hi, everyone, i am so happy to be able to speak to you all everyday, it has made me feel so much better everyday to be able to speak to someone, i dont want to call the doctors all the time because i feel like i would be bothing the nurses to much, so that is why i like to write to you all.

in the last letter i wrote to all of you, i asked you all what other things i can eat because of a clear liquid diet was driving me nuts, well i did speak to the nurses today and they said i can have creamy Soups, but i have to Water them down, so that they are not to creamy, but at least i can have more options then what i had with just the broths, so i am a little more happy, at least this last week of Clear liquids will not be so boring now lol.

but today i have been wondering if anyone has had what i am feeling right now, it is like pressure, in the chest area, like you want to burp but you just can not, does that mean i have gas, or does that mean, i may be to full as in what i drank or no. so i thought i would stop drinking anything for a while, so it would stop but i know the nurses told me to keep drinking stuff to make sure i have enough fluids.

the other question i have is the fact i have had the hicups now and then and is that normal, and its hurts, is that normal, i just wanted to make sure that, since i have done that would that hurt my band in any way.

i would really be grateful if someone could answer any of these questions thank you.

Hey Brighteyes,

Everything you describe is normal. The tightness you feel in your chest is normal. Your body is learning to live with the band. Most of us take in lots of air when we eat and drink. Since you now have a restrictive device , the air either has to come out or go through the band. Sometimes this will result in tightness in the chest or hiccups, both which are common til you learn how to swallow without gulping. Glad to see you are able to have some creamy soups now. You are on your way to mushies and real food!!!

Babs in TX

334/186/170

-148

6/23/03

hey, thank you for writing back to me, but i still have a week of clear liquid, then my doctor wants me on two weeks of full liquids, then i can have mushies, cant wait though, i no once i get through this stuff then i know things will get easier, but thanks again for writing back to me

Hang in there Brighteyes, it does get better! That's a lot of liquids, I only had to do 2 weeks of liquids before the mushies. It's amazing how all doctors have different instructions for the same little old band. I wish you the best.

Brighteyes,

Those weeks of liquids were no fun, but by the time you go on to puree you'll love it! I remember my first baby food meal. I never would have realized I could get so excited about something like that.

Good luck!