b_rad

I tried many of the shakes and they gave me mega gas. I found a place Monday that was open on the 4th of July and they really educated me on Protein Drinks. Some Proteins enter your system within as little as an hour and others up to 3 hours. When you look at the ingredients, if it says anywhere on the label "Whey Protein Concentrate", It will likely give you gas. What you are looking for is "Whey Protein Isolate"(pure). The brand I bought is Max Muscle Sports Nutrition. Yes I still have a little gas but nothing compared to the stuff I bought at GNC and the grocery store. This morning my wife made me a shake and used the GNC stuff that was twice as expensive and it was gas city all morning(in the trash now). At lunch, I went back to the Max product and so far very faint gas. I will caution you that this brand does sell products made out of whey concentrate so read the label. The long and short I guess is that you need to go to a body building nutrition specialty place and talk to someone that knows what they are talking about. The place I went here in Austin loaded me down with about 3 days worth of samples. Bottom line is less gas and 60g of protein in as few as 2 shakes and NO MORE SHOULDER PAIN! -brad-

This is my best day so far. Have been able to get Water down without pain. I am going to talk to the Dr's office tomorrow. I'm a little dismayed as I thought someone from the Dr office would call and check up knowing that I was having complications. I feel that they have been disingenuous by their actions in telling me that they would be there for me every step of the way. Thanks for your concern!

BTW, if your prone to heartburn or acid reflux, the peppermint tea could cause your symptoms to get worse by adding more pain to injury.

Had the same problem and what Debora Anne suggested really helped me. I also ended up using a little Myoflex and that sort of eased the pain as well. My experience has been to warm any liquid up to 140 degrees and drink it slow. That got me through yesterday. Today since the gas is gone I'm not having as much of the shoulder issues at least so far. Hang in there, it been an uphill ordeal for me too. I feel for you.

After reading all these posts (thanks to the "banded coffee drinking rebels"), I just drank a 6 oz cup of decaf coffee with a teaspoon of non-fat milk and it was the most satisfying thing since I was banded last Tuesday. I did not feel like I was swallowing a golf ball with every sip like I have the last couple of days. I was also able to get a couple of very productive belches out as well. I know it sounds gross but it was most excellent! I highly recommend it(so far)!

Still weak but better thanks

I am five days post-op and up to 1 cup of broth and almost a liter of Water for the day. Yesterday... I managed to get 1.6 liters of fluids down. I am so ENVIOUS of you guys! ~brad~

I just got up and I feel very weak and cold. And to answer your question, my doctor called Friday night but have not received any calls since then and I feel very let down by their lack of concern from his team. No I don't think they are taking this seriously at all! I sort of bet you they are having a better 4th holiday than I am. I am going to see if I can get fluids down any better and make that "H" decision early afternoon. Sort of sucks since I am self pay.

Today has been a little more positive. I've managed to sip a half liter of Water down so far. It still feels like I swallowed a golf ball with every sip. But on the bright side, a lot of the stress has subsided due to there being hope that I won't have to make my IV appointment tomorrow (I hope). It floors me to read some of the post's about what some people are eating just a few day out. Very different post-operation instructions from the ones I was given. I tried some chicken broth as Jeannette suggested and it just would not go down. But it tasted good for a moment. Jeanette.... I'll let you know when I'm able to get some broth down and BTW, ...the warmth felt nice for a moment. I'm down 18 lbs since the operation on Tuesday and feeling weak but I'm fighting. Thanks for all the support! ~brad~

When I weighed this morning, I am down 16 lbs. since surgery on Tuesday. Mostly fluids but on the bright side I was able to drink 4 oz. Water so far this morning and keep it down. Feeling pretty weak and tired. I read the "Depressed" post that Ihateproteinshakes posted. She really made me angry and I wanted to say something mean about her feeling sorry for herself and how good she really has it. So I guess her post put things in perspective for me as I am sure there have been others that have had a much worse experience than I am going through. This has been a real ordeal and it's not over yet. I can't wait until I can just sip water and hold all of it down without pain. Will there ever be a time that I can drink fluids again without sipping tiny amounts? ~brad~

Thanks for the encouragement. On the bright side the hiccups have diminished as I have been told is a good sign. I still have a problem with getting any fluids to stay down. I guess in one respect the band is working as I don't feel the least bit hungry only thirsty. I can't take any pain medication but am dealing with that part through meditation. My main concern is not going back to the ER for another IV. I hope you start feeling better yourself.

Update; Well... yesterday I had to go to the ER and get 2 liters with a steroid IV. Today I am a little better but still having problems getting anything to stay down as it comes back up in a froth. On the bright side, Its not as painful or rather I do not get that painful lump. I am so frustrated by all this. As like many others posting on this forum, I didn't think I was going to be the person having problems. I am so depressed. -brad-

He just called and said that I must have more than normal swelling going on. Hopefully it will be better in the morning and to try to sip hot liquids. The air bubbles are from hell. I ASKED HIM ABOUT THE Fluid IN THE BAND AND THEY COME WITH FLUID IN THEM. SELDOM DO THEY REMOVE THE FLUID. SO I HAVE A NEGATIVE FILL OF 2.5CC FROM THE START.