POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I had surgery on 4/3/8 and my mouth is so dry. I am doing well with getting my liquids down but want to know if it is O.K. to chew sugarless gum? I am on a liquid diet for two weeks but there is nothing in my doctor's notes re: gum. Thanks.

I get to eat solids in two days yeah! I know we have to have three meals a day does each meal have to contain a protein a carb fruit and greens? I am confused can I have oatmeal for breakfast a salad for lunch then a normal meal at dinner? I have to be at work at 6 in the morning so I need something on the run any helpful hints and in between can I have a protein shake because my dr. said no snacking in between

HI...I am supposed to get my first fill in the next few days (4 weeks post-op) i am soooo scared. 1) I am scared of the pain? (2) scared that something might go wrong (3) scared that my life will dramatically change...i am eating small amoutns now and have lost 22 pounds in 4 weeks. Please someone help.

Hi Everyone, I had my surgery on April 1. Feeling really good except for my tummy feeling really bloated. Very black and blue around my insicions as well. Really, the surgery itself was a breeze. I'm so excited and thrilled that I did this. I feel that my new baby tum and I are going to do just fine. Did anyone else out there have surgery on the 1st. of April. Would love to hear from you. Abby :tt1:

Has anyone ever had the saline taken out of your band? I have a 10 day business trip to Costa Rica and I am nervous about going with my current fill. Its a work related trip and no one going is aware that I have had surgery. I tend to get nervous eating with people who don't I am banded which makes eating even more of a challenge. And I am worried about what type of food we will have since I am not in control. I called my dr and he said I could have the saline removed before my trip and put back in once I return. Has anyone does this?

I was banded in June of 07. I lost about 20lbs before the banding, 13 of which was from the liver shrinking diet I was on for 2 weeks. I lost another five after because I was starving on sugar free jello and broth. Now it is April and I have gained back all but 11 pounds. I do not want to go back in because the surgeon and the clinicians will not be happy with me. I feel very little restricition after 3 fills. I have vomited only once from eating raw carrots. Some breads, rice, and well done hamburger do not go down well but other than that and my carrot episode I can eat pretty much like always. So has anyone been there or is anyone there right now? I need some advice!

2 weeks post Op and eating like crazy am just so hungery. I will get my 1st fill 4/8 I hope i will stop eating, i have lst 29 pounds per and post op, but I think i eat too much cause I have a LB. I would love some feedback viv:ohmy:

Just wondering if anybody has thought to try this instead of/in addition to Gas-X. I remember when both my kiddos were babies and suffered from gas, this stuff was my saving grace. It's a homeopathic combination of fennel, ginger, bicarbonate soda (baking soda), etc. Here are the ingredients from the Water Vegetable Glycerin Sodium Bicarbonate (15 mg) Organic Ginger Extract (5mg) Organic Fennel Extract (4 mg) Fructose Citrus Bioflavonoid Extract Citric Acid Grapefruit Seed Extract I used to be able to only find the stuff at Whole Foods, but it seems to have gone more generic and you can get it at drugstore.com, Walgreens, Babies R Us now. Seriously,…

I have been lurking for some time, but now I am really concerned and I have a question. I have lost ~ 8 pounds since banding and 23 since pre-op. However, over the past four days, I am stuck at the same weight. Nothing seems to move the scales. I am worried and frustrated. Did I do the right thing? Is this going to work for me? Every morning, I weigh the same. During the first week post-op, I saw the scales move daily. I am getting the >75 g protien and consuming less than 600-800 calories per day. I have felt rough, so the exercise has been limited. I know that is one cause, but with such a restrictd caloric intake, what is happening? I saw Dr. Davis on…

Hi just wondering how many of you have had to have your port moved or had to get it replaced with a newer thinner one and how much did it cost?

Lapbanded 3/21/08 and still have the five strips covering the incisions. I know not to pull them off, but how long before they fall off? My shirts are rubbing against them and at times they 'catch' which is a not so nice feeling.

I was rebanded 2 weeks ago and i ate something today that didnt agree with me... it made me throw up... do you think that was bad??? i feel fine now but im totally freaked out. Do you think its really bad that i threw up? i dont want anything to be screwed up with healing now....

