POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Has anyone lost so much weight that they had to have their port changed to a low profile port. Please share.:teeth_smile:

:thumbup:I am really excited. On Thursday evening I had my post op with my doc for my 2 weeks. The port pain I have been complaining about he stated was normal and would go away. He said if the fluid isn't gone in 4 weeks when I get my 1st fill he will remove it himself. BUT, the most exciting thing, I got the okay for mushies. So last night, Friday, I had one piece of fish in the food processor and also a little spaghetti. I never ate enough to feel full just satisfied. This morning had a 2lb. weight loss. Much as I have had in one day since 3 days post op. I am really excited.

I am six months out and still having a lot of gas. Mainly that feeling that my stomach, abdomen or side has a big air bubble in it. Does anyone else have this that is 6 or more months out? Is it normal? Thanks.

This week i started taking natures own ladies multi viatamin and a vitamin e tablet, dont feel as hungry. Any comments why??:teeth_smile:

I had surgery 5 weeks ago and I have absolutely no restriction and lots of hunger. I've even gained weight in the last 3 weeks. I have been exercising 3-4 times a week and hoping that I would be down about 10 lbs before my first fill.....I didn't even consider the possibility that I would or could gain any weight. Has anyone else out there had this experience? I feel like such a failure.

The gas is causing so much pain! I just took a couple of beano pills I hope they work. Otherwise I am just sore. I had my surgery Monday March 24, and came home the same day.

I had my surgery 1/28/08 and did good on my post op diet for 3 weeks but then I started "cheating". Am I the only one??? I have not had a fill yet but when the food is by me I will eat it. I don't feel I have control. I am very ashamed that I did this surgery and feel good enough to eat regular food and "cheat". Please tell me I'm not the only one and that I'll have more control after my fills.

I had my band put in yesterday morning (3/19), now I am having trouble urinating. I have to go every 30 minutes but only urinating about 2 tablespoons (estimate of course). Also when I fall asleep I have been constantly waking up biting my tongue:frown:. Have any of you had these problems post surgery?

Are you happy with the amount of food you can eat after receiving the right fill amount? What is a normal diet like? I know the rule is three small meals a day, does the band make it so three small meals satisfy you completely? P.S. three small meals consisting of just ½ cup food each meal?

Hi, I was just banded in Mexico on March 25th and doing well. I had called a doctor in Kansas City before I went to Mexico to see if he would do the fills, and how long it would take to get in, etc. They gave me a time frame of 7-8 weeks. However, when I called today to set up the actual appointment, they are going to make me wait 3 months! Needless to say, I am not happy. That is a very long time to wait for restriction-please, if any of you have a doctor you use or have heard of who will do fills who lives in the Kansas/Mo area, please please email me with the number. I have paid a lot of money for this tool and it is making me crazy to think of waiting 3 months. …

hi all, my feet and hands have been constantly cold since banded 6 days ago (3/19/08). nose is also always running, and i'm not sick....any ideas? as well, i think i'm entering bandster hell early. hungry ALOT. still on mostly clears (jello, tomatoe soup, egg drop soup, milk, etc) other than that, doing ok. still hard to get my hydration in, but trying! feeling more active too. also, slightly nauseaous in the mornings, feel tight and gassy. is this ok? gimme good news!

Hello everyone. Why is it that we are not supposed to have cheese and nuts. Is it due to the fat or calorie content or is there another reason? Also before the surgery I used to take Fish oil, coq10 and Gluchosime chondrotine. Is anyone currently taking these and if so how? Whole pill form, cut, crushed or liquid. By changing the form (cutting or crushing) should we take less because it is absorbed quicker into our bodies. If anyone has any info I sure we would all like to know. Thank you in advance for all your help

I'm pre-op, just starting the banding process, but I decided to post this question in post-op as I figure that you guys will be more likely to know the answer. Once you are banded, I've heard it's bad to throw up. So what happens if you get a nasty stomach bug or food poisoning, and you're continually throwing up all day long for several days? Can that hurt the band? Do you have to make a trip to the doc to have the band unfilled? Just curious. I have a 2 year old, so I usually end up with at least one stomach bug each winter. Thanks!

I am in a tremendous amount of pain!!!!! I am 6 weeks post op and had been in my 2nd week of mushies when I started getting this tremendous pain in my throat about 1 hour post eating. I am eating slow very slow and chewing everything to mush and not drinking while I eat so i am following all the rules. I called my doctor and they keep poo pooing it saying its stress! In the last week I lost 8 pounds because I am so afraid to put anything down because I know the pain is coming. It feels as if there is a tight tight clamp around my throat! The pain is so severe it causes a headache and then the nausea comes! Laying down on my back but propped up a little is the only relief …

I was banded feb 29th, by Dr Kuri in Mexico. I am down approx 21 pounds since. I do follow the band rules, and walk about 20 kms a week. I heard that you won't feel restriction until your first fill. If I eat too fast, I ping, if I eat too much I ping, I also have a 9.75 band. I think I'm restricted and really don't know if I should have a fill at the 6 weeks post op. any else have restriction at this early stage of banding. I'm not complaining I love the weight loss, etc, but I don't know about a fill if in fact I am restricted. thanks donna :biggrin:

I was banded 3/07. I followed the liquid diet and went back to the doc on the 18th and he put me on mushies. I have only been eating a protein shake for breakfast, maybe a sf pudding mid morning, mashed potatoes for lunch or cup of soup, and then a small piece of tilapia steak and possibly mashed potatoes(1/4 cup) for dinner and then another protein shake before bedtime. I have been walking at least 30 min in the evening 5 days a week. I dont seem to be losing any weight and I thought I would. I pay attention and as soon as I start feeling full, I quit eating. I also drink at least 1/2 gal of fluid a day..mostly in the form of Crystal Light. Anyone have any suggestions…

I'm not in pain, I'm just not sleepy!! I was banded on the 25th of March, same day went home and took little cat naps, well that would explain why no sleep the first night, second day, just one little nap during the day and couldn't get to sleep that night, yesterday, NO NAP, and still couldn't get to sleep last night. During the days I'm not tired where I feel like I need to go to bed, I might relax/rest in front of the TV and then get back up again and do things. Can anyone explain maybe why this is the way it is, or has anyone else experienced this and if so I can live with it being the norm. I took a week off from work just so I would be totally rested before goin…

I am going through my old clothes, some i have had for ten years, but use to wear the bras that have thin strap in front but now my bust sticks out looks good when put on but then goes over bras everywhere, maybe my skin has sagged, other half says lost weight on bust all the other types of bras lose in that area. should i not be wearing those lower type bras now? please advise, as want to look sexy but may mean spending more money,or getting professional fitting?

HI, Was banded yesterday, 12 min. surgery, no problems, no pain, home earliy, took the dog for a walk, no pain killers needed, just great. but one problem.... I couldn't urinate. As the day went on I kept trying but no go. So I called my surgeon (2 hours away) and my PCG. My PCG had me come right in an explained that the bladder can stretch and even rupture if not emptied. So he decided to put a catheter in at the office. Well being a male this was no fun. Put still no urine. Turns out they used a folley catheter during the surgery and it had irritated the urinary system and it had bleed, then clotted causing an obstruction. So the Doc had to use the catheter like a "roto…

I'm on a lot of meds, and taking them in liquid form is just horrible. I've tried the syringe, putting them in applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal. All sorts of liquids to help it down. Please help.

hi guys i am on my week 3 and i dont know what to eat i am only eating soup and jello and some OG thats my diet and till now i lost 22 paunds i feeling hungry some times but i drink water alot so the feeling will go a way do i need to eat more and what can i eat? and i am haveing the fill next week what will be my diet after it ?

Are you allowed to have chewing gum, am trying to give up smoking? is it okay with the lap band?:sneaky:

As stated i am 3 wks post-op so no fill yet. i dont know if i have restriction yet, i know i cant eat very much at a time, fill full fairly quickly. so far i have lost about 15 lbs, that was in the first week to 1 1/2 week. but, i've started keeping track of everything i eat on fitday.com, which each day averages about 500 to 600 calories a day. this seems awfully low, but i dont want to increase it because the things i'm eating are healthy (except for one mistake i made w/ bite of scrambled eggs and a bite of bacon). i'm on mushies, cottage cheese, purreed foods. If something doesnt have much Protein i add tofu or Protein powder to it. :confused2:but even fo…

I had my surgery on March 17th in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz. Overall, I am feeling good, some bloating and gas pain. Just curious about a couple things, I have been strictly adhering to the post-op liquid diet but have not gained or lost an ounce in the first week, is this normal? If so when should I expect to start losing the weight? I am also quite sore and swollen at the larger incision sight and there is a hard lump behind it as well. Is this where the port is? I was expecting it to be off to the side of my body not so close to the centre?

