ok so I was stupid. I'm 2 1/2 weeks out and yesterday my Dr. said I could go on full mushies. I've been feeling great, and had tried a bite of burger, or a small bite of my son's quesadilla. so yesterday when I came home from the dr. I had some mushie tuna (fantastic) and one cracker (chewed really well) then later in the day I ate a section of grapefruit, no pulp or stringy stuff, just the fruit. Within about 10 minutes I had a pain in my chest that wouldn't go away, finally called the dr, but pain stopped after about 20 minutes. Dr. said 48 hrs of liquid. Learned my lesson, right?

This morning, I couldn't bear another protien drink, so I ate a protien bar, it was soft and I chewed it well and I had no problem. About an hour later I had Water, and the pain started again. Unbearable! I was afraid to try to bring anything up cause my stitches might not be healed. My dh had to drive me to the dr.s office which took almost an hour. My Dr removed the 1.5cc that was in the band at the time of surgery and I began to feel better. Now I just feel like I've been in a fight, tired and sore.

Now I'm nervous about my first fill (in 3 weeks). How often does this happen? If I follow the banding rules, can I avoid this problem? please, I really could use some imput.

to all the new banders that are posting about pushing the limits of the post-op diet, let this be your warning!

Yep...if you follow the rules you can eliminate that problem. What you experienced is the reason my doc doesn't put anything in during surgery. I did have my first pb for a LONG time (6+ months) after being banded and it was because I was an IDIOT and swallowed something almost whole because I wanted to answer a student question. Learned my lesson. HURT LIKE CRAP! So if you do have that kind of pain again it is important to stay on liquids. Your stomach swells and makes the opening even smaller. I am sure that you will be fine after you fill...you have already learned your lesson. There is a steep learning curve, but once you get it, this band is WONDERFUL!

Good luck...and chew, chew, chew!

Glad you are okay, Jayme. But what caused the pain? Did something get stuck or what? I'm asking because I started mushies yesterday. Last night I had no problems. Today, I think maybe I ate too fast and had a horrible feeling in my chest. Tried to wash it away with water, didn't work. Tried twisting, turning, bouncing, bending, rolling, you name it. I didn't know what the heck was going on, but it did go away after about 30 minutes. Not sure what I did wrong, but I sure want to know so it doesn't happen again!

Yes, it seems you learned the hard way. I expect the pain only happens when we don't treat the band with respect, or do the right thing. I'm sure you realise now that crackers and Protein bars, and bites of burgers don't really fall into the mushie food category.

The mushie period is there for a reason - to help your stomach heal - you don't want to work it too hard - its likely still swollen from the surgery.

Take it easy - good luck - and keep away from those non-mushy foods until your doc says its ok (no matter how good you chew).

Also, eating too much at one time can cause the pain (so I've heard - haven't experienced it for myself yet :->)

Yes, it seems you learned the hard way. I expect the pain only happens when we don't treat the band with respect, or do the right thing. I'm sure you realise now that crackers and Protein bars, and bites of burgers don't really fall into the mushie food category.

The mushie period is there for a reason - to help your stomach heal - you don't want to work it too hard - its likely still swollen from the surgery.

Take it easy - good luck - and keep away from those non-mushy foods until your doc says its ok (no matter how good you chew).

Also, eating too much at one time can cause the pain (so I've heard - haven't experienced it for myself yet :->)

This is some excellent information.... Thanks..