Tulip

I have the same doc as you and I understood the soft foods to mean you could add soft foods to the full liquid (cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, soft fish, very well cooked vegetables). I asked Shirley and she said to avoid red meat, chicken, pork, lamb and other meats until 5 weeks post op. She said most any canned vegetable that is very soft would be okay. I have eaten canned asparagus too. I have not had any problems with vomiting or PB at all. I do limit my portion to 4-6 oz. at a meal, chewing very well these soft foods.

laughing at your choice of collectibles.... Hope it goes well with the cardio dr. let us know.

Yummm, this sounds great. Thanks for sharing.

Me either! Audree, how is your day coming along? What are your plans for your first day of solids on Saturday? Do you have a menu set yet? Also, do your kids still think you have a tummy ache? Last night I went out to eat with my daughter (she does not know about my surgery). I ordered grilled fish. I began to eat the fish in small tiny bites, put my fork down, yada yada... When I had finished about 1/4 of the fish she was through eating. She looked at my plate and said "you sure are eating slow". Then she saw the amount on my fork, and said "you are taking tiny bites, what is wrong"? I just said I was eating slow to try to cut back the amount so I could lose weight. I don't know how much longer I can keep this charade up. She is 23 years old, but doesn't live at home. I feel awful to keep making things up. I just don't want to say anything until AFTER they start to notice I am losing weight. Don't care to be scrutinized every time my kids see me or ask "how much have you lost". This is just my own preference. I wish the rain would go away. Hard to walk and exercise in the rain.

I did watch a video of the surgery, and the doctor was NOT standing between the patients legs. I found the video interesting. At the web site for or-live there are several lap band surgeries to choose from. Here is a link for the one I watched: http://www.or-live.com/atlanticare/1710/

Hey, you will be feeling better really soon. Dr. Spivak did my surgery too, on Jan. 8th. I think my regular fat clothes began to fit again about 10 days after surgery. By then most, but not all, of the swelling had gone down. After 2 weeks your incision will be mostly healed. Today is 2-1/2 weeks post-op for me and my incisions are completely healed, but I still have a couple faded bruises. I was surprised at how much swelling I did have and think that had a lot to do with trouble putting on shoes and bending forward to do other things. Hope to hear you are improving each day. [/font][/size]

Deb, During the first week, usually I was full after 4 oz of soup, I could stop there and feel fine. Later I would still want something after an hour or so and would have a Protein shake (6 oz soy milk, unjury chocolate powder). I am now on soft foods and my menu for the day is like oatmeal at Breakfast, Split pea soup at lunch, and some tomato soup with a scrambled egg for dinner. Around 3 in the afternoon I had snack of lite yogurt with unflavored Unjury mixed in. I definitely get my 64 oz of fluids. Sometimes I have soft fish for dinner instead of egg, or have a few teaspoons of cottage cheese for a snack. Lately I strted adding soft, canned vegetables. I'm taking in about 800 calories a day now, and have lost 16 pounds. I have 2 things I am using to add in extra protein. did they give you samples of unjury powder at the hospital? It is yummy! I have both the chocolate that I add to milk, and also the unflavored which I add to yogurt for a snack. Another great protein source is Profect. It is a clear fruit flavored drink that is 2.9 oz with 25 grams of protein! It is purchased on the internet at protica.com If you do decide to buy some of it, there is a discount code (PR15) on the home page to use to save 15%. Put the code in when you checkout. It is kinda pricey, but I like getting in all that protein in a small drink. I am going to schedule my first fill for 5 weeks post op. I loved the full feeling after just a few bites. So far I am happy with my Bandele (my nickname) for my band. Keep in touch, Terry

Hi Deb, I was banded by Dr. Spivak at Park Plaza Hospital on Jan 8, which was a Monday. I was the ONLY patient for the day. I had gone to the seminar on Dec. 29, so I didn't have much time for the pre-op diet either. I'm doing really well. So glad to hear you are banded and recuperating well too. Which hospital did you use for surgery? Dr. Spivak and his office staff have been absolutely wonderful. I'm surprised that his post-op diet seems to be more liberal than others here on the board. But I am following what he said and am doing fine. Keep in touch, Terry

