I was a good girl, I was an angel. I was banded 12/29 and had a week of full liquids and a day of clear...over the holidays no less. I didn't cheat once.

After my surgery my doctor said my band is very loose. He said he could tell my stomach and liver had shrunk.

I am on my week of clear liquids after the surgery and I'm starving. I have had Special K protein water (1 a day, doc said I could have it), water, broth, yada yada. I really want a protein shake or some fat free/sugar free pudding.

My doctor said I could start full liquids on Monday the 5th. My question is...do you think I could cheat and start incorporating one protein shake a day up until Monday? I'm having trouble sleeping because I'm so hungry!

I know this is a hard one when your hungry, but the truth is, your Doctor knows best. He has a plan for a reason. It is only for your healing.

I hate to say it but I do agree, just hang in there. It IS hard! But there's a reason they have us do this in a certain order and time frame...it's to heal (not torture, not "prepare" us, just to heal. At least that's what my doc says) I was hungry too. If you think "it's just 2 days, not THAT early"...well the flip side is "it's just 2 days, you can do it" :tongue2:

staying on your clear liquids for a bit longer will help you in the long run... the band will heal in better and you'll be less likely to have slips and issues. good luck - it was hell for me too... banded on 19th Dec.

I hate to disagree with the doctors and the others on here, but I think a protein shake would do you lots of good. When I had surgery in July, I was allowed to begin full liquids on day 4. That was the turning point for me. Once I had protein shakes and creamy soups and yogurt, I felt great, had plenty of energy, etc. I say go for it. I only had to do one day of clear liquids before surgery. I imagine you're starving.

My dr has us on sugar free carnation instant breakfast before we are allowed to even leave the hospital.......

I was supposed to be on clear liquids, adding protein drinks after day 3, for 2 weeks but because my nutritionist is a complete airhead, I actually started on full liquids after one week. She gave me conflicting information- I really can´t stand her.

Like you I felt absolutely horrible until I started with soups and shakes. Of course, you should follow your surgeon´s instruction, so I think I would call and ask if it would be okay.

Hang in there!

Something I've been wondering about too- what is the big difference between clear and full liquids? Obviously, clear liquids are clear and full liquids are not. But I can't see how something like tomato soup could be harmful. Any ideas?

I was banded 12/18 and the clear liquid week was rough, but regular popcicles really helped. I have found that every dr is different in his post op plan. Stay with your dr and eat reg jello and eat reg popcicles and drink drink drink. This too will pass.

I just started on mushies. I can finally chew something even though it is mushie.

Congrats on being banded!!!!!!!!!!

ISOPURE protein drinks are considered a "clear" protein and OK during the clear phase. You can get it at GNC, just be sure to mix it with water only. Unjury is also OK during the clear phase but I think you can only get it online. Both of these were the 2 specific brands (all flavors by the way) aloud during my "clear" phase. Hope it helps.

But I can't see how something like tomato Soup could be harmful.

Amen.

Tomato soup is very acidic and can be problematic for many post op, until healing is well along.

SamieTeacher.... There is a new thread just like this one about every day somewhere on LBT... Just remember, opinions are like a certain body part - everybody has one...

Consistantly, in all of these threads, there are people who rationalize or flat out tell the OP that it's alright to disregard your doctors/nutritionists guidelines.... IT IS NOT! They are issued to the patient for a purpose. Yes, there are wide variations in these instructions between different docs. But remember, you are not accountable to someone else's surgeon -you are accountable to YOUR surgeon.

I understand your doc/nutritionist gave you conflicting information. Follow the most conservative of the two until you are able to contact their offices for clarification.

Best of luck!

Brad

I was a good girl, I was an angel. I was banded 12/29 and had a week of full liquids and a day of clear...over the holidays no less. I didn't cheat once.

After my surgery my doctor said my band is very loose. He said he could tell my stomach and liver had shrunk.

I am on my week of Clear Liquids after the surgery and I'm starving. I have had Special K Protein Water (1 a day, doc said I could have it), water, broth, yada yada. I really want a Protein shake or some fat free/sugar free pudding.

My doctor said I could start full liquids on Monday the 5th. My question is...do you think I could cheat and start incorporating one protein shake a day up until Monday? I'm having trouble sleeping because I'm so hungry!

I had cream of wheat and strained soup the day I was in the hospital. I was to do Protein shakes 3x daily until next Wednesday but I want to GAG. I did a bean recipe today and have been eating scrambled eggs since Thursday w/no problems. I was to be on full liquids until Wednesday, but they fed me those things in the hospital. I'm about to have a little egg salad. The point of no solid food is to keep the band in place...If you have a Starbucks nearby..their protein Vivanno drinks are a wonderful change of pace!!

DO NOT CHEAT!!!!!

Your surgeon has these instructions for a reason. Please go by the PROFESSIONAL you entrusted with your body and your surgery, not by a layperson who just happened to have the same surgery as you! That's dangerous and irresponsible of you.

You CAN do this! It's only 2 more days! You can do anything for just 2 more days.

Best wishes!

I am really surprised with the people encouraging going behind what a Doctor orders. I guess everyone is different, but I paid 16k, and We are given laws to live by for our own healing and weightloss. By following orders to the T I have lost 75 lbs in less than 4 months. I only have 55 lbs left to go. Think long and hard before starting to cheat on your band. Because it can be cheating you out of greater success in the long run.