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I had the sleeve gastrectomy on Dec 7th. I was on the pre op diet for 2 days before surgery (depending on the doctor) and on the clear liquids for 2 weeks. I just got changed to the full liquids. I feel great about the surgery and was only in the hospital for 3 days. There has been some pain, but it is normal and tolerable. I hurt only when I try to get up and bend over. I have lost 18 pounds so far and have been following what I need to do. I am a little tired of the liquid diet though. I am not craving any food and am not hungry at all. I can't wait to move to stage 3 and try soft foods. I don't regret having this surgery and am looking forward to a happy, healthy life. I hope this helps and good luck to whatever decision you make.

Anyone have this problem before? I was fine until I sneezed this morning & I'm 5-6 weeks out from surgery. Not a sharp pain, just a dull ache. Hoping I didn't damage my sleeve!!! So much to do today & a little worried.

Hi there and welcome, we are glad to have you join us. In answer to your question, yes, what you are feeling is normal. In the first week or two immediately following surgery, you are not very hungry because of the swelling. However, once the swelling goes down, you definitely get hungrier. That is because the time right now is for healing, not losing. The band is designed to work with fills. Once you start getting your fills, you will find your hunger will start to dissipate and the weight will start coming off. Prior to getting your fills, it is not unusual to not lose any weight and even gain.

I'm still on mushies and 20 days post-op. I've been eating soup with a little more substance, added a cracker yesterday, cottage cheese, yogurt, fudgecycles, pudding, soft boiled egg smashed up with a little mayo & mustard is really good. I tried tuna salad today with mayo and mixed it really good. YUM I was told to gradually add things to my diet. By the end of 3 weeks the Dr. wants me to have tried bread and meat. I did "cheat" Friday. I had three french fries from McDonalds, but in my defense, I smashed them with a fork first and mixed them with ketchup! I keep telling myself this is the time to heal. If my head hunger gets too bad I go grab a SF popcycle and that can usually distract me. Good luck

Its a diet that the docs have you go on, anywhere from two weeks to three days before surgery, they usually tell you about it, but do be afraid to ask. My docs requirement was a two week liquid diet and lose 10 lbs before my surgery date.

I was home, mostly in bed, for two weeks. My fatigue lasted even once I was back at work for a month or so. I would come home from work and nap. The taste thing my nutritionist told me about--side effect of ketosis. Rapid weight loss puts you into ketosis... (Google it for all the chemistry) When you burn fat, most of the ketones are excreted through your urine, but others are exhaled when you breathe. It gives you bad breath, and leaves residue in your mouth that can give a bad taste. People often say "things taste different after surgery". Think about it as an incentive not to eat things you shouldn't. I definitely can tell when I'm losing weight--everything tastes yuck to me.

Well, it is almost a week (3-6-15) after my surgery, and I am so tired all the time. I just want to sleep, but I know that is not good for me. I went on youtube and looked up one week post op gastric sleeve, and saw all these women in makeup, and hair done !!?? What is going on with that? I still look/feel like crap!!I know I need to start adding more Protein to my stuff too. Getting pretty sick of lemonade MIO. I did have some broth yesterday, which i got full right away. I am starting my second phase today, hopefully that might help, different textures and stuff. Another thing that is bothering me is HICCUPS and belching. I never had this problem before. and now those stupid hiccups actually hurt.... Another thing is that nothing sounds good....i put something against my mouth, and now my mouth has some weird aftertaste....Happen to any one??? Going to make me a Protein shake today, we shall see, oh yeah and that protein supplement Isopure, stinks. UGH UGH Ugh

My doc says no caffeine ever pre-op/post-op. The # 1 reason I have been given is that it can contribute to ulcers. Other reasons I have been given is that it functions as a diuretic and after WLS it is very important to stay hydrated. I have also been told that caffiene can stimulate the appetite. I was a heavy coffee drinker -- 1st cup at 5:30 am and drank straight through unil about 3:00 pm daily. Probably had about 10 cups a day on most days. I started to wean myself off by setting a # of cups of regular coffee. I allowed myself 3-4 cups a day. I did that for a week or so. Then for a couple of weeks I drank 1/2 caf. Finally, I move to straight decaf. It was rough, that's for sure. I had headaches for about the 1st week after I went totally decaf.

Alli: I was banded on 7/7/11 and had plication at the same time. I feel GREAT. I am down 46 pounds and dropping- now, I am only loosing 2-3 pounds per week but I am dropping (lost 16 pounds the first week - too much too fast). I had a longer recovery than tradditional lapband - instead of 2-3 days it was more like 7-9 days but now I feel wonderful. I have had 2 fills - one was 2 cc and the second was 1 cc. Both were done in August. I am eating and not getting too hungry (I do get hungry between lunch and dinner - but that is just me). I have not had any slimming or anything getting stuck..in fact I really don't feel anything or any different than I did 6 months ago, just smaller (and happy about that). The doctor I used is in Jacksonville, Florida and he is one of only a few who do lapband with plication - in fact, I was in his "study group" so they are following me a bit closer so he can complete the study. GOod luck with your decision. I am glad I chose both and have never looked back. Here's to a skinner you ! Melinda

Kind of a long story - Six years ago I was in a car wreck that totalled my car. I severely damaged the ligaments in my right ankle - all three that attach the foot to the ankle. I am left with an ankle that rolls over on me with the slightest provocation. For the past six years I have slowly been adapting my life to dealing with my ankle. I gave up wearing any shoes except tennis shoes with my custom orthotics. Even flat womens shoes make my ankle ache by the end of the day. I normally wear some kind of ankle brace every day - depending on what I am planning on doing. I have about every kind on the market. Driving any distance makes it ache (I commute two hours each way to work). I have sprained my ankle at least once a year (sometimes more) since the original injury and it takes a month or two to get back to my "normal". I have a low level of pain all the time. Imagine a radio playing static at a low volume in the background 24 hours a day. I can mentally block the pain, but it is always there. Over the years, I have done less and less physical things that might cause me to sprain my ankle. While I was morbidly obese, I had a fear I would sprain my ankle and do major damage (broken bones, etc) to other parts of my body when I did it. So seven months ago I was sleeved. I am approaching my goal and feeling great. Two months ago I sprained my ankle, stepping off of a step while cleaning a closet getting rid of "fat" clothes. No more Zumba (I always wore a brace and was REALLY careful there). One month in a boot cast, one month is a stabilizer and now I am in physical therapy. The good news, I have strong ankle muscles that compensate somewhat for the shot tendons. The bad news? I have NO STABILITY in the muscles. I can not stand on my right foot with the left foot off the ground and stay balanced. Without strength and stability I am doomed to repeating the same situation that I have been. Now that I am a normal weight, I could have a harvest graft tendon surgery to rebuild my tendons in the ankle.(There really was no point in going down this path before.) Have a great surgeon who has been taking care of my foot and ankle for 20+ years that has successful history with the surgery. The downside is, the surgery is not easy. It is three months not putting any weight on the foot. That means crutches or one of those rolling gadgets, no driving, and working remotely after the initial recovery. Then three months in a boot cast, then a long bout of physical therapy. After a year, you are as recovered as you will be. I know at some point, I will likely have to have this surgery. There are insurance reasons that are encouraging me to have it this year or next at the latest. (in 2013, I will have a $10,000 deductible) My questions are, has anyone on this site had their ankle tendons rebuilt? Any good news on functionality afterwards? Also, I want to have a tummy tuck. What about having it while recovering from ankle surgery (or under the same anasthesia - the same day) and doing both recoveries at the same time? I'm looking for opinions here - I welcome comments.

I felt exhausted till about two weeks ago and now am three post post. Take care of yourself, walk, rest and drink lots of water! It will pass-you are not alone!

I went on a trip for a week and got a little off track with my eating habits. I tried diet soda for the first time and have had about 4 since then. Of course I didn't each much, but all of the choices weren't the healthiest. When I got back on monday my weight was fine but now about 1 week after I have gained 4lbs. My weight has fluctuated for about 3 days from 245-241 (different everyday). So with that being said, either I'm pregnant or it's the trip catching up with me, either way it's BAD!! I'm really hoping that it's the bad eating though :-/

@@jayhawk1965 8 months out Life lines: Local support groups, My doctors and bariatric pal Calories: about 1000 to 1300 Exercise: Five to six days a week an hour of cardio. 3 days a week an hour of strength training Challenges: Trying to settle into the reality that this is my life now. Eating and exercise still are the same for me after goal. Responses to weight loss: Mostly positive and supportive. Opposite sex treat you Very differently. (still strange) Some people are having issues with my weight loss. They are just not comfortable with it. Tips. Stay connected with you're support systems. No secrets do what you're doctors instruct you to do

Hi, thanks for the response. I have emailed my Dr. I saw him last Friday and he didn't suggest anything. I'm was regretting the surgery the first 2 weeks but now I am back there again. It's just awful being so dehydrated and just not getting on top if this.

I went for my 1st follow up appt today, I was banded on the 18th. I thought i wouldnt get to have reg foods for 2 more weeks. My doctor told me stay on full liqs for a few more day, then I can start chicken and fish and veggie. HAPPY. He just said stay away from pizza and subs. I told him, right now baked chicken sound amazing. I have lost 25lbs, from my pre-op diet to now. another happy moment. I go back 1-5- 09 for my first fill. It went better than i thought today.

For me, the envasive nature of the other options amde this MY only option. I was banded last week and have been up and walking around since day one. This is completely reversable, which also appealed to me. It has been used in Europe for about 10 years with reduced side effects over the other surgeries and reduced side effects with the newer bands over the ones they originally used. There is a TON of great information on this site - every subject that you could imagine and tons that I am sure you couldn't imagine. start reading through old threads, ask any questions - the support here has been great. By the time that I went in for my first appointment, I already had so many of my questions answered from lurking here. Good luck and I know you will make the right decision for you!

Ive been sick since this past friday, nausea, diarrhea and heart burn that hurts like hell. I ended up at the er yesterday because i just couldnt get anything down, i wasn't vomiting just dry heving. but everytime i put something in my mouth the nausea got worse. It's been fustrating and i don't know how long it's gonna last. i keep thinking is it something i did when i went back to school 13 days after surgery i keep thinking maybe i pushed myself. On my days at school (3x a week) it was extremely difficult to get enough fluids and Protein in. I tried hard but it was tough. I made the difficult choice of withdrawing from my classes. I really need to get better and take care of myself. That's one of the big reasons why i wanted this surgery. Even the way I'm feeling right now i don't regret my choice. My primary doctors going to call me back in a couple of days to see how i'm doing right now i'm just drinking pedialyte. i just hope this nausea subsides soon..

Hmmmm...I need him at the moment..lol If he doesn't give me the go ahead after this next test, it is going to get ugly and fast! I have an appt with my surgeon and the last appt with my NUT on 10/2 and then I'm to be scheduled for surgery shortly thereafter. So, he has one week to get her done..or it's going to be WWIII!

I would talk to your doc about the BM problem, perhaps he can perscribe a softener to help you. Most of us worried about the "too little calories" too, but eventually the swelling goes down and you will be able to consume more. Right now, the important thing is healing and not the scales, a lot of people don't start losing until they get the propper restriction or after thier first fill. The docs are not concerned the first 6 weeks while you are healing with weightloss - at least mine were not. Best wishes.

Hi you all! I, (along with my DD) will be visiting my Father-in-Law in Glen Rock New Jersey the week of February 13-17. Curious if anyone would like to get together for a coffee klatch & in person bandster chat??!!

Thanks Cindy, I agree with you on all points. I can't wait till next week. I'm so over the liquid diet.

2 pounds per week .....so, 30 pounds is not realistic

you know, i get the hiccups too. all the time tho, whether im eating or not. its not too pleasant right now being that im only 1 week out. its more annoying and it hurts.

I'm actually currently on Bactrim for an infection. Not for Lap Band surgery (that was almost 8 months ago), but for an emergency strangulated hernia surgery. I had redness around the drain coming out of my stomach so I went in to have it removed early the Sunday before last. They removed it but it remained very red and a little sore. Imagine my shock when a week later, on Saturday, the hospital calls me and says "You need to contact your doctor, your wound culture came back positive for a Staph infection". I panicked momentarily because I know Staph can be really nasty. When my doctor's office called he told me there's different types of Staph, that the kind I had wasn't horrible, and he was calling me in a prescription. I have been on the antibiotic for 6 days now. All the redness and soreness is completely gone and it's healing nicely. Good luck, I'm sure yours will clear right up too!