Help! Hungry Or Full?!

[jen_1381 446]

I'm 4 days post-op from having Lap Band and a hiatial hernia repair. I've always felt I was really in-tune with my body, but now I'm at a loss! During the pre-op diet phase (my surgeon didn't require one, it was voluntary) I did a week of Protein Shakes 2x a day then salad for dinner, then four days pre-op I went to skim milk only. I thought I learned how to recognize hunger vs. boredom, thirst, etc.

Flash forward to yesterday: I'm post-op and spent the first two day sipping on Water and Protein drinks. I was honeslty not feeling one bit of hunger. Yesterday I came back to work, and hit the point of starting 2 weeks of full liquids. I had a Carnation Instant Breakfast before work, and about 5 ounces of Tomato Soup for lunch. After lunch I got this pain...it wasn't the chest fullness that I got the first few days that let me know I was "full". It's pain that radiates to my back, under my left shoulder blade. Last night I went home, took a nice hot shower then put an ice pack on my incisions and laid down for a while and felt much better. I had about 4 ounces of Greek Yogurt for dinner.

This morning, I drank a Protein Drink and the pain started almost instantly. It's been constant; I've tried TUMS, water...the only relief I get is when I stand up and walk around.

I'm following EVERY rule about eating/drinking. Slow sips, meals over 20-25 minutes, etc. I've had my gallbladder out last year so I know it's not that.

Could it be residual air from the surgery, or is that indigestion, or am I full...or hungry?! My stomach growls and makes noises non-stop so I can't really tell if I feel hungry or not!!

[turtle11 16]

I had my band on the 18th and my dr still has me on Clear Liquids til day 7. I also had a hernia repair. Today I talked with the surgery center they said the pain I get n my left side of my chest and shoulder is from the gas/air trapped between the band and hernia. If I was you I would call MD. I haven't been hungry at all until about an hour ago. But I can't for the life of me drink 64oz. I hope you get to feeling better.

[Tsign36 37]

I'm still pre-op but I have had other laproscopic surgeries in the past and it really sounds like residual gas. If you get relief from walking that is a sign that it is the gas and notsomething else. The gas can travel, weird as it may seem, all the way up your chest, into your shoulders and even down an arm. I have heard on here that some people say it gets worse after a bit before it gets better. Hopefully you feel better soon! I am sure I will be experiencing it soon as well....

[booscaredu 0]

I agree that it's gas! I had surgery on 9/23/11 and I had gas pains under my collar bone and down into my shoulder for almost a month after surgery. Gas-X helped and you can get the strips so you don't have to swallow anything to take it.

[blessed0711 0]

I agree. I was just banded on Monday and I just posted a blog yesterday about how miserable I was because of the pain, its definitely residual gas. I have the pain in my shoulders really bad, tried hot tea, warm showers, the heating pad but nothing helps.....But its not in the stomach so the gas-x isnt doing absolutely anything for it. My doc just recommended for me to walk as much as I can cause that will help it to work its way out. He said it could take a while for that pain to go away. If it wasnt for that I'd say I was feeling great, but that pain in itself is driving me INSANE! Good luck, hope yours goes away soon, I feel for you and anyone dealing with it!

[running_scared 125]

I still get the referred nerve pain from the gas, but I get it up my sternum. Talk about weirdly uncomfortable.

It should get better with time.

[honk 780]

I'm going to disagree with previous posters. You doctor moves very quickly to what I would call mushies (greek yogurt). I was on broth and Protein Shakes for 7 days, full liquids (tomato Soup, and Protein shakes) another 7 days, thin mushies (yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta) 7 days, fuller mushies (canned chicken) 7 days, then solids. You are only 4 days post op and on Greek yogurt (which is MUCH thicker than regular yogurt). Eating should NOT hurt. Ever. Sharp pain is not a "I'm full" signal. EVER. While some people may be fine with your doctors eating orders it seems you are not. While being on a clear liquid diet is super boring it is better than breaking the stiches holding your band in place and needing surgery. I would perhaps stay on full liquids (smooth Soups like Tomato or squash, and protein shakes for perhaps another week). At the very least thin out the greek yogut with milk. It is way to thick for someone less then a week out of surgery.

[jen_1381 446]

I have concluded that the pain is residual air from the surgery. I checked with my surgeons assistant yesterday, reviewed everything I've done and how I'm doing it, and she said that I'm absolutely on track, it's just air pain trapped. I find that lying flat gets rid of it.

Honk - I agree every surgeon seems to have a different post-op diet. I was directed to do the first two days of either Water or Protein shake, then advance to the full liquid diet for two weeks. The only non-liquid food the surgeon has on his plan is the non-fat greek yogurt, but it can't have seeds or chunks. The fat free greek yogurt seems to be pretty thin also - nearly the consistancy of the Tomato Soup.< /p>

I feel better knowing that it's not pain from eating at all. I'm post op 6 days now and feel amazing. I actually felt hungry last night...but that could have just been smelling the chicken my husband was cooking

Thank you all for your input and support!