Eating boredom!

[jayres14 17]

So I am one week post op and I can pretty much eat anything (as long as I chew really well). I do not feel any restriction in my band and am not getting a "full" feeling when I eat. The problem is, it takes so long to eat a meal that I pretty much give up and quit. I have had two "stuck" issues and they were so awful that I am totally afraid to go through that again. I make sure to chew so much that I can't feel the food slide down my throat. I am pretty much hungry all the time but it seems to me that i'd rather feel the hunger pains and keep going through my day than stop and focus on a meal for FOREVER...... I am not even getting in the 1200 calories a day I should be getting. I guess I need to add a Protein Shake daily but then again, it takes so long to drink it that I don't even care to. Anyone have suggestions to get this train moving along?? I guess as long as I am getting my Multi-Vitamin in, I should be okay.

Side note: myfitnesspal.com is a great app for keeping a food and exercise journal. And it's free!!

[RedheadGirl 2]

Are you on any type of liquids or mushies? When you say you can eat anything are you eating regular foods already? I was on mushie type foods for a couple weeks and I'm now 4 weeks post op and can also eat whatever I want. Now it doesn't even take me long to eat. I'm eating and feeling like I was before my surgery. If you are restricted to the amount of food you take in I would try and do the Protein drinks. I don't have an amount restriction so I have to try hard to NOT overeat. Good luck.

So I am one week post op and I can pretty much eat anything (as long as I chew really well). I do not feel any restriction in my band and am not getting a "full" feeling when I eat. The problem is, it takes so long to eat a meal that I pretty much give up and quit. I have had two "stuck" issues and they were so awful that I am totally afraid to go through that again. I make sure to chew so much that I can't feel the food slide down my throat. I am pretty much hungry all the time but it seems to me that i'd rather feel the hunger pains and keep going through my day than stop and focus on a meal for FOREVER...... I am not even getting in the 1200 calories a day I should be getting. I guess I need to add a Protein shake daily but then again, it takes so long to drink it that I don't even care to. Anyone have suggestions to get this train moving along?? I guess as long as I am getting my Multi-Vitamin in, I should be okay.

Side note: myfitnesspal.com is a great app for keeping a food and exercise journal. And it's free!!

[jayres14 17]

My post op plan was day 1 and 2- liquid/ day 3 and 4- mushies/ day 5 and on-regular food. I have not had any issues transitioning to each level. I do not have any saline in my band, my surgeon does not fill any before he puts in. My first fill is next wednesday.

[shakey88 37]

Your doctor moves fast. I will be 6 weeks post-op on Monday and that is when I will be able to eat soft foods (technically...I have been sneaking them in here and there). I do not have a fill in my band, but I am not hungry at all which is why they did not put one in when I went Wednesday. I find that as long as I drink a Protein Shake in the morning, I generally do not get hungry through out the day. I do eat small meals every 4 hours though to avoid getting extra hungry. Try drinking a Protein shake as soon as you get up in the morning. That is what works for me!

[itskellyraye 0]

That seems really fast to be on regular food. I'm 4 days post-op and can't imagine eating regular food yet.. even though I'm tired of Soup. You're probably still really swollen and that's why you've had the stuck episodes. But, I agree, Protein Shakes are the way to go. It should subside your hunger enough to get you to the next meal.

[jayres14 17]

Well, actually, it's the metabolic surgery center's policy of the post op food plan. The nutritionist told me there was actually no reason to stay on liquids for so long b/c the band does not restrict liquids which negates it's purpose, and that the stomach only needs a few days for the swelling to go down after surgery. She also said that scar tissue does not form over the part that is known to slip so those that argue that the stomach needs to be still so the tissue can grow over the band to prevent slippage are false. Who knows? I just know that I have been able to eat regular food since day 4 post op. I drink a Protein Shake every morning already. I just wish there was a way to eat faster without getting "stuck". Those 27 chews are going to give me lock jaw! Maybe I just need to blend all my food and drink it from now on! Anyone ever had a pureed cheeseburger?? HAHA!!

[Jess55 97]

Well if you can't eat now without getting stuck, do not get a fill on Wednesday!

[jayres14 17]

I don't get stuck when I eat all the time. That happened on two different occasions when I wasn't paying attention and swallowed before I had chewed enough. It was a horrible feeling, like my chest was going to explode! I never want to feel that again, though I know it's bound to happen eventually.

