Joy332

My Meal Timer. Put out by True Results but anyone can get it.

I have had no fills and I have exactly the same reaction to food. My clinic had me do a barium swallow and it showed I had quite a bit of restriction from fluid put in during surgery but that it was not too much and since I lost more than the weight loss target of 5 lbs, they thought my restriction level was fine. But, I told them I was very uncomfortable every time I ate, feeling like the food was stuck in my esophagus. It was not a bad "stuck" episode with sliming or PB'ing but uncomfortable nonetheless. The nurse said exactly what other responders have said, take tiny bites, chew at least 30 seconds and then wait at least 30 seconds to a minute before taking the next bite. There is an app for smart phones that will help you time your bites. I thought I was eating slowly but I was not...the timer really helps slow you down. Good luck!

One of my best friends had this. She had lots of side effects--high blood pressure, inflammation of eyes, and actually gained weight. She chose to do the radioactive iodine treatment and now takes synthroid. Barbara Bush had graves's too.

Do any of you like the red Isopure liquid protein drinks? I bought a case and HATE them. I have almost a full case of unopened bottles that I am willing to give to a local bandster who likes these drinks! No payment necessary! First come first served!

I feel your pain...or I did! I had the mostly shakes diet Pre-op and clear liquids 1week post-op plus regular liquids during the 2nd week post-op and I was so weak and shaky, I thought I would starve to death. So, I understand totally. Plus, I got so sick of the sweet protein shakes, they started to make me gag. I did best with canned broth and bouillon. I also started cream soups like cream of chicken (blended in a blender and very diluted) a few days early... I just could not choke down the shakes so I needed something! I did purchase unsweetened, unflavored protein powder I could add to soups and that really helped. I recently found Bolthouse Farms Protein Plus blended coffee (30 grams of protein, but does have sugar)--totally delicious and helps me since I still despise most protein shakes! You do not need to worry about calories now because you will not be able to get down much anyway so keep looking for a protein drink you can that you can drink all day. This will pass soon and you will get mushies which are glorious after the liquid hell!

No I did not. But, I am a teacher so I am off til mid-August. I hope you can take as much time as you need! Good luck!

I had the same terrible bloating. I am now 4weeks post op and it is much better now. I don't know what causes it, but my doctor was not concerned. It will get better!

I hear you! I got so sick of the sweet shakes...that I just could no longer do them. I did better with canned broth (Campbell's soup broths) and thinned soups (like creamy ones thinned with water). I just did that until I could move on to mushies. I know I did not get enough protein then but better to get less protein than to toss your cookies! Good luck! This too shall pass!

I am a bit farther along but would be happy to be your buddy. I am in Houston and used True Results, but San Antonio is my home town! I wish you good luck! Contact me anytime!

Dr. Reilly was great. The only complaint I would have is about True Results, not any doctor. Their aftercare is practically nonexistent. The first post-op appointment is 4weeks after surgery for the first fill. To get any assistance before then, you have to call and demand it. Do not be shy about calling and asking if anything worries you after surgery! This is major surgery and they should take care of any problems that relate to the surgery.

Thanks so much for all the kind responses. I am continuing to have this painful fullness, but I have hope now that it will eventually go away!

I was banded on June 24, a little over a week ago. I am currently able to have protein shakes and thick pureed soups. All the pain from the gas pumped in during surgery seems to have gone away, but I have now developed a new gas problem! Every time I drink a shake or eat a little soup, my stomach fills up with air and becomes distended and full. I can only drink a little because I feel so full and uncomfortable. This continues all day long, making eating and drinking, and just life in general, miserable. It only seems to go away overnight when I am completely empty and then the pain and fullness returns as soon as I drink my first shake. I do not have lactose intolerance. I have tried drinking/eating slowly and that did not help. I am fairly desperate...is this something that will continue? I am so distended, it is uncomfortable to wear fitted clothing and with the bloat and gas in my stomach and lower intestines, I am miserable!!!! What the heck is going on? Does anyone else have this reaction to eating or drinking?

I had exactly the same pre-op diet and I did not have diarrhea but I did have the headache from hell on days 2-4--take tylenol. This is a tough diet. I would have a shake for breakfast and lunch, one cup of fruit (an apple for example) mid afternoon, and then the protein and veggie for dinner. Post-op: get lots of different clear liquids as some will make you gag after awhile (get diet juice, water, broth, and bouillion, SF jello, and SF popsicles). Also get gas-x, a heating pad, and a small firm pillow to hold against your incisions in the beginning, whenever needed (like coughing or in my case, merely breathing). Make sure your doc gives you pain meds and nausea meds. Good luck! We will be here when you are on the other side so we can help/commiserate with you then! You will do great!

