Have some post op questions

LeeInDe. · February 19, 2007

I have been reading some posts, and have a few questions that I have not seen any answers to.

1. Clear liquids for four days, then full liquids. Why clears for four days, then full? I can understand a day or two of clears, but what really is the difference as far as healing time?

2. I read that not following the diet can cause band slippage, and erosion. How? I can see that a full diet may cause slippage, but how can full liquids do that?

And erosion? How could that occur? The food is not hitting the band itself, so how could it erode?

3. Why also does it take so long to to advance to the modified diet that you will be on for life? It seems that as a "foodaholic", many weeks of eating liquids only may be very hard to do.

This may sound dumb, but I am not getting it. If anyone has any insight to this, please let me know!

LapBandit · February 19, 2007

I am not a doctor, but this is what I understand about the questions you've asked....

I have been reading some posts, and have a few questions that I have not seen any answers to.
1. Clear liquids for four days, then full liquids. Why clears for four days, then full? I can understand a day or two of clears, but what really is the difference as far as healing time?

Each surgeon has different plans they ask their patients to follow. Mine was very similar to yours. The reason is to allow your stomach the time it needs to heal. It is swollen right now and needs time to heal before you start making it work too hard.

2. I read that not following the diet can cause band slippage, and erosion. How? I can see that a full diet may cause slippage, but how can full liquids do that?

And erosion? How could that occur? The food is not hitting the band itself, so how could it erode?

Slipping and erosion can occur from consistently having too much food in the pouch. Immediately post-op your stomach is already swollen so it probably won't take much to stress it. Erosion isn't about the band itself erroding, it has to do with the stomach wall eroding from the pressure of the band. Again, if you eat too much and put too much pressure around the band it can cause friction which might make the stomach wall erode.

3. Why also does it take so long to to advance to the modified diet that you will be on for life? It seems that as a "foodaholic", many weeks of eating liquids only may be very hard to do.

You should discuss your post-op diet with your surgeon. Did someone tell you that you had to do liquids for several weeks? I was allowed to advance to semi-soft then regular food within the first two weeks.

This may sound dumb, but I am not getting it. If anyone has any insight to this, please let me know!

You will make it through this, we all did and are none the worse for it. No, it's not enjoyable right now but you're getting yourself prepped for your new lifestyle. Use this time to adjust to seeing food in a different light. For example, I used to live to eat-now, I eat to live. I've developed a whole new attitude to food and what it does for my body.

You'll get there, I know you will! Happy Healing!

waterlily1072 · February 19, 2007

I ditto what LapBandit said and would like to add one thing. Everyones natural restriction from the band unfilled is different, some have a lot of restriction right off add swelling to that and they might not be able to get anything but Clear Liquids down. Clear liquids are not as thick as full liquids. I know when I am really tight in the mornings I notice a big difference between my morning glass of Water and my protien shake. Surgeons each have their own way of handling the post-op diet but if you are hungry, talk to him he may advance you quicker once he sees where you are at restriction wise. Good luck and congrats on being banded

Oh and as for erosion, I was told that most erosions take place because the flap of stomach that is brought up over the band and stiched in place to secure the band is too tight over the band.

LeeInDe. · February 19, 2007

Thank you so much for the great answers! That sure does make a lot more sense than I have been making of it.

Maybe with that inspiration, I will too be able to make it. Seems as though I may be making some valuable friends!

DebLPN · February 20, 2007

Dee,

I was banded on Jan 29, 2007 and and almost ready to start the pureed diet, per my physician's guidelines. Honestly,,I simply gave up the need to question why and what for and just do as he says. It eliminates alot of worry and stress for me to follow what the outline states what I'm supposed to consume daily. The insane cravings and crazy thinking seems to have evaporated and I'm left with a sense of determination to "do as I'm told". Maybe part of it is because I am a self pay, partly because I'm 52 years young and just got tired of trying to do things my way. Obviously, my way was not working and the band was my salvation. Hang in there,,you've got so much support here,,we can all learn from those gone before us, those gracious enough to share their journey so we newbies may have it a bit easier.

Banded 012907

Dr Ken Cleveland

CMMC Medical Center-Jackson, MS

Presurg Wt: 330 lbs BMI 60

Wt today: 305 lbs

SJB · February 20, 2007

Hi Deb-

I just noticed that you were from MS, too. Sounds like things are going well for you! I have my first appt with Dr. King in Oxford on March 13. I hope I do as well as you have done!:clap2:

Kat817 · February 20, 2007

When they did your surgery they pulled the lower stomach section up, and stitched it over the band to hold the band in place. Now they want your stomach not to attempt to process any food for several days---which is the time for clear liquids. When your stomach senses something in it needing digested it makes a kneading motion, which puts undue stress on the stitches that they put in place to hold the lower stomach over the band. Next they will progress you to full liquids, which will continue to pass through the band without much digestion, but liquids only---so that it DOES pass quickly, and not have excess weight sitting in the pouch/stomach. Then you will progress to mushies, so that it begins working, but will be working on soft foods, easy to digest, so that you do not irritate the stomach into swelling. Some people find it hard to make that change, and will need to go back to liquids for a few more days...let your stomach be your guide. Giving it proper time to heal is imperitive! Not an option to up the schedule without discussing with your Dr.

Another part of the forced liquid diet, is elimination of cravings of some foods----not eating carbs will greatly reduce the craving of carbs.....the more you eat of them, the more of them you want. If you follow the directed diet, you will find eating healthy much easier---your body adapts to being without the things you now think you want.

Good Luck---hang in there----

Kat

LeeInDe. · February 20, 2007

All of that makes much more sense than what I had learned so far. Thanks so much for your help, I was so afraid I would not be able to figure it out. I find if I understand it, I am more able to follow the rules!