Cocoabean

I get pain on my left side just below my ribs. It's a few inches above my port. Sometimes I think it is gas, sometimes I think it is my stomach moving as it is forcing food through the stoma (opening between pouch and large stomach). It comes and goes. It often comes if I over eat. A surefire sign to check my portions. But that is not always the trigger. It was much worse immediately post-op, is pretty rare now, but I do still experience it from time-to-time. Is that what you are feeling?

Just use more rum than diet coke and you are good to go!!

Hello and welcome! I remember being so hungry during the clear liquid stage that I was eyeballing my dog as a food source! It was horrible! The pain you felt is most likely something getting stuck over the hole between the pouch and the lower stomach that is created by the band. When we are banded the surgeon anchors the band by pulling the stomach over it and placing a few stitches to hold it in place. We are put on liquids to allow time for those stitches to heal. Liquids will go right through the band. Adding solid food causes the upper pouch to grind and can pull on the stitches. By doing so, they could tear. Getting food stuck increases the risk of tearing the stitches. The band is near the Vagus Nerve with runs to the shoulder. Many bandsters have pain in their left shoulder due to this nerve being stimulated by the band. As to air in the band...my guess would be that he didn't want you drinking from a straw to bring too much air into your stomach which can cause a bit of bloat and discomfort. Why it hurts when you take a deep breath? You had surgery? It seems minor, but your insides were filled with gas and moved around so a foreign object could be placed around your stomach. A tubing was run from that to the port which was sewn to your muscles. The body needs time to recover from all this. We downplay it, but it is a big deal. Give yourself time to heal before you say you regret your decision. If you are still having the chest/shoulder pain, give your surgeon a call and tell them what happened. They can check your band placement and be sure nothing has slipped. If you weren't vomiting then you are most likely OK. Hope you feel better soon!

My surgeon says there is something in diet sodas that increases appetite...who wants that?? I wasn't a big diet coke drinker, but did have one with meals eaten out, which was often. I still order them sometimes but find they don't taste as good now and if I drink the bubbles, sometimes I get the hiccups! So, for me, they just aren't worth it! Beer on the other hand? I'll risk the hiccups...but then, I look like I am totally drunk, when it has happened on the first sip. Go figure!

I haven't weighed and measured my foods yet. 3-4 oz of solid Protein is the size of your palm. A cup of food is the size of your fist. A tablespoon is the size of your thumb. After all the years of doing Weight Watchers I was good at estimating portions (doesn't mean I did it, of course!). So now I apply that knowledge. For me, it is important to not make a big deal out of my diet. Note: it is just hubby and me at home. We cook for the two of us and I portion out my plate. I eat until I hear the whisper of satiety, and I am done. If there is still food on my plate, so be it. If I start to feel any pain like I am getting stuck, I stop. If I was only two bites into my meal, oh well. Putting more food down will NOT go well. Weight Watchers centers used to sell serving spoons that were also measuring cups. So you could easily portion out a quarter or half cup of veggies or rice. They also had a variety of scales. You didn't have to be a member to purchase them. Just go in at the beginning part of a meeting and make the purchase.

sparkpeople.com says Chinese chicken stock has 33.2 calories per serving, which I am assuming is a cup. Yay for moving on to full liquids, clears suck!

I had pain on my left side just below my ribs after surgery. I believe gall bladder pain is generally on the right and will hurt back to the shoulder blade (the classic pain, anyway). Do you think the headache could be from lack of caffeine? Or does it happen after you take the vicodin? Maybe you are reacting to it. A quick call to your surgeon could clarify. They can change your pain meds to see if that helps the headache. I was on a gallbladder medication for 6 months post-op to avoid forming a stone.

Take it one day, or even one meal at a time. We are all different as to what we can tolerate. I can still eat bread, but not bagels or doughnuts (which I don't really need anyway). My last bagel and doughnut were so bad that I don't even miss them! Breads I have to take small bites and be mindful when eating them, but I am otherwise OK. Over time with your band you will learn what works and what doesn't. Each fill will bring new food challenges. It's a process of eliminating foods as you slowly gain restriction, it isn't like hitting a brick wall. At least it was for me. My surgeon goes slowly on fills. So, listen to what others have said...you won't really miss them as you adjust to your new eating methods. Just go about your business of getting healthy!

Very well done. That, from a business owner? Yikes!

I had to grin at your choice of foods to snack on. Would those have been your choices pre-band? How many calories did you consume? 1 cup of watermelon balls has 46 calories, a Kosher dill pickle has 5 calories, a piece of string cheese has 80. So really? Did you do so badly? I don't think so. Mainly you didn't follow the no snacking in band land rule. Ok, pick yourself up and forgive yourself. If you watch "normal weight" people they have days where they are hungrier than others. Some days they will have more Snacks, others they won't. My surgeon is a bit different from many here in that if I get hungry in between meals, I am allowed to eat. He just wants it to be nutritious foods that fit into my overall calorie count. He doesn't mind snacking, he hates brainless eating. Mainly, don't obsess over a little slip up. Slip ups will happen over your banded life. Don't let them control you. It is the fact that we are usually in control that wins this war. We cannot be 100% 100% of the time.

There is a forum here for Christian bandsters: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/141-christian-bandsters/

Hi Everyone. Elcee, what a story! Melody, best wishes for the wedding. I've quit eating, had another week where stuff was getting stuck. Was facilitating a meeting. Ate three bites of a banana on a break, you guessed it....ugh. I had to excuse myself for a couple of minutes to urp. What fun! NOT. I picked up my new ring setting yesterday. It is great to be able to wear my diamond without it spinning around on my finger! I just love it! Not much else going on around here.