[bashy611 8]

Now I don't feel so bad about me sneaking real food during my 3rd week ..LOL !!

[Cindy C 150]

Well, actually, it's the metabolic surgery center's policy of the post op food plan. The nutritionist told me there was actually no reason to stay on liquids for so long b/c the band does not restrict liquids which negates it's purpose, and that the stomach only needs a few days for the swelling to go down after surgery. She also said that scar tissue does not form over the part that is known to slip so those that argue that the stomach needs to be still so the tissue can grow over the band to prevent slippage are false. Who knows? I just know that I have been able to eat regular food since day 4 post op. I drink a Protein shake every morning already. I just wish there was a way to eat faster without getting "stuck". Those 27 chews are going to give me lock jaw! Maybe I just need to blend all my food and drink it from now on! Anyone ever had a pureed cheeseburger?? HAHA!!

I can't believe there's a dr/surgery center putting patients back to regular food in 5 days. The purpose of being on liquids is to give the body time to heal and the mind time to get accustomed to the life style changes. It appears that the purpose IS being negated since your main issue here is that you can't eat fast enough. The band is designed to help you eat slower which will make you full sooner thus causing you to lose weight. Enjoy your pureed cheeseburger.

[jayres14 17]

Okay, geez, Cindy, you don't have to jump up on a soap box! You can feel free to call the Baptist Metabolic Center in Nashville and voice your concerns over their lack of expertise if it bothers you so bad but keep the negativity off my posts. What do they know anyways, it's not like they had to be certified to administer these bands.... oh wait..... yes they do!! Besides, I was making light conversation referring to the minor annoyance of having to chew so much (27 times), not that I am savagely hungry and just can't get it in fast enough. If the only thing you have to offer me is your cynical elbow throwing (enjoy your pureed cheeseburger), don't waste your precious time posting on my things. I can find SUPPORT (the reason we are all here) from more caring people!!

[Jess55 97]

I'm sorry but I don't see how you should get stuck with an empty band. I'm 7 months post op I only have a fill of 0.75 cc and I've NEVER gotten stuck, slimed , or pb'd, and I have to say I dont really chew well at all. Obviously at one week you still have to much swelling and you should be on at least mushies if you've gotten stuck. Sorry but it's true.

[Cindy C 150]

What do I know? Hmmm...look at my ticker. I know how to make a lapband work! When I read your post, you struck me as someone who is already trying to figure out how to "eat around" the band. Eating faster = eating more. Eating slowly is essential to success. I really wasn't trying to be negative. I was trying to make a point. I apologize for that last statement. It really was uncalled for. I honestly think, though, that your facility is doing its patients a great disservice by putting them back on solids so quickly.

[jayres14 17]

What do I know? Hmmm...look at my ticker. I know how to make a lapband work! When I read your post, you struck me as someone who is already trying to figure out how to "eat around" the band. Eating faster = eating more. Eating slowly is essential to success. I really wasn't trying to be negative. I was trying to make a point. I apologize for that last statement. It really was uncalled for. I honestly think, though, that your facility is doing its patients a great disservice by putting them back on solids so quickly.

Look, I am just following my surgeons orders, that's all I know to do. I haven't vomited, I haven't had slimes or whatever those others are talking about. I have had two small occasions where I didn't chew enough and swallowed a big piece that felt stuck. The feeling lasted about 15 seconds and then it was over. You are right though, you are doing well with the band. I can read the ticker, and that was why I was so surprised to read the put downs. If you are so successful and you are skimming the post op posts, I would think it would be to build up the newbies, offer advice for what HAS worked for you, how you got through some of the hard spots. "Eating around the band"?? What the crap is that?!?! I didn't get insurance to cover this band. I paid the twelve grand myself so I doubt I am going to be trying to cheat my own pockets on this band. I guess that would require knowing more about a person's personal story before making swift judgments. Whatever...

[minniekitty 44]

I have to agree with the other posters here. 5 days post-op to regular foods seems AWFULLY quick, even if it's what your nutritionist told you. My post-op diet won't let me back on regular foods for 30 days. I guess every doctor has a different plan, but yours has the fastest recovery period I've read about.

I would recommend taking it easy on the regular foods, so your body can heal. Good luck with your Lap-Band journey