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At two weeks you are still healing. Up until my second adjustment I was able to eat normally. Take your time and chew very well. Go slowly on your diet, but only you will be able to determine what is "normal". All the information you receive is a sum total of a variety of responses to foods after surgery, none of which came from you, obviously. You will know the moment you eat too fast, don't chew enough or that the food is not compatable with your band. Do not expect weight loss during this time. As frustrating as it is the weight loss will not start until you feel restriction. Until then, it is on the individual to maintain and just to heal. Pain is how you will know to back off. No matter what you eat just be very cautious, especially after an adjustment. Your stomach is traumatized all over again when the band is expanded. Once you settle in you will feel food more moving down through your stoma. Get used to eating cool food. I start out with a hot meal and 45 mins later it is cold and I usually give up or have given up before then, mostly around 30 mins. Good luck with everything and try to find a smaller support group. It really helps. This forum is too large and too many people are way too critical of others.

Ok, so everyone's green zone is acheived differently. If surgeons did the first adjustment correctly this would be a non issue. Unfortunately, mine included, surgeons play this "let's just put some in and see what happens" trial and error game. As previously pointed out, it does not matter how much is in your band. What matters is that if it is working for you or not. I am in a support group where people are losing tens of lbs before their first fill, some are even under 200lbs already. Me, I have only lost 10lbs. I have turned some fat into muscle, but not enough to justify surgery at this point. I am stuck with a surgeon that adjusts by a schedule, whether you have a 10cc band or 15cc band. Insert band empty, six weeks later 3 ccs, then 2 ccs every 4 wks until you hit the green zone. I have a 15 cc large band. So that relates to 20% then 33% then 46% then 60% then 73%. Normally, not scientific researchable information, around 70% or so is where the band is most effective. In my case, surgery was in early November and I may hit my green zone around the middle of April or July. Very frustrating indeed! Had I known what to research and what questions to ask I would have found another doctor. Unfortunately the band is like a bad tattoo, not many people will touch you after someone else has. Some doctors charge an additional $1,000.00 for the first visit if they did not do the surgery. Any way that being said, keep in touch with your doctor's office and keep letting them know your concerns. This isn't a race. Only compare yourself to yourself. One last point, you are not alone a very good percent of banders don't feel the band at first. Keep your chin up!

Bands vary in sizes. 5cc may not provide enough restriction for your band. You will continue to get adjustments until you are able to eat small portions, you are not hungry for 4 to 5 hours after a meal and you are losing 1-2 lbs a week. Hang in there you are not alone.

I feel your pain. Alot of people on this site are ubercritical and make this a lousy place for advice. Luckily I have found a group of 70 people and we are supportive of each other. Not like the "experts" on this site. As far as someone "adjusting" anyone's band; most physicians will not touch you period, unless it is life threatening or you "bribe" them with a large office visit fee. I did not research my surgeon and now I am paying the price. It's my fault and I take the full blame on this one. Good luck getting your needles.

Don't play around with the chest pain. See your doctor and while you are there have a 12 lead run to check your heart function. This only takes less than a minute to run and the results are available imediately. Throwing up is bad for the body and it gets rid of needed acids in the stomach, burns your esophagus, maybe your trachea and your losing valuable nutrients as well. Please see your physician. They are more trained than we are,(although some aren't as up to date as others). Good luck with this.

Those of us banded recently are still in the recovery phase. I had learned that even though I can eat something, that does not mean I should. Try to stay with well cooked foods and make chicken or fish your best friend. Once the swelling goes down the stoma is large, not as large as before, but bigger than it will be. After our first fill, I'm probably looking at Dec 21st, we begin a new starting with full liquids and working back up. During this time we need to use a little willpower to make the right choices. My biggest things are red meat, cream sauces and breads. I limit carbs as before, just not so strictly.

I am like most people in that I did not tell everyone. My wife knows and my neighbors know, because I wear large t-shirts with the sleeves cut out and they have seen the seri-strips. My Dad suffers from early onset dementia, so he doesnt need the extra hassle. My stepmother and the people in my church knew I had surgery, but I just told them it was a stomach procedure. I was suprised at how snippy one woman got when I would not say what I was having done. No one needs to know why I'm losing weight. Just be happy for me that I am.

Keep up on the vitamins. What ever you call it, losing hair, breaking hair or thinning hair it can be a big problem and one that lasts. You may want to shorten it to take the stress off the shafts and cut down on breakage.

First and most importantly, go see your doctor now. He/She should run blood work, ECG and a chest X-ray. First they need to rule out cardiac issues. Secondly, it does sound much like a slipped band. We are all different and the best source for information regarding you is your doctor. Coughing may also indicate that it is too tight. Sounds like you are on the border. Whatever you do don't try to "fix" it by just changing your diet. See your doctor. Even an emergency room, express care if you have one, visit can take care of this. Cardiac issues are nothing to be ignored. Hope all goes well.

