I was banded on April 28th and I have been very fortunate not to have many negative effects. The hardest part for me was that I still felt hungry on the liquid diet and I missed my old high calorie friends (a lot). The sugar free popsicles, Jell-o, yogurt, and occasional sugar free pudding helped a little, but I'm not a big sweets fan so the desire for food with a little substance was hard for me.

Eight days after surgery, my doctor gave me the OK to try some mashed potatoes and it hit the spot better than I would have thought or had hoped. I've experimented by adding a little sour cream and sprinkling a little parm cheese for "dinner" and so far I've managed to get away with it. The acid test was a trip to the Phillies game where the aroma of hot dogs and crab fries had the lure of a mermaid, but a bowl of mashed potatoes before the game helped me get through it all.

So, if you're like me, try some instand mashed potatoes (small portions first and ALWAYS eat slowly) and hopefully you'll get the same relief. I know everyone is different, but it's working for me. I lost 6 before surgery, and 15 since my surgery.

Good luck guys. I hope this helps someone out there. Just be careful and eat slowly!

Chewy

My surgeon told me when its time for mushies, mash potatoes would be good, but be careful once you are allowed to eat normal and done healing that you dont overdose on the mash potatoes, they arent that healthy for you!