HStanley

I too used it for my pre-op phase. I have some left for when I go through fills. Dave_NW tells it all. It isn't that bad, but isn't my favorite either. Other people that have had the band talk about how they mix it in mashed potatoes when on mushies and there is some kind of dip you can make with it too. I think that is the biggest thing I've learned....get creative and it isn't as bad as one would think it could be. Good luck!!

I was banded on 2/23 and had the same pains. My left shoulder killed me and the pain would move into my chest. When I called my doc he told me it was the gas pains. I walked, did the hot pad and slept on a mountain of pillows in bed and was able to lay on my left side. I think the gas pain is worse than incision pain. The pain meds didn't seem to touch the shoulder pain for me. Hang in there, it gets better. Each day should get a little better. When in doubt, call your doc...that's what we pay them for.

I was banded 2/23 and had the same pain. I did a heating pad and that helped. It does get better. I do still sometimes get it if I ate too much. Best of luck!

Not sure if either of these sites will help, but both brands are what my nutritionist recommends. My multivitamin is a chewable form for bariatric patients. I was not allowed to do the Centrum. http://www.bariatricchoice.com/bariatric-advantage-vitaband-180.html www.unjury.com Good luck!!

My 7 year old niece asked me what I was talking about the one day I was at my brother's house. She had overheard my sister in law and I talking about my surgery. Her mom told her I was having surgery on my tummy so the doctor could help me get healthy. That was good enough for her. Good luck! It might help to tell them since you will have activity and lifting restrictions after surgery.

I have been to a couple. Each one has a different topic. The one's I have been to were on liquid calories, exercise (showed us chair exercise), and the one coming up is on Vitamins (with samples). They are nice to get a little more info to educate yourself, but also you do get to meet some people who have gone through or are going through what you are experiencing now. At my group meetings the nutritionist is also there so that if you have a few random questions, she is available. Worst case scenerio....you don't like them and don't have to go again. Best of luck to you!!!

Hi Everyone!! I was banded on 2/23/11 in Erie, PA. I have lost 40 lbs so far. (20 on the 6 month work up, 10 on the pre-op diet and 10 since banded) So things have been going ok....I think I am in bandster hell as they call it....I am so hungry despite eating soft foods now. I am sticking to the rules and getting my protien, but it sure is tough. Definately happy that I got my band and wouldn't change it for the world. Hoping for a fill in the next 2 to 4 wks. I love to read about how everyone else is doing...it helps to keep me motivated. Keep up the great work everyone!!!

I did have a catheter for my surgery. It was placed after I went to sleep and removed before I woke up. I did have a problem voiding after surgery though, and required a straight cath (cath placed, bladder drained, and then removed). Then I was able to go ok. My nurse's said it was common for some to not be able to go after surgery. I didn't also spend the night per my insurance's request. I worried too...,but it wasn't that bad. You will do great.

Best of luck to you....you made it this far. I agree that we all go through the cranky phase when starting the pre-op diet. A protien shake product that I use is called unjury. They have a website too. The product has been a life saver. One scoop of the product provides 20 gms of protien. They have chocolate, vanilla, strawberry sorbet, chicken Soup and they aren't that bad. They have helped me to feel full longer. I too am in the pre-op phase and am having surgery on 2/23. Hope that helps a little. Hang in there.

Best of luck to you!! I too am getting my band on February 23rd. All the hard work will pay off. Sounds like you have a great support system in place.

My sugery is also February 23rd and I get to do the pre-op diet for 14 days prior to surgery. About the 3rd day into my protien shake diet I had a complete break down and was sobbing like a child. All I wanted was real food. And then I thought about it all. I told myself that I hadn't come 6 months through the pre-op work up to loose it all now. We are doing the shakes to shrink our liver to make the surgery easier and safer. I get to have 4 unjury shakes a day or the unjury broth for one of them and then I can have one unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese, 1 sugar free pudding per day and sugar free Jello. (The cottage cheese was a life saver.) The unjury gives you 20 gm protien per shake. After that rough day, things just got easier. The weight is coming off on the pre-op diet. 8 lbs in 10 days...so that helps too. I do agree with the previous two posts, if you can't do the liquids now....how are you going to do/cope post surgery? Best of luck to you!!

Hi Everyone, I am in the process of getting my band on 2/23/11. Who would think that after 6 months of work-up, I am nervous as can be. The pre-op diet has me a complete mess. I never thought I would be this emotional. What do you do? How do you get through the pre-op phase without feeling like you are dying? I get 60-80 gm Protein a day. Any suggestions?

Another reason they want you to shrink your liver in the pre-op phase, is to make more room for the surgeon to work when placing the lap band. The liquid diet pre-op assists in shrinking the liver as well. Hope that helps a little. Best of luck, Heather