I was banded Friday 07/18/03 and have been doing the liquid diet since. I am starving! My stomach is growling constantly. Can I add low fat yougurt, cream based soup (low fat milk) fat/sugar free pudding to my diet? My MD office closed on Tuesdays......I dont want to go to pureed foods just yet....I do get the golf ball sensation when drinking liquids occasionally but dont feel full when that happens. I havent felt full. Any advice.....I dont want to push it. Have I mentioned I am starving???????????

Rab, I feel for you!

Now, let me stress, seems that all doctors' post-op diets are very different! I went immediately to full liquids and mushies the day after surgery per my doctor's orders. But some people are on Clear Liquids for a week, mushies for a week...etc. What post-op diet instructions did your doctor send you home with?

Post with more information about what your doctor requires post-op and maybe we can give you some ideas!

It is a 5 stage diet starting with stage 1 being Water only 30cc/hr....stage 2 clear liquids....stage 3 low fat full liquids where I am now. I came home on stage two, started stage 3 the very next day. Stage four is mushy/pureed food....stage 5 regular diet.

I basically have been living on water, Jello, chix broth and carnation instant Breakfast. In the diet it says if you have problems, nausea, vomitting to move back a stage. I guess If I am tolerating it well I should move on/add on....or just add those few items I listed previously. I want to follow the program to maximize my weight loss......but dang! My stomach has never growled like this. I am taking in less than 300 calories/day right now. I am taking in plenty of fluids....I am peeing 5-6 times a day good amounts, clear yellow urine, so hydrations is not an issue.

I think I do have some restriction....as when I am drinking carnation instant breakfast I do get that golf ball in my throat occasionally, and I stop dringking for a few minutes. Actually that sensation occurs at times when I am not drinking too. Any insight would be helpful.

Joann

Thanks for the info Joann!

Full liquids are generally anything you can suck through a straw. I ate a lot of pureed bean Soups, pureed split pea soup, pureed cream of potato/mushroom/celery, etc. Just thin them with some milk and blend them smooth. They'll stop the growly belly and make you feel like you actually ate something!

Peanut Butter and ice blended with chocolate carnation instant breakfast is yummy and filling too! You'll make it through...it won't be too much longer!

Joann, I have one suggestion about the golf ball feeling (not my personal experience, I'm not banded yet, but from someone on another list I'm on) - try pressing whatever's in your mouth up to the roof of your mouth with your tongue to get the excess air out and then swallow. That golf ball feeling is from swallowing air, or so I'm told. Hope this helps, and that you're able to curb that hungry feeling soon!

I was told that liquids meant anything I could suck through a straw. I lived on split pea soup during my liquid healing phase--very filling! It's hard but try to hang in there, it's important for your band to anchor well as you're healing!

Robin

I say add some protein somehow. I was starving too and it seemed the liquids just slipped right through my band. I did the Adkins diet and I am convinced that carbos do a number on me with cravings. I don't know how you all feel about raw egg but Orange Julius did the job for me.

About 6oz of O.J. to one egg (I think egg beaters would work if you are nervous about the raw egg). Give it a whirl in the blender. Add sugar or sweetner to taste if you need it. Ice if you want a smoothie. Protein powder if you like it.

Also egg drop soup. Heat chicken broth in a saucepan. Whip up one egg in a small container. Give the chicken broth a good swirl with a spoon and slowly pour the beaten egg in.

I'm still eating these two things even though I'm starting solids now.

Good Luck

P.S. If your pee is very yellow you are not getting enough water. It should be almost clear at this point.