11 days out - stomach doesn't feel restricted

[frisky 0]

I just found this forum today and thought it would be a good idea to connect to some fellow sleevers. Looking at the posts, everyone here really seems to offer great encouragement in their responses - thank you!

Quick background - I had lap band surgery in 2007 and quickly lost about 70 lbs over 6 or 7 months. Then I started having trouble keeping my band adjusted without having lots of reflux issues. I had to keep my band less full and slowly gained back about 50 lbs - I was so disappointed! My doc discussed the sleeve as an alternative, so last Monday I went in to have my band removed and the sleeve procedure done. My recovery has been very fast!

Already at 11 days out, I've craved non-mushy stuff and have to admit to having a few doritos to satisfy my crunchy craving. I'm totally sick of soups! Yesterday, I dared to try a quarter of a BLT sandwich - it was sooooo good.

Having had the restrictions on food size with my band, I find the sleeve so far to be much less restrictive. My stomach doesn't seem to be adversely affected by these non-mushy items, but I'm afraid I will do something to damage it if I eat the wrong things. Was anyone else able to move so quickly to more solid items? I do fill up pretty quick, but also get hungry - my stomach actually growls! Any thoughts or advice?

[LAN2k 18]

Welcome to this message board. I only have had the sleeve. Perhaps because you have had the lapband the restriction between the sleeve and band may feel different. Many others here who have had band to sleeve revision surgery can offer you their advise I'm sure. At 11 days out however I would be somewhat cautious of the solid food, if only to ensure that the staple line heals completely. Congrats to you and your surgeon for making a wise decision. After all is said and done I think you will see lasting results and be glad of your revision. Best wishes.

[ouroborous 519]

First, STOP. Eat ONLY what your doctor clears you to eat. You will NOT be happy if you stretch or damage your sleeve just to have a Freeto!

Second, if you're having hunger and growling, it might be false hunger due to acid. Make sure your doc has you on an appropriate dose of acid blocker.

Finally, make sure that you follow the sleeve guidelines: no beverages with your meals, chew, chew, chew, Protein first, then veggies, then carbs -- etc.

[goodlife 3]

You absolutely CAN damage your very new sleeve which is trying to heal by eating those solid foods!

Don't risk it! It's not worth it!

[cwalker 12]

I agree the prevacid works for me, it curbs the hunger feeling. Try it and don't risk a visit to ICU. Carla

[Boredoncemore 0]

Sometimes you just have to bunkle down and make the RIGHT choice. None of these surgeries are a quick fix, you have to make some choices. EVERY WLS it is possible to sabbatoge--STOP IT. Let the tool work, cravings happen to all of us, and you are strong enough to overcome them!

I had a nonadjustable band, lost 200 lbs, it messed up, had to remove it--gained 200 lbs. Now I'm working with my sleeve to loose the 200 yet again...my mother had the adjustable sleeve and has gained 100 lbs in the last 5 years---it come down to choices and your willingness to deny yourself. Mother can eat an entire baG of doritos around her sleeve, I can put away ALOT cheez-its if I ALLOW myself too...(chips hurt me) but cheez-its are LOVELY...so what do I do now? limit myself to 100 calorie packs of cheez -its ONCE A WEEK! WAGE WAR ON THOSE DORITOS--and definately stick with softer foods a little longer!

[lmmore 0]

LISTEN TO EVERYONE! Your stomach is healing right now....this is a very different procedure than you had before. Tiffykins had a revision from lapband to sleeve, and she can explain in detail what she went through. You have a great opportunity here with this tool. Don't sabotage it.

[frisky 0]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. On Friday, I threw away all the chips and junk in our pantry including a full bag of doritos! I am being careful now about taking it slow, but introducing some solids that mush easily seems to be okay. I'm actually sitting in the Dr.'s office now for my 2 week follow up and will discuss my eating. For those of you who didn't have a lap band, this is a different and much better feeling post op. The reflux problems I had are significantly reduced, and so far I feel MUCH better! My capacity seems to be around 8 oz of food before I feel full. I haven't stuffed myself, and am so happy to get a nice full feeling on a small amount of food. At that capacity, I'm sure I could cheat with high cal drinks and foods, but I'm happy making healthy choices. This just feels like something that will make eating better for the long haul.

[Tiffykins 672]

I had the band as well, but had and still have tons of restriction. I would have to guess that the reason you don't really have what we recognize as restriction is because that your nerves in your stomach have been cut, and you aren't getting a full sensation. I can barely eat 1/2 of a sandwich at 11 months out, but that doesn't mean that something is wrong with your sleeve.

I agree with everyone else, the risk of leak during this time is very high. Eating food that is not on your surgeon's plan can lodge in the staple line, and cause future problems. It's tough to stick to the post-op diet since it's so much more strict than the band post-op diet, but it's definitely for the best, and for our protection.

Good job on getting rid of the junk. Try to stick with the guidelines just a little while longer, and then you'll be able to have a better variety of foods in a few weeks.

[lmmore 0]

Tiff brings up a real good point. I didn't realize you were eating so much. 3-4 oz is what you are supposed to have max each meal. If you are putting more in there, like twice as much, that could be a real strain on your newly stapled stomach. Mention that to your doctor, I would be curious as to what his opinion is. Good luck.