The waiting game sucks. But i think they have 30 days to respond. Bcbs took nearly 6 weeks for me as mine was submitted just before Thanksgiving.

Wheeler, you are experiencing what some of us call "soft signs" that you are full. For many of us hiccups are a great signal to stop eating before we get into trouble. When I feel a pain just under my sternum, it can be a sign that things are starting to get stuck. If I stop then and wait a bit, I am usually Ok. If not, it can lead to baaad things. I can still eat some breads, just not the really soft ones like fresh bagels. But then, I am not ordered onto a low carb diet. So I eat all foods, just in moderation. As you get your fills, you might not be able to continue to eat breads. I had a very nasty break-up with bagels. I don't miss them any more! For me, one of the strangest things that I did not expect, is that when I am hungry, my hunger feels exactly the same as it did before being banded. I would still swear to you that I could eat the same amount if you asked me when I was ready for my next meal. At three years out, the difference is that I am not constantly hungry like I used to be. I eat my meal and I am good to go for about 3-5 hours depending on what I ate. Plus, I KNOW that I will not be able to eat what I used to eat. So, I plan my meals/portions accordingly. Teekii, did you have a hiatal hernia repaired during your band surgery? Sometimes that can cause some extra pain during recovery. I think once you get moved onto more solid foods you will find that it sustains you longer. liquids go right through the band leaving you feeling very empty. The post-op phases suck, that is a fact. But this too shall pass.

You know, I don't know if anyone has tried it here, but I am wondering if we could set up a Protein powder exchange for those that don't like the ones they have purchased? I know my doctor's office has a Medi-fast support group and they do a food exchange. Some surgeons do a clothes closet, why not a protein exchange? Just a thought...?

That sounds yummy! Strawberry yogurt in it would be great!

You can wear a medical ID bracelet. I have one that says Adjustable Gastric Band w/Abdominal Port, No Blind N/G. That way they know what the lump is on my abdomen, and they know to be careful if inserting a naso-gastric tube. As to the food, why would it be a problem? If you are in a coma, you won't be able to eat, if you aren't, you control what you put in your mouth and how much you eat. I don't see it as much of an issue. Last time someone I knew was in the hospital, she got to choose what foods she was given each day.

Check the fine print on your contract. It should cover this contingency.

Before spending a lot of money on Protein powders/shakes make sure you are going to need them for the long haul. I bought a bunch of the stuff only to find out that my surgeon does not want me using them on a regular basis. In fact, he does not want me drinking any liquids with calories, period. All my calories should come from solid foods. So, I had tons of it sitting on my shelf for a year before I finally threw it away. I always have some Protein Bars around. I like the brand Isagenix. I do like their shakes also, I keep some around for after fills or bad stuck episodes when I am taking it very easy on my stomach. Shakes and bars are Meal Replacements for me if I use them. The calories need to be considered part of your daily total.

Monika, glad to hear you are getting back on track! We all make mistakes. Usually the sign of a slipped band is constant vomiting after eating. It can also be sudden loss of restriction, but that would not apply to someone recently banded, I'd think. Take it from someone 3 years out, if you were to get stuck on something right now (like bread--a notorious item for getting stuck) the reaction of your body would be incredibly painful. Some surgeons put a bit of fill into a band during surgery, so you might have some restriction already. When we get a piece of food stuck over the stoma (the hole between the pouch and the lower stomach) the pouch tries to grind it to make it go down. It is very painful. You can also get nauseous and vomit. Having new stitches and incisions would make these symptoms all the more painful. Just another set of reasons to stick to your doctor's orders during this immediate post-op phase. If your surgeon said no fruit until the pureed stage, then bananas are out. One of the first foods I got stuck on was a banana. I didn't blend it, but still. I say wait until you can have them.

At this point, the band isn't providing you with much help. Until you start getting fills, you will find your hunger is about the same as it was before surgery. It may even take 3 or 4 fills before you really start to experience the true help from the band. Don't let it get you down. The band is not a quick weight loss tool. We don't lose rapidly after surgery. It is not designed to provide that. As you continue on with post-op care, it will come, but right now, the tool of the band is not proving you assistance.

It can happen. There are monitors in use now (I don't know if all hospitals use them), that monitor your brain for level of consciousness. It helps the anesthesiologist quite a bit. http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/01/21/2-in-1000-may-be-awake-during-anesthesia/UPI-44931295662555/ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/26/earlyshow/contributors/emilysenay/main651475.shtml?source=search_story One time, the anesthesiologist paralyzed my sister before putting her to sleep and intubating her. NOT a good last memory before drifting off!!

You are most welcome. Many insurance companies are saying that a person needs to see their doctor or nutritionist monthly during the 6 month program. It's crazy what they will do to get you to go away. I hope the peer-to-peer works out for you. Don't give up the fight. There are many on here who had to go to the second level review before getting the decision overturned. My PCP told me that in the medical group he was in at the time, a referral is always denied (that is what happened to me), but if the patient appeals, it is almost always overturned. I hope after you win, you will stick around here and help others through the process. My PCP was very impressed with my appeal letter. He asked if he could put it in his personal file for future reference! He had gastric bypass about a year after I got my band (by my surgeon, too!). In today's world, we have to be our own strongest advocates! Keep up the good work, you deserve it.