Hi. I'm new here. Is it common to not have a strict pre-op diet a week or two before LapBand? My surgery date is next week, 11/21, and my pre-op appt is Tuesday 11/19. I've been dieting for several months now, but nothing like what I'm reading here with the liquid diets and or minimal calories. I have lost 25lbs dieting over the past 3.5 months.

My other question is, should I expect to have a drain port on the outside after surgery for a few days? I knew that was common for other gastric surgeries, but I didn't know about LapBand. And now I won't find out from my surgeron until Tuesday.

Thanks for your help!

Jamie

I was banded on October 4th, 2013. I was on an all liquid diet for 10 days prior to surgery. The reason behind that is to get the liver to shrink down so they can move it out of the way to be able to get to the area easier. As far as a drain port, I did not have one. Maybe other doctors use it. I believe for the sleeve and the bypass they use a drain port.

Best of luck to you on this journey!!

Hi Jamie, you can do a little dance of joy for not having a pre-op diet! Lots of people don't -- it just depends on the surgeon and what she/he prescribes for the individual patient. No external port. I didn't even really have bandaids coming home the next morning -- just the glue that the laporascopic incisions had on them. Congratulations on the 25# loss. I lost a little pre-op and feel for the first time that this weight I will never ever see again. Will be thinking of you on the 11/21!

Pre op diets vary greatly depending on surgeon. Some have long, strict ones and some require none at all. You'll find a wide variety of post op diets, too. Just remember, whether pre or post op, just follow your doctor's instructions regardless of what anyone else may be doing.

As far as drains, I've never heard of anyone having one after Lap Band surgery. There isn't significant internal cutting (i.e. injury) so it isn't normally necessary. However, that's not to say there aren't isolated incidents where it is necessary, but for most people it's not.

Best wishes!

Hey Jamie, my surgery is the 21st as well. I'm a bit envious of your pre op free cruise to the OR. LOL I have to do a three week pre op. Two Protein shakes, one lean and green a day. It's been a real trial but it's worth it. Some days, I think I am going to lose my marbles but I've already blasted out two weeks; just seven days to go. I've come this far, the rest is cake.

I'll keep a good thought out for you on our surgery day!

Good luck tomorrow to you, newlife, and to The Icy One! Let us know how it went.

Hi Jamie, you can do a little dance of joy for not having a pre-op diet! Lots of people don't -- it just depends on the surgeon and what she/he prescribes for the individual patient. No external port. I didn't even really have bandaids coming home the next morning -- just the glue that the laporascopic incisions had on them. Congratulations on the 25# loss. I lost a little pre-op and feel for the first time that this weight I will never ever see again. Will be thinking of you on the 11/21!

My experience exactly! I had to do 10 days of no carb or sugar and high protein but it was no big deal cause I'd already changed my eating. I had small glued incisions (4) that were closed by the 4th day out. Loved it!