PDG777

I decided not to take capsules.. so am on berocca disolvable multivitamins and chewable multivitamins. I did need antibiotics at one stage and tried the liquid ones but got thrush in the mouth.. went back to tablets and crushed them.. but now liquid and chewables the way for me..

I had clear fluids for 2 days, chicken and beef natural stock, then normal fluids (actually used the Optifast as I felt it had all the nutrients needed) did not drink anything high calory or high carbohydrate... after a week on that, went onto mushies.. soft scrambled eggs / baby food.. and then went on 'softer solids' if you like for about a week and then into normal food, but ensuring it was never dry, always moist.. and still do that now. I have not eaten bread since before the operation, nor pasta, and had a tablespoon of rice the other day with curry.. all OK... But it sort of follows your doctors advice.. Cheers and Good Luck

I am taking disolvable multivitamins (Berocca) in one of my bottles of water each day... plus a kids chewable multivitamin as it has some iron in it.. plenty of protein within the allowable limit....

I must agree with last post... I was banded in august 2008, I have followed the rules, even doing the optifast diet for 6 weeks not just 4 weeks, to ensure my liver was as 'fat less' as possible. I have worked with the rules, take a dissolvable mulvitamin each day, drink plenty of water in between.. 1 bottle of water with the multivitamin included, I have not had any problems at all... no food stuck, no pbing. Certainly had wind discomfort at the beginning, and port pain.. but that was caused simply because of the rolls of fat round my midriff pulling a bit on the operation site.. I would not hand mine back.. there was no way that any diet I went on could help - and I did stick to them! A few people I told before the op were wary and a couple just said it was too radical.. but talk to those people now.. when they see the difference in me and how happy I am with the weight loss so far (still a way to go) . and never to come back... Wow! It was exciting and yes, a bit frightening at the time, but I would not change it for the world. I am on a plateau at the moment, but my body shape is changing (for the better) I really believe if you follow the rules, and follow what a lot of bandsters have found out on this site... you have all the help at hand and can't really go wrong.. ... I wish you luck and hope you can work things out... as someone on this site said... when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired - well you just go for it. I have been healthier and better in myself to such a degree that it is hard to explain.... Good Luck..

Thanks everyone... it seems it is just one of those things that your system has to work through... though this plateau is nearly 2 months now... hoping this last fill will take more of an effect.... Cheers and Thanks...

Hi... I was banded in Mid August 2008. Have lost approx 21 Kgs since then.. but for the last 6 weeks have stopped and 'hovered' between 82.5 (181.5 lbs)and 81 Kgs (178.2 lbs). Got to 81 and thought great.. but back up to 82.5 and 82 - continually hovering. I am doing Curves for exercise, have had my 4th fill. The Dr said I was now up to 6mls and he did not want to push it and cause problems.. but I do not have an overly 'full; feeling after eating. My shape is definitely changing for the better.. I do not eat bread/pasta/rice or cakes and pastries.. mainly protein and veggies - I am really happy that I have lost what I have, but would like to see it break this awful plateau that I seem to be sitting on. Anyone with any ideas .. I handle eating OK during the day, but am inclined to eat a bit more of an evening.. but never enough that I actually have problems..I have never had food stick or had real band pain... so your thoughts would be much appreciated. Cheers for Now, Pat

Fantastic... thank you so much for writing in.. great post! and mega congratulations on attaining your Triathlon!

Thanks everyone for answering my question... I too have been having a monthly every two weeks, with breakthrough bleeding as well... a lot of tummy period pain all the time... I did not know estrogen was stored in the fat, so you have confirmed what I thought might be happening... thanks to you all. My weight has been stalled last few weeks, but since second fill is on the way again... so I expect I will have a lot of this going on for a while... it's great to understand what is causing it. Trish

Hi, I am from Central Coast as well... Umina - banded by Dr Caska at Woy Woy Private Mid August. Going great guns so far... had a bit of a plateau last 3 weeks, but going in for my second fill tomorrow. I have to say I have not had any cravings, had no problems in any way whatsoever - apart from the usual post-operation things, but really happy with the surgery, and looking forward to continuing steady weight loss... My surgery out of pocket expenses were just under the $4,000 (including 2 visits to the dietician) about half of the anaesthetist fee was refunded, and you can put the gap fee of 3,000 against your tax next year - refund of 20% of anything over 1500.00. Good luck with your op and weight loss.

I had the operation at the end of a bout of flu.. and for three weeks after the operation I coughed severely - not from the lap band but specifically from the flu, I was extremely worried and placed pillows against my tummy when coughing.. it was that severe... however, I was assured the stitches would not move and it seems that is correct... I have had no issues with bping or vomiting, but on the coughing front, I was amazed everything just held together.. so yes.. they must put those stitches in amazingly well. Cheers and good Luck.

I choose foods with as low carbs as possible.. my blood test results show that I am carbohydrate & glucose intolerant, and insulin resistant - prior to banding, While I hope all those are now correcting, I prefer to go low carb as I feel a lot better, fitter and happier. Eating items with more carbs does not get rid of the hunger. I am hoping that when I get to my goal weight that I can introduce a few more carbs as there are many foods I really enjoy but they are high carb... so later on just to introduce them slowly would be great.. but for the moment the least carbs the better as I have heard the first six months after banding are vitally important for initial weight loss... Cheers, Trish

I went on Optifast for six weeks prior to surgery - four weeks at doctors request.. but I don't mind Optifast... I lost 11Kgs before surgery and surgeon was very pleased as the preparation had been so good. On some weekends I had 1 evening meal of lean meat and salad - no carbohydrates. Hope that helps.

Very roughly speaking 1 Kg = 2.2 lbs so 20 Kgs would be about 44 lbs..

Yes... everyone I know has said how much happier I seem, and that I seem to project positive energy... I certainly feel so much happier and contented - empowered is the word... because you are finally in control... I have noticed that I communicate so much better with strangers as well..and they seem more responsive to me... it is amazing how it changes your outlook....Cheers, Trish

Hi... it's me again... the Aussie tax situation is that once you have paid out $1500.00 in medical/dental/optometrist etc you are able to claim back 20% of anything over the $1500.00. So save all medical receipts of costs that were not covered by medicare and/or your health fund..and you should be able to claim 20% back of that total. So it is a help.. if the gap fee is 3000.00, then you can claim 20% of the remaining 1500.00 which would be about $300.00. so it is important to include the gap for your anaesthetist and anything else you pay out for medical in the meantime. Again.. hope that helps..

Hi... it took me about 6 weeks before I was really comfortable on my tummy, and Oh Boy! what a joy to stretch out.... up till then I was using pillows as support as I slowly went from back to side and over to tummy sleeping... only area that sometimes hurts is if I do not lift myself before turning and drag the overweight area.. that seems to pull on the muscles around the port... but it is great to finally sleep on my tum. Cheers and Good Luck, Trish.

I don't know about Dr William Munro (who got rid of my gall bladder) but the Central Coast Obesity Centre seem to have a charge of AUD3000.00 Gap Fee for the surgeon... I was banded in August by Dr Caska at Woy Woy Private, Insurance paid for everything, except that Gap fee( which covers his insurance plus covers the gap payment for two years visits after surgery). I also had to pay the anaesthetist, but claimed approx half back from Medicare and HCF between them. The dietician I saw was really a waste of money.... but you can claim some of that back as well. Another lady I know on the coast is also getting banded and has a gap fee of $3000.00 but don't know which doctor is doing her surgery. It's been great for me and I can only wish you the very best.... it's lifechanging. Trish.

I too have had this, but not as bad, only extremely uncomfortable. Best way out for me is to half sit up (supported by pillows) and put a pillow under my knees,and it seems to relieve the situation and allow the wind to move down. My surgeon said that you can expect some wind build up, and that your body slowly readjusts itself directing it downwards instead of upwards.... anyway, that has worked for me.... Cheers for Now, Trish.

I was banded on a Tuesday, and took the rest of the week off... the next week I did a half day on Monday and worked later each day.. I felt very tired. However.. painwise... very uncomfortable from wind, slept best half sitting up with a pillow under my knees, no particular op pain, but some port pain, decided that was the excess size around that area that when I turned over actually pulled on the area of the port. Port stuck out for about 2-3 weeks, and slowly subsided and is no longer visible. Wind was the worst.. very very uncomfortable. It was about 3 weeks after the op that people at work said - you have turned the corner... I was very active the whole time and moved about a lot. Did no heavy housework or anything like that and enjoyed taking things easy. Was driving Ok the next day. Only took a soluable painkiller once... apart from that all was OK. took we about 8 weeks before I could sleep fairly comfortable on my tummy.. the only real pain was the dragging sensation on the port area as i said when I turned over. Hope that helps.... and Good Luck! Trish

Hi, back again... one thing I did do (and I have never been a fan of raw eggs) I have added a raw egg to the vanilla optifast and once shaken up found it to be OK... so for a couple of days a week on the pre-op I did add a raw egg into the mix - mainly for the protein. While a lot things have been said about egg and cholesterol, I have recently read a report that said that the fat in eggs does not infact impact on your cholesterol, and those that eat a lot of eggs in fact lower their cholesterol. I am an avid egg eater and my cholesterol has always been very very low... so eggs for me were a saving grace, and on the odd occasion now that I have an optifast (as I enjoy them - maybe for brekky or lunch now and again, I always pop an egg in) hope that might help as well.... How are you going now... you are closer to your band date and must be quite excited.... Cheers for now, Trish.

Hi... I have to agree with your doctor too.... the dietician I saw was complete opposite to the surgeon. Surgeon said you have done this for weight loss... keep in mind to go very slow on the carbs, keep up the protein. the dietician said have up and go drinks (high calories and carbs) runny low fat custard (high carbs and calories) and potatoes etc. I have had none of those, Iwas able to negotiate my way around it quite well... and have not looked back. I have lost weight through the pre op, and post op, and have not gained any weight....When I looked at what the dietician said to eat and worked out the contents I decided it was a big no no! just be conscious that if you make foods with high carbs your main stay it will be much harder to lose weight... I have to admit I toyed with the idea...but I am pleased I stuck to what the surgeon said.... Cheers and Good Luck! Trish

I have to agree with last post... I did stick to the Optifast diet - I don't know if any of you have ever tried the Xenical tablets, the ones that stop your body digesting the fat - if you eat a fatty meal on that you can have the globules of fat floating around the toilet bowl! Sounds Yucky I know... but when on the Optifast diet pre op I noticed for the 2nd - 5th days that the same thing was happening, so believe it was the fat being used/discarded from the liver (and elsewhere) this stopped after the first week. I was on the Optifast for a month before hand, and did cheat on 2 weekends, but only had protein and some very light salad while having a meal with others... certainly no carbs and as little fatty food as possible. My surgeon said the preparation had paid dividends and the operation was made faster and easier and made for better placement because of the reduction in the liver... you can find a site on the web if you input 'fatty liver' and it shows you the difference .... certainly worth the effort for me. Cheers, Trish

The only thing I had on the liquid diet apart from water, green and black tea with no fat milk, was Optifast for meals.. the reason I was given was to reduce the size of the liver - ie get rid of fatty liver - I would think creamed anything would have high carbs and fat in it, and I personally would steer clear of anything creamy that was not a specific diet drink with little or no fat... but that was me, and the surgeon was really pleased with the pre-op preparation and said it made the operation much easier and faster with the fat gone out of the liver. best wishes for your future weight loss.

Hi, certainly uncomfortable after the operation.. but I cannot say in any particular pain, and certainly not from the lap band.. the port area was sore - sort of - but decided it was the drag of the weight around the tummy that was not helping. Certainly had a small lump there, but that has disappeared, and I can feel it when I want to find it, but absolutely no bother. No problems with the liquid diet, stuck to optifast, plus chicken broth (lovely) ensured no high calory foods liquids - added an egg or two to the optifast for more protein. As for feeling full.. well, just don't feel like food at all. the last couple of weeks before my first fill did become a challenge, but a week after that fill, just feel satisfied, and could go without food totally, except that you must eat, so have mid day meal and evening meal and low or no calory liquids in between... Energy is fantastic, a little tired in the evening, but that helps me sleep well. Best thing I have ever done.. and weight is coming off nicely. I am already off blood pressure meds, and just feel great and positive... and just HAPPY! Hope this helps, Cheers, Trish

Hi, my doctor wanted 4 weeks on Optifast solid before the operation, and I actually chose to do 6 weeks without problems. At the operation I had a 2ml fill. After the operation I did clear for 3days, then liquid for a week, then mushies/liquid for another week (I have no problems with Optifast) then started a mixture of all three, liquid, mushies and solids for another two weeks, and am now on solids. Doing it slowly has meant no problems and I can easily eat most of everything I want. 6 weeks post op I had another 2ml fill, so now have 4 mls, I only had liquid the day before and after the fill, then mushies for 2 days, then back to solids... no problems there and the doctor was very pleased. I currently have no hunger pangs, and am only eating because it is required... Non calories fluids to lunch, then lunch and then dinner.. have no urge to snack and am now more than two weeks from 1st fill... so am very happy and glad I followed doctors advice in taking it slowly as I have not had any problems so far. Good Luck to you... One thing is for sure, if we can work with the band we will get there.... Trish