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I know this is an old thread, so I may not get a reply, but I'm gonna try. I was recently banded, and I have always taken Omega 3's for foot pain. I have a huge, expensive bottle of pharmaceutical grade fish oil gelcaps that I can't take because they are too big. Does anyone know if it will work if I puncture the gelcap and put the liquid into pudding or something? I know it may taste horrible, but I don't want to waste the $$.

I'm having a problem with drinking the amount of Water that my doctor wants me to drink a day. I'm not drinking with meals or for 1 hour after a meal (as he directed). But 1 hr after the meal, as soon as I start sipping on water, I start to feel hungry. I know that it's probably because I'm washing all of my food through the band, but I don't know how else to get my liquids in! Does anyone else have this problem? Right now, I am getting around it by starting a bottle of water 1 hr before a meal, and telling myself that I have to drink the water and then wait about 10 more minutes before eating. I don't know if this is a good way or not, but it seems like the only way I can get in the fluids without being hungry. I am worried, though, about stretching my pouch by drinking the water so fast. BTW, I am 3 weeks post-op, and just starting on solids.

I have tried the protein waters. I drank them a lot before and just after the surgery. Honestly, I'm just sick of them. I never drank a lot of flavored drinks prior to surgery. I've always just been a plain water drinker. All that flavor is just too much for me! But you're right, the fiber in them makes you feel fuller. Maybe I'll give them a shot tomorrow.

I milked it for all it was worth!!! I've been turned down for vacation and called in to work during vacation all year. I got the short term disability to cover 2 weeks and I took an extra week of vacation on top of that. It got me through getting my son back to school! I was banded on July 28th and go back to work this Monday, Aug 18th. Of course, I could have gone back like a week ago or more, but what's the fun in that? I also got a little bit of infection so I'm glad I took the extra time!

I am on day 8 of a 10 day pre-op diet of Clear liquids only. I thought my husband was going to be supportive of my choice and empathetic toward my struggles along the way. One thing that I specifically requested of him before I started this diet was that he take care of food preparation for he and my son, and to keep food out of my face as much as possible. Now he keeps asking me to make him something to eat, cook for our son, etc. I am STARVING, and he is forcing me to prepare food that I can't eat. He says things like, "I am being supportive, BUT, you are being silly about this." "I am empathetic, BUT you shouldn't be tempted just because there is food in front of you." I just want him to make this easier on me, not harder. Why can't he do that?!!? Normally we have a great relationship, but the past couple of days, when he forces me to see, touch, and think about food, I just go off on him. I know that I'm a little cranky because of the hunger, but he should be trying to understand that and be nicer to me because of it. If he can't be supportive now, what is it going to be like for the next few months? I don't know if I am going to be able to do this without his support. Sorry for the rant, does anyone else have a similar experience?

Thanks everyone, for all the comments. Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I had my surgery 2 days ago. Things are easier now post-op, I can actually stand to be around food without freaking out. I think the hardest part was that my preop was so long and so strict. Clear liquids only for 10 full days! I don't think many people on this site are that restricted pre-op. As for my husband, he does help with cooking most of the time, yes, I've been heavy since we got together(although we knew each other when younger and thinner), and he is knowledgable about the lap-band. He is just being insensitive. I truly believe that. He is busy with finishing up his summer classes for his degree and doesn't think it's fair that he has to do things for himself right now. He thinks I should be making it easier on him because he is so busy. I think he should have done his schoolwork all along instead of saving it up until the last few weeks, but that's just ME?!? I know this is my journey, and I don't intend to place blame on him for any setbacks or failures along the way, but he is going to have to be more sensitive. We have talked about it, and he's been very sensitive to the surgery part of this journey, he just doesn't seem to understand the food part. He just thinks it's a matter of willpower. Duh, if I had the willpower to start with, I wouldn't be fat, now would I? He finally seems to be resolved to do for himself for a while. Now that I'm post op, I'm fixing meals for our 6 yr old without dying for a bite. The only trouble we've had the past 2 days was today when I was sitting in the living room watching TV and he brings a Hungry man dinner with beer battered chicken and cheese fries and sits it literally right under my nose and starts eating it. The smell was to me a combination of disgust and heaven (not sure why, but very mixed feelings about that smell). I politely asked him to eat it in the kitchen instead. He huffed and puffed, but he did it anyway. All in all, I think we'll make it, but I do really wish he could understand better. The man has never dieted in his life, so how could he really empathize?

