Carrie D.

Hi Amanda :thumbup: I'm not sure why for the liquid diets. I've heard it's to shrink the liver so that it's easier on the patient and the doctor during the laproscopic surgery. I did not have to do one. The only requirement was that I be on Clear Liquids the day before and nothing after midnight until surgery. I had mine done yesterday. I'm still feeling pretty sore, but happy that it's done. You'll do wonderful! Oh, and I'm a little jealous. I'd like to go sit by the lake with a book too. Carrie

I'm home and banded too. I just had my surgery yesterday. Here's my story: I arrived back home from the hospital a little after 9pm last night. K took me to the hospital yesterday and we arrived a little before noon. They took me quickly to the pre-op area and made me put on one of those lovely gowns. After about 30 minutes the nurse came in and took my vitals and also informed us that they were running a little bit behind schedule. She said that I could probably expect to go back at 3:45 instead of my scheduled 2pm. K and I wound up watching a lot television. We watched TLC A Baby Story a couple of times and CNN the rest of the time. Eventually, the anesthesiologist and my surgeon and his assistance came in to see us. They apologized for running behind, but they assured me that they’d get to me. So, about 5:15, they came and got me and sent K to wait in the waiting room. I don’t remember much except scooting over to the operating table and them strapping some boots to my legs that started squeezing them. After that, I woke up in the recovery room where they told me that I’d gotten a little nauseous. Everything was still very blurry…literally…at that point, but I did start coming out of the anesthesia quite nicely after I got some morphine. I think I wasn’t expecting quite that much pain at first. Things started moving pretty quickly after they gave me some sips of Water. I got sent down for an upper GI series of X-rays to make sure that everything was in working order. I stayed down there about 30 minutes drinking some nasty chalky stuff and getting my “picture” taken every 10 minutes or so. Then, they took me back to the recovery room where I got dressed and went to the restroom for the nurse. My X-ray results were read and came back fine so they called K and asked him to pull the car around front. The next thing I know, I was in the car and headed home. We arrived here about 9:15ish. I immediately came and lay down on the bed with a heating pad against my biggest and most sore incision where the port is located. I also managed to sip a few teaspoons of broth and a get down a few sips of watered down Gatorade. Everything is tasting too sweet or salty. I was up and down about every hour last night taking a sip of water, walking around, and going to the restroom. I still am very bloated from the surgical gas that they pumped me full of and K has been super sweet about rubbing my back to help me burp it out. We’re going to get out today to go pick up some Protein bullets at GNC and run a few other errands. I think the walking will help me a lot. It feels much better laying down on my side or back or up walking than it does in any other position. I’m still feeling like I did about 1,000 sit ups and am very sore. My throat is still a little scratchy from the tube as well, but overall I’m recovering nicely. I’m not filling my pain medication prescription, just making due with liquid Tylenol and Gas X.

I have heard that a coordinator or someone from the clinic gets you from the hotel and takes you to the shopping centers to walk around. You can do your shopping while being escorted

Congratulations on your successful surgery and thanks for writing about your experiences. I'm coming up on the 9th and am wanting to know what to expect.

Congratulations! Does the clinic you're going to have a program like the ones in Mexico where they take you shopping so you can get up moving around? I think that would be very fun. (sorry, I guess I hit send on accident before I was done on the previous post)

Wow...great post. It seems like you've really grown over the past year. I hope that I will :thumbup:

Best of luck to all of you! We'll be looking forward to hearing from you when you get back :wink2:

Yeah, I told anybody that would listen. I'm sure there's a couple of people that have said things behind my back, but I don't care. I'm soooooooo excited!!

I'm so glad you decided to go ahead with the surgery. You're an inspiration. I've had a bump in the road recently as well. My oldest son decided that life would be better with his father. I said goodbye to him 2 days ago. It was very difficult and painful for me and I started second guessing my surgery too. I'm so glad you pushed through and are moving on. I will be too.

