New to Banding & Forum

[Gail 0]

Hi,

My name is Gail. I'm new to the forum. I was just banded 6/28/04. I'm struggling survival on the liquid diet. Only two days left and counting. I lost 13 lbs. since liquids. I'm taking it one day at a time because I am finding it pure torture, especially when I have to be around people who can eat real food. Any tips for the transition, if any, when starting soft foods?

[Penni60 45]

SMALL BITES, SLOW DOWN, and CHEW CHEW CHEW!!!

Stop when you get the first inclination of restriction.

Do not talk when eating at all.

IF you must talk during a meal wait till you have finished CHEWING.

Only put on your plate what you believe you can finish.

That might only be a tablespoon of food to start out.

Protein first then veggies then starches if at all.

DO NOT DRINK when eating.

Save the drinking till after the meal is done and then small sips only.

ENJOY the food. SAVOR each bite. I chew Soup believe it or not. LOL!!!

[New Hope 37]

Gail, you've got the right idea... just take it one day at a time. It's really important to follow your drs. instructions. Each dr. seems to have a different regimen. You want to let that band get anchored and scar tissue develop to hold it in place. Running food through too soon can cause problems.

You've done great on your weight loss! Have you tried Protein Drinks yet? I love one for Breakfast. They're really satisfying. Add some fresh banana and frozen fruits (from the freezer). This also helps with your Fiber intake.

Best of luck to you!

[nightingale2u 42]

Welcome Gail!

I guess I am the odd one out... My surgeon starts his patients on a pureed diet on post-op day 3 so I have been eating basically baby food type things for quite a few days now. I am really looking forward to switching over to a soft diet on Wednesday and eating something that I can chew just a little!

Take care and congratulations on your banding!

Darcy

[Gail 0]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've been drinking 4 Protein Shakes a day and an occasional sugar free/fat free Jello pudding or Gelatin. Today my stomach is growling terribly. I was having a very hard time coping. I reread the dietician's instructions about having a meal every 3 hours and I think I didn't realize that the Snacks can be eaten in between the 3 hr. intervals. One more day of holding on and my first meal will be scrambled eggs on Tuesday. I can't wait!!! I am so happy that I found this website and others I can share with. I congratulate each and everyone of you. Anymone who may think that banding is an easy way out has no clue as to how much work it is.

Love to all,

Gail

[Alexandra 55]

Hi Gail,

Welcome! You've gotten good advice and I'll add my voice to those saying to take it slowly. For example, many people find they can't tolerate scrambled eggs after banding. I'm one of them and it's a real mystery why they're so hard to eat. So pay attention when you're trying any new food and see how it goes down before taking another bite.

And while this may seem like hard work now, believe me, it will be over before you know it. You'll look back and barely remember what you're going through now.

Congratulations on your banding!

[leatha_g 4]

Originally posted by Alexandra

Hi Gail,

Welcome! You've gotten good advice and I'll add my voice to those saying to take it slowly. For example, many people find they can't tolerate scrambled eggs after banding. I'm one of them and it's a real mystery why they're so hard to eat.

I can't eat scrambled eggs either, unless they are mashed with a fork, like we did for our babies. It is a strange thing. You'd think scrambled eggs would be one of the first foods, but I have actually PB'd on what I thought was soft scrambled eggs.

Just my 2 cents..

Leatha