RestlessMonkey

If the surgeon told you not to lose or no surgery, and you want the surgery, then you have your answer.

No way on earth would I have had any liquor as soon post op as that would be for you. Not flaming, either; I like to drink. But you only got your band on 2/2...don't know where you'll be on your post op diet (for me, I'd have been in full liquids, or mushies, depending on day of diet). You had an artificial device placed around part of your stomach. Your liver (where alcohol is processed) was moved and jostled so that it could be placed. You need to give everything a chance to settle down, heal from any bruising, etc. To drink too soo would be really counterproductive. Many docs say 6 months (or never...) I didn't wait that long. I did, however, wait 3 months. You should call your surgeon to be sure (they are all different) but I think it would be smart to give it longer than 2-3 weeks.

Ziggylove, I'm so sorry you feel so bad. I can tell you that it will pass, but in the interim... when you say eat/drink much, you aren't actually EATING are you? Because post op I think most of us are only on Clear liquids, then full liquids, and mushies usually (everyone IS different, I'm generalizing) around week 3. So you are probably still just on clear liquids? Walking helps, but that doesn't mean a marathon. Do what you feel like. Even if it is just to change chairs in your den or whatever, the more you move, the better it is for you. You probably have so much restriction because you are swollen from the surgery and time will help that. (unless your doc is one of those who fills you in the OR? thank God mine didn't) Deep deep breathing will help. It may (probably will) hurt at first, but it will help oxygenate you and just generally keep you feeling better. Using your incentive spirometer, if you have one, is great for that, but otherwise just take 3-4 deep breaths every 20 minutes or so. It helped relieve that too too tight feeling in my chest. As to your restlessness, that may be emotional/psychological or it may be a side effect of a medicine. Do you have liquid tylenol for your pain? Have you tried substituting it for your more heavy duty stuff? (often tylenol works as well or better) Also do you have something not too strenuous that you enjoy that you can do? Anything that will take your mind away from the band. It is a BIG deal and you've worked long and hard to get it, but you need a break. Watch a comedy movie you like, read, phone a friend, do something to make you laugh (that will help your innards, too, aside from the endorphin and psychological good effects!). Lastly be nice to yourself. Give yourself a break, and give yourself a chance. You had surgery, you are only a few days post op, you feel like manure, and it is probably all a little bleak, if not downright frightening. You will NOT feel this way for 3 months; you won't feel this way for one month. I don't mean to be a Pollyanna; you may decide you hate the band and want it out. That's the point, though; you are still in total control. It may seem like you've made horrible choices because you feel bad, but that will pass. If you can go get a massage, or have a friend rub your neck (someone with good strong hands) that will help. Gas X strips MAY help. Just do what you need to. It will get better.

Make an appt and go back to your doctor. You're too tight. Life with the band is supposed to be LIFE, not hell. Per the chart in my doc's office the goal is to be able to eat anything but in MUCH smaller amounts. Anytime you can't drink water you put yourself at great risk.

Jayna just remember you'll probably have a lifting restriction (depends on your surgeon) so if your two kids are still at a "pick up" age, you might have issues. Be sure to discuss with your doctor. And I had surgery on Friday and was back in school on the next tues., but as a student. Your schedule is really full, though, and aside from healing you'll not be eating much the first two weeks, so get as much time off as you can. :biggrin:

That's a great link from TQuad64 the quick answer is go to the "forum tab" select the forum that best describes the context or "gist" of the thread you want to post, and click on it it will open all threads related to that topic. at the upper left will be a "new thread" tab. Click that...and post your new thread.

You should ask your doctor about this. Depending on how high etc he will give you guidance on what to change.

My doc's post fill diet depends on how aggressive he thinks it is and how restricted we are. The more restriction, the longer the post fill diet.

This is something he should see his primary care doctor about. It could be band related in that he is losing weight, or it could be something else.

I do that but the food isn't falling "THROUGH" the stoma...it just moves along a little. It happens to me when I take too large a bite. I don't think that's why you aren't losing....more likely Margaritas and so on! :thumbdown: Since it doesn't really have too much to do with how filled you are, I don't think getting tighter will make it go away. Try chewing really really well, small bites, etc. That other thing is uncomfortable but you aren't cheating the band when it moves, you just think you are. You are getting cheated though...because you think you have restriction and it is just too big bites.

that's a little long but delayed urination isn't uncommon. You should go "like normal" now.

L12 you're such a good case in point! This board is great but in the end, for many of the issues here we're safest if we just ask our surgeons! All the docs are SO different on the pre and post care, etc. Even the "band rules" vary from surgeon to surgeon. I'm so glad you got the go-ahead (as I did from my surgeon!)

I agree, pick another surgeon.

gabi311b...I think it's really your call. Not all docs require the x ray, not all require it before AND after, etc. I felt that if I swallowed water post op and it went down fine I didn't need an xray but my doc wanted it. I am not a doc or a surgeon (as I may have said LOL) BUT I trust my surgeon. Let me put it this way...if you're going to trust your surgeon and his team to knock you out, cut you open and place the band around your stomach, then close you back up and bring you back to consciousness, if he doesn't think you need an x ray on top of the endoscopy, why are you nervous? Are you really just uncomfortable about the place/doctor? Or do you feel he isn't thorough? Or do you just want it because others get it? That sounds silly LOL and I don't mean it that way. My point is only you know if it is that important or not. I say if you feel you need it, and he isn't doing it, ask yourself why, and if you need to switch surgeons.

There's a difference in oxygen at that level but I can't imagine it would directly impact your band. I am not a doc or an altitude specialist however; I say ask your surgeon to be sure. I wasn't told to avoid altitude or pressure shifts (like deep sea diving, for example) I don't think it matters, but its possible I'm wrong.

Ask him how he DOES check. If he doesn't, you can decide it that's a deal breaker or not. Mine had me do barium before and after..checks for hernias too, not just making sure things are routed properly.

I had blood work, ultrasound, etc etc...and a 3 week preop diet and still when opened up my liver was too thick. I agree if you are given a preop diet follow it TO THE LETTER. No cheating. No modifying it.

Thanks for explaining what that meant, Paxie. I think that would drive me nuts! Well, MORE nuts!

How? It doesn't transmit anything? Just curious! I have the Lap Band...AP It's what my surgeon uses and prefers.

Per the chart in my doc's office, you are TOO tight...as long as it's working for you, I guess "who cares", right? But you need to be able to eat a healthy diet, maybe a very slight unfill would make that happen for you? You know best, not me, of course...but maybe your surgeon could give some guidance. I dont' think most of us are supposed to be restricted to only soft foods....too easy to turn to those fattening "slider" foods instead of eating healthy things.

I had no restriction until my 4th fill.

Please realize that for every 10 fill "horror stories" you read here, there are THOUSANDS that are non-events. Seriously. If they were that bad, the band wouldn't be as popular as it is. I've had 4 fills and they were all fine...easy breezy. Please remember to place anything you read on here in context. Many many happy bandsters are not posting here; and many people who post here are either new with questions, or have a problem. For example it would never occur to me to post "I had a fill. It didn't hurt" When you play the percentages, odds are your fill will likely be so easy you won't even know it happened. Don't be overly scared....the band needs fills to work.

Frankly it took me until my 4th fill (5.5 ccs total in a 14 cc band) to begin to feel any restriction. Hang in there.

I think you're very smart to wonder, and I think discussing with your surgeon is good advice. Honestly, if you graze and snack, bypass may be the smarter choice. If you just eat large meals, or can handle "emotional" or head hunger, then the band is a good choice. Diet and exercise has dismally low success rates and you are young; to get a handle on your weight now is a gift you could give yourself, your fiance, and your life to come. Its your choice. It is big and scary. Ask your surgeon by all means.

Who told you "no lettuce"? If you are early post op then you have a specific diet yuou're supposed to follow and lettuce may not be a part of that, but otherwise, who said? Unless your surgeon or nutritionist bans foods, please take any advice with a grain of salt.