I know that there is another thread out here for Dr. Gonzalez, but that seems to have evolved into more of a discussion on the pros and cons of this doctor. While I absolutely agree that this is a necessary thread, I feel like those of us who have done our research and are comfortable with our personal decision don't really have a place to post anymore. I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. G on December 7th and I would love to share pre-op, recovery and living with the band stories with fellow Dr. G patients.

I thought it was interesting that Dr. V told me that I could have mushy veggies on the pre-op in addition to the liquid diet. Because I am a little freaked out about the whole liver issue, I think that I'm going to try to stick to straight liquids, but it's nice to know that it's out there. I also am going to start the pre-op diet the day after Thanksgiving (2 weeks instead of one).

Thanks for listening!

I'm so glad I found this thread. The other one was getting to be such a bore to read.

I'm heading down to Dr. G on Friday 11/9 for surgery on the 10th. Woo Hoo! I can't believe it's finally here. I'm on the pre-op now. Day 2 was the worst with a massive headache but I have increased my Water intake as this forum suggested and everything is going smooth now. Well, besides being hungry! lol

I'm so happy to have other Dr. G banders to turn to for support.

Thank you!

I found this cool site where you can track your food, your calories and your activities: FitDay.com - Sign Up!

and it's free! Give it a try and let everyone know what you think.

I'm sure we can all share our experiences and help each other make lap band life a little easier.

chrisine

I joined that site.like you say it is cool. I like the journal part a lot.

Thanks Sunshine, I'll keep that in mind.

Omalgirl

congratulations!!!!! I'm sure you will be fine, don't forget to keep us posted.

So finally my time has come, I was gone for a couple of months, cannot keep on putting the surgery off anymore so once again I come to all of you for support, I guess I just want to hear success stories. I've gone thru all the research and the pros and the cons and I know this is the best thing for me. I was reading on the old thread that the best time to have the surgery would be after the holidays but for me I think it will be something to keep me busy, planning my diets and so on. I called today and scheduled my surgery for NOVEMBER 20th. I start my pre-op diet in 4 days. Can any of you vets give me some advice? How in the world will I handle 8 days of LIQUIDS?

one

Hi, congradulations. You can also eated steamed veggies that are mushed up. Diet puddings and diet jello are fine, as is diet shakes and diet popcycles. You get use to the diet after a few days.

I'm so excited that this thread has taken off! True confessions...after I started the thread, I kind of hid from the board until today. I was worried that no one would respond and then I would be so embarrassed watching the thread slip further and further down the board! Fat person insecurity much? But not for much longer...

Anyway, I'll be so happy to share my experiences on this journey and I would love to learn from all of you. Jessie, I hope that we end up there together. It will be nice to have someone familiar there. I'm traveling alone, so a friendly face will be welcome.

I'm also lucky that I have a Fill Center USA 20 minutes from home. I know that some people don't have the best experinces there, but it's so convenient, I at least need to try it out. That makes sense about the veggies on the pre-op. I bet they will be looking like snickers bars by day 4 or 5!

Omlagirl...congratulations!!! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Jessie,my surgery is scheduled on a Friday and I'm scheduled to go back to work on Monday. I sit at a desk all day. I know that might be too soon, but I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and I'm determined not to let anyone at work know what I'm doing.

Of course, I fully recognize that I might be in here posting on December 10th "what was I thinking???? I can't get off my couch!"

Newblew:)

You have a great group of supporters here in this little thread and LBT in general. Thanks to you newblew we have a peaceful corner to share and support each other. Keep us posted and count on us omlagirl. If any one has come up with any tasty treats ( hard as it may seen, it's possible) for the liquid or mushy phase please share so that we may help omla or jessie or any one else reading this thread.

WOW! Thanks everyone. It's so nice to know that we are all here supporting each other. I'll be on the other side soon!

Just need to vent for a second...

So I get to work tonight and the day staff has left a giant box of pastries and 3 liters of soda in the workroom, the bastards! HOW RUDE IS THAT??!!! LOL! So now I hate myself because I ate half an apple fritter. Grrrrr! Damn all drug company and home health agency reps who bring treats!

Blue Eyed Kitty,

I worked Registration in an ER 11p - 7a for two years. The constant food there was incredible. And it was always junk! I feel your pain - but if you are anything like me, in the past you would have ended up feeling guilty about the two and a half apple fritter that you polished off. A half a fritter is normal person food!

Newblew

Just need to vent for a second...

So I get to work tonight and the day staff has left a giant box of pastries and 3 liters of soda in the workroom, the bastards! HOW RUDE IS THAT??!!! LOL! So now I hate myself because I ate half an apple fritter. Grrrrr! Damn all drug company and home health agency reps who bring treats!

Newblew is right, always look at the bright side, half a fritter! Excellent!

Optimism before anything. It's helped me get through the toughest spots.

Newblew is right, always look at the bright side, half a fritter! Excellent!

Optimism before anything. It's helped me get through the toughest spots.

If you re like me, before the band it would have been a fritter, a donut and a cruller, because it was important to taste them all- wouldn't have wanted to miss out on a single taste experience.

Now, our ability to have little tastes, small portions, 1/2 portions is a gift!

Also I think its part of the journey- its important that we don't feel deprived. I want to be able to eat what everyone else eats- except in smaller portions.

Right now I'm quite tight - can only do liquids in the morning, mushies in the afternoon and small portions of real food, as long as its moist in the evening.

I had a fill with DR. G in late October.

I wasn't banded by him, but have switched to him for my aftercare, and am quite impressed by his team.

I've lost some weight now since the fill ( 10 pounds) which is good as I had plateaued after my first fill.:whoo:

I'm doing some research on lap bands and aftercare for a project that I am involved with. If any of you DR. G patients are willing to talk to me about your experience, could you PM me with your contact info.:help:

I'm a friend ( read my other posts). I ran into NM Sunshine when I was getting my fill , so she can vouch for me.

OMlagirl

Be sure you take plenty of gas ex with you. The strips work great. You will have a swollen abdomen, but very loose tops will handle that. You may be fine. I hope so.

Your idea for this thread was fantasic.:whoo:

Another tasty treat for pre-op diet..applesauce. Get the one that has no added suger.

Blue eyed:D I did a similair last night. Our neighbor had birthdayman, BF or DH & I over for a Bday treat. It was chocolate and almond filled bearclaw pastry. I could not resist. Ate the whole thing. But that is the first sweet-treat I've had since preop diet.

Hey All Short C is definately one of us. You can trust her.

Her fill was just before mine, so I got to watch Dr. G do A fill.

ShortC waiting for my next fill to begin to get restriction like you have.

I'm an accountant at a restaurant here in Vegas. I smell food all day long! The temptation is so there but surprisingly during the pre-op I found it easy to say NO. I drooled but I said NO. lol

Well, I'm getting ready to head to the airport. I don't have a lap top so I won't be able to keep in touch. I'll make sure to check in when I get home on Sunday. I'm going to try and remember every detail so that I can report back to everyone and hopefully be able to help a newbie out as much as you all have helped me. Pass it on!

Here I go, on my way to bandland!:whoo: