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I was floating along just fine until last Thursday, which was three weeks post-op. That day I had horrible upper and lower abdominal pain all day. I had terrible gas and six bowel movements, which got looser as the day went along, ending in yellow diarrhea. Friday it was better but by day's end it was back to horrible pain and yellow diarrhea again. Middle of the night I woke up in pain so bad I thought I was going to pass out, had another bowel movement, and it eventually passed. Saturday morning I called my surgeon, was told to just do fluids that day, and if it didn't get better to go to the ER. The pain was better all day but still had a BM that evening, same thing. This morning I woke up nauseous and in pain, took my morning meds and felt gaggy just swallowing Water. A half hour later I had a similar BM and decided it was time to go the ER. They did blood work and a contrast CT and said everything was normal. I'm supposed to be having an upper endoscopy tomorrow to check for a stricture but my surgeon (who did see me in the ER) isn't sure that's the issue with all of the symptoms that I'm having. The upper pain is on the left below my ribs, center under my sternum, and right below my ribs straight through to my back. The lower abdominal pain is crampy and all over. The upper pain comes and goes and is worse when I eat or drink, though it does happen even when I'm not. It's sharp/stabby and crampy/dull/burning. No fever or vomiting. The only pain when pressing on my abdomen is on the left side. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm at my wit's end. I can't eat or drink anything at this point without massive pain and nausea. The thought of anything besides water turns my stomach. I don't know what will happen if they don't find a stricture. I hadn't even progressed much as far as diet. The day before the symptoms started I tried scrambled eggs, which sat fine in my stomach. I've been off of surgical pain meds since five days post op, was walking miles every day, had loads of energy and was doing fine. My incisions are totally healed. I'm totally stumped.

Im scheduled for surgery in Oct and am wondering how people do on the full liquids phase. My dr recomends 3 weeks on it and I am a little concerned that this will be difficult to maintain. What have peoples experiences been?

I'm just two weeks out and finding the Protein shake to be the toughest to get in! I do it though. I need more energy, but I think it's REAL food I want. I bought some salmon bisque yesterday and thought I was in heaven it tasted so fresh-----I get to start mushies on Wed, but already have nibbled at this and that just to have some true food. Congrats to you!

I did 6 weeks, no cheating about 4 years ago in a medically supervised weight loss program.

The surgery was easy. I went home the same day. By the middle of the following week I started to feel that taking in fluids and protein was a chore. I didn't want to move away from my recliner. That was the first signs of a problem. My reasons for surgery were that I am a diabetic and had an aortic valve replaced in my heart eight years ago. That surgery was tough. The heart valve is a composite material that requires me to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. In preparation for the Lap Band my Dr took me off of the pill form of thinner and had me using an injectable thinner twice a day. The day of surgery all of the surgical team were happy with the INR value of my blood. After surgery the surgeon assisting my Dr came by to discharge me and said that they had a tough time with bleeding. By Thursday of the next week my INR level was coming up but I was not feeling the greatest. That evening I blacked out when trying to get up from my chair. I asked my wife for her auto blood pressure machine only to find that my b/p was 65/45. I called my Dr and he said go to the ER. The paramedic on the ambulance told me that he would try to help me feel better before we went to the hospital by giving me IV fluids. Three liters latter my bp was the same. I was brought to the local hospital given whole blood and transfered to the hospital where the surgery was done. Ten pints of blood, several bags of plasma and many liters of fluids I'm back to making a good recovery. Don't look at this as a minor surgery. This is serious business and please think to ask about what kind of problems can happen to you and be ready.

Nurse Sophie I'm only trying to make people aware of potential problems. Your right my blood thinners and medical history only complicated the surgery. I just thought that I'll be out of work for a week and everything will be fine. Most people will do fine. Just keep the fact that surgery is not always cut and dry. Thanks for your comments.

Most guys looking to build muscle mass are eating 1g of Protein per pound of lean body weight. You are no where close to eating to much. I am actually a little worried that your trainer would tell you 100g is to much protein. That protein is preserving your muscles. Do you want to lose weight faster at the expense that the weight lost is actually muscle? I eat over 100g a day and notice I am losing huge amounts on a measuring tape, doing decent in actual weight numbers but I lift 5 days a week and cardio 7 days. I am 7 weeks out and have stalled 3 times but the weight catches up. Once I am close to goal I plan to up my daily protein intake to around 200g daily. Just make sure you are spacing out your protein intake... its to much protein if your drinking 100g in 1 hour. Are you getting enough Water. The minimum 64oz is really not a lot if your exercising. I ate over 120g of protein and 120oz of water every day for 3 days and it broke my last stall... dropped 5lbs over night.

