Itsaboutme12

Help!! I am 2 weeks post op and seem to be developing an allergic reaction to Bariatric Advantage Protein shakes. I was just having my "dinner" and began itching like crazy. I have raised red bumps/welts and traveling over my body. I took a Benedryl to help me. But my question is, can I suddenly develop and allergy to it? I was never allergic to milk but have noticed even before surgery it was not agreeing to well with my stomach. I had a Syntrax nectar today and it began on my arms. This has been going on for about 2 days now and just realized it's only after I drink a shake. Has anyone else had this problem? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Hey BandedSister_Lizz, As far as I know, I'm not allergic to Soy. Well, at least before the surgery. I will have to call my Dr. tomorrow to find out what I can drink. All the Protein powders are brand new so I know that's not an issue. Thanks for the input!! Much luck with your surgery! It's not all that bad. The worst was the pre op diet! lol..

@@DimandGirl, I had gastric bypass on 7/21/14. Besides the shakes, I am allowed to have yogurt, if it's Greek thinned down with a little milk, ProJoe which is 20 grams of Protein and Fat Free creamed Soup.I switched from fat free milk to Unsweetened almond milk since the milk seemed to give me the "runs" lol... sorry, but I'm sure we have ALL been through that stage! I used Bariatric Advantage for my shakes which are thicker and tend you fill you up quick, 27 grams (I haven't had that in a few days as I'm not hungry) Syntrax nectar, 23 grams. (The Carribean Cooler is really good.) Isopure, 40 grams per bottle. I dilute it in Water since it has the protein taste, the ice tea I found to be the best out of them all for me. Then you can have sugar free Jello and Italian Ice. Clear broths and tea, plus 64 oz. of water we need to drink. I had my dr. appt. today and as of this Friday I can go to the next stage! Good luck

HI Kayla, We sort of have the same situation. I was banded in 2008 and was 10 pounds short of goal when I began having problems with vomiting, sweats, rapid heart rate. I had a really bad experience one night that brought me to the ER but I took some Pepcid and GasX and by the time I got to the ER the pain was beginning to subside. Went to my dr's the following day and told them I want the band removed. I figured it caused me enough problems. I was schedule for next Weds. and was thinking about bypass. I decided not to have it removed. I gained .4 pounds and finally came to the truth with myself I cannot do this alone. I need support from others that have been there and it seems some of the "rules" changed from when I had it put in. I had my fill today and so far so good. I do feel some restriction, but we are starting back at square one where I don't have much of a fill. I'm scared to do bypass as when my girlfriend had it done, she almost died. She was in the hospital for 2 months and she has gained every pound back and more!!! Don't let anyone push you into anything. It's your body and even though they say bypass is reversible, it's a major major surgery. Sorry to go on..

I have also noticed, especially lately for some reason, that I have been erupting like a volcano after I eat. You can actually feel the "bubbles" working it's way up then between the burps and hiccups, it's awful. I have been using the GasX strips which seem to work better than the little gel tabs they make. Glad to hear "I'm normal too!" :smile:

Hi Mermie, That also happens to me. I usually feel tighter about 2 weeks later. Everyone reacts differently to their fill. I just get a small amount put in and gradually work my way up. I also was PBing constantly no matter what I would eat or drink which is definitely not good since you can stretch your pouch. I would talk to your Dr. or your PA and they can advise you further. Good luck! :smile:

Thanks for your responses. I have an appt. on Thursday for another fill, but I'm going to call to see if I can get in sooner. I had a hernia removed when I had the band done, hope it's not another one. Thanks again & best wishes...

I am 10 months out and have been experiencing pain in my lower right side just underneath abdomen. It's under where my port is but a little more to the side. It almost feels like a cramp, but not low enough. It's not a consistent pain, but I just had my Breakfast and it came back again. On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the highest) it would be about 5. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this before. I'm not vomiting and have a regular bowel movement.

I have bought the Jennie-O turkey burgers which are very low in fat and high in Protein. I "grill" them on my George Forman, throw a slice of cheese on it, and I'm good to go. No bread. Since the surgery I am having problems eating some types of bread, so it's been easier just to stay away from it all together.

OMG!!! Thank you all for the allergy advice and question... I came on here looking to see if I may have been having problems with the port or something, but after reading your posts, it's my allergies!!! I have been having so much phlegm and sometimes I can't keep some foods that I had no problem with before down. I know that you tend to have a lot of mucus, but this hasn't been the ordinary. Do you also have problems with the amount of food that you can eat. Another words, before I could have about a cup of soup, but since ragweed season I can only get down about 2 tbs worth. Then it feels as if it's been sitting in my chest. And other times I have to make my sick to get it out. :laugh:

Hi Cassy, I have been taking Wellbutrin XL 300 mg way before my surgery and after. I have had no problems with it, and my doctor said it's fine. I only take it once in the morning and I'm good to go. They are small enough to get down with some water. I did notice after my surgery I was so nervous that it would get stuck, but trust me it didn't. Good luck! :laugh:

Hi Vivianna, I would give the dr's office a call ASAP. I wouldn't wait, especially since you can't hold liquids down. You don't want to dehydrate and especially lose all the minerals and vitamins your body needs. They may have filled you too much. But I really wouldn't wait.

I was banded on June 20th and just had my 3rd fill last week. I am finally feeling more restrictions than the first two times. The PA told me that it would take about 5-6 fills before it is "right" This past fill really did the trick. I am not eating as much as I was and now there are certain things that I cannot eat at all. Although I was watching what I was eating even after the first two to prepare myself for eating less and much, much slower than I am used to. Hang in there. :biggrin:

Hi gottaluvme, Dr. Ehrlich is awesome. He is very patient and explains everything. His staff is great also. I think there are four of his employees that had the band done. I know one of them is Kevin. He's lost 100lbs. since I last spoke with him. The time will go by quickly because there are so many tests that have to be done. Like anyone on the board would probably agree, the time that "kills" you is when you get the actual date. Then it takes forever. But it really isn't so bad. He does have you do a 2 week Optifast, followed by 2 days right before the surgery of Clear liquids. It really isn't that bad. The first couple of days are because your body isn't used to not having all the food. But they are there 24/7 if you need anything. If you'd like you can email directly, gubby214@gmail.com and I will be happy to answer questions you have. I just took a shower, wiped me out a little, and my husband & I are going grocery shopping. I think that will be it for the day. Looking forward to hearing from you. Hang in there!

Hi all my CT bandsters! I have been reading the board for quite some time and decided to "come" out and say hello. Alot of your postings have been very helpful in deciding whether this is the right choice for me. I am being banded on the 20th of June and am very excited, and a little nervous. I just keep reading all the positives on the board, but the most help was reading whether people said it was worth it or not. To me, it is definitely going to be worth not playing the "yo yo" game anymore! :cursing: Any advice that anyone can give would be most appreciated. I am being banded at St. Vincent's Hospital in Bridgeport by Dr. T. Ehrlich. I start my Optifast pre op diet on Saturday, so I have been enjoying some foods that I won't get to have for a while. I wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to hearing from some of you! :biggrin2:

I am three days post op and on clear liquids for one week. I have been drinking Isopure Protein drinks. They are not the powder one, which I can start on stage 2, but they are clear in 20 oz. bottles, and have 50gr. of protein in them. They come in many different flavors, but they are a little pricey, but it's worth it. I mix one half of the bottle with some water and ice cubes and a little splenda and mix it in the blender. It's hard for me to get a lot of the liquid requirements down, but I just keep the cup near me and take sips all day long, and when that runs out, I finish the rest of the bottle. I also have the Pedialyte (however you spell it) for dehydration. They are regular pops that go in the freezer. So far it's been working for me and a good way to get the protein in.

