New Bandster!

May 2, 2005

Hi,

I am so happy that I found this website, I was banded on 4-27-05 in Scottsdale, AZ. By Dr. Robin Blackstone. I have already lost 10 lbs. I am very excited. I started eating soft protiens on Saturday and was doing great. Today I started to eat a scrambled egg and it felt like it was stuck. I felt awful, chest pains and total discomfort. I do not know if I have restriction or if I am just swollen. If anyone has any ideas or advise I would love it! My surgeon said she was able to get the small band one me and I should have quite a bit of restriction from the start. I would appreciate any advise or comments.

Thanks,

Ryanne

La_madam · May 2, 2005

Hi Ryanne Welcome to LBT

It would be my guess that you are stilll swollen, since your surgery was less then a week ago. You are one of the lucky ones. I was not on mush food until 4 week post op and solids at 6 weeks post op. I was on liquids for the first 3 weeks for the reason of swelling and wanting to be sure my band set in place and I did not have to digest any food that could create a problem since digestion is such a turning and churning process for your stomach, my Dr. wants to make sure all the swelling from surgery is gone and my band is anchored in tightly and I am healed before I get food, however once the swelling went down for me and I was able to eat I did have the pain in my chest like restriction feels like. I was lucky enough to not need a fill until 10 weeks post op. I had decent restriction from the initial placement of the band. So it could be a little of both you are experiencing. Good Luck to you and Congratulations on your new band

cgrubz · May 2, 2005

if you just had your surgery on the 27th then you should still be on liquids for another 7 days....no food.....i just had surgery on the 29th and im on liquids for the next 12 days.....eating food right now sounds like a disaster and your only asking for troulbe.....from what i hear from everyone ...dont do it....follow the rules.....liquids....then mushy food....then normal food..........

May 2, 2005

Yes this is the standard guidline for The Scottsdale Bariatric Center. 1-3 days after surgery chicken broth, Jello, and Water. Day 4- Day -30 Soft Proteins( eggs, Yogurt, cheese, Soft Turkey and Chicken). I was very suprised to hear that most people are not able to eat. I started eating solids on Saturday. So yes I am following the rules to the tee! I have never heard the term Mushy Foods, I was suprised! Apparently Dr. Blackstone uses a new method of sewing the band around the muscle so that it does not slip. Mabeye that is why she allows solids so soon. I was suprised as well. She also did not require a liquid diet prior to surgery.

Thanks!

babsyintx · May 2, 2005

Ryanne,

Lots of people have trouble with eggs and chicken, so if you are having trouble with it, stay away from it for a little while and try again in another two or three weeks. I know bandsters a year out that still have trouble with eggs, so it might just be a personal thing. Each person is different.

I think we have a difference in terminology between what is considered soft or mushy. I personally would not eat eggs 1 week post op, but each doc is different. It really has nothing to do with anchoring techniques. The idea of a liquid or mushy diet is for you to get used to the band and allow the swelling to go down. I would stay away from the chicken unless it is pureed. I am almost two years out and have trouble with chicken unless it is really really soft. If you have trouble with a food choice, then you should go back to liquids for a day or so to help with the irritation. Even tenured bandsters do this, so I am not suggesting this just because you are a newbie!! Good luck with your banding journey.

Babs in TX

grammi · May 2, 2005

I have not been banded yet, (May 12), but Dr. Malley does not require a diet before surgery (only 24 hours pre-op) and after surgery it is one week liquids, one week soft (or mushy) then slowly add normal foods in. He did state he sews the band to the muscle also. He also said in his seminar that pork chops and steaks seem to really stick so stay away from them and really doughy breads. I am not going to jump right back into the solid food stage as I want to make sure I do not rush anything And plan on using protien drinks.

Good luck!

Alexandra · May 2, 2005

Hi Ryanne,

My doctor's postop regimen was a lot like yours, but I think now they've changed it to at least a week on liquids. In any event, back when I was healing I tried some eggs and things like thick Soups on the 6th day and my body just wasn't ready for it. That's what your body is telling you, so listen to it! Don't try anything that causes you any discomfort at all.

Congratulations on your banding, and nice to meet you!