POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

So, I just wanted to know if anyone else got really emotional over nothing right after surgery. I was feeling just fine, then I just started bawling and couldn't stop because I was getting the run-around trying to schedule my first post-op visit with my doctor. There was no reason for me to start crying just because they were frustrating me like they always do. So could it be tied to the surgery? Hormones or something? Just curious.

finally guys, @ 4:00 today i got my approval!!!!!!!!!!!!! dont know how i fell i am excited and:ohmy:a little other feelings.....they gave me the option of 4 different dates and i think i am going to go with May 1st!!! what do yall think!! thanks for all your love and support and prayers now i really need it blessed and highly favored! :bolt:

As I get ready to begin my journey with the band, I am trying to figure out what people are using to puree food when they get to that stage. There are so many different blenders and food processors out there I would appreciate some input as to what works the best. Thanks

My mom had her banded placed in Mexico last june. She hasn't had any problems until recently when she reached her goal weight her port was right under her skin and was visble. she called the dr in mx and he said he could put it deeper in her tummy to solve the problem it would be $1000.00. So my mom said ok lets go for it she was scheduled for surgery last saturday. My dad and a friend drove her down there and they told her it would be $1500.00 even though they had told her $1000.00 before. So she said fine, She didnt want to get into it with them after all they are about to cut her open. Right before she is about to go into surgery they tell her the dr who original put t…

Alright, I'm a little concerned. The sample menu's my Dr gave me has total daily calories of about 500-700 calories. I was always told that eating this little stops the metabolism. I've been eating like this (Im on regular food now) and Im starving!!!! I lost nine pounds week one and nothing since (It's only week two and a half). Im just afraid that I'm hurting myself by not eating enough. Thoughts anyone? Thanks:confused:

I need advice from anyone out there who is going thru what I am. I am two weeks out and am totally freaking out. I dont know what to eat, drink etc.....My doc is no help. Someone please help me so that I can feel like I have some control??????????? I have lost 8 lbs but with my size I feel like that is absolutely nothing. Yesterday I ate 1885 calories. I had Soup (cream of Chicken), eggs, oatmeal, and thats it. But I am having alot of head hunger but also my tummy is really growling. What do I do? Am I eating too many calories this far into this or should I change up something? What are you guys eating at this stage and how do I keep my calories down and still feel fu…

Just as I thought I was getting much better...i hit rock bottom. But I am better today. Yesterday is another story. I had not gone to the bathroom for 3 days but yesterday i felt the weirdest things. Most of my life I have had loose stool so this was a first for me. But all day yesterday I would get this weird feeling pushing (down there) and it would hurt but nothing would come out. VERY painful. I finally called my doctor and he told me take a laxative (which i have never taken before) So here i am thinking that it's a magic pill but three hours later i am sitting and nothing and feeling sharp pain...finally after 5 hours...it happened. So at night because I was so s…

I know this sounds like a stupid question, but it feels like I can no longer burp. Is this true? I was banding 3/26/08 and feel great except for this one issue. Can you tell me your experiece? Thanks!!

Since I've been reading these boards, I am totally freaked out that I have done something to stretch my pouch, slip my band, flip my port, and anything else I can hear about. I was banded on 3/7/08. I asked my doctor about how I'll know if I did damage and they said there will be excruciating pain. But then I read here how many people have slips or stretched pouches and didn't know. I haven't had any excrutiating pain (except the first few days) and sometimes I can eat what I think is too much and sometimes I'm full after a few bites. Sometimes when I eat too much I just feel really full, no pain, no PB, no vomiting. Is this ok, or could I have done damage? I've not lost …

Hi. I am 10 days post op and doing great. I suffer from migraines and headaches quite frequently. I used to always take motrin because tylenol usually does nothing. Well, I have had a pounding headache for two days and have taken tylenol and it does not get rid of it. I know we are banned from NSAID's and this includes my beloved motrin. Any ideas because I am nearing a breakdown!!!!

I have been taking medication for blood pressure for a few years now and it has always been under control even low sometimes. I was banded last Wednesday and since then I have found that my blood pressure has been high. Has anyone else had this happen, I am thinking if it doesnt settle in the next day or 2 I will see my GP. I thought it would drop not get higher.

