My turn for a question, and thanks in advance for your help! : I am 20 days post op. I have been on full liquids for 14 days. And i am scheudled to go to regular diet in 48 hours. Last night, after six weeks of nothing but protein shakes and soups, I drank a small chocolate milkshake from mcdonalds through a straw. I haven't had any issues whatsoever with any full liquids and can drink 16 ounces fairly quickly without any issue at all. I drank the milkshake over about 8 minutes, not feeling any issues. About ten minutes later I got a sharp pain in my abdomen about two inches above my belly button. It dulled after about 45 minutes, and then I just felt cramps around my belly button, in my lower abdomen, and in my back. I haven't been having regular BMs since surgery. I assumed the fat and lactose of the milkshake was just a shock to my system and considered it a lesson learned. After about another hour of the cramps I took some MOM In case i was constipated. A few hours later I had a loose stool, some gas, and felt somewhat better, but I had a tender spot in the left side of my abdomen about two inches below my rib cage. Everything else was better. In the night I had a little heartburn which I hadn't had at all, again, I attributed this to my poor choice of a milkshake. This morning when i tried to drink my protein shake, I feel like I did after surgery. Fullness under my rib cage, and a fullness in the back of my throat and a feeling as if I have to burp after every few sips and a little heartburn. No nausea. No vomiting. My band is empty, but thus far I have felt satisfied for hours when I drink cream soups, so I was hopeful I would be a lucky one who wouldn't need a fill for restriction once I started eating. But now I'm concerned that I have have caused a prolapse by drinking through a straw. The milkshake wasn't thick, but it wasnt totally soupy either. I am going to call my doctor when the office opens, I just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced anything similar?

Why a milkshake? Bad food choice and I was told never to drink from a straw? I know some people don't have any problems with a straw but I can't do it because I get too much air and fill bloated. You could feel the way you do because of the milkshake and the straw. Hope you start feeling better and good luck!

If u took MOM any air u swallowed because of the straw should be gone. Yeah the shake was not a good food but it's a slider. It shouldn't give u pain. Maybe the stress from beating yourself up is affecting u? Glad ur going to talk to ur dr about it

I don't think you have done any damage, I would relax and not worry. It is probably just coincidence that you felt like that after a milkshake. It maybe a bad choice but it is still liquid - it is not going to cause any damage. Even drinking through a straw isn't going to hurt. Yes it might make you swallow a bit more air than usual but that is it.

Maybe your tummy was reacting to all the crap they put in those shakes, theres very little ' good for you milk' in them its starch and sugar .. ugh, it could also be that the shakes are normally very very cold to keep the starch solidified so that they appear 'thick' and the coldness could have made your band tight, its not a great idea to have freezing cold food so soon after surgery I think somewhere around 87 carbs lol

Dont beat yourself up over it tho just learn from the experience and talk to your doctor about it

Well its out of your system now. I may be wrong but the worst part was probably the straw. Too much gas for your system, not that i am saying the milk shake was ok.

Chalk it up to lesson learned

Wendy

I have a tremendous amount of trouble with milkshakes. they are so thick that for me they get stuck. You also drank it pretty fast. Also, if you have been eating healthy liquids, you may be experiencing some lactose intolerance/high sugar/ high fat signals.

Why a milkshake? Bad food choice and I was told never to drink from a straw? I know some people don't have any problems with a straw but I can't do it because I get too much air and fill bloated. You could feel the way you do because of the milkshake and the straw. Hope you start feeling better and good luck!

Honestly? Because I had worked for 15 hours and hadn't had time for anything other than Clear Liquids. I was hungry and weak and couldn't wait to get home to get a Protein shake. Mcdonalds was right there and there is nothing else on the menu that would have worked. This is the first poor choice I have made since scheduling for surgery... And I'm pretty happy with that... And definitely lesson learned! Also, my md said straws are no problem. I Had avoided them until now because I read on here that others had been told not to. I was hungry and didn't even really think.

Honestly? Because I had worked for 15 hours and hadn't had time for anything other than clear liquids. I was hungry and weak and couldn't wait to get home to get a Protein shake. Mcdonalds was right there and there is nothing else on the menu that would have worked. This is the first poor choice I have made since scheduling for surgery... And I'm pretty happy with that... And definitely lesson learned! Also' date=' my md said straws are no problem. I Had avoided them until now because I read on here that others had been told not to. I was hungry and didn't even really think.[/quote']

Next time try pre-planning. I work in law enforcement and my schedule can change at the drop of a hat. My "normal" 10 hour shift can turn into 14...18... Or plus hours.

Set yourself up for success and pack Protein shakes in a cooler. Or keep a blender cup with Protein powder in it... all you need is access to Water. It may not be an awesome yummy lunch, but it wont derail your progress. Once you get to solid foods, always keep protein Snacks on the ready.

Trust me, I have been there. And I have made many bad choices because of convenience. That is what got me here.

I don't think you did any damage. I think your body was reacting to the shock of the crap you just fed it after such a long period of healthy liquids.

Don't beat yourself up over the bad choice, but don't put yourself in a position to make that choice again. Keep an arsenal of healthy choices around you. Set yourself up for success.

Congrats on your new surgery.

As for the straws... I use them. I don't have an issue with them. But I did wait until I was on solid foods and my tummy was healed before using one. Everyone is different when it comes to straws.

Thanks everyone for your support... Just like the "margarita" incident in my early 20s, this will be know as the "milkshake" debacle.... Ne'er to be repeated.

I do think your problem was a combo of using a straw and your body freaking out from the fat in the milkshake. I agree with the previous poster that planning is an important part of this journey. For now I would keep a ready to drink protein shake for times when you are caught away from home and need to eat. I highly recommend Premier ready to drink chocolate protein shakes. Now that I'm healed I keep a low fat protein bar in the car for when I need to eat but don't have time for a meal. Once healed Wendy's chili is an excellent fast food option.