I am 1 week out from surgery and having lots of stomach pain and acid problems. Finallly I caved and had half a cup of solids. They settled my stomach. I didn't have any pain afterwards, but now I am scared of the consequences of having had solids too early. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Will it hurt the band in any way? And seeing I felt so much better after having it, I'm starting to question the whole puree week. Please, help.

I don't know for sure if you did any damage to your band. But part of your stomach is wrapped around the band and there are stitches down there. So you need to let yourself heal completely before eating solids.....It is so important to follow your surgeons guidelines when it comes to food.

My dr. Allowed me to progress as I could tolerate it. I had my post op a appointment one week after surgery and he cleared me to eat chicken! I chewed up everything very well and never had problem. Everyone is different, but I doubt you caused damage. Just be sure to chew chew chew. If you are really worried, call your doctor.

Highly unlikely you did any damage but you should return to your surgeon's previously scheduled programming already in progress.... :rolleyes2:

Tell your doc what you are experiencing. A lot of docs will give you a test food to try from the next step to determine how you tolerate it and let you move on.

Brad

Take a deep breath :rolleyes2:

First, if you're experiencing terrible heartburn, let your doctor know; s/he can help you with that.

Secondly, no--you didn't damage your band. Your doctor recommended a particular diet postop, but there is tremendous variation from doctor to doctor and some (like mine!) start patients on solids very shortly after surgery.

While it's best to follow your doctor's instructions because s/he knows you best, most doctors don't really tailor specifically to each patient---unless s/he knows that there is a problem. So do give your doc a call so that s/he can address your discomfort and give you the green light to advance your diet, give you alternatives, or explain the rationale for sticking with his/her current recommendations.

Don't panic!

I have to admit I cheated too. But as has been said, you really need to talk to your doctor about it. Honestly, if you'd slipped your band or anything - you would know about it. You just need to tell your doctor what's happening. Many people are put on to solids really early, each doctor is different, so just don't be scared and give him a call.

As Betsy said, postop food plans vary according to physician. By the end of week 2 I was back on solid foods. The biggest problem is that they usually stitch a fold of your stomach over the band to help keep it from slipping. My surgeon did this and explained that it is extremely rare for a band to slip, even with vomiting, when this is done *but* since your stitches are only a week old, if you eat something solid and end up urping it back up because you get stuck, you run the risk of tearing stitches as well.

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yep... my stomach just growled... liquids suck! Oh, but for a taste of cream of wheat or apple sauce! : )

Not knowing exactly where you pain is I will tell you this my doctor told me..Your stomach is up high being protected by your rib cage. If the pain is lower than that it could be that your intestines are not use to being cleaned out with all of the fluids. It could also be you are getting constipated from so much protein and not enough fiber. If thats the case Milk of magnesia works wonders. Hope it all turns out ok.

ps My surgeon told me at 2 week check up to try one new solid food per day to see how i tolerate it.

Please follow YOUR doctor's orders - re-read the information given to you about post-op eating and follow it to the tee. You may have escaped a problem this time, but don't tempt fate.

It's important to let your body heal and also to prepare your mind for the change in your eating habits that must now become part of your life.

Don't let the stomach upset tempt you into eating off your plan again - call the doc's office and ask them what you should do. maybe an antacid would help, or they might have another suggestion.

Please take care of yourself - often, how we start is how we will continue.