So did anyone eat before the 3 weeks were up? even before the 2 weeks were up?

My mom and I were banded together on April 3 and we are both eating but chewing very very much. we are both worried that we did something bad and that the bands doesnt work because neither one of us feel full not even when we eat and wait for a while. I dont think we had a slip cause Ive heard that hurts and you would feel really uncomfortable untill you fix it. we both feel fine and continue to chew and eat. And we arent loosing any weight.

My mom thinks that they made cuts and then bandaged them but did nothing on the inside..... silly I know but that is my mommy.

Anyone had the same experice or have any advice.:think

I'm a rule-follower and so I did whatever my doctor told me to do. If he told me to do liquids that's what I did.

But, on the other hand...all doctors seem to be different. I was allowed to move to softer foods by week 2 then normal food by week 3 as long as it felt OK to me. So, in that aspect...I'd think you are probably OK as long as you are taking it easy.

I was on liquids for 4 weeks. I did use thicker soups that I considered liquid, but don't know if my doctor would agree. I do know I had TOO much liquid though. I was supposed to have 3oz and I would have an entire can of soup. I had no fill at that point though, so I figured it just went right on down through the band. I would have starved if I only had 3 oz of anything. That's like 1/3 of a cup.

I ate a few days post op, some chicken. When I told the surgeon what I had done he was not happy. The sutures need to heal in place. He ordered a barrium swallow and the band was still in place. I immediately went back on the program. He scared me silly. Follow what your doctor advises. You can slip your band early on. Good luck.

you really should follow your drs advice cuz those stitches need to heal. the band is simply a tool-not a magic cure all and you really should not already be trying to trick it or test to see how much you can eat with it. Not to be mean or anything, but that does not bode well for future success. Check out some of the oldtimers websites and read how they lost and keep their weight off. many of tem talk about head hunger vs true hunger and how they taught themselves the difference. I am still learning to tell the difference myself. Another thing posters wrtite on this site is to drnk plenty of protein shakes-better one than just slimfast. I drink EAS but others drink MAX50 and there are many others out there. Everyone has their favorite, but it should a least have 25grams of protein per serving and hardly any sugar or carbs. Cream soup whippped in a magic bullet thinned with milk, also kept my hunger under control. Last Join a free website that tracks your calories-Sparkpeople.com of Fitday.com. Before I started keeping track, I was eating too much fat and too many calories. Good Luck.

I ate a few days post op, some chicken. When I told the surgeon what I had done he was not happy. The sutures need to heal in place. He ordered a barrium swallow and the band was still in place. I immediately went back on the program. He scared me silly. Follow what your doctor advises. You can slip your band early on. Good luck.

The threat of having to do another barium swallow is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow.. that stuff was just plain nasty!

So did anyone eat before the 3 weeks were up? even before the 2 weeks were up?

My mom and I were banded together on April 3 and we are both eating but chewing very very much. we are both worried that we did something bad and that the bands doesnt work because neither one of us feel full not even when we eat and wait for a while.

Anyone had the same experice or have any advice.:think

Like LapBandit, I'm also a rule follower and I self-payed as well so that was enough incentive for me to follow the rules--complications are expensive without insurance, not to mention time off work, pain, and just plain losing the band forever. I'm four weeks post-op tomorrow and have not had a bite of solid food--still a week more to go. It sounds horrible and I didn't think I could do it but I'm so glad I did. By not following the rules, you take big risks.

The way it was explained to me was that when you have stitches in a cut on your hand, you are told to keep it dry and it will heal well and quite fast. But since you have your band stitched to part of your stomach and your stomach lives in a wet environment, it takes many weeks to heal. (How many weeks seems to be a debate among doctors). So when you eat solids, your new little stomach does its job of contracting and working to digest that bite of food, which puts strain on unhealed stitches, and can cause them to loosen or become misplaced. My doctor says this is the biggest cause of slipped bands now as well as later on, even after you are healed. He has a very low slippage rate so I believe him.

There was a study group in Europe that were turned loose after surgery and told to eat whatever they could handle. The slipped band rate went through the roof. Since then, doctors have all subscribed to some period of liquid and/or mushy food after surgery.

It sounds like you and your mother are "partners in crime." That might be very bonding and gratifying but I think you are playing with fire. Why do all this work just to destroy the results? Or even take the chance of causing you complications? There are people here who strongly disagree and you can easily find them. (Find posts by jubjub, for a good example). But look at their logic vs. the surgeons as a whole.

As far as the band not working now, that is totally normal and not a sign of a problem. The band usually doesn't work until you have fills. The fact you can eat large amounts of anything before having fills is not a sign that you have damaged the band.

It would be wonderful if your and your mother could be supportive of each other in your success instead of your failure. Now that would be bonding and gratifying! Maybe you need to be the strong one who is full of courage, strength, and knowledge. You can do it! Start today. Thousands of people do and with good results. Good luck to you both--I do hope you succeed at every stage.