My surgery is scheduled for June 9th too. I am also not required to have a pre-op diet. However, I've been doing my own kind of diet just so that it's not so hard after surgery. Generally, I've been having a Protein shake for Breakfast & lunch, and protein and veggies for dinner. That said, there have been a few times that I"ve slipped up. I ate 2 eggs and some cottage cheese this morning just because I needed something to chew so badly. I also had a very emotionally charged night a couple of night ago. I went to Sonic and ordered the chicken club sandwich, lg onion rings, & chocolate shake. I did eat the sandwich (didn't enjoy it at all). I ate 2 onion rings (felt sick), & not even 1/4th of the milk shake (did not taste good). I hope that this is an indication that my mind is mentally preparing me because a few weeks ago, this would have been a great meal for me...as in tastes really good.

You could use the blender or just strain it and throw the solids away. I'm one of the fortunate ones that are not required to the the pre-op diet, but I've actually put myself on one just so that I don't go into shock after the surgery. I'm doing the 2 Protein shakes a day and protein and veggies for dinner. I'm starting tomorrow. I hope and pray that I'm not super hungry. I don't do well with hunger....which is probably why I've wound up where I'm at now :laugh:

I just realized that we're going to be banded the same day!! Congrats! Hot & Sour soup is a little spicy, not too sour. It has a very nice flavor. It usually contains mushrooms, pork, tofu, egg, & bamboo shoots. It's delicious and I love it.

You should probably ask your nut or doctor, but I have seen others who say that's what they've eaten. I think that most of them strained it though or requested that it be made without the egg (apparently not an uncommon request). I plan on getting some hot & sour soup and straining it. YUM!

Actually, this has happened to me too over the past 2 weeks. However, I've been sick with bronchitis. That said, I'm feeling better and still don't really feel hungry. I ordered pizza last night for my "last meal" and it didn't even taste good. It's starting to get a little depressing simply because I don't have an interest in food. I think my mind is trying to prepare me for my pre-op diet maybe. I don't know...but you're not alone.

becky...my surgeon doesn't require a pre-op diet, but I'm putting myself on one anyway. I'm doing it for a couple of reasons. 1) I don't want any fatty liver issues. 2) I don't want to send my body into shock. I kind of like to ease into things. 3) I'm hoping to shrink my stomach just a wee bit before surgery. The day before surgery I can only have Clear Liquids. My actual surgery isn't scheduled until 2pm. I don't know how I'm going to last that long without food or Water. I'm a bit panicked about it to tell the truth. Progressive...I grew up in Lewisville & Flower Mound! Small world. I think it's really neat that you and your wife got banded the same day. I think it would be beneficial to be going through the same diet phases at the same time.

All I've been able to think about is the fact that my surgery isn't until 2pm on June 9th. I do a clear liquid diet the day before and then nothing after midnight. How the heck am I going to make it to 2pm without anything to eat or drink?!?! Holy crap! I get shaky when I don't eat breakfast. I really don't know what I"m going to do and I'm very worried.

Hey there! We're being banded on the same day. I'm being banded in Tyler, Texas by Dr. Babineau. Good luck to you! Are you on a pre-op diet or anything?

I love, love the Chicken soup flavor Unjury. I like the chocolate a lot too.

Add me to June 9th!

I'm a native Texan living in Tyler. I'm a single mom with 3 kids. I work full time in an intermediate school as an aide. I also work part time for the hospital in the newborn nursery. I do secretary work as well as the hearing screen and newborn blood screens. I also go to school full time because I'm trying to get my teaching degree. I am enrolled in distance education program through one of our local universities. I've wanted this surgery for a couple of years now, but just now have the insurance to help pay for it. Feel free to check out my blog: www.wurdygirl.wordpress.com

I'm a Jazzy June...June 9th to be exact :blushing: Wooohooo! I thought this day would never come!

I'm having my surgery the same day in Tyler, Texas!

I had to do the six months of supervised diet, a psych consult, & a nutrition consult.

Also, do NOT miss any weigh ins or appts. Have your weight documented every month. I went to the doctor every 28-30 days. She documented my weight and that we talked about my diet each time. She also documented what changes in lifestyle I was making...i.e. walking, eating less, portion control, counting points, etc.

If you don't have it, start going to the dr. or weight watchers as soon as possible. You can't get around the 6 month diet...I know because I tried every way possible :cursing: Do call and double check with BCBS OR with your human resources person. They are the ones that will have the specifics to your policy.