Hello all, so today is day # 4 since I got banded. I'm not sure if what I am feeling is normal or not. I haven't really been getting all the water that I should be getting in. I'm feeling like it hurts a little to drink. Like when I do drink, it feels like it just sits in my chest. IS that normal? So far today I have only gotten in maybe 18 oz of water in me. I have eaten some soup broth and some jello. But, still I feel like I am pushing myself to eat that. It almost feels like something is sitting on my chest. Also, when I get up I still feel a little dizzy. I cant take what they gave me for it because I get sick on it. My stomach still feels really bad. I know that it…

I'm wondering how much time my husband should take off work after my surgery. We're you able to take care of yourselves a few days after surgery?

Hi all, is anyone on a regular course of anti inflammatories post-op? The reason I ask is I have to take prescribed NSAIDs for another condition and am concerned about being able to take them after I have the lap band as I know they are hard on the stomach. I also take another medication in conjunction with the NSAIDs to lessen the effects on my stomach but cannot stop taking the anti inflammatories altogether. Any advice or information on this would be greatly appreciated as I do not intend to put off the procedure due to this however I do need to find out any risks etc. Have a great day everyone! :biggrin:

Surgery completed! I am having pain in my neck and I feel like I got hit by a Mack truck. However, I'm fine. Really tired. The spirometer is hard to do.

Hi all. My surgury was April 1. I still have a few days til I go back to work. I have told some of my co-workers what I am doing for myself. I did a week of liquids in the break room with them. Most everyone seems happy for me. I do have a few immature people I know that think its funny to wave things(ie-chips, cookies, chicken nuggets) at me asking if I want them. I can say no and thats not the issue right now. I am just wondering if I should just maybe have my lunch alone for a while so I can get past this liquid stage for the next 2 weeks. The first day post op my DH ate a big mac and a large fry in front of me. I am really not hungry much right now but I know this wil…

I was banded March 19 (so I'm 6 days out). liquids and blended food go down fine. I had a terrible constipation issue and a call to the doc had me taking magnesium citrate to resolve it. (that was a real joy...ugh) My concern is that people seem to be going back to work less than 2 weeks post-op and I can't even imagine doing that. I still have so much pain and it's all centered in one spot on my left side. At the same site as the pain, I can feel the port (or something) bulging beneath my skin. Is this normal? I educated myself so thoroughly pre-op (over 2 years even) and don't recall seeing anything like this. I saw something on another thread about herniation, so now…

Does anyone know what kind of migraine headache medicine bandsters can take that's over the counter and works?

I am a little over 3 weeks after being banded and have pain in my chest when I stretch my back. If I bend over back wards or really reach for something high. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this. My doc said it ok and to keep stretching.

I was banded on 2/27/08 and got my 1st fill yesterday 4/2/08. They were going to give me 2 cc in a 10cc band, but when they did I couldn't swallow water very well so I ended up only getting about 1 cc.....does this sound right for a first fill?? The Dr said my band may be a little tight still from surgery...but I just wanted to see if anyone else had anything like this?? thanks:unsure:

I was banded today and I feel really good. Not too much pain. I told DS it was nothing compared to natural childbirt. I have had a dose of liquid lortab since getting home about 4pm. My biggest complaint is my mouth and throat are so dry and nothing seems to help. I am really glad I did this.

Hello! I'm 15 days post-op and feeling pretty good! However, i have a few cravings that are going to win soon and I need to figure out what to do. I absolutely am dying for Pho noodles, which is a Vietnamese dish of beef broth, egg noodles and soft meat. I'm sure I could handle the beef and broth, but are egg noodles any easier to digest than regular Pasta? I know that rice, bread and pasta are usually no-no's for bandsters, but since I'm not filled yet, I am wondering if I can have one last farewell meal with a favorite dish? ANY advice or personal experience would be soooo nice. I'm literally losing my self-control! I REALLY want those darn noodles! :biggrin: HELP!

I had surgery on the 17th and have been tracking what I eat daily. I have about 55 - 70 grams of Protein a day but only eating about 530 - 720 calories and 8 - 14 grams of fat a day. I am not very hungry as the Protein shakes fill me up. Most of the time I have energy but I was wondering if other people at this stage of the game are eating this few calories? I am on shakes, yogurt, Soup and pudding for another week. Thanks!

