rmalikone

Thanks everyone! I ended up telling my two friends tonight that my sister was making me dinner and I would come meet them afterwards. I got there when they were done eating, I ordered a virgin, frozen, strawberry margarita and only had 1 or 2 sips. I really ordered it so they wouldn't think something was up and I told them I wasn't drinking alcohol tonight because I still wasn't feeling great (I had told people I was sick with a GI bug/flu during surgery and recovery). I hate all the lies, but I don't think it is really anyone's business either. They, of course, had chips and guac at the table and kept asking me if I wanted any. It was surprisingly easy to say no. When I got home I had some sugar free jell-o

You only have 2 ways of dealing with this situation tell them or not. If a white lie bothers you - tell them, if it's none of there business - tell them a white lie!

I think everyone is right in mentioning pain meds in their replies. Not everyone tends to think about pain meds. If you were caught driving under the influence of pain meds you would be looking at a DUI.

Now to answer your question. I had my surgery on a Thursday and was able to drive the following Monday. Be aware though that it did hurt to get in and out of my car. Also, turning to backup or change lanes was a painful time. I also could not bend out to grab my car door and had to have my kids close it a few times until I consistently remembered to pull it WITH me as I climbed in.

Thanks for the info, driving in my truck with it's large cabin space maybe a bit easier on me than a car. After 4 days I know that my daughter will be ready to go home. See my wife is able to but she's not that comfortable driving.

Sorry if I offended. I thought that I answered the question you were asking.. just felt obligated to mention my professional knowledge about the meds as well.

Again, pardon me. Just trying to be helpful.

No problem, no offense taken!

Omg . Banded 2 1/2 months now and having my first episode. I'm sliming ! It is disgusting. So uncomfortable.

Not sure if I want to know, but could you inform me about what sliming is?

Read more pages of this thread and now know want sliming is!

Do you want high Protein, lower carb (for yogurt), no fat or sugar? Try nonfat plain greek yogurt (Fage or Cobani) with squirts of Mio. The Mio adds the fruity flavoring without any sugar or preservatives.

Just bought two (Mio like) containers of orange and grape Crush.

Thanks

My husband had this surgery a year and a half ago. We have both had other major surgeries in the past, and he says it's not "that" bad. He was able to drive himself within about 3 or 4 days. I know you say you're not worried about the pain meds.. but, as a nurse, I feel responsible to tell you that if you HAVE taken pain meds then you should not drive within 12 hours of having taken them. (yes.. I know that sounds extreme. But, they do tend to linger in the system.) You may get to a point where you only have to take a pain pill to sleep, and would be fine to drive during the day (after at least 3 or 4 days). Follow your doctor's advice, and pay attention to how YOU feel. That is your best guide.

Did not say that I'm not worried about the meds, I said that I'm talking about the actual ramifications of the surgery on my body and when would you think that I could drive because of said surgery (do not add meds to the equation) .

I'm guessing that it would get easier when you can eat solid food, say an appetizers, Soup, baked potato, or some side dishes. I told everyone that I'm having a hernia operation and I'll use that as my excuse, hey you know that us (food) addicts are good liars when we need to.

But what do I know my surgery isn't till Monday.

I was thinking about the actual ramifications of the surgery and not anything to do with the pain meds.

OK. Sooo on Wednesday I got cleared to eat my pureed food. MY DOCTOR includes the following as OK to eat.

Starch Group

· Hot cereals – oatmeal, cream of wheat, and grits

Fruits

· Canned fruits in their own juice or extra light Syrup

· pureed banana

· Unsweetened applesauce

Vegetables

· Cook the vegetables well and then blenderize

Protein Sources

· Well cooked meat, chicken, turkey – blenderize with broth to get smooth consistency

· Greek yogurt- non fat plain (flavor yourself)

· Beans (kidney, pinto, black, etc.) – cook well and blenderize

· Low-fat refried Beans (no need to blenderize)

· Low-fat cottage cheese – blenderize

· sugar-free puddings

· Low-fat cream Soups – blenderize to a smooth liquid consistency (NO chunks)

OK, now here is my soft food list not to start until 2 more weeks.

Starches

· Mashed potatoes

o Add unflavored Protein powder to “beef” up

· pudding

· Baked or sweet potatoes

· oatmeal (Weight Control Variety has most protein)

Protein Sources

· Finely Ground tuna (possibly as tuna salad with low-fat mayo or a red-wine vinaigrette)

· chicken or Egg salad (with low-fat mayo)

· Shrimp (start with salad shrimp – the smaller, the more tolerable) and Scallops

· Whitefish, Haddock, Cod, and Mahi Mahi (make sure to keep moist by not overcooking)

· Fat-Free Refried Beans (mashed really well)

· Other Bean Varieties (mashed really well)

· Greek Yogurt (non fat plain)

· Cottage cheese – sprinkle with Splenda and cinnamon for a new taste!

· Ricotta Cheese – layer with meat spaghetti sauce for a “pastaless” lasagna!

· Hard Boiled eggs

· Shredded Cheese – spread over beans for a new zest!

Fruits and Vegetables

· Vegetables that are well-cooked, but not pureed (try to avoid stringy veggies)

· Fruits packed in their own juice or extra light syrup (Del Monte Carb Clever is lowest in sugar)

· Low-Fat Salsa – use to flavor beans and other meat

now my question for the experienced bandster is this. If I can eat things like refried beans on my pureed diet why not mashed potatoes, some consistency if not thicker!

Well at any rate I used my logic ( which is not good logic apparently ) before looking at the soft food list and ate mashed potatoes as well as mac and cheese (the really aldente kind) yesterday and today with ZERO problems. What do you guys think? No more or what? Do you think I did damage in those 2 days?

I NEED ANSWERSSSSSSSSSS

thanks!

The reason (IMO) is that beans are high in Protein. If your Doc said they are OKI then they are OK, I would eat the low fat variety!

Well the time is set! I have to have my daughter puppy sit the day of surgery. The question is how long till I'm able to drive her home (about 1hr away). I know everyone heals differently so give guess-ti-mates.

Pretty simple, don't eat crap and if you do eat very little of it. I do some calorie counting because some of the things I think are low in calorie aren't. When in doubt eat Protein and opt for the smaller size if everything. I tell people you not hungry. You're bored and thirsty. Drink some Water and get busy.

Your absolutely right about being bored and/or thirsty.

My hand-out says; Clear liquids the first three days (has list of approved clear liquids)Day 4 begin w/ one serving of a Protein supplement to be mixed w/ skim or 1% milk. You may also include low fat milk daily. Goal is to include 48 - 64 ounces daily, milk should be included in this total.

Does that mean I can drink up to 64 oz's of Protein supplement or I should drink 1 serving of the supplement and the rest milk?

Should I keep drinking lots of Clear Liquids w/ the 64 oz's of supplements/milk

I got banded a week ago. The reality is that beforehand I did everything I could to NOT think about it even as I was being dropped off at the hospital the morning of the surgery. I just focused on what was at hand and trusted my doctors. Before I knew it I woke in the recovery room and was quickly sent to my room. No problems. Sure I had a little soreness. I had a lot more gas than I expected but it passes. There were no surprises. I was up walking pretty quickly, as are most people. I kept thinking, "This is it????" And yeah, it was.

Seriously, it seems like its so much scarier than it really is.

That's good to know, as I've had my fair share of doubt and loathing of being cut. Also all the other fears of failure, erosion, ect

When I start Phase II post op , my Doc said smooth low-cal yogurt is fine to eat. What are some smooth low-cal yogurt that you would recommend? There are to many on the shelf for me to try. I also am not quite sure of the amount of fruit in some low -cal yogurts are acceptable?

No I would not say calories last. Otherwise you could eat chicken wings, Peanut Butter sandwiches and fried fish to get your Protein in as long as it's 1/2-1 cup. Calorie intake needs is directly correlated to how active you are or are not. You need to determine how active you are, log your foods/cals/protein and play with the numbers until you find your 'green' zone. Every person has their own zone so what is good for me will not work for you.

I did mention "good foods", so with that said would that change what some of your reply states? Look at my second post again with an eye toward the good food statement, is it close to what a good general statement would be?

What would the impact be on my wife because of my surgery? Our dining, mental adjustments, anything you can think of?

Called bariatric doc this morning they said info will be provide day of surgery @ hospital.

So what I'm getting is that you get 60-80 mg of Protein daily, eat "good" foods, 3 meals daily maybe 4 or 1 snack added with proper amounts (1/2 cup), and count calories last but journal.

Ask your doctor because everyone's needs are different.

Also, don't cut or crush any pills without checking with your pharmacist first. Some are time release and if you cut or crush them it can result in an accidental overdose.

Best wishes.

Do you think my Bariatric Doc or my PCP? My PCP put me on the meds but the Bariatric Doc knows more about the small stoma.

Was it hard or EZ to get your quota in?

How long after surgery till you restarted taking your HBP medication (pills) or was it the next day. I take iibesartan and I also take hydrochlorothiazide both are small enough and I have a pill cutter if needed.

TIA

Thanks for the info ladies

Hi I'm Ron and I'm new as of 52 minutes ago.

Well my story that led me to be here is that my first diet was as a infant, before 6 months of age I believe from what my mother had to say, she had to put me on a diet because I was consuming more than a couple of quarts of milk a day. The first remembrance of my life was looking up at the stove not my mother, father, or older brother, but the stove, yes it did have sparkling colored cut glass in the Roper insignia but come on! Everything that was good was in the kitchen Family, Love, Togetherness. The living room had some things that I liked; Sky King, Lassie, Mighty Mouse and the rest of saturday morning cartoons but it was the kitchen that I loved and even later as a young teen, Star Trek was on the little TV that was new in the kitchen, as I came home from Basketball practice while in JR. High. That began the time of being my thinest! Junior High till coming out of the Navy and just missing Viet-Nam. Then weight just came on, slowly at first .Nothing to worry about, inch here a couple of pounds there for the next 30 plus years. H#LL I was was married with a wife a couple of kids doing the normal American lifestyle. The last 10 or so of that 30 year period things have gotten out of control and I'm at 271 lbs on a 5'8" frame with an BMI of 41 with weight related health problems, also other health problems not caused by the weight but it ain't helping anything either!

I know that we all have a story and I know I'm no different than many of you. Even considering my weight I think that I'm a lucky man for the people that are and have been in my life, I was never meant to be rich but I always considered myself to be lucky in life!

Hope I do good with changing my eating habits. Will see were things go from here.

I'm July 8th.

I hear a lot of positive talk from people that can't wait till they get the surgery. Well I'm fearful. Not happy to get cut, and fear that I won't be able to make the changes in my eating disorder that will allow me to get rid of the weight.

I assume most of us that get banded have been "chubby" our whole lives or like myself- most of my life. Well now at 57 I'm heavier than ever (bmi 41) and love food. But I'm very fearful that I will fail!

I have surgery scheduled on July 8th and I'm not any diet! Is that normal? No nsaid's ten days out, and Clear Liquids after lunch the day before surgery and then nothing after midnight? I've read that some are on a liquid diet prior?