Little Teapot

Ok, so I'm getting banded in six days! EEK!

I'm curious to know if any of you have seen a counselor/therapist after lap-band to help deal with the emotional issues related to overeating. I think it would probably be a good idea for me since I don't just eat because I'm hungry. (Who does?) I'm just wondering what we would actually talk about. Any insight from those of you who are in therapy?

Thanks!

Amber

Chinese buffet.

My pre-op diet is liquids only for 2 weeks

Unlimited things are: crystal light, suger free kool aid, sugar free cocoa, diet v-8splash, broth Soups, sugar free propsicles/italian ice, sugar free Jello, propel.

hope that helps some. today is my first day!

Thanks Jennifer! I'm on day one as well. So far I've had a homemade Protein smoothie, an Atkin's Protein shake, some chicken broth, ice tea with sweet n low, and LOTS of Water. I'm drowning! lol. Good luck on your diet!

...So homemade Protein Shakes are ok then? lol. J/K

Hi Michelle, I am on day 6 of my pre-op diet and when I feel hungry I eat baby carrots or sugar free Jello. These are both on my pre-op diet list of unlimited foods I can eat. I also try to drink as much Water as I can throughout the day. Stay strong and stay busy, you will get through this!

I just started my pre-op diet today (self prescribed) and I was wondering if you could share what items are on your list of unlimited foods.

Thanks!

My doctor didn't order any type of pre-op diet, but he did give orders to eat low Fiber foods and take laxatives for the five days before surgery. The day before surgery, I'm supposed to only drink Water and take a bunch of laxatives to completely clean out. Pretty much the same prep you would have to do before a colonoscopy. My orders say to keep drinking the laxatives until my stools are clear. : / Gross. lol.

Thanks Cocoabean! I think knowing that I don't have to do it will actually help me stick to my plan better. I don't like being told what I can or can't do! I'm just going to focus on eating healthfully and getting plenty of Protein. Sometimes I think we focus so closely on the tiny details that we lose sight of the big picture!

-Amber

Hun, i would listen to your doctor. Yes people on here can give you advice, but unless they are your MD then for certain things I would take what they say with a grain of salt. SMH at some of the responses... best wishes in your journey!

Thanks. I just feel like my doctor didn't order a pre-op diet because he didn't think it was a realistic expectation. There must be some benefit though. I definitely know that it's a benefit to clear as much fat from your liver as possible. I'm just willing to do whatever it takes to prepare myself for optimal results!

I would hope that your doctor has considered YOUR health history and condition in wether or not you were ordered onto a pre-op diet. Not all doctors require one. If I hadn't been ordered to be on one and been told that my surgery would be canceled if I gained weight, I would not have done it. It was a dreadful two weeks in my life.

Why are you wanting to do a pre-op if you weren't ordered to do one? Just curious?

I've never heard that about not being able to mix your own shakes. Many on here use different powders. Post-op, you'll have to be mindful of adding fruit as the fibers that don't blend well can cause problems during the immediate post-op phases. But then, I am not a shake expert. I was only told to use them for my pre-op diet. My surgeon doesn't want me using them as part of my normal diet. He'd rather I eat my calories than drink them. Solid foods hold us much longer.

I think my doctor doesn't order a pre-op diet because he knows that patients will have a very difficult time sticking to it, given then nature of why they're getting surgery in the first place. I just think it's something that couldn't hurt. I'm trying to prepare my body for surgery by decreasing the fat in/around my liver. I'm also trying to mentally prepare myself for post-op when I will have to live on liquids for a while. Either way, it won't hurt me to try and lose a few pounds before surgery.

Thanks for the responses guys! I think I'm going to go with the low sugar/carb/fat vanilla Protein whey. It should go nicely with any fruits I mix it with. I'll use skim milk for extra liquid.

