Beachcomber: Go to the "food" section on the forum and they have threads for receipes for each stage of the post op diet. Maybe you'll find a good suggestion there.

Thanks Judy! The problem with my diet is that I am only allowed 1/4 cup for each meal. In other words, I get 1/4 c of a protein drink or 1/4 cup of strained soup. YIKES!
Sharon,
Your ticker looks good!

Judy,
Thanks for the suggestion of going to the foods section!
I appreciate it!

OMG 1/4 c? How often? That's cruel and makes no sense to me. Once the swelling is down, liquids go right throu your band. how could you possibly be full on that?

I used to drink a whole can of a protein shake, slowly, but the whole can. And I had a hernia repair at time of band placement. My swelling took about four or five days to go down. During the swelling, I didn;t have much hunger.

No wonder you're struggling and hungry.

can you be full and still hungry?

sharon;)

welcome to our group sangria...we are the new 2008 beauties....

sharon:)

First you need proper restriction to feel full and that comes with "fills". Second, your pouch must be filled with "solid" food, not "slider" foods that go through the pouch easily.

Then we have to learn a new feeling of "full", becasue it's not our lower belly that gets full anymore.

And we can get confused with "head hunger". Head hunger tells your stomach things like, "you can't be full on 3 oz of meat". We are so used to large portions, our head tells our bodies we'll starve if we don't eat more.

As you reach restriction, you really have to start listening to the signals, your pouch sends to your brain. It really is a process and it takes time.

So my answer to your question... is oh yeah, all the time!

After reading and re-reading the diet, I can have 3-6 liquid "meals" per day. Only have meals when you are hungry! Liquid meals are any fluids which are not clear liquids. It also says that You are taking in 40-55 ounces of fluid at this time. 30-40 ounces should be clear, non-caloric liquids such as water, crystal light, diet Snapple, coffee and tea. Do not count coffee or tea unless it is decaffeinated. Caffeinated coffee or tea are dehydrating and will not count in your total fluid intake. It then goes on to say: Remember that you must take in at least an additional 30-45 ounces of clear liquid fluids between the "meals" listed above. This is extremely important for preventing hydration.

CTman,
You are on your way! Congrats! I feel so fortunate that my recovery this week has been smooth. No pain killers at the hospital or at home. My husband asked me why I haven't used the liquid tylenol with codeine that he picked up at CVS. The reason is I didn't need it. I think that is wonderful news and encouraging for those of you taking this journey soon. I am PLEASANTLY surprised!

Tina, So can you eat more? I sure hope so! You have to fuel your body.

So glad your pain has been minimal.

You're on your way!

Yes, I guess I can add additional 1/4 cup liquid meals. I can have up to 6 a day as well as the additonal clear fluids.
I am done another pound! 15 1/2 since my pre-op diet which includes around 6 since Monday. WOO HOO!

glad to hear there was no pain. I remember when I had my gallbladder out I wanted to scream with the pain and they didn't give me any pain killers back then. I start my preop diet on 3/2. I can have cottage cheese and protein drinks, jello and yogurt. I was surprised.

sharon:)

My pre-op diet allowed for real food too. I lost almost 10 lbs on it.
Congratulations Sharon! You'll be joining us soon!

Shortgal: Thanks, I'll check out the January 08 forum also, thanks.
Sharona: Thanks for the welcome, these forums are so helpful. It also lets me see that so many doctors vary in this whole process. I'm also only allowed a 1/2 cup of food at each meal and it was puzzuling me how individuals can get in 800 - 1000 calories a day.

Osangriared,
My post-op (banded 2/11) only allows for 1/4 cup full low-fat liquids per meal.(I can have up to 6 a day.) Needless to say, I can't wait for my post-op visit on 2/27. Hopefully, I will get the okay to advance to the pureed stage. :) When was or is your surgery?