holly369

I would get her to the doctor with fever. I had a staph infection in my abdomen that showed up with major pain 9 days after being banded. I would just get it checked. My band was removed because of the infection. Better to be safe than sorry!!! Having the infection, and the band removed, was a whole lot worse than the original surgery. Be careful.

Hi, My doctor told me before being banded that it doesn't work for 15% of people. Maybe your experiencing this, I hope not.

Wow, that is what happened to me as well. I had the band on 12/28/07. First week, no problems, no gas, nothing. I thought I was home free. Eighth day, I ate 2-3 bites of some creamy Soup, and the pain started. At first in the center of the abdomen, then it seemed to move to the lower right of the abdomen. I waited that day until the next and ended up going to the emergency room. I did have some fever that went up and down too. The hospital did a CT scan and could see the infection but didn't know at the time what it was. My doctor did laporascopic surgery to see what it was, and he told me if there was any infection on the lapband it would have to come out.Turns out, they cultured it and it was a strep infection in my abdomen. Well, he took it out. My doctor said that the infection got in there during surgery. Like if a tiny bit of the needle went into the bowel and then into the abdomen as they are sewing the band in, that could have brought the infection in. I was in the hospital for 9 days on major antibiotics and then developed pneumonia. I really am disappointed because while the lapband was doing okay, I was doing great. Plus I am a self-pay, so it's like throwing $15 grand in the trash. My doctor said I could get another lapband. I would get a second opinion on what your doctor said. I don't believe your doctor wanted the liability of admitting that an infection can get in during any kind of surgery. It is not uncommon for that to happen. hope this helps.

I was banded on 12/27. I lost 15 pounds before surgery and about 6 lbs. since surgery for a total of 22 pounds. I had no problems for the first 7 days, but on day 8 at 2:30, I ate only a couple bites of cream of chicken Soup, and then the pain began. It was severe pain and I actually had to go home from work. I couldn't think with that much pain. I got home about 4 pm, and took pain liquid and gas-x, but it stayed painful until midnight. My fever went from 98.3 to 98.6 to 99.4 to 100.0. That worried me. Then after a couple of hours, my fever went back to 98.3 and then 96.6. Also, I was having the sweats all over. When I woke up this morning it was better. But as soon as I ate something (an egg) I had the incredible pain again. Does this sound like gall bladder problems? Hope someone can help because if I have to have this pain and sweats every time I eat, that won't do.

I was banded on 12/27. Today I had terrible abdominal pains. I thought something must really be wrong. I haven't had this much pain the whole time after surgery. I believe it must be gas. I am on the Gas-X and heating pad also. It seemed to help. Also, I had a weird fever that in 2 hours went up from 98.3 to 100.0 and then back down to 98.3. That worried me since I have a tendency to get cellulitis with MRSA. But I'm waiting until the morning to run to the emergency room. Hopefully it is just this gas thing.

I lost 16 lbs. before surgery because my doc had me on optifast for two weeks prior. What I understand is that the liver is more slippier if you don't have a pre-op diet. Then after surgery I gained 6 pounds of water weight (IV fluids). Then that came back off relatively quickly and now I am down 5 more pounds. Hope this helps.

I am having the same problem today. I was banded on 12/27. No problems up until today at 3PM when I started having real pain in my abdomen. Thanks, someone, for telling me I am still swollen and it will go away.

I think the throat problem may be the anesthesia where they insert a breathing tube. I had the same problem. I don't know about the stuck feeling though. Did they fill your lapband at surgery time at all? sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't. You may need an unfill if that is the case.

I've read on this BB site that papaya juice or pineapple juice will help the food get unstuck. Haven't personally tried it yet but I haven't gotten anything stuck. I am still on mushys right now.

I understand from my doctor that if you are getting stuck and can't keep anything down, you need an unfill. You may have too much restriction.

Gosh, i'm really surprised they didn't recommend Protein drinks because my nutritionist said it is impossible to get that 55-60 grams of protein just on what you eat. Protein keeps me from getting hungry. Sounds like the slimfast is good, lots of protein, and not too many carbs. I would verify that Protein Drink thing, that just doesn't sound right to me according to what my nutritionist and doctor have said.

I would check out any redness since it could be infection. But it takes time to get back to "normal." Hang in there, you will be fine. I had my surgery on 12/27 and had no problems at all until today when I had a lot of gas in my abdomen. It hurt and I thought it might be something bad. We'll see in the a.m. I took gas-X and some pain meds so it is better now.

Kat, you know having the lapband surgery is personal. I would not tell anyone that you don't want to. People who do not have a weight problem (and never will) tend to say stupid things like "Why don't you just stop eating?" If that were so easy, we would have this surgery. Only 5% of the population is successful and losing and KEEPING it off. Its just not that easy as you well know. Tell them you are on a special diet if they ask, it's none of their business anyway.

Andrea, one thing is taking vitamins. I have the Juice Plus which are all natural and made from fruits and veges. This way I get all my veges and fruits in without having to eat them. Then I can focus on the protein, protein and protein with some other veges thrown in. It's been a learning experience for me and I'm still trying to figure out what is good to eat. I am using that formala of calories divided by protein grams. The nutritionist said to try and only eat foods where the ratio ends of being 10 or under. Of couse, that is not always possible. Hope i'll get this anyway.

