Hey everyone! I am having surgery on June 25, less than one week away. I am a little nervous about everything. I keep thinking that this thing is going to be in me for the rest of my life! I'm having surgery in SC, where I'm from. I had to pay for it myself because my insurance wouldn't cover it, even though I have state insurance. I have lost about 15 on the pre-op diet, but I was hoping to lose more. I'm already starting to gag drinking those shakes! Any advice would be appreciated! :smile:

hi i'm having my surgery on monday 23rd so know exactly how you feel, really excited and nerves are now kicking in!

I just had my surgery on Monday June 16th. I know how you are feeling but trust me its a piece of cake! Well of course you will be on a sugar free liquid diet for 2 weeks but you wont feel hungry. Well I dont feel hungry so far. What's funny is, I went to the grocery store yesterday and looked at all the foods I wont be able to consume anymore and I am making peace with that reality. I have already lost 6lbs! Your surgery day will come and go so fast you wont know what hit ya. I am still in pain of course but you cant lay down, you have to keep moving.

Hey there! My surgery is scheduled for July 2nd and I'm feeling REALLY nervous too! I'm not self-pay, fortunately, however I do feel like I'm having to give up those foods that have comforted me for years. I keep telling myself that it's all mental and in reality the food has NOT been my friend. Actually, I wouldn't be in this situation if it hadn't been for those foods. UGH - I've been a basket case but in the long run this is going to help us so much! Try to think about the day when you can go into a "normal" person's store and buy "normal" clothes! Oh the day! :smile: Good luck and please tell us your surgery day story once you are up to it! That's how I'm surviving at this point! :tt2:

Congratulations on making the decision to be banded. It has really changed my life. The most important thing I can tell you is that NO ONE is the same. This is a good place to be because there are such a variety of people who have or will be banded and each story is just a little different. Every doctor is different and has different diets. I was never on "shakes" I had Clear liquids the day before surgery to help reduce the chances of nausea. I was also on clear liquids the first 2 days after surgery, days 3-7 a full liquid diet. During week 2 pureed foods or foods the consistency of baby food, week 3-4 a mechanical soft diet also known as a mushy diet and week 5-6 is a gradual progression to a regular diet. The reason for this is to allow your band to "heal" This is not the time to worry about losing weight. Most people do lose weight due to the guidlines of the post-op diet. I am sure your doctor has his own guidlines to follow. As I said earlier every one is different, that goes for doctors as well. The one common in all of us is that we want to lose weight for one reason or another. I was a self-pay also and I figured I wasn't going to pay all that money and then not follow directions. Let the lap-band do its job. It will, maybe you won't feel it right away but it is there and it will be your friend for the rest of your life. You and your lap-band are in this for the long haul. Don't expect it to make the weight come off if you are still eating hamburgers and french fries. The real weight loss will come after you reach your "sweet spot". I have lost 56 lbs since October, for me this has been the best I have felt for a long time. There are others who have been banded less time who have lost more as well as others banded longer who have lost less. For me the first 48 hours were the worst but they also found I had a hiatl hernia and repaired it while they were there. If you have a small pillow you can put up to your stomach to carry with you it will help. Had surgery on a Tuesday and was back to work on Monday. I used gatorade and apple juice so as not to get dehydrated. Plus it didn't upset my stomach. The other thing, it is a big no-no to drink carbonated beverages:thumbdown:. I thought this was going to be very hard for me but in wasn't. Drinking carbonated beverages causes gas leading to possible band slipage. Here are some examples of clear liquids you can use the first few days.

Water, plain or flavored

Flavored Gelatin, such as Jell-O regular or sugar-free. Try drinking the gelatin as a warm beferage befoe it is set.

Plain Popsicle's-regular or sugar free

Clear low sodium broths such as beef, chicken or strain broth from Soups

Clear Sports drinks such as Gatorade or Propel

Crystal Light

No sugar added, 100% fruit juice such as apple or grape

Kook-Aid-regular or sugar-free

Decaffeinated coffees

Decaffeinated teas, try herbal teas for a variety of flavors

Bouillon or consomme'

Don't be afraid to ask questions. We were all new once, we are here for you anytime you need us. Good luck and be sure and keep us posted on your journey. :smile:

I'm nervous too ! Actually very nervous about the things you mentioned, esp. having this thing on my stomach forever. I've talked to doctors and patients and you have to accept this fact - it's not a short term solution. I'm not quite there yet. But, what has made the most sense to me is looking back at my own history - I've been on a million diets for the past 25 years, with no lasting success; as with many people, I'm much heavier now than when I started. If it takes a "forever" tool to get me healthy, I may have to accept a "forever" approach. I also think the thing to do is to talk to your doctor or her/his office for some reassurance and information. Good luck - and I think some nervousness is very very natural, but be sure you're really ready. This is for you !!

it sounds really silly but i think one of the biggest mountains for me to climb will be no more pepsi max! i have so much every day i am a total addict and have tried to stop drinking it so many times! as of tomorow night i will never touch the stuff again, its a bit all or nothing with me i can never been able to cut down on things (i wonder if my stomach will deflate with out all that carbonation in it) :0)

Good luck with the soda thing. That's been an easier adjustment for me... my problem is the sugar! I'm a total sugar addict and have a sweet tooth that is hard to compare. Ugh... I'm on my liquid diet and sugar-free Jello and sugar-free popsicles don't touch the craving for mint chocolate chip icecream. This is when I start to freak out and think that I'm not going to be successful. I can cut out the Diet Coke, but it's hard for me to give up the sugar. I didn't get this way because I don't have a sweet tooth if ya know what I'm saying! :rolleyes2:

Good luck to everyone. The liquid diet is a lot hard than I thought it was going to be. Luckily, my surgeon's nurse just told me that if I get hungry I can eat an apple and a piece of Activia cheese in between my shakes. She said it helps to keep things "moving" and also helps with blood sugar levels. I grinned from ear to ear when she told me this. I've been dying for something to chew! LOL