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I'm 3.5 weeks post-op. Of my 5 incisions, only 1 has completely healed. No signs of infection in any of the others. How long SHOULD it take to heal complete (scar)? I'll see my surgeon on the 18th, but was curious what others' experience has been. I have no skin staples or stitches, but have suture glue that closed the skin layer.

Hi! I'm trying to be really optimistic here. I had my 1st fill last Thursday and I started going to the gym on Sunday and instead of loosing weight I'm gaining weight!! I had my surgery 05/08/14 and I've been loosing steadily about 1 or 1 1/2 lbs per week and I was happy with that. This week I've gained 2 lbs!!! I assumed I would continue to loose weight, specially because I started working out.

Bedhead, well yes and no,. Because there was a portion of her stomach that was left in (as it is when you have gastric bypass) and she evidently was an acid maker, she developed an ulcer (probably more than one) She did not go back to her surgeon. We had been wondering about why the boys said she was sleeping so much during the day, it was because she was anemic because the ulcer was bleeding. All of her pain symtoms were mimicing gall bladder disease. So, after several trips to the ER they took it out. Long story short, she came home on a Thursday after surgery and died that Saturday when the ulcer perforated. It is my opinion that this was a needless death. She should have gone back to her surgeon who should have recognized the symptoms, she should have listened to her body about how sick she was (but she hated sickness and tried to ignore it) We saw a change in her appearance, hair, skin tone, etc but could not get her to go. The physician who did the gall bladder surgery also does bariatric surgery so he should have recognized the possibility instead of just doing the surgery without any additional workup. That is one reason that my husband and I (who have both had sleeve surgery, no stomach left in) went to a surgeon who does nothing but bariatric surgery. Anyway, bad things happen all of the time for all sorts of reasons to all types of people. As for her boys, it has been almost four years and they are doing really well. The youngest does have some issues, but did before she died (he is a little bit on the spectrum and a little ocd) They have the most amazing step mother who lost her Mother the year before our daughter died so she understands that type of loss. We feel very blessed that our son in law had the wisdom to marry such a wonderful person.

I get this a lot too - especially from my mom and sister. I try to respond by saying right now I'm not focusing on the numbers, but rather on how I feel. Then I show them how loose my pants are. I was banded on 12/24 and have 2 weeks until my first fill. I get tired of trying to explain fills, restriction, etc. too. I weigh myself only once a week anyway, so I can always say, "gee, I'm not sure, haven't weighed since Tuesday!" I also hate, can you eat that??? Um, if I couldn't, I wouldn't. I don't need food police. :thumbup:

So sorry to hear that...... Since you were banded in 2008, there is probably not much you haven't heard or tried, so you probably won't hear anything new from this forum...... From this group and others I belong to, I have come to the conclusion that there are cases where the band just does not go well with the individual..... Every attempt is made during the pre-surgery testing, screening, etc, and unfortunately it does happen. I don't know you or your situation, but speaking for myself, I really wanted to loose weight...life or death, and I was, and still am, willing to make any sacrifices needed.... I joked with my Dr. and said "I don't care if you wire my jaw shut, ANYTHING to loose this weight" One good thing about the band, it is reversible and can be removed, unlike by-pass, etc. I used to LOVE food, and LOVE cooking....I had to turn my back on the thing I loved, and in a way, make it my enemy....always there to do me harm.... I also believe, having the band and continuing to over eat can, and probably will do more harm physically than good...abuse to the band is never good......2008 is a long time

