I got banded yesterday at Hizmet Hastanesi in Istanbul. The whole thing took about 25 minutes and I got home this afternoon. I'm really, really sore, but hopefully some of the pain will fade in a couple of days.

I read where you are all on liquids for the first couple of weeks, first clear and then full, and then you move onto mushy foods. My doctor told me I could have things like yogurt or soupy, pureed things as well. In fact, what he ordered for me to eat today was tea, a small piece of beyaz peynir (soft sheep's milk cheese) and some tea biscuits. I dunked the biscuits into the tea so they disintegrated in my mouth. I had some gelatin earlier today and am having some soup right now.

I don't know why my dietary plan differs so much from everyone else's, but Dr. Bozbora is supposed to be the top bariatric surgeon in the country. He performs almost one surgery a day. But I didn't have a pre-op diet either, just liquids for two days before surgery.

I still plan on keeping to liquids more than anything else, but I will have some yogurt too. I figure yogurt + juice+ protein powder = good smoothie.

Congratulations on getting your band!! Yes, everyone is different and Drs require different things. The main thing is to stay hydrated. I was on the clear liquids also for a week after, my menu had a little more to it-sugar free popsicles, clear broth, and Isopure, clear fruit juice to name a few, and i was required to sip about 6 ounces every hour. I have been on the mushy/pureed for about 3 weeks, its getting old,lol.. Then I can transition to a soft solid diet. Some people are instructed to start a solid diet right after the liquid, it just depends. But stay hydrated, and good luck with your Journey!