I am post op and just started the mushies like mashed potatoes and things but it feels like the 4 to 6 ounces is not enough... when I first had the surgery a couple of weeks ago I could only eat a half a cup... Is it cause the swelling is gone and the band needs to be filled???

Hi Kerby,

Yes, you are eating too much. The swelling has gone down by now most likely and you will need a fill, but it is CRUCIAL that you follow your doc's orders STRICTLY until he says it's okay to move ahead. My doc said that there could be NO DEVIATION for 21 days post-op. You may feel fine, and be able to eat other things or more things, but you may be doing damage that won't surface until months from now. You went through all this for the ultimate goal: to lose weight permanently - don't flush it now. I know how hard this stage is - it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But, I was also very proud of myself for following exactly what my doc said and not eating ANY solids for 21 days post-operatively. I was told that eating too much or eating solids too soon could lead to band slippage later. That the stomach area where the band is sutured would not heal properly and thus the potential for slippage was greatly increased.

I know this is soooooooooooo hard, but please keep up the good work and follow docs orders - you'll be so glad you did!

My dietician really did not tell me quantities. She provided the plan by week and taught me how to eat slowly so that I would have time to listen to my body and what the band was telling it.

That amount of mashed potatoes seems like a lot. If you are consuming too quickly you may not have time to learn you are full. I took 40 minutes the other night to work on a 7 oz portion. By ounce 5 I had heard I was full.

I had thought I was fine and started eating regular foods just chewing like crazy to get in that habit but have headed back to the dietician's plan to make sure I heal well.

I understand what you're saying. When your stoma was swollen, the 4-6 ounces you're supposed to eat seemed like enough. Now that the swelling is down, you either don't feel as full as you did before, or you become hungry sooner.

Yes, this is completely normal. With reduced swelling, you have less restriction, and food can move out of the upper portion of your banded stomach more rapidly. So you get hungry sooner.

This is what is known as bandster hell. Lots of people would tell you that now is not the time to worry about weight loss---that it's time for healing.

While I agree that your body is healing, I'd suggest that you stick as closely as possible to your doctor's recommended eating regimen. You can lose weight during this time. You may be hungry, but you would be in any event--so why not work to maximize your loss.

The previous poster Tish is basing her opinion that you're eating too much on her own doctor's recommendations. Remember, each of our doctors has his/her own "rules". Yours has you on mushies, and does not require 21 days of liquids like Tish's doctor. So her evaluation that you're eating too much is not based on what you've been prescribed.

Stick with what your doctor recommends as much as you can. If you find that you're really, really hungry, call his/her office. They may have good ideas to help tide you over from meal to meal--or they may offer a fill sooner than ordinarily scheduled.

I am post op and just started the mushies like mashed potatoes and things but it feels like the 4 to 6 ounces is not enough... when I first had the surgery a couple of weeks ago I could only eat a half a cup... Is it cause the swelling is gone and the band needs to be filled???

All great advice, the most important, following your doctors advice. My guess is that you are eating too fast. If you slow it down and allow 7 minutes between bites you will feel fool, probably sooner than later. Make sure you are getting in the recommended amount of protein. That is key to feeling full and healthy. Stick with it, you will do great and be so happy with the results.