Question:
Am i streching my pouch by eating normal food 2 weeks out?

I had lap band surgery exactly 2 weeks ago. For the first 5 days i could barely drink a whole water bottle and now i feel like i can eat like i havent even had the surgery. my surgeon has not adjusted my band yet so i still have 1 cc in it. for these past 4 days ive been STAYING hungry and its a miiserable feeling. so last saturday I ate a boiled egg an sipped on a slim-fast shake for the rest of the day till dinner. then at dnner i ate a piece of grilled fish an i felt fine. i just pray that nothings wrong with my band because i can eat regular food now, and not feel COMPLETELY full. HELP ME OUT GUYS!    — Jessa (posted on December 16, 2008)

December 16, 2008
Hi Jessica, You are right where you should be. Your inability to intake lots when you first came out of surgery was because your stomach was a bit swollen. Not to worry the sweeling has gone down. I too was able to eat lots after the swelling was gone. With each fill my doctor has recommended eating very soft foods of liquids because it does take about 24 hours to adjust to the fill. One of key purpose of the band is to help us make better food choices. That will come in time. I still crave a french fry once in a while and I will have one or two but then I don't want to fill up on "empty" calories where I need protien. I have had my band since May of 2008. My doctor assures me that I'm right where I should be with my weight loss. I'm showing a weight loss with each visit. I wish you nothing but the best in your journey and know that you are not alone. Mary-Anne
   — mannecote

December 16, 2008
You really need to go with your doctor's advice on what to eat. If you are in the soft food stage do NOT eat regular food. You can cause your band to slip and can require another surgery to correct it. This is from someone who has had a band since 2003.
   — ptdawn

December 16, 2008
you are normal!! you won't feel super restricted until you get fills...maybe not even until your 2nd or 3rd fill. i felt the same way and wondered if i was normal...yes! you are...be patient :) even though its so hard!
   — buttrfli1

December 17, 2008
That's sort of my problem. I talked to my surgeon's partner who agreed it was okay to snack on a little protein if I got hungry between meals. sometimes I don't even feel like eating but I make myself and then I feel okay until I get hungry again. My surgeon puts you on soft protein for a month after. Be careful how much you eat and what or you'll find yourself gaining possibly.
   — merryterry

December 17, 2008
It's perfectly normal to not have restriction until after a couple of fills. Initially, your stoma is swollen and you can feel some restriction. Once the swelling subsides, it really doesn't feel like you have even had surgery for the most part. The first fill- a little restriction, the second fill- really feel something, the third fill- here comes the restriction and being satisfied quickly. This is pretty much the way it has been for myself and my friends with the band. Everyone is different- it will take a while so try to be patient. It is normal to want restriction and weight loss NOW after undergoing this surgery- it will come with time. Congratulations. In the meantime- follow your instructions, exercise, get in plenty of protein and water-take your vitamins and you should do just fine. Doesn't sound like there is anything wrong. Hang in there, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic