:wave:

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie. I haven't had the surgery yet. I go for the seminar on January 11, 2007. I plan having the procedure during Spring Break. I should think that is enough recovery time.Two of my friends have had this procedure and they told me about this web sight. Why do we have to be on a liguid diet 1-2 weeks before the surgery? and is that clear or full liquids? Also why no diet soda? I am wondering did any of you keep this a secret for some people. I am not sure weather to tell everying or not. Not sure if I'm embaressed or what. I will tell my childhood friend, she will be a great support. Thanks, and I'll talk to yall again soon.

sandra

Welcome! The liquid diet I was on was a Liver Shrinking... during the surgery your liver may have to be moved a hair and overweight people tend to have large livers that bleed easily.

I kept it on a "Need to know basis" just my parents, hubby and best friend know. I think my co-workers are guessing that something is up but no one has asked.

I wish I hadn't told everyone, but once told, you can't untell it.

I did 10 days of full liquids. They say in as little as 10 days a liquid diet can really shrink your liver making it easier for the dr. to operate.

I only told my hubby and 2 friends. I chose not to tell for so many reasons and embarassment was certainly one of them. Part of me feels like a "failure" for not being able to do this on my own.

Also, I don't like to talk about my weight and if people knew about the surgery it would end up being a regular part of conversation, I'm sure.

Sooooo many people on this site have said they wish they never told anyone about it. They say people expect them to lose a clothing size every week and that's not the way it works. Also, people have said that others comment of their eating, asking "should you be eating that with the band?"

On the other hand, many people said they wanted and needed the support of others. Its up to you. I chose to keep it hush hush and have no regrets so far. I think that once I have been successful, I will likely share my "little secret" but not until them.!

Good luck, I hope all goes smooth for you.

Threebeauties,

At first I thought I was a failure doing this to lose my weight. I no longer feel this way because it is/will be work to get it off. The band is just my little helper to help me keep it off. I think I thought it was the easy way out.

But I know better now.

Welcome to LBT texasmom

You sure have got an exciting journey ahead of you...I had my lapband over a year ago now and I told people upfront that I was having it... some couldn't understand but most did and I have had their support and encouragement all the way through still they, having not had it themselves it has been hard for them to adapt to my own change of eating habits etc but joining lapband talk has meant I can communicate with many others that know exactly what I am going through...So this site has been really instrumental/inspiring to my own lapband journey. I wish you all the best as you begin your new life. There will be plenty of challenges/fustrations ahead of you but i can assure you the benefits far outweigh the negatives...I have never regretted my lapband and i hope that, should you decide to go ahead, you will never regret yours. Keep us posted.

:eek: Becky

This is news to me that so many people have been put on the liquid diet prior to surgery. I am 5 days post op and have been on Clear Liquids since the surgery. My surgeon explained that a diet was necessary 2 to 3 week pre-op to reduce the fat content of my liver to make surgery easier but he suggested a basic low carb diet like Atkins. Those three weeks I lived on Salads and Protein.

Listen to your doc. I would have listened to mine if had he asked for a pre-op liquid diet, I'm just glad that he didn't.

All the best,

Bret

:eek: I just wanted to thank all of you for replying. I appreciate the support. I think I will keep it a secret between one friend, and my parents and husband. what is a good liquid diet to go on? and why do some doc's say no carbonated beverages and no alcohol?

thanks,

texasmom

Hey everyone,

I am a newbie too. I have had the band since mid October 2006. I am heading for my 3rd fill on Monday. I love my band and I don't regret doing it...if you sense a but, there is one. I am starting to feel frustrated about eating. The band is working. I've lost 35 lbs already and I am feeling really well. I haven't told very many people at all either. In fact my whole family is obese and I feel guilty that I was able to "afford" this surgery and the others can't, that I haven't told them. They live away and were not privvy to the whole surgery required etc.

That being said, my husband is very supportive, and I have shared with my 2 closest friends. They're

As for the "should you eat that" comments, I have taken the educational approach with my husband who was the worst offender. Now that the band is in place - I am not on a diet anymore. I have been dieting for 13 years and no during that time I shouldn't eat that. Now, as long as I am choosing good whole foods 90% of the time and making sure that I have the meat first, some veggies second, if I need a little bit of sweet or salt (there's almost never any room for it after that) then I can have it.

The answer is YES I can eat this. I do, by the way keep a very strict rule, that if I am going to have something that used to be bad...I make sure I never do it on an empty stomach. This way I can't over do it.

I don't diet anymore. It's a tough mentality to change....step by step, I am getting there. and I am getting my husband there with me.

Good luck to you!