RestlessMonkey

I week of clear liquids....water, sf popsicles, caffeine free tea. That's IT. THEN 1 week of clear liquids and protein drink. And yes, I followed it to the letter. It's important. If you cheat and eat too soon you can tear your stitches loose where your band is placed and risk slipping and/or erosion, if not then, then in the future.

I started with my insurance company. If you want them to pay, you need an in-network surgeon and so on (if they cover it). It's the logical place to start! If they cover, use their requirements as your check list and get going! :cursing:

Don't have ANYTHING unless you call and get your doc's ok. I had a preop diet almost as bad and was on it for 5 1/2 weeks....I'm sure you know the point isn't really (or not just) weight loss, but it's to shrink your liver so the band can be placed. It's tough but you can do it; just call and ask about the broth!

There's a reason to forgo the "food".....depending on which band etc it is sutured into place and the churning action of your stomach as you digest food (you can't feel it but it physically churns to aid in digestion) can rip your stitches loose. Please tell your doc tomorrow about what you ate, and your nausea afterward, so he can decide if it's ok or if you need some testing to make sure you're ok. Probably you'll be fine but he needs to know about it! It's tough, but hang in there!

Behavioral therapy can work wonders. I understand the "JUST STOP" mentality! It didn't work that well for me, though (much to my horror and frustration). Some behavioral therapy sessions helped me quite a bit. I'm not much of a "group support" type (one thing I hated about WW...although I like this board) but if that works for you, try something like that! Good luck.

Just say you don't want to talk about it. Period. Then don't.

My doc says NO GUM ever. You can swallow it and cause problems for yourself. You're probably in ketosis (good news...you're burning fat!) I just brushed my teeth, drank water, and waited it out. Call your surgeon and ask what he allows his patients to do! :biggrin:

Your SAFEST course is to do exactly what your doctor wants you to do. He's the one with experience; he knows your blood work etc. If he put you on a diet with fruit , dairy and veggies etc, then that is the diet you should be on. Tell him you are afraid your liver will be too large; he can adjust or reassure you! :biggrin:

It IS considered elective surgery...any surgery that isn't emergent is considered elective...but he should've left it to you to tell or not as you wished.

Call your doctor. Don't take BOTH at once. They have too much acetaminophen in them and you can harm your kidneys in a very short time. Liquid vicodin is very similar to hydrocodone..... you don't want to overdose yourself.

They have plenty pillows and honestly if your experience is normal, you'll be in a bed w/pillows, blankets, head raised to your specs etc. You'll be "FLAT" when they transport you, then you'll be out and won't care at all. When you come to in recovery you are raised a little. I don't like lying flat either and it wasn't ever an issue. ALSO...you don't want to get blood on your pillow, blanket, etc. Once you're post op and they've cleaned you up, it won't be as likely to happen. Take your pillow and blanket for the ride home if you want but otherwise you won't really need it. And yes you can read preop. I went home the same day (YAY) ... your surgeon should've told you if you'd be going home or staying overnight.

My doctor isn't about the calories. (I agree...to me that's too much like a diet and I've been there, done that, 100 times or more) I'm to practice portion control and no snacking.

Each surgeon seems to have his/her own spin on this. Mine requires that we don't drink 15 min before, during, or 15 min after meals, and meals are not to last longer than 30 minutes. I suggest you discuss the timing with your doctor so you can understand his/her reasoning.

If you've had surgery before, how quickly did you recover? I had TWO surgeries in August and still bounced back very quickly from the 2nd. One week off was plenty for me. One week off is the norm, actually; some people do truly need more, some just take it because they can. But unless you know you have problems recuperating, one week should work for you!

I'm only 3 months out but would do it again in an instant. My doc is a slow-goer and I don't really have restriction yet, but realize I am full on less, and can go longer between meals. For me it's like stopping a train and turning it into a new direction...slow slow, but I can see the new way I am headed and it's very exciting. So yes, worth every bit!

Your post op was much more generous than mine! :thumbup: Anyway, just call your surgeon on Monday and tell him/her what you've done. he may feel it's ok, he may want to do an ultrasound or something, he may just give you a stern lecture to get with the program! But let him (the pro) be your guide. Don't panic until he tells you to! Not everyone has to do MY diet; the point is we're just supposed to do what our surgeons tell us. It's hard, but that's the fact of the matter. Let him decide if your excursions have harmed you. Hopefully, not!

there are different formulations of calcium; some are more easily absorbed than others. I think the 2 biggies here in the USA are Calcium citrate and Calcium Carbonate... My doc asks that we all take a good multivitamin, sub-lingual b12, and a calcium supplement.

If you haven't already, you might want to post this in the "doctors and hospitals" section. Be braced for the doctor to have his supporters; you didn't really give a reason for "WHY" you want the info.

YES it can hurt the band. If you have a lap band (don't know about realize, I didn't research it since it's not the kind I have) when placing it your stomach is pulled UP around the band and the band is stitched into place. IF you eat "food" (mushies or solids) your stomach churns to digest the bolus of food. You don't feel it (our bodies really are miraculous!) but it churns like a little washer. IF your stitches aren't healed and you eat and your stomach does it's thing, you risk immediate slippage or just a tearing of a suture or two. In a way, the latter is worse because it can cause slippage and/or erosion on down the line. SO don't cheat. The rules are there for a reason, well, most of them, anyway. And if someone says they did and got away with it? Unless they've been banded over a year or two, they don't know they've "gotten away" with it. So do what your doc says. It's hard, but you can do it!

My preop diet was similar to TQUADs...2-3 EAS Carb Control AdvantEDGE shakes a day, AT LEAST 64 oz of water a day, no caffeine, 3-4 oz of lean protein (turkey fish chicken only) and 1 cup greens each day. THAT is it. NOTHING else. No broth no sf jello no sf popsicles nothing. I lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks doing that and "cheating" (ate cheese, ate a hamburger once, ate breading on my fish once, you get the drift...lite cheating) but liver hadn't shrunk. I did exactly what my doc says for 2.5 weeks and lost...17 MORE pounds (I was astounded). So if you want to lose a lot really quickly, something high protein low carb low fat will do it! :cursing: Make sure you get plenty water, whichever route you take!

Hang in there, do what your doc says. It's hard but you can do it. It's worth it.

Stick to what your doc says and you'll do great! If your doc has a preference regarding protein and protein shakes, follow his/her advice. You'll make it! Just keep your eye on the prize!

Do what your doc says. If you can't drink them call monday and find out if there's an alternative, but don't just switch because of anecdotal advice. If your surgeon picked a specific type, s/he did so for a reason.

Good luck! Hope your sugery is as smooth as both of mine were!

It sounds to me like you have some "head hunger" issues you need to deal with. I don't mean to be prissy! But if you can't even stick to a diet for 4 days the band lifestyle MAY give you problems. You know it's a tool and you have to make healthy choices, follow the rules, etc. Its possible if you do have emotional eating issues that are not addressed, you'll go through the time trouble risk and expense of the surgery for nothing. Do talk to your doctor. If there is a therapist he can recommend, I suggest some sessions. It is HARD so don't feel miserable and ashamed; just realize you have some issues (well, duh. most of us have some type of issue or we wouldn't need the band) and you need to deal with them. Shame and misery won't make it better. You just have some work to do, is all. Get back on your surgeon's plan NOW and call tomorrow, see what his take is. Hopefully the impact will be negligible. But do pursue some help for the hunger that isn't true physiologic hunger. The band takes care of "physical" hunger but you have to handle the rest. Good luck and good for you being honest about it!