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I am going to be having surgery at the end of the month and I have heard some many things on what you can and can't have before and after surgery. So what are some of the best things to have for your liquid diet before surgery as well as after?? Also I'm a spark girl(single mom works 8-10 hr days so I need my energy) is that something you can have after surgery? Again any advice would be great, so confused about everything you read cause you see so may different things different places. Thank you in advance

I have a feeling you're going to lose way more than 20 pounds by Christmas. I started out right about the same place you did and lost 85 pounds the first 8 months. You're already 10 pounds ahead of where I was at the same point. You're doing great. Keep up the good work!

Hi Cheryl and welcome!! You will find answers to ALL of your questions here, just ask. Everyone is so nice and non-judgemental. Congrats on the surgery date. Mine is in 10 days!! 3 months will go by so fast!! Just come here and learn all you can before surgery. That way, you will be prepared for anything! Good luck to you and keep us posted on you journey! Kelly

HW 272 SW 252 CW 169 GW 150 I am 8 months post op and 19 pounds away from goal and a "normal" BMI. I've been very excited lately with my changes and have been coming out socially more then ever. My life since the sleeve has been work, gym, walk and home. I would host dinner parties occasionally but only for close family and friends. I have recently been accepting invites to parties and outings because the shame is gone. I now can hold my head up and feel comfortable where ever I go. It really feels good to feel normal Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wish I had some tips for you, but I was still in after surgery weight loss when I got pregnant. I was only 8m out. I actually lost 10 lbs during the first trimester, I gained almost all of my weight during the last 10w or so. I was 333 when I started my preop diet. 247 when I got pregnant, and 249 day before delivery.

I managed several very high grossing adult stores on the East Coast for a number of years. I've been exposed to quite a lot. Waterbased actually doesn't get as slippery as oil based or silicon based because your body absorbs water rather quickly. I don't recommend oil based to anyone using protection as oil breaks down latex and other rubbers, and you have to be careful with silicon based because it will eat certain products (typically the softer toys/etc) The wife and I have used coconut oil for almost 10 years now, not a single issue or concern reported from any doctors. Obviously each person is different, but it's a 100% natural, pure food grade item... it's easy to find anywhere (you can to go the town supermarket to get it!) and it's fairly cheap.

That is awesome you mentioned that!! I was having awful nausea even after a week post op. I went into the doctors concerned about that and something unrelated. At the end of my appt. I asked when I was allowed to go back on my Allegra and my other allergy meds. My PA looked at me and said "Take them and see how you feel tomorrow. I bet your nausea is being caused by post nasal drip." She was totally right. Now, it's been about 10 days and I've been getting hunger pangs and wondering why. I just realized today it's been a few days since I've taken my Allegra!! That's great. First thing in the a.m. I'll be taking it

HAHA!! I DID IT!!! I DID IT!! I DID IT!!! I GOT BANDED TODAY!!! I was so nervous!! AND FOR NOTHING!! Ortiz's staff was completely professional and efficient and so very kind!! We've had quite a few laughs here too!! LOL I'm currently writing you from my hospital bed. They have wifi and a flatscreen TV with sattellite in each of its private room!! The only discomfort is UPPER ABS (LIKE AFTER A GOOD WORKOUT or AFTER YOU'VE BEEN SICK WITH A COUGH FOR A WHILE AND THOSE MUSCLES ARE SORE) and where my port was placed. It's still swollen there, but I've been assured it will go down soon. I can feel the outline of the port.. Docs told me that since my BMI was on the low side, my port might stand out more. HE SAID IN 6 MONTHS THEY WILL MOVE IT `FOR FREE `IF ITS AN ISSSUE!! Earlier this evening, I woke up from a nap with cottonmouth..... So without thinking, I took a couple of big gulps from my melted ice. OUCH! Felt pain similar to having a huge glob of peanutbutter stuck there!!! Walked around quite a bit after. That helps. I guess that's a common early side effect of band. There's also a cute little gizmo that you inhale deeply into 10 x's and that helps move around the air in ur lungs. Watever it is, it really helps! (bring GAS EX strips with you! A total must!!) A couple of the patients had issues with throwing up afterwards.... Poor dears..... But they still trooped a long as the 4 of us walked around the clinic dragging along our IV poles in our hospital gowns and paper underwear!! SEXY!! HAHAHA! BTW, there was NO CATHATER needed or used, nor were any of us intubated for the general!!!! Those wew 2 things I was pretty nervous about..... Well, I was just given a pill to help me sleep and it's kicken in!!! I hope everything I've said makes sense!! I've taken tons of fotos, so as soon a i get a journal started, I'll upload those..... Big hugs to all of yoy, and thank you so much for your prayers!!!!! Kimmie

Yes I had my surgery last.Friday 10/12.. I went to work today and my back was KILLING me!!

