giddyupgrandma

I am just wondering why at 6 weeks or more post-op, you are drinking protein shakes. I am just over three weeks post-op and since day three have been eating (at my doctor's orders) mushy protein (eggs, tuna, canned chicken, cottage cheese, turkey chilli. My doctor specifically said not to rely on protein shakes. I only use them if I am on the run. Gastric bypass patients need them, but not band patients. Since I have never used the powder, I don't know what they smell like. Good luck, but ask your Dr. if you can eat mushy protein instead.

Just thought I'd let you know, for the month before my surgery I cried all the time. I was mourning the loss of my best friend, food, and I was questioning if my decision was the right one for me. Once I started on the pre-op diet, I seemed o feel better. I was banded on October 7th, and to be honest I have had some nausia and discomfort from the gas, but food is the last thing on my mind. The surgery itself was nothing, less than a half hour and I had a hernia repair. I was up and walking two hours after I got to my room. Hang in there--this will change your life for the better. My starting weight was 262 (5ft-8 inches tall). My weight at surgery was 253 and today I weighed 245.

Thanks CyndyG. I am 57 today. My surgery on Tuesday Oct.7th, went well, less than a half hour and I had a hernia repair (unexpected) too. I was up and walking a few hours later. Silver Cross was wonderful. Unfortunately, my heart did not take kindly to the stress of surgery and I have experienced multiple episodes of Atrial Fibrillation (I was diagnosed in Feb/07) since my surgery. The drugs I use to control the A-Fib do not seem to be working. A-Fib is not a life threatening heart arrythmia, just annoying. It leaves me tired and short of breath, so the 20 minute walk each day is a challenge. Some days I can only walk 10 minutes. Before surgery, I was up to a 45 minute walk. The good news is, I have not taken a diabetes drug since I got home from the hospital and my blood sugar is normal. I really can't eat anything but Atkins shakes for protein. Yesterday, I tried a little scrambled egg with cheese and I ate most of it. Today I will try some tuna. I see my cardiologist on Monday, so hopefully, I will get some answers. I have to be honest, because you are facing surgery soon, I have felt like I might throw up since the surgery, but have not. I just hate that uncomfortable feeling. So my advice would be to ask for anti-nausia medication and a stool softener before you leave the hospital. If you would like to email me directly, my email is nanatcoldbank@aol.com. Good luck Cyndy!

Carol---thanks for the encouragement. I'm sure we will meet next month at the support group. My name is Nancy (giddyupgrandma because I am a proud grandma who owns two beautiful horses). One of my goals is to be able to ride again after I lose weight.

Hi Everyone. My surgery is Tuesday (October 7th) and I am so excited and nervous at the same time. All my questions have been answered. I just found out I am having my procedure at 9:00 AM instead of 1:30 PM which is what I was originally told. What a relief. Now I won't be "stewing" all day. :tt2: I hope to meet everyone else who is having surgery that day while we are strolling the halls at Silver Cross. I was at the Sept. 30 support group meeting and found it helpful. I appreciate all the support I have gotten from this site. I lost 9 lbs on the pre-op diet but am really struggling and hungry all the time. I am trying to be extra careful, but have cheated a few times this weekend with additional protien. I hope the hunger goes away after my surgery.

Hi Trina. I'm Nancy. I am having the surgery on October 7th---my first surgery ever!---so I am nervous too. I keep focussing on the positives about the surgery (better health, nicer clothes, no aching joints) so I don't become frantic. I have to lose about 90 lbs and I am not as young as some of the other people on this site (soon to be 57) so I expect it will be a long haul.

I have been on the induction diet for 6 days and I am starving. I hope this goes away after surgery (October 7th). I don't know what you get to have, but I have two Atkins shakes, one for breakfast and one for lunch, 4 ounces of meat and 1/2c veggies for dinner. I am also allowed 2 sugar free jellos, two cups of clear broth and two sugar free popsicles for snacks. The broth and popsicles just don't help when I'm hungry, but the jello does. Today I ate a cucumber and some celery with no fat dip. It helped a little.

I am scheduled for surgery on October 7th. I have Atrial Fibrillation and take the blood thinner coumadin. I know I need to stop taking it before surgery, which is frightening because if I have A-Fib, I could have a stroke. My surgeon said I should go off 10 days before surgery, but I am leaving the final decision up to my cardiologist. I will see him on Tuesday, Sept 30th. Does anyone out there take coumadin? How long were you off before surgery and how soon did you get back on after surgery? I have no fear of the surgery itself, just my A-Fib!

CyndyG: I am going to the three hour pre-op class tonight and starting the liquid diet tomorrow. My surgery date is Octover 7th. I'll let you know about the liquid diet but carol422 has already posted it in a thread. Basically, it is Atkins Advantage shake for breakfast and lunch and 4 ounces of lean protien and 1/2 cup of veggies for dinner. Plus you can have two serving each of sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles and chicken or beef broth. Ummm, sounds yummy! Haha! If it turns out to be different from this, I'll let you know. When is your pre-op class? I know your surgery is in October, right?

I have to start the liquid diet on the 23rd also. We will find out all the details on the 22nd. I have a wedding to attend on the 26th, Friday. Can't miss it---my friend who is 40ish is getting married for the 1st time! My husband and I are going away this weekend. We are celebrating my life changing decision! I have been on liquid diets before (Optifast--I think that's what it was called) and I can do anything for two weeks. I take a lot of medication, though, so I wonder if my doses will have to be adjusted. I guess I'll find out on the 22nd. See you there!

Ellinidagreek: I see your birthday is October 10th. Mine is the 11th. I am an almost 58 year old grandma of three (two girls--3,4 and a boy 15 months). They are the loves of my life. I have been married to my husband, Frank, for 38 years and he is more worried about my surgery than I am. We were 17 and 18 when we met and 19 and 20 when we got married, so neither one of us can imagine life without the other. I have three children, all married and all very supportive. I am a Realtor and my husband is a plumbing contractor. I live on a little "farmette" in Frankfort and own two wonderful paint horses. One of my goals is to get under 200lbs so I can ride again. I will look for you at the meeting on the 22nd. I think your sense of humor will help us get through this. My name is Nancy. Anyone who wants to e-mail directly can go to nanatcoldbank@aol.com

My birthday is 10-11. I think we are both scheduled for surgery on October 7th. My pre-op is September 22nd. What a great birthday present, huh?

I have just been scheduled for October 7th at Silver Cross Hospital, Dr. Brian Lahmann. I am told that he and Dr. Joyce do surgery together. I am nervous and excited. My pre-op class is September 22nd. Anyone else going to that class?

Hi. I am in Illinois (the Joliet area). I have insurance approval, but am still waiting for my surgery. I am having my surgery at Silver Cross Hospital (Dr. Brian Lahmann) and have been given a tentative date of October 7th. However, Dr. Lahmann's staff never calls me. I only speak to them when I call them, even though they say things like "Oh, I was just going to call you" or "I'll get back to you next week." I know there is a pre-surgery meeting I need to attend and a pre-surgery diet I should follow. I am getting very nervous because of the lack of communication. Has anyone else had Dr. Lahmann or his partner, Dr. Joyce? I sure hope I picked the right place because this is a huge and costly undertaking (my insurance only pays half and may not pay for any follow-up care).

I guess I should have had more patience. I called this morning and left a message. They called back this afternoon and said I was confirmed for October 7th at 1:30 PM. I am nervous and excited to start this new phase of my life!

I am not sure if I am doing this correctly--not real savvy about "threads" and replies. I have tentatively been scheduled for surgery Oct 7th also, Dr Brian Lahmann. His office has not contacted me about the pre-op meeting but I assume it will be the same one you will be at. They are not good about communicating. I always have to call them. I guess I'll call tomorrow (Friday) and see if I am attending that meeting. My e-mail is nanatcoldbank@aol.com

Hi. I am from the Frankfort area. Did you have your surgery at Silver Cross? I am hoping to be banded in late September or early October.