I'm being banded on May 20th. My doctor doesn't require a pre-op diet, but I've decided to put myself on a Protein shake diet starting Monday (12 days pre-op). I've read in several posts that homemade Protein shakes are not ok. Why? What's the difference as long as you are monitoring the amount of sugar, carbs, etc.? Also, has anyone ever tried the fruit punch flavored Protein whey? I'm trying to choose between that and vanilla flavor.

Thanks for any input!

My surgeon didn't really outline a pre-op diet for me. This coming Monday will be twelve days before my surgery, and I've decided to start my own pre-op diet. Do most pre-op diets consist of full liquids (i.e, Protein Shakes, light soups)? Not sure what direction to take.

Do you have a tongue scraper? I recently bought one for a couple bucks at Walmart and it has really helped me!

Thanks guys!

NJGirl- Let us know how your testing goes. We can help each other along this journey since we'll be getting banded around the same time!

thank you for your response..am i not allowed to wear jewelry during surgery? I've never been put under either and im scared of it..with the "happy drug" did you feel better? and do they give you the anesthesia in the operating room with ur family there or what? Im SO TERRIFIED! When did you have your surgery? how long did you surgery take you? time you went in? and when you left? Im freaking out, and im only 18 and want everything to be okay

I'm getting it done hopefully on May 24th..any advice for me?

Hey, I'm 26 and in radiology school, so I consider myself a college student. lol. I've had the advantage of working in a hospital for 6 years, and my schooling involves clinical rotations to different hospital departments, including in the OR. This has helped me feel much more comfortable with how things will go the day of my surgery. (I'm scheduled for May 20th) .

No, you can't wear any jewelry during surgery. I wouldn't even bother wearing it into the hospital. Just leave it at home so you don't risk losing it. You should also come with no makeup on. Your family will not be allowed in the operating room since it needs to be a sterile environment. They may give you some "happy drugs" while you're in a room waiting to be taken to the OR. At this point you may still be with your family, but it varies by each hospital's procedures. They'll have you wear a hospital gown and give you a hair net. When entering the actual operating room, they may let you walk in and lay on the bed, or they may wheel you in on a stretcher and have you slide over to the bed. Again, this depends on the hospital and how "out of it" you may be from the meds. At this point, it all goes very quickly. They may introduce you to the anesthesiologist and other people in the room and they'll verify your identity (for safety purposes). They have probably already started an IV at this point. The anesthesiologist will then start a drip into your IV of meds to put you to sleep or he may put a mask over your face to breath from. You'll be asleep within seconds. Then next thing you know, you're in the recovery room with a nurse standing over you. The nurse will check your vital signs and assess your pain. You shouldn't be terribly uncomfortable at this point, just groggy. You may be in the recovery room for an hour or so before you're awake enough to be evaluated. Once they make sure you're ok, you're family should be able to come in to see you.

Again, some factors may vary depending on the facility, but this should give you a general idea of how things may go. I hope this helps and if you have any other questions I would be happy to try and answer. I'm getting banded just a few days before you, so I could fill you in more then if you'd like.

Good Luck and Congrats!!!

-Amber

I got a call from the insurance guy at the surgeon's office today and he says I'm approved!!!!!!!!

It's finally real. I AM getting banded on May 20th. Now how do deal with this giddiness? I just don't know what to do with myself! YES!!!

Have you spoken with your doctor about your lack of progress? How overweight are you? The smaller you are, the slower the weight loss (usually).

Ok, so my Skinny Bucket List is growing, but I'll put what I have so far. Many of these have already been said. They seem like the simplest things, but when I lose weight and can do these "simple" things again I will not take them for granted!

