need2lose2

My doc said no pill for a month before surgery and then a month afterwards.......guess every doc is different.

At the seminar i had gone to, there was a bandster who spoke about the band. I asked her if she can feel the port. She came over to me and had me feel the port area of her stomach......i felt it just below the skin and she had virtually no fat there. I never thought to ask the surgeon about it's placement when i saw him tues. Oh well.

LOL!!

3 days before surgery i need to be on a full liquid diet. During the first 2 days, if i don't have a bowel movement, i was told to take dulcolax at the end of those 2 days (24 hours before surgery).

It's so nice to hear that all of you who had surgery already are doing great. I'm anxiously waiting for my surgery on monday.

I think i'll feel better once i'm eating normal foods and not just liquids. Just have to somehow get through it without the carb cravings.

Just had my preop testing done at the hospital and am set for the 19th. I also don't have a preop diet until 2 days before when i can only have clear liquids. Before today, i could not wait and the surgery date could not come fast enough. Now, after sitting with the nutritionist to go over what i can eat till the surgery and then during the weeks afterwards........i'm really nervous. I question if i'm doing the right thing......can i handle this? Or am i experiencing the presurgery jitters?

Thank you very much for clarifying that. It now makes sense.

Vanilla, i'm so sorry to hear that. I don't know why the surgeon's offices give surgery dates before getting final approval from the ins. I was surprised at this. Got my surgery date yesterday but then when i went to the support group, she told me that all my clearances are in and the whole package was sent out to the ins. It didn't occur to me at the time, but when i got home i was thinking "why on earth did she give me a date when she only now sent out the info to the insurance??" Getting a surgery date should be the ultimate definate that you are going to have the surgery and everything is in place. To make people have to go on the 2 week liquid diet and preop testing only to have the ins come back in the negative, is crazy!!

I just got my date! Sept 19

My nutritionist said that because caffeine is a diuretic and makes you go, it is a concern that you'll be losing too much of the necesssary fluids your body needs after surgery...especially in the beginning. It's going to be hard for me as well cuz i just love my flavored coffees in the mornings and the decaf ones are terrible

Hi. Just got my surgery date. I'll be banded on the 19th. Not sure about any diet instruction until next week when i see the surgeon. Sooo nervous.

Got my date!!!! Surgery is scheduled for Sept 19th!! They are working me in so that nothing interferes with the holidays!! I'm in shock that it's so soon. On the 12th i go in for preop lab work and meet with the program coordinator for 2 hours to get all my instructions. On the 13th i go in to see the sugeon. Guys....i'm sooooo nervous!!!

The surgeon's office said they will be ready to give me a surgery day either this week or next week. My question is for all the Jewish bandsters....should i wait till after the holidays and do it in november, or should i try to get it in before rosh hashana and suffer through all the food laden meals of all the holidays?

I appreciate your advice. Thank you so much.

I definately agree..........just nervous about the 3 day yomim tovim (specifically succos) where all we do is eat and sleep......kwim?

Thank you so much for your input, rachael!

I've heard from some people that they are drinking slim fast shakes as their protein shake. SF shakes have 10g of protein and at my last nutrition appt, the nutritionist said we'd need at least 24g of protein per scoop of powder. For those who are drinking the SF shakes, how do you make up the protein that's necessary per meal? (before surgery and liquid stage post surgery)

Thanks. We actually do have one and i never thought to use it for the protein shake!! I'm also looking into purchasing the magic bullet if it's not too pricey.

Oh Gosh, latkes...........YUM!!! Isn't that considered a mushy food??????????? LOL During succos, we usually get invited out or have guests for meals..........wondering if i'll be up to all that.....and this year there are 3 day yom tovs!!!!! If i cook and freezer ahead of time, will i be physically able to deal with guests or be invited out for meals.......and sukkah hopping, of course! As it is right now, i don't think the nutritionist will be happy with me becuase i've had a month to try and follow a diet in order to lose some weight and ive not really done well. My appt is on Wed when i'm supposed to get clearance and then i'll be able to get surgery date. I'm hoping she gives me the clearance.

Thanks. I guess i'll stick to the whey protein powders and try to get used to them

Thank you all for your replies! I really appreciate it. The problem is that all the jewish holidays are not just one meal like easter dinner, christmas dinner, or even chanukah. These holidays are days and days laden with food and traditional foods and all there is to do is sit at the table and eat. (they are like sabbaths where you can't watch tv, drive, listen to radio, no laptop, etc etc) If i get banded before the holidays, i'll be dealing with just liquids during the holidays. If i wait, i'd have to plan it so i'm not on the preop liquids during the holidays. Ugh, still not sure. Aside from the eating, is it better to recuperate during the holidays where there is a risk that pple will stop by for visits? My husband says that if i decide to do it in between rosh hashanah and yom kippur but do i want to be recuperating going into a fast? I dont think i'd be able to get away with not fasting since i have a choice to postpone till after the fast. But then again, i agree with those of you who say to get it done as soon as possible so that i can start the process of losing weight. I guess i'll have to wait and see when their earliest date is and decide from there. really nervous

Great thread! I'm fat because i love food. Plain and simple. My entire life revolves around food. I am constantly thinking about what i will eat at my next meal and when i get invited to a party, the only thing i think of is what food they'll serve. I also live a pretty sedentary life. I am going through the approval process to get a surgery date. I know that the band will not allow me to make excuses or to overdo things.

Thank you. Feeling better. I know i'll keep questioning this whole ordeal till the very last second. When the weight comes off, i'll be happy........what i'm struggling with is can i adapt this lifestyle for the rest of my life? I am the same way with food. If you restrict something from me, i'd think about it all day long, every day, and then get depressed that i can't eat it. Having said that, i know i need to change my whole outlook on food (as much as i love it) and the way i deal with it. I am every kind of eater there is. I am definately an emotional eater but i also like the different textures and bites i get from food. So, when a food gets stuck, is it safe to assume that the food will pass through the band but at a much slower pace? What does it feel like and can you drink somethng to help it go down?

It's truly a shame that it's not around anymore. Would've been nice to have that available...... Yes, i'm at the beginning stages before surgery. I already have cardio clearance, blood work, and psych clearance. Have appts this week for the pulmonary clearance. Second nutrition appt is in the beg of Sept. I just have to find a support group here in Rockland County, NY (my surgeon is in Westchester and while they have a support group, it's only in the evening when traffic the worst) and then i'm done with all the tests and clearances. I'm very nervous about the whole decision to do this. One day i get excited and then the next day i'll read some posts about vomiting and getting stuck, and i start questioning if this is right for me.....