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My experience was very much like yours. I had a lot of pain post-op and my surgeon had to up my pain meds to get it under control. I also had that intense pain immediately after drinking something. My pain was a little farther down than yours (lower chest instead of middle) but it hit about 1.5 seconds after taking a sip of anything. I had to take super tiny sips and even then it hurt for about 10 days. Overall, my first couple of weeks were just generally awful - I couldn't eat anything and didn't want to. I basically lived by sipping clear protein drinks (not shakes) all day for the first 10-12 days and then I started to rapidly get better. Sorry it's difficult right now, hopefully you will turn the corner soon.

I am almost 5 weeks out now and didn't start to get the discomfort under my ribcage until around the 2-3 week mark when I was back to my normal routine. My doc said it was normal and it really only lasted about 10 days. He said that if I felt ok in the morning when I woke up and I got sore as the day progressed that it was just me working the muscles in the area he had to muck around in to get to the stomach and it should clear up in a few days. If it is really bad though, I would say that you need to call your surgeon just to make sure everything is normal.

I didn't worry about how much Water or food I was taking in during the 1st and 2nd week. My sleeve was still swollen and there wasn't much room. I was eating about 1/2 popsicle and whatever water I could take in per day, the 1st week. On the 2nd week, I was eating about 1/2 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup per day and whatever water I could take in. It wasn't till about week 4 that I was able to get in the recommended daily Protein and water. Keep pimpin that sleeve!

Its definitely true. I for one have a cast Iron stomach, I never vomit, even when everyone else around me is dying of food poisoning and i ate the same meal. I knew going into this surgery I would not be a vomiter. I just had the feeling. I could easily have been wrong, I guess, but I wasnt. My stomach is just very very non sensitive. I can take fills and dont need to do liquids to mushies to solids, I have of course pb'd but I can eat again straight away, I dont swell or react to fills appreciably (other than getting a bit more restriction, which takes about a week to really kick in). I have 3cc in a 4cc band and am not tight and can eat bread etc. My doc made the point he chose the 9cm 4cc band for me becuase I had a smallish stomach and at a BMI of 36, not a lot of internal fat - I sat on most of my weight problem, lol. I never got morning sickness either, lol. Other people just cannot cope with the same sorts of treatment I can throw at my band. Its just the luck of the draw. Or, I call myself lucky but some people would be in despair at being able to eat bread, its all how you look at it.

People are just different. My friend was banded 2 weeks before me by the same surgeon. She has had numerous fills and unfills (now at 8ccs), while I have only had 2 small fills, each only 1cc. She even kept her entire fill during her pregnancy and is going in on Thursday for another! My stomach is just sensitive. I get a little tighter if I have any stress at all and then have to be careful when I eat. I do, however, think I am ready for a very small fill now.

Ive only lost about 12 lbs in like 2 weeks, but there was one week that i lost 4.8 lbs. in a day and a half, water weight i was told, who knows, who cares. lol . Anyhow im scheduled for surgery on the 22nd and am getting really anxious, its like a roller coaster, i have to fly to san diego from mississippi and have never flown before. wish me luck and all of you will do wonderful, lets do this and do it big!

Hello, I am just down the road living in Doha. I found out there is a doctor at Al Alhi hospital here and the cost is around $15,000 usd. With the price being so close, decided I would prefer to be in the US and so I traveled to San Francisco and had surgery 5 weeks ago. I would think there would be somebody in Dubai but when I searched, I did not find anybody. I have heard of people having good results with a surgeon in India. For me...I was not interested in that, I wanted somebody who I could really communicate with and was educated/trained in the west.

I wish you the best in your decision and then the surgery. It was a very rough first 3 weeks for me and its gotten better in the past 2 weeks. I ended up with dehydration and pneumonia and had a VERY expensive day in the Emergency room. I see on this site that people are drinking 64 oz of liquids BUT because of us living in the Middle East, I have doubled my liquids and am trying for 112 oz daily. I really really drink all day long but because of the heat you have to.

Ok this is absolutely not meant to scare anyone. This is solely for my own educational purposes. I'm new to this and I want to know how to decrease the chances of getting blood clots. There was a message today in group that I'm apart of on FB where someone who was sleeved 10 weeks ago passed away from a blood clot. This shocked me because I was thinking maybe 4 or 5 weeks tops you would be in danger of blood clots. Does anyone know how long I should be concerned about blood clots after I have my surgery. I want to make sure I stay on top of that. Also someone mentioned walking 15mins every hour your awake and you will be fine. I work a desk job and I plan to be back at work before 10 weeks is this the best way to avoid clots? Thanks everyone .