• CROSS MY LEGS COMFORTABLY
• PAINT MY TOENAILS WITHOUT STRAINING
• CHANGE CLOTHES INFRONT OF OTHERS
• WEAR A BATHING SUIT WITHOUT SHORTS OVER IT
• RIDE A ROLLER COASTER
• HAVE HUSBAND PICK ME UP
• WEAR AN ANKLET
• WEAR SHORTS IN PUBLIC
• BUY A BRA FROM VICTORIA’S SECRET
• WEAR SUN DRESSES/SKIRTS IN THE SUMMER W/OUT A GIRDLE
• WEAR SLEEVELESS SHIRTS
• SHARE CLOTHES WITH MY SISTER
• CONFIDENTLY SIT IN A RESTAURANT BOOTH W/OUT FEAR OF BEING TOO BIG
• SING INFRONT OF AN AUDIENCE
• GO SKYDIVING
• WEAR A SLUTTY HALLOWEEN COSTUME (even if just at home lol)

I was banded on 4/22 and no saline in my band. There is definitely restriction without fill. I don't think I will be getting a fill anytime soon. I can eat very little and I have not hunger. Hope that helps and good luck!

Kelly

Thanks Kelly! I'm glad you're doing well so far.

I am 8 weeks banded. Not too long.

I scheduled and cancelled fills twice already. Another one is scheduled for the 5/5, and plan to cancel it.

The restriction IS there. Some foods if not chewed well do get stuck.

And band pressure on the right part of the stomach helps with my hunger A LOT.

So at least for me - some restriction IS there.

Thanks so much for your response! I'm hoping that I'll feel enough restriction that a fill isn't necessary for a while. Can I ask how much you've lost so far without a fill?

So I've been reading over some info under the "Fills" section of the forum, and it seems that many people aren't feeling any restriction until they've had their first fill. I know that most surgeons do not fill the band at all for at least six weeks, but I assumed I would still feel some restriction from the band alone. Any insight is appreciated!

I'm getting banded on May 20th!

-Amber

Hi Little Teapot(what a cute name). I am also getting banded on the 20th!!!! YEAH US!!! I'd love to keep in touch since we'll be starting out new life on the same day. I was concerned about the whole period thing, but hopefully my cycle will be just ending, but you know sometimes she is tricky. I'm praying my cycle doesnt get thrown off cuz i'm sure i'll be a little more stressed as the surgery date gets closer, which always throws my cycle off. I never thought about not wearing a tampon. My concern is during surgery what happens cuz I've read that you get a cather inserted. SO NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT PART! So how does it work if you get a cather? Just curious guys. lol

Jennifer

Hey Jennifer! I would love to be band buddies! I've been trying to find someone with the same surgery date as me. I'm hoping I don't have to get a catheter, because that's one of my biggest fears! The surgeon never mentioned it, but I wonder if it's even something they do mention. Also, does everyone get a tube down their throat during surgery? I hadn't heard anything about that either. I guess every surgeon does things a little differently.

Looking forward to our journey! Sooo excited!!!

Thanks guys. I have considered asking my PCP for birth control pills just to get through this. I can't normally take them because they have caused frequent yeast infections in the past.

isit5yet: Are you sure I have to be completely naked for the surgery? It seems like I read that someone else on their period was able to wear a pad and underwear (hospital provided)

Lizzy Fu: Were you able to wear a pad during your surgery?

I'm scheduled for May 20th! I just found out yesterday. My insurance hasn't officially approved it, but the insurance guy at my surgeon's office says I'll definitely be approved. He says with my insurance, we should know in just a few days. He'd better be right, or I'm going to be pissed! lol

I was banded 4/20/11. I have been feeling soooo hungry or maybe it is just gas!! I am not quite sure. That is getting better but today I feel a little nauseus and the thought of having one more Chrystal Lite or Protein Shake really makes me feel sick!! I have been having chicken broth but that is also getting old. Does anyone have any suggestions about something else I can drink that is NOT sweet.

Is there another flavor of broth you could try? Maybe a beef broth? I know that's not very different, but it's hard to think of thin liquids that are savory instead of sweet. What if you got a can of Campbell's beef and vegetable Soup and just strained out the liquid? That would at least have a slightly varied flavor. Let me know if you think of anything else. I'm getting banded in a month!

Good luck! You'll get through this phase soon enough.