Okay, so I'm an idiot, not really but it makes me smile to say it. I keep seeing people say we have to follow "The Rules" after being banded. What exactly are the "rules." My Dr. did warn me about certain foods not to eat, that I will be eating less once I get filled, and so on, but I don't remember getting a list of rules to follow.

I'm a little "crazy" that way, if people say there are rules I want to know exactly what they are. So please everyone, fill this person in.

Each doc is very different but there are a few things the all seem to require in common (or rather most all...there's ALWAYS an exception) and those things are:

small bites

well chewed

don't drink with meals

Follow Your doc's pre- and post-op diet until healed

That's it. At least IMHO...There's not really a hard and fast "list" that all docs give their patients...just those things above that all docs seem to want. Otherwise it's pretty much open season! For everything you're told to do you can find someone on here whose doc contradicts it!

Edited May 20, 200917 yr by RestlessMonkey

I would add from my doc: "three meals per day and no snacks", "eat protein first, if you still have "room" eat vegies, then carbs", "drink only no or low cal beverages", and of course "exercise".

Protein first means meat, meat alternatives like beans, and dairy products. Carbs means breads and fruits.

We all get different "rules" from our docs; I was thinking more of the rules we all have in common. Not all docs say no snacks, not all docs say protein first, etc

Exercise, though, that one I forgot. I think they almost ALL want us to exercise!

I agree with restless, every doc is different, mine never told me to have protein first so I'm not too bothered about that, the big one that they all push though is waiting a certain period before eating and then after before you drink. Mine is 15 minutes before, 30 minutes after but I've noticed some doctors push 30 before and 1 hour after, it just depends, overall though the major thing is so that you don't push the food you just ate down and get hungry again. And yes - Excercise lol

I would add from my doc: "three meals per day and no snacks", "eat protein first, if you still have "room" eat vegies, then carbs", "drink only no or low cal beverages", and of course "exercise".

Protein first means meat, meat alternatives like beans, and dairy products. Carbs means breads and fruits.

See I would argue these arent "rules" they're practices particular to the United States. We are told to do none of those things in Australia!

So like you say, rules can be doctor specific.

Well chewed, dont drink with meals, dont overfill your pouch, those are sensible rules to follow and pretty universal. But the rest of it is really personal preferences.

Concentrate on stopping your eating when you are no longer hungry, or you first start to feel full. Don't eat until "full" or stuffed. It will seriously reduce your weight loss, and can cause problems.

Most are the same but protein first is a must. You need it or you will have problems, like your hair falling out and feeling crappy. I make sure I have small portions 3-4 oz of protein and then maybe a half cup of veggies or salad with no cal dressing (there is such a thing, Walden Farms makes it they have a website) and then a few spoonfuls of starch. potatoes, brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

I do have a snack, either a sugar free pudding cup, or a sugar free, ice milk snack. It keeps me honest. LOL

Eat slow, small bites and when you get that "feeling" you STOP EATING IMMEDIATELY. You will know what that feelingis really. More like I can't put another bit in my mouth without barfing....

good luck

The only rule my dr stresses is not drinking a 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after my meals. I actually eat protein, veggies and carbs for lunch & dinner everyday. I also eat fruits between my meals if I find that I am hungry. I will have a sf pudding or a low cal fudge pop or skinny cow ice cream after dinner sometimes. I pretty much eat something about every 3 hours.

I was also told no carbonation. That was the push I needed to give up Diet Coke. Soda isn't good for you anyway, so I'm happy that it's out of my life.

And let's not forget the immediate "rules" for fresh post-ops ... clear liquids, progressing to full liquids to pureed foods to soft foods. Seems easy until you're trying to abide by them.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Everything mentioned is what I've heard, but I didn't know if I was missing something.

The biggest rule for me to follow right now is the excersize. I have started excersizing 30 minutes a day right now, and my legs are screaming at me. I know that in a week or two, the pain won't be as bad, but I so want to stop. To keep me motivated I made a poster out of a cartoon that says "What fits into your busy schedule better? Excersizing 1 hour a day or being dead 24 hours a day."

To everyone good luck!