Banded on Wed. Sept. 7th. Surgery went good, recovery is going good, went back to work today, not much pain. My question is is it normal to have a stomache ache, not a bad one just a dull stomache ache alot of the time, kinda comes and goes, been real bad since I got off work about 4 hours ago. Also, I see people talking about having protien shakes the first few weeks of the liquid diet, is this normal? I have not been told to drink any protien shakes the first week, I suppose I can the second week because that will be full liquids. Also seem to be quite hungry, I think I am really missing the taste of food and not actually hungry.

I see people talking about having protien shakes the first few weeks of the liquid diet, is this normal? I have not been told to drink any protien shakes the first week, I suppose I can the second week because that will be full liquids.

Every Dr. has different post op instructions, for example I was not able to have Protein drinks until 10 days post op. It is best to just listen to your own Dr. and follow his instructions. Congrats on your new band

Has protien shakes become a staple of most people diet after banding? The carb solutions one gives me so much gas, are they all that bad?? DIdn't care for the Atkins shakes.

Stevie, protien shakes are a staple for those post-op during the liquid stages. It is sometimes difficult to get good calories and protien in when you can't eat "real" food so you hear lots of talk about it. I rarely do protien shakes any more. It's liquid calories I try to avoid now, but if I know I need a boost and I'm on the run, I drink Boost and Carnation Instant Breakfast drink. The others have more protien than these, I'm pretty sure, but they are yummy to me, and I figure I'm better off drinking something NOT horrible than suffering through it Check with your doc and see if you can add that in or if you need to wait until week 2. If you aren't totally miserable feeling on clear liquids, best to stick with the diet your doc wants for you. Good luck!!

I don't know how I would have gotten through the first two weeks without Protein drinks - I would have been starving to death!!! I was allowed "clear liquids" only for the first week, of which there are at least 2 Protein Drinks that I was able to have - Isopure (like Kool-Aid with a bad aftertaste), and Myoplex clear (tastes horrible I thought). I stuck to the Isopure, which saved me and I still continue to have it occasionally because it has 40g protein in a 20 oz bottle for 160 calories. I added the Atkins type shakes the second week along with the other high protein options. With my doctor and nutritionist, there has always been a "protein goal" that I am to meet everyday. Its easy now that I'm on a regular diet.

Also - in the early stages of my recovery, I noticed that I had difficulty distinguishing hunger pangs from general surgery/belly pain from gas/bloating. Your body is definitely undergoing a lot all at once, and I wasn't sure what I was feeling. It quickly passed though for me.

My question is is it normal to have a stomache ache, not a bad one just a dull stomache ache alot of the time, kinda comes and goes, been real bad since I got off work about 4 hours ago.

I had that! Still do occasionally. I'm 7 weeks post-op.

I like to think of it as my big old stomach shrinking! (Hopefully that's what it is!!!)

I find that sitting at the desk and kind of "slumping" over gives me a bit of an ache,, Pants arent to tight but I do un do the button to help aleviate the pressure.. when I am not here at work it is better.... as I am usually straighter in my position