I'm not geting enough calories in either, but I use protein drink to make up the difference. I find myself really, really shaky and weak if I don't get in enough water. Honestly! Here is a sample if what I eat: breakfast - coffee with splenda, Profecta protein drink (only 2.9 oz but 25 grams protein), Small amount of cream of wheat, really thin lunch - pureed stew, with meat pieces picked out beforehand snack= cottage cheese (about 3 teaspoons) dinner - 3 bites of grilled salmon, 3-4 bites of canned asparagus, 1 teaspoon of baked beans All of these food items are on my doctor's food list for stage 2. Lots of water, crystal light and tea in between. My day above consisted of 530 calories and 51 grams of protein. Now that you are on thicker foods, you can puree most any soup. I take one can and divide it into 3 4oz storage containers, using one for each meal. When I use one container, I heat it and thin with water even more, even then I don't usually finish all of it. There are still a few very small chunks that I use to practice chewing. As your swelling goes down, you will find that you can tolerate a little more. Good luck on your change to the thicker foods. Terry

Sending prayers and best wishes to those joining the land of bandsters: PruposeDriven4, Juno610 and RSBell. Please come back and let us know how you are doing as soon as you feel up to it. Audree, Oooh, I love to hear those NSVs. :clap2: Congrats! The only thing that I have noticed is my bra is getting a little loose. My hubby notices that my tummy is not as swollen. <O:p</O:p How many calories are in the Kellogg’s Protein water? How many grams of protein? What is your favorite flavor? <O:p</O:p I took up your advice and named my band too. Bandele – which means “given life”. That seems so appropriate for me, since my Bandele is going to restore my health, reduce my dependence on medications and will liberate me! <O:p</O:p Shesha – Will be sending positive thoughts your take to care of that cold. Call the doctor to check before you go. I was told that as long as I was not running fever, and there was no congestion in my chest I would be okay to go. <O:p</O:p PurposeDriven4 – I was told I could drive as soon as I quit taking the prescription pain medicine. <O:p</O:p Sunshine2 – I hope you call your doctor if your blurry vision isn’t totally resolved by Monday. It might just be the meds, but better to be safe. Thanks for your work on the master list. <O:p</O:p Lap – welcome to the losers side. I had all those same thoughts before surgery just like you. You have given good advice to those waiting and scared – do it anyway! <O:p</O:p NickNack – That light- headed feeling is probably from not getting enough liquids. Try to take just a small sip every 15 minutes if you can. Hope you feel better real soon, if not call your doctor on Monday and let us know how you are doing. <O:p</O:p MySpace – I am very new to my space, but have started a profile. I have tried to add friends from this thread at lapbandtalk. I have Audree and Olga’s page link but am still trying to find out how to get them added to my friends. Is there anyone else out there with a my space page? My page is http://www.myspace.com/joytowin <O:p</O:p This has been so nice to catch up and read how everyone is doing. I’m improving each day. <O:p</O:p Is anyone else on “soft foods” yet. What is your daily menu look like? For me I had oatmeal at breakfast, Split pea soup at lunch, and some tomato soup with a scrambled egg for dinner. Around 3 in the afternoon I had snack of lite yogurt with unflavored Unjury mixed in. I definitely got my 64 oz of fluids in today (but didn’t do as well yesterday). Took a 20 minute walk. <O:p</O:p Looking forward to hearing from all of you. <O:p</O:p Terry <O:p</O:p

Sounds like you have a good start. I also purchased sugar-free popsicles, sugar-free Jello and some type of Protein supplement. For the clear liquid stage, I started with Isopure Protein drinks. At the hospital they gave me some samples of Injury powders flavored and unflavored. Those were really good. Also there is a Protein Drink that has 20 grams of protein in 2.9 oz of low-cal clear liquid called Profect, but I think you can only order that over the internet. I just got some delivered to me today and those are easy to get down. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!

I have tags on some of my clothes too! From several years I hit the end of season sales and bought things that I had planned to wear after a new diet . Didn't happen then. But this will be the year. Yeah! A side note on chewable Vitamins. A family friend that is a MD told me about vitamins and supplements at Puritan.com. They have an adult chewable w/ Iron Vitamin that tastes like Pinapple. Not bad, like Flinstones, and the prices are really good. I also bought the chewable Calcium and Vitamin C.

I wonder if I am the only one that can feel their port underneath their skin and fat? Under my port incision, I can tell there is something hard there. My cousin had lap band surgery on Nov 30, and she still can not feel her port. My surgery was Jan 8 so I wondered if I was all alone. Does this mean the surgeon did not place it deep enough? Or is this just the incision and inside stitches healing? My surgeon used inside stitches and glue for all incisions. We had already agreed I would get a low profile port. I'm just curious.

