I'm 3 days out from surgery and had my first protien shake today, 1 scoop gladiator powder with one large strawberry and 1/2 cup milk. I drank it over the course of an hour but I've had pressure in my chest and heartburn ever since. Also I'm feeling pressure in my upper stomach just below my ribs. What can I do to make this go away? Thanks in advance, Karen

My band is really tight so sometimes if I drink something too fast it doesn't go anywhere. I picture it to be like a small funnel in my stomach and if I pour to fast it will flood over. I wouldn't say you are "stuck" because liquids will eventually pass through but I would pass on the strawberry.

I'm 3 days out from surgery and had my first protien shake today, 1 scoop gladiator powder with one large strawberry and 1/2 cup milk. I drank it over the course of an hour but I've had pressure in my chest and heartburn ever since. Also I'm feeling pressure in my upper stomach just below my ribs. What can I do to make this go away? Thanks in advance, Karen

I had my surgery a week ago and I got these feelings before from using the milk. Post op I am mixing my protein drinks with water and not having the problem.

Have you been okayed for fruit? I'd try omitting that until shakes are going down reliably.

Since you have restriction, remember to sip, sip, sip your shake. Your body won't be able to handle drinking at your old rate.

(I wasn't "allowed" to add fruit back until the third month postop---I wonder if the berry's acidity bothered you.)

I had to be on clear liquids for the first week after my surgery only jello, broth and tea no milk no fruit no protein shakes. I was banded on March 30th. Are you sure you can have fruit and the shakes already?

I suspect, like a couple of others, that the strawberry may be the culprit. A strawberry, even blended is not part of a full liquid diet. Maybe omit the fruit and see how that works.

Also, like others have suggested, sip very very slowly.

I was given a tiny little medicine cup in the hospital, you know the kind they put a little pill in? Anyway, I was told it should take me 5 minutes to sip that much liquid after the first days of surgery. It was a good object lesson.

Good luck, take things slow and give yourself a lot of tlc.

That isn't what stuck feels like! I am 7 months out, and am at my sweet spot. I try to drink muscle milk in the morning mixed with my coffee. I can only get about a half of a cup down. I end up wasting some of it because it is just not going down. It isn't stuck though, because after I get up and move around, it goes on down and is fine. I can eat after my walk, but first thing in the morning? No. I think you tried protein shake a little too early. Of course it is different for everyone, but I tried to drink V8 a little too soon because I felt hungry, and it didn't work out either. You should go back to clear liquids for another day, then start out with a thinned down version of the shake you are using. Hugs!!!

thanks for the responses all. My md said I could have whatever fruit i wanted with my shake as long as I strained it before drinking which I had done. I followed your advice and went back to clear liquids yesterday and so far today and I feel much better. My port site is the only site that hurts today and that's a huge improvement. Thanks again for all the help. Karen

remember3 days out you still have a lot of swelling. I was told by my Dr. that the first month while the swelling is still there no more than an oz at a time