mistybreezes

Hi everyone. Well it has been since January 2005 that I had my surgery. I really had a rough time with severe shoulder pain after surgery. Well, it has been all these months and my shoulder pain is still pretty bad on and off, comes and goes. What gives with this? I told the doctor about this and he said after a year what you see is what you get after surgery whatever point you are at at that time with side effects. He said to take Motrin. Okay, well, did that and soaked in a hot tub, nothing helps. It is the exact same pain I had from surgery in the same spot and feels very uncomfortable. Has anyone else continued to have this as a side effect of the band or postop surgery? Any suggestions on how to get rid of this? Miserable!

Pathworker: I get it only on the same side I have after surgery, my left side, kind of in that collarbone area, very sharp, annoying pain, just like after surgery. I wondered if it still might be trapped air in my diaphragm but you would think after exercise and all the running around I do daily it would not still be a problem. Mine also comes and goes and usually worse in the afternoon/evenings. Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I will see how it goes with the Motrin for another week and then may call the doctor back.

I really don't think it is anything to do with my heart. It has been in the same spot ever since the day I had surgery. It just never totally went away and the last couple of months it is really severe almost daily during certain times of the day, usually afternoon and evening. It could be gas I suppose, but it doesn't really feel like it. I just wondered if this could be a long term side effect from the band itself. It is in the same spot where you have the surgical shoulder pain and every time I breathe I feel it, sharp pain. I did go see the doctor about it and he said he had never heard of this before and if it was still there a year out from surgery, that is just the way it would be. I had it really severe right after surgery for about three weeks, was on pain meds for it then. I just was hoping someone might tell me they had the same thing and it eventually did go away. Never had it before surgery so I am sure it has something to do with it. I had another laparoscopic surgery before I had the band and I didn't have this probelm at all the shoulder pain, so maybe this one was different, I don't know.

Hi everyone. I just had my first fill yesterday. I had 2.1 cc. I have a 10 mm Inamed band. I forgot to ask the doctor how much can this band hold? Also, he told me 5 days of liquids!!!?? Why so long? I was reading other posts and seems like no one is every told 5 days. His nurse told me 1-2 days and then he said 5 days. I am feeling really bloated today and kind of icky feeling but able to take liquids just fine, is this normal? Thanks!

I think the anticipation was worse than the fill itself! If you can imagine a straight pin being stuck in your stomach, it just is a little poke, doesn't really hurt. The barium was worst though. I had to drink four big mouthfuls and that stuff is really yucky! Then for the two days after the fill I felt really bloated and gassy feeling, but today I feel great. I find liquid soups make me feel like I am really eating, tomato soup anyway. I can do the five days!! You will be fine with your fill!

Jack: Are you talking about week 7 after surgery or after a fill? My doctor was also strict, liquids 3 weeks, mushies 3 weeks right after surgery. This is my first fill and it is 5 days liquids! Tomato soup seems to make me feel like I am eating something good and fills me up fast now so maybe I can actually make the 5 days after all. I feel better today too, yeah!! Can't wait to start dropping the pounds again, I was at a standstill and able to hold tooooooo much before the fill. You are doing great, I come here and look at your posts from time to time, they are humorous! Thanks everyone for your input.

Hi everyone. I am now six weeks out from surgery. I have been eating without really any problems with foods, except wheat bread making me feel sick. I am wondering about how much your stomach should hold before a fill and to still lose weight if you are eating healthy? I have felt restriction all along so far and am wondering if I am about right or if I need a fill yet. For example, for lunch I can eat almost one slice of white bread with a slice or two of turkey and one piece of cheese and feel really full. Same if I eat just a couple of ounces of protein or a really small salad. For dinner, I can usually eat approximately 2-3 oz of meat and maybe a 1/3-1/2 cup of cooked carrots or something like that. I am just wondering about how much at each meal is normal to continue losing weight, about a cup of total food? I would think I should still be able to continue losing with this amount of food but I have plateaued out this week. Thanks!

I haven't gotten to the food stage yet of my banding but I have read a lot of threads where people say they "can't tolerate" certain foods. I am just wondering what kind of effects you mean when you say you can't tolerate something? Is this like severe pain, throwing up or just a feeling of bloating? Is it ever possible to tolerate a slice of pizza again? That is the one food I seem to want more than anything, even though I didn't eat it much before surgery. Has anyone else noticed that their tastebuds seemed to change after surgery? I mean I used to love sweets and candies and now anything sweet is like 100 times sweeter to me and it is just too sweet for my tastebuds, like juices (I haven't made it to real food yet). I am still really fresh out from surgery but man have I had a hard time with this. Did anyone else feel like they just were completely drained of energy? I feel like it takes every ounce of strength I have just to walk across the room most of the time. Hope this goes away soon!

Gigi: I am 2-1/2 weeks post surgery. I probably would not have been able to lift anything as you are pretty sore the first few days, especially. Every time I would cough, I would hold a pillow to my belly because it hurt. It isn't a huge amount of pain but just really sore. I was on pain meds the first five days but it was mainly due to the extreme shoulder pain. I had shoulder pain like you wouldn't believe and that was most of my discomfort from the surgery. I was also really really drained and tired after surgery but I managed to work (self employed) but I work at home so I could take frequent breaks. I saw my doctor yesterday and asked him about lifting heavy objects if the band could be jarred and he said no. Right after surgery though, you will need to take it easy for at least a week. Hope that helps and good luck!

I know what you mean about boredom, that was a biggy for me too. How about cleaning out your desk or something like that to pass the time by? I am still young in this journey but I didn't realize you would be able to eat sandwiches, let alone french rolls? I am dying for bread!! I didn't think it would be a possibility anymore after the banding, does it go down okay?

:cross-eye I am five days postop from banding. Did anyone else have problems the first week with diarrhea every time you try to eat your liquid Soup or Protein mixes? I am having to run to the bathroom every time I eat. I thought it would be just the opposite with pain relievers on board but not so. My stomach gets really irritable every time I eat. I also have found it hard to get in enough calories with what little amount you can take in. I counted my calories and it was only around 300!! Needless to say, I am trying to fixate on weight loss yet but I have lost 7 lbs in 5 days, which is probably all Water though. I am drinking water just fine still, but I am trying to think of ways to boost the calorie content up a little bit during this period. I was so worried about craving foods and wanting food after surgery but so far so good. I really don't care much about foods, just make sure I get my Protein drinks in (except when my son grilled a steak last night, that sure looked good!!). I also notice I get full really easy with just a little bit of protein or liquid soup but then about an hour later my stomach hurts it is growling so hard and hunger pangs. Is this a phase that shall pass? I sure hope so, it is really not a good feeling. I am starting to feel better today. I must say I had some ponderings of whether I should have had this done up to today as the shoulder pain was excruciating. Wouldn't you think with modern technology there would be a way to get that carbon dioxide out of your belly before you wake up? I really think that has been the worst part of this surgery. I can't believe my bottom belly is smaller than the top belly now, if that makes any sense!! My top spare tire looks like I have swallowed a watermelon it is so swollen!! It is quite humorous really! Thanks for you support!

Julie: I was really feeling the same way about why did I did I have the band put in. I am still having diarrhea, only once a day now though. I guess this is just how my body is going to react to the liquid phase, I mean there is nothing solid to go in yet! It has slowed down though to once a day instead of all day! My energy was so bad for a few days my heart would race every time I even tried to walk across the room. It is still low but now it is getting somewhat better. I was able to go to the grocery store and buy a few things before I pooped out and had to go home and rest for a while. I think it must still be my body trying to heal from surgery and plus being on liquids is far too few calories, in my opinion. I have been doing everything I can during the liquid phase to boost up the calories so I feel better and it has helped a little bit. My scale has went crazy, which I am amazed at every day! I am down 12.5 lbs today in 10 days!! I guess we newbies are all on this roller coaster ride for a bit longer until we can get some real food into our bodies and then hopefully things will really improve!

Pizza flavored soup? I haven't seen that one yet, maybe I will look for that next time I go shopping. I wish I wasn't fixated on pizza so much. I dream about it lately, isn't that just weird? There is this one pizza place in town that has really good pizza and I would just die for one half of a slice. Oh well, I will wait and be good. So far the liquid phase has been a rough go for me, so I am wondering what the mushie phase will bring, hopefully better than this!

Thanks everyone. Tomorrow is a new day, got my Imodium and looking forward to a better day!!

I did end up calling the doctor. The nurse told me I should try to take Imodium and if that didn't calm it, to call in the morning. I have been drinking Gatorade most of the day today instead of Water and that has helped some. I don't have Imodium on hand so I took some Pepto and so far so good, crossing my fingers! I had an hour and a half drive home from the hospital and I got the dry heaves on the way home and didn't think I would even make it home! Then a day and a half postop I got the dry heaves again. I get waves of nausea at night, even with this patch on, so I hope that clears up soon too, no more dry heaves since then. I was freaked out about vomiting and called the doctor the next day and they told me not to worry, it would be very hard for the band to slip out of place. I guess time will be the factor here for healing.

DeLarla: Should I call my doctor about the diarrhea? I am really worried as I cannot hold down anything at all. Every time I even take a sip of anything, it sets my stomach off into fits and it goes right through me. I wonder if I could take some Imodium or something. I am just concerned as this has been going on for days now and doesn't seem to be getting better yet. I also keep waking up in the night with nausea, even though I have a scopolamine patch on for nausea. One night I had the dry heaves right after surgery but none since. I hope you're right about some people taking longer, I would never want to live my life this way!! By the way, I am self employed so I HAVE to work which is a real drag since I am swamped this week and finding it hard to get it all done. I don't have anyone to cover, so I just got the weekend to rest and am sitting here trying to work (at least I get to work at home though so I can take breaks).

Thanks for all your posts! I feel like I am on a roller coaster ride. I felt great yesterday morning and then by afternoon, really felt bad again, with more shoulder pain and diarrhea, then I started really feeling weak and worn out. I hate this feeling, hope it goes away soon. I feel so unhealthy about now but am trying to get in as much water as I can and also protein shakes.

Hi! I am having my surgery in two weeks and although my doctor told me there is no real diet plan to follow before surgery, I should try to get into a habit of cutting down on sugars and carbonated beverages, etc. I will be on liquids for 3 weeks and then mushies for 3 weeks after surgery. My problem is I feel like this is feast or famine for me now. I almost feel like a bear who is about to go into hibernation state and I must eat everything my heart desires now before I will have to live on liquids for 3 weeks. Meanwhile I am sure I have probably gained some weight during this period. Did anyone else have this problem? I have been trying different Protein drinks to find some that taste good but as far as cutting back on my portions now -- uh, I just can't seem to slow down for fear I will not get enough before I am on liquids! It is so sick. I am sure this has been asked a thousand times but what is generally the average weight loss during the 6 week period, especially with 3 weeks of liquids? I am kind of concerned that is such a small amount to be living off of for those three weeks, but I would expect a lot of weight loss too if that is all you can take in during that time. Thanks! Mistybreezes

I guess I did something wrong here. I wrote a reply but I don't see it posted, maybe it went to one of you personally? Anyway, thank you for making me feel "normal" again! I am really going to try hard this next week to not eat anything that doesn't taste really good and to try and control the portions. I think we will go out for a nice dinner this weekend and that be it with eating out for awhile. I am so excited but really nervous about the HUGE life changes ahead. I just keep trying to think of all the good that will come from losing this weight. I also really have to be good about staying on track as this is an investment in myself -- I am paying for the surgery, no insurance coverage, and it will cost 17K! That could have paid off my car, but I think this is more important at this point in my life. Thank you for your support, I know I will be leaning on you guys a lot during this whole process! Mistybreezes 5'2", 238, surgery 1/21/05

Hi everyone. Well, I saw my doctor for the consultation and I am scheduled in two weeks! I am on a roller coaster ride now. I feel so excited, scared, sometimes wonder if this is the right decision, hopeful. Seems like every other minute I am excited and the next I am scared about being able to change all my habits. I really feel this is the only way I will ever get this problem under control. The doctor said I don't have to be on a liquid diet before surgery, it will be after surgery, six weeks of liquid/soft foods. I am really scared about this part of the plan. I can't even make it a day without food, let alone six weeks with soft or liquidy stuff? How did you get through this period of time or was it easier than I think because of how the band makes you feel fuller? I guess I have all these thoughts and "what iffs" in my head. Any feedback would be appreciated! Mistybreezes