I actually feel like this surgery has been pretty easy. Let me preface with the fact that I had a breast reduction 6 yrs ago that was the worst thing I've ever experienced. If you think that getting up and down now, with your belly hurting is bad, try it with 200+ stitches across your chest wall! You use your chest muscles MUCH more when moving around and getting up. It was hot, searing pain across my chest every time I moved. So, this is easy! I was banded 2 days ago, and this morning, a little of the muscle soreness is gone, and now really only incision pain remains. I can SO deal with that. I just hold my belly still when I get up and down with a little pressure, no problem. So far, I don't think I've had the gas pain from the laproscopy, maybe I just am not recognizing it if it's there... I have a little tightness, and I think I'm getting dehydrated, because I woke up like 10 times last night with my mouth so dry, I couldn't stand to close it. But, I had a glass of water by the bed, and took a sip, then went right back to sleep. I'm sitting in a oversized chair with one of those big wedge pillows with the armests, using an ottoman to prop my feet. I'm very comfortable. I am SO happy to not be hungry!!!!!! Still only clear liquids and no hunger pangs!!

For both surgeries that I have had in my life, I don't even remember counting. I was out as soon as that mask hit my face. Then the next thing I know, I was waking up in recovery. There are nurses right at your bedside in recovery, so they are with you the second you wake up to make sure you are ok. Of all the things for surgery, I think the anesthesia is the least thing to worry about, but just make sure they give you something for nausea - it's miserable to heave when you are pulling at stitches to do it.

I was banded yesterday, July 28th. I am surprised at what a good experience it's been! I was banded at St. E in N. Ky, by Dr. Smith. I arrived at the hopital at 6am, was supposed to be operated on at 8AM, but was told my Dr. had an emergency surgery that morning, so I would be delayed. I didn't get taken back until around 11AM, so about 3 hrs late. But my husband and best friend got to sit back in the prep area with me, so that was nice. The nurse had a hard time getting the IV in me. The first one left a huge bruise on my left inner forearm. The second one got a good stick in my hand, thank goodness and it lasted the whole time I was there. It was a big relief because the last time I had surgery, they put it at my elbow and it was miserable! I had to get up to use the restroom twice during the 3 hrs. They gave me the versed (good stuff!) and 2 bags of antibiotics (not exactly sure what kind) before I went in the OR. The nurses, anesthesiologist, and the OR nurses who came to get me where all VERY nice. The trip to the OR was quick, and the hallway to the OR and the OR were all FREEZING cold. When they wheeled me into the OR, I saw my Dr. and he shook my hand. They made me move to the operating table, put the mask on me. They asked me to count down from 100, but all I remember saying was "OK"!! I woke up in recovery, and didn't vomit, thank goodness! The last time I had anesthesia, I got sick the second I woke up. But this time they gave me Reglin in my IV beforehand for nausea. I was pretty woozy and confused at first, because I didn't have my glasses. But after I got good and awoken, they moved me to my room. That was about 3 hrs after I went into the OR. I have no idea how I got from the operating table to the gurney, but the gurney hurt my back so bad that I couldn't wait to get in my bed again. I think my back hurt more than my belly at that point, unbelievable! I was given excellent care during my stay. I got a private room, and was waited on by excellent nurses. I was given plenty of morphine by IV, and it was great. They kept giving me Reglin, and gave me some sort of shot in my belly to prevent clotting. That one didn't hurt at all. I was feeling so well that I didn't really sleep that much. I got up to use the bathroom a couple of times. I was given ice chips and a popsicle, then watered down apple juice. My best friend left around 4:30, and a friend whose dad had the same surgery (same day, same dr) came down to say hi. My husband stayed until 9pm, and BFF came back to keep me company until midnight since I was up and wanting to talk. They gave me more morphine at midnight, and I slept till 5am. Then I used the bathroom, had more morphine and slept until 8:30 AM. My only trouble sleeping was the boots, and I got over that pretty quickly. At 8:30, they sat me over in the chair and that they would give me more pain meds and breakfast of just broth soon. It was 10:00 before I got either, the only negative part of my stay. I ate the broth, drank more diluted apple juice, and a popsicle. I am just so relieved to not be hungry! One of the doctors from the practice came by to check my bandages and everything. He gave me an all clear. I feel great, by the way, just sore when I stand up and sit down. I took the walk around the hospital floor, as required before leaving. My family came back and brought me a few things. I ate more broth and juice, and then check out of the hospital. The rest of the day has been good. We filled my prescriptions and came home. I've been eating clear liquids all day a feel good. I have liquid Lortab to take and have been taking it regularly, and I have a prescription of Phenergan that I am using for sleep and to avoid any nausea just in case. I think I might have overdone it with even just the liquids, because I feel very full right now, and kind of like I need to burp. I can't figure out yet how burping is going to work. I just learned to burp about 2 hrs ago even with my normal tummy! I couldn't do it when I was little. I guess I will have to learn all over again! So far, very good experience, and I have not been at all hungry since the surgery. I go back to the Dr. in a week and they will schedule my first fill for 5-6 weeks. They did not do an xray of me to check the band placement, so I'm curious to ask the Dr. how they know it's OK. Also, I can't figure out where my port is! Is it one of the 5 incisions? My right side hurts worse because they said the Dr. operates from that side, so I'm guessing the port is over there too. I just don't know! Wishing everyone else luck as well! I should mention that I had a breast reduction, and told my BFF that this was "a walk in the park" compared to that! I was drugged at the time, but it's true, this one is a lot less painful than that.

