POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

15 POUNDS! Woot!

Hi! Are there any others who were banded this week? I was banded on Friday Feb. 22 in Michigan. I am feeling really good. Yesterday I had alot of gas and took gasx. It really helped. I am so excited about this journey. I am looking forward to being healthy. It helps to talk to someone who also is where you are. Hope to hear from you soon and good luck. Leah

Hi. I am going to be in San Diego with my husband and daughter in April. I was wondering about swimming, how long before your incisions were healed over enough for a swim. I will either be 2 weeks or 3 weeks post surgery and was hoping I'd be able to take my 16 month old in the pool while my husband was in some meetings. I'll ask my surgeon when I see him but was wondering about some of your experiences. Thanks!!

Hi guys,on Saturday 1st March I finally got banded! I am in quite a bit of pain,but dont regret it at all. Will keep you updated on my progress.

Has anyone had any esophogeal problems? I was banded on August 20, 2007; have lost 70+ lbs. Now am experiencing swallowing problems .. will sask my doctor tomorrow, but thought I'd see what others have experienced. Jenifer

:confused:Hi everyone.... I was banded just a couple days aon (2/28/08).....I got on the scale today and it scares me! I did my 10 days pre-op liquid and lost about 11lbs from that. Now as I step on the scale it is giving me those 11 lbs back. Could this be from the gas they fill you up with or something...any thoughts? similar experience? Thanks Kim

Ok, I must be the freak of the world because I've searched this forum and googled this weird side effect and can't find anyone else with it. When I burp, my burps smell like smoke. What???? No, I don't smoke at all. I'm six days post-op, does anyone have a theory on what this might be? I mean, it actually tastes like cigarette ashes and butts are in my mouth. *freak*

Which one was your favorite? I am the type of person that gags at nasty things and the slim fast shakes gross me out. I start my pre-op diet in a week and am looking for the best type/flavor/hints and help from those of you that survived the pre-op diet:biggrin2:

Hello everyone who reads this, I am having lap band surgery on May 6th 2008 and i am a bit scared, it'd the fear of the unknown i think. I am 114kgs BMI 41.1. I was just wondering can anyone tell me what it's like after, are you in much pain, after as well as after about a week? Did you go on a liquid diet before surgery, if so how did you get on, i was told 2 weeks before. How long does operation take? Is there much scarring? Would love to hear from anyone, and if possible would love to have e mail buddy's who have had this op or anyone in the same position as me look forward to hearing from you all x x

I had my surgery on 2/25/08am, I woke up this morning, with my stomache letting me know that I was hungry. I had 75 gr of Protein yesterday. My doc said to stay around 70grams. Is there anyone else out there that was this hungry this soon after surgery? Also, I have not had a BM since surgery, should I be worried?

Hi All, i had my surgery in TJ on 12/5. today 3 months laster, i am still having a slight pain in my port area. sometimes i get shooting/sharp pains, sometimes, slight pain and sometimes no pain at all. could this be an infection? should i be concerned?

i know im asking alot of questions but hey im worried bout stuff.. just wondering today ive had alot of syliva build up and it feels like its gettin stuck or is building up is this normal? and wats this mean? and is there anything u can do about it?? :eek:

Man I was done yesterday felt great no today hurt like heck. My lb is so tight that it took 1.5 hrs for the contrast to go though. Have been tring to sip but each sip is met with gas bubbles and can diff tell it is tight. Hope it gets better I have a purring sound coming from my throat sounds just like a cat. Does it more when I lay back Hess

Banded on 2/22 been on liquid for 1 week 2 days. Anyone have recipes for liquid phase?

