What can I expect post-op?

[Gibby]

My surgery is scheduled for March 11. I'm a little freaked out about post-surgery--not pain or anything like that; the surgery doesn't scare me. It's more that I've heard after surgery you don't really feel any restriction--so how are you able to handle the 21-day all liquids diet? Can anyone share their post-op experiences with me and let me know what I can expect? Thank you!

[BrownEyedGirl]

I'm going to be adding to my blog later but you might want to read some of my entries. I had my surgery on 2/19 and have not had a hunger problem. Some have though.

[pinkfordyone]

I didn't have any hunger either. I think the trick is to keep sipping on something all day. If your full of liquids you don't get hungry. I did ask someone on here and they told me you can't over do liquids-just try to take smaller sips than normal. I love coffee and something hot worked great for me. Everyone is different and will react differently. At first your body is healing so its not to worried about food. Just my experience! Your going to do great. Make up your mind going into this thing that you are going to do it and do it right....that's the battle!!

[Zoey2]

I didn't have any hunger either. I think the trick is to keep sipping on something all day. If your full of liquids you don't get hungry. I did ask someone on here and they told me you can't over do liquids-just try to take smaller sips than normal. I love coffee and something hot worked great for me. Everyone is different and will react differently. At first your body is healing so its not to worried about food. Just my experience! Your going to do great. Make up your mind going into this thing that you are going to do it and do it right....that's the battle!!

Yeah, for me too it was no issue after surgery. A piece of cake (pardon the pun), but so easy and not hungry at all. I lost 27 lbs. the first month which probably isn't typical, but I wish it were that easy for me now.

Good luck, you will do great!

[macleay]

The three-week liquid phase is challenging, but for me, it wasn't so much about hunger, it was all that head hunger that made me crave food. The first few days, many people don't feel very hungry, and then for me, once I was able to drink the drinkable yogurt, I never had a hunger problem. It helps that every few days you can add something, ie protein drinks and then cream soups. Check out the tortilla soup recipe in the recipe section--it really helped me during my last week.

I'm one who had no restriction after the liquid diet, and in fact, didn't have restriction after my first fill. I just had my second fill and am on a liquid diet (again!), so but hopefully, I'll get some restriction after this one. And if not, then after the next one. The important thing is I'm on my to a new me and although I haven't lost more than my original 20 pounds, I haven't gained either, so that's a positive!

Don't worry, you'll do fine.

[BrownEyedGirl]

I lost 27 lbs. the first month which probably isn't typical, but I wish it were that easy for me now.

When you say you lost 27 lbs the first month, are you including the weight you lost on the pre-op diet or from your weight on the day of surgery?

[Gibby]

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement! It's only three weeks, right? People have endured far worse.

[Kimmy in MD]

Gibby don't forget to try and get in protein during this stage. I really liked the Special K protien water in the pink lemonade flavor. you can add it to water easily and sip it all day and it counts as a clear liquid too! the protein will help take the edge off your hunger.

When it was time for creamy soups I really indulged and enjoyed cream of crab and lobster bisque. I know fat content was high but they were so flavorful and filling they really helped me! I still go back to them when I am excessively tight and/or have had a fill.

Good Luck! You will do great!

[DanR]

I made it through the post-op diet without much hunger. I think hot liquids helped me feel full (coffee, broth, etc.). I really enjoyed adding drinkable yogurt and cream soups to the diet! It's only three weeks and you can do just about anything for three weeks

I had a little bit of restriction when I started eating solid foods, but it went away as I continued to heal. I thought the first fill would make a big difference, but I was wrong. The first fill provided minimal restriction for about one week. The band initially has some air in it and the air slowly escapes from the band after the first fill. Don't be discouraged if you need a second fill a month later.

[Zoey2]

When you say you lost 27 lbs the first month, are you including the weight you lost on the pre-op diet or from your weight on the day of surgery?

Brown-eyed Girl, sorry just saw your post. I had my surgery in Guatemala and there was no pre-opt diet for me which is of course different than those of you that go to the OCC. So had my surgery then lost the 27 pounds. It was awesome and I had no problem with hunger or anything.

[BrownEyedGirl]

Ok.. I finally added to my blog giving my experience so far. I even was able to get on my high horse.