I was banded 1 week ago today and the doctor said to be on liquids for 1 week, then soft foods on the 2nd week, then solids on the 3rd week. Well, I haven't been following the liquid phase because I'm still so hungry. I went straight to solids last night (only 6 days with the bad) by eating chicken and rice last night. My stomache didn't hurt or anything, just some gas. I didn't eat very much and I chewed it up really good. Do you all think it's ok to eat what I want as long as I don't over-do it and chew good? I just can't do that liquid diet & my stomach is tolerating solids already. I would love to hear some comments.

Originally posted by sarellano

I was banded 1 week ago today and the doctor said to be on liquids for 1 week, then soft foods on the 2nd week, then solids on the 3rd week. Well, I haven't been following the liquid phase because I'm still so hungry. I went straight to solids last night (only 6 days with the bad) by eating chicken and rice last night. My stomache didn't hurt or anything, just some gas. I didn't eat very much and I chewed it up really good. Do you all think it's ok to eat what I want as long as I don't over-do it and chew good? I just can't do that liquid diet & my stomach is tolerating solids already. I would love to hear some comments.

I think--you DID ask for comments, right?--that you have limited understanding of the band and how it works. The point is not to see how much you can cram in there post-op, the point is to allow the band to heal in the right position. If it heals in the wrong position, you could have plenty of problems later on.

The band is a TOOL, not a cure. If you use the tool incorrectly, it may not work the way you thought it would. If your surgeon did not go over these things with you pre-op, you need to read all about it right now. And, we were ALL hungry post-op, and we ALL had trouble during the liquid stage. But we have to change, or die from morbid obesity.

Sue

Ditto on what Sue said.

This is not about feeling guilty or controlled - this is about giving yourself the very best chance to succeed.

I find it interesting that you would value our opinions about what is safe for you to eat more than what your very own doctor told you... :cry I would think about that for a minute...

Your doc's eating schedule is quite a bit more aggressive than most as it is. I was on "clear" liquids for 2 weeks, "full" liquids for a week, then mushies a week, then regular food.

There are no guarantees that any of us will escape problems, following our doc's advice or not. But... you have to ask yourself how important it is to you to do what is in your control to give you the best chances of success possible.

No one can make you follow your doc's orders except yourself. So if you choose to not follow his advice, that is certainly your decision - the outcome is your responsibility, and you must do as you see fit.

Compliance is something we all struggle with at one time or another, with varying degrees of success. You certainly are not the only one who has been unable to follow the post-op diet. How this one incident will or will not affect you in the future is impossible for any of us to say - I don't have any stats to provide, or even any good anecdotal-type info to provide.

Drinking hot fluids like broth and boullion can help stave off the hungries. Drink as much Water as you can.

Good luck!