Hi, I'm new to this forum and am 2 weeks post-op. Most of the info I have learned about eating has come from message boards, and I am confused. I did get some post-op food guidelines from my doctor (3 weeks full liquids, then 3 weeks soft foods) but at this point I think I am already "cheating"! (I am liquefying "real" foods now; I made chili, added Water, and blended the heck out of it...is that cheating??) At this stage, I'm allowed anything that I could "suck through a straw". There are no calorie restrictions at this point, and I don't know what serving sizes to "eat". I really hope I haven't screwed up. I'm hungry a LOT of the time and for some reason I'm very worried that my band has slipped or something...no vomiting at all since surgery, and I haven't stuffed myself with these putrid drinks I've been consuming, but I wonder why I"m so hungry. (I am not diabetic) I have my first post op dr visit tomorrow and hopefully I will get some of these questions answered. This liquid phase is NO FUN. I'm assuming that once I can chew again and once I get some fills, I will feel satisfied and full on less food? Lordy I hope so...that's the whole reason I did this!

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. Sara

Sarah,

Me too! I was banded 12 days ago and last night was the worse. I was so hungry and grumpy. My doc had me on clear liquids the first 5 days then full liquids through this Tuesday wich will be day 14 of being banded. So far I have not cheeted at all ..... pudding (jello fat free sugar free) has been my savior! Its thick and creamy and satisfying. My husband was banded too and you know his first real food was chilli! I made it for the family, very low fat (turkey) and low spice. Then I blended his up until it was totally smooth, added a bit more water and he was fine with it. I actually think I will make some today and I will do that tonight for lunch. My mushies start Tuesday but the chili blended is actually thinner in texture than the pudding.

Thanks, soexcited. It's the pits!

What do you get to eat after Tuesday? Have you seen your doctor yet? I have my first post op tomorrow. sara

Once you reach restriction, you will not be hungry all the time. I can't stress that enough though, once you reach restriction. There will be a long period of hunger until this time and depending on how aggressive your doctor is with fills it could be months. For me personally, I was banded in mid May, but I did not have the same feeling of restriction from surgery through fills until late October. I had to hoof it on my own though this time. Oddly, I didn't lose faith in my band. I knew it was a matter of getting fills so I simply looked forward to the next one, knowing that it might be around the corner at any time.

But yes, it's totally normal to feel hungry about now. The swelling from surgery is going down and it was the swelling that was actually providing you restriction up until this point.

Also, know that many doctors do not give patients a fill on the first pre-op visit, to be on the safe side. They usually want to make absolutely sure your body is ready for it. This really frustrated me, but in hind sight I'm really glad he didn't.