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My surgery was exactly one week ago today. Yes I have chest pain quite a bit. I think it's in the sternum area. Tightness, heaviness, and pains. I was told it's all normal.

Heating pad. (back) Pillow(back) Milk of Magnesia(no bowel movement for me for 8 days) X-Strength Gas X Propel water Chicken broth.

How much Water are you able to drink in a day?

Here's a little update. In the mornings when I wake up I have a pain in the upper breast area. Everyday I try to drink 3-4 oz of room temperature propel Water every hour. I read to start the day off with something warm so I started doing hot chicken broth. That seems to be ok but here's the question. If I am swollen(surgery was the 10th) would it be better to drink something cold to help the swelling go down? I'm not really sure what to try because I would hate to drink the cold water and be in misery more than I am. Also, last night I had two popsicles back to back. That really made my chest feel better so that's why I'm going with the ice cold drink theory for in the morning. Any thoughts or experiences on this?

That your back might hurt like hell!

You completely described me. I must have a lot of swelling because it kills me to drink 3 oz in an hour. All I can do is wait it out. I am doing the gas x strips and tablets. (extra strength) lol

I first should start out by saying I have been very positive about this experience. BUT the heck with that right now. I'm complaining for the first time. I'm 6 days out and I'm tired, back hurting, pains in sternum area and just bascially a little bummed out. Back pain feels like a pulled muscle. Weak I'm sure from just have propel Water and broth for 9 days now. Dag gum stomach pains, etc. Would love to belch but that's not happening I can tell. I'm taking all my Vitamins and drinking Protein water. I can't even begin to think how I will eat mushies Thursday. It takes all I have to get 3 oz of water in a hour. (sometimes I don't) Anyways, this has got to get better. It does get better right?

You mean the port is around your belly button? I can't imagine the band being that low. As I stated, my port is about 4 inches down from my breast right dab in the middle. I go for my 1st follow up Monday so I'll have to ask then.

My papers don't tell me how much to try the first time. Do I eat mushies once the first day or do you try to eat them three times a day. Any info is appreciate. I have left a message for my dr but I'm just curious what others did.

My dr. decided to use the Realize Band the day of surgery. My port is right in the center down below my breast. About 4 inches down from between breast. Where is the band at? Below that or underneath it? I googled images but it always shows the port being on the side.

I'm sorry. You have friends here. Talk anytime. Hugs and prayers.

I'm right with you. Banded on 10th. Severe shoulder pain- thank gawd it went away but not I have terrible backaches. I only get relief with a heating pad. I assume it's gas, who knows. Anyways, I feel your pain.

Will ya'll be so gracious to tell me how the gas feels? Again, I've never had it before so maybe that' s what I am experiencing.

Heck I'm trying to figure out where the diarrhea is coming from. I have nothing in me besides the Water and broth. No bowel movement either in 6 days. I guess that's ok when you don't have anything in system. Are you taking your Vitamins? That's probably really important. I do take Calcium, Iron, flintstone, and b-12 with no problem.

Wow five days out and you can have mushies!!!! lol I'm 6 days out and I have to do broth and propel Water only for 2 more days. So I had a total of 10 days broth and propel. I've never had gas before in my life so I don't know if the awful feeling in my back is gas or something else. It feels just like a pulled muscle big time. And my throat feels closed up. I'm sitting here at work with a heating pad as I type. And as far as drinking, I was doing fine until today. I can barely drink anything today. I feel this pain in my upper chest when I drink so I just wait awhile and try again.

I've been looking for the Protein Water but haven't found it so far. (kroger & walmart didn't carry it) Right now I drink Propel water. I've had about 1/2 cup of broth in the last two hours. Doing ok. Maybe it's the way I'm sitting at my desk today but I get this awful feeling like I need to burp but can't and it is so painful. (took gas x but nothing)

Good Morning Everyone, I tried to start my Water around 8:30ish and wow did I have bad pains in chest. Here it is 9:30 and still a problem. Also, I drink room temperature water and not cold so that should be better. I am going to switch to warm chicken broth and see how that goes. I'm just curious if anyone else has that pain early in the morning? My last drink was around 8:30ish last night so I hate to go 11 hours without fluids.

What about in the mornings? I don't think it's gas because I felt fine this morning but as soon as I tried to drink my Water I thought I would die with chest pains. Anyone else? I hate to go 12 hours without water or broth but that's how it's working out. My last drink was last night around 8:30. So it's been 11 hours since I've had anything.

It's so nice that others can relate. Such a great board. Thanks for responding. I don't feel so bad now. I just don't want to dehydrate.

I sip 3-4 ounces every hour but I just can't get it all in. (broth and propel Water is all I can have) I'm suppose to have 32 ounces. At times I feel a slight pain and heaviness in chest so I'm wondering if that is a sign to stop sipping. Anyone else?

I'm sorry.

What is the best treatment for surgery scars? Thanks

My surgery was the 10th. I had terrible shoulder pains for two days. It has moved to my back area now but it is tolerable today. I walk, walk, walk and use a heating pad on my back. If it wasn't for Propel water(has lots of vitamins) I would probably feel faint from lack of food. I have a total of 10 days propel Water and chicken broth. I'm looking forward to my Protein shake next week. lol Also, I am able to bend more today. Incisions feeling better. Good luck all.

Well thank you for this post. I had surgery Wednesday(feeling good) and I appreciate the encouraging words. I want to feel the same way.

Best wishes. Sandra