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I am 4 weeks post op and am stuck at 18 pounds lost. It is very frustrating. Do I need a fill or go back to liquid (don't want to go back to liquids) diet? I have my 4 week check on Wednesday, I think i am going to ask for a fill. It will be my first. Another 10 pounds or so and I will be able to fit in my old jeans. CAN'T WAIT!!!

I don't but I do have a BMI of 35 but having diabetes type 2 qualified me. I have lost 10 lbs in 11 days since my Jan 9 bypass

UGH... and I had the EXACT symptoms you do. Mine felt like an overall tightness/soreness /extreme discomfort - like when I took a deep breath, or was sitting/laying in a certain position, bending over, etc. I basically felt it all the time. I discussed with my doctor and he said it's most likely a combination of trapped gas and constipation. I was banded on 11/10 and had a hell of a time (excuse my language) going #2. I had HORRIBLE constipation. I've since taken colace and have had a MUCH better time. High Protein diets are synonymous with constipation, so it’s very important that we drink as much Water as possible. I was 3 weeks post-op yesterday and can still feel it, just not as bad. It’s DEFINITELY gotten SO much better though. I too was very concerned for a while. My port is the lower right side of my stomach closer to my belly button as opposed to under your left rib cage. So for me, this particular ailment wasn’t port pain (though I DO have some port pain, just not there lol). Also, I know that some sleeve/bypass patients have experienced the same pain/discomfort… so I don’t think this symptom is exclusive to banded patients. My doctor also suggested that it may be something called "splenic flexure syndrome." Essentially, gas gets trapped in the bend of the colon near the spleen (the splenic flexure). It’s more or less just gas pains that will eventually dissipate. This may sound crazy… but I found that flapping my arms, like I’m doing the chicken dance helped. I know it sounds weird, but it actually helped alleviate my discomfort/pain But overall, if the discomfort if not manageable and is not getting better at all, I would certainly call your doctor. There’s no reason for you to be uncomfortable and in pain.

Hey Amy, send me an email with your information, Friday at 10 am sounds good for you? I sent you the email:) 10am is good! thank you!

Hi. My name is Candy and I live just southeast of Columbus OH. I started this journey in June by attending one of the seminars at Mount Carmel. I just got approved yesterday and I can't wait to find out when I can have the surgery. 6/25/08 - Seminar 7/26/08 - Accepted into program 9/2/08 - Surgeon appt. 9/12/08 - Psych eval 9/8/08 - Dr. visit 1 of 3 09/24 - EKG 10/2/08 - Nutritionist 10/3/08 - Stress test - cancelled 10/6/08 - Dr. visit 2 of 3 10/7/08 - Echo 10/10/08 - stress test - cancelled 11/7/08 - Stress test - completed 11/17/08 - Dr. visit 3 of 3 11/18/08 - approved by insurance

Hi, I had band surgery 10-24-07, and had no issues until 8 weeks post op when I developed an infection in the port area. My symptoms started out just like yours, and they got worse. I was on antibiotics by mouth for a few days, and the swelling/pain increased, and the red circle around my port area grew larger. After three days on antibiotics my fever spiked to 103.4. I was admitted to the hospital for a week on IV antibiotics, and then they eventually had to remove my port. My port was removed Dec. 17th, and the plan is to have it replaced in March. Do not panic will be ok....just get attention quickly. Like with any surgery infections can occur. Please let us know how are you doing.

Oh Thank Goodness I'm not alone! I am 12 days post surgery and I am so scared because I find that I haven't had to puree my foods as much as I thought I would have to. I dont have any problem with feeling full or wanting to snack. I am eating good Proteins, veggies/fruits and just chewing chewing chewing. I even had some green Beans and beets that were not pureed but smashed and it all went down well. BUT I am so afraid that I am either not eating the right combination of food or maybe eating too much. I do measure and/or weigh each of them and have not snacked or cheated in any way but I am GAINING weight... At 10 days post op, I had lost a total of 26 pounds but in the last 2 days I have gained almost 5 pounds. I wonder if I am retaining Water, am I eating too much or not the right combination of foods. I also wonder if its because I went 8 days on liquids and then it took a few days for my body to bounce back and catch up.

Just be careful...I guess I got overconfidant today in how good I was feeling and drank my first Protein shake of the day fairly fast. I didn't gulp but I probably finished a decent size shake (10 oz.?) in 10 minutes. Then around noon after a little warm soup and I went to drink some cold crystal light - let me tell you, that did not feel good at all. As soon as the cold liquid hit near my diaphragm area it was pain and pressure. I layed off the cold liquid and have just had a small amount of warm/lukewarm liquid since then. Just about 20 minutes ago I was thirsty and tried some cold Water (very tiny sips) and it seems to be doing okay, but I'm definitely going to slow it down from here on out and maybe switch back to clear Protein drinks for a few days. Best of luck to everyone!!! I guess it is definitely a learning process :thumbdown:

My Dr told me to start taking vitamins and supplements 10 days out. Today is my first day and I got the multivitamin down fine. I tried crushing the others and putting them in my protein drink..... Disgusting!!!!! Any suggestions?

