trudyjo

Let me start by saying this is simply a rant so please forgive me at the start.... I was banded 4 years ago and struggled a great deal to get through the pre op diet. I was miserable then, but I thought to myself, I only have to do this once..... I've had a lot of problems with my band and I'm now scheduled to have a Revision to the sleeve which I'm happy about but "D@&n"! Today is the first day of the pre op diet and I've made it through the day BUT I am a cranky, nasty, baggy BIT&&..!!!!!!!!! Just needed desperately complain about it!,,,, Thank you

Hi Poorehouse, my guess is no. It simply doesn't come close to the protein requirements you need and you need to stay away from sugar as much as possible. So sorry.....

Sorry didn't mean to post twice, can't seem to remove either...

Texturized vegetable Protein, tempeh and seitan (vital wheat gluten) are vegan/vegetarian options that are as high or higher in protein than meat, and TVP is easy to digest (depending on how you make it, it could easily be considered a puréed food). I love them all (make my own seitan, it tastes better. recipe is on the bag) and have gotten clearance from my doc and nut to utilize them as a staple in my post op diet. In addition, you might want to check out the Facebook page of Dr. Garth Davis. He is a Bariatric surgeon in Texas (had a show on tv for sometime) who is a huge supporter of vegetarian/vegan diets after Bariatric surgery. You will find useful info there. I also strongly believe that taking a probiotic regularly helps greatly with healing, immune system and overall well being. Give it a try, I hope it helps.

Thanks so much everyone-- It always helps to know that others have been through the same thing. I finally received my referral to a cardiologist today. I'll be scheduling my appt. tomorrow and am very hopeful all tests will return with no issues.

I went to have my EKG done today by my PCP in preparation for surgery on 9/16, and there is something showing on my EKG such that they won't yet clear me for surgery; they are sending me to a cardiologist for further testing. I've got to admit, I'm in shock and a little scared. I know it's good to know if there are issues before surgery, but I was completely blindsided. Has anyone else gone through anything like this?

Hi everyone, My education class was last week and I learned a couple of interesting tidbits that I thought would share. Now, of course, everyone's program requirements are slightly different, so please follow your doctors guidelines first! That being said: 1. To help with nausea -- every morning, drink warm Water with lemon juice in it. It clears any mucus buildup and helps clear your stomach for new food. 2. FOR HAIR: take the following to help with hair growth: 50 mg of Co-enzyme Q10 3 times daily. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps aid healing and energy levels. It also helps to promote hair growth. Biotin 5000 mcg daily - helps promote hair growth. 200 mg of zinc sulfate OR 50 mg of zinc gluconate - this is important for immune functions and to help promote hair growth. 3. For healing and to assist your digestive track in processing food through the intestines - take a probiotic daily for at least the first 2 weeks once you ate cleared for full liquids. You can break it open and put it in your Protein shake. Hope this is of benefit to the group.

Hi Scottsgirl! The Co Q 10 you would need to open up, same with the probiotic. The probiotic doesn't really have a taste haven't tried it on the Co Q 10 yet. The Biotin and zinc are chewable. I bought the zinc at Vitamin cottage and the biotin from Bariatric Advantage.

Thank you guys so much! I really, really appreciate it. It's just good to know that others have gone through the same thing. I have to wait for my referral but I'll let everyone know how it turns out. Thanks again!!!!

Lai84 - that means that you are down 45 pounds since you started, that is great! I don't think you doing anything wrong - 45 pounds in 8 weeks is more than a 5 pound loss per week average! You are doing great, I just think YOU need to remember that! Keep going and feel great about what you have accomplished.

I'm having the band removed because I've bad significant problems with it, causing 3 trips to the emergency room for stuck food-- which is one of the most painful things I have ever experienced, and included all the symptoms of dumping without have the food actually coming up ( drop in blood pressure, extreme nausea, sweating, foaming, wanting to do nothing but sleep and not being able to lay down from pain, etc.). More recently, I've simply had continual pain at my diaphragm. Dr. Performed an upper GI endoscopy and discovered my band had moved and was sitting at my esophagus which caused my esophagus to dialate. I had to have all the liquid removed from the band in order to have my esophagus heal and go back to a normal size. On top of that, I was only able to lose 40 pounds total ( of which I've gained 15 back) because I couldn't eat dense food, only slider food like chips, crackers, hummus, etc. I' ve had enough and want a tool I can actually work with. I've already given up many of the foods that we shouldn't be eating ( bread, rice, etc.) so I'm not worried about that, I just want to begin moving forward and getting healthy again! I've studied the sleeve for years and always hear that it is what the sleeve was supposed to be with great success. I can't wait!!!

Hi everyone! Ellenpro, we are on the same day!! I was just approved this afternoon for revision surgery on Sept. 16th. Even though I've been through lap-band surgery, I'm still super nervous!!!!!!

I know everyone says the hair will come back and I'm so glad to hear it, but I already have such thin hair... My hair is thin enough that you can see my scalp on the top of my head. Has anyone else on this site, who started with very thin hair, had the sleeve, and how did you deal with the hair loss? I did 't lose any hair when I had my lapband surgery, but I know if my hair thinned anymore, it would be very, very noticeable and would be a challenge at work.

Please tell me where you found this information! I looked and couldn't find anything... My mom died of pancreatic cancer, I don't want to increase my risk of getting this horrible disease. Her doctor told us when she was diagnosed that almost all pancreatic cancer ( not saying all...) is caused from smoking. Please give more info. As I haven't had surgery yet and this might impact my decision.

Hi, I've had fine, thin hair my entire adult life and I've tried just about every option out there including Nioxin and Bosley. The two companies/products are very different. Nioxin is a shampoo/conditioner/hair treatment system that is intended to create the best environment for your hair to grow so that hopefully, you will again have a thick, full head of hair. I used it and it didn't work for me, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. Several people have tried it and had great success. Bosley offers several programs ranging from shampoo products similar to Nioxin to laser therapy to hair replacement systems and hair grafting. The shampoos are very, very expensive, much more than something like Nioxin. Laser therapy is the next option and it can work well if you commit to it. Usually you need to go in 2 times a week for the laser treatment. In southern CA those visits are $50 each time and you have to go forever, once you stop, the hair will revert to what it was before you began the service. Third option would be a hair replacement system. This would be for someone with really advanced hair loss. The hair piece is custom made to match your hair strand density and hair color. It takes appx. 8 weeks to have made. The area where it is going to be placed is shaved and the piece is glued to your head. The look is very realistic but not completely invisible and you need to go in every 6 weeks to have it removed, have your head cleaned and have it reattached. The last option is surgical where they will take a section of hair follicles from the back of your head and surgically implant them where you have hair loss. This is great if you are a candidate and can afford it. Typically, hair grafting runs between $1.50 to $4.00 per graph and most people need a minimum of 1,000 grafts. If your hair loss is temporary from surgery, just remember, it will come back. It is normal to loose hair after any surgery. Add to that, the drastic reduction in calories and your hair is in a though spot. Take Biotin to help with strength, be sure you are keeping your iron levels up (low iron can cause hair loss), be sure you are getting your protein in (that is what hair is made from) and wait. It will come back. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.