Wisdom2KnowTheDifference

I just woke up in the middle of the night and I think I feel hungry... I was on all clear liquids day before surgery, surgery 9/4, and all clear liquids yesterday. I am supposed to be on clears until next tuesday according to my case manager. I am drinking Isopure for 40-50mg protein/day. Just wondering if this is a common experience and if the hunger passes? I don't know how i'm going to make it till tuesday. Thanks,

wow!!!! that is really amazing. i was banded yesterday and feel pretty lousy. but hopefully tomorrow will be better!

everything seems fine aside from some upper back and chest gas pains... have a heating pad on my back and just took a chewable gasx so hopefully that will help.. Any advice, suggestions appreciated!

I am set for surgery on 9/4 as well!!! Have you started your pre-op diet yet? I'm sorry you are feeling nervous, I will probably be at some point. Right now I am just EXCITED. Being excited just sounds weird when you're talking about surgery?!

Its been awhile since I added an entry to this blog but since mid-July I have... 1) Had my gallbladder removed on 8/3. 2) Scheduled my surgery for 9/4. (Woo Hoo!!) 3) Started my pre-op diet (it is currently Day 3!) My pre-op diet consists of 4 Bariatric Advantage shakes a day and since Friday, I have lost 6 lbs! So that is motivating. My surgeon told me I have to lose at least 15 lbs by surgery, which I feel like will not be a problem if I have already lost 6?! I know its just water, but still. Pretty stoked. I am using the Chocolate Bariatric Advantage powder for my shakes. Though I did try the Nectar "fuzzy navel" flavor today as I had a sample and it was VERY tasty! Tasted like juice. So I think I will be ordering some more of that from the Bariatric Advantage website.My mom got me a NINJA blender which I have been using for some of my shakes to make it more like a frapp. Doesn't really come close to Starbucks, but its tolerable! In preparation for post op, I have purchased some Isopure unflavored powder (about $50 for a 3lb tub, on sale) and some pre-made Isopure drinks, fruit punch flavored. The pre-made drinks came in a pack of 12 bottles, for $64!!! However, they were on sale and then the cashier gave us an additional discount so it came out to about $25! What a steal This was all at GNC. The cashier seemed a little confused/curious as to what I could possibly be using all this protein for... finally I told her I was having Lap Band surgery and she nodded and said a lot of people come to GNC for bariatric supplies. Nosy! So I basically have to get through 2 work weeks, 2 more weekends, and Labor Day on liquid diet before my surgery. Seems like a long time but I have a calendar that I am crossing off the days on. Hopefully with work and everything it should fly by?? Yeah, right. I just keep telling myself this is only temporary...

Yesterday was my pre-op appointment and today I started my pre-op diet (surgery is Sept 4). Since I have gained 13 lbs since my initial appointment, my pre-op diet is 4 shakes a day (Bariatric Advantage). I get a shake for Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I will have another one before bed. However, I just slipped and had 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese Sigh. I feel so discouraged. Like if I can't even do one day, how am I going to make it until surgery (and after!) Any advice or support is appreciated! Another question though, anyone here have the single incision procedure? Were you pleased with it? My surgeon says this is an option for me but that I really have to shrink my liver as much as possible before surgery (hence the super restrictive pre-op diet!)

Hey everyone! I am scheduled for surgery Sept 4 and I kind of want to tell my 2 close girlfriends at work but i'm not sure. They are definitely going to be curious as to why i'm going to be out of work and on liquids... I was going to use the gallbladder surgery excuse, until I actually did have to have it removed last week (I told them about that). So thats not an option... I kind of want to tell them but I guess I am worried about the usual stuff: negative reactions, thinking its cool to continuously ask me about my weight/ how its going, etc. I do not think either of them would blab about it to the rest of the office. I also think if I don't tell them it might cause some kind of rift between us because they will know something is going on and we usually talk about everything. Additional info: neither of them are overweight so I don't think jealousy would be an issue. Thoughts?

Hello, my date is Sept 4. wayyyy excited. Pre-op is next week and I'm thinking they will start me on the pre-op diet then Do you all know what your pre-op diet will be yet? Best wishes to all!

I am also Sept 4!!! Woo hoo!

i also had to have my gallbladder out before my band. had the gallbladder out last friday 8/3 and band is scheduled for 9/4. its not that bad i was back to work for a half day on monday!

I bought Target brand whey Protein Powder, chocolate flavored. It comes in a 32 oz (2lb) container for less than $20. A serving is 1 scoop. It has 25g Protein, 140 calories, 2g of fat and 5g of carbs. For my money, I say thats a pretty good deal And, it tastes great (to me). I put mine in a Blender Bottle with ice and Water and shake it up. I admit, I like my shakes a bit watered down (okay, a lot watered down) so I used 16 oz of ice and water with 1 scoop powder instead of the recommended 6-8oz of water. It would probably taste good at that concentration as well. Hope this helps those looking for shakes! I am, however, still in the market for a good unflavored protein powder, if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks!

I can totally relate to this thought, I keep thinking - I'm sure I'll find some way to screw it up!

I think its really frustrating when people make these kind of comments, even though they may be well-meaning. especially medical professionals! I had a nurse at pre-testing (for my gallbladder removal) remark that she couldn't believe I was having the surgery as I wasn't "that big"... I swear to god I could have socked her right in the face!

Well, I survived! I am in quite a bit of pain but I have meds, am able to take liquids and I am eating a little. To answer some of the questions - I found out I needed to have my gallbladder out after my Right Upper Quadrant Ultrasound which was part of my pre-op testing for the band. Turns out I had quite a bit of polyps and "sludge." Even though I was not having a lot of symptoms (pain, etc) my surgeon told me he would not feel comfortable putting the band in without taking the gallbladder out first. He told me that quick weight loss can further inflame an already troublesome gallbladder. I thought it was interesting that even though i did not experience many gallbladder pain issues, after surgery my surgeon told me the gallbladder was acutely inflamed and I had quite a bit of scarring around the area. Glad I had it removed!

I just got the call from my case manager that my gallbladder surgery is now scheduled for 7am tomorrow instead of 5pm because they had a cancellation. I am nervous but excited because I know this is one step closer for me to being banded! A little background, my surgeon told me he would not do my lapband until I had my gallbladder out because it is apparently full of stones and/or polyps. After I have it out, I have to wait exactly 1 month before band surgery (9/4). Any advice/comments/suggestions/similar experiences welcome!