GLove

Just to clarify, what stage would this be for? Clear liquids, mushy or everyday after healing?

Congratulations on making this choice! We are bandster twins as my date is April 2 also! Good luck to you. How do you prepare? Well, here's what I have been doing and will do. However, if your doctor hasnt already given you a preparation before and after list, you should ask him as all docs are different....but here's a few things I would suggest: 1. On this site, join the Springters Group. it's a place for anyone who has a March, April or May surgery date. 2. Read this forum daily, taking or leaving what you want. 3. Find out from doctor what medication you will be required to take before and after surgery and purchase them. 4. Start a shopping list for the things you will need post surgery (protein drinks, chicken broth, Gas-X, etc) 5. Buy the book Bandwagon (amazon.com). It will be a great resource throughout your journey. 6. My doc has me on a high protein/no starch diet the month of March. This will shrink the liver and make it easier (hopefully) in surgery. 7. Exercise daily! Get in the habit now if you don't already. 8. Practice chewing 20+ times before swallowing. Practice taking smaller bites and eating slower. This will be your life after WLS. 9. Attend support groups. I've been attending for 12 months now. Again, just things I'm doing. Be sure to join our Springsters Group! We'd love to have you.

Here are my instructions for B12: B12 Sublingual crystalline form 350-500 mcg/day or advised by your MD Best to take 1x/day for first 2months after surgery, then decrease to 1 time per week or advised by your MD based on your lab values Best to call your docs office and ask specifically for you.

Im also on B Complex now. It doesnt take much to get your daily requirement of selenium and it's in a lot of goot food you probably already eat. I get mine from 2 Brazil nuts each day.

The following is what my doctor is requiring and after a year following this forum it seems to be the standard. My doctor gave me a printed sheet of all nutrients I should be taking before and after surgery. I started them in mid Feb. Chewable vitamins: Flinstone Complete multi vitamins or Centrum A Zinc Calcium citrate required , 1500-2000 mg/day Vitamin C is recommended for wound repair. I take 1000 mg/day Biotin is recommended to limit hair loss (begin taking now) Zinc (15-20 mg/day) also helps minimize hair loss and helps with wound repair B12 Sublingual (required by my doctor) after surgery. Protein 60-80 grams/day Water- 48-60 oz /day

Yes, I saw that post today also and added it to my shopping list. Thanks!

Partymann, thanks for the recommendation. I just looked these up and they look great....lactose free, gluten free, high protein, low sugar... Will try!!!

Just google juicing and you will get a ton of sites and recipes. Im glad to see that bandsters can juice. I juice now and plan to keep juicing after surgery. It's a great way to lose and so healthy for you....

PreBanders: What are your greatest fears about either the surgery itself or your new life with the band? And most importantly, how are you facing those fears? For me, getting stuck is my biggest fear. It's huge! But through this forum I have learned that I have control. I must change the way I eat my food (eat slow, chew, chew, chew, small bites). I will likely still have a stuck episode but knowing I have some measure of control is helping me. What are your fears and how are you addressing them?

Most all grocery stores carry it. Look in same area you get rice. I get mine at Trader Joes or Sprouts, here in So. california. It's soooo good! And good for you.

Quinoa is a complete protein. So many great recipes out there.

April 2 but in Southern California! Using month of March to get fully prepared. Good luck to you!!

To all March Bandsters: no more waiting. Your time has come. take a deep breath and know you are doing the right thing for your health. Please, please check in and let us know how you are doing. I would love to hear each of your banding stories! God luck! Everyone is cheering for you.

Waitingpatiently: thanks for that Dr Phil quote. Needed to be reminded why I'm doing this....

Break what cycle? Are you eating the right foods? What is your guess on how many calories per day? Do you feel any restriction? Do you need a fill?

How do you jump back on? You simply jump back on. Dont make it seem harder than it is. You begin with your next food choice...making it a wise choice and in line with the program. I, too, lose my brain when I drink. So, I have to give it up between now (pre-surgery) and several months after. I told myself if I couldnt give it up prior to surgery I have no business having the surgery. Good luck.

Thank you Elizabeth.

Summer, So what is the morbidity rate? i thought is was very low, like less than 1%...

Hi Springsters! my name is Glenda and my surgery is April 2. I retired from The UC system (Universityof California) last July. I have been married for 36 yrs and have 2 grown kids. So I have lots of time to devote to making this LB journey a success! I started this 12 months ago, and have had a lot of time to think and research. I have changed my mind a dozen times. To be honest, I still have some reluctancy about it, but I feel I must do it for my health. I have no major health issues at this time, but It's just a matter of time. I love exercising! So I have that part down. I also eat fairly well. I gave up fried food, salt, white bread, red meat and junk many years ago. So what's my problem? Portion control. So Im thinking me and lapband can make a perfect team. Although my surgery is about 36 days away, my doctor has asked me to go on a high protein/no starch diet. No grains, bread, tortillas, corn, potatoes, crackers, popcorn,chips, nada! I think it's to shrink the liver for surgery. Are any of you on this ?

You look great! You will be at goal in no time....

Sounds like the doc is making money off "the brand" he requires.

Less than 2 days. Health Net.

Springers is good with me! Hope your date was fun and I'm sure you looked great. I know all too well about "the promise". I retired last July and made the same promise. Not buying anymore clothes unless it's a smaller size.

I'm retired (yea) so I have no worries about work!!

Hi lapband gal. Nice to see you drop in. I follow your blog. Love your before and after pixs. You are an inspiration.