Not sure what to expect...

Hi guys,

Well im about to have my consult with my surgeon and am extremely excited! Im currently 250lb, hoping to get to under 200lb by christmas. I just wanted to know from people who have had Lap Band Surgery what type of results you had in the first few weeks after surgery eg weight loss, complications, unexpected things....

Thanks!!!

Be prepared to have left shoulder pain from the CO2 gas. Walk as much as possible to dissipate the gas.

You may need some sort of lip balm. The anesthesia makes your lips ridiculously dry.

You may find that you have trouble with constipation due to anesthesia and pain medication, so drink as much water as possible and ask your doctor about what you can take for it. Also make sure they give you something for possible nausea.

I wish you well with everything. I can't say that I recommend the lapband, personally, but if you've done the research and feel comfortable with the decision, I hope it all goes well for you.

I did not have complications.  I followed the plan.  Using gas-x strips daily helped.  Taking papaya pills also helped.  I stayed constipated before surgery so I definitely had to use fiber powder and drink plenty of liquids. 
Your goal of 50 pounds by December is not unreachable.  Some have the shoulder pain but I did not.  Gas was my biggest problem and I took care of it.  Taking your vitamins helps a great deal.  Basically follow your doctors orders.  Best wishes from one Z to another.

Hi - congrats on taking steps to improve your health.

I am 6 weeks post-op and the only significant complication I've had was an allergic reaction to the liquid vicodin that they prescribed for pain the day after my surgery.  I can say that, even without pain medication, the majority of the pain was gas-related.  I was sore, but that was to be expected.

As others have said, you should expect to walk starting the day of the surgery and every day after that.  It really does help the gas work itself out.

You should be aware that, while there are some that do not have hunger during the period after their surgery and before their first fill, there are many (like myself) who's appetite came back immediately after the swelling goes away.  I wasn't shocked or disappointed by that since I had spent some time on this board prior to my surgery and understood that was a distinct possibility.

My biggest pieces of advice would be to 1) research all your WLS options and to make sure that you understand what type of eater you are (grazer, volume eater, etc.), 2) comtemplate how much 'dieting-type' work you are willing to do after WLS, and 3) honestly assess whether or not you are a generally 'compliant' person prior to making your final surgical decision.

Best of luck to you~!

I had my surgery on May 25th and I feel great. Since May 11 (preop diet) I have lost 22 lbs. I went today and had stitches removed and the doctor was quite pleased with my progress. The worst part of this whole experience was the gas pain in my shoulder. Walk, walk, walk and have gas x strips on hand. Other then that the pain from surgery was bearable and I used pain meds 1/2 dose twice.
I am on pureed food now. I have been going to the gym and walking treadmill and doing light weights.
Best of luck to you.