faithmd

Great question, and I'm glad Mark has reassured me that I'm pretty well prepared (I've been reading here and other places a lot). Thanks for the tip on the Neosporin!

I cannot speak for Dr. Kuri's reasoning, but there is a lot of research out these pre-op diets and shrinking the liver. The majority of it was done relating to RNY, specifically in the days when most RNY or other WLS was done open versus lap. Though it doesn't really make a huge difference when you are talking about grasping the liver and retracting it whether you are open or not. Suffice it to say, the research was done to see if shrinking the liver (so that the operative field was easier to visualize and the liver was less likely to receive a traumatic injury from the instruments and manipulation) was beneficial. It was, but the majority of the studies (not a ton of them out there, but the data is solid) showed the longer, the better. Suggesting a four, or six week diet pre-operatively was the "ideal" but who can realistically do that? So I think the surgeons decided that two weeks was acceptable. Still, there are some docs who require three weeks, and occasionally four pre-op if they believe their patient to have a very fatty liver. I'm not sure if this is ALWAYS diagnosed with an abdominal ultrasound, but I know some folks get them. Some surgeons don't subscribe to it, some do. That's why you get differences. Also, there is the fact that the research was more geared towards a longer and more involved operation that requires more manipulation of the liver (RNY) than what is usually required in AGB (LapBand). I think that's another reason why quite a few of the band surgeons in Mexico (using them as an example) don't require it. They are highly skilled and many of them have exclusively done the band. Their table times are far shorter than a surgeon who has done say, 30 bands. The shorter on the table, the less time in the abdomen, the shorter time the liver needs to be retracted. Some doctors may also use the pre-op diet as a way to psychologically prepare you for the long time post op that you will be without solid food. There is also some credence to resting the stomach a bit pre-op. Though I still don't understand why some docs require a bowel prep for the Band! Here's a link where you can go watch the actual OR, the surgeons doing it explain the whole procedure VERY well. You'll see what I mean by retracting the liver: http://www.or-live.com/tgh/1593 Hope that helps!

Brandy, what an awfully insensitive thing for your mother to say. I'm sorry that you had to endure that after such a wonderfully cathartic day (and I'm thinking it was probably a great NSV for you, too). My mother would probably say something similar, but I do know that in her case, it would be because she doesn't throw a darned thing away and she's from the Depression Era. Even if it doesn't fit or is out of style, it stays because it cost money. Unfortunately I have gotten that packrat mentality and I've got to get control. I hope to be able to do what you did today and clear stuff out. Good for you for doing that.

Ooooo, there's a Mango Gatorade now? I love mango! Maybe I'll break down and have a touch of it to taste

Here's two, Tazze started them both, one in the UK forum, one in pre-op/post-op. But there are different responses to each. Hope this helps! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/easyband-t31658.html?t=31658 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/easyband-t31659.html?t=31659

Easyband isn't in the US yet, I'm not sure that it's in Mexico, either. There's a thread around here about it. I'll go find it.

I'm echoing what the others have said. I gave up caffeine for another reason back in December, and though I haven't yet been banded, I am trying to eat and drink like it so I won't be so shocked when I am. So I have given up carbonation. I also gave up most artificial sweeteners. I will have an occasional bottle of Fuze Slenderize or Propel Fitness Water or Special K Protein Water (must be VERY cold, preferably over ice!), but other than that I drink water, water with a touch of lemon, Target makes flavored waters that are unsweetened (Archer Farms is the brand) and I like them all. They also have ones with Splenda in them. I love V8, Tomato juice, Decaf Luzianne tea, decaf Tetley British Blend, decaf Constant Comment. I'll use regular packets of Kool-Aid and add Stevia to them instead of Crystal Light (which I love, but has artificial sweeteners). I use Silk soymilk for my Cereal.

HelenC, now you were lucky with your cath. With mine all I got was a little morphine and a touch of valium. I remember every stinking minute of it, grrrrr! But now my ablation, that was WONDERFUL! And for endoscopy, the drugs they use for that is pretty much what they used on me for my ablation, a little Fentanyl, a little Versed, maybe some Propofol. All wonderful things that make it so you do not remember a single thing. You will do fine. The banana tasting stuff is the worst part, especially if you hate bananas. But other than that, it should go pretty smoothly. If you are having trouble, do not hesitate to tell them. But it should be a breeze. I've been in enough of them that I'd have to say "a breeze" is pretty much the norm.

Happy HAppy HAPpy HAPPy HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Thanks, Sula! I figured that the therapists office was probably considering the face-to-face as one consult, the MMPI-2 as another, and the scoring and interpretation with the letter as the third, thus the $45 ($15 copay times 3). I know what the K scale is, but I just didn't feel that the OP would care what it means. But I do appreciate you mentioning it for anyone who might be interested. Very kind!

Good point, Jack! GayChris, you just described me to a "T" but I am trying to change what I like to taste, so that if one bite isn't enough, then ten bites won't be so bad, either (like grilled veggies, stuff like that). It doesn't happen overnight, and it's certainly not been easy, but I have not had anything sweet, nor a huge bowl of Pasta (one of my faves) for at least five weeks now and it's not so hard anymore. But yes, I love to eat just for the taste. And the texture. That will be the hardest thing about being banded to me: having to chew and chew and chew and chew. I hate that mushy warm liquid that's left over.

I see the surgeon for my consult on Tuesday, hopefully I'll know more then, thanks for asking!

Sure some folks have, but what does your surgeon and nutritionist say? What are your post-op instructions? Some people have different post-op diets, doesn't mean one is right and another is wrong, yours is based on what your surgeon and nutritionist believe is right. Remember, the reason to stay on liquids is to give your stomach a chance to heal. Your lower stomach was sutured to your pouch to keep the band in place. Those sutures are in a very warm and moist environment and more than likely go through a little bit of fat. Fat does not hold sutures all that great. You do not want your muscular (and it is very muscular) stomach contracting and digesting, the more it moves around trying to digest something of substance, the longer and harder it will be for those sutures to heal well. Do your very best! Remember, in the grand scheme of things, this is how long of a period of time out of your entire life? If you cannot stand it, call the nutritionist tomorrow and ask what s/he thinks, okay? Good luck and we're here for you!!!

If he didn't return the f*%(#*ng camera, I'd do it for him! All the while I'd be firmly implanting my size 11's in his a$$. Hey, it'd be exercise, right? You betcha it's a NSV, goodonya!!!! And kick him once for me...

I have not had the experience personally, but from what I've read around here, and on other sites, it is VERY important to set up aftercare first. You want to make sure you have someone you can see who will not only take care of you and your band, but who will fill a band placed somewhere else. Look on obesityhelp for a list of surgeons in your living area and give them a call to see if they will handle aftercare for you. Make sure you let them know you are also thinking of going to Mexico. Some surgeons there use the Allergan LapBand, some do not, so you want to make sure you will be able to have a non-Inamed band filled here.

Hello and welcome!!

You are having diarrhea because you have no solids foods going in. No solids going in=no solids coming out (or perhaps a little residue, but essentially no solid stuff). It will get better when you can advance to the next stage and have some liquids with more residue to them.

Welcome! How to get the ticker: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/get-ticker-your-t16218.html

Ignore me, junior moment I didn't finish reading your post :girl_hug: Glad you could get it to work!

Not at all a silly question, but probably one of the most asked ones on this board... Here's the link to the thread that explains it: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/get-ticker-your-t16218.html Happy choosing!

I have told only my DH and my parents. And I sort of wish I hadn't told my mom. I'm a bit concerned she'll spread it around. There are quite a few threads about this topic, but it makes a really interesting poll! Thanks for posting it. Here's a couple more really well-answered threads about this topic, too: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/secret-yes-no-t28060.html?t=28060 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/keeping-band-secret-t28793.html?t=28793 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/keeping-secret-excuse-t29885.html?t=29885

I would not pay up front without checking with my insurance myself to see if it's covered with that provider. May I ask if you are going to see a therapist that your surgeon wanted you to see? I called my insurance company and got a Complex Case manager (they manage things like folks who have home nursing care, vents, bariatric suregery requests, etc.) and asked that person who my insurance would pay for me to go see for a psych consult for bariatric surgery. She gave me a list of names, and I called the offices and made an appointment. Then the office called my case manager and got the approval code. I had to pay my co-pay which was $15 a visit, but the therapists' office said that even though I was only there for about 1 1/2hrs, it was considered three visits, so altogether it was $45 out of pocket. I still don't get it, but whatever. I saw the therapist for about 45 mins and then sat and took my MMPI-2 (the personality test-in simplest terms) which took me about another 50 mins. Then I did have to go back and retake my MMPI-2 because I scored too high in the K scale (and that means litle, I know, but suffice it to say, I guess I got my money's worth).

famous: try www.obesitylaw.com and have your insurance mail you the acutal policy, make sure it includes the specific wording related to bariatric surgery.

WASaBB, thanks for writing that, I didn't have the strength to do it last night. And I was pretty sure someone else would, you have a very good way with words!

The recalled list of foods has now expanded to include all the "cuts and gravy" versions Menu Foods produced. It was originally a certain lot # and stuff bought between certain dates. We are fortunate the cat got fickle and started liking Whiskas better than Iams a couple of years ago. Here's a link to the lists, you can choose cat or dog: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/