Hi and thank you! yes it has been a long long road, and please don't let any one tell you it is all easy and the weight just falls off! heheheh I was 430# 5ft 10 now I am 245-250 depending on my day heheheh! Some days are still a fight not to try and eat every thing that does not move, then there are days I don't even want to smell food. Everyone has foods they crave, and it is normal, I found If I try and have a little and get sick then I have tried and it is done. THen the crave goes away. It may sound funny but I have found there are just certain people I can not have dinner with,or places I can not eat at , I must have a quiet place and relaxing. My stomache does not like to be rushed or a lot of noise. Don't ask me why, it is something I have learned the hard way. ANd you have to learn not to let "others" like family members rush you, take your time and do it as you wish, sometimes I get up walk around and come back a hour later and finish.

Thank you Aubrie and Cathy for your wonderful insight and suggestions. I'll be in China for 10 days. We'll be in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian so it sounds like there will be plenty of Protein options. Before my surgery I would have said that I was a bit of a picky eater. I've tried a number of different foods since my surgery and am looking forward to expand my palate while on vacation. Thanks again for all the great suggestions and advise.

twy_marie, looks like the original poster hasnt been here since 10/17/06...

We usually spend around $2,000 on Christmas each year, but that includes sponsoring a child for Christmas, and buying Christmas for a nephew who's father is disabled and who's mom works very hard but can not afford gifts. Exchanging gifts with our extended families has been stopped in favor of doing different variations of a white elephant gift exchange. Everyone loves them. Each person buys one gift costing no more than $35, wraps it and puts it under the tree at the annual family gathering. We all draw numbers to see who goes 1st, 2nd, and so on. The first person has to choose a gift and open it, then the next person can either choose from the pile of gifts or steal a gift that has already been opened. When your gift is stolen, you can steal from someone else or pick from the pile. It's a real hoot. Last year we did a variation. Everyone was to bring either a regular gift, or something that no one would possibly want, it could be used, new, handmade, whatever. We lowered the gift cost to $25 and had everyone put $10 in a pot. The person with the worst gift at the end of the game won the pot. It was hilarious because if someone stole the gift you really wanted, then you could try to steal a crappy gift from someone in an attempt to win the pot. I am proud to say that my gift was voted as the absolute worst gift, it was a Colon Cleansing Kit. Some of the other funny ones were an 8 place service of paper plate, cups and napkins, a used toilet brush, a beautiful gift bag, which contained a card which said the gift bag WAS the gift. There were plenty of nice gift too. We had such a great time laughing and trying win crappy gifts.

I am in the exact same boat as all of you. I had my first fill on Monday. An added measure of stress is that according to the Doctors scale I have only lost 19 pounds but according to mine I have lost 26. I keep telling myself not to worry about the number but as my appetite hasn't really decreased since the first fill of (1 cc) I am still worried. The doctor said it usually takes people up to 3cc's to feel any major difference and I have a second fill in two weeks but I don't want to see the numbers climbing. I am young and I figured the first few montsh would be easy but now I am starting to get depressed and lose motivation...

My doctor doesn't make us do the liquid diet before surgery. He says he's had the same results with the first stage of the South Beach Diet. So, he requires his patients to do that 7-10 days prior to surgery. He did say that if you come back for surgery and haven't lost any weight then he won't give you the lap band. Because he said EVERYBODY loses at least SOME weight doing that properly for 7-10 days and if you come back the same weight then that means you didn't do it properly and he won't perform it. So, he didn't give a strict amount, but I'm guessing most people lose about 10 pounds on that diet.

I felt the same way. I was so scared. I thought to myself I need to get this done or I am going to die. My brother had a massive heart attack at the age of 43 he almost died, had a 10% chance of making it. It is a miracle he lived. I am 41 & thought is that how I am going to go? He was in so much pain. He is overweight, diabetes and more. I have the most beautiful sweet little girl (age 11) and I need to be there for her. She is my world! I thought ok I can die of heart attack or I can get this done. My daughter did not want me to have the lap band. I explained to her that mommy can die with out getting it done. My husband supported me in whatever I wanted to do. He is thin. Neither one of them understand what it is like to be FAT! I asked them both to come to a support group with me, they said they would be right in & never came in. I left crying. I said why did you guys not come in. They said they were scared. I said of what? It is me that is getting the surgery. They did not understand. So I told them I can die of a heart attack & during that time live my life miserable or I can get this done. I said even if I die I will be miserable because I bet I will not even fit into a coffin! They said but we love you as you are. I then broke out in tears, told them I am scared to death to get this done, but you 2 do not understand. I explained, when we go out to dinner I have to look at the booths, will I fit??? Will it be to tight? I said you know at the amusement parks why I do not go on some of the rides, because I will not fit! I said is that how you want me to live because soon it will be that I do not want to leave the house because why be embarresed that i will not fit? Not to mention how people talk about the fat person walking by. I hear it all! It is a creul world. So the day of the surgery in the hospital still with the fear, I said I need to go to the bathroom, my daughter came with me. I just went in there so she & I could talk. I told her this (while balling my eyes out) I said just know this sweety, I love you more than anything in this entire world & if mommy does not wake up I need you to know that. She said the same thing to me that she loved me more than anything & that I better wake up. I told her I trust my doctor, that he is the best in his field and I am in good hands. I said not to mention I prayed. So it is up to God. Her & I hugged, held hands & sat side by side. On the elevator ride up I went to the 5th floor they had to go to the 6th floor. I said I LOVE YOU 2!! Tears came to my face as I turned around as I did not want my daughter to see them. As I was put on the table I said my prayers & asked God to let me get through this as I need this, my family needs this, my family needs me. As they gave me the needle I thought of my daughter. I was terrified. Then I woke up. I cried & thanked God he helped me through this, then I smiled & thanked the Doctor for giving me a new life that started that day. I hope I did not bore you with my story. But I as you felt the same. It was all ok. It was all worth it. I have only been banded since 10/5 but I am so very happy I got it done. I lost 12 pounds in less than 2 weeks. I am not sure how much as of now that I lost because I do not have a scale. When I go to the docs I will have a scale to check progress in between visits. Good luck to you, try not to be scared. It will all be ok. You will start a new life all over again.

First of all, take a deep breath :tongue: Your situation is very similar to mine. My advice to you is to be upfront with your doctors. You are most certainly not the first person to have surgery and then relocate. Being up front may even help you in the long run to speed things up. I started the process for WLS in December. In January I attended to seminar. While waiting for my other appointments, I found out we were moving in MAY. The first thing I did was tell both my PCP and my surgeon's office so that they knew I was under a severe time crunch. I did not want to start the whole process here only to be banded at another facility or have to start over. After all was said and done, my surgeon put a rush on the approval for insurance. Like you, my insurance required more documents which took 10 days. Once they had them, they approved me the very same day. Tell your doctors and be upfront with them. That's the only way they can really help you get this done. :biggrin:

Does dr Almanza gives the patient any anticoagulant for blood clot before traveling back to the US? Or should I buy a pair of TED hose? I will have a long fly coming from san diego to florida I don't know how I'm gonna managed, i'm afraid of developing DVT. Louise told me that my returning fly has to be after 12 pm. Everything so far has a 2 hour stop making the trip a total of 11 hours. Did anyone flew in on the day of the surgery? Most of the flight don't get to san diego until midnight or 10 am. If I don't have to spend the night at the hotel that will be even better considering that I will be traveling alone. What time did the driver pick the patient at the airport? Any help is appreciated.

My doctor told me that after 10 days the chance of a leak is less than 1% and after 2 weeks it 0%. He said if I had a leak after 2 weeks, he wouldn't even treat it surgically. It's very important to follow the liquids after surgery. I had to do 10 days of clear liquids. My doctor is very conservative, which is fine with me. He also uses a drain. The purpose of a drain is to alert you to a leak even before you get symptoms. The drain stayed in for the first 10 days then was removed in the office.

Fill # 4 - 4 Fills in 4 months! Let this be the one! Posted by AngieB, Today, 10:31 AM Admin/Owner Options Make This Entry A Draft

Hi All, Let me begin by saying this site and everyone that is open and honest about their experiences have been so helpful in my journey and decision to be sleeved! I am a 28 year old female from Australia and am currently 138kg (303.6 lbs). I have struggled with my weight since I was a child and have tried every diet known to man! But nothing has stuck unfortunately. So after much thought and discussion with my husband I believe the sleeve is my best choice. I have had depression and anxiety for about 10 years now and one of my phobias is being somewhere or with people and having an accident (not that it's actually happened, but it's been close before!)- TMI - sudden nervous bowel issues. So the thought that there is any chance of getting dumping syndrome absolutely terrifies me! I know that this can happen if you eat something naughty after sleeved (I have read this on this site) but I am scared I could be one of those people that may get it without reason. Can dumping be controlled? Eg. Anti- diarrhea tablets? This is the only thing that worries me about WLS. Any advise or comments would be great!

