Beni

My surgery date is October 28th and I should be home for Halloween!

Karen, thanks. I am glad you are doing clear liquids as I am for the 3 days prior to surgery. Yes, a new Karen will be great. Keep us updated, okay!

and to you eat this including dinner all the way to the night before surgery?

Wasn't that easy peezy MsUjima. how are you doing otherwise? How was your first week home?

Hi Karen, What kind of pre-op diet are you doing?

I did notice you have juice on your diet as well.

You'll be walking on fumes! Thank you for sharing your 2 week diet. I have to say I am a little concerned about my 3 day diet with all that sugar. Also for the two weeks post-op all I am supposed to have is 4 times per day - 4oz of a Protein shake and a min of 48oz of Water and extra Vitamins.

Are you seeing the Bariatric Doctor for the first time? If yes, this is when you'll discuss the surgery needed, etc. Then, make a decision, submit paperwork to insurance but the doctor's office usually does this. If you have seen the doctor already and the decision is made, then you need to call the doctor's office and ask them if the paperwork is all in place since you have completed all the requirements. Also check if and when they will submit it to insurance. Follow it through. Most doctors only schedule surgery after insurance approval. Some if they think you will surely get approved (based on past experience) may give you a tentative date. Good luck!

I think it boils down to choice for me. There are many ways to lose weight all the way from tapeworms and amphetamines to mindful eating and living off the land with everything in between. As long as it is not illegal, it should be okay. People need to research the solutions and make the best decisions for themselves. At the same time, if a procedure becomes less used or advised, it does not mean your choice was the wrong one. For example, I have no doubt Gastric Bypass (my choice) in the future (not too distant) will be thought of as an obsolete surgery, akin to a butter knife surgical approach to weight loss. It won't even take much to convince me, it already sounds barbaric to me. That does not mean my choice was wrong. However, I do sense a bit of defensiveness coming from the Lapband community after reading all the posts. Perhaps it's time to ask why? I think it is important to evaluate the issue because no doubt this will come up again. As we all know a defensive approach is never well regarded.

That was a question for TP1

Please explain a little further, I am having trouble following your statement.

So right Alex. Even though I have not chosen the Lapband for myself. I can certainly understand why some people have elected to have that procedure. Even though statistically, it has shown lower weight loss results then other procedures, everyone has a right to make their own choice. There is a lot that goes into the success rate of any of the gastric procedures. For me, I know I love sugar and I need to have the bypass because of the biofeedback mechanism. You eat sugar, you get sick, you don't want to get sick, you stop eating sugar. But that's me, everyone is different. Let's examine statistics on the 50% statement. Let's say 50% of couples divorce (it is close in the US.) Does that mean people should stop getting married? Rosie herself is married. Someone should point to her, statistically speaking she made a terrible choice.

Great News. I suppose doctor knows best. Now, is your surgery October 1st or do I have that wrong?

Hi smiley922, Welcome to our October Fest! A BMI of 36 is impressive - 45 lbs, wow. That's a woman on a mission Do you know what your clear liquid diet is like? and what are you allowed to drink?

Karen, that answer to drink more is down right weird. How can anyone be dehydrated with 64oz of Fluid. Only if you exercise like mad or are out in the sun all day. I would look into researching some athletes/exercise/cramps issue. It could be an electrolyte imbalance. Gatorade, maybe would help!

Hi tyt, Happy birthday and congrats. Any advice for us once we get past surgery? Six months out is like mount Everest to me right now.

A Bariatric Surgeon I saw while researching for which surgery and doctor to go with, stated he no longer does Lapband because the weight loss outcomes are so poor. He was the chief of surgery at a major hospital, Harvard educated and had stellar credentials, only lost one patient due to deep vein thrombosis in over 2,000 procedures in 15 years. He also stated he does all the more difficult cases with the higher risk patients. I considered the Lapband as well but he talked me out of it. Of course, he was very professional but it was clear he didn't support it, even though he recommended another doctor at the same hospital if I wished to go that route . He says it works very well for some patients but it requires a level of maintenance with adjustments (adding or removing saline through the Lapband port using a needle and syringe) to the band that most people do not follow through. In addition, the complications with the Lapband are high in his experience. But has you have seen there are many people who have successfully adjusted to life with Lapband and had a great deal of success. My understanding is, they are in the minority. I would advise to see a few different surgeons and attend the support groups. You will meet a variety of patients and their experiences will educate your decision. On another note, I find the gastric bypass diet a fantastic weight loss diet. It is by far the best diet i have ever been on. I am not hungry and feel fantastic. It's a high Protein, fruits and veggies but only a little carb. The trick is not drinking while you eat in the golden hour. No drinks 10 minutes before you eat, chew your food for 20 to 25 minutes (it's an eternity) and again no liquids for 20min after. I am never hungry. Good luck

Hi Selina, You are only 2 weeks post-op. Congrats on being able to handle tuna. That's great. I will remember your gas comment. Thanks

Karen, Why do you have to drink so much? I was told 64 oz Amy, Yes, it was me wondering what the two week diet is. The Nut went well. She did tell me all about the 3 day pre-surgery Clear liquids only diet: Water, apple juice, cranberry juice, Jello, tea, coffee without milk, clear broth, popsicles, sprite, propel, gatorade. That's all for 3 days. Wow, I am going to be very hungry. I was surprised on the coffee, I am not having any or sprite for that matter. This is very different from what I was thinking. I envisioned a more natural diet. There so much citric acid in all of that and I can't see how that's good for my stomach. As far as the two week diet she advised me that it was not necessary but if I wanted to do something, then I should reduce carbs. It will help shrink the liver size. Please let me know what your NUT says.

Thank you Selina1000, How are you feeling? For now, I stand by my decision to keep it private. And, I can't wait to get to the other side. Surprising, I feel amazingly secure in my decision of having the Bypass. Perhaps, the butterflies will come later as I have 33 days until surgery. For the first time in a long time, I have hope and strangely enough I feel happier then I have in a very long time. I am at peace and I cannot tell you how awesome that feels.

By the time I got to the Nut appointment at 1:00PM, I had "gone" enough that my weight was 264.4. Last week it was 264 even. Hah! that's still 264 since .4 cannot be rounded up. I do know my math, thank you very much. I only had to postpone Breakfast and lunch to 1:45Pm, no biggie! I also delayed any and all Water. I have since promised myself I am not going to make the same mistake for next weigh in - Nope, I have learned my lesson! On a positive note my scale at home reads 263.2. So, I am still 263. And I am sticking to it

Easy!

Alright, you twisted my arm everyone. I'll buy the Fage. I am also going to try the plain yogurt with sugar free Smuckers jam. That's an awesome idea.

Hi letsgetshrunk, Gastric Bypass is hard, the: decision, pre-op stuff, surgery and recovery not to mention managing living with a medical condition for life. We will always be a "Bariatric Patient." That's a lot to deal with. My basket is full and I don't need mental games with other people. Not now!