What I noticed the very first time I ate any mushy food vs. liquids, the next morning I was hungry. It really does help to get the Protein in. Also, my nutritionist gave me a formula to calculate the ratio of calories to protein. He said try to only eat foods where the ratio is 10 and under. For example, you divide the calories by the protein grams. Like V8 juice is not very good (you would think it was) because it has 50 calories and only 2 protein gms. The ratio number for that is 25. But cottage cheese has like (I can't remember exactly) but I think it has like 9 gms of protein for 50-60 calories. That calculates out to approximately 5.55 so it is good. He said it is all about the ratio. Hope this helps.

I think if you are not losing, your body may think you are starving it. I am having the same problem, forgetting to eat all day and then realizing it and trying to get something in. I'm just not hungry at all. So get it as much as you can with protein drinks, etc. And it will probably move past that point. I hope anyway. I have to do the same.

My doctor used something called on-Q which is like a soaker hose that was threaded to each incision with a local anesthetic. I had no pain in the abdomen until it came out and today I had major pain in the abdomen. Not sure if it is gas (that's what it feels like) so I took my gas-x again. Also my fever went up from 98.3 to 98.6 to 99.4 to 100.0 and that really worried me. But an hour or so later, it is back to 98.3. Go figure. Has anyone had any fever issues?

I actually took the regular gas-x 3 times a day after I ate something. And for the most part, the gas was not that bad. You might try it and see.

HI bert, I had my surgery on the 27th. I have never been one that had indigestion or any kind of problem so when I was having pain (it seemed like in my esophagus), I thought it must be the gas. I have been taking gax-x the pills but changed to the strips. It seems to be subsiding. Also, when I eat something that is not so sweet tasting like popsicles, pudding, etc. it seems to be better. Like strained cream of chicken Soup. or really watery grits. (2nd day after only). You know something kind of bland. 1st day had to be liquids. Good luck to you, I am on day three now and feeling lots better as far as the pain in my abdomen goes. When the gas is all gone, I will be good!

I found some information here. StomaphyX , Bariatric Surgery, Safest Weight Loss Surgery, Dr. Bagnato, Albany Georgia

I'm sorry, one other thing, my operating nurse told me even a newer procedure is coming out. Some kind of balloon they put into your stomach. Sounds like an even easier procedure to me but I don't know what exactly it is. It may require less surgery or no surgery. He said it lasts for six months and then I guess they take it out and put another one in? Not really sure. You might research that one too.

BTW, one other thing. I haven't had any problems to speak of but I was having some pain. I realized I wasn't taking enough of the pain medicine my doctor gave me. It was liquid loritab. I was taking a tablespoon of it but a tablespoon from the drawer is not the same as a real measured tablespoon. My tablespoon only added up to 1/2 tablespoon. So be sure and measure your liquid loritab. Once I fixed that problem, I was fine. Today is day 3 and I'm really feeling lots better, the soreness is wearing off and I haven't had much other problems. Tolerating what they want me to have and no hunger. Good Luck, hope it all works out for you. Stay healthy as you are at 26. h

Justin, I love to eat too. But I had the band two days ago. At first, you eat only Clear liquids (my doctor said for the first day after). You won't want to eat anyway. The 2nd thru 7th day I am eating full liquids (means cream Soup, Water, Protein drinks, popsicles, etc.). On the second week after, I can have mushie foods (chewed very well), like mashed potatoes, cream Soups, very well chewed food). What I understand is that when I get to normal food on the 4th week, I can have whatever I want (that I can tolerate) but I won't be able to eat much, and it must be chewed throroughly or it can get stuck. The thing with the liquids is that if you drank chocolate shakes (like from whataburger) all the time, you could actually gain weight with this band. You have to stay away from the high calorie liquids that go down so easy. Stick with food, and make sure you get plenty of protein. Protein is what will keep you from being hungry in all stages of the process. I will tell you that I am 53, I have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesteral, sleap apnea. These are from being overweight and happen as you get older. If you fix this overweight problem of yours now, you may never get those diseases. What a great gift getting this band earlier rather than later is since it may keep you healthy a lot longer. I know its tough, it's not a big deal though. I had it on Thursday 12/27 and I'm doing really good. I'm not hungry anyway and its hard to get in all the food they want me to get in. When you go out with coworkers, you can eat, just order a side order of something, or an appetizer, that is what my friend does. Good Luck, I hope this helps you. holly

Thanks, I sent my DH to the store for the Gas-X just in case. I appreciate the info. You got a fill in four weeks, that is pretty quick. How many lbs have you lost so far? Did you lose when the band was empty? I have been trying to get in the liquids so far I think I'm doing great on that. I did buy this stuff called Whey 42 which is 42 gms of protein. It tastes pretty good, it comes in like a plastic bullet (grape, orange, etc.) you take the top off and drink it. It's clear and not very much (thanks for that). But it gets me 42 gms of protein in easily.

I was banded yesterday in Carrollton, Dr. Veninga. So far, no problems, I could get liquids down no problem. Not much pain since my doctor used the On-Q local pain medicine pump. I am still taking my loritab liquid though just in case. No one wants to be in pain right? No nausea, no vomiting, no gas so far. Well see how it goes. I did sleep in a recliner with my cpap. No problem. It felt a little uncomfortable to lie down flat in my bed. I am a side sleeper. I am supposed to be on ckear liquids first day, then full liquids for 2 weeks, and then mushies for 2 wks. After that, chew, chew, chew. I am trying to walk around as much as possible to get drinks, etc. And i'm also taking it easy watching TV. Yeah, it's done! Finally. :clap2: