I have noticed that for some the liquid stage is two weeks, for some 24-48 hours with mushies added in moderation. My Dr. allows applesauce and jello in the liquid phase. What kind of luck have any of you had (or no luck) with moving past clear broth, water and liquids after 48-72 hrs?

I stayed on liquids for 2 weeks and I think (for me) it was the right move. It taught me to deal with being hungry with other means than eating. It also trained me to become a Water drinker.

I never could have imagined that i could go 2 whole weeks with nothing solid. But i did it, lost 15 pounds, and have a WHOLE new persceptive on what it means to BE hungry. Been on soft food for 2 days and am truly satisfied with very small amounts.

I feel, why rush it? Surgery is a big deal to both the mind and the body - give both a time to chill out and adjust, YKWIM?

Good luck to you in your voyage.

Pam

banded 3/24/06

down 15 pounds

I did 2 weeks Clear Liquids, 1 week thick liquids, 1 week mushie and then regular food. It was hard but I think it was good for the healing process.

I had no problems moving to each stage. I was soooooo ready

I am post-op day 10 and was placed on full fluids 2 days after surgery (protein shakes, pureed soups, fat-free/sugar-free pudding and yogurt and jello, etc.). Because I am not a yogurt lover, the dietician allowed me to have ricotta cheese (lite, 4 oz, 140 cal) once a day. On week three, I move to a soft diet for 3 weeks and then onto solids on week 5.

I agree with PAM!

I don't want to compromise and risk the band by moving off clear or full liquids too early. I'm on day 5 of clear liquids. I can't say I'm lovin' it, but I am figuring out how to enjoy other things, like taking a bath, giving myself a facial and manicure, talking to my husband, cooking for my family solely for their enjoyment, walking around the block, listening to music, etc. This is something I need to learn to do, find another form of entertainment that doesn't involve food.

I also, am appreciating really being hungry (and I still have a couple more weeks to go!)

Lisa

When yall say liquids that means yall are allowed to have protein shakes and soup and stuff. My Dr. says clear liquids for 2 weeks. Like water, broth, gatorade. No protein or soup or anything. I am not really hungry but I feel horrible. So I really want to have a protein shake. I have been reading and reading, I don't see how I can do this for another week and still walk.

Actually, after 5 days on clear liquids, I felt horrible. I couldn't stand up longer than 15 minutes at a time. I thought I was just having trouble recuperating. But it was the diet. I called my nutritionist and she advised me to add yogurt on day 6. Then I added protein shakes on day 8.

Call your doctor, if you are feeling extremely weak!

Sarah my doc had me on clear liquid for two weeks, broth, crystal light, same as you. They do make a clear protein drink called IsoPure. You might want to buy a bottle just to try. Its got alot of protein and you can usually pick it up at places like GNC.

My doc had me on full liquids for four weeks. I only stayed on them for only three weeks though, and then moved to both mushies and solids early with permission from my doctor.

Here was his suggested schedule:

Liquids: four weeks

Mushies: two weeks

Then solids

Here's what I did:

Liquids: three weeks

Mushies: 1.5 weeks

Soft solids: 1.5 weeks

Then solids

My doc was totally fine with my progression.

My doc told me to porgess as I was comfortable using caution. He gave a guidline of 2wk liquid, 2wk mushie, start incorparoating solids. After my 1wk post op he said I could move to mushies if I felt ready and told me to progress slowly and cautiosly but didn't give me any real restraints from there out, so I am starting my third week and on mushies and soft solids. Not sure when I'll get up the courage to eat stuff like raw veggies, something tells me it will be a while.

Every doctor has their own guidelines based on their own patients acculmulitive experience. Seems to me with this much varience it is a very individual thing. Best advice it listen to your doc, your body, and your good sense. Do not listen to the little voice in your head that tries to rationalise eating something you know you shouldn't.

My Dr. said I would do 4 weeks of liquid, then2 weeks mushie. Everyone seems to be told something different. It makes it hard to know what to do if you don't just listen to what your Dr. said to do.:faint:

I did 4 days clear liquids and it NEARLY KILLED ME! Wayy too hungry, waaay too tired. When I went on full liquids (adding creamy soups, protien drinks) which has been for the past 2 days, everything changed. more energy, more satiated. Definitely was the right thing for me. Everyone is different though.

My doc says 1 week clear liquids, 2 of full liquids then mushies at 3 weeks. I get my first fill at 4 weeks then will progress to solids from there. I am on day 3 of clear liquids and I'm STARVING!! I have some Isopure in the fridge... think I'll give that a try right now!

I believe my doctor starts us on mushies at 2 weeks, thank goodness because I really don't think I can do much longer than that. It has been one week today and I am starving.

I was told clears for 2 days post op.

Full liquids starting with day 3

pureed foods starting week 3

Soft solids at week 4

I have had a lot of swelling so at a little over 2 weeks post I am still primarily drinking very thin soups and Protein shakes. I have experimented with 1st stage baby fruits (bananas and applesauce), if I take it slow, they go down fine.

It makes me cringe to think that some people are on more solid foods so soon after surgery, there is no way I could have done that. I got pressure in my chest just from drinking a Slim Fast!!

My doctor told me I could stay on the liquids another week if I wanted so I'm moving very slowly toward a regular diet. As much as I want to eat something normal, I'm scared to death!! But I'm doing ok this way, better than I thought I would.

I did a couple of days of clear liquids, then moved on to full liquids which included yogurt. I was supposed to stay on full liquids for 3 weeks but at week two I was so hungry I was ready to start gnawing the kitchen table. So my Dr said it was ok to progress to mushies. I did that for three weeks, gradually introducing more solid, but still soft, foods during week three.

I remember being so afraid to eat the wrong thing. I was very fearful of PBs. Not because of the pain but because I wanted to give my band plenty of time to get "seated" and for the stitches to heal. To date, I have not had a PB.