Hi, everyone! I'm getting banded on April 10. I'm super excited, but I'm also seriously nervous about the anesthesia. I've only been put under once before and it's giving me anxiety. I just started the pre-op liquid diet. My doc gave me Optifast and said I'm allowed to have Clear liquids along with it. Did this mess anyone else's stomach up? I've been having stomach cramps and problems going to the bathroom all day. I'm not lactose intolerant, which is one of the reasons my doctor told me I might have trouble with the Optifast.

I can tell you what, though, I'm starving! My doc said I'd be miserable the first few days of the Optifast and boy he wasn't kidding. I just try to drink a lot of liquids to keep my stomach full but all I can think about is sushi haha. I think that's all for now, looking forward to getting to know everybody. :]

Hello there!!

I had my surgery one week ago tomorrow! && trust me the nervousness is normal and no matter how many people tell you dont be you still will in the end...just know it is for a better outcome and it happends in the blink of an eye,next thing you know you will be banded and its over the liquid diet was a huge pain but my Dr. said I could have sugar free Jello and I also I got the weightwatchers Soups and just had the broth. You have to look at it as it is a new start and is only going to help you in the end.. hope this helped you out a little and gooluck!!!

I guess I'm going to have to get used to the jello and popsicles for now! Thanks for the support!

You will do just fine! I had never had surgery before, so I was a little anxious, but it was very fast. I don't know how much Protein is in the Optifast, but if you need to, try and supplement if the protein is not 25g+ per shake. I found with a high protein/low carb/low fat drink I was decidedly less hungry than in the past when I've used slimfast (approx 10g protein per drink).

Also, I highly recommend buying a travel pillow or one of those Peewee pillowpet's to hold against your tummy after surgery! It was a lifesaver for me. Pain after surgery varies widely, but I was off pain meds after day 3 and was walking around a lot. After day 4, all pain (minus gas discomfort) was gone.

I think it's totally normal to be nervous about being put under for surgery. I have been under general anesthesia a couple times and was still scared right before surgery. I can remember sitting in the room, hooked up to IV's, waiting to be wheeled back thinking "what the hell am I doing? I should bolt right now".

Thankfully I didn't bolt and am I so glad I didn't- I've had a great experience with my band so far.

As for the liquid diet, it sucks both pre and post op. I remember being starving, too. I know it's hard but remind yourself you're on the liquids to make the surgery even safer by shrinking your liver. Post surgery you're giving your stomach time to heal.

Hang in there, I know it's tough right now but it's so worth it in the end

Getting banded on 4/3/12. Started clear liquids on 3/26/12.

I'm on Day #11 of my Optifast liquid diet. The first three days were bad. Then, not so much. Every once in a while I'll get a craving, but I'll have a shake or leave the room and I'm fine. In fact I'm having a hard time getting all of my shakes in. Stepping in the scale helps. I have not cheated at all. Watch your sodium intake from broth, it may slow your weight loss down if you're sensitive to it. I'm being banded on Thursday and I'm really nervous, but excited too. You can do this! It gets better!

I'm on Day #11 of my Optifast liquid diet. The first three days were bad. Then' date=' not so much. Every once in a while I'll get a craving, but I'll have a shake or leave the room and I'm fine. In fact I'm having a hard time getting all of my shakes in. Stepping in the scale helps. I have not cheated at all. Watch your sodium intake from broth, it may slow your weight loss down if you're sensitive to it. I'm being banded on Thursday and I'm really nervous, but excited too. You can do this! It gets better![/quote']

Ur almost there! I have watched your posts and ur diet logs and am proud of how well u have done!

Ah, thanks this is the hardest diet I have ever done. I'm proud too.

I just got banded today. It was over before you know it and you will do fine. My dr told me my liver was perfect so the preop diet did what is was suppose to do.