rday205

I was banded by Dr. Keith Mcewen, love, love love him. He is VERY experienced in placing bands and also is a proctor for many surgeons. He and his dietician, Laura are very informative and I would recommend his office to anyone wishing to have the surgery. I have been very fortunate in that I have followed the directions provided by them both and not had any problems, in fact this has has been very easy and I wish I had done this years ago! Good luck with your decision!

I use Bariatric Advantage powder shakes. It does foam alot also. When I was doing the pre-op diet I made my shakes at night for the next day and by that time the foam was gone. In addition to the foam being gone by morning it made it easier for work because everything was ready to walk out the door.

My doctor recommends that I only do liquids (in small amounts) for at least 24 hours after an episode, the reason for this is that your pouch and area around your band is usually irritated after the episode and they don't want to risk anything else getting stuck from swelling. Generally you will feel instantly better after your "unstuck" but its just like after surgery there is some residual irritation. Good luck!!

I have much the same liquid pre-op. I MUST use bariatric advantage shakes, clear broth, sf jello etc. I had trouble with the shakes at first then I got creative with them. I used 1/2 vanilla and 1/2 chocolate so the taste was a little more palatable. I couldn't get the strawberry down but I added strawberry-kiwi chrystal lite to it and now I can drink it. I flavor the vanilla with raspberry crystal lite and gives me some variety. They suggested that I have 6-8oz shakes through out the day to help with hunger but I have been doing around 16oz three times a day because I have not been hungry and it's easier for me. oh... I have also mixed 1/2 chocolate shake and 1/2 cup decaf coffee in the morning, taste just like chocolate creamer! Iam on day 8 of 14, my surgery is on the 21st. So far this pre-op period has been easier for me than I thought it would be-but I think its because of mixing stuff. just think about what flavors you like together and go for it!! Good luck and hang in there, it will all be worth it!!

My surgery date is Jan 21st, so I started my 2 week ALL liquid diet today. 6 bariatric advantage shakes a day, plus all the non caloric, non caffeinated drinks I want. 2 down and 88 to go. Got to admit the shakes are not going down very easily (alot of gagging and the last couple swallows coming up)-I think its more of a texture thing rather than the taste, although the taste is not good!! My dietician has rcommended that I blend them with ice as opposed to water and see if that helps, I am about to try that!! Any suggestions, what are the rest of you doing to get them down??

Hi Laura, I am starting my 2 week preop liquid diet on Jan 6 as well. My surgery date is the 21st. It seems as though most everyone on this site had the exact same feelings/concerns as you and I. It does help to have others going through the same things cause when they say you can do it they know you can becasue they did! I have to be on the liquid diet for 2 weeks post op as well, but it's just 4 weeks out of the rest of my life...I can do it. Good luck with your journey!

My surgery date is Jan 21st - just around the corner!! I have ALL the various emotions everyone else has had preop. I am a self pay so I have not had to jump thru all the hoops so many do for the insurance approval so my process had been very speedy. My biggest concern is that I will be strong enough to make the right food choices-obviously I have not in the past or I wouldn't be here! There is not a time in my life that I have not been overweight, every picture there is of me from birth to today shows that. I have always been active-grew up on a dairy/grain farm, showed horses and played sports-and now my feet and knees hurt. I have no other health problems (yipee) so my goal is just to generally feel better. Anyway, I am just hoping that I can be strong, make good choices and next year at this time feel better.:blushing: