PORTION SIZE

Hi Emma.
At 3 weeks post op you should be on a soft , sloppy diet now. ( unless your bariatric provider has different guidelines – the Hospital Group and One Health day from 2 weeks post op it’s a soft diet for 2 weeks)
There’s no need for blender/ purée food at this stage. Basically if you can mash the meal up with the back of a fork it’s fine ( if you need a knife then don’t have it )
Portion sizes is tricky at this stage – we recc using a 6 inch plate – half soft veg where possible. But hunger is normal at this stage so healthy snacks between meals can help with this – yoghurts , bananas etc
If you have a read in The Kitchen – soft phase info has meal plans and soft phase recipes there’s lots more info there
Also read our START here section where the first 6 weeks with a band is all mapped out good luck – let us know how you get on xx

Hi Emma

The daily calorie intake can totally vary from person to person.  With the gastric band, the emphasis is to try and come away from calorie counting and go more to portion control.  Post op hunger can be a difficult one to gauge as the swelling starts to settle and the hunger kicks back in as everyone is different.  So start on your 6″ plate and if this is not satisfying you it may be wise to increase your portion slightly to accommodate the hunger, this may stop the need for additional snacking too.

If you are looking at calories and bearing in mind that the softer diet which you are on tends to be more calorific with the additional sauces etc.  the Guidelines indicate that women need around 2,000 cals and men 2,500 to maintain a healthy body weight.  If you are looking to lose weight then a reduction of calories would be recommended, again this is hard to pin point exactly the exact amount with so many other contributing factors that need to taken into account.

Don’t forget the early days are for healing not necessarily weight loss.  Allowing the band to settle and for you to heal fully is so important.  So do make sure your hitting a good level of nutrition and taking your chewable multivitamin and mineral too xx

Hey Emma good question

The more you chew, helps increase the peristalsis function.  This is the muscles that squeeze and push the food down the digestive tract and through your band.  So even softer diet if not chewed well can cause discomfort if the muscles aren’t working optimally as the food will just slide slowly down and may even sit on top of your band for a while, giving you some pain and discomfort or even regurgitation.  So as you can expect as the hole to the stomach starts to reduce in size you will want and need the muscles working to the best they can to help avoid any of these symptoms occurring.

So for all it feels like a pretty fruitless task at present, it is so so important to start the process of change now.

The chewing and texture will stimulate the nerves too at the top of the stomach, so this will help with the hunger in the long run too.   Complex hey..!!!

Hope this helps and hasn’t completely blown your mind haha xx

Also Emma with some of the textured food like steak for example even after you have chewed 20 times that doesn’t turn to mush – it’s still quite solid – hence the difference between the soft and textured foods

Hi Emma sometimes seeing a little visual will help get your head around what is happening inside as the band tightens, plus you have the stomach wall to take into consideration too so the hole will be smaller than this.  This image is a band with 2ml / 4ml / 6ml / 8ml in.   I think as the journey gets going this will all become more clearer.   The chewing, the textures, the hunger etc, the effects or eating soft diet as apposed to textured.  Just follow the guidance of your provider and it will all make sense in the end.   The crazy world of the gastric band haha xx

Hi Emma. It comes down to the amount of times the oesophagus has to squeeze the food through the band. A soft sloppy meal like shepherds pie slips down the band easily so less squeezes by the oesophagus are needed and therefore less messages sent to your brain to say you are full. A steak salad for example takes way more squeezes so more messages sent to your brain so you feel less hungry xx

Hi Emma that all sounds fine – it might be an idea to choose crackers before the pitta and font add any stringy veg like celery just yet. If you have a read of our problem foods article on the site or read the section called caution foods in your gastric band booklet – week 5 onwards. That will give you a bit more info. It explains what order to try the foods in – sandwich ham before chicken and pasta before rice etc. It’s not set in stone but it’s a good guide
Don’t forget to follow the 20 + rule properly xx

Hi Emma that all sounds fine – it might be an idea to choose crackers before the pitta and font add any stringy veg like celery just yet. If you have a read of our problem foods article on the site or read the section called caution foods in your gastric band booklet – week 5 onwards. That will give you a bit more info. It explains what order to try the foods in – sandwich ham before chicken and pasta before rice etc. It’s not set in stone but it’s a good guide
Don’t forget to follow the 20 + rule properly xx

Yes those are fine xx

Any crackers are fine. Bacon is ok to try. Tiny bits well chewed x

Hi Emma

Can I ask have you got any fluid in your band…?? or have you had your first fill yet..?? xx

Don’t worry I’m sure your nurse/dietitian will access you accordingly and they will advise if you need a fill or not.  If your showing any anxiety around textures or having symptoms like you say, then you need support and eduction for now more than a fill that would be my advice.  Be honest at your assessment and hopefully they will put your mind at ease and provide the support you need or contact your surgeon if they have any other concerns.

