Hello all,

Just joined.

Was banded on 9/11/2008. Dr Neil Floch in Norwalk CT.

Like many of the posts here, I cheated. Ate some talapia and mashed potatoes last night. then had egg beaters and a few bites of turkey sausage for Breakfast today.... chewed for about a minute each bite. it was not much but felt great. dedided to go back to the liquids as not to mess with the healing process. this site looks great. looking forward to learning/sharing a lot of information with you all. I started at 330 lbs and lost over 40 pre op. hope to get down to around 185.

Hope you all have a great day.

Hi Brownw01..l was banded on 9/12 and l have been eating soft foods as well..l don't see whats wrong with it..l mean very soft foods, like you...God it tastes so good...l can understand the liquid phase and stuff but soft foods seem ok too...Good luck to you...

I can tell you guys what's wrong with it if you want to know.

When you eat ANY food (and it can be soft fish, or Beans, or whatever) your stomach CHURNS like a little washing machine to aid in digestion. We all do it; we don't feel it (just another miracle of our bodies). But all digestion isn't acid and enzymes...it's also that motion churning what's called "chyme" and preparing it to move on through.

The stomach does not "recognize" Clear Liquids and broths and many other drinks as food. Ergo, it doesn't churn when you drink a cup of chicken broth.

Now do you see the problem? During surgery your surgeon will pull your stomach up (or down) over the band and stitch it into place. Until that has healed, you risk tearing your sutures. You MAY feel pain now or you may not feel it until you are well down the road. If it doesn't heal properly, you can be PB'ing in 6 months and BAM get slippage, pain, face another surgery. You will think "Why did this happen to me?" It will be because you ate tilapia way too early, and your stomach did it's thing like it is meant to do, and in so doing, tore loose some of the sutures holding your band in place.

I know most docs don't make this clear...it's partly that they expect us to do what they tell us. They overestimate us sometimes!

But this is for your good...not to get you "used to starving" or any such foolishness. Just to let the band settle in to place and heal properly.

RestlessMonkey, Thank you for that explanation. I''ll keep it in mind when my turns come up to be banded. I never knew why is was THAT important to be on clears, then full-liquids; now I know. This board is terrific. I tell everyone I know about it. We really learn and share so much.

MyTurn...thanks for your kind words. I had to look it up because like many, my beloved surgeon just told me to do it but, at first, not why. I'm a "question authority" type but I don't want to hurt myself either. Between my husband (who's in the medical field), my research, and my doc, I now have a good answer WHY! WHY WHY do I have to starve! LOL and I'm happy to share! We have to have each other's backs!

Thanx for the great info! today i was back on track! hopefully no harm done. we shall see.....

thank you restless monkey..l never knew the answer..These are the things they should tell you being as important as it is..With everything l have read and all the classes l have been to, l never knew this..(lm in the medical field also)..Thank you so much for all your info..keep up the wise words to all of us new comers...