I live in Birmingham, Alabama. I had lap band surgery on May 30th, 2008. Hospitals are never fun and my surgery went ok, with a few minor issues. I had surgery 6 years ago for sleep apnea and then gained some weight and the apnea came back with out me knowing it. I stopped breathing during my lap band surgery and had to be intubated. Then because my O2 levels were so low , they made me spend the night. By the following day I was better and went home. The surgery was not very painful and the day I went home I was just a little sore but the doc gave me lortab . I had a lot of nausea from anesthesia. So I also took phenegren. I had some issues with feeling really severe pain in my chest and back. It turned out to be caused from swelling and air bubbles. My best advice is to never drink and eat at the same time. when you drink you swallow air. The air gets trapped between the slow moving food particles and the liquid, creating bubbles. It feels like a heart attack. It helps to try and burp. It will pass after a few minutes. I think that the physical aspects of the lap band, are easy to deal with in comparison to the emotional and metal aspects. I can only speak for myself in this regard but for me it's the honest truth. I am addicted to food, I have suffered from emotional eating my whole life. I believe it is a learn behavior that I developed in childhood. I had serious issues with the liquid diet even after just a few days. I was starving! I cheated and ate food way too early. But it's part of the reason I didn't loose as much weight as some people. Once I realize I could eat, psychologically I felt better but at the same time I was disappointed that the band didn't seem to be "policing" my eating habits. I went through weeks of being depressed and sometimes really upset with myself for spending so much money on something that didn't seem to be working. I paid out of pocket because my insurance wouldn't cover it. About 8 years ago when I was much thinner, I had a tummy tuck and breast reduction. I developed MRSA which is a staff infection. It became septic and I almost died. Since then my body has been colonize with MRSA. Now all of us have staff that naturally grows on our skin, but the kind I now have is resistant to antibiotics. I was sent by my surgeon to an infectious disease doctor before surgery, he had me take two different antibiotics for 30 days prior and after my surgery to minimize the risk of another life threatening infection. These antibiotics cause the natural bacteria in my digestive system to die. So I had a lot of diarrhea and still do. I have also felt very tired since surgery. I have missed a lot of work and it has all been a big struggle. Almost 2 weeks ago I found this website. It took me a while to sign up and get the nerve to start posting and blogging. Since I have been here I have learned a ton. I started taking probiotic which help replace the natural flora lost from antibiotics, I also have taken since surgery a muti vitamin called Vitaband. It's chew able and taste pretty good. I also take a calcium supplement by Vitaband. They are cinnamon and are so good! I added Vitamin D, 1000 milligrams and plan to talk to my doctor about getting a B12 shot for some much needed energy. I take glucosomine chondrotin for my joints, as a heavy person I have bad knees and this seems to help. For me the key to vitamins is consistency. It takes a while for my body to tell the difference from taking them. I feel much more "proactive" since coming to this website. I feel empowered by the answers that I have gotten and by the support of the people here. It's great to hear success stories, they keep me hopefull. I have the realize band instead of some of the other band's on the market. I love the realize website. I have started keeping track of my progress there and it has really helped. It has a place to sign in and I can fill out every thing from recipes and food diary to triggers and emotional issues. I keep track of my workouts, glasses of water, vitamins, band tightness ect. A year or so ago, I bought the biggest loser books. I never used them and just brought them out the other day. It turns out that the things they preach in the books go along with the eating and workouts with the lap band. I have found so many really great recipes that are low fat, low carb with portion control. There is also a great workout and great advice on how the body works, what it takes to loose weight and keep it off. If you google "biggest loser books" amazon as sets of them for sale, all three books for 20.99 right now. Or the biggest loser website sells them. My diet.. I am trying to limit my calories to 1800 daily. I know that sounds like a lot to most people but what I have learned is that if you starve your body, it will hold on to fat! I also try to eat consistently every 4 or 5 hours, eating small snacks at a time. this keeps the metabolism balanced and working for me, without having ups and down with blood sugar. This keeps the weight coming off. I try to get in 100g of protein each day and I keep my carbs as low as possible. I have did a bunch of research on protein shakes and finally settled on one. I ready several reports online about obese people and soy protein. Apparently it helps obese people loose weight faster than whey or wheat protein. I have order some and when it gets here and I try it, i will blog my thoughts and the brand. My doc also recommended VHT Evtreme smoothee. They are a simple good tasting drink that helps when you don't have anything for breakfast or a snack. they are made for people who have had the lap band, Ebay has the best price I have found. Chocolate is my favorite. It's great when I crave chocolate like for those PMS moments. I joined a gym and it came with a few personal training sessions. I got some great tips from my instructor. He said the more protein the better within the calorie range for me. He also advised that I eat my carbs in the morning. They will give me some energy to work out and also give me time to burn them off before they have a chance to turn to fat. I would say the hardest thing for me so far is to stay away from sugar. I love sweets and I love a good cup of coffee with real cream and sugar. I am having coffee in the morning and using the splenda that is part sugar part splenda. I plan to ween myself slowly off of the sugar. It turns out that carbs actually make you more hungry!! I just learned that. That's totally why I am so fat! i was a carb junkie! In turn protein makes you feel full longer Let see... what else am I doing? Oh, yes... I still don't think my band is tight enough as I can eat big bites. I think from what everyone told me in chat, that I need to be tightened again. So Monday am, I am calling to request it. I do really well on my diet all day.. then late at night I want to eat. I was thinking about trying a diet pill but I haven't found one for the evening. I don't want it to keep me up. I think tonight I am going to try and go to bed if I start feeling hungry or read a book. Well, that's all I can think of for now. I am just happy to be here, happy my fever went away and happy I am re hydrated from yesterday. I am going to keep drinking my clear liquids and stay hydrated, as for the diarrhea issue. If it comes back today, I may have to go to my general care doc and find out what the heck is going on. I am so tired of going to doctors that I hope that won't happen. Maybe my body just needs a bit more time to adjust to this new life style. Thanks for reading! Stay strong! We can all do it! Rachelle Perrin As of today I have lost 14lbs in almost 6weeks. Slow and steady wins the race!

I had that as well right after surgery. They told me to take Colace each day post surgery so as soon as I started with the loose bowel movements, I quit taking it and that solved it for me.

Try and stay calm Boo Boo Kitty.....my husband has had 3 seperate skin cancers removed (the downside of living in Australia.....they don't call us the "sunburnt country" for nothing!). In Australia we have the highest rate of skin cancers in the world so it is not uncomon to speak to people who've had at least one removed. It really depends what type of skin cancer you have as to the danger and treatments and don't blame yourself, everyone no matter what skin colour they have can get skin cancer, a friend of mine who is of New Zealand Maori descent so she is quite dark skinned has had skin cancer removed from her face.

I just found out Friday that I have skin cancer. They took a biopsy out of a spot on my cheek and said they'll let me know this week what's gonna happen. I'm right with you though girl. Scared!!!

My mom actually died of melonoma -- which is the most aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer and can have NOTHING to do with overexposure to the sun. I myself had 4 spots removed earlier this summer as precancerous -- just have them removed and continually check yourself for new spots. You should be fine, and it's pretty normal.

The band doesn't cure diabetes. It is a tool that assists weight loss. Some patients loose weight and no longer require certain meds. I was taking high blood pressure meds pre band. Now, after loosing 68lbs my blood pressure is normal without any medication. The same happens with some diabetic patients.

Is there such a thing as too much too fast? I Started my pre op diet on Oct 12, 2012, my begin wieght was 337, yesterday was my 4 week post op mark, and I wieghed myself this morning and I am down to 278, if i am not mistaken thats 59lbs. Granted I was down to 309 the day of the surgery on Oct 22, 2012. but altogether it seems like its a lot of lbs to loose in a short amount of time. I beleave I will slow down as soon as I can start to eat better, but as it is now I am not holding down much, I can do a protien shake, it takes about an hour to get down, I can eat some soft foods like yogurt and apple sauce but only about three very small bites at a time, then i am done for hours. I had my surgery done out of the US, for a couple reasons, first of all the bariatric surgen would not even talk to me because I take narcartics for pain, plus the local surgen wants 25K to 30K so I went out of the country (Mexico), The doctors and nurses were exeplery they were so nice and accomidating to our every need it seemed like, but the only problem is there is no follow up care which i would have thought that if you follow the diet like it says there should not be any problems, but to my surprise there are unforseen things that one just does not think about, like I think the doctor might have made my stomach pouch too small be cause it is really hard to keep anything down, but maybe this is the way its suppose to be, time will tell.

