Holabbie

Hi, yes, I did talk this over with my doctor and she actually suggested opening the capsules. She did contact the rep who supplies the clinic and was told there won't be any problem by using them that way, other than the obvious of not always getting a full dose. She was concerned about them tasting so bad that I wouldn't want to take them that way but I haven't found that to be an issue. I will speak with the pharmacist next time I am in the store to ask about a suspension liquid I guess. The other problem I do have is the teeny tiny little beads that are in the capsules get really sticky when they are wet and getting them off the side of the cup is virtually impossible. I sure didn't see this crazy problem coming. :tongue2:

Hello everyone - I am looking for some advice about ways to take my medications. During my pre-op physical, my primary care physician tried to order my medications in liquid form but they aren't available that way. I take Cymbalta, which is in capsule form and Lisinopril, which is pill form. I also take a low-dose preventative aspirin each day. I have been opening the Cymbalta capsules and pouring them into water and quickly drinking it. My best guess would be that I am only getting 1/2 - 3/4 of the dose. I am grinding up the Lisinopril and aspirin with the same results. I am concerned about this and looking for advice from those of you who may have dealt with and conquered this issue. I am still in the clear liquid stage - banded 1/27/09.

I thought it was fascinating, interesting, frustrating and odd how different pre-op instructions were for many of us. It seems that some had two weeks of clear liquids, some had a few days and some had none. Now for the post-op diets, again I note many differences. Some of you have mentioned a couple days of clear liquids then on to full liquids and it seems some are already at eating mushy/soft foods. I had two weeks of clear liquids pre-op and now another two weeks of clear liquids post-op. This will be followed by two weeks of full liquids, then on to mushies, then on to soft foods. It's very clear to me that these differences must be based on surgeon preference - and I assume, created out of their past experiences with their patients. Anyone else notice this and wonder why such differences?

Hi and thanks Never2late - We did exactly that this evening. After reading the other posts about liquid Protein drinks, my husband and I went to Sam's Club to wander around and walk the store. I was looking for something to use as a Protein Drink that has less calories than Boost. I did get a 12-pack of the Atkins in both chocolate and vanilla. It has the same amount of protein and half the calories. Tomorrow we will go walk the mall. The shoulder pain is getting better each day. That was so unexpected. I am glad I thought to jump on this forum and sure enough, there were multiple threads about it. Was your hernia a hiatal also?

Hi CarolinaMom - Don't let the first week get you down, it's always hard to do something new in the beginning. Remember the last time you started a new job? That first week was horrible, the second week almost as bad, the third week, you thought you may survive and the fourth week, well, things are looking up. Time goes by so fast that the first month of this will fly by and you will start feeling like yourself again. I know that when I go back to work next week, the time will speed up even more and these first two weeks post-surgery will be gone in a blink. I don't see my doc until February 12. There is a support group meeting this coming Monday night put on by the dietician at my clinic. It is attended by both pre and post lap banders. I think I may attend. I did attend once pre-surgery since that was a requirement. Do any of you go to support groups?

Hi, thanks for the heads up. I do know about Aleve and stomach issues but I am using it very sporadically so I don't think it's going to be an issue. Thanks for caring though, that was really nice.

Hi, tell me about why you were told not to use Boost? I am not thrilled about the calorie ratio to protein level in it. What are you using for your liquid protein?

Just checking in to see how everyone else is doing that had their surgery on 1/27/09. I did end up having both the lap band placement and hiatal hernia repair surgeries at the same time. I guess that's why I feel double-sore! I have little or no appetite but I am trying to keep my Fluid intake up. I use Boost High Protein as my supplement along with chewable Vitamins. I am supposed to drink three bottles of Boost each day but that has been difficult. I have managed two per day as long as I take a long time to drink them. I am having a horrible time with this left shoulder pain. I had no idea what the heck that was about but the day after surgery I checked this forum and found many entries about it being a common occurance. I am using a heating pad and ground up Aleve for the pain. It is lessening each day. I am very glad I purchased liquid Tylenol before surgery also. All in all, I am taking things slowly. I am trying to decide if I will be returning to work on Monday or not at this point. That my be a bit optimistic but one day can make a huge difference. I won't decide until Sunday. I know that if I can't make it through the day it will be okay for me to leave early. My surgeon reguired two weeks of liquids prior to surgery and requires two weeks after surgery. Then two weeks of soft foods, then regular foods. What does your doc require? I hope all of you are doing well and it will be interesting to hear from you on how you are doing.

