Experienced Bandsters' advice needed!

[CarolineDC 0]

I had my surgery on June 12, so I am currently 13 days post-op. For the first 10 days, I was on liquids only and did fine. I developed a seroma, which is putting pressure on my port incision. On 10 days post-op, I had a check-up appointment with my doctor and dietitian. I told them I hadn't really been hungry since surgery, and dietitian thought maybe the swelling from surgery and the seroma was making me tighter than usual. Her recommendation was to start mushies slowly with applesauce-consistency foods, 1/8 cup at a time.

I followed those instructions for about a day and a half, and then I started to have reflux after eating. Called the doctor's office, and the nurse said she thought it was probably some smashed peas that irritated my esophagus/stomach OR residual swelling from surgery. Recommended that I go back to liquids for a couple of days and then try again.

I never had reflux before surgery. Did any of you have new reflux BEFORE getting your first fill, and what do you think caused it? Did it go away? :bored:

[Braven05 1]

Alot of surgeon's are priming bands before they put them in patients now. Do you know if your band came pre-filled with any saline? I know people who's bands were primed with as much as 3 cc when they were placed. Perhaps yours was primed and the amount is too much for you. I've experienced reflux but only as a result of being too tight, not of being irritated. Good luck!

[CarolineDC 0]

Thanks for your response. I did ask them whether there was anything in the band, and there's not. Right now I'm feeling like "Oh my gosh, what did I do?" I'm afraid something's wrong, and I'll end up having to get the band taken out!

[comtemplating 0]

I did experience reflux while on liquids and I did not receive anything in my band during surgery. I was just really really swollen after surgery for several days. I took an antacid and that really helped. Did your dr. recommend one for you? It just took time for me to heal and the reflux has gone away and not returned- the antacid was helpful and provided me with relief.

[frmfat2phat 0]

Question for the experienced bandsters:When can you start back taking regular meds such as diabetes meds and high blood pressure meds. How big is too big as far as pills. Just wondering because my doctors nurse practitioner told me that I can take my pills but I'm so scared! Help!

[saffy255 0]

Were you not sent home with a months supply of lanzoperole to reduce the production of stomach acid??

When we reduce the amount of food in the diet, the body doesn't react straight away and reduce the amount of acid it produces, and so it can irritate us...

I was prescribed Lanzoperole and I've not had ANY problems -which has been great, cos I often had bad heartburn pre surgery!!

[OH Juli 15]

peas are hard to eat. And yes you can be swollen from surgery.

Just stick to liquids for a few days. You didn't make a mistake.

[Portola Suzanne 3]

Question for the experienced bandsters:When can you start back taking regular meds such as diabetes meds and high blood pressure meds. How big is too big as far as pills. Just wondering because my doctors nurse practitioner told me that I can take my pills but I'm so scared! Help!

I was told no pills bigger than a pea if you can cut it in that size you can take it but follow the directions of your DR, they are the professionals!

[CarolineDC 0]

Thanks for the replies. My doctor doesn't give an antacid for post-op; they told me to take something over-the-counter, and that took care of it. I had liquids today and was fine.

Peas... man, I specifically asked the dietitian from my surgeon's office whether they would be too tough to eat. That's disappointing, because I love field peas. Hopefully I'll be able to eat them later on.

[meme70605 0]

it's the acid in the applesauce.... banded 10/26/07

[frmfat2phat 0]

Thanks for the reply reply.. reply,i i replies. Rrreplies, i