Wow, this is my new reality too. I was banded a little over a week ago. Most pain is gone now, but everytime I eat (or drink a protein shake), I get really full-feeling, like bloated. Then, the rest of the afternoon, I am either burping or well, you know. This is not pleasant. Am I drinking or eating too fast? All I am having is protein shakes and thick soups (which is what the dr prescribed) and I am only having about a third of a cup of soup at one time. This is not good. Very uncomfortable and not great for socializing....I hope hope hope this will go away??

Yep, no more premixed protein shakes for me (blech blech blech!!!!). I am going to try the Pacific soup you recommended. I made some homemade potato soup last night that I blended til smooth. Yummy, but I ate about a cup last night and was uncomfortably full. Oops.

Hi guys! I have occasional gas pains but much better...I am finally able to breathe deeply without big pain! Still struggling with getting 65 grams of protein per day. Just made my own protein shake with light almond milk, SF FF strawberry greek yogurt, frozen strawberries, and a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Much better than the premixed shakes and 37 grams of protein!

Does it happen when you have something cold or soon after you have something cold? Could be trigeminal neuralgia...my sister had it. Totally unrelated to band...it is inflammation of the nerve that goes to the face and sinus and teeth. You need to see your primary care doctor.

Wow...all this yummy-sounding food. I am hungry again. The first week I wasn't all that hungry and I could only have clear liquids and protein shakes--yucky. I can now have thick soup, pureed soups and ...yucky protein shakes! Gag. I am supposed to get 65 grams of protein per day but I have not yet made it that high. I am dreaming of next week--mushies! I can have oatmeal and cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, soft mashed up fish. Yum. I can't wait. Heather...so happy to hear you can sleep on more than one side. I am not quite there yet, but certainly feeling better. The adhesive on the steri strips on my incisions started causing a reaction on my skin--red, itchy, raised--a real discomfort. I called the dr and they said to pull off the steri strips. So much better now.

I have a question. I want to take biotin, but my biotin supplement is a small liquid gel capsule. I cannot swallow a gel cap right now. Will I ever be able to take it or is there another way to take it? Thanks wise experienced bandsters! I cannot afford to lose hair...I don't have that much to begin with!!!

Thanks everyone! I am doing much better. I still have some pain, but I am feeling better. I also have been able to add thick pureed soups and that has definitely helped!

I am a week out and struggling. I had a hernia repair in addition to the band done on June 24th. It seems like the constant gas pain has dissipated, but I am continuing to have a stabbing pain on my left side when I inhale. I am getting really tired of this! I try to do my spirometer but it is so painful and I am not reaching the level the dr wanted due to pain! All of my pain is on the left side in fact. No sleeping on the left side, or leaning to the left side while sitting--just too painful. I think I will call the dr tomorrow. Also, I am so weak and shaky from lack of food. I can get down maybe one shake a day, plus water and some tea but my calories per day are so low I am starving and weak. Tomorrow I can begin having one bowl of pureed soup in addition to the shakes. Is anyone else having trouble choking down the shakes? I have been on these shakes for 3 weeks now and they are beginning to turn my stomach. Really struggling. I could really use some advice from the experienced bandsters. Thanks.

I'm with you, Downysoft!!! No pain meds??? That is crazy!! I am glad you have been able to manage it with Tylenol. I know I would have been lost without my liquid lortab! Good luck Downysoft on your surgery and make sure you get a prescription!!

Solrac Spree, I have tried the clear isopure protein liquid...it is a no-go for me...I can barely choke down 1 sip of it. Really gross tasting to me. My fridge is full of protein shakes and drinks that I cannot even stand to taste, much less drink. Wish I could do it. Thanks for the response and the good wishes. I do appreciate it!

Thanks mrsinto. I appreciate your reply--very helpful. I will try to find some unflavored unsweetened protein powder.

Coughing is extremely painful. I have only coughed a little and held the pillow to my tummy, but it still hurt alot. Definitely call the dr just to make sure everything is ok. Keep taking pain meds and try to sip liquids slowly. I coughed after swallowing water the wrong way! Hope all is ok.