I am looking forward to having the surgery too. I was hoping to possibly be able to go to Maui in July and it would be fabulous to have lost some weight before that time, even 25 lbs would be better than nothing! I am just trying to keep the mindset about not worrying about that first fill, take it slow and follow my doctors instructions about the foods/liquids I need to eat (even though it will be rough emotionally). Emotionally, I am preparing for that roller coaster too of being attached to food and having to wean myself from being so dependent on it. I have started reading some of the posts on how to deal with that and am thinking of ways I will be busying myself without the use of food. I keep thinking that I really want to be able to enjoy outdoor activities more and if I keep eating myself to death, I will never get to do those things. That is one of the major things that keeps me motivated about this surgery and staying positive even if it is going to be tough, I think of the rewards I wll reap! Good luck on your surgery too! Mistybreezes

Thanks. I have been really researching everything. I am happy with the doctor I chose, he has done a lot of these surgeries and this is his main specialty. I will have to be on the liquids/protein shakes for 3 weeks and then proceed to soft mushy and soft Protein bars, etc. for 3 weeks. I really feel this is a good choice for me but am just a little nervous about such a huge life changing event. I have read tons of posts from this site and various others and seems like not one person regrets having this done. Does anyone else wonder if Oprah had this done? I just wondered about her since she lost it slowly and hasn't gained it back this time. She looks fabulous. Also Ann Wilson of Heart had it done too and I read her story, as well. I feel this is a good choice for me and am excited to have it done. Gosh, since I got in so quickly to have this done (I am self pay), maybe I will be down a few sizes by summer, what a happy prospect!! Mistybreezes

Hi everyone. I have been reading posts to this group for the last couple of weeks - a nice forum to get information. I have an initial consultation next week with a doctor in the US, but wanted to ask people here some questions before I go. I am 5'2", 233 right now and am miserable. I binge eat all the time. I feel like the lap band will probably be a good tool for me, but am still undecided. I have yo-yo'd my whole life! Has anyone here reached their goal weight loss with the lap band? How can eating 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day be healthy? I am asking about 1/2 cup as I see that most people say that is what you are supposed to eat, but that really doesn't cover the daily nutritional recommendations as far as I can tell. What about taking medications, can you swallow whole pills still with this surgery? Does anyone know if you can have the lap band done through the same incisions as the laparoscopic gallbladder surgery I already had? I'm going to be self pay ($17,000) which is a lot of money but I feel I am worth it. I am really scared, however, as food IS my best friend! Will I be more depressed when I have to give up my constant bingeing? I am just really nervous about that part of it. The postings here have really given me a lot of information and I am so glad I found this site! Thanks for your help! Mistybreezes

Thank you for your replies. This site is a big help. I am really excited to go talk to the doctor about having the surgery done in a couple more days! Did anyone have a lot of negative reactions and feedback when you told your family/friends what you were thinking about doing? I have only told three people and two were not real supportive and thought I "could just lose it on my own." And for $17,000, I could just hire a personal trainer and the weight would melt off. I have had to be firm and tell them, don't you think if that were the case, I would have already done that by now? I lose and then six months later or a year later I have gained it all back plus some! I just love food too much. One minute I am really excited about this surgery and the next kind of scared, but I feel I am going to have it done and am making a good choice. Let's hope the doctor thinks I am a good candidate. I am in good health, besides being obese, 37 y/o, no high blood pressure or diabetes or anything. One of the main reasons I want to have this done to lose weight is to get rid of this terrible sweating problem. It is so humiliating, I even quit going to church because every where I go, if I stand there for more than 5 minutes, I am dripping sweat on my face and my hair is soaked! It has really stopped my social life, I don't date, don't go out with friends or anything because of all of the issues the excess weight has caused. Can anyone relate to the sweating problem? I have had my hormones tested, blood workup, you name it and the doctors just say, well some people sweat more than others. I just don't recall sweating ever being a problem when I was a size 12 or 14. I am size 22 now. Thanks for hearing my comments and I appreciate your replies and support also. Mistybreezes yet to have surgery, hopefully soon!