Any ideas?

I never had this one explained to me. I haven't drank through a straw since the surgery, but was just curious what the reasoning was behind it. Thanks!

I am currently on Day 1 of my 10 day Pre Op diet. On my sheet of things that I can eat on my diet 10 days before and two weeks after, it says Reduced Fat Cream Soups Strained and Thinned. My question is, Do I have to strain them on the 10 days before or is that just for the 1st two weeks after?? Any input would be helpful. Thanks

wow I was banded on the 15th... the acutally banding and surgery is the smallest part of the whole deal. The biggest deal is the IV ..... Now I am at home living off slim fast low carb... anyone have any suggestions....

Ok, its me again! I was banded on wednesday and it is now sunday and according to my scale I am down 11.4 pounds. I am a glass is half empty kinda thinker so I am assuming it has to be water because its so hard to see a difference. Will I gain that all back when I move on to the next food stage? Did I actually lose that much weight or is it mostly deyhdration? Or should I shut up and be excited?

I am such a weenie.... I mean to the point of I got my epidural when I was only 2cm dialated with dd and I will never get another tattoo because I screamed so much durring the first one (lol now.... but that crap HURT). Does post op hurt really bad? I imagine there will be some sort of pain and lots of pain meds. How long does it hurt? I'm probably going to ask a million questions... sorry in advance!

I get my first fill today, it is only 25 days post op but my Dr. says I'm doing good and the hunger is just starting in so he is going to do the first fill. I'm 20 pds down pre op and 20 pds post op. so 40 in all. half way to my goal.

I just had to tell someone else. I was banded on April 16th. I am just now starting to feel a bit better. It was more pain than I thought I would have. So that bummed me out. I thought I would be able to pick up the next day and go back to work without anyone knowing. But, I had to break down and tell my kids that I needed the extra help around the house. I didn't want to tell them because I didn't want them to think of me as a failure. But, now I do because I do need some help right now. I wish I felt better. I was out and about running errands today to help get my mind off things but still the feelings are still there. I will try to keep my chin up and keep reading all …

Ok, I was banded on the 16th and everything went really well. I was in minimal discomfort, no vomiting just the usual gas pains. So I am on day four and according to my doctor I have to stay on clear liquids for another 2 days. Problem is, chicken broth, vitamin water and jello is not cutting it. I ended up having a quarter cup of a slim fast drink and a pudding cup. Do you think I could have screwed myself in a moment of weakness? I am consuimg everything slowly but I was so wasted from little/no nutrients that I had to do something. Now I feel about a hundred times better but I worry I could have screwed myself.... HELP!

I got my hiatal hernia (which I didn't even know I had) repaired when my band was put in last Thursday the 17th. Some of the gas and suture pain is letting up but I have a fairly constant burn in the center of my chest. Does that have anyhting to do with fixing the hernia and putting in the lap-band together? Thanks

I dont think I made the right decision about surgery anymore...I am in a lot of pain (gas and port site)and I cant tell when I am full until it starts hurting....Thats bad. I know I dont need to do that, but I just cant tell, especially with liquid. I really want my feelings to change and start loving my band like all of you...but, I'm having a hard time getting accustomed to this. Any advice greatly appreciated.:biggrin:

I cant take this cotton mouth and funky breath anymore!!!!!!!! I take in enough water, protein shakes, and this cotton dry mouth is driving nuts.... What can I do???? Nothing seems to help.. any suggestions. :tongue_smilie:

Hi all, i'm pretty new here...found this forum and thought it was good idea to join!! I got my band on the 15th of April which was this past tuesday, i was in so much pain the first 3 days but by 4th day i felt like i healed, my mum had made some mash potato for the family so i had some (we are suppose to be on liquid for 2 weeks) along with that during the night i had some Soup which included very tiny thin noodles which goes down well the past 2 days i've done this now i wanna stop and go back to liquid untill my appointment with the doc. I have no bad pains and dont really feel completely full everytime i eat just sometimes and i only have pains from the surgery. …

Hi everyone. I was just banded on April 9. My staples were removed one week later. Most of the incisions look good, but one of them is pulling apart slightly. The opening of the incision is not very deep, but it is open. Did anyone else have this problem, and if you did, what did you do? I don't really care if the scar is a little bigger because of this, but I do worry about infection. Thanks ahead of time for any help.

Ok so I had my surgery on 4/10 and actually already went back to work. I feel great! However I do have a question about the port. See I have one place which is under my breast a little that is sore and under the skin it feels like the port. There is def something in there!!! However, on my right side in the middle of my stomach there is anoter incision that feels like there is kinda something hard underneath that too! What is going on? I am so crazy but I feel like I am one of those patients that has a medical tool left in them. Does anyone else know what this could be? Could my incision just feel hard? Please help me understand what is going on!!

HOw long did bruises last for some of you? I'm 17 days out and I still have a giantly obnoxious bruise on my lower left stomach from the heparin shots and a not quite as obnoxious one on the right side from the heparin shot. All the bruises (except for a little tiny bruise in the middle of my stomach) have pretty much disappeared now. The best way to describe the giant obnoxious bruise (which is about the size of a softball) is that it looks like zombie skin!

Don't you wish it was true! I have read a lot of posts, over the last 7 weeks. that the band is not working for me etc, no weight loss. Did your doctors not tell you that you have to work with the band, eat slower, smaller portions, and exercise? If you are following the rules, and exercising and eating small meals 3 x day and a few Snacks, and not loosing weight, it could be a leak? or a medical condition. I assume patients had full medicals before surgery. If you are not loosing weight and not following the rules it is not the bands fault? This board has really gotten to be whining, and not much positive things are being posted. The band is a tool, and not a …

I'm having a huge time trying to stomach the Protein drinks. My doctor told me that the big thing this month is to NOT throw up, and I haven't, but every time I try to drink a Protein shake, I gag. I am currently on full liquids (including yogurt, pudding and cottage cheese) and I was wondering if cottage cheese could be an equivalent. My nutritionist wanted about 100-150 cals with 15-20 grams of protein with each shake. The cottage cheese is 120 cals per 1/2 cup with 13 grams of protein, and as long as I chew, chew, chew it doesn't make me sick to eat a half a cup. What do you other bandsters think? I just don't want to throw up and disloge my band!

Hi everyone...I really would appreciate any input. I got banded on march 6 (a day that i will never forget) and i have lost 25 pounds since then (nothing before). I just got my first fill 10 days ago. I am supposed to get my second fill on the 8th of May but i am traveling for my brothers wedding and i will be gone for 3 weeks. I am debating whether i should get my second fill a week before or wait until i get back which will be three weeks after when i was supposed to. i have only lost 2.2 pounds since my first fill i was hoping more...i haven't thrown up at all but sometimes i feel weird...At first I was thinking i would wait until i get back since there is a wedding…

My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday April 16th and i'm hoping to return to work on the following Monday. Is that reasonable or should I expect to be out of work a bit longer than that? Thanks

This whole fill thing is quite the hot topic...."I'm too full and I'm PBing. I have no restriction because I can eat a sandwich. I haven't found my sweet spot." Etc, etc. I am actually getting nervous about the whole thing as my surgeon refers to himself as an "aggressive filler", and I want to be able to eat a sandwich! I did not balloon up to this weight eating just one sandwich. I do no want to be able to eat Jack-in-the-Box's bacon ultimate cheesburger, bacon cheddar potato wedges, and a large chocoloate shake in one sitting. But a sandwich sounds like a perfect sized meal to me. I suppose I will have to talk to my surgeon about "baby fills" until I feel good about it…

I should start out by saying that my port is to the upper right of my belly button. Anyway, I have ongoing disomfort in my left side, which feels like when you've walked or run too much -- like "a stitch in the side" kind of feeling. I am 13 days out of surgery, and otherwise feeling good (albeit with some unusual food dreams at night). Has anyone experienced this?

Hi Everyone! Well I was banded April 9,2008 just a few days ago. I am feeling massive bloating. When does the bloating stop? I can't seem to go to the bathroom eitheer. I can pee but nothing else. It is a little hard to pee sometimes. Whats going on? When does it stop? Also when does the soarness stop? Thanks :biggrin:

for the past month my stomach has been aching. it doesnt bother me when i eat but say an hour or two after. it feels like the band is eating its way through my stomach. its like a toothache on the outside. i know that you cant feel the band but im convinced that you can. what else would this be. alot of times i feel tight. i had my third fill on tues and i am eating very little due to the fact that my doctor said that i am tight. today i had a ww meal and ate the whole thing but thats as much as ive eaten since my fill. ive had slimfast , almonds, yogurt, protein bars. i am happy that im cautious again but im a little worried about the aching. i dont dare eat much in case…

HI, I want to know exactly what PB means. I know its a productive burp but could I get a better definition. I remember reading it in a thread but I cant find it anymore. Anyone knows where I should go? Thanks:confused2:

I am starting week 2 of the lap band. I can't get full. No matter how many liquids I drink I am hungry, so hungry that it hurts. I've thought about cheating but I don't dare because I don't want my band to slip! Is this normal? Does anyone have any advice? Stacy:bored:

I went to GNC and bought a couple of the Isopure drinks and the New Whey protein bullets. I can handle the bullets because I can swallow a couple mouthfuls without breathing so I don't get that smell, which to me smells like curdled milk. But the Isopure drinks for me leave a horrible milky aftertaste and the smell is more than I can handle. It also leaves this gross film on my teeth. Are there any other drinks people have tried that don't have that 'milky' smell or taste? I'm really just worried about it until I get to eat solid foods because I can eat stuff with more protein. But I'm still on full liquids and I'm struggling to get in all my protein right now, even…

i have been banded a week now and the pain i feel when i eat ..first it felt like i was going to vomit ..then extreme gassy pain..now this is just from water..

hello. I am 5 months post-op and have been experiencing sharp pirecing pains in the port area. It sometimes hurts if I sit or bend in a certain direction. Is it from doing crunches at the gym? Could I have damaged it? I know it is sewn in but has anyone else experienced this? It feels like a knife stabbing me for a brief second or two. I am calling the doc today.

I experience this sharp pain on the upper left side of my back often times when eating!? Does anyone else experience this?

Just wondering how long it took before you felt up for it?

Just wondering... I have 5 more days myself. I could do it standing on my head!

I am 11 days post-op and having no problems. I have no more pain and have started walking for exercise. I am having a hard time remembering to take it easy and yesterday I made a big boo boo. We had a hail storm and I was trying to get my car under cover before it hit. Long story short, I ended up helping my bf push his car about 5 ft, as he let it run out of gas!! He drives a '66 Ford Galaxie, a VERY heavy car. I did not hurt myself, but who knows what is going on inside of me? I have been kicking myself in the ass since then and I pray I did not hurt anything. Would I have some pain or symptoms? Anyone else overdo it early on?

I was banded 3 days ago. I am experiencing terrible nausea and hiccups and just the thought of anything to eat or drink makes it worse. I'm not throwing up because I haven't been able to drink anything. However, I do feel like I could get 'dry heaves', The dr. prescribed some phenergan and it seems to help a little but the nausea doesn't completely go away. How long does this last? Should I call my dr?

So... yesterday I had my 2-week post-op meeting with the Doc. All's well. I wanted to kiss the guy when he said I could have my staples out! Bless him! (Them things ITCH like almighty, cripes!) The nice nurses took them all out (with very little pain- whew!) and slapped on some iodine and steri-strips. Unfortunately, all but one of these lil' strips has fallen off. Already. Do I need to worry about slapping on some band-aids or somethin' to protect the sutures at this point? The sutures look pretty good, considering I previously resembled Frankenstein's tummy, without any leakage or anything, but... yep. Any thoughts? :crying:

:scared2:I am 4 weeks post op tomorrow 4/17. I am really having a hard time and feel like i am going to go nuts. I can eat whatever i want. (I try not to) I have no restriction and I have 2 MORE WEEKS until a fill. I know this is not going to be all the band that help me lose weight, it has to be me too but its like I am getting hungrier and can eat a little more and a little more. My weight loss has stopped. (10 pounds before surgery and 14 after) Has anyone else felt this way and what did you do.:crying:

:rolleyes2: I have a week between my solid food graduation and my first fill. Can I eat whatever I want? (3 weeks out of surgery)... Right now, nothing bothers me and I'm loving my band. Lost a lot of weight and I'm having no problem sticking to the diet! It's actually fun to have everyone tell me how great I look! My only complaint is: all my clothes are loose and don't fit anymore :-( Poor me. _____________________ Okay, anyway, here's my question: I am dieing for Olive Garden and I was just wondering that AFTER solids but BEFORE the band, can I eat pretty much anything, or will I hurl? ... keep in mind, my weight loss journey begins after the first…

Hello all.. so I was banded 03/07 and to date have had one fill and everything seemed to be okay... still getting liquids down with NO prob.. some foods remind me I need to take the time to chew. SOO I had the bright idea to make sandwhich for lunch, Two bites and I thought I was gonna die!!! I am familiar with what its like to have something "stuck" so the feeling was FAMILIAR however this time it didnt pass!! OMG I was freakin out!! the pain was WOW! long story short. I had my first PB?? eww but what was that slime that came up first??? I let out a huge cough and it flew out of my mouth.. NASTY I know!! finally after a few "dry heaves" the bread came up!! AHHH!!! I am …

I went to my doctor on April 4th. He said I had 3.5 cc's . He wanted to pull all the fills out before giving me another fill. He only pulled out 1 cc. He put it back with 2 more cc's for a total of 3 cc's. Over the weekend I was having trouble swallowing water. On Monday the 7th, my husband took me back to the doctor. It wasn't my doctor on call, anyway he said I was probably swollen and had to remove all the fills!:rolleyes2: Anyway he said I only had 1.5 cc's in the band!!:confused2: He made me stay on liquids for a week and told me to see my own doctor in a week. The office said the doctor was booked until May 9th so I took that appointment. Has this happened…

I got my 2nd fill last Thursday. The 1st fill felt tight (as in you had to eat really slowly and the amount I could eat was restrictive), however, it "loosened up" after 3 days and I could eat about like I could before the fill. The 2nd fill felt exactly the same way in the doctor's office, but it definitely isn't loosening up any. I actually dread eating because of these problems: 1) food seems to literally stop at the base of my esphogus and it pressure hurts. I am chewing very carefully and the bites are toddler-sized. 2) Even drinking causes the same discomfort. I have to sip tiny bits of Water, feel the pressure until it finally subsides and take another si…