I come to this site everyday to read what others are posting about their bands. I read questions and concerns that others have. Sometimes I even have information to offer(but not often as I am not a bandster yet). If I gett approved by my insurance I plan to be banded in October. I should have everything submitted to Insurance by next week.(I hope)

Right now my obsession is the post op diet, how to make it as easy as possible for something so hard. I know how much Fluid I need to take to keep hydrated and how much Protein I need, but how many calories do I need? How do I get all of those calories in and keep my intake sugar free. I was planning on reg. Gatorade, but just read that it has to much sugar. I am planning to have the same thing every day at the same time to make sure that I stay consistent and get everything I need nutritionally.

Oh yea I just read a post about someone who used a sippy cup to make sure they did not drink to fast, I had never thought about that, but it sounds like a great idea, slower than a straw which was what I was going to use.

Well thanks for letting me rattle on about my obsessions.

I'm not sure about the sippy cup thing, they say not to use a straw because of the extra air that gets into your stomach. I have 2 days left until I am banded. I have not been told anything specific from my doctor, but from what i have read and gathered from this board the most important things are the water and protein. AT least 64 oz of water a day and 60 grams of protein. If I worry about getting thsoe two numbers in then the rest should go ok. The 4 rules from the doctor about life after the band is 1) protein first 2) only three meals a day, no snacking 3) drink 64 ounces of water every day 4) 30 to 45 minutes of exercise everyday. Every doctor has different rules, and every body is different. AS others have posted before you will have to find what works for your body and then stick to that. Just keep reading and researching and you will find what is best for you.

No Straws.....creates to much air...but l have also thought about sippy cups..the are small and easy to carry around...Good luck to you

Right now my obsession is the post op diet, how to make it as easy as possible for something so hard. I know how much Fluid I need to take to keep hydrated and how much Protein I need, but how many calories do I need? How do I get all of those calories in and keep my intake sugar free. I was planning on reg. Gatorade, but just read that it has to much sugar. I am planning to have the same thing every day at the same time to make sure that I stay consistent and get everything I need nutritionally.

Do you have to meet with a nutritionist before your surgery? My nutritionist said that for the part of the post-op diet that is liquids not to worry about sugar free. She said that everything doesn't have to be sugar free, because you won't be eating much as it is and you will need something in your system. When it comes to mushie and solid food stages she said to only eat three 4 oz meals daily (no snacking!) She also gave me sample menus for each stage of the post-op diet. It seemed to be pretty straight forward. I will find out in two weeks how straight forward it is. I am thinking just like any diet it will require work to stay focused.

Edited August 10, 200817 yr by slimteacherin08
add info....

sippy cups r great i used it for 2 weeks after my surgery and it help me not to gulp my water which is something i would do a lot

Every doctor has different requirements for post-op. I am on "modified full liquids" for 3 weeks. I am supposed to have 2 ounces of a high Protein drink every hour on the hour while awake, plus I can have 2 ounces of another low calorie liquid every 15 minutes for a total of 8 ounces an hour. I'm not exactly doing the "every hour on the hour" thing, but I am keeping up with everything I drink and when. I'm supposed to get at least 40-60 g of protein a day and 48-64 ounces of Fluid a day, and I am. I use ProteinBlitz drinks, Lean Body and WorldWide milkshakes for my protein, and have Water and beef and chicken broth for the other fluids. I decided to see how many calories I'm getting, just out of curiosity and I'm averaging about 275 a day. I know that's awfully low, but I'm feeling fine and not hungry. It does seem like a lot to do that for 3 weeks, but I may get some different information when I go in next Friday for my 10-day post-op appointment.

Good luck and happy losing

Thanks for all the great information. I did see a nutritionist and plan to see another one before surgery. The one I saw was not very impressive every question I had she referred me back to the Dr. She basically just told me what products I would be using after surgery. I plan to use the sippy cup because I to am a gulper of liquids especially when I am thirsty.

I plan to try to be at least at 900 calories for the liquid part if I can I will make it more. I just don't know if I can drink that many calories.