RestlessMonkey

If you take in less calories than you need each day, you'll lose. Whether you are formally "dieting" or eating less of "regular" food, the bottom line is less calories than you need = body burns stored fat for energy. It's important to get enough Protein, so most docs tell us to eat protein first. However, you need to do what works for you. Some bandsters use sites like "the daily plate" to keep track of every bite and watch it closely, others eat what their families etc eat but keep it to 1/2 - 1 cup per meal. Some snack, my doctor says snacking is totally forbidden. In other words, it's your tool. You need to use it in a way that works for you, so that you will lose. As to whether your doc will get mad or not well that depends on your doc. I gained from surgery to my 1st fill an mine wasn't mad at all.

You should call your doctor on Monday. I have never known the flu shot to cause vomiting, and the CDC doesn't list it as a side effect of the flu shot. The "flu" the shot combats doesn't have nausea/vomiting as a side effect, either. So I'm wondering why you vomited and thinking you might have a stomach bug ... If the flu shot DID make you vomit the doc needs to know about it because that is an idiosyncratic reaction. And about your band....it's probably ok but let your surgeon know.

I lost 15 in 3 weeks doing that (and cheating)...then another 17 doing it for 2 1/2 weeks (and NOT cheating). I didn't get "lean meat", though...I got 3 oz of lean fish, turkey or chicken (no meat) and green veggies only.

I don't smoke any more but as I remember my surgeon requires it. Most of them do, I think. Honestly, if they don't, they should; it makes anesthesia more dicey (especially for people who are obese...as are we band candidates) and it impairs healing post op.

Oh and as a rule of thumb (and this is very general...noosagirl was right of course when she said different insurance requires different weights etc)....a BMI of 35 w/comorbidities (like hypertension, Diabetes I or II, sleep apnea, etc) or a BMI of 40...or being 100 pounds over, or being 200% over...you get the picture. There are no hard fast rules to any of it! :smile2:

Hmm...I say start with your insurance. See if they cover it, and if they do, what they require....PCP referral? 6 month supervised diet? Find out which surgeons are in your network or covered under your plan (if any). THEN....go to a seminar or two. They are generally VERY educational. They'll probably answer some questions and bring up some more....then you can internet search, buy books (amazon has several great ones) etc...but I'd start with insurance first. My primary physician had no clue whether my insurance covered the procedure and what might be required. He did tell me if I needed a letter from him he'd write one, but I started w/my insurance company. Good luck!

I was against any type of bariatric surgery. I could (and did) lose on many diets. Then I would get bored and quit counting/writing/weighing...and boom back up I'd go, plus another 20 pounds or more. So I quit dieting. (I won't EVER diet again, except to follow post-fill rules per my doctor) I had resigned myself to being pretty fat for the rest of my days, and that those days would be fewer, most likely, because of my weight. Then I had an epiphany. If I needed a pacemaker for my heart, I'd get it in a snap. So, why was I resisting the band? I think of it as a pacemaker for my stomach...portion control. Instead of eating a double cheeseburger, large fries, and a shake, I'll be "satisfied" with a jr. burger, one or 2 of my husband's fries, no shake. Hmmm. I could have a baked chicken thigh instead of 4 pieces of fried chicken...and be full for 4-5 hours. No hunger. HMMMMM....When I looked at it from that perspective, It was a no brainer. I can have ONE cookie at christmas, not the pan. My doctor said the odds were that there would, eventually, be NO food off limits to me. Fresh bread, deep fried (as another poster mentioned)...eventually, once I've lost what I want and am used to chewing etc, odds are high there won't be anything I can't have if I truly want it. (He can't promise that, of course, but shoot, I'd give up bread to weigh below 200. I may not have to, but I would. ) I'll just want WAY WAY less of whatever I'm eating. Portion pacemaker for the appetite. I felt it would be nuts to keep refusing it, when I looked at it in the different light.

Hi Maggies! I was told it was a side effect of the anesthesia. Of course, I had to just let it move on through. Call your doc to make sure, however!

Ask your surgeon what s/he recommends. If you are taking an opiod pain killer (like lortab or hydrocodone) you may be constipated. I never was; but I didn't go every day any more, either. (when you are on liquids, you don't have that much to "go". that isn't constipation, though) But if you are worried, rather than do what people here say their docs told them, just ask your doctor what he prefers. Mine told us if it was a problem to call him and he would make recommendations; I'm sure yours feels the same. Some laxatives are habit forming, so it's best to go with what your professional tells you.

You can bring your own. Unlike Ange, I had plenty energy, but I didn't want blood or something ruining one of mine, and they had a nice big one that "fit" and closed in the back. I dressed within about an hour of "coming to" anyway, in real clothes. It can be a bit of a pain to change gowns because of the IV...but you can wear your own if you really want to!

I haven't with the band, but I have in the past on "diets"...and I dreamed about smoking when I was quitting back in 1995. I think it's just our psyche's way of handling the change, grieving and moving on! :biggrin:

I didn't but most of my doc's patients do. I was supposed to but because my husband is an RN, he let me come home.

I felt pretty darned wonderful by day 3. I was posting here the evening of my surgery day, day 2 I was a little sore and took 2 doses of prescription pain meds, but that was it. I felt WONDERFUL! I was happy happy to have the band, etc. I had surgery on Friday, a class on the next Tues afternoon (I'm a nursing student) and I BOMBED the math test (and I am a math whiz). Teacher said she figured it was because I was still suffering aftereffects from anesthesia. I felt good, though! So it just depends on you. How you think you feel, and how you are actually performing, may be 2 different things! LOL I'd think a week is probably good, though. By that next friday, 1 week out, I was back to normal. I was hungry as a bear because I could only have liquids, but I was "normal". :biggrin: Good luck to you!

My liver shrink diet was 2-3 of a certain shake each day, at least 64 oz of Water, 3 oz lean chicken fish or poulty each day and green veggies. no butter, condiments, NO Snacks AT ALL. I lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks, liver still too big, did it another 2 1/2 weeks and 17 more pounds, and op was successful that 2nd time. Each surgeon has his/her own liver shrink diet. Do what YOUR surgeon says. If you want a jump start, call your surgeon's office and find out what they want you to do. They are all so different; it's best if you comply with your surgeons directions, not anecdotal info from here! :biggrin:

noosagirl...your best bet is to do what YOUR doctor says, because s/he is the one with the experience! :biggrin: Mine says no liquids (not just water) 15 minutes before, during, and 15 minutes after eating. Why is exactly as the other posters have stated...liquid helps wash the food through your stoma and negates the effect of the band.

My doc does fills every 6 weeks. That's fine with me. He did say, however, if I REALLY wanted more/faster, he'd do it, but he explained his reasoning and rationale to me and I agreed with him. (He is the doc!)

I was scared of surgery too, before I had my gallbladder removed in 2003. Until then, everyone I knew who had been in a hospital DIED. No kidding (I never had any kids) That changed my life; in order to cope with my fear, I occupied myself with what was being done, and why, and how. Even in the OR I asked for them to wait a little before putting me under so I could look around because it looked nothing like I had expected it would. I ended up going back to school and will graduate as an RN with my BSN next May! So I understand your fear. I don't guess everyone will go through surgrery and decide to become involved in the medical field! however if there's anything I can answer to help you calm down a little, I will. Your doc's office should answer any questions, too. Laparoscopic surgery is pretty quick and easy. Although they do "knock you out", I've truthfully had dental procedures that hurt more and hurt longer.

Seriously, if the doctor's office isn't that worried, and you feel good, you really shouldn't worry about it. Just try to eat healthy (and atkins-ish is pretty darned healthy!) and see what happens. As I said, lab values taken out of context are almost meaningless....your diet, history, life style, etc etc can affect them. Other values matter, too. I don't know enough to interpret for you, but I do know enough to tell you not to lose any sleep over it! :w00t:

For ALT, 36 is the top figure, for AST, 35 is the top figure. Actually, it can depend on the lab, too...I've also heard 40 and 45, respectively. However, taken out of context, the fact that they are "high" doesn't mean anything much.

Some people do turn from one "bad habit" to another but it's rare. That's what the psych eval is partly for, believe it or not, to try to catch those with issues (so they can be helped pre banding). I honestly believe it happens more with bypass but can't back that up with data LOL Anyway tell your mom you had a psych eval and that won't happen to you. If you become a gambling drinking sex-crazed maniac, you can just get a slight unfill LOL (teasing really) She's just worried about you. The psych thing should put her mind at ease. :w00t:

It's disney world! I'd just do the best I could...I'd chew chew chew, not snack, not drink with meals, but enjoy myself. Even counter service at disney often offers healthier choices....you can do it. Have fun!

I don't know where you heard that you "shouldn't" be hungry but that is BS for most of us. SOME patients don't have much of an appetite for a few days post op due to swelling etc because of abdominal surgery. For many of us, that is fleeting if it happens at all. That's why they call the first weeks post op "Bandster hell"...you can't eat (you might damage your band placement etc) but you are HUNGRY. All I can tell you is to tough it out, it will pass. It's important to follow your doctor's orders to set you up for success. So call your doc if you are miserable, see what you maybe can add in, but know that you aren't alone. Most of us suffered and struggled but you get through it somehow and it's worth it afterward. Follow your doc's advice, though, not just what you read here. Bands are different, surgeons are different, and post op requirement are totally different, so you need to follow your physician's rules. Hopefully he'll let you add in something to help. Mine didn't even allow Protein shakes for that first week post op! :w00t:

She should have access to his notes about your surgery...maybe not what he charted in the hospital, but at least what's in your file at their office. So it's possible she can answer more than you realize and again, if not, she can either get the info for you or have him call. You have every right to wonder and ask about this stuff; they won't resent or be bothered (shame on them if they were, but they won't be!)

Most successful surgeons (any doc actually) are busy. And honestly many surgeons don't have the greatest bedside manner...but so what...you want one who's good in the OR, not hand holding. Having said that...bariatric surgery is different from many types; follow up and after care are CRUCIAL to success. If I were you, I'd write down ALL my questions (So I won't forget) and then call and ask to speak with his nurse. She will probably know the answer to many/most of your questions. What she doesn't know, she can ask for you, or have him call you. Realistically, I love my surgeon but he has a great staff and they can answer many of my questions. And...it can be hard to ask intimate questions of anyone whether you "know" the person or not. You aren't being overly sensitive, but it is your body and health (mental, emotional, and physical!). Since they didn't address it with you, call and ask. The nurse should be more approachable. Just tell the receptionist you need the nurse and ask her to call you at her earliest convenience. Please understand I do NOT mean that you can't or shouldn't approach your surgeon with ANY question related to the band, your surgery, and your recovery. You are paying (or your insurance is) a good chunk of money, not just for his expertise in the OR, but for that follow up care I mentioned. Since you seem uncomfortable approaching him, however, his nurse should be a good buffer for you. Good luck. Advocate for yourself. They may be busy but if they are as reputable as you feel they are, they want you to recover and have every success. Help them help you.

If you aren't diabetic, then the ketones aren't a worry (unless they are SUPER high) because eating a diet high in Protein low in carb will cause "ketosis"...a by product of the body breaking down fat for energy. Of course, regular "diets" cause fat breakdown too but in Ketosis it's accellerated. When I was on my preop "liver shrink" diet I was "in ketosis" and that just meant the diet was working; I was burning fat. Be sure the doctor requiring the tests knows about your diet. If you are diabetic, then ketosis can be dangerous (different type/reason) As to the bilirubin, sorry but I don't know. Are you getting enough sunshine? I know it indicates jaundice in babies; in grown ups it can be serious, or not! I wouldn't borrow trouble, though; wait to see what the retest means. Blood work can be skewed by many things; it could be "normal" next time.