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For those of you who have experienced the gas pains after surgery, on a scale of 1-10, what number would you consider the pain? I was banded on Monday and if I don't take the pain meds my pain level goes up to about an 8. All the pain is in my abdomen not my back/shoulder. I'm beginning to think that this is not normal.

Thanks Kat! You're the best! It's nice be able to talk to people who have a lot of knowledge in this area! It helps!

When I mixed the Extreme Smoothie shake with the 1/4 cup of vanilla frozen yogurt it is a fairly thin consistency. Sort of like a Dannon yogurt smoothie. Is there a problem with using frozen yogurt on the liquid stage?

Do you think it would be okay to add a 1/4 cup of vanilla frozen yogurt to my protein shake? The shake I'm drinking is a bit sweet and I need to add something to it. I'm only on my second week of the post-op diet. I'm drinking the chocolate VHT Extreme Smoothie and they are a bit sweet.

No, I'm certainly not getting all my protein in. I'm probably only getting 30 grams of protein in. I feel as though my body isn't getting enough calories or nourishment!

Hi John, I'm on my 2nd week of the post-op diet. It's killing me! I have the hungry horrors! Did you make the full 3 weeks of having liquids??? How are you doing on eating "real" food? Any problems?? Sherri

Can you take any soup and blend it, chicken noodle and blend it all and then eat it? I can have modified liquids which includes creamed soups. I've just had chicken broth and cream of tomato.

I was banded on Monday and I just can't take the gas pains in my abdomen any longer! I've been taking the gas-x but it doesn't help too much. Other than my pain meds which doesn't help with getting rid of the gas, is there anything besides gas-x that would work to get the gas out? I knew it was going to be painful but I guess I wasn't prepared for how much pain. The noises are incredible too! I need some serious help!! I'm starting to get hunger pains too which isn't helping. I could certainly eat something good right about now!! UGH Sherri

I feel like I've been hogging this website with postings! I had surgery on Monday and I still haven't taken any of the bandages off the insisions. I didn't really want to see the stitches but I suppose I should take them off at some point. How long did it take you before you removed the bandages?

I think some of my gas pain went into my shoulder and neck. Does this pain feel like a pinched nerve by any chance because that is how it's feeling. Very painful. I probably shouldn't have done this but I took a tsp of liquid motrin. Probably a no-no taking ibuprofin but I had no choice! Tylenol doesn't work for me. This pain in the neck is a pain in the neck!

Hello, I'm from Plymouth and I was just banded on Monday the 19th at Beth Israel in Boston. Sherri

Posting again...sorry! My neck still hurts!! The heating pad doesn't seem to help all that much. It feels like I pinched a nerve. It hurts in every direction I move my head. Is this normal? I've also been having this pain on the right side of my abdomin. It only happens when I'm up and walking around. Anyone know what this could be? I'm on the liquid stage and I need something to keep me from going food crazy! Other than broth, is there anything yummy I can have on the liquid stage? I know I can have applesauce and Jello but what about if I watered down a little frozen yogurt, does that cound as liquid??

Can you guys really eat all the comfort food after being banded?

I went to my doctor today. Still feeling crappy. I'm having very bad stomach/gas pains plus I've had diarhea since yesterday. I'm especially having some stabbing pains in my right abdomen and now in my left shoulder...weird. My stomach is still popping like crazy and I get the pains to go along with it. My doctor it might be an intestinal infection. He prescribed me some medication, we'll see how it goes. I'm STARVING! I really need something to eat other than broth and protein drinks! I would love some dry cheerios right now or a piece of toast!!!!

Banded on Monday and I'm having HORRIBLE gas pains in my stomach. Not in my back or shoulders like I thought I would! Do you think I could take a crushed up zantak?? Would it help??

Wish me luck everyone! I'll be banded tomorrow morning. I'm so nervous about it. I keep wondering if I will wake up not banded. Maybe they will find something to prevent me from being banded. I have gallstones that I've never had a problem with and I decided not to have my gallbladder removed. Of course now I keep thinking, will they look at my gallbladder and see that it needs to come out and they'll do that instead of the band? My mind won't stop!!! I've been getting pains here, there and everywhere in my body. I wonder if it's just nerves in a strange sort of way?? I just can't wait to get this over with! I will keep everyone posted!!! Sherri

Can anyone tell me roughly how long the lapband surgery is once you get into the OR?? Sherri

I hear ya amrdmr!! My nerves are shot as well. I'll be a nervous nelly all weekend. I probably won't sleep a wink Sunday night! I guess it's okay because I have to be up at 3:00 a.m. and out the door at 4:00 a.m. It takes me 2 hours to get to the hospital and I have to be there at 6:00 a.m. with a surgery time of 7:30 a.m. YIKES!!!

I know what you mean John, hopefully I'll be "smokin' hot" once I drop a c-note myself!! Can't wait for that day! Sorry to hear you are having some pain. Hang in there another couple of weeks, maybe you'll be just about pain free by then. You'll probably hear me talking about pain next week! I can't believe Monday is my big day! Seems like I've waited so long for this and now it's here. I'm very nervous and excited all at the same time. I have to be at Beth Israel at 6:00 a.m. on Monday. It takes me 2 hours to get in there so I'll be up early. Hopefully my roomate will quiet, I'll be tired! I would love the private room but an extra $150 out of my pocket is a bit expensive! Sherri

Looks like we may have a Texas/Boston romance brewing??? I'm happily married but I don't mind saying that I've seen stormbrewing at the hospital and I will agree with you Thickchick, he's cute.

HI I'm having lapband surgery on Monday, March 19th at Beth Israel. I researched the lapband for about one year then decided to have it done. I started with going to Beth Israel late December for an informational meeting and 3 months later I have my date. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time!! Kept wondering if this is what I really wanted to do because I love food. The thought of not eating my favorite foods is scarey to me. But eating those bad foods got me into this mess in the first place. I need to take control of my life instead of the food having the control. Sherri

I have been having constant upper back pain for the last few days. It goes away when I'm in bed but the pain is always there during the day. Is this a symptom of gallstones or do you think this could just be plain old annoying back pain? At my ultrasound back in January the tech found gallstones but I had decided against removing my gallbladder before the lapband surgery. I've been on a 2 week pre-op diet and I'm having my lapband done on Monday. Any advise???

Congrats everyone!!! Please keep us posted on your recovery. I need all the information I can get-my date is on Monday!!! Nerves!!! Sherri

I found that at my ultrasound back in late January that I have gallstones, never had a problem with them. My doctor wanted to remove my gallbladder but I decided against it. I'm on my 2 week pre-op diet and I've been having a lot of heartburn and weird,slight pains on and off. IF it is the gallbladder acting up or is inflammed will the doctor be able to see that when he "installs" my lapband? He won't do both surgeries at the same time. I just don't know if he'll be looking at that direction when he does the lapband. Does that make sense??? Sherri

I know that most people can't tolerate breads after being banded. What about pita bread or the flat breads? Can stomachs handle that? You guys are freaking me out about all these PB stories!!! I'm so afraid after I'm banded on Monday that I'm going to experience this! Is a PB an all out puke fest or is it more just spitting up???????? Sherri