ReadyInCT

Hello All, I was banded on Tuesday, 23 Sept 2008, and I'm feeling great. I moved from clear liquids to full liquids a little early in the process [after 3 days! ]. Now I'm getting bored with the full liquids and wondering what other people are eating during this phase. Recommendations for the next phase [mushies or soft foods] would also be greatly appreciated!

I was only banded last week and don't have that problem [yet???] but I am very conscious of 'smells'. I use the Secret Clinincal Strength deoderant. It works very well and I have very sensitive skin so that is remarkable. There is also a product on the market called 'Body Mint' that has chlorphyll and works in the body to filter out some of those bad odors. I think it is available at Sephora ~ definately Sephora On-line. Of course, check with your doctor. I don't personally use it but my sister in Scottsdale uses it for her stinky feet [she can clear a room when she takes off her shoes!]. She claims it works 'everywhere'. My only other thought was to drink more Water. I know my skin is clearer when I drink more water and I think more toxins [causing the odors????] may be flushed out. Good Luck!

Hi IIS, We are pretty close in age [i'm 51] and I can tell you that I have been trying to lose weight for 31 years! In those 31 years I have NEVER stuck to a diet for even a single day. EVER! I was very concerned about the pre-op. My DR uses Optifast. I had 4 drink boxes and 2 bars a day. And for the most part [95%] I stuck to it! I even enjoyed the drinks and the bars [Peanut butter bars are my favorite]. I added SF Jello and some chicken and beef broth for a little variety. There were even days that I didn't drink all 4 of the drink boxes. I can't tell you what happened and why I could suddenly 'restrict' myself and I don't know if I even have willpower. But stranger things have happened! Good Luck! If I can do it, you can too!

Hi AnatolyM, I'm glad you're feeling better. I guess all surgeons are different. Mine doesn't do any type of a fill until about a month out. As others have said, healing is generally the first priority during the first 4 to 6 weeks. My surgery was the day before yours. I had a miserable time vomitting for about the first 24 hrs but have recovered very well since. I actually started back on the treadmill on Friday [Day3] albeit very slowly, back to the treadmill Saturday and then the mall and this morning I've been to the gym and fly to Chicago this evening. I've got my fingers crossed [and my toes and my eyes!] that the worst is over! Good luck and keep us posted! :teeth_smile:

Hi Rosemary3... I'm starving too! I'm 4 days post-op and feeling pretty good. But I am really hungry. I called the Dr and he said I could add the Optifast shakes but my stomach is still growling. My Dr. appointment isn't for another week ~ I'll starve by then! I'm looking for ideas as well!!!!!!

It's Day 4 [banding was Tuesday] and I'm back working on my laptop [in comfy sweats]. Very little gas pains, almost no pain from the incisions and, best of all, the nausea is GONE! Never had a problem drinking or sipping but I am starving. Dr said I could add the Optifast drinks to help with the growling stomach and it does help. So after all of the vomitting and dry heaving, the world is right again. Now if I could just have a latte!

Hello All, I was banded on Tuesday, the 23rd. I planned to come home Tuesday evening. I thought I understood what would be happening. I was wrong. In recovery I had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia. Not sure if I tried to wake up too quickly or what. The nurses seemed to be surprised I was awake so soon. And then the nausea started and never seemed to end. I spent most of the afternoon throwing up or dry heaving or whatever it is called. I felt like my chest was on fire. That continued through day 2. I spent the night in the hospital which was good beacuse I couldn't keep anything 'down' and bad because I couldn't get any sleep at all. When I finally went home [yeah!!!] I was sooooo tired...and still throwing up and then there was the gas. I'm really not a whiner. I had natural child birth with two 9 lb babies so I can handle the pain. But I wasn't prepared for the throwing up part and the tiredness. So future banders....be aware and be prepared!

Hi Cleo's Mom, I'm a day behind you...I was banded on Tuesday. I also did not anticipate this amount of discomfort. I had a hard time with the anesthesia and nausea and the vomiting. I think I had more pain from the vomiting than the incisions! My port is right smack in the middle, between my breasts! I was expecting it to be on the side. Very interesting. I'm on the clear liquids diet as well and I am starving. Is anyone else on Lovenox injections? I didn't expect those either. Well...at least today I feel better...starving but better!

Hi Health4Life! Thanks for the encouragement. Today is 100% better but I am starving! The Isopure zero-carb drink is just not cutting it! We're Colts fans as well! Went to the game on Sunday...on the liquid diet, no less! Now if they would only WIN at home!

I'm in Stamford. Dr. Floch from Norwalk did my surgery. Love the guy and his group!

