POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

i was banded yesterday morning.....here's what i've had so far...am i getting enough??? 9/14 @ 3pm 2oz nonfat yogurt, 3oz chicken broth @ 7pm 4oz nonfat yogurt, 2oz chicken broth 9/15 @12:35Am 2oz nonfat yogurt @ 7:45Am 2.5 oz hot tea @ 8:25Am 1 tablespoon applesauce w/morning meds AND 1.5oz Protein shake @10:40Am 2oz nonfat yogurt @12Pm 3oz chicken broth @2:40pm 2oz small curd Lowfat Cottage cheese and of course, i sip on Water throughout the days as much as possible. so, by being 2 days post op, and my above food log...does it look like i'm getting enough? i know i think i need more protein....so for dinner tonight i'll …

i was banded on september 11th and the doctor made 7 incisions because i had three hernia that he had to remove so i am still in some pain i have been taking my pain medicine but my back has been hurting alot does anyone else have back pain? my husband found this website and i have found some interesting ideas i have been trying.

Surgery date : 09-09-07 I am back at the hotel, I stayed two nights at the hospital! i couldnt sleep more than 4 hours TOTAL! i couldnt finish my chocolate milkshake! I coulnd drink a full glass of water! I was like what have i done to myself? why Bloo why? why couldnt you stick to a diet and spare yrself all this! i was alone ( and still) missing my family, my mom called me on the mobile i couldnt answer, i was in pain, oh did i mention i had flu just the night before the surgery? PERFECT! she text msged me "why don't you answer im worried" i called back in 15 min and pertend everythings ok and i just have flu.. i cried afterward ;( i didnt expect the pain to be th…

Does anyone have a list of post op instructions that their dr gave them? I don't mean the diet part but like the physical activity, etc part. There is an event for my work that is going to be about 1 1/2 weeks post op for me and it will involve a lot of standing and walking all day long. I really don't want to have to do it so if anyone has any post op instructions that involve not standing/walking for long periods of time after surgery, could you email it to me? Thanks! mandiradams@cableone.net Mandi

My DH is going to be off with me the day of my surgery but can't be off longer because he is just starting a new job. My Mom said she could take off work the following day to be with me but I don't want her to unless I really need help. Did you need help post-op? Would I be OK at home alone the day after? I know everyone's experiences are different, just wondering how other people handled it. Thanks!

I woke up today and for the first time since surgery I actually felt hungry. I am supposed to be on all liquids for 3 weeks and then solid food. I hear so many people get a mushies stage and so I figured it would be okay to eat some oatmeal and some mashed potatoes. Am I hurting myself? Anyone else do this? Liquid is just getting SO old!

But, how long before any of you ladies were back in "the bedroom" taking it slowly. I've told my boyfriend that I thought like 6 weeks or so. I forgot to ask but I was hoping sooner since its such great exercise an all! LOL Whats the norm?

Hi Everyone: I am wondering about something. I had surgery on 8/13 and one of the post-op rules is (as you all know) to wait 5 minutes after drinking before eating and also to wait 20 minutes after eating before drinking. With that said -- does that mean that we should elminiate things like crunch cereals with milk? It sounds like an ignorant question and probably is but having cold Cereal is really like drinking and eating at the same time. Any thoughts?:ranger: /nilsa

I am 15 days post op & need to see if anyone is experiencing anything like what I am. It is getting easier to eat now & I don't feel any restriction...no sliming, no pb'ing or any stuck feeling in the top part of my chest. What does happen is that anytime after lunchtime I'll eat lunch...for instance & all afternoon I have such terrible gas pains in my lower abdomen but they only start after I have finished eating lunch or dinner. I am not sure if I can still have surgery gas as I haven't been drinking any carbonated drinks. I've read that restriction doesn't happen till first fill but does anyone wake up feeling great in the morning & then get severe …

I've noticed that not all folks have the same pre-op diet and are not restricting their intake for the same period of time prior to surgery. I'm still researching and do not meet with my surgeon until next month and would like to hear what specifically you can eat on the pre and post-op diets. What kind of Protein shakes are "the best" and how many ounces (typically) can you eat/drink at one sitting post surgery? I know these are all pretty basic questions and I've read many threads here so forgive me if I'm repeating questions that were already asked. Thanks!:ranger:

Good Morning everyone, My surgery date is set for Sept 7 for LapBand. The nutritionist at my surgeons office is less than helpful. I know more than she does. My question is, has anyone who is a vegetarian had the surgery? What did you eat after? Everything says chicken, ground beef, etc. I have been a vegetarian for 9 years and won't give that up. Looking for ideas. Thanks Barbara:whoo:

I'm currently working on being a band patient (very excited). I'm going to self-pay route. I travel a lot and have a food question. Once you're on solid food post surgery, yet prior to the first fill do you have food that you can't eat? I have trips starting about 4 weeks post surgery (some international) and wasn't sure what to expect prior to the fill. I've read a lot about what causes people problems, but it wasn't clear if that was prior to being filled. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi all, I am 12 days post-op, and still feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest. :heh: My shoulder pain finally subsided, but I do feel nauseated and have pain around my port site. Does this sound normal? I have progressed from clear fluids, to full liquids, but tend to get more tightness in my chest when I have anything creamy or milky. I haven't gone back to work yet, as I don't know I will manage taking my crushed meds & painkillers, eating so little, the nausea and the stress of my job. The surgeon also had to repair a hernia (that I didn't know I had), so I am wondering if I am not recovering as fast as others because of this? I have read that some peop…

OK what am I doing wrong? I was banded on 9-14-07. On the pre-op diet of shakes and salad I lost 23 lbs. Since the 14th. I have gained 5lbs. back. I figures that since I am on the liquid diet that I have probably had too much broth (sodium). I can't find the fat free and the low sodium broth so I chose the fat free. I was told that this is a time of healing and not to worry about the weight gain but I don't like it. Has anyone else gained weight after the surgery? :help:

I am usually a left-side sleeper. I figure that with the port on the left I won't be able to sleep that way anymore, right? How did you sleep post-op? Was a recliner more comfortable? Was the bed ok if you were on your back? I just want to be prepared! Thanks!

I had my surgery on 8/10. Before that I was strictly 3 slimfasts a day 1 week prior to the surgery. It was hard but I did it. I have been on strictly liquids since my surgery mostly Soups of all sorts w/ no chunks. But today 7 days into my post-op I cheated! I couldn't take it anymore and had to eat/chew on something. So I had half an eggroll and about 3 medium bites of chinese noodles. It all went down ok. No pain. But now I am scared of what I could have done to my body since my surgery was only a week ago. Has anyone else done this? And if so how did you handle it later? Or am I the only weak one here? 265/255/150:help:

I am doing really well 4 days post-op. Walking is a huge help, not to mention the pain meds, but I don't like the taste of any of the shakes. Will I damage my band by putting a scoop of ice cream in with the protein shake? One scoop of coffee ice cream in a Carnation Instant Breakfast shake makes it taste so much better and I can get the protein I need. Help! Amy

:ranger:Hi: had surgery on Monday 8/13. There is no fill in my band; and i find it a bit hard to breathe deeply still but getting better every day. i don't feel hunger at all because of all the tenderness going on inside. If I am hungry i don't know it yet. however, i wanted to know about one particular thing. they say sip sip sip everything slowly and only like 1/2 to 1 cup of liquids per sitting. I have been doing that -- but since i feel nothing; i wanted to know is there something that I should be feeling; since the band was placed. what i mean is: after having a fill, people say that they can tell when they have had too much; is that supposed to be the…

hi all! I was banded on Monday Aug. 13. I'm really feeling great all in all. even wound up on my stomach last nite sleeping.. ! BUT (there is always a but) i have this SEARING pain on my right side. not where the cut is. but like an inch or 2 over. and the port isn't there (at least that's what Dr. told me). So when i asked her she said she may have cut some nerve endings and pain will be there for a few weeks. (thanks).. The thing is i can sit and canlay with right foot bend. And when i stand if crouch over to the rite side i'm ok.. (just looks a little retarded) and if i lift my rite foot like on a ledge of chair when i stand it's fine.. ANYONE have experien…

I need help I am hungry all the time I am on mushie food they are not helping at all. yesterday I eat two pieces of chicken rings with mashed potatoes and by 10:00 pm I was starving. I will see the surgeon in two week hopefully he will give me my first fill. any sugestion I really need help

I started my pre-op liquid fast on June 4th. Lost 13 lbs. by surgery time, June 25th. However, in the 5-6 weeks post surgery, I have only lost another 5 lbs. I was surprised how MUCH liguid volume I could take post-surgery. Was still JUST as hungry as pre-surgery. Started eating puree 1.5 weeks out, and then solids only 1 week more. I can eat ANYTHING now. Just like the girl, "I don't understand my lapband" I feel the same way. I have to constantly think about food, and how much I should not eat, when I had assumed the banding would do that for me. I have not had a fill yet at all- am scheduled for this coming Monday. Will that make the difference? I had read in the for…

I am two days post op (Aug 9) and I knew I was going to be a bit uncomfortable but didn't realise how little I would be able to eat (drink! Liquid only at mo) without feeling uncomfortable. After two or three teaspoons I seem to get this tight uncomfortable feeling in my chest. Is this normal? I'm worried that I am not giving my body enough to heal itself.:help:

I didn't see this anywhere else. How long does it take after being banded for the swelling to subside? I was banded on Weds and have alot of swelling on one side of my stomach. I go back to work on weds. and am starting to get nervous about having pants that will fit and be comfortable.

I'm another week on liquids and then have two more weeks on puree. I'm looking for what you guys ate (drank!) during the liquid post op.........and what you ate during the puree two weeks. I want some variety to make is easier to follow.......and maybe that's not possible...... Now, during liquid stage I'm having Soup, Protein Shakes, SF popsicles, yogurt and jello.....any other ideas? Any interesting ideas during the puree stage? Thanks for your help and support! Caroline

Ok, I know this has been discussed but I can't find it anywhere.... :tea: Can someone post the link to the thread of suggestions of supplies to get you through after surgery. Mine is on the 20th and I am trying to prepare for it. I know some suggest gasex, some say a heating pad, etc. I am open to any and all suggestions! If something worked for you, please let me know! Thanks soon to be fellow bandsters!! :whoo:

I had to do the pre liquid diet for a week and a half and lost 21 pounds before I got on the table. Since surgery on July 31st I am down 35 Pounds. I regretted it the day before...the day of...and 2 days later. The pain is subsiding and I am starting to feel like a normal person again. I was out and didnt have shakes or anything with me so I got a Fat-Free/No Sugar Added Cherry Ice Cream Cone. Its 97 degrees and I had to lick for all I was worth. 3 minutes later I was already FULL. I threw out almost the whole thing. It still baffles me that you eat so little but are full like you were at an all you can eat buffet. Next Monday I go to Mooshies. Im really glad I did t…

I remember being told earlier in my process that you have to stop drinking something like 1/2 hour before meals and not to drink anything until after at least 20 minutes after a meal. I would like to know what the reasons are for this particular rule. I should have asked but I didn't.

Hi all.... I haven't seen this topic discussed. If so, forgive the redundancy....I must have missed it. Being less than a month away from banding, I find myself concerned as I read all of the posts about the real hunger that people are dealing with during the liquid stages....pre-op and post-op. It got me to thinking about the prescription "diet"/appetite suppressant pills I was taking while on a medically supervised diet. (Being the " big time dieter" that I am....LOL!) I believe they were Ionamin (sp?). They really did suppress my appetite and kept my mind off of food. I did loose a great deal of weight on the program....only to regain it plus quite a bit more …

I am about 1 1/2 years post-surgery. I am happy to say that I have lost a total of 150lbs. yeah!!! I have a question for the one out there who have maybe the same situation as me. I am about 20lbs from my goal... I cannot seem to loose that last 20 lbs. I have only had one fill , 0.3 total in my band. I had that fill in April of this year and have not gone back since. I had a prolapse in my band in January of 2007 and had surgery to correct it, since then I have been wonderful and would totally do this over and over again. But I keep gaining and losing the same 3-4 lbs week after week. My doctor told me that it would be harder and harder to drop the last 20, he was not …

Hi, I'm on a post op diet of sorts.......and having small amounts of soup, milk and yogurt for supper (1/4 cup each). Tht was fine for the first week, but now that I'm healing I'm quite hungry......what do you guys eat???? Drink????? Help please!

I am so excited...already my food cravings are gone. Surprisingling I'm enjoying the liquid diet. Since surgery 4 days ago, I've been drinking milk, sf hot cocoa, protien powder, watered down pudding, and creamy tomato Soup. I wanted something more today so I made cream of wheat very runny with milk so I could drink it though a straw. It tasted so yummy! and I didn't have an problems keeping it down. Do you think it is okay to eat cream of wheat in the liquid stage? It does have some texture to it so I'm just a little afraid that it might be too strong this early in the healing process? I want my stomach/band to heal as best as possible. For all of you long time bandsters…

I had my third fill a little over a week ago, and I am definately feeling restriction now (:clap2:). It has made me realize that I definately need to find a high quality Vitamin that I can take with the band. Does anyone have any recommendation on a good quality chewable or liquid vitamin? I would appreciate any and all recommendations! ~Lori

Hi, I live in the Seattle area and would love to converse with others in this area. I'm going to st. francis but would like to meet someone who is or has been banded with northwest weight loss surgery. evilah

Hi everyone, I was wondering if I need to worry about calorie intake in weeks 2 and 3? I'm not sure if I need to take in only 400 - 500 calories only. I was banded on 24 July 07, I'm feeling great, not starving (which surprised me), and I've lost 31 pounds since my initial visit on 21 June 07. Any info anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks SweetSerenade:p

Has anyone else thrown up during the first two weeks post op? I was transitioning from the full liquids to pureed meats and it didn't go well. I threw up, but very lightly. Should this be a big concern that I have messed up my band or stiches and should call my doctor?

Hey guys I finally did it! I had my surgery on 7/27. Stayed overnight in the hospital and came home the next day. I feel like I had the perfect surgery and so far everything has gone well. I am now sitting at home (well, not exactly sitting as I have a tri-level house) and was just thinking about all you wonderful people who have unknowingly helped me along so much in this process. I was amazed at the lack of pain post-op, and how quickly I was ready to get out of that bed and meander up and down the hallway. This was the first time I had ever been in the hospital and the first major surgery for me. I just keep waiting on something to happen because I just know…

I am only 6 days post op and was wondering when your swelling and pain at your port site stopped? Mine is still pretty sore when I am moving. It is also swollen still but is not red or hot to touch. I see my Dr next week but they didnt seem to concerned with it. I was just wondering when I can look forward to the swelling and pain stopping?

I still have severe pain on the center left side below my largest incision. This area is swollen, hot to the touch, and turning a spotty red color (under the skin). I had my surgery Thurs. AM. Dr. isn't calling back. Concerned. Any similiar experiences? Thanks CC

I know there will be scarring after surgery but does it ever go away?

I’ve tried a lot of new foods and I can handle everything. I have no restriction. Is this somewhat normal? I’ve kind of experimented with different foods and some solids. Nothing REALLY bad like steak or chicken or anything. Is something wrong with me? And my back hurts when I inhale…I’m really worried…I went to the doctor for my post-op appointment and asked about the band slipping and she said “I don’t care what you eat, I’m just focused on you healing”…UGH. I should have stuck to the diet and I wouldn’t have to worry. I feel so weak… and stupid.

Hey guys, I tried to get some response from an earlier thread, but no luck, so I will try a new thread. I was wondering without being to graphic, how the lap band will change some of the activities that my hubby and I enjoy, now that I have a smaller stomach, am I limited to what can go in the stomach, and will it affect me, if at all. If anyone can help it would be much appreciated. Mahalo

I am 2 days post op and today started protein and clear chicken broth. This afternoon started severe nausea and heartburn. Very uncomfortable, even to rest. Tried gas-x...anyone experience this?

HI all I was banded yesterday FINALLY . But was wondering if anyone else had this going on post op ? Ok this might sound like a strange question but i want to make sure im not nuts. Im sure its because I am not bringing in as much liquids as I have been in the previous days. But I have been feeling like I need to pee really bad , then when I go to go to the bathroom i just trickle out a little , Then i'll go walk about some and I have to go more. Im thinking it might be because my stomach muscles are kind of weak and are not pushing "like they use to " has anyone else had this feeling ? Just want to make sure its nothing to worry about . Thanks ya'll Mind…

had my surgery on monday came home yesterday. I'm in so much pain it's hard to move around. I try to walk but it hurt more I also think I'm having gas pain on top of the regular pain, they discharge me from the hospital only with liquid tylenol because I'm allergic to all the big guns. please help me I don't what else to do any sugestion.:help:

I'm 4 days post-op and my doctor allows creamy soups on the 4th day...so I whipped up some Bear Creek Broccoli and Cheese soup and had some today along with water/V-8 fruit juice. Even though my doctor allows it already, am I moving too fast? I'm worried that I'll make my band slip or something. What exactly WILL make the band slip? I'm so worried that I'll do something wrong and mess something up :help:

I'm 2.5 weeks out, have been feeling great and suddenly I have this pain just left of my belly button. It's a pulling sensation and hurts to walk or bend over. Been staying on my eating program and not sure where this is coming from. I will call my doc tomorrow, but curious if anyone else has experience this.

Aloha All Well I'm now with the band:) It's 24 hours and doing OK well except for the gas pains. Off the hard core pain meds taken tylenol liquid exter strength, so far so good. Just got to hang out in the hotel till saturday, that sucks. But just wanted to say thanks for all the great advise I got on the site. Well enough for now, so take care and talk to later. Aloha Big Wave Dave:whoo:

I wanted to ask a general question about post surgery restrictions - specifically if you were told not to lift more than 5 pounds for a certain length of time. I found this restriction in some of the research I've been doing. However, I asked a friend that just had gastric bypass and she wasn't given any restrictions. Sounds like this might be surgeon specific... We're adopting a newborn in August and I'm shooting for surgery around January. I'm afraid I won't be able to pick up my baby!

Are you able to consume a lot of Water post op? I have a tendancy for bladder infections and do not want to become dehydrated.

I am a serious coffee addict, but how many of you were able to drink coffee? My doc has one week of Clear liquids post-op. This means gatorade, coffee, tea, Protein shakes, sugar-free Jello, bouillon .... I had some this morning, 24 post surgery, with no big effects. In fact, the biggest problem is that I am not getting the caffeine I am used to. Thanks for any thoughts on coffee... MM