I was banded 2/25 and did fine other than HORRIFIC gas pains, I start foaming at the mouth around 5 pm every night and have spasms in my stomach like vomiting and the severe belch and port site pain (felt like I tore it open) I have been using gas-x and anti nausea suppositories last night was really bad, i felt like I vomited but nothing cam out except for LOADS of gas...I took some pain meds becasue port area was hurting bad..today I am super nauseaus and ate a popsicle, that seemed to upset my stomach, Water is not making it feel any better either, have I slipped my band from all the vomiting spasms? or sis I irritate my stomach and its just swollen more, do I just con…

before I left the hospital I was given celebrex (for whatever reason) but the nurse opened the capsule and mixed the contents with water....I was prescribed Nexium and it wasn't specified whether to open the capsule or not:confused:Yes I am a nurse but I didn't think to ask. I would assume that the capsule would eventually dissolve in the pouch but you know what happens when you make assumptions....:laugh:

Hi. As the title says I got my band on Wednesday. It was done by Dr. Kwon in NY. I haven't had anything since but water and some tea. And thanks be to God that I have not been hungry at all. Dr. Kwon gave me a large band and put 4 cc's in it. Not sure what is keeping me from being hungry but I am very pleased that I'm not. First post op is on Monday and then I can start protein shakes for two weeks. Then it is mushy stuff for 2 weeks and then back to solid food. Dr. Kwon's regimen seems to be more restrictive than what I see other's are eating but I intend to follow docs orders. The day of the banding I had a lot of pressure in my chest from the band and the gas and sor…

I was banded on 02/25/08 and had problems with breathing during the operation. I woke up in ICU where I spent the night before being discharged the next day. All I can say about the procedure is that I felt very empty inside for a couple of days after. I had no pain I couldn’t handle and refused all pain medication. Today is 03/01/08 and I have dumped the liquid diet because it was making me extremely sick. A man can only take so much chicken broth before it gives him a serve case of lock jaw. I am scheduled to meet with my doctor for my first post op appointment on the 4th where I guess he will do my first adjustment? I believe my bands swelling has gone down cons…

Hey all, Well my first 24 hrs was rough.. I took the Loratab when I got home from surgery and well lets just say..no affect..it kept me wired.. I didn't sleep for the first 24 hrs, and no pain relief. So I finally got some percocet that I have to cut up in little pieces..but it works. When they did the band I also had a hiatal hernia repair. I am wondering if this is what is making it harder to swallow the pills or drinks.. I had a horrible runner's like cramp in my side for the first 2 days...I know from reading that the stitch in the side is from gas..that is better. I feel full after only taking a 1/2 cup of broth. Is that normal? Also I keep getting muscle cramps in …

I had my surgery on 2/22/08. I have lost 19 pounds. My doctors liquid diet after surgery I could have runny mashed potatoes and yogurt. Everyones diets are different. I feel guilty that if I eat those potatoes I will gain the weight that I have lost. I am starting to feel hungry though and I have another week to be on liquids until next week of pureed? Anyone have suggestions?

I always sleep on my stomach and since surgery I have been sleeping on my back and sides. Well, the problem is, my hips are sore and I don't sleep as good on my back. Is it ok to sleep on your belly? I was told that sleeping on your side is ok but didn't address the belly:confused:

I had my surgery Wed (Feb. 27). I am on full liquids now. My Dr. maps out getting back to a normal diet over 8 weeks. Does every dr do that? I feel pretty good post op except for big gas bubbles and hunger pains that can feel so intense I feel like someone hit me in the stomach with a bat. I would like to try thicker foods early but I am not sure what will happen. Any insight? Debbie

Does anyone know if yogurt and frozen yogurt are interchangeable? I dislike the texture of yogurt but I do like the frozen stuff.

Does anyone have a trick to keep their bra from rubbing on their incision sites, especially while sitting? I have not been able to wear a bra for more than like a half hour since my surgery and that means I can't really go outside.... so I've been walking laps in the house. Also, I need to figure this out by Monday or I won't be able to go back to work, although I feel well enough to..... Help!!!:rolleyes2:

Sorry for the cross post. I wanted to get as much input as I can. One of my incisions, toward the middle of my abdomen, but not the port site, is puffier than the rest. The doctor said he doesn't think it could be infected since I was on antibiotics up until I left the hospital yesterday. He also said there is nothing under it that could be bulging or anything. Anybody else experience this? I don't have visible staples or stitches. He said he did a plastic surgery type closure, which I'm not sure what that means. This incision is the sorest of them all, but feeling considerably better than yesterday.

I am 7 days out and almost out of pain medication, I see my doc today. I feel like I still need it, the pain is definately better but like at the end of the day (I have already returned to work) I am dying! I take tylenol during the day, so I am not a complete zombie at work, and that is just a joke. Am I being a weinie? How long did you take your perscription pain medication?

I am almost 4 weeks post op and I've only got 4cc's, so I haven't had a tight fill yet. That will be March 6th. I'm finally on mostly regular food...just no bread or pasta. The only thing I haven't tried yet is salad. Did anyone have any problems with salad post op? I'm eating lunch at an italian restaurant and all they have at lunch is pasta, sandwiches, and salad. So, I am at a loss as to what to order! I haven't tried bread at all. That kind of scares me.

i just had another .5cc put into my 4cc band which now equals 1 cc all together. sometimes i feel good restriction and other times like tonight not so good. i had some steak,veg and potato and im surprised that im not overally stuffed. i probably shouldnt let myself get to that point but lately i eat until i feel to full. should i just be eating one cup and then stop no matter what? after my first fill i disciplined myself to only eat so much and it worked for six weeks and i lost over 12 pounds. but i went 2 weeks with eating whatever i wanted and didnt pay much attention to how much protein and calories i was eating. i think if i measure my food and count my calories li…

I WAS BANDED ON 2/19/08 AND I HAD TO BE A CLEAR LIQUID 24 hours and full liquied 1 week now I can start with mushies. IT IS SO WIERD HOW ALL OF OUR DR'S HAVE DIFFERENT DIET RULES. WOW, SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO BE ON LIQUIDS FOR WEEKS!!! ANY HOW, I HAVE NOTICED IF I JUST GO A TAD OVER MY 2 OZ'S AT A TIME I WILL GET A PAIN IN MY SHOULDER. IS THIS LIKE A WARNING SIGN THAT WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE OR IS IT JUST POST OP??

Maybe some of you supermoderators will be able to help answer this, based on what I've read on the LapBand, you will lose approximately 1-3lbs per week so doing the math, you should at 6 months have lost ATLEAST 24lbs and up to 72lbs, I see some people on the message board (I am not trying to offend anyone, I just recently was banded and am trying to make realistic goals for myself) where after a year their only weight loss was 34lbs, how is this possible? What would cause that to happen? Is it bad behavior on the banded persons part? OR is it the band isn't working for them? Are they not restricted enough? Any thoughts? Also.. what would be a realistic goal to set for …

I was banded on 2/27/08 and I am feeling awful. When do you start to feel better? I didn't expect this. I feel like I have a 5 year old sitting on my chest and I pulled my neck out by trying to get up.

What does it feel like?

How often does PBing happen? Does it typically go away over time? :thumbdown:

I work at a desk for the most part of the day. Get up when I have to. #1 I have read and I understand that walking helps, ALOT. I can do that. But what about the diet? Can any of you give me examples of what you did, when you returned to work? Do the shakes have to be cold? I don't do soda, but warm tea. This weekend I am going to these shake aisles and check them out. Any help is appreciated.

I had my surgery in July and I still have not loss a pound I have had 3 fills and i can eat straight threw them meaning the day i get my fill I'm surpose to fast for 10-14 days I do it for maybe a day or 2 then its back to eating can some please give me some advice on controlling my hunger:sad:

I started off with the plan to be an out patient but because of nausea and dizziness I ended up staying a night in the hospital. The nurses acted like this was no big deal. Is there other's out there that had to spend the night too?:smile2:

I was just checking on my fellow February Bandsters. I'm doing very well now. Had a scare this weekend with sharp pain in abdomen, but it was my fault. I hadn't taken my Prilosec since surgery and the lining of my big stomach was mad at me. All better now. Down 21 lbs. WooHoo!

I've tried several different shakes (Unjury, GNC Whey, a couple others, too) and I can not bring myself to drink any of them. Luckily, I haven't had any nausea since my surgery. However, I have tried to just suck it up and swallow the protein shakes, but they make me gag. I am scared I may be doing more harm than good by making myslef drink them. My question is, are they really necessary now that I am onto soft food stage???

