Hi, I was banded on 2/28, 6 days ago. I did the clear liquid diet for the first 4 days, but it was killing me. I had horrible gas stuck inside me all the time, I had liquid runs, I was weak, and I just felt like dying. For the past couple of days I have started the protein shakes with some mix-ins. I have done a little peanut butter, bananas, fresh strawberries, and mixed frozen berries. I feel SO much better! The gas is gone, I have normal bowel movements, I'm not hungry. The shakes with some substance have made a world of difference. I'm just scared I'm hurting myself. My surgeon's diet allows protein shakes after one week (which would be tomorrow), but no mix-ins for 2-3 weeks. Has anyone else jumped ahead and started early? Is it a good idea to keep it up?

My best advice is to follow your surgeon's post-op plan.

It has to do with allowing the band to heal in place, and is supposed to really reduce future complications.

Yeah, it's true. You don't want your stomach to have to work to digest stuff right now. The stomach needs the path of least resistance for a while so that the band can settle in to one spot and not move around.

Every doctors opinion is different on the healing phase as to what you can eat and when. My surgeon allowed liquids period for the first two weeks. The rule was if you can suck it through a straw you can have it. But that is my surgeon. You have to follow what your surgeon gives you or you risk his wrath, and if something does go wrong then he may tell you to find another surgeon because it wasn't his fault. So follow the rules your surgeon gave you.