Laura P

I was banded 2/19, I'm now slighly over 2 wks out, on puree stage. I was told "eat only when hungry", "stop when feeling full", "only 2 oz at a meal". I also was told that lapband may need 3-6 meals a day, snacks optional. Here's where I'm getting confused. I eat my 2 oz meal, feel satisfied until about 2.5hr later. I start to feel hungry again, I start to get real crampy, and end up having diarrhea. Once I eat I feel better again until the whole process repeats itself. I was wondering, does anyone else have this problem? How often can I eat? Is there a maximum intake I can have (staying within my list of approved foods)? Should I be having more "snacks" which really dont satisfy me? I am meeting my 48-64oz fluid requirement in between.

Thank you all for your feedback. This weekend I attempted 3 "meals" and did 3 additional in-between "snacks", all with protein. If I stay ahead of the 3-3.5hr mark, I found I avoided all the bad cramping and running to the bathroom. I also found that if I have any protein shakes....the cramping starts all over again along with the more frequent diarrhea. I think I'll stick with any real foods that will provide the protein. I'm not liking the consequences of having protein drinks right now! I've been making my tuna/chicken salad in my food processor and tolerating it very well and it holds me a bit longer than yogurt! My treat for dinner is some pureed turkey breast with a spoonful of mashed potatoes with a teaspoon fatfree gravy over it. I actually feel like I'm eating "real food" and am enjoying it! I cant wait to get to the next diet stage..one week to go!! My results are showing now too....I'm down total 35 lb since my highest and first appt, and down 21 since last preop visit! Its nice motivation...as is having all the support on here!

Thank you both for your replies. This is definitely bandster hell! I'm finding the more frequent meal/snack breaks are definitely helping to lessen the cramping and bathroom stops. I also tried an oatmeal as my last nighttime break and it helped me get thru the night, got a full 8 hours sleep!!

I was banded friday, came home on sat on full liquid diet (supposed to stay on it until my office visit 3/3). I am having a hard time meeting my fluid and protein requirement. I have no appetite at times, getting in 3 meals, really spaced out. Sometimes I feel like my stomach is in my throat. I have a lot of crampy movement and gurgling in my gut (I'm thinking probably gas pains as they come and go). Im running to bathroom every 1-1 1/2 hours, letting out some gas. My incision pain is tolerable, i'm moving more easily now. I'm gagging on my chewable celebrate brand multivitamin, not a good feeling. Now i'm sitting here, my husband away on business trip, and I'm feeling sorry for myself, wondering what I got myself into. I'm trying to stay positive saying each day will improve. They say you can usually return to work in a week, but at the rate i'm feeling, I cant even imagine it. (Im a nurse and rarely get time to sit, nevermind run to BR every hour.) Anyone have any suggestions on how to get over this hump?

Thank you all for your support. I appreciate having somewhere to turn. Doc called me today, has me trying kaopectate and probiotics, thinks part of problem is related to antibiotics I got in hospital. I also bought some flintstones complete vitamins to try. I'll keep chin up and reminding myself IT WILL GET BETTER AND WILL BE WORTH IT!!

Jasmine, my doctor has me on a full liquid diet which basically allows protein drinks, broth, clear liquids, jello/popsicles, strained cream of chicken soup or carnation instant breakfast (sugar free). I had my surgery on 19th, and so far I lost the few extra fluid lbs from all the IV's and then 12 lbs from my surg day wt. Make sure you get all your fluids in, its important to avoid dehydration due to the limited diet.

MissCherita, the excess weight is due to all the IV fluids you get in the hospital. It will pass. I was up 2lb when I first came home on saturday, now I am down almost 11! Hang in there.

Congrats on the new bands! Wish you all a speedy recovery. Jennerbrenner, i'm jealous! I was banded 2/19 and my doc still has me on full liquids...no soft until I see him on 3/3....but the good side of it, I'm already down 10lbs since friday! Best advice I can give you, keep the gas-x nearby and keep walking, I've been battling gas pains since I got home!

Thank you all, its very nice to know I can turn to people who have been through it or are newbies like me. Family is always supportive but they dont fully understand. I'll keep thinking positive and hopefully better days are coming.

Thanks! I do have gas-x strips, trying them occassionally. I'm trying to get the protein in but its not going in too easily, hate the feeling of my stomach in my throat. I'll keep trudging along, i'm sure each day will be a little better. Does anyone have suggestions on tasty vitamins?

Congrats and good luck! Welcome to the newly banded group. Wish you a speedy recovery!

Good lucky to all of you being banded this week. I'm on day 4, feeling a little better each day!

I got my band 2 days ago, early morning. I am now on full liquid diet. I'm not sure what I'm feeling...hunger or fullness. My gut is rumbling really bad. My stomach feels like its up in my throat at times. I'm not nauseaous but do have a lot of discomfort lower abd near incision with movement. I'm walking a lot. Occassional small nonproductive burps and having diarrhea. Is this normal? I'm also having a hard time sleeping, if i'm too flat in bed, i feel some reflux like feelings or pressure. Anyone experience this?

Hi everyone! I just returned home from the hospital. I was first case 7am on friday, had to be there for 530am. Preop went well and they took me promptly into OR on time. Last thing I remembered was laying there as they adjusted things, the bright light over me, and them telling me to breath thru the mask. Next thing I knew it was 900 and I was waking up in recovery. I went in hoping for the single incision but ended up with the one just above bellybutton and a tiny one just under sternum. He needed the second to help move the liver out of the way as it didn't shrink as much as he hoped (I didn't have full time for pre op diet due to short notice in booking the date). Then I had to wait for my room on floor to open. They kept IV fluids running, gave me IV reglan, pepcid and abx. I finally gave in for pain med (chose the toradol instead of narcotic dilaudid) and it worked great. (only needed 2 doses total, one at 4am today and one at 1030 after going to xray for the barium swallow). Pain wasn't too bad, but I felt mostly like bad cramping and tenderness if I touched abdomen. I am still swollen and almost looked pregnant...had to joke with them telling them its supposed to make me get skinny, not look fatter! So far i'm doing good here at home, hubby is picking up my scripts for liquid reglan, chewable simethicone, and tylenol with codeine liquid. Hopefully I wont need them but want them ready just in case. I read a lot on here about getting gas x strips, so I have them also. Best advice I can give....make sure you WALK...WALK...WALK...THEN WALK SOME MORE!! I think it really helped.

Thank you and good luck to all of you in the upcoming days. I will keep you all posted on how it goes.

Hello everyone! My surgery is tomorrow, 2/19. I'm very nervous yet so excited about finally getting this done. I'd love to stay in contact since we're all within a few days. Good luck to you all!

I completed all my required visits 2 wks ago, and they scheduled me Friday! Only had 2 wks notice before surgery....starting to get real nervous (and excited at same time). Does anyone have any advice? Suggestions for best pics for stage 3 foods when I get home? I'm new to this, can anyone tell me how to add those nice tickers.

Hi Kristin I am from CT (New Haven county) also and I'm getting close too. I am 3 wks away from fulfilling my insurance co's 6mo requirement. I'm working on all the other requirements from Dr. Valin's office. Now just have to get the final insurance approval and book the surgery (hopefully end Feb/or Mar). If you want to correspond, I'd love to have some extra support through this journey we're both taking. Laura