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?

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.

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?

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

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!

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.

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.

Hey Cathy when were you banded?

February 10. Seems like ages ago instead of just 3 months! I feel like I've changed so much and am forming new habits!

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.

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!

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.

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 May 11, 200917 yr by lulugirl

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?