Thank you all. Quitting smoking is NOT an easy thing thats for sure. I've tried Wellbutrin and I'm not kidding when I say this....I started smoking more! Needless to say I went off of that. I'm scared with being only 6 wks out I'm going to develope ulcers. I know all this but I just cant quit and I'm really getting mad at myself. The island with cabana boys would really do wonders for me.....it would surely keep me occupied! Give me a bottle of Captain Morgan, a few hot cabana boys..........life would be good! lol!! Oh wait, I cant drink yet! Will life ever be normal again? I know a few months down the road I'll look back and say "it wasn't all that bad" but right now it just seems like it will never end. I cant go to the gym yet, I do walk a lot and I'm down a total of 56 lbs (26 before surgery o 11/19/10). I don't like this phase I'm in right now tho. Oh well, this to shall pass.

I've still got a lot of head issues to work on, I've found out since I have no restriction. I ate pizza today. 2 slices with no problem. Probably in less than 10 minutes. I just hope that the fill will work and I haven't spent $11,000 in vain. I just need the help I was getting from the band before the swelling went down. Now I'm staying so hungry and I never get full. It's just like it was before surgery. Tell me this gets better?

I'm scheduled Jan 19 to get sleeved. I'm scarred too. But hoping in God all will be good with you and me ???? I'm taking Premier Protein from Sam's Club. It's very hard once in awhile a slip and take a bite or two of something...but at least I don't eat everything like I was used to doing. My surgery is going to done on Edinburg, Texas that's in Deep South Texas. God bless and I will be keeping an eye on your posts.

Okay new recipe that whole family will love. You might need to serve it to them over rice, for carbs, but I eat it as is, or over spaghetti squash, or miracle noodles (actually I ordered some, I have not tried them yet, but they have zero calories and carbs, I ordered some) Ok, bored with Protein and 600 calorie stage 3 and 4 diet so I have used my cooking skills, over 30 years in the restaurant industry, to come up with a tasty good for US Chinese dish! This makes a lot, it freezes pretty well, adjust for your desired amount. I like to cook ahead and freeze. 2 24oz packages of turkey tenderloin (I got them as buy one get one free) 1 can chicken broth 1 large can Chinese lo mein veggies 2 cans sliced Water chestnuts 2 cans bamboo slices 1 lb fresh snow peas 1 packaged sliced Portobello mushrooms 1 zucchini, diced 2 bunches green onions 6 garlic gloves diced 1 cinnamon stick 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice ( I didn't have all spice or 5 spice, it is really close, plus every cook has some) 2 table spoons red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons Cajun spice 2 tablespoons squeeze bottle fresh ginger, or diced fresh 5 tablespoons amino acid, which you will find has zero calories, and is a perfect substitute for soy sauce 2 packages of mushroom gravy mix, store brand, usually 25 calories for serving, 4 to a packet, this makes a lot 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 3 tablespoons black pepper Okay, in a pressure cooker put turkey (pork tenderloin is an acceptable substitute) broth and all the spices. cook on high pressure for 45 minutes dice veggies like onions and zucchini and open cans, drain all but the lo mein veggies (drain and save for later), while this is cooking you might want to cook a spaghetti squash, cut in half width wise, put in oven safe pan and put in over, then turn on, no need to preheat, to 460 degrees and back for 50 minutes, remove seeds after, it is easy, and don't add water, that destroys the texture and taste. Simply shred with a fork, flesh will come out like angel hair. Store in refrigerator for 5 days, reheats great in microwave. basically calorie free. okay, remove turkey to a plate to cool, slice into smaller pieces it will cool faster. Get cinnamon stick out and throw away. Add gravy packets to juice, and bring to a boil, as you stir, won't take long, then add zucchini, first, then all the rest of veggies, put lid on to just cover, and turn heat off for 10 minutes, everything will be a perfect doneness.as you are doing this tear turkey into shreds with fingers or 2 forks, you might need to allow it to cool a bit more. If so, turn rest of dish back on low, or simmer. mix in shredded turkey in Now if it is too thick for your liking add the lo mein juice to thin as you like. If you will be serving to your family over rice, they wil probably like about half the can added. I personally like a thick dish, but depending on your stage, adding the whole can of juice still makes a nice beyond thick Soup. Enjoy over spaghetti squash, or straight. I do not know the actual calories, but they are very low, I would say less than 80 for 3 oz. Almost zero carbs, and lots of protein from the turkey. The cinnamon and ginger really make this special. I prefer it to restaurant dishes.