pmommy

Tomorrow is my surgery day. If I thought the full liquid diet was hard, this clear liquid diet is torture and makes full liquids seem like a breeze!!! At least I don't think I ever have to do clears again, or I hope not. All I have eaten today is 3 sugar free jellos, a cup of apple juice and some diet snapple. I tried the unjury chicken Soup and nearly vomitted....it was seriously horrible! Has anyone else gone into the surgery so hungry that they were sure they'd wake up and instantly want something to eat? At this point, even a Protein Shake sounds delicious.:blushing:

I was right on the border of qualifying without needing to deal with the hassle of co-morbs.... I drank lots of Water right before my appointment, kept my cell phone in my pocket and didn't stand up totally straight. :blushing:

I would just locate some local surgeons and call their offices to see if they take your insurance. I am in LA and am using Dr Michael Feiz. I've also heard good things about Dr Helmuth Billy and Dr Waldrop but they are in Ventura county. ALL the lap-band doctor offices will be very informed and aware of your insurance requirements, and will call to check your benefits. They let me know this information before I even went in for my seminar/consult. Good luck.

You know, I swear if I didn't call and ask a million questions, I wouldn't be on a liquid diet now either! Darn me for being a pita...

on day 1 too and FEEL YOUR PAIN!!

ON day one of the liquid diet and wondering too what exactly shrinks the liver? I'm drinking juices which are high in natural sugars and therefore carbs.

does anyone thing cream soups are OK?

Day 1 of liquid diet is HARD. I need some encouragement,some answers, and some IDEAS please :thumbup: I am on just a liquid diet for a few days and then go to a clear liquid for 48 prior to surgery. For the just liquid part, I have had a Protein shake, bottle of grape juice (noticed this has A LOT of calories and won't buy from vending machine anymore) and now I just went to the market and got a cup of the broth stuff from their chicken noodle Soup for lunch. On the regular liquid diet, does ANYTHING go? Is the grape juice OK? For the soup broth - obviously this had some miniture chicken bits in it. A stray noodle and chicken chunk snuck in too and I ate that as well. My doctors instructions give a few examples, and then just says ETC. :w00t:. However, the clear liquid instructions are much more specific. What did you eat in the liquid phase? What kept you motivated? Right now, I'm just asking how I will survive 5 days or this, and then the clear liquid phase that goes 2 weeks post op. :thumbup: Any idea, suggestions, or answers would be appreciated! Thanks much!

Hi there! Thanks for your response. I did some research on the suggestions and for taking just one pill, this one seems to have the most beneficial formula and full daily rec. for Biotin. However I bought some and opened those puppies to take a peek. :confused: Holy smokes, they are huge!!!! Do you take these whole with no issues? I hope to be fortunate to be able to take pills but those things scare me now, pre-banded.

Thank you for everyone who answered my post. I KNOWN that not drinking Water with meals in important. I understand why it's a rule and that it should be followed. I was just wondering on those occasions when you are out socially and cannot drink how ODD and potentially self conscious that may make me. So I will try the "sipping" here and there once on my own and see if I get the "hurt" or if I feel no discomfort other than the knowledge that I am just being semi-counterproductive to the band for that occasional meal/social event...I personally have no issues with that and don't think a sip of water or wine with food every blue moon will break my stride. Thanks for the info and feedback!!

Thanks everyone!

So can someone tell me more about this drinking with meals rule.... I am getting banded in ~ a week and am starting to have all these last minute questions. Tonight I was at a dinner with a bunch of co-workers and thinking about how hard the not drinking with meals will be at social events. Is this a HARD set rule to always be applied? Or if I go out to a social dinner occasionally (once per month or so), can I sip Water or wine like everyone else? What will happen if I break this rule every blue moon? Does anyone "cheat" with this"

Thanks Betsy...I was told Flinestone's were OK but after hearing they contain formaldehyde (not sure if that's true!) and that I could have hair loss, I want something that covers all the bases! I have to admit I have NEVER been a vitamin taker expect when I was PG with prenatals. Still looking for some great suggestions on either one I can swallow or worst case, a chewable that covers everything and doesnt taste icky.

So I wonder why it is some of us are told to do a clear liquid diet and others just liquid. The info from my nutritionist doesn't say clear and suggests options like v-8, protein drinks, etc which I guess means I can have any liquid? Also some people stayed overnight in the hospital?

Do you take Vitamins? Which ones? How often? When did you start? Are they chewable or ? And finally, do they taste horrible? :biggrin:

Hi there, I am getting banded in a week (soo excited) and want to be prepared. What items were essential to your recovery - both comfort wise and then also for food (liquid and mushies stage). I need to make sure I'm stocked and prepared...

Looking for more recent referrals to Dr Feiz.... Did he band you? How was he as a doctor? And what was your impression of his staff. So far I have some concerns!!!

Can someone elaborate on this horrible gas pain I see mentioned post surgery? How long does it last? Are you literally passing gas to relieve it? What can you take to help it along?

I had to search PB....it's "productive burping". AKA a small amount of vomit. Ah, my future looks soo bright!

Seriously, it's that easy!? 2-3 bites of food without chewing throroughy (a bad habit for me!) and I will be sliming and PB'ing in public, at work, and the episodes can last over an hour? Really? I can't just take a sip of water if I want to to "go" through? This sounds truely horrible. I'm afraid! And I assume under the circumstances, the "PB" also should be spit out?

Can someone please tell me what SLIME is? Newbie!

Thanks guys...I forgot one LAST question (I hope!) 9. WHY IS IT YOU CAN'T DRINK liquids, LIKE Water, RIGHT BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER A MEAL?

7. Do you have restrictions with taking pills? I.e. is Tylenol still effective, does it digest regularly, etc. 8. What about drinking alcohol? Is it OK occassionally?

I have some real concerns about moving forward with the lap-band and well, no one whose been through it to ask. I've decided I want to do it, my appointment is finally next week, but I am hung up on the below. Hopefully this is the place :-) 1. Do you FEEL the lapband around your stomach? Does it feel tight or uncomfortable? 2. I think giving up soda will be really hard. WHY must it be done? 3. What is the purpose of the liquid diet pre-surgery? And post? 4. Did your insurance company cover the procedure? How long did the pre-auth take? Did you have to do psych evals, etc? 5. The port - does it physically bother you? Can you see it initially, after losing, etc? My husband is kinda freaked out about it.... 6. Does getting a fill hurt? Or does it feel like getting a flu shot / giving blood? Thanks!!

Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum and looking for some answers from people who have undergone LAP-BAND® surgery. After struggling with being overwieght my whole life, I am considering LAP-BAND® surgery. I did some reading online and read so many contradicting and scary statements...I wanted to seek out your advice. 1. Would you do it over again? 2. How long post-op until you feel normal again? Do you ever "forget" you had the surgery done? 3. Are there any foods you CAN'T eat post-op? )I heard veggie and fruit skins, pastas, popcorn?) 4. Do I need to give up coffee and soda? 5. Do you deal with heartburn or reflux regularly? 6. Can you have this surgery and NOT tell your whole family, friends, and co-workers? 7. How is it you DONT lose weight immediately after surgery? 8. What type of band do you have and are there any differences in the manufacturers? 9. No liquids with meals, whatsoever? 10. Post op diet consisted of? 11. Anyone have a doctor they can recommend in the LA, Ventura area? I know this is a lot of questions and I want to TYIA for all your help and support.