Best wishes for those getting their band tomorrow. We will be thinking of you and praying for you. Let us know you are okay when you feel up to posting again. Sunshine2 Sunnysea 5jacks Imsusie0929 Stephanee Shellyfromohio

I was nervous too. I'm sure everything will turn out fine. Please let us know when you are back on line. I'll keep you in my prayers. Take care.

You will be glad you took off the extra time. That is wonderful that you will be paid while off. This is a time to pamper yourself, allow for maximum healing, and begin your new bandster life. Congratulations! Tulip

Audree, I hope you are feeling better. I was told that if I thought I have eaten too much, to walk, walk, walk and to raise my arms over my head. That is supposed to open up the esophogus. Also told not to drink anything for an hour or two or until the sick feeling is gone. Let us know how you are doing.

Sunshine, that is interesting that your best friend/cousin just had gastric bypass. Are you using the same surgeon as she did? How wondeful to share this journey with a close friend. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. You are right about the pain only lasting briefly, if at all. Will your mother be able to help you out after surgery? Tulip

Hi, welcome to a place with lots of information. I have spent hours reading all through this forum and really appreciate the sharing spirit of fellow bandsters. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I am sure everything will go fine. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Lap, I felt just like you do before I had my surgery. I did not tell my sisters or daughters or friends, and began to panic thinking about "what if". I guess that is pretty normal. I didn't even confess to my husband about my worries because I didn't want to admit how I felt, even to him. Try to take a deep breath and think positive thoughts that will instill confidence about this surgery. It sounds like you have chosen a very skilled and experienced surgeon. I bet you come through surgery just fine and will be back here posting soon after. I will be keeping you in my prayers.

Hi Shelly, Ha! I was just like you - trying to get in all the foods in the last days. You will do just fine. Congratulations, your surgery date is very soon. Tulip

Audree, each doctor is sooo different in their pre and post op diets. I saw about 3 before choosing Dr. Spivak. He requires liquid diets after surgery for only 48 hours up to 4 days depending on how you do with the liquids. I am now on pureed and soft foods. I use Magic Bullet (love it) for my chunky Soups and then thin with Water. Last night I had a soft scrambled egg. I never knew egg could taste so good! My cousin told me to try this recipe for soft food: ricotta cheese, top with ragu sauce (no chunks), sprinkle shredded cheese on top. I'm going to have that tonight. I'll let you know how it is. How about you? What stage are you at? What are you eating that is really good?

My doctor only asked me to have low carb diet 5 days before surgery, then nothing to eat/ drink after midnight. You will lose the weight you gained over Christmas, either pre-band or post-op. Don't worry about it, you will be fine. Good luck!

Audree, I love your attitude about the surgery. I'm just a little behind you. My surgery was on Jan 8. and I was self pay. I felt that I just needed to have this surgery because every year my weight went higher. If I could have lost weight on my own and maintained it, I would have done it. I certainly tried every diet out there. I also wanted to mention that your scars look great, and you do too!

I was glad to see that others haven't told their kids and friends. There are only 2 people (besides the medical people) that know about my surgery and that is my husband and one friend. I didn't tell my sisters, daughters, employer or any other friends. I took off a few days and hope I can pull this off at work starting next week. Audree, I had the exact same thought before surgery about not telling my daughters. I guess it was just panick. Doing pretty good today. I absolutely love my Magic Bullet. I take any soup, remove the meat, and puree to mush. I have some 4oz plastic storage containers (from Walmart) and fill each one. For a meal I can take one container, add water to thin it out and heat in microwave. Yummy! I've tried the vegetable beef soup, homemade cheese soup, beef stew. They don't look so good but taste great. My doctor has asked me to not eat beef, chicken, lamb or pork until 5 weeks. Fish is okay though. I am not able to each much more than 4 oz before I am FULL! I hope this feeling lasts until the first fill. Each day gets better. I take GasX regularly and use my heating pad. Have been able to take 2 walks a day. I heard that will help with gas pains, I hope so. Sometimes I just stand in the shower and let warm water spray on my left shoulder. I haven't put anything on my scars because I still have the steri-strips. Thanks for all the support here. You bandsters are wonderful encouragement.