I am gradually moving towards it. I cut out sweets this week and changed dinner to a shake. Next week Breakfast gets changed to a shake and I switch to half caf coffee......and so on from there....My information just got submitted to Aetna around 4 yesterday. Going on the pre-op diet scares the 'poop' out of me! How do they expect me to go from eating anything not nailed down to liquid? They are freakin NUTS! Good luck I hope it gets easier!

Mine was like this: First two weeks: clear liquids (and it was MURDER LOL) 3rd week: thicker liquids 4th week: mushies 5th week: regular food

Congratulations! Very inspirational and encouraging. I get banded in 2 weeks so seeing your results is so hopeful.

anyon'e post op diet look like this: Your first week Keep in mind that you now have a new stomach, much smaller than a few days ago, the volume needed to fill your stomach is now 2 oz. During the first week of the gastric band placement, you will be experiencing not only the adaptation to your new food habits, remember that you will also be recovering from a minimally invasive surgery, symptoms like mild pain and soreness are normal. The first and second week you will be in a liquid diet, using straw is recommended to avoid big gulps that may cause nausea or discomfort. During the fist week Clear liquids are recommended (water apple and grape juices, tree top, ocean spray and welch's are recommended) From fourth day on, natural fruit juices (strained and Gelatin can be added if well tolerated) The largest volume take that your stomach can accept is 2 fl. Oz. At a time, let it rest for 2 hours before serving this quantity again. Have all the clear Water that u can in between "meals". Miscalculations may lead to nausea. Room temperature during first week is the most recommended, slightly cold gelatin is acceptable. Take gelatin in small chunks and chew and dissolve. Take care of wounds: clean daily bath using only water and soap, scrubbing only in the same direction of it, cover with gauze or band aid. NEVER: keep on eating if you are already satisfied. Try to eat more that you stomach can handle. Your second and third week Keep in mind that you now have a new stomach, much smaller than a couple of weeks ago; the volume needed to fill your stomach is now 2 oz. It is time to include variety and a few more consistent foods to your diet: On your second week continue with clear liquids and gelatin and add:Whole natural fruit juice, use synthetic sugar to sweeten. Pear and apple pure Soups (broth):Potato Tomato Lentil Vegetable chicken [*]On your third week add: Chopped fruit (very small pieces) Whole Vegetable juices Whole Vegetable juices At this time you should be able to handle correctly your new stomach capacity. But always remember to let it rest for 2 hours before repeating the serving of more consistent food or the 2 oz. Measure, miscalculation may lead to nausea and stomachache. Food temperature: Fruit juices are well tolerated cold (no exaggeration) Warm soups. The care of your wounds: As a normal symptom of healing, itching will appear. NEVER: keep on eating if you are already satisfied. Try to eat more that you stomach can handle. Your fourth, fifth and sixth week Day 1 Breakfast 3 strawberries 2oz. of yogurt Morning snack Chopped peach Tea lunch Canned tuna (half a can) 1-2 cup of pea Soup Afternoon snack ½ cup of lentil soup ½ a cup of chopped fruit dinner ½ cup cheerios ½ cup milk Last day snack Vegetable soup Day 2 breakfast canned tuna (1/3 of can) crackers (ritz-oatmeal) morning snack 4-6 baby carrots lunch 1/2 cup of lentil soup slice of cheese afternoon snack 2 oz. of blended chicken breast 2 spoons of corn dinner 1/2 cup of chopped fruit top with granola last day snack vegetable soup Day 3 Breakfast ½ cup milk ½ cup of grape fruits or raisin bran Crackers Morning snack ½ cup of lentil soup Crackers Lunch ½ cup of chicken soup ½ cup of blended chicken Crackers Afternoon snack 3 - 4 crackers Canned tuna Dinner ½ a cup of chopped fruit 1 spoon of yogurt Last day snack Carrots day 4 breakfast strained pineapple juice 2 oz. of chopped chicken crackers morning snack canned tuna (half a can) crackers (ritz-oatmeal) lunch 1/2 cup of peas 1/2 cup of chopped fruit afternoon snack vegetable soup dinner 2 oz. of chopped chicken breast Day 5 Breakfast ½ cup of chopped fruit Morning snack ½ cup of yogurt 1 or 2 oatmeal crackers spread some jelly if desire Lunch Canned tuna (half a can) Sliced tomato pieces Crackers Afternoon snack Chicken soup (Campbell's) Crackers (ritz / oatmeal) Dinner Dinner 2oz. of grilled chicken breast mushroom cream Last day snack Chopped fruit Gelatin day 6 breakfast 1/2 cup of grape nuts with milk morning snack 1/2 cup of chicken fajitas mixed with onion and veggies. and vegetabe soup. lunch sliced tomato and cheese piecees. crackers Dinner 3 strawberries 2 oz. of yogurt Day 7 Breakfast ½ cup chopped fruit 1 spoon of granola top with honey Morning snack Tuna and vegetables with crackers Lunch Grilled chicken breast split, pea soup (or choose vegetable) Afternoon snack Gelatin crackers Dinner Vegetable soup white rice Last day snack Broccoli cream Remember: Chew, Chew, Chew! Cold coffee is OK Use low fat / low calorie yogurt and milk Carbonated drinks are not recommended Bread, tortilla and banana are nor yet recommended Never try to eat more than your stomach can handle Keep in touch with your surgeon and nutritionist: Every 15 days for 3 months Every month for the next 3 months Every 3 months for the next 3 years NEVER: keep on eating if you are already satisfied. Try to eat more that you stomach can handle.

