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Post-Op overeating . . .



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I had my lap band surgery done very recently, as in, five days ago. My particular surgeon does not fill the band at all as soon as the band is put in place. He likes for his patients to spend 5 weeks healing before getting the first fill. My mother had it done with me, same day, same surgeon, everything.

Even though I know I should be on a strict liquid diet right now, I caved. I've been eating junk food (cheetos, candy), and not only that, my usual portions, since the 3rd day. I haven't thrown up a single time. And I don't see how this is possible.

My mom seems as expected, although she sometimes feels hungry, a few sips of Soup and she's full. I'm not like that at all. I eat and eat and eat. Really, I can eat a 700 calorie bag of chips and not feel sick at all.

Because it isn't filled, I'm assuming that what keeps patients so full is that their stomachs are inflamed from the surgery.

I don't know if it's maybe an age thing. My mom is 42, so I imagine it would take longer for her to heal than it would me.

Despite my doctors advice, I can't go on like this. My mom's going to schedule a fill for me as soon as possible.

Is this common, and will getting a fill fix it?

:biggrin:

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My god you are taking huge risks with your health and the healing process of your stomach. You just had a major surgery and the diet that is given to you after is to make sure you heal properly. If you continue like this you are likely to end up with either a slipped band or erosion and neither is a good thing. You went through this surgery because you are supposed to be committed to weight loss, you need to call your doctor and speak to a nutritionist and get yourself straightened away. I suspect you are very young but you are really taking huge risks.

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I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling :biggrin: Its really important that you get right back on your post-op diet. The reason why that diet is the way it is, is so your stomach has time to heal. If you are eating the way you were eating before the band, 5 days out of surgery this is a possibility of injuring the band (slippage) or injuring yourself. The reason why the band is not filled until 5-6 weeks after surgery is also so your stomach can heal. Getting a fill too soon can also cause serious problems. Additionally, it sounds like you are bingeing and not chewing very well, which also is not good.

Everyone feels pretty hungry post-op - thus the phrase 'bandster hell'. Of course, it varies person to person (depending on how much inflammation and fat is around your stomach) but most feel pretty hungry, especially only on liquids. It usually gets better after a fill (or a few fills). But for your own safety, get back on the wagon!

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Even though I know I should be on a strict liquid diet right now' date=' I caved. I've been eating junk food (cheetos, candy), and not only that, my usual portions, since the 3rd day. I haven't thrown up a single time. And I don't see how this is possible.

My mom seems as expected, although she sometimes feels hungry, a few sips of Soup and she's full. I'm not like that at all. I eat and eat and eat. Really, I can eat a 700 calorie bag of chips and not feel sick at all.

>snip<

Is this common, and will getting a fill fix it?

:biggrin:[/quote']

:thumbup:

Please, stop eating solids, call your surgeon and nutritionist, and start the Protein shake and broths. This is only temporary - you can have all of that stuff later...

Although considering what you have been honest enough to share here, perhaps, you should wait to be filled until you have worked with an eating therapist who works with you dialectically, as well as with behavior modification. If you start getting filled, and are not telling your surgeon and dietician what you are eating, and how much, and you continue, you will end up very ill when you overeat, and try foods that are not tolerated following a fill, and vomiting is the worst thing to heedlessly fail to prevent.

Take Care, you are young and have a whole life ahead of you, so do not spend those coming years and decades obese. :(

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I too had this happen. I didn't understand not having the fill meant I could eat what I wanted. Which I promptly did. After losing 9 lbs the first week and starving, I realized I was fill free and went right to the grocery store and favorite restaurant weighing more at the time of my first fill then I did before the surgery! Fear not, it took four fills before I started really losing weight, but I am now a size 10 and very happy with the results. And I'm much older then your mother!

I had my lap band surgery done very recently' date=' as in, five days ago. My particular surgeon does not fill the band at all as soon as the band is put in place. He likes for his patients to spend 5 weeks healing before getting the first fill. My mother had it done with me, same day, same surgeon, everything.

Even though I know I should be on a strict liquid diet right now, I caved. I've been eating junk food (cheetos, candy), and not only that, my usual portions, since the 3rd day. I haven't thrown up a single time. And I don't see how this is possible.

My mom seems as expected, although she sometimes feels hungry, a few sips of Soup and she's full. I'm not like that at all. I eat and eat and eat. Really, I can eat a 700 calorie bag of chips and not feel sick at all.

Because it isn't filled, I'm assuming that what keeps patients so full is that their stomachs are inflamed from the surgery.

I don't know if it's maybe an age thing. My mom is 42, so I imagine it would take longer for her to heal than it would me.

Despite my doctors advice, I can't go on like this. My mom's going to schedule a fill for me as soon as possible.

Is this common, and will getting a fill fix it?

:biggrin:[/quote']

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I can understand that someone can be hungry and want to advance quicker than the recommended diet.

I understand that we have no restriction at this point and that it is hard.

What I can't understand is going through this process - preop diet, surgery etc etc and then do things so soon afterwards that could mean the whole thing has been a waste of time and money.

I was hungry in the first weeks after surgery too but I would not have considered even trying to eat chips. If I was going to cheat then it would have been with something healthy and nutritious.

It has been said many times that the band is only a tool and that unless we work it it is useless.We need to remember this. It is not a magic fix and we really need to be committed.

Please get back onto your recommended diet for the sake of your health and to prevent possible future problems. You are lucky that your mum had this done at the same time. Having her there to support you should make the process easier.

Remember it gets easier as you go along.

Wishing you all the best.

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Hi there, hon. Please call your doctor and let him/her know what is going on. They will be able to give you the proper advice. Some doctors allow their patients to eat early out, others don't. You need to follow your doctor's advice, not what is posted on the boards.

Are you only 14 years of age? I could not imagine going through this process at that young of age. I'm sure it is quite a struggle. Please call your doctor and lean on your mom during this rough time. It does get better. Good luck to you!!

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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