I had a reduction about 6 years ago, and I have so much MORE sensation now than I did before. I used to not even notice if a guy was touching my nipples, but now I act like I'm in heat as soon as they are touched!!! My surgery date is 2 days from today, and I am really hoping my girls don't flatten out! I've gained weight since the reduction, and they've gotten only slightly bigger, but due to the extra weight in them, they've dropped more. :tt2: I'm afraid they will be pancakes once I'm at my goal weight. It makes me sad because I've always had big boobs! They are part of my identity!

Does anyone else have a headache? I never get headaches, and I am not a caffeine addict. It's rare that I have caffeine, so I don't think that's the cause. I really can't stand this. I'm not even sure I was supposed to take Ibuprofen, but I had to.

For me, it was a lot of things over this past year. I've been thinking about this for a long time.... - Having to admit that I finally need to go up a size in clothes - Having to change lines at a rollercoaster at Busch Gardens in December to get into the seats made larger for bigger people. - Having a panic moment when I couldn't get my seat belt fastened on the airplane to Las Vegas. I finally got it fastened just before the airline attendant got there with the extender. I refused it and she made a big deal out of it, "Are you sure? I don't want you to be uncomfortable. Please use the extender if you need it." Shut up, already!!! - Getting married while I was in Las Vegas and not wanting to see the pictures because I knew I wouldn't know the face looking back at me. - Seeing pictures of my reception back at home, and cringing when I saw myself. - Realizing that my new husband has never known a smaller me, and he deserves it as much as I do, even though he swears he loves me for me, just the way I am. - Facing a lifetime of raising my wonderful stepson, and realizing that all the overweight women in my family have had heart attacks in their early 50s. I don't stand a chance if I don't lose the weight. I want to be there for all of his life events. I am glad that this post existed. I am really struggling with my clear liquid diet, and just writing this has made me remember why I'm doing it. Thank you, Vegasgirl!!!

Vegasgirl, thanks for the words of encouragement. I feel so bad for you that you're going through this on your period! I just finished mine - I timed it so that I wouldn't be on it or PMSing during the Pre/Post Op phases. I did cheat a little this morning and had a little of a soy Protein shake. I couldn't stand it anymore. I woke up with a horrible headache and just felt so weak. I do intend to call them tomorrow and ask why I'm not allowed the shakes. I think I already know their answer, but I really just need to get in more calories, and shakes have to be better than the alternatives!

I've been on this board for several years, trying to decide to have the surgery. My date is July 28th. I've been on a Clear Liquids diet for 2 days now, and have 8 more to go. I am STARVING. And I have a horrible headache to boot. I counted the calories that I got today, and it couldn't have been more than 600. My doctor does not even allow Protein shakes, only clear liquids, clear juices, SF Jello, SF popsicles, Kellog's Protein waters, and broths. I already hate the broth, it completely disgusts me, but it does help for a while. Why doesn't he allow me to have shakes? It sounds like everyone else is allowed to!!