Hi Everyone!

My boyfriend was banded November 20, 2006. The first day he had clear liquids and kept them down with no problems. The second day, he wanted to graduate to full liquids. No prolbems there either. In fact, the fluids went right through him. Now, one week post op, he is eating regular foods and just as much as he was before the surgery. Has anyone done this? I'm just confused because his Dr. said that he should only be able to eat five ounces of food. He says he doesn't even feel like he had the surgery. He obviously hasn't had a fill yet, and can't have his first one for at least four weeks. I'm afraid he will gain his weight back. :think

I've read this over and over on here. Most people's stomach swelling goes down quick after surgery allowing them to eat. The greatest thing about my two week pre op liquid diet is I could eat as much but my stomach shrunk and I can't and won't. But yes I've read over and over until the fill you can eat regular. Remember, the band is in off position currently. Doesn't work properly until filled. I've read many people gain weight between the pre op weight and the first fill because of exactly this. I'm a little unclear what expectations a surgeon has...I mean you've overate all your life it isn't suddenly going to go totally away. Give him time..once he gets filled I'm sure he'll adjust better to the restriction with less eating and the band will do it's job. Good luck.

Thank You Grace! I figured the same thing as you just stated. He can't have a fill for three weeks. I called his Dr. today. She said that same thing too. Thanks again for your feedback!!

Did the Dr. ok his eating actual food this early? It seems awful soon, like there wasn't much healing time. But as long as he is following his own Dr.'s recommendations---she knows better than I do!!!

I didn't have much restriction even with my first fill, but the 2nd did the job!!!

Kat

Regular foods one week post-op sounds like an area of concern to me. Is this what the surgeon indicated he should be doing, or is this something he's doing on his own? Most surgeons have a careful post-op diet where different stages of foods are gradually re-introduced - liquids, thick liquids, mushies, soft solids, etc. This normally happens over the span of at least a few weeks.

Just having the band in place, for most people, makes no difference. Restriction is required to satiate the appetite, and restriction normally doesn't occur without fills.

He may gain the weight back. Lots of people do. Don't be afraid he's going to, just support him if he does.

Yes, he needs a fill. The band doesn't work without a fill. He may need several before he has true restriction. Good luck.

Oh please tell him not to do that.

Im worried for him. I have been on this forum long enough to know that I've never heard of any surgeon okaying reg. food for at least one month. He can put all of this stress on his stomach and thus rip out his stitches. He can risk losing his band. Please try to talk him into at least mushies for now. Good luck.

I was told 12 week's sloppys post band, And i stuck to that and still didnt get my first fill untill 18 weeks post op.

Just because he can eat normal food so early does not mean he should and i am talking from experience i am almost two years post op i know how hard it can be. But he is trying to run before he can walk he should at leat try and stick to the instructed diet at this early stage.

While he feels he can eat the regular food he may be doing the band damage and im sure he does not want that. A week is no time to be honest and its not normal to have a fill just yet and he has to try his best to get by untill he is ready.

The band really can be a walk in the park for some people the actual operation i mean. i know it was for me i was out of bed and dressed in a couple of hours. But all sorts are happening inside and that takes a little longer to sort out. Unfortunatly will power and god given streth will have to get him by untill then. And even after his first fill he may not get the restriction he wants or needs. Its triel and error im afriad,

It sounds VERY early for eating regular food. The band is healing and scarring in place. Any torque at this point can lead to slippage. I would have him call his surgeon's office and get more instruction.

Shawn

I will second everyone's concern here. I was on clear liquids for a week post op and full liquids for 5 additional weeks. I know every doctor is different, but I have not heard of any Doctors being ok with a regular diet a week out. From my understanding and reading post on here and other boards, the band needs time to heal and secure in place even if you can physically eat ok.