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Yes ma'am. It's very normal. Your stoma is an opening, which drains into the lower stomach - picture a funnel. Any liquid will most often flow pretty freely. It may be a bit slower than without the band, but most folks can sip pretty continuously. I wouldn't try guzzling at this point, you're liable to backup and flow over, but normal drinking or sipping should not be a problem. Once you begin mushies/soft foods you'll also notice you can pretty much eat as much of that as you want to. This is where we tell you ' just because you CAN doesn't mean you should' and you have no restriction yet so you will feel wide open until you get a fill or two which causes some restriction. Having said all of that... there are those who DO wake up with restriction right out of surgery. Remember, this is healing time. Any weight loss before your fills begin are purely bonus! Welcome to the forum! Please feel free to take the time to gather as much information as possible from all the many threads in this forum. There are so many answers free for the taking. Also, we'd love for you to go to the Introductions section and tell us a bit about how you come to get the lapband and find this forum. Again, welcome! Congrats on your banding!

What you really need to understand is that most peoples banded life will be as good as the surgeon who installs it, the aftercare they receive and patient compliance, so you have various factors of why someone may love or hate their bands. 1 How long does a band last before having to be replaced? No one knows, some people have had a band for over 12 years with no problems, some people don't last but a few months. What REALLY helps the longevity of the bands is following up with your surgeon when you need to, and reporting any adverse side effects immediately, band problems can be taken care of quickly, but time is of essence, if the patient has issues and ignore them and wait too late, a complication can happen that may require band removal. However, the band is meant to last a lifetime, but can be removed or replaced if any issues occur. I don't want to burst your bubble but with RNY IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE FOREVER EITHER, rerouting your insides and taking the required Vitamins ARE FOREVER, but the effectiveness of RNY where it HELPS with weight loss is temporary, some people dump forever (which has no correlation with keeping weight off, I have many friends that still dump over 9 years out and are STILL obese, they learned how to eat around dumping, ), which is something that many do not want. 2. Did you lose the weight faster with the plication ( more than an ave. bander)? I did not have plication. 3. How uncomfortable are refills? It depends, with some people they can be painful, can't access the port, etc, but for me, I've never had issues with fills, they only last for 1 minute, just a slight pinch and I am done. 4. What side effects, if any, are commonly experienced? Side effects will depend on how tight you keep the band (which is a choice), the tighter the band the more unpleasant side effects. But most with optimal restriction may experience slimming if they eat too fast or eat food that is too thick to pass through the band, this can be easily avoided by eating band friendly food. I've had my band for almost 8 years and I've had two bands, got the old one replaced with a new one due to a hiatal hernia, I would not change to any other procedure. Good luck

I had a bleeding ulcer also! One week out of surgery. It was very scary ! I became very sick I was also 3 days back in the hospital Like you ! I am now just 3 months out and feel much better. No issues with ulcers or gastric bleeding ! Weight loss has been steady! I'm Down 47lbs

Yes it was medically supervised weight loss I saw the doctor monthly and the weight loss program for me was self driven. Just cut way down on carbs and sugar. Lots of Protein and light exercise As for postop I don't feel like I am really doing much at this point. Just staying hydrated and getting the Protein shakes down. Stomach aches pretty much all the time but it's only been just over a week. I'm very happy I went through with the process and really feel like it will work for me long term

No Vitamin deficiency here and hair started dropping for me at the 3 month mark. I've been taking Biotin and all the other usual Vitamins we take. Still losing loads of hair. However, with my pregnancies and hysterectomy I lost zero when most lose it then too. Some people just lose it, some don't. I'm 6 months post op now and its calming down finally.

