Questions from a newbie

[Syrah 0]

I'm a week away from being banded. I have been reading around here quite a bit, but I wondered if this is unusual.

I have no pre-op diet. They just told me to practice chewing food really good, give up caffeine, sip as much Water as possible, and eat less carbs / more Protein. I feel like I should be doing more to get ready for this.

Also, post-op, I will be on Clear liquids for a very short time (about two days) and then go straight to mushies. Does this seem unusual? The place where I am being banded is very reputable. It's a "Bariatric Center of Excellence" for Blue Cross / Blue Shield. They do a lot of surgeries and they are quite aggressive about recovery, post-op.

Also, TMI-type question (I'm a dork) but do they shave your pubic hair when they do surgery? For some reason I am freaking out about this. I am not a hairball but I don't shave clean either - can't stand the grow-back itch! LOL!

Thanks in advance, for any info.

[Success in lapband 0]

Syrah;

Every Dr. is different on pre and post diets, ask 5 bandsters and get 5 different diets. Even the doctors within my dr.s office are each different.

They did not shave me anywhere, nor did they ask me to shave anywhere.

[Syrah 0]

Thanks.

Hey - we are the same weight (and the same age)!

[Success in lapband 0]

So where are you? USA? Which State? Any kids?

[Syrah 0]

Iowa, 3 kids (teen, pre-teen, preschooler).

[Deb 0]

Hi Syrah,

I am having surgery March 28 in Des Moines. Where are you in Iowa? My Dr. is Dr. Eibes and he has had me doing the presurgery diet. Not bad though. Pray all goes well for you. Hugs, Deb

[Syrah 0]

I live in Iowa City. My surgery will be in Grinnell (David Kermode). The university hospital here only does Rouen-Y so I am traveling in your direction.

Good luck to you! We will have to compare notes as time goes on.

[Success in lapband 0]

Syrah

You should make yourself a ticker... Do you know how? That way everybody can see what stage of the process you are at and won't keep asking you the same questions over and over again. They will also send you tips and suggestions because they "remember when" they were at that stage and "X" helped them do something. It is really cool

[reqgoddess 0]

Pam,

Where/how do you get those tickers on you signature?

[faithmd 14]

Here's the thread that tells you all about it:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/get-ticker-your-t16218.html

[reqgoddess 0]

Syrah,

Each doc is differnt, they are right. I was on a medifast diet for 1 month prior to surgery. I was allowed 5 medifasts a day and 2 cups of greens with 1/2 cup raw or 1 cup cooked vegtables per night. Wasdn't bad, but it was to shrink the liver for easier retraction. After surgery, i was Clear liquids for 10 days; full liguid for another 8 days then soft foods for 8 days then regular. I am still in the soft foods mostly because you will find that sometimes when you go too fast in advancing tot he next phase, the foods do not agree with you. Like it will feel really uncomfortable. Remember...you DO NOT WANT TO THROW UP!! Better to be more cautious. believe me the time goes fast. The clear liquid is tough because you have no energy. But the full liquid is ice cream, cream Soup, mashed potatoes,etc. I googled each type of diet and got great ideas. The full liquid is also called the puree diet at times butI refuse to puree anything. GROSS!!! I would rather just wait. After all, we need to show a bit of restraint anyway or we'll wind up just as big as before (lol).

[reqgoddess 0]

Thank you so much!!

[jlove67 0]

I Am One Week Post Opp And I Would Say , If You Dont Go On A Diet Before You Will Find The 2 Week liquid diet Very Hard . I Am Doing Fine Because I Am Use To It . Prepare For Stage 2

[Kelsy 1]

I did not have to go on any pre-op diet. Which I got nervous about and wondered if i was supposed to and maybe I misunderstood. But nooope! My surgeon told me the same thing.. To just try to ween myself off the soda, coffee, etc. And most importantly, He told me do NOT gain any more weight or he will cancel the surgery.

I did not put myself on a strict diet... However I did stop drinking soda, coffee, eating junk food..etc. And i didn't gain any weight! I actually lost a few more pounds prior to surgery.

And nope, No shaving.. I don't see why they would have to. I was on my period and had a damn catheter in... ugh! I woke up with it, Didn't even know I had one or was getting one for that matter.