Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

LapBand newbie



Recommended Posts

Hi everyone,

My name is Kat and I just had my LapBand fitted yesterday and I am pretty miserable right now. I can't lie flat on my back cause I feel a tight pain in my stomach. Nurses say it's normal and that I'll get better soon. Anyways I'm excited to start this journey! Any LapBand buddies? I'm sure I'll have a million questions in the next few days - tips are welcome

Sent from my SM-G965F using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey Kat welcome to the losers bench!!! I am at 6 weeks now from my LapBand so i am only a few steps in front of you!

I am based in Australia (if that helps) and I am more than happy for you to reach out if you have any questions concerns or just want to vent as this is all a fresh learning experience for me! it took me 2 weeks to be able to lie on my left side (side of port) and maybe another week after that to lie on the front. It sort of just happened where i woke up and it wasn't causing any discomfort or pain!

What i can advise being so early on is

  • walk walk walk keep moving if you can
  • drink little and often, i promise you it gets better BUT it is a shock to the body from having had unrestricted drinks to then the shakes still unrestricted to now feeling like a shot worth is too much! so have chocolate milk, juices, flavoured waters etc anything to keep hydrated!
  • it is normal to have gas pains if you are one who feels it!! heat / massaging the area helped me
  • I promise you it all gets better!!
  • TAKE A LAXATIVE AS SOON AS YOU CAN!!! the quicker you get something out the better you will feel stomach wise! and once it starts regulating it will be smooth sailing from there

Things that i found that were great for liquids was getting take away from vietnamese / chinese restaurants and keeping their stock for a few days! full of flavour and nutrients as always used with veg / meat broths!

don't get too caught up with the calories that you are having for the first few weeks with the liquids and puree stage as mentally you do need to have selection of things you can eat! but Portion Control will be the underlining issue for the life style change

Please don't hesitate to ask for anything else!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites



Hey Kat welcome to the losers bench!!! I am at 6 weeks now from my LapBand so i am only a few steps in front of you!

I am based in Australia (if that helps) and I am more than happy for you to reach out if you have any questions concerns or just want to vent as this is all a fresh learning experience for me! it took me 2 weeks to be able to lie on my left side (side of port) and maybe another week after that to lie on the front. It sort of just happened where i woke up and it wasn't causing any discomfort or pain!

What i can advise being so early on is
  • walk walk walk keep moving if you can
  • drink little and often, i promise you it gets better BUT it is a shock to the body from having had unrestricted drinks to then the shakes still unrestricted to now feeling like a shot worth is too much! so have chocolate milk, juices, flavoured waters etc anything to keep hydrated!
  • it is normal to have gas pains if you are one who feels it!! heat / massaging the area helped me
  • I promise you it all gets better!!
  • TAKE A LAXATIVE AS SOON AS YOU CAN!!! the quicker you get something out the better you will feel stomach wise! and once it starts regulating it will be smooth sailing from there
Things that i found that were great for liquids was getting take away from vietnamese / chinese restaurants and keeping their stock for a few days! full of flavour and nutrients as always used with veg / meat broths!
don't get too caught up with the calories that you are having for the first few weeks with the liquids and puree stage as mentally you do need to have selection of things you can eat! but Portion Control will be the underlining issue for the life style change

Please don't hesitate to ask for anything else!!!








Thank you so much that is all very helpful [emoji173] i am walking lots and sipping liquids but I'm not feeling great..Stomach feels really tight [emoji25]

Sent from my SM-G965F using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That was me! i felt like it was not worth it when i was in hospital i was there for 5 nights as my breathing with the band was not normal for me! (someone who takes full deep breaths was struggling to take more than a short one) but it got better over the weeks!!

The stomach will have so much swelling but making sure you move (like with the walking, breathing, talking) will help quicker with recovery! and every day will get so much better!!

3 minutes ago, Kat.94 said:



Thank you so much that is all very helpful i am walking lots and sipping liquids but I'm not feeling great..Stomach feels really tight

Sent from my SM-G965F using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That was me! i felt like it was not worth it when i was in hospital i was there for 5 nights as my breathing with the band was not normal for me! (someone who takes full deep breaths was struggling to take more than a short one) but it got better over the weeks!!

The stomach will have so much swelling but making sure you move (like with the walking, breathing, talking) will help quicker with recovery! and every day will get so much better!!


Can i drink fizzy drinks, maybe a couple sips of coke to see if it helps with the bloating?

Sent from my SM-G965F using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Kat.94 said:

Can i drink fizzy drinks, maybe a couple sips of coke to see if it helps with the bloating?

Sent from my SM-G965F using BariatricPal mobile app

it is recommended with the band that you don't touch anything carbonated (such as fizzy drinks) due to the gas in the drinks makes things worse. due to the holding bay / smaller section at the top the fizzy drinks can upset that part before getting to the stomach

the best way to help with the bloating will be the walking and the passing of the gas - i took laxatives for that as i was also days from having passed anything and that was the frustrating thing for me

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

WELCOME!

nice to see a few new faces! good luck to you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Best of luck with your different lifestyle. It changed my life!
Despite some band-haters, many of us banders are long term and successful. For years and years.
We enjoy this section as we banders are clearly in the minority
And it is nice to have a small community around us for advice or telling us about new products.
Just like monkey said. We are welcome to newbies.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have had my band since September 2007 and have had many ups and down.

I believed had I not had the band I would either be dead or over 400 lbs.

I have never reached my goal but have kept off over a hundred pounds during the majority of my journey.

I do a lot of walking and I agree no fizzy drinks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • rlcpd

      Two months out from hiatal hernia repair.  Surgeon said to expect a lot more flatulence...something about the 'air' no longer being able to 'burp' out so comes out the other end.  That is my experience but have no understanding of why that swallowed air cannot be 'burped'. ???
      · 1 reply
      1. BlondePatriotInCDA

        As I understand it since your stomach is smaller and not completely resting against your diaphragm anymore you no longer have the ability to "push" burps out as well. Plus, since its smaller and we don't digest slower the trapped air moves a lot quicker out of the stomach so its no longer available to burp out. Hence the other option for removal.

    • Lizette1122

      Anyone had the TORe procedure? How did it go? How much weight did you loose? 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×