Hi guys, I love reading all your posts - you're all amazing and inspiring!! Thankyou!!

I am 11 days post surgery and just have a few little questions I would love your help with..

1. Are mushy foods (eg oatmeal, scrambled eggs, thick Soups, mushy pasta), considered liquids (dumb question really but I hope you get where I'm coming from) - do you think it would be ok to eat these at this stage or should I still be on pure/really runny liquids? I understand one doesn't move on to solids until about the 1 month mark but what stages of eating are there before then? also

2. I still have quite sharp back pain sort of between my shoulder blades and chest pain (sternum area) - presume its from the gas - any tips for making it vanish?

Seriously can't thank you all enough for the laughs and amazing support - I live on the other side of the planet in Australia but would sooo love to be able to come and meet you all.

Pen

Age 34

Banded 31 May 04 (11 days ago)

Height 5'9"

start weight 120 kgs (which I think is 264 lbs)

current weight 115 kgs (down 5kgs - about 10 lbs)

goal weight 70 kgs (or about 160lbs)

Location Australia

Originally posted by pen

1. Are mushy foods (eg oatmeal, scrambled eggs, thick soups, mushy pasta), considered liquids (dumb question really but I hope you get where I'm coming from) - do you think it would be ok to eat these at this stage or should I still be on pure/really runny liquids? I understand one doesn't move on to solids until about the 1 month mark but what stages of eating are there before then?

Pen, may doctors do consider thin oatmeal and thick soups to be appropriate foods for the "full liquid" phase. Yogurt, too. But I'd not include mushy Pasta or scrambled eggs until you get all the way to the "soft foods" part. A lot of people have trouble with eggs for some reason, and pasta takes up way more room than we think. But you'll be fine with anything that's in a Soup (other than something really chewy). The world of soup is amazing...have fun!!

2. I still have quite sharp back pain sort of between my shoulder blades and chest pain (sternum area) - presume its from the gas - any tips for making it vanish?

Sorry, nope, no ideas. By this time you've walked off all that you can walk off and it will probably just take time. But it will happen!! :cool:

I agree with Alex!!!

The only other suggestion that I can add to the gas pains is to chew you some Gas-X that helped me some.

Birdee

Have you tried Cream of Wheat? It seemed to "stick to my ribs" a little more. Mylicon Drops (infants simethicone/anti-gas) helped me. You can get a lot of good info. here from our experienced bandsters! Best of luck to you!

Hi Pen

I experienced the same pain in the sternum area, it seemed to go away between the 2-3 wek post op time. It was definately gas and some swelling from surgery. I felt like I had to burp all the time but I couldn't becasue it was so painful. There is light at the end of the tunnel..it does go away!

Michelle

Thanks guys for all the tips - feel better with every day that passes!!