Hi Jazzy Junes, Just checking in. Had my surgery on Friday, June 20th. :crying: Everything went well. They found a hernia and removed that since they were in there already! I don't really remember that much, except for the, take a DEEP breath. And that was basically it. :sad: I had to stay overnight since our insurance required it. I was up and walking a couple of hours after the surgery and tried to keep walking the halls most of the day. It really does help alot with gas pains. I think those are the worst, but since being home, I have been taking the GasX strips which work pretty well and I keep walking around. Best wishes to all of the "Junes" that are waiting and to those already banded much luck and blessings.:ohmy:

My surgery time is set for 10:30 tomorrow. I'm really excited and nervous all at once. The support on this board has been awesome! The past two days of clear liquid wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But I can't wait to be on the "bandedside" :biggrin: Good luck and blessings to all the other June 20th's and all still waiting.

Believe me you are not the only one going through that feeling. :tongue: Like CathyChatts said, there are many of us "Jazzy Junes" who are or will be going through it also and there is TONS of support on the boards. I too have my "freak out" moments, I'm scheduled for the 20th, Friday. When I was shopping with my daughter this past weekend and saw all the beautiful summer clothes and the thought of being able to wear tank tops, shorts (without the long shirts hiding the rear), and a bathing suit without covering up, I just keep thinking it will be so worth it. :tt1: Take each day as it comes and try not to think so far in advance. In time, everything will become natural to you. :thumbup: Best wishes!!

Rearea1222, Glad to hear everything went well for you. Thanks for the play by play. It's good to know what to expect. Best wishes to you.:smile2:

Ch4life, You sound like your doing great and are focused. Being younger I'm sure may help, but it's still surgery. This board is a great motivator and there are so many people that are here to help, listen to how you're feeling and understand everything that you are going through. :biggrin2: And I agree, this diet does suck, :behindsofa: but each day is getting a little easier. I am on Optifast and am 4 days in. I called my nutrionist yesterday and she said I could have 3 oz. of tuna, no mayo, and fresh raw veggies. I never thought I'd be happy eating veggies, but it satisfies me somewhat. :thumbup: Good luck to all the "11's" out there. Let us know how everything went!:grouphug:

Hi CathyChatts, You can add me to the board also if you'd like. My date is set for June 20th! Nervous & excited all at once.. :tongue2:

Wow, KatieS that is really great about your weight loss! I hope I can do as well. Today I started the pre op diet. I cannot tell a lie... I'm hungry! I'm trying not to think about it, but my stomach has been rumbling pretty loud.. the cat's getting annoyed. :thumbup: I would love to tell my mother, but she has this thing about "being cut open" and it would be a lot of negativity that I just don't really want. I probably, down the road, will end up telling my daughter, she's 14. In a way, it's like a feel like a failure because I should have had enough willpower. I know she wouldn't look at it like that, but right now, for the first time, this is about me and being healthy and getting my "numbers" down so I can be here to watch her graduate h.s. well, enough babbling. It's nice to know that you can share anything here. :thumbup:

Mekadig & Mamamarie, I have to put my two cents in. As far as gastric bypass you don't necessarily lose weight on that either! I have two friends who had it done about 8 years ago. One of them is doing terrific! She does exactly what she is supposed to do and exercises also. She has dropped over 100 lbs. The other one, who had it done, is the SAME weight if not BIGGER than when she had it done. She has stretched her "pouch" to enable her to eat more food than she should be able to. She has not followed any requirements that she was supposed to. If we go out, her lunch is an appetizer of nachos with meat and is able to eat it all. So, you may want to share that with "your friend!" :tt2: It all depends on the person. I think. If you're not mentally ready, I don't think anything will work. I am scheduled for the 20th of June for surgery and plan on sticking with the guidelines and losing the weight. Don't listen to the negativity of some people. Only YOU know what you are capable of doing! Best of luck to you all!:wink2:

I would have loved to tell people, especially my family, but when I got the nerve up to tell my friend, we were talking about losing weight and she had mentioned a lot of women where she worked had the band or done gastric bypass, just when I thought I could say something, she followed it up with "that's the easy way out." :confused2: So.. needless to say, I kept my mouth shut. Little does she know it's really not the easy way out. So, that made me decide not to say anything. Now, I will look for support on the board. People that have been, and will be going through it. My "new friends!" :thumbup: