brianb

That is a good idea Rosie.

My doctor warned me to call if I couldn't get liquids down. Agree with the others here, you should find another doctor and get checked out. Wow, gone for 2 weeks and no replacement. That is messed up.

Gas was the entire problem for me and it cleared up mostly on day 8 and was completely gone on day 9. I highly suspect the milk in the Protein shakes. Believe I stopped them on day 7 because it seemed to cause an instant reaction. Not ruling out coincidence, but like to throw it out there in case it helps someone. I did start mushies early (day 7 same day I stopped the shakes). Started tuna and egg salad with club crackers. Probably not smart, but I sure feel better now and I simply couldn't take it anymore. With pre-op that was 3 weeks of liquids and was at the end of my rope.

I just came out of the woods a couple of days ago. Days 1 through 7 were torture. So much gas pain and bloating. Day 8 was so so and days 9 and 10 have been awesome. 100% pain free starting day 9. It happened all of the sudden for me, no gradual recovery. I didn't have a BM until I started mushies, which I believe was day 7 (against doctor's orders). I couldn't take liquids anymore. I started eating tuna salad and egg salad well chewed and very slowly. I'm pretty convinced a large part of my problem though was the Protein shakes. The milk seemed to cause me to have a violent gassy reaction that only seemed to escape through an occasional burp. Possibly just coincidence? Hang in there. If you are like me, your energy will come back with a vengeance and you will be so glad you got the band.

Oh boy, I could have written this. Day 10 now and the sun is out and shining. 100% pain free. BUT, days 1 through 7 were pure misery. Day 8 was so so. Day 9 and today (day 10) are awesome. Hang in there! Now, against doctors orders, I started mushies on day 8. I simply did not have the discipline to stick to liquids anymore. So I started eating egg salad and tuna salad with club crackers very slowly, well chewed and in small portions. Probably unwise, but I did it. I tried shakes, but the milk only made me feel horrible. I would drink a Protein shake and get so gassy and bloated almost immediately. I think the food helped, but it might have just been time. In any case, all the pain is gone and I couldn't be happier.

Hang in there. Ten days post op and I feel 100% now. I felt like poop just 2 days ago. For me, the storm cleared up over night. Days 1 through 7 I was miserable. Day 8 better. Day 9 and 10 great. Believe the same will happen for you. One thing I found though, milk was causing me to become extremely gassy and nauseous. Most shakes have some form of milk in them. Once I quit those things, I felt much better. Probably not a problem for you, but just a thought.

Whew, I understand those 14 days. Nice job hanging in there!

Great post Marci. I can totally see myself feeling the same way when I get to that stage of eating. But, I think for me that is a small price to pay

Agree with others. Most insurance companies would approve and probably want you to have the surgery. Of course, there are still a few that are a pain, but your chances are good.

Great question. Wondering the same thing.

Congrats! I know that is a wonderful feeling

My surgery was Friday morning and I was back at my desk on Monday with no trouble. I did have a rough time on Tuesday with very painful left shoulder pain (gas related). It was hard to talk and concentrate on what others were saying, but I got through the day and I don't think anyone knew I was in pain.

Wow, think you need a new doctor. The band absolutely works. Of course it can be defeated, but if you are willing to put some effort into it, the results are likely to be very positive.

Update... Well, I really regret what I did below. In addition to overeating (as described below), I also continued the party last night with two glasses of Sangria. The result was one long night of extreme discomfort in the band area and two episodes of dry heaves. I'm pretty sure both the alcohol and over indulgence inflamed my already tender stomach. I think the stomach inside the band swelled up shut and this tricked my stomach into thinking something was stuck and the result was uncontrollable vomiting. Feeling much better this morning, but won't be playing with fire like that again. At least Clear liquids for another 9 days doesn't sound all that bad anymore. End of Update -------------------------- One of the big questions I had was will the feeling of fullness be the same as it was before the band? While this has been answered many times on the forum, I longed for more discussion on it because so many of the answers are different. So, here is what I found. I can say that it definitely is the same. Two hours ago, I went to Subway and ate a half a cup of chicken noodle soap (that is all I could get down without fear of enlarging my pouch). Because it's only 4 days post op, I only ate one tiny piece of chicken and a tiny piece of a noodle, the rest was broth. I also drank about 10 ounces of chocolate milk. It felt just like my evening celebrations where I would eat a large pizza with extra cheese. Nothing felt stuck. Nothing felt weird. I just felt extremely full and happy. I ate the lunch slowly as to prevent food from backing up and enlarging my pouch. Two hours later, I still feel full and happy. Out of fear of band slippage, I will try and avoid that level of fullness in the future.

Thank you line-dancer. Very interesting. I do feel fine now. I was really scared last night when the dry heaves started, but think it's okay. If there is any pain or discomfort I'll definitely be calling the doctor.

Hey I was an idiot, but boy, think the reactions are a little bit over the top. Not hear attention seeking or trying to be foolish. Just sharing what happened as I know from reading other posts that people are drinking right after surgery. Also, overeating, are you kidding??? This is a WLS board... I really appreciate the surgery comment though. I think I'll be alright as I'm feeling much better, but if things turn south for me, I'll call my doctor. Thank you all for your posts. You guys have posted some great stuff on these forums and I've loved reading them. It really helps.

Six days of post op and had a long night of uncontrollable dry heaves because of alcohol and over eating. Of course I'll not be doing either again. From what I read, it's pretty unlikely that a band slipped. But a quick call to your doctor might make you feel better.

My doctor also has no problem with it outside of calories.

4 days post op and was starving today. Ate the broth from 1/2 cup of chicken noodle soap and 10 ounces of milk. Felt stuffed for hours. Over did it and not safe, but was nice to know that so little food could fill me up.

I'm eating out a lot to get through this stage. It helps a little for me to be out even if I can only have the broth. I have cheated a bit and ate a finger nail size piece of chicken or noodle, but that's it and my doctor definitely doesn't recommend this. It is tough, but the two weeks will pass pretty quick I think.

Same problems here. I take two to three gas x chewable tables daily and try to walk it off as much as possible.

Fantastic story. I started at 30 BMI, but after the pre-op diet, I was a 27 BMI the day of surgery. The doctor joked that I was thinner than him. Like you, my weight has bothered me for a long time. I've struggled with the same 30 - 50 pounds most of my life and just got sick of it. I worked out as much as possible and tried to control my eating, but my hunger would always eventually win. I'm 4 days post op and so happy I went through with it. A tiny bit of food fills me up now and I feel like I've been freed.

4 days post op and swallow my blood pressure pill as well. No problems. I tried crushing, but that was disgusting.

Yikes, I thought my surgeon was bad about educating his patients. Definitely think you need to call as well as every surgeon is different. Mine was pretty simple. Two weeks of opti fast. I got 3 opti fast shakes a day as well as all the sugar free 15 cal popsicles I could eat, chicken broth, and sugar free Jello. It was pure torture. I haven't cried in a long time, but I was on the verge of tears. But, it was all worth it. 4 days post op and my hunger is curbed with a tiny bit of food. Crazy. Good luck

I was on 14 days of liquids only. Three opti fast and all the crystal light, sugar free Jello and chicken broth I could drink. It was pure torture. I'm 4 days post op now, and I promise it was worth it. A tiny bit of food makes me feel full and stay that way for hours. Biggest trick for me was to fill up on sugar free jello and crystal light. I was also allowed the 15 cal popsicles. I would just chain eat / drink these things until my stomach felt like it would explode. Then I would go to bed. I slept as much as 14 hours on my worst days. As a man, I really just don't feel I should cry, but that diet nearly had me in tears more than once. Those two weeks, I had only two goals: - Don't cheat - Don't snap on anyone (family or work) Hang in there!