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I also wondered if this would work for me. I mean I really loved to eat. It made me happy and was comforting. I especially liked fast food. I have a history of losing and gaining. I tried dieting several times in the past 5 years and I would make it 2 or 3 days and then be so hungry I didn't care anymore and give up. So I gained and gained. Couldn't even yo-yo anymore. I got up to 364 lbs. Now I'm only 1 week post-op and already know I made the right decision. I'm down 32 pounds since my pre-op diet. The biggest difference I notice is that my life doesn't center around food like I felt it did before. I didn't realize how much control food had over me until now.

I'm newly banded and still on liquids but I was told you could get papaya enzyme that's chewable and it's suppose to help break down food. I picked some up at Walmart just in case.

Well I'm 5 days post op and feeling human again. My doctor said the strips on my cuts could come off today but even after several showers they don't want to come off. Can I let them fall off? Also, what is a normal calorie intake for right now. I was able to get in 170 calories yesterday which was huge for me. I'm going to try for more today. Thanks

I found the first three days the hardest. I haven't tried the muscle milk but the premier protein in chocolate is fantastic. I looked forward to my shakes!! You can do this!!

I've had problems with low blood sugar since I was a child and it causes me to get nauseous and shaky. Maybe try some low calorie gatorade. That should help. I have to be on clear liquids for a week and I'm really worried about my blood sugar. I stocked up on gatorade so I'll be prepared!!

I'm also worried about hair loss bc my hair is already really fine. Do you have to order this shampoo online or is there any store that carries it??

Thanks guys. I did go to the doctor and he thinks it was severe muscle spasms. I get them in my low back and usually get a steroid shot but this close to surgery that is not an option. Pain is much better just really sore. I knew it wasn't my gallbladder bc I've had that removed and I had kidney stones back in January and although the pain was similar it was lower with the stones. 7 days left on pre-op diet and hoping for no more issues. I would rather deal with one thing at a time! Lol!!

I'm on day 7 of my pre-op diet. The night before last I developed severe pain throughout my mid back. I did a lot of walking the day before so I thought this might be muscle pain. The pain reminded my of when I would have gallstone attacks but instead of just under the right shoulder blade it went across my entire back. Well now the back pain is gone but I have severe pain on my right side that goes under my ribs. It's a constant pain that hurts the most when I'm sitting down. I know the liver is in that location and I'm consuming bewteen 90-100 grams of protein a day right now. Has anyone else heard of anything like this? I hope I'm just being paranoid and it's a strained muscle. I'm going to the chiropractor today to get an adjustment. Maybe that will help.

I had the same fears. Before I started the pre-op diet I wondered if I could even get through the first day of it. I'm on day 5 now and haven't cheated once. It seemed like the first 3 days were the hardest for sure. I did have moments where I thought I could just go in the kitchen and eat everything!! I want this surgery so bad though and I am going to follow all the rules!! The last thing I want is for them to open me up and not be able to do the surgery because my liver didn't shrink. This is what motivates me when I'm having a weak moment. You can do this!!

Well I survived my first weekend with the pre-op diet. YAY!! I started on Thursday and it wasn't too bad. Friday I felt awful. I had a headache all day and no energy. Saturday was better. Still had a headache on and off but I was able to take a nap since I was off. My husband was off this weekend. He went to the store and I told him to get whatever he wanted for him and my daughter for their lunches and dinner. He came back with frozen pizzas, chips, cheez-its.. Really? I guess my first mistake was to send him shopping on his own. Lol! Sunday we went to the zoo. We stopped to eat lunch. I took some strawberry protein powder and lemonade crystal light powder. I mixed this with water in my shaker bottle. My husband and daughter had nachos and pizza. I drank my lunch. I did good though! No cheating!! We probably walked around for 4-5 hours so I got some exercise in. I had heard that the first 3 days are the hardest on the pre-op diet. I agree! This is getting easier and I feel better. I have pre-op testing and meet with a dietician Friday at the hospital and then a nutrition class at my surgeon's clinic. Here's to a four day work week!! 11 days until surgery!! I'm ready!! Believe

I quit 4 months ago after 22 yrs of smoking. I used the patch which I had tried before but I guess I was just ready this time. It helped that I came down with bronchitis the weekend I had planned to quit anyway. My biggest motivator is that I wanted this surgery. I was also having problems getting out of breath easily. What I found really funny is when I had my consult with my surgeon I told him I quit and he was asking me how I did it and was wanting advice bc he was a smoker!! He said he usually tells his patients to work on one thing at a time so he doesn't tell them to quit. Wish I would have known!! JK.. I love being a non-smoker!! My best advice is to keep in mind that a craving last no more than 3 minutes. When a craving hits just know that it will pass. The cravings will also decrease with time. I remember being a month out and still having cravings several times throughout the day. I thought I cannot go my whole life feeling like this. Fortunately it got better and I still get cravings (probably always will) but very seldom and it doesn't consume all my thoughts like it once did. Good luck!! You can do it!!

