POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

anyone using compression shirts... or pants.. what are the results...

For five weeks I am on a full liquid diet. I was told by the dietician, three 2 oz "meals" with protein "shakes" in between. That's 6 ounces of food for the day plus shakes. I think I got a little over zealous and had about 8 ounces of full liquids, (4 oz grits, 2 oz applesauce, 2 oz pudding). My protein is concentrated, because I hate protein supplements, and is only 4.5 ounces for the whole day. I also kept forgetting not to drink. After each "meal" I went straight for a sip of water. It's such a habit. I feel guilty. I spaced everything out well, but I suppose I should have skipped the last 2 ounces of pudding and followed my drinking schedule. I will be better tomorr…

Hi, someone just posted a great recipe for Low Fat Creamy Mashed Cauliflower. Someone else had posted check out the recipes on the homepage. Can someone direct me where? I am starting mushy's this weekend and would like some great recipes. Please help me out. I am including the recipe I read from an earlier posting. I plan on making it tomorrow! Low Fat Creamy Mashed Cauliflower It is wonderful and great for the mushy stage . . . . 1 head cauliflower 2 ounces low-fat cream cheese 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated paprika Cut cauliflower into florets of even size Drop into boiling salted Water and cook …

Ok my doc says no caffeine. I thought I could do it but three weeks post op and I finding this very difficult. Most mornings I am ok but occasionally I would fall asleep driving without my cup of coffee. Doc says it dilates my espohagus, any suggestions or thoughts on this. I certainly don't want it to lead to pouch stretching!

I had lap band 3/27 and I'm starving but I'm sticking to mushies and protein shake wich I couldnt drink in the first week the smell of the shake killed me. Not sure if any one else has had a problem with the tast of the whey Protein I went through 3 different and the best one is Jay Robb's dosent even tast like a protein shake its very good and i ad 1/2 bananna to it .

Day six after surgery for me and I honestly don't know if anything I am feeling is right or wrong. Im constantly dizzy/light headed when in an upright position(I have a call in to the nurse at the clinic on this) and Although I have not been hungry at all since the surgery I seem to be able to get all liquids down faster than what I have seen people talk about. That being said I think the reason for the dizziness may be that Im not eating enough??? I have lost 3kgs since the surgery though which Im rather pleased about. Even though I have read the literature, spoken to my dietitan and watched her DVD I still worry that what I am eating will move the band. I can …

Anyone have a pain about mid sternum? I was banded 4/2. The last 2 days I have had a pain mid sternum. Feels like a muscle or something. Anyone else have similar pains or know what this is?:biggrin:

I was wondering if there is anybody else out there that is having as hard a time with their band/port as I am? I was banded in Sept. 2007. I had my first fill 6-7 weeks out and was good for awhile. When I went for my second fill we discovered that my port had flipped completely over. I had my first port revision done in mid-January of 2008. At my six month check-up I mentioned that things weren't feeling quite right and was told not to worry about anything I'm fine. So now I go in for a fill (I am STARVING when I am done eating) and the dr. has a hard time accessing my port. Under fluro we discover AGAIN that my port has flipped. So now the dr has to determine which is th…

Only 10 more days and I can finally eat something! Of course, I'm not going to cheat on the post-op diet... I don't want to hurt myself (plus I'm not a gigantic pig who can't control herself)... But I really want something to eat! I'm not talking a hugh fried chicken meal with french fries... I just want a subway or something! On the plus side, I have lost 25 pounds in 19 days! :biggrin:

I was banded on April 8. I have been doing fine with the Clear liquids and have been getting at least 70 grams of Protein a day. Now I am up at 4:30 a.m. and hungry. I have two more days to go until shakes and thick liquids. I even feel a little shaky. Is this normal? Thanks. Alice

Hello there, I had my surgery on March 31st, I was on clear liquid for 4 days, then on full liquid and then I am suposed to move on to blenderized food which I thought was yesterday. However, I went to my sisters house last night and they had chicken on the bbq. with mashed potatoes. I put the chicken in the blender and blended it up with honey Teriyakito make it smooth. I had 1 oz of the chicken and 1 oz of the mashed potato. I was full after eating just that.I came home and read in the hand out that my doctor had given me that I wasn't suposed to start the blenderized until MONDAY! I started it 2 days before I was suposed to and now I am worried. Should I be? I tried …

Hi everyone, I have a question that I need to resolve as quickly as possible so that I can finalize my plans surrounding my surgery. My surgery is scheduled for May 7th in Boston, and my family lives in Rochester, NY. How many days do I have to wait to go back home to Rochester on a plane (only a 1 1/4 hr. flight)? I'll have someone to take care of me in Boston, but I do want to go back home ASAP after the surgery, so if anyone has an answer, please let me know!

Hi, Had my first dinner out post op. I'm down 36 pds. 20 pre op and 16 post op. First fill in 6 days. tonight went out to dinner, had a small piece of fish. No problems eating out. This is probably 20% of what I would have eaten prior to starting this change in my life.

I was banded today, and I cant even eat jello...I tried 2 tiny bites...and it hurt my stomach...anyone else do this? I feel that I should be able to eat Jello!

Hello all~ My girlfriend had surgery on April 7 and she is concerned about a feeling of hardness on her abdomen. When you press on her abdomen lightly, it feels hard. The location is central. Her port is about 7 inches above the area of hardness. Her largest incision is about 2 inches above her belly button, and this is where the hardness is... Does anyone know what this could be? Thanks so much !! I have been trying to get some answers for her to put her mind at ease.

I had my surgery a week and a half ago and am on the pureed stage. I have been taking at least 3 walks a day. I was wondering if it is normal to be sweating so much. I don't just sweat during my walks, but also when I am just sitting watching tv. does anyone else have or have had the same issue?:confused2:

Hey everyone, I am starting to plan my blenderized diet and I wanted to get your oppinion on things. I went to the store today and bought some fish, like sole, cod and I also bought some king crab legs. From what I gather these things are ok to have on the blenderized diet right? As long as they are easy to mush with a fork, right? Also, I bought mashed potato, summer squash and zucchini, cottage cheese, yogurt, chicken. These things are all ok right? Another question, when I do make this stuff, do I have to put everything in the blender so its soft or can I just cook the broil the fish and eat it like that. I know the chicken will have to be blended, but what about t…

For three weeks now, beginning two weeks pre-surgery, and now coming close to one week post-surgery, I have bouts of diarrhea every few days. There is little normal movement in between (which may be because of the diarrhea). It's rather, er, explosive, to want for a better term, and (forgive me) mustardy-yellow and very, very watery. Let's put it this way: I dare not let loose with what I suspect may be gas, because the result may well be an unfortunate surprise. I drink about 3 Slim-Fast Optimas per day. These were among the recommended Protein shakes on the list given me by the nutritionist in my surgeon's practice, namely because they are easy to find. I am wonder…

Banded on Monday and can't stop looking at my incisions. I suppose I should have asked my surgeon this question, but where is my port? I have one big incision a couple of inches under my left boob. It's the biggest and the one that hurts the most so I assumed it was the port. But, it's dangerously close to my bra line. Then I have four small cuts. One is on my left side, the place where I thought the port would be. I don't know? Please help me out.

I had my surgery on Monday and have been living on clear liquids. I am having a problem with diarrhea (sorry, couldn't think of a better word). Anyone else having or had this problem and any advise? I haven't started with full liquids yet and am afraid to do it because of the problem I am having with clear liquids.

I was banded on 3/27. I am eating very runny soft food right now. When I researched banding and spoke with people, I didn't get quite as much detailed information on all the PBs, sliming, vomiting, and other issues that are scaring me now. I am actually almost too scared to start eating real food. Have others gone through this? I am wondering how we can go through life "normally" if these things might occur. How could I take care of my young kids if I am in pain with food that is stuck or can't keep anything down after a fill? What do you do if you are eating out and something gets stuck? Especially if you are just with your kids? I am at the point now where …

I was banded 9 hours ago and I have pain that goes all the way through to my back. It feels like gas pain but my doctor did not address what to do about gas pains. Pain meds do not help that much. Did anybody else experience this?

Hi folks, i was banded on 7 April - all went very well, and I feel like I'm recovering as expected. My incisions have internal dissolving stiches, with demabond holding the skin together on surface. Four of the incisions are healing very well (including the largest port incision). However, one of the smaller ones is leaking clear Fluid, and has raised into a small bump. Perhaps I damaged it a little. I wonder if the bump means I will end up with raised scar tissue? Anyone else have a raised bump on their incision, and did it go away with time? Its not the end of the world - I'm just curious and a little concerned if I need to go back to Doc, or just give it anoth…

How long after surgery did you wait to drive?

Doctor put me on xydep 100 - which is a sertraline anti depressant, he knows i have the band, said should not be a problem he doesnt think. Any ideas? does it cause weight gain, going through stressful time not because of band but other personal problems at moment, do they put on weight?? that way know must deal with less calories , or more excercise, any reasearch help on this much much appreciated!!

I had my surgery three months ago and I remember the gas was bad, but I was able to pass it. My DH has surgery yesterday (Thurs) and he is in terrible pain from gas and unable to pass any, none. He uses the breath thing for deep breaths, GasX and we walked a bunch today trying to get relief, nothing works. Any ideas?

Hello all. I am post-op day 4 and have some concerns. Today I am having really bad pains in my back, in the kidney area. It hurts worse in certain positions, but is pretty constant. I have been drinking all my fluids, but am concerned it may be a kidney problem. Another possibility could be gas pains? I have not really had pain up to this point and was thinking its a bit late for them to start. Now, I could feel the air moving around for the past several days and am still a bit gassy. And yet another idea might be genuine back pain from laying in positions I don't usually lay in for a long period of time. I don't know? I keep going back to the kidney thing. Any…

I was banded 4/8. The incisions don't hurt, but my stomach rumbles a lot and I have gas! Been taking gasx, but still have it. I don't burp. But I can feel the top of my stomach rumble. I hope I don't hurt the band! Any ideas what's going on? I'm on clear liquids. Also doc has me on zantac. Anything I could drink to stop the rumblings?

I use to be able to use Equal and Splenda but now it does not seem to agree with me? I feel nauseous after I use it. This is strange because I used it in my coffee all of the time. Now I am drinking decaf and want to know if real sugar will affect the lapband? I know that I will not be able to tolerate some things and I guess this is one of them. Thanks.

How long after surgery do you get to drink water? Do you have a catheter and when do they take it out?

HI there... just wanted to check in and see if there was anyone else in week 4 post-op... I was banded 1/31 and want to track my progress with someone who was banded around the same time to see if I am healing accordingly... feel good, but starting to get heartburn again..concerns me a little... incision are sooo itchy!! Other than that, no MAJOR complications thank god... what about you???

Never had a problem with this in my life, now here I am 3 weeks post op and I havent gone in 6 days. HELP! :frown:

Hi all. I became banded yesterday. I've done pretty good up recovering, able to keep everything (liquids) down. I am sore at my incisions and at my port sight (upper left chest/bra area). The gas hasn't been too bad - although my stomach is really poochy (weird feeling) and there is pressure (I am assuming from the gas) on my chest when I lay down. I got up from a nap earlier and noticed that I had a couple of spots on my shirt from bleeding at the incision area. My navel is the worse - there is a quarter size blood spot there. The problem is, I can't see it - my skin folds there. I called my Dr. and they told me as long as it isn't free bleeding or bleeding awa…

I have found that I am comfortable sleeping on my side (more the left than the right), which I began doing the day I came home, which was one day after surgery. Is this safe? Also, I have a cold and cough, which gives me coughing fits as well as need to blow my nose repeatedly. Can coughing dislodge the port? How about blowing my nose? I hold my stomach when I do both, but am still a bit unsure.

Just wanted to pick the brains of some other post-op peeps. Hoping everthing I am experiencing is normal. I was banded Monday... Still have a lot of pain in the largest incision (port, I assume) whenever I sit up, but the other insicions are fine. Still pretty gassy, but not really painful. I can feel it all moving around in my belly. Have been told to only drink 2 ozs of fluid at a time, but am able to drink more. I thought I would have no appetite, but I am occasionally getting growling and hunger pains. Not too bad though. I want to lick the television everytime a food commercial comes on!! Otherwise, I feel okay. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.:huh2…

So I have now been able to eat solids for two days and already I have gained back two pounds I am so upset. I dont even go for my first fill till june 4th by then I will gain everything back how do I keep it off do I stay on a liquid diet?:sad_smile:

I know increased burping is common with this surgery BUT.... This week I was careless with my eating, mostly in the realm of not chewing, eating too fast. As a result, I Pb'd about 3-4 times over a a short period of time. Now my stomach is pretty swollen and I am having trouble eating and drinking. Goes down but it is not comfortable. food and Water are causing major, almost nonstop burping. Even water is not going down that easily. I will stay on liquids for the next couple days but what is up with all the burping....it is bad! Anyone experienced this after they have irritated their stomach? How long will it last?

i was banded 253 And On Mushies suppose start 2day but 2day i had mac grill just now ,i ate it all without any pain just little diffuclt in breathing 4 less than a min,i lost 10 kg 4m the pre-diet183 till 54 after that i start cheating tasting everything & can't control at all & 2day i gain half kg so This Was Kinda A Cheat...i Havent Had A Fill Though. even more i became v.emotion,start crying ,feeling v.gloomy& useless specialy after eating ,start blaming myself,& thinkn i didn't deserve anything good in life,all the exciting & the pinkish dreams about future had gone what's go on with me:confused2: am realy feeling bad

Tell me what your MD ordered for a post op diet. I am starving and just wandering what others are doing. I was banded on 4/2 and had to do clear liquids for 5 days (that was easy I wasnt hungry), then full liquids for 5 days(bad now appetite came back yesterday), then I will do 5 days of mushies before starting solids.

Of course, the 23 pounds didn't come off since 3-24! I started my liquid stage on 3-10-08 and since then I have lost 23 pounds and only 57 to go! It hasn't been nearly as difficult as I had anticipated. My doctor should clear me tomorrow to start excercising again (besides just walking). I've had my moments, but when I know I can't physically ingest something, it isn't that hard to stay away from it. I haven't been participating on the board since the surgery. I've actually been trying to get my head around this entire thing. To top it off, while I was in recovery, I got a call from my department and found out I had landed my dream job! I had been trying to get into this …

Next week I'm off mushies. I was thinking of going on the Jenny Craig diet. In the past I lost weight very slowly on that diet. Since I'm still losing slowly now, I'm thinking how could it hurt. Any thoughts or experiences to share? Thanks

Heres my problem i am getting all my protein in on mushies and i feel i have no energy all the time. i exercise in the morning is there anything i can take or any suggestions at all would appreciate it. I will be moving from OK to NC in 3 1/2 weeks and i need to be packing now but no energy. Help please!

I'm at my solid food phase, but my first fill is in another week. When you were in this position, did you feel full faster and stay full longer? When I eat, I get full really quickly and stay full a long time (I'm eating 3 very small meals a day), so I don't think I really require a fill yet (I'm loosing a pound a day). What was your experiance?

:frown: I had my surgery two weeks ago and am beginning pureed protein stage tomorrow. I am down 15.7 lbs from surgery date (no pre-op diet) Anyone else scared of gaining? I know the reality is that I shouldn't, being that I am only adding 1 oz of pureed protein each meal, but the thought it just scaring me right now. I guess I'm hoping that I'm not the only one who's gone through this/felt this way...

I have my first fill in two weeks! I was wondering if this will jump start my weight loss. Since starting on the "mushy diet" two weeks ago I have gained 2 pounds. Initially I had lost 22 pounds. I am trying my best to write down everything I eat and count calories. I am trying to keep my caloric intake below 1200 (I have good and bad days). I used to eat 2500 calories a day or more. I am hoping if I exercise after the my first fill that I can average 3-5 pounds a week..................is this too ambitious?

I'm slipping between a hole in the cracks. I'm afraid to call my Doctor, or nutritionist.. Obviously I will call very soon.. I need to know if anyone else has had this problem.. Lab Band August 7th.. Weight Loss 30 pounds. Nothing for months and months. I am eating like my old self. Gained 5 pounds over last two months. :huh2:

hi everyone... i am new to this site and am a week and a half away from getting banned. i have so many questions :confused2:, which i feel would be better answered from actual patients who have gone thru the procedure. oh gosh, where to begin... ok, here goes: 1. how do you all feel about the port? i think my main overall concern is if it's comfortable and can it be seen after weight loss? 2. despite the health results, which is of course our #1 goal, do you feel this is a do-able lifestyle? i think i'm just scared :thumbs_up: that the thought of never being able to do this and that is just well, very scary. 3. what can i honestly expect the first week to be l…

Hi All!! On the 10th of this month will be a month with my band and I have lost 17lbs since surgery!!! It's great. I feel great and I started back working out a week after surgery. I just wanted to say thanks for all the motivation. Good luck to All and keep up the good work. For the people that just got banded (less than a week) the pain will all go away soon. Just believe that this was a great decision!!! Take care:thumbup:

Congratulations to everyone either entering this band experience or thinking about it. I had such a response to a reply I sent to another question that I thought I would just send out the answer on a new thread. I went to a nutrition store in my town and got the best shakes. It is made by Syntrax and they have wonderful flavors such as Chocolate, Vanilla, Vanilla Essence, Chocolate Truffle, Strawberry Kiwi, Peach Necatar, and even an ice tea (but I do caution you, it does not taste like the sweet tea I was used to drinking everyday. My favorite is the Cookies and Creme. Anyway, many of you asked for the website...Here goes... SI03 INC.... and the phone is (866) 333…

Is any one taking zoloft tablets?? are these okay if you have had lapbanding or are they like asprins you not allowed to have?