CountryGirlNY

Minnah - Im no expert, and I've only been banded 5 days, but it sounds to me like you really need to try and get some protein in you! There are other supplements out there other than the shakes. I think you should get some and see if you can get something in you with some protein. Hope you feel better.

Thanks so much hon - I was wondering how many cc's my band holds. I guess it's 10 - surgeon said he used the AP standard.. at least thats what I think I have! I cant wait till my follow up to find out....

Among the MANY other things, I think right now I'm really excited to CUT UP MY LANE BRYANT CREDIT CARD!

Gum is off limits to my docs band patients. If by any chance you swallow it - I know, I haven't swallowed a piece of gum in 20 years either - but if you do, and it gets stuck, that's big trouble! I've also heard that chewing gum causes more gas.

Once I get it figured out, I'll post in here so everyone can join! How you doin? Are you on solid foods yet? Im 4 days post-op and feelin pretty good. Doin the liquids, but not starving at all. Have some strange stomach feelings, but not sure if its hunger. I can usually shut it up with a warm cup of tea or some broth.

I never saw an actual room in the hospital that day. I went from OR to the first recovery room where I was required to spend 3 hours. In this room they monitored my vitals and kept me in the bed. After those three hours, I went to the 2nd recovery room which was a big room with lots of beds - none private -where the nurses got me up and moving around. Gave me some crystal light to drink and made sure I could urinate. I had to stay there three hours too before I could be discharged to go home. In the 2nd room though I had my family with me so it went quicker. I think if I could do it again, I would have spent the night and had a room and the comfy hospital bed... But all in all the experience was not bad! I'm a happy bandster! :confused:

Hi KG - I was banded on Thursday and I think what you are experiencing is perfectly normal. Just make sure that you get in enough Protein and caffeine free liquids. I also don't have much of an appetite. I think I have some "phantom hunger" but I can usually have something warm like broth or tea and it takes care of the rumblings in my tummy. Some of that is probably gas too. Dont worry - you're not alone!

My mom had my purse with her and the Ipod was in there. She brought it to me in the recovery room. I would keep it with whoever goes with you and they can bring it to you. Good luck Linda

Hi All - I had my surgery this past Thursday. Everything went according to plan and 4 days later I'm feeling great. I wanted to share something with you that made my 3 hours in the recovery room so much easier and less stressful. I brought my Ipod. Best thing ever. All of the noises of the recovery room were not distracting to me at all. I was given some meds for pain (mostly so I could relax, I woke up from the anesthesia very "wired") and the curtains were closed... I put my music on and totally rested for the required 3 hours. I wish you all luck with your upcoming procedures.

Hi DK - I was also banded on 1/22. I'm having lots of rumbling and gurgling, but nothing is passing for me except for urine. Actually it's been days since BM for me. It seems to me that something you are taking in is not agreeing with you. I'm not having much trouble with liquids right now. Things are going down ok. I hope that you figure out what's not working for you and it all works out.

Hi New Year Hotties! I'm trying to start a group for us - so we can all stay in touch. I'm having trouble though - I get the group created but it keeps going back to the "computer users" group when I click on my group. Anyone familiar with groups on this site that can lend me a tip or 2? Thanks!

I was banded on the 22nd. I was also in quite a bit more pain than I had expected to be in. I'll tell you this though, today is day 3 and I feel 200% better! Hang in there - the gas will get out - the pain will lessen, and according to everyone here, we will LOVE our bands. Do take the advice given above though and stay on top of your pain meds. I did and it does help. Check back and let us know how you're doin...

I'm having surgery tomorrow too! I'm only doing today on Clear Liquids only. Christ I'm HUNGRY too! But it's only for one day.... I'm NOT CHEATING! I'm dying to, but I'm afraid to so I'm going to stick it out an have some broth. Good luck to all of us that are getting banded tomorrow - and as someone else said - Happy RE-birthday. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our lives!

Im jealous... I'm a 42B :-( Pretty cruel eh that at 240lbs I only have Bcup boobs... After I reach goal, I'm gonna go out and get me some nice Ccups!

Thanks Girl! Let's check back as soon as we can to see how each other's doing. Are you staying in the hosp or is it out-patient for you? My ins. company approved me for a 2 night stay, but all he people in the surgeon's office - including the surgeon himself - say that I'll be just fine and want to come home. I hope they are right! Good luck - God Bless.... Linda

Mr dr. requires a 2 day liquid diet. Starting tomorrow - Banding on Thursday! I've been reading these boards for a few months now and there are a lot of different requirements. Every dr. seems to have their own. Do as your dr. says - that's always the best route to take. Best of luck to you!

I really have nothing to say except that I wish tomorrow was Thursday already!!! :scared2:

I really feel for all of you who have to do these 2 week liquid pre-op diets! That just seems soooo severe - especially considering that there is usually a 2 week period after banding that you have to be on liquids. All of you should be commended for making such a solid commitment! My dr. office calls for 2 days - 1 day Full Liquid - meaning milk based liquids - shakes, blended yogurt, farina, etc. and 1 day Clear Liquids. No shakes, just broth, tea, Water, Jello, etc. I have been using Isopure powder for about 3 months now. I've been replacing 1 meal a day with it on the recommendation of the nutritionist. The actual serving size is 2 scoops, but I only use one right now. For 2 scoops its 210 calories, 1g fat, 50g Protein. so I guess I'm only getting 25g of protein right now on the one scoop, but Im mixing it with 1% milk so that gives me a little more. Point being - the Dutch chocolate is good, the strawberry is ok, and the Cookies and Cream is GREAT! I just mix it with a hand blender and pour it over ice... Im getting banded on thursday so Im happy to have all these flavors that I really like. Best of luck to you - I hope you can settle on something soon so you can just relax and try to think of the better days ahead.

My psych dr. also tried to talk me into By-pass. I was wondering if he got a cut of the $$ for every by-pass my surgeon does. The Psych I went to is like a partner of the surgeon's office. Once I explained to him my reasons for wanting to go with the band and not the by-pass however, his attitude changed a bit and he agreed that the band was the best choice for me. I think it's just a tactic to see if you've done any type of research and some soul searching as well to make sure you are secure in your decision. The the next big decision I had to make was do I want the Realize Band or the LapBand. Im opting for the Lapband for a few reasons. 1) I've held them both in my hands and I felt that the Lapband was a little sturdier - I liked the look of the inside where the saline goes. It just seemed thicker and more secure. 2) The port seemed just a little smaller 3) My dr. has been doing this procedure using the Lapband for much longer than he's been using the Realize band. Bottom line is - you have to do what you feel is best for you. Don't let anyone talk you into something you're not comfortable doing. Best of luck to you - I hope you get your band and LOVE it!

Tablespoons of food is filling... I can't wait for that! Jan. 22nd - right around the corner... It's so nice to come here and hear all your great - early banded - stories. Best to all -

Damn girl - I know you're disappointed, but hang in there. It will be worth it in the long run. I had my 2hour class today and start my pre-op diet tomorrow. Nothing too restrictive. High Protein, small portions, NO CARBS - very low fat. I have the option of replacing either 1 or 2 meals a day with a shake, and I'm leaning towards 2 because I'm afraid to gain any weight before surgery. My dr. office seems pretty serious about cutting you off if you do, so I'm totally paranoid now! Keep checkin on us - and keep letting us know how you're doing on your supervised plan. Best to you- Linda

Hi RM - Somehow when I was writing the original post I was thinking "I hope RestlessMonkey reads this and gives me some insight". I read all of your posts - you have some of the best advice around here. Great tip with the fish fillets - I will definitely get some of those. I always have your story in the back of my mind of what happened to you on your first surgery day. It scares me half to death that it happens - and can happen to me if I'm not careful. Thanks - I'll keep you posted.

Hey Y'all.... I went to my 2 hour class today to get all the details on the surgery and the before and after diets and whatnot. Here's how my doc's office outlines it: Replace one meal with a Protein shake and have two LITE meals. Consume your required 64oz of Water per day. Increase protein in diet and decrease carbohydrate intake. Choose lean protein sources and lots of vegetables. The purpose of this pre-operative diet is to decrease the size of your liver, which can be markedly enlarged due to excess fat accumulation. Sounds perfectly easy right - except that I'm so bad with portions and stuff - what exactly is a LITE meal? I kinda wish they had laid out something a little more comprehensive. Im also scared considering that they lay that whole "dont gain even one pound or we wont do your surgery"... I think I should just do a liquid diet and forget all the guess work... If I had the ability to make sensible food choices, I wouldn't be here in the first place... My surgery is on the 22nd, so on the 19th I have to start the "full liquid" diet then the 21st is the "clear liquids" for one day. All in all it doesnt seem too hard, but I'm just afraid to gain a pound!

I couldn't help but add to this post. I am on day 7 of quitting... It's no easy task, but I am also determined to make this change in my life. I am using Welbutrin and Nicorette gum. I think the gum was the best choice for me because now my mouth always feels clean (yes, they have come a LONG way in the flavor and texture of Nicorette) and it keeps me from wanting to eat for compensation. I'm getting banded in 2 weeks!

Kossde - I cannot thank you enough for this post. I've also told everyone and anyone that will listen to me long enough to say it. I'm sooo taking your quote everywhere with me. I don't want to die trying either. Good luck to all -