I had my band placement surgery on Monday 9/30, two weeks ago tomorrow. I am on liquid diet of Protein shakes, protein shots, puréed low fat Soups, low sodium V8 juice and lots of Water. The most substantial foods I am currently eating are cottage cheese and cream of wheat. I have two more weeks of this diet. It it difficult for me I am craving other good foods all the time and try to stave off the cravings with sugar free Jello, sf pudding and/ or sf Popsicles or any of the foods listed above. I have lost almost 30 lbs since starting my pre surgery diet and about 20 lbs since surgery. I love that part of it and I can have very strong will power to see the liquid diet through for two more weeks, then in a month I go for my first band fill.

What I hope to get an idea of from all of you in this forum, that have already provided so much information to me in this process, is what to expect with my hunger levels after I get my band filled? Will I be full and still crave food? At what point does the brain catch up with the band and stop filling me with hunger anxiety?

Oh yeah I also need to mention that I am an Executive Chef at a private club with casual and fine dining cuisine. That really does not help with my food anxiety either.

I got to my week post op appointment tomorrow so ill be able to start full liquids. I'm not really craving anything but feel hunger so badly it hurts ... I'm sure it's not gas the gas feels different. Anyway i don't know how I'm going to get thru another 2 weeks of liquids even if they are fuller in consistency! Ugh any suggestions??

I have been recommended to be on full liquid for 30 days by my surgeon. I have a little less then 2 weeks left. I have been eating yogurt, cream of wheat, cottage cheese, purée soups, protein drinks, crystal light, & lots of water. Couple of recommendations that have been helping me out because the urge to eat something substantial gets intense.

Blend cottage cheese in food processor with seasoning salt, pepper and dried dill, better then it sounds. There is a line of canned soups called Annie's and there are several low fat ones. I have been heating them up and blending them with the blender, very satisfying.

Good luck!

I got to my week post op appointment tomorrow so ill be able to start full liquids. I'm not really craving anything but feel hunger so badly it hurts ... I'm sure it's not gas the gas feels different. Anyway i don't know how I'm going to get thru another 2 weeks of liquids even if they are fuller in consistency! Ugh any suggestions??

I found those first 2 weeks to be the worst. I know what you mean about feeling the hurt of hunger. For me it came in waves. It's been 3 years, now, so I don't quite remember what I did that helped.

I'ts a good idea to look a list of what is considered full liquids.

I do remember at some point going to my favorite Thai food restaurant to get a take out order of Panang Curry, no rice. I took it home and put it in the blender and made it a soup! I learned how to make my own so it wasn't so expensive. I also learned to make asian tapioca, which is served hot --- feels good on the tummy.

I love a baked yam blended in a blender with a little melted butter and salt. Kind of a yam soup.

Not everyone can eat the same, though, so kind of listen to your body.

That was one thing I learned being banded: I'd go shopping and would listen very closely to my body about what it wanted. I would reach for something to put in my basket and my body would react with a yes or a no. And often it was yes one day and no the next, to the very same item!!

If you like massages, go get one. You can lay on your side and on your back.

You could get a pedicure! oh, a hot wax treament would feel really good, too!

Get your hair done!

New shoes!!! You'll be going for lots of walks, I assume, so new shoes is a must!!

Just be creative and have as much fun as you can as you recover. And keep your sense of humor!

~hiddn

I was banded on Sept 26 and was doing ok up until yesterday. I was very swollen after surgery, so my band was immediatley effective. Now that swelling has gone down I am hungry all the time! I will be 3 weeks post op tomorrow and on soft foods now. I feel your pain!

I found those first 2 weeks to be the worst. I know what you mean about feeling the hurt of hunger. For me it came in waves. It's been 3 years, now, so I don't quite remember what I did that helped.

I'ts a good idea to look a list of what is considered full liquids.

I do remember at some point going to my favorite Thai food restaurant to get a take out order of Panang Curry, no rice. I took it home and put it in the blender and made it a soup! I learned how to make my own so it wasn't so expensive. I also learned to make asian tapioca, which is served hot --- feels good on the tummy.

I love a baked yam blended in a blender with a little melted butter and salt. Kind of a yam soup.

Not everyone can eat the same, though, so kind of listen to your body.

That was one thing I learned being banded: I'd go shopping and would listen very closely to my body about what it wanted. I would reach for something to put in my basket and my body would react with a yes or a no. And often it was yes one day and no the next, to the very same item!!

If you like massages, go get one. You can lay on your side and on your back.

You could get a pedicure! oh, a hot wax treament would feel really good, too!

Get your hair done!

New shoes!!! You'll be going for lots of walks, I assume, so new shoes is a must!!

Just be creative and have as much fun as you can as you recover. And keep your sense of humor!

~hiddn

thank you those are good suggestions. i think being on fuller liquids and some yogurt and pudding has helped already!! I love Thai food so might have to try those!