Hey all.

So there's a bunch of us in this group, all split up into our different banding days. I was thinking that it might be a good idea to have one master thread as we move through the month, in which all of us could post as we go, from the pioneers going on March 1st to the finalists on March 31st.

I'd love to talk about our anticipation and any worries as we approach our banding date, for people to talk about exactly what happened from the moment they walked into the hospital door until the second they walked out, about how recovery is going, about weight loss and plateaus, about non-scale victories and challenges.

I was thinking that if we all contribute to one thread, it'll form a more substantial channel for information and support. At the moment, I was thinking that we might be too spread out into individual date, and that a central thread would be a really good backbone for the group, in addition to the date-specific threads.

What do you think?

Fenton

pre op liquid will be a bit tough, but trying to gradually get into it. I have 1 or 2 meals a day as liquid protein. and then usually have a regular lunch. and of course there are other protien aditions during the day as well as lots of water/crystal light. decaf coffee.

all clear liquid begins 2-3 days before suregery for me.. :laugh: then I will feel like i am floating like a boat!!!

"some turkey chili, low fat. Last time I pureed the larger chunks of turkey - it was delicious, but it sure looked as if someone had eaten the chili before me..."

This made me laugh, because before long we'll be asting foods like this on a daily basis and happy about it!

Christine

Im being banded on Tuesday. Yes in 2 days!!! Tomorrow is all Clear liquids. I got some really tastey juices. I cut myself from juices because of the calories a while ago so I'm looking forward to tomorrow. sort of.

Constipation- oh god, I never had it before going on this liquid high Protein diet. Im glad I have found some remedies and know how to handle it if it hits post op.

High protein- Fenton you have to try powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury. I love this stuff. It comes unflavored and you can add it to regular low fat stuff for increase the protein count. (serving is 80cals, o fat & 20gm protein) Just make sure whatever you're adding it to isn't too hot (above 130) or the protein curdles. Kind of gross but can be cured with the blender.

Yep I'm planning on coming back here and letting you all know the hospital experience. If I had the $$ I would have gone to Mexico. Everyone who goes there sings the praises of the hospitals. Private rooms, 2 nurses per patient, good drugs. O well. My sister is coming to help keep me from going bonkers. I say it's the least she can do considering I was with her through 2 child births. I know I'm going to be a whiner. I'm really a very self sufficient person but I've never been sick/hospitalized.

Ok I rambling.

What is your plan to unwind the night before surgery? Anyone?

how about a nice hot bubble bath, some soft music and candles. that is what i am planning....

Unjury is great and try health-wise, you can get it on line, several fruit flavors as well as a variety of hot chocolate. I used the unflavored unjury powder mixed in a diet cranberry juice. alot of shaking to get it mixed up, but tasted good. I am trying to find a broth that is palitable.

good luck.

take advantage of someone there to help you out. I will be on my own, except for my daughters calling and coming over now and then. but i prefer to be alone... some TLC is nice, sure wish I had someone special to be with me through this.

:thumbup:

Went to the grocery store today with DH. Not looking forward to this...but atleast we can complain to each other since we will both be going through it. :thumbup:

I'm all for having a master thread! Great idea! Maybe we can have a separate thread for our before/after pictures, too? It would be great to have one just for us Shrinking Shamrocks!

Add me to the list of bandsters with a BMI over 50. My BMI was originally why my insurance denied me - they had a requirement of a BMI of 49 and below to be approved. Luckily, they changed that.

I also recommend unjury - they are the best shakes I've tried. The chocolate is my favorite. I bought a variety of capella drops ( Flavor Drops - Gourmet coffee and Tea Flavorings, Flavor Your Coffee Anytime, Anywhere! ) to add to my vanilla Unjury so I can have different flavors of shakes. Just a suggestion for those of you who need some variety, too!

My big day is tomorrow, so I'll probably be out of pocket for the next couple of days. For those of you who will be banded this week, I wish you a speedy recovery and little discomfort.

Thanks to all of you for being so friendly, supportive and encouraging. Health, laughter and love to all of you. :biggrin2:

Did you find the Capella flavor drops locally? or did you order online? Im in Charlotte, NC if anyone knows somewhere locally.

