Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I am schedule for my surgery next month and until today was very sure. I have been reading post by people who have had problems with the LapBand and it has shaken my confidence a little. What advice would you give a pre op candidate to avoid the gastric problems I read about?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Those who have problems are far outnumbered by those who don't. The main thing for you to remember is that the post-op diet is for a reason and you need to adhere to it. Don't go thinking because you feel pretty good and are hungry that you can eat solid food when you're stilll in the liquid phase. When you get to mushy food, don't rush wanting "regular" food...you're trying to reacquaint your stomach with the solid stuff. After you start getting fills, it becomes more and more important to take small bites (about the size of a quarter) and really chew it well before you swallow and take another bite. This actually does two things.....(1) it will likely save you from a miserable stuck episode or, worse, a PB, and (2) it will give your stomach a chance to actually tell you "I'm full" so that you just don't keep eating right on past where you should have stopped.

If you can do these things, and I believe you can, you will be fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Cathy.

I think I can do it too. If I am not hungry I can do just about anything, it's just when I hunger hits I have to come up with ways to get over it. Any tips and tricks to offer?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

During the liquid stage post-op, you can have a lot of different things....take advantage of EVERY ONE OF THEM! SF Jello, SF yogurt, SF popsicles, chickenm beef and vegetable broths, fruit juices, crystal light, K20, Protein Shakes. Be sure to drink 4 Protein shakes a day, at about the times you would normally eat meals or an evening snack. Then fill in with the other stuff. One thing I discovered is that while I cook with the broths in cartons from the grocery, they aren't all that tasty to drink. So, do this:

Big pot, put a chicken or less expensive cut of roast beef in and cover with Water. Add salt, pepper minced garlic (if you're feeling lazy, it comes already minced in jars in the produce section), chopped celery and carrots (chunks are small enough), onion. Simmer until the meat is falling apart. Strain off the liquid and you have a nourishing, tasty stock that will make the stuff in the cartons seem like colored Water. Heat it up and drink it and it really is very enjoyable.

Talk to me when you get to mushy foods and I can help with that too!

parr0thd51@aol.com

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yay, Cathy...so glad I read this post because I am having surgery on the 18th and was about to ask for what everyone uses on the liquid phase. I am definitely going to try and make some homemade broth ahead of time...that sounds really good!

I can't believe I'm about a week away...I'm excited, nervous, and scared all at the same time. I'm trying to anticipate that I will feel like crud for a few days. I'm trying to anticipate that I won't feel the same way about food (because right now my hunger controls me!), and I am anxious to see how all of this will change my life completely!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm getting banded on the 16th. Who is your surgeon Bethanyblondie? Have you attended any support groups? I think there is one that is on the 14th that I will be going to.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Glad to be of help, Bethany! With the beef stock, once you make it to mushy foods, you can puree a can of tomatoes and add to the stock and that is very yummy....but for now, just be ready for the immediate post-op stage. Even though you are on liquids, it still holds true that Protein helps stave off a grumbling tummy. So, the Protein Shakes, K20 protein Water, the stocks .... all help nourish you. The juices and yogurt are good for you, and the popsicles and Jello fill in as treats. And when you make your jello, you could use 3/4 of a cup of juice in stead for the cold water and give it a different taste. Just no citrus...that won't work.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Grandma26: From my mistakes I'd say the best advice is to make sure your go to an experienced surgeon who only does bariatric surgery. I went to an inexperienced one (who was a general surgeon first and did bariatrics "on the side" so to speak) and recently had to switch to another surgeon at another hospital. His inexperience became obvious when he overfilled me and I developed problems. Now I have confidence in my new doctor.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all. I'm being banded on May 19th. Kinda nervous because I was denied in January and they approved on appeal just last week. I haven't even met with my surgeon for my pre-op and that's not until 5/13. I know there's a diet involved and I'm wondering if I should start at least switching to liquids now or wait. I'm just afraid he's going to want some astronomical amount of pounds off. Also, any advice on the pre-op liquid diet? Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you're only going to see him on the 13th and be banded on the 19th he could not realistically expect you to lose a lot of weight. He will tell you what is allowed on the liquid diet. Mine was 4 sugar free carnation instant breakfasts a day plus SF popsicles and SF Jello - two things I never want to look at again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, could someone tell me if they have any reflux with the band? Can you swallow your meds? Vitamins? Or, do you all take liquid vitamins? I also heard about the gas you get. after surgery because they pump your stomach. When will it go away? What can you do for it? I heard it hurts?

Edited by lulugirl

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went to several seminars offered by different doctors in my area. I chose a group that has the best after care/support and has the highest number of procedures a year,they made me feel very comfortable. They do other laproscopic procedures but bariatric is a large part of their practice.

Any recommendations on which Protein shakes are the best?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×