Getting A Little Worried...

[Secondchanceatlife 38]

I'm three weeks post op and feel great. Still a little sore, but getting better every day. Three days after surgery I was reading over my lapband books again and saw where it stated that "upon discharge from the hospital, you may have the following foods....", and there was 2 1/2 pages of foods listed. So needless to say, I started foods. I've never ate much since surgery at one time, and never more than 3 meals a day. The most I have eaten at one time maybe a cup. But I'm worried that I may have stretched my pouch. Even though I only get hungry after several hours of nothing to eat, and I chew everything very well, and eat very slow. Can I request my doctor to check my stomach? Or do they usually do that at your first fill?

Sent from my MB865 using LapBandTalk

[jen_1381 446]

Didn't you do liquids after surgery for a period of time?

I haven't come across one surgeon yet who lets you start right off with food. Most require at least 5 days of liquids to let your stomach heal. I personally had to do 2 weeks of full liquid, 2 weeks of mushies, 2 weeks of soft/moist, and I just started regular food a few days ago.

Also - the lapband books - were they from your surgeon/dietician, or from another source?

[Secondchanceatlife 38]

The book was one that I received from my doctor's office at the beginning of my Journey. I did four days of liquids before surgery, and then liquids after surgery. But on day three after surgery, I read in the book that upon discharge I could have certain foods. So I began eating things like eggs, egg salad, etc, and I have felt fine. I actually started feeling a lot better after eating a little bit. But after reading a lot of these posts, I am worried that I may have stretched my pouch even though I don't FEEL like I have. Does this make any sense?

[jen_1381 446]

Yes, makes sense. I think I would have been too scared to start food then, but I am a little over-cautious.

It never hurts to ask your surgeon. They are there to help you along the way and I know they would rather have you ask a question then just assume everything is okay.

If you're worried because you're not feeling "full", I am almost 7 weeks out and have had 1 fill of 3 cc's and I still don't really ever feel "full". I get a signal that I should stop eating - a fullness/pressure in my chest, but I could still be hungry after I'm done. The feeling passes and my stomach growls

[Secondchanceatlife 38]

I get the little hiccup that signals that I've had enough, and I stop. This is totally new to me as I used to just plow right on through . I haven't FELT anything that has made me nervous, and I do feel full after only a little bit. But after reading so many posts on here about eating too soon can stretch your pouch, it has me more than a little concerned, even though I feel great. But thank you so much for your input, you have made me feel better. I will most definitely talk to my doctor about it, and hopefully have a look-see at my stomach to make sure there is no damage done. Thank you again, and good luck to you on your journey

[highland 168]

You should be fine. ALAWAYS follow YOUR drs orders NOT the people on this forum's advice!!!! My dr only had me on 1 week liquids after surgery and then on to soft Proteins. He doesn't have a mushie stage because he doesn't want you eating carbs like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and cream of wheat!! All surgeons are different and you should ALWAYS follow their guidelines. Best wishes and stop worrying! It sounds like you are doing everything they've asked of you.

[Secondchanceatlife 38]

You should be fine. ALAWAYS follow YOUR drs orders NOT the people on this forum's advice!!!! My dr only had me on 1 week liquids after surgery and then on to soft Proteins. He doesn't have a mushie stage because he doesn't want you eating carbs like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and cream of wheat!! All surgeons are different and you should ALWAYS follow their guidelines. Best wishes and stop worrying! It sounds like you are doing everything they've asked of you.

Thank you! And congratulations on your weight loss! You have done awesome!

[jen_1381 446]

Every program is different. Those mushies weren't on my menu - we were to puree everything that we would be eating on the regular diet, still sticking to the protein/veggie/fruit theory. I see his logic behind skipping it though.

I think I am just overly cautious - I had one little "too full" incident where I had that one last bite even though I got my full signal. I was miserable for about 15 minutes with horrible indigestions. It made me a little gun-shy and now I'm slowly easing into each stage.

Secondchance - I too never felt full. I ate fast and cleaned my plate, and never truly felt like I couldn't take another bite. I could eat an hour or two after a regular full meal, no problems. It's definitly a learning curve.

Highland - First, congrats on your amazing weight loss! That's remarkable. Also, I wasn't suggesting she follow my advice, I was just putting it out there from my personal experience. Everything on the internet should be taken with a grain of salt. I consider what people say, but ultimately I always follow my doctor and nutritionists advice.

[Sunshyne068 97]

if you dont have any signals that you have done damage to yourself, and you have followed the written guidelines provded by your surgeron, then I think you should be fine. just ask your doctor at your next apt.

[Secondchanceatlife 38]

if you dont have any signals that you have done damage to yourself, and you have followed the written guidelines provded by your surgeron, then I think you should be fine. just ask your doctor at your next apt.

I think you're right. At my frist follow up appointment, the nurse asked me if I was still on liquids and I told her no. She asked if I had went past full liquids (soft foods), and I said no. At that point I hadn't, but I have since then. But I have still ate very little at a time, and chew everything VERY well.

[downhomechik 41]

I'd just bring the paper with you and show them what it says ...so if there is anything they need to chang for other patients...then they can do so...otherwise I wouldn't worry.

[Secondchanceatlife 38]

I'd just bring the paper with you and show them what it says ...so if there is anything they need to chang for other patients...then they can do so...otherwise I wouldn't worry.

Good idea