Lionbird

Omg. I'm so excited to find you guys!!! I'm only on day 5 but my whole family is paleo.. Kids included. Hubby does crossfit I plan to start in a few months. Going to bed but you guys just made my day!!

Ok. and my plan is to not do any solids three days before surgery. So,I've got the empty stomach thing covered.

I get the whole "shrink your fatty liver" thing. I'm on Opti fast 800 calories a day. The nurse told me they want us on 1000 a day but give us 800 calories because they assume we cheat. Well I don't cheat. But what I'm finding is that I am really hungry and it is making it impossibe to be sane and kind to my family. I've decided to add 200 calories of lean Protein and good fat every other day. Anyone think this is a terrible idea. I started today and I finally had the energy to clean my house after 6 days and I don't feel like I'm going to scream at everyone.
What say you?

I had a similar issue. I had 4 weeks of liquid diet. I found that it helped me to have my family's meals planned ahead of time, so I knew what was going to happen. I drank my shake before preparing their dinner and I sucked on a sugar free mint while fixing and serving their food. It was terrible for the first few days, then it was no big deal. Hang in there.

No offense Tezzie, but I see so many posts like yours and I just don't get it? You've lost 49 lbs and you've only had the band 7 weeks? Do you have any idea how many people would love to have half your success. I wouldn't consider 49 lbs as a disappointment? Sorry, don't mean to be mean, rude or judgemental, but you got it good gal.
Your mind is playing with you. Telling you to be disappointed for no reason just so you can eat bad food. Bad mind, bad bad.
tmf

cheznoel, Paleo is absolutely a lifestyle. Best thing that my family has done for each other. Healthy, clean non processed eating that makes sense for the way our bodies have evolved to metabolize food. I was looking for other Paleo folks, not feedback on whether its a good idea or not. I'm glad your way is working for you!

Hey I'm in Florida too! woot woot. Paleo makes so much sense and has changed the life of my husband kids and I. It feels so good to eat that way. I of course was not a strict Paleo or I wouldn't have needed to get the lapband. We have ALLLL the books, I have listed to a lot of podcasts and read several blogs. The pre op diet with these stupid chemical shakes has been killing me. And so many on here talk about eating so much bad food...its really remarkable. Let's talk about BACON!! ha. It freaks people out so badly. Oh wait, let me show you this funny
:www.whatshouldwecallpaleolife.tumblr.com/
I am a total Paleo snob! I'm totally ok with it!

Oh and did I mention that I am currently on WEEK FIVE of a liquid diet. Yeah. I am SERIOUSLY looking forward to some damn SOUP!

Today is better. I think I'm having more gas issues than I realized. I just thought I felt full...nope, its gas. I'm ready to get more calories in me, I'm really looking forward to some soup! I have really low energy, which is not cool with a 3 and 6 year old~ but we are getting through it.
Follow up appointment tomorrow. What were ya'll eating/drinking for the first two weeks? I'm supposed to do Clear Liquids (broth, propel, 3 Optifast shakes,water) for the first week. Second week introduces runny oatmeal (which I won't eat...not doing grains at all) and runny yogurt and blended Soups. Is this fairly standard? Then week three starts mushies.

Oh and did I mention that I am currently on WEEK FIVE of a liquid diet. Yeah. I am SERIOUSLY looking forward to some damn SOUP!

So, Its day 4 and I believe most if not all of the gas pain is gone. My incisions are itchy and the largest one is sore, and very swollen. I assume that is where the port is. I have not taken any tylenol today but I think I will take some in a bit. I realized that my calories have dropped again from the 800 calorie liquid diet pre op (5 Optifast shakes) to only 480 calories (3 shakes) as prescribed by the doctor during the first week after surgery. I am finding that I have no emotional reserves. My house is a mess and its freaking me out, I don't have the energy to clean. My kids are going bananas, which is normal, but I have no patience at all. I just started crying in the middle of the kitchen. I am hungry, I haven't had a BM since Wednesday, I'm sore and I'm tired. I know I am whining, I'm super grateful for the whole process and have no regrets. Just having a tough time today.
I shipped the kids off to my moms. I just made myself a cup of chicken broth, I'm going to take some tylenol and go lie down. I don't like not being at 100%. I have stuff to get done. I have to go to work tomorrow and my Mother in law is coming to town Wednesday for spring break. blah blah blah. I realize these are not real problems. I also know that this too shall pass. I just needed to vent so I don't scream at my children or hurt myself by trying to eat or drink something I shouldn't.
Thanks for reading.

Surgery Thursday. Originally scheduled for last week but we bumped it because I had a sinus infection. So I am "basically" on week four of my liquid diet. And my basically I mean, the day we bumped it I ATE food. Real food..and it was good. I've lost 17 lbs since starting the liquid diet, I expect if they weight me Thursday I will have lost another pound at least.
I hit a wierd place last week, having second thoughts and generally feeling rebellious. I LOVE FOOD. I love to eat, these are things we all probably have in common. I was getting freaked out about what it will be like to not "have" food as the thing...you know, the THING. The thing you do when you are bored, or stressed or want to endulge yourself. I have NO DOUBTS that this is the right thing for me to do...I just have some fear and I bet I'm going to do some grieving. But I've been through harder things. I am anxious about the unknown, how I'll feel, how much pain etc. I am totally stressed about PB's, Sliming all this stuff you guys talk about...so wigged out by all of that. I am afraid of what I don't know...what could happen that I won't be able to prepare for. But I'm excited about losing the weight, feeling better about myself..feeling healthy.
Any last minute tips for immediately post op? Must have items? I've got a body pillow, heating pad, gas x strips (which doesn't make sense to me since they put the gas in my body cavity...not in my intestines...?) and a stool softener. What else do I need?
Thanks ya'll!

Omg. I'm so excited to find you guys!!! I'm only on day 5 but my whole family is paleo.. Kids included. Hubby does crossfit I plan to start in a few months. Going to bed but you guys just made my day!!

Yes I crossfit and I love it!!!!! Definitely do it!!

Oh and did I mention that I am currently on WEEK FIVE of a liquid diet. Yeah. I am SERIOUSLY looking forward to some damn SOUP!

So, Its day 4 and I believe most if not all of the gas pain is gone. My incisions are itchy and the largest one is sore, and very swollen. I assume that is where the port is. I have not taken any tylenol today but I think I will take some in a bit. I realized that my calories have dropped again from the 800 calorie liquid diet pre op (5 Optifast shakes) to only 480 calories (3 shakes) as prescribed by the doctor during the first week after surgery. I am finding that I have no emotional reserves. My house is a mess and its freaking me out, I don't have the energy to clean. My kids are going bananas, which is normal, but I have no patience at all. I just started crying in the middle of the kitchen. I am hungry, I haven't had a BM since Wednesday, I'm sore and I'm tired. I know I am whining, I'm super grateful for the whole process and have no regrets. Just having a tough time today.
I shipped the kids off to my moms. I just made myself a cup of chicken broth, I'm going to take some tylenol and go lie down. I don't like not being at 100%. I have stuff to get done. I have to go to work tomorrow and my Mother in law is coming to town Wednesday for spring break. blah blah blah. I realize these are not real problems. I also know that this too shall pass. I just needed to vent so I don't scream at my children or hurt myself by trying to eat or drink something I shouldn't.
Thanks for reading.

Hey ya'll. I was banded Thursday morning. I'm doing pretty well. Took a shower today YAY. Never took the high test pain meds, didn't need them. Tylenol took the edge off just fine. Worst discomfort was/is the gas like everyone says. I'm still distended today but can squish my stomach, where Thursday/Friday am it was tight like a basketball. I'm not sure which incision has the port, but I betcha its the one that hurts the most.
I'll work on a surgery day post and put it in the right place on here. Figuring out how to get out of bed was the hardest thing, but I've got that worked out and I 'm having no issues. I stayed in a hotel Thursday until this afternoon. I have two young kids and I highly reccomend this. I was able to walk and sleep when I needed to. I was able to figure out my limitations and how to move around. My biggest issue since being home is protecting my belly from leaping children.
I'm feeling grateful and hopeful for the next chapter. No regrets.

Yes CM, five incisions here, hurts when I strain my muscles. My inhalation pain was gas related.

Hey ya'll. I was banded Thursday morning. I'm doing pretty well. Took a shower today YAY. Never took the high test pain meds, didn't need them. Tylenol took the edge off just fine. Worst discomfort was/is the gas like everyone says. I'm still distended today but can squish my stomach, where Thursday/Friday am it was tight like a basketball. I'm not sure which incision has the port, but I betcha its the one that hurts the most.
I'll work on a surgery day post and put it in the right place on here. Figuring out how to get out of bed was the hardest thing, but I've got that worked out and I 'm having no issues. I stayed in a hotel Thursday until this afternoon. I have two young kids and I highly reccomend this. I was able to walk and sleep when I needed to. I was able to figure out my limitations and how to move around. My biggest issue since being home is protecting my belly from leaping children.
I'm feeling grateful and hopeful for the next chapter. No regrets.

Hey ya'll. I was banded Thursday morning. I'm doing pretty well. Took a shower today YAY. Never took the high test pain meds, didn't need them. Tylenol took the edge off just fine. Worst discomfort was/is the gas like everyone says. I'm still distended today but can squish my stomach, where Thursday/Friday am it was tight like a basketball. I'm not sure which incision has the port, but I betcha its the one that hurts the most.
I'll work on a surgery day post and put it in the right place on here. Figuring out how to get out of bed was the hardest thing, but I've got that worked out and I 'm having no issues. I stayed in a hotel Thursday until this afternoon. I have two young kids and I highly reccomend this. I was able to walk and sleep when I needed to. I was able to figure out my limitations and how to move around. My biggest issue since being home is protecting my belly from leaping children.
I'm feeling grateful and hopeful for the next chapter. No regrets.

Good job so far! Congratulations on the surgery. The port scar is usually the longest one.

Hey ya'll. I was banded Thursday morning. I'm doing pretty well. Took a shower today YAY. Never took the high test pain meds, didn't need them. Tylenol took the edge off just fine. Worst discomfort was/is the gas like everyone says. I'm still distended today but can squish my stomach, where Thursday/Friday am it was tight like a basketball. I'm not sure which incision has the port, but I betcha its the one that hurts the most.
I'll work on a surgery day post and put it in the right place on here. Figuring out how to get out of bed was the hardest thing, but I've got that worked out and I 'm having no issues. I stayed in a hotel Thursday until this afternoon. I have two young kids and I highly reccomend this. I was able to walk and sleep when I needed to. I was able to figure out my limitations and how to move around. My biggest issue since being home is protecting my belly from leaping children.
I'm feeling grateful and hopeful for the next chapter. No regrets.

Very awesome I was banded on Tuesday and have had good and bad so far.
Got on the scale for the 1st time since pre op Monday and have lost 5 additional pounds this week.
Keep up the good work most my pain at this point is port and staples. Staples at this point itches.

Hey ya'll. I was banded Thursday morning. I'm doing pretty well. Took a shower today YAY. Never took the high test pain meds, didn't need them. Tylenol took the edge off just fine. Worst discomfort was/is the gas like everyone says. I'm still distended today but can squish my stomach, where Thursday/Friday am it was tight like a basketball. I'm not sure which incision has the port, but I betcha its the one that hurts the most.
I'll work on a surgery day post and put it in the right place on here. Figuring out how to get out of bed was the hardest thing, but I've got that worked out and I 'm having no issues. I stayed in a hotel Thursday until this afternoon. I have two young kids and I highly reccomend this. I was able to walk and sleep when I needed to. I was able to figure out my limitations and how to move around. My biggest issue since being home is protecting my belly from leaping children.
I'm feeling grateful and hopeful for the next chapter. No regrets.

Lionbird - I feel ya! I'm having surgery on Monday, and I've also been through the tidal wave of feelings. And with the pre-op diet, it's beyond difficult not being able to eat to DEAL with these feelings!
Lets face it......food has been our best friend; our confidant....our "go to" source of comfort when we're down, sad/depressed, happy.....all feelings are dealt with by eating. Our love of food goes deeper than just it tasting good. And there will be (already is) a grieving for the loss.
When I start to freak out about "what am I going to do when I want to absolutely shove it in with both hands", I think about all of the other things I will be able to do. Number one being....feeling comfortable in my own skin. As much as I know that nothing can possibly taste as good as that will feel, there will still be that empty void that I will have to find another way to fill. My plan for this is to get outside and walk, hike...just about anything physical to get me out of myself. And I will lean on the support groups at my doctor's office, etc.
Speaking of pre-op diets... My doctor's isn't quite as stringent as some that I read here. It's two weeks on 1200 calories; very low fat. The last two days are full liquids. Yesterday I had to fly up to see a client (I'm typing from my hotel), which is something I never do. I was already thinking about wine on the plane, going to some great restaurants, bakeries.....everything with this getaway, I was thinking about eating venues. Then I was like....oh sh-t, this isn't going to be any fun, I can't EAT! How sad is that?! Anyway, the plane was delayed, I got lost from the airport to the hotel, and by the time I got to my room it was 8:30pm. Hadn't eaten since 11am, and ordered room service. Ate ALL the chicken, potatoes, and even some bread. I guess I had some restraint, because I didn't eat ALL of the bread. I'll try & redeem myself today. I did pack some ready made Protein drinks, and I'll just have to make sure that I don't get so ravenous that I can't control myself.
Lionbird, please let us know how you're doing after your surgery. There are a whole lot of people on this sight who completely understand what you're going through. We didn't wake up one day like this. It's been a life progression, but the great news is that we're all doing something about it.
I wish you ALL the best on Thursday.