I got banded Friday...Help

I feel like I'm not really sure what to do now that I have had the surgery. I have one sheet that says clear liquids for a week and other liturature that says puddings, yogurts as tolerated. My stomach is still killing me but I haven't eaten since Thursday and I feel hungry. Is this normal. I've been eating icepops and sucking on hardcandies and jello. Anyone out there banded recently? I am an insulin dependent diabetic so I am worried about going so long without food.

Hi Robin, I was banded on 3/24, my main source has been protein shakes, soups w/ whey protein added to it (it can be clear broths, cream of whatever as long as there are no big chunks of anything, and tomato),yogurt has been the thing that makes me less hungry. Be extremely careful w/ the hard candies, if you should swallow it there would be problems I'll give you a run down on my daily intake and maybe it will give you some ideas. This was for 4/3 : am: 6:30 crystal lite 8oz. 7:30 protein shake (unjury is my favorite) w/8oz 2% milk " water 6oz. pm: 12:00 yogurt (lite) 6 oz. " applesauce (no suger added) 3oz. 4:30 soup (cream of broccoli) 6oz. *protein added " crystal lite 8oz. 8:15 yogurt 8oz. " water 8oz. I am having hunger pain sometimes, but when I do I have something. You have to remember your body is healing so you have to take care of yourself, not to mention the diabeties so try to eat about every 4 hrs, at least that what the dietician told me. I don't know if this helps, but if you have any questions feel free to email me. Good Luck, Des

I have this weird feeling like I want to eat even though I am definately full. I found some great soups andI am eating just the broth part but they are very satisfying. I am sipping water all day but I guess I want to know when I can graduate to a thicker consistancy? Thanks for your response, Robyn

Hi there! Congrats on your surgery. I don't have any specific suggestions for you, since I'm not banded. However, I strikes me as a bit odd that you just had surgery and have little instruction on what you're supposed to do with this new tool of yours. Your surgeon should be providing you with detailed information on how to eat now and in the future. If he does not, well, first of all, I'd question his practice and find out WHY. (he's got a LOT of nerve sending you home without clear instructions) Second of all, I'd try to visit with a nutritionist who is familiar with WLS patients to develop a plan that will work for you. It's so very important for your health and weight loss that you understand your nutritional requirements and stick to a sensible and structured plan. It is normal to feel hungry! Often it is an emotional recation rather than a physical one. If indeed you are supposed to d clear liquids for one week and then progress to full liquids at two weeks- then you will begin to feel fuller on full liquids- you can have protein shakes then, and they're a bit more filling. Good luck to you, and please feel free to ask any questions at all. Lisa C

My surgeon did send me home with specific instructions and a huge booklet with "everything you need to know" but when I asked other people who were banded ( my liason at Belighter), a good friend who had the band, they said they went to thicker liquids and mushy stuff as tolerated. Also the nurse said to take my pills crushed up in pudding or applesauce but there again I didn't think I was supposed to have that yet. Anyway, the pudding and the applesauce went down fine. I have to say, after some excellent broth (no kidding I found this great soup) last night, I finally got the feeling of "feeling full" I had only drank a cup of soup and felt totally full. I had my surgery done by Dr Ponce in Georgia. I did alot of research before my band and found out that he had done the most procedures in the country. I feel confindent in his staff, I just think there are alot of differing opinions on how to do things. Everyday I wake up and think, "another day under my belt" Robyn

4-05-04 ROBYN THIS WILL BE SHORT LIVED. I AM 30 DAYS POST OP AS OF TODAY. I EXPERIENCED EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID. ABOUT 7 DAYS IN, I STARTED INTO SLIGHTLY HEAVIER FOODS, SMOKED SALMON, TUNA FISH, TURKEY BREAST, ETC AND SOUPS. EVERYTHING WAS PUREED UP THROUGH THE FIRST 3 WEEKS. I NEVER GOT SICK BUT CAME CLOSE TWICE; ODDLY ENOUGH BY EATING AN APPLE. IN ANY EVENT, LAST EVENING, I HAD A GLASS OF WINE, 4 PIECES OF SUSHI AND 7 OZ OF STEAK (MEDIUM RARE). MY FATHER IN LAW WAS IN TOWN. THE TRICK IS THIS--SO FAR: 1-DO NOT DRINK FLUIDS AT MEALS 2-CHEW WELL 3-TAKE YOUR TIME--20 TO 30 MINUTES/MEAL 4-NO TV OR MUSIC AT MEALS--FOOD AND DISCUSSION ONLY 5-FRUIT FOR SNACKS 6-2 FLINTSTONE VITAMINS (CHEWABLE) PER DAY INCREASING TO BE SUBSTITUTED BY A CENTRUM PLUS SUPPLEMENTS, B,C, & E. I HAVE FOUND THAT YOU CAN BECOME SLIGHTLY ANEMIC ALTHOUGH MY DOC SAID IT WAS UNLIKELY. A BLOOD TEST BY MY GP PROVED ME TO BE CORRECT AND THE VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS HELPED TREMENDOUSLY 7-SOUP AT A MEALS IS GREAT AS LONG AS YOU CAN TOLERATE WHAT IS IN IT E.G. VEGETABLES, TOFU, ETC 8-DRINK LOTS OF WATER, DECAF ICED TEA, DILUTED CAF COFFEE (1 CUP/DAY IN THE AM). IT WAS HARD TO GET IN 60 OZ/DAY SO SPACE IT OUT 9-YOU CAN LOSE OVER 30 LBS IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS, LEVELING OFF TO 10+ LBS PER MONTH. I WILL LET YOU KNOW. GOOD LUCK. JOE

Your feedback is helping me so much. Already I don't feel so all alone. I notices I was able to eat about 1/4 of cream of potato soup, slightly diluted and was fine. I will pick uo those vitamines today. I am drinking crystle light ice tea and water all day long. Also I have been eating these sorbee popsicles(50 calories). I feel like everything I do could hurt the band so I am getting paranoid. Robyn

Hello Robyn. My sister gets banded on April 20th. She is also a diabetic. The nutrionist told her to start taking protein shakes. The name of shakes are called ChoiceDM. They come in three different flavors, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. My sister likes the chocolate better. They are specifically for diabetics. The phone number to have the shakes delivered to your home is 203-235-4463. The place is located in Meriden, Connecticut. This is the only info I can give you. My sister said to check your sugar at least four times a day. Each morning and before each meal. You need to stop eating the hard candy, especially with the lap band. I am going through the process right now to get the lap band done. I am currently doing consults. I'll keep you in my prayers.