Hello, my surgeon wants me to complete two weeks of Optifast before my surgery at the end of this month. The closest place to get optifast brand is 100 miles from me. (although i've seen some on ebay). I was wondering if anyone out there used something different. A nurse in his office told me that as long as it's comparable it would be fine. Maybe some of you could help this newbie out by sharing with me what you used before your surgery and what you thought of it. Thanks a bunch!

Chuck, I also went with TLC Edge, but I paid $9,990. You should call and ask if they are planning on running specials anytime soon. Since you are self pay, you can control when you have the surgery. For me, it was the difference in going to Mexico for $7,000 or paying $12,000. I was excited when I heard they were running a special. It was only 2 weeks between when I had my first intial appointment and my surgery date.

My "dent" hurt for while to the point I called my doctor because I believed that there must be something wrong! But he kinda laughed and said "you just had surgery a few weeks ago what do you expect." Always check and take your pain medications! Get well soon.

just wondering how was everyones experience with their pre op diet. i have to do a 3 week preop diet. if you have instagram follow me @sleevedtaurus

Man, I really can relate to so much of this. I do a "chew and spit" thing all the time, too. Not only do I not enjoy food but the process of planning what to eat or forcing myself to eat is extremely anxiety-inducing for me, too. I didn't have all of these complications you had to deal with, but from day 1 I've had a really (irrational) intense worry that my new stomach isn't strong or that if I get something stuck it will just tear or explode... things that don't even really make sense or have any chance of actually happening. I feel much, much better when I restrict my calories. Maybe not physically. But mentally, on the days I have some reason (whether real or invented) to greatly restrict my calories, I feel like I'm doing well. The days I actually eat 1000-1200 calories - I've only had two of these days - I feel absolutely horrible and the urge to drink nothing but a Protein shake or two the next day is almost unbearable. The fact that I do lose more when I starve and stall or gain when I eat enough, coupled with how good my bloodwork still looks, just reaffirms my positive reaction to not eating enough and my anxiety and self-criticizing just pushes me further away from actual physical health. I'm in therapy too. Let's hope we both kick these problems in the ass in the end.

For those of you who are planning to use TRICARE Prime, today I discovered the stipulations and thought I would share. I am required to see a dietician and exercise expert for three months and receive a psych evaluation. Of my dietician visits, I must visit at least once with the dietician on base.

I originally had surgery as I needed 2 new knees, i have had the second one done 4 weeks ago, now it seems as if the whole purpose for having the bypass is gone,I need to find a new focus Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

I agree with orionburn, it is best to start with decaf. That's what I did. Then my nutritionist cleared me for regular coffee at 12 weeks post op. She said to start slowly, which I did. I handled it just fine and now at 4 and a half months post op, I drink 1-3 cups of coffee a day. But I have read where some people's nuts or doctors don't want them getting back on the caffeine at all, so your best bet is to check with them.

