NWgirl

I would recommend buying the Lipton Cup-a-soup Cream of chicken in lieu of broth... It's so much better!

Just trim off the loose ends of the tape, it will come off on it's own.

Some older members say to make sure you get enough protein and take biotin. I started taking biotin 5000 prior to surgery as a precaution and am one month post-op. I have not noticed any hair issues.

Sometimes they schedule you for all in one day- labs, nutritionist, physical therapist, psychologist, and nurse practitioner (obviously who you see will depend on requirements of clinic). I had my visits over three appointments. I was also required to have a sleep study.

Usually the first fill doesn't do anything for restriction... I would say that you got the tool for a reason, so you should start getting it ready to use.

I wish you the best, but please remember that we were all on the same post-op diet, so we know how it is to be really, really hungry and the emotional strain it is to break bonds with food. I had no difficulty with pain or activity after the second day and was feeling 100% the first week, but the reason why we go on the staged diet is for healing of the internal body. We may feel ready to eat, but that does not change the fact that the stomach is still healing and that scar tissue needs to form around the sutures to create a better hold on the band so that the future chance of it slipping or other complications are lessened. If we eat too early against the advice of our medical doctors, we risk damaging the healing process. The diet has a real purpose, and is not just for torture. Like I said before, don't take the concern that people expressed as judgement. Perhaps your Dr didn't stress the importance of why you should follow the stages. I want nothing more for anyone on this board to find success, and when someone is doing something that may harm their success, it's important to make sure they understand why.

I had trouble getting in all of my fluids for the first week. After that, it all fell into place.

I was banded on 3/20 and will be going for my first fill on 4/23. I have lost about 35lb since starting my pre-op diet. I am back to the gym and feeling great!

Make sure to be drinking water too. Sometimes dehydration can be construed as hunger pains.

I would write the letter, chances are you will only speak with a customer service rep and not the person/people who make the decisions. I would explain that my health continues to get worse,etc. List any meds, any problems (joints, pains, etc). Pretty much every terrible thing that happens to you and will cost them more money than approving you now and not 6 months from now.

Mmm I will write that down. Sounds yummy.

I was banded on the 20th. For a few days I had a sore area on my lower left abdominal area (not anywhere near my port or other incisions) that had me worried because it appeared 2-3 weeks after surgery. It went away and hasn't bothered me since.

I was told to do a low fat diet for a few weeks prior. I did the low fat for two weeks, and the last week I did a pseudo liquid. I figured it would be more motivating to lose the most weight possible pre-op.

Hmm, so you want someone else to waste their time writing you a post of what to get when you could easily search the forum and find one of the hundreds available? That's pretty ridiculious. Thanks for being honest, I guess.

oh dear, that sucks

there is a thread somewhere on here for people who practice weight watchers. edit: the name of the forum is "Weight Watchers Online: Support Thread" for some reason my touchpad isn't letting me copy the url so just use the search feature to find it.

Just take it one day at a time and remember why you did it to start with.

Why do you feel judged? These ladies are trying to warn you that some of your actions may cause you problems down the road. No one has judged you. We are all in the same boat, with the same device, striving for the same goal. Sometimes we hear things we don't want to hear, but we know that they are not meant to hurt us. I think you're confusing the concern of others for your health with the idea that they may be judging you.

I would say make sure to get a lot of protein. my dietician gave me an equation to find the amount of protein needed, which is body weight x 0.3. According to this calculation, you should be getting around 150g protein a day. I drank the Costco premier nutrition chocolate shakes for my pre-op. They are 160 calories each and have 30g protein. I would drink one for breakfast and one for dinner and have a Quest protein bar for lunch. Good luck and I am sure you will lose more than 60 in two months if you stick with the diet plan!

I have read that some people go back to the post-op diet for a short time to try and get their head back in the game.

Bring a small pillow to hold against your stomach. It really helps when you are getting up/sitting down or rolling over.

Around 1200 for me.

............... ???

That's terrible!

Some places don't require you meet with a nutritionist. If you are concerned, call your surgeon's office. If they don't have a nutritionist on staff, ask the office for a recommendation or try and find someone local who deals with bariatric patients.