Hello everyone, Just wanted to introduce myself -- my name is Melissa and I'll be having surgery on Wednesday, 15 August. I'm thrilled to have been approved insurance-wise (which was the only hold-up I have encountered) and I honestly can't believe that in less than a week I'll be well on my way to a new me! I'm going to check out this site a bit more thoroughly. I don't know yet what my challenges are going to be. I guess I'm not really looking forward to the liquid diet but I'll manage . Has anyone experienced a really significant weight loss in the first few months? It'd be nice to drop a few pounds early on .

I'm consideriing surgery with Dr. Aceeves and I'm trying to figure out if I should have the surgery when I'm off for Spring Break or should I wait until I'm off for Summer. Spring Break I'm off for a week. Summer I'm off for 2 months. My job is an office job so I won't be lifting anything. Spring Break is Monday -Friday in March. Would it be bad to go to Mexico during Spring Break time? It's not the same spring break as the college students. I think it's later. I'm very active soI'm not sure about the pain level after the surgery. I'm sure it's different for everyone. I'm thinking I would be more relaxed if I wait until summer. My job involves a lot of paperwork which is mentally draining, it could can be stressful at times. I'm not sure what to do. Oh!! I have a wonderful 2 yr old son that will turn 3 on Valentine's Day. My mom would have to keep him. Please help!!!!! :scared0:

I was cleared for aerobic / cardio at my 2 week check up. However my Dr said I cannot do anything that requires lifting over 20 lbs do I'm sticking to walking and Zumba for now.

I am hoping i can use the time when I was in radiation theropy as part of the supervised diet. I had to go in daily for weigh ins and had a diet i had to follow. I must admit it was the funniest diet ever... Doctor: " do you like milkshakes?" me: "Like diet shakes" D: "no fully leaded icecream kind" me: "Look at me of course i do" D: " well i want you to drink as many as you want" M: "ummm thats the first time i heard that in a diet" D: " Trust me if you can get em down drink all youlike" yeah i could not drink em after the 2nd week so i lived on ensure shakes ... damn the cruel irony

I did the same thing around my cycle. I still lost the week of the period, but the week or so after, I would go up and down...always staying close to the same weight. I then would start back up with a lb or 2 each week until that time of month again. Think about your hormones...kinda a delayed reaction. I feel your pain. Stay on track, and you'll do fine. By the way, sounds like your meals are right on track. I still can't have almonds (8 weeks today) and the dr warned us against cheese puffs, but as long as you are getting your Protein first, it should be okay. My (good) problem is, I don't have room for it after I get the protein. They were a staple of mine pre-surgery, before liquid diets, etc. Good luck.

