Good Evening! I am going to be banded on 12/28. My fiance and I have been discussing what kinds of things to buy for the next couple of weeks. Any suggestions? Do you drink only a shot glass size of Water? How did you learn to sip? These questions may sound odd but they are constantly going through my mind.

Thank you in advance!

Since about day 2 I've had absolutely no trouble drinking Water normally.

You definitely need a blender if you dont already have one. And lots of small containers.

I was drinking normally pretty soon after surgery. I just used a regular Water glass and sometimes a straw, for the cold stuff. For hot, I used a regular Soup bowl or coffee mug. Unless you've got extreme swelling, liquid goes right through the band. You should be able to "drink" a normal serving of soup, juice or Protein drink -- no need to be limiting to a shotglass full. [if they are telling you that at your surgery center, then I suspect they are primarily used to working with gastric bypass patients, not bandsters.]

Don't "overstock" on liquids, as the phase goes by really fast and then you need to avoid liquid calories after that.

For the first couple of days, all I wanted was chicken broth. After that, I tried to have caloric liquids at "mealtimes" and non-caloric the rest of the time, so I didn't end up consuming too many calories.

Good luck on your surgery!!

I did loads of broth and I didn't worry about calories at all, I was told it was a time for healing not weightloss. I was on liquids a short time and then moved to "whole liquids" aka cream Soups and then on to blended foods ( I pureed wendy's chili and ate several meals out of one small chili), then mushies (I did mashed veggies, guac, refried Beans with some whole beans in there and soft cheeses I included finely groud beef and turkey in this phase) You should get a list of the diet that the doctor wants you to follow. I would call and see if they can e-mail it to you so you can shop before surgery. I have a list of pre-op shopping items:

lab-band shopping list

heating pad

flexible ice pack

liquid tylenol (they make adult strength)

chewable or liquid gas-x

a few books or movies

comfy clothes (loose waisted shorts or jumpers)

squishy pillow for car ride (guard against seatbelt)

a sports bra (doc said no underwire for a few days)

protien shakes

flavored Water

make sure you have a good blender

I bought a drink mixer for the protien mix (cost $10 at walmart)

broth or stuff to make broth

sugarfree popsicles and Jello

sugar free gum (ask your doctor)

sugar free breathmints (ask your doctor)

*Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home, our walgreens has to order liquid pain meds and it takes 3 days to get them.

i was on full liquids rught away and i was fine... i just want to say that someone mentioned using a straw and i was told absolutly no straws because they cause gas and we all no we dont need added gas after surgery!!!!

I was also told no straws. A good way to make sure you are drinking slowly is to use a medicine cup. I was told a medicine cup every 10 -15 mins was a good way to pace myself the first day or so, but I was able to take regular drinks by the end of the 2nd day. I had a complication and had to spend the night at the hospital, so I was on an IV for the fisrt 30 hours after surgery. I was also not allowed anything by mouth for 12 hours because I was not able to have the Barium swallow right away. As soon as I was able to have liquids I had about 10 oz of chicken broth and it didn;t hurt at all. ~Mandy

Everyone gave you some good advice...when you are told how long you need to have liquids, it seems like forever, but it does go by fairly quickly. I've had two fills; I can still eat a moderate, decent meal. Jack is right; listen to YOUR band. It will tell you what is right. If you overdo it, you will know right away!

Keep reading, and good luck! Cindy

Wylers chicken broth cubes with herbs and spices.

fruit 2 0

Good stuff

Four weeks out no fill and all I can eat is about 8 oz and im full.

Drink your water. I got a kidney infection this week.

I was banded on 12/14 and I am only supposed to be on protien shakes, but I have been eating everything I would if I was on phase 3 diet. I dont get full quick either. Everyone is diffrent. I go back to the Dr. on 1/3/06 hopefully he can help with my hunger!

Hi all,

still experimenting...Bekah

Sugar Free Pudding is the BEST!!! I still have that for breakfast sometimes because my band doesn't allow me to have solids until after lunch!

I was banded 11/08/05 and still NO fill. It's still hard for me to eat. :rambo

Banded 11/08/05

11/08 286

12/19 257.4.

I eat a very small saucer full of food at each meal !!!! Hope this helps. My Dr. tells me this should be my goal. Saucer size portions 3 times a day!!!! 82 pounds down and its working!!!!!

For dinner last night I had a Pintos and cheese and the inside of a steak soft taco from Taco Bell. That is about my normal amount of food at each meal. ~Mandy

I was banded on 12/19 (can't believe it's only been a week!) and I'm still figuring my liquids out. I find that I can tolerate a lot of variety and did right away but I can't tolerate a lot of quantity. I tend to get hungry about every two hours and 1-2 cups of "liquid" fill me up fine. My doctor's post-op liquid diet is pretty restrictive and I'm not a big fan of broth so I bought some broth-based soups and have been blending them. This has helped a lot with my need for something different to eat. After about day 4 I thought I was going to kill someone if I didn't get a new texture in my mouth. Jello and protein shakes only go so far. I guess I'm really letting my band tell me what I can tolerate...

Ava,

You need to get you some sugar free chocolate popscicles !! They are yummy!!