Hi all, I'm 6 days post op. Having left shoulder pain, but more so pain in my stomach, in the center.

I have to be honest, this pain in the center of my abdomen is begining to worry me. I have gastritis, and it feels like when I eat something that flares it. Only I'm not eating anything, but it's flaring 24/7.

Being on the boards I have read posts of people who had pain upon being banded and it never went away. I did a search and don't see it as a common post op pain. I can't live with this pain, it's a gnawing pain that you can't really function with. I hope it goes away.:phanvan

Leener.. you mentioned Soy Protein. For what it's worth, I've learned that this stuff can cause a lot of gas problems. Soy is a vegetable, and the body doesn't break down and absorb vegetable Proteins as well as it does animal protein (whey is animal protein). So what happens is the undigest protein goes on to the large intestine where it rots and creates gas and GI discomfort.

From my post about protein:

"Although considered complete proteins, the human body does not possess the necessary enzymes to break down vegetable proteins and most of it ends up in the colon where bacteria gain access to it. Research has shown that most of the gas once thought to come from the Fiber found in vegetarian sources of protein such as Beans, is now known to be caused by the undigested vegetable protein instead."

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14199

You might try switching to a whey protein. And, as I mentioned before, there are clear Whey Protein drinks. Nature's Best, Zero - Ready to Drink.

And I completely agree with GeezerSue about not drinking Metimucil. Have you tried Milk of Magnesia? I was so stopped up I hadn't gone in days. I took the MoM a couple of nights in a row and it finally worked without a lot of gas, cramping or diahrrea.

I hope you feel better soon. Hang in there.. it does pass. I promise :confused:

Hi Leener,

I'm going to chime in here too. Isopure is a good source of whey protein isolates which, according to everything I've read, is the best way to suppliment your diet with high quality protein. One 20 oz bottle has 40 grams of protein and it's not as gross as most protein powder mixes. It's not fantastic tasting but it's not horrible either. I have a weak stomach and I can tolerate it. I have also read that Soy is not an ideal source of protein causing gas and bloating.

As far as getting the bowels to move, I've started adding Benefiber to my diet and so far it's worked well for me. It is sugar free, flavor free, it doesn't get thick when you add it to liquid (or food as far as I can tell) and you can sprinkle it a spoonful at a time into your food or drink. Since it completely dissolves I can't see it being a problem like getting stuck over the band.

On to capsules: My doc told me to put the capsule in a cup with a small amount of water - just enough that the capsule is floating. After a couple of minutes the capsule starts to look pruney, like it's shivelling. Swallow it down with the water in the cup or fish it out and swallow it with fresh water. You can tell when you put it in your mouth - run your tongue over it - that the capsule has softened and is slightly slimey - THAT's what helps it slide on past the band without hurting. I swallowed an antibiotic too quickly and man oh man did it HURT. I feel your pain bandsister!

Of course you should follow your doctor's instructions about food but I will say this - every doctor seems to have his/her own recommendation about the time-frame of moving through food stages. Listen to your own body. If you need to be on clear liquids because your tummy and band hurt, stay on clear liquids - you can still get your protein through drinks like Isopure. If your doctor says move on to mushies, give it a try but if it still hurts stay with the liquids. You'll heal up pretty quick and be craving more food soon enough. Ride the liquid weight loss wave is what I say! LOL

Good luck. I hope you're doing well, and I look forward to hearing about your progress.

Maybe not for everyone, but when I called doc he said to have start with some drinkable yogurt. He was thinking hunger pains, and it was. No probs since adding a thicker liquid. Just a thought.

I did better with Gatorade than clear Water. Leener, just because your doc says Full liquids are okay at this stage, your body is telling you otherwise. Drink what doesn't hurt. Listen to your body. Concentrate on hydration, not nutrition. Milk of Magnesia is a great idea...no no no Metamucil. Crush your meds.

Honestly, at this point in the game, I went and got some IV fluids, and I'm convinced it pushed me over to the healing side. Call your doc, head to the local doc-in-the-box (what are those places called...not Emergency rooms, Urgent Care places) and ask for 2-3 bags of IV fluids. A $50.00 co-pay is worth it. And it's less expensive than the hospital. You need fluids.

Leener,

Generally, it takes 4-6 weeks for post op swelling to resolve. But, it sounds like you've had some irritation related to other things like possibly the ingestion of the tablet/capsule. If your still swollen AND you've had some irritation, I'd be cautious about advancing my diet. I know it's hard to stay on clear liquids, but you might want to try for a couple of days to see how it goes. You're primary goal here is to heal and to decrease your pain. So, yes you need Protein and there are options out there. Don't forget hydration, as others have mentioned. But remember, the more advanced your diet is the more your stomach muscle has to work to move that food past your band. If it's swollen or irritated, it will be even more so after trying to move something too advanced for it.

Take is slow and sip small sips. See what you can do about getting the prilosec or prevacid in a liquid or dissolveable form. If the pills are too large, they're only gonna cause you more problems if they get stuck.

Leener,

Generally, it takes 4-6 weeks for post op swelling to resolve. But, it sounds like you've had some irritation related to other things like possibly the ingestion of the tablet/capsule. If your still swollen AND you've had some irritation, I'd be cautious about advancing my diet. I know it's hard to stay on clear liquids, but you might want to try for a couple of days to see how it goes. You're primary goal here is to heal and to decrease your pain. So, yes you need Protein and there are options out there. Don't forget hydration, as others have mentioned. But remember, the more advanced your diet is the more your stomach muscle has to work to move that food past your band. If it's swollen or irritated, it will be even more so after trying to move something too advanced for it.

Take is slow and sip small sips. See what you can do about getting the prilosec or prevacid in a liquid or dissolveable form. If the pills are too large, they're only gonna cause you more problems if they get stuck.

Yes! Back up and Punt. Pretend this is day 1 post-op and start your drinking there. Quit reading what the doc's post-op diet says to do. This is Day 1.

Oh, and by the way, dehydration can cause pain at the site of the band as well. The body is literally starved for fluids. Absolutely make sure you concentrate on hydration. Whether it's gatorade, Powerade, heck even Jello or propel. Get those fluids in.

And...I forgot to mention the constipation. Bulk laxatives are considered a NO NO with the band. In addition to the article posted earlier, I was told they sometimes swell inside the pouch and cause more discomfort than the constipation itself. Adequate fluids is the key, and if necessary something like MOM (milk of magnesia).

I was trying to force the liquids and ending up with severe stomach cramping and dry heaving. Tiny sips ever since....Now I am fine.

Hey all, really great advice from all of you. I'm using your good counsel to get myself better and it's working. I really appreciate you taking the time to post what you have. It means a lot and you are helping me.

As if that wasn't enough, I am getting acute tenderness on the lower left side of my abdomen. I have had diverticulitis before, but I can't think of anything I have done to flare it. I've just been taking in liquids. I'm hoping it is just gas or something. It hurts when I move.

*sigh*