Hello everyone, this might be to much information for you, but I need to know if anyone else had this happen. I am 6 days out and I started on my full liquids yesterday morning. Every since I have started eating full liquids, I have spent a LOT of time in the bathroom! Peeing yes, but almost every time I go pee I go the other way too. Needless to say my bum is starting to hurt. Is this normal? Please let me know..sorry if it was to much for some. Thanks Heidi:confused2:

3 days post op and Im burping everytime I swallow! And well, as you can imagine its quite identical out the other end. Is this normal? I did take a stool softener 15 hrs ago... Am i supposed to be this gassy??

I tried to eat some fried rice the other night and WOW it was like having a heart attack!!!!!!!!!! what a feeling i went outside for air and that's when the white slime stuff started to come up and then the rice came up. I was feeling like i could eat anything, I am sooooo glad this happened now i know when i get filled on tuesday It will have some kind of impact.:biggrin::tt1::regular_smile:

I had a question on liquids. I was banded Monday so this is day 6 for me. I've noticed yesterday and today I'm able to drink quite a bit more than initially. I'm assuming the swelling is going down and the band is losening up the restriction a bit. When you drink liquids do they pour right thru the band opening or do they stay around in the pouch any significant period of time? I guess I'm concerned about drinking to much and stretching the pouch above the band. I'm not chugging or anything but I was able to finish a Protein shake yesterday in about an hour when several days ago it would've taken me an hour to finish half (and I'd been full). I guess I feel "ful…

Hi this is my first time asking a question. I was banded 1-10-08 I did not have any restriction until my 3rd fill on March 17th. Now the only time I feel restriction is when I do not chew my food enough. I can eat quite a bit of food but try to eat protein and vegetables only. I have not lost any weight since the fill? Wt loss prior to last fill was 19# with a starting weight of 207. Any suggestions?

Hi everyone. I am back from surgery. I went to Juarez, MX to Hospital Angeles to have my surgery performed by Dr. Jose Rodriguez. Everything went great! I can not say enough about how well I was treated. From the minute I got off the plan in El Paso the driver was waiting for me. He was nice as he coversated with me and my BFF the whole time driving in to Juarez, which took about 20-30 min. As soon as we got to the hospital Paulina and Lepita were waiting for me. I had my xrays then got settled in my room for the EKG, blood work, and IV. As I was getting prepped the doctors all came in to introduce themselves. The anaesthesiologist was so nice. she held my hand…

I'm on my third day post op and am still on pain meds and just started rating Soup and apple sauce. That's pretty good stuff considering three weeks on protien shakes, etc! I'm really sore and tired. I think that is to be expected after all of this. I walked at Walmart today and Blockbuster. Also, I've been taking the GASX strips religiously. Today I got to take a shower which was really awesome. There's nothing worse than feeling bad and not being able to really get clean.:tt1: I decided to get my hubby to take me out to get some liquid Vitamins to help me ensure I'm getting all the nutrients I need to recover well. We went to a well known Vitamin shop. (I won't menti…

:tt1:I had very few problems with vomitting, i eat slowly and chew , chew , chew. I have read a few notes on these boards , i was told to eat slowly and chew every 25 times. What was everyone else told, Hope this post helps the people who are new, and who are going to get the lap band.

I had my last appointment with my surgeon yesterday (getting banded on Monday) and I had a lot of questions for him. I wanted to know the differences between the VG and AP and which was better. He seemed to lean towards the VG but he said there were good and bad with both bands. In my readings, I think the AP seems more advanced but he said it was a bit more difficult to manipulate during the surgery. I have heard it prevents erosion and he said it hasn't been proven yet. He made it clear he would put in which ever one I wanted. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :smile:

I know everyone is different and that is takes quite a while to start feeling back to "normal" but I am just checking. I had my surgery Tuesday 4/1 and overall have been healing nicely. A lot of pain the first 2-3 days with not getting around much, real uncomforable etc. Yesterday the pain had subsided significantly and I was able to get around the house a bit and even went to the grocery store with the fam for a quick trip, just walked around. Today I am exhausted. Sleeping for the most part and when not sleeping, just exhausted with no desire to get up and do anything! The pain is the same, going away and tolerable, but I am just so tired. Is is normal to go backward i…

Just wanted to toss this out there. Yesterday, I probably ate something I shouldn't have (chicken salad with some bread) and all today I've had this funny feeling in my chest, kind of like indigestion, or gas - not chest pain as in heart attack, but just feels funny. Does anyone know what it feels like if the band slips? I guess I am just paranoid that's whats happened. I have been able to eat Soup and drink liquids. Any input would be great! Tee

:confused:For those of you who were on CPAP for a significant time before surgery, were you able to come off CPAP and, if so, at about what weight los point? Thanks,

I have smoked for about 18 years,tried and failed to give up (or gave up and put on another 40+ lbs so restarted) Anyway..before I went for my banding they advised for me to cut down(I was on 15-20 a day) and I found it impossible.I was on 2 week pre-op liquids and found giving up 1 addiction ie. food was hard enough,and didnt do very well cutting smoking down. I had to stay in hospital overnight for banding,so there was no way I could smoke.I was really worried how I would cope,but the night before my banding 1st March,I put on a patch. I havent smoked since,and dont ever want to smoke again! The banding will give me a new lease of life in more than one way now....I will…

I was banded on 3/31 and my doctor has me on a clear liquid diet (water, broth, skim milk, fruit juice diluted with water) until my appt with him which is next Wednesday. I was on a 2-day pre-op diet of clear liquids. I've lost 10 pounds since my pre-op appt with my doctor. On Thursday I called my doctor because I was feeling a litle dizzy and he told me I wasn't getting enough liquids in. I'm constantly drinking something, so I don't think that's it. Today I feel hungry, weak and kind of light headed. Is it because of the change of diet and lack of calories? Has anyone had this happen?

I know this is a stupid Queston. I drink a lot of water to begin with at least 12 glasses a day. I also drink a lot of caffee free herbal tea. Does this qualify as water? Thanks for any input for my questions.

It is the weekend and i am not at work, i know on the weekend dont drink that much water, so maybe that making me hungry, maybe should keep myself busy, god knows there is lots of house work to do, but i like to catchup with my sleep because feel so tired. Today I at 2 protein soups, 5 corn thin crackers, 2 slices of low fat cheese, small tin of tuna in oil, 40g packet of nuts and sultanas, and one pear. Did i eat too much, and shivers it is only 5pm here in Australia.

hey guys.. it's my second day after getting banded, and im feeling great! ive lost 7lbs already and alot of the gas pain has subsided. but ive noticed that some of the incisions are oozing a little and theres a tiny bit of blood. has anyone else had this happen..?

I've been reading that some people have a rough time with regular eggs getting stuck. Does this also happen with Egg Beaters and other egg substitutes?

I find craig harpers website, and appetite right website are two great motivational and informative websites, does anyone know of any other good sites, if so please share, thanx, and of course this is by far the best.

My friend had the lap band placed one month after me had less to lose than me and had lost 20kg more than me so far, she says some days or at least 3 or 4 a week all she has is 5 or 6 protein soups the soups are 300calories each. Is this healthy to do? she says she will only do till she reaches her goal which is another 10kilos? anyone else doing this? her doctor told her to have fluids for 2 to 3 days after the tightening, mine never told me this, i have had 4 fills, she has had 3 so far. Her doctor told her doing what she is doing was good if it worked for her. any ideas??

Hey all, Just double checking if this is normal. Since banding on the 17th, my stomach/disgestive system I guess in general have been some major rumbling. Its kind of like growling, digesting all mixed up which sometimes makes me think I need to eat something, even though my appetite has been all but zero these past days. Sometimes the rumbling produces gas, sometimes it seems stronger where the stomach is. Anyone else experience this? Tee:lol:

Hello-I am 1-day post-op. Had a very difficult time with anesthesia and breathing after. I am having to use a breathing spirometer...anyone else have to do this? I have not had any gas pains for which I am thankful but overall just feel terrible...tired, rundown, sore. Any words of encouragement would greatly help!

I have been throwing up a lot, even since I had my band emptied. I keep reading about PBing as opposed to vomiting...what is the difference? What does PB stand for? thanks

My nutritionist told me juice to watered down to 75% water and 25% juice. She said its not because of irratation to the new stomac- but it has way too many calories for me. I was 240 at surgery and am 238 on a 5ft 2 frame on my 4th day post op. At this stage I am lucky to get in about 500 cal a day. Isnt that a bit exteme at this stage? Juice has too many calories? How else are you going to get the vitamins my body needs.

