January 26th

[downsdc 0]

Jello is a brand name of flavored Gelatin. You let it set and then eat it cold (it will melt in your mouth). What I do is buy Jello Snacks that are in small cups and already made up. I'm using a baby spoon to help train myself to eat small bites (no restriction for now). I'm also drinking broth from an insulated coffee cup that has a "sip" lid - the kind you would use when driving in a car. I was told not to gulp liquids.

I can't have the milkshake type drinks this week. The only calories I can have this week are coming from not-sugar-free jello, popcycles and italian ice. I can also have Clear Liquids (basically chicken broth).

Glad to hear you are doing well. I woke up this morning not so bloated but with some pain in my left shoulder, so I guess the gas is moving up as predicted. A couple of people have told me that the gas pains don't start for a couple of days.

[Hope09 0]

Thanks Craig,

I thought it was what us Brits call jelly but wanted to make sure before! It seems strange being on a liquid diet yet being allowed jelly! I am also allowed low fat natural yogurt or low fat skimmed milk in place of one of the shakes but as the shakes are quite nice I think I'll stick to them. I can have clear broth too but haven't fancied any yet. What's Italian Ice? It sounds good! Do you have any Vitamin supplements?

I still feel pretty groggy and can't move very fast! Lots of gurgling still going on inside too! I'm looking forward to this first week being over. I am still having the gas pains which are under my ribs and in my left shoulder, they come and go and I find it hard to get in and out of bed and sit up and down.

Take care! We'll get there!:thumbup:

[downsdc 0]

Hi Hope,

Italian Ice is similar to a sherbet but with zero fat. What I got (at Wal-Mart, which I'm sure you don't have in the UAE) was Luigi's Real Italian Ice (6 oz cup = 120 calories). You will find it in the freezer section where the ice cream is. the also make a sugar-free version. Here is the link:

Luigi's

The small 4oz Jello Snacks are in the refrigerated section of the grocery store (sugared and sugar-free).

I will be able to start milk and low-fat puddings next week. I took some adult liquid tylenol this morning and it seems to help alot with the shoulder pain. My surgeon gave me a prescription for liquid loritab but I haven't taken any. What also helps is walking, rocking in a rocking chair, and a heating pad.

By the way, if you want to track your calories/fat/protein easily, check out The Daily Plate (www.thedailyplate.com). It is free.

[downsdc 0]

I'm taking chewable Vitamin supplements and caramel flavored calcium chews. My other prescription pills (blood pressure and triglicerides) I'm having to crush and mix with a liquid to get down. It tastes terrible. :-) I'm going to look for liquid versions of those meds.

[pjconaway 0]

Hello Jan. 26th Bandsters! I was banded yesterday at 9:00am and was home by 4. I have been experiencing abdominal bloating, tenderness around the port, and minor Constipation.

The good news is that I have been able to get down protien Meal Replacements, Water, Crystal light with no problem. I didn't have any special pre-op diet and my progression schedule from the Dr. is:

liquids only including Protein shakes: Day 1-Day3 post op

Pureed/soft food: Day 4 - Day 8 Post op

Solid food: Beginning Day 9 post op

I have already had Soup today with no issues. I took in a total of 490 calories today and cannot believe how satisfied I was with only liquids. I am very excited about following the progression and being disciplined in my approach!

Good bye to the days of 3000+ calories! food will no longer be my life, but merely a way to stay alive!

[downsdc 0]

It sounds like everyone is doing great! I'm not having any hunger at all. I'm trying to eat about 1000 calories to keep my metabolism up, but it isn't easy. I won't be on cream Soups and pudding until week two, soft foods on week three, and regular foods week four. My shoulder pain from yesterday is almost gone, and I can get up and down a lot easier.

[downsdc 0]

Welcome trock97! Christymarie, how are you doing?

[christymarie 0]

Sorry it took so long. I only got out of the hospital at about 5pm last night and didn't have the energy to post.

I'm doing alright, not great but I know this will pass. I am having a ton of pain issues. I have a gas bubble that has lodged in the right upper quadrant of my abdomin and it makes it hard to breathe without pain shooting into my shoulder and in my lower chest. They did a cat scan to make sure it wasn't a blood clot but it seems to just be the gas bubble. It just ment that I had a bit of a longer stay in the hospital. I also had a lot of nausea and throwing up after surgery which has diminished now for the most part.

I also feel like I have to carry my tummy around to not have it pull so much. I'm getting down about 2oz of carnation instant Breakfast per meal which is not a lot but for now all I can handle. I'm on full liquids (as opposed to clear liquids) so I can have a lot of liquid things but I have found that anything too sweet tasting (sugar free, of course) makes me feel sick to my stomach. I am having a hard time with sugar free Jello, popsicles and other sweetened drinks. Blech.

So, I'm hanging in there. So far so good!

Christy

[yellowtopaz 0]

I was banded on January 26th also here in New Orleans.

[downsdc 0]

Welcome, yellotopaz, how are you doing?

Hang in there christymarie!

[yellowtopaz 0]

Hi Christymarie,

I'm doing okay so far.

The gas was pretty serious last evening but my doctor suggested the Gas-X strips so I tried those. It helped some.

Take care.

[downsdc 0]

Walking and a heating pad helped me with the gas. Also, for some reason taking liquid tylenol helped also.

[christymarie 0]

Craig, do you take the children's liquid tylenol?

I'm hanging..just trying to figure out how to drink and eat enough.

Christy

[pjconaway 0]

So far so good for me. My only real complaint on day 3 is GAS! I just got back from the store and bought some Gas-x so I am hoping that it helps. Other than that the pain is limited to the incisions and the muscle tissue around the port.

[downsdc 0]

Hi Christymarie,

I'm taking Adult Extra-Strength Liquid Tylenol. I didn't know it was available, but I found it on the shelf at Walmart. It is Cherry flavored and not too bad.