I was banded shut the first week and only used the syringes the hospital gave me to ingest liquids. The Zip-N-Squeeze bags are so easy to use, I found myself squirting too much into my mouth and it felt like I was drowning. I needed something that took a concerted effort to use because you're not exactly coordinated and skilled at doing anything right after surgery.
However, one week post-op when I was de-banded and switched to guiding elastics, I found the Zip-N-Squeeze bags
very helpful. At that point you can open wide enough to place the tube between your teeth and you're so hungry/thristy that you'll want to just let 'er rip. I tired so easily during recovery that I really appreciated the ease of use the Zip-N-Squeeze bags provided once I was able to handle them.
I got one "Hospital Pack," but I ordered another one a couple of weeks post-op, because I was very timid about moving on to soild foods. I think I spent a total of six weeks on a liquid diet and I didn't really mind it. There's enough Campbell's Soup alone to help you avoid food "boredom."
