Banders - I have questions : )

[simplycami 0]

Hello Fellow Banders!

I was banded on the 31st of July and I have some questions. My Dr. told me to drink Clear Liquids for 2 days and then full liquids for one week. How much do you all drink? I was calculating my calories and it is under 500 a day. Does that seem normal for that first week? I am drinking either my Designer whey Protein Drink, my Optifast shake or yogurt or 1% milk. All of these he listed as approved on my discharge sheet. I also have s/f popsicle on occassion. I usually only have 3 meals/drinks a day since that is what is listed.

So why I am REALLY asking? That dang scale is not going down. I lost 17 lbs before surgery during the same type of liquid diet. I have lost 4 since surgery and I am just saying that it seems awfully strange that I haven't seen a larger drop. Is my body in starvation mode? I am not really hungry enough to drink MORE during those 3 meals so what do you all suggest?

I am really looking for some ideas on the subject. I appreciate it!

:cry_smile:

[thelonedaisy 0]

hi cammi and welcome!!!

i was banded on the 28th of july so i am not more out than you. but i do know that the docs dont really expect you to lose anything before your fills begin if you do they just count that as a plus. however i would be just as frusterated as you!!!!

everything you are doing sounds great. the only thing i didnt see was the amount of Water you are drinking. are you drinking any?? if so how much?? you should be drinking at least 64 oz of water in a day! i would start with the water and see what happens after that.

[Missy5237 0]

Hey. I'm on full liquids. I was banded on 7/29. I'm able to get around 1000 calories a day. I have 3 meals a day, plus a shake in between every meal. I also make sure I have 2- 1 cup servings of skim milk a day too. Then if I get hungrey I have SF popsicle or pudding, or apple sause. Most of my calories come from the shakes though. An occasional yogurt too. I buy Soups, and put them in the blender with some broth and then strain them with a mesh strainer. There just as thin as broths but taste way better and have more calories and nutrients. I've lost 11lbs since surgery. I also try to drink 64 oz of liquids a day. Not always Water, but was told by my surgeon as long as I get 64 oz. in. So for me I have 3 bottle waters (refill them with water, but just as a measuring tool), sometimes with crystal light, 3 cups of sugar free tropicana drinks, and then my milk and sometimes 100% juicy juice. Sometimes its always water and sometimes I mix it up. I was just told as long as I have 64 oz. of fluids addtional to my shakes and meals. It was said to try and make half water. But not required. I try to make half or more water.

[illinoishusker 0]

I haven't been banded yet, but wondered about drinking the fluids. do you sip it through a straw? or just sip out of bottle, tiny? or bigger?

[thelonedaisy 0]

no more straws with the band, crates pockets of air which in turn will make you sick.

at this point i an just drink my Water like normal i can gulp or just sip depending on my mood.

[Missy5237 0]

yeah, no more straws. I've noticed I have gas pains from swallowing to much air when drinking out of a bottle, so I try to pour it in a cup and go from there. With Water, I gulp or sip. But with my Soups or broths I always sip since thats supposed to be the meal, want it to last, lol. :cry_smile:

[slim2be 0]

Hi Cami,

I was banded July2 and when I was on full liquids, my Dr. says we should have 6 meals a day (of liquids). This includes 3 or 4 of those being a Protein Shake and then either Soup, yogurt, sf/ff pudding. It sounds like you might not be getting enough calories for the day. Try calling your nutritionist. And I know they say we should be drinking 64 oz of Water a day but that almost seems impossible to me. I drank as often as I could....maybe it added up to 40 or 45 oz a day and I did fine with that. Good luck to you!

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

I am being banded tomorrow. I was told to have 3 Protein Shakes a day plus broth, Jello and Water. Lots of water. maybe for a while you go into starvation mode. but if you drink fluids that can help. And walk snort walks every few hours they told me. Get moving a bit and your metabolism will keep working. Best of luck.

[simplycami 0]

Thanks so much! I probably do need to drink even more water~ It was very helpful to hear from all of you. I appreciate the support! I get to start mushies tomorrow so I think that will help up my calories and help my body to know that we are not starving just working on releasing the excess weight. Again... THANKS!

Edited August 8, 2008 by simplycami

[thatDEgirl 1]

I haven't been banded yet, but wondered about drinking the fluids. do you sip it through a straw? or just sip out of bottle, tiny? or bigger?

I used a straw mostly (and still drink from one). I also have an insulated cup I used.

I asked my doc about straws and he said so long as I didn't have any issues with them, he didn't care if I used them. Good thing, I hate drinking out of glasses:-).