I was banded on 3/3/11 it's been 1 week and 3 days. I have started the mushy diet after the strict liquid but I have no restriction and can eat everything just as i could pre op. Is this how it's supposed to feel until the first fill?

I find myself constantly hungry and it's driving me nuts. I am trying not to eat too much as I don't want to cause any damage. Please Advise in desperate need of some answers.

Thanks

Cara

You probably won't feel restriction for a few fills. Hang in there and stick to your post-op diet!

You probably won't feel restriction for a few fills. Hang in there and stick to your post-op diet!

Thank You

My doctor put me in an inclusive two week liquid diet. Then at week 3 all food is mushy. By week six the band is tightened and the regular food begins. You should talk to your doctor to see if he can refer you with a nutrionist. Remember we are not only fight against hunger, but mainly food addiction.

I was banded on 3/3/11 it's been 1 week and 3 days. I have started the mushy diet after the strict liquid but I have no restriction and can eat everything just as i could pre op. Is this how it's supposed to feel until the first fill?

I find myself constantly hungry and it's driving me nuts. I am trying not to eat too much as I don't want to cause any damage. Please Advise in desperate need of some answers.

Thanks

Cara

My doctor put me in an inclusive two week liquid diet. Then at week 3 all food is mushy. By week six the band is tightened and the regular food begins. You should talk to your doctor to see if he can refer you with a nutrionist. Remember we are not only fight against hunger, but mainly food addiction.

Thank you soo much Claudia,

I will talk to my doctor. I was put on 6 day liquid and mushy for a week after that. I just started the mushy foods and I can tolerate basically all the Proteins I've had fish, whipped potatoes, eggs. Now I find myself just having this constant hunger and like you said. I am a food addict and I weighed today and 'veI gained 1 1/2 pounds since starting the mushy diet. I'm a bit discouraged. I have been walking for 2 miles everyday and just resumed my dance class, but i'm still taking it slow. Just surprised that I actually gained and didn't lose : (

I'm 3 weeks out, and I felt the same way. You won't feel real restriction until you get your first fill, so don't feel bad about that. I also gained 3lbs the second week, but dropped 5 the next week, so I think it's somewhat normal to gain weight when introducing mushies, but it will even out and you'll drop more in the end. When eating mushies, do your best to stick to what your doctor recommends, and stick with low or no sugar/ low or no fat etc. My doctor also told me to beware of stretching the pouch too early, so even though we're super hungry, eat less at a time, but more frequently, and that should help. I graze all day long, but try to keep my portions to under 4oz at a time until I get my fill, and I'm still losing, so that's good.

I'm 3 weeks out, and I felt the same way. You won't feel real restriction until you get your first fill, so don't feel bad about that. I also gained 3lbs the second week, but dropped 5 the next week, so I think it's somewhat normal to gain weight when introducing mushies, but it will even out and you'll drop more in the end. When eating mushies, do your best to stick to what your doctor recommends, and stick with low or no sugar/ low or no fat etc. My doctor also told me to beware of stretching the pouch too early, so even though we're super hungry, eat less at a time, but more frequently, and that should help. I graze all day long, but try to keep my portions to under 4oz at a time until I get my fill, and I'm still losing, so that's good.

Thanks Lizzy,

I will definitely take that into consideration. I have my two week post op visit coming up so I am going to address these issues with the Dr. I will also follow your advice of keeping it to 4oz at a time. The post op diet I was given suggested 6 to 8 oz.. I wait 1 hour before drinking any liquids after eating. It's a struggle but I'm determine to have the lap band work for me. All the comments and replies has really helped me and gave me encouragement. So I just want to Thank each and every one of you again for the support : )

Hi Cara,

Normally I wouldn't suggest this since you are just recently banded but have you considered counting calories and food journaling? I ask because it sounds like you are exercising already and with a gain, I just wonder what range of calories you might be taking in.

I was on 1/4 cup of food for six weeks after surgery then told to increase to 1/3 cup for two weeks then 1/2 cup after that. I don't have any fill in my band yet but I'm not sure I need it. My next appointment is in early May so I might consider it then depending on how I'm doing. Sure, I get hungry but no matter what I stick to my surgeon's guidelines. I am waiting for the other shoe to fall and to experience the intense hunger that I read about.

Bottom line here though - the first six weeks or so are for healing. That being said, most of us want to lose weight during that time and usually do. I found that food journaling helped me a lot - for example, when I saw that I had only taken in 500 calories but gained .2 on the scale then I realized it wasn't my fault for overeating (as it had been in the past). It helped me realize that sometimes other factors that are uncontrollable get in the way.

Don't worry if it doesn't happen right away. It will happen.

Also, Cara, since you identify as a food addict - have you considering attending Food Addicts Anonymous meetings? They have online meetings and local meetings (depending on where you live). Check out: http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/

Do you best to stick to your surgeon's plan. You'll do great.

Hi Cara,

Normally I wouldn't suggest this since you are just recently banded but have you considered counting calories and food journaling? I ask because it sounds like you are exercising already and with a gain, I just wonder what range of calories you might be taking in.

I was on 1/4 cup of food for six weeks after surgery then told to increase to 1/3 cup for two weeks then 1/2 cup after that. I don't have any fill in my band yet but I'm not sure I need it. My next appointment is in early May so I might consider it then depending on how I'm doing. Sure, I get hungry but no matter what I stick to my surgeon's guidelines. I am waiting for the other shoe to fall and to experience the intense hunger that I read about.

Bottom line here though - the first six weeks or so are for healing. That being said, most of us want to lose weight during that time and usually do. I found that food journaling helped me a lot - for example, when I saw that I had only taken in 500 calories but gained .2 on the scale then I realized it wasn't my fault for overeating (as it had been in the past). It helped me realize that sometimes other factors that are uncontrollable get in the way.

Don't worry if it doesn't happen right away. It will happen.

Also, Cara, since you identify as a food addict - have you considering attending Food Addicts Anonymous meetings? They have online meetings and local meetings (depending on where you live). Check out: http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/

Do you best to stick to your surgeon's plan. You'll do great.

Checkyes I want to truly tthank you for your advice and words of encouragement. I have been counting my calories and I journal. I was given a diet with no limit it just said what I could have the first day post op and 1 week post op to start mushies. Another member told me I should do 4oz at a time and I started doing that yesterday I increased my exercise to 1 hour of aerobics and have not returned to my weight training yet because I was told not to lift anything over 10 pounds. I weighed this morning and I'm up a half a pound. I decided I am not going to weigh myself again until I go to my 2 week post op later this week. I am going to attend foodaddictanonymous and thanks again. Other banders like yourself are truly helping me get through this rough time.