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I discovered pre-op that I was VERY lactose-intolerant of the Optifast, and I had bought quite a bit of the drinks- chocolate & vanilla- as well as several boxes of the powder that you mix with Water (great for on-the-go with no refrigeration- you just add it to a bottle of water and shake it up). If there's anyone in the Dallas/Rockwall area who would like to have it, please drop me a message. I'll be happy to pass it on to you at no cost. (I tried again today to drink one, and in less than 10 minutes my stomach rebelled~!!) :mad: I'll have to look and see exactly how much I have left, but it will probably be enough for someone's pre or post-op needs! That stuff is rather costly and not covered in the basic self-pay fee they charge. I would rather see someone get use from it than throw it out!!!

Hi to all you Dallas bandsters! I was banded on Jan 24th at Prestonwood. They were great! I used Dr. Veninga as my surgeon, and loved the way he was so down-to-earth and made sure I understood *exacty* what was going to happen. I've never spent 2-1/2 hours in a doctor's office before- it was nice to feel like they "cared" over there! Now for the main reason of this post: I discovered pre-op that I was VERY lactose-intolerant of the Optifast, and I had bought quite a bit of the drinks- chocolate & vanilla- as well as several boxes of the powder that you mix with Water. If there's anyone in the Dallas/Rockwall area who would like to have it, please drop me a message. I'll be happy to pass it on to you at no cost. (I tried again to drink one, and in less than 10 minutes my stomach rebelled~!!) I'll have to look and see exactly how much I have left, but it will probably be enough for someone's pre or post-op needs! That stuff is rather costly and not covered in the basic self-pay fee they charge. I would rather see someone get use from it than throw it out!!!

Thanks for all the input! As it turned out, my surgery was rescheduled to the Thursday, 24th, before the trip on the 27th, and there was NO WAY I could make it. I had to cancel. I felt awful- sick, tired, weak, light-headed! It's been 11 days and I'm just now feeling mostly normal and fairly comfortable. So... in hindsight, I would have to tell someone asking me that same question, not to plan to fly for a while afterwards. I'm sure glad I stayed home!!

I'm getting banded (yea!!) on Tuesday. I've told my doctor that I have a trip on Saturday afterwards. He said he thought I'd be fine as long as I took it easy and wasn't in a lot of pain. So.... my question is this: Have any of you traveled (by air) so soon after, and if so, how did you manage? Is there anything special I need to take? I know the liquid stage is going to be a bit difficult to manage, but I'm hoping I'll be able to get by. I have the powdered Optifast mix already.l Any adivce?

not sure about others, but I was on clear liquids for 2 days after, then "full liquid" which includes pudding, jello, cream soups, milk, and the protein drinks. I thought it strange that they considered pudding and jello a "liquid"!

Hi Angie! I had a trip scheduled for Saturday and had to cancel it. I'm glad I did now, because I've felt so awful. I'd say you probably won't feel up to traveling you should wait and see how you feel. If I've learned anything on this forum, it's that this effects everyone in different ways. Good luck and I hope you do feel well enough to travel. As for my travel plans, I'm missing the Super Bowl. :rolleyes2:

HI to all the TLCEdge patients. I too had mine done there on Jan 24th, and it's been pretty rough going but I think I'll make it. Dr. Veninga did my surgery, and as far as I can tell now, he did a great job. I had the RX for Hydrocodone and Phenergan for nausea. Still having a little pain and like you, it's hard to get down even 1 or 2 of the Optifast shakes. I just don't want *anything*. Feels strange, doesn't it!

You are definitely not alone. I can't imagine going back to work yet, but I have a 45-minute commute each way. Yesterday I tried backing my car out of the garage and things started swimming. I still feel very light-headed and nauseous today. I don't feel any hunger either, and everything I drink seems to go right through me. UGH! Tell me again why we did this to ourselves??? <weak smile>

Tigger, I'm still feeling the same way. Just the thought of swallowing anything makes me gag. I thought this was going to be easy but I just feel so sick. Some said it might be dehydration so I'm trying to sip Propel, but don't even want that. I just want this to pass. I was banded Thursday the 24th.

I was banded on Thursday, Jan 24 and everything seemed fine except that I was very sleepy all the time. But omg today- I feel so sick and weak. Is this normal? I had intended to go back to work today but there's no way. I'm asking myself why on earth I did this to myself? I've tried cutting down on the liquid hyrdrocodone to see if I'd be less sleepy but it hasn't helped. Any advice? Can I take something else like ibuprofen for the pain?

Thanks everyone. Doesn't sound like this is anything out of the ordinary. I'm trying to hang in there- all of you have said it's worth it. Just hard to see the "big picture" right now. Maybe I can just sleep until this phase passes.. lol!

Well, I had some excedrin in the melting form that I took for the headache. I think it's helped. I still feel so sick & weak, and haven't eaten or drank much at all today. Just the thought of it makes me gag. I'm going to call the dr tomorrow. And will try to get more food down. It feels like something is pulling when I try to stand up. I wasn't told much when I was dismissed, so this site is a life saver. Thanks to all of you for your input. This is tough to do alone. My S/O is out of town til the 4th so I've been toughing this out by myself. :tt1:

Hi, yes, hyrocodone is the liquid pain med, and it makes me so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open. Has anyone taken anything other than that for the pain?

I think I was getting enough protein.... except today I can't stand to eat or drink anything.

Thanks... I haven't taken any pain med since 9am. Trying to hang in there and shake this. Even gone back to clear liquids. Maybe that's why? Not getting enough calories?

First, I'd like to say how happy I was to find this site- I've learned more from it than from any seminar or doctor! This is day 5 of my pre-op liquid diet, and I'm miserable. I keep telling myself I'll get through it, but the thought of feeling this way for 8 more days is so discouraging. How does anyone manage to make it for 2 weeks of liquids before surgery? I haven't cheated at all yet, but I keep thinking "one little serving of food wouldn't hurt". The worse thing is that this Optifast stuff I'm on goes right through me. I've practically lived in the bathroom since I started it. :smile: Anyone have any suggestions to get through this? I'm so afraid to cheat because I'm scared that they wouldn't do the surgery because I hadn't followed orders! Help!!

Hi Chuckles! Yes, I've seen a lot of Texas folks here too.. what's up with TEXAS?? Maybe it's true.. "everything IS bigger in Texas".. even our bodies! I'm from Rockwall, and scheduled to be banded on Jan 22nd with Dr. Veninga. Has anyone here used him? I've got my pre-surgery appt with him on the 16th. Really getting nervous, too! Anyone from my area needing a "buddy"? I sure could use one!:smile: