Hi all! I have a question. I received a list of foods and the progression from the doctor on Thursday but what wasn't mentioned was the calories that should be consumed daily while healing. I'm not excited by the liquid stage and or the next stage before mushies (like everyone else!) but I went to Sam's this weekend to see what I could find. I picked up several bottles of juice (apple and a passion/apple/strawberry), chicken broth, Jello, carnation Breakfast drinks, Protein Drinks, etc. How many calories a day should I be consuming? My dr. said to only consume 2 oz. at a time and sip as much Water as possible. Does this mean every couple hours 2 oz to get as many calories to help the healing?

Ok, I lied - 1 more question - I forgot to ask him when I can begin driving again. How many days post-op did everyone wait? I don't want to rush it but I want to be "mobile" as soon as possible.

4 more days.......

I came home on Tuesday and drove on Wednesday, BUT, I was told to wait a week. As for calories in the liquid stage, I had no restriction, this is the healing time. More important that calories was Protein. IMO and my nutritionist, protein was more important until you get your first fill.

Good Luck

PS, your band date is my birthday.

Happy early birthday Harley! I was kind of surprised by what he said on protein. He said to make sure I received 30 grams a day. I thought the number was more like 60 grams a day. Oh well....I'll see what happens. Thanks for the info! Laura

I think it was 60 as well. Also don't forget the s/f popcicles.

Hi Laura,

My opinion is that the post-op period is not a time to be worrying about calories. Once you're healed, you are going to be hungry and IMO it's way more important to keep those pangs at bay than try to stick to some arbitrary number. In the first few days you'll porbably not be able to get more than 600 or so calories in even if you try, but once you're on Protein shakes and other full liquids you'll be able to take in as many as you need to feel satisfied.

While you're healing, your worst enemy is going to be hunger. When you're still on liquids it's a real hardship to be hungry enough to eat a horse--or a horseburger. Eating solid food before your doctor says it's OK can increase the risk of damage or slippage later on. So I think it's wise to do what you need to do to keep the hungries at bay. That does not include counting calories.

I drove the next day, btw, briefly. I wouldn't recommend it. :rolleyes As long as you're taking prescription pain meds post-op you shouldn't drive at all. But if you're not and feel up to it, a couple of days after surgery you should be OK.

Good luck, and we'll be looking for you on this side of banding!! :D