Help! did I eat too soon?

jayme · May 8, 2008

I'm eight days out, and was on full liquids one week before surgery, and my doctor wants my on full/clear liquids for two weeks post-op. I really haven't been that hungry until yesterday and today. I did really well all day, trying to stay busy because I'm feeling so much better than last week, but tonight I made myself a bowl of really chunky chicken Soup that I ran through the blender. It was the consistency of thin baby food (little tiny chunks), now I'm stuffed and uncomfortable, and I'm worried that I might have done something I shouldn't. Is it way too early for mushies?

georgia girl · May 8, 2008

Jayme

It is VERY important to stick to your surgeons guidelines. I just can't stress enough how important it is. Your stomach needs time to heal. You need to call your doctor and let them know since you are feeling uncomfortable. I have no way of knowing whether or not you've messed up your band, but it's possible. I hope everything is fine with your band. Good luck.

daisybug · May 8, 2008

You are probably fine. I had my first post op visit exactly 7 days after my surgery. I had lost 15 lbs and my Dr. told me to have two eggs scrambled light with milk and have a small amount of refried Beans mashed down really good. So, I started mushies after only a week! Every person is different, of course, and every Dr. has different instructions. Give them a call and talk to them and you will feel better!

280/235/180

Fanny Adams · May 8, 2008

My doctor would count chunky chicken Soup run through the blender as a full liquid, so that would have been quite acceptable at 8 days out. The uncomfortable feeling is probably because you ate a little too much of it and you are not yet used to the new "full" feeling. You'll be surprised at how little it can take to fill you up in the first weeks post-op. Take advantage of it while you can, as it will take more and more over the next few weeks, as you heal inside and are waiting for your fill. Just take it slowly and carefully and listen to your body between each bite. When you stop feeling hungry (not when you think you are full), stop eating. If you keep eating till you think you are full, you'll experience that uncomfortable feeling often.

WestCoastFatGuy · May 8, 2008

I'm eight days out, and was on full liquids one week before surgery, and my doctor wants my on full/clear liquids for two weeks post-op. I really haven't been that hungry until yesterday and today. I did really well all day, trying to stay busy because I'm feeling so much better than last week, but tonight I made myself a bowl of really chunky chicken Soup that I ran through the blender. It was the consistency of thin baby food (little tiny chunks), now I'm stuffed and uncomfortable, and I'm worried that I might have done something I shouldn't. Is it way too early for mushies?

Sometimes I just lose my mind over all the differences between the surgeons. I'm in the business of clinical trials, so I work with Investigators (top doctors) every day in the course of auditing the trials. One thing we need to keep in mind is that the surgeons need to apply a "standard" for all people. Some patients are particularly sensitive and others aren't. Some thought they were ready for the band but then find they really weren't. These patients, in particular, can be very problematic for surgeons. If a doctor made the blanket statement that mushies were okay 3-days post surgery... then those patients may 'push' that envelope and over-indulge. Overindulging too close to surgery could be life threatening. However, if the doc told them to do full liquids for two weeks... and they messed up and added mushies (or even solid food) after a week... there would be much less chance of the patient experiencing a catastrophic complication. Given the malpractice insurance rates in this country... if I were a bariatric surgeon... I would tell people to do 2-1/2 weeks of full liquids. That way I know that I have a better chance than not having a patient go south and saddle myself with a malpractice suit.

With all that said... it is very important... as others have stated to LISTEN to your surgeon. HOWEVER... only YOU know you. I, myself, was supposed to have full-liquids for a week after surgery. I started soft foods (that I chewed very very very VERY well before swallowing) on the 3rd day after surgery. On Day 6 I did a road trip to Las Vegas. I was on the top of the world and feeling like a million bucks. Would this be the case with everyone? ABSOLUTELY not! I confessed all this to my surgeon.. and he raised his eyebrows... and then went on as though I had said nothing.

If your biggest concern is that you've screwed something up... then you can put your fears to rest. You haven't experienced any negative side effects (cramps, PB-ing, sliming, feeling as though you have swallowed a D-Sized battery)... so soldier on in the most conservative, safe way that you can. From here on out.. .you are the captain of your ship. Learn to listen to the signals your body gives you and you will be a lapband success.

I had some down days early on in my banding experience.. .like when I shopped at costco the first time and realized that almost everything that I wanted to eat (at that time)... was not an option for me. But since that time, I've come to a peace and a truce with my band. We understand each other. I've made a commitment to it not to jam it full of crap that it can't handle and it has made the promise to me to continue to provide all the restriction that it can to aid me in my weight loss. Sometimes (although rarely, at this point)... we get in little arguments. Given that my band is wrapped around my stomach, it usually wins... but we get through our tiffs and move on.

Take my advice and experience as only one piece of all that you receive here at lapbandtalk.com and apply what works for you... and discard the rest.

I wish you all the best through your journey in lapbandland.