Scooby_Who

Hi everyone - got banded yesterday. The pain is a little worse than I thought especially on my right side where the port is. The pain meds just seem to knock the edge off. Liquids seem to be going down fine and I actually do feel hungry! Tomorrow I start "full" liquids, and the list of foods says I can have strained soups so I'm pretty excited about that!

I was banded yesterday 5/30. Still in quite a bit of pain. I am taking the liquid lortab, but it just seems to knock the edge off. liquids are going down pretty easily. Tomorrow I can have thin Soup (no particles) so I'm pretty excited about that.

My surgery is tomorrow, 5/30. Sooooo nervous. I'm really dreading getting an IV and getting wheeled back there. I hate that part.

Has anyone's pre-op liver values been elevated? I got my lab results back today, and the normal is 0-31 u/L, and mine are 284 and 181!!! (the ALT and AST enzyme values) The nurse said that the doctor didn't say anything about not going ahead with surgery (scheduled for May 30!), but that I needed to make an appt with my family doctor (which I did). Also, I have been doing the pre-op liquid/liver shrinking/detox diet for a week already. I have a history of liver issues in my family, so I'm very worried.

I will be doing liquids only ... surgery is 5/30. And I am a big cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater on diets, so my plan is just to stay busy doing stuff around the house, running errands, cooking some homemade Soups for post-surgery/full liquid phase, etc. I thought I might try to get some sun (bad for me, I know, but better than eating, and as I've always said ... my fat looks better tan!) Oh, and eating lots of SF popsicles (allowed for me on this liquid phase). Good luck to all of us this holiday weekend - we can do it, and it will be worth it!

May bandsters - How much time (if any) did you take off work? I'm getting banded on 5/30, which is next Wednesday (yikes!), and I'm considering going back to work on the Monday after. I mainly sit at a desk - minimal walking.

I'm getting banded May 30, and my surgeon requires a two-week liquid diet pre-surgery. I was required to purchase shakes from his office ($225!) - they are called "Bariatric Advantage" - there is a whole line of shakes, Vitamins, etc. Okay, so ... the shakes are really, really gross. I've had two so far, and I threw up part of the second one because it was so nasty. The texture is awful ... like slime. So my question is - I see a lot of people talking on her about different kinds of shakes, and I'm wondering why my surgeon required this particular brand. Is anyone else on this kind?

What health food or other stores sell the best selection of Protein shakes? Other than GNC. Thanks!

Chamie - That sounds nearly exactly the same as the pre-op diet I'm following. No fruit, no juice, no vegetables, nothing. What's interesting with me is that the office dieticians told me two weeks, very strict, etc; but the the surgeon said only one week is okay, that I can have a small amount of lean protein per day, and ... get this ... don't tell the dieticians he told me that! So for the first week I've been doing liquids (including protein shakes) + very low carb diet. On Weds, I start liquids only. I will be honest, it's been very, very hard. I've been very light-headed and nauseous.

PS - ColleenJoy, love your picture. I have a boxer as well. Aren't they the sweetest?

Ok, I have what may be a strange question ... for this gas and gas pain that everyone talks about, does the gas come out the, uhhh, normal way it exits your body? Just wondering because people seem to talk about burping, walking, etc.

Hey Sombra - If you happen to have the "Iced Latte" flavor, I have learned this trick: Take a decaf Starbucks "Via", mix with 8 oz Water, truvia, and some ice. Then put in the scoops of the shake powder. It does *not* qualify as delicious, but it's decent. So far, all other flavors are still really, really, *really* bad.

No skim milk for me. Water only.

Hi everyone ... Just wanted to introduce myself. I get banded 5/30. Just started the two-week liquid diet required by my surgeon. I'm struggling a bit with that - you may have seen my other posts on it. Anyway, I really enjoy reading about everyone's experiences pre- and post-surgery! I'm excited but really, really nervous too! Any kind of surgery really scares me - I'm kind of a baby about it.

Thanks, everyone! I'm gonna take my $5 coupon and scoot over to Costco this afternoon!

Has anyone tried these? They have the little banner ads that appear all over these forums. You can buy them at Costco. I compared labels, and they are right in line with these Bariatric Advantage shakes I have now. And surely nothing can taste worse than what I have now ....

"They're disgusting and man made" My sentiments exactly! I feel like I'm pouring chemicals into my body for 2 weeks straight.

I just started the two-week liquid diet, and my doctor prescribed Bariatric Advantage. IMO, they are awful. The texture is like thick slime. I actually threw up part of the second shake I had becuase I just got so nauseated. I'm currently looking at labels to see if I can sub another brand. Good luck!

And now I see that you can buy this (nasty) brand online, and that the amount I bought (had to buy) would be $180, as opposed to the $225 I was required to pay at my doctor's office! So not happy right now ....

Hi - I'm a BMI of 31 and just started the liquid diet. Getting banded 5/30 in Indiana. I'm self-pay because my insurance only pays if one's BMI is over 35. I don't really have any co-morbidities, although heart disease is rampant in my family. I haven't told many people (just my mom, boyfriend, and one very close friend) because I don't want to hear "oh, you don't need it", etc.