How Long

[outlawav8r 0]

I was banded one week ago todayJan 7th, No problems at all (except gas pains), was on liquids until jan 11th which was my first Dr. appt, and he put me on soft foods. Dr. told me I could start trying solids today and see how I handled them. I had some chicken for lunch with mashed Potatoes and a buscuit. I had no problems at all. I'm just curious as to the different time schedule to getting back on solid foods, I know my Dr. is Fairly new to banding (1+ year) in comparison to others I just wonder if I am hurting myself by getting back on solids so soon. Thanks.

[jayeljay613 1]

I was banded one week ago todayJan 7th, No problems at all (except gas pains), was on liquids until jan 11th which was my first Dr. appt, and he put me on soft foods. Dr. told me I could start trying solids today and see how I handled them. I had some chicken for lunch with mashed Potatoes and a buscuit. I had no problems at all. I'm just curious as to the different time schedule to getting back on solid foods, I know my Dr. is Fairly new to banding (1+ year) in comparison to others I just wonder if I am hurting myself by getting back on solids so soon. Thanks.

Seems awfully early to me to start solids I was banded December 29th and am still on soft foods only. I often wonder if I could handle solids but have heard that it is better to give your body time to heal. My diet is a month long, 2 weeks of liquids and 2 weeks of soft foods then I start slowly adding solids. My surgeon has 7+ years experience and I trust him completely. I would slow down and go soft foods for awhile. No reason to rush. Good luck.

[carol285 145]

I was banded 10/25 with only a 1 day liquid pre-op diet then was put on soft/mushy at discharge from hospital 10/26. I was on soft/mushy for 4 weeks & then on to solids. The protocols vary greatly per doctor. My feeling is if you trusted your doctor enough to operate on you then trust him enough to follow his food instructions.

[JerseyGirl80 12]

I believe generally most doctors say 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks mushy, then start slowly adding solids during weeks 4 and 5. Every Doctor is different, every patient is different. My Doc had this rule, but he let me start "mushies" 4 days early and his definition of mushy seemed to differ from alot of others that I've seen on here.

I was told "anything you could mash up with my fork is ok" and he also said "just stay away from anything that walks on land for a while and you'll be fine, just chew really well" So that's what I did, if I ate something that might not have been really mushy, I chewed it until it was liquefied. I may have eaten things that I shouldn't have, but I was fine. I also started eating solids a little sooner than week 4, and I'm fine and my doctor was fine with this.

Every BODY is different and it seems every Doctor has different ways of doing things. I would tell any one else to stick to the diets their doctors and nutritionists recommend as they know what's best for you.

[Jess55 97]

This is my dr's way

Week 1 clear liquid

Week 2 full liquids

Week 3 mushy/purée

Week 4 chopped / ground food meat/ some veggies (non gassy)

Week 5 normal food 3oz Protein, 1/2 cup veggies +/- 1/4 cup starch if hungry.

Can't wait til Monday, I stArt normal foods.... Lol

[HeatherinCA 10]

Mine was 1 week clear liquid pre-op

5 days liquid post opp

10 days puree's

10 days mushies

day 26 start full food

I'm sure it's not a problem, just be careful and watch what goes in! I almost feel like the stricter guidelines prepare you for real food. More than your body can't handle it.

[Melissannde 41]

Since it's been almost 2 years since I was banded, I don't remember the precise progression, but my doctor has most of his banded patients back on soft solid foods by two weeks.

If you want to take it slower than what your doc says, that shouldn't be a problem.

And I too could eat bread when first banded. It often takes a few fills to get to where bread is an issue. But, everyone is different.. there are those who can't tolerate it right off the bat. :: shrug :: Just be careful of the "white carbs", ie potatoes, rice, Pasta, bread and also corn. These things are high glycemic and tend to spike our blood sugar. Then when the blood sugar drops, we become ravenously hungry. I know it's not easy to do without them, at least at first, but if you find yourself hungry sooner than you'd like to be.. try weaning yourself off of these types of foods.

There are lower glycemic alternatives that you can use if you are interested.

Congrats on being banded. You're on your way!!

[outlawav8r 0]

Thanks for all the input.

[mom2amwt 3]

My dr.'s guidelines -

2 weeks liquid pre-op

10 days post op liquids then

10 days post op pureed then

2 weeks mushy

So no solid foods for a month after surgery. Interesting how every Dr. is different. I agree to go with your Dr's advice! Best of luck.