I was banded on 3/31 and my doctor has me on a clear liquid diet (water, broth, skim milk, fruit juice diluted with water) until my appt with him which is next Wednesday. I was on a 2-day pre-op diet of clear liquids. I've lost 10 pounds since my pre-op appt with my doctor. On Thursday I called my doctor because I was feeling a litle dizzy and he told me I wasn't getting enough liquids in. I'm constantly drinking something, so I don't think that's it. Today I feel hungry, weak and kind of light headed. Is it because of the change of diet and lack of calories? Has anyone had this happen?

Sophiekittie:

Are you taking liquid vitamins too? That might help.

I hope you feel better soon. When I was banded last year they told us to have protein drinks after surgery to help with the healing. I was having sugar free carnation instant breakfast made with skim milk with a scoop of protein powder added.

Take care.

Sue

Yeah, I'm taking liquid vitamins twice a day. My doctor said no protein powders during the clear liquid phase, so I'm drinking Isopure. This morning I've had a third of a bottle of Isopure, a cup of skim milk and now I'm drinking fruit juice with water. I hope that helps.

I used a product called Zero Carb Isopure. It is a sugar free clear liquid drink, looks like koolaid. Is sold in GNC or similar shops. In bottles that look like the Sobe drinks, that kind of thing. Each bottle has 40 grams of protein. The protein will help with the weakness, the fatigue, and it will help with the protein. I would drink half a bottle in the morning, sipping away, and half in the afternoon. I could tell when I didn't drink it too!

I agree with Sue---------be sure to try some liquid vitamins. I also used a sublingual (you put it under your tongue) B complex vitamins. They help with energy as well. They don't taste great, but not gaggy either. Same with the drinks. If I was feeling good and had a choice they might not be what I chose, but to feel better, they did the trick!

They come in 6-8 different flavors.

Good Luck---feel better soon!

Kat

Thanks for your advice. I am drinking the Isopure drinks. Before my surgery I bought one of every flavor they carry at Lindberg Nutrition. I've yet to find a flavor I like. I can only drink it mixed with a little bit of apple juice and water. I can't wait till I can have protein powder drinks. I did have some of the Isopure this morning, then a cup of milk and some apple juice mixed with water. I feel better now.

sophie, do you have high blood pressure? i did...i took something for it...my blood pressure kept dropping in the hospital and then continued to be pretty low when i left...2 weeks post op i went to half my dose...still low...4 days later...pill free! i would get really dizzy and lighthead...espcially if i moved to fast. my blood pressure is now normal and i'm not quite 6 weeks out from surgery...just a though?

because you are on clear liquids, you probably aren't getting very many calories, and from what you described, they are all coming from protein. if you are feeling light-headed you should try drinking some juice. not thinned down with water, and not sugar-free. you need to take in some carbs, and you will feel better. and 50-100 cals from some juice is not going to hurt you or your band. (even atkins advises carbs for light-headedness)

if some juice doesnt help, or you're worried about drinking something that's not sugar-free unless your doc says you can, you should call your doc immediately (he has an answering service). i was banded monday, too, and i feel wonderful (i've been on full liquids the whole time and am able to take in about 400-600 cals a day). if you don't feel great, then it's probably your diet, and you need more calories.

Yes I do have high blood pressure. I take Lisinipril and Hydrochlorothiazide. My doctor told me not to take the Hydrochlorothiazide after surgery because it takes water out of your system and you need to stay hydrated after the surgery, so I've stopped taking that one. I kind of feel like it's just that I'm not getting enough calories. Lord knows I'm staying pretty hydrated. Thanks everyone for your replies.

i was also light headed and couldnt do much of anything for about 10 days i went to my post op appt and he cut my blood pressure pill in half and i started eating mushies within 24 hours i felt better. i was taking in less than 500 calories on liquids and now im around 1000 a day. im now about 20 days post op and i feel good.

I see my doctor Wednesday. I'll ask him about my blood pressure. Thanks everyone.

I too was a little light headed. DR asked me to stay another 24 hrs so he could be sure I was fit to fly. But after another nights rest I was much better. Slept on plane and felt fine upon landing.

Hi there, yes I was light headed and dizzy and no one could tell me why, I had lost 13 pounds in only a few days after the band, I am still a little dizzy I am a little over 2 weeks post op.

Light headed. I wonder why it won't go away.

I haven't had surgery yet. Hope not be have any problems.

schelle

I was banded on 4/2, had clear liquids the 1st 24 hr and was progressed to the step II diet my 2nd day post-op. I can have cream of wheat,cream soups, yogurt or anything pureed (as long as you don't have to chew it it is alright). Sometimes I only have 1/4 cup at a meal, but I really feel full. No problems getting in all of the liquids or protein.

I was lightheaded yesterday. Last night I was having such bad hunger pangs that I got up in the middle of the night and had a glass of skim milk and a bit of the Hydrocodone. This morning, so far, I'm not lightheaded at all. Weird. I'm really having a hard time with this clear liquid phase. I have to wait until Wednesday when I have my post-op doctor's visit to progress to pureed foods. I can't wait.