horsegirl315

My Dr only requires me to do clear liquids the day before surgery, but I may start a few days ahead of time because ill probably be too nervous to eat anyway! Different doctors require different things, I have not been able to figure out why some require a liquid diet for two week, some for one weeks and some not at all

Actually, I thought if I had some self control, I could consider following the lap band diet and amounts without actually having the surgery. But who am I kidding I HAVE NO SELF CONTROL! A test run, now that I may be able to handle!

Lol @ Shirley and the fat cells. Hang in there Shirley, you can do it!!!

My nutritionist, who is affiliated with my surgeon, specifically said NO ice chips after surgery :-/ I wonder why! Waah!

Good luck, let us know how it goes!! With cold and flu season at its peak, im sure its something they deal with all the time!!!

let me know how it works, im not banded yet so I look forward to seeing if this is something that will work for me later on!

Day 1 & 2-The first two days are all liquids. You can have as many low-carb Protein shakes as you like to satisfy hunger or cravings. In addition drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of Water each day. The purpose of all liquids is to break any snacking, grazing or processed carbohydrate habits. In addition the liquids will work to cleanse your system and prepare you for the following three days. Try to reduce your caffeine intake as well, but do not stop caffeine cold turkey or you will feel sick and frustrated potentially losing the desire to continue with the pouch test. It is very important to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. This will prevent dehydration, will help curb cravings and will flush your body of toxins and fat. Sufficient water intake improves kidney function and cell processes. Day 3: Soft proteins- The next three days you get to eat as much as you want as often as you want! But there's a catch: it has to be solid Protein and you only get 15 minutes each time you sit down to eat. No drinking 30 minutes before or after meals and no drinking with your food. A dry pouch will hold your soft protein longer helping your to feel full and fed longer. Protein Recommendations: canned fish ( tuna or salmon) mixed with lemon and seasoned with salt and pepper, eggs cooked as desired seasoned with salt pepper and/or salsa, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy), baked or grilled, and lightly seasoned. This starts your program with "soft" protein. Measure your portion (1 cup volume or 4-6 ounces weight) and eat only until you feel full, not overfull. Remember, no water for 30 minutes before or after you meal, and no fluids with your meal. We are going back to the beginning and fluids will prevent you from feeling the pouch. If you need to add a moist condiment ( Miracle Whip or mayonnaise) to the canned fish I understand, but keep it to a minimum so the meat is not too moist. One reason we lose the sense of tightness in our pouch is that we eat "--URL::9afd69233af0e2304bef654138afbccf-- slider foods" -foods that are too moist and do not stay in the pouch very long, they slide right through the stoma. Cottage cheese is a good protein and you can include it on day 3. To firm it up a bit you could add a chopped hard cooked egg to your cottage cheese. And yes, during the liquid phase chicken boullion with added protein is great. Day 4 Firm Protein- Protein Recommendations: ground meat (beef, turkey, lamb) cooked dry and lightly seasoned, shellfish, scallops, lobster steamed and seasoned only with lemon, salmon or halibut steaks, grilled and lightly seasoned. By now you should be experiencing that familiar tightness that will reassure you that your pouch is working. Remember to drink plenty of water between meals. Take some time to meditate and rediscover the wonder of your pouch. Often we don't like that uncomfortable tightness of the pouch, which is why we gradually move toward slider foods that don't make us uncomfortable. It is always my preference to eat moist protein so I don't get uncomfortable, but doing so allows me to consume more than I should. Rediscovering the pouch with this 5-day plan reminds me of how the tool really works. I hope by now you are rediscovering your tool and enjoying the hope and excitement because your pouch still works. Day 5 Solid Protein- Remember to chew chew chew. Measure your portion (4-6 ounces) and eat only until you feel your pouch tighten. Remember, only 15 minutes per meal, so you'll have to work fast to chew your food completely. By now you should be out of any carb cycle you were in and perhaps you have lost a pound or two. You will have new confidence in your pouch and your ability to work the tool for your health and emotional well being. Don't go hungry! Remember, you can eat as often as you want as long as it is solid protein, consumed without liquids and measured in 4-6 ounce portions. ***Found this post from one of the forum members, thanks Pamela!

I have been at this for 6 months, and my surgery is scheduled for Jan 30, which would make 7 months. Good luck with your journey, and if you need us, we are here for support!

Like the others said, YOU are not a failure!!! Forget the past, and figure out what you need to do to move forward. I have seen many people recommend the 5 day pouch test (www.5daypouchtest.com)...it helps you learn to "feel" your pouch again. That site directs you to something where I think its an ebook or something, I have seen the actual 5 day diet here on the forums, I will see if I can find it, and post back here in a bit!

Never forget that people who are overweight, have dieted and exercised, etc. May not want you to get the surgery because they see it as the "easy way out", just as you had mentioned. However, if they chose to do it themselves, and believe they can keep their weight off, great for them. We need the band as a mental and physical TOOL to allow us to control portion control and keep us fuler longer. Who would say no to that kind of tool? Not me!

Hi shay, from what u have heard, a hernia does not postpone surgery...it is something they usually fix during the surgery. Your Dr is probably right, I know I will be nervous before my surgery, its probably stress or anxiety related.

Also, once you find a vanilla powder you like, you can use a tablespoon of sugar free pudding or jello to change thr flavor...for example, vanilla protein with sf orange jello=orange creamsicle!

Those of you who can't eat meat, I wonder how you have it done? Well? medium well?? I love filet mignon, pretty much the only red meat I will ever eat, and i eat it medium rare, which is quite soft if cut in small pieces and chewed well...I hope I can eat it after being banded!

So happy to hear he is coming home! Thanks to him for his service, and to you for your sacrifice. What a wonderful motivation for weight loss, I'm sure he will be so proud : )

I have often felt like once I actually have my surgery, I may have an emotional moment...its like a whole new.life, and we all went through so much to get here! I totally understand breaking down, the appt you had, confirmation that you're going down the right road, and weight loss, the light at the end of the tunnel! Congrats, and a big thumbs up to hubby for being so great! You're blessed to have support like that!

This is one if my biggest worries because I have never had surgery, I don't know how I will react. When my Mon had back surgery a few yrs ago, she was sick the entire day after. But then again, she is really sensitive to meds like vicodin, and I'm not at all. I hope I do ok, I did consider asking for the patch ahead of time, or.possibly discussing my fear with the anesthesiologist at my preop appt

Congrats! I have been through a lot of testing too, it went by fast thought, and before I know it ill be banded on Jan 30! I definitely feel your pain, my parents own a restaurant, and I waitress there (the only fat waitress lol)...my dad is such an awesome cook, everything he makes tastes so delicious! I love to cook too, but more than anyrhing i want to be healthy. That's why I chose the band over bypass...with the band, you can still eat some if the things you used to once in a while, just less of it. I'm excited for us!!!

I had to do a double take on the name of your hospital, thought you were saying you had a "Mc Meal" before surgery tomorrow...as in McDonald's.....LOL!

My surgeon did not predict a specific amount for my weight loss specifically, but made a statement at his seminar that band patients only lose about 40-60% of their excess weight. Of course that is a statistic. I'm not going to let myself be a statistic. For me, that percentage is out of my brain because i have seen first hand how much people can lose. And just think, we here at the forums do NOT represent the majority of lap band patients. WE are proactive. WE are the ones here asking questions, wanting to do the most we can to succeed. Sadly, my Dr informed me, most patients get the surgery and never come back to the office. The day ofthe seminar, we were told that 90% of us wouldn't follow through with the necessary steps to get to the surgery date. Well here I am. Got my surgery date yesterday. Going in January 30 and I'm going to change my life. For most of us, this is it. The last straw, our last hope! I believe we will all lose more than the statistic, there is no TRy. Just DO.

My surgery is Jan 30 and I have a post op appt exactly one week after. I have a desk job by day, and waitress a few nights, so I am taking off 6-7 work days, with the weekends that comes to 8-9 days. If I don't need .all the time to rest, I will take walks and concentrate on my nutrition, and will fully enjoy my time off...since I'm usually so busy with work, it will be nice to have aome ME time!

Tomorrow is the big day! Let us know how it went when you're feeling up to it!

Yes, the actual results of my sleep study were...I didn't sleep enough to yield any results! After this post, I was scheduled to meet with the sleep Dr, who had me do some breathing, measured my neck, etc...he then told me he does not believe I have sleep apnea, and since he is affiliated with my surgeon, would write him a letter saying so. He offered an at home sleep study, just to be sure, which I agreed to. Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover at home sleep study, so the letter is what got me through clearance for surgery. A diagnosis does not change whether you get the surgery or not. It helps your Dr create a plan for your recovery. If you do have sleep apnea, you must wear your cpap mask during recovery, or risk respiratory failure

Finally, after many appts, i have a date!!! January 30! Still have preadmission testing, etc to do before then, but I am THRILLED to be a January bandster...by the skin of my teeth!

Woohoo! My final cosult and hopefully surgery scheduling is TOMORROW! It has been a long road and I am so ready! Good luck to all of us! So glad we have each other to come to for support!

I have also heard some ppl say there is more swelling in the morning, and a warm drink will help open things up for the day...try some warm tea/green tea and see if that helps!