<p>Post-Surgery Diet, Nutrition, and ExerciseAfter surgery, you will need a new nutrition plan. Discuss this in detail with your surgeon and/or dietitian as they can help you learn about and get used to the changes in lifestyle and eating habits you need to make.It is very important to follow the eating and drinking instructions starting right after the operation to allow the new stomach structure to heal completely and in the right position. This may take a month or more. It is also important, especially in the early weeks, not to stretch the small stomach pouch above the band. Vomiting can stretch it, so it is important not to vomit. Vomiting can increase the chance of stomach tissue slipping through the band. The First Few Days Post-Surgery Right after the operation you can take an occasional sip of Water or suck on an ice cube. You shouldn’t drink more than this. The day after the operation, you can take a little more Fluid but only a small amount at a time. Besides water, you should also choose Clear liquids that have an adequate number of calories. To prevent nausea and vomiting, do not drink too much. liquid Diet (1-2 weeks post-op)The goal during this early post-operative period is to protect the small stomach pouch. Only thin liquids can be tolerated at this time. It is also important to keep hydrated with lots of water. Other liquids recommended during this phase include:</p> clear broth or Soup (with no vegetables or meat and not creamy) skim milk & fruit juice no-sugar-added popsicles pureed Foods (3-4 weeks post-op)During this phase you may start having slightly textured foods. Aim for the consistency of baby foods. This will help you transition to more solid foods later. Because Protein is so important to help you maintain muscle while you are losing weight, eat protein-rich foods first, and then move on to fruits and vegetables. Foods in this stage may include: pureed skinless chicken or fish mashed potatoes peas low-fat yogurt or pudding In the first few weeks you may be able to eat foods that might not be allowed in your diet later as these foods may contain too many calories. It is more important in the first few weeks to let your stomach adjust to the LAP-BAND® System than it is to lose weight. Also, your timing and progression into each dietary phase may vary. In general, you should follow the advice of your surgeon and/or dietitian about nutrition. Soft Foods (5 weeks post-op) Your meals can now include tender cooked foods like fish and ground turkey. Now that you can chew, make it a habit to chew foods well. If you have dentures, be sure to cut your food into small pieces and chew it thoroughly. If you don’t follow these precautions, you may experience vomiting, stomach irritation and swelling. You could also have stoma obstruction. If solid foods cause nausea and vomiting,go back to the liquid diet you had earlier. Then you can slowly add soft foods and eventually transition to solid foods. Always ask for advice from your doctor or dietitian that is specific to your situation. Vomiting may increase the incidence of band slippage, stomach slippage, or stretching of the small stomach pouch above the band. Your New Nutrition Plan When you can eat solid foods without problems you will need to pay close attention to your diet. Liquids will pass through the reduced stomach pouch quickly and will not make you feel full. The LAP-BAND® System was designed to restrict solids, not liquids. Drinking liquids during or immediately after meals tends to flush food through the pouch and you will not get the prolonged feeling of satiety needed to help you eat less. Staying hydrated throughout the day is important. Drink at least 6-8 cups of water per day and make sure you consume them between meals.Many patients have a difficult time with solid foods during the morning hours. If this is the case for you, you can open up your LAP-BAND® System by starting with a couple of glasses of liquids before your first meal. Too much food or big chunks of food can block the stomach pouch outlet. You can avoid this problem by chewing food welland eating small bits at a time. It is important to remember that your new stoma opening is approximately the size of a dime. Chew your food adequately so that it can easily fit through the opening. Eat only three small meals a day and make sure that these meals contain adequate nutrients. Your stomach can only hold about1/4 cup of food or 2 oz. at a time. Stop eating when your hunger is gone or when you feel comfortable. You may find that the small stomach pouch makes digestion of high-Fiber, high-fat and dry foods more difficult. Tolerance will vary from person to person. Ask your surgeon and/or dietitian about your food choices. The general guide below can help you create good and healthy meals that contain adequate nutrients but little sugar and fat. Good Food Choices 1. Fruits and vegetables 1 to 2 servings of fresh fruit daily 2 to 3 servings of fresh vegetables daily 2. Breads and cereals 1 small portion of low-sugar cold or hot Cereal 1/2 to 1slice of toasted whole wheat or rye bread each day Note: some patients have difficulty eating bread 3. Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, 1 oz. to 2 oz. of meat, fish, or poultry or one egg each day. (Remove all visible fat from the meat. Remove the skin from poultry. Prepare the meat in ways that need very little fat. Grilling, steaming, microwaving, or boiling are all good ways to do this.) Note: some patients have difficulty eating meat 4. Dairy products Milk and yogurt are calories in liquid form. However, these types of food have Calcium, which makes them an important part of a healthy daily diet, so choose a maximum of 2 cups of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt and 1 oz. of cheese a day.</p> <p> </p> <p> 5. Fats Restrict the use of fat to 3 to 4 teaspoons of margarine, butter, or oil per day. You can have low-fat salad dressings and mayonnaise in moderation 6. drinks Drink as many calorie-free liquids per day as you wish (though not with meals).Suitable drinks are tea or coffee (black) with low-calorie sweetener water non-carbonated beverages containing few or no calories Some doctors have reported that carbonated beverages may contribute to enlargement of the small pouch and recommend they be avoided. Foods to AvoidSome foods have a concentrated supply of calories with little nutritional value and should be avoided as much as possible. They include foods such as syrups cakes biscuits jam honey pies chips pastries Alcoholic drinks should also be consumed in moderation, for example a glass of wine per day. Common Problem Foods Some foods have difficulty passing through the opening of the stoma and may cause blockage. These include foods such as: dry meat shrimp untoasted or doughy bread Pasta rice Peanut Butter dried fruit fibrous vegetables like corn,asparagus and celery nuts coconut popcorn greasy or fried food seeds and skins of fruits and vegetables membrane of citrus fruits Introduce these foods slowly and individually to see if they are tolerated. Always be careful, chew well, and follow your surgeon’s or dietitian’s advice Exercise GuidelinesIncorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine is as important as your nutrition plan. Often patients have been sedentary due to decreased activity tolerance, psychological constraints, and in some cases, physical disabilities. After LAP-BAND® System surgery, aerobic activities—particularly walking and swimming—are generally best tolerated. Consult your surgeon and weight management team to find out which activity is right for you I got this info from obesityhelp.com I hope it is helpful to you I will be following this plan SC not yet banded

When were you banded? What type of list do you have for restaurants? I love to eat out & that sounds like a great idea! I would love to have some ideas as to what is good to get while at a restaurant. I was banded 10/5. My 1st visit was 2 weeks later, I did not get or need a fill then. But I am needing one now. I have an appt on 11/5 & he said he wants to fill me then because of thanksgiving. He also wants me to come back in Dec to get one before Christmas.

I'm so excited! I meet with the surgeon on May 20th to set a date...I'm praying for the first week of July!

I had GS surgery done in MX in Feb 2017. I've lost 55 lbs and have plateaued/stalled for the last 4 months and I still have lots of fat inches left to lose. I have a lot of food allergies (confirmed by blood work) and the "nutritionist" the Dr connected me with has no idea how to help me and I've been going it alone. I read the posts here about what someone eats on a daily basis and I can't eat over 3/4 of it. Add to my allergies is the complication that the surgery didn't remove my hunger like 99.5 % of patients. I've been hungry since day one. In fact my stomach growls so loud that co-workers can hear it. I'd like someone to brainstorm with, to talk menu plans with, to talk portion sizes with, strategy with, etc. So who do you recommend that I can do an online, remote appointment with? Who are your rock star nutritionists?

Hey guys. So I'm totally freaking out. I was sleeved on 3/30/16. Was doing great up until last week, I've plateaued so bad. SW- 256 CW-202. I can't seem to move away from it. And I notice I can eat more at one sitting, this happen to any one else? Do you guys think I stretched my sleeve out already? I got another 60 years to live with this thing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

While my situation is similar to yours it is not quite the same. I still have my band in but learned on Monday that it had prolapsed. My doctor did an endoscopy which confirmed this. He also performed a fleuroscopy and removed all the Fluid from my band making it nonfunctional. When I met with him for my initial consult, I told him that one of my biggest fears was that there would be too much damage from my band and scar tissue for him to be able to do the surgery. He told me then that he is able to do the band removal and sleeve at the same time in 90% of his patients. After the tests on Monday, I found out that the sleeve was still a viable option for me. I am having another test performed next week and then meet with him the following week to discuss the results. At that point it will be decided if my claim will be submitted to the insurance company early. My insurance company has a six month medically supervised diet criteria. So now the only question remaining is "when" the surgery will occur not "if" since I have met their other criteria. I hope this response helps. I know it is very nerve wracking with so many unknowns You worry about so many things. I hope that your fears turned out to be unfounded.

hi I am 5 weeks out of surgery and feeling great lost about 35 pounds , just started the puree stage last week. when can I add in Protein powder into my food ?

60 days? Wow. Ok so move move move . Got it!! Thank you 😊 When does swallowing liquid get easier? I don’t like the way it feels when water hits my stomach. Although I’m a week Post Op, I can’t help but think If water (even when warm) feels this way going down, how am I suppose to tolerate thicker liquid?

I am 8 weeks pregnant and 5 months post op VSG. Was told I would NEVER conceive and have PCOS. I am elated and terrified!! I am seeing a high risk Obgyn who has assured me everything looks great! I've heard the baby's heartbeat and already seen an ultrasound. What a gift!! I feel no different right now, no morning sickness or cravings. Just a little more sleepy and BREAST THAT I CAN NOT TOUCH from being sooooooo sore. Does the soreness go away anytime soon???? Highest weight was 283 I'm currently 191 ~ was hoping to get to goal of 175 ~ it'll happen. I still do step aerobics. Just finished a 5 week bootcamp ~ found out in middle of camp I was pregnant ~ just did modified exercises for the rest of class. I feel the exercise keeps me going and energized for the most part. I'm a different person from 5 months ago ~ I love to exercise now! Best wishes to you all!! I hope to update monthly on progress and gains. Pic is 283 / 191

Thanks - Iam hoping it is sodium, monday and tuesdays dinner were onthe salty side - I do think i am going to ask for a slight fill when i go next week,, the last time i had a .5cc fill but they had to take it out. I had a protien shake for Breakfast - lunch is .5 cup tomatoe Soup and some tuna on saltines.. im thinking i am eating to much - the tuna is about a half cup plus the soup and crackers makes more than a cup. dinner is going to be homemade salisbury steak.. i was going to make mashed potatoes but i think i will skip those -- this is just o aggrivating and upsetting sometimes. i was doing well and only getting on the scale once a week, but latley i have been so obessive that im getting on the damn thing every day ...:frown: