I had a question on liquids. I was banded Monday so this is day 6 for me. I've noticed yesterday and today I'm able to drink quite a bit more than initially. I'm assuming the swelling is going down and the band is losening up the restriction a bit.

When you drink liquids do they pour right thru the band opening or do they stay around in the pouch any significant period of time? I guess I'm concerned about drinking to much and stretching the pouch above the band. I'm not chugging or anything but I was able to finish a Protein shake yesterday in about an hour when several days ago it would've taken me an hour to finish half (and I'd been full). I guess I feel "full" but am still taking in some liquids just because I don't want to get dehydrated. Is this normal?

ErikMesa :tt1:

i was banded on monday, too. the first couple of days i couldn't drink much, and it took me 3 days to finish 1 Protein shake. however, the last couple of days i've been able to drink more. i have no problem with drinking as much real liquids, like Water, as i want, so I think that those just run right through down to the stomach and are quickly processed. i've been thinning Soups and puddings and things down with milk, and i can only handle about 1 1/2 cups of those thicker liquids, and they really fill me up. i think that they are running through the band also (i drink water with them to make sure that they do), but i think that they just take a little while longer to process, so i have to be careful about drinking too much of them at once and stopping if i feel full. but since i can handle more than a couple of ounces of them at a time, i have to assume that they are running through the band.

i don't think we need to worry about drinking only 2 or 4 oz of liquid at a time, because we'd be hard pressed to get in 300 cals a day. just be careful with the full liquids, drink them slowly, and stop when you are full.

My lap band diet from Dr. Vittello's group in Chicago states that I should not drink liquids 1/2 hour before or after I eat. Does anyone know why this advise is given? It does not seem to make a difference for me?

---vcooperchicago

No liquids before, during and after meals is becase the fluids will cause the stomach to empty faster allowinng you to eat more.

This is a good post. I feel the same way. Today is my 3rd day after surgery and I am able to drink clear liquids with no problem. I don't have to take little sips anymore. I was worried about this. Will this mess up my band if I drink too fast early on? My doctor also told me that he filled me with 4cc's during surgery and I do not seem to be feeling that much restriction. I am starting to feel hunger pains. Is this normal?

yes, it's normal to start feeling hungry. i got hungry about 2 or 3 days post op. as your swelling goes down, you'll probably find you get hungrier, more often, at least until your first fill.

I hope it's normal to start feeling hungry. Last night I had really bad hunger pangs they woke me up and I couldn't go back to sleep. I had to finally get up and drink a glass of skim milk. I wasn't expecting to get this hungry, this early in the game.

I was banded on 4/3 and I too am starting to feel the hunger bites in my stomach. I've had no appetite up until last night when I started having those irritating grumblings. All its taken for me is a quick drink of water or gatorade and it goes away for about an hour, but then is back. I guess I just anticipate that this is the way I'm supposed to feel considering that I've not really felt hungry for 24 years so a couple of days of feeling hungry can't be all that bad right?

when you are hungry drink Protein, even if you can only drink a quarter or half a shake, protein is your best friend! It will make those hunger pains go away completely and keep them at bay for a long time. The higher the protein, the longer the hunger feeling will stay away because it takes longer for your body to process it. Always remember protein first.

I am 4 days out today and am feeling fabulous. i am walking about a mile a day separated into a morning and afternoon walk. i am also able to sleep on my stomach or side without any problem. i drink about a half a Protein Shake at a time, but can eat about 3/4 cup of thinned cream soups. Some i can eat more than others, it all depends on the amount of protein. i also add unflavored protein to soups (when they are cold) then heat them up and blend and strain them. I had cream of brocolli today with about 2 tbsp of grated cheese for some extra protein.

Definitely wait 20-30 minutes after drinking to eat, and at least 30 minutes after eating to drink clear liquids! You will thin out the thicker items in your pouch and it will wash it right down so you will get hungry much quicker. My dr tells me my ultimate goal is to pee every 2 hours and it should be extremely light in color.

Oh my, I was so going to post this same question. It seems to be a trend because I too was banded on Monday! We are on the loser side of the bench! CONGRATS.

So, I noticed today that I can drink faster and more of the clear liquid however, I still can't eat that much. Like for lunch I had cream soup and I ate about 6 teaspoons. Then I was full. Then I had some yogurt and I could eat about 1/2 cup. So, I guess that the drinking is normal. I also have been told to wait 30 minutes before and after eating to drink, but I dont know if that is now or after I start the blenderized food. Can anyone answer that?