Question:
BACK PAIN AND EATING PROBLEM, ANYONE ELSE?

HELLO MY SURGERY WAS 5/29/03 LAP RNY, I CAME HOME AND WAS FEELING GREAT NOW I COULD HARDLY EAT A TBL SPN OF YOGART FOR BREAKFAST AND MAYBE A BIT OF TURYEY THIN SLICED FOR LUNCH AND FOR DINNER THE ONLY THINK I COULD KEEP DOWN IS A METRIX SHAKE. AND NOW IM SO TIRED ALL THE TIME AND HAVE SEVERE PAINS IN MY BACK. S/W THE SURGEONS OFFICE AND HE SAID IM GETTING TO MUCH AIR. BUT HOW DO I STOP IT. VERY SAD AND TIRED PLEASE ADVISE.    — Maureen A. (posted on June 19, 2003)

June 19, 2003
Remember never to drink with a straw. If you are, that will contribute to too much air. Also remember to take small sips and wait a minute or two between sips. Eating or drinking too fast, especially right after surgery, will create too much air. Are you getting 50-70 gr of protein like you should? Go to a GNC store and get the highest protein powder they have, Fix it in a blender with ice cubes, and sip 4-5 oz at a sitting, then a little more every two hours. Also limit the variety of foods at first. Forcing meat too soon will sabatoge your new diet. cj
   — Cynthia J.

June 19, 2003
Hello, I thought it to be pretty important that i posted an answer to this question. I went through the same thing i ate slowly did not drink through a straw only sipped and i was getting a tremendous amount of air and unfortunately nothing i could do would make it stopped. Eventually it kept getting less and less but my surgeoon told me some people after having this take in a lot of air and it has to regulate itself. For me it took about right at 3 month. Hope this helps a little
   — lisa P.

June 19, 2003
I WAS TOLD TO BE VERY AWARE OF BACK PAIN AND EATING TROUBLES BECAUSE IT MAY BE A LEAK. IF YOU ARE NOT DOUBLED OVER IN PAIN IT MAY JUST BE AIR. MAKE SURE TO EXHALE ALL YOUR AIR BEFORE YOU SWALLOW ANYTHING AND DRINK SLOWLY.
   — I U.

June 19, 2003
I had the same problem, and still do, just not as bad. When I asked my surgeon about it, he said I was probably getting too much air, but he did a leak test to make sure there was no leakage. I've found taking small sips, and make my bites as small as my nail of my pinky finger, and chewing with my mouth closed has helped a lot. I also don't drink with a straw anymore, and that has helped too. When I start hurting, I have a massager that fits in a chair. I turn it on and sit on it, and that helps me burp (makes me feel like a baby LOL!). I would ask the doc to run a leak test just to be sure you aren't leaking, but it does sound like you are getting too much air. Also, if you are still on pureed, after you blenderize it, let it set for a few minutes. That will help get some of the air out as well. Good luck and God Bless!! 8 weeks out, down 40#
   — mellyhudel