It has been three weeks since my surgery, I was wondering If I dare have a drink tonight (just one or two) with some friends. was thinking beer otherwise was thinking maybe liquor mixed with juice. Any thought??

Does anyone know how long to wait to restart birth control pills?

Well, I got it done. 3/29/08 with Dr, Kuri and the experience has been wonderful. I am leaving to fly home tomorrow and am ready. Just had my first meal of broth and jello bites and half way through I was full...who would have known! The surgery went really well and was easy with the staff that was phenomenal. I was really out of it for about 14 hours, but got up to walk and within a couple of hours felt much better. There was no nasuea or PBing. I did not have but a little shoulder pain that was taken care of by gasX strips. It truly feels like I have done at least 50000 crunches, that is the worst of the pain. The incisions look great and are very little. I am …

Yesterday I received my first fill. It was so simple. This lapband has been great. I only have 1 area I wish was different. My doctor gives you free fills for the first 3 months, then you pay each fill $125. How often do people get fills. What amount of cc do you think I should try to get to - to save on money. I have 5 and a half cc right now. I sure wish they included it with everything. That would be great. If you only needed fills 2-3 times a year that would not be bad, but what if you needed one every month? Please if you have any suggestions let me know. Leah

I read a lot about how sore everyone is after their surgery, and I'm just curious about this. I had my surgery yesterday, and I am not in any pain, aside from a little difficulty taking deep breaths. I do have a pain ball hooked into my stomach, so my port incision is completely numb, and I have a really big bottle of hydrocodone for pain also. The nurses commented that my doc was very generous. Were they referring to the pain ball? Does everyone not get one of these, and is the soreness that I hear about the incision sites? My ball will likely run out tomorrow, so I'm just curious if I'm in for some crappy pain-filled days?

I was banded on 3/07/08 and due to scheduling conflicts (dr's and mine), I will not be receiving my first adjustment until 5/07. Is this overly long to wait? Just curious to know how long most people have had to wait.

I am just over 2 weeks out from surgery and have been noticing that since my steri-strips have come off, that my incisions are super itchy. I have never had any kind of allergy to bandages or tape. There is no rash that I can see either. Has anyone else had this problem?

I am about a week post op and let me tell you, this liquid diet is killing me. I know why you need to be on liquids for 2 weeks post op and then move to mushies, I get it. I am an intelligent adult. But why does it vary from doctor to doctor? Has anyone cheated and lived to tell? :wink_smile:

Well, I gained 6 more lbs. Lovely Much? So now, I'm 313. I hate this so fuxking much, it's not even funny. I'm 15, and I'm getting my band this summer. I'm supposed to be loosing, not gaining. I'm type 2 diabetic, also. But, I'm scared to go back and I can see their faces already. There's this one nurse that, that I really think just hates me. She made the comment last time "Your not pretty now, but you will be soon." :l I just looked at her like "and you have room to talk?" I know she'll make another comment or something when I go back. I don't know what to do. I'm ALWAYS hungry. Why? Why can't I feel when I'm full? I'm going to try my hardest to loose th…

Does anyone know about a website for bandsters that tells us what medications we can take and what should be avoided? Someone mentioned it once in a thread but I've forgotten it. If anyone knows, please tell us.

There are several non-prescription and prescription medications that you should not take unless you receive permission and instruction from us in how to take them. Among the medications in this category are all arthritis medications, aspirin, and aspirin- containing products, including many cold medications. Alka Seltzer®, BC powders®, Goody powders®, Bufferin®, Ascriptin®, and many other medications that contain aspirin or salicylate compounds are prohibited. These can greatly irritate you stomach pouch and cause a number of serious problems. You should also avoid taking Nuprin®, Advil®, Aleve®, ibuprofen, or other over-the-counter arthritis pain or menstrual cramp medic…

How long do I have to wait until I can swim after getting the band?

I was just wondering if anyone knows how to tell if your band has slipped or stretched? I've been banded now for about 4 months and have gradually been able to eat nearly the same amount of food as i could before the operation. I was losing about 1kg - 2kgs a week and now i'm lucky if i lose 1kg a week. I've been staying the same. I haven't been exercising as much and have been eating the wrong things sometimes but should still be losing it. I have about 6.5cc in my band and shouldn't be able to eat much at all! I'm wondering if i've stretched it or if it's slipped somehow. I'm currently waiting for an x-ray and to see my surgeon about it but until then i was won…

I feel like I can take on the world and am sick of Jello/pudding and chicken Broth-scared to try anything as Jamba juice smoothie made me sick-what am I doing wrong? Confused as to whether or not Jello/Pudding is okay 4 days post op-but it was on the booklet my doc sent home. Also traveling to NY this coming week-will only be 1 week post surgery and not sure what in the world I will be able to eat. Staying with friends so I think that will help-has anyone gone to eggs/mashed potatoes/beans by the end of the first week or am I trying to rush things. Should I stay on Clear liquids longer. Doc can't get me in for follow up until 04/15/08 which is 2+ weeks after surge…

:w00t:Okay something I didn't plan on, I am a salt person rather than sweet and this liquid diet is really testing my abilities of will power. There really isn't much that is salty in taste that is liquid other than chicken broth that I have found and one can only handle so much of that. I don't want to begin eating things like mashed potatoes too soon since I am only 4 days post op. AHHH~!!

I couldn't find a thread that could answer my question. I'm 6 days post-op, and my port is really itching. It's still a little sore, but mostly itchy. I am assuming it's just in the healing process, but I just wanted to see if there were other people that had itchiness too!

I'm not yet banded but I was wondering when newly banded people say they are starving and could eat anything they want, do they really mean they could eat like before the band or do they mean they could eat a lot but they have to chew and chew and chew?

I had surgery 3 days ago, I am still a little sore and gassy. My main problem is I am having left shoulder pain, I've tried heat, ice, and rubs but it is still hurting. Has anyone experienced this and if so what can I do to help it???

I am 1 week post-op, and no matter what I drink or how slowly, I get bad gas pains that rise to the band and make me feel like I am having a heart attack. I also have the runs non stop. Has anyone with this problem been able to overcome it at this stage? Funny how no one ever mentioned all these problems to me before the surgery.

Why is it for first week after fill you eat very little and then .......

I was banded on March 10, 2008, and will be able to eat "real food" on April 14, 2008. At work, we are having a team celebration and have a big breakfast on April 18th 2008. Just wondering.....Since I have been on full liquids, I haven't experimented with eating any "real food". What, in your experience is safe food to eat, and would should I stay away from? Any feedback is helpful! Thanks!!! (By the way....I haven't had a fill yet....First one is coming on May 6th....)

please help me!!!!!!!!!!! am not filled yet and i am now VERY scared that this will not work for me. I feel like crying. I am hungery a lot. Friends of mine said they weren't hungery at all after sugery NOT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is this normal will it change when am filled...... am feel very discouraged viv:sad_smile:

I am still tired and sore. Is this normal for 8 days post op? I am back to work but it is hard sitting all day and it makes me very tired. My husband feels I should be back to normal and is wanting me to go out tonight to a local bar to meet with friends. I do not feel I am ready and do not want to have the temptation to have a drink or sit after sitting all day. Thoughts?

It has been 10 months since my surgery and I have lost 80 lbs. I feel great and everything is going well except lately I have been having some acid reflux come up at night. It wakes me up and is horrible. I have not done this before and don't know whats up. Has anyone had this happen and what is the cause?

Good morning. I was banded on 3/26 and am having difficulty trying to find a comfortable spot to sleep in. I am normally a stomach sleeper but can sleep on my side. Can't do either. Will this pass? Will I never be able to sleep on my stomach again? Any suggestions? Thanks, Carol

Hi there guys n girls, I had a new VG band put in (after 5 years with the old 10cm one), and luckily Im not getting the usual shoulder tip pain, BUT since Saturday Ive been getting this excrutiating pain that comes and goes in the right side of my abdomen. It strikes like a thief in the night (but also attacks in the day!) and sticks his little dagger into me. :cursing: Then dissapears after a minute. Its hard to describe where exactly, its probably a 10cm square area where it can hurt, somewhere just right of my belly button and can be anywhere up from my hipbone. When its happening it is made worse when I breathe (which unfortunatley I cant avoid) and walking arou…

I had surgery on the 19th. I was doing really well until two days ago. All of a sudden Im having thick yellow drainage from one of my incisions and it seems as though my pain level has gone up. I was also running a low grade temp yesterday. Anyone else had anything like this?