I am for two litres of water a day, am having 2 skinny large flat white coffees a day, dont drink with meals,and am having 1000 to 1400 calories a day, trying to have more proteins protein 30 percent or so of meal. am i doing everything ok, got banded in sep 2007 and lost 25 kilos so far starting weight was 101kg.:sneaky:

Well, monday proved to be to much finally, I got to the point I couldn't swallow my own spit (I had posted earlier about the violent coughing possibly swelling my stomach and getting tighter) called the surgeon, told him of my dilema, he told me to come and and get unfilled (even though I haven't been filled yet, he said there is still Fluid in there) I showed up did the "fill pose" and I am still tender around that area considering I was banded recently and she attempted to find the port..a couple of ouches from me and she numbed me, after that was alot better, she said she removed a tiny amount of fluid and tons o bubbles.. I was able to sip on Water after anf they …

What can cause band to erode? My friend said cola, but the band is on the outside of the stomache???? Any known facts?:thumbup:

i havent lost any weight in almost a month then i finally lost 4 lbs in 2 days then i stepped on the scale today and gained it back. its been like this all month. up and down. ive been told that i need a fill but my next appt isnt until april 29. i will call today to see if i can get in but she usually is hard to get in to and it seems like she doesnt like to do fill any earlier than 6 weeks apart. last time i went in she said that i was doing great and that its not all about being restricted but how i eat. well i have been making bad choices but i also can eat about 2 cups of food whereas before i was eating 1 cup. i need to get back to eating better. andrea

I was just banded 3 days ago on 3/5/08. At first I was so excited. Now as I look at my body and the incisions and swelling I am wondering if I did the right thing. I am not experiencing much pain except I think where my port is. As for being hungry, yes and no. I can't tell if I am hungry or nauseaed. I sometimes feel like I am short of breath but I don't really have any chest pain or anything. I am having some back pain which I assume is from the gas. I just feel like maybe I should of tried harder before doing this...I don't know I guess I just have the post surgery blues and need some support to get through it. Thanks for listening.

:thumbup::thumbup: I am stoked!!! I was banded on 3/10/08 and went to my Post Op appt today. I lost 16 pounds! I know that isn't a lot to some people, but for someone who has never really lost weight, it's a lot....I floated out the Dr's office. I am so motivated to eat right and exercise now....lol":thumbup::tongue:

I am one week out and have been on the road to recovery. Every day has been getting better except for last night. A sharp pain started on my left side, I think where the port is. It is scaring the #$%^&* out of me as I have heard horror stories of ports flipping! Has anyone else had this pain? Is it normal or from possibly overdoing it (I did the laundry and some light cleaning yesterday).

I am having a hard time getting my recommended 60g of protein a day now. I refuse to drink any more Unjury. Just the smell makes me gag. Any suggestions on how you get all your protein in? Some days I may skip breakfast just because I am not hungry at all, so I think that is where I am falling short of meeting my goals.

I came to the board to see if anyone could offer assistance on loosing too much weight. I shared my experience and my desire and BOOM! Some took offense, as evident by some of the posters. Never did I say what others should weigh....or how others look. I said "me" and "I". Wish I could delete a thread I started as there is vulgar language in some of the posts. But for everyone...I, me said I didn't want to be less than a size 6 because of knobby knees and such. Me, I....didn't say anything about anyone else. Thanks for all the support and advice. Loosing too much weight..... up the calories a tad because you could be like me....borderline losing...if …

Did anyones doc by chance mention how long they had to wait to tan? I know they told me I couldnt swim for a certain amount of time but I forgot what they said. They told me when I was on morphine so I dont remember. If anyone can help answer my questions that would be great. :sneaky:

Im at 7cc in a 10cc band Not there yet.. What is yours?:sneaky:

I had my surgery 11/15/07 and my first fill on 1/21/08. In that time I went form 278 to 235. :crying: Since my fill I have not dropped a pound. I spoke with the nutritionist and they said up my Protein. A month later they tell me to drop it. I dont know what to do and I am starting to develop old eating habits of only eating very small meals and workign out like crazy. My normal routine is to walk 2 miles a day during my lunch 5 times a week. 2 miles takes me about 30 minutes. I woulr out at the gym in teh evenings for an hour or so doing weights and cardio. I have dropped 3 pant sizes. I drink 70 oz a Water a day, sometimes more. I eat the meal that they tell you to e…

I was just wondering if anyone knows how long after my Op I will be able to use a sunbed, just I live in the UK where it is freezing all the time and I could sure do with a tan.

Here's my question - What do you feel like post op? Like a horse kicked you in the stomach? Like you have a bad stomach bug? Do you have nausea, diahrreah (sp?), headaches, what? I had the stomach bug to end all stomach bugs this weekend and it really got me to thinking about it.

HI was banded on the 17 and it hurts when I have to burp,also Iam feal hunger pains all the time I lost 7lbs in 5 days is this normal ???? any feed back would be a great help thanks caryn

I had lap band March 6th 2008 in Las Vegas the first 10-12 days I had already lost 24lbs and now have gained about 6lobs back I dont want to fail and I have no restriction I am just coming on 3 weeks out on the 27th and need your help and suggestions on what to do.. Ericka:confused2:

I'm fitting in the surgery during a 10 day window between semesters at school (I recently returned to work toward a degree in nursing). Am I kidding myself in thinking that I'll be able to sit for 3hr classes Mon-Thurs 10 days after surgery? Technically, I guess I can skip this summer session and give myself a six week reprieve to heal. Though, I kind of hate to lose that time in getting the credits I need. I think I'm probably most worried about the whole 'liquids in/liquids out' scenario more than anything else. Any insight, experience would be most helpful/appreciated. Thanks! -m

Just got my hospital bill for my band replacement: $28,752...and that doesn't include the surgeon's fees! YIKES!! Thank the Lord for insurance!! :biggrin:

I just got a call from the billing department of the hospital asking for my insurance information. I told them I was self-pay. She explained that they were going to bill the insurance for the "HIATAL HERNIA REPAIR". I understand that it's not uncommon to find one during the lap band procedure, but I'm a little upset that it was NEVER mentioned to me post-op. I didn't even know they did it until this call....... For those of you that had a hernia repair at the same time, did it change your post op directions at all? I'm wondering now, if they can bill for the anesthesiologist and recovery as part of the hernia repair.....hmmmmmmm.....could it be that I might g…

:confused2::confused2:Am I the only person having problems with the FIRST fill?????? I had my first fill 3/5/08..........then on 3/10/08 Nausea started on and off I wnet back to the doctor 3/19/08 and my first fill was removed to see if the nausea was related to the band. Yesterday I go in for follow up and my doctor places 2 cc back in my band the same amount from the first time and I could not swallow without burping. So he removed 1/2 cc and then I felt fine. About 15 mins later I left as if I could not swallow and there was pressure on my chest. I get to my job and call the doctor and since it was after hours (I was the last appt for the day) I get a call back from o…

Hi, Got banded today, the DR. said from start to finish it was 12 mins. All is well a little sore, no urinating yet which has the Dr a bit concerned. He said I had a foley during the proceedure and this sometimes causes problems. He said to keep taking little sips of water.

Had my lap band approx 6 months ago. Was thinking of having protein drink 1 or 2 meals a day. I anyone doing this? If so does it help lose weight and give you energy, I am taking vitamin tablets, but some days feel so tired, have checked iron and b - all okay.:wub:

I am a wedding photographer, getting banded on April 3rd. My dr and nurses assured me that at 9 days out i would be fine to photograph a wedding. What do you all feel from your experiance? i am not going to be carrying anything but my camera and tripod at time, I have my husband assisting and i hired a second shooter, but angles and bending and twisting is more what i am scared of. If I take advil/ibuprophen do you think the pain will be ok?

Since my surgery over a month ago, all of my incisions have healed. I was wondering whether anyone has tried the various products out there to fade scars and fade the stretch marks that I have developed over the years. I have heard of cocoa butter products and bio oil. If anything special has worked let me know and how long did it take to notice a difference? Also, any idea on when it is okay to tan my stomach which may also lessen the impact of the scars and stretch marks?

So, I'm just curious how long it took most people before they were able to do the deed again after surgery. Not that I'm a horn dog, but if I might have to wait a month before I feel up to it, well... ~tracy

Hello everyone. Why do we have to drink Water prior to eating (15-45 min.) I know why were not supposed to drink while or after we eat due to the erosian effect. Is it to help us fill up or to have fluids in our system to prevent dehydration due to the eating. If anyone can give me some advice I would greatly love to hear it. Thank you in advance for all your help.