Do you have an assessment in place to speak with your nurse or dietitian soon..?? xx

Hi, I’m struggling with portion sizes. I had my band in June and struggled all the time. Had 3ml and 2 weeks ago had .5ml out as had slime most of the time.

feel like I can’t eat normally. I’d put in 2lb pre defil now put on more

i

following what they said to eat and ended up sabotaging myself as so down

i get hungry not sure on my portion sizes. Told portions are too big.

one dinner had 1piece of fish from a pack of 2 fillet pieces of haddock plus 5 sprouts and 2dsp if carrot and Swede mash. Felt ok but not full.

Knowledge and education is so important with the band to help you manage different situations you may come across. Have a good read of the articles in the different section, these may help you too understand your band a little better and how it works xx

Emma no worries thats why we are here, it can be scary when you feel out there all by yourself

She has posted loads on our forum, she’s great, a real person, busy mum and student nurse and doing a great job xx

This is the link for the foodie topics – click on this and scroll down and you will see Laura G posts that she has started

Hopefully this will reassure you a little bit more xx

https://bandboozled.co.uk/cafe/bandboozled-cafe/foodie-topics/

It will get easier Emna – have you had anything get stuck today ? Xx

Hi Emma

Great that you have had no further issues, and fab that your concentrating on increasing your protein.  Your diet like you say is still very much soft – and like you have figured the soft diet is not always the most healthy and is not great to get the best from your band longer term.  Before your assessment on 20th you really need to work on increasing the confidence around textures and include these into your diet so your nurse/dietitan can assess you correctly and advise the best way forward.

If the anxiety is still an issue around textured foods, honestly don’t worry this is not a problem and something can be completely normal at the start of your band journey, its about how you deal with this that is important.  Increasing the volume in your band may not be the best way forward till your feeling more confident.  This is not disappointing if this is case, promise – to fill a band that the patient isn’t ready for can just cause further issues.  Sometimes support and education can be the way forward.

Be confident, cut your food up well – work with the 20+ rule and see how you go.

Keep us updated xx

Hi Emma

Maybe try 2 scrambled eggs and a slice of wholewheat toast or a cracker or 2 instead to help texture things up.

Bands normally tighten around monthly’s – so this is probably why you are feeling the lack of appetite.  You do still need to hit nutritional requirement with fluids or soft if textures become a problem.

Its your birthday it would be a shame to stay in…  just take things easy and maybe steer clear of the shots..!! haha xx

Hi Emma

just remind me how many weeks post op you are now ?

By nutrition we mean healthy foods that contain the goodness that your body needs – foods from these food groups listed on the plate below. So not the snack foods like choc, crisps, biscuits etc

we don’t recommend you count calories because having your band is your tool for weight loss now not having to count calories too. We recc 3 small, healthy, balanced meals daily which will definitely provide you with more than 400 calories – that’s way too low and won’t be giving your body all the goodness / nutrition it needs.  Your calorie intake should never really drop below a thousand as an absolute minimum.  Xx

Hi Emma – just had a look above – so you are about 8 weeks post op so toast is absolutely fine now. Just follow the 20 + rule properly xx

Have a little read of this article too xx

https://bandboozled.co.uk/our-daily-bread/

Try a little toasted thin with the eggs – they are a good size for the band and easier to tolerate if they are toasted xx

Hopefully not – take your time, small bites, and build up your confidence slow and steady.  It’s so important to try and keep calm too as anxiety can effect the band remember xx

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Hi emma,</p>
Ino youve been sticking to eggs and your drinks but heres something ive noticed with my band, when im out i can get a bit of texture anxiety as ive not told anyone about my band however Ive found that if i have something textured for my breakfast it kind of sets the band up forthe day. I know that sounds stupid but it like wakes my band up haha. And things dont seem to get stuck at all especialy if i have textured lunch by tea time im all relaxed and able to eat comfortably all day just off setring myself up for breakfast.

If im in a rush and just have a yoghirt with no granola for breakfast and i go for lunch you can guarentee i cant even eat any of my food as the muscles around my band i feel are to tight. Also if your stressed or iver thinking if to much i find i cant eat.

Try relax and if your not comfortable just start again you might have a little underlying bug and if you have pcos your hormones can have an effect on your band. Please dont worry your gona be just fine. Take it slow, try getting a baby cup and start small with some yoghurt and granola add some dried fruit. But keep chewing.

Your doing amazing.

Love laura xxx

Laura this is such good advice – thanks for sharing

Emma, please don’t worry about tomorrow.  My advice would be, be honest with your nurse and the problems you have been having.  I personally feel you need a little bit longer to find your feet before even thinking about putting additional fluids in your band.

If you are not confident with what your nurse says and she wants to tighten it, please raise your concerns with her.

Don’t think your missing out by not getting a fill – more fluids doesn’t always mean more weight loss

Do let us know how you get on xx

Definitely speak with Sarah – she may want to just keep an eye on you to make sure things settle as not being able to eat textures with an empty band is not normal – but may just be you need a little longer for things to settle after your surgery xx

No emma that is like so normal, i went off meat and bread for ages after my band and ive only told my parents and my husband to. Haha. Were the same.

Ive found that slow introductions you will start to love food again. And some of the best recipies are veggie. You will learn to appreciate the quality of the food you eat, rather than how much you eat.

Do your self a little food log take some pics and post them on here have a look at some of the recipes on this and once a week have a little go at one.

My skin went really bad when i git my band to exept i got really spotty,funny enough i was gona do a little post about wls and skin problems tomorrow.

Things will level out, its only been 7 weeks. think of it like this youve had major surgery and a tool put in your body, your body is used to its old ways you gotta give it time to retune and form new habits. With polycystic ovary syndrome to that could have effects on your whole endocine system you may have had minor issues before with skin but they have become magnified by the lack of nutrition. Try a nice fresh cold smoothie with all your fave fruits in for some vitamins. Sip slowly hehe, idd go back to mushys even just for a week get your self feeling like you again then have your textures.

I really feel for you.

I have been there xxx

Hi Emma

It can take awhile to get used to the band and for everything to settle but generally if following the 20+ rule properly everything should go through the band ok. Most people have a few foods they would just rather avoid because it’s easierbuf heLthy foods like stud try’s should be ok. I would try all the foods you want  to eat , small portions, well chewed and try not to be anxious ( easier said than done I know). If there’s a point you are struggling to eat a lot of healthy textured foods then you may need a fraction out the band to help

In the meantime concentrate on proteini take – at least 50 g daily as that can help with thinning hair. Maybe try some HP yoghurts  to give it a boost xx

Emma thats great you can eat better now. Idd keep g o ing the way you are and then book your fill for in 2 weeks time.  Use a small side plate so you can control your potions,

Until your at optimum level you wont feel full like some of us. So thats why you need to do some self control at the start.

Your doing amazing.

Happy birthday for yesterday xxx

Aw happy birthday Emna – hope u had a fab day !!

You are def getting there with your band – keep going. The textured you managed are great.

Mite can be a different sensation with the band – aiming to feel just satisfied ( not hungry) but not uncomfortably full. You will know when you reach that point – well done xxx

Hi Emma

Broccoli is fine, just remember to cut it up and chew it well.  Glad to hear you are adding extra food groups into your diet now.

We try to encourage that you come away from calorie counting with a band if you can.  Its about portions ideally.

If you’re feeling hungry after you have ate, (and your meals are small) maybe try to increase your portions at your mealtimes until your band kicks in and will help with reducing portions and hunger.

Not to sure what the dry mouth is..??  are you drinking enough – do you take your multivitamins..??

If things continue it may be worth mentioning it too your GP

Good luck with your shop, aim for the colourful foods and you can’t go wrong xx

Hi Emma. A GP app would be good – put your mind at rest

I would def concentrate on more fluids – that’s probably where the dry mouth comes from.

Meal plans are all in The Kitchen.  We try not be too prescriptive with these because it’s about learning to plan and cook your own meals whilst still having the flexibility to have what you fancy to eat not what we say you should have. The mix and match textured ones would be ideal for you just now. Meal ideas but still flexible

Let us know how u get on at docs  good luck xx

General Practitioner – your doctor xx

Hi Emma this is a great little article about protein, it should give you some tips on how you can increase your daily intake xx

https://bandboozled.co.uk/protein/