RestlessMonkey

Yes I've heard of it. Of course the pouch can stretch (stomach material is stretchy!) If it is, often deflating the band relaxes everything and the pouch (no longer stretched) can shrink substantially. It doesn't really work with our whole stomachs (you know like when you blow up a balloon and then let the air out? It's never really the same! elasticity reaches a point where it stops...) but the pouch, depending, usually relaxes back enough to do the trick.

It TOTALLY depends on what your surgeon gave you (or nutritionist) as a post op diet. Probably yes, but just follow your directions and you'll be fine!

You're still operating with a "diet" mentality! It's just food. I personally know "skinny" people who eat pizza, cupcakes, burgers...just occasionally, not daily! Like I said; don't feel guilty, it's just a waste. You'll have "splurges" from time to time. The band is for life, not for a while! You have to be able to cut loose sometimes. :drool:

Each surgeon is different. Mine had a strict "clear liquid only" during week one...which meant water and broth, essentially. Week 2 we could have full liquids (that's where the tomato soup came in; before that it was a no no) and then we advanced to mushies (but they had to go through a straw!) and so on. Like I said..I feel your pain, but just hang in there and do what YOUR doc approves. IE Lapbandtalker got to have milkshakes but they were NOT approved by my doc, especially for the 1st week or two. (and not because of calories, but because of digesting milk)

You're on solids now, right? pizza may not be a "diet" choice but it's a "human" one. Unless you're allergic to it or for some reason your doc still has you on mushies, you'll be fine! The "welt" is probably just a coincidence or a bug bite; just keep an eye on it! (treat it as you would a bug bite, assuming your surgical incisions are healing well as they should be at almost 3 months! ) :drool: Don't feel guilty!

What kind of welt? If you are sure it is related to your surgery, call your doc. Are you sure you don't just have a bug bite, or didn't scratch it or something?

Again, I'm with HeatherO. It is referred pain from the diaphragm which is moved around and really irritated during the surgery. That ties in with the "deep breathing". One week post op it isn't gas any more. (gas we generate from food etc doesnt' escape the stomach and intestines...it either goes out the mouth or out the other end. The gas they pump in to our abdominal cavity to make surgery easier is a different ball of wax; not treated by gas x because it isn't IN the stomach and intestines, it's outside there. THAT gas can discommode the diaphragm too and cause the pain; gas x won't touch it. If it does, it's coincidental!) Anyway it will abate as your diaphragm heals. It sends a nerve signal that causes your muscle to spasm. Having my husband rub my neck helped me because it released that cramped muscle. And...exercise but don't go full bore panting etc yet. That heavy breathing was when mine hurt the worst. Mine was gone in about 3 weeks; yours shouldn't last much longer than that. If it does,. check with your surgeon!

What HeatherO said! :thumbup: I vote hormones, mostly. And you may just lose hair regardless. I got plenty Protein and still lost some. My doc says it's really common, and whether you supplement or not it happens, and it stops within about 6 months. So panic or not :tt2: but it will probably fall out for a bit and the quit. He said best medical guess at this time links it to the trauma of surgery. ? I just know mine fell out starting at 3 months and quit at about 6. My long term beautician never could tell even though I thought I would end up looking like I had the mange!

Some doctors are more conservative in their approach to fills (some literature suggests aggressive fills can cause esophageal spasms and a host of other problems, although some surgeons DO aggressive fills). Just hang in there! It's a process. Use this time to practice. (chew well, small bites, no liquid with meals, whatever directions you were given)

Hang in there. Like you, I was NOT one of the lucky ones who "wasnt hungry" the first few weeks. I woke up in recovery ready for a steak and a baked potato! (I did NOT get it! LOL) It is VERY important now that you follow your doc's instructions so that you heal and your band heals properly in place. (digestion causes the stomach to move and can either mess you up now or set you up for slips/erosions etc later on) It will pass! You can do it! If you are really about to kill someone by Monday (or whenever your surgeon is open) call and ask if you can advance. We're all different and what's right for someone who may post here isn't necessarily right for you. (for example my doc didn't allow us Protein shakes during week one but your doc may approve them! Or you may be able to eat sugar free Jello etc) So hang in there, check with your doc, you aren't alone and it will be worth it!

Yes. You should tell your surgeon. In fact, we (my surgeon's patients) weren't to have ANY protein during week one. It is dangerous to eat "food" (no matter how thinned) early. Please call your doc, tell him/her what you've done so he can decide if you're probably ok or no, and take his direction. Don't feel bad; we all get hungry (or we wouldn't be here!) but you must follow the post op insttructions to ensure healing etc. (and guess what, most of us don't like the broth and protein shakes either. It's just for a short while! :thumbup: )

Do talk to your surgeon about your concerns; adhesions are a real side effect that become more likely with more surgeries. I will say I've had three (one to remove my gall bladder and 2 to place the band) all later in life and I don't have any adhesions, or at least none that give me symptoms. HOWEVER I will say I've done this: 1. tried to pick the BEST surgeon with the most experience in my procedure and 2. from recovery, tried to move and act normally. This is important; moving, bending, stretching (not vigorous weight lifting mind, but normal activity) can help keep the adhesions from forming. They won't prevent them 100% but can definitely help. That's why post op I always sleep in my bed from night one, I stand up straight to walk, etc. Plus I don't let myself get constipated etc (ask your surgeon) I want EVERYTHING working normally asap. This isn't to say that if I am in pain I grit my teeth and bear it but for me the more normally I act, the quicker I feel normal. And I know a LITTLE pain (like if it pulls a little when i would stretch) is ok and can prevent a bigger pain. Your surgeon can help you there, and if in doubt you can call them. There were times I asked my husband (who has been an RN for 25 years) "Is this ok? This hurts, is it normal?" So call your doc if you are unsure, but just move move move! :thumbup: Recovery for me really was easy, though; but I think it is about 99% because I was ecstatic to have the band and had a surgeon who was very good, and adept at removing the gas before closing me up.

Andrea71...I know you're smart and "savvy" enough to know what's best for you! (and my husband is an RN who "enjoys" wound care a lot yuck but he concurs wet to dry is old school and not really useful) I'm throwing my 2 cents in with your peers who are telling you to look elsewhere! (not a nurse yet, but I will be next month when I graduate! LOL) Good luck and I hope it works out well for you!

Hello and welcome! Just wanted to chime in with Bandfun4me and say to follow your doc's orders about diet. I couldn't have Protein shakes, let alone fruit, the first week. (blended or not) You can really damage your healing process if you eat "ahead" So unless blended fruit is given a green light, hold off until mushies! of course you're sore, you had surgery! But it will pass. Just walk, stay hydrated, and give yourself a chance to heal. Good luck!

We're all different. You just had surgery on Monday. Give yourself a break!

Sounds like your surgeon is incompetent! I didn't think they really "did" wet to dry any more? I'm so glad you stuck up for yourself! (I wonder if a sloppy fill procedure caused your problem to begin with?) Good luck. I hope things resolve for you.

Are you exercising? And just eating "less" won't do it, unfortunately(I know from personal experience). You may not have to "diet" but you do need to eat lean foods, only eat 3 meals a day (at least per my surgeon, he feels snacking causes failure) and keep your calories to a good limit. PLUS get your water in. You may need a meeting with your nutritionist. Remember the band is a tool, not the totaly answer.

NO! I don't wish I'd had bypass. If I had wanted bypass I would've done it years ago. There are too many issues down the road. No thank you. Even if I never lose another ounce I don't want bypass.

I think those are very good questions, a very thorough list. I also think you're smart to switch. Good luck!

Call your surgeon, describe your symptoms and follow his advice.

I think we're all different. Just because I know what type of band I have, how much it holds, and how much is in it right now doesn't mean I focus on it. It just means I know that information. I also know what type battery is in my car, but don't know how to change it! LOL I'm a nursing student, interested in most things "medical" right now, and find it interesting, but I'm sure that isn't the case with everyone who wants to know. We're all different, as i said? It's my body and I want to know. If you don't, that's your prerogative. No big deal either way. It doesn't make you "odd" if you don't care, it doesn't make me "odd" if I do.

They are all different. You are safest to ask your surgeon what YOU are allowed.

I think the AP lapband (which comes in 2 sizes) holds either 10 cc or 14 cc? I have the AP Large and have 6 ccs in a 14 cc band and got restriction at 5.5....pretty good restriction now. (My doc said they all have "primer" in them and it doesn't count so unless your doc purposely put MORE in, that 1st 2 cc may not do much? he'd know, of course!)

What are your questions?

It can; you'll need to just check with your surgeon. If you are badly congested, for example, it may impact your anesthesia and oxygenation. Good luck!