POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I had the surgery 2 days ago and overall, I'm feeling pretty good. Sore belly and feeling kind of bloated but getting myself up and moving. Here's my question --- I lost about 11 pounds on the pre-surgery diet and I've eaten hardly anything in the last few days -- why does my scale say I'm 5 pounds heavier than my day of surgery weight??? I'm encouraged that I don't feel hungry --- but I'm discouraged by the scale! Has anyone experienced this?

I have read that remarks about barium swallows post op and leg balloons does evertone get this treatment I had a barium swallow as part of my pre surgical testing and was sick for 3 days

i went to my nutrionist yesterday and found out that my doctor is changing the post op diet. instead of a liquid diet for the first two weeks is now a soft protein diet 2 days after surgery. i am a little nervous of this change because isnt a liquid diet easier for your stomach to handle after surgery?

I know most of it is water but it counts!!! 6 day post op and down almost 15 pounds! I can't wait till I get on regular food and start the real bandwagon!!!:clap2::clap2::whoo:

Hello, This is my first posting, I just had my surgery yesterday 7/2. Yesterday I had a lot of gas pain/pressure in my chest. After a lot of walking around the house the chest pain has seemed to moved to my neck and shoulders but does not feel as bad as yesterday. Well, now that I am not in as much pain from the gas I am noticing the port pain. It seems that the port was placed on my left side of my stomach right at my curve/crease where I bend. That seems to be a pretty bad place to have put the port since I will always aggravate it whenever I bend down and that is where most of my pants go up to. Has anyone else had this port placement problem? Thanks. Sandra L. in…

Can anyone advise me on what supplies (i.e. food, drinks, medical aides, etc.) to have on hand when I come home from the hospital since I won't be able to go to the store for a while? Maybe my Dr. will tell me about some of them when I go for my pre-op visit on the 11th, but I'd like to hear from those who have been through it and know from experience what is needed. Thanks, TenGal

I had my lap band put in yesterday (6/28) and I have had so many different kinds of pain. I know the pain in my shoulder is gas pain and the burning on my stomach is from the incision. What I don't know is if the pain in my stomach is hunger pains ( I have actually heard my stomach growling) or gas pains. And then when I do drink something I can't tell if the pain is hunger, gas, or pre-band pains. Ugh. I feel miserable. I wish I would only feel one pain at a time so I could identify which is which.

Any advise on somethng I can eat that is not sweet in taste. I was banded on the 6 of jun and I would love to taste something else. Black bean soup would be to die for but I am scared. Even if I made a lquid out of it. I have been on all protein shakes for 3 weeks and I just want something that isn't sweet. :help:

Is it bad i mashed up a piece of fish and had it? It went down fine! I was so wanting something to chew!!

I am so tired of drinking these shakes it's been 2 1/2 weeks if you include the Pre-Op diet and I am tired of shakes. I want to be able to chew something. I am not hungry or anything drinking the shakes, I'm still losing weight daily but I'm just tired of drinking shakes for everymeal. Does anyone else feel the way I do? I guess I should be thankful to be losing the weight.

HI everyone i am new to the site, and sorry ...i just realised i posted my questions on the wrong page.. i did it on the introductions page. i would be so grateful if anyone gets a chance to have a look. i am 6 weeks post op,, just had my first fill and don't feel any different. am so fed up with the whole thing i just want to eat eat eat. i am so happy i have found this site i have been searching for a while. many thanks.

Curious has everyone lost weight everywhere but your stomach. Clothes are loose all over , but stomach still feels swollen and clothes fit the same at my waste. Is this normal? And I cannot wear anything tight around my waist , will it always be that way? :confused:Thanks for the input ! Sandra Have my 1st fill next Tuesday 205 195 YEPPIE !!!:clap2:

I had the lan band 4/9/07. I have had 3 fills. They say I have a large band, they are filling it a little at a time. I am up to 5, it hold 8 (whatever). It is not making me feel full. It hurt sometimes but I can eat anything. I was work at losting until last week and did lost 30 pounds but I can't do it on my on. That is why I did the lap band. Should I feel full? Does it take alot of fills? What is normal?

I thought some of you might be curious to see what it might look like after surgery.. I know that not all surgeons do the operation the same, however, I think this will give you and idea.

hello , i am 1 7 days post op, and i am eating mushies. i can eat about 4 oz and feel full butnot stuffed. I am not really feeling any band type feeling like I could eat more!!! MInd over matter . I have donr very well and followed instructions just worried that eating mashed potatoes and smooshed peas 4oz twice a day is too much? In the mornings i have protien shake, water , small coffee. If iam really hungery i will make 3 oz malto meal and sweetner and runny with skim milk. So what ia m asking is am i doing this right????? lol i have days where all i want is liquids i go back and forth. help !! i need reassurance. nancy in olympia

I am 3 months out. Can someone that is loosing or has lost a lot of weight so far, show a typical days menu. Having a hard time adjusting. thanks

OK -- all is done. It's 3 days post op. At first I was only feeling pain at the port area. That's past, now the incisions are sore. I'm sure that's normal, too. But my question -- Is it normal to "feel" the band? Between my breasts and about a couple of inches down below the breast bone, I can feel something there -- it's almost a "heavy" sensation. It's especially noticeable when I take a deep breath or burp, and if I walk and take heavy steps. My dr.'s nurse (also his wife) said that since it was stitched to the stomach, the first day or so there was swelling there so it wasn't really noticeable. She said it was OK to be able to feel it. Did any of you…

I will begin my 10 day pre-op diet on July 8th. I’ve been told I chose from: Advant Edge Carb Control Ready - to- Drink shake Isopure Zero Carb ABB Pure Pro clear Liquid Protein supplements Once I begin Stage 1 Clear liquids - protien supplements I’m allowed to chose from: unjury, nectar, ABB Pure Pro, Ispure Zero Carb Once I begin Stage 2 Full Liquids. I can chose from - Unjury or EA Advant Edge Carb Control Has anyone had any of these? If so, which one did you prefer? How long did 1 bottle last? Thank you!

HI there I am new to the group. I was banded june 1st. My doctor has gruated me to anything i can take off a spoon , applesauce, mashed potatos ect... as of today. Along with the full liquid diet. I have already lost 10 lbs . My concern is that does 2 tabsp of small curd cottage cheese count mashed up with a teaspoon a applesauce??ANd is evryone else at this point eat very tiny amounts??? like 3 or less oz ? Thanksa bunch

Hi, I am 10 days post op and every night about 7:00, I start feeling nausious. It is a horrible feeling, like having the stomach flu. After suffering until bedtime, I wake up feeling fine. This has been going on for the last several days. Any suggestions? Thanks Doug

Ive been reading alot of books about gastric bypass though Im planning on being banded Ive only found two books on banding and though the procedures are different I believe I ultimatly could benefit from the experience of others and tips and tricks they use. Ok so to the point I came across this cheese Test The cottate cheese test its a test to see how big your stomach pouch is. So heres my plan I plan to try it pre band and then again after band. JUst figured it would be interesting to see how big my stomach currently really is. I was wondering if anyone else has come across this or done this? and would they be willing to share there results. So after I hit…

:help: Would anyone believe my luck Sunday after noon I took a nap and when I woke I was so nauseated I started getting sick, attempting to vomit, diarrhea, the whole nine yards. It was aweful and painful and I was scared out of my mind. I ending up panicing and getting diaphoretic. My kids called my sister she's an EMT for the local fire station so needless to say I took an ambulance ride to the hospital where they hydrated me and gave me antinausea medicine and morphine. They said it was almost like I had the flu. The next day my 12 year old was home vomiting, with the flu. Go figure. I called my sergeon and she said that some times it happens and as long as I was n…

Hello, I am 10 says post op and still have such a problem with gas. Its horrible, I walk, walk , walk and do everything I hear to do but it comes badk and I dont understand why. I am not using a straw or eating anything that I shouldnt be. I burp so much that it hurst right where the band is placed just below my ribs and I have steady pain in my right side, I know it must be gas because it feels like something is living inside me banging around. My question is does the gas ever go away or is it possible to always have this problem just because of having a band. Wow it hurts, yesturday I had hardly any today I feel like I was just operated on. Its amazing that ga…

Hello, this is my 4th day after surgery and gas pain is killing me, please, any idea what to do to make it better?

I am 5 weeks post-op and have been eating anything and everything I want. The first 2 weeks I was unable to eat much even the liquids and mushies but now i can't get full! I will have the first adjustment next Friday. Did anyone else experience this before their first adjustment? THANKS IN ADVANCE!

I have had my band a week now. :clap2: Things seems to be fine other than sleep. How long was it before some of you could sleep normal in a bed? When I try I can't get back up or there is a bad pulling pain in my port area or if I lay on my left side it feels like someone has their fingers under my left ribs.:tired

:help:Hi. I had my band installed on june 4 the and have been super careful with my diet (liquids liquids liquids) but this morning I tried to take a small capsule and ended up trowing it up and have not been able to get much of anything down since then. I didn't get violently ill this morning, just "PB'd" the capsule and some slime so I don't think I "pulled" anything. I have had tremendoud pain even drinking water. I managed about a half cup of chick broth, but it took me 2 hours. I feel okay now, but know I need more liquid to avoid dehydration. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.:help:

Ugh. So I am two weeks post-op. And I had to meet a new friend for dinner. I have told NO ONE that I had the surgery, except for my wife and closest friend. So we sit down at table and I don't want to look like a total freak, so I order a cup of black bean Soup and some hummus. I tell the new friend that I just got over being sick. I take a bite of a 1/8th triangle of pita bread and within minutes, I can feel that it is 'stuck'. (Even though I have heard all of you mention this term before, I had no idea what it meant until this time.) My eyes started to Water and I could feel something stuck in my chest. So I excused myself, went to the bathroom, and started …

In the first 10 days post-op I lost about a pound per day! For the last 3 days, there has been no change ! Arrggh... I walk every day, and yesterday began going back to the gym. My intake has not changed, still taking in mushies and liquids. My fear is that I will remain stuck here for a long time. Anyone experience the same thing? Any advice? Thanks, in advance. Rachel

All pain is gone except for a little superfishal tenderness like you would have from any incision after a week. Range of motion is pretty much back to normal. I can cough or sneeze without wincing. Gas problems disippated yesterday. Digestive system feels normal now. I have posted (with much anger LOL!) about my surgeon's seemingly super-restrictive 2 week clear liquid diet (zero carbs and zero protein). After a conversation with the nurse on Monday she allowed me to move cautiously to yougurt, cottage cheese, etc. So, I began having just a few ounces...not even to the point of fullness. Just to get something in my system and it has made a TON of difference! …

Can stomach movement from something that upset your stomach, like lactose intolerance, cause slippage or sever the internal stitches? If the point of the liquid & mushy post-op diet is to keep your stomach from moving too much as it breaks down solid foods, then doesn't it make sense that other movement is also bad? And does your stomach move when it is grumbling from hunger? I ate a smoothie and it upset my stomach so much that I felt like I had stomach cramps... I'm worried that the stiches the doc put internally to hold the band in place & prevent slippage might have been affected. Am I crazy? Dyanna

:help: First of all I was banded on 1/26, exactly a week ago today. I have been eating full solids for a few days now :hungry: . I am tolerating them fine but feel that I have made a huge mistake. I didnt realize the point of the liqued diet was for the band and stiches. I honestly thought it was for people with sensitive stomachs after surgery :phanvan . I am going back to the diet tomorrow morning, but Im worried I could have done damage. Would there be any signs, and if so what are they? Also I have a hard lump under my large insicion. Im assuming its my port, but its a little higher than what others are discribing. Any answer if great! Thank You!

Hi all I was banded 5 days ago. My question is regarding the consensus on the immediate post op diet. My doc put me on a 2 week diet of nothing but Clear liquids, and only 120cc of that. He defines clear liquids as broth, SF POPsicles, SF Jello, crystal lite. Other than the 120cc of those items only 3x per day with each "meal" spread out over 1 hour. IOW, 30cc every 15 minutes. It worked fine for the first 3 days but Now that I'm 4-5 days out I'm finding this IMPOSSIBLE to follow. What types of post op diets were you all put on?

Hello everyone, I had surgery performed on May 29. I feel... okay, but my stomache is bloated, and the gas pain is unbearable at times. Does anyone have any advice for me? When does the bloating and gas pain go away? I look like someone who is 7 months pregnant :phanvan Help!!! Is there anyting that I can drink or eat for the gas? BTW... I am not hungry at all.

Hello everyone, I have lurked here awhile but was afraid to post my problems as many have had it worse than I have...and I believe one should count their blessings. Now I feel it is the right time to ask for a little advice. I was banded on the 17th of May. Surgery was quick, recovery was easy and problems were and continue to be minimal BUT I do have two or three issues/questions that my doctor seems to just fob off with a "don't worry" answer. If someone will address them for me I will be forever grateful. 1. When I swallow most things I feel and hear something like a burp come up inside my esophagus. I am sure many of you recognize this sound. It is like air bub…

Anyone worked w/ Dr. Marin? I will be banded on June 28. His website says 5-6 weeks on a liquid diet after surgery. That sounds so long and I'm worried about being hungry. Any experiences?

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it? 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done?

Alright, I'm going crazy!!! I'm one week post-op and I need some food...mushies will do!! I can't take anymore soup, broth or jello!! Has anyone started a small amount of mushies such as mashed potato or squash the second week of post-op??

I'm a lttile freaked out. I had my LB surgery April 23rd. Did my week of clear fluids and one week of mushies. However, I am now eating everything and too much of it. I am chewing everything but still... i have NO restriction and feel like I'm back to my pre-op bad eating habits (less volume but still too much). Now I'm petrified i've done something to the band. I feel fine but I'm still worried. I know I will get the usual reprimands but anyone out there who has fallen off the wagon and lived to tell about it? I have my first fill June 4th in TJ. Do they do an xray or something so they can tell me if the band is OK?

I was wondering... I am 7 weeks post op. Doing great for the most part. The last 10 days or so I have been feeling odd in the evening. About 6pm or so I become a terror to be around - okay, not that bad, but like I am PMSing every evening. I am short, snappy, irratated at the littlest things. Anyone go through this? Will it pass? Not enough Protein? Alter time of eating? supplementing? Do I need more exercise? fluids? prozac before a divorce? My husband is GREAT. He is so incredibly supportive, but I HATE that I am being so short with him... why can't it be at work and I be fine at home? Just curious if anyone else thinks they are going crazy? Thanks, Kate Atlanta…

Hi, I was banded on April 25th (almost 3 weeks) I am feeling pretty good, but I have this intense pain when I barely even bend at the waist. It even really hurts to sit! Its near, but not where the port is. (I think) It is pretty bad pain.....like maybe a 5 or a 6. Did anyone else have this. I am kinda hesitant to call my doctor because they will just think I am being a wimp. I went to see him 1 week post-op because I had searing pain.......... I think maybe they think I am just a huge whiner...LOL! But I am not, really! I had all three of my daughters without any pain meds at all! There is a big hard knot directly under the incision where the port was put in...Is that …

2 weeks out i had my first doctors apt. I told him my appetite had returned and i could tell i could hold more than before. He still insists there is nothing abnormal about that and told me to eat regurlar foods, veg, meats, etc. He said did not matter if i lost another lb before the fill. He even said he did not care if i gained 5lbs because after first fill i would loose anyway. So why am I so different than any of the others i read about. eating mushies even after a month from surgery.

I was banded on Friday May 4th and have had issues with gas in my shoulder, in the front, not the back. I have walked and taken gas ex but this is so painful that I still have to take pain meds. The area where I had surgery seems fine and isnt really painful at all its just this darn shoulder. I seem to be pretty swollen and its painful to take a deep breath. I am running a low grade fever and just feeling horrible. Any suggestions? Thanks Susan

Well I am finally banded!!! :rainbow: Yay!!! Surgery went great, I was nervous before, but everyone at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center was very nice & made me very comfortable. Plus my mom was w/me to help me get through it. I am really sore today though...more than expected. I have liquid meds that are helping. But its hard to get up and get some walking in, when I stand it feels like everything is pulling down, & it's painful. I did lose 2 more lbs. in the last week though. That helps because it reassures me that I did the right thing. Good luck to all who are scheduled for surgery soon. It's just like they say, you take a short nap and you're all done. I…

As I understand it, the band is installed with no restriction at all. The post-op diet calls for Clear liquids for the first week, broths and Soups for the 2nd week and Protein shakes for the third week. How on earth do you stay on such a limited diet with no assistance from the band? Heck, if I could stay on a diet like that, why would I need a band at all?

:help: hey everyone. i was banded last wednesday. recovery has been real difficult for me. i ended up back at the sugeons yesteday i am completly dehyderated i have not been able to get much down i had an episode tuesday night i had maybe less than 11/2 tea cup of Soup it would not go down i tried to walk it off but that didn't work i felt a bit nauseus and took 2 teaspoons of childrens gravol and i was higher that a kite i felt so horrible and scared. i called my clinic and the surgeon had me in early the next morning it ended up that i had Fluid in the lining of the band which is a nomal procedure but most don't even notice it the nurse took 4cc out. i am now able to g…

I am 2 weeks post op and I am very very discouraged .. one would think consuming 4oo to 500 calories a day u would lose some weight I have only lost 7 lbs since surgery and that was the first few days and then my period showed up and gain 2 lbs back hence no weight loss in 12 days .. has this happenned to anyone and is now losing? after the fill????? I think i made a huge mistake .. should have done RNY be well LIsa

I have been very lucky with very minimal pain. But I am having a hard time drinking enough, I drink my Protein I found some that has 42 g per 3.1 oz which I mix with Water. But can barely do 1oz in 15 min otherwise it feels like it is clogged and need to burp. so I have got my protein in , but falling short of my 64 oz each day, not that I am not trying I would like to go to full liquids but am kind of scared and need to make sure I get my protein in, and I am not sure if I will be able to do anything more as the water makes me feel like that. Did anyone else experience this? My doc did have a hard time doing my band because I have a great deal of belly fat, so he …

Hi All, I am scheduled for surgery on 5/21. I found a link to a post-op checklist, but I am unable to access it. Does anyone know where I could get a checklist? I would like to be as prepared as possible. Thanks

What do you use to alleviate your nausea? Has anyone ever used an accupressure band around the wrist (i.e., BioBand, etc.) or a patch for the post-surgery nausea? I would like to be proactive on this and not wait until it hits me to do something. I'd like to have some things on hand.....