Hi Carolina Mom and Everyone - I called my surgeon's office this morning as it dawned on me last night that what if this hernia is a surgery stopper!! I thought "Oh no, I don't want to have to start this whole process all over again in a few months". My surgeon was at the hospital preparing to do surgery this morning but thankfully he hadn't started yet and answered the page from the office with my question of whether or not this hernia will be an issue. To my absolute relief, he replied "Oh no, not a problem. I will just plan to add a bit of time to the surgery and take care of that hernia at the same time". Whew!!!:scared2: Talk about relieved. Final weekend before surgery. Wish I could go out for Chinese food to Celebrate. Has anyone else been planning their first "real food" meal? I told my husband I want to go to Noodles & Company for the Parmesan chicken. I told him I will order the small portion and be able to eat off of it for the next four meals! We are going to save some serious dough on eating out! I would get a kick out of hearing what all of you are planning for your first "real food" meal. I just hope I remember how to chew after sliding Jello and sipping broth.

Isn't it funny how sometimes things just work out? Yesterday I had my pre-op upper GI study done and no surprise, I have GERD. However, what I didn't know was that I also have a hernia! Too funny.

Hi Adamsmom - Thanks for the understanding. I agree, I don't want a ton of questions. It's amazing what people will ask these days isn't it? How are you doing since your surgery? You are over a week post-op and I hope you are doing well.

Hello Everyone! I am also scheduled for the 27th and I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one who feels this is a very personal issue and not comfortable with sharing this information with others. My husband, son and daughter-in-law are "in the loop". That's it. Tomorrow I am supposed to be at a mentor luncheon and I have no idea how I am going to get through it. I will figure something out, I am sure. I have to admit I am not doing as well on the liquid diet as I had hoped I would. I am adding teeny tiny pieces of baked chicken breast to the broth. I am starting out with a BMI of 36 so I hope my liver is in pretty fair shape to start with and isn't an issue. It's so odd how some surgeons don't require their patients to do any pre-surgical diet and others are so strict. Kind of frustrating and it just makes me wonder why the difference. One week from tonight we will be on the other side of this and the anticipation about the surgery will be behind us. :tongue: I wish you all an uneventful surgery, a speedy recovery and a nice smooth road towards your goal.

My surgery will follow yours by one day as I am scheduled for the 27th. I am so bored with the liquid diet I could scream though. Now I amuse myself by combining jell-o flavors to see what I end up with. I hope all goes well with yours and that it is as life-altering as we need it to be. I hope to post an ad in one year that says "Used CPAP machine. No longer needed!!!!!"

Thanks so much for your replies. Because I am one who researches anything new in my life, I was aware of the two hormone changes the throw a person's metabolism into an altered state. It is easily one of the most frustrating things I have ever encountered. It was one year ago this month that I first entertained the idea of gastric surgery. My husband and I attended a seminar given by a surgeon who specializes in gastric bypass and lapband surgeries. He mentioned a list of pre-surgery medical concerns that can be helped by lapband surgery and among them was apnea. He stated that every person he has done surgery on has been able to go off CPAP as their apnea totally disappeared. That was all I needed to hear. I was in. I have no doubt that my hypertension and high cholesterol will also be resolved. I was delighted to read that you are already noticing a change in your apnea symptoms. Please stay in touch and let me know how you are doing. Let's hope we can turn our CPAP machines into planters next spring!

Hello all ~ I am a brand new member here. I am having my lap band surgery on January 27, 2009. There was a delay from my insurance denying it due to my lower than protocol BMI. However, once we sent in the appeal outlining how severe my sleep apnea is and how high my blood pressure is without medications, they came back with an approval. My doc also went into detail about how many other avenues I have tried but due to the hormone changes that have wrecked havoc with my metabolism thanks to the apnea, I have been unable to lose weight, even with medications. When I developed sleep apnea about three years ago, I was 150 pounds. For some unknown reason, I developed apnea and started gaining weight. This was very frustrating as 10 years ago I went on a self-created diet, lost 95 pounds and had maintained that weight for seven years. Having been in the mid-200's for most of my adult life, I was thrilled to have achieved a weight that I felt good about. I am currently at 217 so that is a 67 pound increase in three years...while still following the low-fat diet I had been following since 1999. The surgeon who is doing the banding is certain this will have a significant impact on the apnea. I know it will also help with the hypertension and GERD, as well as help with the arthritis pain in my feet. I am very interested in hearing from those who have sleep apnea and if having lost significant weight helped it.