Oh, another thing: one of my big worries has been getting a bit stopped up - I tend to get constipated every time I go on a diet. I've been pretty good with keeping up my Water intake, and have been using Benefiber twice a day, and I've been fine. I'm going to try to increase my Benefiber after banding, but I don't know if that'll be possible.

Sorry if that's TMI, but it's an issue that's been one of my biggest fears, so I imagine there are others out there with the same issue!

Don't worry about the TMI - I think we've all had that fear at one time or another. Let me tell you about a product that I've used when I've had a similar problem. It's called Kondremul Lubricant Laxative. It's a liquid and doesn't taste too horrible. I bought mine from CVS (Link here: CVS Online Pharmacy Store )

It's gentle on your tummy and it also softens the stool. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya. :drool:

Did you find the Capella flavor drops locally? or did you order online? Im in Charlotte, NC if anyone knows somewhere locally.

I ordered mine from the website but I would love it if they could be ordered locally!

Hey Whimsy? Did u get banded today? How are you feeling?

I have a surgery time . 10:00am tomorrow!!

Please send any and all warm wishes or good thoughts to the East Coast.

Thanks:thumbup:

You go, Amanda!

That's a rockin' op time! Because I'm going to be following you at that time on Thursday, God, Allah, Buddah and the ghost of Walt Disney willing!

Come back and post when you can...

My band date is March 17th. My BMI is 57 so I expect to lose a whole lot really fast at least at first. I don't have a pre-op diet to follow. I went to a nutrion class this evening and I tasted BOOST. It is nasty! I am going to have to try some of the alternatives before I decide which one I will use for the 2 weeks post op. I am sooOOOoo excited. I plan to start walking 2 miles per day the week before and right afterward until I can work up to walking an hour a day. Will start working out with weights as soon as I lose the first 30-40 pounds which should be within the first 3-6 weeks. New life...new me.:drool:

I have to say that I haven't found the pre-op diet really all that appalling - I remain pretty astonished by the fact that I find it tolerable at all, but I don't expect to have any trouble with it in the post-op period.

When I was talking with the surgeon initially, he explained that the main purpose of the pre-op diet was to shrink the liver by depleting all the fat that accumulates there. A fatty liver is supposed to be much more fragile, plus it's bigger, and makes the surgery more challenging for the surgeon. It might be something to consider doing on a voluntary basis, even if your surgeon doesn't specifically instruct you to do so: one of my biggest fears is that the surgeon will be forced to convert a laparoscopic surgery into an open surgery, meaning longer operation and longer recovery time. And bigger scar!

I had my pre-admission testing today at NYU. It was a bit harrowing!

The PreAdmission area is a little tricky to find - even with map in hand. It's actually tucked away in the basement. I met with an anesthetist, who peered down my throat and looked at my neck. Then a nurse took my history, then my blood and gave me an EKG. Then I had a chest X-ray.

Then we hit a snag: when I signed up for this hayride, my BMI was just over 60. Apparently, it's policy for people with a BMI over 60 to automatically get a Cardiac Stress Test. However, since I was first weighed, I've lost over 20 lbs, and my BMI has dropped below the 60 mark, so there was confusion as to what to do.

So tomorrow I have a cardiology appointment to see what they think - hopefully, whatever they decide, they'll decide quickly, as I don't want to miss my Thursday surgery date for this damn test!

Anyway, after PreAdmission, I went up to the surgical office, where I discovered that my private physician, responsible for my medical clearance, had given me glowing reports for everything, but on the crucial line where the question was "Is this patient medically cleared for surgery?", he had accidentally ticked NO. We spent the rest of the afternoon sorting that out.

So, it looks like I"m just about good to go, touch wood the cardiologist gives me the greenlight, or that the stress test can be done later tomorrow afternoon or on Wednesday - I'M READY TO HIT THE O.R.!

On, another small ointment fly: when I got home, I couldn't find my wallet.

Which, of course, contains my Health Insurance card, that I need for my cardiology appointment tomorrow and my surgery Thursday!