Banded on 03/28/07. No complications. I felt almost completely healed at two weeks out.

My Doctor wanted me to remain on Clear Liquids and Protein Shakes for two ADDITIONAL weeks (until one month after surgery).

He said this was for weight loss as well as to let adhesions develop around the band.

I could lie and say I was following his rules, but at the two-week mark I started on full liquids, then mushies. Never felt a twinge from the band on any of it. Couple days later, I was on solids again, chewing well and feeling great.

I've got a valid excuse in that the Protein shakes were making me gag- literally. Seven different brands of powder and can, all nasty. Plus, the only clear liquids that tasted good to drink were sugary fruit juices- I am not a broth/soup person at all. I was genuinely worried that I would "sugar" myself out of losing any weight. I wasn't getting enough protein, felt weak and tired.

Now, my doctor and I had already discussed me doing Atkins on the band until I'm done losing. He also put me on Phentermine (appetite suppressant) to speed this whole process and help me through bandster hell.

Anyway, I've been doing Atkins with only a couple minor cheating incidents. I get my protein from real meat. I avoid sugar. I feel FREAKING AWESOME.

Today is exactly one month out and I'm down almost 50 pounds.

I know, I know, should have followed doctor's orders...

I know, I know, could have lost more already w/out the food.

And yes, I have been exercising a little bit and taking my Vitamins.

My portions went from tiny to almost-normal as my body got used to food again, so that I can just about finish a chicken breast, burger patty or can of tuna and I feel very satisfied with that.

But even in supposed bandster hell with no fill, I just am not that hungry. I have to force myself to eat, most days. Some of that is the Phentermine working (you can feel it when you're on it), but even without the pills my hunger just isn't like it was.

Don't doubt, I already pushed myself once, trying to eat the old way: I overdid it on on chinese spicy beef and the band let me know about it! Just ate too much, felt like I was bloated and it was pressing up UNDER the band? Wierd, but it went away when I took a gas-x tab.

Regardless, I am so glad I had this surgery done. I plan on going under 300 pounds next month. I can't wait to get a fill (on 05/10/07)and watch my portion size drop back down again.

Oh, one last dark little confession because I am a bad man: In order to avoid stressing the band, I've been drinking with meals to keep it flushed. I don't have restriction ANYWAY, but I wanted to let the adhesions form like the doctor talked about. He said food sitting in the band would push it down, that was the reason for the long liquids period- I tried to get around it my own dunder-headed way.

So, it's time to buckle down and stop drinking with my meals.

Thanks for reading this novella, please berate me for being pigheaded and breaking the rules. I know I deserve it. *ducks and covers*

And to me, the other point that is important is that just being able to eat without noticing any problems at the time doesn't mean you are OK and not causing yourself problems down the road.

Very very true!

I'm sure none of us are perfect on following rules or we wouldn't need to be banded. But one rule I did follow to the letter was my doc's postop instructions re: eating (clear liquids for 7 days, full liquids for 14 days then solids). I'm CONVINCED that is why i still have my band because i have pb'd more then most report at least on this site.

My pbing is a combination of hard headedness, trying lots of foods, sometimes being too tight etc. and mostly LEARNING. My problems with obesity and eating are very deep/ingrained but I swear I am learning and changing.

Now - to my point! For those that eat early etc.....think of your band like a cut on your finger.... Yes, it stops bleeding pretty quickly and you put a band aid on it and it starts to FEEL Better - but its still not healed completely for some time.

What's going on inside our bodies is not always felt / realized and you really need time to let your stomach heal and THAT BAND ADHERE IN PLACE.

Post op is not the time to 'cheat' - And i do have empathy for thecascadian - I really do - we all have our demons but he did ask for advice....

Yeah, I can't disagree with anything that was said- better to follow doctors instructions.

I determined that I needed to ignore them and I may very well suffer problems down the line from that decision.

Or I may end up just fine.

Time will tell.

For now, I'm feeling awesome and losing weight.

All I can say is...I paid 15,000.00 dollars to have this procedure and I am going to follow the diet and doctors orders to the letter....I can't afford to mess this up....I can't afford to have another surgery....each to his or her own....whatever one does after the surgery is up to them...but...for me...I am sticking to the plan...

Yeah, I can't disagree with anything that was said- better to follow doctors instructions.

I determined that I needed to ignore them and I may very well suffer problems down the line from that decision.

Or I may end up just fine.

Time will tell.

For now, I'm feeling awesome and losing weight.

Good luck to you! Just please, follow instructions from here on out. We only care about your success. Some of us were kinda mean, but if we didn't care we wouldn't care what you did to yourself. We are all in this together and sometimes we ALL need a swift kick.

There was a thread on OH a long time ago about how other bandsters are to be supportive only. If someone just ate 3 bags of Easter candy and 3 bags of Doritos, nobody should say anything except for... get back to work tomorrow. Tomorrow my ASS! Do it NOW! I know I need a dose of reality sometimes, we all do. I'm all for being supportive but I am one that believes we need a swift kick every now and again. But that is my opinion, others will disagree.

Please be careful with the Phentermine (appetite suppressant)- I was on them ( Phen Phen) and developed lung problems. Good luck to you for your success now and then future! Denise

All docs are different.. that is for sure...... my doc hit 550 bands back in january so I have no idea what number I was last Thursday..... in March he started using a two week liquid diet because of cases of big livers... and still..... he post op diet is pretty easy... 24 hours of CLEARS after surgery and then full liquids on day two.. (thinned out tomatoe soup) days 3-14, full liquids and pureed foods.. I go back for my post op appointment THIS friday and he told me NO chewing til then.. also I am able to have coffee. (was given coffee after I passed my barium swallow in the hospital)

I do believe that everyone has to be very pro-active in their own health care. For instance.. on my pre-op he had Sherbert on the list...... well for me sherbert is so full of sugar I won't touch it.. that was me and my inability to process sugar as efficiently as others.