kyrrin1

Having been on this forum for 2 years now I have read many posts and participated in numerous threads. At first I sought help as I was learning about the banding process. People were wonderful about answering what seems now as basic questions. I also enjoyed the conversations of like minded people who were going through or had been through what I was embarking on.
Now that I have lived with my band almost 2 years and been rather successful I have alot to offer others in the way of motivation, tips and support when I see questions or conversations which I feel I can help out with. In turn I too still have questions about different subjects and appreciate the answers when I post them.
That said... this is a public forum with people from all walks of life... some of whom may not be similar to mine. But when I post a question and read the opinions and answers I appreciate them at face value and respect that someone took the time to provide me with an answer...even if it isnt something I want to hear. If I didnt want opinions I wouldnt post a question.
And in turn if I dont respond to a thread its because I have nothing to offer that has not been said or in some case because I just really have nothing noteworthy to say or maybe I feel someone is just whining and I havent the time or energy to reply.
I am discussing this because recently I have received a few personal messages which have been from people saying I am too cut and dry, too black and white, or the best one was.... Just because you are thin now doesnt mean you are all that. That one actually cracked me up because yes I am very proud of my accomplishment but now its time for me to give back and help others... and if someone thinks that is self absorbing... I have no time in my life for their insecurity.
In a nutshell... I think it would be wise for people to remember that if you ask a question about your band, diet or eating habits... expect an answer. In fact expect lots of answers from people which will be to the point and based on their own personal experience. It may open your eyes to something which will help you. Or you may choose to ignore it.... But If you do not want an answer...do not ask the question.

I just have to shout it out! I am losing weight.
Really losing it. I had surgery Aug 27th 2012 and I have lost I think pretty close to 40 lbs. No pills, no shots...and most of it before I even had a fill. My first fill was Oct 17th. For me it started with the pre-op diet. I only gained on the 6 mo supervised wt loss period Cigna insisted on....it was a green light to eat as much as I could before the big day. At the most I was eating 3400 to 3600 ca a day. I was a fast food queen, I bet I can still rattle off the carl's jr menu by heart.
Post op was a different story. The gas pains kicked my butt. The port incision finished me off. I used a calorie tracker religiously so I can look back at the first weeks and see my daily total. Week 1 about 400 cal maybe up to 500/day. I was miserable. Not even able to look at food "That was a first" ! Slowly I was able to eat again. My doctor was very conservative- I didn't get to soft food till week number 6. But I think that was my secret.....it gave my stomach a new start. Because I was afraid of complications I went very slowly. The weight started coming off. Week one I think I lost 5 pounds. By the 2 week post op appt. I was down 11 lbs. It has been 9 weeks since my surgery and I lost 39 lbs. that is almost 4 pounds a week.
I just wanted to say I have never been this successful....It feels great! I am breathing better, snoring less, fitting in clothes I haven't worn for years. I don't fall asleep in movies either. I don't even feel hungry for the most part.
I have found my ankles and just recently my collarbone. WOW! I can now say I get it....the band is just a tool...it is hard work.
Thank God for the Doctors that do this surgery.
Thanks to all of you that write about everything so I don't have to ask the questions.

I just have to shout it out! I am losing weight.
Really losing it. I had surgery Aug 27th 2012 and I have lost I think pretty close to 40 lbs. No pills, no shots...and most of it before I even had a fill. My first fill was Oct 17th. For me it started with the pre-op diet. I only gained on the 6 mo supervised wt loss period Cigna insisted on....it was a green light to eat as much as I could before the big day. At the most I was eating 3400 to 3600 ca a day. I was a fast food queen, I bet I can still rattle off the carl's jr menu by heart.
Post op was a different story. The gas pains kicked my butt. The port incision finished me off. I used a calorie tracker religiously so I can look back at the first weeks and see my daily total. Week 1 about 400 cal maybe up to 500/day. I was miserable. Not even able to look at food "That was a first" ! Slowly I was able to eat again. My doctor was very conservative- I didn't get to soft food till week number 6. But I think that was my secret.....it gave my stomach a new start. Because I was afraid of complications I went very slowly. The weight started coming off. Week one I think I lost 5 pounds. By the 2 week post op appt. I was down 11 lbs. It has been 9 weeks since my surgery and I lost 39 lbs. that is almost 4 pounds a week.
I just wanted to say I have never been this successful....It feels great! I am breathing better, snoring less, fitting in clothes I haven't worn for years. I don't fall asleep in movies either. I don't even feel hungry for the most part.
I have found my ankles and just recently my collarbone. WOW! I can now say I get it....the band is just a tool...it is hard work.
Thank God for the Doctors that do this surgery.
Thanks to all of you that write about everything so I don't have to ask the questions.

I just have to shout it out! I am losing weight.
Really losing it. I had surgery Aug 27th 2012 and I have lost I think pretty close to 40 lbs. No pills, no shots...and most of it before I even had a fill. My first fill was Oct 17th. For me it started with the pre-op diet. I only gained on the 6 mo supervised wt loss period Cigna insisted on....it was a green light to eat as much as I could before the big day. At the most I was eating 3400 to 3600 ca a day. I was a fast food queen, I bet I can still rattle off the carl's jr menu by heart.
Post op was a different story. The gas pains kicked my butt. The port incision finished me off. I used a calorie tracker religiously so I can look back at the first weeks and see my daily total. Week 1 about 400 cal maybe up to 500/day. I was miserable. Not even able to look at food "That was a first" ! Slowly I was able to eat again. My doctor was very conservative- I didn't get to soft food till week number 6. But I think that was my secret.....it gave my stomach a new start. Because I was afraid of complications I went very slowly. The weight started coming off. Week one I think I lost 5 pounds. By the 2 week post op appt. I was down 11 lbs. It has been 9 weeks since my surgery and I lost 39 lbs. that is almost 4 pounds a week.
I just wanted to say I have never been this successful....It feels great! I am breathing better, snoring less, fitting in clothes I haven't worn for years. I don't fall asleep in movies either. I don't even feel hungry for the most part.
I have found my ankles and just recently my collarbone. WOW! I can now say I get it....the band is just a tool...it is hard work.
Thank God for the Doctors that do this surgery.
Thanks to all of you that write about everything so I don't have to ask the questions.

This will explain it better than I can.
http://www.rnytalk.com/topic/2665-dumping-the-confusion-about-dumping/

very dumb.....

Lol those damn scales. They trick us all from time to time. I weigh myself every morning, some days it goes up a few pounds then right back down, I don't fret over it , we'll I have maybe once or twice but I know it's not fat gain as I'm strict with making the right choices and know its mainly Fluid retention. The weigh in I'm most concerned about is the one at the clinic each time I go which has been every two weeks so far and I've always lost, my biggest loss being 2.6 kilos in two weeks otherwise its one to two kilos down every two weeks which are adding up nicely.

mine is calorie counter. i dont know if its the same or not but I love it.

My dr prepared me for surgery by making me do a 2 week liquid diet. I hated it at the time but he was very wise because it taught me the following:
I can live without eating food as long as I have nutrition
I can live on 800 calories each day
food is fuel... You only need it to survive. The act of eating is a habit which can be broken
That said the liquid diet also shrunk my liver so I was able to have a successful surgery. Additionally it prepared me for the 2 weeks of liquid post surgery while I healed and made me appreciate mushies like you cannot imagine!!
And the added bonus... I lost 22 lbs pre op which was a nice kick start to my journey.
Best of luck

Thanks Kyrrin, yes it was laparoscopic and I have been for a walk round the ward - bit dizzy but no bad pain - feeling better every hour, had clear Soup and sugar free jelly for dinner - took my time eating it and savouring the jelly taste.
I am so happy I made this decision to get my health back on track -

The liquid diet is a common feature of the bariatric surgery landscape, as widespread and despised as kudzu in the South. Since there’s no way around it, you might as well make the best of it by learning the reasons for it and trying the practical tips I’m going to give you.


WHY A liquid DIET?
Bariatric clinics use differing protocols for their patients’ pre-op and post-op diets. Why? When you finish explaining that, perhaps you could also explain the meaning of life? If you asked your surgeon or dietitian, the answer would probably go something like this: “We have adapted these procedures to suit the needs of the patients in our individual practice, based on our experience of what produces the best outcome and the fewest complications.” In the case of adjustable gastric band patients like us, you might expect the band manufacturers to dictate what are called “best practices” in patient education and care, but the fact is that if Allergan and Ethicon-Endo were to employ armies of band police to supervise every bariatric surgeon in the world, no one would be able to afford a gastric band.
However those clinics’ protocols may vary, the liquid diet is extremely common part of bariatric patients’ pre-op and post-op instructions. Contrary to popular belief, the liquid diet is not intended to torture the patient. The main purpose of a pre-op diet is to reduce the size and improve the texture of the liver (any weight loss is a plus). The liver is a big organ whose left lateral segment lies on top of the part of the stomach where the band is placed. The pre-op diet uses up the glycogen stored in the liver, shrinking it and making it sturdier, less slippery, and easier to maneuver with laparoscopic instruments. This not only makes the surgeon’s job easier and quicker, it also reduces the risk of complications for you. If your surgeon doesn’t require a pre-op diet of any type, I would have to conclude that he or she is mighty confident in their surgical abilities, but I would also want to ask them how often they have to abort a surgery or convert from a laparoscopic to an open incision technique because of problems handling the patient’s liver.
The purpose of the post-op diet is to keep you nourished while you and your upper GI tract recover from surgery. Although AGB surgery is usually minimally invasive (when done laparoscopically), it does require incisions and some internal dissection, as well as manipulation of your internal organs. All this can cause swelling. One day your stomach was fat, dumb and happy. Now it's got a collar around its neck. In order for it to digest food in any form, your stomach muscles must expand and contract to break the food down and move it along to your lower GI tract. Expecting your stomach to do that comfortably and safely while wearing its brand-new collar just isn’t wise.
So to allow everything to heal properly, and the band to seat itself against your stomach in the correct position, most surgeons require patients to follow a staged post-op diet, starting with liquids. What happens if you don’t follow your post-op recovery diet?
Food can get stuck in the stoma or esophagus and cause an obstruction and/or vomiting.
Vomiting can disturb the position of the band, which can cause the band to slip.
Peristalsis (the muscular action of moving food through the digestive system) can disturb the position of the band, and that can cause the band to slip.

So don't do it!
"But I already cheated!" you say? It's not the end of the world, but don't do it again!
"But I'm starving!" you say? That's too bad, but that isn't the end of the world, either. Not, it's not fun, but hunger is not a good excuse for cheating your health in such a major way. I'd guess that seven of ten bandsters starve their way through the liquid diet phase. If you absolutely cannot bear the liquid diet for another second, or you think you might be genuinely allergic to your Protein Shakes (which could be lactose intolerance rearing its ugly head), call your surgeon or nutritionist before you put something in your mouth that isn't on the approved list. And by the way, the same advice applies to following a liquid diet after each fill you get, so you might as well perfect your liquids survival technique now because you’re going to need it over and over again in the future.
SOME PRACTICAL TIPS FOR SURVIVING YOUR LIQUID DIET
Don't worry about how many calories you're consuming, but stay away from milkshakes, ice cream, frappes and fancy coffee drinks.< br> Drink Protein Drinks (protein will keep you going longer than sugary stuff like fruit juice).
If you don't like the smell or taste of Protein Powder, try putting the drink in the freezer long enough for it to get slushy, and/or put it in a covered beverage container. Sometimes it's the smell, not the taste, that's bothersome.
If you don't care for sweet tastes, try unflavored Protein powder (from various sources including Unjury®) or Unjury® chicken Soup flavor protein powder (www.unjury.com).
Add Unjury® chicken soup flavor protein powder to blended creamy Soups (follow the Unjury® heating instructions or it will clump up and refuse to dissolve).
Add fat free half-and-half or milk to prepared chicken bouillon or broth for a creamy drink.
Add unflavored or fruit-flavored protein powder when making sugar-free Gelatin. Check out the recipes at the Unjury website. Be aware that “unflavored” doesn’t mean the protein has no flavor, so the end product isn’t going to taste exactly like the original.
Buy your favorite soup from a local restaurant, strain out the solids, and drink the broth (Chinese hot and sour soup is wonderful this way).
Buy or make bean soups, puree and thin them with broth, Water, or milk. The pureed soup must be thin enough to pass through a drinking straw.
Add powdered non-fat milk to soups and shakes to boost the protein.
Crunch on sugar-free popsicles, slushies, Italian ice, or ice chips.< br> Don't hang around people who are eating real food.
Experiment with the temperature of your liquids - cold may feel or taste better than hot, or the other way around.
To prevent boredom, experiment with recipes for protein shakes (you'll find at least a million recipes online).
Keep busy! This is a good time to address holiday cards. Who cares if it’s the middle of June?

AND IN THE TMI DEPARTMENT…
A few final words about your liquid diet. Don’t panic if consuming liquids sends you running to the bathroom more often than you’d like. LIQUIDS IN = LIQUIDS OUT. If that happens to you, ask your doctor to suggest a safe, effective OTC anti-diarrheal medication.
And remember: This too shall pass. In more ways than one.

in the "search" area at top type in pre op hints, pre op diets etc. then just start reading.. look at headers that might contain information you seek

in the "search" area at top type in pre op hints, pre op diets etc. then just start reading.. look at headers that might contain information you seek

Congratulations on trying to explore this issue with those around you. Even postOp you will encounter people who will somehow determine they have the right to give their opinion whether asked or not.
One of the liberating aspects of making good informed decisions is learned to train our own Rational Mind instead of allowing our Emotional Belly run our lives.
Research, read, discuss, ask questions.....it gets down to what you, your medical condition, and your doctor decide is the best choice.
It took me nearly 2 years of vacillation, frustration, anxiety and visiting a number of WLS support groups live, to decide. And in 2003 there weren't many Bandsters around for support of this option.
Cheers on your journey.

Been reading alot of posts . Some make me thoughtful, and some give me hope. But some make me giggle.....NPO is latin for:
N nothing
P per (latin for by)
O os (latin for mouth)
Which is loosly translated to mean: nothing by mouth.
The danger in anesthesia is that as you intubate a person and they have food in their stomach they could aspirate the stomach contents. Hence anesthesia keeps you NPO after midnight for surgery.
I see that there is a great range of pre-op restrictions to food some liquid for 1-2 weeks and some just a reasonable diet and NPO 24 hours before the procedure.
I think the doctors that restrict calories 1-2 weeks prior to procedure are being kinder to the pt.
I went from 3300 yes 3 3 0 0 cal per day to 600/day post op. It was like hitting a freight train of hunger. It left me very weak and tired after surgery. Now .....back to today's posts.... love em!

smartscrubs are very comfy because of the sizes available.

i love all the responses but lets be real.
i got overweight because i ate too much (regardless if its processed or made from scratch or *great food*). 3500 calories is a pound regardless.
the band will help you eat less. (esp after fills start). up to us to change the type of things we eat. we dont have too and you may still lose, but slower...
when you say you went back to eat what you did before, you made that choice. the band is only a 3 in plastic thing on your stomach. you (and me) and us gotta make the band work.
make good choices.
dont eat over a cup of food
if you think you didnt do good one meal, do better the next.
but get rid of pity tudes. you went through hell to get this band.
make this journey work for you. you got this.
if you want it
(all the best and congrats on your surgery)

Don't over pack.... i was a nurse on a barriatric floor. If you are only staying overnight, just bring essentials.....toiletries, fav pillow for ride home, and clothes that are comfy and easy to get in and out of. Most people "sleep it off" the night after surgery, then in am you have a "meal" if it stays down .....poof....discharge. That is, if you have only a band. Make sure things are cool at home.....so when you get home you can just veg for a day or so...... I remember one nice person brought 3 pieces of luggage....was discharged before she even opened them. that is just my opinion of what to bring.

I tried that and it does work. plus extra pillows to fill in. good luck all belly sleepers

Hi Jess!
I am Karen. Getting banded Aug 27th.
Yikes!!! Still have to work tomorrow...protein drink and all.
Where I work-Tele stepdown unit
Anything else you want to know- I love photography too....an my beloved Beatles....
I have one kid 23 and two four legged children "Lucky and Abbey"
Rule one I found out: Protein drinks-make sure lid is on before you shake!!!

I went to the doctor today and I've lost 11 lbs in the past 5 weeks. That puts me at a total loss of 32 lbs!! Can't believe it!! I'm so excited! My journey began June 28 th (the first day of my pre-op diet) and now 2 months later I'm celebrating 32 lbs gone!! That's the weight of my 2 year old....lol! Sooo excited to be on this new journey!!!

I too am an RN on busy tele unit. With all of the responses looks we might have found a new group to relate too. I am having surgery on Aug 27th. Will be taking about 2 weeks off. I think I can find other nurses to "lift" for me. God knows I have done enough lifting for our "expecting" co-workers. Any body else having surgery soon? BTW i am in california. Anybody on west coast?? NURSES do rock!

I feel your pain bee blue......I am having the same problem. thanks for posting now i know what to do....immodium is on its way!

How are the aug 27th bandsters doing??? I am one of you still feeling very sore, boy the gas pains are tough. But doing better everyday. I hope everybody did well. Good luck to the rest of the aug. people still waiting or are going tomorrow. best of luck.

Good luck to all of the Aug 27 - 28th bandsters!!!