Got a call from the surgical scheduler this morning, and my date is set for July 11th! I was hoping it might be sooner, but not surprised it worked out this way. Means I will be starting my liquid diet while I'm traveling for work - so that will be interesting. I'm also wrestling with not having our annual 4th of July BBQ at my house (which is in a prime location for watching fireworks) - maybe I'll just have ppl over for fireworks but avoid smelling burgers on the grill all day.

Anyone else have a July date set? Wanna support each other through the next weeks?

Hey, everybody! This is my first post after joining just a few minutes ago. I am having my surgery July 3rd! I am super excited but the pre-op diet is KILLING ME. I'll admit, it has gotten better over the past 4 days but man! Is anyone else suffering as much as I am?!

I'm day 6 in my pre-op protein shakes. I selected chocolate, vanilla and orange. I had some extracts on hand; coconut, peanut butter and peppermint. I really like one scoop of orange and one scoop of vanilla and a couple drops of coconut extract and blend well. I've also tried one scoop chocolate and one scoop of vanilla and added peanut butter extract OR peppermint extract, again, one or two drops. I enjoyed my coffee with Coffeemate Peppermint Mocha before, so the this combination reminds me of that. I found two scoops of chocolate or two scoops of orange alone to be really strong and didn't like it as well as mixing with the vanilla. Anyone else experimented? My surgery is set for Tuesday July 2 and I've spent the afternoon putting my daily plan in my IPhone on my calendar, so I will know glancing at my phone what I can have. I've also really enjoyed sugar free popsicles the last couple days, devoured them like a 5 year old. For those of you who have not started your protein shakes, for me I'd have to say I have not struggled at all. They are very satisfying and I have not been hungry. Don't get me wrong, when my husband is fixing himself something to eat, the smell of bacon, even hot dogs, smelled soooooooooo good. I just keep telling myself to be patient and keep on keepin on, I can do this! I have also been journeling on My Fitness Pal in an effort to be in the habit of doing so after surgery. Everything we can do in preparation of surgery and after will just make things go smoother for us. Bye for now.

I'm day 6 in my pre-op protein shakes. I selected chocolate' date=' vanilla and orange. I had some extracts on hand; coconut, peanut butter and peppermint. I really like one scoop of orange and one scoop of vanilla and a couple drops of coconut extract and blend well. I've also tried one scoop chocolate and one scoop of vanilla and added peanut butter extract OR peppermint extract, again, one or two drops. I enjoyed my coffee with Coffeemate Peppermint Mocha before, so the this combination reminds me of that. I found two scoops of chocolate or two scoops of orange alone to be really strong and didn't like it as well as mixing with the vanilla. Anyone else experimented? My surgery is set for Tuesday July 2 and I've spent the afternoon putting my daily plan in my IPhone on my calendar, so I will know glancing at my phone what I can have. I've also really enjoyed sugar free popsicles the last couple days, devoured them like a 5 year old. For those of you who have not started your protein shakes, for me I'd have to say I have not struggled at all. They are very satisfying and I have not been hungry. Don't get me wrong, when my husband is fixing himself something to eat, the smell of bacon, even hot dogs, smelled soooooooooo good. I just keep telling myself to be patient and keep on keepin on, I can do this! I have also been journeling on My Fitness Pal in an effort to be in the habit of doing so after surgery. Everything we can do in preparation of surgery and after will just make things go smoother for us. Bye for now.[/quote']

Thank you for the ideas on switching it up with the shakes. I read about peppermint extract, I will definitely pick up some peanut butter and coconut. Sound delicious! You're doing a great job and have a fantastic attitude. Keep it up

Hey' date=' everybody! This is my first post after joining just a few minutes ago. I am having my surgery July 3rd! I am super excited but the pre-op diet is KILLING ME. I'll admit, it has gotten better over the past 4 days but man! Is anyone else suffering as much as I am?! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Hello! I'm only on day one and am "mourning" food. I have a serious reliance on it and have been trying to prepare myself. The best advice I can give you is that you've been through a great amount of hoops to jump through already, as miserable as it is now--it'll be worth it! It's also preparing us for our post-op lifestyle. We can do this

7.1.13 worried about how long before I can go back to work.

I don't have access to my nutritionist and was wondering if anyone has experience with PB2? The powdered peanut butter. I was wondering if I was allowed to use that in my protein shakes during my liquid phases. I'm leaning towards no but thought I'd give it a shot!

7.1.13 worried about how long before I can go back to work.

What kind of work do you do? I was told it all depends on your surgery and if you have complications, etc. For the average patient, my surgeon said for a desk job where you're primarily sitting, it's about a week recovery. For manual and heavy labor jobs which require lifting more than ten pounds, 1.5-2 weeks recovery.

Hope that helps!

Hello! I'm only on day one and am "mourning" food. I have a serious reliance on it and have been trying to prepare myself. The best advice I can give you is that you've been through a great amount of hoops to jump through already, as miserable as it is now--it'll be worth it! It's also preparing us for our post-op lifestyle. We can do this

I know! I feel I've done pretty well so far (besides having a nibble off of my toddler's hot dog today and maybe a bit more cottage cheese for a snack than my doctor said was allowed) But I feel that if I can do this without anything but willpower, then the band is going to be something I can handle! I'm so excited. I seriously just can't believe I'm finally about to start my journey back DOWN the ladder of weight instead of up. Hasn't been that way in a long time!

That's awesome! I feel like I'm making this up as I go along...lol. My nutritionist isn't available because I switched surgeons and my new surgeon doesn't require a pre-op diet AT ALL! I trust my new surgeon more than the old, it's all on what they prefer I guess. But after being trained on the pre-op, I decided I would do a ten day prep because of the safety precautions and added weight loss. I think it's helpful to psychologically get me ready to "let go" of food. I need to! The program I was trained on was:

•10 day liquid pre-op, 500 cals a day consisting of 3-4 Protein shakes, Clear liquids including broth and sugar free Popsicles and Jello.

•2 week post-op liquid as above

•weeks 3-5 puréed foods

•weeks 6-8 soft foods

•weeks 8+ solids

Do any of your programs differ? The above one is my old surgeon's program; my new surgeon has you going from liquids to solids in 5 weeks. I like the 8 weeks (IN THEORY, don't get me wrong, it's gonna be a challenge!) to help me learn my habits, gain routine and train my body.

Thoughts?

Thank YOU for posting that. I'm on day one of my liquid diet and am in total food craving mode. My father just heated up mashed potatoes and I almost cried! Lol

You're welcome Today was a rough day as far as cravings again but I kept myself distracted. I cleaned the house from top to bottom. During my down time I'm sure my husband and dog will destroy it lol. I also got my post-op shopping done. Distraction works!

My program is:

10 day pre-op high Protein low carb. I can eat lean meats and veggies and a serving of fruit per day.

1 week post-op liquid

2 weeks post-op mushies

3 weeks post-op start incorporating solids

I have had a wonderful dietitian program with my surgical group. I attended 4 classes total to teach me how to eat after. I feel well prepared.

july 10th here and I start on the shakes tomorrow. I also got the unjury. i got vanilla, chocolate splendor, strawberry and chicken soup. Bring it on. Lets do this fellow banders. I cannot be more excited for us all!!

I am a July 3 rd bander too

Christy

Duplicate post

july 10th here and I start on the shakes tomorrow. I also got the unjury. i got vanilla' date=' chocolate splendor, strawberry and chicken soup. Bring it on. Lets do this fellow banders. I cannot be more excited for us all!![/quote']

Follow the directions on the chicken soup - it basically has to be warm vs hot or the protein cooks almost like an egg ad becomes super gross.