I am having a tough time getting in my 800 calories a day and the recommended no more than 300 calories a serving. Any suggestions? Second question is, I have not had a bowel movement in 4 days and I am taking a stool softener. Any suggestions??

Hey there @@scubasteph Congratulations on your surgery!! A few questions before anyone can properly answer your question - what kind of diet do they have you on post-op (clear liquid? Protein liquid?) How long have you been on that diet (may answer the 2nd question)

@@scubasteph The first thing is congrats on your new band! The second thing is don't stress...take a deep breath and relax cause you are right on track.

In the first few days to weeks after surgery you are going to be very swollen inside and the idea right now is healing. You don't want to force yourself to eat or drink anything right now. You want to rest and heal up. If you can take many many tiny sips of your Protein drink. Use a medicine dose cup. You are very much "babying" your band right now. You would not feed a newborn a half gallon of milk and neither can you feed yourself that right now.

As you soon will see that as you are putting liquids in they will come out and soon enough the #2 problem you mentioned will right itself. Your not putting much in so...give it a chance.

Feel good and let us know how your doing!!

If you were on a pre-op diet of liquids, liquids in, liquids out.

800 calories is a goal, not a mandate. No worries, if you're like all of us, you have plenty of reserves to last a week or so. Just consume what you can.

Take it easy and don't worry about no bowel movements. When you are not eating or are eating much less it is normal for you not to have regular bowel movements. I was banded May 15th and since then only go to the bathroom every 5 days or so. No problems to worry about as my doctor says. Great to have you in band world. You will love your band but we must respect it's delicacy as it is a tool to our weight loss. One tool among many others. Welcome!!

in response to lite n sweet, it is the lap band I got done. I had surgery 7/11/14

Make sure you stay hydrated, get your protein in and don't worry about #2 just yet. Your not eating anything to actually "go to the bathroom" ya know?! Good luck!

What litensweet said is true.. I was eating solid food before surgery.. On day 3 or 4, can't remember which now, I took a women's laxative because I really needed to go! Hope this helps.