I had a surgery date 5/18/10. I was already a bit nervous! On the day of the pre-op class 5/12 I found out that my dad needs to have open heart surgery which is scheduled for 5/17 so I had to cancel. I know there is a reason why this happens but it was hard. I had been waiting for this date, i was already on the liquid diet and getting use to it. The next day I went to see my sugeron and told him I had to cancel. I was able to get a new date right away 6/1/10:thumbup: So now I can go spend time with my dad and be there for him! Now I feel ready to go and be a June bandster!! We do have to find a name for June but I am not good with coming up with a name either!

Hello all! I have been a member for a couple of months but have been a little shy about posting. I was sleeved April 19, 2012. I went to a free seminar that the surgeon had back in July of 2011. After much prayer and thought I decided to go through with the surgery. I had to do a 6 month supervised diet and at the time I was annoyed at the fact that I had to wait. Now that I am post op I am so glad that I had the 6 months to prepare. I think that if I hadn't had the 6 months I would be completely lost now. The day finally came for surgery. I wasn't nervous at all. My post op course has been uneventful. I have been truly blessed. The worst part for me was the first week and the 2 day stay in the hospital. The only thing that bothered me about the hospital is the On-Q pump was in the way and I did not like the effects of the anesthesia. The first week I was home was a little trying because I had a lot of head hunger and couldn't sleep. Now at 10 weeks out I feel back to normal (with the exception of not eating a ton and people bugging me about how much weight I have lost). I seriously feel like that I have not had anything done. I am not the faster loser and I have been fighting within not to compare myself to others. I understand that everyone is different. For all the pre-op people I pray that you have an amazing journey and are complication free. For all of the post-op people I pray that this journey will be the biggest gift you could have done for yourself and for strength to keep up with this lifestyle change.

FINALLY! SOMEONE AFTER MY OWN HEART!!!! Not weighing yourself every second! i used to do that too! Weigh only at the drs office. I had my surgery came home and tossed the scale out into the trash. . it was the best thing i ever did! At my 7th week i went to the doctor and had lost a whooping 53 lbs! I was so proud of myself it made it all worth while. Now at 10 1/2 months out and a loss of 140 lbs I'm really happy with myself. . . . YES pureed chicken and beef is just like paste no matter what you do to it. . .don't get upset with life at thanksgiving, you won't be able to eat much, only a bite here and there and you'll feel sorry for yourself. . . but you know what? It's ok! It's normal. . . we are so used to eating sooo much food all our lives and then suddenly overnight our tummy's are snatched away from us and we are EXPECTED to change our ways. . . It's really hard, but in time you will learn what to do. . I still have some problems at times in that I don't have time to eat properly and eat junk food. . .thank god for pork rinds though! I eat those alot. . . no carbs~!!!!! But you will do fine! Just wrap your head around the new you and take it easy. . .don't beat yourself up and keep on doing what you do! Have a blessed thanksgiving and give blessing to the ones around you and not on what you have lost. Good luck!

Thanks everyone! I'm having a really hard time with sausage and bacon and scrambled eggs being cooked here for hubby and the kids this morning for Breakfast...but k had my shake. I am second-guessing my decision about 10 times a day right now! But anyway, I'm having bypass done. I forgot to mention that in my intro post.

I think the amount of Protein shakes impacts the smell regardless of which bariatric surgery. Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

Take it easy don't rush things Sent from my HTC 10 using the BariatricPal App

No post-surgery complications here. I swear that this surgery saved my life, and it did! I had so many medical issues pre-op that I knew I wouldn't survive surgery, yet I still did it. I gambled, rolled the dice and WON big time!!! I'm slightly over 10 months out, down 107 pounds and feeling like a million bucks. My goal weight is still 55 pounds away, but I will get there. Even with that, if I don't lose another pound, I'm thrilled I had my surgery. I am happy, healthy and alive today because I was sleeved. Thank God and Dr Domkowski. I'm ALIVE!!!

My moms on her 2 week Pre-op low fat diet. We can't find any fat free salad dressing that's low in sugar also. I found a spray dressing that's low fat (1g for 10 sprays). Is that ok to use? Also, are artichokes ok to eat? They weren't on the list. Thanks everyone!

I changed my coverage from an HMO to Empire BCBS effective for 01-01-08 just for the sole purpose of this surgery being covered. I am super siked that 01-01-08 is almost here so I can finish getting everything needed. My dr. office also said they are great to work with. According to my dr you need letter from dr showing why surgery is med. nec., nutriotional counseling, pysch evaluation. I have already had my nutritional counseling (paid out of pocket) but the psych eval was so pricey I had to wait until coverage begins. I am calling 01-02-07 to get pre-cert for the psych eval. I am scheduled for eval on 01-08-07. Once completed, all paperwork can be turned in to BCBS for approval!!!! I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW YEAR!

Wow Awesome. I am seeing green too! I have completed everything they require. Just waiting on the psyc report to be sent to my pcp so everything can be submitted. He said it would be ready by 01-15-08 but I think I will start bugging them since you said it was quick for you.

A liquid is technically anything that can go up a straw and at 10 days out they can be quite thick. There isnt any need to live on shakes. You could blend up a decent Soup - one that contains meat and Pasta for example. If you need to thin it, do so with some chicken stock or a canned tomatoes, Water or milk, depending what it is. You can also blend fruit, yogurt and an egg with some flavouring, it doesnt have that horrid soy-ish Protein shake taste. You can put bran or other Cereal in it too. You can thin anything to a liquid, even a roast dinner. Just make it into a savoury soup with stock. Just keep it to healthy, energy giving foods and dont eat them in solid form until you are allowed to.

I get the headaches - it usualy means (FOR ME) that i am done eating... Ive noticed that regardless if i eat slow or a lil faster, i still get them. My dr said everyones body tells them differently when ur full, so i assume this is mine - its not a major headache, almost like the onset of one - once i stop eating, im OK, it goes away after 5 min or 10. good luck

Oh, please don't feel like a failure. Please remember there are no failures, just learning experiences. You know what it feels like to still be hungry so just know that the right feeling is coming. I have had 3 fills and each one has been different. In one of the forum's I read on here, it said that as we lose weight, the fat pad around the band shrinks and we may have to continue to get fills but along about the 6th or 7th fill mark, the adjustments will get smaller. Please look at it from that perspective. Also, for those whom it takes more of a fill to reach your sweet spot, you may just have a smaller pie hole opening so it takes more fills to make it smaller than it would someone with a larger opening. I understand where you are. I go for my 4th fill on the 23rd of this month and I have to admit that I seem to be hungrier this month than I have been. Maybe I need to ask them to give me a tad bit more of a fill. If you are anything like me, I have spent years dispising my body and beating myself up for what I am not. I am impatient with my weight and have had times when I just could not look in the mirror and liked what I saw. I want this weight to fall off my bones and I don't want to be hungry in the process. Well, I got sick and tired of that. This is the only body I am ever going to have. I beat it up and that just didn't work. The more I hated it, the worse I made things. I prayed for help for so many years. I got it. Not only was I banded and the weight is coming off (not as fast as I would like) but I have discovered that I can roll over in bed easier. I am jogging (very surprising that I love it) and yesterday I sat in a chair and saw myself cross my legs. I am taking note of the things that are working and the things that are not. I know I am hungrier than I was and with a week to go until my next fill, I am just filling myself full of things that I enjoy that are low in calories. I have been eating pickles and some tuna with low fat mayo with olive oil, pickle relish and celery seed. It is really good. I know I have to push forward with this and I am determined to succeed. I did as someone on here suggested and got a charm bracelet and I put my next charm out on my desk to remind myself what I am working towards. I put a charm on my bracelet for every 10 lbs I loose. So far, I have got 3 charms on there and I have one more pound to lose before I can add the 4th. I also bought my other 10 charms and take them out and look at them from time to time to help decide which order I am going to add them. I am going to spend about an hour after while and take up the waistbands of all of my pants. I know the hunger can get to you and be very distracting but PLEASE don't beat yourself up. Keep seeing yourself as completing your goal and be determined to make it to your next fill and know that this time it is going to work. When? When it does............and it will. We only fail when we give up. You know your next fill is coming and if it takes 5 more then it takes 5 more. If it's fine this month and not the next then you may be losing your fat pad around your band (woo hoo) and may need another adjustment to not be as hungry. We can look at the hunger as a sign that we are weak and need to beat ourselves up someone or we can use it as a sign that we just need another fill and this too shall pass. As for me, I plan on telling my doc that I am a lot more hungrier this time. My explanation to him of what is going on is the only way he knows how much to add and I am charming and persistant and usually get my way. This is my body and my journey, just as it is yours. Hang in there sunshine. We are on our way.

How's your life changed since surgery? How many of you have gone from a 5 to a 10? Haha. How has your confidence changed? Your dating life? The looks? Opportunities? I want to hear all the changes. It gets me excited and makes me feel amazing hearing all the success stories. I can't believe I'm living in my own success story. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

All is going well, I feel fantastic! Slight hunger, decent amount of energy. Im having NO PROBLEMS getting my fluids in or protein. Actually Im concerned that my sleeve is too big.... anyone have this issue??? I haven't weighed myself since surgery, but I will when I get home to Texas today or tomorrow. 51 year old woman VSG DATE: 10/28/17 5' 5" HW: 259 CW: SW: 245 GOAL: Healthy and hard