In the dark...

[jess82 0]

Hi this is my first time on a blog. I was banded on the 24th January 2011 and am feeling ok. have done heaps of research prior to deciding to undergo the lap band but now that i am in the process of it i find it really overwhelming. I didnt have to do anything pre op just eat as normal. i had chicken noodle Soup and ate the noodles (i am in the liquid phase for 14days) and find that i have pain in my left side/chest. the rule i was given if it can go up a straw you can have it. (the noodles were the thin little ones) and now im worried that i have something stuck or am i just over reacting? i have basically been having up and go's and soup for the last 5 days. i am climbing the walls wanting something with some texture. if anyone has any other ideas about what i can eat for the next week whilst still on the liquid phase i would be grateful. do you think i went too far with eating the noodles? i als treated myself to some takeaway chinese chicken and corn soup i didnt eat the chicken but the corn was eaten now i feel really stupid and angry that i may have stuffed this whole thing up so soon.

[ElfiePoo 109]

It's most likely gas or some type of referred pain. At 4 days out from surgery I was on mushies and back on solid foods at 2 weeks so I doubt you messed anything up. I think what your doctor meant by 'if it can go up a straw' was that you should not be eating anything thicker than a milk shake so stay away from solid food.

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[Huggles1951 1]

I was banded Jan 10th. I had some shoulder pain the week right after my surgery and it was mostly from gas and the air they fill your abdomen with so they can move around in there. A couple of times since I've had it when I tried to eat too much. I was on the full liquid diet for 2 weeks before surgery as well as 2 weeks after. I think the diet 2 wks before surgery made the transition after surgery easier to ease into the healing period. For 4 long....long...long weeks I had stuff like creamed Soups (i used milk instead of water) mixed with less liquid than it called for to give it some substance, pureed the chunky soups, egg drop Soup, sugar free Jello, pudding, sugar free popsicles, v-8 juice, crystal light and Protein Shakes. Not exciting by any means but It's working. I'm in the mushy stage now and having a scrambled egg was heaven...lol. Good luck and hang in there. Hope this helped a little.

[dk4k 15]

You can mash potatoes so they are smooth, then thin them out with some chicken stock so they are a slurry consistency. I put garlic cloves in the Water when I cook the potatoes. They get soft and mash up, and add a lot of flavor.

I am still having a hard time chewing up Pasta enough to make it go down comfortably, so I'm avoiding it. If you are using a can Soup and blend it all until there are no lumps, it should not cause you pain. You can also try taking smaller sips.

It is an ongoing learning process--lots of times I try something and my band says, "No, that didn't work." Don't think of it as failure. Instead, try thinking of it as "finding out what works". Good luck!

[dcowens 2]

Don't get discouraged, this is a learning experience. I wouldn't do the corn or noodles again. Stick with liquids even if it means little texture for your palate =( I had some blended and strained bean with bacon Soup yesterday (I was banded the 25th) and it was nice to have SOME texture again. My list of foods I can eat also include 'liquidy oatmeal' if you're interested, try that as well. =)

[laurajean1 1]

Hi this is my first time on a blog. I was banded on the 24th January 2011 and am feeling ok. have done heaps of research prior to deciding to undergo the lap band but now that i am in the process of it i find it really overwhelming. I didnt have to do anything pre op just eat as normal. i had chicken noodle Soup and ate the noodles (i am in the liquid phase for 14days) and find that i have pain in my left side/chest. the rule i was given if it can go up a straw you can have it. (the noodles were the thin little ones) and now im worried that i have something stuck or am i just over reacting? i have basically been having up and go's and soup for the last 5 days. i am climbing the walls wanting something with some texture. if anyone has any other ideas about what i can eat for the next week whilst still on the liquid phase i would be grateful. do you think i went too far with eating the noodles? i als treated myself to some takeaway chinese chicken and corn soup i didnt eat the chicken but the corn was eaten now i feel really stupid and angry that i may have stuffed this whole thing up so soon.

wow girl,your really pushing it,first of all no solid food the first week,espesially corn,Pasta is a big no no no matter how small the Pasta is,no offense but i think you nedd to rethink your diet,talk to your nut

[kadoane8 1]

I loved having Tomato Soup with a scoop of unflavored Protein and blended really well. If you blend the protein with Water first, then slowly add the Soup it helps it from getting lumpy. . I was on mushies at day 3 and then solids at about two weeks. Just remember the phase you are in is temporary. Try putting some spices in things. I liked putting some curry in my chicken broth (along with the protein) and that helped liven things up. I think corn is really hard to digest. I would get back on track and focus on healing. The sooner you heal, the sooner you can get on with it. Egg drop soup might be ok and you can make that at home. Good luck, and keep posting.

[soon2bethin 0]

Are you actually using a straw? My surgeon did not let us use a straw for 6 mos, nor chew gum for 3 mos. He says you can end up swallowing too much air and then have the gas pains again.....maybe that is what happened. Best of Luck.....hang in there, it does get easier!

[kadoane8 1]

I wasn't told about gum but I learned the hard way. Way too much air and bad gas pains. I was told no straw also, just the consistancy that COULD go through a straw.