Major Restriction: A blessing or curse?

mypov · December 23, 2006

Did anyone else experience feeling majorly restricted in the very beginning? I'm 5 days out and still sipping away on the Clear liquids. Tomorrow I'm supposed to go to full liquids but honestly I'm not sure how I'm going to get anything worthwhile down. My surgeon did not put any fill in on surgery day, so maybe I am just really swollen? Warm liquids go down slightly better than cool, and I'm losing weight, but I'm pretty sure its Water weight since I'm having such a hard time with the liquids. Each sip just feels like it takes 10 minutes to go through and I feel lots of pressure in my chest if I take too big of a sip.

Any thoughts??

ladysplenda · December 23, 2006

Both but take advantage of it while you can. I have learned papaya extract from Walmart helps with the spitting up.

sweethot143 · December 23, 2006

i totally feel you. we are banded the same day. I am having similiar problems, but not quite as bad. keep me posted on what helps for you. i can use whatever advice i can get

Irish Girl · December 23, 2006

I was really restricted for about a week and a half. It is because your stomach is swollen from the trauma of surgery. As time progresses, the swelling will go down.

My problem was that I quit trying to get anything down. That was really bad for me because I ended up dehydrated which led to kidney stones a month later. So keep sipping what you can even though it takes a bit to go down. It gets better. Good luck and I look forward to seeing your progress.

Jachut · December 23, 2006

I wasnt as restricted as you sound, which hopefully will ease off for you, but I had major restriction for about 9 weeks after my surgery, past my first fill. It was a blessing, I went with it with everything I had, I lost 15kg in that time and it was my most steady, fastest weight loss. I couldnt imagine how anyone could NOT lose in the after surgery period but I know that not everybody has the same experience. I experienced NO hunger and major satisfaction for hours from a cup of thick Soup.

Its ironic because I have never had "good" restriction since but I've had enough to work with. I've never PB'd and I can eat anything, which is pretty unusual for having 3 ml in a 4ml band. Its there, so I know I'm not slipped but I "should" have more restriction than I do, I just seem to be particularly resistant to fills, lol.

Its easy early on if you have that good restriction because you have the huge motivation and excitement for your new journey that does wane over time, so you can stick with your program and you also have the fear of trying to push things too far as you havent gotten comfortable with your band yet.

Use it while you can, unfortunately for most people it doesnt last, but you do settle into a slower pattern which over time is just as effective.

losingjusme · December 23, 2006

hi,

i was quite restricted like you in the beginning.

remember to SIP SIP SIP your Water. dont take big gulps. you should take about 1/2 hour for about 4 ounces.

warm liquids are easier than cold. cold still makes me tighter.

your stomach is healing and still quite swollen now. take it easy, baby your tummy.

congrats on being banded.

transformer · January 1, 2007

You might find that the swelling starts going down at about Day 9 post-op or so, which by my calculations means TODAY for you!

Hope you start feeling better!

Iluvharleys · January 1, 2007

Just sip things slowly and you will be fine. It takes a while to get back to normal. Warm things usually went down better for me, a cup of hot tea is good.

juliegeraci · January 1, 2007

Keep sipping those warm liquids. You're restriction will loosen in time. Good luck.

Poodles · January 1, 2007

If you are not on pain meds, try a little liquid tylenol. That helped me. I loved the feeling right after surgery. I was not hungry, and 1/2 ounce would fill me up. Wish I still felt that way!!

Good luck!