New post op patient help!

February 28, 2004

Hello, I am 3 weeks out from my surgery and until a couple of days ago I would eat 3oz. of food and feel stuffed and in the last couple of days I feel as if I could eat forever and not feel full at all. I am nervous that something has happened. I would appreciate any advice out there. Thanks!

Chris S. - L.I. · February 28, 2004

Are you supposed to be eating regular food? Were you on liquids for the first two weeks? What where your surgeons instructions? Also, the first 6-8 weeks are for healing so you may not feel restriction.

February 28, 2004

I am 3 weeks out from surgery my surgery. I remianed on full fluids for 2 weeks and this week I am on puree until this Thursday. For example I would eat 3 oz. of cream of wheat and think I couldn't take another bite and now I eat 5 oz. and don't feel that same full feeling. Is it my band. I am nervous. thanks for the response.

Chris S. - L.I. · February 28, 2004

I think you are fine. After all, you are not eating solid foods yet. It is not uncommon to not feel restricted. Personally I wouldn't worry, but if you have any doubts you should call your doctor.

Alexandra · February 28, 2004

Hi Faith,

Congratulations on getting banded! I hope your recovery continues to go smoothly.

Don't worry, you're perfectly normal!! The restriction you felt right after surgery was primarily due to swelling of your tissues, since the band itself is not filled yet. As time goes by and you heal, the swelling goes away and you feel less and less restriction. Most people report feeling absolutely no restriction for a time until they get their first fill.

So don't worry! Your job now is to follow your doctor's instructions about food and take it easy. It's only AFTER you get a fill that you'll have restriction again and can start learning to eat with the band.

bobby_hamrick · March 7, 2004

If you are like the rest of us you will ask this question many times over the next few months. Patience. The healing is first then finding the right adj. for you. It is very unlikely anything is wrong. I was into the fourth fill before I really got the correct fit. You will know when trust me.

I too ask many times if there was something wrong. My loss was slow at first and still is but I lose every week and I have the time.

GeezerSue · March 7, 2004

And the answer to Part Two of your question (you haven't asked it yet) is "Yes, there is a chance you could actually gain weight between surgery and the time you have an adjustment that provides real restriction."

Back to the first part...immediately post-op, the mucosal lining of your stomach was probably quite swollen. Even Water had to go through slowly. Then, over the past couple of weeks, the swelling has reduced (this is a good thing) and the stoma (the opening between the top and the bottom) is bigger. So now, more stuff goes through more easily. The stoma opening increases as the swelling decreases, and as you slowly add food that will provide some nutrition and satisfaction without moving the band, because you want the scar tissue inside to form around the band, right where the doctor placed it. That's how we get back to Part Two.

So, there may come a time, after the first four weeks and before you get a restriction that is just right for you, that you "can eat as much as before" and feel "like I don't even have a band." This is absolutely normal, too.

Just wanted people to be prepared.

Sue