How would I know if there was slippage?

So how SOON after surgery can you try to add coffee...a latte to be more specific? I've been suffering with wicked caffeine-withdrawl headaches and a warm, lovely latte would make me feel sooooo much better! I had my surgery on Tuesday and I'm starving! The latte would certainly help!

Hello All, I hate to ask a really stupid question but... I'm going to anyway :thumbup:!!!! I have read a lot of posts where people table about food getting stuck. I'm getting banded on Tuesday. If someone could just explain how food gets stuck I'd feel a lot better.... Thanks!

Hello All, This is my first post. I'm scheduled to be banded on Tuesday, 23 Sept. I started the pre-op liquid diet earlier this week and it is really tough! I've never been able to stick to a liquid diet in the past and now is no different. Is there any technique or strategy that might make the next eleven days a little easier? I know this is the right decision but, unlike others, my approval came pretty quickly so it's taking a while to sink in. Eating is a very social event in my life so I really need someone to tell me that it won't disappear! That it will just be a little 'different'. On a side note, I've been reading this website for a while now and really appreciate everyone's insight and comments. Well done!

Trust me, Cellis82, it REALLY does get better after the first couple of days. I honestly thought that was bulls#!t but it's true. I started my 2 weeks pre-op on a Tuesday and by Friday I wasn't hungry. In fact, I was supposed to drink 4 Optifast boxes a day and I ususlly only got in three. I was amazed! Just hang in there!

I found mine at the Vitamin Shoppe. They appear to have quite a lot for bariatric patients. They even had the fish oil supplement in a yogurt-squeeze type dosage! Very cool! [OMG...how pathetic am I ????? :rolleyes2: ].

Hi All, I was also on a two week liquid diet. My doctor requires the Optifast diet ~ I was on 4 'juice boxes' and 2 bars a day for 2 weeks. Now, 2 days before surgery I'm on a clear liquids only diet. Now this is REALLY tough! I am starving and I have one more day to go! Thank God for SF Jello!

Bodybugg? Could somenone enlighten me? Thanks!

Pretty much what I thought. Lucky for me, I eat slowly and, thanks to everyone, I've been much more aware of my chewing ~ even before the band. It can't hurt to practice. I bought the papaya enzyme just in case. Thanks!

Thanks for everyone getting back to me! Looks like we're all getting banded on the 22nd or 23rd so we should check back on Wednesday or so and see how everyone is doing. I stocked up on the clear liquid protein drinks and all the vitamins. Just need to get the Gas-X strips that everyone recommends. Is there anything else I should pick up before the surgery? Thanks!

Katiebugs, I'm sorry but I couldn't help myself. I've been married for 27 years. Honesty between spouses is essential ~ even when it's brutal and not what we want to hear. From my experience only, I can tell you that my husband [who I love dearly] occasionally says things that deeply impact me and he forgets almost as soon as the words come out of his mouth ~ LOL! I dwell on them and get annoyed with him and he doesn't have a clue why I am annoyed or mad. Which, of course, just makes things worse! After 27 years I have learned something. You love him and he sounds terrific so try to forget it. He has. Don't let it have a negative impact for one more minute of your life. Live really is too short.

Thanks for both replies! Both make sense... I never would have thought of the 'dental work' explanation. I don't mind telling people that I 'know' but I work with a lot of men and I think telling them that I was having lapband surgery is just too personal and therefore uncomfortable [for them]. I guess I just need to deal with it as it comes along. I'll be working from home the week of my surgery so I should be able to avoid the bulk of the questions. Again, thanks for the replies!

Hello All, I am a consultant and travel five days a week. That means I eat all meals 'out' ~ either alone, with other consultants or with the client. I'm in pre-op for another week or so which means I'm dragging around my Optifast drink boxes and bars. Has anyone managed to do the post-op successfullly while on the road? I would love to hear any suggestions or recommendations people can pass along! Cheers!

Hey there! I'm from CT and also using Dr Floch for my surgery. I'm in pre-op now; my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday the 23rd. Dr. Floch and his team are wonderful. I'm struggling with the pre-op liquid diet. I travel for work which means breakfast / lunch / dinner is 'out' and with clients. I'm managing it the best I can but I can't 'not' work during this phase. Good luck with your surgery...I'm one week behind you!

Hey there... I have TWELVE DAYS of the liquid diet and then the two days before surgery I'm on clear liquids ONLY. Apparently this is standard with my group but it seems a lot more strict than others! I know it's going to be worth it so I'm hanging in there. The post-op should be a breeze! LOLOLOL0 :wink_smile: