Hi all - I was banded on the 19th Dec and I've been staying home to recover - I was told to stay on clear liquids for 5 days... but I only managed it for 4 days. Then I've moved on to full liquids in the last 3 days - but I'm sooo hungry that today I ate some melted ice cream and 3 scrambled eggs. Am I doing damage to my stomach? How do you know if your pouch is stretching??

Is this normal? Or do most people not feel hungry during the liquid phase. Is it OK if I progress to mushy foods now? Or do I have to follow the directions? Let me know your experiences...

Many of us are VERY hungry post op; that's why that time is referred to as "Bandster Hell". However, it is VERY important that you follow your surgeon's instructions post op. Your stomach churns to aid in digestion so those eggs you ate might have caused your stomach to rip a suture loose. Your stomach (usually) is pulled up over your band and it is stitched into place. Until that heals well the movement of the stomach during digestion can rip it all the way loose or just pull or loosen the stitches. If it's "all the way" you'll know now, but the other can happen and you won't know until weeks/months from now when you have slippage or erosion and wonder why! SO please 1. get back on the plan your surgeon prescribed. It is HARD but very important to follow and 2. let your surgeon know, on monday, what you at so he can decide if he wants to check your band. Probably you'll be ok if you stop now; but just hang in there, follow the rules, and you'll get through it!

I was banded on Dec 18th and am supposed to be on Clear Liquids for 2 weeks, Full liquids for 2 weeks and then Soft/Mushies for 2 weeks before finally arriving at "Real Foods". I have also been very hungry, but find that having Protein drinks have helped. Also, I drink water or ice tea fairly continuously. I understand from previous posts that "Bandster Hell" is just something you have to get through to get to the other side where the real Lapband Program begins. I do believe it is aptly named, but since I recognize giving your body the time to heal is critical to long term success, I just keep talking to myself and stay busy. Good luck!

hey - thanks restless monkey... I didn't realise it would be such a serious thing. i'll get back on the protein shakes and the soups first thing tomorrow. why don't they tell you the seriousness of this stuff when you get the surgery done. I got a full book of literature, and it doesn't say anything about it. Thank goodness I managed on the clear liquids for most of the time... do you really think I need to ask my surgeon? Wow - thanks.

Hi, I was banded 12/18 and I'm also on the liquids. I only had to do clear liquids the day of and day after surgery and then could drink protein drinks. I havent hardly had any hunger, as a matter of fact I feel pretty much stuffed , but I also had a hiatal hernia repair and have felt very tight and lots of pressure. I hear that the true hunger starts around day 10. Also, I'm drinking protein drinks constantly with hardly anything else. Try Myoplex Original - 42g of protein per drink............my surgeon recommends 80 grams of protein a day - so two of these will do the trick and sip slowly! Hope this helps!

I was banded on 12/18 and I am right there with you. I was on clear liquids 3 days and that was no problem - I had no appetite anyway. Now 8 days post-op I feel like I am starving. Reading the other replies has me scared to death because today I totally cheated. I had some super soft mac and cheese, so I am praying I didn't tear anything loose in there! I am going to be so strict from now on. I am supposed to be on full liquids until day 14 then mushies until day 21 and then I can start soft foods. I hope I haven't messed anything up. I am not even seeing my doctor for post-op check up until after the 1st of the year because of the holidays. The thing is I don't "feel" any different...like I feel like I could eat anything because there isn't any feeling of restriction, but the sutures tearing makes sense I just hope it had healed enough that it will go through my system okay. Good luck.

Thanks guys - I'm back on the protein shakes and soups today and all things seem OK - I've started taking some benefibre too.. hoping that it will help to get things moving. Chat later.

Okay, now I am scared. I was banded on 12/2. I lost 10 pounds in the first week and a half. Then here comes the holidays, I felt okay to eat more and more variety. Now I can eat about 3/4 of what I was able to eat before surgery and I haven't lost anymore weight. In fact, I think that I have gained weight. I am so ashamed because I eat and then 15 minutes later, I am in pain because I have eaten too much. It has been so hard with all of this holiday food! How do I know if I damaged myself! What do I do?:hurray:

hey - thanks restless monkey... I didn't realise it would be such a serious thing. i'll get back on the protein shakes and the soups first thing tomorrow. why don't they tell you the seriousness of this stuff when you get the surgery done. I got a full book of literature, and it doesn't say anything about it. Thank goodness I managed on the clear liquids for most of the time... do you really think I need to ask my surgeon? Wow - thanks.

