Hi! I was banded on 9/19/07. My Dr. only required liquids for 1 week, mushies the next week, and on to solids on the 3rd week. I am trying to keep my food intake down, but I can eat as much as before I was banded. I'm afraid I will streach my pouch, but it doesn't even feel like I have a pouch. Do you have a pouch before you get a fill? I get my first fill on 10/23, but I am afraid in the meantime that I will do damage. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Of course you can eat as much, you aren't filled yet. The band can't do its job until you have some restriction. For some people this happens pre-fill. For the majority, it does not.

Yes, you still have a "pouch" (we don't really have pouches, we have a compartmentalized esophagus).

No worries, you aren't doing and damage. Try and keep food servings to 1 cup and 1200 calories a day.

It will be better after your fill. Just try not to get too carried away until then. Donna

Boy, can I relate. I had surgery the same day you did and had the same eating schedule afterward. I find that I can eat anything and in large quantities. I am trying to keep it to just 3 meals and no snacks. I did find myself bingeing the other night and swore that I would be good the next day. I too am afraid that I will stretch my pouch and I hope that I haven't done any damage. Good luck with your fill. Mine isn't until Nov. 7th.

Where were you banded, was it Mexico?

If not I don't think you have anything to worry about.

I guess I was lucky to have attended a seminar pre-surgery that really made an impact on me. They gave some hard fast rules that I have been following to the 't'.

1. Only 3 meals per day at least 4 hours apart-no Snacks.

2. No more than 1/2 cup OR 4 oz. per meal

3. Protein first (which leaves room for little else if you are getting the recommended amount of protein daily)

4. No drinking during meals or for 1 hour after a meal. (and then no carbonation, caffeine or sugar)

There were other guidelines in regard to vitamin/mineral supplement, excercise, etc... but those above were the main ones about eating...

Hope this helps!!!

:Banane35:

Johna - i was banded on 9/17 and have my first fill on 10/23 too. I am in the same boat. I have no restriction and feel like I could eat any and everything. I am relying on willpower which I have to admit I don't have much of. So far i have not gained any weight but i certainly haven't lost much. I am really hoping that the fill will do the trick. Except for some residual pain when i strech or bend a certain way, i can even forget that i have a band at all. I really need this to start working!!