Post Op Diet

[Guest codymax]

I was recently banded 9 days ago and I am worried that I have blown the initial recommended diet. I have to say that I am down 10 lbs in the first week, just Water I'm sure. The first 5 days I just had Clear liquids including broth till I was full but I got hungry alot. Let me also mention that in this entire process I havent felt a bit of pain or nausea or anything. I wonder if I even have a band in me! Anyways, on the 6th day I started eating cream of chicken Soup and even had a couple small bites of fish with no trouble what so ever. I even eat the entire can of Soup without incedent. I do feel full when doing so if that is any consolation.

My big question is, is the post op diet really mandatory? It seems written for those who have trouble adjusting to the band but for me it seems to be no probs what so ever? Have I ruined everything by doing this? Is there any hope for me?

I also worry about the "Diet". If I had the will power to diet prior to the band, I wouldnt have needed the band? Any thoughts???

Thanks

[Alexandra 55]

Hi Codymax,

Congratulations on being banded and Welcome to LBT!

One thing you'll learn if you hang around bandster groups very long is that there is no one "post-op diet." Doctors have many different approaches to this, from three weeks on Clear Liquids to mushy food two days out. Every surgeon is different and while of course you should be following your doctor's instructions I think you can take comfort in knowing that the doctor in the next town probably gives his patients slightly different instructions.

It's very unlikely that you can cause any damage by eating thick liquids and soft pieces of meat or vegetables at this stage. Just be sure you don't push it or do anything that causes any discomfort or pain. You're still healing and that process takes several weeks. Be gentle!!

Another thing you'll learn is that EVERY bandster goes through the "I'm eating too much" phase about two weeks after surgery and until their first fill. There is NO restriction in your stomach once your post-surgical swelling disappears, so you probably will be able to eat as much as you could presurgery. It's not until a fill that you'll start to feel restriction, and it's that restriction that will make eating less much easier.

THAT'S the difference. Before banding I was never able to stick to a diet for any length of time because I was so hungry that just a little food would never do it for me. My personal demon was quantity. But now I'm able to eat much much less and actually be satisfied! Of course, sometimes I'm not mentally satisfied and eat more than I really should, and when that happens my band lets me know it. There's pain and discomfort involved on those occasions, which is the negative reinforcement I need to avoid them. I'm working on that--it's definitely a process and even six months out I'm not there yet.

Please come back and let us know how you're doing. And don't worry about being hungry now! You are healing and this time is not about losing weight. You probably will gain back a few of the pounds you're losing on the liquid diet before you have your first fill, but that's perfectly normal.

Good luck, and TAKE IT EASY!!

[GeezerSue 7]

Originally posted by codymax

My big question is, is the post op diet really mandatory? It seems written for those who have trouble adjusting to the band but for me it seems to be no probs what so ever? Have I ruined everything by doing this? Is there any hope for me?

I also worry about the "Diet". If I had the will power to diet prior to the band, I wouldnt have needed the band? Any thoughts???

Thanks

First, read this post:

http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1525

Then, common wisdom is that the post-op diet is there to allow scar tissue to form around the band exactly where the surgeon placed it. You can set in motion a chain of events which will move the band, without feeling it until it's too late (see above post). The point is not about what we can eat and not about what we feel...it's all about not screwing with the stitches.

So my answer to "have I ruined anything" is "we hope not, but cut it out."

Then, about "the Diet." Opinions abound. I want to eat healthy food in healthy quantities. I do not want to be on a diet ever again. If your primary issue was eating in volume two or three times per day, that problem will be solved once you get an adjustment. Then it becomes more complicated. Will you, once you really can't eat any more, keep trying to find ways to shove food in? (I have done this and watched myself, amazed.) Will you learn the difference between "I'm hungry" and "I want to eat." Will you exercise?

But let's focus on the "right now" parts. Right now, you need to try to follow doctor's instructions. And, for right now, you need to forget about losing weight. And, for right now, you should enjoy the healing diet you're on; because once the healing is completed, you will need to stop eating the post-op food and move to solids.

Good luck and welcome!

Sue

[Allisonw2ll's 2]

I am so happy I saw this post even though its older. I was going through the same exact thing as cody max. I was banded on Oct 7,2010 today is the 14th and I feel fine, nothing bad to report and my hunger is starting to creep up now. I was starting to think wierd thoughts...anyways this post really put my mind at ease. My first post op appt is 11/4 so I am hoping i get my first fill then.