Cleo's Mom

I was banded on 9/22 and have been on clear liquids since. I see the doctor tomorrow and will then go on full liquid for 2 weeks. Then after that it is on to mushies for I don't know how long. This surgeon is very conservative. I was on liquid only for 2 weeks prior to surgery meaning that I haven't had solid food since 9/7. And I am starving!!!

What is TOM? I have seen it referred to several times. I am not quite up on all the abbreviations.

Maribelle - as more research is done it is becomming clearer that obesity is a very complex medical condition involving genes, hormones, metabolism, and a whole host of other factors. Obese people have less of the hormone that tells them they are full. They have more of the hormone that increases appetite. The band will not change this. But hopefully if it is filled to the "sweet spot" your fullness will last longer and you will not feel hungry. If you are hungry - instead of eating ice cream or chocolate, try a scrambled egg with some cheese and a piece of toast. Then an hour later, drink something warm - like fat free hot chocolate if you're allowed. But you are doing fine. Keep up the good work.

From reading all the posts it has become obvious to me that there does not exist a standard set of dietary guidelines in the medical community for pre and post surgery patients across this country. Some have to do full liquids only 2 weeks before surgery - others get to eat one solid meal a day. Others only have to do a prep the day before. And then after the surgery the diet varies widely. I am 9 days post-op and am on the clear liquid only diet until I see my doctor next week - then it will be the creamy liquid only diet for 2 more weeks. Many at my point are already on the mushies. By next week some will have advanced to foods like scrambled eggs, etc. This is definitely something I will ask my surgeon about. I bought that book about banding written by a doctor who does them and by 2 weeks post-op he has already added fruits, vegetables and starting to add fish and some meat. Any thoughts?

Thanks for all the feedback. Your replies did help ease my mind but I still have to say big time YUCK being able to feel the port.

I don't know if this is unusual or not or if anyone else had this. I am 9 days post-op and this morning I noticed some blood under the strips covering the port incision. It isn't bright red but rather a dark, rust color. I called the nurse and she said it was normal. Just some seepage. It is the only incision that has any pain/soreness at this point. Plus - and this is a super YUCK - I can feel the port.:cursing: She told me this is because I wasn't that heavy going in (196) and this happens to others. too. Has either of this happened to anyone else? I tend to freak out at the least little problem.

Smoking increases the risk of esophageal cancer. Considering that you have the band so close to the esophagus do you really want to risk it? Esophageal cancer is almost 100% fatal. My non-smoking husband died of it 3 years ago at age 56 and his cancer was caught very early. Didn't matter.

Tell her dieting is like holding your breath. You can only do it so long. I would love to know the success rate of weight watchers. By success I mean lose the weight, get to goal and keep it off forever. It isn't very high. Most members join, lose, quit and gain then repeat. And they're counting on that. If diets worked no one would ever need to start a new one. Just ignore her and do what you know is right.

I think it's normal to feel this way after any surgery. Your body has been through a lot!! I think everyone at some point after this surgery - usually soon after- ask themselves "What have I done?" I know I did. At this point I am more worried about never being a normal human being again that can go to a restaurant or sit down with my family and eat normal food. I have visions of eating the food I saw when my mom was in a nursing home and some people had totally ground up food - looked and smelled terrible. I have to get past those images. So hang in there. Give your body time to heal. Give yourself a year. If you still feel the same way then you can discuss removal with your doctor. But I don't think it will take that long for you to know you did the right thing.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 30 - right after having my first baby. Pregnancy can trigger it. So can surgery and changes in hormones, I imagine. That was 27 years ago and until 5 years ago when I had a hysterectomy my dosage was always the same. Since then we have been tweaking the dosage to find the right one. Even minor fluctuations in the thyroid hormone can have a huge impact on your body. See an endocrinologist. Don't take generic synthroid. And take it on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating. Good luck!

I had posted on another place that I thought my doctor was the strictest in the world until I read your post. My clear liquid diet is for 2 weeks - then the full liquid. But you need to discuss your breastfeeding with your doctor because you need 500 extra calories a day for breastfeeding. You don't want to jeopardize your baby's health.

I am beginning to think my surgeon is the strictest in the world!! First, there was the 2 week liquid only pre-op diet. Now post-op I have to stay on only clear liquids for 2 weeks. I don't get to the next phase (creamy soups strained or blended) until then. And I am very hungry at this point (5 days post-op) and feel weak because of it. I haven't had solid food since Sept. 7th.

I was in the recovery room for 6 1/2 hours because my surgeon wants all his patients on the 4th floor which is the surgical (most orthopaedic) floor and there wasn't a room available. I got up to walk the first day and my daughter pointed out that I was the only one ambulatory. Ha Ha. But the nurses were all nice. Once they removed the cathether and I had trouble urinating I was getting up myself every 15 minutes and unplugging the IV and going to the bathroom myself. They had to straight cath me a couple of times. I called it like syphoning gas out of the tank.:bolt: But anything else I asked for I got. I got my painful IV changed to a new location - pain free. The old site is now a big bruise and several shades of purple and yellow. I took my last pain meds 11 PM the night of the surgery and didn't need any after that. My chronic back pain is worse than this surgical pain. I am hoping weight loss will improve that. Since my doctor is going to California I have to wait 2 weeks to see him and be on these clear liquids only until then. Not fair!