My liquids were a little "thick" at times. I would add some of those mashed potatoes that you buy in the containers, and add them to soup or broth Of course, those potatoes are not good for you, but it did help with taste!

For the most part I followed the rules except I couldn't stand "broth" during the clear liquids phase. I went with tomato soup...oops!

So did anyone eat before the 3 weeks were up? even before the 2 weeks were up?

My mom and I were banded together on April 3 and we are both eating but chewing very very much. we are both worried that we did something bad and that the bands doesnt work because neither one of us feel full not even when we eat and wait for a while. I dont think we had a slip cause Ive heard that hurts and you would feel really uncomfortable untill you fix it. we both feel fine and continue to chew and eat. And we arent loosing any weight.

My mom thinks that they made cuts and then bandaged them but did nothing on the inside..... silly I know but that is my mommy.

Anyone had the same experice or have any advice.:think

Why would you do that? I don't understand. Why go to all the expense of surgery and then not follow the rules? We are talking a few weeks out of your life here.

I really question people that can't make it for a few weeks, if they won't follow the rules at the most critical time of healing, why would they follow any rules later?

I don't know why you bothered getting a band, quite frankly.

Did you ever hear the logoic that if you keep doing the same thing over and over again and imagine that you will get different results then you are insane? Well, that might not be exactly how the saying goes, but it is something like that. So, you have not played by good eating rules in the past, and you got fat. Now you are trying to break the good eating rules again and you think you will get thin? Who are you trying to kid? Get with the program, and pay attention! (p.s., I too struggle with the good eatin rules, and so I know how difficult it can be. But do you want to lose weight or not? Make the committment in more ways than surgery! Just think how good it will be for you!)

You guys are harsh! I didn't get the feeling that she was cheating as much as concerned about not losing right after surgery. I was under the impression that it is common to not lose weight until after your first fill. My question to Tara is 'Have you had your first fill yet?'

We all struggle with the rules . . that's why we are obese!!! Instead of attacking lets be encouraging. If we can't come here and share our struggles then where can we go?

I just want to encourage you Tara to be strong and if you are not sure you are doing something right then call your doctor's office and ask. This isn't an instant fix and we have a lot if issues to deal with besides just bad eating habits. . . like why we eat. You know that what you were doing wasn't working for you so take this chance you've been given and use it to change the rest of your life. I for one will be here to pick you up and dust you off when you fall down . . . so pick yourself up and try to do better. I believe you can!!

You guys are harsh! I didn't get the feeling that she was cheating as much as concerned about not losing right after surgery. I was under the impression that it is common to not lose weight until after your first fill. My question to Tara is 'Have you had your first fill yet?'

We all struggle with the rules . . that's why we are obese!!! Instead of attacking lets be encouraging. If we can't come here and share our struggles then where can we go?

I just want to encourage you Tara to be strong and if you are not sure you are doing something right then call your doctor's office and ask. This isn't an instant fix and we have a lot if issues to deal with besides just bad eating habits. . . like why we eat. You know that what you were doing wasn't working for you so take this chance you've been given and use it to change the rest of your life. I for one will be here to pick you up and dust you off when you fall down . . . so pick yourself up and try to do better. I believe you can!!

The important issue right now is not a matter of losing weight, the issue is a matter of keeping their bands.

I'd say a medical issue that big deserves a little reality.

From WASaBubble Butt:

The important issue right now is not a matter of losing weight, the issue is a matter of keeping their bands.

I'd say a medical issue that big deserves a little reality.

Reality also involves positive reinforcement. I learn about that everyday in nursing school. I'm sure you were taught that too.

Tara, you know you and your mom did go off track. Now it is time to get back on. Talk about what you two did with each other then come to an agreement to bond in a more positive way for the sake of weightloss and staying healthy. When you wake up, tell yourself that you can do it and that you are committed to making this work. Say the same to your mom.

Put that bad day behind you and work on better days. Follow your doctor's instructions. You will be glad you did!!!

Reality also involves positive reinforcement. I learn about that everyday in nursing school. I'm sure you were taught that too.

Tara, you know you and your mom did go off track. Now it is time to get back on. Talk about what you two did with each other then come to an agreement to bond in a more positive way for the sake of weightloss and staying healthy. When you wake up, tell yourself that you can do it and that you are committed to making this work. Say the same to your mom.

Put that bad day behind you and work on better days. Follow your doctor's instructions. You will be glad you did!!!

Amazingly, over 20 years of experience AS a nurse has taught me more than I ever learned in school.

I cannot believe what I'm reading. Isn't this supposed to be a SUPPORT GROUP??? Listen, we ALL have a hard time sticking to a 'diet', if we didn't none of us would need lap band surgery in the first place. "thenewtara" and her mom KNOW that they've made a mistake, and it was very brave of her to post it here. Tara, it's ok. You cannot undo what you've done, but you can prevent further damage. Please call your MD, fess up, and see what he/she says. We are all here to HELP you. This board should be a 'soft place to fall'... (What, too Dr. Phil???)