I had a tough surgery on Monday (165 minutes) but I'm doing better than many.

My question is : I have an appointment to see my Doc next Tuesday. I'm on Clear liquids now and all I've had is Water, and I'm fine with that (no cravings, etc.). From what I can tell I could keep this up until Tuesday.

Is all the talk about a water regimen, a protien regimen, etc for application after I see the Doc, or should I be trying to force 60 grams of protiens, 60 ounces of water, Vitamins, etc. now ?

Am I working myself into some sort of protien/vitamin/ deficit, or is my only duty from now until Tuesday to make sure I don't do anything to rip, tear, pull, etc. my band?

hi tallyjohn,

i couldnt get alot down when i was first banded....i got very weak and wasnt recovering quickly enough. also when the calories are so low, the metabolism shuts down and i stopped losing weight.

so only drinking Water is a bad idea.

try to get Protein shakes or if you cant get that down...they have these protein test tube things (whey protein) that have 42 gms or smaller ones that are 25 gms.

plus Vitamins are essential as well.

we have to get rid of the diet mentality of starving then binging etc.

anyway this was just my experience.

good luck

You should ask your surgeon what he or she wants you to be having at this point. I'm sure Water isn't the only thing on the menu, but you need to make sure you're following your surgeons guidelines.

Hope this helps!

...particularly if mixed with skim milk, a "clear liquid". I've tried to take that term literally, and maybe that's my mistake.

I want to err on the side of caution, but I know I need something to maintain my energy.

My surgeon's instructions for clear liquids were juice (not pulpy, so no tomato juice or V8, or orange juice), broth, sugar free jello and water. There were no instructions in there for protein shakes that soon after surgery. But, every surgeon is different, you need to get clarification from them to be sure. Seems like lots of patients are allowed protein shakes right after surgery, but I wasn't. So please ask your surgeon....It's just a phone call, and you'll feel better getting it straight from them.

Clear liquids for me was just that, clear liquids, but it applied only for 24 hours after surgery, after that all liquids were fair game.

I talked to my Doc, and to him at least, clear liquids mean only clear liquids. He feels the first week is all about not injuring yourself, and that we have forever to make up Protein deficits, etc.

Since I seem to prefer Water to Crystal Light, or whatever, I'll just stay on it.

There does not seem to be one uniform set of instructions.

Get some apple juice, too, you do need some calories. Hang in there!