abbylamb

65- I'm feeling your pain. I'm on day 13 (3 more to go) and would seriously hurt someone for some real food. Soooooo tempted, but I don't want to do anything to screw this up. We've worked too hard for it. But at least you've dropped 8 pounds-I'm only down 5 in 13 days. But hang in there, we can do it!

My doc said clear liquids for the first 24 hours, then full liquids till the 2 week mark, then mushies for the next 2 weeks, and at a month out I can transition to real food. The only exclusion to that is red meat, which I am not allowed to have for 6 months. But I know he's on the conservative side.

Yeah, I'm with the others on this one. 300 calories is not only unrealistic, it's dangerous. When I first started my pre-op diet, I was only eating about 800 calories, and my nurse upped my calories to 1000, because she said anything less than that is liable to put your body into starvation mode. I was told it was the low carb, high protein part of the diet that shrinks your liver. I would call your doc back and tell him you cannot possibly live with this diet for 2 days, let alone 2 months, and if they won't work with you, I'd consider going somewhere else.

I am on day 11 on my liquid Optifast diet. (and from what I've gathered, my doc definitely seem to fall on the strict side of pre-op diets-no real food at all.) And to top it all off, today is my work's holiday gathering. I'm sitting here while people are bringing in cookies, pizza, stuffed peppers, cheese, crackers, meat trays, brownies, etc., etc., etc., and I can't have any of it!!!! :thumbup: This is so flipping hard!!!! At least post-op I physically will not be able to eat solid food. Right now it's taking pure willpower, and at 11 days of powdered liquid meal replacements and cardboard protein meal bars, I'm close to cracking! Why, oh why can't I have a low carb, high protein diet? At least then I could have something! Instead, I am forcing myself to get up and go somewhere else, but I know this food is going to be here all day! ACK!

Thanks to both of you for the support. It does make me feel a little better. I am proud of myself for staying away, but boy, was it hard! But of course there are leftovers! I'm feeling a little more fortified today, so I don't think it will be quite as big of a chore to avoid them. Melinco, I don't know how you do it all day with people always bringing things in! Thankfully, I can just keep myself busy. In five more days, it will all be worth it though.

My hubby always says he likes a girl with a big ass and big boobs. Luckily for him, I fit those requirements. We met when I was 225. After a year of dating, marriage and a baby, I ballooned up to 298. Currently, I'm at 232. Size 16 or 24, he has loved me for me. I recently found out his concern isn't that when I get thinner that he won't be attracted to me. His concern is that when I get thinner I'll start looking elsewhere! Which makes sense-he was the King of Sabotage-whenever I was on a diet, he'd bring me candy, chocolate, suggest going out to dinner, etc. But I have realized this is his own insecurity, not that he has a problem with me or my size. He has been so supportive though with my decision to have the Lap-Band, and I am confident that with enough gentle reminders that I'm not going anywhere he will stay on board with me through this process. At least, as long as I don't lose my ass....lol!:thumbup:

So glad to hear about everyone who is doing so well post-op! Good luck to those of us who are still yet to go in. As far as the shakes go, not counting the two weeks of Optifast Hell I've been enduring, I've been using Bariatric Advantage Chocolate Meal Replacement shakes. They aren't bad. They're a little thick for me, so I like to let them sit in the fridge for a couple hours to de-foam, but they are drinkable. And with 27 grams of protein, it's great for a non-frequent meat eater like myself. Plus, if you add the sugar-free coffee flavoring syrups, they are downright good. :thumbup:

Illuminationlady--Congrats to you! You will do great! Just make sure you keep us all updated on your progress!:thumbup:

It completely depends on the insurance company. I was very lucky and had approval 2 days after my doctor's office submitted. But some people have to wait up to a month for a decision.

My doc said hot chocolate is just fine for my post op, and I definitely plan on having it.

Hey Doer- Don't feel bad you've only lost 5 pounds on the two week liquid optifast diet. I too, have followed it religiously, and am only down 4 after following it for 8 days. I was almost on the verge of a total binge when I weighed in and realized that all this work and all I got was a lousy four pounds. :mad2: I have 8 more days to go, but it is very depressing! Especially since even the doctor's office said I could expect a 10-12 pound weight loss. I don't think age has anything to do with it though-I'm only 30! We just have to hang in there and keep telling ourselves that it's still 4-5 pounds we're never going to put back on. And as long as the scale is moving in the right direction, it's progress. Easier said than done, but that's what I keep telling myself. :thumbup:

Best of luck to anyone going in for their surgery today! :rolleyes2: Poppy, you will do great!

i too, am not telling many people. my husband knows, and my mom because she's driving me to the hospital, and my dad, because my mom can't keep her mouth shut, my boss because i'm going to need the time off work, and one fat understanding friend. i just don't need the disapproving looks, or the constant scrutiny of every morsel i may or may not put into my mouth, or the questions of "well you had surgery, why aren't you losing weight any faster" or "so when are you supposed to start losing weight" etc. etc. etc. if in the future someone asks me if i've had the band, i do not intend to lie about it, but i will not be giving with the information. i will tell them the truth--that i'm eating less and exercising more. and that's all they need to know.

Then it probably will be even quicker for you than that! Now you just have to hope the insurance is quick to approve. I was very lucky in that respect. Hopefully you will be too!

I had all my labs/upper gi at the hospital I'm having the surgery at, so my doc was able to look at the results the same day. The psych eval took about 10 days to get back. Good luck!

LMFAO!!! Seriously, that is hysterical. How sad is it that I totally understand that? I'm thiiiiiss close to licking the salt off some pretzels just for the flavor! I didn't know I could have just the broth from regular soup...hmmm...have to try that. Thanks for the tip!

I'm sure it probably is the sodium, but damn it, that's all I've got going for me for flavor for the next 12 days! I don't want to give that up too!! Have you ever tasted reduced sodium chicken buillion? So bland! But yes, I know you are right. Sigh.

I take Wellbutrin SR too, and since it's a time release it can't be crushed either. But my doc said I'll have to switch over to Wellbutrin XL and take it twice a day, crushed until six weeks post op, but that then I'll be able to go back to the SR. He said any pill that's smaller than an M & M should go down okay. Mmmmm......M & Ms.....

Pete/Sluggo- Can I just say I AM FEELING YOUR PAIN!!!! AND to top it all off, after 3 days of doing this ridiculous diet, I GAINED a pound!!! How, I don't know (although I suspect it probably has something to do with the sodium in the broth I've been downing and the fact that I haven't been getting my water in.) This sucks, but it's only a small blip in the giant timeline, right? Or as my dad used to always tell me "that which does not kill you will only make you stronger". Yeah, I hated that phrase then too.

HappyMe---so glad you are doing better! how scary that must have been, waking up in the freaking icu! ack! but at least you are home now, safe and sound. hopefully, the rest of your recovery will be a lot less uneventful!

I am on my liquid diet now. Is it easy? No. Is it impossible? No. Every doctor's office is different, and apparently mine is on the strict side. Two weeks of Optifast and up to 25 calories a day of sugar free popsicles and jello and broth. Not fun, but doable. You will be fine too!