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Ok everyone here is the thing, I'm being banded on 1/25/07, and I just have a few more questions to ask. Ok on the two week pre op diet should I A. Stop smoking until after surgery, and B. should I go on this 10 days or 14 prior to surgery date, because all I am allowed is glucerna weight loss shakes *very expensive* juice broths teas lowfat or plain yogurt not very exciting haha. Ask your surgeon. Each has their own pre- and post-op guidelines. Also what kind of anasthesea do they use is like gas or is it like the liquid valume stuff they pump in your iv. In the prep area I was given some kind of liquid thruogh my IV that made me a little loopy. They called it "happy juice" and "milk of amnesia". In the OR I was given gas. The last thing I remember before waking up was them putting the mask on... it was a little crooked on my face, and I thought - "All the gas will leak out and I'll never fall asleep..." Then I was waking up. Or does it depend. Also what I want to ask is some statistics like how many ppl have their band after years of having it in, Well, then you'd have to know specifically what you want to know. "How many people after years" is impossible to answer. I know two sisters banded in 2001 and both still have their bands. or how many have died from it None to date, that I'm aware of. Refererring to the band itself. or how many bands have eroded etc. The erosion percentage is something like - less than one percent (if that's now inaccurate, someone please correct me). So find some literature and get a number of how many people have been banded, and multiply by .01 and that's your worst case scenario. Just a few scary thoughts. One other thing guys I can't sleep on my back I have to normaly sleep on my somache is this going to be a problem? I doubt you'll be able to sleep on your stomach, at least in the first week. It took me (I think) 2 days to get into my own bed. Until then I was sleeping in a recliner. Once in bed I slept on my back propped up on about 5 pillows, or on my side with a pillow under my stomach to support the port incision. How much pain medecine do they give you is it all liquid, how much pain are you in when you wake up from sugery? When asked to rate my pain on a scale of 1 - 10, which they asked me before I was fully awake, I answered "like a half". I just didn't have any pain. Within the first 45 minutes of waking up I was given a dose of hydrocodone. And upon release they have me a rx for a week's worth. I took about half of it, then went to liquid Tylenol. I didn't have significant pain unless I was standing, sitting, coughing, sneezing... or hitting potholes in the road.

I did great on my pre-band diet and good since the surgery. My last visit I was upgraded to mushies and find I am now constantly hungry. It starts about 2 hours after my morning shake. My stomach is growling and I start thinking about and looking for something to eat. Even high Protein Snacks (cottage cheese, yogurt) aren't holding me very long. One afternoon I had no snack with me and succumed to trying a bite of a donut that was in the office. I discovered that I can not only tolerate eating (yes, I have to chew well) but the QUANTITY doesn't seem to be an issue. I've gained back about 4 lbs according to my home scale. It's that same little-bit-of-crazy hunger that used to herald the coming of my periods. Experienced bandster, HELP! What's going on? Is this normal? I don't seem to have any restriction and think I've reached the end of my own discipline and willpower. Is this just a bump in the road? I'm not due for my first fill until this coming Monday.

Hi everyone! I was sleeved 7/18/16, so I'm just over a week post-op. My surgeon has us go right into puréed foods, but I honestly cannot eat. The only thing my stomach will allow me is Water, which I drink plenty of. Protein shakes, yogurt, etc. I can only have maybe 1 oz of. I am worried this will effect my health. I am going to my doctor tomorrow so of course I will ask him about this too, but I figured I would see if anyone else has had this issue. HW: 250 Pre-op weight: 230 CW: 215 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What has worked for me is to weigh and measure everything I eat (I have done this from the moment I was able to eat solids). I normally have 3-4 oz Protein and 1/2 cup veggies for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is either eggbeaters with 2% cheese and turkey sausage, greek yogurt or oatmeal. If you feel like you need a snack keep them protein-based like string cheese, greek yogurt, deli slices, etc. I find it helpful to track my food using an app on my Iphone (myfitnesspal) but at a minimum I would track your protein intake and calories...you want to make sure you are getting enough protein because that will help you feel full longer and will also help keep your energy up (my nutritionist recommends a higher amount that most people are told...80-120 g per day) and you want to make sure you are eating enough calories because too few calories can stall your weight loss. For me, the first several weeks of solids was about figuring out how my band works best for me. I initially stopped losing weight until I bumped my calories up to over 1,000 per day and after some trial and error I have figured out the calorie range that gives me the best weight loss. I also chose to limit carbs to under 40g per day because I have found that works best for me...again, that is my personal decision. Don't be afraid to play around with things for a while...I know the goal is to lose weight but if you can figure out how to best work your band, you will be successful...

