LOA or PTO...?

12 weeks???  I was on liquids/mushies for a total of about 12 days.

I had my surgery on a Friday, took off that day and 1 additional week, then went back to my job (desk work) with no problems.

I would certainly question the need for 12 weeks of liquids/mushies post-op.
The band is intended to work with lean/solid protein --- that sure seems excessive to me.

I have never heard of a 12 week liquid/mushie post-op diet. Although I would follow what your Dr. suggests.

I thought what I had to do was the longest, lol. I didn't have any pre-op diet but I was on a liquid diet for the first 4 weeks, which meant only high protein drinks/shakes, water, broth, etc. Then I was on soft/mushies for another two weeks which were things like pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, tuna etc. It wasn't until the end of week 6 that I was able to experiment with other foods carefully.

So as you can see every Dr is different but as I said above follow his or her rules :)

I'm now 10 weeks post-op, roughly 35ish pounds down (I only go of the Dr's scale) and feeling great. I went in for my 1st fill at 6 weeks but didn't end up getting it as I have some restriction with just my empty band. I will go back at 12 weeks post-op and see what happens at that time.

As far as time off that is up to you and everyone is so different. I had surgery on a Thursday and had planned on going back on Tuesday (Monday was a closed holiday). I think I could have done it mentally and physically but because I have so much sick time (EIB) built up I didn't come bac****il that my 2 week post-op appointment. It was nice to have a little more time at home.

I wish you luck and please keep us updated :)

thank you all for your responses... i will bring it up with my nursing coordinator when i met with her may 19th... I LOVE having this forum as a source of reference... I am able to inquire about SO many things that I wouldnt have even thought or imagined!

I work nights at the hospital (12hr shifts) as a Unit Secretary... not much manual/physical labor, just brain work. I came back to work on my 3rd day Post Op... I was a little slow moving around but I was able to manage... and I didn't get sleepy!

I went to seminars that said some people go back to work within 2 t 3 days..I know everyone is different...but I really have to ask if this is for real.   I needed a full week.   I was weak from the preop and post op diet and not able to eat much that first week.  so I would count on a full week just to be really comfortable.  I am a RN and needed a full 2 weeks to be able to do the physical stuff at work.

as far as diet...everyone is different, but 12 weeks liquid   I would die.

Good luck

 From what I've seen over the years you can't go wrong with a liquid/mushy diet for 12 weeks, eating solids too soon is one of the frequent causes of late band slippage, the band has to seat in place and the scar tissue has to form to hold it in place long term.

I've seen people eating solids at 2 weeks *gasp* I seen a girl I really felt sorry for her, she posted about how her surgeon was going to get her to her sweet spot quickly at 3 months out she was tight as ever, but sadly she posted back that her band had slipped so bad it had to be removed only at 9 months post op.

MANY DO NOT FOLLOW RULES this is why there are so many slippages and band damage and removals, you CANNOT our smart the lap band, trust me.

However, I would say that 12 weeks is a bit much to stay on liquids I think your surgeon probably meant mushies which sounds reasonable, ideally per Allergan suggestions the band manufacturer you should be on clear liquids the first few days after surgery, then progress to full liquids the first week and then as tolerated progress to mushies by 2 weeks post op, now if it were ME, *I* would stay on mushy type food for at LEAST 3-6 months, it's OK to 'try out to some solids in the 2nd month, but in my first year I would keep my food soft and mushy this WILL ENSURE YOUR BAND HEALS PROPERLY to prepare you for tight fills years out and limit unnecessary vomiting in the first year, MOST BANDS SLIP IN THE FIRST YEAR, this is why you have SO MANY BAND BASHERS because they damage their bands in the first year.

I did not get my first fill until 3 1/2 months post op, the longer you wait the better, I guess this is why I've had my band for over 6 years with no complications, I let it heal before eating solids and getting fills.


Please follow your surgeons advice and may you have an uneventful surgery