Banded for the second time and not following the rules....

[vikkiann 0]

I dont know what's wrong with me... I had a band originally in 2005 and (long story) it ended up having a defect, diagnosed a few months ago. I had a new band put in a few weeks ago and for some reason, i cant seem to follow my dr's post op instructions this time around. I mean, im following them but, im way ahead of them as far as time frame with the foods. I guess its because i know my body, i know how the band works, i know what to expect etc... i got off liquids 5 days sooner than the instructions said to and i moved to the "soft food stage" which is where i still am. i tried about a tablespoon of ground beef today very slowly and it was fine. I know my body and i know the band which is why ive been experimenting this time around. I guess im looking for some input. Have any of you been where I am, maybe not banded twice but, moved ahead with the food faster than you were supposed to? is it just a guideline? ive had no problems, no PB, nothing... can i damage myself by doing this? im also a huge worrier.....

any input would be appreciated.

Vikki

[RestlessMonkey 7]

You remember that the point of the post op diet isn't to let you get used to the band "mentally" and learn how to eat etc so much as to allow the band to HEAL where it's sutured to your stomach? And that you don't know your body that well...your stomach churns when it digests....you won't feel it but down the road you'll have slipping and/or erosion and wonder why? Not to fuss at you just remind you. The diet is there for a good reason. You need to suck it up and follow your doc's directions; they will help you in the long run.

[vikkiann 0]

well, im on soft foods....so, i'll be okay.....

[msnenequeenie14 0]

This is my first band, got it on 6/30/08, and I pretty much did my own thing as far as food is concerned since the day I got home. I tried the liquid thing but I was absolutly starving and I couldnt take it. Being so obese for most of my life I always over ate and I never experienced what hunger truly actually actually felt like and once I got banded and started experiencing my stomach actually growling and feeling uncomfortable from really being hungry, I just couldnt take it. So I looked at what the nutritionist told me I can and cant have and I started doing research on calories and all and I do my own diet. I have not had my band fille dup yet, probably next week they will finally get to me and the experiment will begin again...I don't know if its good or bad what I am doing, and I do walk at least a mile a day or more for exercise. I just know I am desperate to lose weight with out that hungry feeling...

[sunniechavez 0]

How did you know you has a problem w/ the band where you still

hungry all the time ?

[vikkiann 0]

we knew my first band had problems by multiple tests confirming it would no longer hold Fluid.< /p>

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Soft foods have to be digested and your stomach churns for them, too. But you're a grown up; I don't mean to be prissy. Just reminding you there's a reason for that post op diet and it's for healing.

[vikkiann 0]

are crackers a soft food? crackers are on the soft food list they gave me..

[RestlessMonkey 7]

If they're on your list, then your surgeon considers them soft. Lucky. LOL

[Jachut 487]

well, im on soft foods....so, i'll be okay.....

No, you might not be OK. YOu wont know that you've done the damage until some time in the future when you might have a slip.

The liquids to mushies isnt to prevent PBing and discomfort, its to prevent your stomach moving any more than it has to so the stitches can heal and you form scar tissue around them to adhere to the band. Make your stomach work and you can prevent or disrupt that and then one day, you have a slip.

You are supposed to move onto mushies/soft foods only after a certain period of time when your healing is well advanced. Do it too early and you may as well be moving onto a steak. It has the same effect.

It doesnt matter how it feels to you, or whether you think you know your body, seriously, you're taking a big risk if you advance faster than recommended.

Edited September 11, 2008 by Jachut

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I do agree with Jachut although she worded it perhaps more straightforwardly than I did; I did sit one night with a can of refried Beans (unopened) and cry because I was so hungry. But I don't want, a year or so (or less) down the road to have slippage or erosion. I want the band; I can go hungry for a short while. I've enough fat stored up that I know it won't kill me. I get mushies on friday and boy am I ready; but proud I made it through "legal".

[want2beme 2]

I think you are totally normal! Your body knows the band, your tummy knows the band, and so do you. If you are able to tolerate the different stages, go for it. I moved quickly too. I am assuming your band has no fill, remember that??? Way back in 2005? They called it bandster hell? If you're not swelling, you could probably eat a cheeseburger at this point.

I think you're all good.