terril

So Pre-op I was a huge Diet Coke fan. I drank almost a 12 pack a day - to the exclusion of everything else!!! So you can imagine the lovely withdrawl I went through:blink: So now I am 1 month post -op and have not had any caffeine in 5 weeks and doing fairly well. I really do not have any desire to go back to the Diet Coke, but I think I might like a regular cup of coffee or Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee from time to time. So does anyone know the deal with caffeine? I was told that I would need to give caffeine up once I had the surgery. I just wondering why - the nutrionist never really gave me a straight answer. Why is the caffeine so bad for bansters???

Wow…that is a lot of pills at one time!!! I also take a few pills. When I went through life skills class, we were taught the rule of thumb is the pill must be smaller than a TicTac if you want to swallow it otherwise it has to be liquid, dissolvable, or crushable! I tried that with my blood pressure pill – but it doesn’t matter what I mix it with the taste is too bitter, so I have started cutting pills in half..and in some cases 3’s 4’s and 5’s…LOL Right now I am 1 month post-op and I didn’t have much restriction so swallowing the smaller pills was a little easier. However, I just had a fill today 3cc. So far I have taken an Ambien (just waiting for it to kick in) and I didn’t have any problems with that I have cut up Benadryl and Tylenol and an antibiotic which is a horse pill. I take the Viactiv multgi-vitamins. They are chewable and fairly good. I also take the One A Day Gummies and a sublingual Vitamin B12. You can double check but I think the n-acetyl cysteine comes in tablets, powders and liquid capsules. Maybe that will help.

Sounds just like me. I was banded on 11/16/10. Did well initially but starting feeling hungry by about week 3 and gained back 4 lbs. I just had my first fill today – 3cc so I am hoping this will provide good restriction and help me lose more weight. Good luck to you!

Yes, I had the same issue. I was banded on 11/16/10 and I started eating solid foods three days ago. I have saw my surgeon yesterday (I don’t get my first fill until 12/17) and she said just try to stick with softer foods so my stomach can heal. So I have been eating a lot of eggs, tuna, baked fish, potatoes and soft vegetables along with the Protein shakes. So far everything has been great – no nausea or vomiting. I was also afraid of getting sick. I know the one post asked “why would you eat something if you thought you might get sick?” Well, in my opinion everything has the potential to make you feel sick post-op. Your diet changes, your body is changing and the way your body receives certain foods will change and just because I could tolerate certain foods pre-band doesn’t necessarily mean they will be tolerated post band. Part of the process is re-introducing foods into your diet in stages (just like a baby) and you won’t know if it will make you sick or not unless you try. So at some point, whether it is 2 weeks post-op or 3 months post-op you are going to be faced with the possibility that something you eat may not agree with you!! Best of luck

Hello everyone. I was banded on 11/16/10 and feeling great – but I had a question on OTC medications. My sinuses are killing me and I was thinking of liquid Benadryl or something – but all my paperwork says Tylenol only!! So I was wondering if anyone has taken anything beside Tylenol. Somehow I don’t think the Tylenol is gonna do the trick - so why is this the drug of choice???

Let me tell you a story . January 2000, I started getting really sick; nausea, headaches,. Fatigue, body aches…you name it I had it. At the same time I was preparing to take the LSE (Law School Entrance Exam), so I was very nervous. (It was a 6 hour test with no breaks), so I drank almost an entire bottle of Pepto Bismol and took quite a few Tylenol. I really feelt like I was gonna die. So I took the test, did failry well…had my top 3 picks for Law School . About 1 month or so later –I’m still feeling pretty crappy and go to the doctor. They told me I had a sinus infection and that the post nasal drip was the cause if my nausea and not to worry. We as it turns out, the nausea was being caused by the little life inside of me. I was pregnant and didn’t know it. WHOO HOOO away from crazy doctor # 1 and onto to crazy DR #2 I was bleeding pretty heavy, so I went to the OB. He came into the room – looked at my chart and without any exam told me I was miscarrying the baby. I started to cry asking him what could I do to stop it. He told me that it wouldn’t matter if I stood on my head leaned up against the wall – I would still lose “it”.. Needless to say the only thin g I lost was him. Got a new OB and they ran some tests and said I better get my sleep while I can because the baby appeared to be a health kicker!! In Oct 10 years ago I gave birth to my wonderful beautiful and healthy daughter (who coincidentally is an avaid soccer player) Never take someone at their word, especially if it doesn’t feel right. Get a second opinion and a third if you have to. This surgery is a lifelong commitment - so if you’re not happy with this Doc. Then you should find someone else. Why deal with the same pessimism - especially when they are wrong in what they are saying.

Sorry that you have had such a rough time post-op. I hope things get better for you. I was banded on 11/16/10 and fortunately had minimal post-op pain. I did have problems with gas – but I used suppositories immediately and resolved that issue..lol, but the gas was the only discomfort that I had. I can honestly say that the emergency appendectomy that I had a year ago hurt worse - it was a week before I could even walk upright! Two days after the lap-band I coordinated and hosted a Community Health & Wellness Expo. Good luck and feel better soon!!!

Seems like every Dr has their own protocol. I was banded on 11/16/10 and I am currently on mushies. I have been eating low fat small curd cottage cheese, fat free yogurt, instant mash potatoes, Soup, eggs….plus Protein shakes and I have been feeling great and losing weight! Maybe check with the nutritionist and ask for specific examples of products >5 carbs. My nutritionist never mentioned that restriction. I was just told to keep I low fat/low cal, make sure sugar is listed as one of the first 3 ingredients on the nutrition label and the other standard list of “no-no’s” Good luck with your surgery!!

I agree with you. I was banded on 11/16/10 and was supposed to do 7 day liquid for the pre-op and couldn't do it because of the nausea and headaches. I ate light, low-cal foods right up to the night before the surgery - and stuck with the standard nothing to eat or drink after midnight rule. The surgery went great - no problems at all. It's true every Doctor/Clinic seems to have different pre and post -op guidelines!!

Wow...I am having the same problem! I was banded on 11/16/10 and I am eating and drinking just fine. I did the first week post-op full liquids then bumped it up to mushies because I was still hungry. So far I am loosing but I'm not having any trouble getting any food down and that make me nervous too! I see the surgeon next week. I'm almost afraid of how I am gonna feel after my first fill. I thought it was just me. I kept thinking..can I possibly be this greedy??? I'm eating small portions but I am eating several times a day plus Protein drinks

Hi everyone. I am 9 days post-op, had the band placed on 11/16/10. Overall doing fairly well meeting Protein requirements, but I think I have been drinking my Protein drinks too fast. I feel full and have really bad chest pains. I actually went to the ER a few days ago because I thought something was wrong. Several hours and multiple tests later to rule out blood clots, the Dr said it was probably gas. I have taken pain meds, used a heating pad and tried walking. Any other suggestions to relieve the pain? [

Thanks Jill. I'll try that. I have beeing adding one scoop to 8 oz of light soy milk....so sounds like I definitely need to thin my shakes out. I will start with my shake later today!!! Thanks

I was banded on 11/16/10 and doing well. I was on a liquid diet of Opti-Fast for 9 days prior to the surgery and by day 3 I was so sick from hunger and caffeine withdraws that I couldn’t take it. I had terrible headaches and was vomiting – so I finally decided to eat. I kept the meals light and kept my daily caloric intake under 900. I had my last meal at 6pm the night before the surgery. The surgery went great. Aside from some bloating and pressure after the surgery (from the air they use), I haven’t had any problems. My dietician told me the reason for the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver - so that is why I kept the meals light, small and low calorie. Definitely check with you physician as it seems everyone has a different protocol. Good luck!!

Hi, I was also banded on the 16th and I am having the same exact problem - - still hungry and I did exactly what your friend did!!! I did the full liquid until this past Tuesday. I am sticking to liquids for Breakfast and lunch but yesterday and today I have had some pureed consistency foods and that has really made the difference. I am still getting 60 grams a Protein via the drinks, but yesterday and tonight I add about 2 tbs of mashed potatoes and a few bites of fat free small curd cottage cheese. I plan to continue with this until I see the surgeon on 12/3 - and I'll see what she says at that time. Let me know what you decide and how it works!!

Makes sense abotu the gas-x! I'll keep walking and hope it passes soon. Thanks

Hi Jess, I have been using unjury which is 20 grams per serving. The chocolate powder mixed with light vanilla Soy milk or Almond milk is really good - just like a chocolate milk shake. The unflavored with the Vanilla Soy milk tastes just like a vanilla milk shake. The Health Wise (15grams of protein) coffee flavors and Strawberry/Bannana are also pretty good. These seem to work so I haven't tried any others. Hope this helps. Terri