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Hello everyone! I decided to come check out this section of the forums. I've been waiting quite a while to get through the process and have been on pre-op diet for a long time now. I finally got the news today that I am approved! *happy dance* I have been so nervous at points throughout this entire process, but now I am in the "let's get this done" mode. The biggest challenge for me is going to be the no straws, no drinking with food, and no sodas! I use straws when on the go because I'm quite clumsy. I am sadly addicted to soda as well and have been weaning myself off of diet soda now (not a diet drinker, but regular sodas are definitely already off limit). I can tell you now that peanut butter and breads will be off limits for me if I cannot drink with my meals. I just cannot get those items down without a sip to drink. Otherwise, I think I will be good. I'm commited and know that liquids for a while are going to be frustrating, but doable! It is such a short period of time that it will feel like forever during those phases but seem like seconds when looking back! I look forward to getting to know everyone, especially as it gets closer to April and more migrate in here!

I have been hearing and reading that the instructions are not the same accross the board, so I am curious. What phases did you have post-op for your diet and how long did each phase last?

Thanks everyone! I am up to 3x a day at .5-.75 miles each trip. I am also getting faster each time without even trying. I use mapmywalk to keep track.

This is a personal preference question, but including the doctor's advice is always helpful. How much did you start walking the week after surgery? How fast and how far was a smart pace for you? Did it help you heal faster or prolong healing because you pushed yourself too far? In my situation, we had to drive 2 hours, so the day of surgery, there was no walking for me. Then my kids got a stomach bug, so I had to be quaranteened to avoid picking that up (as in they were sick the day after I got home!) I am not on day 3 and can go walk. I did half a mile. Before surgery, I did not walk very much unless I was going on a nature walk/hike. Anyway, my head was hurting and so was my chest, so we came back to the house after half a mile to be safe, but I am thinking I should get back out there again. However, I do not want to over do it or get burnt out too earlier.

I know how you feel. I came home Wednesday from surgery and Thursday my kids both had the stomach bug. My husband had me stay in my room and the kids in theirs. He went back and forth helping all of us and washing his hands religiously in between. My doctors office said wear a mask if I need to go into the common areas of the house and wash my hands a lot. I was told to have my husband spray bleach/water spray to clean surface areas and use lysol to help kill the germs. I was told to stay on top of my nausea meds as well just in case. Luckily, I made it through. They are no longer sick and I did not get sick either. Thank GOD for my husband and the advice of my doctor's office.

I was told to put a pillow over my stomach and take deep breaths. It helps it not be as painful when you need to take that deep breath. I was told it was gas pain as well. The shoulder and neck are gas and nerve pain if you have that. Walking, gas-x, the pillow trick, sitting up rather than laying down are all things that help, but none of them have cured it. I was banded on the 3rd and still have the pains on and off. However, those things help control it and it does slowly get better. I've also found slowly sipping on warm tea, especially ginger, helps release some of the gas pressure as well. I'm walking 3x a day in hopes of geting rid of the remaining gas build up. I had the gerd/hernia repair during the band as well. I hope that helps some.

I was banded on Wednesday. It is not as bad as I expected, but I have shoulder, chest, and neck pain that is caused by both the release of gas and the aggrivation of a nerve. I know some said they do not need the pain medicine. I do. For the most part, I am able to get up and walk around and stuff as long as I am taking the pain medicine. If I push it off, it feels like I'm been punched in the stomach a few times. Anyway, overall, it has not been bad at all. Having my gallbladder out previously, this was no where near as painful. Also, I had the hernia/gerd surgery at the same time and am still doing better than I did with my gallbladder and every day, I'm feeling better and better. I plan on going for a short walk with my husband later if the rain lets up. BTW, the liquids so far have not been bad and although I see food everywhere and my husband has been making dinner for everyone... food hasn't bothered me yet.

I was told not to pick at it, peel it, etc. However, i was told if there is a loose piece hanging that is getting stuck on clothing, to take clean scissors and cut the part that is hanging and nothing more. They stressed the need to leave the clue alone. I actually don't scrub my cuts at all. I use a mild soap over them and that is it.

Hello everyone. I had surgery two days ago on Wednesday. I'm in the middle of my clear liquid diet and suddenly my stomach is rumbling non-stop. I'm sipping on liquids a lot, but my stomach hurts if I drink too much. I'm using Gas-X. I lost my voice after surgery and I was told it is because I'm a little dry to keep on top of the drinking. My fear is that my children have the stomach bug and are throwing up a lot. Is the rumbling normal or is it me getting sick? I cannot afford to throw up, but at least I'm still on the nausea patch, bracelet, and pills (I get sick after anesthesia). Thanks for any input you may have and it feels good to officially be a bandster.

Thanks everyone. I am keeping up with the gas-x tabs and doing the deep breathing for the CO2 and nerve issues. I was told a pillow over the belly when deep breathing helps the lungs expand without hurting my stomach. It helps! However, I am not quite sure that the rumbling is gas or digestive stuff. Either way, it is comforting to know it is normal. My poor hubby is having to take care of me and the kids so that we aren't mingly our germies and spreading the stomach bug more. My stomach is still really tender, especially when twisting (not on purpose but to get something, like my drink) or drinking a lot (like at the end of the day when i'm finishing off my 64oz minimum). I also think I am sipping too quickly which may be helping the gurgling and gas issues. I use to be a gulper, so sipping is something I'm doing pretty good at, but it seems at times that I'm taking too much air in between sips or taking too many back to back. I'm just happy to be officially banded. I am staying on Clear Liquids until my doctors appointment Monday since they say 3-5 days and nutritionist recommended 5-7 days. 5 seems to be a happy medium... although yogurt would be wonderful!

Thanks, Jim. I am relieve to know it is normal and not a sign that I am getting sick. They have me on quite a bit of antinausea medicine right now though, so I cannot go by nausea too much. I called my nurse earlier and she told me to make sure everything is santized and to stay away as much as possible to keep from getting sick and to keep on top of the nausea meds just in case.

I am tomorrow too! We are going to be band twins. I have no clue how I am going to get any sleep tonight and I have quite a drive first thing in the morning. What time do you have to be at the hospital? I have to be there at 9:30am. :wub:

It will be April 2 here very soon (just over an hour away) so I wanted to wish you a successful surgery and a quick recovery!

Congratulations to everyone that is officially a bandster today! :wub:

Today is the day! I just wanted you to know that you were in my thoughts today!

Thanks everyone! I had pre-op appointment and phone call today and will find out what time to be there over the phone tomorrow. I was nervous a few days ago, but now I'm just antsy and excited. I got my post-op stuff previously, but bought a few more things, like G2 gatorade. I have found two walking buddies as well... so I have no excuse to get up and move. Plus, my job requires a lot of walking too. :-)

It is hard to believe my ticker says 4 days! I have been on the preop diet for a long time and suddenly gained a little right before surgery after hitting a plateau. I'm just hoping that doesn't mean my liver got bigger too... I'm a little nervous about that. Anyway, preop is Monday.

April is getting so close. How excited is everyone? 1 week to go for me.

Can you believe you have less than a week to go? When I looked at the date today, I realized mine is only a week away... crazy! I know you must be getting exciting.

It is nice to meet you, Becky! My date is April 3... 1 week! I saw your question about salty or sweets... I usually crave sweets. If I'm craving salty stuff, it is usually a salty sweet combo, popcorn, or toritilla chips with homemade salsa. Anyway, the time flies by if you stay busy.

Honestly, part of it is breaking the mental relationship with food and it sounds like you've gotten past that now! You are going to do great. Now that the countdown is on, isn't it exciting? A little never racking too... but you've got this!

I'm an April Banster too (April 3). Good luck! My pre-op is sugar busters. However, I've been on it for quite some time already and dropped a little weight. I just stalled out about 2 weeks ago where I am now. Anyway, I can eat mostly Proteins and vegetables minus the starchy and sugary ones. Pretty much what we should eat post op after we are off liquids and onto real food. As far as the person goes that is "trying to wake some sense in some," I'd ignore the person. I agree 100% with lilmispcl. We can lose weight, but often we cannot sustain. In fact, as soon as I get around 205-210, the weight starts adding back. I use to go to the gym 5x a week, count every single calorie, and even took prescribed weight loss pills and stalled out and gained it all back while still working that hard!!! Like my doctor said, it isn't a cure. It is a tool to aid us on the journey. The tool for me isn't just the band. It is the team helping me on my journey, the process, the education, etc. I have learned so much already and hope to continue learning.

I know that it is tough. The cravings are there. However, there is a difference in having a craving and the will power not to cave in and cheat. I was put on pre-op well over a month ago because had things went according to plan, I would have already had surgery. Instead, it was stretched out to the point my surgery is in April. This entire time, I have had major cravings. There were moments of weakness whenever I realized my surgery would not be in two weeks, but I stuck to the plan. Only one time in the past 6ish weeks have I had anything not on plan intentionally and guess what?! It was all in my head. I wanted this sweet treat. The problem is that I haven't had sugar in so long that it was miserably sweet. I realized at that moment that I did what I had to do, but I ended up pushing the treat away after only a couple of bites and I have not looked back! My biggest concern is that if you do not have the will power during the short time you are in pre-op, how are you going to handle post-op diet requirements that are so much tougher? I'm not trying to talk you out of it. Actually, I'm offering words of encouragement instead, because I've had my weak moments and it took a lot not to cave in. I would suggest sticking with pre-op strictly from here on out. Will power is key... mind over tummy! You will thank yourself for it and realize how much hard work you have put in to make this successful. Plus, you will get rid of a lot of your cravings now, so that you don't have to deal with it when you are on liquids! Best wishes to you! I know you can do this!

I am scheduled for April 3rd also! I was suppose to be in March, but things just didn't pan out that way. I'm just super excited to finally have a date.

Hello, everyone. I thought I was having surgery in March, but a few things took way longer than expected, but I finally have my date and I am joining all of you now. My date is set for April 3rd! Now I have to catch up on this thread so I can get to know you all. I look forward to going through this journey with all of you! :wub: