I must confess that I couldn't handle only drinking fluids after the first week. I kind ate a little bit of mashed potatoes, and even some chicken. And now I am wondering if I could have hurt my stomach. I didn't feel sick after I ate, but I am still not sure, did anyone else sneak some solids in before recommended?? Am I alone on this?

My nutritionit has mashed potatoes thinned with milk on the allowable list. Chicken not yet. I don't know about the stoma, but I am 10 days out and very hungry. I even sucked on a cough drop ( no cough) just to have something.

You are certainly not alone in trying out solids before you are supposed to, and you have probably not damaged anything, but it is very important to follow your doctor's instructions for the post-op healing period. It wouldn't hurt to call your doctor and tell him that you have had solids and ask his opinion.

my surgeon has me on liquids for 4 weeks (post op diet)..he said its very important NOT to eat solids as this is the healing process & not to over work the stomach muscles as they need to heal properly

It is very important for you to stick to your post-op diet to allow your stomach to heal properly. You risk the future of your band by eating solids so early . . . they cause your stomach to have to move during digestion and your band may not settle properly.

chicken is also something that many bandsters have a problem with. The texture seems to be difficult for many a bandster and you should take it easy when introducing this into your diet. Watery mashed potatoes are not so bad . . . but it is still too early at one week out.

Many other people have done this, some have problems, some don't, and some won't know for a while if they have caused damage that will harm the band down the road.

Do you really want to risk your band just to eat solids a little early? What is a couple of weeks sticking to a post-op plan if it could mean a lifetime of better health at a lower weight? If I could advise anything, it is to get back on plan until solids are allowed . . . which isn't very far down the road.

my surgeon has me on liquids for 4 weeks (post op diet)..he said its very important NOT to eat solids as this is the healing process & not to over work the stomach muscles as they need to heal properly

Debbie your post is so true! Your stomach is recovering from surgery. In my case, my doctor stiched the bad up to the stomach to avoid slips. So the sutures needed time to heal, but it would be hard for the sutures to heal while digestion of solid foods occurs. Thus, my doctor had me on two weeks of liquids post op. (Sorry you are on 4-weeks).

Lyndi, every doctor is different with their instructions. It is really important to follow your doctor's instructions for proper healing. Call your doctor and let them know what is going on. If you should still be on liquids, then get back on liquids. I know it is hard, but you have come this far, so you can go the rest of the way!

Good luck!

I did jump the gun a little but not by much. Even though I did it I have to say, Stick with your pre op diet. It is not worth it to damage your body for food. Every surgeon is different and there is a reason why your on the diet, no matter how hellish it can be (and I know it is!). If your worried call your nutritionist or surgeon and confess, your not going to be the first call they have had about it. GOOD LUCK!

thank you all. I go for my first fill on Thursday, so I will talk to my doctor then, I have to say I am kinda nervous now though, i really hope that I didn't move my band around. Thank you all again

I have heard of people doing way worse things that you are describing. Not that I'm saying to keep doing it but I doubt you have any problems from it. I would say the chicken isn't a great idea right now. You can't undo it so just go back to what you are supposed to be doing right now.

I also cheated a few days after with deli turkey. Although I chewed it very well I was wondering what damage I may have done. I also, have no problem at all getting all my water in. I have feel in restrictions at all. Thanks to everybody for posting...it answered my questions and will help me stay on track.

I'm on pureed stage now, and chewed a few rarely cooked 95% lean pieces of hamburger last night (my mom didn't finish hers, they are cut into 1/4-1/2" pieces), but didn't swallow what I chewed, though did enjoy the chewing and flavor as it came from the hamburg...I was wondering if I was ok, felt like I was cheating, but rationalized that if I didn't swallow the solids, it might be ok?

I've also chewed some food and spit it out, just the fact that I was able to chew on something. After actually eating some real solids and my doctor sort of yelling at me that I can damage my stomach. But since I got my fill, he said I can start on mushies on Thursday. As far as damage from chewing and spitting, I don't think you can do any.