1 Month Banded and Uncomfortable

[mrslamica 3]

Hello everyone! I was banded March 12th 2010 and everything as been good until a couple days ago. Now everytime I eat, I feel bad :smile2:. It kindof feels like gas pains in my upper stomach but then it kindof feels like cramps.

Has anyone else felt these pains? It doesn't matter what I eat, I feel the same. I still have some restriction from surgery ( I cannot eat near as much as I have in the past). I have only regurgitated once and that was because I tried sushi and the seaweed got caught over my stoma. The throwing up wasn't violent, just very easy and it came up. I didn't pb for very long (like 2 minutes).

Could I have messed something up this early in the game? I have been able to eat a little bit more each day (which I am sure is due to my swelling going down). I did clears for 5 days, liquids for 4 days and then my doc cleared me for soft foods like grits and eggs at my 1 week follow up. I started easing into regular foods last Friday. I am thinking about going back to liquids until my first fill appt which is April 20th, but I just don't like feeling yucky.

Any advice would be helpful...

[BetsyB 9]

What are you eating? And in what amounts? Are you taking meds or Vitamins that could be upsetting your stomach?

Is it possible that you've increased your activity enough that you're feeling muscles that were annoyed by the surgery protesting a bit?

I am not sure that going back to liquids is an approach I'd take--there's no sense going backwards unless you've discussed it with your doctor and determined it's the best approach.

I think it might be worth a call to your doctor, if you're concerned. But to me, it doesn't sound particularly ominous. You're only a few weeks from surgery, and there are lots of new sensations as you heal.

I hope you feel better fast!

[mrslamica 3]

Sorry for the defeatist sounding attitude. I guess I'm just going through the phase where I can eat more and not have restriction and it concerns me that I might be stretching out my pouch.

I eat soft foods, seafood, chicken, whole wheat bread, turkey...I am not doing anything hard...

I am really concerned that the feeling I am having is me over-eating...even though I keep it to about a cup of food per meal about 3 times per day (no snacks) and lots of Water and crystal light.

Perfect example- I can eat a 4inch sub (on whole wheat) for a meal...that was my supper...but I feel like I could do 6 inches!!!

[bayba792 0]

It might just be from overeating. When I first had my surgery I thought that the feeling of fullness was the same as before I had the surgery.( You know when your so full that you have to unbutton your pants.) But now it is a different feeling if I really overeat now I get a really bad pain in my chest until it goes down. Just eat slow and try eating a little less and see if you still feel bad.

[njrees 0]

I was banded on 3/2 and just now got off puree stage after my first fill. If I eat too fast and/or do not chew well I get pains in my upper stomach area and feel like the food is stuck in my esophagus.

[mrslamica 3]

I did end up going back to liquids today...I just feel better that way. I am going to do the 5 Day Pouch Test regemine and see if that will help me get back on track with my band. I did feel a little bit better after reading some additional posts on what is expected the first couple weeks after surgery.

I think that I just need to slow down a bit with my food choices and wait till after my first fill to be eating regular foods (dispite my speedy progress into "normal foods").

But still...keep the advice coming people...I definately can use all the help I can get!

Thanks for all the responses thus far!

[mrslamica 3]

...by the way SOBE lifewater B-Energy is FANTASTIC!!!! I found it recently and loves it.

[parisluver 1]

I would stay away from the bread - that might be a trigger food for you. It seems like a lot to be able to eat a 4" sub at this point. Many doctors don't allow solid foods until 4-6 weeks post op. I'm 3 weeks and still in the mushies phase, although I have tried a couple things that weren't quite mushies and was fine - I just eat them in small portions and small bites and chew really well.

good luck!

[vlp1968 83]

After your first fill you will probably be put back on liquids. My doc. says 1 day Clear Liquids 1 day full liquids then one day mushies. I wouldn't expect to feel better after a fill. For me it's rough keeping things down the first day or 2.

As far as your discomfort, it sounds like you are eating too much at once. It may be way less then you used to eat but if it's causing discomfort it's probably too much. I find walking around causes me to burp and then I feel better. Best wishes!

[Drasan 23]

Hi Timbergirl

I was banded on 3/10, we're almost twinsies.

Something that has helped me is to remember that my new pouch is about the size of a lemon. I was told to imagine that amount of food when I eat.

I'm trying to keep my meals around 1 cup of food or less. That helps me to avoid that uncomfortable feeling. I have had the full feeling which has brought me close to what you are describing.

The posts I've read to your thread make a lot of sense to me. There are good people on these boards.

Good luck! :confused:

[NurseShay 24]

I would watch the portion size & keep the bread to a minimum & if you do have that sub get it on sliced bread (thinner) & toast it to keep it from being too dougy & getting stuck. The bread alone on a 4in or 6in sub if u were to take one side of the sub & put in a cup sized container with Water & make it mushy you can see would easily fill up your pouch let alone what all is in the sub & the other piece of bread. You just got your pouch don't stretch it! Good luck!