I amd 2 weeks post op. I am supposed to be on Clear liquids and on the 9th day - went to cream soups/full liquids instead, against my doctors orders. I know - don't do it, follow orders, you are not the medical expert, blah blah blah. I did it - I am still doing it and I feel I have to.

The one thing I see over and over is that by doing so - I can damage the band even though I don't "feel" anything. I saw Dr. Ortiz on the doctor's corner and have spent countless hours researching.

So then - who admits to eating improperly and then finding out later that their band is damaged or slipped?

I was trying to calm her nerves. I'm not her surgeon and wasn't trying to act like I was.

Well, you kinda were acting like you are. Check it out:

I was told by my doctor to have clear liquids for the first week and then full liquids on the 2nd week so having full liquids on the 9th day and on isn't going to hurt you. I think the directions that your doctor gave you are good but since mine was a little different that tells me that having full liquids on the 2nd week is ok.

You are indeed telling her that by disregarding her doctor she'll be fine. Do you suppose there is a reason her doc gives the post op diet that he does?

Do you know that since they started slacking on the post op diets in the US slips have more than doubled?

Okay foks - didn't mean to start squabbles. It seems every time someone puts out a thread and actually gets an honest answer- people get upset. This is traumatic stuff to us all and we are all sensitive. HeatherO was hard on me- but dammit, she is right. I guess I don't understand why some of us can say "if my doctor said to drink water for 3 months, I would do it" - then why couldn't you do that without the surgery? I think we are all addicts - and for some of us - SURGERY IS ROCK BOTTOM. The truth for me is - I thought it would be for me too and I guess it isn't becuase I am still doing the same behaviors and making the same excuses. It's too late to say "I wasn't ready" - I am ready to be cured of this, but maybe my rock bottom is slippage, erosion, throwing up - or maybe it's death. SAD, but true...........Thanks all.

I guess I don't understand why some of us can say "if my doctor said to drink water for 3 months, I would do it" - then why couldn't you do that without the surgery?

Because this isn't even for three months. It's a month. It's long term we can't do it. If someone told you the life of your child depended on your doing a post op diet for a month, I'll bet you'd find a way to do it, right? So we do have it within ourselves to do it, we just have to accept that this is how it is.

Yeah, people get hungry on the post op diet but how many obese people do you know die of starvation? ;o) I think the issue that concerns me about post op diets (other than the healing issues) is that if someone isn'tf following their doc's instructions two weeks out of surgery, how will they do it long term?

This is a lifestyle change and the change happens the day of surgery. It's not easy but I don't think anyone here has promised easy. But if it helps any, it does get easier.

.... SURGERY IS ROCK BOTTOM. The truth for me is - I thought it would be for me too and I guess it isn't becuase I am still doing the same behaviors and making the same excuses. It's too late to say "I wasn't ready" - I am ready to be cured of this, but maybe my rock bottom is slippage, erosion, throwing up - or maybe it's death. SAD, but true...........Thanks all.

It may help to not look on or expect the lap band to be a "cure" for unhealthy eating habits that have often been built up over a lifetime. As people on here regularly say, the band is simply a tool that can help you to lose weight however you also have to take responsibility for making healthier food choices, following your doctor's instructions, exercising and everything else that helps a person with the lap band to lose weight and keep it off. If you are struggling with the changes you are required to make and feel that maybe you weren't as prepared as you could have been for the surgery maybe you could see a counsellor to get some extra support. Also, talk to your doctor, let them know you are struggling.

I wish you all the best.

My posting is addressed to the following people: those who are thinking about being banded, those who are about to be banded, and those who are newly banded.

While everyone has the right to post questions, concerns, and experiences, PLEASE realize that it is the position of Lapbandtalk that you follow the directions given to you by your health care team of professionals. If you find it too hard to stick to any of the pre-op or post-op instructions, CALL YOUR SURGEON'S OFFICE and ask to speak someone. Frequently, they have heard your complaint before and have ways of dealing with it.

Thank you.

My posting is addressed to the following people: those who are thinking about being banded, those who are about to be banded, and those who are newly banded.

While everyone has the right to post questions, concerns, and experiences, PLEASE realize that it is the position of Lapbandtalk that you follow the directions given to you by your health care team of professionals. If you find it too hard to stick to any of the pre-op or post-op instructions, CALL YOUR SURGEON'S OFFICE and ask to speak someone. Frequently, they have heard your complaint before and have ways of dealing with it.

Thank you.

Soooo, it is not suggested that the vets follow their doc's advice? ;o)

Just the vets who are doing another pre or post-op diet. LOL.

Soooo, it is not suggested that the vets follow their doc's advice? ;o)

YEEE HAW!!! That means I am off the hook now right? lol....that is the way for me to be fat and gross again. No thanks!

I also want to point out that just because someone else is able to do something that is BAD and get away with it there is NO guarantee that we can!

I will say that I followed the rules about 99% of the time as well. But when I do mess up it is not something intentional or planned. It is a slip up. I didn't go through what I went through to get my band to screw it up. I did this to change my life.

If you aren't serious and committed about your band then why get it done? I am too sick of people who are looking for valadation to cheat on the diet. What is the point?

I am really becoming disturbed by all the threads lately with the theme "I didn't follow doctors orders and don't intend to" or "I got off my diet plan, so please validate me by telling me everything is OK so I can continue not quite following doctors orders (but if you don't agree with me then you are against me and being opinionated)." However, threads with the theme "I got offtrack but really want to make this work, can you help me get back on the bus" are great threads for support and are helpful.

Phew. Finally someone tells it like it is! Thanks, HeatherO. There are way too many people on these boards who just don't get that THE DOC'S ORDERS ARE THERE FOR A REASON!!

OP, this is not directed at you. Just at the worrying trend I've noticed lately in pre-op and post-op boards....