Please check with your doctor about this. But I remember when I was growing up and they didn't have all these heartburn medications, my mom would mix a little baking soda in a small amount of water and it would cause her to "rift" (burp) and she would feel better. I think there are instructions on the side of the baking soda box. But again, check with your doctor.:thumbup:

I had my surgery on Monday, the 22nd. There was more pain than I had anticipated. Especially where the port is. I thought the port was down by your abdomen. Mine is under my right breast. I had to stay an extra day in the hosptial because I had trouble urinating when they took the catheter out. My last pain meds were 11 PM Monday night because earlier that night I had dry heaves - not pleasant.:smile2: So I decided no more pain meds because they also can affect ability to urinate. But I don't really need them. I took some liquid tylenol at home yesterday. I also have pain in my left shoulder. It's better today. I am on the clear liquid only phase until I see my doctor on Oct. 7th. The next phase is liquids only but they don't have to be clear. I am troubled by the posts about hair loss. My surgeon told me that isn't usually a problem with banded patients. Apparently he's wrong.:bored: I'm not hungry but I am trying to drink as much as they say. Stay hydrated!! Any suggested from the veterans about anything?:sad:

Thanks everyone. I hope to be back here soon after the surgery letting everyone know how it went.

Tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 22nd is my banding day. It's been almost a year since my first mandatory seminar, through 6 months of dieting and every test under the sun and two weeks on this horrible liquid only diet. But today is the bowel cleansing :embaressed_smile: which is making me very nauseated - so at least I've lost my hunger. I just hope everything goes well tomorrow. I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago - large abdominal incision, removal of a major organ, morphine IV and 6 weeks recovery. And I was up and walking the day of that surgery - so I don't anticipate this will be worse. But I am nervous. So, wish me luck. :cursing:

I am on day 12 of the liquid only pre-op diet - 4 carnation instant breakfasts and sugar free jello, bouillon, and sugar free popsicles. I have not cheated but I am sooo hungry. My surgery is on Monday, Sept. 22nd. I am actually looking forward to the anaesthesia to put me out of my misery - I am so hungry - Ha Ha! But getting nervous, too. Hang in there. Mayber after the surgery you won't feel as hungry.

Well, I wasn't always at a 33.4 BMI. I was over 35 BMI when I started the 6 month pre-op diet and had co-morbidities of sleep apnea and elevated cholesterol. The insurance requires the 6 month diet and the nutritionist said the surgeon would want me to lose 20 pounds which I did. That took me to a 34.8 BMI but the insurance approved it anyway. Now this liquid only diet is causing weight loss, too, but I guess that is what they want. Thanks to everyone for your posts.

I am 57 and going in for banding on Sept. 22nd. I am one week into my liquid only pre-op diet and I am going crazy with hunger. My current BMI is 33.4. I was wondering if anyone was my age or older when they got the band and if they did okay? I mean, when you get older you don't bouce back from things like when you are young(er). I also am having trouble relating to some of the posts about what kind of relationship people had with food before. I was always thin growing up and could eat anything and not gain weight. I started to gain weight in my 30's after 2 children. I ate more calories than I burned so I put weight on one pound at a time until (25 years later) I was 110 pounds heavier than when I got married. I never binged. I never ate a carton of ice cream or a box of donuts. I never ate a lot of fast food or on the run. I ate what my family ate but it was more calories than I burned. And until 7 years ago, I didn't exercise. My parents, brother, aunts, cousins and all 4 grandparents were obese. And I've always had a big appetite. So I'm hoping the band will control the appetite so I can control the portions. At this point in my life I don't want a lot of complications. I am motivated. I am a compliant patient. I did very well on the 6 month pre-op diet. I just don't want to deal with vomiting and nausea and pain well after the banding.

Well, NinaWoo, I am very hungry on the liquid only pre-op diet. 4 carnation instant breakfasts a day plus sugar free jello and popsicles and bouillon if I want. And my BMI was 34.8 when I started - but my doctor uses a one size fits all approach I guess.

Thanks for your answers. They were helpful. I am 201 as of today and I have surgery on Sept. 22nd. So with this liquid only diet until then I expect to be under 200. I have exercised for the last 7 years- but got to the point where diet, exercise and xenical only did so much. I was always hungry and hunger eventually won out. So, thanks again for your replies.

I just wondered if anyone went into surgery under 200 lbs. and if so did you do okay with the surgery and diet afterward? I will be under 200 by the time I have surgery and was wondering if it would make any difference. Thanks. :biggrin:

dear showmepat - I can identify with you. I became a widow 3 years ago at age 54. My husband died of cancer. He was not obese. I had been diagnosed with breast cancer the year before he was diagnosed. So we were both battling cancer at the same time. I am alone now since both my children got married last year. I have intractable back pain that often makes it impossible to do things I have to do by myself. This banding is my last chance to get my weight to a normal weight with the hopes that it will help my back. You need to make this decision for yourself and to help you get to a healthy weight so you can be there for your young daughter. As for cheating. We're not monks. I am sure everyone has something they shouldn't once in awhile. But establishing healthy eating habits is what this is all about. And limiting capacity. Good luck to you. I wish you well. I know the heartache of losing a husband so you have my sympathy.

I am also being banded on September 22nd. Started the two week liquid diet only yesterday. Yuck. I am struggling. But - doctor's orders! But to be young again, though. I am 57 and this is my last shot to get my weight to a healthy weight.