Try not to worry too much. It's not that bad. Just tell them you need a happy shot ASAP!! Then you won't care what's going on!!

It's interesting to hear the different opinions. My surgeon said if you drink with meals you won't lose weight. I'm going to trust that he knows best and follow the rules. I sure will miss my spicy foods though!!

Hahaha!! I'm laughing so hard

Thank you! I might have to go easy on the exercise. I felt terrible this morning with a headache and I was lightheaded. Coffee, protein shake and advil did wonders though! I will definitely be getting some SF popciciles to treat myself. (Note to self.. hide them from the child) I've also been doing a lot of crystal light. I recently discovered the liquid squeeze bottles. Blueberry Raspberry is my favorite. I think I'm kind of addicted to it actually!!

I started my pre-op diet today and felt great. I use the app My Fitness Pal to track calories and my calories for the day were 802. I'm suppose to stay between 800-900 so this was good. I walked and using Map My Walk (awesome app btw!!) it showed I burned 666 calories. Is this ok? I just don't want to go into 'starvation mode' and not lose. Maybe that's why the protein is so important? I'm just confused so if anyone can explain this to me that would be great.

You probably could have done it by yourself but keeping it off is the hard part. Especially as you get older. I lost over 100 lbs in my early 20's when I was going to college. Fast forward 13 years and I have gained it back plus some. I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks and I've gone through the same thoughts. Is it right for me? Will it work? Could I just do it on my own? When I think about my history with my weight problems I realize that YES this is the right choice and YES this will work for me! Good luck to you!

I'm from Conway, Arkansas. I notice a lot of us are from the south!! I'm doing the Premeir Protein shakes (30g protein per shake!) and I also ordered some protein powder from Unjury. Both are really good

I'm August 9th!! I start my pre-op diet this Thursday. Good luck ya'll!!

I can't believe it's three weeks from today until my surgery! I have an RN case manager who told me to get as strong as possible before surgery (not like I just lay around and do nothing all day anyway.. lol) so I've been walking and hiking as much as possible. Amazingly the weather is cooperating. This is the mildest summer we've had since I can remember. Much better than the 110 degree days with 100% humidity we had this time last year. So this has been a blessing. My pre-op diet starts Thursday so I plan on having one last hurrah. Yep, going to get some beer drinking in this weekend. Lol! I haven't really drank much since I quit smoking (for obvious reasons) which is good because I am quite fond of it especially when I get together with friends and family. My husband is off and I have friends coming from out of town so I am going to enjoy it one last time!! I also spent a very busy day at work trying to get a head start on paperwork/reports that I need to have done before my surgery. I'm going to be taking a week off work. I think this should be plenty of time. Luckily I have a pretty easy job..as in not physically demanding.. and some great co-workers who are very supportive. Ok, time to start the weekend Believe

My surgeon said no more protein shakes when I get on solid foods. He said you don't want to get your calories from liquids because it will slide on through and will not keep you satisfied. It's defeating the purpose of the band. Makes sense.

Oh wow! That IS interesting!! I hope you get your surgery scheduled soon!!!

From my understanding of how the lap-band works is that it creates a pouch and food 'hangs out' awhile after you eat. Sounds like the positioning is ok. While the food is hanging out it sounds like your LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is relaxing and opening and that is causing reflux. The LES is suppose to stay closed unless you are laying down and then it automatically relaxes and opens up which is why you don't lay down or recline after eating. For people with GERD for whatever reason the LES muscle is weak and opens up when it's not suppose to causing food/acid to push back up the esophagus. Your GERD is most likely not caused by the band but aggrevated by it for sure. Maybe try a different medication? Also caffeine, nicotine, chocolate, spicy foods, alcohol makes it worse. I usually deal with the neck up but have a lot of clients who have GERD. Hope this helps!!

I have the SAME exact problem!! I do good all day and then at night I start munching and don't want to stop. It doesn't help that I go to bed afterwards. I think I've also associated it with sleeping good because I always fall asleep fast and sleep good if I have something in my stomach. I have started drinking some herbal tea at night and that actually makes me feel full for awhile. I've been turning the TV off and grabbing a book because it's harder to eat when your holding a book turning pages. This is my biggest struggle right now but I'm trying to change my behavior and I'm hoping when I get the band it will help.

I start my pre-op diet next Thursday and will be on it for 2 weeks. It will consist of 2 protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and a Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice for dinner. It has to stay between 800-900 calories per day. I was told this would be the hardest part of the whole process. I hope those two weeks go by FAST!!