I wish the surgeons would TELL us this...I'm a nursing student and was going to eat some refried beans during week 2 (full liquids) and my husband (who's been an RN for 20+ years) is the one who said...uh...you DO realize your stomach churns when you eat, right? and you DO realize you'll rip your sutures loose! I was so upset I sat and CRIED with my can of beans! LOL but he was right.

I'd tell my surgeon just to be sure but you're probably ok!

Hang in there; it really really does get better and it really is worth it! :hurray:

Okay, now I am scared. I was banded on 12/2. I lost 10 pounds in the first week and a half. Then here comes the holidays, I felt okay to eat more and more variety. Now I can eat about 3/4 of what I was able to eat before surgery and I haven't lost anymore weight. In fact, I think that I have gained weight. I am so ashamed because I eat and then 15 minutes later, I am in pain because I have eaten too much. It has been so hard with all of this holiday food! How do I know if I damaged myself! What do I do?:hurray:

What is the diet your surgeon has you on? Are you supposed to be eating solids yet? If so, then I'd just say QUIT! eating until you hurt, for goodness sake! I know it's hard (I didn't get to weigh 405 by eating a little too much occasionally! LOL) but you don't want to eat to the point of pain. Pain = not good. There will always be temptations...once it's not the holidays it will be valentines or Easter or spring break or whatever. Restriction will help you but working some on that "head hunger" will be good for you, too....trying to learn to listen to your body and figure out when you are REALLY hungry and when you're eating for other reasons. The band will help you, but you have to help the band.

If you feel like you've really overeaten badly, talk to your surgeon. He should set you up with nutritionist or whatever to help you; and he may want some tests to see if you stretched the pouch or caused slippage. Liike Shelly2b you'll probably be ok if you just rein it in now. It's hard (they call it bandster hell) but you just have to get through. It will get easier.

I know and that is what I need to hear. I am going through this all by myself. My whole family, including my husband love to eat and I am the only one with a weight problem. I live in New Orleans for goodness sake. We EAT here! I just need to gain self control AND stop!

I really DO feel your pain...but there's always a good reason to overeat. That rationalizing got me here today. I used to feel happy when I had that stuffed to bursting feeling. How sicko is that? So I understand. You can do it, though. You just have to make up your mind, and go for it. Do what you need to avoid all that food. Once you have adequate restriction it will be easier, but you'll still be in control. You have to make the good choices for yourself! :hurray:

i have to go to the dr on Wednesday for my first fill...I will talk to her then. I will also put myself on a full liquid diet until then. I never was told about any of this stretching and tearing business. If I would have known, I would have had more control. Thank you for being so awesome with the advice!

You CAN do full liquids but you can also just do whatever your doc says. At the stage you're at, I was told to eat anything and it's possible that's what your doc told you too? It's just the eating until you're in pain that is worrisome! :tongue_smilie: I'll cross my fingers that she'll just look at you like you're nuts for worrying. My doc is another to just lay down the law (I LOVE him) but doesn't explain unless I think to question him. So don't feel bad, really. I'm just sure you'll be fine! I'll cross my fingers for both you and shelly2b. It's a common problem; they don't tell us WHY; they just expect us to obey!

i have to go to the dr on Wednesday for my first fill...I will talk to her then. I will also put myself on a full liquid diet until then. I never was told about any of this stretching and tearing business. If I would have known, I would have had more control. Thank you for being so awesome with the advice!

I was banded 12/4 and came out of surgery hungry. I told my doctor and he said it was normal. He too told me to just stick to the diet like described but never told me about the stretching and tearing. WOW! I'm in trouble. I can eat a lot. I have eaten hamburgers and fries. My family looks at me in shock. What am going to do? I'm hungry:confused:. Lack of communication just got me into trouble I think.

if you followed his rules post op re liquids etc and are just now eating the burgers and fries you'll probably be fine! If you were eating them from much earlier on, you may be in trouble.