Had the Lap band surgery Monday. Glad I found this site. Lot's of info.

I have many questions, but will start with the one that troubles me the most.

I have pain when I swallow, say Water. Actually I can swallow just fine, but a moment later when the water passes from the pouch through the band I get a lot of pain. I have to force myself to get liquids in. Forget Jello, the pain is to much to bear.

I've read that this can be expected...inflammation from the surgery? It's day 2, and has gotten easier today, the pain is still there, just not as bad.

Can't imagine drinking anything thicker than water.

Each day does get easier...did a nurse call to followup with you? If not call the surgeons office and check in and tell them how you are feeling and see what they say. Are you taking tiny swallows?

For me the best was on day two when I was finally able to let out the mother of all belches and things got way easier from there! Keep walking and trying to burp...one of the things that helped me (a friend told me her trick) is to lean forward (you can put a pillow on your tummy for support if it hurts) throw back your head and open your mouth...this can help release the gas trapped in the lower stomach.

Hang in there it gets easier everyday. I feel almost normal today on Day 8

Each day does get easier...did a nurse call to followup with you? If not call the surgeons office and check in and tell them how you are feeling and see what they say. Are you taking tiny swallows?

For me the best was on day two when I was finally able to let out the mother of all belches and things got way easier from there! Keep walking and trying to burp...one of the things that helped me (a friend told me her trick) is to lean forward (you can put a pillow on your tummy for support if it hurts) throw back your head and open your mouth...this can help release the gas trapped in the lower stomach.

Hang in there it gets easier everyday. I feel almost normal today on Day 8

Yes, as a matter of fact the Nurse called me right after I posted this. Told me to come in, which I did. Dr. said definitely post-op inflammation. He decreased the fill on the band. Told me when I come back next tuesday for my scheduled visit, he will re-fill it.

All is well now. No trouble with liquids or Jello.

Yes, as a matter of fact the Nurse called me right after I posted this. Told me to come in, which I did. Dr. said definitely post-op inflammation. He decreased the fill on the band. Told me when I come back next tuesday for my scheduled visit, he will re-fill it.

All is well now. No trouble with liquids or Jello.

You're band was filled? I just got banded Monday too, but I thought he said it was empty and would stay that way until 6 weeks out.

Some Doctors fill at surgery, some don't. If they do, there are two types of surgical fill:

1. Active Fill - they actually intentionally plunge a certain number of cc/ml in the band, which could be any amount they see fit. This sometimes results in too much restriction initially (when combined with the swelling) and can cause the patient a lot of pain and discomfort and ultimately an un-fill.
2. Passive Fill - the Dr fills a syringe and just inserts it into the port but does not plunge, they let the vacuum of the band pull in the Fluid it wants to become 'stable'. Which is generally around 2cc. This rarely results in too much restriction as the band only pulls in what it needs to lose the strong vacuum.

Most Drs will wait until six weeks post op to do your first 'real fill', which gives the stomach enough time to heal, and usually the patient enough time to get used to eating differently - though many people end up eating around their band once they're able to eat solid food. It's like a test of the band.

All that said, your nurses should have made sure that you were able to drink at least 1 oz of Water at the hospital before letting you go to make sure there wasn't too much restriction. When in doubt, go to your Dr just as you did

When I went in for my post op visit a after I was banded, I had asked about if there was anything in my band and I was told that the band is packaged with some saline in it, skinless the doctor takes it out, everyone has a lite bit in their band to start with

Some Doctors fill at surgery, some don't. If they do, there are two types of surgical fill:

1. Active Fill - they actually intentionally plunge a certain number of cc/ml in the band, which could be any amount they see fit. This sometimes results in too much restriction initially (when combined with the swelling) and can cause the patient a lot of pain and discomfort and ultimately an un-fill.
2. Passive Fill - the Dr fills a syringe and just inserts it into the port but does not plunge, they let the vacuum of the band pull in the Fluid it wants to become 'stable'. Which is generally around 2cc. This rarely results in too much restriction as the band only pulls in what it needs to lose the strong vacuum.

Most Drs will wait until six weeks post op to do your first 'real fill', which gives the stomach enough time to heal, and usually the patient enough time to get used to eating differently - though many people end up eating around their band once they're able to eat solid food. It's like a test of the band.

All that said, your nurses should have made sure that you were able to drink at least 1 oz of Water at the hospital before letting you go to make sure there wasn't too much restriction. When in doubt, go to your Dr just as you did

Not sure. It is empty now. Also the Doc said he wanted to check and make sure there was no air. I don't know. I feel fine now.

Not sure. It is empty now. Also the Doc said he wanted to check and make sure there was no air. I don't know. I feel fine now.

Glad you got seen and are feeling better!