Kiana38

Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions. I'm sorry any of you went through this, but it is comforting to know I'm not crazy. lol It was unexpected, no literature I ever read told me to expect this but I'm sure I'll feel better soon, as soon as I am healed up more. Hugs to everyone, thank you.

Hi, This is a hard post because I'm really opening up and sharing something with people who might not understand, and not knowing me might think I'm a whack job. lol I had surgery 11 days ago. I have been very depressed and upset the last couple days but I didn't know why til now. I had to go through so much to get the surgery, and I was so scared of surgery that I focused on that rather than what post-surgery be like. I understood logically that things would take time, I understood it wasn't a magic cure intellectually. But my coping mechanism must've tricked me into thinking things would be so different after surgery. Now my expectations are smashed. I'm very sad because the same problems I had before surgery, I still have. I don't feel any progress, I don't feel any restriction. I just feel a ton of pain still (I had gall bladder removed and lap band laparoscopically), and I am healing slower than others. I'm almost regretting it instead of feeling proud that I accomplished a lot to get here. Again I understand intellectually what this process is about. I haven't even had my first fill yet, but I can't shake this depression. I am extremely sad. Has anyone experienced this? I feel really alone about it.

I get my first fill at 5 weeks. He doesn't do a puree or "full liquid" stage. It's 4 weeks thin liquid, then 2 weeks mushy, then slowly introduce solid foods. I figured he was strict compared to a lot of the other doctors when I read the stuff you guys get to eat! I'm not upset about it because I committed to this deal months before the surgery. I'm not even hungry right now, so not sure what a week or two will bring. I don't think a month of liquid will be that bad. I just finished 3 weeks of liquid presurgery so I'm prepared.

I knew about the requirements ahead of time and I am not complaining about them. I am fine with the restrictions and am following them to a T. I was just noticing that many of you said you were eating creamy Soups, or milk products, and someone even suggested 2-3 oz lean meats, so I wanted to compare notes with you. I know Dr. Srikanth, he assisted Dr. Oh and I met him before surgery the other day. He was the "nice" doc. I got the one without a good bedside manner. LOL Someone asked what credentials my doctor had. He has 18 years bariatric experience and 14 years laparoscopic experience. You can see him on obesityhelp.com. Thanks for sharing all of your doctor's orders!

I keep reading what everyone here is allowed to eat and drink post banding. My doctor seems to be the strictest out of any of them. I just got banded Aug 1st, and have to be on Clear liquids for 1 month. I get to start Protein drinks after 1 week, but it has to be "predigested" Protein. I buy Champion whey protein since that is predigested. Also, any liquids we drink has to be taken in a 30 cc cup. Those little shot glasses they use in the hospital. We must drink 50+ of those a day of Water and diluted juices. When I get to start solid food, I have to measure in those 1 oz cups. I can only eat 1 - 1.5 oz. 4-5 times a day. And NEVER allowed to have sugar or milk. All foods must be 6 g of sugar or less. The only exception to the no milk rule is cottage cheese, low fat yogurt, and cheese is allowed. The yogurt is only allowed if you find the one brand that is actually less than 6 g of sugar. Anyone else have all these restrictions?

Hi, I don't know if this will help you or not. I was required to lose 30 lb presurgery. I said the exact same thing back in May, I think it was. If I could lose 30 lb, what am I doing here? The surgeon had no bedside manner AT ALL. He said if you do not get to 350 lb by Aug 1 I will not operate, period. Do whatever you need to do. I'm not asking you to keep it off, just TAKE it off. Well after much research on how to possibly lose weight rapidly, without pain or hunger I came to one conclusion: You cannot lose weight without hunger. You WILL experience physical hunger and head hunger. But it won't kill you. Your weight WILL kill you though. So I toughened up, forced myself on a VERY low fat, low carb under 1200 calorie diet for 3 weeks. I lost 20 lbs. Then I had to do liquid diet for 3 weeks. I lost slower because I was starving, literally, and now and then I would conscientiously cheat. I ate a few veggies from my vegetable beef Soup broth. I had a small amount of chicken salad with low sodium crackers one day. Then I'd do liquid for 3 more days until I'd conscientously cheat again. Bottomline: I weighed exactly 350 lb on Aug 1 and was banded without any problem. I'm not endorsing the conscientious cheating idea, because I think if overeaters are told they CAN do that, they go way overboard. I was scared to death my liver wouldn't have shrunk enough so I never took on more than a couple hundred extra calories now and then just so I didn't go crazy. But starting my diet 6 weeks before surgery, then liquid 3 weeks before surgery, really helped. I hope this helps. The most important idea is: you will be hungry presurgery but it won't kill you and it *is* temporary. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Hope this helps!

I didn't think the date would ever get here, and there were many obstacles in the way but I did it!!! I was very proud of myself because I am an anxious person by nature and didn't freak out either. I was calm, and determined, and ready. This is day 3 and I am still in pain, lots of gurgling in my tummy, and I have no appetite. I might have had a couple small teaspoons of tomato Soup so far. The liquid percocet I'm on does help to control the pain, though. Is the tummy gurgling and unstable bowels normal? When will I feel better?

Hi Guys, Reading this thread has been sooo helpful. People REALLY do feel the same way that I do. I've been very nervous and scared, yet excited at the same time. They drill all the risks into your head and it's hard to avoid thinking about them. I keep thinking I'm going to vault off the operating table too! lol Thank you for sharing your fears and how you have come through it well. Wish me luck!! Aug 1, baby!

No, I cannot have any solids including veggies. I can have vegetable Soup if I strain the veggies out of it. I have a list of stuff but it's all see-through Clear Liquids like Jello, broths, tomato soup, minute maid lite, and Protein shakes. :scared: My starting weight *is* high... I'm 370 right now, and have to be down to 350 for surgery. But I've read others in here with higher starting weights than me. I am under many doctor's supervision so I'm sure I'll be okay, but it sucks. lol

I had complained earlier about 3 weeks. I just attended my doctor's nutrition class and found out they will mandatory 3 weeks pre op liquid diet for me (starting now since surgery is Aug 1) and 4 weeks post op!!! Anyone ever do that long? Is it possible!?? They are having me drink 3 - 30 mg Protein shakes a day and liquids like tomato juice, chicken broth, etc plus multi-Vitamins.

I am going to be banded Aug. 1!! It's also my birthday! I figure that is about the safest day you can have surgery. lol I'm also nervous but very, very excited. This 4th of July I sat on the sidelines at a BBQ watching everyone else play badminton and baseball. I vowed never to sit on the sidelines again. This surgery cannot come soon enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the upper right and the bottom left. They remind me a little bit of Anne Geddes photos. Really beautiful :rant:

That's good advice. I am about 3 weeks away from starting LD, so I have cut my calories down to 1200 a day and mostly liquid except one or two healthy choice meals. I am hoping to prepare my body for it. So far I've lost 12 lb with just this mini-diet. Anyone who says this is the easy way out is highly mistaken!!!