LapBandit

I had full clearance for all activities at one week post-op. But, I agree with the others...just make sure your incisions are healed before swimming to avoid infection.

I experienced everything you mentioned as well. Lap-band placement is considered major surgery and some of us just have a bumpier recovery than others. I also had one incision with puss and gross looking but my surgeon said to do just as you are...use some antibiotic cream and keep it covered. It healed just fine. Sometimes they just need to seep a little before they can heal up. The only thing I was told to look for was to make sure it didn't feel "hot" or look red. Those are signs of infection.

I have never experienced issues taking pills during any part of my post-band life. I wash mine down with a swig of water and although sometimes I can feel them actually plop on past the band I have yet to get one stuck. I take regular adult vitamins everyday. Everyone's different but they don't cause me any trouble at all.

No, you should not be consciously aware that there is a band around your stomach in everyday life. I forget it's there all the time. But, yes you will experience new sensations when eating though. Now, the port...when I was heavier I could never feel my port at all. But, after losing some weight I can sometimes feel it inside. It doesn't hurt or anything but it does sit closer to the skin than the band and some people can feel it from pressing on their abdomen.

Mine fell of after just a few days. My surgeon said that was perfectly fine. Basically I think they're there to keep germs out and they usually fall off when the skin is healed enough to protect itself. If they fall off and the skin isn't healed enough then a regular band aid will help protect the incisions.

Everyone is right...your body is still healing and adjusting to all sorts of things which will make your weight fluctuate a bit right now. Most of it is water and will easily go away. Please...don't weigh yourself right now. Focus on learning the rules and getting the hang of the band. Once you get a little more into a normal routine things will settle down. It is true...focus on healing and not on trying to lose weight right now. Your body has been through a lot and trust me...if you follow the rules you'll see progress soon. This is a very normal stage to go through!

It doesn't sound like a band problem to me...maybe you just have a bug you're fighting off? Are you drinking enough water? Sometimes when I get a little dehydrated it can make me feel a little nauseated. I hope you feel better soon!

Yeah...I agree. If it's just one little piece and you really think you can stop at that then it probably won't hurt but I'd probably just forget it. Those sugar free chocolates never taste that great to me and give me terrible stomach pains and "other" issues!

Tell your doctor, it could be a simple stomach bug but you're pretty fresh post-op so I'd mention it. Taking Immodium shouldn't hurt anything. I've taken it post-band without problem. (Unless you think its not a normal case of diarrhea and something more serious--if that's the case then I'd call the office now...someone will be on call.)

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. I want to get there sooooo bad too!!!!! Save a seat for me!

If your doctor gets annoyed then he might not be the right doctor. My relationship with my lap-band surgeon has become way more important to my success than I ever imagined so it's important to feel comfortable with whomever you select. Plus, it's your body and you have the right to make an educated decision on whether or not this surgery is right for you so he'll understand. Good luck at your consult!

I think you mean PB (Productive Burp)! Any way...yep, that's how it goes. You'll find some stuff that works for you and some things that don't . We all seem to different in that aspect. Something to keep in mind as well...just because tuna gave you trouble today doesn't mean you can never eat it again. One day chicken will give me trouble and the next is just fine. Time of month, my level of hydration, stress all sorts of things seem to affect my restriction so I just try to be careful and usually it all works out fine. Welcome to bandland!

I don't know what they all are but I get a whole list of stuff to be checked as well. Don't worry about it, sounds normal to me. It seems all docs have their own wish list of stuff to check for to make themselves feel confident that all is well.

I had the same problem. My dizziness usually happened early in the morning and I would get to the point of near fainting. I would lose my vision/hearing and have to lie down immediately because I felt like I would pass out easily. I talked to my PCP and he said it was low blood pressure. His suggestion was to increase my sodium intake. With my new lifestyle of healthy eating I was avoiding sodium but he said we need a little sodium to help keep our fluids in balance which in turn helps to regulate blood pressure. Now, I don't worry about sodium and the problem is getting better so I think he was right.

WOW, I thought this only happened to me! I travel often in my car for work and although I eat while parked, and not as I try to drive, I have found that sitting in my car makes me get stuck almost every time. I couldn't figure it out until recently...it's my posture. I'm not sitting properly and so food can't go down normally and gets stuck. Weird. I hardly ever PB or anything but now I carry a stinking garbage bag in my car just in case I get stuck eating my lunch! At least I feel better knowing I'm not alone!!!

My surgeon told me that it is basically not possible to get acid reflux with a properly adjusted band and if you do get reflux then something isn't right. I know if I lie down too soon after eating or drinking, before the food has left my pouch, it can cause a "backup" and I feel like the food is sitting too high in my chest. (Hard to explain.) Before surgery I had acid reflux so badly that I would wake up at night choking and gasping for air but post-op it has been completely cured. I don't think you should have to suffer with this because I don't believe this is a normal symptom of having a band. Good luck and I hope it improves.

Thanks! You're doing great too, don't sell yourself short! That's 33 pounds of yuckiness you are no longer carrying around every day. Imagine carrying a potato sack full of 33 pounds of potatoes all day...it would be darn impossible. You're doing just fine!

"Perhaps someone else out there who has had 3 fills without restriction will gain hope and support from my posts, and perhaps will think, "Well, see there? THAT person has had 3 fills and still has no restriction. I'm not a lost cause after all." That cracked me up because I actually asked my doctor that same question one time....about being a lost cause!! I just had fill #6 or #7 this morning (I lost count) and I'm still fighting for proper restriction. Forget the "sweet spot" I just would be happy with sustained restriction. So, unfortunately I think we are all so different that it just takes longer for some of us to get there versus others!

Hi everyone! You guys are all doing so well. I had a doctor's appointment this morning...my doctor quit last night. So, I had to see a new doctor. He was nice but I need my "real" doctor, darn it! I have spent almost a year and a half working with him and now he's gone just like that??? This truly was one of my worst fears....to lose my doc before I finished.. WOW...I'm still in shock. He was just such a wonderful source of information and support and encouragement. I'm not sure I'll get that same level of care any more...just when I need it most too. Sorry...just having a little pity party over here tonight.

Sorry, I don't have much info to offer except to say that if it's really bugging you then don't stop asking your doctors. If your lap-band doctor doesn't know the answer then go to your regular doctor. I know I experienced nerve damage in my leg during my lap-band surgery because of the way they had me positioned on the OR table...perhaps your issue is related to the OR table as well? I'd imagine your head gets tilted back at a strange angle during surgery to keep your airway open so perhaps that pinched a nerve or something???? I hope it feels better soon!

Slime is gross! And it just amazes me how much and how fast my body creates it in times of "distress"!! But, I see it's purpose and agree that sliming usually means we've done something wrong that we should try to avoid in the future! It always happens to me when something gets stuck but I've had it happen on occasion just when something is hung up a little and isn't necessarily all the way stuck. At any rate, sliming should be a rare occurrance!

It could be, but most likely the fill just wasn't enough. Sometimes I bruise too after a fill so I don't think that's an indication that something is wrong. I'd say try to get another fill and when they withdraw the fluid just make sure it was the amount of saline you were expecting. That's how I reassure myself that there's no leak!

He's probably anticipating that you'll hit the sweet spot after this fill. There is a limit of what your band can hold but based on what you said I'm thinking he's just being optimistic that you'll be set after this next one and not that there's a problem. I've had more than 4 fills and I hope to get another tomorrow. The only limits to the number of fills you can have are if your band is filled to capacity or when it becomes too tight to live with. If you hit your sweet spot then you'll be adjusted to the perfect level for you and you'll probably not want to have any more fills. I'm almost a year and a half out and still haven't found my sweet spot though! This whole fill thing is tricky business!

I experienced similar pains post-op but it only lasted about 3-4 days. I have heard that a muscle in your diaphram can become irrated as a result of surgery which can cause similar symptoms. Unless the problem is severe and/or you feel like you can't breathe properly then I'd say give it 3-4 days and then call if it doesn't start feeling better.

It has happened to me that I am swollen for a few days following a bad "stuck" episode. I will usually drink liquids only for a day or two to allow my pouch to settle down. If you are still having problems you might want to try this. Restriction comes and goes for me, this may be all that's happening to you as well. Either way, if you continue to have trouble over the next few days you might want to call your doctor. Good luck!