Thank you. As much as thought I had prepared myself for dealing with stress so that I wouldn't turn to food for comfort it still happened. I'm thankful that I can't eat the amounts I used to and that I continued to follow the rules my dietician gave me of no fluids with food and waiting an hour after eating to start drinking again otherwise I'm certain I would have gained it all back. After I wrote this anniversary reflection I spoke with a dietician/"health coach" offered through my work. She made a comment that struck me. "Because of the RNY there are severe consequences to not providing highly nutritious food to your body. If you want to live a disease free, healthy life you need to eat nutrient dense food." Of course I have heard that before but for whatever reason it really stuck in my head this time. Since April 1st I have been focusing on logging my intake and getting at least 64 ounces of water every day. I refuse to weigh myself for at least another week but my pants are looser and according to my daughter my "turkey-waddle", all of that loose wrinkly skin under my chin, isn't as waddly. I hope our lives see less stress soon and that we gain healthier coping mechanisms too. Good luck to us!!!

SO I got my fill yesterday, getting to that point where I am taking fills slowly and being careful...and fearful of if I get overfilled. So I decided I'd take it easy and went to do some xmas shopping (I have a fair bit more to do DOH!!) but whilst there I tried on some clothes for myself. It is hard because my mind is still in 'fatter mode' where I think that certain sizes will def NOT fit. but I thought what the hey I'll give it a go. So I tried on two tops and they fit!! I haven't been able to buy a size 16 in years!!! So I had to buy them...I realised I need some tops to get me through the summer :tt1:~ I also have a pair of pants I bought too small for me for $5.00 (that were on sale having been $100) I didn't try them on thinking I had a lot more to go before they'd fit but I tried them on a few weeks ago and they were really loose and now I think they are too big!! ARRGHH!! Then I got a hair cut and colour...Amazing how a day can make you feel better about yourself :tt1:

The first 4-6 weeks are for healing you should not be trying to lose during that time. If you don't understand how much healing you need go watch a video of the surgery. After healing, around four weeks in you'll notice changes in how things fit, assuming you're losing around 2 lbs/week. Around three months post op you'll see your face changing. Around 4-5 months others will start to notice. This assumes you have over 125 lbs to lose and lose between 1-2 lbs per week. Which is ideal. More than that and you risk gallbladder issues, loose skin, and more.

Can I ask if u don't mind what is your begin weight and did u have a tummy tuck? Your stomach looks so great you have no loose skin. Great job you look great. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I dont post much but by gosh I read alot and its been helpful to know that everyone goes through their moments. I feel like Im kinda stuck where Im at, and not sure how to push past it. But I finally had one of those moments that was like WOW.... people have of course noticed and I always say thank you, but I had to recently pull out the winter jeans and I of course go through to start trying on what I can and cant wear, I have a whole new wardrobe of clothing that fits!!!! Woooo hooo jeans I havent had on my fat butt in 6+ years are now fitting perfectly if a little snug or a little loose depending on the style. Sweaters and Sweatshirts that people bought for me or I bought that never fit right or fit only once as I was climbing the scale on upward mobility. Now.... I have rubbermaid containers full of clothes that are too big and that Im scared to give away because I want to make sure that I am not going to climb the scale upward. :whoo::whoo::whoo:. My stuck part is that I have been at the same weight for a month now, not really seeing anything move, I know part of it is what Im eating as there are times I fee soooooooo tight that once I start the regurgitation process Im like that all day, and then by the next day Im back to normal. Im hoping someone knows what Im talkin about and can help me with some advice to get past it. It always starts in the morning and if I eat the wrong thing I get the bowling ball in the throat, then I spend the morning tossing it back up, and then I cant keep anything down all day. I get to sleep that night, and start fresh the next morning. :help::help: Me

loose loose and even looser pj. Make sure you have your liquids read.

Hi, At less then 500 calories a day you are putting your body into starvation-mode! It will hold on to every pound you have, thinking it might never be fed again. This is your bodys defence mechanism. Is this the food advice you have been given my your doctor / nutritionist? A healthy, normal woman at healthy BMI who exercises moderately and want to maintain weight should be around 1800 cals / day (give or take). My nutrionist has been extremely careful to not use the word "diet" and has more or less forbidden us to count calories etc. I have spent 20 years on diets ruining my body, yo-yo up and down on the scale. The goal now is to get to the stage where we eat as a normalweight person would do, and stick to that. (ie at approx 1800 cals). To first loose the weight however, we should be at about 1200-1400 cals. I'm not trying to be a "know-it-all" here (and apologise if that is how I come across, english is also not my first language) but I don't understand why 500 cals a day is recommended? If you, on top of that, exercise - then you definitely need to increase. The "engine" needs fuel, basically. My advice would be to definitely increase your daily intake, with focus on Proteins. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and then another snack should be the goal. My nutritionists guidelines are clear; the Snacks are essential to ensure we get all the nutrions, Vitamins and minerals we need as we can eat so little at a time. Best wishes and good luck!

Fat carries estrogen. As you loose it, the estrogen is released into your body. That can really mess with mood. Also, the above post is right. Major surgery plays a huge part. Plys, if you were an emotional eater, you don't have that crutch anymore. It will take time for your body to get used to the changes and hormones and new diet, etc. Please!... reach out to those who support you and to your Dr and let them know. There are options to help . Don't suffer in silence. You made a great choice for your health by having surgery. It will get better!

I am three weeks post op and I just started noticing that my skin is flaking off, especially on my stomach. My arms and legs are incredibly dry as well. Does anyone else have this similar problem with their skin?

I think you will loose the weight just fine after your fill. You have come along way so far... Do not give up! I have just joined the group today, and I am not banded yet. I am scared because I want to go to Mexico, but am afraid I will not be able to find a doc in Florida to provide fills.

This is fascinating, Babs, thanks so much! It's not surprising that the existence of a small silicone band around a part of our anatomy should have an effect. Let's hope we find out these are minor changes that don't matter any more than a small scar on our skin does.

My food plan allows me to be on some "modified solids" such as soft cheeses and refried beans. I have been militantly measuring out my 2 oz portions of everything so for a meal I might have 1 oz yogurt and 1 oz string cheese, 1 babybel light or 1 wedge of laughing cow. I have not felt any restriction or "fullness" until tonight. We had to go to Costco and my daughter wanted dinner . . . I let her get a piece of cheese pizza. Since she never finishes the pizza I figured I'd just skin some of the cheese off hers (avoiding the tomato sauce) and that could be my dinner. I think I had the equivalent of about 2 oz, but I didn't have the ability to measure/weight it out, and I think I might have eaten a bit too fast - but I THINK I felt my first feeling of fullness. I did NOT like it, I had a little discomfort in my chest and it sort of felt like the chunks of food could come back up. They didn't, and I was counting the minutes to my 30-minute mark so I could wash it down . . . but I think I learned my lesson of measuring EVERYTHING very early on!!

So I'm back from my visit with the Wizard. Dr. Audencio Alanis - Audencio Alanis M.D. - Bariatric Surgeon, Weight Loss Surgery, LapBand Surgery, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio He the great. The hospital was great. I'm feeling ok. Each day the pain is less and less. The only thing I can't do right now is bend over freely. I got 4 cuts on my stomach. One right under my left breast. The other 3 almost in a line across my stomach. I have pictures of me pre and post op here...Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum - Heft_Bandit's Album: Heft Bandit I had a revelation while reading the boards last night...I can take my pain meds when ever I like. So since then, my pain level has been pretty low. In addition to the pain meds my dr order me some Carafate and Pepcide Complete. The Carafate seems to be like pepto or something. So I don't have any issues right now. (knock on wood). Gonna call a Dermo tomorrow and hopefully get an appointment. I have keloid skin and really don't want the scars to get out of control. ..."there's no place like bandland..., there's no place like bandland..."