Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Nervous - Surgery set for Aug 2 at TLBC, ? re pre-op diet?



Recommended Posts

Hi all,

I am having my surgery on August 2nd at TLBC with Dr. Yau. :clap2: I am concerned about a few things I have read on this site, and am wondering if anyone could tell me about their experience with this doctor/clinic. I was not overly impressed with the call from the nurse, but am hoping the rest of the experience will be more positive! I am also scared to death that I will be unable to keep to the pre-op diet, since I don't eat cottage cheese and they only option the nurse gave me was yogurt. I love yogurt, but nothing but yogurt for 14 days...........if I could do that, wouldn't I already be thin?!? :paranoid

Looking for hope....hoping I am doing the right thing....please advise!!!!

Thanks!help.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my band by Dr. Yau and in my humble opinion, he is very good at what he does. He is one of the pioneers that brought the band to Canada. The TLBC has a tremendous support organization for their clients in Ontario. I don't know the nurse you had, but their is one that left at the end of June who did not have good people/communication skills but the others seem OK. The fill nurse is very good at what she does and can be a bit short at time. On the whole, my experiences have been good and I would say without hesitation, that you have made a great choice. Doddie

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Doddie! That is what I am hoping. It is hard when you don't live in the Toronto area, to know whose hands you are putting your life in. I have heard that Dr. Yau is the best, and the first, but I guess I am just getting anxious now that my date is set and it is becoming so real..... 9 days until I start my pre-op diet! The countdown is on......!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Kero. You are not out of the ordinary. You will find that all of us have gone thru the gauntlet of emotions. Even after as we struggle to change our old habits we go to the net for assurances from others that have experienced what we are going thru. There is always someone who can help. You wil be scared, happy, apprehensive, second guessing yourself but after you cross to the "other side" I would be very surprised if you don't join the chorus of "I wish I had done it sooner".

You will also find the rare few that have complications and I believe you will find they still believe in the band. If you join the CanadianLapBanders (run by a TLBC nurse) you will get into the support group for the TLBC. Other clinic patients also belong. This website is excellent along with this one. Hope this helps. Keep posting and you will find support. Doddie

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh! I should also say I live in North Vancouver, BC and know what you mean by feeling alone. Also, I couldn't eat anything but cottage cheese for two weeks and found it difficult, but not impossible. Call the clinic if it gets so bad you are going to break down and eat other stuff. They will give you some ideas that they allow only to patients having difficulty. Doddie

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh! I should also say I live in North Vancouver, BC and know what you mean by feeling alone. Also, I couldn't eat anything but cottage cheese for two weeks and found it difficult, but not impossible. Call the clinic if it gets so bad you are going to break down and eat other stuff. They will give you some ideas that they allow only to patients having difficulty. Doddie

Thank you Doddie. The more I read, the more optomistic I feel. I am curious though, if you live in BC, why did you have to travel to Toronto? Do they not do the surgery in BC, or any closer? Just curious....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

BC has three doctors that do gastric bypass and banding. All have wait lists for 3 or 4 years. One doctor had a shorter wait list, but I had read in the papers he was thinking of picking up stakes if he didn't get more hospital time.

I did my research on doctors and clinics and felt the TLBC Dr. was the best although I know these are arguable comments. What I did not do was research the meaning of fills and if they were difficult to have done in BC. I believed the comments from all clinics that fills could be done by a GP or fill nurse and went no further. I had my GP set up to do the fills but he reneged as he was too busy and really didn't feel confident in doing the fills. TLBC helped set me up with a surgeon here but I have comlicatons of a tipped fill and he has been unable to get a fill in SO.......I travel back to TO where they do it. I could go to Alta but why waste the money if they too are unsuccessful. Might as well go to the people who know what they are doing in my case. Doddie

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Kero!

I soo wrote the same sort of post you wrote just like 1.5 months ago. I was banded on June 7/07. I am having a rough time with the post op stuff..just waiting for thr 1st fill.

All you have to think when doing the pre op diet..."I have to do this....I dont have a choice...I can only eat what they said....I dont want to screw this up"

Thats what I said all the time. Gosh I was getting to the point I was scared the fruit in my yogurt was to big. It all worked out.

For me the pre op was pretty easy. Actually I am having a hard time with food right now and back to over eating that I put myself back on the pre op until my 1st fill!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

keep busy, really!@!!! occupy yourself, stay out of the kitchen.

Eat what they tel you to, its for a good reason (shrinking your liver) and your Better health and a SUCCESSFUL UNEVENTFUL Surgery...sojust keep you mind on the ultimate goal l.... of permanent weight los...

you can do ANYTHING for 2 weeks,,, remember cramming for exams???? that sucked too! but you did it....

SO get creative with the yogurt, freeze it, slush it, eat it with chopsticks,, popsicles (SF), boullion is not that bad change up the flavors...

MY Fav. is cottage cheese with sweetner and cinnamon!!!!

Last night at my preop semi. i met a guy who puts Mustard in his cottage cheese.. and its it that way...

do whatever works.!!!

BE WELL

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded at TLBC June 8th 2006 and have already reached goal. The best advice I can offer is follow instructions.....Lapbandtalk can offer simple suggestions through experience, however.....when it comes to advice about fills, staying on liquid or other diets, etc...then talk to your Dr....they know best. I have never had an issue with TLBC...they treated me well and professional at all times, I had no complication pre or post surgery.

My husband is a chef. I do not like cottage cheese so for the pre-op diet my husband was mixing 1/2 cup low fat yogurt with 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of ice cubes, 1 package of sweetner and liquified it through the blender...every day he would add different flavourings...such as 1 - 2 tablespoons of sugar free jam, or 1 tablespoon of plain cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of real vanilla, etc. It was like drinking liquid cheesecake!

Don't say you can't take the pre-op for 14 days....it will be tough but think of your priorities.....1) not following instructions and compromising your surgery....or 2) weight loss from your surgery which will bring you better quality of a longer life that would otherwise be compromised from your obestiy. I took the second choice and am now enjoying life as I never knew it....I also wear a size 8.....from a 24/26.

Good luck

Carol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello Kero:

You are not alone. We've all gone through what you are going through right now. Personally I worked myself up to such a frenzy that when I went in for my surgery I had a little fever and my blood pressure had skyrocketed. The pre-op diet sucks and yes you can only have cottage cheese and yogurt. Talk to the nurses at TLBC and see what's best for you. For me, they advised if it got really bad to have some chicken breast and perhaps they'll tellyou the same thing.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with one of the nurses there. I've had nothing but good experiences and I found everyone so friendly and helpful. All the best to you and keep posting. This website is a GREAT support system. Good luck to you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow! Congratulations Woodys on reaching your goal! I think I'll trade my husband in for a chef - lol. That sounds great!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello Kero:

You are not alone. We've all gone through what you are going through right now. Personally I worked myself up to such a frenzy that when I went in for my surgery I had a little fever and my blood pressure had skyrocketed. The pre-op diet sucks and yes you can only have cottage cheese and yogurt. Talk to the nurses at TLBC and see what's best for you. For me, they advised if it got really bad to have some chicken breast and perhaps they'll tellyou the same thing.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with one of the nurses there. I've had nothing but good experiences and I found everyone so friendly and helpful. All the best to you and keep posting. This website is a GREAT support system. Good luck to you.

Thanks. I took everyone's advice and called the TLBC. They have said I can have some chicken, and even some low glycemic salad with balsamic vegtables, which is a big relief. I can also add Protein Powder to my milk, which should prevent my blood sugar from dropping. They said it tends to depend on one's BMI, so I don't know if mine is 'high enough' or 'low eneough', but I'll take it either way! Thanks again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

keep busy, really!@!!! occupy yourself, stay out of the kitchen.

Eat what they tel you to, its for a good reason (shrinking your liver) and your Better health and a SUCCESSFUL UNEVENTFUL Surgery...sojust keep you mind on the ultimate goal l.... of permanent weight los...

you can do ANYTHING for 2 weeks,,, remember cramming for exams???? that sucked too! but you did it....

SO get creative with the yogurt, freeze it, slush it, eat it with chopsticks,, popsicles (SF), boullion is not that bad change up the flavors...

MY Fav. is cottage cheese with sweetner and cinnamon!!!!

Last night at my preop semi. i met a guy who puts Mustard in his cottage cheese.. and its it that way...

do whatever works.!!!

BE WELL

Peaches9 - did I read that right? You were banded July 11th 2007 (as in yesterday) and you have lost 50 lbs? Am I reading your 'ticker' right? Either way, congrats! I hope you are resting and your surgery went well!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the support. I guess I know that, in the end, it has to be done. It is good to hear that others have struggled as well (you know what I mean), makes me feel that if others with food issues can do it, I can prevail. It is easy for my hubby to say 'you can stick to it', when he can go days without eating and not break a sweat. He skips one beer and loses 10 pounds, etc etc.

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×