I was banded on 4/14/11... so far, 1 week and 1 day later I've lost 15lbs (23lbs from my visit in Feb with my surgeon). A couple things have happened that I'm not sure are normal or if I should bring them up on my post op appointment next Wednesday.

First, (and sorry to be blunt) but I haven't passed a bowel movement since the Tuesday before my surgery... so we're talking 10 days. I don't have pain or discomfort, but I'm not sure if that's normal.

Also, I should be drinking my Slim Fast 4x per day, 2oz per serving. The last few days I've had only 1 or 2 servings, and today I couldn't even finish 2oz. Not sure if I'm just getting sick of the liquid diet and my brain is playing tricks on me, but I feel fine... not hungry or anything. Should I continue drinking them regardless to get my protein in? I'm PETRIFIED of throwing up so I just listen to my stomach and don't take any more. CANNOT wait for the liquid diet part to be over with... this has to be the most challenging thing I've ever experienced and my mind is craving so much, so it's quite the battle!!!

The bowel movement thing is normal since you're not taking in solids. I took a dose of liquid Maalox and it fixed the problem, other people take Fiber often.

Are you having any other source of Protein other than SlimFast? You need to do your best to get in your protein every day (my surgeon says 60g/ daily) so you can heal well.

Hi Becky,

As Im sure you have read from this forum, everyone gets different rules from their surgeon. My band was done on Apr. 12th and I only had to do liquids for 5 days, then I could start "mushies." As of today, I eat creamy Soup, and had some avacado in it the other day, I have also had oatmeal, and cream of wheat. As well as my Protein shakes (slim fast). Today I had scrambled eggs for lunch. While you are still doing the liquid diet it is TOTALLY normal not to have a bowel movement. Nothing solid going in, nothing solid going out, especially if you did a liquid diet pre op. I have to say, that I seemed to be less hungry on the shakes, than I am now on mushies. I dont know what to say about how little you are consuming, but I think you should bring it up with your doctor at the next visit, just so you dont start having nutrient defencies. We dont want any hair loss, or breakable nails.

Good luck with your weight loss!

Thanks for the replies! My doctor didn't have me do a preop diet, but I tried to begin eliminating things in the meantime so it wouldn't be such a big deal (like soda). I tried sugar free jello last night and it was amazing how delicious it tasted to me!!!

Hi Becky,

I was banded on April 13th. I have been experiencing everything that you are experiencing. I didn't make a BM until yesterday. I called my Dr. and they told me to take a laxative. The only thing is I had a hard time making a BM where I had to kind of strain a little to get it out. I was miserable. Needless to say, I felt much more comfortable and relieved when i was done. I too was and is still on only liquids. I start mushies next thursday.

Up until Thursday I was unable to drink all of my shakes as well. I just drank a little here and there. The funny part is that I was making sure I got my Water in and still I ended up constipated. It's Crazy! LOL!

But hang in there, you will be drinking whole shakes soon as well as having BM's.

P.S. I am also sick of the shakes now. LOL!

I agree slim fast does not have enough protein. Event the one has has more protein than the original. Premier brand ready to drink from Costco is very good and has a more appropriate amount of protein. At day nine I was allowed to have full liquids which included tomato soup are you having "smooth soup" yet? I think that will help with your issue. Also I buy flavorless benefiber and added it to everything during that period.