annjones

I was banded on 12/23 and am doing great. I'm very gassy and can belch like a sailor. I'm getting my 60+ Protein and over 64 oz of Water. I really want to chew something but I gotta weight for that.

Sounds like you did great! I know I started my pre-op liquid diet on the day of the family christmas get together. Everyone was totally understanding and even made jokes about it...as did I. I found I was able to get some broth from the Roast Beef and add it to my beef broth, which was devine. It was hard, especially standing right next to the Ham and wanting so badly to take a piece and munch on it. Keep up the hard work, it will all pay off in the end.

I was banded on the 23rd of December and am still on liquids. Tomorrow I go to Full Liquids!!! woohooo I've lost about 17 lbs before my surgery, which is pretty great! I figure it will take until the 6 month mark for my body to be healed and my band in the routine of working. Right now concentrate on healing after surgery. Do what your doc says. Stay away from your scale. :tongue2:

I got banded on the 23rd and am doing well. My tummy is a bit sore and I have a slight pain in my shoulder now and again. I'm tired of liquids .... It isn't that I'm hungry but more I just want a variety of tastes in my mouth..and I miss chewing things. I'm glad to see so many "band date" buddies!

I was banded on the 23rd! Eventhough I had had surgeries before and read all the very wonderful information on this board on what to expect. I was nervous, scared and excited. I was checked in/preped and then my family came in to see me. After they left, I have totally forgotten anything and only remember when I "woke" up in recover...thinking why is the clock on the wall so blurry.. Then I was taken to my room, my family came in and my vitals were taken and I was xrayed. No barium thingy. Once I was able to have Water, I had no problem sipping it. Today, I'm pretty sore but I am keeping ahead of the pain. I'm still dozing to sleep off and on. I was able to take my regular medication (small pills) with no problems. I feel like I'm floating with all the water I'm drinking. Not hungry at all!!!

Woohooo I got my band yesterday 12/23!!! My tummy is sore and I'm very thirsty, but everything was a breeze. My doc and his team are wonderful, caring and compassionate.

Tomorrow is the B Day! I'm scared and nervous and way excited. My doc only requires 2 days liquid diet but mine started on the day of a family holiday party. There was tons of good smelling food but I stuck to it. Everyone there is very excited for me and offered me tons of support. And I finally found a Trader Joe's! Cool store, much like Whole Foods. I stocked up on stuff and *big nervous sigh* I'm ready to go. Good Luck to all who are being banded today and this week!

Move those sweets away from you :ohmy: That way you want be smelling or looking at them.

In addition to taking Iron supplements, you can eat liver, dark green veggies, etc. My blood iron is slightly low and I sure can tell when I miss my iron supplements.

Wow Becky! I'm in the process of stopping smoking too. I'm down to about 8 per day from a pack and a half. Seperation and divorce are pretty stressful. Please make sure you talk with your psycologist<sp> After 20 years it is a big change and I'm sure you have lots of built up stuff to deal with. I was married for 17 years before I kicked my ex out (he was mental and physically abusive and an alcoholic). And my weight was my shield from my ex-husband and from the depression involved with the whole mess. But that is indeed another long story. There are tons of very good people here to help support you and answer questions. But please take advantage of your psycologist. Good Luck

Well congrats on the date! We are band date buddies :smile2: I've been through several surgeries and even had a port in the past. Laprascopic is pretty easy and baring any unforseen complications (which are pretty rare) you go in, they prep you, they give you goofy juice and you wake up in recovery. Your throat will be ithcy and a bit sore (like you cheered to much at a ball game) you'll be alittle disoriented (from the meds). You jump through their hoops (whatever they may be) and then you go home. Your tummy will be sore and you should take your pain meds religiously (you want to stay ahead of the pain, so that you can focus on healing) Siip Sip Sip Water constantly (from what I am hearing) walk when you can, and rest. It is normal to be scared and nervous but when it is all done, you'll be asking yourself why you worried so much. Now the shoulder pain is a real thing and if you are not ready for it, it can really knock you off your feet. That comes from the gas they blow your belly up with so they have room to operate. It is deferred pain from your diaphram and shows up in your shoulder (our bodies are kinda funny). Heating pad, walking around helps. Good luck and I'll be thinking of all my "band buddies" when I go in on the 23rd!

I'm not banded yet but since I take a handfull of meds I had the same concerns. When I spoke with the Anasethiologist<sp> she said that after speaking with one of the LB docs he told her that pills really arn't as big a problem as some people think. Small pills should be easy. Larger pills, that can be crushed or cut, should be. Take pills one at a time and maybe with applesauce or Jello to help them go down smoothly. Since you can't take a big ol' drink of Water to wash them down. I've invested in liquid versions of my supplements for right after surgery and to use after fills. My other meds are small enough and crushable I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that it should be ok. But from what I'm hearing I won't know for sure until after being banded and I start to take them. Good Luck

It hit me this morning that next week at this time I'll be getting ready for surgery! We went to the store last night and got a bunch of soups (Progresso was on sale!) I'm scared, excited, nervous, excited, worried, excited..... It is like the first day of school and christmas all wraped in one. Good luck to all those getting banded this week!!!

The blood tests are to make sure you aren't running any kind of infections. All precautionary stuff for before surgery. I have Tricare Standard and getting cleared seemed to be a very easy (thank goodness). Being Tricare I thought it would be harder than it was.

Congratulations! Time will pass quickly

Woohooooo CONGRATS! I'm getting my band on 12/23rd. I just did my pre-op labs and passed :wink2: Can't wait to join the land of the band.

I'm sooo glad I found this thread. I've been working on stopping smoking before my surgery and I can tell you it has been hard. I know that you heal faster when you don't smoke and of course it is better for your health. Which is another reason why I've chosen to be banded...my health. But limiting food, stopping smoking and stoping taking harmone pills before surgery.....I feel like I need to hide away until I become a nicer person again.... At least I know now that I won't keel over if I slip up after surgery.

Of course anyone can post here but I thought it would be cool to start a thread for my band date buddies. I'm so excited. I start my liquid pre op diet 2 days before surgery and tomorrow I get my pre op blood work done. I've been testing different Protein shakes and of course charting what I've been eating for the past month. Plus I'm on the end stage of stopping smoking and the doc said no hormone pills 2 weeks prior to surgery. So as you can guess I'm pretty gritchy. I think I'm going to ask for something to take the edge off because if not I might run all my friends away, drive my girlfriend nuts and kill my pets. Going through early menapause (at 35) put me on hormones to level things out. Anyway, I've decided to try a strawberry Protein powder with strawberry yogurt this morning. I did a chocolate one with SF Chocolate pudding and it was most yummy. Guess I'm rambling on.

Nicci That would be cool, then we could commiserate with each other on where we are in the healing process

My date is the 23rd of December and I'm so excited and nerveous. I am finding that I'm staying glued to the board and seeing how everyone's progress is going. I'll be there soon...in the land of the banded and lossing weight.

I've been educating myself of the diet phases. But I'm fuzzy on Full Liquids vs Mushies vs. Puree. What I'm thinking is that Mushies (if more liquid is added and stuff is strained) could constitute as full liquids? (for example: you make a chicken vegetable Soup and blend it then strain it, if it is too thick add a bit more Water and .... waaalaaa - full liquids?) And Mushies and Puree sound about the same. Or is Mushies a mix of solid and liquid that isn't pureed? Also, on the Protein shakes...they are considered liquid for the 1st stage? And you can add things to them (such as SF pudding) for the full stage? And what are you feelings of crushed supplements mixed into water or Protein shake .... would that be considered Liquid/Full Liquid? Thanks so much for offering to help!

I am choosing the Band of the Bypass for a couple reasons. 1st it is less drastic surgery than a bypass. 2nd Malabsorption with bypass 3rd I have a good friend who had a bypass and due to her not following strict rules she is in worse health now than she would have been obese. She actually has to have blood transfusions because of her Iron level. But as I said she didn't follow the rules. She didn't take supplements, wasn't making sure her Protein levels were high and she made poor choices in her diet after her bypass. Also, the band is reversible, if needed.

I love the recipe site! And this is very helpful. I knew I couldn't have been the only one with these questions. I understand that food is just fuel for the body and "cleaning your plate" is one of the big problems that contribute to obesity. I'm very "green" when it comes to how I live, in every aspect of life. Recycle paper, cans, having a "low" carbon footprint, and trying to not be wastefull when I cook, etc. I've been working on eating off of smaller plates and consciously reminding myself I don't have to "clean my plate". (my pets love this one, cause they often get extra treats) Besides smaller plates I am trying to really watch what I eat between meals and question myself when I want something...is it head hunger or am I really needing something. The hardest thing for me to start doing is not drinking before or after a meal. Drinking 64 oz a day is a breeze for me. And I think that those around me are suffering with me, while I cut out caffeine (coffee and tea) and stopping smoking, as well as eating less. I've been very "gritchy" in the past couple of weeks. But this too will pass I'm sure. I do find it funny (not hahha but curious) that no one really notices what or the amount you eat. I have started watching people when they eat to see their eating habits and it is very interesting. Again thank you all for your support and comments. I love them and I'm really liking the recipes..it is giving us all kinds of ideas.

Congrats and Happy Band Day! I have 18 days to go. 12/23/08 is my date. I am hoping that I will bounce back quickly, I'm planning on going back to work on Monday (6th day post op). I have a office job and will be back full time for 3 days then have another 4 days off. I'm very nerveous, excited, and scared. But looking forward to my new banded life and being healthier. Again Conrats and keep us all posted on your progress!!!