My surgery was scheduled for 10am on April 3rd. I arrived at 8:15 to the same day surgery waiting room, I no more than cracked my book open figuring on at least an hours wait when they called me back and had me undress and put the robe on. The drew blood for last minute tests, and started the IV asked a bunch of questions. Then they brought my husband in and we just watched TV for a bit lol. I was pretty relaxed through the whole thing. The anesthesiologist came in and told me she was going to give me something to relax, and then would give me the main anesthesia in the OR. My surgeon came in and told us a little about the procedure and how when i was asleep they wo…

I was banded March 20th. I've been feeling full, everything is going good. I'm starting to feel alittle more hunger, which my doc said I would feel at this stage. I didn't get them today but since my surgery I get hickups... really bad ones for abit, alil painful almost. Nothing comes up, but it stops me doing whatever I'm doing. Is that normal?

I've made it to my two wek-mushies allowed-starting to get hungry point as of today. I had dropped 17 pounds since surgery as of Monday and then did something UBER stupid, I tried mushies early! I had a little over a quarter cup of mashed potatoes that I had (in a retarded attemp to have real food) watered down to the consistency of creamed Soup with milk. Tasted wonderful, but then 15 minutes later I was truly in the worst pain ever. It actually hurt to breath for about an hour before the food passed . When I woke up the next morning I had gained 2 pounds!!! Those two pounds have not left my body, although I have not cheated since then. I haven't gained anymore an…

Please tell me how much you lost on your 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I am wondering what to expect. Thank you for your input.

I was just wondering how many people had to have lovenox shots after their surgery and how long you had to take them. Thanks! Jessica

:thumbup: Hi Everyone! Has anyone had a problem eating chocolate or peanut butter since banded? I'm wondering if it is what's giving me terrible heart burn and/or gas? I know I shouldn't even be eating it, but at Easter I just couldn't resist!!! OOPS! I never noticed heartburn or problems with gas before?

I am wondering ~ do your feet shrink after you have lost alot of weight? I have stopped buying clothing (banded April 30), but should I stop buying shoes too? Before I was overweight, my feet were a size 6 1/2 - 7, now they are a 8.

So the question is........after you finally get to begin eating real foods again, will we be able to eat fresh steamed veggies and fresh fruits or will it always have to be soft canned stuff? What about lettuce salads and things like that?

I was banded on 3/17 - Monday it will be two weeks - has anyone else experienced ongong post-op swelling? I struggle to get fluids in - my surgeon suggested I just use Isopure and Profect (that amounts to only approx. 300 cal/day)- trying to get both of those in continues to be a struggle, then I have to deal with pressure in the middle of my chest for a couple of hours. I go back to work on Monday and am not looking forward to it at this point. Rachel

Hi, I have so many questions since I was banded today. I take blood pressure medication and it is a direutic (like a water pill). My doctor told me not to take it? Has anybody else's doctor told them not to take their blood pressure medication after surgery? When I do not take it, I get headaches and retain lots of water. It is a vey uncomfortable feeling. I have my first post-op appt. next week and hopefully he will tell me that I can start taking it again. Thank you everybody.

I am 10 days post op and my stomach is still very puffy from the gas used during surgery. How long did it take before the gas was all gone and your stomach was back to normal?

Hey everyone! I was just banded last night.. already down 5lbs! Yay! Still pretty sore in the incision areas, but this gas pain is awful! I've tried going for walks up my road and gas-x but nothing is helping besides the pain meds... which im trying not to take. Anyone have any tips?

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 for about 15 minutes or until very soft when pierced with a fork Drain well Put cream cheese in food processor (or blender) Add cooked cauliflower and garlic and blend until creamy Add Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste Pour into 1 quart greased casserole dish. Top with a light sprinkle of paprika and bake in 350 degrees oven for about 20 minutes or until bubbly and ho…

I have a tip... when you are taking off your band aids, take a little rubbing alcohol and rub around the outside edges and they will peel right off. Only problem, my skin is still sticking together. I have tried alcohol, soap and Water, peroxide and nothing seems to work. Any ideas? Found the solution... Vaseline!!!!!!!!!!!!