Becksie2

Thank you all for your advice. As i live in Teneriffe, Spain, the surgeon is not familiar with "slim fast" drinks, although they are available in speciaist English shops. However, I have taken all your advice on board, and have decided to have these drinks, but to limit the amount I have.

Please can you tell me whether it is okay to drink "slimfast" meal replacement drinks when you are on the fluid only regimen. I am on this regimen for two weeks, and obviously i need more than water. I would appreciate your help

It's really bad luck that you have had these problems. The fact that the tube was too long (to such an extent that it kinked), suggests to me that your surgeon has made an error of judgement in the intial surgery. In any event this problem has occured, although I think it is pretty unusual. Hang in there; it will all come right eventually. Just remember it has taken a number of years for you to have reached the weight you are; when your band is fixed you should lose weight quickly, certainly, alot quicker than when it was put on!

Assuming that your surgery was about ten days ago the fact that the steri-strip has come off is not really a cause for concern. Wound healing will be quite advanced by this stage, and as a result the chance of an infection in the wound is low. However, the same thing did happen to me, and i simply cleaned the area with Betadine, and sealed it with another steri-strip. Good luck

HI, I am so sorry that you have had such a difficult time. It must have been so challenging for you, just to hold everything together. Well done, for achieving that. It may be that you need to work with the problem, rather than using a lot of negative energy trying to control it. If you are eating a lot (and this may be due to understandable stress), why not try using a diet like "slimming world", which allows you to eat what you want, as long as you do not mix certain foods. As carbohydrates are not necessarily a good thing, you may need to stick to the "red" eating plan, which focuses more on Protein meals. If you are not familiar with "slimming world" (I am pretty sure you must be) you will easily find it on the net. Remember, that God loves you so much, and he will always be there for you. He is concerned about your weight, simply because you are concerned about your weight, and he will work with you and support you. However, overweight or not, he loves you just as you are, and in his eyes you are perfect. I guess your family and friends also see YOU as perfect, and love you because you're you. When i say "slimming world", I am referring to the "body optimising programme"

Your question does seem to have generated a lot of debate, and that can only be a good thing. I feel that there is a wealth of information on this site, from people who are willing to share thoughts, ideas, the advice they were given, etc. The general concensus appears to be that the "only fluid" advice is given to people most of the time following surgery, and that there is then a gradual build up to solid food, which may take a month, sometimes longer. Those who have been advised to just go onto Mushies straight away, i feel have been misinformed. The stomach does take time to heal, and an enormous amount of damage can be done if this is ignored. it is like using a "broken arm" which has not yet been fixed. I would suggest staying on fluids only for at least a week ( i have been advised two), and then passing slowly through the other stages until the stomach is properly healed and can deal with solid food. The risk of the band slipping is just too great, and will store up problems for the future

Hi, It may be that you are just having gas pain. I worked as a nurse, and saw a lot of the symptoms you describe as coming simply from gas To explain: the phrenic nerve runs from your shoulder to your abdomen. If you have gas in your abdomen it presses on the phrenic nerve and this is then transferred to your shoulder. At the point of your shoulder, the gas then presses on other nerves. It may be that you do need to see a chiropractor, but it is also possible that the problem is simply this. The symptoms will last until the gas is dispersed, and so use the "gas TAblets" which you should have got from your doctor Good luck and don't worry

Hey, try and hang in. I have been banded for a week now, and i too am having alot of discomfort and pain, particularly where the port site is, underneath my left breast. I too have been told that this is normal and will settle in about two to three weeks. One tip: when sitting and wanting to stand: shuffle to the edge of the chair, stand slowly in a bent position, and then uncurl your stomach slowly whilst you are trying to stand straight. This does reduce the pain, at least for me. Good luck

I downloaded ths tread and it has proved very helpful and is still very helpful to me and I hope you can avail of it also. Full marks to 'Dylansmom'. The thread is a 'sticky' (It will always be in it's original position) and it can be located easily in 'FOOD AND NUTRITION' dylansmom Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,087 'LapBand food Stages Lists Suggestions' Love to all of us 'August Banders' Besksie2. (banded Friday 08/08/08 and still in pain, my choice!)

I can confirm all the above. I also had a ready itchy rash and tiny pustules around the edges of the rash. Definately, an allergic reaction. I used sterile gauage and micropore tape (the latter is a paper tape which is totally non allerogenic). I also took some anti histamine tablets. The rash is getting a little better now.

HI, I was banded 8.8.8.!! I too am in alot of pain from gas and also i think from swelling on the left hand side. NO medication really helps me. WHat does help is knowing that this is normal and may last a little while. I do so appreciate all of you who have made the effort to add your comments to this thread, as it is so helpful.

HI, I am going to be banded on Friday 08 Aug. 2008. I need to take a lot of medication (about eight different tablets per day.) I understand this may be a serious problem with bockage when the band is installed. Does anyone know the best way to take drugs/meds/vitamins, etc. Are we talking about crushing in a mortal and pestle or some form of cutting or ??? Thanks for any help!!

Hi and thank you for your reply.

Hi, I am being banded on Friday. I am married and live in Tenerife, Spain. I have two sons (now in their late twenties) who live in England. I have a little kitten in Tenerife who is called Lily (no she does not need to be banded!) I would love to meet new friends on the net. as i do not know anybody else in Tenerife who has had this surgery. I'm looking forward to a whole new life, although i know the journey will be difficult at times. Take care now:tt2:

I'm in for regular weigh in's on Friday. Great idea. If anybody is doing very well share your secrets! I'm being banded tomorrow, Friday, 0930. YES !!

Hi, I am having my surgery this Friday. A little nervous. My doctor did not give me a diet plan before sugery but asked me to have fluids only from today. He said that although i am overweight (BMI 31), my Liver should not have stretched too much, and therefore there is no more preparation needed pre op. I do wish every one "good Luck" and i think it is great that we all encourage each other and share our immediate post op period. Take care everyone

I have found that it is better not to discuss banding with friends and family, as like you I have found people both defensive and aggressive. You do your thing. Life is not a dress rehearsal and you only have one chance to be who and what you want to be. God loves you and if this issue is important to you it is important also to him. He is on your side, not against you. Whatever issues your friend has, let them remain with her. But remember, you don't have to catch every brick that is thrown

Hey, just hang in there. I too am having my surgery on Friday, and like you I have pigged out. I have been asked by my consultant to have clear fluids only for the next two days. So, tonight is my "last supper"! Am enjoying "sweet and sour chicken" Hmmm! Will I remember the taste!