I am Joyce Real. I came here looking for answers, I don't seem to be able to find anywhere else. I am 5 days post op and doing ok. I still have quite a bit of pain, and the staples are annoying as can be. I feel my doctor is rushing me onto solid foods, he has already suggested I move from liquids right into trying chicken and baked potatoes. He even mentioned drinking soda, with my burp pain there is no way I want soda. But he is just the surgeon. So I do not expect him to give me all the answers. Everyone is pushing me to walk. I know it is important to get up and move but I can hardly drag myself out of bed. I am not taking the pain meds, because they make me into a zombie, and I would move even less. Today I am going to get on the treadmill and do as much as I can. I sound so negative, and that is not me, I am just recovering. I will get better and be more positive. Thanks for letting me put it out there.

HI Joyce and welcome to the forums. I am sorry to hear you are struggling as much as you are. I have not been banded yet so I cannot speak from experience but what I have been told and have read carbonated drinks is really not good for the band. It can actually stretch the pouch and cause more harm then good. I just saw my Nutritionist last week who told me this. For the gas pains I recommend Gas X.

I find your Surgeon's advice to be a bit alarming and it does sound like he/she is moving you along very fast. I would seek out another opinion on this. It's your health and your life and you have to live with this.

Sorry I could not be more helpful.

Good Luck,

Jim

Hi Joyce. Sorry to hear what you are going through. As long as you are getting your required protien I don't think it matters if you get them from a Protein drink or chicken. If you don't feel you are ready to eat meat then don't eat it. I'm not a doctor but I don't feel it's right to push you too fast. My doctor didn't allow me to eat meat until 6 weeks out.

The Gas X really helps with the gas pains. I think I used them on and off for a month, If it's real bad and one doesn't do it, you can use up to 3 at one time.

I know how you are feeling with your energy level. I couldn't believe how much it took just to walk from my bed to the bathroom. What really helped me were Vitamins. All my life I have heard "take vitamins" and I am not a good pill taker and they when I could get them down they always seemed to bother my stomach. I found liquid vitamins and I can't tell you how much they helped me gain my energy back!! Every day things will get better and you'll be able to do a bit more. Don't push yourself too hard don't do more than you feel you can do...you're still healing.

Take care!

Joyce, I'm surprised you have staples, most surgeons use Dermabond glue

these days. At five days out I'd think you should be on liquids. My Nutritionist

recommended: First week Clear Liquids and Protein drinks.

Week 2: Protein Drink and thick liquids.

Week 3 & 4: pureed and mashed foods-oatmeal, Greek yogurt, mashed Beans, etc.

Week 5: Chopped foods

Week 6: You're home free! Just cut in small pieces and chew well.

This diet is recommended by the major bariatric medical groups.

Walking is important to prevent blood clots, and reduce effects from surgical gas

and just for exercise.

If you do get on a treadmill keep it slow and comfortable, this surgery takes a few weeks to heal,

give it a chance. Depression seem normal for a lot of people, but it seems to go away quickly,

don't let it get you down. Where you told to take a chewable Vitamin with Iron? You might

get some vitamin B12 tabs to put under your tongue for fatigue. Tylenol is good for pain.

You'll get a lot more ideas to help you recover, just remember to take it easy for a few weeks

and allow yourself plenty of time to recover. I hope you do well, best of luck.

Joyce, I am 8 days post-surgery and have found it harder than I expected. However, I am getting better every day. I agree with everything Corrigan, above, said. That is the advice that was given to me by the surgeon AND the nurse practitioner who is following me for the next year.

Take the pain medicine! Why put yourself through unnecessary suffering?

My doctor had me do 1 week clear liquids, 1 week soft food and by the 3rd week a regular diet. I moved slowly to the regular diet and stuck to soft foods till I felt comfortable moving on. Soda is a big no no, I would stay away from it. As for walking, put on your shoes and go out and walk your block, any distance will do. You will feel better and the fresh air makes you feel great and you get out of the house. It also helps with the gas pain. You can do this, you have made it this far so let the fun begin!

Thanks Everybody, I am doing better. I almost don't remember writing the above. I have a really hard time coming off the effects of the meds, I got real sick on the dalotta, and then they gave me morifphine. I hate pain meds, they make me really messed up. I have been trying the different foods, but either pureed or really soft. I wasn't able to drink soda before the surgery so that is not anything I will miss. The gas is even getting better. I am spending time outside, it is getting cool now and my doggie has missed me. Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I will get my staples out next wednesday and then we will see how real life is.

Well it has been a couple months now, I am down 22 pounds, not a big loss, but still a loss right? I am learning to use this band and I feel great. Thank you all for your posts. It helped me feel much less alone! DH is always there and has been a great source of comfort. He loves to hug me and tell me how different I feel lol. I am so happy I had the surgery, that feeling came when the pain left lol!!