I know many people have experience a "tight" band in the AM, and cannot eat much Breakfast, other than liquids. Since my first fill, my band doesn't loosen up until about 3pm. I wake up, and can drink about half a cup of a cold beverage (water or OJ) and/or a few sips of coffee. Sometimes I can get half of a cup of yogurt down. I can't eat eggs anymore, or fruit, but I am not really hungry anyway. By lunchtime, I am pretty hungry, but cannot get much down without food getting stuck (I get that tight, pressure in the band area). I can eat a small amount of liquids, but that's all. I can barely eat a few bites of salad. Needless to say by 2-3pm I am very hungry.…

I am supporting my husband's choice to have the surgery for all the right reasons, but part of me wonders if having the surgery will reduce his snoring when he loses the weight. We havnt slept in the same bed since Sept '07 because he snores like a freight train!! thanks for your help.:smile2:

Hi There, I Am Only 5 Days Post Op And I Am Already Really Hungry And Find That Soup Just Doesnt Cut It, I Dont Know How I Will Get Through Til Normal Food. I Cant Sleep At Night Because Of The Hunger Pains. I Am Ashamed To Admitt That Earlier Today I Ate Some Burger Rings (chips), I Sucked On Them Until They Were Soft And Then Chewed And Chewed And Slowly Swallowed. I Didnt Have Any Trouble Getting It Down.. I Am So Confused And Down On Myself, I Feel Like Such A Failure. Thinking Maybe I Shouldnt Have Been Banded.

Ok surgery was 1/31/08. I am now eating soft foods and doing fine. no problems going to the bathroom no problems eating BUt I am having pain in my left lower abdominal area??!! My port is over my bellybutton no problems with that....any ideas?????

Hi all! I am 6 days post op and today I am having a lot of lower back pain. Did anyone else experience this? I also have a lot of gas/burping today and a little shoulder pain which I didn't have prior to today? I ate 1 scrambled egg which I know I should't have but I was starving. Do you think that had anything to do with it???

Did you guys do okay after surgery being home alone? Hubby and kiddo will be home in the evenings, but I'll probably spend most of the first week alone during the day.........I'm sure dh could take another day off, if necessary.....just wondering what others experiences were.

If so. how long did you leave them on before removing them? My Dr. said to just let them come off on their own, but they are driving me crazy. Some of the ends have come off and left sticky on my belly that keeps sticking to my shirt. I have had the steri-strips for 5 days now. What do you think??

I was just wondering how you felt a few days after the Op. My mum is coming home from surgery and I want to make her feel as comfortable as possible for her recovery. Does it hurt a lot to move afterwards? Are you very tired? Is there anything I should know so that I can take better care of my mum? Thank you. :smile2:

Ok, so here’s my deal. Before surgery I would have a RedBull at least 2-3 per week. It really helps me get thru the day…well I haven’t had a RedBull since about a week before surgery and today I NEEDED SOMETHING…so even though I know carbonated drinks are a nono…I stopped and got a SUGARFREE redbull….took 1 little sip and well BIG mistake bc it was NASTY!!! So, whats a girl to do??? I NEED something for energy….I have been so fatigued and lifeless around 3pm everyday at work………HELP I NEED SOME ENERGY!!!!

Help! im feeling really lost went for my third fill yesterday and i didnt do too good with my weight loss this month! i only managed to lose 1/2 kilo.... im very confused my surgeon said that im overeating! i told him that i often get the stuck feeling and i know i cant eat anymore,, well i thought thats the sign that its time to stop eating,,at times i eat 1/4 of a sandwich and get that feeling! he said i got to stop eating way ahead and not experience that feeling,, lease help me guys,, is this true,, so that means that if i get that feeling on 1/4 of a sandwhich i got to stop eating on less than a 1/4! im so depressed caused he said by overeating like this im stre…

Ok I am day 5 post op. I was on Lexapro before surgery (had been for a long time) and have continued it post op. I am feeling weepy today, depressed. I don't understand why I am feeling this! Also, since last night I have had a "knot" in my chest/stomach area that will not go away. I have walked, tried to burp, etc. It is really bothering me. Anyone know what this is???

I have been having a sort of numb surface pain just above my belly button. It is no where near any of my incisions, and it is difficult to describe. I am a little over 2 weeks post op and this started a week post op. It doesnt quite feel like a bruise, nor is it completely numb. When i run my fingers across my stomach there is decreased sensation in comparison to the rest of my stomach, but at the same time it hurts, not exactly like a bruise but a stinging like pain. Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas?