innotu

What a big difference Lellow! Congratulations!

Great thread! I'm still on a liquid diet - I don't graduate to solid food until 1 month post-op (Sept. 6th). My doc gave me a suggested list of foods to eat at each stage - this has been extremely helpful. I'm with you on the fruit juice issue - I never drink the stuff - even during the clear liquid stage. It's pure sugar. I too read a great book pre-surgery that helped me quite a bit. It's written by a U.S. gastric band surgeon and one of his patients - what's interesting about the book is it also includes stories from band patients about various aspects of being banded. I got it through amazon.com: Title: Weight-loss surgery with the adjustable gastric band: Everything you need to know before and after surgery to lose weight successfully. Authors: RW Sewell and L Rohrbough ISBN: 978-1-60094-002-6

My doc gave me a specific list of foods for each phase of the recovery process - I'm still on 'full liquids' until the 21st but am also dreaming of the pureed stage (aka mushie). Basically its food that is either already pureed: cottage cheese, oatmeal, cream of wheat, yoghurt, flaked, canned tuna, or food that can be put in a blender and pureed like potatoes, sweet potatoes, meet, vegies etc..there is also soft eggs, tofu, etc.. the list is pretty comprehensive - basically if you can stick in the blender and blend it to a pulp its a mushie food. Baby food is also on the list. I'm getting hungrier by the day and can't wait til the 22nd!

both for me too

My doctor prescribed prevacid fastab which he wants me to take for 3 weeks post-op.

My first fill is scheduled for Sept. 18th - 6 weeks post-op.

I saw my surgeon today and it was quite enlightening. I asked him about the chest tightness and he said that was normal until my body got used to the band. In particular, the pain/tighteness on my left side was because I had a hernia repaired that required 2 stitches (normally just 1 is needed). As well, the placement of the band's (he showed me the pictures) fastener was on the left side which was also why there was pain - he said all would be ok once my body became used to the new addition. He also said that my liver was great and that it was easily moved and stayed out of the way....he showed me pictures of my operation and then of an operation where the liver wasn't as healthy. He also talked to me about how much more difficult it was to place the band on the patient with the bigger liver. Needless to say the pictures and the discussion really hit home how important the pre-op diet is....I am very very very very very happy I followed the diet! AND those of you still on pre-op should follow yours too!!! I also had my last IV antibiotic at the hospital today (YEAH!!!) and will now begin oral antibiotics. Hopefully I'm on my way to a healty kidney too.

I too was bloated and constipated - well over a week before I had a bm....I tried prune juice, fibresure etc...nothing worked. Then I remembered the miracle cure (for me at least) flaxseed!! I put 2 tablespoons in my protein shake and voila! I should have thought of it sooner. The bm definitely helped the bloating (and weightloss).

Jasmine - Will let you know what my doc says. Roheryn - thanks for asking - Last night was my first good night's sleep in a long while....the pain is lessening and I'm able move without the stabbing pain on my left side...I feel like a new person this morning!

I feel that too Jasmine. I had my surgery on Aug. 6th. I'm not sure what it is - I really don't have gas anymore. It feels like a shortness of breath or that I just can't get enough air into me. Mind you I'm still in and out of the hospital with the Kidney infection so I've considered it the lesser of 2 evils. I'm going to see band surgeon tomorrow and will ask him. Good luck and hopefully you get more answers.

This is a list I copied from another board...it really helped me prepare for my surgery: Preparing for surgery Medicinal: Liquid Tylenol (they make adult strength) Chewable or liquid gas-x Gauze Pads 4x4 Paper tape Stool Softener Pill cutter Chewable vitamins Benedryl cream (suggested for those who have a slight allergy to gauze tape) Clothing: Loose waisted shorts or sweats For the ladies, a sports bra, no under wires Slip-on shoes Comfort items: Heating pad Flexible ice pack A few books or movies Pillow for car rides to guard against seatbelt irritation Wet Wipes Food/Kitchen items: Protein shakes Flavored water A good blender and/or a drink mixer Broth Sugar free popsicles/jello Kitchen timer ( for the first few days - 15 minute sips intervals) Crystal Light "On the GO" add to bottled water mix Gatorade Bouillon Cream of Wheat Creamy soups Applesauce Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit Ensure, Boost, Glucerna etc Frozen fruits for protein shakes Small pudding cups Suggested list of things to have done before you leave: All laundry finished to ensure lots of clean clothes for a while. Having someone who is able to be there for a few days to handle meal prep. Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home. Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital . Make sure you have lots of fluids to drink afterwards - and for when you go back to work. Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery.Check if your medications are “crushable”.

Unfortunately what i thought was pain from the band was actually a severe kidney infection! I've spent the night at the hospital and will be in and out of the hospital over the next several days to get IV antibiotics and to assess my condition. I won't be doing much of anything but resting this week but with luck and some good meds will be better by next week. very frustrating!!!! Jay

I found the problem as I just couldn't take the pain anymore. I took myself to the hospital at 2:00am this morning. I go back again for more antibiotics tomorrow morning. I've phoned Dr. W office and see him on Thursday. I'm still in a great deal of pain, but hope the meds kick in soon...

Unfortunately what i thought was pain from the band operation was actually a severe kidney infection! I've spent the night at the hospital and will be in and out of the hospital over the next several days to get IV antibiotics and to assess my condition. I won't be doing much of anything but resting this week but with luck and some good meds will be better by next week. very frustrating!!!! I would have sought help sooner, but thought the pain was part of the band operation healing process.......

Thanks Roheryn, I've been taking benefibre and prune juic as well as walking (I walk the dog each morning for about 30mins.)...still nothing. I'm going to the doc tomorrow if nothing happens today.

My operation was at 8:00am Aug. 6th with Dr. Woodhead - he, his staff and the hospital nurses were fantastic! Dr. Woodhead said it went very well - he also found and repaired a hiatial hernia (sp?). I was discharged at 4:00pm. I'm a bit sore right now and am having trouble sleeping because I slept most of the day away in recovery...but otherwise very happy to be on the other side. I must say, I feel no hunger at this point. Sipping lots of Water and walking - it really does help to get rid of the gas. Hope everyone else id doing well!

Congrats and welcome to the other side! Good luck over the next few days...walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip....

I'm shocked.....and I know this will pass, so I better enjoy it while I can...I just don't feel like eating or drinking anything. Its a chore just getting the liquids in. Now if only I could get rid of the gas and have a bm I would be most thankful.

Mom2two, I lost 13 pounds on the pre-op diet - and so far about another 4 since.

Thanks! Everyday is getting better, although the gas pains are tough - not having a bm is also not helping. The doc prescribed prevacid and gas-x and I'm also taking fibresure (clear, dissolvable fibre) to get my daily intake...but so far not much is helping - walking seems to be the best remedy for the gas pains... Hope everyone else is doing great.

My operation was at 8:00am Aug. 6th with Dr. Woodhead - he, his staff and the hospital nurses were fantastic! Dr. Woodhead said it went very well - he also found and repaired a hiatial hernia (sp?). I was discharged at 4:00pm. I'm a bit sore right now and am having trouble sleeping because I slept most of the day away in recovery...but otherwise very happy to be on the other side. I must say, I feel no hunger at this point. Sipping lots of Water and walking - it really does help to get rid of the gas. See you at the next meeting.

Thanks - I can't believe it! In exactly 24 hours I will be at the hospital...it's really hitting home now. Good luck to all of the 6ers! I'll post once I'm able. See you on the other side!

Good luck to our Aug. 1st bandsters...thanks for leading the way!!I look forward to hearing about your success on the other side.

My surgery date is August 6th!! I can't believe its happening and so quickly...only 1 week to go . A little bit more about me.... I'm 48 years old, married and mother of 3 boys (20,25, 28) - all the men in my life are gorgeous, active, athletic and fit. All 3 boys went to school on sports scholarships (football or hockey). Now that my husband and I are virtually empty nesters we've transferred our doting to our new babies, 2 beautiful dogs (labradoodle and multi-poo). I am a professor at a local university here in BC and also hold a senior management role in a major bank. I am an over eater - I have very little control over my eating and often zone out while I'm eating. I eat while doing something else (working, on the computer, watching TV etc...). I have had a weight issue my whole life (I was born 9lbs3oz to a 98lbs, 4'11' mother)- I'm told we were both lucky to survive the ordeal. I was born big and haven't looked back (I weighed 175 lbs at age 11). I went on my first diet at age 10 and have tried just about everything to lose the weight. Children can be cruel - I was the brunt of many jokes and much teasing. My mother had a hard time finding clothes for me so I ended up wearing the same clothes over and over again - it was hard on both of us. I know I carry these scars with me and have been an overachiever in the rest of my life to make up for feeling inadequate on the weight side. I recognize the lap band is only a tool and that my success is dependent upon getting help with the psychological issues as well as the physical issues. I really don't understand why I overeat. I have a wonderful life - a great husband, 3 wonderful boys, a senior management role with a major bank, a wonderful teaching position at the local university as well as 2 masters degrees and almost done my PhD...so all in all I've had great success in my life with the exception of my weight...very frustrating. I have lost and gained, lost and gained consistently over the years - it is not unusual for me to lose 60lbs and gain it back (plus more) over 1-2 years. I would like to be able to extend the success in my life to my weightloss and maintenance. I pray that the band is the tool to help me do this. I am quite excited about getting my band - I feel a great sense of hope and excitement but also fear. Fear that history will repeat itself and that once I've lost the weight, I will gain it back. I know I have a problem, perhaps an addiction? Perhaps food is replacing something else? I don't know. I do know that I am able to manage other aspects of my life, I just can't get to the crux of why I overeat and how I can overcome this compusion/addiction. My experiences as a child, have made me cautious - only my husband knows about my surgery plans. I feel there is a stigma associated with being fat and for that matter with seeking surgical help - Most people believe that it is just a matter of self-control - just eat less and exercise more - boy do I wish it was that simple! The extra weight I'm carrying is also taking its toll on my health (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, chronic ankle pain, and edema). My hope is that the band will help me to bring some control to my eating and thus my health. Thank you for sharing a part of my journey and good luck to all the August Bandsters! Innotu

I've been tracking my food, liquid and exercise through SparkPeople - I found it very helpful in keeping me on track and helping me make healthier choices. For example, I've substituted cucumbers for carrots as carrots = 52 cal per cup vs. cucumbers = 19 cal. per cup. As well, I've started to include more fish (particularly tuna). Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople has a list of standard foods with nutritional values and also allows you to add and track your personal favourites. I've never tracked my food before and know that I was making unhealthy choices - mainly because I was misinformed about the food and/or portion sizes - this tool allows me to make better choices. So far its working for me. I've been keeping to just under 1000 cal per day. I've also been walking 30-45 mins. each day. I've lost 9 lbs in 10 days. Good luck to all....just a 8 more days for me!!!