Welcome, I too was banded on the 9th of November and likewise I have my first post op check up on the 23rd. As well as you, I had a hiatal hernia. Fortunately mine was minor and did not require any additional work done. The brief journey afterwards has been a breeze, maybe too easy breezy. Once the gas pain disappeared, I fell in love with my heating pad for a few days, the only pain I get is some back pain after I eat or been walking for too long. I started soft foods yesterday for two meals wihout a stitch of discomfort. My surgeon said to go through each phase atleast three days before moving on if I had no problems. I may get a fill by Christmas, but I have been losing weight with the restricted diet putting me in the yellow zone, so it may be next year before my fill. Good luck with your journey SJ, I wish you all the best.

It is currently thought that the inflammatory response that is natural in the healing for cuts, bruises or wounds, is the same biological cascade that you are experiencing. Since you do have exercise induced asthma, it's just the name that stuck and not asthma, you should be careful when excercising in cold, dry, high pollen or windy days. You have done the most important step and got a pulmonary function study done. Since your inhaler works you are in luck. For a more effective method of using the inhaler get a spacer from your doctor or pharmacy store. If you are like me, frugal or cheap, use a toilet paper tube instead. This allows the mist to make the turn down your throat instead of hitting the back of your throat. Just put the inhaler on one end of the tube and the other end around your mouth. Start inhaling and hit the button. Slow deep breath. Hold for a count of 10 and exhale. Wait 60 seconds and repeat.

Some people take a little longer than others to normalize. Cuz we're all different. Keep the water bottle, heating pad and Gas X strips near at all times. During every commerical break I got up and did a lap around the house. It seems to help move gas around. Shallow, rapid belly breathing helped me as well. The kind mothers do while giving birth, God bless em. If you think you should call your doctor don't hesitate. Mine has a nurse in charge of his bariatric patients and I have spent more time talking to her than him.

That definitely is not a common problem. My first guess would be that it had something to do with being intubated. I have not heard of this during my line of work. I am in the medical field. I would suggest seeing your personal doctor. You may have to see an ear, nose and throat doctor.

OK, first of all I am not bragging. It has been 72 hours since I had my Band installed. I have not had heartburn, gas, bloating or similar discomfort; other than the complications of having a foley and a little back pain. I am still careful when bending and doing the housework. My wife won't even let me use the vacuum. I have to fill the chicken's water with several trips of small pitchers of water. Atleast I get in my walking. That being said, is there anyone out there that could not resist eating something solid before they were supposed to do so? I am eating finely chopped chicken and well chewed Pringles without difficulty. That should be stage 4 a month out from surgery. Again, I am only 3 days out. I know the Band is empty, but I am worried about nerve damage. Can I not feel what I am supposed to? I haven't been sick. My wife is upset because I keep pushing and nothing bad is happening. The surgeon said to my wife that I could move through the stages quickly if I tolerated it, but this is light speed. I did clean out my system the morning of the surgery even though I was not told to do it. Maybe this helped? I know that I am the minority and I really am grateful. Are there more out there like me?

I am a RT and a medic, so I too understand about the body healing. Never said Pringles were health food, but seriously, everyone is acting like I need to slit my wrist for doing such a thing. I was looking for others without the mass of problems people are having. Instead I get people glaring down at me like I just kicked the baby Jesus. You're right we all have opinions and mine is to make this my last post and logout for good. Peace!

My surgery day was very uneventful. Checked in, waited a few minutes to be called back and then got undressed and put on the gown and shower cap. Got stuck twice due to being dehydrated from no fluids after midnight. I pushed it back to 6 pm cause I did not want to have any chance of vomitting and aspirating. They gave me some IV Pepcid before surgery and I suggest requesting it if you are not offered. It is a trial, but worked very well for me. I remember sliding over to the table on my own and having my arms strapped to the supports. Then I woke up sitting up in bed in recovery. I could feel the leggings pulse to keep my blood circulating. For a cloudy half hour I sat there while the nurse recorded vital signs and prepared to get me up. At 9:20 am I cleared up. I was ready to get up and walk. They wanted to wait another hour before having me drink. These two things must happen before being discharged. i downed the 5 one ounce cups at 10:10, my throat was sore from the tube. By 10:20 I was walking again, I offered to help the nurse with the IV pole because she couldn't keep up. By 10:45 I was in the car headed for home. We stopped at Walmart for the prescription Percocet, (why do they wait till the last minute?), and walked around for a bit. Once home I did some light house work while my wife took a nap, getting up at 5 am took a toll on her. I never felt like eating and I accidentally forgot the ice chip stage. I slept very well that night. I am a side sleeper so I just proped a pillow up under my big belly and out I went. My wife takes care of Lap-band patients that chose to have the surgery done in the hospital and was amazed at how well I did. So were the nurses and surgeon at the surgery center. I was blessed to breeze through this day with no problems, thank you Lord.

Gas X dissolving strips. It is natural at this stage, but the strips help get rid of some of the rumblings.

Quit acting like I took a butter knife and carved out the band. My goodness ya'll are harsh and nit picky. Pringles are just mashed up potato flakes and my schedule says stage two includes mashed potatoes. So chill. I'm not looking for approval from anyone. Most of the posts are people having problems with their band. I wondered if I was alone in having none. If I am losing weight and doing fine why should you rail on me? I'm not failing; I'm sailing through just fine. Big Mac? I'll be happy with a Happy Meal, pun intended. That's a far cry from a super sized #1 with a shake for a drink and a Quarter pounder with cheese chaser. Wow, are you the rookie police officer that gives a speeding ticket for doing 56 mph in a 55 mph zone?

Yes Corrigan, I have read the other posts and wonder why people get this surgery and not follow the instructions. I work in the medical field and I also know that some people are different and the treatment that helps one person does not affect another. I have put alot into this. I made sure to make my own broths so that I would be eating health after surgery. I stocked up on sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello, sugar free cool whip, diet drink mixes and petty of bottles of water. I have cut out caffiene and acidic foods that may irritate my stomach. I crush my pills to fine powder and buy the more expensive liquid option for medications. I am losing weigh even though my band is still empty. I had a cup of orange tomato soup, less acidic than red, this morning and I haven't even though about lunch. I am not complaining about anything. I just wanted to know if there where people out there having less problems than others. I know this is a tool and I have to know how to best use it to make it work for me.

I am following my surgeon's advice. things have moved quickly for me for some reason. Ususally recovery takes 4 to 6 hours. Mine took 90 minutes. I wasn't pushing to leave. They were astonished and just finally said, "go home". I was just wondering if some others have recovered as quickly. My wife had gastric bypass 10 years ago and got no post op diet. the quack just told her to experiment and see what she could handle. I was just using this forum to get feedback from others to share in their experience and learn from them. It is said that during the first few months not to expect weight loss. Well after losing the water weight from the IV drip I have lost an additional 2 lbs. So while I am not following the diet strictly, I am still following it.

As most of the replies have stated the low carb diet does shrink the liver. It uses up the glycogen type molecules stored in the liver. I was told that if I did not follow the diet and when he got in there the liver was still enlarged the surgery would be off. The diet I was given was for 40 carbs per day, but since I was a male he wanted me to cut out carbs all together. That, for me, was near impossible. The day before the surgery I had breakfast and then I decided to go on a liquid diet for the rest of the day. The actual surgery time was about half an hour. I could tell something was changed because the shape of my stomach changed. I too am confused at the different diets imposed by the surgeons. The variety of plans out there to match the variety of people makes sense, but the changes are per surgeon and not per patient. Going on a restricted diet is definitely a good idea, but this is the reason most of us chose the Lap-band. We don't have the will power to stick to a restricted diet. Remember, it is only two weeks and not the rest of your life. Plus I lost 10 lbs before surgery!

24 hours out. Anesthesia worn off and a little discomfort. It went a lot quicker than I thought. Checked in at 630 and was out by 1045 or so. Head cleared up at 920, began drinking and walking at 1000. Slept in bed on my left side for a nap and at night with no problems. Getting up was a little tricky. I felt good enough to eat yesterday, but stuck with Water and broth. Wasn't really hungry. Biggest problem was the after effects of the foley. No one ever mentioned it or the complications associated with it. Luckily my wife is an RN so she was able to let me know what was going on. Today is DAY 1!

The nurses teased me that they were going to make me do a commercial for them. The anesthesia nurse said they were trying a new procedure of giving pts IV Pepcid before the surgery and then gave me Zofran before pulling my IV. I must say it worked. I started the Percocet before feeling pain and am continuing until it runs out. I just don't like pain. Glad to hear you are doing better. I was out waling aroung the court yesterday to help with the gas. My back is the worse pain right now. Like you I am not really hungry, but I would like to get a hold of a Pizza Hut Pan Supreme pizza. LOL My surgeon said to go through each phase of the diet and if I do well then I can move on to the next one in 3 days. Here's to eating solid food by Thanksgiving. My first appt is the 23 which is just in time. Lots of luck to you as well.

My doctor had me do low carb for two weeks. Generally it is no more than 40 grams of carbs per day. There are low carb options out there if you look hard enough. I tried to follow the Atkins diet Induction phase. The list of foods to eat the nurse gave me was my guide. Mixing up different vegtables helpe with the boredom. I would make dishes I had never made before and left out any high carb vegetables. My go to substitute for potatoes was turnips. I also went through bags of pork rinds; as well as several pounds of hard cheese and jars of dill pickles. Several times I grilled steaks and used them in salads as well. Just try to focus on what you can eat and fill the fridge with those. Become a label reader. I was downing the sugar free popsickles two at a time until I read the lable. 3 grams of carbs per popsickle. Don't sweat the small stuff. This period will pass quickly. In 36 hrs I go for my lap band and I feel like it was yesterday when he told me to cut out the carbs.