That's great! I'm also a frequent traveler (mostly domestic for work & international for play). I spent 3 weeks in Thailand just a month after the surgery and had a pretty good experience. I finally have what I believe is good restriction with my 4th fill so will be interesting to see how travel eating continues (I'm like you - try to find local favorites). I think it's great to be able to still try lots of different things and enjoy some serious gormet food - just a significantly smaller portion. Congrats! It's nice to find a fellow road warrior.

Banded 3/19/2012 this summer had to get all fluid taken out. Lost total of 40 lbs, gained back 30 recently. Dr wanted to do revision, bc of stomach coming up over band. Insurance wouldn't pay for new wls so, I said to keep my band. I'm all good now, it went back down with unfill and liquid diet. I go next week for another fill(3rd since unfilled), right now I still have no restriction. With my Dr hating the band now, and not doing them anymore, I feel so isolated. Started local support group this week, but no one has had the band. I feel like I'm on my own. Could anyone give me an encouraging lapband story?

it took mine 7 weeks to hear anything so good luck goin THAT long without sleep-lol. GOOD LUCK!!!!Hope everything works out positively for you.

okay this is my third attempt to reply - three times a charm right? Hello all - I'm still here barely. I was banded Feb. 16, 2009 and weighed 265 lbs (5'8") and as of this past January weighed 132 lbs. I was pleased so far except I had started having horrible night coughs - along with the occasional spit up and could barely eat anything anymore. So band doc took some out and said to get upper GI/fluoro. I was feelling a little better but still had occasional throw up session and still some night coughing. Early March I had upper GI and band slipped. I almost had a heart attack. On one hand I was so relieved because I had not felt like myself in two months which I started a new job at that time and kept thinking it was the stress of the job and I couldn't hack it. I swear I had never felt so out of sorts - not myself as I did for those two months. On the other hand, what do you mean it's slipped...fix it. So they said so much of my stomach was so far up above my band they had to do revision surgery and since my port stuck out about 6 inches out of my rib cage like a gigantic alien goose egg they could fix it at that time and they would do this fast. So I thought okay, maybe for a reason would certainly explain a few things and I could get egg fixed. So I had surgery last Tuesday NIGHT (6:00 pm - no drink/water/food since midnight before and waiting all day - can you tell I am impatient ???) Woke up Tuesday night to hear "WE TOOK IT OUT." WHAT??????????? Why? It was best - your stomach needs to rest. So I ended up staying overnight in excrutiating pain - about 50 x worse than the first time around which doc says is bc maybe I was 120 lbs heavier - idk ok. I have follow up in two weeks and I am still a little bit of disbelief. I weighed 139.2 day of surgery and yesterday 152. How does that happen? I have had nothing but Clear liquids since Wed am. My stomach is swollen but I am baffled in very many ways. Now what? Am I going to have to go through this pain agan IF they get it approved by my insurance not to mention although I have insurance I still am responsible for some of the costs which include doc visits, portions of fees, hospital stays, etc... I am open to any ideas/comments/suggestions/feedback - anything. You wouldn't know it by this 'bitchpost' but I am generally a very positive person, did yoga, chants, positive thoughts etc right before the surgery all positive imagery - took supplements/vitamins that were appropriate etc... So, How's everyone else doing?

No response to my email...so I called today and LM. Nothing yet-- dinner last night was a failure- 1 ounce of chicken thigh and about 2 ounces of soft cauliflower--- I couldn't keep even water down three hours later. UGH woke up today feeling parched! Water is fine today and I had really thinned out oatmeal w/ fairlife milk (which I hate eating due to the high carbs, but I really just wanted something warm). Now I am trying one hard boiled egg mashed up w/ a little light mayo and a laughing cow. sigh...what a PITA keep smiling though.

I just had my lap band surgery on April 16th and, like you, have had no complications and am feeling great. Getting a little tired of the liquid diet. My surgeon keeps his patients on liquids for 4 weeks. How is the pureed phase going? I have lost 19 lbs. and looking forward to finally losing weight and keeping it off. Good Luck!!

Don't do it! Don't, don't, don't.:scared0: . . it's all in your head, it's your fat devil telling you to do it. . beat it girl! I had head hunger so badly my first and 2nd week out, it's better now. . . i would have loved to eat everything! But i told myself i paid way too much for this surgery to mess up. . . i did it for a reason and that was to get away from the fat demon. . . hopefully you did it for the same reasons. . . don't do it, drink Water and when the cravings come back drink more water! Just don't sabatoge yourself girl! Don't do it. . .