I've been over doing the amount fair and I live by the eat until your full, my program says 4-6 tblsp a meal, usually I eat one of the small single serve yogurts or cream of wheat for breakfast, I've been having a hard time finding a protein shake that I like they kinda make me nauseous, lunch I have a cup of creamed soup, I stopped picking the chicken out, I just chew it lick a hundred times before I swallow it. I have plenty of s/f pops they save me. I know how you feel cooking for everyone else but hang in there. Ive lost 10 pounds too banded on the 5th! Good luck.

tomato soup with yogurt and avocado in it is AMAZING! eat if if you':biggrin:re on mushies!

I still eat too fast! Tiny spoon, tiny bowl and I still eat way too fast so it reduces the volume I can ultimately consume-which is my tough luck! I try to cut my food small abd eat with a baby spoon/fork so that helps but some habbits are hard to break. I try to take 15 mins. for a meal, which is about 1/3-1/4 cup -4 oz.-6oz. Solid food, 1:2 cup soft (yogurt).

I too am a food-aholic. I've always enjoyed eating. Large portions were my down fall for sure. Since being banded a week ago, I still have my food cravings, my mouth waters like crazy when the family is eating and I'm either drinking a protien shake or eating extremely tiny amounts of yogurt. Right now, I'd say it would be a 10 for me to break my food addiction.

Syntrax Nectars. come in various fruit flavors.. I mix with appropriate flavor of crystal lite, 1/2 cup of some kind of fruit & some ice. Syntrax will send you samples for 1.00/flavor. www.si03.com 90 to 100 calories, 23 grams Protein, 0 carbs per scoop. Whey Protein Isolate. My surgeon prefers us to get our protein from "real food", but if we're too tight in the am to eat or we need liquid after a fill, etc. This is the brand he recommends. It can also be mixed into plain yogurt or even eaten straight like a pixie stick. Roadside Lemonade is very good and so is the new flavor Pink Grapefruit. Fuzzy Navel is excellent. I don't think they have a flavor I have disliked. I use 1/2 scoop in some crystal lite or Powerade zero after my weight lifting or bootcamp to help restore the muscles I just got through stressing.

I was doing yogurt for 3 days before surgery, I hardly ate anything. Didn't eat anything at all the night before my surgery.

Congrats on the approval. I am a firm believer in the protein shakes for pre-op weight loss. I had 2 shakes per day and a very small meal and had no problem losing the required weight. Just be sure to use the low carb protein shakes, not the muscle building ones. I prefer the chocolate whey powder from Walmart, mixed with skim milk and if needed, add some fit anf lite Dannon yogurt before blending. I was banded the end of August and still have the shakes on a daily basis.

I started some shopping for pre and post Op yesterday and came home with bags full. I don’t have a pre-op diet, but I’ve decided to do a self-imposed one. I’m drinking protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and then a healthy high protein dinner. According to my NUT and surgeon I’m not supposed to drink protein shakes, EVER, as they are a slider food and go against the bandster rules of eating solid protein. I’m totally on board with that and actually love that their lifetime diet is exactly what I was looking for, healthy food, just a lot less of it…like I keep saying when I see bandsters still drinking several of these shakes daily years out, if I wanted to be on a protein drink diet, then I would have done that, not the band (one of my sisters did this, so did Oprah…they both gained it back). I don’t expect to use protein shakes very often at all, maybe after fills, but I thought it can’t hurt to do this pre-op and I can gather a list of the ones I like. I looked online but soon realized to compare apples to apples was going to take some work on my part. So, I did what I always do, I made a list. The confusing part is if you’re concerned with carbs. With the powdered shakes you need to figure out the grams (they only list percentages) of what is added add to it…like skim milk. Skim milk isn’t low carb, so these powdered ones can quickly become a high carb as well as high protein drink once you add the milk (ie. Unjury). Yeah, you could add water, but bleeech! I bought an assortment to try locally. Some I’ve found hard to find in the stores (ie. low carb Slim Fast). I quickly decided I don’t like the pre-made ones in cans…they have a metallic taste to me (ie. Target Brand). The low carb ones in cardboard cartons haven’t been too bad (ie. Atkins, EAS). You can even buy some powders in huge concrete bags amounts (better be sure you like it first)... I’m back to the stores today (once the snow stops, yes I said snow, several inches...is it April?!) for some low sugar/SF (ie. preserves for yogurt) and low fat/FF items (ie. Refried Beans) to have on hand as well as the GasX and other items suggested post-op. If you have any favorite items, let me know…and if anyone knows where I can get the big containers of plain 0% or 2% Fage Greek Yogurt north of Pittsburgh, I’m offering a reward (my eternal thanks). Product Placement/Marketing?! (that Special Dark Hershey bar is calling my name)...

I think I will try some Maalox or something...finally after 4 days of pain I can finally think of trying some mushies...I really didn't do any full liquids, nothing that sounded or tasted good to me, I've lived on Isopure and water! I'm hoping it was just eating a semi solid food and it freaked my stomach out. I can't imagine how 2 ounces of yogurt done that--but it hurt like *&^%! Now I'm just scared to eat anything, I'll be glad with my period is over and I can tell which pain is from which problem! Last night sleeping was awful, the past 4 days I've had to take 3-4 hot bathes and showers to relax my body, it is so tense from the pain. UGH! How did I manage to do so well for 11 days??! I was eating mashed potatos just fine and then BOOM--no no!

She really can't eat much at only 11 days out by Christmas. I was on cream soups, cottage cheese, yogurt, and sf pudding. That doesn't give much leeway for holiday food choices. And she will not know how her sleeve will react to any new food, especially in a social situation. You can say you picked up a UTI and the antibiotic upsets your stomach - so the doc said you should stick to yogurt to get your gut bacteria back in shape. And when I'm better I would love some of your lasagne so I'm going to take some home and freeze it if that's okay with you?

I love the greek yogurt. It has 14 grams of protein and seems to keep me satisfied.

I just got tightened because I wasn't loosing and could eat too much, but I notice I need sauces or more soupy type foods to get it down. I am stuck eating protein shakes or soups most of the time. I eat yogurt or 60 cal puddings, etc. I can get spaghetti and meatballs if I have a lot of sauce. Any ideas for low calorie sauces. Fish is good for me with tarter sauce. I need more variety. I am losing again now, so I don't really want to get loosened, any recommendations??? I need help with my diet please !!!

Being on solid foods for 3 weeks tracks relatively closely to what my plan will be. My hospital only does a 2 day pre-op liquid diet, and then you are on liquid/soft dairy (yogurt, pudding) for about 10 days. They generally do the surgeries on a Monday and you go to a class the following Thursday, although I will have mine on a Wednesday, and I think I will still go to the Thursday class, so it's only just over a week for me. After the class, we're advanced to stage 4 for about 4 weeks, which includes soft/moist meats like chicken thigh, fish, and eggs, along with soft cooked veg and fruits. The only thing that doesn't match up with my plan is the cucumbers because raw veg isn't allowed until stage 5, which is at roughly 6 weeks post-op. But frankly, cucumber is almost all water once you chew it, so the volume is minimal despite looking large. My program doesn't bother with purees. We're just told to chew thoroughly. As others have said, you may not feel full this early because of nerves not being fully healed, so just watch your portions. If you've lost 25lbs in 4 weeks, I hardly would call that doomed! I would double check with your nutritionist about portions, make sure you chew thoroughly, and keep making healthy food choices like you're doing. You may just not have as much swelling as some do, which would explain the ability to eat closer to a normal post-surgery capacity right away. Just because you can eat a couple of eggs doesn't mean you'll soon be able to eat a 24oz steak and sides!

I too have never noticed a smell. I have not sniffed at it though. I only have mixed it with water because I am lactose intolerant. I will throw plain yogurt, frozen strawberries in and blend it up. Van, strawberry and chocolate are great. The chicken I have not tried.

Can't stop off at a WalMart that has a grocery? They are usually near freeways, HUGE parking lots where you can park a semi or large truck for a few minutes - just park it a bit away and get some walking in to boot. Check out the deli counter and surrounding area where you could get meats, chicken salad, or Soups. There is also lots of small containers of yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese sticks... Any IHOP, Cracker Barrel, or Denny's restaurant can do up some scrambled eggs with cheese (and later sausage/bacon). I ate that for Breakfast and lunch. And most of those places serve soups too. And definitely pack a cooler or fridge installed if you'd like to save money or time. Love the idea of getting a small one that runs off of the truck's electrical.

Your body is going through the changes of an intense work out.. you weren't losing because your muscles were building to burn more fat, this is a GREAT thing! I was expecting your post to say "I gained weight!" - which is very typical in this type of situation with intense workouts like boxing. (I kickbox myself.) I would recommend using protein smoothies to supplement your protein..you can make the same smoothie with as much protein as you want without altering the taste too much, especially if you're using greek yogurt like Fage 0% as base, which has 20 grams of protein, mixed with some protein powder (mine is 20 per scoop) add 2 scoops and you're already at 60 grams, plus 8 from the skim milk, etc.. it's a very easy and delicious way to boost your protein, stay full and stay cool during the summer time as well. Overall the chances are you probably weren't eating enough and/or your body was adjusting to the new routine, without seeing your food journal or what you've been eating, its hard to say. But I hope that helped, all the best to you!

Steph, I would be a cheap date as well..for breakfast I always have the same thing yogurt, and either a baby bell or string cheese.lunch is usually soup or lean cuisine, dinner salad with 3oz of protein. I've lost 70 lbs since september.

Read labels. I've been vegetarian a long time and I still read labels. A lot of meat subs are heavily proceeded and carb heavy. Morningstar & Boca are the 2 biggest culprits. I rarely eat either of those brands. I do eat a lot of Greek yogurt (fage 0%) and eggs. I also eat beans, nuts (cashews, pistachios & almonds mostly) and I supplement with unflavored protein powder. I try to combine proteins when possible. I make my own protein drinks with protein powder, yogurt & whatever fruit or nut butter to flavor. I may have black beans with a sunny side up ragged & shredded cheese for a meal. I also eat seitan & tempeh

Hi all i had my surgery on 3/19/13. so i am 6 days post op. its so funny how all dr. have so many diff. rules . I left the hospital to start stage 2 mushies or pureed foods. i am so concerned to get all in and its so damn hard . i have to work on my liquids but everyone is saying to me just do what i can . i have already eaten scrambled egg ,,yogurt, and i did make my GVS LASAGNA!!!!!! i used cottage cheese mixed in one egg then some sauce some shredded cheeses , a dash of garlic powder and oregano and topped with parmesean cheese. i microwaved for 3 minutes.. it smells great and tastes delicious, u just have to eat slowly... i still have to figure out how much i can eat..it does hurt a bit more with the solids,and i notice i burp more with the solids .its like my new stomach is makin the room or something. i also have to figure out when its telling me it is hungry... this is the hard part for me but hopefully its gonna get better... good luck all

I was sleeved on Wednesday the 29th and have had the most amazing and easy recovery. No gas pains at all, and only a little pain around my biggest incision which I only really feel when standing and sitting. I've had no nausea and have been able to drink Water with no problems since the night of surgery. It's been wonderful! Today (4 days post-op) is the first day I'm really eating anything. My surgeons instructions are to eat 2 oz of Soup, yogurt, pudding or cream of wheat 3 times a day. And to drink water and Protein shakes in between, to get the needed protein. After Breakfast (2 oz yogurt) and lunch (2 oz pudding) and my cup of decaf coffee with a splash of milk, my total calories added up to a whopping 87. ???? I am now drinking a Protein shake made with milk to add to my numbers, but dinner will be another 40 calories or so. By the end of the day, I will be lucky if I hit 400 calories. Nowhere in my literature from my surgeon does it mention a calorie goal. Does this low amount seem normal?

@@debd80 at 11 days i was only drinking liquids, broth etc (per my NUT) Protein Shakes obviously help satisfy the need for protein they are/can be filling your new little tummy is less than 2 weeks old it just had major surgery, tummy is hurting and a little angry at you for messing with it LOL most NUTS have different rules per their programs I was on a mushy/puree foods for a few weeks then soft phase (yogurt, cottage cheese etc) FINALLY solids you are allowed solids at 11 days!!! in my case at that early time, no way would i eat 2 or 4 oz but that's just my case per my NUT "Maybe I'm doing this wrong..." i would talk to your NUT maybe you misunderstood about your eating plan?? just saying.... at 11 days, if there is a problem with your eating you should be able to fix it, learn from your NUT (unless this is what your NUT prescribed!!) good luck kathy