Hi. I had surgery with Dr. Mel too, mine was 5/23/08. He is good, but doesn't answer questions very well.
I had a terrible rash about 6 days post op. It was bright red, from head to toe. It hurt so bad. He took me off of the Protein shake until the rash cleared up. My PCP gave me some steroids to take and some meds for the itching. After about a week, it was gone and I resumed the Protein Shake. I was so afraid I was allergic to the band. It'd be just my luck. But, not sure what it was, thinking maybe it was the anesthesia from surgery.
Also, he wants you having between 50 to 90 grams of protein a day, so you are getting way too much protein if you are drinking 3 shakes a day. What I do is I mix 2 scoops of the protein shake with 2 qts of sugar free lemonade and some ice cubes and sip on that all day long. I also add Benefiber, to get in my Fiber for the day.
For the pain that you are experiencing, I too think it is acid reflux. I was told that you will have acid reflux after the surgery for awhile. I don't remember off hand who told me that. I never had it. I do experience gas though. I rarely suffered with it before surgery, but I certainly do now. I think it is the fiber supplement causing it, so I'll tolerate it.
Hope I have been of some help to you. hang in there. It gets better :thumbdown:
Deb W from Kansas