Found out what "as tolerated" means!

[GreenChrysalis 1]

I figured that I'd write this for pre-ops and fellow newbies...when your surgeon says to take your time when trying something new, do just that. The consequences can be pretty awful.

My surgeon allows you to progress in the post-op diet "as tolerated," with going from clear to full liquids around day 4-5. I have had no appetite since my surgery one week ago -- of course I have also been sure to get in about 60g of Protein a day using Protein powders and shakes, so I haven't allowed myself to get hungry.

Full liquids includes "pureed meat thinned with broth." I've had some thinned meat baby food a few times with no problems. Last night, I cooked up some lean beef. Then I put it in the blender with some beef broth and a little cream of onion Soup. I pureed it until it was a rather ugly-looking, thin grayish-brown liquid. But it tasted great. :thumbup: Then I put about 1/3 of a cup into a little bowl and sat down to enjoy my dinner.

I really didn't pay much attention to how quickly I was eating, especially as this was the first thing I'd eaten in a week that tasted really, really good. When I finished, I realized that it only took me 20 minutes to eat and I worried that was too much, too soon. But I felt OK; not full or gross or anything.

Then about an hour later, I was sitting on the sofa when I suddenly had awful pain and pressure in my abdomen and chest. It felt like the worst gas cramps I have ever had. I got up and took a few Gas X strips, then started pacing my house. It just got worse and worse. What had I done to myself? Why did I have this surgery? Should I call my surgeon? What if I'd ruined my band (and my investment)? It was misery. :smile: No position was comfortable.

I was talking to my husband, who was rubbing my back, when I suddenly realized that I was going to throw up. Obviously, that's not something you ever want to do, especially one week out of surgery. So he quickly got me an anti-nausea tablet -- thank goodness for those -- and put it under my tongue. I burped/retched once before it started to work, and then it still took a good 30 mins for the pain and bloated feeling to subside. (This also included several unpleasant trips to the toilet, I'll spare you the details.) :tt2:

So, lesson learned. When trying something new, take your time. I was feeling pretty smug and good about myself and I got careless. I should've only tried a tiny spoonful of my liquid meat concoction. I am now going back to mostly Clear Liquids (along with my thin protein shakes) for a day or two just to be on the safe side. I'm also watching the clock closely as I sip.

[libra 13]

You'll go through a lot of "lessons learned" moments. The process is different for everyone and only you can really know what works for you and what doesn't. To this day, my mother can't eat yogurt and it's a daily food for me. It's good that you're being cautious and taking things slowly. Congrats on getting banded.

[Hazel-eyes 0]

Thanks for postig this. I have my surgery on 3/14, 1 month after you. It is good that I read this now and did not have to find that out the hard way like you did. That is a good leasson to be learned. Hope you are doing better!

[GreenChrysalis 1]

You'll go through a lot of "lessons learned" moments. The process is different for everyone and only you can really know what works for you and what doesn't. To this day, my mother can't eat yogurt and it's a daily food for me. It's good that you're being cautious and taking things slowly. Congrats on getting banded.

Thanks! I was so angry at myself, because I thought that I wouldn't go through this for some reason. I've researched this for 2.5 years, I've read this forum daily, etc, etc. I've read posts by people who were eating fast food two days after surgery and scoffed at them. I know better! Right?! Well, I got knocked off my high horse!

I hope that future "lessons learned" moments don't involve me praying to various deities that I will do anything to make the pain stop. :tt2:

Thanks for posting this. I have my surgery on 3/14, 1 month after you. It is good that I read this now and did not have to find that out the hard way like you did. That is a good lesson to be learned. Hope you are doing better!

Oh good. That's mostly why I wrote it, instead of keeping my shame to myself. :smile: Yep, I felt just fine by the time I went to bed last night and I feel good today too.

[bbjerseygirl 0]

I dont know if I would beat myself up over this. I don't really think you ate too fast or too much. You progressed like your doc said and your pureed your meal as you are supposed to. It could be several things that caused that problem. With this band you will see that one day you can eat a certain food and another day it will cause you problems. I believe it has to do with the band and the body on a particular day and how they want to mesh together. One thing it could have been is the onion Soup and the sodium in it - could have bloated the stomach too much. You have to watch what you add to foods to. Any time I try something new. I will eat a very small portion and wait a while and see how it works and if a-ok, I will continue to eat. You did everything right, this is how the band reacts at times so just be careful what you mixed together and take your time. Your doc has your progressing a little fast as well. At this stage wk 2, I was only on creamed Soups - blended, grits, oatmeal, cream of wheat - very bland things but all docs are different. Only 2 oz as well. Good luck with everything - hope you don't experience that again. :smile2:

[GreenChrysalis 1]

Thanks bbjerseygirl. I beat myself up over it pretty bad last night, but I have moved on. I will definitely watch the sodium more closely. I cannot imagine dealing with that again so I will be vigilant about starting new things. This was the first time I "concocted" something and obviously I didn't do a good job of it. But I will learn. It is frustrating that all of the doctors have very different timeframes for progressing -- I am going to be more conservative, I think, than he even suggests. It certainly can't hurt me any more than that episode did!