EagerPenguin

There's unflavored protein powder out there. I recently purchased Syntrax medical unflavored variety to add to things like chicken broth. I haven't tried it yet, but I know you have to be careful adding protein powder to warm foods. You can denature the protein of it gets too hot. I think the instructions said nothing higher than 130 F.

December 7 here! Speedy recovery to you all!

I was banded in October or November 2010, and lost about 80 pounds. By 2012 I'd had all the fluid removed due to regurg, pain, etc., even with minimal fills. Even with the band unfilled, foods still got stuck and some things were completely off limits. I just dealt with it for a few years, ignoring the problem. Earlier this year, I finally decided to do something about it and saw a bariatric surgeon here in Minneapolis (my band was placed in Omaha). In June of this year, I had a barium swallow xray done, and I was diagnosed with esophageal dismotility, a complication of the band. So, the band needed to come out. (For anyone reading this curious about the insurance approval process, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and it was pretty straightforward, I just had to show proof of getting fills done (got my records from my old surgeon's office) and proof of a complication (the barium swallow showing dismotility).) I had the band out in August, and will be sleeved on December 7, in just 2 days. My surgeon does the revision in two different procedures because she feels there are fewer complications this way. Though there are other surgeons in the same group who do the revision in the same procedure. Waiting in between is not exactly easy on the pocket book (though I would have hit my out of pocket max either way), and my sick time at work has really taken a hit, but I understand the reasoning. Looking back on it, I'm really glad I've had the time between getting the band out and getting sleeved. I've had time to unlearn all the unhealthy habits I developed while dealing with my failed band. (And yes, I realize the failure was likely partly my responsibility, too, for anyone looking to jump all over me for that one.) I had to sip with my meals to get food past the band, and I definitely wasn't getting enough protein because that was likely to stick, too. Basically, I've had time to practice the "way of the sleeve" to replace the "way of the failed band". Between the band and the sleeve, I also have been hungry. My stomach hasn't rumbled this hard in years! (Maybe because it couldn't physically do so?) Protein shakes have helped, and paying attention to whether or not I'm actually hungry (or have any right to be based on what I've already eaten) or if it's just mental "hunger" have kept me from gaining weight. I've actually lost about 20 pounds now, and not just from the liquid diet I'm on before surgery. While it's frustrating to have to do two procedures, I hope you find the time in between helpful. Good luck! Wishing you the best.

December 7 anyone?

My surgeon has told me to sip about an ounce (breaking that ounce into two sips) every 15 minutes (while awake) for the entire first week after surgery. Though I'm not quite certain I can keep up with that schedule! I'll have to try though. I'm thinking about using a timer on my phone. I've been given a couple medicine cups (like the ones that come with cough medicine or the like) to help that process. Maybe that'd help you to get more fluids in? As far as the thing down your throat, my surgeon described passing a wire or a tube down the esophagus to the stomach, and inflating a balloon that would help shape the new stomach. Maybe that's part of your discomfort, if it's in your esophagus. Otherwise it'd definitely be the breathing tube that irritated your throat. The gas is probably from the carbon dioxide used during surgery to inflate your abdomen. This gives the surgeon a better view of your organs. It just takes time before that goes away, and like other people said, walk walk walk. It helps. Taking simethicone (Gas-X, if your surgeon allows it) has helped me in the past.

I am three days pre-op but am posting to follow along for now! So excited to almost be there.

During my prep for surgery insurance approval, I had to meet with a psychologist a couple of times and go through extensive psychological testing. One thing that my program recommends to everyone is to find a good therapist pre-op and stick with him or her at least a few months post-op. I don't mean to make presumptions, but it sounds like you may benefit from that if you don't already have a therapist. I've found it very helpful. I hope the hoops you have to jump through (and there will be hoops) are tolerable. It's all to make sure you're successful. Wishing you the best.

I really like Optimum Nutrition brand Double Rich Chocolate flavor mixed with 1% milk. 1g fat, 3g carbs, per 23g protein. Also, Syntrax Fuzzy Navel brand flavor (kind of a peach-orange flavor) with water on ice. No fat, no carbs.

Oh my, I would love have loved a lean cuisine at the beginning. My diet consists of 3 protein shakes per day, up to 2 "snacks" (like 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt or 1/2 cup low fat cream soup, 1/2 cup no-sugar-added applesauce, or, if I'm feeling particularly famished, 4 oz pure fruit juice), and unlimited sugar-free, zero-calorie liquids (like crystal light, broth, Propel Zero, etc.). I go to clear liquids the whole day before surgery, and then on the day of surgery just water from midnight to 7am (my surgery is at 11am). So far I'm surviving. When I remember to have my 3 protein shakes per day, and space them out at regular intervals, as well as take advantage of the two snacks per day (yogurt is the most filling) my hunger is much better controlled.

Follow your surgeon's diet. If I did my math right, that's about 60g of protein, which is what my target is, too. And the carbs are limited, which is appropriate. My surgeon is having me drink protein shakes, which are expensive. Milk is much cheaper.

I had my lap band removed back in August. There was a "capsule" of stomach tissue that had formed around the band that my surgeon had to cut away, but other than that it was pretty easy to get out. My surgeon likes to wait about 6 months before converting to a sleeve, but I got her to schedule before the end of the year due to insurance reasons (scheduled for 12/7) so clearly the 6 month waiting period isn't mandatory. There are other surgeons in the same group who do both band removal and sleeve creation in one procedure. I can understand why you're scared; it's a big procedure, and a longer procedure than just a sleeve. Keep in mind that many people have it done and are successful, maybe that will help. Good luck!