Hi everyone, I have finally made the decision to move forward with weight loss surgery. I am in my mid-40s and married with two college age kids. I was that skinny kid growing up that could eat anything. Getting pregnant was like flipping a switch. Each year, I gained more weight until reaching my highest today at 263. I have tried Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, diet pills, Vitamin shots and even denial. None have worked for me. I have a BMI of 42.4. My inner skinny girl is anxious to come out! After extensive research, I am considering the sleeve gastrectomy. So far, I attended a seminar. My appointment with the surgeon is June 18. Looks like my insurance is requiring a psych consult and nutritionist consult. Nutritionist will be done the same day. This site has already been extremely helpful. Thank you all for sharing such personal information. It really makes a difference. I will try to follow your example and do the same. Hospital - Emory Johns Creek/Atlanta Bariatric Center Surgeon - Undecided, probably William H. Johnson, MD, FACS

Congratulations! Your fears are normal. I think we all probably went through that a bit. This is actually a pretty simple surgery. Blood loss is minimal. I think the hardest part for me was the shoulder pain from the gas. But for me, that was only on and off for a couple of days. Also, the gurgling sounds that came from my stomach when I would lay down at night. I've lost almost 35 pounds now and I know I could have never done this with WW! I have no regrets! Keep checking in on the site. This is where you'll get the best encouragement and advice.

Been banded nearly 1 year now and I can tell you that after many fills and un-fills I am at a good place. I eat slowly, but I find I dont have to eat as slowly as I did when I was filled tighter. I eat anything - there is nothing off limits to me. Im at 6 cc's and I dont get anything stuck anymore. However, I spent 8 months getting stuck and throwing up. Dont thinkk going tighter means more weight loss... it didnt for me. Like others have said, not allowing anything to pass over your throat until its mush is KEY. So, no matter what you eat, IF YOU ARENT OVER FILLED, it shouldnt be a problem

Great news! Just be careful not to do too much while healing. May your continue on the path to weight loss and good health. Cheers!

I think that those of us who lost a significant amount of weight prior to surgery and are closer to goal can lose more slowly than those with more to lose or who have been losing for longer. My weight loss is slow and seems to happen in small bursts since my Jan 3 surgery. I'm finding that less weighing myself helps me not fixate on it so much. Keep doing what you need to be doing and you will get there - that's what they tell me!

@@AudreyDarling I totally feel your pain Im a Cyster as well... Here is snippet of a journal entry from last year and what I was going through briefly: Thursday 4/30 I have been working my buns off in the gym. I have to keep it up. I really want to see what would happen if I work out for 5-6 days a week straight for about 1 month. If it goes well—I’ll keep doing it. So far nothing as far as I know. No new small victories. 1 or 2 people at work complimented me and told me I was looking good. I weigh in with WW at work tomorrow. I’m hoping for 5-7lbs BUT I think it’ll be more like 2 or 3. I really wished I didn’t have to weigh because it makes things more difficult. I hate obsessing over the scale. BUT I didn’t relax this past weekend- I stayed on top of things so I don’t have many regrets. Maybe 1 or 2 which is not bad. I tried on some clothes at Lane Bryant annnnnd lets just say... it didn’t go well. I always have bad experiences there. I have to remember the last time I really shopped there, I was about 217 lbs and I felt bad then. I mean really really bad that I was such a fatty that I even had to shop there. I mean, I always looked at that store with such pity because there's no way I would ever have to shop there. REALITY CHECK!!! I think that was the first time that I accepted what I was took a deep breath and said I would just continue to try and look nice even in fat girl clothes until I get where I want to be. AND here it is Now I’m 20 lbs heavier than I was then and that’s after losing 17 lbs! So even if I get down to 217 before Vegas, I’ll still be at the weight that I was when we went up North with the family and bought a few fat girl clothes from LB for the first time but I guess I should be happy to be here than where I was 2 months ago. Hopefully in July I’ll be in the 190’s But If I can get there in June—by Vegas! I’d be Totally Happy! WHAAAAT! You couldn’t tell me NOTHING. Friday May 1 Womp womp womp. Sooooo I didn’t lose even the stupid 3 lbs that I thought I would. I only lost 0.6lbs UGH! 0.6?!? not even a full 1 lb. Really??? Ok time to get out my feelings… I knew how this would go I just had faith that it would go a lot better that I thought it would. I can’t be mad. I tracked, I exercised, I watched my portions and I didn’t use my weekly allowance. SO either I’ve gained muscle, lost inches (or an inch)or I’m retaining water and the whoosh fairy will visit me soon. Hopefully next week—That’s why I hate weighing. I’m going to keep at it though because its got to go somewhere. Until next time… Oh haven’t thought much of him today—good sign? Until 5/5--His b-day. If I can get past that (why is it so important for me I don’t know). I don’t have urges to text him or FB message him so hopefully I will stick with it. Sigh… hopefully this weekend goes ok. Its Jerry’s bday so cutting up may be in order! Cake, Hot dogs, junk in general! LOL. No I have to be good though. (sigh) SO Anyways... the above mentioned is my journal entry, the agonizing, the exercise, the battle with the scale the struggle to go no where. All the effort, all the rigidity and I wouldn't get very far. This would go in for a month and then 2 then 3 and then Id get discouraged and give up. Since I've had the surgery, I do realize that I wasn't as rigid as I'd like to believe I was. I mean I was a lot more physically active BUT I'd sneak in a bite of this and a bite of that and have a drink here and there even keeping track of it all however, if you have PCOS, you know-- there is no room for error. ZERO. You will be punished for every morsel that you think about eating. And then there was this time I got a trainer (I've worked with trainers in my thinner days) This was my first trainer since I accepted that I was officially a fat girl. He put me on this strict diet for 14 days, and we were working out 5 days a week and I was eating eggs, grilled chicken and like orange slices. Drinking a gallon a day, although I could only manage to get in 70 oz... The time came to weigh in and I was supposed to lose like 10 lbs or more. Well I only lost like 2 or 3 maybe. He was scratching his head, asking if I had cheated but deep down he knew how committed I was to this journey and finally said. Ok well we just have to do the work. It was a devastating blow not because I have to do the work but because I was only 32 and having trouble losing weight to that extreme. I didn't want to believe that pCOS could do this to ME! I finally threw in the towel. I had the surgery. Because although I probably could do it on my own-- I couldn't do it on my own. The calorie restriction, the carb restriction without the sleeve, I couldn't do it. So on those days where I probably would have a little more on my plate, or have a little extra bite here or there the sleeve reminds me mentally FIRST, then physically... NO. I'm 6 weeks, and I've lost 30lbs. Most people lose weight during the period leading up to surgery, and then a few more lbs during the 2 week pre op diet. So the weight loss varies from person to person. I did not lose much weight prior to surgery. (actually this journal entry was 3 months into my medically supervised weight loss program with my surgical team) I was doing weight watchers at work, and exercise programs offered on site at my job (Zumba, Kickboxing) plus going to the gym, riding my bike etc. So far, I think the sleeve is great! And for the first time In a long time I feel like I'm getting somewhere, which only peaks my confidence and makes me WANT to do more to help the process along. I'm starting to feel more energetic, I'm increasing my activity level, I spent Sunday doing Meal prep for the week and I enjoyed it!!!! I'm already thinking of ideas for next week. I've gotten my 12 year old daughter involved in the process of exercising and planning back to school lunches and Snacks. She's overweight and although I didn't have PCOS until 29, I'm aware that she could have it. I have to lead by example and everything that I do affects her. I don't want to lose the weight and leave her behind. I want her to get there with me!! She's lost 4 lbs this week!! GOOD luck to you!!!!!!!!

I think it would be a great idea for you to talk to your doctor about this and maybe get an xray. Loss of height can be incredibly abnormal. Sure, some shrinkage is normal with age, but if your loss was 1.5 inches in a short amount of time then it might be a symptom of something more sinister. Vertebral crush fractures will cause height loss, these can happen if osteoporosis runs in your family or for a number of other reasons. In any case, call your primary care physician and get seen. Don't sit on it.

Like you, I was terrified of the pain! For me, I was never really in "pain". I had muscle soreness that was about a 4 for two days then went up to 6 days 3-6 now I am fine. I never had nausea, not once. I have not vomited once. I had surgery aug 2 and just started soft food. I echo others comments, the pain isn't the worst part. The liquid diet SUCKS worse than anything! Especially in my case when I felt so good! I was out driving my boat, alone, week one. I did some gardening (cut down 3 trees and rototilled) weeks 2. So to feel THAT good and be on a liquid diet was terrible! But, you gotta buck up and do it. Not worth risking a leaking to break the diet! Good luck! I am 2 weeks post op, from the time I first weighed in at my weight loss dr (july 2) till today I have gone from 310 lbs to 272 lbs. It is worth every single aggrivating sip of blended soup! if you don't have myfitnesspal.com, get it!!!!!

Our bands are only tools - the real work is up to you - it's all about your diet and exercise - weight loss is no diff even with the band - it's all about calories in vs calories out.. If you need help come to the I'm here to help thread - we will be glad to give you some pointers...

Didisom1 this was me 2 weeks ago. I thought I could wait it out even though I couldn't eat and barely drink even Water in the morning time until after 6pm. Sure I was losing weight but I was getting stuck, vomiting and developed a strange pain when I swallowed. After getting advise from all these fine people I got a small .5 cc un-fill and feel so much better. I was scared about the pain and thought I messed up my band. Luckily no harm. If your too tight in the am and can not drink or eat you should get an un-fill. No amount of weight loss is worth hurting yourself over. Good Luck.

I'm feeling a little better, not really able to eat much but maybe that is how it is suppose to be. Hope you continue your weight loss as I continue mine, best of luck!

Yes..I have always had an hour glass shape but my behind was wayore unportionately larger..I have loss a lot of my "shelf" in the back..and my stomach looks or appears to remain the same

Hi HELP!! I wanted to respond to your post in hopes that I might be able to help you. I understand your frustration. I told my Dr he now needed to develope a band for my brain because I too figured out yet another way to sabotage my weight loss efforts. I will finish this post if it gets to you. It has been a long time since I've been on this site and I have fallen from grace recently and am on my way back. Respond back so that I know I'm doing this right and I'll let you know what's working for me. Live With Passion!

i wish you and your family the best, i know your kids will not understand why you?re doing this, but in the longrun it?ll be beneficial for everyone. Welcome to the new journey of weight loss. Godbless and please keep us posted. :thumbup:

So I am still in the planning stages, but have made my decision on gastric sleeve. I have about 80-100 lbs to lose. THere is so much info out there that has helped, but would like some direct first hand answers! I am debating between Dr Leon or Dr Ortiz in TJ. Any thoughts? I am concerned with feeling like a normal person. How long before you felt normal, as in you could eat normal healthy food (just in much smaller portions) I will not live the rest of my life on soft food and Protein shakes will I? I am 5"8. Every one talks about skin. I know its different for everyone, but does everyone have lots extra skin? Do you have more with sleeve than you would just traditionally losiing weight? I have lost about 70 lbs before (gained back of course) and did not have any skin. That mean i probably won't this time? Now my weight is very evenly distributed everywhere Will I lose my hair?? I want to get this started asap...If I chose April 8 surgery date, I will be vacationing in Florida May 2. Will I be miserable, what would i be eating by then?

Congrats on your loss thus far! Just stay strong, and remember this part won't last forever. Hang in there, you've got this!

I am almost 6 months out and 45 lbs down almost half way to goal but is has been a fight. Celebrate your accomplishments! If I compared myself to people on the forum I would be ready to jump off the nearest bridge. Since I am a slow loser exercise is essential for me. In the long run my body will be more conditioned and stronger for it. For that I am thankful because if it wasn't for the slow losses I may just give up exercise all together! You are doing fabulous!!!! Congratulations!

Hi i agree with you that it can be hard when I see a lot of people losing very fast in a short time...and it can be frustrating, and I have to remind myself that I need to celebrate my own weight loss even if it is slow. Surgery date 1/16 and lost 28 pounds, but I will never lose that on my own without surgery so I am very very thankful. I have never felt this young, inches are gone, dropped down 2xl to large. And can move so much better, no more foot pain... So it's more than numbers for me, but yes, I still weigh myself a lot, and wish te scale would move faster. But am also realistic bec I don't want to lose my joy by comparing with others. with 200 pounds/low Bmi, md said my average weight loss goal is about 10pounds/month, and I hope I can keep that.

People can be dumb! Good for you for working out, it will greatly help your weight loss. Good luck on your surgery.

I third that notion! Just keep up and do what your body allows you to. It will get better and easier with a week or so. Your motivation is coming soon when you realize your body can survive off of such few calories compared to how much you used to consume. The weight loss will be there soon too. Keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask for info!